The Best Picture Books of 2024
by Miranda Rosbach
As I looked back over the past several years of writing “best of” year-end lists, I scoured the titles for a common theme. Were these books (eventual) award winners? Some. Were they about anthropomorphized animals or actual people? A mix. Were they books I feel confident recommending years later? Nearly 100%. So, what’s the magic formula to ensure a book ends up on a “best of” list? Truthfully, there isn’t one. However, all of my year-end lists feature the following: a nonfiction title, a humorous read, and a book featuring a grandparent. Happily, those things remain consistent. That said, settle in and get ready to find your new favorite picture book published in 2024!
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Built to Last
Buy from:Toddler boys bump into each other, destroying the block towers they constructed. From that first encounter, a friendship emerges. Over time, the boys build bigger and better creations. However, with each construction comes destruction. Yet through ruins and rubble, the two rebuild until their final masterpiece collapses. Can their friendship survive? This is a brilliant take on collaborative projects and the relationships that thrive through chaos.
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Not Perfect
Buy from:Dot is good at many things but longs to be perfect at something. Meanwhile, Dot’s friend Sam gets everything right. His cubby is tidy, his handwriting neat, and he always knows the correct answer. When the class is assigned to make a picture of a person they admire, Dot works furiously to create a picture of Sam. Frustration mounts as she spirals into a not-perfect storm. After some trampoline jumping, tears, and deep breaths, Dot begins anew. At sharing time, Dot and Sam end up sharing portraits of each other, neither of which is perfect. This standout picture book is a must-read!
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There Are No Ants in This Book
Buy from:A young child picks a large grassy area as the perfect spot for their picnic. The book’s title indicates that no pesky ants will ruin this outdoor meal, so the child feels confident in their choice. Except, oops, one tiny acorn ant just arrived, followed by a massive dinosaur ant and a microscopic pharaoh aunt. Hmm. Okay, so there are three ants in this book. But soon, even more ants arrive. Kids and adults will appreciate this fact-filled and humorous story.
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Good Night Thoughts
Buy from:Alone in bed at night, a young child’s mind whirls with worst-case scenarios such as a toilet filled with tarantulas or the earth exploding like popcorn. Falling asleep is impossible with an imagined robot shark on the prowl. To ward off the intruding thoughts, the child thinks of a panda’s welcoming embrace and holding hands with everyone they love. It’s a vividly illustrated tale that helps kids navigate night-time anxiety.
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With Dad
Buy from:A boy and his dad ride in an old Jeep down a winding Michigan dirt road. In a clearing, they pitch a tent and dig a fire pit. Together, they wade into the nearby river and spend the afternoon fishing. Dad teaches his son how to clean the fish, which they fry over a fire and eat with corn and cake. That night, they listen for an owl and marvel at the full moon. Later, when the father gets called away to war, the memories of their time together keep the boy company. This is a gentle and beautifully paced story.
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Be Careful, Xiao Xin!
Buy from:Xiao Xin lives in a multigenerational household and cannot do anything alone. His elders constantly warn him of dangers, fearful he won’t want to try again if he falls or hurts himself. Eager for a taste of freedom, Xiao Xin runs away. His family imagines the worst until they are reunited and given a glimpse into Xiao Xin’s infinite capability. Written in both Chinese and English, this book tugs at the heartstrings. As the author’s note states, it “is for children living between cultures.”
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Pepper and Me
Buy from:When a child falls on the cobblestones and scrapes a knee, they start to cry. Soon, a scab appears and sticks around for a long time. The child names the scab Pepper. Kids get scabs in strange places, but Pepper, who will not leave, is the worst. Eventually, Pepper falls off in a field of poppies. Smooth, shiny skin remains. Beatrice Alemagna is a masterful storyteller, and my kids and I have loved reading all her books.
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Round and Round the Year We Go
Buy from:This adorable picture book takes readers through a calendar year, month by month. Children traipse through each month, from cold winters in January to sprouting seeds in April, through brilliant (sometimes achingly long) summers, and back to sharpened pencils and fall-time costumes. Playful collage illustrations make this buoyant read ideal for preschool and kindergarten-aged kids.
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My Block Looks Like
Buy from:A young Black girl strolls through her neighborhood with graffiti-covered walls, a clattering subway car passing overhead, and a buzz of multicultural faces surrounding her. The neighborhood vibrates with life — a collision of cultures living in the same space. Onomatopoeic words and palpable images make this ode to New York City life a must-read. If you enjoy this book, check out Frank Morrison’s other titles featuring the same main character.
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Piper Chen Sings
Buy from:Piper Chen loves to sing, so when asked to perform a solo at the upcoming school concert, she enthusiastically agrees. However, worry creeps into Piper’s mind, and butterflies fill her belly. At home, Năi Nai (grandmother) plays the piano and explains how she has also felt the intruding hum of húdié (the Chinese word for butterfly). On the evening of the performance, Piper greets the butterflies and bravely puts her song into the world. This story is a magnificent intergenerational tale about overcoming fear.
