2025 Caldecott

Recommender:      SLJ Travis Jonker Scope Notes

*Special notes:  Blackall 2 time Winner, Lighthouse & Winnie

"The art for this book is hand-lettered by the artist. The illustrations in this book were drawn in Procreate with a digital 6B pencil, digital brushes and watercolor."

Amazon Summary:  Raise the mainsail!

Batten the hatches!

It's time to set sail…on the couch!

There's a storm coming, and a child is ready to captain the ship. "Make haste and climb aboard," they call out to their parent, "before you're swept out to sea!"

Sea? What sea? The parent is only trying to vacuum the rug. But the child is adamant. It's not a rug--it's the ocean. And that broom? It's the ship's mast. Soon enough, child and parent are both off on an imaginary nautical adventure!

Here is a thoroughly engaging, hilarious picture book that celebrates the joys of playing make-believe--and hanging out with a parent! 

Recommender:    

*Special notes: Debut author & Illustrator

"The illustrations were created with acrylic and gouache.  Each Aloha Everything illustration is lovingly hand-painted and conveys both a sense of childhood adventure and a deep reverence for the beauty of the Hawaiian landscapes and culture."

TeachingBooks Summary:  ★ "A stunning tribute to Hawaiian culture and identity."-starred review, Kirkus,

★ "A breathtaking picture book."-starred review, Foreword Magazine

Aloha Everything, is a magical story that will take you on a thrilling journey through the breathtaking islands of Hawaiʻi!

In this exciting adventure, you'll encounter mighty canoes crashing over ocean waves, regal hawks soaring high above the clouds, and brilliant lizards jumping nimbly through forest trees! Most importantly, you'll meet a courageous young girl named Ano who learns, grows, and comes to love her island home with all her heart.

Since the day that Ano was born, her heart has been connected to her home. But, this adventurous child has a lot to learn! When Ano begins to dance hula -- a storytelling dance form that carries the knowledge, history, and folklore of the Hawaiian people -- Ano comes to understand the true meaning of aloha.

Aloha Everything is both a captivating read and a fantastic educational resource for learning about Hawaiian history, ecology, and culture. With breathtaking hand-painted illustrations and beautiful rhyming poetry that will lull little ones into brilliant dreams of vibrant adventure, this book is sure to capture the hearts of both children and parents alike.

The beautiful poetry--weaving its way through every page--artfully blends 25 Hawaiian words into the English prose and provides a thoughtful exploration of the meaning of aloha in relation to the land, the people, and the lore. There is also a pronunciation guide and glossary providing additional information for those looking to learn more about the rich language and culture of Hawai'i.

Publisher description retrieved from Google Books.

Recommender:    

*Special notes:

"The artwork for this book was created with gouache watercolor on paper and digitally enhanced."

Amazon Summary:  Award-winning author Jordan Scott’s luminously-illustrated love story of a girl growing up in the shadow of a glacier that’s always there to listen.

Angela listened to the glacier; the glacier listened to Angela.

As soon as she’s born, Angela’s father introduces her to her glacier. He carries her on his back up the icy expanse as the wind makes music of the snow and the water underneath. Over time, Angela gets big enough to walk beside him, and then, to go alone. She tells her glacier everything, and it answers.

But then, life gets busy. Angela’s days fill up with school, homework, violin and soccer and friends. Until one day, Angela’s heart doesn’t sound right anymore. Luckily, Angela’s dad is there to remind her what she needs: a visit to her ancient icy friend.

From the Schneider Family and Boston Globe-Horn Book Award-winning author of I Talk Like a River, Angela’s Glacier is a moving story about growing up without losing yourself, loving nature, and allowing it to love you in return. Diana Sudyka’s breathtaking artwork pulls the reader into a world of warm hugs from shining blue-green ice— and from Dad, too.

An afterword from the real Angela highlights the tragic threat climate change poses to our planet's frozen marvels. 

Recommender:    

*Special notes:  debut for author

art technique not on verso

Amazon Summary:  A charming story about a young girl who loves fixing automobiles with her grandfather on the warm grounds of Jamaica, Natasha Tripplett's debut picture book is a perfect pick for fans of My Papi Has a Motorcycle and The Old Truck.

Ju-Girl’s favorite days are the ones spent with Granddad in his garage, fixing cars and hearing stories about his old blue pickup.

Granddad used to drive the blue pickup all over the island, bringing happiness to many. And now it just sits in the driveway.

One day, Ju-Girl asks Granddad if he’d ever fix it, and he’s unsure at first. But the pair soon finds out just what it takes to restore the memory of the blue pickup and to create new stories along the way. 

This heartwarming layered tale, brought to life with lush illustrations by Monica Mikai (Thank a Farmer), reminds us about the joy of repairing things with our hands and preserving stories with our hearts.

