{9} Boo Picture Books

Halloween books is one of my favorite seasonal genres of books and I'm not just saying that because that's what I'm currently reading to my boys.  Halloween isn't even close to my favorite holiday and until recently I barely even tolerated it.  However, there are so many fun books that I really love reading every year that has changed my whole outlook on the holiday.  

I've done a few Halloween book lists in past years: 

{15} Favorite Halloween Picture Books (2021)
{9} Pumpkins Picture Books (2021)
{9} Picture Books Featuring Ghosts (2022)

And while there might be a little overlap between this list and some of those prior lists, these are all BOO books.  A subgenre I didn't even realize we read many of until I saw our library books all stacked up last October.  I don't always pull book flights to read to the boys but sometimes we do (like all books about pumpkins the day we went to the pumpkins patch) and I'm always a little delighted to find a book flight I didn't know we were already reading. 

 

B is for Boo by Greg Paprocki
Greg Paprocki has written and illustrated so many fun alphabet books, many of which we own.  My boys are, sadly getting old for alphabet books but I still read them because the pictures are so just so charming.  This one is all Halloween themed and now my 1st grader reads most of it to me.

Cookie Boo by Ruth Paul
Seven spooky cookies are just waiting in a tin for the moonlight magic to begin.  The cookies escape on Halloween night and will get into some tricks and treats before the night is over!  I wish I could make cookies that look as cute as these!

Just Say Boo! by Susan Hood, illustrated by Jed Henry
A fun story about trick or treating with lots of chances to shout "Boo!" for any kids you are reading aloud too.  My youngest can read the word now but when he was a little younger we still read this enough that he remembered where the Boo!s went (and I think the rhythm is fairly consistent that it doesn't take long to catch on). 

Little Boo by Stephen Wunderli, illustrated by Tim Zeltner
Little Boo is a pumpkin seed who is just too impatient to grow up.  It wants to be a big pumpkin and it wants that NOW.  Nobody is scared of a pumpkin seed but they could be scared of a jack o'lantern!  Great for any younger sibling especially who just wants to keep up with older brothers or sisters.

Boo! Haiku by Deanna Caswell, illustrated by Bob Shea
My favorite part of this book is that it introduces kids to Haikus!  I've probably learned what they are many times in my life and I know I've had to write some as school assignments but I still couldn't tell you the exact rhythm.  Anyway, I'm sure my kids will come across them in some English class at some point and maybe they'll remember this book.  Great for the preschool-kindergarten age group, read the little Haiku and they guess which Halloween character it is about!

The Little Ghost Who Lost Her Boo! by Elaine Bickell, illustrated by Raymond McGrath
This is in my top 5 favorite Halloween books.  A ghost goes to scare someone in the woods and realizes that the ghost has lost it's BOO!  It can't scare anyone without a boo!  The ghost goes around to different animals who offer to share their sounds (Moo! Cock a doodle Doo! Who-whoo!) but none of them are quite right for the ghost.  As the night fades to day, will the ghost find it's boo??

Click, Clack, Boo! by Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin
Some of the Farmer Brown books are better than others but this is one that worked it's way into our constant rotation (I think the election one is the most clever of them all).  The barnyard animals are getting ready for Halloween and scaring Farmer Brown a little.  These are just fun seasonal books to read.  Not at all scary for kids.

Boo Who? by Ben Clanton
A shy ghost is having trouble fitting into the group, the other creatures are welcoming but they can't always SEE Ghost which makes playing a little hard (although Ghost is GREAT at hide and seek).  Celebrates being appreciated for who you are!

A Wee Boo by Jessica Boyd, illustrated by Brooke Kerrigan
Wee Boo is a ghost who just can't wait to scare like all the other licensed ghosts.  Once Wee Boo is accredited she is devastated to learn that she is just too cute to scare anyone!  Not a problem that a ghost wants to have!

I have been saving most of these to read all in one sitting, it's a fun little theme!

{15} Turtle Picture Books

One of the book topics that seems to have come up often over the years for us is turtles.  This might be because they are my husband's self-declared favorite animal.  "Turtle hunting" was also a popular activity at the lake (no turtles were harmed, they'd be looked for, caught, shown off, and released).  Every turtle book just FEELS summery and nearly all of these we reread every summer!  

Some more picture book lists: 100 from summer 2017, 100 from summer 2019, 30 to kick off summer 2021, 36 summery books, 30 to wrap-up summer 2021, 30 to kick off summer 2022, {31} Picture Books that Feature Summer, {31} Picture Books to Close Out Summer, Camping Picture Books, and Beach Picture Books!

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, links for which are included within this post, at no additional cost to you.  Thanks for helping support this blog!   Of course, utilize the library or shop used or from an independent bookstore if you prefer!

The Box Turtle by Vanessa Roeder
One of our turtle favorites.  Terrance the turtle was born without a shell and he used a cardboard box instead.  But when another turtle points out that Terrance's box is different, Terrance sets off to see if there is a better option.  With the help of his friends he learns there is nothing wrong with being different.

Turtle and Tortoise Are Not Friends by Mike Reiss, illustrated by Ashley Spires
Turtle and Tortoise are stuck sharing the same enclosure at the London zoo (watch the changing skyline from the beginning to the end) and spend DECADES not talking about...they aren't quite sure what.  Eventually though, they realize life is better with a friend.

Alfie by Thyra Heder
Nia loves her pet turtle, Alfie, but then he just disappears right before her 7th birthday!  Turns out, Alfie has gone on an adventure to find Nia a present and eventually he finds something perfect for her. 

The Smallest Turtle by Lynley Dodd
A simple book (maybe I can get my fresh kindergarten graduate to read it to me this summer) about the smallest turtle on the beach. 

One Turtle's Last Straw: The Real-Life Rescue That Sparked a Sea Change by Elsa Boxer, illustrated by Elisa Boxer, illustrated by Marta Alvarez Miguens
Based on a true story about a turtle that was found off Costa Rica with a straw in it's nose.  Reminder of how even a little change (not using disposable straws) can make a difference.

Turtle Splash! Countdown at the Pond by Cathryn Falwell
An easy counting book of 10 turtles basking in the sun at the pond before they jump in.  Also about various animals that could be found around a pond.

Emma's Turtle by Eve Bunting, illustrated by Marsha Winborn
A backyard pet Turtle is inspired by the stories read to him by his person and sets off on an adventure.  He thinks the grass is a jungle, the tree trunk is an elephant's leg, and that he is most definitely lost since he's gone so far away!

Little Turtle and the Changing Sea by Becky Davies, illustrated by Jennie Poh
This little Turtle loves the ocean but as she's traveling across the world she finds that plastic has invaded her ocean.  Can she survive?

Wild Reptiles: Snakes, Crocodiles, Lizards, and Turtles by Chris & Martin Kratt
We went through a heavy Wild Kratts stage here a couple years ago and this book about various reptiles, including turtles, is a fun and easy way to learn some facts about them. 

One Tiny Turtle by Nicola Davies, illustrated by Jane Chapman
All about Loggerhead turtles and how the females will swim for decades before returning to the exact beach where she hatched to lay her own eggs. 

Where's My Turtle? by Barbara Bottner, illustrated by Brooke Boynton Hughes
Archer has lost his pet turtle!  Mom is sure that it's in Archie's messy room or in the backyard or somewhere but Archer just can't find it until he learns to think like a turtle.  However, anyone paying attention will find the turtle before Archer.

Turtle in a Tree by Neesha Hudson
A greyhound swears there is a turtle in the tree.  There is absolutely a turtle in that tree.  The bulldog says it's a squirrel because who has ever seen a turtle in a tree??  They keep arguing until they learn exactly how right or wrong they are.

10 Reasons to Love a Turtle by Catherine Barr, illustrated by Hanako Clulow
Turtles can do amazing things!  Go on amazing journeys, hold their breath for hours, cry salty tears!  10 reasons to love turtles and 5 actions you can take to help them!

