Last month, I decided to embark on the tedious task of documenting every single lovely picture book that we’ve enjoyed, in the hopes of sharing them with other mamas that are looking to grow their home libraries or just have a better experience at their local public library. I will go month by month, giving you a picture book per day, and hopefully ending the year next May with 365 beautiful books for your family to enjoy.
My prayer is that this resource this will make your library days so much simpler, and your bedtime stories so much richer. This comprehensive list by no means suggests that you must read a new picture book every single day. I simply included a book per day to give you much variety as you build your home library. Some are classics, some are modern. Some are of high literary quality. Some are silly. Every single one, though, has been read and vetted by our family. Most of the book descriptions are written by my nine year-old, Lavender. This has been a labor of love and a fun project for my daughter and I- looking over years and years of memories through picture books. Cheers, mamas to making beautiful memories with your little ones.
Picture Book Descriptions
The Hurry-Up Exit from Egypt is such a fun read. It uses rhyme and cadence to tell the incredible story of the Israelites’ max exodus from Egypt. After a few times reading this, you’ll find that your child starts to memorize it simply because it’s so fun to say super fast. This was one of my oldest daughter’s favorite books as a toddler.
This is more of a serious book, with a beautiful moral. Reenie and her mom love to go to the fishing hole to fish- but then again, so does the Troop family. The Troops are a father and son duo who don’t always treat Reenie and her mom kindly because of the color of their skin. When Renee realizes that the Troop family needs a catch even more than she and her mama do, she does something extremely selfless.
Robert McCloskey has the ability to write picture books that are filled with such rich literature but still meet the children where they are. This book is about two ducks that are looking for a place to settle down. They find a pond, only to discover that it’s in the middle of the Boston Public Gardens. Once they have ducklings, they have quite an interesting life navigating such a bustling city. The local police even jump in to make sure Mrs.Mallard and her little family make it home safely.
This is a story about a boy with a box of crayons- alive crayons! The book details what each color crayon is used for; for example, red is for santa and fire trucks. Purple is used for grapes! Yellow and orange end up in an argument over who is used most when coloring a sunshine. This is a silly book perfect for toddlers, yet my nine year-old still adores it. She also recommends the sequel called The Crayons Go On Vacation.
Once upon a time, there was a clown who did the same tricks over and over. Everyone loved his performance, until they didn’t. As he aged and his act got old, he was boo’ed at every turn. He felt hopeless; until, he met two Christians and discovered the Church. What happens on Christmas Eve changes his life forever..
The Little House is about the life cycle of a little house. It starts out on a huge, gorgeous piece of land. Little by little, a city is built up closer and closer to it. Eventually, the little house is surrounded by skyscrapers. Until, a surprise family discovers the house and moves it back out into the country, where it belongs.
Ada loves the night sky, but her home in New York City means she rarely gets to see them. But when her family ventures to Maine to visit her grandparents, she believes this could be her moment. Will a foggy night keep her from seeing what she’s been waiting for? While they wait for the fog to pass, her grandpa teaches her all about milky ways, galaxies, constellations, etc. In the end, the fog clears and Ada finally gets her dream come true.
Escargot is a French snail who wants two things: to be your favorite animal, and to eat a very delicious salad. The problem is the salad has his least favorite food in it- carrots. Escargot is hilarious in his attempts to convince you that he should be your favorite animal, and that you should help him make the perfect salad.
In The Lightlings, Dr. R.C. Sproul uses an allegory to tell the story of the redemption of mankind. A race of tiny beings known as lightlings represent mankind walking through the Biblical narrative – creation, fall, and redemption. In the end, children will understand why some people fear light more than darkness, but why they need never fear darkness again.
King Arthur’s Very Great Grandson by Kenneth Kraegel
A young boy craving adventure decided to leave his castle in search of a battle. He grabbed his sword in search of a dragon, a beast, a giant, something he can war against! But every beast he comes across isn’t in the mood to fight- only to play.
The Honeybee tells the story of the life cycle of honey bees in a fascinating way. Complete with the sounds they make, the waggle dance they do to show the other bees where to find nectar, this book will enchant both parent and child. It would be ideal for nature study purposes for the early or elementary years.
Over and Under the Pond by Kate Messner
As in the others in this sris, Kate Messner just has a way of breaking down the beautiful interconnectedness of the underwater ecosystem in a whimsical and inviting way. This particular pond is full of minnows, beavers, tadpoles and more.
Tuki and Moka: A Tale of Two Tamarins
Set in Ecuador, a boy named Eduardo and his father worked as castaneros, sellers of Brazil nuts. They traveled by river to the rainforest to collect them every month. While in the rainforest, Eduardo made two quirky little friends: tamarins that he named Tuki and Moka. One day, his tamarins were stolen and the rainforest was threatened by poachers. Could he and his father save the rainforest, and return Tuki and Moka to their rightful home?
The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister
The Rainbow Fish is the most beautiful fish in the sea. One day, a little blue fish asked her just one of his sparkly, shiny scales. No matter how the little blue fish asked, the Rainbow Fish was not willing to share. He wanted to remain the prettiest fish in the sea. After a while, the Rainbow Fish realized he had no friends and no one would play with him. He sought the wise old octopus for wisdom, and he told him that being kind and loving is more important than being beautiful.
The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry and the Big Hungry Bear by Don and Audrey Wood
The Little Mouse has found the reddest, ripest most perfect strawberry. When he hears that Bear loves strawberries to, he knew he would have to figure out a way to hide it. He tried burying it, disguising it and locking it up in chains. Since none of his plans work, he decides on the smartest plan yet: share.
