Top Ten Picture Books of 2023

Did you have a favorite book from last year? I read a lot, I mean a lot of books. Hundreds for sure, probably more. Of the children's books I read, these picture books stuck out most to me. The books in this list are unique and carefully crafted. Books in this list stem from some categories I love to see in kid lit, such as books that help kids adore reading,  SEL, earth helper topics, and more. Narrowing down picture books to just ten was super challenging, so I included two extra to make a dozen. If you want to see my top 23 picture books of 2023, head to my Instagram account @littlereaders.futureleaders. I'm so excited to see what book gems 2024 has in store for us! I have many book list ideas to add here, so check back in. If you're looking for more book recs from 2023, check out some of my gift guide recs, which you can find here: board books, picture books, nonfiction, and chapter books. Check out this list if you are just in the mood for some funny reads. Happy reading in 2024! And if you're looking for growth mindset books for the new year, you can find many fantastic book recs here!

This image shows a mix of seven picture book covers with a family, a boy watering, a girl holding up letters, a girl holding her heart, a girl surrounded by books, a tornado, and letters scattered.

SEL and a love of reading combine in this picture book about a book-loving girl who struggles to make friends and connections outside of her world of books. Through the help of books and encouragement from her family and librarian, Lotti grows to reach outside of her comfort zone to experience new things and make friends. The instant I saw the cover of this one, I knew I would love it--one of my favorite reads from 2023! I love all the bookish details in this one, from all the beautiful spines and covers from favorite reads to characters from stories appearing in page spreads to connections made with books; it's so fun and well done! An author's note and book favorites stack is included in the back, along with Lotti's Friend-Making Cookies recipe. Book lovers will want to read this one!

I Am a Tornado

by Drew Beckmeyer

One of my favorite anger book releases in awhile! An angry, dysregulated tornado and an empathetic cow are an unlikely pairing in this cute read about working through strong emotions. Tornado is on a rampage, yelling, spinning, picking up, and throwing everything in its path. That is until it picks up Cow, who asks questions and listens to Tornado. Will Tornado be able to continue being large and destructive, or will Cow's words and presence make a difference? My boys loved this fun read-aloud, the intensity of Tornado, and also learning a bit about more tornados in the process. A simple, sweet, and validating read on experiencing intense emotions and the power of being an empathetic listener.


Something, Someday

by Amanda Gorman, illustrated by Christian Robinson

A favorite author and illustrator of mine teamed up to create this beautiful story of a child noticing a problem and working hard, even when not always supported, to make a difference. And a beautiful difference he makes in the landscape and the minds of those who see the remarkable transformation he led the way to change.

Dinosaurs Don't Exist

by Mark Janssen

Anytime text or illustrations are extreme, my eight-year-old is in, and the cover on this one drew him in immediately; bonus for oversized formatting and expanding page spreads! Two brothers go in search of dinosaurs. The older brother leads the way, ready to brave the adventure, telling his brother all about what it will be like to find a dinosaur. The younger one starts feeling uneasy and notices strange dinosaur-like things, wanting to escape the adventure. Throughout the book, readers can spot the appearance of dinosaurs and wonder what will happen to the brothers. It's such a fun read, and the darker and spookier illustrations will surely pull in readers who delight in being scared a bit. The back of the book features more info on dinosaurs.

The Wilderness

by Steve McCarthy

My new favorite read aloud for fall! Not only are the illustrations eye-catching and fun, but I love the sweet family that enjoys the outdoors together and the main character, Oktober faces his fears.

The Vasylenko family, complete with twelve children named after the twelve months, all love the outdoors. Well, all except Oktober, that is. Oktober prefers to stay indoors, adventuring through books. While his siblings dreamed of wild things and places, Oktober was worried about a monster called the Wilderness. When they all go out for the day exploring, Oktober chats with his parents about his concerns, and they are supportive, helping him talk through things. However, when Oktober gets lost, will he find the Wilderness? And if he does, will it be as scary as his thoughts have led him to believe? Bravery, a change in perspective, enjoying the outdoors, a love for books, and more, this book is a treat!

