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The Perfect Picture Book
 
Authors and illustrators share what their picture books are perfect for
 

Ladybug Launch: Inspired by a True Story of Chinitas in Space

 
 

⬇️ Author Melissa Trempe shares about their picture book LADYBUG LAUNCH: INSPIRED BY A TRUE STORY OF CHINITAS IN SPACE: 


✨ "This is the perfect picture book for all kids, especially girls and Latinx readers, who have interests in science, insects, or fascinating true stories."


📚 "This book can also be used by teachers and librarians seeking multicultural stories featuring characters who persist and overcome the odds."

📚 "This is also perfect for science students studying insects or classrooms learning how to ask scientific questions and conduct experiments."


Author: Melissa Trempe & Dr. Natalia Ojeda

Illustrator: Manuela Montoya

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry (S&S)

Publication Date/Year: April 16, 2024


Follow:

📌 melissatrempe.com

📌 Instagram: @melissatrempe.author

📌 X: @melissa_trempe

📌 Note- Natalia and Manuela are not on Twitter. They are on Instagram @manumontoyae and @natitaojeda

Winter: A Solstice Story

 
 

⬇️ Author Kelsey E. Gross shares about their picture book WINTER: A SOLSTICE STORY:


✨ "This is the perfect picture book for kids who love animals and the magic of winter. It's a cozy winter read!"


📚 "This book can also be used to teach about hope, friendship, and kindness, as well as introduce the winter solstice."


Author: Kelsey E. Gross

Illustrator: Renata Liwska

Publisher: Paula Wiseman/ Simon & Schuster

Publication: October 10, 2023


Follow:

📌 Website: kelseyegross.com 

📌 Instagram and X: @kelseyegross

Stand as Tall as the Trees: How an Amazonian Community Protected the Rain Forest

 
 

⬇️ Author Laura Resau shares about their picture book STAND AS TALL AS THE TREES: HOW AN AMAZONIAN COMMUNITY PROTECTED THE RAIN FOREST. 


✨ "This is the perfect picture book for elementary schoolers and their families and teachers to learn about how we can work together to protect natural places we care about."


📚 "This book can also be used to understand how Indigenous people are defending their sacred lands against oil drilling and other kinds of exploitation."


Authors: Patricia Gualinga and Laura Resau

Illustrator: Vanessa Jaramillo

Publisher: Charlesbridge

Publication date: July 2023


Follow:

📌 https://www.LauraResau.com/standastallasthetrees 

📌 https://www.instagram.com/lauraresau/

Flat Cat

 
 

⬇️ Author Tara Lazar shares about their picture book FLAT CAT:


✨ "This is the perfect picture book for funny families."


📚 "This book can also be used to warn silly kids about flat felines."


Author: Tara Lazar

Illustrator: Pete Oswald

Publisher: Flamingo Books (PRH)

Publication Date: September 19, 2023


Follow:

📌 https://linktr.ee/taralazar

Christmas Ahoy!

 
 

⬇️ Author Erin Dealey shares about their picture book CHRISTMAS AHOY!


✨ "This is the perfect picture book for boat lovers of all ages."


📚 "This book can also be used to celebrate with a lighted boat parade."


Author: Erin Dealey

Illustrator: Kayla Stark

Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press

Publication Date: July 2023 


Follow Erin Dealey:

📌 erindealey.com ; https://twitter.com/ErinDealey

📌 https://www.instagram.com/erindealey/ 

Follow: Kayla Stark (Illustrator)

📌 https://twitter.com/StarkKayla 

📌 https://www.instagram.com/kayla_stark/ 

Follow: Sleeping Bear Press (Publisher)

📌 https://twitter.com/SleepingBearBks

📌 https://www.instagram.com/sleepingbearpress/

Tricky Chopsticks

 
 

⬇️ Author Sylvia Chen shares about their picture book TRICKY CHOPSTICKS:


✨ "This is the perfect picture book for those who struggle with chopsticks, those who have mastered the skill, and those who enjoy humor and clever STEAM-thinking."


This book can also be used . . .

📚 to help kids facing frustrating challenges

📚 to encourage problem-solving with persistence

📚 to share a fun craft activity tied to the story


Author: Sylvia Chen

Illustrator: Fanny Liem

Publisher: Atheneum/Simon & Schuster

Publication Date/Year: March 19, 2024


Follow:

📌 Author Website: www.sylviaichen.com

📌 Book Website: www.trickychopsticks.com

📌 @SylviaiChen on Twitter/Instagram/Bluesky/Threads

Dear Mr. G

 
 

⬇️ Author Christine Evans shares about their picture book DEAR MR. G:


✨ "This is the perfect picture book for teaching letter-writing and discussing friendship across generations."


