Staff Picks - Picture Books

Updated December 4, 2025
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Gravity is bringing me down
Van Draanen, Wendelin
Paper Book
Gravity becomes a very personal problem for a girl as she stumbles and tumbles through a long day. A hilarious look at a core science concept for any kid who has ever had a case of the clumsies! When Leda wakes up by falling out of bed, she knows that gravity is in a very bad...
If you run out of words
Sala, Felicita
Paper Book
In If You Run Out of Words, an imaginative bedtime adventure from award-winning artist Felicita Sala, a father reassures his daughter of the fantastical lengths he'd go to in order to show his love Seeking reassurance of her father's attention, a young girl...
If kids ruled the world
Bailey, Linda
Paper Book
This original, fun picture book delightfully describes, in hilarious detail, a small child's idea of utopia. Every two-page spread offers something new about this fantasy life, including, "If kids ruled the world, every day would be your birthday! Birthday cake would be good for you. Your doctor...
The imposter
Collier, Kelly
Paper Book
A laugh-out-loud tale about a skunk who longs for a family, perfect for fans of Gaston and Wolfie the Bunny. Skunk wants to be a dog. EVERYONE loves dogs. And every dog seems to have exactly what he's looking for: a home and a family. When Skunk sees a "lost...
Ooo . . . poo!
Kreloff, Elliot
Paper Book
Join Rabbit and Fox on an informative, hilarious, and celebratory journey into the who, what, why, and where of poop. "Children are fascinated by ­bodily functions, and this book endeavors to capture that need to know with a plethora of poo-related information [and]...
The days are long, the years are short
Morton, Aya
Paper Book
A tender portrait of family that celebrates both the beauty and the chaos of life with young children--perfect for Mother's Day and as a new-baby gift year-round! The days are long, but when I'm with you, I blink and the years fly by.
Endlessly ever after : pick your path to countless fairy tale endings! : a story of Little Red Riding Hood, Jack, Hansel, Gretel, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, a wolf, a witch, a goose, a grandmother, some pigs, and endless variations
Snyder, Laurel
Paper Book
This funny, original, choose-your-path picture book of fractured fairy tales will charm any young fan of the genre, putting the power of storytelling right in the reader's hands! Grab your basket and your coat. Put on some walking shoes. Turn the page...
In a jar
Marcero, Deborah
Paper Book
Here's a marvelous picture book, charmingly written and beautifully illustrated, about the power of memory and the magic of friendship. Llewellyn, a little rabbit, is a collector. He gathers things in jars--ordinary things like buttercups, feathers, and heart-shaped stones. Then...
Look out, Leonard!
James, Jessie
Paper Book
Help your new friend, Leonard, an adorable baby shrew stay safe as he finds his way back to his family!  Oh no! Leonard has a bit of a problem. It's moving day and he has lost his family. This charming storybook for kids will have young readers at the edge of their seats as...
Ox-cart man
Hall, Donald
Paper Book
Winner of the Caldecott Medal Thus begins a lyrical journey through the days and weeks, the months, and the changing seasons in the life of one New Englander and his family. The oxcart man packs his goods - the wool from his sheep, the shawl his wife made, the mittens his...
Do not go in there!
Horn, Ariel
Paper Book
Do Not Go in There! is an encouraging picture book from debut author Ariel Horn and illustrator Izzy Burton that highlights the power of imagination while touching on themes of anxiety, curiosity, and bravery. Monsters Morton and Bogart are best friends. But they don't...
The bakery dragon
Kurtz, Devin Elle
Paper Book
NATIONAL BESTSELLER . The heroic tale of a tiny dragon with a heart of gold and a taste for treats! A scrumptious picture book for fans of funny fairytales and fantastic beasts. Ember has always been different from the other dragons. His fearsome roar sounds more like a polite...
The little wooden robot and the log princess
Gauld, Tom
Paper Book
A New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Book of the Year   In this fresh new fairy tale, a wooden robot embarks on a quest to find his missing sister-- making for a memorable contemporary bedtime story in acclaimed graphic novelist Tom Gauld's first...
When beavers flew : an incredible true story of rescue and relocation
Tracy, Kristen
Paper Book
This fascinating picture book tells the unique, quirky, and true story of how one man in Idaho saved 76 beavers from destroying a town by parachuting them into uninhabited wetlands. In 1948, the town of McCall, Idaho was growing rapidly. World War II was over, and the little town...
The boldest white : a story of hijab and community
Muhammad, Ibtihaj
Paper Book
In this call to bravery from Olympic medalist Ibtihaj Muhammad, Faizah learns to overcome her fears and stand in front of the crowd in this beautiful celebration of family, fencing, and community.   Faizah loves being part of the community at her mosque, and...
The little cloud
Fong, Pam.
Paper Book
Featured title at school & library conferences and preview events  Featured title on HarperStacks, the school & library digital marketing hub  SEL Campaign  
The mysteries of the universe
Gater, Will
Paper Book
Travel to the furthest reaches of the Universe and visit 100 remarkable objects along the way with this stunning space book for curious kids aged 6-8. Space is so much bigger than young minds can fathom and there is always more to learn. The Mysteries of the Universe is a...
The wonders of nature
Hoare, Ben
Paper Book
Uncover awe-inspiring stories behind the natural world with this nature book for curious kids aged 6-8. The world is filled with curious objects such as amazing rocks and minerals, microscopic life, plants, animals and more. The wonders of wildlife are so much bigger than young...
Anatomicum
Paxton, Jennifer Z.
Paper Book
Welcome to a museum that is always open to explore. Inside these pages you'll get a peek at the workings of the major systems of the human body, from the minute muscles used to convey emotion to precise workings of the human brain. With stunning artwork by Katy Wiedemann and expert text by Dr....
Oceanarium
Trinick, Loveday
Paper Book
This stunning new offering from the Welcome to the Museum series guides readers around the world's oceans, from sandy shorelines to the darkest depths. This stunning new offering from the Welcome to the Museum series guides readers around the world's oceans, from sandy shorelines...
I want to be spaghetti!
Wright-Ruiz, Kiera
Paper Book
A funny debut picture book about how one little ramen packet finds self-love and belonging in a spaghetti-obsessed world. Even from Ramen's small shelf in the supermarket, they see spaghetti propaganda everywhere. They want to be celebrated, too. Maybe, Ramen misguidedly...

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