Best New Toddler Books of the Year

Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Award

From Academy Award–winning actress Lupita Nyong’o comes a powerful, moving picture book about colorism, self-esteem, and learning that true beauty comes from within.

In this stunning debut picture book, actress Lupita Nyong’o creates a whimsical and heartwarming story to inspire children to see their own unique beauty.

A Publishers Weekly Best Picture Book of 2019 * A Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book of 2019 * A School Library Journal Best Picture Book of 2019 * A Booklist 2019 Editor’s Choice * A National Public Radio (NPR) Best Book of 2019 * A 2020 ALA Notable Children’s Book * and more!

Told in lively and powerful verse by debut author Kevin Noble Maillard, Fry Bread is an evocative depiction of a modern Native American family, vibrantly illustrated by Pura Belpre Award winner and Caldecott Honoree Juana Martinez-Neal.

A playful picture book that urges readers to bop, bounce, and shake from the author of Fraidyzoo. There are so many ways to dance! You can jiggle or wiggle or stomp. You can bop or bounce or go completely nuts.

In How Do You Dance?, author-illustrator Thyra Heder explores dance in all of its creativity, humor, and — most of all — joy, in a picture-book celebration of personal expression that will inspire young and old readers alike to get up and get moving. 

Curious minds are rewarded with curious answers in a fantastical bedtime book by Mac Barnett and Isabelle Arsenault.

Why is the ocean blue? What is the rain? What happened to the dinosaurs? 

It might be time for bed, but one child is too full of questions about the world to go to sleep just yet.

Little ones and their parents will be charmed and delighted as a patient father offers up increasingly creative responses to his child’s nighttime wonderings. 

A Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2019 * A Today Show Best Book of the Year * A Booklist Book for Youth Editors’ Choice 2019 * An NPR Favorite Book of 2019 * A Quill & Quire 2019 Book for Young People of the Year

Pokko and the Drum is a story about art, persistence, and a family of frogs living in a mushroom.

The biggest mistake Pokko’s parents ever made was giving her the drum.

When Pokko takes the drum deep into the forest it is so quiet, so very quiet that Pokko decides to play.

And before she knows it she is joined by a band of animals — first the raccoon, then the rabbit, then the wolf —and soon the entire forest is following her.

Will Pokko hear her father’s voice when he calls her home?

An NPR Favorite Book of 2019 * A New York Times Best Children’s book of 2019 * A Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book of 2019 * A School Library Journal Best Picture Book of 2019

After his best friend Sarah leaves for her first day of school, a tortoise named Truman goes on an adventure across the living room and learns to be brave in this thoughtful and heartwarming twist on a first experience story.

Why does the Pigeon have to go to school? He already knows everything!

And what if he doesn’t like it? What if the teacher doesn’t like him? What if he learns TOO MUCH!?!

Ask not for whom the school bell rings; it rings for the Pigeon!

A sweet and appealing tale for anyone familiar with the universal tendency of young children to always ask WHY?

A laugh-out-loud take on the small-and-determined-beats-big-loud-bully story, simple questions lead to profound answers in a quest that proves the ultimate power of curiosity.

As a young girl climbs the seven stories to her own (very boring!) apartment, she imagines what’s behind each of the doors she passes.

Does the door with all the locks belong to a family of thieves? Might the doorway with muddy footprints conceal a pet tiger?

Each spread reveals — in lush detail — the wilds of the girl’s imagination, from a high-flying circus to an underwater world and everything in between.

When the girl finally reaches her own apartment, she is greeted by her parents, who might have a secret even wilder than anything she could have imagined!

A stunning new picture book from Newbery Medalist Kwame Alexander and Caldecott Honoree Melissa Sweet!

Evocative poetry and lush artwork come together to take readers on a sensory journey between the pages of a book.

A handsome and totally fetching street cat with a penchant for trouble stars in the new picture book by Judy Schachner, creator of the inimitable, irrepressible Skippyjon Jones.

Stretchy McHandsome is not only good looking with his ginger fur, but he has personality that shines as well.

Leaving the safety of the McHandsome clan, he stretches himself away from home and all around town.

