2022 Favorite Picture Book Presentation Titles from Betsy Bird and Brian Wilson
Title: Action!: How Movies Began
By: McCarthy, Meghan
Published: 2022
Recommended ages and book descriptions are from the publishers.
Ages 5 to 8
Meghan McCarthy tells the story of the history of movies and the creators who made them. In fascinating detail, she shows how early photography capturing motion became silent films, which led to the first color films.
Title: A Bear, A Bee, and a Honey Tree
By: Bernstrom, Daniel
Published: 2022
Ages 3 to 7
A hungry bear? An angry bee? Only one will taste sweet victory! Who will it be?
Title: Beauty Woke
By: Ramos, NoNieqa
Published: 2022
Beauty--who is of Taino Indian, African, and Boricua heritage--was taught to be strong and proud, but hatred toward people who look like her bruises her heart until her community opens her eyes to the truth.
Title: Berry Song
By: Goade, Michaela
Published: 2022
Ages 4 to 8
As a young Tlingit girl collects wild berries over the seasons, she sings with her grandmother as she learns to speak to the land and listen when the land speaks back.
Title: Big Truck, Little Island
By: Van Dusen, Chris
Published: 2022
Ages 3 to 8
Based on a real incident that occurred in the island town of Vinalhaven, Maine, this rhyming story recounts what happens when a really big flatbed truck carrying a mysterious, covered load across a small island gets stuck on a tight curve and blocks traffic in both directions.
Title: Blue: A History of the Color as Deep as the Sea and as Wide as the Sky
By: Brew-Hammond, Nana Ekua
Published: 2022
Ages 4 to 8
This picture book follows one color's journey throughout history--from ancient Afghan painters to 1905, when a chemical blue dye was created--and around the world, as it becomes the blue we know today.
Title: Brand-New Bubbe
By: Aronson, Sarah
Published: 2022
Ages 4 to 7
Jillian does not want another grandmother, after all she already has a Noni and a Gram, so when her mother marries Michael she is distinctly cool to her new bubbe--but her mother convinces her to give Bubbe a chance, and Jillian and all her grandmothers come together over a bowl of soup. Includes recipes for Matzo Ball Soup, Italian Wedding Soup, and Gazpacho.
Title: Carrimebac: The Town That Walked
By: Moore, David Barclay
Published: 2022
Ages 6 to 9
The Civil War may be over, but times are not substantially improved for the freed Black citizens of Walkerton, Georgia, who are shunned by the white folks of the surrounding towns. One day, though, ol' Rootilla Redgums and her grandson, Julius Jefferson, arrive. Rootilla teaches the citizens of Walkerton how to make all sorts of beautiful things, and the white people can't get enough. But some aren't so happy. When a hooded mob threatens to burn down the town, Julius and Rootilla must work wonders to protect Walkerton and its people--even if it means moving heaven and earth itself.
Title: The Circles in the Sky
By: Mountford, Karl James
Published: 2022
Ages 3 to 7
One morning, Fox is drawn toward the forest. There, in a clearing, he sees something small and silent, perhaps forgotten. It's a bird, lying as still as can be. Fox is confused, upset, and angry. Is the bird broken? Why doesn't it move or sing, no matter what Fox does?
Title: City Under the City
By: Yaccarino, Dan
Published: 2022
Ages 4 to 8
In the city where Bix lives with her family, the Eyes help everyone. With everything! The kids can't even choose what to read. Then one day, Bix discovers an amazing place. In the city under the city, she can make her own choices, and get away from the watchful Eyes.
Title: Climb On!
By: Paul, Baptiste
Published: 2022
Ages 4 to 8
When a young child reminds her dad about the hike they planned, her father is hesitant --To the tippy top? It's a great day to watch futbol (soccer). But as the two climb on, her enthusiasm is contagious. Filled with setbacks, surprises, and stunning views, this warm and humorous story highlights in vivid colors the bonding power of a shared experience.
Title: The Depth of the Lake and the Height of the Sky
By: Jihyun, Kim
Published: 2022
Ages 4 to 7
It's summertime, and a boy and his dog are leaving behind their apartment in the busy city. His grandparents' home in the countryside feels like a different world. From the window, the curious boy sees a path leading enticingly into the forest. He can't wait to explore.
Title: Emile and the Field
By: Young, Kevin
Published: 2022
Ages 4 to 8
Emile loves the field close to his home--in spring, summer, and fall, when it gives him bees and flowers, blossoms and leaves. But not as much in winter, when he has to share his beautiful, changeable field with other children ... and their sleds.
