Deciding which titles earn a spot on my Best Picture Books of the Year list is no easy task. I read hundreds of books each year, and while many feature beautiful artwork and clever text, only a select few truly stand out as books with lasting power.
These are the stories with undeniable kid appeal, the ones children ask to read again and again, quote lines from, or continue thinking about long after the final page is turned. Whether they affirm, empower, surprise, or spark nonstop giggles, every book on this list has that special something that makes it feel truly extraordinary.
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Oh Dear, Look What I Got! by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury, 2025
(Ages 2 and up)
The dynamic duo behind the beloved classic We’re Going on a Bear Hunt reunites for another enchanting read-aloud for little ones. When a young boy goes shopping at the market, the vendors mishear his requests and send him home with a comical collection of animals that rhyme with the items he actually needs.
Kids will delight in guessing which animal comes next, chiming in on the playful refrain, and laughing along with each turn of the page. Charming, clever, and irresistibly fun, this joyful story has all the makings of a future classic.
No More Chairs by Dan Gill, illustrated by Susan Gal, 2025
(Ages 6 and up)
Based on true events, this powerful story delivers an unforgettable message of inclusion and acceptance. As a child, Mr. Gill witnessed an atrocious act of racism when his Black best friend was denied entry to a party under the excuse that there were no more chairs. Now, as a teacher, Mr. Gill honors that moment by placing an empty chair at the front of his classroom as a symbol of welcome and belonging. With gorgeous artwork and poignant text, this moving book is a must-read.
No More Gnomes by Beth Mills, 2025
(Ages 4 and up)
Herbert prides himself on being extremely polite, so when his neighbor, Ms. Goat, asks if he likes her creepy new garden gnome that won’t stop staring at him, he politely lies and says yes. Before he knows it, the lawn is overflowing with gnomes, and he’s forced to finally take action.
With expressive illustrations and laugh-out-loud moments, this uniquely funny story had our whole family giggling nonstop. As a bonus, it also delivers a gentle, positive message about honesty.
Mistaco! A Tale of Tragedy y Tacos by Eliza Kinkz, 2025
(Ages 5 and up)
Izzy is having one of those days where everything goes wrong. Frustrated by her mistakes, she melts down while making tortillas with her uncle. He shows her how to make “mistacos” to help her ease her embarrassment from earlier in the day. Soon the entire family is joining in reminding Izzy that everyone makes mistakes. This hilarious, feel-good story is a great tool for helping readers find the freedom in embracing slip-ups.
Fireworks by Matthew Burgess, Cátia Chien, 2025
(Ages 4 and up)
One of my top contenders for the Caldecott Medal this year, this mesmerizing book bursts with stunning illustrations that perfectly capture the anticipation and pure delight of fireworks on a hot July day. Packed with playful onomatopoeia, this radiant book is a joy to read aloud during the summer and all year long!
When Alexander Graced the Table by Alexander Smalls, Denene Millner, illustrated by Frank Morrison, 2025
(Ages 4 and up)
“They cooked with love, and that could be tasted in every bite.” This heartwarming story pairs poignant text with gorgeous illustrations to beautifully capture the joy of family meals. Alexander cherishes his family’s tradition of Sunday dinners after church and one special Sunday, he can’t wait to finally contribute to the meal himself.
Everyday Bean by Stephanie Graegin, 2025
(Ages 4 and up)
This book is pure charm. Told in short vignettes, it follows an adorable hedgehog named Bean and her grandmother through a series of gentle, delightful moments. I’m a longtime fan of Stephanie Graegin’s cozy storytelling and illustrations, and this one truly stands out leaving readers feeling warm and content, like sipping a mug of tea on a quiet day.
Island Storm by Brian Floca, illustrated by Sydney Smith, 2025
(Ages 5 and up)
Lush, lyrical language captures the thrill and fear of a summer storm approaching a small island. Mesmerizing illustrations beautifully complement the expressive text, inviting readers to experience the storm alongside two siblings from the first distant rumble to the final clearing skies. Bursting with onomatopoeia, similes, and metaphors, this makes a standout mentor text for classrooms as well as an entertaining read aloud at home.
Every Monday Mabel by Jashar Awan, 2025
(Ages 4 and up)
It’s impossible not to smile while reading this delightful story about a young girl and her cherished Monday morning routine. Each week, Mabel eagerly prepares for what she believes is the greatest thing in the world …a garbage truck. With bright, expressive illustrations and an upbeat storyline, the book expertly captures the joy found in life’s small moments. Having children who were also once obsessed with garbage trucks, this story struck a special chord in my heart.
Evelyn Witch Gets a Pet by Beth Ferry, illustrated by Charles Santoso, 2025
After realizing she is missing a pet in her life, Evelyn Witch purchases a mysterious egg. Impatient for it to hatch, she casts spell after spell with frustrating, but humorous results. When her long-awaited companion finally arrives, Evelyn discovers it was well worth the wait. Bursting with humor and charm, this spellbinding story is a Halloween treat that will enchant readers all year long!
