Staff Favorite Books for Kids 2023

Updated November 20, 2023
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Mother of sharks
Márquez, Melissa Cristina
Paper Book
Forbes 30 Under 30 Honoree and globally renowned shark scientist Melissa Cristina Marquez teams up with award-winning illustrator Devin Elle Kurtz to create an informative, powerful picture book. With lyrical writing and gorgeous art, this moving story explores Melissa's personal journey...
Peaceful me
Feder, Sandra V.
Paper Book
A young child tells us about the different times when he feels peaceful, as well as how he copes when he needs to find a peaceful state again. Acclaimed picture-book creators Sandra V. Feder and Rahele Jomepour Bell have teamed up once again to create a thoughtful and beautifully...
The umbrella
Ferry, Beth
Paper Book
From the New York Times bestselling creators behind Stick and Stone comes an inspiring story of persistence, kindness, and curiosity--a perfect read-aloud, rain or shine. In a dreary town where it always rains, a little girl and her dog discover an unexpected way to spread...
Big
Harrison, Vashti
Paper Book
Winner of the Caldecott Medal! A Coretta Scott King Award Author and Illustrator Honor book, a National Book Award finalist, and a New York Times bestseller! This deeply moving story shares valuable lessons about fitting in, standing out, and the beauty of joyful acceptance,...
Papá's magical water-jug clock
Trejo, Jesús
Paper Book
★ Kirkus Reviews ★ Publishers Weekly ★ School Library Journal A 2024 Pura Belpré Honor Award, American Library Association International Latino Book Award Honorable Mention In Mexican American...
Carina Felina
Deedy, Carmen Agra
Paper Book
Carmen Agra Deedy, New York Times bestselling author and one of Scholastic's most talented and cherished storytellers, retells a hilarious folktale set in Havana, Cuba. Illustrated by the brilliant, award-winning artist, Henry Cole. "This fun folktale will delight readers...
Wrecker
Hiaasen, Carl
Paper Book
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * Wrecker needs to deal with smugglers, grave robbers, and pooping iguanas--just as soon as he finishes Zoom school. Welcome to another wild adventure in Carl Hiaasen's Florida! Valdez Jones VIII calls himself Wrecker because his great...
The Swifts : a dictionary of scoundrels
Lincoln, Beth
Paper Book
#1 New York Times bestseller! "Knives Out feel by way of Lemony Snicket...This archly told, never muddled debut whodunit reveals a roster of distinct characters, a labyrinthine setting and plot, and a mystery that is as clever as its heroine." - Publishers Weekly...
Cat on the run in cat of death!
Blabey, Aaron
Paper Book
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Bad Guys comes another hilarious illustrated series starring a pampered cat who is way tougher than anyone realizes. What happens when the world's biggest cat video star gets accused of a crime she...
Curlfriends : new in town
Miller, Sharee (Illustrator)
Paper Book
NATIONAL BESTSELLER!   2024 Golden Kite Award Winner * An NPR and New York Public Library Best Book of the Year   "I want to be friends with them all" -- Vashti Harrison, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Little...
Frizzy
Ortega, Claribel A.
Paper Book
Winner of the Pura Belpré Award for Children's Text Winner of the Eisner for Best Publication for Kids Indie Bestseller New York Times-bestselling author Claribel A. Ortega and star debut artist Rose Bousamra's Frizzy is about Marlene, a...
Welcome to our table
Mucha, Laura
Paper Book
Find out what children eat all around the world in this beautifully illustrated book! From biltong to biryani, papaya to passionfruit, and ramen to roti, there are so many different dishes and delicacies all around the world. In this fascinating book, young children...
Fox has a problem
Tabor, Corey R.
Paper Book
A Geisel Award winner! In his next I Can Read adventure, Fox--the hilarious trickster character featured in previous Geisel Award winners Fox at Night and Fox the Tiger--learns to solve a problem in an unexpected way. Fox has a problem: His kite is stuck in a tree! But every clever plan...
All are welcome
Penfold, Alexandra
Paper Book
Join the call for a better world with this New York Times bestselling picture book about a school where diversity and inclusion are celebrated. The perfect back-to-school read for every kid, family and classroom! In our classroom safe and sound. Fears are lost and...
Cat vs. vac
Windness, Kaz
Paper Book
The arrival of a mysterious box sets off a battle for control of the house in this hilarious rhyming Level 1 Ready-to-Read from Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor-winning author-illustrator Kaz Windness! When a recently delivered package opens to reveal a vacuum, the house...
As night falls : creatures that go wild after dark
Napoli, Donna Jo
Paper Book
A NEW YORK TIMES/NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY BEST ILLUSTRATED CHILDREN'S BOOK * This picture book is for the littlest nature aficionado. Bursting with vibrant illustrations, it offers an inviting look into the secret world of how nature goes BERSERK at night! As night falls....
Glitter everywhere! : where it came from, where it's found & where it's going
Barton, Chris
Paper Book
Fans of How It's Made will love this fresh, irreverent look at the science and story behind glitter. If you love glitter, this book is for you. If you hate glitter, this book is also for you. Everyone seems to have an opinion about glitter. But how much...
Miles Morales. Suspended
Reynolds, Jason
Paper Book
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Jason Reynolds comes the "action-packed...banter-filled" (School Library Journal, starred review) sequel to his groundbreaking young adult novel Miles Morales: Spider-Man about the adventures of the unassuming, everyday kid who just...
The book of turtles
Montgomery, Sy
Paper Book
From National Book Award finalist and New York Times bestseller Sy Montgomery comes an ode to one of the most diverse, fascinating, and beloved species on the planet: turtles. With dazzling illustrations and emotionally engaging, fact-filled text, this picture book will speak to the...
Nat the cat takes a bath
Lerner, Jarrett
Paper Book
A School Library Journal Best Transitional Book It's bath time for Nat the Cat in this second book in the hilarious, fourth wall-breaking Pre-Level 1 Ready-to-Read series about a grumpy cat and a long-suffering narrator from powerhouse creator Jarrett Lerner! ...
Bluey and Bingo's fancy restaurant cookbook
Paper Book
A deliciously fun cookbook perfect for fans of the wildly successful animated series Bluey, as seen on Disney+ Learn how to make yummy food with Bluey and Bingo! Bake some Shadowland Cupcakes, make BBQ Sausages, Capsicum Salad, or write your very own Fancy Restaurant menu!...

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