The Ultimate List of the Best Picture Books, Endorsed by Kids Parents

YOU ARE READING: The Ultimate List of the Best Picture Books, Endorsed by Kids Parents AT PhebinhvanhocEN

Inside: Every book on this list of the best picture books for children has earned the seal of approval from kids of all ages…and parents, too.

Here’s the problem with most lists of the best picture books: Those lists typically leave out two of the most important criteria for deciding if a picture book really is the best.

You are reading: Best picture books for kids

Do children really enjoy this book? (For example, adults sometimes like books with a “message,” even if kids find them boring.)
As a parent, is this book something you’d like to spend money on? and leave it at home? knowing that you may end up reading it to your child 72 billion times a day?

Because if while reading a “best picture book” you find yourself fantasizing about setting it on fire and roasting marshmallows over the flames, then it’s not the best picture book for your collection. .

Children are not stupid. when there’s a book you hate to read, they’ll eventually figure it out.

Reading works best when it’s something you look forward to so you can be around your child and feel connected. Not so much when you’re gritting your teeth and skipping every third word to finish it as fast as possible.

Note: If your child has progressed from picture books to chapter books, check out 48 Amazing Kids Chapter Books Your Child Will Devour.

how this list of the best picture books is different

Below, you’ll find two “best of” sections. The first section will bring you the best picture books known to mankind, according to my strict criteria, which I’ll get to in a minute. the second section will give you my thematic lists for different situations, from the best books about kindness to books that will make your child feel loved.

but how are my book lists different?

Every time I put together a new list of the best picture books in a certain category, my kids and I read hundreds of books to find the best one. each list takes months to finalize because the librarian looks at us funny if we come out with more than 50 books at a time. what makes it to the final list is simply the best of the best.
we have a wide range of ages in our family, from babies to tweens, and a healthy variety of tastes reading, too. So I can’t guarantee that every child will love every book on this list of the best picture books, but I can tell you that each of these books wowed my test audience of four very different children, plus me. husband and me. I also get really annoyed telling friends and family to give these books away as birthday and holiday gifts and “just because”, and every time they reply: everyone loved the book! the child and the parents.
I’m a bit obsessed with picture books, which means I’ve read thousands and thousands of picture books as an adult. I am also the most demanding in my family. if a book doesn’t have a good hook or fades at the end or is just a little blah, I’m ruthless to get that book out of our house ASAP.

Life is too short for books you don’t love.

Related: It’s Science: Reading Aloud to Your Kids Makes Them Smarter and Kind {printable}

48 best picture books of all time most loved by children and parents

These are the best picture books for children that meet the strict criteria above. To be clear, these books aren’t all award winners, and you won’t see the titles that most children’s literature gurus would put on a “best picture book” list.

But the purpose of this list is not to share which books professionals consider to be the best. you could find that anywhere. The goal of this list is to bring you the tried and true children’s stories that kids and parents love the most.

In our family, we find ourselves going back to these books over and over. most of us have memorized by heart. And when my little boy comes up to me holding one of these books, I smile because I look forward to reading it 72 billion times.

note: indicates my family’s top absolute favorites on the list. These are the books my kids can’t get enough of!

† this site is reader friendly. When you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Ducks Don’t Wear Socks – This is out of print, but it’s worth picking up a gently used copy on amazon. perfect for kids who can’t wait to relax and get in touch with their fun side.
Elephant and Little Pig: You can’t go wrong with this series. These are technically easy readers, not picture books, but even babies love these stories.
Babies Everywhere: Babies are non-judgmental and love looking at all kinds of babies.
extra thread: This is a quirky and charming story about what happens when you throw goodness like confetti. My kids ask for this almost every day!

george and martha – kids may not pick up on dry humor at first, but parents definitely will.
good night gorilla – forget curious george. If you’re looking for a mischievous primate, this gorilla has your back.
Horrid Bear: This picture book does an excellent job of teaching kids how to take on the best in others at the same time. time that makes you laugh.
How to Put Your Parents to Bed: In this book, the child is the one who puts the parents to bed. so our favorite time to read this book is getting our nerves up long before bed. that’s how.

I’m a bunny: This simple, soothing text moves through each of the seasons to the end, where the bunny curls up for a long winter sleep, awaiting the spring. perfect for calming kids down before bedtime!
I just want to say good night: if you have a child who is late going to bed, this is must read. perfect for toddlers!
I want my hat back: Kids love the twist at the end of this picture book. even though we’ve read this book countless times, my kids still laugh at the end!
library lion: such a dumb idea when you look at it objectively: a lion in a library? but this is one of the sweetest stories you’ll ever read.