Chase the Moon, Tiny Turtle: A Hatchling's Daring Race to the Sea by Kelly Jordan, illustrated by Sally Walker
The journey of a baby loggerhead turtle as it hatches from it's shell and tries to make it to the sea before any of it's predators get to the turtle first!

Turtle, Turtle, Watch Out! by April Pulley Sayre, illustrated by Annie Patterson
Follows the full life of a sea turtle while sharing about the dangers that sea turtles can face as well as what humans can do to help with ocean and wildlife conservation. 

{29} Beach Picture Books

People can and do go to the beach in many different seasons, however, summer seems perfect for the beach.  We got questioned many times before our trip to Cocoa Beach last summer, why the heck we'd be going to Central Florida in July.  However, I only want to get in the water if it's hot and Central Florida is hot in July.  Also, we were pretty much in the water or the AC at all times, besides when we were walking between the two.  And AND...it was hotter here in Indiana some of the days we were gone...without having an ocean close to cool off in.  All that to say...if you are nowhere near an ocean, here are a whole lot of picture books to get you in the beachy state of mind. 

Some more picture book lists: 100 from summer 2017, 100 from summer 2019, 30 to kick off summer 2021, 36 summery books, 30 to wrap-up summer 2021, 30 to kick off summer 2022, {31} Picture Books that Feature Summer, {31} Picture Books to Close Out Summer, and Camping Picture Books!

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, links for which are included within this post, at no additional cost to you.  Thanks for helping support this blog!   Of course, utilize the library or shop used or from an independent bookstore if you prefer!

Swashby and the Sea by Beth Ferry, illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal
This is one of our very favorite summer picture books, one that my younger son gets excited to see again every year.  Swashby lives by the sea with very few people around and he likes it that way.  Then a young girl moves next door with her grandmother (I think) and inserts herself into Swashby's life.  Swashby tries to leave messages, spelled out in shells, to leave him alone, but the ocean has a way of modifying them to make the girl sing or dance or generally just be a kid.  Swashby does not like this intrusion into his life until something happens and he realizes what this little girl means to him.  It is very sweet.  And at the beach a few years ago a gentleman said he'd take our picture when we were doing a selfie.  When he walked away Sam whispered to me "He looks like Swashby!"  hahaha.  I think of that every time we read this.

A Day at the Beach by Mircea Vasiliu
I don't know if this is a vintage book but it certainly feels like one, where a family of 5 spends their day at the beach together, building sand castles, exploring tide pools, and swimming. 

A Shell is Cozy by Dianna Hutts Aston, illustrated by Sylvia Long
It's hard to go to the beach and not pick up at least a few shells.  This is a gorgeous look at all kinds of shells, from big to small, of every color.  And might help identify some of those that you pick up!

Summer's Call: A Michigan Day by Amber Lynn Hellewell, illustrated by Gretchen Ellen Powers
Written by Michiganers about the special magic of a Michigan summer (I don't remember if the book mentions how dang chilly Lake Michigan is for most of the summer...) but if you live in the Midwest especially, a fun reminder that not all beach trips have to be warm beach trips...

The Berenstain Bears Go on Vacation by Jan & Mike Berenstain
We found this one shortly before our trip to Gulf Shores, a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico, and read it many times on that trip, feeling like the Bears where the same place we were (on a barrier island).  It's now a summer staple and my youngest continues to be like Honey Bear with a bucket of water on his head every time we're at the beach, specifically mentioning that he's copying Honey.  And telling us about how he HAS copied Honey every time we read this.  Also, in the minority of Berenstain Bear books that rhyme. 

Down to the Sea with Mr. Magee by Chris Van Dusen
I just featured another Mr. Magee book in the camping list earlier this month!  Now Mr. Magee and his little dog Dee are headed to the shore for the day when an over excited whale gets their boat stuck in a tree.  Yes, this is totally and absolutely completely possible.

Down Under the Pier by Nell Cross Beckerman, illustrated by Rachell Sumpter
I love this one about the magic of exploring nature and the beach under the pier (safely) while there is a lot of man made amusement above the pier.  Rides and food and all that but UNDER the pier there are barnacles and shells and creatures to discover.  Truly magical.

Izzy and Frank by Katrina Lehman, illustrated by Sophie Beer
This is one of my favorite beach set picture books.  Izzy loves living on her island in a lighthouse.  Her best friend is a seagull named Frank.  But then Izzy has to move off her island and she does not like it.  She misses the sea and she misses Frank.  But then a surprising friend helps her learn to like her new home.

Look Out for Pirates! by Iris Vinton, illustrated by H.B. Vestal
Luke's godfather gave him this book when Luke was very little, it's a classic that we had never read until then.  There's gold and pirates trying to get the hold from the sailors.  It takes some quick thinking to keep the treasure safe. 

The Truth About my Unbelievable Summer by Benjamin Chaud
Like the classic back to school assignment "what did you do over summer vacation?", a kid tells a wonderful tale that starts as a normal beach trip before it turns into a global treasure hunt.  Did it really happen????

The Berenstain Bears Pirate Adventure by Mike Berentain
The Bear family is back on vacation and this time all 3 cubs discover an old ship that had been buried under the dunes but the wind has revealed it.  The cubs play on it that they are pirates and eventually end up walking the plank.  The power of imagination! 

Ocean: Waves for All by Stacy McAnulty, illustrated by David Litchfield
We love Stacy McAnulty's Our World series, mostly about planets, our moon, etc. but this one is about the ocean, a bit about it's part in history over time, how it connects us all, etc.  Not all beach trips are to an ocean but nice to know that they do connect us all!

Beach by Elisha Cooper
This author does lovely work highlighting the simple joys of something like a day at the beach.  Not super wordy but so many details in the picture that really brings the essence of a day at the beach. 

Here Comes Ocean by Meg Fleming, illustrated by Paola Zakimi
A rhyming picture book with repetition that makes it easy to read.  There is always endless fun to be had at the beach, chasing the waves, looking for treasure, and playing in the sand. 

Ready, Set, Sail! by Meg Fleming, illustrated by Luke Flowers
A simple picture book about two sailors, a tiger and a turtle, getting ready to explore the sea.  After a full day of sailing, they have a lot of stories to share!

A Day at the Seashore by Kathryn Jackson, Byron Jackson & Corinne Malvern
A classic Little Golden Book about Nancy and Timmy on their day at the beach.  It's very simple with classic illustrations. 

Beach House by Deanna Caswell, illustrated by Amy June Bates
A year of dreaming and waiting but now summer is here again, celebrated in a book that captures the essence of a summer trip to the beach with your family. 

To the Beach by Linda Ashman, illustrated by Nadine Bernard Westcott
A family of 7 is heading to the beach but they keep having to go back because they keep remembering something else they have forgotten.  Is it even worth all that work to get to the beach?? 

Sea Glass Summer by Michelle Houts, illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline
My sister told me about this book while we were at the beach and then on that trip we actually found a piece of sea glass!  And we also bought Luke a bag as a souvenir... But this book tells how sea glass came to be and how it's so rare (because we learned to stop throwing glass into the ocean) but fun to share it's history with the kids. 

The Sandcastle that Lola Built by Megan Maynor, illustrated by Kate Berube
A beachy spin on The House That Jack Built story.  Lola is building her sand castle on a crowded beach and recruits many people to help her get it done.  But then there is a wave!

Grains of Sand by Sibylle Delacroix, illustrated by Karen Li
A little girl is sad to be leaving the beach on the last day of their family vacation.  Her shoes are filled with sand and she doesn't know what to do with it all!  Together, her and her brother decide they should plant the grains of sand to see what might grow.  Imagination!

Day at the Beach by Tom Booth
Gideon and Audrey build sand castles together at the beach every summer but this summer Gideon has decided that he's going to build the biggest sand castle ever with no help from his sister.  But then, he is surprised to learn that it's more fun to do things together.

