18 Memorable New Picture Books, May 2024
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The illustrations in this month’s new picture books SHINE. That’s the whole reason we read picture books, right? The art tells the story as much as the text. (Although in some of these books, I will admit to liking the art more than the story and will tell you in my reviews which ones those are.)
Onward to the new books!
New Picture Books, May 2024
Walkies A Dog’s Tale written and illustrated by Estrela Lourenco 
WORDLESS / DOG WALK
This beautiful book needs no words because the vivid illustrations do it all. Grumpy Kid must walk Dog even in the rain. Much to Kid’s annoyance, Dog pulls Kid, stops to sniff (and won’t budge), and stomps through puddles. But before long, Kid begins to have fun, too. They splash through the rain and puddles and find a peaceful spot to rest. Even after the rain is over, the Kid and Dog adventure home with tumbles and cuddles and later, go on a second walkie with Mom.
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On a Summer Night written by Deborah Hopkinson, illustrated by Kenard Pak
SUMMER NIGHT
Gentle, sensory writing draws us into the night outside after the child, the cat, the dog, the rabbit, the tree awake. Repetitive questions ask what has woken each person, animal, or object. Was it you? A whisper of wind curls around you. A lone cloud appears in the star-sprinkled sky. It’s still and quiet outside. And then the child returns inside. But who has woken the moon? This book feels like a prayer — still, peaceful, and filled with love.
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Hen in the Bed written by Katrina Charman, illustrated by Guilherme Karsten
SILLY PRESCHOOL SONG
Based on the familiar song, this is a delightfully fun farm animal version with sturdy split pages that readers turn as the next animal rolls off the bed. With math, animal noises, repetition, interactivity, and gorgeous illustrations, this is a perfect read-aloud for the 2, 3, and 4-year-old readers on your lap. LOVE!
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Go and Get with Rex written by David LaRochelle, illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka
FUNNY / ALPHABET
The narrator plays a game with Jack, Jill, and Rex, the dog–they must “Go and Get” something that starts with a certain letter. Jack and Jill bring back something expected, but Rex brings back ducks. Kids will laugh until Rex explains that it’s not D for duck but it’s F for friend, and M for a musician. So fun!
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May You Love and Be Loved Wishes for Your Life written and illustrated by Cleo Wade
GRADUATION GIFT BOOK
Written like a prayer or a blessing for the reader except using the language of wishes, the message expresses wishes for the reader’s life to be filled with love, wonder, new things, different places, experiences that change the reader, weirdness as a superpower, and more inspirational hopes and dreams. This is a children’s book that makes sense for older readers and would be a good gift book for graduations.
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Your House Is Not Just a House written by Idris Goodwin, illustrated by Lorraine Nam
IMAGINATION
Celebrate your imagination by seeing everyday things as something else, something more! That closet is a teleportation chamber. Your shower is a wild jungle during rainy season. Your blanket fort is a hiding spot from angry warthogs. A wonderful book to remind us all to imagine many possibilities.
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Monster Hands written by Karen Kane and Jonaz McMillan, illustrated by Dion MBD
SIGN LANGUAGE
Milo is scared of the monster under his bed so he asks his neighbor Mel in sign language what to do. Mel signs back that Milo should try shining a light on the wall and making monster hands. Mel keeps giving Milo ideas and Milo continues to make monster shadows on the wall, finally combining all the monster hand moves at once. Eventually, the monster is gone. Milo signs a big hug to his friend. The artwork beautifully captures the nighttime hues illuminated by flashlights as well as the sign language communication and emotions of the characters.
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Ollie, the Acorn, and the Mighty Idea written by Andrew Hacket, illustrated by Kaz Windness
GROWTH / BULLYING / FRIENDSHIP
Written in one of the strongest narrative voices I’ve read recently, Ollie is fed up with neighbor Everett’s bullying, so he decides to become an MIGHTY oak tree. (As one does.) He swallows an acorn, eats soil, adds water and sun, and transforms into a mighty oak. After Ollie behaves like a bully and feels bad, he and Everett talk and transform. They learn that they can do mighty things…together. The artwork dances off the page. Kaz’s distinctive artistic style isn’t just a visual feast; it gives us all the feels. Lovely!
