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The Perfect Picture Book
 
Authors and illustrators share what their picture books are perfect for and how parents and educators can best use them
 

Trucker Kid

 
 

⬇️ Author Carol Gordon Ekster shares about their picture book TRUCKER KID.


✨ "This is the perfect picture book for all elementary students, but especially for those who are part of a trucking family or know of one. The book setting is a classroom and Athena is made fun of because of her love for all things trucking because she loves her trucker-dad so much and misses him when he's on the job." 


📚 "This book can also be used to show how attitudes can be changed through education. Athena explains about trucking to her class and they listen and understand, rather than making fun of her. At the end of the story is a list of some effects of what would happen within just a few days if trucks stopped service, and I also wrote an author's note about the trucking family who inspired this story."


Author: Carol Gordon Ekster

Illustrator: Russ Cox  

Publisher: Capstone 

Publication Date: Jan 2023


Follow:

📌 https://carolgordonekster.com  (lots of activities listed for each of my books) 

📌 https://linktr.ee/carolgordonekster (all my social links)

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B is for Belonging

 
 

⬇️ Author Shannon Anderson shares about their picture book B IS FOR BELONGING.


✨ "This is the perfect picture book for helping kids accept and appreciate who they are."


📚 "This book can also be used to distinguish between belonging and fitting in and to boost self worth."


Author: Shannon Anderson

Illustrator: John Joven

Publisher: Free Spirit Publishing

Publication Date: August 2024


Follow:

📌 www.shannonisteaching.com 

📌 Facebook: authorshannonanderson

📌 Instagram: @shannonisteaching

📌 Twitter: @shannonteaches

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Remembering Sundays With Grandpa

 
 

⬇️ Author Lauren H. Kerstein shares about their picture book REMEMBERING SUNDAYS WITH GRANDPA.


✨ "This is the perfect picture book for exploring the fact that love lives on forever."


📚 "This book can also be used to help children identify and hold onto fond memories during times of grief. "


Author: Lauren H. Kerstein

Illustrator: Nanette Regan

Publisher: Beaming Books

Publication Date: Nov 2023


Follow:

📌 www.LaurenKerstein.net

📌 @LaurenKerstein

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AN ACCIDENTAL HERO: A Mostly True Wombat Story

 
 

⬇️ Author Laura Roettiger shares about their picture book AN ACCIDENTAL HERO: A MOSTLY TRUE WOMBAT STORY.


✨ "This is the perfect picture book for children to see the devastation of forest fires but also the kindness of helping those in need with moments of humor and lightness as Wombat shares her burrow with other animal species."


📚 "This book can also be used to feature STEM and Climate Change themes with extensive information about Australian animals and fire safety. "


Author: Laura Roettiger

Illustrator: Debbie Palen

Publisher: Eifrig Publishing

Publication Date: 2/13/2024


Follow:

📌 LauraRoettigerBooks.com 

📌 @ljrwritenow on IG, Twitter, and Bluesky

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Meet the Pollinators: A Night and Day Adventure

 
 

⬇️ Illustrator Cathy Morrison shares about their picture book MEET THE POLLINATORS: A NIGHT AND DAY ADVENTURE.


✨ "This is the perfect picture book for all of us who want to learn about the intricate dance between pollinators and flowers."


📚 "This book can also be used to engage young learners about pollination—even small creatures make enormous Earth contributions."


Author: Barbara Ciletti

Illustrator: Cathy Morrison

Publisher: Schiffer Kids (https://www.schiffer-kids.com/) 

Publication Date: July 28, 2024


Follow:

📌 @cathymorrisonillustrates

📌 https://cathymorrison.blogspot.com/

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Copy That, Copy Cat!: Inventions Inspired by Animals

 
 

⬇️ Author Katrina Tangen shares about their picture book COPY THAT, COPY CAT!: INVENTIONS INSPIRED BY ANIMALS.


✨ "This is the perfect picture book to make STEAM learning fun! It uses riddles, die-cuts, and flaps to introduce biomimicry in a fun, interactive way. Discover everyday inventions that were inspired by animals, from sonar to snowshoes!"


📚 "This book can also be used as a funny read aloud! Page-turn surprises will keep kids guessing and laughing at group storytimes."


Author: Katrina Tangen

Illustrator: Giulia Orecchia

Publisher: Barefoot Books

Year: 2023


Follow:

📌 www.katrinatangen.com 

📌 Facebook: Katrina Tangen Author (http://www.facebook.com/katrinatangenauthor) 

📌 Instagram: @katrinatangen (https://www.instagram.com/katrinatangen)

📌 Twitter: @katrinatangen (https://twitter.com/katrinatangen) 

📌 Threads: @katrinatangen (https://www.threads.net/@katrinatangen) 

📌 Bluesky: @katrinatangen.bsky.social (https://bsky.app/profile/katrinatangen.bsky.social)

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Doña Gracia Saved Worlds

 
 

⬇️ Author Bonni Goldberg shares about their picture book DOÑA GRACIA SAVED WORLDS.


