Summer 2023 Picture Books

Philip Christian Stead

Friends come in all shapes and sizes, and for Amos McGee, in all species too! A delightful story about friendship. Winner of the Caldecott Medal in 2011.

Tom Brenner

A joyful, sun-drenched tribute to the anticipation and adventures of the warmest season of the year. Kirkus writes, ''A perennial read that radiates summer's heady glee.''

Greg Pizzoli

With perfect comic pacing, Greg Pizzoli introduces us to one funny crocodile who has one big fear: swallowing a watermelon seed. Will vines sprout out his ears? Will his skin turn pink? This crocodile has a wild imagination that kids will love, and the new board-book format makes this hilarious romp the perfect pick for preschoolers.

Suzanne Bloom

A Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book This charming, bestselling picture book says volumes about friendship with a few select words and accessible illustrations. Bear wants to read and write and think. But his friend Goose wants to talk and talk ... and talk! Bear and Goose are so different! But can they still be friends? Toddlers and preschoolers will learn about how to make--and keep--new friends through this delightful story.

Jane Foster

Introduce little ones to summertime in this bold and graphic board book by illustrator and textile designer Jane Foster. In this beautiful and irresistible board book, children will be introduced to bold summertime images such as ice cream, a bicycle, a sandcastle, a swimming pool, and more!

A new generation of children love Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, inspired by the classic series Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood! Daniel remembers a time when he needed to share in this sweet board book based on an episode of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood. Daniel is enjoying story time with his friends and learns that it’s important to ask first before taking things away from friends to make sure they are ready to share. This book contains vignettes from an episode that focuses on sharing beloved books and toys.

Karma Wilson

Young readers can join Bear as he befriends the mysterious culprit causing a ruckus in the forest!

Joy Cho

A sweet, interactive board book celebrating kindness -- from Joy Cho of the influential lifestyle brand Oh Joy! Every day holds lots of opportunities to be kind. And kindness can mean all sorts of things! Maybe you include someone and make a new friend, or encourage someone who is struggling. No matter what, you'll bring a little warmth into someone's day! Interactive lift-the-flaps will engage readers in this big-hearted book about being a good friend, neighbor, and family member! Follow little llama, who is depicted in a wheelchair, and friends on their adventures, rendered in vibrant, detailed art featuring an adorable cast of animal friends. Whimsical, rhyming text gently nudges the reader toward everyday acts of kindness.

Kathryn O. Galbraith

An endearing board book with adorable babies on the go during the summer season. Spirited, rhyming text and colorful, graphic art reveal an energetic cast of babies having an action-packed day of play in the park on a cheerful summer day. Featuring diverse characters and highlighting early concepts like shapes and repetition, books in the Babies in the Park series encourage an appreciation of nature and outdoor imaginative play.

Patricia Hegarty

This cute board book has a cast of animal characters and gentle rhyming text, showing us all the ways in which we can be kind to one another - from A to Z!

Todd Parr

Beloved and New York Times bestselling author Todd Parr uses his signature blend of playfulness and sensitivity to explore the value and joy in being kind to others. With his trademark bright colors and bold lines, Todd Parr takes on a topic more important than ever: being kind to each other. This idea is both a perfect fit for Todd's cheerful, child-friendly positivity and incredibly close to Todd's own heart. No matter what other people choose to do, you can always choose to be kind -- and what a wonderful thing to be! Today's parents and teachers are looking for ways to instill empathy and kindness in children at a young age -- this book is the perfect introduction to a timely and timeless topic.

Jacqueline Davies

A day at the community pool is full of unwater magic-dunking and diving with friends; somersaulting, walking on your hands, and bursting up through the surface like a tortoise. But when a thunderstorm comes and a little brother ventures too close to the pool's edge, will our main character be quick enough and brave enough to save the day

Kadir Nelson

While planting seeds in their garden, two animals learn the value of kindness.

James Dean, Kimberly Dean

Kindness is cool! Pete the Cat shares some groovy words on kindness in this fun collection of his favorite famous quotes about sharing, lending a helping hand, and having compassion for others. Cool cat Pete adds his own spin on well-known classic quotes from luminaries ranging from Booker T. Washington to Henry James.

