30 Outstanding New Picture Books, September 2024

Still Life written by Alex London, illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky
ART
An artist painting a still life explains what “still life” is–objects sitting still and nothing moving. (Hint, but there are things moving.) The artist elaborates that there are NO eager mice hiding or dragons ruining the tablecloth, or knights fighting, or a princess following clues! Of course, everything the narrator tells you isn’t there actually is there on the painting, causing mayhem and hilarity. The artwork is stunning. The still life paintings illustrated by Zelinsky are painty contrasting with the silly action characters that are cartooney.

I Want to Read All the Books written and illustrated by Debbie Ridpath Ohi
BOOKS / READING
Bookworm approved. Teacher approved. Parent approved! This is a sweet story about a girl (like me) who wants to read ALL the books and learn all the things. But Hana discovers the library is filled with more books than she can ever read. And instead of feeling happy, she feels overwhelmed. (Relatable!) A kind librarian and her mom help Hana see that even if she can’t read all the books, it’s fun to share the ones you love with friends. So she starts a book club! What a wonderful celebration of learning, reading, and friendship!

The Table written by Winsome Bingham and Wiley Blevins, illustrated by Jason Griffin
FAMILY MEMORIES
I love this book for so many reasons. The writing sings with sensory images and specificity. The illustrations and strips of text capture the small moments. And the story. The story is about what unites a family, the memories together at a table with the backdrop of a mining community. This family’s life around the table is filled with moments–Easter eggs, sewing sis’s dress, teaching Meemaw to read, and then, bills that are hard to pay. When Papa loses his mining job, they move and must leave the too-big table behind. Until…they find another table. The main character narrator imagines the table’s story and the families that used it before hers. How brilliant would this book be as a writing prompt?! Use this as a mentor text for sensory images, specific details, fluency, small moments, word choice (look for alliteration!), and figurative language.

Garland of Lights: A Diwali Story written by Chitra Soundar, illustrated by Amberin Huq
DIWALI
A counting book about Diwali, this is a beautifully illustrated book about the traditions of the Hindu holiday called Diwali. Each of the thirteen days means one more lamp lit and gifts, food, art, and celebrations until you get to the last light, and it’s a Happy New Year!

The Night Market written by Seina Wedlick and illustrated by Briana Mukodiri Uchendu
AFRICAN MARKET / FANTASY
Colorful lights illuminate the dark purples and blues of this enchanting, magical market night. The girl’s parents give her a bag of gold, and she wanders through the market filled with the sound of drums, hawkers, and nightingales, the smells of foods like roasted nuts, and the sights of flowing jellyfish and the African stone game. The night market offers so much to explore!

No More Señora Mimí written by Meg Medina, illustrated by Brittany Chiccese
RELATIONSHIPS / HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH
This is the heartfelt story of a sweet girl named Ana who is excited that abeula is coming to live with her. But soon Ana realizes that abeula’s arrival, means no more señora Mimí. Señora Mimí reassures Ana that they will always be neighbors, and Ana and her abeula are always welcome for visits. Emotional writing with lots of sensory images from the talented Meg Medina, plus gorgeous, warm illustrations, makes this an outstanding, must-own, must-read picture book for your schools, homes, and libraries. /

Crick Crack Crow written by Janet Lord, illustrated by Julie Paschkis
BIRDS
Crow flies around looking for mischief. He steals some tasty treats and finds himself trapped in a dark barn. Maybe he’ll stick closer to home for his adventures. But, then, he finds dangerous trouble. Repetitive onomatopoeia and rollicking action make this a crow adventure kids will enjoy.

Mr. Fox’s Game of “No!” written by David LaRochelle, illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka
INTERACTIVE PRESCHOOL / FUNNY
Perfection for preschool readers–this book will crack kids up as it proposes that readers must say NO to everything that Mr. Fox asks. Of course, Mr. Fox asks if they want ice cream, to go swimming with dolphins, and if they are wearing underwear. Hilarious!

