Most of the picture titles listed here are recent 2026 releases. A majority of these titles are outstanding: they so touched my heart, the entertained me, they inspired me to slow down and re-read the book more than once.. Turning the pages filled with glorious artwork, often made me gasp. Aren’t we so lucky to have picture books in our lives?
Some additional new purchases have been added to this posting. A few books serve as love letters to reading books. (*). A few SHOUT OUT selections, including a celebration of Sheree Fitch’s poetry, are absolutely worth the attention.
** NOTE: Three 2026 titles have been receiving huge praise and the exquisite art work should make them strong contenders for the Caldecott Prize for best illustrated book. Place your bets.
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*ALONG CAME AN AARDVARK by Vi Hughes; illus. Lydia Ramsey / Plumleaf Press
The hero of this story is Sam O. Dictionary who seems to be a forgotten book on the library bookshelf. When Sam overhears nursery rhymes being recited during library storytime he’s nystified by such snonsense as ‘mittens with kittens’m Humpty Dumpty falling off the wall,. Sam cleverly thinks of a plan to ‘use his words’ and to lure others to take notice of him and the importance of discovering the meaning and importance of words, words, words. This amusing story is a celebration of words as well as a celebration of nursery rhymes. Along Came An Aardvark may invite young readers to ‘use’ the dictionary and think about the words and stories of Mother Goose. Note; The end pages featuring an A-z list of familiar and unfamiliar vocabulary is a bonus treat to this publication.
*A CHILD OF BOOKS by Oliver Jeffers and Sam Winston / 2016
A boy and a girl embark on a journey to experience a journey through forests of fairy tales and mountains of make-believe. This book inspires readers to think about the power of imagination and how they might see themselves in stories. Any book that helps readers to reflect upon the rewards of reading and the importance of sharing stories is worth sharing. A Child of Books is one of those special books that is a love letter to reading.
*BOOKS MAKE GOOD FRIENDS by Jane Mount / 2023
Shy Lotti is reluctant to make new friends.Lotti LOVES books and finding a quiet place to read brings her comfort and joy. Books stir the imagination. Books can take us to faraway places. Books make good friends. The books that Lottie discovers in library visits help her to gain confidence and ultimaely find new friends. This autobiographical story, this picture book is a book lovers delight, a book for avid readers and those who are growing to discover the magic of reading. The abundant inclusion of illustrated images of book spines offer a rich trove of treasured book titles. The journal-esque narrative along with the abundant recommended book titles help to make this a super book about discovering the self, discovering friends and discovering great books.
Noteworthy, The 50 or so spine images with picture book and novel titles featured is a compendium of old and new great book to that book lovers may recognize (e.g., Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen, We Are in a Book by Mo Willems, If You Come to Earth by Sophie Blackall, Beezus and Ramona by Beverly Cleary, Pax by Sara Pennypacker, Smile by Raina Telgemeir, The Crossover by Kwame Alexander. What are some of your favourite good friend literature pieces you’d reference on a cover on this picture book?
** GOLDFINCHES by Mary Oliver: Art by Melissa Sweet / poetry; nonfiction
“No poem is about one of us, or some of us, it is about all of us.” _Mary Oliver
Picture books, for the most part, is an experience between adult and child: “I read to you” / “Let’s read together” / “You read to me.” There are many titles that require the adult/ teacher to share with young readers since they may not pick them up on their own. Goldfinches is an exquisite, a perfect picture book, somewhat sophisticated and classy. It’s good to add ‘classy’ to add to the appetite of enjoying picture books. Goldfinches is an illustrated version of the poem “Goldfinches” by the gifted poet, Mary Oliver, with splendid art work by the gifted illustrator Melissa Sweet.
