This is our first full week of summer break, and our first real summer break since our son just finished kindergarten. I have big plans to read to him every day (which won't happen) but we will read many days. If you have similar goals, here's 100 picture books to get you started. You can find another 100 in this list I posted two years ago!
Happy reading!
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1) Hooray for Books! by Brian Won
Turtle is looking for his favorite book and has to check with all of his friends, who in turn all share their favorite stories.
2) Nighttime Ninja by Barbara DaCosta, illustrated by Ed Young
At night, when everyone is asleep, a ninja creeps through the house looking for treasure. Perfect for those of us who have woken up to their kids eating cookies (that has only happened once).
3) Secret Pizza Party by Adam Rubin, illustrated by Daniel Salmieri
Raccoon LOVES pizza (don't we all?) and the best way to actually get pizza, when you are a raccoon, is to plan a secret pizza party.
4) Brunhilda's Backwards Day by Shawna J.C. Tenney
Brunhilda is a witch who loves waking up on the wrong side of the bed, brushing her teeth with candy, and generally just making trouble. So what happens when her cat makes trouble and she wakes up on the right side of the bed for once?
5) Warning: Do Not Open This Book! by Adam Lehrhaupt, illustrated by Matthew Forsythe
This book contains a lot of silliness and it should NOT be opened. NOT. AT. ALL.
6) If I Had a Little Dream by Nina Laden, illustrated by Melissa Castrillon
This book celebrates the wonder of the world and how fortunate we are to live in it. And it has a beautiful cover.
7) The Berenstain Bears go to Camp by Stan & Jan Berenstain
A classic - Brother and Sister go to camp for a week where the learn a few things, make some friends, and have a camp out on top of the tiniest rock ever. Probably in my top 5 Berenstain Bear books.
8) It Came in the Mail by Ben Clanton
Liam REALLY wants some mail so he, naturally, writes a letter to his mailbox asking for something. And the mailbox maybe over delivers.
9) Bats at the Library by Brian Lies
It's Bat night at the library, something I don't think a real library would encourage but these bats seem to like their books a lot. And can also read.
10) The Bear Report by Thyra Heder
Sophie does NOT want to do a report on bears but after one steals her away to the Arctic she learns all about them. When she gets home she's much more excited about her report.
11) The Queen's Handbag by Steve Antony
The Queen's handbag is taken away by a swan and she has to chase it all over England with a whole police force (and a very dedicated butler) in her wake.
12) A Perfect Day by Lane Smith
Today was a perfect day for the Cat lounging, the Dog in the wading pool, Chickadee and Squirrel eating their favorite treats...until a bear comes along. At least someone is getting a perfect day.
13) Ocean Animals from Head to Tail by Stacey Roderick
Try to guess the animal from the close-up and then turn to the page to see if you are right and to learn more! Fun and educational.
14) Stars by Mary Lyn Ray, illustrated by Marla Frazee
A tender exploration of stars both far and near.
15) Happy Birthday, Madame Chapeau by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts
A lonely hat maker who is great at matching people to their perfect hat lacks her own perfect match in life. She ends up on an adventure through Paris where others offer her their own hats.
16) A Camping Spree with Mr. Magee by Chris Van Dusen
Mr. Magee and his little dog Dee are going on a camping trip which starts perfect but then a bear foils their plans.
17) That's Not a Hippopotamus by Juliette MacIver, illustrated by Sarah Davis
A class trip to the zoo goes a little crazy when it turns into a hunt for a hippopotamus.
18) There's a Giraffe in my Soup by Ross Burach
What if you found a giraffe in your soup or a alligator in your entree? An assortment of animals pop out at a restaurant.
19) Lion Lessons by Jon Agee
There are seven steps to becoming a proper lion and this human boy is working hard to learn them from his teacher, a real lion.
20) Charlotte the Scientist is Squished by Camille Andros, illustrated by Brianne Farley
Charlotte follows the full scientific method to solve problems but her real problem is not enough space to work, with all her brothers and sisters. Can she science a solution to this problem?
21) The Great AAA-Ooo! by Jonny Lambert
Mouse hears a horrible noise in the woods and thinks it is Owl. Owl thinks it is Mouse. When a bunch of animals hear it they try to figure out who or what is making that noise.
