Best Picture Books of 2021

Stick and Stone: Forever Friends

Beth Ferry

This ode to unconditional love is a brand new adventure for New York Times best-selling BFFs Stick and Stone, in which Stick searches for his family tree and discovers the importance of found family and forever friends. Stick has always wanted to fin d his family tree. It's probably big and beautiful! Is it an oak? A maple? What other sticks might he meet? Stone is happy to accompany his friend on the journey to find the tree he comes from--until it gets dark, and a bit scary in the forest . . . With bright, engaging illustrations from best-selling creator Tom Lichtenheld, Beth Ferry's story explores the importance of learning about our roots, as well as the ability of friends and found family to help us grow strong in heart and mind.

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Outside, Inside

LeUyen Pham

From Caldecott honoree LeUyen Pham, Outside, Inside is a moving picture book celebrating essential workers and the community coming together to face the challenges of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Something strange happened on an unremarkable day jus t before the season changed. Everybody who was outside . . . . . . went inside. Outside, it was quieter, wilder, and different. Inside, we laughed, we cried, and we grew. We remembered to protect the ones we love and love the ones who protect us. While the world changed outside, we became stronger on the inside and believed that someday soon spring would come again.

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Mel Fell

Corey R. Tabor

A charming and innovative tale about a plucky little bird, from the award-winning author-illustrator of Fox the Tiger. Readers will delight in turning their book sideways and upside down to follow Mel on her journey from downward fall to triumphant f light in this tale of self-confidence and taking a leap of faith. Please note: For the best reading experience, ebook customers may want to lock the orientation of their device before beginning to read. An especially enjoyable and satisfying read-aloud! Sometimes, you might fall down, down, down, before you learn to fly up, up, up…

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Maybe...

Chris Haughton

Mmm ... mangos ! The monkeys want one. The problem is, there are tigers around. Hmm ... maybe they could just look at the mangos ? That'd be ok, right ?

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Chez Bob

Bob Shea

"A lazy alligator comes up with a plan to lure his prey by opening up a restaurant for birds--until he realizes that birds are even better as friends"--

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Bicycle Bash

Alison Farrell

Richard Scarry meetsNana In the City in this bicycle themed seek-and-find adventure. Imagine visiting Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory--but for bikes! This is a seek-and-find/activity book rife with quirky illustrations that hits the sweet spot o f every reader from the youngest to the oldest! The wheels keep turning in Cycle City, and it's finally time for the annual Bicycle Bash, where one and all can ride their bikesindoors. Etta's been specially invited by her Aunt Ellen to attend! But why does Aunt Ellen need a list of Etta's friends? Taking place in the Bicycle Museum, this celebration rolls out bicycles of all kinds--from low riders to tricycles to "bone shakers." The Museum even has lanes and tracks indoors so that everyone, Giraffe and Mouse alike, can ride their bikes anywhere. After a full day of riding through the museum halls, Etta pedals out to find a special surprise--her own birthday bash with her best friends! Follow Etta along her first bike tour with this delightfully detailed seek-and-find adventure. * BELOVED WORLDWIDE: The companion book,Cycle City, was published in seven foreign countries! Don't miss out on the favorite biking book of ciclistas worldwide! * FUN SEEK AND FIND: Alison Farrell's colorful, vibrant village will delight all kids who loved Richard Scarry'sCars and Trucks and Things That Go and Busytown books and thrill parents hoping for the same idea plus a hip design aesthetic. * DETAIL-RICH: There's so much to see on each page! From mini conversations between town denizens to countless biking encounters outside the narrative, young readers will delight in rereading this book in order to see the many enticing, funny sights of this little town. * A TREAT FOR BICYCLE LOVERS: Big, small, fancy, historic--the many different kinds of bikes in this book are a feast for the eyes. Perfect for: * Fans of Richard Scarry * Fans of seek-and-find books * Families and friends who enjoy bike riding together * Parents looking for a lighthearted picture book their kids can spend hours with * Aunts looking for a picture book that portrays niece/nephew relationships * Parents, grandparents, and other family members looking for a lightly educational picture book * Fans of museums

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Bear Is a Bear

Jonathan Stutzman

A gorgeous, classic gift book about the enduring love between a little girl and her childhood friend, Bear, from popular author Jonathan Stutzman and Caldecott Medal-winning and #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator Dan Santat. Bear is . . . a ne w friend, a fellow mischief-maker, a protector, and a dreamer. Through all the many ups and downs of a little girl's childhood, Bear is there to provide love and support. Until it is time to say goodbye . . . and hello again. Bear Is a Bear is a tender and surprising tribute to the beloved companions of our childhoods.

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Stella's Stellar Hair

Yesenia Moises

Black girl magic takes the solar system in Stella's Stellar Hair, a celebration of hair, family, and self-love from debut author-illustrator Yesenia Moises! It’s the day of the Big Star Little Gala, and Stella's hair just isn't actin g right! What’s a girl to do? Simple! Just hop on her hoverboard, visit each of her fabulous aunties across the solar system, and find the perfect hairdo along the way. Stella’s Stellar Hair celebrates the joy of self-empowerment, shows off our solar system, and beautifully illustrates a variety of hairstyles from the African diaspora.

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Milo Imagines the World

Matt de la Peña

Milo is on a long subway ride with his older sister. To pass the time, he studies the faces around him and makes pictures of their lives. There's the whiskered man with the crossword puzzle; Milo imagines him playing solitaire in a cluttered apa rtment full of pets. There's the wedding-dressed woman with a little dog peeking out of her handbag; Milo imagines her in a grand cathedral ceremony. And then there's the boy in the suit with the bright white sneakers; Milo imagines him arriving home to a castle with a drawbridge and a butler. But when the boy in the suit gets off on the same stop as Milo--walking the same path, going to the exact same place--Milo realizes that you can't really know anyone just by looking at them.

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