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Beyond the Bestsellers: My Favorite Kids' Picture Books!
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items As a collector of picture book who just so happens to work at the library, I see hundreds of picture books every month. I put this list together to share the hidden gems and indispensable classics that make storytime magical. These aren't just books;...
Sections
10
Classics
Board Books (Infant - 3)
Funny / Silly
Life Lessons / Social - Emotional
Series
Learning & Discovery
Classics
Timeless favorites that kids (and parents) never get tired of. They’re classics for a reason!
Every kid (and adult) loves this one! The colors, the holes, the food — but I think what makes it stick is the transformation at the end.
A caterpillar eats his way through different foods each day, growing bigger and bigger, until he transforms in...
The Very Hungry Caterpillar (Rise and Shine)
I don’t know what kind of spell this book casts, but it works. Something about the quiet rhythm and the soft little goodnights just settles everyone down — even grown-ups.
It’s not flashy or loud. It’s comfort in book form.
A gentle, rhythmic bedt...
Goodnight Moon
A classic for a reason! This rhythmic story follows a small mouse who escapes being eaten by a fox, an owl, and a snake by inventing a scary monster. The ultimate twist? The Gruffalo he describes is real! The book is a perfect, fun lesson in resource...
The Gruffalo
If you want a picture book that tackles a tough topic perfectly, this is it. Chrysanthemum tells the story of a little mouse who completely adores her long, beautiful name... until she starts school and other kids tease her about it. She literally wi...
Chrysanthemum: A First Day of School Book for Kids
This classic is the sweet tale of Corduroy, a teddy bear who lives in a big department store. Corduroy is sad because he thinks no one will buy him since he's missing a button on his green overalls.
He goes on a secret, adventurous hunt through the...
Corduroy
This book is one of Dr. Seuss's most important and an essential classic. It introduces the tiny, furious, fuzzy yellow creature, the Lorax, who is famous for speaking up for the beautiful Truffula Trees.
He faces off against the greedy Once-ler, wh...
The Lorax
George is timeless. Every story starts with a little curiosity and ends in gentle chaos. He’s the definition of lovable trouble.
It’s a book about exploring and learning even when things get messy. Curious George is basically every toddler, in monke...
Curious George
This classic Spanish tale is about Ferdinand, a gigantic bull who only wants one thing: to sit quietly under his favorite cork tree and smell the flowers.
He’s accidentally picked for the big bullfight in Madrid, but when he gets to the arena, he r...
The Story of Ferdinand (Picture Puffins)
If you were a bookish kid in the early 2000s, this was THE picture book. I'm talking about the farm animals who discovered the power of a typewriter and decided to unionize. Seriously.
This book was a huge part of my childhood reading, and it perfec...
Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type - Level 2
The classic that started it all. The mouse is adorable, demanding, and totally relatable.
It’s about generosity, cycles, and how one good deed can spin into a whole adventure. One of those books you’ll end up knowing by heart.
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie
It’s chaos, it’s motion, it’s dogs everywhere — and it’s perfect. The repetition and rhythm pull kids in, and by the end you’re both smiling.
It’s a book about movement and joy. A reminder that sometimes stories don’t need to mean anything — they ju...
Go, Dog Go (I Can Read It All By Myself)
My absolute all time favorite.
This book is pure magic. Max gets sent to his room for misbehaving and suddenly finds himself in a wild, messy, crazy world full of… well, wild things. The story captures that mix of mischief, imagination, and the lon...
Where the Wild Things Are: Caldecott Winner
This classic is perfect for little ones learning colors, animals, and rhythm. The repetitive, predictable text makes it easy for toddlers to join in and “read” along with you.
It’s a book about observation and participation. Kids love pointing out t...
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
This one is pure good vibes. Pete steps in all kinds of messes, but he keeps singing his song and walking along completely unbothered. Kids love the rhythm and silliness, and grown ups love the message: just go with the flow.
It’s a fun reminder tha...
Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes
This book is just joyful nonsense
silly rhymes, funny creatures, and tongue-twisters that make kids giggle every time. It’s one of those reads where everyone ends up laughing halfway through.
It’s perfect for building early reading skills, but hon...
One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish
This is one of those books that hits differently as you get older. It’s playful and weird in the best Dr. Seuss way, but it’s also deeply encouraging about life’s ups, downs, and the courage to keep going.
It’s a beautiful gift book for kids (and gr...
Oh, the Places You'll Go!
