If you’re looking for great picture book recommendations as the year draws to a close, I gotta say, we have a fantastic roundup for you right here. What makes this list unique? It’s curated by creators, who consume books within the genre constantly - from well-known titles to gems a bit off the beaten path.
I love inviting kidlit authors and illustrators to contribute to this “best of the year” list each year. Below, you’ll find the 4th annual Picture Book Picks post. I have read many of these standout titles, but as is the case every year, the guest contributors always surprise me with something I haven’t seen and now MUST read immediately! It’s always great to get a book recommendation from someone you respect and trust.
Wanna hear what makes these 20 books sing? Let’s hear from the folks who chose them, out of mountain of incredible 2021 titles.
On to that list!
2021 Picture Book Picks
Stephen Briseño (@stephen_briseno), author of forthcoming 2022 titles THE NOTEBOOK KEEPER and QUEEN OF LEAVES, recommends TOASTY by Sarah Hwang (Margaret Ferguson Books): While I read many good ones this year, the one that made my family and I giggle uncontrollably was TOASTY by Sarah Hwang. It is silly, over the top, and laugh out loud hilarious. Hearing Sarah Hwang's backstory, though, of her longing to be accepted as a Korean immigrant child, it makes the story all the more charming and heart-felt. Highly recommend!
Justin Colón (@JustinRColon), creator of #PBChat and the #PBChat mentorship, recommends BEAR IS A BEAR by Jonathan Stutzman, illustrated by Dan Santat (Balzer + Bray): BEAR IS A BEAR is a tender tale chronicling the companionship that develops between a girl and her stuffie (personified as a live bear). With its poetic structure, repetitive text and stunning visuals, this story makes for a great read-aloud that no doubt will appeal to children and adults alike. Jonathan Stutzman, a chameleon of an author within the picture book format, delivers with text that is simple yet skillfully executed. Illustrator extraordinaire, Dan Santat is a master of visual storytelling and elevates that text with humorous, sweet, and even sad visuals that take the reader on an emotional journey. Perhaps my favorite part of the book is how three generations of women are woven into the story, each somehow interacting with the title character, making for an immensely satisfying and nostalgic reading experience. This book would pair wonderfully with two of my other favorites: The Scarecrow (Beth Ferry and the Fan Brothers) and The Adventures of Beekle: the Unimaginary Friend (Dan Santat).
Antwan Eady (@antwan_eady), author of forthcoming 2022 title NIGEL AND THE MOON, recommends SOUL FOOD SUNDAY by Winsome Bingham, illustrated by C. G. Esperanza (Abrams Books for Young Readers): SOUL FOOD SUNDAY delivers one of the most delicious, family reads of the year. And it couldn’t have come at a better time. With illustrations by C. G. Esperanza and words by Winsome Bingham, SOUL FOOD SUNDAY is a feast for the mind, body, and, you’ve guessed it, soul. This is more than a book. It’s food. It’s family. SOUL FOOD SUNDAY is home - the ones we long for and the ones we hope to create.
Reem Faruqi (@ReemFaruqi), author of 2021 titles AMIRA'S PICTURE DAY, UNSETTLED, and I CAN HELP, and upcoming 2022 release GOLDEN GIRL, recommends RISSY NO KISSIES by Katey Howes, illustrated by Jess Engle (Carolrhoda): RISSY NO KISSIES by Katey Howes is a heartwarming and empowering book about speaking up about what you feel comfortable or uncomfortable with. My daughters love this book, its message, and heartwarming illustrations by Jess Engle! I'm so grateful this book exists in the world today!
Kristen Mai Giang (@kmgiang), author of GINGER AND CHRYSANTHEMUM and forthcoming 2022 title THE RISE (AND FALLS) OF JACKIE CHAN, recommends SHY WILLOW by Cat Min (Levine Querido): You will fall in love with this sweet bunny living in an abandoned mailbox, afraid of the world but venturing forth in an act of hope and bravery. So often courage is portrayed in loud ways, but Willow’s bravery is quiet and kind - and will captivate your heart. Cat Min’s gorgeous art perfectly illuminates the emotion in this lovely character and world.
Jyoti Rajan Gopal (@JyotiGopal), author of two titles coming in 2022, AMERICAN DESI and MY PAATI’S SARIS, recommends HOW TO WEAR A SARI by Darshana Khiani, illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff (Versify): HOW TO WEAR A SARI is a sparkling, fun read sure to invite all kinds of questions about saris – and what a fun way to learn about them! Told in a sassy, confident voice and paired with gorgeous illustrations that capture sweet humor, this story of a little girl determined to show that she is all grown up by demonstrating her sari-wearing expertise, is a clever and welcome addition to the pantheon of How-To picture books. It is a delightful read, one that I wish I had had for my daughters when they were little. I’m so glad we have it now!
