The Best Books of 2023 – Picture (A Year-End List Aggregation)
“What are the best Picture books released in 2023?” We looked at 235 of the top Picture books, aggregating and ranking them so we could answer that very question!
The top 42 books, all appearing on 2 or more “Best Picture” book lists, are ranked below by how many times they appear. The remaining 175+ titles, as well as the sources we used, are in alphabetical order on the bottom of the page.
Our other Best Of 2023 Articles:
- The Best Art, Photography, And Coffee Table Books
- The Best AudioBooks
- The Best Biography And Memoir Books
- The Best Graphic Novels And Comics
- The Best Cookbooks
- The Best Fiction Books
- The Best Books (All Catergories)
- The Best History Books
- The Best Kids, Children, and Youth Books
- The Best Mystery, Horror, and Thriller Books
- The Best Nonfiction Books
- The Best Picture Books
- The Best Poetry Books
- The Best Science And Nature Books
- The Best Science Fiction And Fantasy Books
- The Best Young Adult Books
Previous Years: 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015
Happy Scrolling!
Top 42 Best Picture Books From 2023
42.) A Walk in the Woods written by Nikki Grimes. Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney and Brian Pinkney.
Lists It Appears On:
- Kirkus Review
- Publishers Weekly
Confused and distraught after the death of his father, a boy opens an envelope he left behind and is surprised to find a map of the woods beyond their house, with one spot marked in bright red. But why? The woods had been something they shared togeth…
41.) An American Story written by Kwame Alexander. Illustrated by Dare Coulter.
Lists It Appears On:
- Kirkus Review
- Publishers Weekly
From the fireside tales in an African village, through the unspeakable passage across the Atlantic, to the backbreaking work in the fields of the South, this is a story of a people’s struggle and strength, horror and hope. This is the story of Americ…
40.) Ancestory: The Mystery and Majesty of Ancient Cave Art written by Hannah Salyer
Lists It Appears On:
- Kirkus Review
- Publishers Weekly
Around the world, our ancient ancestors’ mysterious art is left behind on cave walls, in rainforests, and with ink made from charcoal and crushed clay. These people told their stories in magnificent drawings that still speak to us today, echoing acro…
39.) At the Drop of a Cat written by Élise Fontenaille
Lists It Appears On:
- Kirkus Review
- NY Times
At six years old, the child-narrator of this picture book loves nothing more than spending time with his grandpa, Luis—especially in his marvelous garden, where green beans reach as high as the sky. Luis’s garden is where the little boy practices rea…
38.) Before, Now written by Daniel Salmieri
Lists It Appears On:
- NY Times
- Publishers Weekly
Ava’s world is full of opposites: colorful sneakers on a gray sidewalk, thick books made up of thin sheets of paper, and dreams of huge spaces in her small head. Together, these opposites depict a full and impactful life, as Ava moves from girl to st…
37.) Begin Again: How We Got Here and Where We Might Go – Our Human Story. So Far. written by Oliver Jeffers
Lists It Appears On:
- Barnes & Noble
- Waterstones
With his bold, iconic art, Oliver Jeffers follows the human path from the dawn of our species through history, sharing profound, sometimes poignant, commentary on our present, and then offers a challenge: Where do we go from here? How can we create n…
36.) Desert Queen written by Jyoti Rajan Gopal
Lists It Appears On:
- BookPage
- Kirkus Review
This picture book biography in verse follows the life of beloved Rajasthani drag performer Queen Harish, known as the Whirling Desert Queen of Rajasthan. Lit by an inner fire and propelled by a family tragedy, Harish defied the gender conventions of …
35.) Evergreen written by Matthew Cordell
Lists It Appears On:
- Kirkus Review
- Publishers Weekly
Evergreen the squirrel is afraid of many things: thunder, hawks, and the dark paths of Buckthorn Forest. But when her mother tasks Evergreen with delivering soup to her sick Granny Oak, the little squirrel must face her fears and make the journey….