This one’s pure chaos in the best way. A rainy day turns wild when the Cat shows up and breaks all the rules. Kids love the rhymes and mischief, and it’s impossible not to laugh at the mess he makes.
It’s funny and a little rebellious, but it also s...
The Cat in the Hat
This book feels like childhood captured on paper. the quiet joy of waking up to fresh snow, making footprints, and exploring the world in your own little way.
It’s calm, gentle, and beautifully simple. Kids connect with that sense of wonder, and par...
The Snowy Day
Board Books (Infant - 3)
Small books for tiny hands (and mouths 😅)
This is a board book that celebrates the huge love between a parent and their little one using dinosaurs and silly puns! Each page features an adorable picture of an adult dinosaur and a baby dinosaur, paired with a cute line about how much the paren...
I Love You More, Babysaur: Dinosaur Board Book
This is a board book that introduces babies and toddlers to the major ideas from famous books that have been banned or challenged over the years, like To Kill a Mockingbird or The Diary of Anne Frank.
Instead of retelling the adult stories, it dist...
Baby's First Book of Banned Books
This one’s a love letter to books themselves. It’s about that feeling when a kid just needs to read — right now.
It’s fun, loud, and full of energy — a perfect way to celebrate little readers who already love shouting “Again!” when you finish.
Booook! Spooky High-Contrast Book for Infants
Every toddler goes through this stage saying “no” to everything and learning what’s okay and what’s not. This book makes that whole process funny instead of frustrating.
It’s full of little moments every parent will recognize, like drawing on the wa...
No No Yes Yes (Leslie Patricelli Board Books)
This is a total read-aloud hit. Kids love whispering the quiet parts and shouting the loud ones — which is exactly the point. It’s all about learning balance, but in a fun, toddler-sized way.
Great for kids who are learning when to turn their volume...
Quiet Loud: Playful Sounds Opposites Book
A sweet, simple board book that feels like watching your kid figure out the world. It’s full of opposites big and little, clean and dirty told with that signature Patricelli charm.
It’s a lovely way to sneak in early learning while your kid is just ...
Big Little: Opposites for Babies & Toddlers
This one’s a toddler classic. It goes back and forth between what’s yummy (spaghetti!) and what’s yucky (worms!). Kids absolutely love shouting “YUCKY!” at the top of their lungs.
It’s great for teaching little ones about what’s okay to eat - and wh...
Yummy Yucky: Eating Habits Book for Toddlers
If your kid’s in that “everything about toots is hysterical” phase — this book is your best friend. It’s goofy, sweet, and perfectly captures toddler humor.
Honestly, it’s just pure giggle fuel. And it makes it clear that bodies are normal and funny...
Toot: Playful Body Sounds for Babies & Toddlers
This one’s pure joy. It’s impossible to read without someone getting tickled before it’s over. Simple words, bright pictures, and lots of laughter.
It’s not just a book — it’s a snuggle session disguised as storytime.
Tickle: Playful Family Story for Babies
A calm, cozy way to wind down after a busy day. The little baby says goodnight to everything, just like your own bedtime routine.
It’s gentle and sweet — one of those books that feels like a lullaby. Perfect for ending the day on a soft note.
Nighty-Night: Bedtime Story for Babies & Toddlers
This one is for families with pets!
Told from the dog’s point of view when a new baby comes home. It’s funny, tender, and so relatable if your dog is still figuring out the “new human.”
It’s a story about change, love, and learning that there’s en...
Dog's First Baby: A Board Book
These little books are bright, bold, and perfect for tiny hands. Each one introduces a fun topic — like colors, shapes, numbers, or animals — in a playful, simple way.
They’re about learning through play. Babies and toddlers can explore the world, p...
Baby University Board Book Set: Science for Toddlers
This one’s an adorable little adventure. Kids. lift the flaps to find animals hiding all through the forest. It’s fun, interactive, and keeps little hands busy.
It’s perfect for curious toddlers who love surprises and spotting details on every page.
Who's Hiding in the Woods?
Sweet, simple, and perfect for fall. Biscuit explores the pumpkin patch with his adorable puppy curiosity, finding new sights and sounds along the way.
Biscuit Visits the Pumpkin Patch: Fall & Halloween
A parent bear and baby bear spend the day together, showing all the ways they love each other. The words are simple, but they hit right in the heart.
It’s a perfect bedtime book and a lovely reminder of how endless a parent’s love really is.