Recess by Lane Smith, 2025
(Ages 4 and up)
This interactive gem invites children to break up a long school day with lively “recesses” where they shake their bodies, make silly sounds, throw an invisible ball, and eventually visit an imaginary calm-down corner to help settle their excited energy. Bursting with fun, this book is the perfect brain break for the classroom
Don’t Trust Fish by Neil Sharpson, illustrated by Dan Santat
(Ages 4 and up)
A hilariously paranoid narrator casts fish as the sneaky outlaws of the animal kingdom, questioning their possibly nefarious motives at every turn. This humorous tale will leave readers never looking at fish the same way again.
It Started With a P by Brittany Pomales, illustrated by Andrew Joyner, 2025
(Ages 4 and up)
When King Liam dreams that his birthday is ruined by something starting with the letter P, he makes the utterly puerile decision to banish everything in his kingdom that begins with P. His preposterous plan leads to one hilarious predicament after another, keeping readers laughing from start to finish.
Aggie and the Ghost by Matthew Forsythe, 2025
(Ages 4 and up)
I adore Matthew Forsythe’s offbeat humor and mesmerizing illustration style, and his newest picture book is a true gem. A young girl named Aggie moves into a haunted house and tries to set some ground rules for sharing the space. Unfortunately, the ghost is not the rule-following type, leading to a comical story about friendship, boundaries, and conflict resolution.
If you’re a fan of quirky, clever stories, I highly recommend Matthew Forsythe’s other books Pocco and the Drum and Mina.
This Book is Dangerous! by ben Clanton, 2026
(Ages 4 and up)
This interactive gem stars the cautious Jelly from Ben Clanton’s bestselling Narwhal and Jelly series in a whole new way. Readers are invited to help Jelly navigate a series of tricky situations that grow increasingly dangerous, and increasingly funny. Bursting with delightful humor, this book is a fantastic way to entertain kids and spark excitement for diving into the graphic novel series.
The Baby Who Stayed Awake Forever by Sandra Salsbury, 2025
(Ages 4 and up)
This laugh-out-loud book perfectly captures the all-too-familiar struggle of putting a baby to bed when sleep is the last thing on their mind. As each family member faces their own comical challenges, the unstoppable baby rules the night.
In my many story time experiences, I’ve found that kids of all ages love stories about babies—there’s just something irresistibly funny and endearing about them. For more high-spirited baby adventures, I highly recommend Mustache Baby and King Baby, two of our all-time favorites!
Archibald and the Furry Dinosaurs by Suzanne Lang, illustrated by Max Lang
In a time when dinosaurs prized their thick hair and fur, Archibald is shocked to discover his has disappeared. His humorous quest to reclaim it becomes a comical journey of self-discovery, teaching him to appreciate what he has rather than worry about what he doesn’t.
A Quick Trip to the Store by Sam Wedelich, 2025
(Ages 4 and up)
A quick errand spirals into a hilarious, unforgettable adventure in this all too relatable, laugh-out-loud story. In need of bananas, a young girl and her mother reluctantly head to the grocery store. When Mom gets caught up chatting with a friend, the girl takes shopping into her own hands setting off on a comical journey through the aisles.
Zebra and Yak The Backwards Alphabet Book by Paul Friedrich, 2025
(Ages 4 and up)
When Apple is nowhere to be found, a narrator begins an ABC book with Z setting in motion an unforgettable alphabetical escapade. This is such a clever and funny book with a perfectly satisfying ending.
The 13th Day of Christmas by Adam Rex, 2025
(Ages 5 and up)
This hilarious book dives into the chaotic reality behind “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” brought to life with Adam Rex’s signature witty humor. On the 13th day, a man receives an unexpected gift from his girlfriend and as even more bizarre animals and characters show up, he’s baffled why she’d put him through such mayhem. Ultimately, a series of misadventures with his new “gifts” unexpectedly spreads joy throughout the community. When his girlfriend finally returns, her explanation is both heartfelt and laugh-out-loud funny. With its clever twist on the classic song, this story had our whole family cracking up and it’s one we’ll be rereading for years to come
Wish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt, illustrated by Nancy Carpenter, 2025
(Ages 5 and up)
Oliver can’t help fidgeting as his brain blazes with imaginative thoughts. While he struggles to focus, a classmate’s unkind words leave him wishing he were more like everyone else. Then Albert, a thoughtful classmate, shares a beautiful metaphor: just like the leaves on a tree, our differences make us more vibrant. Oliver builds on that idea with a metaphor of his own comparing his class to a colony of ants who always help each other, because “in an ant colony, everyone matters.”