Recommender:    

*Special notes: Debut author, English & Spanish text, last page foldout

"The illustrations were created using watercolors, gouache, and graphite on watercolor paper."

Amazon Summary:  Two children from different backgrounds show that friendship has no language in this epic bilingual story about being lost and finding a friend who understands.

I'm lost.

Soy naufrago.

A boy and a girl lost at sea run into each other on an island, but they quickly realize there is a huge barrier between them. They speak two different languages. Hesitant and unsure, they must figure out how to connect despite their differences, if they want to find a way home.

Dynamic picture book creators René Spencer and Rodolfo Montalvo join forces in this powerful picture book about connection and the perseverance of friendship. 

Recommender:    

*Special notes:

"The mixed media artwork for this book combines collagraph and monotype printmaking with pencil drawing, digital collage and digital paint."

Amazon Summary:  Through haiku, a young boy narrates his family's invigorating hike to the peak of Oregon's South Sister volcano.

dormant volcano—

but at sunrise each day

it blazes

For centuries, haiku has offered meditation on the grace and majesty of nature. In Climbing the Volcano, old meets new as a young protagonist uses the poetic form to voice his wonder. Treking uphill, the family encounters tiny toads, colorful butterflies, soaring birds of prey, and so much more to see, do, and feel. 

Climbing the Volcano is a call to adventure in the natural world, and a wonderful introduction to poetic forms. Young readers will be inspired to summit their own peaks and to find their own voices to share what they discover there. Whether you live in the shadow of a volcano, amid sprawling flatlands, or anywhere in between, Climbing the Volcano invites you to get out there and explore. 

Jennifer K. Mann's breezy, childlike artwork harmonizes with Curtis Manley's poetry to detail this mesmerizing Pacific Northwest journey. 

Recommender:    

*Special notes:

"The illustrations in this book were rendered in watercolor inks, crayon sticks, colored pencils and linoleum blocks."

Amazon Summary:  A heartfelt picture book that celebrates embracing the moment and finding gratitude right here, right now.

What does grateful look like? How does it feel? How do you find it? Even in the face of a challenge, you don’t need a map: You just need to pay attention to the little things—a smile, a hug, the smell of newly cut grass—that add up to a sense of presence and hope.

With evocative, lyrical prose, this warmly illustrated children's book is a reminder to pause, reflect, and take in the glimmers of positivity and connection that can be found amid even the most difficult circumstances. Both a timely meditation on finding gratitude in everyday moments and a timeless ode to the simple joy of truly being present, Finding Grateful encourages readers to slow down and embrace the beauty of being right where they are. 

Recommender:    

*Special notes"

"Art was created using mixed media collage, acrylics and artist pens."

Amazon Summary:  From an award-winning author and illustrator comes this picture book biography about beloved librarian and storyteller Augusta Braxton Baker, the first Black coordinator of children’s services at all branches of the New York Public Library.

Before Augusta Braxton Baker became a storyteller, she was an excellent story listener. Her grandmother brought stories like Br’er Rabbit and Arthur and Excalibur to life, teaching young Augusta that when there’s a will, there’s always a way. When she grew up, Mrs. Baker began telling her own fantastical stories to children at the 135th Street branch of the New York Public Library in Harlem. But she noticed that there were hardly any books at the library featuring Black people in respectful, uplifting ways. Thus began her journey of championing books, writers, librarians, and teachers centering Black stories, educating and inspiring future acclaimed authors like Audre Lorde and James Baldwin along the way.

As Mrs. Baker herself put it: “Children of all ages want to hear stories. Select well, prepare well and then go forth and just tell.” 

Recommender:    

*Special notes:

Art technique not on verso

Amazon Summary:  School’s First Day of School meets Good Night, Gorilla in this irresistible bedtime story about School getting ready to go to sleep!

As the sun sets, a security guard arrives to help this sleepy little school get some rest. From tucking in chairs to checking all the locks to listening to the silverware snoring, she makes her moonlit rounds. One by one, the lights are turning off and everyone is turning in. Well, everyone except for the turtle from 2A. Will this escapee make it back to bed on time?

Bailey's lusciously lyrical and dreamy story expertly peels back the curtain for the littlest readers who ever wondered what happens to school at night, making Goodnight School the perfect pick for early childhood educators, back-to-school, and, of course, bedtime. 

Recommender

*Special notes:

"The illustrations were created using drawings and watercolor paintings combined digitally."

Amazon Summary:  A stunning picture book about the five largest lakes in North America - how they formed, the importance of their abundant freshwater, and how they've become a national treasure - in the latest book from the author of Caldecott Honor book The Noisy Paint Box.

The Great Lakes—Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, and Superior—are five blue jewels set a bit off center in a belt across North America’s middle. Bordered by eight states and part of Canada, the Lakes hold 21% of the world's fresh water. How did these incredible lakes get there? And what can we do to preserve such a treasure?