Out and about, he is spotted by a girl with a kindred spirit, who makes him realize the one thing missing from his life is the warm lap of a loving person. 

A stunning celebration of mindfulness and a meditation on slowing down and enjoying each moment, from the team behind the award-winning Windows. 

Explore identity and connection, inspire curiosity, and prompt engaging discussions about the here and now.

The brilliant follow-up to the Caldecott Honor-winning and New York Times bestselling picture book They All Saw a Cat by Brendan Wenzel!

A Stone Sat Still tells the story of a seemingly ordinary rock but to the animals that use it, it is a resting place, a kitchen, a safe haven…even an entire world.

This is a gorgeous exploration of perspective, perception, and the passage of time, with an underlying environmental message that is timely and poignant.

Introduces concepts like color, size, function, and time in a way that is easily understandable and teachable for children.

Dynamic duo Jory John and Pete Oswald hatch a funny and charming story that reminds us of the importance of balance, self-care, and accepting those we love (even if they are sometimes a bit rotten).

From the bestselling creators of The Bad Seed, a timely story about not having to be Grade A perfect!

Beloved author-illustrator Liz Climo is back with a hilarious take on (reluctant) friendship that will appeal to fans of We Don’t Eat Our Classmates and I Want My Hat Back!

When a carefree bunny is approached by a voracious bear in the woods, Bunny has just one request: “Please don’t eat me.”

But the bear has a never-ending list of requests, and Bunny realizes maybe Bear isn’t as hungry as he’d let on… maybe he just wants his new friend’s company for a while.

This witty and poignant exploration of predator and prey will have children and parents alike roaring with laughter — and looking for their next meal.

A storm is brewing and Little Blue Truck and his good friend Toad are hurrying home for bed. But who can sleep with all that racket?

It’s not long before other friends show up seeking safety from the storm.

Thunder and lightning sure can be scary, but it’s easy to be brave together.

When the clouds roll on and the sky is clear, it’s all aboard for a bedtime ride! Beep! Beep! Shhh…

A Junior Library Guild Selection * An Indie Next List Pick

Bestselling author Beth Ferry (Stick and Stonek and Stone) and the widely acclaimed Fan Brothers (The Night Gardener) present a gorgeous and poignant picture book about two unexpected friends and the special connection they share.

This tender and affectionate story reminds us of the comforting power of friendship and the joy of helping others — a tale that will inspire and delight children for generations to come.

All the animals know not to mess with old Scarecrow. But when a small, scared crow falls from midair, Scarecrow does the strangest thing.…

He saves the tiny baby crow.

Soon a loving bond grows between the two unlikely friends. But is it strong enough to weather the changing of the seasons?

She might be small, but she’s got it all—she’s Kid McGear, Skid Steer! 

Kid McGear is the newest truck to join the Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site crew and she’s eager to help with even the roughest and toughest construction work.

But when a steep cliff puts the other trucks in danger, can the new Kid on the site prove she’s big enough for even this big, big job?

From the New York Times bestselling author that brought you Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site and Mighty, Mighty Construction Site comes a heartwarming and inspiring tale featuring the first female character to join the core construction crew!

In this heartfelt and universal story, a mother and daughter look forward to their special Saturday routine together every single week.

But this Saturday, one thing after another goes wrong — ruining story time, salon time, picnic time, and the puppet show they’d been looking forward to going to all week.

Mom is nearing a meltdown … until her loving daughter reminds her that being together is the most important thing of all.

Author-artist Oge Mora’s highly anticipated follow up to Caldecott Honor Thank You, Omu! features the same magnificently radiant artwork and celebration of sharing so beloved in her debut picture book.

An unforgettable character teaches a lesson in overcoming obstacles: Tiny T. Rex has a HUGE problem.

His friend Pointy needs cheering up and only a hug will do. But with his short stature and teeny T. Rex arms, is a hug impossible?

Not if Tiny has anything to say about it!

Join this plucky little dinosaur in his very first adventure, Tiny T. Rex and the Impossible Hug—a warm and funny tale that proves the best hugs come from the biggest hearts.