little digger: Toddlers and preschoolers love this picture book because of the fun sound effects, but also because they can 100 percent relate to being told that you’re not old enough to do anything.
mrs. biddlebox: This is possibly my favorite picture book of all time, and I don’t say that lightly. unfortunately, it is sold out. The good news is that you can get a used copy in good condition on Amazon. Mrs. biddlebox wakes up in a bad mood, but instead of sitting around like a curmudgeon, she confronts that bad mood and changes it in time to sleep. we reach for this book whenever my little ones and I have butted heads throughout the day, and it’s the perfect tool to help us process bad moods and end the day on a positive note.
my rhino : This story doesn’t make logical sense at first, but the absurdity is what makes it incredible. your kids will laugh, and so will you.
the naked mole rat gets dressed: plant the seed with your kids before they’re teenagers that fitting in isn’t the goal in life .

whatever happens: Thanks to this illustrated book, “whatever happens” has become a common refrain in our house. is the perfect phrase to remind my kids of my unconditional love for them, and saying it immediately evokes this sweet story we’ve shared countless times together.
not a box – this is it a great little book about the power of your imagination.
the old woman who named things: this beautifully told story will warm the hearts of all ages.
our tree named steve. I know this is just a book about a tree, but I always cry and end with a big watery smile at the end. if you’ve ever found the giving tree depressing and/or creepy, you need this book. (And if you have no idea what I’m talking about with the giving tree, here’s a brief summary of why some people don’t appreciate it.)

The Paper Bag Princess: This should be required reading for all girls before they start dating.
Who peeking? – this is a simple story that babies love, but because it has 10 words in total, my older kids love to “read” it to the little ones, even if they don’t know yet read.
plant a kiss: my whole family has this book memorized (even the little boy has learned almost everything). a powerful message of putting kindness into the world and expecting nothing in return. The world lost an incredible gift when Amy Krouse Rosenthal left us.
Princess in Training: Of all the alternative princess picture books out there, this is our favorite. And I’ll never forget that one of my middle daughter’s first words was resonating with the “hellos” in this book!

the rabbit listened – I never get tired of reading this picture book to my children. it’s a simple but perfect example of how to be there for someone who is struggling, without trying to fix it. my kids order this at least once a day. a must!
rosie revere, engineer: the perfect rhythm of this picture book puts my little ones to sleep every night. we love ada twist, a scientist, and iggy peck, an architect too, but rosie is our absolute favorite from this author.
a sick day for amos mcgee: being a friend means showing up, and no other picture book demonstrates that as beautifully as this story.
get up, molly lou melon: this is perfect for preparing kids how to handle when another child picks on them. poor ronald durkin.

stick and stone: This is a cute story about the power of friendship, and adults love puns.
la story of ferdinand: this classic picture book shows children the importance of staying true to oneself.
the stray dog: children never seem to tire of this award-winning picture book, which is not always a given with award winners. and it’s such a perfectly sweet story that you’ll love it too.
Strictly No Elephants: This cute book helps kids think about the ramifications of excluding others and how that makes others feel.

the things of the stars: This is a beautiful picture book that will help your child understand their place in the world. I will never forget the first time we read this, my 5 year old turned to me and said “wow. I loved that.” And every time we’ve read it since then, it has instilled in us the same sense of wonder.
ten pinkies and ten little toes: a Young children love this book because of the various pictures of babies from around the world. Don’t forget to count or tickle your little one’s toes for each “ten little toes and ten little toes” refrain! feet”! Guaranteed laughs.
It’s me loving you: This picture book has magic woven into every page. My kids ask me for it every day and I never get tired of reading it. especially perfect for kids who have separation anxiety when they’re away for the day or traveling for work.
There can be locusts – because of this heartwarming story, every time someone in our family he feels nervous about something, one of us says “there may be locusts!” you’ll understand later to read it. 🙂

we don’t eat our classmates: this is a fun picture book that shows children the true meaning of the golden rule. humor + powerful life lesson = punctuation!
what do you do with a problem? – this is the perfect story to teach kids the power of perseverance.
wolfie the bunny: This is the best picture book about being a big brother I’ve ever come across. kids and adults alike will laugh out loud at this one!
yes day! – thanks to this book, we now have a tradition in our family that on your birthday you get a “yes day”. This is a quick but perfect story from one of our all-time favorite children’s authors, Amy Krouse Rosenthal.

the best illustrated books for each situation

We may not have all situations covered yet, but we’re working on it. we focus on a topic for a few months, read hundreds of books related to that topic, and then publish the cream of the crop.

To suggest a book list idea, let me know in the comments.

board books: the best board books for babies that your baby (and you) will love
bedtime stories: 10 soothing stories for children who struggle with sleep
Christmas and winter holidays: the definitive list of the best christmas books for children
interactive books: the 12 best interactive books for children that will make them nervous
friendship : The Ultimate List of Best Picture Books About Friendship
Kindness: The Ultimate List of Best Children’s Books About Kindness
Love: 10 Picture Books About Love That Will Make You your kids feel absolutely loved
toddlers: the ultimate list of the best books for 2-year-olds

bonus! 12 amazing chapter books for kids

no child is too old to listen to a great picture book. some high school teachers who are members of this community even read a picture book to their students every day! but if you’re looking for awesome chapter books for kids, I’ve got you covered.

