2023 has been a great year for picture books. So many terrific titles already out there in bookstores and on library shelves. And wow, I attended the ALA Conference this past weekend and viewed many more fantastic upcoming books. At the end of the year when I put together my annual list of personal faves, I will have many contenders in the running. Here are 15 books, presented alphabetical by title, that will most certainly make my year-end favorites list. They all were released in the first half of the year.
An American Story, art by Dare Coulter, poem by Kwame Alexander, published by Little, Brown and Company, ISBN: 9780316473125.
At the height of his powers, Alexander presents an unflinching poem about the horrors enslaved people experienced. And he touches on why we all need to hear about them, not hide from this history. He follows the recurring line “How do you tell that story?” with grueling details about injustice and harsh mistreatment. Artist Dare Coulter uses various artistic methods (including sculptures) here. The artist’s note says that Coulter used spray paints and acrylic paints, charcoal, ink, and digital painting methods.
Ancient Night, created by David Álvarez with David Bowles, published by Levine Querido, ISBN: 9781646142514.
A colleague of mine said that she would love to frame all the double page spreads found in this title and hang them on the wall. And I agree. Ancient Night is easily one of the most visually breathtaking books of the year. Beautifully written, this story weaves together several tales from Mesoamerica about a rabbit caring for the moon, an opossum who possesses the sun’s fire, and how they cross paths one fateful ancient night. The great artist Álvarez creates unforgettable lush imagery throughout: warm, mysterious, with brilliant details that evoke a timeless mood and spirit.
A-Train Allen, illustrated by Lonnie Ollivierre, written by Lesley Younge, published by Sleeping Bear Press, ISBN: 9781534111837.
What a vibrant, colorful burst of energy this little sleeper hit is! The amazing A-Train lives up to his name as he dashes, darts, bolts, speeds, and races through a bustling city street to his daily destination. Younge’s lively language is a blast to read out loud; every verb choice pulsates with joy. The book highlights key action words (fab art direction) as A-Train soars down the sidewalks. Ollivierre’s super fun digital art pleases the eye as A-Train moves with great celerity, a bouncing happy blur.
Evergreen, illustrated and written by Matthew Cordell, published by Feiwel and Friends, ISBN: 978-1250317179, release date: February 7, 2023.
Caldecott medalist Matthew Cordell delivers an action-packed, delightful adventure, presented in six fast-paced chapters, about a little squirrel delivering soup (in an acorn) to an ailing character named Granny Oak. Many startling things happen along the way as the nervous titular character heads into the woods, and Cordell serves up each surprise with fluent grace and artistic confidence. He throws in tributes to such classics as The Lion & the Mouse and Little Red Riding Hood, while throwing in little narrative spins to those tales. His signature squiggly illustrations would feel at home in a classic folktale collection.
Finding Papa, illustrated by Thi Bui, written by Angela Pham Krans, published by Harper, ISBN: 978-0063060968.
In her afterword, author Krans tells how the events depicted in her vivid, gripping Finding Papa mirrors the turbulent journey she made with her mother from Vietnam to the United States in 1983. With emotionally direct, succinct prose, Krans brings an emotional immediacy to the account by introducing a young child named Mai who loves playing with her papa. One day his goodbye goes on a little longer than usual, and she realizes something has changed. Caldecott Honoree Bui packs each image with cinematic details, deftly capturing the dramatic urgency of the trek.
Mr. S, illustrated and written by Monica Arnaldo, published by Katherine Tegen Books (an imprint of HarperCollins), ISBN: 9780063003958.
Arnaldo has created one of the funniest, most satisfyingly goofy books of the year. On the first day of school, a group of students think that the sandwich sitting on the teacher’s desk IS their new teacher. And believe me, hilarity ensues. I love books that take a comical situation and fly with it, finding jokes within jokes, and then keep surprising you with new details.
My Baba’s Garden, illustrated by Sydney Smith, written by Jordan Scott, published by Neal Porter Books (an imprint of Holiday House), ISBN: 978-0823450831.
Jordan Scott shared the very personal award-winning I Talk Like a River in 2020, and now he’s back with another beautiful story from his childhood. My Baba’s Garden introduces readers to a boy’s doting, worm-loving, garden-planting grandmother, his baba. She emigrated to Canada after suffering in Poland during World War II, and moved into a renovated chicken coop. Scott reunites with his River illustrator, the great Sydney Smith, who brings his usual A game to the project. Packing each moment with filmic details that feel like hazy, warm memories, Smith generates a real sense of place here.
The Night Tent, illustrated and written by Landis Blair, published by Margaret Ferguson Books (an imprint of Holiday House), ISBN: 9780823450985.