Ten-Word Tiny Tales to Inspire and Unsettle

by Joseph Coelho and 21 Artist Friends

I love books that spark creativity, and this one does just that, especially for readers and writers! Joseph Coelho came up with different tales, each only ten words long. He sent his tales to various illustrators, who illustrated their ten-word tale. The results are this book with its interesting short tales, and captivating various illustrator takes on the short tales. What I love about this, besides being very interesting is expanded reflection on ten word tales in the front of the book and encouragement for readers to expand upon and create their own tales at the back of the book. The teacher in me would love having this for creative writing in the classroom!

BIG

by Vashti Harrison

Vashti Harrison’s illustrations always stand out to me and in this conversation starter book about body image and self-acceptance her words reached me, too. This moving picture book follows a girl as she grows at first unaware of comments made about her size and then ashamed of getting stuck in a swing, the words stinging. The painful words build up until they're too much. After reflection, she finds she doesn't need them anymore. This book could easily tie in to a lesson in letting go of the hurt we carry.

It's OK: Being Kind to Yourself When Things Feel Hard

by Wendy O'Leary, illustrated by Sandra Eide

A new must read for all readers! This beautiful read has the potential for boosting self-compassion, self-esteem, and more.

Put a hand on your heart and say to yourself, "It's OK--I love you. I'm with you today."

This is the affirmation six kids say to themselves throughout the book as they experience hard times. When a child is sad about losing a soccer match, he pauses to reflect, puts his hand to his heart, and repeats the affirmation. The same simple affirmation is repeated for feeling bad about a mistake, feeling angry about having to do something you don't want to do, and more. Each situation is relatable for kids to connect with the story. The back of the book features an afterword about self-compassion and exercises to try.

Imagine a Garden: Stories of Courage Changing the World

by Rina Singh, illustrated by Hoda Hadadi

Throughout this picture book, seven real-life stories are told in free verse, highlighting love, courage, and compassion in a troubled world, from a Palestinian mother missing her son making a flower garden from grenades to a Brazilian ballet teacher in a crime-wrought neighborhood to an experimental artist from Mexico transforming weapons into art and raising awareness to end gun violence to a woman who welcomed refugees in Greece even after receiving threats to stop becoming like a mother to man and more. All of the people in these stories are ordinary people, but they have made an extraordinary difference in the lives of many by having the courage to show up to make the world a little better. This is the book I needed this year as a reminder of the good happening in our world.


This is my favorite picture book biography of the year! I love reading about earth helpers and people making a positive difference for everyone. Shigeru Ban, an architect who used his skills to help create structures that both moved people and improved their lives. I love the highlight on his Disaster Relief Projects in the middle of the book, as well as the uniqueness in the formatting of this one.


BONUS PICKS!


Harold the Iceberg Melts Down

by Lisa Wyzlic, illustrated by Rebecca Syracuse

Harold, the iceberg lettuce, was worried about everything. Harold loves watching documentaries to help his worries, except after an iceberg documentary left him very concerned. He informs his refrigerator friends of his iceberg concerns and shows them a half-covered sticker label on him, labeling him an iceberg. Harold's friends see how upset he is and try to help support him throughout the book. Eventually, they are able to tell him that he's actually iceberg lettuce. But what about actual icebergs--are they still in danger? How can Harold and his friends help? I love this book's humorous take that engages readers on tough topics like anxiety and climate change. Bonus notes in the back provide extra support for big-feeling meltdowns and tips to help combat climate change. This book makes a great share with kids concerned about our earth's future!

Dear Street

by Lindsay Zier-Vogel and Caroline Bonne-Muller

Love the ripples of kindness acts transforming a community in this sweet read and the potential for readers to gain ideas to uplift their own communities. Alice loves her street, but it seems that not everyone else does. So Alice devised a kind letter-writing idea to change all the grumbles she kept hearing. She writes notes about all she loves about her street, like the pom-pom-shaped marigolds, spring parade, and more. She placed these appreciation notes around the things people grumbled about, hoping to add a new perspective. Will it change the amount of grumbles happening in the neighborhood? A super sweet way of transforming a community with kindness. Check out the author's note in the back to learn more about the true story behind this kindness matters picture book and get inspired to share your love letters with the community you live in!

Holly

I’m an early childhood educator and currently a stay-at-home mama to my own three little readers. Discovering and sharing excellent kid lit has been a long-time passion of mine. Check out my book lists to help your reader love reading and grow to help make our world an even better place. Thank you for supporting the little readers in your life!

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Gifting Guide (Part 4) Chapter Books, Graphic Novels, and Middle-Grade Books