What was your favorite picture book of 2019? Choosing one title is a nearly impossible task. Yet, this month I posed the mind-bending question to 20 picture book authors, illustrators and champions. (Just as I did in 2018, creating the list you’ll find here.) Oh my, these new picks do NOT disappoint. You are in for such a treat! So grab some paper, or open a new tab for online shopping, because you’re gonna want to fill your library tote and cart with the beautiful, touching, inspiring and wildly creative stories found below. Enjoy!
2019 Picture Book Picks
Justin Colon (@JustinRColon), author and creator of the #PBChat mentorship program and weekly Twitter chat, recommends DUCKWORTH, THE DIFFICULT CHILD by Michael Sussman, illustrated by Júlia Sardà (Atheneum Books for Young Readers): “I love this dark and humorous tale, born of a brilliant collaboration. Júlia Sardà’s delicious illustrations and overall aesthetic compliment Michael Sussman’s text to perfection.”
Margarita Engle (@margaritapoet), author of many books for children (including 2019 titles DREAMS FROM MANY RIVERS and DANCING HANDS), recommends BETWEEN US AND ABUELA by Mitali Perkins, illustrated by Sara Palacios (Farrar, Straus and Giroux): “I'm an own voice advocate, but this is a beautiful example of an author whose multilingual international experience and sensitivity helped her cross cultural lines.”
Eric Fan (@opifan64), creator of many books for children (and co-illustrator of the 2019 title THE SCARECROW), recommends POKKO AND THE DRUM by Matt Forsythe (Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books): “Pokko checked a lot of boxes for me. It was beautifully illustrated, funny, sweet, with some unexpected twists.”
Vicky Fang (@fangmous), author of three children’s titles coming out in 2020, recommends EVELYN THE ADVENTUROUS ENTOMOLOGIST by Christine Evans, illustrated by Yasmin Imamura (Innovation Press): “This book is so fascinating, beautiful, and inspiring! It tells the true story of entomologist Evelyn Cheesman with an empowering theme for girls to pursue their dreams. Wonderfully written and illustrated, it's my favorite picture book of the year.”
Amy Guglielmo (@amyguglielmo), author of books for children, including the 2019 release GOODNIGHT, STARRY NIGHT, recommends PARKER LOOKS UP by Parker Curry and Jessica Curry, illustrated by Brittany Jackson (Aladdin): “This story is based on a real photo that went viral of a little girl taking in Michelle Obama's portrait at the National Portrait Gallery museum. This book has all my favorite things inside: a true story, a strong woman, and a visit to an art museum! I love how museums and art can inspire us to dream big! And I LOVE that this little girl saw herself in the painting!”
Bruce Handy (@henryfingjames), author of WILD THINGS: THE JOY OF READING CHILDREN’S LITERATURE AS AN ADULT, and Vanity Fair contributing editor, recommends A STONE SAT STILL by Brendan Wenzel (Chronicle Books): “I was privileged to be one of the judges for The 2019 New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children's books so won't include any of those wonderful titles here. A personal favorite not on the list: Brendan Wenzel's gorgeous A Stone Stood Still, a worthy followup to his 2017 Caldecott Honor winning They All Saw a Cat. The new book is both a clever meditation on perspective and a subtle and moving ecological parable. More here.
Julie Hedlund (@JulieFHedlund), children’s book author and founder of year-long writing challenge #12x12PB, chose BIKES FOR SALE by Carter Higgins, illustrated by Zachariah OHora (Chronicle Books): “A sweet tale with a timeless feel, culminating in a satisfying ‘unexpected, but perfect’ ending.”
Ioana Hobai (@ioanahobai), author, illustrator and creator of 2019 release LENA’S SLIPPERS, recommends A LIFE MADE BY HAND: THE STORY OF RUTH ASAWA by Andrea D’Aquino (Princeton Architectural Press): “I love the striking and refined artwork in this biography of the Japanese American artist Ruth Asawa by Andrea D’Aquino. The engaging text and images will inspire young readers to pay closer attention to the world around them and find beauty in ordinary things.”
LaRonda Gardner Middlemiss (@IamLGMiss), author of 2020 picture book release I LOVE ME!, recommends I WILL BE FIERCE by Bea Birdsong, illustrated by Nidhi Chanani (Roaring Brook Press): “She's confident. She's brave. She's kind. The text and vibrant illustrations deliver an empowering story and message that can be embraced by all.”
Daniel Miyares (@danielmiyares), author and illustrator of many children’s books, including the 2019 title COME NEXT SEASON with Kim Norman, recommends KING MOUSE by Cary Fagan, illustrated by Dena Seiferling (Tundra Books): “King Mouse is simply and elegantly told. We are in a “What about me?” culture, and this is a “What about others?” story that echoes in my heart. The illustrations whisper to you and in doing so allow you to hear what needs to be heard. I’m a big fan.”