Alba and the Ocean Cleanup by Lara Hawthorne
Alba is a fish who collects treasures on the ocean floor.  Over the years she's noticed that there is more and more trash until finally it seems like there is plastic everywhere.  Is it too late to clean up her beloved ocean?

How Will We Get to the Beach? by Brigette Luciani, translated by Rosemary Lanning, illustrated by Eve Tharlet
A translated pictures book about a resourceful Mom who is trying to get to the beach but every mode of transportation available to her leaves her with one of her items she's can't take along!  Kids can play along, trying to guess what doesn't work with each option. 

The Boy and the Sea by Camille Andros, illustrated by Amy June Bates
A boy returns to the same seashore besides his home throughout his life where he can think, dream, and just be.  In different stages of his life he does more of different things but the beach plays a part in it all.

The Seashore Book by Charlotte Zolotow, illustrated by Wendell Minor
A mother and son imagine together what it would be like to spend a day at the seashore.  Hunting for shells, building sand castles, and spending time together.

A Day for Sandcastles by JonArno Lawson, illustrated by Qin Leng
Wordless but one I can tolerate.  A busload of beach goers arrive at the beach for a day of fun.  Three siblings work together to build a sand castle but their progress keeps getting halted!

O is for Ocean by Greg Paprocki
We have read so many of Greg Paprocki's ABC series and love the pictures.  This one is, obviously, all about the ocean, activities on or near it, creatures that live in it, etc.  I will continue to read this to my kids even though we are pretty much past board book stage.

Turkey's Sandtastic Beach Day by Wendi Silvano, illustrated by Lee Harper
When I asked my 6 year old recently what his favorite picture books were, the ones he came up with were "the Turkey books".  So while I try to read many of these when we're actually at the beach or about to go to the beach, this one I did pull early since it's a favorite.  Turkey is up to his classic behavior of trying to make up disguises to sneak somewhere, in this case into the ocean, but the lifeguards keep catching him.  Also filled with puns I'm not sure my kids catch.  

Hope you find something to remind you of the beach, to help you prep for a beach trip, or to take along!

{17} Camping Picture Books

Camping was a BIG part of my childhood vacations.  From before I can remember, I've been going camping.  Matt & I would do once a year camping trips with my family before we had kids and when Luke was little but schedules became too hard to coordinate and those stopped before Sam was born.  Then, after a good experience in Alabama in 2021, we became much more serious about our camping in 2022.  We have given up tent camping almost for good, other than in the backyard, after one disastrous trip in 2021 (all it takes it one trip with a lot of rain to ruin tent camping), we became dedicated cabin campers (the first picture in that post...we JUST restayed at that same cabin a few weeks ago, where I used that mug and wore that sweatshirt again).  We've only been staying at KOAs (mostly) with annual (at least once a year) trips to our favorite Jellystone too (although I have started to look into other locations for those!).  

Doing a camping book list had been on my mind for a few years but I just didn't think I had enough camping books to warrant a list.  Then I went through my list...I found more than enough books.  A good number of these we've read ON camping trips (that is not a coincidence).  These are mostly tent camping (a good deal of camping merch and books have to do with either tent camping or trailers/RV-ing of some kind...people that rent cabins and stay with a fully flushable toilet and AC and, in our opinion, the best sites, get no love) but there is also a few about summer camp thrown in too (a whole different kind of camping!).  

Some more picture book lists: 100 from summer 2017, 100 from summer 2019, 30 to kick off summer 2021, 36 summery books, 30 to wrap-up summer 2021, 30 to kick off summer 2022, {31} Picture Books that Feature Summer, and {31} Picture Books to Close Out Summer!

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, links for which are included within this post, at no additional cost to you.  Thanks for helping support this blog!   Of course, utilize the library or shop used or from an independent bookstore if you prefer!

C is for Camping by Greg Paprocki
Starting with a board book and one I KNOW I read my boys on our first trip to Jellystone (the rainy one).  We love and have read nearly all of Greg Paprocki's ABC series, the pictures are just colorful and great.  This one is all about camping, obviously.  My kids know their ABCs but I will still read them this this summer.

Biscuit Goes Camping by Alyssa Satin Capucilli, illustrated by Pat Schories
Biscuit was a big favorite of my older son when he started reading and now my younger son will read them to me too!  These are simple easy readers and there are SO MANY Biscuit books, one for nearly every occasion.  I will have my youngest read me this this year.

Fred and Ted Go Camping by Peter Eastman
Fred and Ted have very different ways of doing things and that is very obvious when they set out on a camping trip together.  My husband and I also have very different ways of doing things and we ALSO survive our camping trips so that still works.

Frank and Bean by Jamie Michalak, illustrated by Bob Kolar
Frank and Bean are a hot dog and a bean.  Frank (the hot dog) is well prepared and has everything he needs to camp.  Bean (the bean) is not prepared but does what beans do which is make a lot of noise.  They end up next to each other and do not get along at first.  My kids are going to love ANY book with fart jokes, no matter how subtle.  (I have one kid who says he only eats baked beans because of their farting powers).

Pete the Cat Goes Camping by James Dean and Kimberly Dean
We haven't gotten huge into Pete the Cat but have read some of his books and obviously one of those was about camping.  An easy reader where Pete is excited to go camping but then he learns about this mysterious being called Bigfoot.  

Curious George Goes Camping by Margaret & H.A. Rey
Is camping going to go well for Curious George?  Probably not.  It's good to be curious but there are a lot of ways that could get you in trouble when camping.  Of course, being Curious George, it'll all end up all right in the end. 

Wild About Camping by Jane Whittingham
A brother and sister are excited for their first camping trip!  They set out and the kids being read to will see the kids in the books having their actions copied in a way by the wild animals in the forest.  Easy to read text and charming pictures.

Summer Camp Critter Jitters by Jory John, illustrated by Liz Climo
This one is obviously about summer camp but it's still a charming addition.  The Critters are headed off to summer camp and they each have their own things they are nervous about.  Will each different animal be made to feel at home?  From a duck who can't swim to a bear afraid of noises in the woods...this isn't an easy bunch to make at home but their counselor figures it out.

Monster and Mouse Go Camping by Deborah Underwood, illustrated by Jared Chapman
Monster is terrible at camping, as you might expect monsters to be.  He just gets a little hungry so he eats all the food but then eventually the sleeping bags, tent, and all the other supplies too.  I'd highly advise not camping with a monster but kids will get a kick out of the story.

The Camping Trip by Jennifer Mann
A young girl's first camping trip and she has some nerves about it!  But she's excited to go with her aunt and cousin and have some new adventures.  She follows their packing list, has snacks made by Dad, and realized that no amount of prep could have really prepared her for the work of camping.  BUT...great memories anyways.  (I have found this to be very true, especially the work in tent camping.)

Camp Rex by Molly Idle
I really like Molly Idle's whimsical drawings over a wide variety of topics.  Just like monsters are terrible camping partners, T-Rex's might not be much better? He needs to know to stay on the trails and not disturb neighbors and build a safe campfire.  And he might need help learning how to roast just one marshmallow at a time.

Four Cheers for Camping by Seymour Fleishman
This is an old book, from the 1960s maybe, but my library still has it in their collection.  My kids even have come to appreciate the smell of these older books!  A family goes camping and I believe they make friends with some of their camping neighbors who then tag along for a longer adventure.  I haven't read it in a year!  These older books tend to be wordier but they always have fantastic pictures and I like mixing them in with our newer reads too. 

Camp Tiger by Susan Choi, illustrated by John Rocco
Ok, there are a lot of animals on this list I wouldn't want to camp with (and that would basically extend to ALL animals) but a Tiger might be towards the top of this list.  A kid goes on a camping trip with his parents right before school starts and a mysterious Tiger shows up to keep the kid company all week. Just a regular tiger hanging out with a regular kid (nobody gets eaten).  Then, just as mysteriously as the tiger appeared, he disappears when it's time to go home. 

