The Irresponsible Reader’s Guide to Picture Books—2023 Edition

This is a much longer list this year, than it was last. Obviously, the Grandpappy’s Corner books have helped with that. I’d like to thank Witty & Sarcastic Bookclub for posting their 2023 Picture Book List last week reminding me that I meant to get his up. I’m pretty sure I’d have forgotten it otherwise.

Here are my favorites in the Picture Book realm from the past ten years so.

Snobbity Snowman

by Maria Bardyukova, Quiet Riley, Jr.

Fun art work. Some fantastic use of language (especially when read aloud). A nice little story with a good moral. Ticks off every box.

My full post about the book.

Baby Dragon’s Big Sneeze

by Sheryl Bass, Remesh Ram (Illustrator)

A cute dragon, solid rhymes, and a sweet story.

My full post about the book.

Baby Dragon Finds His Family

by Sheryl Bass, Remesh Ram (Illustrator)

A cute-looking sequel to the above.

I haven’t read this yet, but I will soon.

Bearded

by Jeremy Billups

I love the artwork, these characters became favorites at first sight.

My full post about the book.

Bearded Too

by Jeremy Billups

See what I said above.

My full post about the book.

Sea This and Sea That

by Jeremy Billups

The art clearly shares DNA with his other work, but it couldn’t be more different. Good jokes. A visual feast.

My full post about the book.

Farmhouse

Sophie Blackall

It’s a pretty–I cannot stress that word enough–look at one house over the course of time. Wonderful art, a nice story.

My full post about the book.

How Big Is Zagnodd?

by Sandra Boynton

A look at various sizes of aliens…silly fun for young and young-at-heart.

My full post about the book.

Saint Patrick the Forgiver

by Ned Bustard

A great way to give an age-appropriate lesson in forgiveness while telling the story of one of the heroes of the faith.

My full post about the book.

Saint Valentine the Kindhearted

by Ned Bustard

A number of lessons about love and service are given while telling the story of one of the heroes of the faith.

My full post about the book.

Mike Nero and the Superhero School

by Natasha Carlow, Kyle Stephen (Illustrator)

A little heavy on the moral, but it’s one to get heavy with.

My full post about the book.

Little Aiden – A Feelings Book for Toddlers

by Albert and Anna Choi, Bettina Braskó (Illustrator)

A handy and helpful book to tell toddlers that it’s okay to having and feeling emotions.

My full post about the book.

Little Aiden – A Love Book for Toddlers

by Albert and Anna Choi, Bettina Braskó (Illustrator)

A warm and sweet look at the ways and times in which a parent can feel affection for their child.

My full post about the book.

The Day That A Ran Away

by B.C.R. Fegan, Lenny Wen (Illustrator)

Fegan and Wen are a dynamic duo—I’d read (and re-read) their books for fun.

My full post about the book.

Don’t Ever Look Behind Door 32

by B.C.R. Fegan, Lenny Wen (Illustrator)

See above.

My full post about the book.

Henry and the Hidden Treasure

by B.C.R. Fegan, Lenny Wen (Illustrator)

See above.

My full post about the book.

The World’s Greatest Mousetrap

by B.C.R. Fegan, Fanny Liem (Illustrator)

A Rube Goldberg mousetrap. A frustrated would-be reader. A cute mouse. A great combo.

My full post about the book.

Kitties Are Not Good To Eat

by Cassandra Gelvin

Cute cat photos and handy advice.

My full post about the book.

Noodle and the No Bones Day

by Jonathan Graziano, Dan Tavis (Illustrator)

The origin story of the late, great Noodle.

My full post about the book.

Noodle Conquers Comfy Mountain

by Jonathan Graziano, Dan Tavis (Illustrator)

Further adventures with Noodle.

My full post about the book.

This Book Will Get You to Sleep!

by Jory John, Olivier Tallec (Illustrator)

A loud, energetic, giggle-inducing book that will defintely not live up to its title.

My full post about the book.

1 2 3 Count with Me on Granddad’s Farm

by Valerie Johnson, Cee Biscoe (Illustrator)

Okay story, cute pics, great fodder for discussion.