Follow along as a drop of water in this enormous system and uncover its dramatic journey from lake to rive to lake, over Niagara Falls to lake and river again, and finally into the Atlantic Ocean. 

Recommender:    

*Special notes:  debut author/illustrator

"Illustrations were created digitally using Procreate."

Amazon Summary:   A touching and stunningly illustrated ode to the homes―and loved ones―that raise us, perfect for fans of Black Is a Rainbow Color, Saturday, and Last Stop on Market Street.

While her mother puts the finishing touches on her twists, a young girl asks what it means to be "homegrown". Touring precious memories and lively rooms warmed by family, Mama and Granny explain that home isn't just a place, but rather a reflection of people who support and love one another.

With lush, cozy illustrations, Homegrown is a beautiful author-illustrator debut picture book that reminds us to lift up the places―and people―we call home. 

Recommender:    

*Special notes:  debut author

art not on verso, so emailed!  Cherry was so gracious in her response:

"I used Photoshop to illustrate this book, and I chose to use a brush that would resemble colored pencils, to keep the lovely aesthetic of the traditional medium.

As the book is mostly wordless, I utilize color, composition, and characters' facial expressions / body language to tell the story and express the characters' emotions. The art in the book does the heavy-lifting, and I minimized words so that readers can experience what the main character is going through with her language barrier. The colors are chosen intentionally to convey the character's emotions -- pink / warm for warmth and love, grey / cool for isolation and loneliness, and bright colors for fond memories. All colors represent the main character Jun's state of mind."

Amazon Summary:  Cherry Mo's stunning debut is about a young girl who immigrates to America and finds home in an unexpected place.

When Jun moves from Hong Kong to America, the only words she knows are hello, thank you, I don’t know, and toilet. Her new school feels foreign and terrifying.

But when she opens her lunchbox to find her favorite meals—like bao, dumplings, and bok choy—she realizes home isn’t so far away after all.

Through lush art and spare dialogue, Cherry Mo’s breathtakingly beautiful debut picture book reminds readers that friendship and belonging can be found in every bite. 

Recommender:    

*Special notes:  Cha received Caldecott Honor for her second book last year, The Truth About Dragons

*debut for the author.

"The illustrations for this book were created with watercolor, sumi ink, water-soluble color pencils, Photoshop, gouache, and poster colors."

Amazon Summary:  A child and her family take in refugees during the Korean War in this poignant picture book about courage and what it really means to care for your neighbors.

Every day, more and more people fleeing war in the north show up at Kyung Tak and her family’s house on the southeastern shore of Korea. With nowhere else to go, the Taks' home is these migrants' last chance of refuge “before falling into the sea,” and the household quickly becomes crowded, hot, and noisy. Then war sirens cry out over Kyung's city too, and her family and their guests take shelter underground. When the sirens stop, Kyung is upset—she wishes everything could go back to the way it was before: before the sirens, before strangers started coming into their home. But after an important talk with her parents, her new friend Sunhee, and Sunhee’s father, Kyung realizes something important: We’re stronger when we have each other, and the kindness we show one another in the darkest of times is a gift we’ll never regret. 

Recommender:    

*Special notes

"The artist used ink, watercolor, charcoal, photography and collage to create the illustrations for this book."

Amazon Summary:  A stunning companion to If You Find a Leaf, this cheery picture book captures the excitement of summer and encourages children to see their collected seashells in an entirely new way. The artist incorporates real shells into her exquisite illustrations.

A warm summer breeze and the gentle waves of the ocean wash ashore many different types of shells. In this story a girl collects shells and thinks of all the magnificent things they can be turned into with a little creativity. She imagines one shell as a swimming cap for diving into the crashing waves, another as a magical kaleidoscope, one as a rocket ship to take her way up high and another as a submarine for exploring the wonders of the world below. The girl draws inspiration from the unique beauty of each and every shell.

In this joyous celebration of a day at the beach, artist Aimee Sicuro uses real shells she’s hand selected to make her oh-so-charming illustrations. Any young reader who turns the pages of this beautiful book will be inspired to use their own imagination as they comb the beach for shells this summer. 

Recommender:    Betsy Bird, SLJ Fuse 8

*Special notes:

"A native Californian, Susan Gal was inspired by her favorite sunny cities in creating the artwork for Joyful Song.  The multi-colored stucco houses and bustling neighborhoods were rendered in washes of watercolor on paper.  Susan then used Photoshop to digitally layer colored pencil drawings and painted textures with the watercolors to create the vibrant landscapes."

TeachingBooks Summary:  What a happy day! Zachary's baby sister will have her naming ceremony. In the temple! With his moms, the congregation, and all their friends! He's so excited he can barely contain it. On the walk from their home, they meet neighbor after neighbor who want to know the baby's name. But - not yet! - his mothers tell him. The tradition is to have a great reveal at the ceremony. So they invite each neighbor to come along. A colorful, diverse parade blooms along the route, until...At last it's time, and Zachary gets to reveal his sister's name...What is it? A truly joyful moment for everyone.