Title: Endlessly Ever After
By: Snyder, Laurel
Published: 2022
Ages 5 to 8
In this rhyming mash-up of many fairy tales, the reader is invited to follow Rosie down the many possible paths which may lead to a sleeping maiden, a hungry wolf, a girl locked in a tower, or a goose that lays golden eggs--but with some luck, and some smart choices, Rosie may save herself and her fellow fairy tale characters.
Title: Fire Chief Fran
By: Ashman, Linda
Published: 2022
Ages 4 to 8
What's a day in the life of a small-town fire department like? In this action-packed adventure, Fire Chief Fran leads her fire-fighters through everything from inspections and drills to dangerous blazes. If a puppy is in danger or a café is ablaze, Fran and her crew are ready to help! When the lights flash and the bells blast, these firefighters leap into action; they need to move fast.
On order!
Title: Firefighter Flo
By: Zimmerman, Andrea
Published: 2022
Ages 3 to 6
Fire Flo gets a call and stops a fire with her team of firefighters.
Title: forever home: a dog and boy love story
By: Cole, Henry
Published: 2022
Ages 3 to 6
Told in two voices, a boy who wants a dog more than anything and an abandoned dog looking for a forever home find each other.
Title: Gibberish
By: Vo, Young
Published: 2022
Ages 4 to 8
When Dat starts school in a country where he does not speak the language, everything around him sound like gibberish until a new friend helps him make sense of his new world.
Title: Growing an Artist
By: Parra, John
Published: 2022
Ages 4 to 8
Today Juanito is accompanying his father who is in the landscaping business, and he takes his sketchbook along to draw anything that catches his eye, and gets to help his father plan an entire garden--and then help plant it.
Title: Hot Dog
By: Salati, Doug
Published: 2022
Ages 4 to 8
A summery picture book about mindfulness, featuring an overheated--and overwhelmed--canine in need of sea, sand, and fresh air.
Title: I Can Explain
By: Yoshitake, Shinsuke
Published: 2022
Ages 5 to 8
A little boy tries to justify all his bad habits to his mother with increasing unlikely explanations.
Title: I'm Not Small
By: Crews, Nina
Published: 2022
Ages 3 to 7
A young boy can feel small in a world made up of big, big things, but when he takes a closer look, he discovers that he is big, too.
Title: The Katha Chest
By: Chowdhury, Radhiah
Published: 2022
Ages 4 to 8
Asiya loves to visit Nanu's house and rummage through her katha chest filled with quilts that tell stories about the bold and brave women in Asiya's family.
Title: Kick Push
By: Morrison, Frank
Published: 2022
Ages 3 to 6
When Epic's family moves to a new neighborhood, he has a hard time making friends and fitting in with his skateboard, but the trick to making new friends is to be yourself!
Title: Knight Owl
By: Denise, Christopher
Published: 2022
Ages 4 to 8
After achieving his dream of becoming a knight, a small owl protects the castle from a hungry dragon.
Title: The Legend of Gravity: A Tall Basketball Tale
By: Palmer, Charley
Published: 2022
Ages 4 to 8
Have you ever heard of Gravity? No, not gravity, the centrifugal force pulling us to the Earth. I'm talking about Gravity--the greatest ball player to ever lace up a pair of sneakers.
Title: Luli and the Language of Tea
By: Wang, Andrea
Published: 2022
Ages 4 to 8
When five-year-old Luli joins her new English as a Second Language class, the playroom is quiet. Luli can't speak English, neither can anyone else. That's when she has a brilliant idea to host a tea party and bring them all together.
Title: Madani's Best Game
By: Pintadera, Fran
Published: 2022
Ages 5 to 9
A neighborhood soccer star has a secret plan for his team's big game--a plan even more impressive than his bicycle kicks.
Title: Me and Muhammad Ali
By: Asim, Jabari
Published: 2022
Ages 3 to 8
Langston's joyous encounter with his hero, boxing champion and poet Muhammad Ali, is everything he dreamed it would be and more.
Title: Mommy's Hometown
By: Lim, Hope
Published: 2022
Ages 3 to 7
When a young boy and his mother travel to her childhood home in Korea, the town is not as he imagined until he visits the river where she used to play and sees that the spirit and happiness of those days remain.
Title: The Most Haunted House in America
By: Dapier, Jarrett
Published: 2022
Ages 4 to 8
A band of skeleton drummers takes a haunted tour of the White House during a Halloween celebration, discovering the many ghosts that roam its halls.
Title: My Fade Is Fresh
By: Grant, Shauntay
Published: 2022
Ages 3 to 7
With so many beautiful hairstyles to choose from like perms and locs, a little girl decides to get the freshest fade on the block.
Title: My Parents Won't Stop Talking
By: Hunsinger, Emma
Published: 2022
Ages 3 to 6
A little girl has big plans for her day at the park, but when her two Mums stop to talk to some chatty neighbors she is convinced that her whole day will be completely ruined.