A Camping Spree with Mr. Magee by Chris Van Dusen
Chris Van Dusen is one of my favorite picture book authors.  He has a three book series about Mr Magee and his little dog Dee.  In this one they are off on a camping trip together, in the rare camping picture book in which they are in a camper!  Turns out, they aren't great at making sure their trailer is secure for the night before they end up at the top of the waterfall.  It's a good thing their hitch looks like a marshmallow to a hungry bear...

The Berenstain Bears Go to Camp by Stan & Jan Berenstain
This is a beloved classic from my childhood and one I don't think we owned but checked out from the library A LOT.  Brother & Sister get bored once school is out and their parents send them to summer day camp.  They make projects, learn some things, have a camp out near a cave that changes in size.  Not camping in the tent sense of it but still a classic we read a few times a summer.

The Great Indoors by Julie Falatko, illustrated by Ruth Chan
I have great affection for this one because we just happened to read it after one of the few tent camping trips we did with both boys.  When a family leaves their house to go on vacation, a whole group of animals take over for their week indoors where the eat all the ice cream, watch a lot of tv, use the bathroom, and appreciate electricity.  Basically the opposite of much tent camping.  Especially appropriate if you do any tent camping but we do not and I still enjoy this one.

Gather Round by David Covell
Not strictly a camping book but I think every camping trip we've ever taken has involved gathering around a camp fire of some kind.  This book celebrates the magic of gathering around any fire, building it, cooking food over it, sharing stories with loved ones.  Perfect for summer or any camping trip. 

If you have any more to add to this list, I'd love to hear about them!  We always appreciate new camping books!

{18} Dragon Picture Books

Sometimes I make picture book lists around a holiday or season.  That's a lot of them actually.  Sometimes I make them because I realize we just happened to read two books on similar topics in the same session and think "I could find more books on that".  So between reading the words on the page my mind is automatically going through a mental list of books we've read and what other ones could go on the list (I should focus on one thing at a time more, I know).  This list is the latter.  Completely coincidentally, we were reading two dragon books on the same day and my younger son even remarked on it.  So I decided to build a list around that.  We've actually read more dragon books than I remembered! 

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, links for which are included within this post, at no additional cost to you.  Thanks for helping support this blog!   Of course, utilize the library or shop used or from an independent bookstore if you prefer!

Dough Knights and Dragons by Dee Leone, illustrated by George Ermos
Admittedly, this is one of my favorites on the list and one that immediately came to mind.  In this story, a knight and dragon bond over their love of baking but then law dictates that they must duel each other.  So they come up with a clever solution. 

Knight Owl by Christopher Denise
This is the one on the list we own.  Owl has always dreamed of being a knight which is great because the knights guarding the castle keep disappearing.  But Owl has great nighttime instincts and figures out a way to guard the castle and befriend the dragons who are antagonizing them. 

Dragon Night by J.R. Krause
This is one of the books we just happened to read that sparked this list.  Georgie is afraid of the night, it's too dark and too quiet.  The Dragon is afraid of the Knight.  The Knight has a sword.  The two mistakenly think they are afraid of the same thing but do help each other come over his fear.

The Truth About Dragon by Julie Leung, illustrated Hanna Cha
This one leans into eastern mythologies of dragons as a mother tells her son a bedtime story about two different types of dragons, turns out to be one from each of the boy's grandmothers, one with a eastern and one with a western mythology.  I didn't pick up on that until the end.

Dragons are the Worst by Alex Willan
Gilbert the Goblin is 100% sure that dragons are the worst.  The burn everything down, melt all the ice cream, everyone is afraid of them.  But really, shouldn't the dragons be afraid of Gilbert and his Goblin powers??

100 Mighty Dragons All Named Broccoli by David LaRochelle, illustrated by Lian Cho
On top of a mountain live 100 dragons, all named Broccoli and then many of them scatter to go have their own adventures.  Dragons can have a surprising number of occupations, apparently.  It keeps going until there is just one Broccoli dragon left on the mountain.

A Treasure at Sea for Dragon and Me: Water Safety for Kids by Jean E. Pendziwol, illustrated by Martine Gourbault
This is an educational book disguised as a dragon book as a girl and a dragon spend a day at the beach and the girl teaches the dragon all about water safety.  A nice way to sneak in some lessons to kids. 

Dragon Bones: The Fantastic Fossil Discoveries of Mary Anning by Sarah Glenn Marsh, illustrated by Maris Wicks
A different kind of educational book, this one not really about dragons but about searching for something that nearly seems as mythical as dragons - dinosaurs.  But, a true story about a real girl who was intent on finding some fossils in her English seaside town. 

Amy Wu and the Patchwork Dragon by Kat Zhang, illustrated by Charlene Chua
The second in a series of 4 about Amy Wu.  In this one she has to craft a dragon to share with her class at school.  It takes a story from Grandma to help her find her inspiration to create a dragon that really feels like hers.

Joan Proctor, Dragon Doctor: The Woman Who Loved Reptiles by Patricia Valdez, illustrated by Felicita Sala
Another woman who was fascinated by creatures that could be dragons - in this case one of them being komodo dragons.  She carried her favorite lizard everywhere with her and eventually designed the reptile house at the London zoo even a home for those komodo dragons. 

Komodo Dragon vs King Cobra by Jerry Pallotta, illustrated by Rob Bolster
Komodo Dragons again!  My boys have really liked all these books in the Who Would Win series, always trying to guess which animal the author will pick to win, after going through all their physical attributes and different skills each must have.  Our zoo had a komodo dragon for quite a long time and it was a bit terrifying.  I have never seen a King Cobra but am kinda ok with that!

Dear Dragon by Josh Funk, illustrated by Rodolfo Montalvo
A boy has a penpal that he doesn't know is a dragon.  The two share many favorites and things about themselves but this fact never seems to come out until they are getting ready to meet in person!

Old MacDonald Had a Dragon by Ken Baker
An adaptation of the old song where Old MacDonald has a dragon who keeps eating all the other farm animals.  It's a little silly but perfect for kids.

Dragons Love Tacos, Dragons Love Tacos 2 by Adam Rubin, illustrated by Daniel Salmieri
These were very popular when they first came out and my boys definitely enjoyed them when I first read them.  Dragons love all kinds of tacos but don't give them spicy salsa, that causes problems (perfect for any kid who appreciates a fart joke). 

Have You Seen my Dragon? by Steve Light
Beautiful and detailed drawings of a dragon hiding around a bit city.  It's easy for the reader to spot the dragon but there is a boy in the pages searching for the dragon too.  Many city icons to spot as well. 

There's a Dragon in Your Book by Tom Fletcher, illustrated by Greg Abbott
We've read all or nearly all of the books in this "Who's In Your Book?" series.  My youngest was a particular fan of them when he was 4-5.  An interactive book where you have to help save the book from the dragon's flammable sneezes!

There are No Dragons in this Book by Donna Lambo-Weidner, illustrated Carla Haslbauer
I was nearly done with this book when I picked up this hold from the library and we read it so it needed added!  There is most definitely a dragon in this book and my youngest kept pointing it out and rolling his eyes a bit as the book kept insisting there was no dragon.  So he was entertained at least!

That's more dragon books than I had realized we had read!  And a few I would put in my top, maybe not 50 but 100 picture books that we've read!

{23} Bunny Picture Books

Would this list have made a little more sense before Easter?  Maybe.  However, only a few of these are Easter related AND we're Catholic so we have weeks left in the Easter season (although our at home Easter bunny will not be hiding eggs and providing candy for the next many weeks).  Of course there are many bunny themed books around Easter but also quite a few that I just have tagged as spring books, probably due to the Easter bunny influence.  So, between that and Easter, we've been reading more bunny books lately.  