Publisher description retrieved from Google Books.

Recommender:    Betsy Bird, SLJ Fuse 8

*Special notes:

"The art for the characters was created using brush and ink.  Their black and white world is made from found textures and images from the 18th, 19th, and early 20th centuries, collaged together to create something new."

TeachingBooks Summary:  Kid seeks dog. Dog seeks kid. In this charming and imaginative tale of friendship, picture book readers will delight in what it means to have a furry best friend.

For as long as she can remember, Joy has wanted a dog. It doesn’t matter what kind: big, little, spotted, curly. She wants one so fiercely, she makes dogs out of snow, seashells, or whatever’s at hand! However, none of the dogs Joy makes are quite what she yearns for. The seashell dog washes away, and the snow dog melts into a puddle. Little does Joy know that her perfect dog friend is just around the corner—wishing just as fiercely for a kid—and waiting to be discovered.

Award-winning artist Hadley Hooper creates a world that is both timeless and magical as she weaves ink, paint, and collages made from vintage etchings together in a style that perfectly complements the classic feel of Jump for Joy. Readers will rejoice in this satisfying kid-meets-dog story, and will savor returning to this world again and again.

Publisher description retrieved from Google Books.

Cover Image

Recommender:    

*Special notes:  Casttillo is a 2015 Caldecott Honoree for Nana in the City

"The illustrations were done in ink, watercolor, and soft pastel."

TeachingBooks.net Summary:  When this book’s young narrator and her mom move into a new apartment in a new city, she feels comfortable and safe there. She enjoys reading and independent play. But meeting new people? That’s a different story. The thought of a play date with new neighbors or joining the other kids at a local bookstore’s story time make her cry. Then her mom surprises her with a new dog. “A not too big, not too small dog. A just right dog.” Millie sleeps next to the narrator’s bed, “like roommates,” and enjoys three walks a day. Millie’s wagging tail and amiability draw the attention of at least one friendly stranger on every walk. At first, when people wave or stop to pet Millie, the narrator feels too shy to return their greeting. But she feels safe with Millie there, and soon she begins to recognize and even say hello to familiar faces. Gathering her courage for a visit to the dog park, the narrator feels shy when she meets another girl, but looking across the park at Millie romping with new dog friends, she approaches the girl, along with her mom, to say hello. The ink, watercolor, and soft pastel illustrations of this satisfying and believable story astutely depict the narrator’s anxiety via body language that subtly changes as she grows more comfortable around others with the help of her sociable dog. (Ages 3-7)

CCBC Book of the Week. © Cooperative Children's Book Center, Univ. of Wisconsin - Madison, 2024. Used with permission.

Recommender:    

*Special notes:  2014 Caldecott Honoree for Journey, wordless book

"The illustrations for this book were done in watercolor and pen and ink."

Amazon Summary:  A master of the wordless form imagines a futuristic Noah’s Ark in a luminous sci-fi parable for our changing world.

The Earth has flooded. The only signs of humankind are the waterlogged structures they left behind. Peeking out from the deluge are the remnants of a zoo, home to rare and endangered animals, survivors of long neglect. Tender-hearted NOA is a construction robot who’s found new purpose as the caretaker of the zoo’s beleaguered inhabitants. Bracing for the next storm, NOA builds an ark from the wreckage in search of new land and a new home, only to discover something even more profound. With boundless compassion and sweeping scenes of sea and sky punctuated by detailed wordless panels to pore over, Caldecott Honor–winning creator Aaron Beckerdelivers a timely and concrete message about the rewards of caring in even the most difficult of times that is sure to inspire the dreamers among us. 

Recommender:

*Special notes:  Figueroa is Oona illustrator!

art technique not on verso

Amazon Summary:  From bestselling author Ruth Forman and Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award Honoree Raissa Figueroa comes a lyrical and vibrant picture book honoring the love and bond that exists between family and child even in complicated times.

Told from Nana’s point of view, this simple, affirming, and comforting read-aloud shows how every family’s love is natural and connected to the world around us. Just as the sun loves the day, the moon loves the waves, and the night sky loves the star glow…so is our love for each other: innate, wondrous, and infinite. 

Recommender:    Stacey

*Special notes:  Medina has received Pura Belpre Award for illustration

"The art in this book was created using Procreate.  Honoring Andean cultures, including the Quechua, Inca and Aimara people, whose work inspired the color palette and some of the patterns used in this book."

TeachingBooks.net Summary:   From an award-winning author and illustrator, a warm, gentle ode to cherished visits from grandparents and the people and places that make us who we are even if we haven’t met them yet.