My full post about the book.

Geeky Baby’s Guide to Colors

by Ruenna Jones, Josh Lewis (Narrator)

A good intro to colors and some of the images that any geeky baby needs.

My full post about the book.

Secrets of the Wild

by Olivia Kent, Srimalie Bassani (Illustrator)

The Secret Lives of Wild Animals—the parties, the jobs, games, antics, and more that they get up to when humans aren’t around to interfere.

My full post about the book.

God, Right Here: Meeting God in the Changing Seasons

by Kara Lawler, Jennie Poh (Illustrator)

A pleasant look how God’s nature (flora, fauna, weather) reveals His work and care through a year’s worth of seasons.

My full post about the book.

The Day My Fart Followed Me To Hockey

by Sam Lawrence & Ben Jackson, Danko Herrera (Illustrator)

Stupid, childish humor—perfect for the audience (and close enough for those older types who read it). Adorable art. Charming book.

My full post about the book.

Noam’s Monsters

by Shai Levinger, Kaustuv Brahmachari (Illustrator), Ephrat Abisror (Translator)

A great way to talk about anxieties and fears with your little ones.

My full post about the book.

A Tale of Wonderful Whiffs

by Sophie Loosveldt, Isabella Croker (Illustrator)

A nice premise, some distinctive art, and a cute pug.

My full post about the book.

God Never Changes

by Carine MacKenzie, Derek Matthews (Illustrator)

A quick, age-appropriate look at the Immutability of God for the board-book crowd.

My full post about the book.

The Legend of the Christmas Witch

by Dan Murphy & Aubrey Plaza, Julia Iredale (Illustrator)

An alternate take on Santa’s origin—and his twin sister.

My full post about the book.

The Return of the Christmas Witch

by Dan Murphy & Aubrey Plaza, Julia Iredale (Illustrator)

A sequel where Santa’s sister has to step up and use her magic to help rescue Christmas from a mega-corp.

My full post about the book.

Bear with Bear

by Hagit R. Oron, Galia Armeland (Illustrator)

A great e-book (I don’t know how/if the hyperlinked material would translate into hard copy). There’s a good twist to this story that makes it especially appealing.

My full post about the book.

Bravo and Elphie

by Hagit R. Oron, Or Oron (Illustrator)

The collaborations between Hagit and Or Oron about cute, little Elphie and her friends and family are as charming as you want.

My full post about the book.

Elphie and Dad go on an Epic Adventure

by Hagit R. Oron, Or Oron (Illustrator)

See above.

My full post about the book.

Elphie Goes Trick or Treating

by Hagit R. Oron, Or Oron (Illustrator)

See above.

My full post about the book.

How Did the Hippopotamus Get There?

by Sohrab Rezvan, Kyana Mitchell (Illustrator)

A silly book about a new pet hippo finding a bunch of places to hide and play in his new home.

My full post about the book.

The Adventure Begins! (Dungeons & Dragons)

by Dennis R. Shealy, Nate Lovett (Illustrator)

The pilot episode of the old Dungeons & Dragons in Little Golden Book form.

My full post about the book.

The Wonky Donkey

by Craig Smith, Katz Cowley (Illustrations)

A zany rhyme about one goofy looking–maybe even wonky–donkey.

My full post about the book.

Every Dreaming Creature

by Brendan Wenzel

A gorgeous book following one child’s dreams as they are one animal and then another.

My full post about the book.

Leo & The Lightning Dragons

by Gill White, Gilli B (Illustrator)

The rhymes are cute, the story is very positive, great illustrations, and the imagery of the Lightning Dragon fighting inside Leo is a great way to get the idea of epilepsy across to a picture book reader.

My full post about the book.

Sophie and the Heidelberg Cat

by Andrew Wilson, Helena Perez Garcia (Illustrator)

A little girl gets a reminder that the gospel isn’t about working for God’s acceptance, but in belonging to God. One of my favorite reads (written for any age group) of 2023.

My full post about the book.