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Buffalo Fluffalo
Buy from:I’m the Buffalo Fluffalo
I heave and I huffalo
Leave me alone because
I’ve had enuffalo.Emmy-nominated comedy writer Bess Kalb, who wrote for Jimmy Kimmel Live! delivers this laugh-out-loud silly book about a fluffy buffalo. He has a lot of bravado and not much humility until a rainstorm reveals his actual size.
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Ode to Grapefruit
Buy from:James Earl Jones dreaded reading aloud as a child because his classmates made fun of his stutter. For years, James chose not to speak at all. In high school, James became mesmerized by the cadence and meter of poetry after a teacher read a poem aloud. Inspired by a crate of grapefruit his family received, James wrote a poem and read it to the classroom. James gained confidence and eventually became one of the most recognizable voices in show business. With rich watercolor images and a moving story of perseverance, this book will become a favorite for James’s fans.
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Noodles on a Bicycle
Buy from:In this unique picture book, couriers stack wooden trays with steaming bowls of soba noodles on their shoulders. They bicycle through a bustling city, delivering food to hungry customers. Neighborhood children watch, mesmerized by this everyday occurrence, before crafting their own towers and riding on their rusty bikes. With a bird's-eye perspective and exacting detail, the illustrations (and text) capture a bygone era that will fascinate modern children.
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Perla the Mighty Dog
Buy from:At the animal shelter, a dog named Perla uses her superpower of being lovable to persuade Nico and his family to take her home. At the park, Perla uses another superpower, barking like a fierce lion, to scare away a bully dragon dog. Nico uses the same technique at school to fight off a human bully, which he then must explain in the principal’s office. This picture book is told from Perla’s perspective and is perfect for any pooch-loving family.
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Gaga Mistake Day
Buy from:When Gaga (grandma) comes over, she makes lots of mistakes. For instance, she can’t get the cats’ names right, and plays Connect Four by making patterns. She walks backward or only on the cracks while walking to the park. She adds too many bubbles at bath time and reads a book upside down. Gaga makes a million mistakes, each one sillier than the last. Give this giggle-worthy book to every grandparent you know!
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Thank You
Buy from:A young boy thanks the moon for the night and the sun for the day. Trees are great for shade, and a toothbrush is sublime for a smile. Throughout the day, he thanks everything from bowls and spoons for getting jelly into his belly to the cat for perching on his cap. That night, he wonders if he neglected to thank anything. Playful collage and dancing typography cover the pages in this vibrant ode to gratitude from a beloved and prolific creator.
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Home in a Lunchbox
Buy from:Jun starts school in America after relocating from China. Unable to understand her classmates, Jun struggles through each passing day. Her only solace is opening her lunchbox. Greeted by familiar smells and delectable dishes, Jun soldiers on through her school days. She eventually makes friends by exchanging food and inviting her classmates into her home. This sparsely worded book on the immigrant experience is ideal for classroom libraries.
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You’ve Got This!
Buy from:This rhyming book tackles common childhood fears: jumping off a diving board, making a theatrical or musical stage debut, taking a test, or facing up to a bully. Kids can face their fears by repeating the mantra, “You’ve got this!” If that doesn’t work, kids can turn to their supportive network of loving adults. This is a relatable story for children of all ages.
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Papa’s Mark
Buy from:Young readers will love this moving historical fiction account of race and voting in America. On their weekly trip to the general store, Simms reads the grocery list while Papa checks items off with an “X.” On the ride home, Simms encourages his father, saying he can teach him to sign his name. At night, Papa practices, but his writing is still messy. Eventually, Simms guides his father’s hand, and Papa can finally write his name! On voting day, Black men gather to cast their ballots. Although Black men were given the right to vote in 1868 under the Fourteenth Amendment, it wasn’t until 1965, when Congress passed the Voting Rights Act, that record numbers of Black people began to vote.
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A Face Is a Poem
Buy from:“Have you ever stopped and looked, really looked…at a face?” This gorgeous picture book celebrates faces and all the places they can be found. Faces surround us on the streets, in the clouds, and in our homes — and each one is unique. From eye color to freckles, faces are windows through which emotions are displayed. This tale of universally beloved faces from acclaimed author and illustrator Julie Morstad is a masterpiece.
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World More Beautiful
Buy from:Barbara Cooney was born in a hotel in New York City and spent her childhood summers in Maine. When she was home sick from school, Barbara would paint and draw in her bed. In college, Barbara studied illustration and art and traveled the world collecting specimens and inspiration. With over 100 children’s books to her credit, Barbara’s vibrant landscapes and immersive hues left a legacy for generations of children. This picture book biography shares the timely message of creating for the sake of creation and being true to oneself.
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