34.) Every Dreaming Creature written by Brendan Wenzel
Lists It Appears On:
- BookPage
- Kirkus Review
Welcome to a magical world of endless curiosity. You are a sleeping salamander. A dancing octopus. A speeding falcon…even a sneaking tiger and playful human child. As one dream slips into another, every page turn immerses you in the sensory wonder …
33.) Friends Beyond Measure written by
Lists It Appears On:
- Chicago Public Library
- Kirkus Review
Ana and Harwin’s friendship has been off the charts since day one! But when Harwin learns her family is going to move far away, the duo isn’t sure how their friendship can survive the move….
32.) How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney? written by Mac Barnett
Lists It Appears On:
- Kirkus Review
- Waterstones
When Santa arrives at a child’s house on Christmas Eve, does he go down the chimney feetfirst or headfirst? What if he gets stuck? What if there’s no chimney? Maybe he slides under the door, as thin as a piece of paper? Or is it possible he pours him…
31.) How to Write a Poem written by Kwame Alexander
Lists It Appears On:
- Kirkus Review
- NY Times
From this first stanza, readers are invited to pay attention—and to see that paying attention itself is poetry. Kwame Alexander and Deanna Nikaido’s playful text and Melissa Sweet’s dynamic, inventive artwork are paired together to encourage readers …
30.) I’m From written by Gary R. Gray Jr., illustrated by Oge Mora
Lists It Appears On:
- Kirkus Review
- School Library Journal
These are the small moments that shape a child’s day. I’m From is an invitation into the vivid world of one small boy, a poetic account of all the people and places and things that shape who he is and define where he is from….
29.) Jumper: A Day in the Life of a Backyard Jumping Spider written by Jessica Lanan
Lists It Appears On:
- Kirkus Review
- Publishers Weekly
From critically acclaimed illustrator of The Lost Package comes a bold nonfiction story following a day in the life of a backyard jumping spider – meticulously researched and utterly charming….
28.) Mole Is Not Alone written by Maya Tatsukawa
Lists It Appears On:
- BookPage
- Kirkus Review
Mole is invited to a party, which is very worrisome. What if the party is too rowdy for Mole? What if Mole doesn’t know anyone there? What if Mole is just too shy to make friends? Mole worries through the tunnels, around Snake’s burrow, under the for…
27.) Moon’s Ramadan written by
Lists It Appears On:
- School Library Journal
- Chicago Public Library
It’s Ramadan, the month of peace, and Moon watches over Ramadan traditions with excitement and longing in this sweetly illustrated debut….
26.) My Baba’s Garden written by Jordan Scott
Lists It Appears On:
- Kirkus Review
- School Library Journal
A young boy spends his mornings with his beloved Baba, his grandmother. She doesn’t speak much English, but they connect through gestures, gardening, eating, and walking to school together. Marked by memories of wartime scarcity, Baba cherishes food,…
25.) My Powerful Hair written by Carole Lindstrom, illustrated by Steph Littlebird
Lists It Appears On:
- Kirkus Review
- School Library Journal
Mom never had long hair—she was told it was too wild. Grandma couldn’t have long hair—hers was taken from her. But one young girl can’t wait to grow her hair long: for herself, for her family, for her connection to her culture and the Earth, and to h…
24.) Oh No, the Aunts Are Here written by Adam Rex
Lists It Appears On:
- BookPage
- Kirkus Review
One girl’s all-too-recognizable experience—a visit from a troupe of overwhelming and overly enthusiastic relations—escalates to new heights of chaos, absurdity, and delight in a laugh-out-loud take on family reunions. Written with signature humor by …
23.) Once Upon A Book written by
Lists It Appears On:
- Chicago Public Library
- Kirkus Review
Alice loves to imagine herself in the magical pages of her favorite book. So when it flaps its pages and invites her in, she is swept away to a world of wonder and adventure, riding camels in the desert, swimming under the sea with colorful fish, flo…
22.) Papá’s Magical Water-jug Clock written by Jesús Trejo Eliza Kinkz (Illustrator)
Lists It Appears On:
- Chicago Public Library
- Kirkus Review
In Mexican American comedian Jesús Trejo’s debut picture book, a little boy makes a big, funny mistake and learns the value of resources like time and water—both of which have a magic all their own….