📚 "This book can also be used to help kids who are missing a loved one."


Author: Christine Evans

Illustrator: Gracey Zhang 

Publisher: Union Square Kids 

Pub date: April 4, 2023


Follow:

📌 http://christinenancyevans.com

📌 @ChristineNEvans (everywhere on social media)

NO WORLD TOO BIG: Young People Fighting Global Climate Change

 
 

⬇️ Author Lindsay H. Metcalf shares about their picture book NO WORLD TOO BIG: YOUNG PEOPLE FIGHTING GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE. 


✨ "This is the perfect picture book for combatting climate anxiety by providing inspiring stories of young people working in the climate space today."


This book can also be used for . . .

📚 learning to read and write poetry

📚 discovering the many ways climate change affects people around the world

📚 understanding how to move from "me to we" in fighting climate change


Anthology Editors: Lindsay H. Metcalf, Keila V. Dawson, and Jeanette Bradley

Illustrator: Jeanette Bradley

Publisher: Charlesbridge

Publication date: March 14, 2023


Follow:

📌 lindsayhmetcalf.com 

📌 @lindsayhmetcalf

📌 @jea_bradley

📌 @keilavdawson

📌 @charlesbridgepublishing

Same Love, Different Hug

 
 

⬇️ Author Sarah Hovorka shares about their picture book SAME LOVE, DIFFERENT HUG:

 

✨ "This is the perfect picture book for showing kids how to empathize with others."

 

📚 "This book can also be used for teaching about diversity and disability."

 

Author: Sarah Hovorka
Illustrator: Abbey Bryant
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication Date/Year: June 2023

 

Follow Sarah Hovorka:
📌 https://www.sarahhovorka.com
📌 @HovorkaSarah Twitter

Just a Worm

 
 

⬇️ Author/illustrator Marie Boyd shares about their picture book JUST A WORM:


✨ "This is the perfect picture book for anyone who has ever compared themselves to others and felt like they have fallen short."


"This book can also be used . . .

📚 to teach young scientists and gardeners about the natural world,

📚 to encourage young helpers to look for ways that they can contribute to their communities, and

📚 to inspire young artists to make their own quilled paper art."


Author/illustrator: Marie Boyd

Publisher: Greenwillow Books (HarperCollins)

Publication Date: March 2023


Follow Marie Boyd:

📌 www.marieboyd.com 

📌 @artistscholar

Journey to the Stars: Kalpana Chawla, Astronaut

 
 

⬇️ Author Laurie Wallmark shares about their picture book JOURNEY TO THE STARS: KALPANA CHAWLA, ASTRONAUT:

 

✨ "This is the perfect picture book for any child who has dreams."

 

📚 "This book can also be used to encourage an interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering, math)."

 

Authors: Laurie Wallmark and Raakhee Mirchandani
Illustrator: Maitreyi Ghosh
Publisher: Beaming Books
Pub date: 2/13/24

 

Follow Laurie Wallmark:
📌 lauriewallmark.com
📌 @lauriewallmark

Poop for Breakfast: Why Some Animals Eat It

 
 

⬇️ Author Sara Levine shares about their picture book POOP FOR BREAKFAST: WHY SOME ANIMALS EAT IT: 


✨ "This is the perfect picture book for teaching about the digestive system in a gross and engaging way."


📚 "This book can also be used to make kids laugh!"


Author: Sara Levine

Illustrator: Kate Slater

Publisher: Millbrook/Lerner

Publication Date: April 2023


Follow Sara Levine:

📌 https://www.saralevinebooks.com/ 

📌 @saralevinebooks (instagram and fb)

📌 @saraclevine (twitter/X)

My Grandpa, My Tree, and Me

 
 

⬇️ Author Roxanne Troup shares about their picture book MY GRANDPA, MY TREE, AND ME:

 

✨ "This is the perfect picture book for celebrating grandparents and learning where our food comes from."