This story is a wonderful launchpad for building empathy and helping kids see the unique value each person brings to the classroom. It’s also packed with rich figurative language that students will love exploring.
Together, United by Tami Charles, Bryan Collier, 2025
(Ages 4 and up)
With lavish, lush artwork and powerful text, this uplifting book delivers a refreshing and important message of unity, one that all children deserve to hear. I also highly recommend, All Because You Matter.
Ellie Has a Secret by Amelia Bothe, 2025
Ellie loves exploring the sensory bin in the back of her classroom, and when she can’t bear to part with a special seashell she discovers, she quietly slips it into her pocket. Her secret soon takes shape as a dragon-like creature that is equal parts enchanting and frightening. As the day goes on, the secret grows and grows, until Ellie feels weighed down by its presence.
When she finally admits the truth to her mother, the secret instantly shrinks and disappears, leaving Ellie feeling lighter and free. With rich, detailed illustrations that beautifully bring the story to life, this powerful book is an excellent conversation starter for helping children feel safe sharing their worries and burdens.
Zip Zap Wickety Wack by Matthew Diffee, 2025
(Ages 4 and up)
With its hilarious storyline, witty dialogue, beautiful illustrations, and thoughtful message about sharing, this book truly has it all! When a sheep and a goat argue over who gets to say “Baa,” an alien swoops in to teach them the value of sharing in the funniest, most delightful way. Highly recommend!
Bitsy Bat Team Star by by Kaz Windness, 2025
(Ages 4 and up)
Bitsy Bat takes great pride in her fierce flying capabilities, so when an owl named Enzo outflies her, she must learn to cope with losing. During the next race at the school Critter Games, Bitsy is determined to win, but selflessly chooses to help a teammate in trouble instead.
Relatable and heartfelt, this story delivers important takeaways in a charming, authentic way. Bitsy and Enzo are both neurodiverse characters who are treated with care and respect modeling the importance of inclusion and acceptance. The story is further enriched with additional information about autism included in the back.
I also highly recommend the first book in the series Bitsy Bat School Star.
How to Be Brave Like Snail by Naseem Hrab, illustrated by Kelly Collier
This hilarious story follows an adorable snail who demonstrates how to bravely step out of one’s comfort zone, be a good friend, and handle big feelings.
Echo Echo by Adam Rex, 2025
(Ages 4 and up)
Junior loves hearing his statements echoed back until a new neighbor challenges him. Unsure how to respond, he retreats to his echo, only to discover that life is far more fun with friends who speak their own minds.
Hilarious, clever, and full of Adam Rex’s signature wit, this story is a perfect read-aloud and a wonderful springboard for conversations about friendship, standing up for yourself, and admitting when you’re wrong.
Shark Girl by Kate Beaton, 2025
(Ages 4 and up)
This story is fantastic on so many levels. Not only is it an entertaining tale of a girl who is half shark and half human, it also dives into themes of acceptance, conservation, and standing up for what you believe in. When Shark Girl discovers a greedy sea captain overfishing her home, she joins his crew to form a mutiny. As her plan unfolds, she discovers that there is something even more powerful than revenge… friendship. This book far exceeded my expectations and is one of my favorites of 2025 so far.
Tuck Me In by Nathan W. Pyle
(Ages 4 and up)
This playful story is the perfect way to introduce children to the concept of tides. When Moon gently tucks a beach in using the ocean as a blanket, the opposite shore grows jealous and cold! As the two shores bicker over the waves, Moon discovers a clever compromise creating the ebb and flow of the tides. Informational backmatter rounds out the story with fascinating facts about the science behind the tides.
I Am We: How Crows Come Together to Survive by Leslie Barnard Booth, illustrated by Alexandra Finkeldey, 2025
With rich, poetic text and striking artwork, this story reveals how crows work together to survive predators and the changing elements.
The Invisible Parade by Leigh Bardugo, illustrated by John Picacio, 2025
Prepare to feast your eyes on one of the most beautiful, heartfelt stories that skillfully opens conversations about love, loss, and the journey through grief.
While Cala’s family is excitedly preparing for the Dia de los Muertos celebration, she is still struggling with the death of her grandfather. When she gets separated from her family at the cemetery, she meets four mysterious horsemen who help her better understand the balance of life’s good and difficult moments.
Each page of this story is absolutely breathtaking, and the tender text skillfully reassures readers that death is not to be feared and that the love of a family member lasts long after they pass away.
What Fish Are Saying: Strange Sounds in the Ocean by Kirsten Pendreigh, illustrated by Katie Melrose, 2025
(Ages 4 and up)
While the ocean may seem calm and peaceful, beneath the waves a surprising world of sound is constantly traveling through the water. This clever book uses lively rhymes and vibrant illustrations to show how fish and other sea creatures communicate. Complete with fascinating facts at the end, it’s an exceptional choice for curious young readers.
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