In our family, my 12-year-old daughter still loves it when I read picture books aloud, but she also devours chapter books any chance she gets. she passes her favorites to me, then when I’m done, I hand them back and she reads them again. In other words, we’ve also read a lot of children’s chapter books.

You can’t go wrong with these kids’ chapter books:

The Princess in Black: For kids just starting to make the transition to chapter books, this is a fun series about a princess who fights monsters and leads a double life. Girls and boys alike love this series!
Thanks to Winn Dixie: In this sweet chapter book, Opal has just moved to a small town with her dad, and her whole life changes. when you come across a stray dog. dog in the grocery store. I’ve read this aloud to my kids three times, and the story captures their little hearts every time!
The Savage Robot: This is a heartwarming story of a shipwrecked robot named Roz who has to learn how to to survive in the desert. our whole family fell in love with roz! While there are some tense scenes, Roz rises above it all to demonstrate the power of kindness and community. after her son finishes this one, expect him to be eager for the sequel right away: wild robot escapes.

wonder – a powerful book about kindness and acceptance. If you read this out loud with your child, you’ll end up having a lot of important conversations. If your child loves this one, check out the following companion books: Auggie & me and the white bird.
the dragon with a chocolate heart: in this hilarious fantasy, she tricks a young dragon into drinking enchanted hot chocolate that turns her into a human. my daughter loved it so much that when she finished it, she immediately went back to the beginning and read it again. next in this series is the girl with the heart of a dragon.
escape from mr. Lemoncello Library: Twelve seventh graders win a chance to spend a night in their town’s new public library, built by billionaire game creator Luigi Lemoncello. Mr. lemoncello then throws them a challenge: solve the puzzles and riddles he left in the library using only what is in the library, and they will be the new spokesperson for mr. lemoncello company. This is kind of like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory set in modern times and inside a library. Kids love solving puzzles as they read, and reluctant readers will identify with the main character, Kyle, who isn’t too fond of books. When we lend this hilarious series to friends and neighbors, they gobble it up.

nevermoor: the trials of morrigan crow – morrigan is cursed and everyone blames her for everything that goes wrong. Due to her curse, she too is doomed to die at midnight on her 11th birthday, but a mysterious person named Jupiter North shows up just in time. my daughter was so excited about this one that I had to pick it up myself, and I loved it too! After Nevermoor, you’ll want to read the next in the series: Wundersmith.
The 141st Street Vanderbeekers: In this story, a family of seven discovers that the landlord is going to kick them out of their beloved home right after Christmas. Vanderbeeker’s five children are heartbroken, so they devise a plan to save their home. this was such a moving read! After you fall in love with this family, you’ll want to read the rest of the series.
Front Desk: Mia lives in a motel where her parents work. While her parents clean the rooms, Mia decides to take over the front desk and do her part to make guests’ stays enjoyable. This is a powerful story of what it means to treat others with kindness and respect and to do the right thing even when it’s hard. my oldest daughter was so excited to find out there is a sequel too!

book hunt – emily has moved 8 times in 12 years. But this time she’s excited to move because she’ll be in San Francisco, which is the home of Ella Garrison Griswold’s idol, book publisher and creator of Emily’s favorite puzzle game called Book Scavenger. But just as Emily arrives and just before Griswold announces the details of his latest and greatest game, he is attacked and left in critical condition. Along with Ella’s new friend James Ella, a puzzle-loving fellow who lives in Ella’s building, Emily has to solve the mystery before the people who attacked Griswold catch up with Emily and James too. If your child loves solving puzzles and codes, put this book in their hands, along with the rest of the series.
The one and only Ivan – Ivan is a silverback gorilla who lives in a large shopping center and video arcade, a dilapidated circus-themed roadside attraction. For years, Ivan has been bored but happy with this strange taste of wild animal captivity. But when he meets a baby elephant named Ruby, he makes an important decision that will change everything. This story is sad in parts, but it’s worth reading. what a deeply moving story! If your kid loves this book, give him the one and only bob below, which is a sequel to the stray dog named bob in the first book.
sweep – nan sparrow is one of the best “climbing boys “in victorian london, orphans doing the dangerous job of cleaning flues to protect houses from fire. but she also turns out to be a girl. then one day she gets caught in a chimney fire. this is a Powerful story that touches on some heavy topics, but is also imbued with an undertone of hope that a better life is possible for Nan and her climbing friends.This story will give your child plenty to chew on, plus it’s a fascinating history lesson! !

need more ideas for the best picture books?

If you’re still thirsty for good picture books, check out these lists of people who know a lot about children’s picture books: Caldecott Prize Picture Books; New York Public Library: 100 Great Books for Children; and girl power: the 100 best picture books.

your turn

what would you include in your list of the best illustrated books? share in a comment below!

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