The Snail and the Whale by Julia Donaldson
There once was a snail with an itchy foot who lived on a rock as black as soot. Unlike all the other snails sitting with him, this particular snail craved adventure. When he meets a whale, a friendship blossoms that takes him on the journey of a lifetime. During their adventure, the whale actually gets stuck in the sand and ends up needing the help of the tiny snail. Can this little snail save the huge whale?
The Bird House by Cynthia Rylant
An orphan girl is led to the most amazing, enchanting home, and its flocks of birds who lead her there. This story is beautifully illustrated and is one of those stories that linger with you days after reading it.
Dear Mr. Blueberry by Simon James
This is one of the first ever picture books I read to my oldest daughter when she was little. It’s positively silly. During her vacation months, Emily discovers a most fascinating sight- a whale living in the pond behind her house! She writes letter to her teacher explaining her findings each night. Mr. Blueberry answers, assuring her that she must be mistaken. They write each other back and forth, Emily learning more and more about whales and Mr.Blueberry learning more and more about things he previously deemed impossible.
A Giraffe and A Half by Shel Silverstein
If you had a giraffe and it stretched another half, you would have a giraffe and a half. And if you gave him a hat, and in that hat was a rat, you would have- a giraffe and a half with a rat in his hat. This book is whimsical, silly, rhyming book that the whole family will love.
A Story for Bear by Dennis Haseley
“When a young bear finds a scrap of an old letter, he is so curious about the mysterious marks that he searches out their source—a cabin in the woods. There he meets a young woman and is mesmerized by the sound of her voice. Though he cannot understand her words, he returns every day to hear the woman’s stories of sailors, goddesses, and far-off lands.”
The Storm that Stopped: A True Story about Who Jesus Really Is by Alison Mitchell
When it comes to the Tales that Tell the Truth series, you really can’t go wrong. This is a beautifully illustrated story based on the account of Jesus calming the storm from Mark chapter 4. We learn that we truly can trust Jesus regardless of the supposed surmounting storms around us.
Lucia’s Travel Bus by Nam-joong Kim
Lucia is taking a trip through Chile with her grandfather on his yellow bus. First they travel to the southern tip of South America to see the Magellanic penguins. Then they go east to the Aconcagua mountain. But Lucia’s grandfather becomes very sick. During their travels Lucia learns about her country and also about life.
Abe Lincoln Crossis a Creek: A Tall, Thin Tale by Deborah Hopkinson
What you might not know is that Abe would never have become president if it hadn’t been for Austin Gollaher. The year is 1816. Abe is only seven years old, and his pal, Austin Gollaher, is ten. Abe and Austin decide to journey down to Knob Creek. The water looks scary and deep, and Austin points out that they don’t know how to swim. Nevertheless, they decide to traverse it. I won’t tell you what happens, but let’s just say that our country wouldn’t be the same if Austin hadn’t been there to help his friend.
This is a light, rhyming picture book that focuses on how our differences make us special and how valuable we are no matter our background. Albeit simple, this is a book I remember my oldest daughter memorizing and finding so much joy in as a toddler.
The Napping House by Audrey Wood
I can actually tell this story with my eyes closed- that’s how many times we’ve read this book. It’s been every one of my children’s favorite at some point or another. The illustrations are whimsical and vivid, and you’ll find yourself laughing right along with your kiddo as you read.
Katie’s Too Big Coat by Jane Stephens
This book was actually one of my childhood books that has made it’s way into another generation. It’s a super cute and silly story about a little girl who was given a coat that was way too big- so big that it carries her all through town!
Nanny Fox: The Fox Who Loves Chickens- Not to Eat- Just as Friends
Once again, this is one of my childhood books given to me by my grandmother whose maiden name is Fox and collects all the “fox things.” This delightful story tells about a fox who, despite his family’s attempts to persuade him, wants to be a vegetarian. He ends up being the Nanny to a brood of chicks, defying all odds within his family and showing that love is more powerful than tradition.
Saving the Countryside: The Story of Beatrix Potter and Peter Rabbit by Linda Marshall
After authoring The Tale of Peter Rabbit, Beatrix Potter would eventually move to the countryside full-time, but developers sought to change the land. To save it, Beatrix used the money from the success of her books and bought acres and acres of land and farms to prevent the development of the countryside that both she and Peter Rabbit so cherished. Because of her efforts, it’s been preserved just as she left it. This beautiful picture book shines a light on Beatrix Potter’s lesser-known history and her desire to do something for the greater good.
The Very Lonely Firefly by Eric Carle
When a very lonely firefly goes out into the night searching for other fireflies, it sees a lantern, a candle, and the eyes of a dog, cat, and owl all glowing in the darkness. It even sees a surprise celebration of light. But it is not until it discovers other fireflies that it finds exactly what it’s looking for–a surprise sure to bring smiles to anyone who turn the final page!
The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson
When Mouse takes a stroll through the woods, he meets a fox, an owl, and a snake who all want to eat him! So Mouse invents a gruffalo, a monster with “terrible tusks and terrible claws, terrible teeth, and terrible jaws.” But will Mouse’s frightful description be enough to scare off his foes? After all, there’s no such thing as a gruffalo . . . is there? Our whole family adores this book, from oldest to youngest.
Two months of Summer down! I truly hope this blesses you and your family as you begin to build a library of quality picture books. Happy Summer reading, friends!
liked this post? leave a comment!