21.) Rock, Rosetta, Rock! Roll, Rosetta, Roll! written by Tonya Bolden
Lists It Appears On:
- Kirkus Review
- NY Times
Award-winning author Tonya Bolden and acclaimed illustrator R. Gregory Christie deliver an inspiring true story about the life, career, and impact of 20th-century blues and gospel singer Sister Rosetta Tharpe, who was a trailblazer for rock-and-roll….
20.) Simon and the Better Bone written by
Lists It Appears On:
- Chicago Public Library
- Kirkus Review
Using the same innovative format as his Caldecott Honor winner, Mel Fell, Corey R. Tabor reimagines Aesop’s “The Dog and His Reflection” in a clever, charming tale of empathy and generosity….
19.) Spanish Is the Language of My Family written by
Lists It Appears On:
- Chicago Public Library
- Kirkus Review
As a boy prepares for his school’s Spanish spelling bee, he asks his grandmother for help with some of the words he doesn’t know how to spell yet. When she studies with him, she tells him how different things were back when she was a girl, when she w…
18.) Stranded! written by
Lists It Appears On:
- Chicago Public Library
- Kirkus Review
Based on a true story, the author humorously recounts the time his grandfather got stranded with a friend on Surtsey, a brand new volcanic island in Iceland. The adventurers face epic challenges like molten lava, melted eyeglasses and scant supplies …
17.) Ten-Word Tiny Tales written by Joseph Coelho
Lists It Appears On:
- Kirkus Review
- Waterstones
Is it possible to spin a tale using just ten words? In this magnificent compendium, author and poet Joseph Coelho proves that it is—with mini-stories of underwater worlds, demon hamsters, bears in outer space, and portals to places unknown. From char…
16.) The Artivist written by
Lists It Appears On:
- Chicago Public Library
- Kirkus Review
When a young boy realizes the scope of inequities in the wider world, he’s seized with the urge to do more. He decides to bring together the different parts of himself—the artist and the activist—to become. . . an Artivist. After his mural goes viral…
15.) The Good Hair Day written by
Lists It Appears On:
- Chicago Public Library
- Kirkus Review
Noah has a special day coming up, and he has a very long wish list. But there’s one thing missing from it, the thing he wants more than anything else in the world: long, beautiful, wavy hair….
14.) The Hospital Book written by
Lists It Appears On:
- Chicago Public Library
- Kirkus Review
Lisa Brown is a graphic novelist as well as a picture book creator whose talents inform the design of this book chock full of speech bubbles that will delight kids and parents alike. This is a funny, accessible, and above all comforting tale of a ver…
13.) To the Other Side written by Erika Meza
Lists It Appears On:
- Kirkus Review
- School Library Journal
A young boy and his older sister have left home to play a game. To win, they must travel across endless lands together and make it to the finish line. Each child imagines what might be waiting for them across the border: A spotted dog? Ice cream! Or …
12.) Tomfoolery! Randolph Caldecott and the Rambunctious Coming-of-Age of Children’s Books written by Michelle Markel, illus. by Barbara McClintock
Lists It Appears On:
- Kirkus Review
- Publishers Weekly
Quick! If you don’t move fast, you’ll miss him—there he goes—Randolph Caldecott, future famous illustrator. His sketchbook is full of hurly-burly: wild weather, frisky animals, and people so sprightly they can barely hold onto the pages. But in the 1…
11.) We Are Here written by Tami Charles
Lists It Appears On:
- Kirkus Review
- School Library Journal
Lyrical, affirmational, and bursting with love, We Are Here is a poignant story about Black and brown heritage and community. Full of assurance, tenderness, and triumph, this much-anticipated follow-up to the New York Times bestselling picture book A…
10.) Ancient Night written by David Álvarez with David Bowles
Lists It Appears On:
- BookPage
- Kirkus Review
- Publishers Weekly
David Álvarez is one of the most extraordinary artists working today. His black-and-white illustrations have gained fame in his home country of Mexico and around the world….