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A Bear, a Fish, and a Fishy Wish written by Daniel Bernstrom, illustrated by Brandon James Scott
FUNNY
In this funny, sweet story, Bear wants a fish, and Fish wants a home. (NOT to get eaten.) What will happen when the hungry bear tries to catch the homesick fish? Masterfully written with very few words and illustrated with gorgeous illustrations that narrate much of the story, readers will crack up at the deluge of fish submerging the bear and also love that the hungry bear lets the wishful fish swim down the river in peace. I predict your readers will require many repeated readings of this playful story.
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The Quickest Bedtime Story Ever! written by Louise Fitzgerald, illustrated by Kate Hindley
BEDTIME / SILLY
Before the quickest bedtime story, the build-up to reading the bedtime commences. There’s much to do, including wiggling and plumping of pillows that must happen. Your toys must be tucked in and ready. You must sound a fanfare. Finally, it’s time. And yes, the story is short! So maybe one more short story can be added on? Sleep tight. Good night!
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Here Be Dragons written by Susannah Lloyd, illustrated by Paddy Donnelly
GIRL POWER
A hapless but determined knight who speaks in medieval language embarks on a quest to find a dragon. He quests, declares, pontificates, and completely misses all clues to the dragon. Even when he sees a girl tied up, he is clueless. Luckily, the horse unties the girl, who chases away the dragon. It’s a trope that honestly sort of bugs me because I’m not a fan of making one gender super stupid for mocking purposes, but this story is worth a read for the fabulous illustrations.
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Gray written by Laura Dockrill, illustrated by Lauren Child
EMOTIONS
Even though I generally don’t recommend stories where the child doesn’t have agency (the mom gives the child life-chanting advice in this story), I do like the point of this story of a child who is feeling gray. The child’s grownup reminds him that gray clouds make rain that makes puddles, and you can draw with colors on the gray sidewalk. The mom reminds the child that all the colors are inside of them and her love won’t change. The best thing about this book is the artwork — the die-cup pages you can peek through and Child’s classic collage art are wonderful.
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The Goat and the Stoat and the Boat written by EM Lynas, illustrated by Matt Hunt
FRIENDSHIP / PRESCHOOL / EARLY READER
A Stoat (a mouse-like creature) plays in the boat. The Goat wants to float in the boat with the Stoat. But the Stoat doesn’t want him to! So there’s a chase, a capsize, a rescue, and… a new friendship. Rhyming and featuring the -oa word family, this will be a fun read aloud and possibly a great early reader choice!
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Parrotfish Has a Superpower written by Jill Esbaum, illustrated by Bob Shea
ANIMALS
Parrotfish meets Hammerhead shark and tells him all about the Parrotfish’s many features — from where they sleep to their thousand little teeth — building up to the most important feature of all. The Parrotfish superpower! Can you guess what it is? I won’t spoil the book’s secret, but I can tell you it has to do with their poop. Their conversational interaction is playful, informative, and entertaining. The artwork pops off the page with bright colors, making this story extra engaging.
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Mouse on the River A Journey Through Nature written by William Snow and illustrated by Alice Melvin
COMMUNITY / JOURNEY / RIVER LIFE
Yet another picture book with amazing colored pencil illustrations that elevate the simple story into a stunning experience. Follow Mouse as he travels by river to his friend’s house. As you read, lift the flaps to uncover more illustrations of the river, activity on the banks and bridges, buildings with other animals, what’s hidden in the marshy grasses, and more. A lovely journey! Back matter describes things along the river from the story and lists things that Mouse packed.
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No. 5 Bubblegum Street written by Mikolaj Pa, illustrated by Gosia Herba, translated by Scotia Gilroy
COMMUNITY
The illustrations in this colorful animal-filled picture book will immediately draw you in as the text describes the different animals who live in this apartment building. Each animal has different interests but they all come together for a part to celebrate their community and their talents.
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Being Home written by Traci Sorell, illustrated by Michaela Goade
MOVING TO ANCESTRAL LANDS
The text is quite minimal, describing the family’s move to ancestral lands. But the illustrations are what really shine with pinks and greens, patterns and shapes. They pop off the page.
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Sister written by Leia M. Johnson, illustrated by S.J. Winkler
FOSTER CARE
A little girl shares what it’s like when her parents open their home to foster kids. First, a baby for a few days. Next, a brother for longer. It makes her so sad to see him leave that the girl feels reluctant to try again. Eventually, she agrees, and a girl her age comes to stay. The foster girl stays forever because the parents adopt her. And now they are sisters for real. The story gently introduces the concept of temporary and permanent foster placements and the emotions that can come with both.
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