✨ "This is the perfect picture book for discovering a little known mighty woman from history."


📚 "This book can also be used to explore identity, community, and the idea that every person is like a whole world."


Author: Bonni Goldberg

Illustrator: Alida Massari

Publisher: Karben

Publication Date/Year: December 2023


Follow:

📌 www.bonnigoldberg.com

📌 www.facebook.com/bonnigoldbergbooks 

📌 www.instagram.com/goldbergbonni

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Everybody Has A Body

 
 

⬇️ Author Molli Jackson Ehlert shares about their picture book EVERYBODY HAS A BODY.


✨ "This is the perfect picture book for kids of all ages!"


📚 "This book can also be used in schools and libraries. It's a wonderful way to encourage acceptance and foster conversation."


Author: Molli Jackson Ehlert

Illustrator: Lorian Tu

Publisher: Fewiwel & Friends

Pub Year: 2023


Follow:

📌 www.mollijacksonehlert.com 

📌 (IG) @mollimakesthings 

📌 (X) @mollimakes

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Finley: A Moose on the Caboose

 
 

⬇️ Author Candace Spizzirri shares about their picture book FINLEY: A MOOSE ON THE CABOOSE.


✨ "This is the perfect picture book for young adventurers everywhere...especially train and moose lovers!"


"This book can also be used for … 

📚 a fun, engaging, and giggly read-aloud, 

📚 and to promote discussions about rules, determination, and making what seems impossible possible."


Author: Candace Spizzirri

Illustrator: Chantelle and Burgen Thorne

Publisher: Gnome Road Publishing

Publication: April 18, 2023


Follow:

📌 candacespizzirri.com

📌 Instagram @CCSpizzirri

📌 X/Twitter/ @CCSpizzirri1

📌 Facebook @CandaceSpizzirri

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Animals in Surprising Shades: Poems About Earth’s Colorful Creatures

 
 

⬇️ Author Susan Johnston Taylor shares about their picture book ANIMALS IN SURPRISING SHADES: POEMS ABOUT EARTH'S COLORFUL CREATURES.


✨ "This is the perfect picture book for discovering how their colors help animals find a mate, avoid predators, and more!"


📚 "This book can also be used for exploring different poetry formats!"


Author: Susan Johnston Taylor

Illustrator: Annie Bakst

Publisher: Gnome Road Publishing

Publication Date/Year: March 2023


Follow:

📌 @UrbanMuseWriter on IG & X

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Free to Be Fabulous!

 
 

⬇️ Author David McMullin shares about their picture book FREE TO BE FABULOUS!


✨ "This is the perfect picture book for doing what you love, dancing, and bullying!"


📚 "This book can also be used for celebrating Pride."


Author: David McMullin

Illustrator: Robbie Cathro

Publisher: Clarion

Publication Date/Year: April 30, 2024


Follow:

📌 Instagram/twitter: @davidmcmullinpb

📌 website: https://www.davidmcmullinbooks.com/welcome/

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Fire Flight: A Wildfire Escape

 
 

⬇️ Author Cedar Pruitt shares about their picture book FIRE FLIGHT: A WlLDFIRE ESCAPE.


✨ "This is the perfect picture book for anyone curious about owls, wildfire, helicopters, climate change, firefighting, good stories in the news, and unforgettable surprise connections!"


📚 "This book can also be used to enjoy poetry, STEM facts, dynamic vocabulary, gorgeous illustrations, and...did I mention one unforgettable owl?"


Author: Cedar Pruitt

Illustrator: Chiara Fedele

Publisher: Capstone Editions

Publication Date/Year: 1/1/2024


Follow:

📌 www.CedarPruitt.com

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A Little Golden Book Biography: MEL BROOKS

 
 

⬇️ Author Christy Mihaly shares about their picture book A LITTLE GOLDEN BOOK BIOGRAPHY: MEL BROOKS.


✨ "This is the perfect picture book for parents, grandparents, and other special grownups who want to share stories of a favorite comic genius with their littles."


📚 "This book can also be used for adult fans of "Young Frankenstein" and "Blazing Saddles" who loved Mel's movies when they were kids but might not be ready to let their kids see them quite yet ..."


Author: Christy Mihaly

Illustrator: Kelly Kennedy

Publisher: Golden Books

Publication Date: Jan. 2, 2024


Follow:

📌 Website: www.christymihaly.com 

📌 IG: @christymihaly 

📌 FB: https://www.facebook.com/christymihaly/ 


📷 Photo credit: Bear Pond Books

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The House Before Falling into the Sea

 
 

⬇️ Author Ann Suk Wang shares about their picture book THE HOUSE BEFORE FALLING INTO THE SEA.