9.) Mr. S written by Monica Arnaldo
Lists It Appears On:
- Chicago Public Library
- Publishers Weekly
- School Library Journal
Prepare for plenty of giggles as a kindergarten class arrives for their first day of school but can’t find their teacher—only a delicious-looking sandwich and the words “Mr. S” scribbled on the chalkboard. Chaos ensues as the kids argue whether the s…
8.) Summer Is for Cousins written by Rajani LaRocca, illus. by Abhi Alwar
Lists It Appears On:
- Chicago Public Library
- Kirkus Review
- Publishers Weekly
Ravi can’t wait to spend summer vacation at the lake house with his family—especially his cousins! Summer vacation is for days at the beach, long hikes, paddleboarding, and—of course—ice cream. Ravi and his oldest cousin, Dhruv, had the same favorite…
7.) The Tree and the River written by Aaron Becker
Lists It Appears On:
- Kirkus Review
- Publishers Weekly
- School Library Journal
In an alternate past—or possible future—a mighty tree stands on the banks of a winding river, bearing silent witness to the flow of time and change. A family farms the fertile valley. Soon, a village sprouts, and not long after, a town. Residents lea…
6.) When You Can Swim written by Jack Wong
Lists It Appears On:
- BookPage
- Kirkus Review
- Publishers Weekly
In this exploration of what it truly means to swim, expansive vignettes introduce sandpipers, tannin-soaked lakes, and the feeling of a small waterfall on sun-soaked shoulders. But what about those who are afraid of the water’s mysterious ways and re…
5.) Zora, the Story Keeper written by Dare Coulter
Lists It Appears On:
- Chicago Public Library
- Kirkus Review
- School Library Journal
When Zora grows up, she wants to be just like Aunt Bea. Aunt Bea is the best storyteller she knows! Every day after school, Zora heads to her aunt’s house, where they take out their family book and turn Aunt Bea’s kitchen into their stage. They raid …
4.) Do You Remember? written by Sydney Smith
Lists It Appears On:
- Chicago Public Library
- Kirkus Review
- LoveReading 4 Kids
- Publishers Weekly
Tucked in bed at a new apartment, a boy and his mother trade favorite memories. Some are idyllic, like a picnic with Dad, but others are more surprising: a fall from a bike into soft piled hay, the smell of an old oil lamp when a rainstorm blew the p…
3.) Something, Someday written by Amanda Gorman and Christian Robinson
Lists It Appears On:
- Barnes & Noble
- Kirkus Review
- School Library Journal
- Waterstones
Presidential inaugural poet and #1 New York Times bestselling author Amanda Gorman and Caldecott Honor and Coretta Scott King Honor winner Christian Robinson have created a timeless message of hope….
2.) There Was a Party for Langston written by Jason Reynolds, illus. by Jerome and Jarrett Pumphrey
Lists It Appears On:
- Barnes & Noble
- Chicago Public Library
- Kirkus Review
- Publishers Weekly
- School Library Journal
Back in the day, there was a heckuva party, a jam, for a word-making man. The King of Letters. Langston Hughes. His ABCs became drums, bumping jumping thumping like a heart the size of the whole country. They sent some people yelling and others, his …
1.) Big written by Vashti Harrison
Lists It Appears On:
- Barnes & Noble
- BookPage
- Chicago Public Library
- Kirkus Review
- Publishers Weekly
- School Library Journal
The first picture book written and illustrated by award-winning creator Vashti Harrison traces a child’s journey to self-love and shows the power of words to both hurt and heal. With spare text and exquisite illustrations, this emotional exploration …