22) Max and Marla Are Having a Picnic by Alexandra Boiger
Max and Marla know the perfect way to spend the first sunny day of spring is a picnic. But when they are distracted by flowers and squirrels eat their food...things take a turn.
23) Ella Who? by Linda Ashman, illustrated by Sara Sanchez
A little girl is moving with her family and in the chaos of the day an elephant sneaks in, only the distracted grown-ups don't quite believe the little girl.
24) Berto Yosemite's Rock-Lovin' Bear by Marian Parks
Berto lives at Yosemite but he is afraid of heights. Which isn't great when you are a bear living there. There is also a bully who makes fun of his rock collection. It's a rough life for a bear.
25) Boy + Bot by Amy Dyckman, illustrated by Dan Yaccaino
A boy and a bot meet in the woods. When the Bot gets powered off the Boy tries all the usual human remedies. Then he gives up and falls asleep. When the Bot powers back on and finds the Boy asleep, he tries all the usual Bot remedies. Neither quite work.
26) The Bear Who Wasn't There by LeUyen Pham
This book is supposed to be about Bear...except Bear isn't there. Who will find him? Does Duck, who really wants you to read the book about him, have anything to do with it??
27) Little Owl's Night by Divya Srinivasan
It's evening and Owl is just waking up, as owls do. There is a full moon and Owl wonders why all of his friends are missing this beautiful night? How could daytime be that great?
28) Sergio Makes a Splash by Edel Rodriguez
Sergio loves playing soccer and drinking water and eating fish. But he can't swim so he doesn't like being in water besides the bathtub. Then his class takes a field trip to the ocean and Sergio has to decide what to do.
29) The Jar of Happiness by Ailsa Burrows
Is there a recipe for happiness? Meg thinks there should be. So she collects what she thinks are the ingredients, puts them in a jar, and uses that jar to cheer up family and friends! But then her jar disappears.
30) Rules of the House by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Matt Myers
Ian always follows the rules, his sister, Jenny, does not. So Ian is excited when the house where they are vacationing has posted rules. And when Jenny decides to break some of those rules, well the house has payback.
31) Me and You and the Red Canoe by Jean E. Pendziwol
Two siblings leave their campsite on a summer dawn to go fishing, pushing the red canoe into the lake. Beautiful pictures and prose about the animals they encounter and their adventure fishing on the lake.
32) Stick and Stone by Beth Ferry, illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld
Stick rescues Stone from a prickly situation with Pinecone which makes Stick and Stone fast friends. But can Stone return the favor when Stick gets stuck?
33) Gotta Go! Gotta Go! by Sam Swope, illustrated by Sue Riddle
This bug doesn't know what Mexico is, she just knows she needs to go there. Problem is, bugs move pretty slow. All about the migration of Monarch butterflies to Mexico in the autumn.
34) Aberdeen by Stacey Previn
Aberdeen didn't mean to leave the yard but he's just following a balloon...and that's kinda what happened. He didn't mean to end up so far from home and his Mama!
35) Charlotte and the Rock by Stephen W. Martin, illustrated by Samantha Cotterill
An unexpected friendship between a girl and her pet rock.
36) Black Belt Bunny by Jacky Davis, illustrated by Jay Fleck
Black Belt Bunny is fast and strong and has great kicks but then he is faced with something all good bunnies must know: how to make a salad.
37) Jabarai Jumps by Gaia Cornwell
Jabari is ready to jump off the high dive. He's passed his swim test and he's a great jumper and DEFINITELY not scared. Not. At. All.
38) Escargot by Dashka Slater, illustrated by Sydney Hanson
Escargot just wants to be some one's pet and eat a salad. But not a salad with carrots. Is that too much to ask?
39) You Are (Not) Small by Anna Kang, illustrated by Christopher Weyant
Two fuzzy creatures can't agree on who is small and who is big! Until they get some guests who settle it one and for all.
40) 7 Ate 9 by Tara Lazar, illustrated by Ross MacDonald
6 has a problem. He's heard that 7 ATE 9. Which is a problem because 7 is always after 6.