✨ "This is the perfect picture book for children 4-10 years old…on up! Even college students and grandparents will be using this as a tool to launch discussions on multi-generational storytelling and more!"


"This book can also be used for …

📚 discussing hard topics with children, from their perspective, in a kid-friendly way,

📚 refugees, Korean war, any war, 

📚 crowded living environments, 

📚 historical fiction, 

📚 loving your neighbor, and 

📚 hope in the midst of hardship."


Author: Ann Suk Wang

Illustrator: Hanna Cha (received a Caldecott honor for The Truth Abot Dragons 2023)

Publisher: Dial (Penguin Random House)

Publication date/year: March 12, 2024


Follow:

📌 annsukwang.com

📌 @annsukwang (*instagram, facebook, threads, Bluesky, TikTok)

Moo Hoo

 
 

⬇️ Author Audrey Perrott shares about their picture book MOO HOO.


✨ "This is the perfect picture book for readers who love to laugh but also cry A LOT when feeling big feelings."


📚 "This book can also be used as a way to show readers how to accept themselves and their feelings, as well as have empathy for others. A SEL story of self-love and friendship."


Author: Audrey Perrott

Illustrator: Ross Burach

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Publication Date: April 16, 2024


Follow:

📌 HTTPS://www.audreyperrott.com 

📌 Instagram/Threads: audreysbooksandbakes

📌 X/Twitter: audreyperrott

A Stone Is a Story

 
 

⬇️ Author Leslie Barnard Booth shares about their picture book A STONE IS A STORY.


"This is the perfect picture book for 

✨ curious kids, 

✨ kids who love rocks, 

✨ and teaching about rocks and the rock cycle."


📚 "This book can also be used to explore deep time and the ways Earth has changed over hundreds of millions of years."


Author: Leslie Barnard Booth

Illustrator: Marc Martin

Publisher: Simon & Schuster/McElderry

Publication Date/Year: October 3, 2023


Follow:

📌 lesliebarnardbooth.com 

📌 Instagram: @lesliebarnardbooth.books

📌 X: @LBB_books

The Mountain of Gold

 
 

⬇️ Illustrator Stephanie Cotta shares about their picture book THE MOUNTAIN OF GOLD.


"This is the perfect picture book for 

✨ readers who love fables (like Aesop's Fables),

✨ teaching where true riches/treasures are found,

✨ the dangers and consequences of greed,

✨ and life lessons."


📚 "This book can also be used to show the importance of family and teaching contentment."


Author: Fred J. Fisher

Illustrator: Stephanie Cotta

Publisher: Caterpillar Books

Publication Date: May 14, 2024


Follow:

📌 www.sdaniellacotta.com 

📌 linktr.ee/StephanieCotta 

📌 X: @CottaStephanie

Dream Submarine

 
 

⬇️ Author Charlotte Gunnufson shares about their picture book DREAM SUBMARINE.


✨ "This is the perfect picture book for ocean explorers."


📚 "This book can also be used for animal lovers, folks who geek out on facts and maps, and World Oceans Day."


Author: Charlotte Gunnufson

Illustrator: Cleonique Hilsaca

Publisher: Candlewick

Pub Date: June 4, 2024


Follow:

📌 https://www.booksbycharlotte.com/  

📌 @CharlotteGunnu1

When God Makes Scribbles Beautiful

 
 

⬇️ Author Kate Rietema shares about their picture book WHEN GOD MAKES SCRIBBLES BEAUTIFUL.


✨ "This is the perfect picture book for grief, loss, and finding hope."


Author: Kate Rietema

Illustrator: Jennie Poh

Publisher: B&H Kids

Publication Date: March 19, 2024


Follow:

📌 www.katerietema.com 

📌 X and IG @KateRietema 

📌 Facebook Kate Rietema - Children's Author

My Mom is Not a Superhero!

 
 

⬇️ Author Darcie Naslund shares about their picture book MY MOM IS NOT A SUPERHERO!


✨ "This is the perfect picture book for families dealing with a chronic illness/invisible illness, more specifically Multiple Sclerosis."


📚 "This book can also be used for the representation and understanding of illnesses and disabilities—How can someone be supportive?"


Author: Darcie Naslund

Illustrator: Dania El Khatib

Publisher: DC Canada Education Publishing

Publication Date: May 4, 2024


Follow:

📌 www.darcienaslund.com 

📌 Instagram: @darcienaslundwrites

📌 X: @DarcieNaslund

📌 Facebook: Author Darcie Naslund