This sparkling, visually witty bedtime tale works as a playful spin on the classic Where the Wild Things Are. A child named Watson cannot sleep because of nocturnal fears. But then he decides to lift up his covers where he discovers a wondrous night-time world. The stars twinkle in a most inviting manner, leading him to a path that takes him on an unforgettable journey packed with some supercool creatures and increasingly epic sites. This is Blair’s first picture book, but he has already mastered the art of the page turn, with suspenseful language and images that gracefully flow like an enchanting winding path.
Once Upon a Book, illustrated by Grace Lin, written by Lin and Kate Messner, published by Little, Brown and Company, ISBN: 978-0316541077.
This charmer stars a bored girl named Alice who slips into the various worlds found in a vivid picture book. Her new adventures take her everywhere–into the sea, into outer space, to the desert, and other locales. The reader never quite knows where Alice will travel next, as Lin’s and Messner’s text throws nifty twists and surprises into the mix. Lin’s illustrations here are an absolute joy. An enthusiastic inventiveness makes the visuals fun to study and revisit.
Papá’s Magical Water-Jug Clock, pictures by Erika Kinkz, written by Jesús Trejo, published by Minerva, ISBN: 9781662651045.
Comedian Trejo makes a triumphant picture book debut with this hilarious and yet ultimately sweet story about a son bonding with his landscaper dad on one eventful work day. As they set off to work, the loving father puts little Jesús in charge of the “magical” water-jug, telling his boy that when the water runs out, it will be time to head home. Fun chaos follows as our exuberant hero starts finding, uh, many uses for the water. Kinkz’s adorable, jittery illustrations possess a genuine kids-like view of the world, bursting with a kinetic energy that happily engages.
Quiet Time with My Seeya, illustrated and written by Dinalie Dabarera, published by Roaring Brook Press, ISBN: 9781250824271.
There have been several great picture books about grandparents released recently, and this warm title easily joins this esteemed list. The child and Sinhalese grandparent in Quiet Time with My Seeya do not speak the same language. But they manage to bond nonetheless, often in humorous ways (jumping in puddles, acting out the books they “read” together). The book works as a series of little vignettes and tender moments that all add up to a warm, cozy whole. It’s all upbeat, a tender hug of a book.
The Rabbi and His Donkey, illustrated by Diana Renjina, written by Susan Tarcov, published by Kar-Ben Publishing, ISBN: 9781728445595.
Readers cannot help but cheer for the thoughtful, older donkey in this captivating moral-driven story (inspired by a quick passage written a long long long time ago by the medieval Sephardic Jewish philosopher Maimonides) that has the feel and mood of a classic Jewish folktale. A rabbi suddenly finds himself with a multitude of assignments, and decides that his beloved, loyal donkey trots a little too slow. So he chooses a superfast horse to ride instead, leaving the poor donkey in the dust. But soon the rabbi discovers what he misses when he soars along on this equine force of nature. Will there be a happy ending? Will lessons be learned?
Simon and the Better Bone, illustrated and written by Corey R. Tabor, published by Balzer + Bray (an imprint of HarperCollins), ISBN: 9780063275553, to be released: May 9, 2023.
The award-winning illustrator of the great Mel Fell delivers another delightful animal story that asks readers to hold the book vertically, comically playing with picture book conventions. The top half of the book shows a bouncy pup named Simon happily carrying a bone. The bottom of the half of the book features a pond. When Simon peeks into the water, he sees…ANOTHER DOG???? Children will double over with laughter when Simon interacts with his very own reflection. Tabor handles this mirror image with brilliant clarity and absurdity. It all leads to a fabulous punchline.
The Song That Called Them Home, illustrated by Maya McKibbin, written by David A. Robertson, published by Tundra, ISBN: 9780735266704.
It’s amazing how much action and adventure the gifted Robertson packs into this picture book, inspired by Indigenous legends. I always tell older kids and adults who think they are too old for picture books, think again, give them a try. This book cooks as two siblings visiting their moshom (grandfather) suddenly find themselves encountering and then trying to outwit the tricky human-like creatures known as Memekwesewak. McKibbin’s images crackle with verve and energetic fluidity; just look at the body language as swim, sink, and later dance and let the ruckus being. An absolute blast.
When You Can Swim, illustrated and written by Jack Wong, published by Orchard Books (an imprint of Scholastic), ISBN: 9781338830965.
Winner of the 2023 Boston Globe-Horn Book Award. Wong presents his inspirational celebration in the second person, and this use of the word “you” brings a quiet urgency to the telling. It’s an immersive book. We feel as if we are watching or slipping into the ocean ourselves. As an illustrator, Wong delivers delightful image after image of people with various body types enjoying the waves. And he captures all kinds of moods in and around the water. Calm peacefulness, serene moments mix with more rollicking dives. Wong’s poetic language caresses the ear when read aloud. And there’s a sweet suprise ending that brings it all back home.
Mr. Brian's Picture Book Picks 