The 175+ Additional Best Picture Books Released In 2023
43) ¡El Cucuy también tiene miedo! – Donna Barba Higuera List: (Chicago Public Library)
44) ¡Vamos! Let’s Go Read – List: (School Library Journal)
45) 10 Dogs – Emily Gravett List: (LoveReading 4 Kids)
46) 9 Kilometers – Claudio Aguilera List: (Kirkus Review)
47) A Cloud in a Jar – Aaron Lewis Krol List: (BookPage)
48) A Human for Kingsley – List: (School Library Journal)
49) A LETTER FOR BOB – Kim Rogers List: (Kirkus Review)
50) A PLACE CALLED AMERICA – Jennifer Thermes List: (Kirkus Review)
51) A Whale of a Time: A Funny Poem for Every Day of the Year – Lou Peacock List: (Waterstones)
52) Abuelos – List: (Chicago Public Library)
53) Afterward, Everything was Different – Rafael Yockteng List: (Kirkus Review)
54) ALL ABOARD THE SCHOOLTRAIN – David Álvarez List: (Kirkus Review)
55) Amy Gets Eaten: The laugh-out-loud picture book from bestselling Adam Kay and Henry Paker – Adam Kay List: (Waterstones)
56) As Night Falls:Creatures That Go Wild After Dark – List: (NY Times)
57) AWAKE, ASLEEP – Kyle Lukoff List: (Kirkus Review)
58) Baboo the Unusual Bee – Lliana Bird List: (Waterstones)
59) Bear Is Never Alone – List: (NY Times)
60) Benita y las criaturas nocturnas – Mariana Llanos List: (Chicago Public Library)
61) Betty and the Mysterious Visitor – Anne Twist List: (Waterstones)
62) Big Tune – Alliah L. Agostini List: (Chicago Public Library)
63) BING! BANG! CHUGGA! BEEP! – Michael Sampson List: (Kirkus Review)
64) BOYOGI – David Barclay Moore List: (Kirkus Review)
65) Breaking to the Beat! – Linda J. Acevedo List: (Kirkus Review)
66) BRIDGES – Marc Majewski List: (Kirkus Review)
67) Bunny and Tree – Balint Zsako List: (NY Times)
68) Can We Please Give the Police Department to the Grandmothers? – Junauda Petrus, illus. by Kristen Uroda List: (Publishers Weekly)
69) Clive Penguin – Huw Lewis Jones List: (Waterstones)
70) Contenders – Traci Sorell List: (Kirkus Review)
71) CORNER – Zo-O List: (Kirkus Review)
72) D is for Dog – Em Lynas List: (LoveReading 4 Kids)
73) Darwin’s Super-Pooping Worm Spectacular – Polly Owen List: (Kirkus Review)
74) DESERT JUNGLE – Jeannie Baker List: (Kirkus Review)
75) Dim Sum Palace – List: (Chicago Public Library)
76) Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Sleigh! – Mo Willems List: (Barnes & Noble)
77) Don’t Tickle the Gorilla! – Touchy-feely sound books – Sam Taplin List: (Waterstones)
78) Doris – Lo Cole List: (LoveReading 4 Kids)
79) Dormouse Has a Cold: A Lift-the-flap Story – Tales From Acorn Wood – Julia Donaldson List: (Waterstones)
80) Down the Hole – Scott Slater List: (Barnes & Noble)
81) DREAM BIG, LAUGH OFTEN – Hanoch Piven List: (Kirkus Review)
82) Drew, Moo and Bunny, Too – Owen Sheers List: (Waterstones)
83) Eclipse – Andy Rash List: (Publishers Weekly)
84) El barrilito mágico de Papá – List: (Chicago Public Library)
85) El día del agua – List: (Chicago Public Library)
86) El español es la lengua de mi familia – List: (Chicago Public Library)
87) El pañuelo amarillo – List: (Chicago Public Library)
88) El pulpo se escapa – List: (Chicago Public Library)
89) El viaje de Yenebi a la escuela – List: (Chicago Public Library)
90) Elena Rides – Juana Medina List: (Publishers Weekly)
91) EVERYBODY HAS A BODY – Molli Jackson Ehlert List: (Kirkus Review)
92) Everything Possible – Fred Small List: (Waterstones)
93) Finding Papa – List: (Chicago Public Library)
94) Flora and Nora Hunt for Treasure – Kim Hillyard List: (Waterstones)