Katrina Moore (@kmoorebooks), author of 2019 picture book debut ONE HUG, recommends A GREEN PLACE TO BE by author and illustrator Ashley Benham Yazdani (Candlewick): “This book pops with compelling narrative. Richly researched, fascinating tidbits shine a beautiful light on the curation of Central park and its creators. Lush, vibrant illustrations are full of hidden gems. This breathtaking book is truly a masterpiece!”
Miranda Paul (@Miranda_Paul) recommends AT THE MOUNTAIN’S BASE by Traci Sorell, illustrated by Weshoyot Alvitre (Kokila): “Set against artistic yet contemporary illustrations, Sorell is able to convey the rollercoaster of emotions that a family goes through when one of their own is far away, and in harm's way. It is one of those books that is both incredibly specific and universally relevant to readers. So much for a family or classroom to discuss after reading it, especially in consideration of the author's note at the end.”
Lori Richmond (@loririchmond), author and illustrator of numerous books for children, recommends FROM A SMALL SEED: THE STORY OF ELIZA HAMILTON by Camille Andros, illustrated by Tessa Blackham (Henry Holt and Co.): “Camille's writing is always lyrical and beautiful, and Tessa's artwork feels so warm and homey. This dynamic duo of amazing women wonderfully and thoughtfully tell the story of another amazing woman!”
Liz Garton Scanlon (@LGartonScanlon), author of many books for children, including 2019 titles FIVE MINUTES and ONE DARK BIRD, recommends TRUMAN by Jean Reidy, illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins (Atheneum Books for Young Readers): “Truman is universal and relatable, but also intimate and specific (the city bus! the green beans!). It's a first-day-of-school story, a loyalty-and-friendship story, a bravery story, but it's also just a beautifully told and deeply felt Truman-and-Sarah story.”
Aimee Sicuro (@aimeesicuro), illustrator of 2019 picture book DANCING THROUGH FIELDS OF COLOR: THE STORY OF HELEN FRANKENTHALER, recommends KINDNESS GROWS by Britta Teckentrup (Caterpillar Books): “I pick Kindness Grows for its ingenious approach in illustrating how kindness can bring us together and how the lack of it can break us apart.”
Meera Sriram (@Meeratsriram), author of 2019 picture book title THE YELLOW SUITCASE, recommends GOING DOWN HOME WITH DADDY by Kelly Starling Lyons, illustrated by Daniel Minter (Peachtree Publishing Company): “I loved the heartfelt lyrical writing with rich imagery. While the story celebrates the joys of family and home, it also salutes the land and the family's roots - the struggles and triumphs of ancestors - and it was beautiful and powerful.”
Melissa Stewart (@mstewartscience), author of 185 science books for children, including 2019 titles A PLACE FOR TURTLES (second edition) and SEASHELLS: MORE THAN A HOME, recommends BIRDS OF A FEATHER: BOWERBIRDS AND ME by Susan L. Roth (Neal Porter Books): “One of 2019’s standouts is Birds of a Feather: Bowerbirds and Me—a fascinating expository meditation in which author-illustrator Susan L. Roth compares her creative process to the way a male bowerbird constructs a beautiful, extravagant structure to attract a mate. It broadens our idea of what nonfiction can be.”
Jess Townes (@JessicaTownes), children’s writer and director of outreach and communications for @_allthewonders, recommends BABYMOON by Hayley Barrett, illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal (Candlewick): “As a former doula and lactation counselor, I've had the privilege of bearing witness to the tenderness of the first moments and days when a family grows, and both the text and the illustrations in this book perfectly capture the everyday magic of a new baby.”
Matthew C. Winner (@MatthewWinner), host of the Children’s Book Podcast (@ChildrensBkPod) and co-host of #KidlitTheseDays on @BookRiot, recommends VAMOS! TO THE MARKET by Raúl the Third (Versify): “There is so much for the eye to take in on every page of Raul the Third's debut picture book, but what's most memorable is how fully-realized the setting and its cast present. Readers walk away with a sense of having walked into a market with the leads, taking in the sites, witnessing the drama, and delighting in all that's going on!”
Mike Wu (@tinyteru), Pixar animator and creator of ELLIE and other books for children, recommends PAPER SON: THE INSPIRING STORY OF TYRUS WONG, IMMIGRANT AND ARTIST by Julie Leung, illustrated by Chris Sasaki (Schwartz & Wade): “Paper Son the inspiring story of Tyrus Wong, immigrant and artist. It’s a bit of an illustrated biography (no cute irreverent characters), but I felt it was an important story to tell written by Julie Leung and beautifully illustrated by Chris Sasaki.”
Thank you SO very much to the amazing kidlit folks who shared a favorite title. It was not an easy task, but wow - the results were truly phenomenal. Compiling this list, connecting with each of you, and collecting the gorgeous art was a joy. Now I look forward to digging into these delights in what remains of 2019 and in the New Year, as well.
Wishing everyone a VERY happy holidays!
Anitra
(PS: Be sure to check out the books of the creatives who curated this list!)