15 New Picture Books 2016

These newly released picture books about friendship will give you and your children lots of warm cuddly lap time and stories to spark discussion.

Picture Books About Friendship

My Two Blankets by Irena Kobold, illustrated by Freya Blackwood
IMMIGRATION
Cartwheel arrives in a new country where no on speaks like her and everything sounds and feels strange and lonely. She meets a friendly girl at the park and they play on the swings but she still doesn’t understand what the girl is saying. But, the girl helps her learn new words every time they play. Soon Cartwheel begins to feel comfortable in her new home.

Nobody! by Erin Frankel, illustrated by Paula Heaphy
BULLYING
Thomas used to like school until a bully named Kyle started picking on him. Thomas thinks maybe Kyle is right until his friends stick up for him, that he’s not a nobody! He’s a somebody. This is a fantastic story to read aloud and discuss with children.

Lizard from the Park by Mark Pett
PET FRIENDSHIP
Leonard takes good care of his egg and the lizard it hatches. When the lizard grows and grows, it’s clear that he’s unhappy so Leonard decides he must return his pet to the park. Lovely and sweet.

Strictly No Elephants by Lisa Mantchev, illustrated by Taeeun Yoo
INCLUSION
When the Pet Club won’t permit elephants, the boy leaves sadly. However, he soon meets a girl with a skunk and other friends with unusual pets. Together they make an inclusive location for all in a wonderful tree house! What a great book to teach about inclusion and acceptance.

 
Bears Make the Best Reading Buddies by Carmen Oliver, illustrated by Jean Claude
READING
Adelaide makes a convincing argument to her teacher that she doesn’t need a reading buddy because she already has one — a bear! And he’s the best buddy. Which we see in all their illustrated-reading glory!

A Big Surprise for Little Card by Charise Mericle Harper, illustrated by Anna Raff
LIBRARY
Little Card is so excited to become a library card for a special little girl!

Ella and Penguin Stick Together by Megan Maynor, illustrated by Rosalinde Bonnet
PLAY
This will make a fun gift since it’s a sweet story about a little girl and her penguin friend exploring and decorating with glow-in-the-dark stars.

Too Many Carrots by Katy Hudson
SHARING
Another winning picture book from the talented Katy Hudson! Rabbit has a problem — his carrot collection is overflowing his burrow and he can’t fit there anymore. His animal friends offer their homes but he and his carrots destroy everyone’s houses. The only thing to do? Share all his carrots with his friends. A good book for your 3 year old readers.

The Brownstone by Paula Scher, illustrated by Stan Mack
COOPERATION
The Bear family is ready for hibernation but there’s a huge noise problem. This silly book shows all the animals working together to shift apartments so that everyone finds the best apartment. You’ll love the illustrations!

Bug Zoo by Andy Harkness
PETS
Ben, a bug enthusiast, can’t figure out why no one is visiting his bug collection aka. bug zoo — does he need more bugs? bigger bugs? the perfect moth? I absolutely adore these illustrations that show in beautiful colors how Ben releases the bugs back to the wild so he can enjoy the bugs there.

Duck, Duck, Dinosaur by Kallie George, illustrated by Oriol Vidal
FAMILIES

Mama Duck loves her babies, they’re sweet, funny, and cuddly. And under Mama’s wings, no one is bigger, sweeter, or funnier, or better than the others Bright illustrations capture the unconditional love of a happy family.

Goose Goes to the Zoo by Laura Wall
FRIENDSHIP

Goose and Sophie are best friends but when Sophie worries that Goose needs a friend while she’s at school So they visit the zoo. Until Goose meets other geese. They’re nice friends but he will always be Sophie’s best friend.

Dill and Bizzy An Odd Duck and a Strange Bird by Nora Ericsson, illustrated by Lisa Ericsson
FRIENDSHIP
One strange bird brings out the “odd duck” in Dill, a perfectly ordinary duck, and the duo have lots of silly and strange adventures in this beautifully written and illustrated picture book about friendship.

Little Dog Lost by Guido Van Genechten
SPECIAL BONDS
Little dog looks for his owner and on each page, he tells us more of his owner’s description — a beautiful, round and shiny red nose, a plastic white daisy in the buttonhole of his jacket, bright yellow trousers, . . . see if you can guess who his owner is while reading the clues!

The Hueys In What’s the Opposite by Oliver Jeffers
FAMILY
Even if you don’t love the Hueys, you’ll love them after this darling book shows their adventures while illustrating opposites.