Dr. Theanne Griffith, PhD (@doctheagrif), neuroscientist and author of THE MAGNIFICENT MAKERS chapter book series and co-author of ADA TWIST SCIENTIST THE WHY FILES: EXPLORING FLIGHT, recommends CHANGE SINGS by Amanda Gorman, illustrated by Loren Long (Viking): The poetry literally floats off the page in this beautifully illustrated picture book, by poet laureate, Amanda Gorman. This book is one of hope and agency, and fills the reader with a desire to inspire change.
Christy Jordan-Fenton (@CJordanFenton), author of numerous books for children, including FATTY LEGS, recently reprinted as a 10th anniversary edition, recommends SWIFT FOX ALL ALONG by Rebecca Thomas, illustrated by Maya McKibbin (Annick Press): For every child who has struggled to walk with a foot in both worlds and has been confused about their connection to their culture, or who has come from a split home, or who has endured the fear and anxiety of visiting relatives they don’t know, or just felt out of place, SWIFT FOX ALL ALONG unwinds a vibrant journey of discovery and belonging, laid against the backdrop of a Mi’kmaq community. Rebecca Thomas channels her own childhood experiences to show us that often the magic that unites us is the universality of how common it is to feel alien.
Jackie Azúa Kramer (@jackiekramer422), author of 2021 titles DOROTHY AND HERBERT-AN ORDINARY COUPLE AND THEIR EXTRAORDINARY COLLECTION OF ART and I WISH YOU KNEW, recommends YOUR MAMA by NoNieqa Ramos, illustrated by Jacqueline Alcántara (Versify): I love everything about this story! The representation of a Latinx girl’s mother as young, hip, gorgeous, fun, sassy and strong, is fresh and new in picture books. The language in the story is delicious and lyrical with a cool vibe. “Your mama so sweet she could be a bakery all frosting, powdered sugar and pastries.” Or- “Your mama is so woke, she gonna stand by and watch injustice? Nope.” All children need to see their world reflected back to them in stories. Here’s a contemporary and fleshed out human, woman, and mama as this little, brown girl’s role model. And those black boots with the red roses...ay mami, caliente!
Jorge Lacera (@jlacera), co-founder of LatinxPitch, illustrator of 2021 title XO, EXOPLANET, illustrator of upcoming 2022 book PRUETT AND SOO, and co-author/illustrator of 2022 title THE WILD ONES, recommends THE ROCK FROM THE SKY by Jon Klassen (Candlewick): Things I love about it: 1. Reading this story aloud turns parents, grandparents, teachers, guardians into rock stars. It's perfectly set-up to be performed, almost like a mini-play--which, in my opinion, the best picture books allow readers to do. 2. The deceptively simple illustrations are evocative and beautiful, and somehow hilarious all at the same time. 3. Kids and adults will see and appreciate different things about the characters and their interactions. 4. The story is told in chapters. Yes, chapters in a picture book. And each of the 5 chapters is totally worth it. 5. It's strange, sweet, surreal and silly in the best ways. You can read it again and again and discover something new and different about it each time.
Hope Lim (@hope_lim), author of 2021 titles I AM A BIRD and MY TREE, recommends GRANDPA ACROSS THE OCEAN by Hyewon Yum (Abrams): GRANDPA ACROSS THE OCEAN is my favorite picture book of the year. This sweet, moving book about family and connections across generations is beautifully written and illustrated by Hyewon Yum. A child visits his grandfather for the first time. Initially, the child thinks everything about his Grandpa is strange, but after one small incident, he discovers the warm and gentle side of Grandpa, and they begin to bond like best friends. Everything strange about his Grandpa and his faraway home becomes familiar and wonderful to the child. As the story moves along, my heart warms from the growing affection between these two. The love and longing between these two characters in the last spread are so palpable, reminding me of my own parting moments with my parents when I visited them. This tender and beautiful story shows how the love between a child and a grandparent transcends generation, place, and language.
Tim Miller (@TM_Illustration), author and illustrator of many books for children, including the upcoming 2022 release IZZY PAINTS, recommends NICKY & VERA by Peter Sis (Norton Young Readers): A book that I fell in love with this year is NICKY & VERA by Peter Sís. It’s a powerful and moving story about the Holocaust that reminds you what a picture book can be. There are so many layers to it; it’s quiet and introspective; you sink into the poetry of the images as the story grows; you feel every part of it in your heart. It’s the kind of book you step out of transformed.
Robin Newman (@robinnewmanbook), author of 2021 titles DON’T CALL ME FUZZYBUTT! and SESAME STREET: BREATHE, THINK, DO WITH ELMO, recommends CHEZ BOB by Bob Shea (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers): How does an extremely lazy, yet hungry alligator find birds to eat? Naturally, he opens up a bird seed restaurant on his nose. CHEZ BOB is a heart-warming hoot of a story that this author wishes she wrote. Warning: Be prepared to giggle!