Title: Night Lunch
By: Fan, Eric
Published: 2022
Ages 4 to 8
In a horse-drawn cart that arrives at night, short-order cook Owl prepares delicious meals for his nocturnal patrons, including a fox, a badger, some possums, and a poor mouse who sweeps the streets.
Title: No! Said Custard the Squirrel
By: Ruzzier, Sergio
Published: 2022
Ages 3 to 6
Rather than fulfill the expectations of his persistent companion, an animal chooses to live authentically.
Title: Odd Birds: Meet Nature's Weirdest Flock
By: Gehl, Laura
Published: 2022
Ages 2 to 4 (Board book)
Introduces babies and toddlers to unusual bird species, including the magnificent frigatebird with a bright red throat pouch and the California condor--the largest flying birds in North America! Gentle rhyming verses provide the comforting repetition that little ones crave, even as their minds are opened to new and fascinating creatures from around the world.
Title: Pina
By: Yemenici, Elif
Published: 2022
Ages 6 to 8
Pina explores the haunted country of the imagination where children struggle to place themselves in the big scary world. Pina's fear to venture out of his little house into the wide world will resonate with timid kids.
Title: The Real Dada Mother Goose
By: Scieszka, Jon
Published: 2022
Ages 7 to 10
The classic nursery rhymes we know and love--upside-down, backward, in gibberish, and fresh out of bounds--as only Jon Scieszka could stage them. Mother knows best, but sometimes a little nonsense wins the day. Inspired by Dadaism's rejection of reason and rational thinking, and in cahoots with Blanche Fisher Wright's The Real Mother Goose, this anthology of absurdity unravels the fabric of classic nursery rhymes and stitches them back together (or not quite together) in every clever way possible.
Title: Rodney Was a Tortoise
By: Forler, Nan
Published: 2022
Ages 3 to 7
A touching picture book about the friendship between a girl and her pet tortoise, and the aftermath of the tortoise's passing.
Title: Still This Love Goes On
By: Sainte-Marie, Buffy
Published: 2022
Ages 3 to 7
With breathtaking lyrics by internationally renowned Cree singer-songwriter Buffy Sainte-Marie and stunning images by award-winning Cree-Métis author and illustrator Julie Flett, this book, based on the song of the same name, is a love letter celebrating seasons, place, Indigenous traditions, and community.
Title: The Three Billy Goats Gruff
By: Barnett, Mac
Published: 2022
Ages 4 to 8
Once there was a bridge and a terrible and VERY hungry troll lived underneath it. When the three Billy Goats Gruff decide to clip-clop across the bridge to get to the grassy ridge, the troll is already imagining all the way to prepare a delicious goat dinner. But the troll underestimates those seemingly sweet but oh-so-savvy goats!
Title: Tiny Spoon Vs. Little Fork
By: Lombardo, Constance
Published: 2022
Ages 4 to 8
Tiny spoon has fed Baby since her first taste of mashed pears! But now Little fork is ready to dish up something Baby can really chew on! Join the fun as two unique utensils step up to the plate and whisk it all.
Title: Together We Ride
By: Bolling, Valerie
Published: 2022
Ages 4 to 7
Told in rhyming text, a young African American girl learns to ride a bike, with the help of her father.
Title: The Very Best Sukkah: A Story from Uganda
By: Nambi, Shoshana
Published: 2022
Ages 4 to 8
Sukkot is Shoshi's favorite Jewish holiday. She and her brothers love to decorate their sukkah, the hut where her family will celebrate. But who will win the Ugandan Abayudaya community's annual sukkah contest? While only one sukkah can be the best, everybody wins when neighbors work together.
Title: Where Is Bina Bear?
By: Curato, Mike
Published: 2022
Ages 2 to 5
iny is having a party, but Bina Bear is nowhere to be found. Is that Bina hiding under a lampshade? It looks like Bina . . . but it must be a lamp. Is that Bina beneath the fruit bowl? It could be . . . but it's probably just a table. Searching for Bina, Tiny realizes something is wrong--and sets out to make it right.
Title: Witch Hazel
By: Idle, Molly
Published: 2022
Ages 4 to 8
A girl is transformed by the magical power of stories through the shared memories of her grandmother Hazel.
Title: The World Belonged to Us
By: Woodson, Jacqueline
Published: 2022
Ages 5 to 8
A group of kids celebrate the joy and freedom of summer on their Brooklyn block.
Title: Your Birthday Was the Best!
By: Hutchings, Maggie
Published: 2022
Ages 3 to 7
A friendly cockroach has snuck undetected into the house, and has proceeded to join in on all of your fun party games. You were so excited to finally spot him napping on top of your birthday cake, having eaten his fill, that you couldn't help but scream!