My younger son would count bunnies among his favorite animals, probably top 10.  He has a large stuffed one on his bed (that I had hoped we could slowly fade out of our house 4 years ago when he got it...but then he became too attached and now it's here to stay) and loves spotting them around the neighborhood.  There was one property in particular that we call "the bunny house" because of how many we would consistently spot there on the walk to and from school.  But no bunnies have been spotted there yet this spring so maybe they have all moved on!  (I have quite a few pictures of him with a rabbit in the background.  He wanted a picture every time we saw one which was sometimes twice daily last spring.)  He would definitely approve of this list.  

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The Easter Egg Artists by Adrienne Adams
This is obviously an Easter rabbit book but it's a classic from my childhood, was possibly in one of my mom's school classrooms at one point.  The Abbotts are Easter egg artists and spend the early part of every year decorating hundreds of dozens of Easter eggs for sale.  This year their son gets in on the decorating, after he shows a flare for painting on the family's annual vacation before their decorating work season starts. 

Curious George and the Bunny by H.A. Rey
We were given this book when my oldest was a baby so it's been in our house for 11 years now and is one of the board books I haven't packed away in the attic yet just because of the nostolgia of how often I read it to the boys when they were little, particularly the oldest.  I'm pretty sure I had it memorized at one point.  Curious George is curious about the bunnies he spots in a pen and wants to see them more but when he opens it, one gets out!  Then he needs to find the missing bunny. 

The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams Bianco, illustrated by William Nicholson
A classic and one I didn't realize how long it was until I read it to Luke when he was ~4.  It's a really long book!  The story of a beloved stuffed bunny that has to be thrown out after it's infected by a sick kid.  The kid is sure that he later spots his beloved bunny as a real bunny in the yard.  Makes me think of my boys' most beloved stuffed animals, especially from when they were little (I'm going to get emotional just writing about it!). 

A Bunny's Tale: All Creatures of Our God and King words by St. Francis of Assisi, illustrated by Adrienne Keogler
The words of "All Creatures of Our God and King" but with charming illustrations of a bunny traveling from winter to spring, helping out various animals along the way.  I can't help sing/saying it when we read it every spring.  

The Little Rabbit by Nicola Killen
The spring themed book in this little series that has a little girl dressing up as a different animal and having a little magical adventure with real animals (the Christmas one she's a reindeer).  These pages also have fun little cutouts.  All the books in this series are very sweet (I just realized writing this that there are two we haven't read yet!). 

Mama Bunny's Good Pie by Lisa Moser, illustrated by Sally Garland
Spring is making all of Mama's little bunnies feel like making trouble but just when each of them are about to do something they shouldn't...along comes Mama's wagon with her pie inside and each of them decide to eat a piece of pie instead of whatever naughty thing they were going to do.  Colorful and fun.  Mama even gets a piece at the end!

Little White Rabbit by Kevin Henkes
A simple board book where a little bunny is hopping around, wondering what it would be like to be as tall as a tree or as still as a rock.  The bunny is exploring his little world and all the excitements in it but also loves coming home to his mama at the end. 

Muncha! Muncha! Muncha! by Candace Fleming, illustrated by G. Brian Karas
Three hungry bunnies are Muncha Muncha Muncha-ing in Mr. McGreely's garden every night.  No matter what Mr. McGreely does, those bunnies just keep getting to his garden!  Which brings to mind...

Creepy Carrots! by Aaron Reynolds, illustrated by Peter Brown
This is on our fall book list but my youngest picked it out at the school library recently so it was a spring read too!  Jasper Rabbit is convinced that creepy carrots are following him every where but nobody believes him.  So this school age rabbit takes matters into his own hands and makes a giant wall (with crocodiles in the moat) to keep the creepy carrots contained in their field.  A bit ridiculous and silly.  Apparently good for spring and fall!

Beyond the Burrow by Jessica Meserve
Rabbit loves staying close to home where it's cozy and safe.  BUT THEN she spots a juice carrot just outside of her comfort zone and she just can't resist.  That leads to a whole new world. (I maybe related too much to this Rabbit.)

Everybunny Count!, Everybunny Dance! by Ellie Sandall
Two books that work on counting (the first) and celebrating movement (the second).  We read these shortly after my youngest got his now beloved stuffed bunny and that made him like these books a lot. 

Bunny's Book Club by Annie Silvestro, illustrated by Tatjana Mai-Wyss
Bunny loves to sneak up on the library's outdoor story time in the summer, getting to listen along to the books with the kids.  But when they move inside for the winter Bunny loses her connection to the books she loves!  So with help from her woodland pals, they make a plan to sneak into the library after hours through the return drop box. 

Black Belt Bunny by Jacky Davis, illustrated by Jay Fleck
Black Belt Bunny is strong and fast and has great moves.  But then he has to learn something new, something every bunny must learn.  He has to make a salad.  Bunny tries to escape this inevitability but there is no use.  Eventually, he has to make that salad. 

Bunny Built by Michael Slack
LaRue (a bunny) is very handy.  He has a toolbox with any tool he could need.  He can fix things!  The only thing he doesn't have is carrots but then he stumbles onto a special seed that grows the largest carrot he's ever seen.  What is he going to do with that???

The Backup Bunny by Abigail Rayner, illustrated by Greg Stones
What happens when a child loses their most beloved toy?  Well, sometimes Mom has a backup (we definitely had backup lemurs for our oldest, when he was little).  The thing is though...when a stuffed animal is that beloved...a kid can quickly tell the difference.  In this case, the backup bunny, "Fluffy", is SO EXCITED to have a chance to play...but the kid only wants his original bunny. 

Bunny in the Middle by Anika A. Denise, illustrated by Christopher Denise
This is one I very much remember reading and then recommending to my sister who has 3 kids!  What do you do when you aren't the youngest and aren't the oldest but you are the one in the middle??   There's someone bigger who helps you and someone smaller who needs help.  How do you feel special and forge your own path??  Very sweet for families with a middle child. 

Bunny Overboard, Hungry Bunny, Bunny Slopes by Claudia Rueda
These are adorable interactive books where the bunny is trying to do some activity (ski, pick an apple, go on a boat ride) and needs a kids help to tilt or move the book to help him along.  My youngest was a BIG fan of these for a few years!

Little Blue Bunny by Erin Guendelsberger
A story about a blue bunny that was given to a little boy and they bonded right away.  The bunny was just itching for big adventures and figured he would have to wait until the boy was grown and didn't need him anymore.  But is that day coming sooner than the bunny expected??

Rabbit Finds a Way by Judy Delton, illustrated by Joe Lasker
This is a very niche pick that came from free books my Mom got as a teacher in the late 70s.  It's one that moved to our home library when she finished teaching and was a classic of my childhood.  Rabbit is really counting on Bear to be making his normal Saturday morning carrot cake.  Rabbit really wants some of that carrot cake.  He turns down many treats and time with other friends on his way to Bear's house.  When he finally arrives to visit Bear though...there is no carrot cake!

Hope is a Hop by Katrina Moore, illustrated by Melissa Iwai
Very charming illustrations in this book about Eva trying to grow a cheerful flower garden.  She keeps getting thwarted by a hungry rabbit!  As Eva gets down about her lack of success, she learns something new about her little bunny friend. 

{16} Garden Picture Books

It's about that time of year when I start thinking about what we'll be growing this summer.  I'm not actually doing anything about it yet, but I have given it the smallest amount of thought.  Last year wasn't a great growing year for us (the sunflowers never came up despite planting them twice!) but we tried some new things and need to recommit to eating more veggies.  I am more interested, generally, in the flower growing, particularly the ones I can cut and put around the house.  And most of our tomatoes went to my sister who does massive amounts of canning of sauce and she put those to good use!  

We also start reading many picture books about gardening and things growing in the spring.  It just feels spring-y to me, even though we aren't planting until mid-May or something (if we're lucky...sometimes it's June).  We've read quite a few already in March and so why not share a list!  These are almost entirely books about growing a garden, mostly the vegetable kind although a few flower ones might have sneaked through.  I'll have to do another list about growing flowers! 

