Picture Books
Each year Evanston Public Library decides on the 101 Great Books for Kids. Now you can enjoy some of the best picture books of the year! Everything from bad apologies and giant robots to dance, cowboys, and noodles!
1. Being Home by Traci Sorell, ill. Michaela Goade
“Today is moving day!” A happy tale of one Cherokee family’s relocation from the city to their ancestral lands. An buoyant look at a “change in tempo.” Call Number: JPicture Sorel.T
2. Dance Fast by AR Cribbins
Bizzy cannot WAIT to make her own dance regalia dress for an upcoming ceremony. But what happens when a mistake in it is evident to everyone? A great Pomo tale on how perfection is the enemy of good. Call Number: JPicture Cribb.A
3. The Dictionary Story by Oliver Jeffers and Sam Winston
Why should books with stories get all the fun? A jealous dictionary attempts to tell a tale, with incredibly disastrous results. A truly original delight of a tale. Call Number: JPicture Jeffe.O
4. Emma, Full of Wonders by Elisha Cooper
Do dogs dream? Emma does. Little dreams that culminate in a great big dream she can share. Call Number: JPicture Coope.E
5. Exactly As Planned by Tao Nyeu
Moose and Fox are about to have tea together and each wants to make something special for the other. Read one story two different ways, and watch how things don’t always go according to plan. Call Number: JPicture Nyeu.T
6. Home in a Lunchbox by Cherry Mo
This completely wordless tale tells the story of one little immigrant girl and the ways that food ties her to her memories. Evocative, engulfing art tells a story of empathy and delicious dumplings. Call Number: JPicture Mo.C
7. I’m Sorry You Got Mad by Kyle Lukoff, ill. Julie Kwon
Jack knocks down Zoe’s block castle and now has to write an apology. It does not go well. Will Jack ever learn how to write a real apology? Touching and hilarious by turns. Call Number: JPicture Lukof.K
8. Jam, Too? by JaNay Brown-Wood, ill. Jacqueline Alcántara
A rhythmic jam-session is brought to life on the page! When an impromptu drum circle appears on the beach, a drumless kid yearns to join. Rhyme, rhythm, and song combine in this upbeat tale. Call Number: JPicture Brown.J
9. The Last Zookeeper by Aaron Becker
In a flooded world, a single giant robot works hard to save all the animals it can find. Wall-E meets Noah’s Ark in this magnificent, wordless tale. Call Number: JPicture Becke.A
10. My Block Looks Like by Janelle Harper, ill. Frank Morrison
“My block looks like a collision of cultures / a melting pot of cool.” A young girl pays homage to her city on pages that spring to life. A book that crackles with heart, heat, and energy. Call Number: JPicture Harpe.J
11. My Daddy Is a Cowboy by Stephanie Seales, ill. C.G. Esperanza
When everyone’s asleep, before the sun has even risen, a girl and her daddy ride their horses through the city. A beautiful father/daughter story infused with some serious horse-love. Call Number: JPicture Seale.S
12. Noodles on a Bicycle by Kyo Maclear, ill. Gracey Zhang
Who can make towering piles of noodles and deliver them with acrobatic speed and agility every day? The demae of Japan, of course! A love letter to these skilled workers of the past. Call Number: JPicture Macle.K
13. Pretty Ugly by David Sedaris, ill. Ian Falconer
You know that old saying not to make faces or one might stick that way? Anna Van Ogre finds this out the hard way, but fortunately comes up with a truly disgusting solution in this twisted take on finding beauty within. Call Number: JPicture Sedar.D
14. A Star Shines Through by Anna Desnitskaya
“We left for another country. It’s not like home here.” A girl and her mother leave everything behind to start a new life. A beautifully wrought tale of immigration and making a new home. Call Number: JPicture Desni.A
15. Terrible Horses by Raymond Antrobus, ill. Ken Wilson-Max
A little brother adores his older sister but when they clash he writes stories of terrible horses and the pony they ignore. An amazing inclusive story of sibling love and frustration. Call Number: JPicture Antro.R
16. That Always Happens Sometimes by Kiley Frank, ill. K-Fai Steele
This humorous and empathetic tribute to neurodivergent children features Max, a well-meaning kid whose life may be messy but ultimately leads to a creative triumph. Call Number: JPicture Frank.K
17. Touch the Sky by Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic, ill. Chris Park
Vern loves to swing, but doesn’t know how to pump yet. Why is it so hard to learn? It takes a patient friend like Gretchen to set Vern on the right path. Call Number: JPicture Lucia.S
18. We Are Definitely Human by X. Fang
A group of someones has crashed in Mr. Li’s field and they are quick to assure him that they are “definitely” human. A hilarious and strangely touching story of helping strangers in need. Call Number: JPicture Fang.X
19. What’s New, Daniel? by Micha Archer
When Daniel visits the park he discovers that many of his animal friends have changed. And Daniel has changed, too! The collage work in this charmer astounds. Call Number: J Picture Arche.M
20. The Yellow Bus by Loren Long
“There was once a bright yellow bus who spent her days driving.” The life cycle of a familiar vehicle, and the changes she witnesses as her town grows older too. Call Number: JPicture Long.L
Find the full list of 101 Great Books for Kids here.
Committee Members: Patrizia Alm, Karina Andrus, Stephen Barnes, Betsy Bird, Lisa Dallas, Kyria Dickerson, Betsy Haberl, Jessica Iverson, Kennedy Joseph, Taylor Keahey, Leigh Kennelly, Martha Meyer, Jeny Mills, Olivia Mo, Katrina Moravec, Bill Ohms, Bridget Petrites, Julie Rand, Jennifer Shreve, Robin Sindelar, Elizabeth English Steimle, Kasandra Trejo, Lulu Tripp, Michael Warren, and Brian Wilson