95) Geoffrey Gets the Jitters – Nadia Shireen List: (Waterstones)
96) Gigantic – Rob Biddulph List: (Waterstones)
97) Giraffe and a Half – Nicola Kent List: (LoveReading 4 Kids)
98) Glitter Everywhere! Where It Came From, Where It’s Found & Where It’s Going – Chris Barton, illustrated by Chaaya Prabhat List: (Kirkus Review)
99) Grandad’s Pride – Grandad’s Camper – Harry Woodgate List: (Waterstones)
100) Grandpa and the Kingfisher – Assistant Professor Anna Wilson List: (Waterstones)
101) GREENLIGHT – Breanna Carzoo List: (Kirkus Review)
102) Greg the Sausage Roll: Wish You Were Here: Signed Bookplate Edition – Mark Hoyle List: (Waterstones)
103) Gustav Is Missing!: A Tale of Friendship and Bravery – Andrea Zuill List: (Barnes & Noble)
104) Hamster Heroes – Peter Bently List: (Waterstones)
105) Hanukkah Upside Down – List: (School Library Journal)
106) Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes: Sing along with Floella – Floella Benjamin List: (Waterstones)
107) High Top: The Sneaker That Just Can’t Stop – Tom Lacey List: (Waterstones)
108) Holding Her Own – Shannon Wright List: (Kirkus Review)
109) Home is Where My Heart Is – Smriti Halls List: (LoveReading 4 Kids)
110) HOW DO YOU SPELL UNFAIR? – Frank Morrison List: (Kirkus Review)
111) How the Grinch Lost Christmas! – Dr. Seuss List: (Waterstones)
112) HOW THIS BOOK GOT RED – Margaret Chiu Greanias List: (Kirkus Review)
113) I am Oliver the Otter: A Tale from our Wild and Wonderful Riverbanks – Pam Ayres List: (Waterstones)
114) If I Was a Horse – Sophie Blackall List: (Chicago Public Library)
115) IN BETWEEN – April Pulley Sayre List: (Kirkus Review)
116) Jovita Wore Pants: The Story of a Mexican Freedom Fighter – Aida Salazar, illustrated by Molly Mendoza List: (Kirkus Review)
117) Julia Donaldson’s Book of Names – Julia Donaldson List: (Waterstones)
118) JUMP IN! – Shadra Strickland List: (Kirkus Review)
119) Just Like Grandma – Kim Rogers List: (Chicago Public Library)
120) Like Lava In My Veins – Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Shawn Martinbrough List: (Kirkus Review)
121) Little Dumplings – Jekka Kuhlmann List: (Chicago Public Library)
122) LITTLE LAND – Diana Sudyka List: (Kirkus Review)
123) Little Monsters Rule! – David Walliams List: (Waterstones)
124) Lolo’s Sari-Sari Store – List: (School Library Journal)
125) Los monstruos juegan…a contar! – List: (Chicago Public Library)
126) Luna Loves Books – Luna Loves… – Joseph Coelho List: (Waterstones)
127) Madame Badobedah and the Old Bones – Madame Badobedah – Sophie Dahl List: (Waterstones)
128) Mama’s Sleeping Scarf – Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie List: (Waterstones)
129) MARTINA HAS TOO MANY TÍAS – Emma Otheguy List: (Kirkus Review)
130) Martina tiene muchas tías – List: (Chicago Public Library)
131) Mary’s Idea – List: (NY Times)
132) Mi hermano está lejos – List: (Chicago Public Library)
133) Mina Belongs Here – List: (School Library Journal)
134) MONSTER! THIRSTY! DRINK! – Sean Taylor List: (LoveReading 4 Kids)
135) Much Too Busy – John Bond List: (Waterstones)
136) My Bollywood Dream – List: (School Library Journal)
137) My Grandfather’s Song – List: (School Library Journal)
138) My Hair Is Like the Sun – St. Clair Detrick-Jules List: (Chicago Public Library)
139) My Strange Shrinking Parents – Zeno Sworder List: (Kirkus Review)
140) NELL PLANTS A TREE – Anne Wynter List: (Kirkus Review)
141) Nigel y la luna – List: (Chicago Public Library)
142) Night in the City – List: (Chicago Public Library)