I Love You to the Moon and Back
Classic chaos! monkeys jumping, doctor calling, mom warning… and nobody listening! Kids love the repetition and the silliness every single time.
It’s funny, catchy, and perfect for reading (or singing) again and again - because we all know they’ll a...
Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed Book
Funny / Silly
Books that will make everyone giggle and sometimes even groan.
This is a beautiful adaptation of a Ukrainian folktale, and it's perfect for a snowy day. A young boy named Nicki loses one of his white mittens in the snow. One by one, a whole cast of woodland animals—from a mole to a gigantic bear—discover the los...
The Mitten
This book is for everyone who felt bad for the wolf. You think he's the Big Bad Wolf, but he says he's just Alexander T. Wolf, and he's been framed! All he wanted was a cup of sugar for his grandma's birthday cake.
The whole thing was a huge misunde...
The True Story of the Three Little Pigs
If you loved Click, Clack, Moo, this one is essential. It's the sequel where Farmer Brown finally gets a vacation, but not before giving his brother Bob the one crucial instruction: 'Keep an eye on Duck.' And, oh my gosh, Duck does not disappoint.
Se...
Giggle, Giggle, Quack (A Click, Clack Book)
The Good Egg is trying so hard to be perfect — until he cracks (literally). It’s funny, sweet, and weirdly relatable for anyone who’s ever been a little too hard on themselves.
It’s a story about balance and self-care. Kids laugh at the silly eggs, ...
The Good Egg: Easter & Springtime Book
Dry humor at its absolute best. The bear has lost his hat, and he’s going to find it with some seriously funny deadpan moments along the way. The ending gets a laugh every single time.
It’s a book about honesty, maybe? Or karma? Or just how perfectl...
I Want My Hat Back
Bruce is a grumpy bear who just wants to make eggs for breakfast — until they hatch into goslings who decide he’s their mom. The deadpan humor is so good, and the pictures are ridiculously funny.
It’s a book about unexpected love — and how sometimes...
Mother Bruce (Board Book) (Mother Bruce Series)
This book is basically a highlight reel of every bad decision a kid can make. David's mom has to say 'No!' to everything, whether he's drawing on the walls, running naked outside, or banging pots like a tiny, domestic drummer.
There are almost no wo...
No, David!
This one’s wild, weird, and hilarious. It flips fairy tales upside down — totally chaotic, but in the best way. Kids love the ridiculousness; parents love the clever writing.
It’s a book that doesn’t take itself seriously at all. Pure fun!
The Stinky Cheese Man & Other Tales
This book is so funny from start to finish!
A baby on a skateboard racing through town while everyone tries to keep up.
The pictures are so full of chaos and movement, kids can’t stop laughing.
The ending is my favorite part, it wraps up the sil...
Skater Baby
This one is laugh-out-loud funny. A tiny mouse insists he’s a tiger and somehow convinces everyone else! Kids love the silliness and the big confidence in such a small character.
This book is an absolute joy to read to kids! (especially in class/gro...
I Am a Tiger
This book is just brilliant. The crayons have had enough! Each one writes a letter to their owner, complaining or pleading for a break. It’s packed with personality and the humor hits for both kids and adults.
It’s also a great reminder that everyon...
The Day the Crayons Quit
This one’s such a classic. A little bird hatches while his mother’s away and sets off to find her - asking every creature and machine he meets, “Are you my mother?” It’s sweet, funny, and just the right amount of silly.
Are You My Mother ?
Life Lessons / Social - Emotional
Books that teach empathy, resilience, and kindness without ever feeling preachy.
Funny, real, and way more fun than it sounds — it teaches manners and social awareness without being preachy. Kids actually like it.
It’s a book about kindness and empathy disguised as a humor guide. Great for those “we don’t talk with food in our m...
Dude, That's Rude! (Get Some Manners)
These books help kids understand big feelings in a fun, colorful way. Each Spot — like Anger, Kindness, or Calm — shows kids what emotions look and feel like.
It’s playful, silly, and full of heart, but it also teaches empathy, confidence, and bound...
A Little SPOT of Feelings 8 Book Set
This one is so, so important. It teaches kids about personal space, consent, and saying “no” in a way that’s clear, safe, and empowering — never scary.
It’s a book about respect — for yourself and others. Every family should have this one, especiall...