It’s been three years since Abuela’s last visit, and Dulce revels in every tiny detail—from Abuela’s maletas full of candies in crinkly wrappers and gifts from primos to the sweet, earthy smell of Peru that floats out of Abuela’s room and down the hall. But Abuela’s visit can’t last forever, and all too soon she’s packing her suitcases again. Then Dulce has an idea: maybe there are things she can gather for her cousins and send with Abuela to remind them of the U.S. relatives they’ve never met. And despite having to say goodbye, Abuela has one more surprise for Dulce—something to help her remember that home isn’t just a place, but the deep-rooted love they share no matter the distance.

Publisher description retrieved from Google Books.

Recommender:    

*Special notes: debut illustrator

"The artist used her hand-drawn method with love to create the digital illustrations for this book."

TeachingBooks.net Summary:  In this stunning picture book about renowned architect I. M. Pei, award-winning author Julie Leung and captivating illustrator Yifan Wu unite to tell the story of the man who changed architecture forever with his forward-thinking shapes.

As a boy in Shanghai, Ioeh Ming Pei was awestruck by the enormous buildings that popped up around him every day. He quickly figured out exactly what he wanted to be when he grew up--an architect who designed skyscrapers that touched the clouds.

I. M. Pei set off to make his mark, and with his appealingly modern ideas, he found himself with many clients--including a rock and roll museum, businesses around the world, and even a president's widow. Everyone wanted I. M. Pei to design their buildings. Though his plans weren't always immediately popular, his legacy has endured, and his structures can still be seen all around the world, from the JFK Library and the East Building of the National Gallery of Art to the Louvre Pyramid.

Readers will be inspired by the spare yet informative text and luminous illustrations, which bring I. M. Pei's incredible legacy and achievements to life.

Publisher description retrieved from Google Books.

Recommender:    

*Special notes:

"The art in this book was created with oils on watercolor paper."

Amazon Summary:  TALL. HIGH AS THE CLOUDS. STRONG AS A HORSE'S BACK. LIKE A COWBOY.

In the early hours before dawn, a young girl and her father greet their horses and ride together through the waking city streets. As they trot along, Daddy tells cowboy stories filled with fun and community, friendship, discovery, and pride.

Seeing her city from a new vantage point and feeling seen in a new way, the child discovers that she too is a cowboy—strong and confident in who she is. 

Recommender:    

*Special notes (ie, debut, previous winner, sequel...)

"The illustrations were created using watercolor, gouache, colored pencils, and digital media." 

TeachingBooks.net Summary:  NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A moving, beautifully illustrated true story for children ages 6 to 9 about growing up in Japanese American incarceration camps during World War II—from the iconic Star Trek actor, activist, and author of the New York Times bestselling graphic memoir They Called Us Enemy.

February 19, 1942. George Takei is four years old when his world changes forever. Two months after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, President Franklin D. Roosevelt declares anyone of Japanese descent an enemy of the United States.

George and his family were American in every way. They had done nothing wrong. But because of their Japanese ancestry, they were removed from their home in California and forced into camps with thousands of other families who looked like theirs.

Over the next three years, George had three different “homes”: the Santa Anita racetrack, swampy Camp Rohwer, and infamous Tule Lake. But even though they were now living behind barbed wire fences and surrounded by armed soldiers, his mother and father did everything they could to keep the family safe.

In My Lost Freedom, George Takei looks back at his own memories to help children today understand what it feels like to be treated as an enemy by your own country. Featuring powerful, meticulously researched watercolor paintings, this is a story of a family’s courage, a young boy’s resilience, and the importance of staying true to yourself in the face of injustice.

Publisher description retrieved from Google Books.

Recommender:    

*Special notes:  SEL

"The art for this book was created digitally using hand painted textures."

Amazon Summary:  Maggie Smith, bestselling author of the viral poem “Good Bones” and the memoir You Could Make This Place Beautiful, delivers a lyrical and reassuring picture book perfect for calming active minds at bedtime (or anytime).

A Today Show Spring Pick!

At bedtime, when lights go out…sometimes thoughts stay on.

Scary things and worries flutter and flap around. It’s so hard to sleep!

But a little imagination (and a lot of love) can create a cozy nest for happy thoughts—and sweet dreams for little ones.

Recommender:    

*Special notes (ie, debut, previous winner, sequel...)

"The art for this book was drawn with Pentel pencil and colored in Adobe Photoshop." 

TeachingBooks.net Summary:  A hilarious new picture book that exposes vegetables for what they truly are—leaves, roots, flowers, and stalks—by National Book Award Finalist and Newbery Honor winner Kyle Lukoff, perfect for fans of the Our Universe series.

Chester plans to have a salad for lunch, but in order to do that, he'll need vegetables. So, off he goes to the community garden, except he quickly learns that he won't be dressing a salad anytime soon. Instead, the vegetables start dressing him down. According to them, "vegetables" don't exist!