Charlotte Offsay (@coffsay), author of 2021 titles THE BIG BEACH CLEANUP and HOW TO RETURN A MONSTER and upcoming 2022 release A GRANDMA’S MAGIC, recommends BARTALI’S BICYCLE: The True Story of Gino Bartali, Italy’s Secret Hero by Megan Hoyt, illustrated by Iacopo Bruno (Quill Tree Books): This book is inspiring, moving, and important. It is the true story of Gino Bartali, a beloved cyclist and Italy's secret hero. Bartali worked as a secret champion in the fight for Jewish lives during World War II. His courage and heart brought me to tears.
Dow Phumiruk (@DowPhumiruk), illustrator of 2021 titles AN EQUAL SHOT and HELLO, TREE, and forthcoming 2022 title HER NAME WAS MARY KATHARINE, recommends WATERCRESS by Andrea Wang, illustrated by Jason Chin (Neal Porter Books): There are not enough words to describe the heartfelt beauty of WATERCRESS, written by Andrea Wang and illustrated by Jason Chin. A young girl is embarrassed to forage for watercress alongside a cornfield in her Ohio hometown. When her Chinese immigrant parents insists she eat the soup they've made with it, she stubbornly refuses. The story follows the girl's change of heart when her mother shares a photo and a memory that helps connect the past to her family's present life. Based on the author's own childhood memories, this tender story, already recognized with multiple awards from the publishing industry, will stay with you long after you've put it down.
Laura Renald (@laura_renauld), author of 2021 title SQUIRREL’S SWEATER and creator of the Debut Review Challenge, recommends FREAKY, FUNKY FISH by Debra Kempf Shumaker, illustrated by Claire Powell (Running Press Kids): This is the most fun I’ve had reading nonfiction all year! Upbeat rhyme introduces readers to a wide variety of amazing adaptations fish use to survive and thrive. The illustrations are bright and fun and include funky or freaky fish ratings in the style of a naturalist’s journal. This book might just spawn a new generation of marine biologists!
Alyssa Reynoso-Morris (@areynosomorris), author of three picture books set for 2023 - PLÁTANOS ARE LOVE, GLORIANA PRESENTE A First Day of School Book, and THE BRONX IS MY HOME - recommends ARELI IS A DREAMER: A True Story by Areli Morales, a DACA recipent, illustrated by Luisa Uribe (Random House Studio): This beautiful story about the immigrant and DACA experience is one of a kind but has a universal message of hope that anyone can relate to. As the daughter of an immigrant this story spoke to me. And as a mother I'm glad this books exists to teach my little one about the challenges immigrants face. The illustrations are beautiful and powerful; Luisa Uribe did an incredible job.
Nicholas Solis (@teachsolis), author of 2021 release THE COLOR COLLECTOR and forthcoming title MY TOWN, MI PUEBLO, recommends EYES THAT KISS IN THE CORNERS by Joanna Ho, illustrated by Dung Ho (HarperCollins): I love this book because of its beautiful lyrical language and its positive message of self love. From the very beginning of the book, the main character loves her eyes and their connection to her family. That bond to family and culture only grows stronger as the story unfolds. This book is beautiful not only in its illustrations but message as well. We should all love ourselves and respect the differences that make us unique.
Elizabeth Zunon (@ElizabethZunon), illustrator of 2021 titles OFF TO SEE THE SEA and STITCH BY STITCH, and forthcoming 2022 title BOTTLE TOPS, recommends NIKI NAKAYAMA: A Chef’s Tale in 13 Bites by Jamie Michalak and Debbi Michiko Florence, illustrated by Yuko Jones (Farrar, Straus and Giroux): An inspiring tale of a journey through food. Every page is more delectable than the last, the illustrations so lovely and heart-warming - a feast for the eyes and the soul.
And… this year, I decided to join the fun and recommend my favorite book, too!
Anitra Rowe Schulte (@anitraschulte), author of 2021 release DANCING WITH DADDY and forthcoming 2022 title WILLOW AND BUNNY recommends MAGIC CANDIES by Heena Baek, translated by Sophie Bowman (Crossing Kids): Hilarious, wildly original and heart-wrenching, all at once, MAGIC CANDIES is a singular delight that charms as it disarms. Unwilling to ruin the book’s super power - the element of surprise - I’ll simply state that this voice-filled story enlivens the most powerful relationships in a child’s world in a way that you could never imagine and will never forget. An absolute must-read and must-share.
I hope you enjoyed the 2021 roundup and discovered some new titles to explore! If you’d like to take a look at the past three years’ Picture Book Picks lists - and lots of goodies have been shared, let me tell you! - you’ll find those below:
Also! Please join the #PBChat Winter Holiday Party from 8 to 10 p.m. EASTERN (7 to 9 p.m. CENTRAL) on Wednesday, Dec. 22, (TONIGHT!) as members of PB Debut Troupe 21 join #PBChat host Justin Colón for a Twitter bash, which will include craft conversation, games, a giveaway, and more!
Hope to see you there!
Wishing you long, lazy hours of reading over winter break, and a Happy New Year, too!
All my best,
Anitra