Jonty Gentoo: The Adventures of a Penguin written by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
ADVENTURE / PENGUINS
You’ll love reading aloud this informative yet fun rhyming adventure of a zoo penguin who decides to find the Pole his aunties tell him about. He escapes through a gap in the fence and finds the ocean, swimming for ever and feeling very tired. Will Jaunty find the Pole? He learns from a helpful Polar Bear that he’s at the North Pole. Luckily a kind-hearted tern helps him find the South Pole. Passing blue whales and swordfish, he swims until he hops a ride in a boat. Now, will Jaunty find the South Pole?

Noodles on a Bicycle written by Kyo Maclear and Gracey Zhang
JAPANESE CULTURE
I love the illustrations and the descriptive writing showing kids watching the noodle delivery people on bicycles, balancing trays, legs circling, and speedy spinners. Then, the kids give it a try, too, practicing stacking trays and cycling. When the sun lowers and the city slows down, the kids eat soba noodles with their family, including Papa, who is tired from delivering noodles, savoring the chewy sweetness before going to bed.

A Star Shines Through written and illustrated by Anna Desnitskaya
EMIGRATION / REFUGEE
This is a sweet and simple story about emigration and the challenges and changes. The girl and her mom used to live in a city with a star lamp shining in the window, but then the war came. Now they’re in a different country and apartment with a different view, language, and food. The girl’s mom brings home a new cardboard star lamp which helps things become a little less different. The author’s note explains her own emigration journey from Ukraine, searching for a new home.

Counting Winter written by Nancy White Carlstom, illustrated by Claudia McGehee
WINTER / COUNTING
From one to twelve, count the different creatures, including golden eagles, red squirrels, furry voles, and shaggy musk oxen who stalk, talk, track, crack, and face race WINTER. Lyrical and sensory with vivid verbs and fun adverbs, this is an atmospheric read-aloud perfect for the winter season, illustrated with incredible vibrant art.

The Most Beautiful Winter written and illustrated by Christina Sitja Rubio, translated by Vineet Lal
WINTER
When snow blankets the forest, Badger doesn’t feel like sleeping. He wants to play with his friends. But when he visits one after another, they are all sleeping! He tries entertaining himself, but it doesn’t work for long. Finally, he finds friends who will play with him–the birds! Lovely text and illustrations.

The Wild Guide to Starting School written by Laura and Philip Bunting
STARTING SCHOOL
Get the tips and rules for starting school from wild creatures who explain what’s recommended and not recommended. From tips to waking up to the drop-off goodbye to being a good listener, you’ll soon be ready to learn, make friends, and adapt to your new habitat.

The Ship in the Window written by Travis Jonker, illustrated by Matthew Cordell
You’ll love these illustrations in tones of blues and browns that capture a little mouse named Mable who lives in a cabin with a man and a boy. The man in the cabin has a prized possession — a model ship — that even the boy isn’t allowed to touch. but Mabel dreams about being a captain on that model ship. Does it sail? she often wonders. One day, she must know– and take the ship out for a ride in the water. And it’s magnificent until the man wakes up. What will he do when he sees Mabel in his prized possession? This is an atmospheric book of dreams, curiosity, and wonder.

Sharing Shalom written by Danielle Sharkan, illustrated by Selina Alko
JEWISH HERITAGE / ACCEPTANCE OF OTHERS
With the rise of antisemitism around the world, we need books like this one. This story shows a Jewish girl struggling to be proud of her beloved heritage after someone vandalizes her synagogue. When Leila sees her friends and neighbors (who are all different faiths, colors, shapes, and sizes) join together help repair what was broken, their kindness helps repair her broken heart. After that, she pulls back out her Star of David necklace to display it proudly. And for show and tell at school, Leila teaches her classmates how to write “shalom” in Hebrew. Peace.

Things That Go Bump in the Day written by Melinda Beatty, illustrated by Charlene Chua
SCARY / HALLOWEEN
In a reversal story, the vampire is scared of the human things that make sounds like the lawnmower or the fire truck. His mom explains what each one is, only she has a completely different idea of what they are. The lawnmower, for example, is the two-headed Hortense the hairy Horflinger who has a cold. Will your kids crack up at all the silliness? I think they will!