I know what you are thinking: What the bell pepper? Vegetables are totally real! But here's the thing: Kale is just a leaf, broccoli is a flower, potatoes are roots, and celery...well, stalks. Thanks to a lively, sassy cast of talking "veggies," Chester learns a valuable lesson about categories and how they shape our understanding of the world.

With a slyly informative text and illustrations that will crack readers up, the schooling in There's No Such Thing As Vegetables will be easy to digest and is a total treat.

Publisher description retrieved from Google Books.

Recommender:    

*Special notes:  Portis has won Geisel & Sibert Awarsd for A Seed Grows and Not A Box

"The artist combined scans of corrugated cardboard with pencil drawings to create the illustrations in Photoshop."

TeachingBooks.net Summary:  Don't miss the long-awaited companion to Not a Box, winner of a Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Award. This picture book with its visual humor and simple dialogue is great for fans of Mo Willems and Crockett Johnson.

Bunny wants to build a cardboard city.

Bunny stacks one cardboard box on top of another and another.

Bunny doesn't want any help. Bunny doesn't need any help, either.

But what's a cardboard city without friends?

Written and illustrated with the same delightful simplicity that made Not a Box such a hit, the playtime possibilities of a stack of boxes and friendship will inspire and excite any child who has ever journeyed into the world of make-believe.

Publisher description retrieved from Google Books.

Recommender:    

*Special notes:

"The illustrations were rendered digitally."

TeachingBooks Summary:  Step into the quiet magic of this celebration of summer nighttime and the mystery of a world lit differently by the moon.

On a summer night, the world is still. Even the crickets think it’s too hot to sing. But all at once, a girl wakes. In the kitchen, the cat rolls onto its soft paws. A neighbor’s small white dog yaps, a brown rabbit peeks from a hedge, and the leaves of a cherry tree begin to stir in the breeze. Readers witness and wonder: Who has woken them all? In this soothing bedtime story, the quiet of a warm summer night is brought to vivid, magical life with the soft steps of bare feet, the padding of paws, and the bright, golden light of the moon. One by one, each creature is roused and then gently returned to sleep in a lovely and lyrical exploration of wakefulness, restfulness, and the mysterious calm of the night. 

Publisher description retrieved from Google Books. 

Recommender:    

*Special notes:

"The book was painted using gouache, colored pencil, and Photoshop."

TeachingBooks Summary:  Discover how a tree’s wounds and decay bring new life to the forest ecosystem in this lyrical nonfiction picture book for fans of Because of an Acorn and A Stone Sat Still.

When a tree falls, is its story over?

There are many ways a tree’s story could end: Gobbled up by a bird as a tiny seed. Damaged by wind or ice or fire. Chopped down and hauled away. But some trees—this tree—survives. And grows old. Riddled with scars, cracks, and crevices, it becomes a place creatures large and small call home.

One day, after standing tall for centuries, this tree will fall. But even then, is its story over? Or will it continue to nurture the forest and its creatures for many years to come? Complete with additional information about the role trees play in a forest ecosystem, this sweeping story invites readers of all ages to celebrate the incredible life cycle and afterlife of trees.

Publisher description retrieved from Google Books.

Recommender:    

*Special notes (ie, debut, previous winner, sequel...)

"The illustrations are done in acrylic, pencil, and digital." 

TeachingBooks.net Summary:  George Washington hated having his portrait painted, but as president of the United States, he knew his image needed to live on. This nonfiction picture book explores how artist Gilbert Stuart created Washington’s most lasting and recognized portrait—the one that’s used on the one-dollar bill.

★ Kirkus Reviews, starred review 

★ Publishers Weekly, starred review

★ Booklist, starred review

George Washington and artist Gilbert Stuart didn’t always see eye-to-eye, but both men knew the importance of legacy and the power of art. Though George disliked having his portrait painted—which took days and days to complete—he knew his place in history would require people to know his face. Fortunately, Gilbert Stuart’s unique way of painting didn’t compel his subjects to sit for hours on end—in fact, he encouraged them to move around and even bring friends to chat with. Capturing the soul of each subject, his portraits were unlike any other artists’. And Gilbert Stuart’s one-of-a-kind portrait of Washington stands the test of time—it’s the one that’s used on the one-dollar bill.

Publisher description retrieved from Google Books.

Recommender:    

*Special notes:

"The art for this book was created with watercolors."

Amazon Summary:  What do you see when you look at clouds?

Two curious bunnies enjoy watching clouds go by. But when they look at the sky, they each see something completely different! While one bunny likes to use his imagination and sees cotton candy or whipped cream, the other bunny can only see the science behind them. Together they learn that cloud watching is much more fun when they can see it through each other's eyes.