143) NOT HE OR SHE, I’M ME – A.M. Wild List: (Kirkus Review)
144) Noticing – Kobi Yamada List: (Barnes & Noble)
145) Nuestro techo es azul – Sara E. Echenique List: (Chicago Public Library)
146) Ode to A Bad Day – List: (Chicago Public Library)
147) Oh, Panda – Cindy Derby List: (Publishers Weekly)
148) On the Tip of a Wave – List: (Kirkus Review)
149) One Little Word – Joseph Coelho List: (LoveReading 4 Kids)
150) PAPA’S HOME – David Soman List: (Kirkus Review)
151) PENNY & PIP – Hayden Goodman List: (Kirkus Review)
152) Plátanos Go with Everything – List: (School Library Journal)
153) Que tu vida sea deliciosa – List: (Chicago Public Library)
154) Rainbow Shopping – Qing Zhuang List: (BookPage)
155) Remember – Joy Harjo, illustrated by Michaela Goade List: (Kirkus Review)
156) SALAT IN SECRET – Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow List: (Kirkus Review)
157) Scroll – Hui Li List: (BookPage)
158) Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam: Train Trouble – Tracey Corderoy List: (Waterstones)
159) Skeletown – List: (Chicago Public Library)
160) SOMETIMES IT’S NICE TO BE ALONE – Amy Hest List: (Kirkus Review)
161) Speak Up! – Nathan Bryon List: (Waterstones)
162) Spicy Spicy Hot! – List: (Chicago Public Library)
163) Stars of the Night – Caren Stelson List: (Kirkus Review)
164) STICKLER LOVES THE WORLD – Lane Smith List: (Kirkus Review)
165) Story Dog – Jan Fearnley List: (Waterstones)
166) Supertato: Mean Green Time Machine – Supertato – Sue Hendra List: (Waterstones)
167) Ten Little Bugs – Mike Brownlow List: (Waterstones)
168) Ten Minutes to Bed: Little Dragon – Rhiannon Fielding List: (Waterstones)
169) That Flag – Tameka Fryer Brown, illustrated by Nikkolas Smith List: (School Library Journal)
170) That’s Not My Fire Engine… – THAT’S NOT MY® – Rachel Wells List: (Waterstones)
171) THE AMAZING AND TRUE STORY OF TOOTH MOUSE PÉREZ – Ana Cristina Herreros List: (Kirkus Review)
172) The Artist – Ed Vere List: (LoveReading 4 Kids)
173) THE BEAR AND THE WILDCAT – Komako Sakai List: (Kirkus Review)
174) The Bear, the Book and the Blanket – Lou Peacock List: (Waterstones)
175) The Big Cheese – Jory John List: (Barnes & Noble)
176) The Big Dreaming – Michael Rosen and Daniel Egnéus List: (Waterstones)
177) THE BOOK OF TURTLES – Sy Montgomery List: (Kirkus Review)
178) The Boy Who Would Be King – Michael Morpurgo List: (Waterstones)
179) THE CONCRETE GARDEN – Bob Graham List: (Kirkus Review)
180) THE COURAGE OF THE LITTLE HUMMINGBIRD – Leah Henderson List: (Kirkus Review)
181) The Duck Never Blinks – Alex Latimer List: (LoveReading 4 Kids)
182) THE FIRE OF STARS – Kirsten W. Larson List: (Kirkus Review)
183) THE GENTLE GENIUS OF TREES – Philip Bunting List: (Kirkus Review)
184) The Great Storm Whale – Storm Whale – Benji Davies List: (Waterstones)
185) THE GREEN PIANO – Roberta Flack List: (Kirkus Review)
186) The Indestructible Tom Crean: Heroic Explorer of the Antarctic – Jennifer Thermes List: (Kirkus Review)
187) The King’s Pants: A children’s picture book to celebrate King Charles III’s 75th birthday – Nicholas Allan List: (Waterstones)
188) The Light Within You – List: (School Library Journal)
189) The Littlest Yak: Home Is Where the Herd Is – Lu Fraser List: (Waterstones)
190) THE MASJID KAMAL LOVES – Ashley Franklin List: (Kirkus Review)
191) The Nature Journal – List: (Chicago Public Library)
192) The Oak Tree – Julia Donaldson List: (Waterstones)
193) The Pandas Who Promised – Rachel Bright List: (Waterstones)