 

This book can also be used:
📚 to study lyrical language
📚 to learn about the seasons and how those seasons affect farmers
📚 as a mentor text for writers using a compare and contrast story structure

 

Author: Roxanne Troup
Illustrator: Kendra Binney
Publisher: Yeehoo Press
Publication Date: April 2023

 

Follow Roxanne Troup:
📌 www.roxannetroup.com
📌 @roxannetroup (on Twitter/X)

The Wishing Flower

 
 

⬇️ Author A.J. Irving shares about their picture book THE WISHING FLOWER:

 

✨ "This is the perfect picture book for shy and queer children who long for friendship."

 

📚 "This book can also be used for social emotional learning, celebrating Pride, and studying literary devices."

 

Author: A.J. Irving
Illustrator: Kip Alizadeh
Publisher: Knopf BFYR
Publication date: May 30, 2023

Follow A.J. Irving:


📌 Website: https://ajirving.com/
📌 IG/Twitter: @aj_irving

How Cats Say I Love You

 
 

⬇️ Author Guy Brown shares about their picture book HOW CATS SAY I LOVE YOU: 


✨ "This is the perfect picture book for all curious children who are interested in loving a pet cat (whether a current cat owner or open to rescuing a cat of their own). This book is about learning social cues of love, and showing affection to people and pets."


Author: Guy Brown

Illustrator: Davide Ortu

Publisher: Platypus media

Publication Date: September 2023


Follow Guy Brown:

📌 @guybrownweather and/or @guybrownbooks on Instagram and twitter (x)

Paula's Patches

 
 

⬇️ Author Gabriella Aldeman shares about their picture book PAULA'S PATCHES:

 

✨ "This is the perfect picture book to celebrate mending and reusing."

 

This book can also be used:
📚 to illustrate the power of creative thinking, empathy, and kindness.
📚 as a starting point to discuss consumerism and throw away culture.

 

Author: Gabriella Aldeman
Illustrator: Rocio Arreola Mendoza
Publisher: Free Spirit Publishing
Pub Date: July 2023

 

Follow Gabriella Aldeman:
📌 website: https://www.writebetween.com/
📌 IG and Twitter/X: @write_between

Gift & Box

 
 

⬇️ Author Ellen Mayer shares about their new picture book GIFT & BOX:

 

✨ "This is the perfect picture book for holiday and birthday gift-giving."

 

This book can also be used to:
📚 explore gift-giving as an expression of love
📚 talk about friendship and working together
📚 talk about grandparent-grandchild relationships
📚 spark creativity
📚 learn about the postal system
📚 discuss different modes of transportation
📚 get ready for a long voyage

 

Author: Ellen Mayer
Illustrator: Brizida Magro
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
Publication Date: October 10, 2023

 

Follow Ellen Mayer:
📌 www.ellenmayerbooks.com
📌 @ellenmayerbooks

Make More S'mores

 
 

⬇️ Author Cathy Ballou Mealey shares about their picture book MAKE MORE S'MORES:

 

✨ "This is the perfect picture book for campfire storytimes."

 

📚 "This book can also be used to encourage sharing and hospitality."

 

Author: Cathy Ballou Mealey
Illustrator: Ariel Landy
Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press
Publication Date: March 2023

 

Follow Cathy Ballou Mealey:
📌 https://cathyballoumealey.wixsite.com/author
📌 @catballoumealey on Instagram/X Twitter and Bluesky

Keep Dreaming, Black Child

 
 

⬇️ Author Nyasha Williams shares about their new picture book KEEP DREAMING, BLACK CHILD: 


✨ "This is the perfect picture book for budding activists and dreamers."


Nyasha also says that this book can be used:

📚 to encourage supporting the dreams of others. 

📚 as a reminder not to ever give up on your dreams.

📚 for affirmations towards an Antiracist and just world.


Author: Nyasha Williams 

Illustrator: Sawyer Cloud

Publisher: Running Press Kids 

Publication Date: December 5th 2023


Follow Nyasha Williams:

📌 @writingtochangethenarrative 

📌 https://www.nyashawilliams.online/

Heroes Don't Have to Fly

 
 

⬇️ Author Shannon Anderson shares about their picture book HEROES DON'T HAVE TO FLY: 


✨ "This is the perfect picture book for promoting kindness by using our words to encourage."


This book can also be used for:

📚 talking about bullying.

📚 sharing the power of our words.


Author: Shannon Anderson

Illustrator: Olga Demidova

Publisher: Clever Publishing

Publication Date: July 2023


Follow Shannon Anderson:

📌 www.shannonisteaching.com

📌 Facebook: authorshannonanderson

📌 Twitter:@shannonteaches

📌 Instagram: @shannonisteaching