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Grandma's Rooftop Garden by Tang Wei, translated by Kelly Zhang
This is the one we most recently read that inspired this list!  Granny might be old but she has built a wonderful vegetable garden on the roof of her apartment building in Chengdu (a city in China). She collects the produce that is thrown away at markets and composts it for her garden and then shares her produce with friends and family, either by making them food or passing on produce for them to use.  Very sweet story and love reading about urban gardens all over the world!

Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt by Kate Messner, illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal
This is one the first ones that came to mind when thinking of more books for this list.  We love this over/under series, everyone of them is fantastic.  This follows a young girl and her grandmother for a year through taking care of their backyard garden, what is going on that they can see but also what is going on under the dirt!

Badger's Perfect Garden by Marsha Diane Arnold, illustrated by Ramona Kaulitzki
Badger has spent months planning his perfect garden and gathering the seeds.  When the time comes, he recruits his forest friends to help him exactly according to plan.  Badger is already imagining how perfect it'll be when it starts growing.  But then a rainstorm hits and washes away his seeds.  Is all his hard work and organization ruined?

And Then It's Spring by Julie Fogliano, illustrated by Erin E. Stead
This is probably my very favorite spring book to read and I used to read it nearly daily to Sam when he was home with me.  First you have brown, all around you have brown.  A young boy and his dog are getting impatient with the long departure of winter and decide to plant a garden while they wait.  Although a garden just means more things to wait on. 

Diana's White House Garden by Elisa Carbone, illustrated by Jen Hill
Biography picture book about a young girl, Diana Hopkins, who lived at the White House during the administration of FDR during WWII.  Her father was the president's chief advisor.  Diana wanted to help with the war efforts and starts a Victory Garden at the White House under the tutelage of Eleanor Roosevelt. 

The Garden We Share by Zoe Tucker, illustrated by Swaney Julianna
A young girl and an elderly woman bond over their work at the local community garden, planting seeds alongside neighbors and friends.  By harvest the girl's elderly friend is bedridden but the young girl can still take her baskets of ripe tomatoes and sugar snap peas, sharing what they produced together.  By the fall everything is different but spring always comes again.

Love Makes a Garden Grow by Taeeun Yoo
Still a young girl working in a garden but this time with her Grandfather.  The Grandfather works hard at his garden, teaching his granddaughter how to care for the plants and associates all the work and senses of the garden with him.  As he ages his garden gets smaller but the girl never forgets what he has taught her. 

The Forever Garden by Laurel Snyder
Honey works hard on her garden, pouring hours into it each day.  Her young neighbor, Laurel, spends a lot of time helping Honey, weeding, watering, etc.  But then one day Honey puts out a For Sale sign in her yard.  She must move to care for an elderly parent.  Laurel will miss her friend but, also, what will happen to this wonderful garden??

We Are the Gardeners by Joanna Gaines, illustrated by Julianna Swaney
All about her children's young attempts at growing SOMETHING.  The house plants that died before they finally figured out what they were doing and kept a whole garden growing.  The picture here are especially charming. 

Thank You, Garden by Liz Garton Scanlon, illustrated by Simone Shin
First, this one has a fantastic and beautiful cover.  Second, this is about a community garden and how it unites the neighborhood as they celebrate all that grows there and the work it takes to make that happen.  Not just growing plants, but friendships that grow too. 

The Gardener of Alcatraz: A True Story by Emma Bland Smith, illustrated by Jenn Ely
The story of a man who was locked away at Alcatraz for counterfeiting but was determined to defy the odds and escape.  Instead, he got a job tending the prison garden and a strange thing happened, he found new interests and skills and a sense of fulfillment, even behind the walls of Alcatraz.  

A Garden Called Home by Jessica J. Lee, illustrated by Elaine Chen
A young girl and her mother return to her mother's homeland and the girl sees her mother come alive in a way that she never does in their new country.  Once they return home, the mother's smile disappears but the girl is determined the show her mother, through growing plants, that they can make their place in their new country as well. 

The Imaginary Garden by Andrew Larsen, illustrated by Irene Luxbacher
Theodore loved her Grandfather's old garden but then he moved to an apartment where he can't grow nearly as much.  It's just not the same.  But then Theo and her Grandpa decide to paint a new garden and work together to create something growing, in a different way.  Eventually that garden starts to take on a life of it's own. 

Jack's Garden by Henry Cole
A book about a young BOY working in a garden!  This list has, unintentionally, been little girl heavy.  This is a take on "The House Jack Built" but about a garden instead. He makes it look easy. 

In Our Garden by Pat Zietlow Miller, illustrated by Melissa Crowton
Millie has recently moved, across an ocean, and she misses her old home and ways of doing things.  One day she has an idea - their school has a flat roof, that could be perfect for a school garden!  She gets her teacher and classmates on board but it takes a lot of hard work to make a garden from scratch!  

What Grew in Larry's Garden by Laura Alary, illustrated by Kass Reich
Grace thinks her neighbor, Larry, has the greatest garden in the world.  He grows the most wonderful vegetables and Grace loves helping him with the watering, weeding, planting, pruning, hoeing, and harvesting.  Whenever there is a problem they solve it together.  Grace learns that Larry has big plans for his garden!

I'd love to hear if you have any picture books about garden we could add to our list!  Maybe it'll be good luck to keep our garden more alive this year!

{14} Valentine Picture Books

Seasonal and holiday picture books make up a BIG portion of our picture book reading every year.  I read 1,772 picture/board books to my boys last year and only about 700 of those were new to us.  Meaning around 1,000 were rereads and while we do own a fair amount (you could say "too many") picture books that don't feature a specific holiday or season...a good portion of the ones we purposely reread every year are holiday based.  I'd say somewhere around 700 of them (over 200 of those would just be Christmas) are seasonal rereads.

And, despite writing MANY book lists covering a whole hosts of seasons and holidays...I've never done Valentine's Day!  I've covered:

• {18} Winter Picture Books
• {12} Picture Books to Start Spring
• {21} Easter Picture Books 
• {36} Summery Picture Books 
• {12} Picture Books for Back to School
• {9} Picture Books Featuring Ghosts 
• {9} Pumpkin Picture Books 
• {15} Favorite Halloween Books 
• {10} Thanksgiving Picture Books
• And for Christmas: The Night Before Christmas, Reindeer, Christmas Carols, Mice & Christmas, Christmas in New York, Saints, Cookies & Treats, Christmas Trees, Animals Celebrating, Santa Stories, The Nativity Story, Historic Christmas, and {25} Christmas Picture Books

Valentine's Day is about the only semi-major holiday not covered!  (Although, given the number of books we've read...I'm sure I could pull up some more niche holidays.)  So, here we go with some favorite Valentine's Day books!

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Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch by Eileen Spinelli, illustrated by Paul Yalowitz
This is my favorite Valentine's Day book, even though it's probably the longest on this list.  Mr. Hatch is a lonely man who lives a lonely, repetive life.  Then, on Valentine's Day, the mailman drops off a box of chocolates with a note that says "somebody loves you".  Well, Mr. Hatch wasn't expecting that.  He feels like a completely different person now that he knows somebody LOVES him.  He bakes brownies for the neighbors, he chats with his coworkers.  He makes friends.  His life is all new.  Then, the mailman comes back a few weeks later, tells him the box of chocolates was a mistake.  They were supposed to go to someone else.  Mr. Hatch is devestated to realize that nobody actually does love him.  He tries to revert to his old, lonely, way of life only for his friends, coworkers, and neighbors to rally around him.  The original note wasn't for Mr. Hatch but all of these people DO love Mr. Hatch.  It's such a sweet story about reaching out. 

Snowy Valentine by David Petersen
Jasper the rabbit is trying to find the perfect Valentine's gift for his wife.  He's walking through the snowy woods where they live, stopping at many of their neighbors, asking what that gift should be.  They offer suggestions but none are just right for Jasper Rabbit.  He returns home defeated only to see that he accidentally made a ginormous Valentine for his love!