Here are some reasons I so love this book. 1. It is a poem as picture book visual and verbal text work together to help make poetry accessible 2. It plants the seeds of further exploring the poems of Mary Oliver. 3 It encourages reflection on the beautiful poem, “Goldfinches”. 4. It shines a light on the world of nature inviting readers to think carefully about birds and sky and fauna that they encounter. 5. With scientific facts filtered throughout, it is a multi-genre book he publication serves as a mentor text for having sudents illustrate poems . 6.It demands to be re-read, re-visiting words and pictures reflecting on the carefully chosen words and images that Oliver has created. 7. It ignites wondering and contemplation. 8.Melissa Sweet’s art work is spectacular (‘nuf said). 9. It fulfills Mary Oliver’s mission to make readers ‘more curious about the world than they were previously” 10, The poem ends with a ks a simple but profound question that asks readers:”Have you ever been so happy in your life”
I AM A GROWL by Kari-Lynn Winters / Pajama Press
The vivid photographs of animals (e.g., a bear, a fox, a cheetah) are powerful images of animals that growl. Interspersed throughout the book are first-person poems by the author along with face portraits of children, beautifully adorned with face-paintings giving hints of the animal that they will meet on following pages. In each poem the sounds of growling of animals (Grumph. Grumph,-Grr) as well as the use of energetic verbs (Tromp, Tromp, Tromp!) add to the delight of this book. This is a great selection for reading aloud, for reading together and for having children bring the animals to life through dramatization and vocalization. This is a fun, playful, dramatic book. I Am a Growl is noted as a pre-school pretend source. Indeed it is!
I am a growl
Grrrrrrr!
Sneaking through
tall grass.
My stripse hide
me.
Shhhhhhh!
I am a … (tiger)
MY SISTER THE APPLE TREE: A refugee story of Hope and Resilience by Jordan Scott & Jamal Saeed; art by Zahra Marwan / 2025
“The heart is on the heart.” ` Jamal Saeed
On the day a young boy was born, his parents planted an apple tree which became a twin sister that he came to talk with, play with sleep beside and show love day by day. Over time, The boy and the tree grew tall, and continued to communicate and share secrets. One day, bombs struck the village in which the brother and ‘sister’ lived and the father announced “We have to leave our home.” The boy would not leave the apple tree behind and carefully prepared her to join the family on their journey to a new country. Even though the boy misses the green mountains, his pet goats, the clouds in the shape of horses, the fig tree and sun of home, it is time to settle into a new home where boy and beloved sister continue to grow taller and taller and make friends with the sky. It doesn’t take long to accept and believe that the apple tree is the boy’s twin sister. As I write this synopsis, my heart is being filled re-reading this beautiful story of family bonds, of change, of resilience.
I have a large collection of picture books about the immigrant and refugee experience and this one certainly is at the top of the list of moving stories about being forced to move. The text written by by award-winning author Jordan Scott (I Talk Like a River) and Jamal Saeed (Syrian activist) tells a story of memory and hope. The sublime, somewhat expressionistic, art work by Zahra Marwan with illustrations of family, war, moving are poignant images that add to the poignant narrative. In the afterward to the book, each creator tells a personal story of migration. Many readers will connect to this story of having to leave home. Five stars from me! Make that ten stars.
NAHLIYA AND THE LADY by Treslyn Vasel; illus. Sahle Robinson / Plumleaf Press
Nahliya leaves the comfort of her Jamaican home and the warmth of her Granny and heads o a counry where snowflakes fell from the sky. Nahilya is being reunited by the Lady, who had disappeared from her life five years ago. Adjusting to the new country is problematic (i.e. new clothing, name-calling, different food). Fond memories ignite when the young hears a song her mami used to hum to her and when she encounters a black and yellow bird that remind her of the home she left. Newfound love with ‘the lady’ helps Nahliya eventually leads her to feel comfort in the new place she can truly call home. This picture book is.a story of reunion and resilience and like many young immigrant children who have been separated from their families. Treslyn Vasel has told a beautiful story about immigration, memories and family bonds.
REACH IN by Herve Tullet
This is the most recent publication by Herve Tullet, acclaimed artist/ author of interactive picture books for youngsters. His first claim to fame was the book Press Here which invited readers to follow instructions that lead to visual surprises of lively geometric images and bold colours. Tullet’s books (Mix it Up!; Let’s Play; Tap! Tap! Tap!) are experiential, interactive and magical and oh-so-playful. Reach In is another exciting reading adventure of lines, shapes, flips and folds from this talented French artist. Just follow the instructions and have fun … again and again.
** WHILE WE’RE HERE by Anne Wynter; Illus. Micha Archer
There’s much buzz by children’s book folks. The verbal text is rather simple (nothing wrong with that!). The first half of the book is anticipatory as a mother and daughter hurry off through the city on adventure but alas come to meet disappointment once they arrive at the park and plans need to change.. .The narrative then switches as mother invites the child to slow down and see what’s under the bridge, watch ducklings, walk the trails and enjoy and appreciate the natural environment before heading back home. Micha Archer’s cut-paper collage art work is spectacular inviting readers to slow down, while they’re here’ to appreciate the varied textures, bright summer colours and the joys of visiting a park. This book celebrates times when parent and child can spend together on an excursion – or reading a book!