Body Boundaries Make Me Stronger: Kids Safety Book
These little books pack so much wisdom into short, fun stories. Each “Ninja” faces something kids actually deal with — anger, confidence, kindness — and figures out what to do about it.
They’re funny, colorful, and surprisingly deep. Great for helpi...
Ninja Life Hacks Self Awareness 8 Book Set
Such a gentle, grounding book. It helps kids notice what’s happening inside — what tightness, warmth, or butterflies mean — so they can connect feelings with sensations.
It’s a book about mindfulness, but for kids who still need pictures and simple ...
Listening to My Body: Guide for Kids
I Am Stuck
The crayons are back! and this time, they’re exploring emotions! Each color shows a different feeling, from happy yellow to grumpy red. It’s bright, simple, and full of expression.
It’s a great way to help little ones name their feelings and see tha...
The Crayons' Book of Feelings (My First Crayons)
This book is all heart. It teaches kids that everyone carries an invisible “bucket” that holds their happiness. When you do kind things, you fill others’ buckets (and your own).
It’s a beautiful, simple way to teach empathy, kindness, and how our ac...
Have You Filled a Bucket Today? - Kids Guide
This one celebrates kindness as the greatest power of all. It follows a little boy learning how small acts like sharing, helping, and forgiving can make a big difference.
It’s uplifting, sweet, and full of examples kids can actually use. A great pic...
Kindness is my Superpower: Kids Book on Empathy
Series
Because once they love a character, they can’t get enough
The pig’s adventures are pure joy! one pancake turns into a full-blown day of mess and magic.
It’s a reminder that one small thing can turn into something wonderful (and a little wild). A must for fans of imagination and syrup.
If You Give a Pig a Pancake
This one’s delightful chaos! once you give a moose a muffin, it’s over. He’ll want jam, a sweater, a puppet show, and who knows what else.
It’s all about cause and effect, but mostly it’s just hilarious. Great for kids who like to guess what happens...
If You Give a Moose a Muffin
The most energetic one of the bunch! the dog zooms through a day of fun that starts with a donut and ends in a backyard adventure.
It’s joyful and high-energy — great for wiggly kids who love action and snacks.
If You Give a Dog a Donut: Playful Story
The cat’s curious, cute, and just a little bit demanding. Each page spirals into a new adventure that somehow loops right back to the cupcake.
It’s a sweet, silly story about curiosity and fun. Great for bedtime laughs.
If You Give a Cat a Cupcake (If You Give... Books)
These are magic for helping kids understand emotions and boundaries. Each “Spot” — like a Spot of Anger or a Spot of Kindness — makes big ideas feel small and doable.
They’re bright, interactive, and full of heart. I love how they make emotions visu...
A Little SPOT Emotional Regulation Box Set 49-56
Pete has too many buttons on his shirt, and when they start popping off, chaos ensues. Kids love the rhythm, the silly problem, and how Pete stays cool no matter what.
It’s a story about going with the flow, laughing at little mishaps, and staying g...
Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons
Pete’s cupcake goes missing, and he tries to figure out who took it. The mystery is simple, funny, and kids love shouting out clues as they read along.
It’s about curiosity, problem-solving, and handling little setbacks with a smile.
Pete the Cat and the Missing Cupcakes
Pete heads out for Halloween, but things don’t go as planned. Kids love the playful rhymes, silly costumes, and Pete’s easygoing attitude.
It’s a story about enjoying the fun, being kind, and not sweating the small stuff
It’s also perfect for Hallo...
Pete the Cat: Trick or Pete
Pete tries a new school and rocks his way through the first day, meeting new friends and learning new things. Kids love the catchy song-like rhythm and positive vibe.
It’s about confidence, adaptability, and finding your groove in new situations all...
Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes
Pete wants the perfect pizza party, but everyone has different tastes. The fun comes from the chaos of toppings and personalities clashing.
It’s a story about compromise, teamwork, and celebrating differences
plus, kids can’t resist imagining all ...
Pete the Cat and the Perfect Pizza Party
The crayons write letters telling their owner where they’ve been: lost, stuck, or just tired of being used wrong. Kids love the funny stories and the colorful illustrations, and parents get a kick out of all the little details.
It’s a story about be...
The Day the Crayons Came Home
The crayons have all sorts of personalities. some are nervous, some are sassy, and some just cause trouble.
watching them navigate school is hilarious.
Kids love the funny antics and parents love how each crayon has a little lesson about getting al...