Xo, Ox by Adam Rex, illustrated by Scott Campbell
An epistolary picture book about a delusional Ox who falls in love with a gazelle from the movies.  He, the Ox, keeps writing her love letters and does not get that she does not reciprocate.  The confidence and perseverance of Ox is one that many parents have probably experienced with their kids (my kids never persevere better than when they are, repeatedly, asking me for something I've previously said no to). 

Mirabel's Missing Valentines by Janet Lawler, illustrated by Olivia Chin Mueller
Mirabel has carefully made valentines to take to school and happily skips along on her trip there, passing many lonely or sad people.  When she gets to school she realizes that her bag is empty.  She's devastated that she can't share her valentines with her friends only to realize that all those sad and lonely people she passed along the way needed the pick me up that her dropped valentines brought.

This is Not a Valentine by Carter Higgins, illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins
This book is NOT a valentine.  It's not lacy or fancy or pretty.  BUT...it will tell you where to find lucky rocks or the best hiding spots and about the joy of wishing for cinnamon buns.  It's not a traditional valentine but it shares a kind of love all the same. 

L is for Love by Greg Paprocki
We own so many of Greg Paprocki's books and this one is a celebration of different themes of love and friendship with his charming drawings. 

Little Blue Truck's Valentine by Alice Schertle, illustrated by Jill McElmurry
We also own all or nearly all of the Little Blue Truck books, even though, even my youngest is getting on the old end for these.  Little Blue Truck is delivering Valentines to all of his friends on the farm, hoping he gets a valentine of his own!

Love Grows Everywhere by Barry Timms, illustrated by Tisha Lee
A family grows plants to sell at their local market and learn about all the different ways love grows and can be shared.  Kisses from Mom & Dad, songs from Grandma, playing with friends, a smile from a neighbor.  Love shows it's self in many different ways!

The Friendship Book by Mary Lyn Ray, illustrated by Stephanie Graegin
Not a specifically Valentine's Book but the pink color and message let it sneak through as one.  This is shares about friendship sort of love and what it takes to be a friend.  We always like Stephanie Graegin's illustration, both of my boys will always point out that she also illustrated the Heartwood Hotel books!

The Love Letter by Anika Aldamuy Denise, illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins
Hedgehog, Bunny, and Squirrel are best friends and one day they each find a love letter in the woods.  Somebody loves them but who is it?  (This is, accidentally, the second Lucy Ruth Cummins illustrated book on this list!)

Love Is... by Diane Adams, illustrated by Claire Keane
A sweet story about a young girl who rescues a duckling, nursing it back to health.  The girl grows to love the duckling but then has to learn that sometimes you have to let go of what you love in order for it to grow.  A duckling can't live inside forever!

When an Elephant Falls in Love by Davide Cali, illustrated by Alice Lotti
Do you know what happens when an elephant falls in love?  Probably not (DO real elephants fall in love?!?).  Well, when an elephant falls in love they make some foolish choices, writes letters, and eats cheesecake.  Reminder that the best things in life probably come with some waiting.

Consider Love: Its Many Moods and Many Ways by Sandra Boynton
If you have children you've probably read some Sandra Boynton books (if not, look her up, she's great).  Simple book that explores different forms and ways to love.  Also, it rhymes.  (It always feels like rhyming books read quicker.)

Plant a Kiss by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
I've never read an even sub-par book by Amy Krouse Rosenthal.  Here, Little Miss planted a kiss...and then watched it bloom.  A reminder of the joy to be gained by being open and unselfish.  

{25} Favorite Picture Books of 2023

This was not our best year for reading picture books, on a purely numbers basis.  Thanks to Luke starting sports which took up about 4 months of the year, all together, and Sam starting kindergarten which meant I was no longer reading just to him during the day...we read 345 fewer different books this year and it feels like we read many of our holiday favorite less times each than usual.  This is just a result of my kids growing up but it does make me sad to see us reading fewer and fewer picture books each year (to be clear...we still read 1772 in 2023 so if we read 350 less each year...I still have some years to go).  

However, that is still a lot of picture books we did read and my initial pull of books for this list was over 100.  Sam particularly will pull books at the library (Luke mostly only picks books to read himself) that I will read to him but, especially if they are media books, they maybe aren't quite the quality as the ones I am curating for them.  It does take some time to consistently have good books I want to read to my kids!  Reading book lists, checking to see if the library has them in the system, requesting the holds or finding on the shelves, or purchase requesting if the library doesn't own them yet.  BUT...the countless hours I have spent reading with the boys are priceless memories and I am already glad I've put the time into finding good books that keeps us all coming back.

These are 25 of our favorite books that were new to us in 2023.  A few I know are older but somehow we missed until now.  Most of the rest are new in 2023 or at least the last few years.  I didn't pay attention to when a single one of these was published, just on what we liked in 2023!  I also don't include seasonal/holiday books on these list or many biographies, although we read many in both those categories every year!

Here we go, in no particular order!

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, links for which are included within this post, at no additional cost to you.  Thanks for helping support this blog!   Of course, utilize the library or shop used or from an independent bookstore if you prefer!

Her Name was Mary Katharine: The Only Woman Whose Name is on the Declaration of Independence by Ella Schwartz, illustrated by Dow Phumiruk
Did you know that there was a lady who had her name on the Declaration of Independence? Because I most certainly did not (they never taught that in history lessons).  Mary Katherine Godcard was a newspaper publisher who boldly published and distributed the document after it was written, adding her name at the bottom for a printing credit.  I like stories of ladies getting things done.

Summer is for Cousins by Rajani LaRocca, illustrated by Abhi Alwar
This isn't quite what our summers look like but we DO know the fun of summers and my kids definitely know the fun of cousins.  Is there anything better than cousins in the summer??  Maybe not. 

When You Can Swim by Jack Wong
This is one we happened to pickup when I had a kid in swim lessons for the first time so it came at just the right time.  Learning to swim is always a good idea, for safety primarily but also for fun!

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak, illustrated by Tammy Grimes
This definitely falls under "classics we missed until now".  You all, there is a reason it's a classic.  I mostly know it from the line "'Let the wild rumpus start', says Max" which is said in one of my very favorite movies, The Family Stone.

You Are a Story by Bob Raczka, illustrated by Kristen and Kevin Howdeshell
A reflection on the many different things we can be and do, ways to connect with others like us and understand the differences in them too.  Beautiful celebration of life. 

What to do With a Stick by Jane Yolen, illustrated by Paolo Domeniconi
What do you do with a stick?  As a kid there are INFINITE possibilities and this book celebrates that.  (My kids are partial to them being light sabers)

Stars of the Night: The Courageous Children of the Czech Kindertransport by Caren Stelson, illustrated by Selina Alko
The heartbreaking and very true story of Czech kids who were sent out of the country, for their safety, during World War II.  I nearly cried reading this, putting myself in those parents' shoes.  So much bravery and courage required, all around.

Oh the Places You'll Go! by Dr. Seuss
Hey, did you know this book was good?  Somehow this classic missed us until this year. 

Pluto!: Not a Planet? Not a Problem! by Stacy McAnulty, illustrated by Stevie Lewis
We love this space series by Stacy McAnulty, owning nearly all of them.  I have a soft spot for Pluto as a planet, since I was taught as a kid that it WAS a planet and my kids are fascinated by it's de-planet-ization. 

The Courage of the Little Hummingbird: A Tale Told Around the World by Leah Henderson, illustrated by Magaly Morales 
A retold folk story about animals fleeing from a forest fire when the smallest, a hummingbird, starts scooping up all the water it can (a drop or two) and dropping it on the fire.  The other animals mock it but the hummingbird is proud of it's effort.  "I'm doing all I can." is stays.  And that, is enough.  That line stopped me in my tracks reading it. 

Yours in Books by Julie Falatko, illustrated by Gabriel Alborozo
This was very much reminded me of 84 Charring Cross Road, both epistolary stories, with letters going back and forth between a bookseller and a customer.  This was so charming with Owl realizing that he can share his love of books with others in the forest.