Nina Crews

It's summer, and it's hot! Acclaimed author-artist Nina Crews's debut picture book was hailed as "a wonderful concept book" by The Horn Book and "the debut of a welcome new voice and vision" by Kirkus. The perfect book to share with young children on a hot summer day! One Hot Summer Day is a lively and beautiful photographic concept book about a perfect summer day. This picture book is ideal for sharing in the home or classroom, and readers will feel the summer heat while exploring the sensory delights of summer, including making chalk pictures on the pavement, swinging on the swing set, slurping grape pops, and enjoying a cooling rainstorm.

Meera Sriram

Savour a rhyming celebration of one of the world's most universal foods! Readers follow ten diverse families as they cook dumplings inside their homes in preparation for a neighbourhood potluck. Dumplings are added to plates one by one, encouraging children to count with each new addition. Authentic recipes for all the dumplings and a map showing their regions of origin are included in the endnotes.

J. Kenji López-Alt

Best-selling author J. Kenji López-Alt introduces Pipo, a girl on a quest to prove that pizza is the best food in the world. Pipo thinks that pizza is the best. No, Pipo knows that pizza is the best. It is scientific fact. But when she sets out on a neighborhood-spanning quest to prove it, she discovers that “best” might not mean what she thought it means. Join Pipo as she cooks new foods with her friends Eugene, Farah, Dakota, and Ronnie and Donnie. Each eating experiment delights and stuns her taste buds. Is a family recipe for bibimbap better than pizza? What about a Moroccan tagine that reminds you of home? Or is the best food in the world the kind of food you share with the people you love? Warm and funny, with bright, whimsical illustrations by Gianna Ruggiero, Every Night Is Pizza Night is a story about open-mindedness, community, and family. With a bonus pizza recipe for young readers to cook with their parents, Every Night Is Pizza Night will make even the pickiest eaters hungry for something new.

Deborah Kerbel

With more enticing collage art and sparkling rhyme from the creators of Snow Days, a preschooler's celebration of sunny weather and all the activities it makes possible.

Ruth Chan

Join our narrator and her dog on their daily walk as they greet the people in their neighborhood--from the mail carrier and bus driver to the sanitation workers and grocery clerks and more.

Philip C. Stead

Louis and his eccentric Grandma set out to count every dog in the neighborhood when they find out about city hall's woefully inadequate record keeping.

Deborah Underwood

You are a blessing. / You are beautiful just as you are. / You are loved, / and you love. / You make mistakes, / and it’s okay to make mistakes, / because that’s how you learn. Lyrical and poignant, Loving Kindness encourages us to be tender with ourselves and others, and to open our hearts to the world. This vibrant picture book celebrates connection, compassion, and life.

Kevin Henkes

Bees buzz, birds sing, and children roll in the grass and feel the heat of the summer sun. With striking verbal imagery, repetition, and alliteration, Kevin Henkes introduces basic concepts of language and the summer season. Laura Dronzek's glowing paintings beautifully illustrate the wonders of summer.

Jennifer Adams

Children will learn the importance of treating others with love, kindness, and respect. Follow the adventures of a young boy as he practices kindness throughout his day, from rescuing a puppy to standing up to bullies to helping his young sister tie her shoe. I Am a Kindness Hero celebrates gentleness and vulnerability in boys, and shows that true strength and leadership come from treating those around you with love and respect. I Am a Kindness Hero provides parents, teachers, and childcare providers with a beautiful picture book that offers a new kind of role model for young boys. A standalone title, it also serves as a companion to I Am a Warrior Goddess, by the same author and illustrator, which inspires strength, leadership, and empowerment in young girls.

Irene Latham, Charles Waters

Foster inclusivity, respect, and connection with this dynamic picture book from the coauthors of Can I Touch Your Hair?

Lucky Diaz

Follow along with our narrator as he passes through his busy neighborhood in search of the Paletero Man. But when he finally catches up with him, our narrator's pockets are empty. Oh no! What happened to his dinero It will take the help of the entire community to get the tasty treat now.

Lauren Thompson

Mouse experiences some of the joys of summer for the first time, from eating watermelon and flying a kite to watching fireworks in the night sky.