The Crayons Go Back to School (Celebrate)
Learning & Discovery
Books that sneak in skills and knowledge while still feeling playful.
This book takes a fun trip through our solar system, stopping at all eight planets. It uses simple, rhyming verses and colorful illustrations (often with a clever die-cut design) to introduce a unique, factual characteristic of each one.
The book us...
8 Little Planets: Solar System Book for Kids
This one’s a quiet treasure — it follows a girl and her mom walking the same path every day, meeting different dogs and people. It’s simple, but full of heart.
It’s a story about connection and noticing small things. It reminds kids (and us) that ev...
The Dogs You Will Meet
This is a beautifully illustrated, gentle, and thought-provoking book that follows a child and their faithful Arctic Fox friend on an adventure. The book doesn't tell a plot with a beginning, middle, and end, but instead asks a series of powerful que...
Why Not?: A Story of Discovering Possibilities
Empowerment & Confidence
Stories that remind kids they can handle the world, one step at a time.
This one’s so honest and encouraging — it shows a girl trying, failing, and trying again (and again). It’s the kind of message every kid — and adult — needs sometimes.
It’s a book about resilience and self-kindness. It teaches that mistakes aren’t b...
The Girl Who Makes a Million Mistakes: Growth Mindset Book for Kids
This book is a massive, global collection of true-life bedtime stories about 100 extraordinary women. It completely flips the traditional princess fairy tale on its head, showing girls they don't need rescuing - they need a goal.
Each short chapter...
Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls: Baby's Book
This bright, modern alphabet book is a simple but powerful tool for gender equality. It rejects the old idea of "girls' jobs" and "boys' jobs" by showing a huge variety of women in exciting, ambitious careers. Each letter introduces a job, like "A is...
ABC for Me: ABC What Can She Be? Vol 5
This fun alphabet book celebrates being bold, curious, and confident. Each letter shows something cool girls can do or be, from adventurous to wonderful.
It’s a book about confidence and self-belief — perfect for little readers who need a reminder t...
A Is for Awesome!: 23 Iconic Women
Sweet & Heartwarming
Books to bring warmth to your heart! (Or tears to your eyes)
This is a warm, beautiful picture book that tells a child: "I have loved you always." It uses gentle, rhyming words and sweet pictures of animals to show that a parent's love was waiting for the child across the universe, long before they even met.
It's a book about belonging. It reassures every child that they were meant to be in their family, and that their parent's love is as old and lasting as the stars. It's especially popular with families who have adopted.
I've Loved You Since Forever: Heartwarming Story
This book is sweet, encouraging, and full of heart. It gently tells kids that they each have a special light inside. something that makes them brave, kind, and uniquely themselves.
It’s a story about confidence, self-love, and believing in your own ...
The Light in You: Heartwarming Affirmations
Inspired by a farmhouse Sophie once discovered, this book is a love letter to country life. Each page is full of animals, cozy corners, and little everyday adventures that make farm life feel magical.
It’s a story about growing up. Kids love discove...
Farmhouse
Holidays
A classic!
The Grinch is hilariously grumpy, sneaky, and completely over-the-top — and the moment his heart grows three sizes, it just melts you.
It’s funny, a little chaotic, and reminds kids (and adults) that kindness and love can sneak in when ...
How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Full Color
A bright, playful book that shows all the fun and festive things that are green at Christmas
from trees and wreaths to decorations and gifts. Kids love spotting the details and enjoying the colorful holiday cheer.
Green Is for Christmas (The Crayons Celebrate)
Shows how families celebrate holidays in different countries, featuring lights, parades, foods, and traditions from around the world.
Around the World Celebrations
A kid-friendly look at global holiday traditions, showing the different ways children celebrate and enjoy special days.
How Kids Celebrate Holidays Around the World
A boy boards a magical train to the North Pole on Christmas Eve and experiences the wonder and excitement of the holiday season.
The Polar Express: Christmas Book for Kids
Kids try to build the perfect snowman, with funny mishaps and playful teamwork along the way.
The Biggest, Best Snowman
Autumn / Fall
Contrary to what the title might make you believe, this books is extremely funny. It’s about a tree who has problems getting their fall leaves to look right
Fall Is Not Easy
A joy for children and parents alike!
A single leaf creates chaos in a barnyard when it makes a cow sneeze, causing a chain reaction of silly events among the farm animals
When The Leaf Blew In
A hilarious story about a duck who decides to carve a jack-o’-lantern
Pumpkin Trouble