41) Margaret and the Moon: How Margaret Hamilton Saved the First Lunar Landing by Dean Robbins, illustrated by Lucy Knisley
Margaret Hamilton is a real woman who worked for NASA and made Apollo 8 - 11 happen with her code. Fascinating story of a real woman scientist who did big things.
42) Say It! by Charlotte Zolotow, illustrated by Charlotte Voake
A mother and daughter take a walk together, sharing small delights with each other. The daughter keeps urging her mother to "say it!" but what is "it"?
43) Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam by Tracey Corderoy, illustrated by Steven Lenton
Shifty McGifty and Slippry Sam are robber dogs who decide the best way to rob their neighbors would be to invite them all over for a tea party. This is a plan that only makes sense to talking, robber dogs.
44) There's a Monster in Your Book by Tom Fletcher, illustrated by Greg Abbott
WATCH OUT. There is a monster in this book and kids will have to play along to get him out.
45) Koala Who Could by Rachel Bright, illustrated by Jim Field
Kevin the Koala feels safest in his tree, sticking to what he knows best. But what if better things await him on the ground?
46) Exclamation Mark by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld
Exclamation Mark just wanted to be like everyone else but he just couldn't help standing out. It's not easy being noticed when you just want to fit it. But maybe there is a reason for that.
47) Even Superheros have Bad Days by Shelley Becker, illustrated by Eda Kaban
Even superheroes want to throw fits sometimes, get mad when things don't go their way. But they have ways of dealing with their anger and frustration that might help little ones (and adults) too.
48) Six Dots: A Story of Young Louis Braille by Jen Bryant, illustrated by Boris Kulikov
The story of Louis Braille who wanted to read so bad that he invented an alphabet so that blind people could enjoy books too. Very inspiring!
49) Fergus Barnaby Goes on Vacation by David Barrow
Fergus Barnaby is getting ready to go on vacation with his parents and his Dad told him to pack, the problem is that he's lent all his vacation things to his neighbors and now there are a lot of stairs standing in his way of getting them back!
50) Dough Knights and Dragons by Dee Leone, illustrated by George Ermos
A knight and a dragon bond over their love of baking but in their kingdom, they must soon duel each other! What if there was a better way?
51) Over and Under the Pond by Kate Messner, illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal
A mother and her son paddle a canoe over the water, talking about what they see and also talking about the vibrant life happening under the water of the pond. Beautiful and I learned a lot too!
52) The Bad Seed by Jory John, illustrated by Pete Oswald
This book is about a bad seed, who has a bad attitude and bad temper. But the seed learns about the transformative power of will and acceptance.
53) Little Red by Bethan Woollvin
An updated twist on the classic fairy tale - Little Red meets a wolf on her way to Grandma's house. But that doesn't scare Little Red, she knows the Wolf has a plan but so does she.
54) After the Fall: How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again by Dan Santat
We all know how Humpty Dumpty fell off the wall, but what happens after that? Humpty just wanted to watch the birds from on top of the wall but how is he going to get over his (well founded) fear of getting back on the wall?
55) Give Me Back by Book! by Travis Foster and Ethan Long
Redd and Bloo can't agree on whose book it is - and it's the funniest and best book ever! If only they could agree on who owns it.
56) Yak and Dove by Kyo Maclear, illustrated by Esme Shapiro
Yak and Dove are very different, for starters, Yak has fur and Dove has feathers. They are very different sizes. They start to think maybe they are not meant to be friends but when Yak holds auditions for a new best friend, he get a surprising entry.
57) The Three Billy Goats Gruff by Jerry Pinkney
The classic story of the three billy goats trying to cross a bridge but who are temporarily held up by a troll. My 6 year old LOVES this book.
58) The New LiBEARian by Alison Donald, illustrated by Alex Willmore
When the librarian is late for story time, the kids go looking for her and find a bear at her desk. That certainly is unexpected. Is the bear the new librarian??
59) The Digger and the Flower by Joseph Kuefler
Each day the big trucks go to work, but when a digger discovers a flower growing where they are supposed to be digging, he wants to take care of it which changes those around him.
60) Petra by Marianna Coppo
Petra is a little rock who thinks she is a mountain, until a dog fetches her. Then she is in a bird's nest like an egg. Then in a pond as an island. Petra is much more than just a rock.
