Picture Books That Make Great Gifts for Young Readers

Share a story with your favorite little one with these top picture books. Full of entertaining characters, inspiring themes, and charming illustrations, these gifts will keep on giving with hours of shared reading experience.

For the dreamer...

The Wonderful Things You Will Be

by Emily Winfield Martin

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Celebrate all of the wondrous possibilities that exist in each and every one of us with this gorgeously illustrated modern classic.

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Oh, the Places You'll Go!

by Dr. Seuss

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The perfect gift to celebrate any new beginning, big or small.

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For the caring little one...

The World Needs More Purple People

by Kristen Bell and Benjamin Hart, illustrated by Daniel Wiseman

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To be a purple person you must ask questions, bring your community together, and do what's right! Learn how you can be a purple person in Kristen Bell's new picture book.

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How to Babysit a Grandma

by Jean Reagan, illustrated by Lee Wildish

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Babysitting a grandma is fun, if you know how. Learn how to from the experts…kids!

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The Invisible Boy

by Trudy Ludwig, illustrated by Patrice Barton

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Celebrate the power of kindness with this story for kids who sometimes feel unseen. The Invisible Boy shows how every child deserves the chance to shine.

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All Are Welcome

by Alexandra Penfold, illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman

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You have a place here. You have a space here. You are welcome here. A hopeful story that celebrates our diverse world!

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Hair Love

by Matthew A. Cherry, illustrated by Vashti Harrison

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A celebration of loving your natural hair, and daddies and daughters everywhere.

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Just Ask!

by Sonia Sotomayor, illustrated by Rafael López

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An encouraging story about the differences that make each of us unique and the importance of asking questions.

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For the little comedian...

Grumpy Monkey

by Suzanne Lang, illustrated by Max Lang

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Jim Panzee is having a bad day, but his friends just don't understand why. Introduce your young reader to their new favorite character and he will show them it's okay to feel GRUMPY sometimes.

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The Serious Goose

by Jimmy Kimmel

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Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel challenges young readers to bring the silly out of a very Serious Goose. This delightful read-aloud is guaranteed to create gaggles of giggles time and time again!

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You're Only Old Once!

by Dr. Seuss

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The laughs don't stop in Dr. Seuss's hilarious take on getting older — it’s just what the doctor ordered for new retirees, old souls, and kids at heart.

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Dragons Love Tacos

by Adam Rubin, illustrated by Daniel Salmieri

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A deliciously funny read-aloud that is an unforgettable tale of new friends and the perfect snack.

Download these activities that go with the book: Taco Search; Word Scramble; Draw Your Own Taco.

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Dragons Love Tacos 2: The Sequel

by Adam Rubin, illustrated by Daniel Salmieri

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The dragons are back. . . in time! A hilarious companion to the bestselling Dragons Love Tacos finds Robbie and his dragon friends going back in time to search for the extinct taco.

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The Day the Crayons Quit

by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers

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Why did the Crayons quit? This hilarious story has the answers - from the Crayons themselves!

Download these activity packets that go with the book: Activity Pack 1 (Word Search, Coloring Sheet, Maze, Connect the Dots) and Activity Pack 2 (Maze, Coloring Sheet, Connect the Dots, Spot the Difference).

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The Day the Crayons Came Home

by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers

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This laugh-out-loud sequel to The Day the Crayons Quit features a whole new cast of Crayons. This time, they want to come home!

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The Book with No Pictures

by B. J. Novak

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This picture book phenomenon will have kids laughing at the hilarity and begging for more.

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For the explorer...

Richard Scarry's Cars and Trucks and Things That Go

by Richard Scarry

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Go on an adventure in this Richard Scarry classic about all things that vroom and zoom.

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Last Stop on Market Street

by Matt de la Peña, illustrated by Christian Robinson

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C.J. and his grandma ride the bus every Sunday and discover the beauty — and fun — in their routine and the world around them.

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For baby's first library…

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

by Eric Carle

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The classic interactive picture book in board book format, perfect for little hands to hold as the caterpillar eats his way through.

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Happy Birthday to You!

by Dr. Seuss

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Today you are you! That is truer than true! There is no one alive who is you-er than you! Celebrate your unique self with Dr. Seuss and the Great Birthday Bird in the ultimate birthday book!

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Here We Are

by Oliver Jeffers

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A father's heartfelt guide to all of the wonders of planet earth, and all of the living things who share and care for it.

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For the changemaker...

The Lorax

by Dr. Seuss

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Through his words and storytelling, Dr. Seuss teaches that taking care of the environment is a responsibility we all share because “unless we care a whole awful lot, it’s not going to get better, it’s not.”

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The Day You Begin

by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by Rafael López

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A story about being courageous enough to be different, but open to each other’s similarities.

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She Persisted

by Chelsea Clinton, illustrated by Alexandra Boiger

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Discover 13 American women who changed the world by never taking no for an answer.

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Antiracist Baby Picture Book

by Ibram X. Kendi, illustrated by Ashely Lukashevsky

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Introduce the youngest readers to the concept and power of antiracism.

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I Am Every Good Thing

by Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Gordon C. James

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An empowering picture book about a confident Black narrator being proud of everything that makes him who he is.

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For the kid planning a better future…

What We'll Build

by Oliver Jeffers

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A companion to the beloved picture book Here We Are, What We'll Build is a rare and enduring story about a parent’s boundless love, life’s endless opportunities, and all we need to build a future together.

Download these activities that go with the book: Drawing Activity 1; Drawing Activity 2; Drawing Activity 3; Spot the Difference.