We always have a rotating collection of picture books from the library and these are some of our recent favorites.

The bear books by Karma Wilson (Bear Snores On, Bear Wants More, Bear Feels Scared…)

All of these books, with their rhyming text and adorable animal illustrations, are just delightful. If you’ve never read these, you are missing out!

Finding Wild by Megan Wagner Lloyd

This nature-inspired picture book with beautiful illustrations and poetic text is all about finding and appreciating the wilderness.

Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina 

This is a classic, one we’ve taken out from the library before, but it was on heavy rotation in our house this time. The kids never get sick of those silly monkeys!

Little Robot by Ben Hatke

I think I’ve spoken of our love for Ben Hatke (Nobody Likes a Dragon) before, and this book did not disappoint. Its like a combination between a wordless picture book and a graphic novel, and tells the heartwarming (and surprisingly suspenseful for a children’s story) story of a friendship between a little girl and a robot. Perfect for little pre-readers to look at and “read” by themselves.

Julia’s House for Lost Creatures by Ben Hatke

What can I say? I think I have a new favorite children’s author. His books are all excellent. We loved spotting some characters from his other book in this one.

Friendshape by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichthenfeld

Full of hilarious puns, which I know I appreciated way more than my kids! I think this picture book would make a great gift, to an adult friend or a child friend. Besides, can you ever go wrong with Amy Krouse Rosenthal?

After the Fall by Dan Santat

This was Porters favorite, he asked for it almost every single day, and was heartbroken when we had to take it back to the library. I can’t blame him, this book is incredible from both a child’s and adults perspective. Its about how Humpty Dumpty deals with his fear of heights after falling. As an adult I appreciated the message of the story, and lines like “there were some parts that couldn’t be healed with bandages and glue.” Kids are drawn to the narrative of the story and its illustrations. And well… that ending. I don’t want to spoil it, but the ending is the best part and had me nearly in tears the first time I read it.

          

A Camping Spree with Mr Magee and Learning to Ski with Mr Magee by Chris Van Dusen

These rhyming books about the misadventure of Mr. Magee and his little dog Dee are so hilarious I wonder why my library only has these two and not the third Magee book. My favorite was Learning to Ski, his vintage ski clothes reminded me of my dad, and the situation he get himself in left us all in fits of giggles. (His illustrations felt familiar to me because he also illustrates Kate DiCamillo’s Mercy Watson series.)

Iggy Peck, Architect by Andrea Beaty

All of Beaty’s books are a hit with us, but this one in particular is Porter’s favorite. He loves it so much he spends bedtime pouring over its pictures and as the inspiration for drawing his own bridge.