61) The Pink Umbrella by Amelie Callot, illustrated by Genevieve Godbout
When the sun is shining, Adele is the heart of her neighborhood. But when it's raining she just wants to stay at home under the covers. Until all the people she's helped want to help her out too.
62) Before She was Harriet by Lesa Cline-Ransome, illustrated by James E. Ransome
We know her now as Harriet Tubman but that wasn't always her name. This book explores all the names she went by and the people she helped.
63) Sophie Shyosaurus by Brian Moses and Mike Gordon
Sophie Shyosaurus is a very shy dinosaur. She doesn't like parties and hates having to talk at school. Explores a few ways to help kids overcome their shyness in a friendly, dinosaur setting.
64) Good Night, Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann
The zoo keeper is going around the zoo to say goodnight to all the animals before he leaves for the night, except there is someone following along after him letting them all out.
65) What About Moose? by Corey Rosen Schwartz and Rebecca J. Gomez, illustrated by Keika Yamaguchi
Some animal friends are trying to build a tree house together until bossy Moose comes around and has his own plans. His friends become frustrated and things get a little out of hand.
66) On Meadowview Street by Henry Cole
Caroline lives on Meadowview Street except that there is no meadow. And no view. So Caroline takes matters into her own hands.
67) The Bee Book by Charlotte Milner
All about honeybees! Find out how they communicate with each other, what their lives are like, and how they are responsible for 1/3 of the food we eat.
68) Islandborn by Junot Diaz, illustrated by Leo Espinosa
Lola's teacher asks all her students to draw pictures of where their families immigrated from. Except that Lola doesn't remember because her family left The Island when she was a baby. But she has her family tell her stories and they make The Island come alive for her.
69) Not Quite Narwhal by Jessie Sima
This is the story of a young unicorn who is born to a family of narwhal whales. He's never quite fit it and doesn't like their food, until he realizes he might be something else.
70) This Zoo is Not For You by Ross Collins
A platypus stops by the zoo and all the animals think he wants to join the zoo but he doesn't fit in with the chameleons and isn't graceful enough for the flamingos. Maybe he wasn't meant to join their zoo after all.
71) Izzy Gizmo by Pip Jones, illustrated by Sara Ogilvie
Izzy has some crazy inventions but they often break. But then she finds a crow with a broken wing and wants to help him fly again.
72) Hedgehugs by Steve Wilson
Horace and Hattie are hedgehogs and best friends. They share a lot but they can't figure out a way to share a hug because they are just too spiky!
73) Girl Running by Annette Bay Pimentel, illustrated by Micha Archer
The true story of Bobbi Gibb - the first woman to complete the Boston Marathon, even though she wasn't allowed and officials didn't think a woman could run that far. Very inspiring!
74) Papa Bear's Page Fright by Wade Bradford, illustrated by Mary Ann Fraser
This is supposed to the story of a little girl names Goldilocks except that Papa Bear has gotten page fright and keeps forgetting his lines. He didn't want to be in a book!
75) Inky the Octopus by Erin Guendelsberger, illustrated by David Leonard
Based on the real story of an octopus who just wanted to be free! And so he escaped the National Aquarium of New Zealand in a surprising way.
76) Maple & Willow Apart by Lori Nichols
Maple and Willow are sisters who have always been good friends but what happens when Maple starts school all day and Willow stays home? They have adventures but also miss each other.
77) The Backup Bunny by Abigail Rayner, illustrated by Greg Stones
Max loses his favorite toy - Bunny. But his Mom is smart and had a back-up and the back-up, Fluffy is thrilled to play with Max. Except that Max knows this ISN'T his Bunny. (I could relate to SO much of this.)
78) Building Our House by Jonathan Bean
The author's retelling of his own childhood, when his parents set out to build a house for themselves in the country. It takes a long time (18 months, in this case) but the end result is worth it. My 6 year old really enjoyed this one.
79) If I Built a Car by Chris Van Dusen
Jack knows EXACTLY what he would do if he built a car. His ideas are a little far fetched but the creativity is amazing. Great jumping off point for kids designing their own cars (we own this one and have read it countless times.)