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SHOUT OUT! JON KLASSEN
In 2026, Jon Klassen was awarded the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, the largest children’s literature book prize in the world ($750 000. Canadian). There is no doubt that Klassen was deserved of the award. The committee noted that the author illustrator is esteemed for his ‘subtle and evocative storytelling” and his ability to open “new perspectives on our place in the universe.” Some notable publications include I Want My Hat Back (trilogy), The Skull, Pax and The Lion’s run (fiction by Sara Pennypacker), He has teamed with Mac Barnett to create Sam & Dave Dig a Hole, Extra Yarn, The Wolf The Duck & The Mouse and a super fantastic series of. board books (The Shapes Trilogy, a quartet of books about the changing seasons, as well as the Your Places series, Your Things series) Mr. Klassen you are a winner!
FYI
- Jon Klassen has written an article “What is a ghost? Let Kids Decide” in the New York Times book section: June 19, 2026
2. The New Yorker Magazine has a splendid article about the author: The Simple Genius of Jon
Klassen” by Casey Cap, July 7, 2026
3. Jon Klassens’ acceptance speech in receiving the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award can be found on youtube…https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHfMTjT6G6w
THE HOUSE WITH NOBODY IN IT by Jon Klassen / new board book
WOWEE! This unique book invites readers to look through doors and windows to explore the walls, a stool, a lamp, a bed as well as partake in the puzzle of who (if anybody) is inhabiting that house (“There used to be somebody. But there is nobody now”. The layered die-cut novelty format invites interaction and surprise making for a playful, interactive book. Those spooky eyes, certainly adds a sense of mystery to the story. This is book will certainly – deservedly – make it to the top of the list of Jon Klassen bestsellers. Another Klassen winner!
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SHOUT OUT
** FOURTEEN WAYS OF LOOKING AT JELLYFISH / 2026
by Carole Boston Weatherford; illus. Bagram Ibatoulline
With carefully chosen words and awesomeillustrations, this is a staggering picture book worthy of attention. It is a mighty melding of poetry and nonfiction. It is an art gallery in 32 pages. Hitchhiking on Wallace Shwans century-old poem “Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird”, acclaimed poet Carole Boston Weatherford pays homage to the world of jellyfish in fourteen poems, each piece weaving in facts about this species. The art work by Bagram Ibatoulline is a stellar example of how illustrations can add power, provide information and evoke feeling through different perspectives and colour palettes. The text may need some slow reading, re-visiting, and quiet reflection – as many good poems do – but Weatherford’s mastery of language and strong images offers different ways – fourteen, in fact – to think about the extraordinary world of marine animals. Bagram Ibatoulline’s at work (also presented in fourteen different ways) made me gasp, page by page. I’m placing bets that this publication gets Caldecott recognition. How could it not?
Sample
VI
With sheer wonder,
How can a creature esist
without a brain, heart, blood or bones?
Because they are a bundle of nerves.
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SHOUT OUT! SHOUT OUT!
HOORAY FOR SHEREE FITCH!!!
SUMMER FEET by Sheree Fitch; illus. Carolyn Fisher/2020
Sheree Fitch celebrates the joys of going barefoot in summer and the pleasures of swimming, dancing, gathering, wobble-dy walking, wandering wild and soaking up the sun. This award-winning book is a lyrical treat that can’t be beat in the summer heat.
Speaking of outstanding authors…buckets of praise goes to Sheree Fitch, a leading children’s poet, extraordinaire. She has published a number of books for readers young and old and has through workshops and writings (Writing Maniac) has provided great insights and creative ideas for writing poetry. Sheree is the winner of the David Booth Poetry Award for her picture book, Summer Feet. In 2025, she recieved the Matt Cohen Award that recognizes a lifetine a of distinguished work by a Canadian writer. We are lucky to have Sheree Fitch in our literary world. I was lucky to have Sheree co-author our flip book The Poetry Experience (Pembroke Publishers, ). I am lucky to have Sheree as a friend.
A Fitch List (a sampling)
Everybody’s Different on Everybody Street
If I Had a Million Onions
If You Could Wear My Sneaers
Mable Murple
No Two Snowflakes
Sleeping Dragons All Around.
There’s A Mouse in My House
Toes in My Nose
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PEACE AND POETRY IN A SEASON OF SORROW