With extensive back matter about the many kinds of clouds and the water cycle, celebrated author and illustrator Deborah Freedman once again combines the educational with the whimsical, while introducing young readers to two irresistible characters who see the power of possibility. 

Cover Image

Recommender:    

*Special notes:

"The illustrations in this book were created with Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop."

Amazon Summary:  From New York Times-bestselling creator Stephen Savage comes an adventurous picture book about a little cat with BIG ambitions.

Life hasn't always been easy for street cat, Butterscotch. But when she finds herself in a brand new home, full of warmth and love, she gathers the strength to be brave.

One day, she sees a fellow cat facing a crocodile on the nature channel on TV, so she jumps through the screen to help. After all, she is…

A rescue cat!

This innovative picture book is an inspirational and classic tale about a brave, fearless cat who shares kindness and care. 

Recommender:    

*Special notes (ie, debut, previous winner, sequel...)

"The illustrations for this book were rendered in 

  watercolor paint and digital ink.”

Amazon Summary:  A little fox uses tools to overcome anxiety and make friends at her new school in this heartfelt picture book from the creator of the New York Times bestseller Share Some Kindness, Bring Some Light!

It’s Ruby the fox’s first day at a new school. She’s a little nervous, but luckily, she has her tools to help: a tape measure to count her breaths if she feels overwhelmed, pliers to remind her to be flexible, and safety goggles to see things in a new way.

When Ruby finds out her class is having an egg drop competition, she wants to share her ideas, but she feels shy surrounded by all her talkative classmates. Can she use her tools to find the confidence to speak up, and maybe even make some new friends? 

Recommender:    Stacey

*Special notes:

"Cat Min created the art for this picture book starting with light sketches on paper using an erasable pink colored pencil.  She then applied watercolor over the sketches, and once dry, used colored pencils to add texture and detail.  The illustrations were then cleaned up and finalized digitally in Photoshop and Procreate."

Amazon Summary:  Shinbi is not a particularly ghosty ghost. At night she likes making tiny bouquets of things, and gazing at the far away stars. Haunting? Not so much. Even if that’s what the other ghosts like.

In the daytime, in a meadow, sits a single rock, casting a single shadow, named Greem. He’d really like someone to talk to. But who? He writes one word on his lonely rock: “Hi” and hopes someone will see it. Sure enough, in the darkness of night, Shinbi finds the note! But who could have written it?

In a profound exploration of how friendship can break through barriers of time and circumstance, Cat Min introduces us to two unforgettable characters we’d all love to know. 

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*Special notes:  poem

"The art was created with Procreate, an iPad, and unknowable cups of tea.”

Amazon Summary:  From the Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter, political activist, and feminist icon comes a story of connectedness and collective responsibility, as told through the eyes of a young child going to vote for the first time.

Singer-songwriter, activist, feminist, and best-selling author Ani Di Franco has penned a lyrical narrative for her youngest audience: a picture book about the eye-opening act of voting. A young girl accompanies her mother to their local polling station and pays witness to the commonality of this experience. Her mother gently reinforces the great responsibility and importance of this act, while the girl moves through feelings of excitement, nervousness, and ultimately, invigoration. Rachelle Baker adds an authentic neighborhood feel in a range of bright, bold colors and familiar faces, establishing a realistic and relatable setting. An age-appropriate call-to-action for all young citizens. 

Recommender:    

*Special notes:

"The illustrations were done in oil."

Amazon Summary:  Lovingly illustrated, this wry and gentle fantasy will speak to adults as well as children—and cast the familiar in an astonishing new light.

A tiny Spaceman arrives on a new planet, ready to perform his monotonous tasks—collecting samples, labeling and filing them, and moving on to the next planet. But pausing to look around, the Spaceman is dazzled by the beauty of his surroundings. And when a large bird makes off with his ship, he’s forced to venture out into this new world—planet Earth—on foot. Marveling at a varied landscape of flowers, butterflies, and other wondrous creatures, he finds a pond to float in and a goofy, slobbery beast who seems to want to be his friend. Could it be that the Spaceman has found a new home? This simple and sophisticated story filled with deadpan humor offers surprises on each lively spread. From a veteran creator comes a delightfully droll story radiating warmth and the wonder of the new, reminding us to look up from our mundane lives and embrace discovery. 

Cover Image

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*Special notes:  Griffin Caldecott Honoree for book done with Jason Reynolds, Ain't Burned All The Bright.

Amazon Summary:  Two families—both filled with love, both encountering hardship and joy, both living in the same place—and the one simple table that connects them all.

For years, a mining family’s life revolves around their table. It’s where they eat, read, sew, laugh, and pay the bills; it’s stained with easter egg paint, warmed by fresh biscuits and the soft morning sun.

Outside the house, though, Appalachia changes. The coal mine closes, and the bills keep coming. Eventually, there’s no choice but to move on— and to say goodbye to the table.