The World Belonged to Us by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by Leo Espinosa
I was not a black girl growing up in Brooklyn in the 1970s but I still resonated with this story about childhood summers, even if I am white, growing up in Indiana in the 1980s.  Just that innocence of childhood.

G is for Gross by Greg Paprocki
(Also U is for Universe, O is for Ocean, P is for Pirate).  We have read nearly all of Greg Paprocki's alphabet books, his pictures are just SO FUN and with so many details. (I am the reason our library owns so many, I keep purchase requesting them.)  My boys particularly liked this one about "gross" things.  Puke, boogers, etc. 

Jesus and the Miracle of the Mass by Gracie Jagla, illustrated by Randy Friemel
I love all of Gracie Jagla's book, truly inspiring Catholic picture books.  This is sharing the miracle of the mass with kids, even if the target audience has mostly been going to Mass since before they can remember.  An explanation always helps answer questions they may not have known they had!

Jesus in Space: a True Story That's Out of This World by Cecilia Cicone|
The true story of astronaut Tom Jones taking the Eucharist up to space on board the space shuttle.  We read this after we had seen a real space shuttle so it extra resonated with us!

Pumpkin Day at the Zoo by Susan Meissner, illustrated by Pablo Pino
This is a bit seasonal but I suppose animals could eat pumpkins any time they could get one...I know our zoo gives at least some animals pumpkins to eat and play with but this shows many animals getting them, some we don't have at our zoo.  These animals are all so excited about pumpkin day!

The Scariest Kitten in the World by Kate Messner, illustrated by MacKenzie Haley
I have a boy who really likes kitties and would desperately like one if only his mother wasn't so against nearly any kind of pet (we had fish).  This kitty is trying to be super scary but it turns out...it's just cute. 

The Worry Balloon by Monica Mancillas, illustrated by Betty C. Tang
This takes place on the first day of school but works for any time for any kids (or adults) who tend to worry.  Isla learns some coping strategies for when she gets too worries which, honestly, were helpful for me too!

Upside Down by Katarina Macurova
I thought this one was very clever.  A farmer teddy bear is planting flowers but one of them just seem different than the others.  Meanwhile, under his field, a den of rabbits are most overjoyed to have a carrot growing into their home. 

The Book of Blast Off!: 15 Real-Life Space Missions by Timothy Knapman, illustrated by Nik Henderson
Another space book that we read after Kennedy Space Center, even if you haven't seen rockets in person, fun and child friendly explanations of the space program and achievements so far.

Rick the Rock of Room 214 by Julie Falatko, illustrated by Ruth Chan
Rick the Rock is a class pet but he LONGS to be a part of nature outside.  Sitting on a shelf isn't that interesting.  It would be much more fun to be a rock that explodes out of a volcano (personally, I'm happy NEVER exploding out a volcano).  So Rick makes his way to the outdoors.  It's not all he thought it would be.  (No volcanos to be found, for starters.)

Roxaboxen by Alice McLerran, illustrated by Barbara Cooney
Another classic that we missed until now!  Roxaboxen is a magical play land for a group of neighborhood kids who use their imagination to create a whole new world.  Such a beautiful testament to childhood and imagination. 

What's the Rush? by Yiting Lee
Bunny and Turtle are great friends and are going to set off to climb a mountain.  Bunny wants to go RIGHT NOW but Turtle takes his time, planning out and preparing for their trip.  You all, I have read many books that celebrates seizing the moment BUT THIS ONE celebrates planning and packing. I felt so seen. 

Mary and the Little Shepherds of Fatima by Marlyn Evangelina Monge, illustrated by Jamie Stuart Wolfe
The story of Mary appearing to the three children at Fatima in Portugal over 100 years ago.  Some of my nieces went to Fatima this summer for World Youth Day so this was especially appropriate to read to the boys before that!

Pocket Full of Sads by Brad Davidson, illustrated by Rachel Mas Davidson
Rabbit is excited to go fishing with Bear but Bear can't help feeling like he's just weighed down by sadness, nothing seems to help.  Very helpful for showing kids that it's normal to be sad sometimes and some little things that might fix it. 

If you've read any favorite picture books in 2023, I'd love to hear about them!

{25} Favorite Picture Books of 2022
{25} Favorite Picture Books of 2021
{20} Favorite Picture Books of 2020

Christmas Picture Books - The Night Before Christmas

"'Twas the Night Before Christmas" is a Christmas classic.  Clement Clarke Moore originally wrote it anonymously 200 years ago exactly (almost to the day, December 23rd, 1823!) and it's still a staple today. Nearly everyone over a certain age could recite at least a few lines of the poem.  It's a very well known piece of American writing.  Mr. Moore once had his country estate on most of the land in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan before he developed and sold plots.  The name Chelsea comes from the name of his country estate.  

Here is a book flight of books based off his original poem.  Often the language is updated but in many of these cases, it's almost completely changed while keeping the rhythm and parts of the original.  It's so familiar that it makes these comfortable to read every year!

The other Christmas Picture Book Flights I've done are: Reindeer, Christmas Carols, Mice & Christmas, Christmas in New York, Saints, Cookies & Treats, Christmas Trees, Animals Celebrating, Santa Stories, The Nativity Story, and Historic Christmases.  As well as just a list of {25} Christmas Picture Books (no guarantee of no overlap between those lists!).

Note: Affiliate links abound below, I make a small (very small) commission off items if you purchase through those links, at no extra cost to you.  I appreciate your understanding and support! Of course I fully support utilizing the library or shopping used or from an independent bookstore!

'Twas the Evening of Christmas by Glenys Nelist, illustrated by Elena Selivanova
My favorite on this list and one I have gifted to many of our godchildren (we own it too).  It has the rhytmn very much of the original but tells the story of Jesus' birth.  One of my top 5 favorite Christmas books.

The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore, illustrated by Antonio Javier Caparo
The original with fantastic, very classic illustrations.  

The Knights Before Christmas by Joan Holub, illustrated by Scott Magoon
My boys like this one, about knights trying to defend their castle from an invader (Santa) who leaves behind his slingshot (a Christmas tree).  Many Christmas puns within and lots of little details.  Sticks close to the rhythm of the original.  A fun variation.

Twas the Night Before Christmas on Sesame Street by Sesame Workshop
There were Decembers where I read this to Sam nearly daily and so I'll long have a soft spot for it.  Santa is coming and Cookie Monster realizes that he's eaten all of Santa's cookies, so his friends come together to get cookies ready for Santa quickly.  Either Santa works through Sesame Street very slowly or they can make cookies at incredible speed, even after being woken up in the middle of the night.  But...it's very cute for Sesame Street fans.  (My kids pretty much only know Sesame Street characters from the picture books I've read them.)

'Twas the Night Before Christmas at the Zoo by Lauren Hughes, illustrated by Mary Hoff
A local favorite that I actually had to buy used from ENGLAND to get my own copy (the copy I purchase requested from the library took so many months to come in that I gave up).  This is very much based on our local (award winning) zoo but is general enough that most of it could apply to any zoo.  Also, I like peacocks, my second favorite bird.  

The Berenstain Bears' Night Before Christmas by Mike Berenstain
If there is a Berenstain Bear book on any subject...we are going to read it.  Fairly close to the original but with a Bear spin on it.  

Mr. Boddington's Studio: 'Twas the Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore, illustrated by Mr. Boddington Studio
This is a classic version of the original that we read every year.  Not as "classic" of illustrations as the one above but a bit simpler.  

The Night Before Christmas by Rachel Isadora
A reimaginating of the original but set in Africa with African inspired art.  

The Night Before Jesus by Herbert Brokering, illustrated by David Miles
This is another religious retelling told in the rhythm of the original but it fell off our annual list because our library got rid of their only copy (WHY?!?).  But it's a good one. 

Any or all of these would be fantastic reading over the next few days.  How are we less than a week out from Christmas?!?!?