80) Rulers of the Playground by Joseph Kuefler
One day Jonah decides to become the ruler of the playground. And for awhile most of the other kids play along. Except for Lennox because she wanted to be the ruler of the playground too.
81) From Tree to Sea by Shelley Moore Thomas, illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal
Everything in the world has it's place and the world has a lot to teach us, from how to withstand wind like trees to how to be strong like rocks.
82) The Forever Garden by Laurel Snyder, illustrated by Samantha Cotterill
Every day Honey is taking care of her garden and Laurel, the young girl living next door, often helps (or "helps"). Until Honey has to sell her house and Laurel wonders what will happen to the beautiful garden!
83) One Cool Friend by Toni Buzzeo, illustrated by David Small
Elliot visits an aquarium with his father and asks if he can take a penguin home. And Elliot sneaks one home in his backpack. He has fun caring for a penguin in their house until his father has an even bigger surprise.
84) Frank the Seven-Legged Spider by Michaele Razi
Frank loves being a spider until he wakes up one day missing a leg! Can he still be a spider if he only has 7 legs?
85) I Lost My Tooth! by Mo Willems
The adventures of a Squirrel who is freaking out a bit because he has lost a tooth. Only to realize it's a baby tooth!
86) The Man Who Walked Between the Towers by Mordicai Gerstein
About Philippe Petit's real walk between the Twin Towers in 1974. I've read this one to my older son SO. MANY. TIMES. He is fascinated by this story. It is pretty incredible.
87) Giraffe Problems by Jory John, illustrated by Lane Smith
Edward is a giraffe who is VERY self-conscious about his neck. No other animal has a neck this crazy! Just when he's run out of ways to hide it, he meets a turtle who helps Edward appreciate what his neck can do.
88) Finders Keepers by Keiko Kasza
A red hat takes a journey through the woods where everyone who finds it exclaims "Finders Keepers!" and has a use for it. It doesn't stay in one place for long!
89) Give Bees a Chance by Bethany Barton
We like bees because they give us honey and help with a whole lot of pollination BUT...they also sting. This book is full of facts about bees and why we should appreciate them more than be scared of them.
90) Earthrise: Apollo 8 and the Photo That Changed the World by James Gladstone, illustrated by Christy Lundy
1968 was a tough year for our country and that was also the year Apollo 8 was about the circle the Moon for the very first time. The pictures they took of the Earth rising over the Moon had profound effects back home.
91) I Am Actually a Penguin by Sean Taylor, illustrated by Kasia Matyjaszek
A young girl receives a penguin costume and her family has a hard time convincing her that she is not actually a penguin.
92) Saturday is Swimming Day by Hyewon Yum
This little girl has swimming lessons every Saturday morning and it just so happens that she also has a stomach ache every Saturday morning. Slowly her confidence grows and she realizes she does like this swimming thing.
93) Little Oink by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illustrated by Jen Corace
Little Oink is a very neat pig. He doesn't like making messes but his parents insist that that is what pigs do. He needs to be messy.
94) Mr. Ferris and His Wheel by Kathryn Gibbs Davis, illustrated by Gilbert Ford
The story of George Ferris and the wheel he made for the 1893 World's Fair. It wasn't an easy thing to make or convince people would work.
95) Where's my Teddy by Jez Alborough
Eddie is surprised when his teddy bear seems to have grown and is much too big to cuddle. But then he comes across a bear with the opposite problem.
96) Everything You Need for a Treehouse by Carter Higgins, illustrated by Emily Hughes
Treehouses are for a lot of different things and this book shows all kinds of magical ones.
97) Neck & Neck by Elise Parsley
This giraffe thinks he is the star of the zoo but then he gets competition in the form of a shiny giraffe balloon.
98) Someday by Alison McGhee, illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
A powerful ode to the potential of love.
99) Hello Lighthouse by Sophie Blackall
The lighthouse stands through fog and icebergs and wind. The keeper always has work to do as he writes all the details in his logbook.
100) Lost in the Library: A Store of Patience & Fortitude by Josh Funk, illustrated by Stevie Lewis
A book about the lions that guard the New York Public Library - Patience and Fortitude. When Patience goes missing, Fortitude realizes that the secret to finding her might lie inside the library.
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