But then: When a young girl’s father sees the table by the road, he slams on the brakes. A lifelong carpenter, he can see it’s something special. They bring it home and clean it up; sitting around it, they eat and work and laugh. The girl wonders if another child once sat there, if they were anything like her. She’ll never know . . . but the table remembers.

The Table is a stirring contemplation on the similarity between even people whose lives are entirely different. The details of these different lives take many forms, but the love underlying both of these families makes them much more similar than they are different. The center of this book is family love, and the many important connections we share with the family we live with. Even in strife, this book shows, love provides a literal support.

Expressively illustrated by Caldecott Honoree Jason Griffin, the story is deeply personal to coauthors Wiley Blevins, raised in West Virginia, and Winsome Bingham, who immigrated as a child from Jamaica to the U.S. South. 

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*Special notes:  debut author

"The illustrations in this book were rendered in watercolor."

TeachingBooks.net Summary:  For fans of Sophie Blackall’s Farmhouse comes a gorgeous story of one table and the life that grows around it.

This moving picture book traces a table and its transformation: from a seed to a tree to a treasured object in a home. Strong and stable through the years, the table becomes a space for being together: for birthday parties and science projects, and meals big and small. With captivating text and lush illustrations, This Table will inspire conversations about the everyday, ordinary objects in our lives, and their role in creating lifelong memories.

The table was strong and stable.

It was placed in the middle of a room in the middle of a house, and life grew up around it.

It was perfect for birthday cakes

and catching a slice of morning light,

for drawing imaginary worlds, and unfolding maps to discover real ones.

Publisher description retrieved from Google Books.

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*Special notes:

"The illustrations in this book were made by collaging all of the hand-painted shapes on the endpapers, then drawing on top of them with a computer using Photoshop."

Amazon Summary:  Does art have to be perfect? Where do you begin? This inspiring picture book about making art doubles as an introduction to the multifaceted and diverse global history of art empowering readers to get creative.

Awed by the endless possibilities, a young girl begins asking meaningful questions about creating art. Her questions are answered by a diverse group of artists throughout time and history: from the earliest cave painters to the most recent digital illustrators. Rethinking the familiar Western European timeline of art history, this book introduces readers to diverse works from every era and continent in a playful and inspiring way.

Making both art history and art making accessible to all, Time to Make Art nourishes creativity, encouraging young readers to see the artist in themselves. 

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*Special notes:

Illustrations in this book were created with mixed media.” 

Amazon Summary:  Vern longs to be one of the kids who swoop until their toes touch the sky. He heads to the swings and desperately tries to pump his legs, but he just can't get it. A chance encounter with precocious (and hilarious) Gretchen gives him just what he needs to know, and he finally learns to soar.

A story for every child on the cusp of learning something new who just needs an extra push to get there.

Cover Image

Recommender:    

*Special notes:  Debut Illustrator

"The illustrations for this book were made with graphite, colored pencil, watercolor, and marker on hot press paper."

Amazon Summary:  Explore every branch, nook, and cranny of a treetop utopia built by children and their animal friends in this immersive and intricately detailed picture book by a New York Times bestselling author.

Hidden high above the ground, we welcome you to Treehouse Town!

Wander through the Birch Bazaar, hitch a ride on the Tulip Train, explore the library in the hemlocks, or play birdball high in the sky. There’s something for everyone in Treehouse Town, a world built by children that's as endless as their imaginations.

With playful verse by Gideon Sterer and intricately detailed illustrations by Charlie Mylie that offer something new to spot with every read, Treehouse Town celebrates teamwork, inclusion, and limitless possibility. 

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*Special notes:  Wenzel won a Caldecott Honor in 2017 for They All Saw A Cat.

"This book was created with almost everything under the sun, but mostly  acrylic, watercolor, colored pencil and a computer."

TeachingBooks.net Summary:  In this companion book to They All Saw a Cat and Inside Cat, a journey home leads to unexpected adventures for a cat and dog. A playful, imaginative story of friendship, empathy, and discovery by Caldecott Honor winner Brendan Wenzel.

Cat and Dog are headed home. A simple route lies ahead of them . . . or does it? There’s so much to see and smell and hear, and the two of them experience the world very differently. A stream, for instance, is watery fun for Dog, but it may not be so delightful for Cat!

As their journey becomes an adventure full of unexpected twists and turns, Cat and Dog show that it’s possible for two creatures to travel in the world together despite their distinctive perspectives and abilities—and even to appreciate and enjoy them. With the irresistible read-aloud appeal of Brendan Wenzel’s They All Saw a Cat, winner of the Caldecott Honor, this is a funny, exuberant companion tale that’s an imaginative tribute to empathy, friendship, and understanding. 

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*Special notes:  Archer Caldecott Honor for Wonder Walkers

"The illustrations were done in acrylic inks and collage using patterned collage papers created by the author."