Picture Books

I call picture books “everybody” books because they are for everybody. Picture books tell stories. But, they are more than that. They expose us to beautiful artwork. They build our vocabulary. They allow us to use our imaginations. They help us think outside the box. They teach us about the world. They foster a love of literature. They can be read alone but are even better when shared.

This list includes specific titles as suggestions. However, any books by the authors of these books will be great. The following is in no particular order. I love them all!

Matthew’s Dream by Leo Lionni

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

Jumanji by Chris Van Allsburg

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett

I Want My Hat Back by John Klassen

Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett

Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold

Chanticleer and the Fox by Barbara Cooney

A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip Stead

No, David by David Shannon

The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn

Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynolds

Children Make Terrible Pets by Peter Brown

Red Knit Cap Girl by Naoko Stoop

Gilbert Goldfish Wants a Pet by Kelly DiPucchio

Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

Knufflebunny by Mo Willems

Spoon by Amy Rosenthal

Pete the Cat by Eric Litwin and James Dean

I’ll Always Love You by Hans Wilhelm

The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig

The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt

Stellaluna by Jannell Cannon

Blackout by John Rocco

Ish by Peter Reynolds

Brave Irene by William Steig

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi

Diary of a Fly by Doreen Cronin

Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney

Joseph Had a Little Overcoat by Simms Taback

Snow by Uri Shulevitz

Little Brown by Marla Frazee

Z is for Moose by Paul Zelinsky

The Happy Book by Andy Rash

A Ball for Daisy by Chris Raschka

The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams

Goodnight, Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann

Dog Heaven by Cynthia Rylant

Clever Beatrice by Margaret Willey

Love by Matt de la Pena

The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson

Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes

The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss

The Carrot Seed by Ruth Kraussr

The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka

Bread and Jam for Frances by Russell Hoban

Always Room for One More by Sorche Nic Leodhas

Goodnight, Moon by Margaret Wise Brown

If I Built a Car by Chris Van Dusen