Best of 2021: Picture Books

1) The bedtime book

Author

Parr, Todd

Notes

Read this book! It's super cute and will sway you to sleep! --Megha, Children's Services Library Assistant

Description

Click to view

"Animals are trying to fall asleep, but there are so many things to do before getting ready for bed"--

2) Don't hug Doug: (he doesn't like it)

Author

Finison, Carrie

Notes

Doug is a hoot of a narrator and his easy way of explaining how he likes YOU but not hugs will help kids set and understand boundaries and consent wonderfully. High fives for Doug! --Shelley, Children's Services Librarian

Description

Click to view

Meet Doug, an ordinary kid who doesn't like hugs, in this fun and exuberant story which aims to spark discussions about bodily autonomy and consent. Doug doesn't like hugs. He thinks hugs are too squeezy, too squashy, too squooshy, too smooshy. He doesn't like hello hugs or goodbye hugs, game-winning home run hugs or dropped ice cream cone hugs, and he definitely doesn't like birthday hugs. He'd much rather give a high five--or a low five, a side...

3) Fatima's great outdoors

Author

Tariq, Ambreen

Notes

While delivering books to schools this year, there were a lot of requests for books about camping - which is how I first came across Fatima and her family! This is a beautiful picture book that explores connecting to the outdoors as well as the people in your life. --Jenny, Community Engagement Coordinator

Description

Click to view

Excitedly joining her family for an outdoor camping trip in a Midwestern state park, Fatima Khazi helps set up a tent, build a fire, and fend off a daddy longlegs before settling down to sleep surrounded by the near-magical sounds of the forest.

4) A home under the stars

Author

Musser, Andy Chou

Notes

The art in this story about experiencing a life change is absolutely stunning and magical. --Jenna, Collection Management Librarian

Description

Click to view

When his family moves to the city, Toby misses seeing stars, but soon he meets some wild animals who all need the North Star to show their way home.

5) Ten ways to hear snow

Author

Camper, Cathy

Series

Children's braille book club

Notes

This book- it's just magical! It explores family, connectedness, curiosity, and mindfulness. It came out in October of 2020, however I first read it in 2021- and so far, it's my favorite book of the year. When the first big snow falls, let's all go outside to listen, okay? --Jenny, Community Engagement Coordinator

Formats:

Book, Braille

Description

Click to view

Walking to her grandmother's home to help make warak enab, Lina discovers many ways to hear snow, from the scrape of a shovel on a sidewalk to the quiet pats of snowman-building.

6) We All Play

Author

Flett, Julie

Notes

A joy to share with kids - you can see the wheels turning as they connect how they play just like the cute animals on the page. Rich vocabulary building is also combined with a Cree glossary. --Genevieve, Children's Services Librarian

Formats:

Description

Click to view

From Julie Flett, the beloved author and illustrator of Birdsong, comes a joyous new book about playtime for babies, toddlers, and kids up to age 7. Animals and kids love to play! This wonderful Own Voices book celebrates playtime and the connection between children and the natural world. Beautiful illustrations show:birds who chase and chirp!bears who wiggle and wobblewhales who swim and squirt!owls who peek and peep!and a diverse group...