194) The Princess With The Blazing Bottom – A Very Fiery Fairy Tale – Beach List: (Waterstones)
195) The Search for the Giant Arctic Jellyfish – Chloe Savage List: (Kirkus Review)
196) THE SHADE TREE – Suzy Lee List: (Kirkus Review)
197) THE SHAPE OF YOU – Mượn Thị Văn List: (Kirkus Review)
198) The Skull: A Tyrolean Folktale – Jon Klassen List: (Waterstones)
199) The Squirrel and the Lost Treasure – Coralie Bickford-Smith List: (Waterstones)
200) The Stinky Wonky Donkey – Craig Smith List: (Waterstones)
201) The Train Home – Dan-ah Kim List: (Chicago Public Library)
202) The Truth About Dragons – List: (School Library Journal)
203) The Truth About Max – Alice and Martin Provensen List: (Publishers Weekly)
204) The Truth About Yeticorns – Rachel Morrisroe List: (Waterstones)
205) THE VOICE IN THE HOLLOW – Will Hillenbrand List: (Kirkus Review)
206) The Walk – Winsome Bingham List: (Kirkus Review)
207) The Wild – Yuval Zommer List: (Waterstones)
208) The Wobblysaurus – DinoFeelings – Rachel Bright List: (Waterstones)
209) The World’s Best Class Plant – Audrey Vernick List: (Kirkus Review)
210) The Young Teacher and the Great Serpent – List: (NY Times)
211) There’s a Dinosaur in Your Book – Who’s in Your Book? – Tom Fletcher List: (Waterstones)
212) This is Me – George Webster List: (Waterstones)
213) This Rock Is Mine – Kaye Umansky List: (Waterstones)
214) Through the Fairy Door: No One Is Too Small to Make a Difference – Gabby Dawnay List: (Waterstones)
215) TOGETHER WE SWIM – Valerie Bolling List: (Kirkus Review)
216) Tokyo Night Parade – List: (School Library Journal)
217) Tumble – Celia C List: (Chicago Public Library)
218) Valiente como un león – Erika Meza List: (Chicago Public Library)
219) WE ARE LIONS! – Jens Mattsson List: (Kirkus Review)
220) We Are Starlings:Inside the Mesmerizing Magic of a Murmuration – List: (NY Times)
221) WE GO WAY BACK – Idan Ben-Barak List: (Kirkus Review)
222) We’re Going to a Birthday Party A Lift-the-Flap Adventure – Martha Mumford List: (LoveReading 4 Kids)
223) Wee Unicorn – Meg McLaren List: (Waterstones)
224) WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU? – Karen George List: (Kirkus Review)
225) What My Daddy Loves – List: (Chicago Public Library)
226) When Dinosaurs Walked the Earth – Sean Taylor List: (Waterstones)
227) When Things Aren’t Going Right, Go Left – Marc Colagiovanni List: (Barnes & Noble)
228) Where’s Mr Train? – Felt Flaps – Ingela P Arrhenius List: (Waterstones)
229) Who’s at the Seaside?: A What the Ladybird Heard Book – What the Ladybird Heard Lift-the-Flaps – Julia Donaldson List: (Waterstones)
230) Wild Blue – List: (Chicago Public Library)
231) Window Fishing – DK Dyson List: (Chicago Public Library)
232) YELLOW BUTTERFLY – Oleksandr Shatokhin List: (Kirkus Review)
233) YOSHI, SEA TURTLE GENIUS – Lynne Cox List: (Kirkus Review)
234) YOU AND THE BOWERBIRD – Maris Wicks List: (Kirkus Review)
235) You Can Do Anything, Tyrone!: An Out of This World, Fun-filled Adventure – Lenny Henry List: (Waterstones)
9 Best Picture Book Sources/Lists
Source | Article |
Barnes & Noble | Barnes & Noble’s Best Picture Books of 2023 |
BookPage | The Best Picture Books of 2023 |
Chicago Public Library | Best Board & Picture Books of 2023 |
Kirkus Review | Best Picture Books of the Year |
LoveReading 4 Kids | The LoveReading4Kids Best Children’s Books of 2023 |
NY Times | The 2023 New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books |
Publishers Weekly | Best Picture Books of 2023 |
School Library Journal | Best Picture Books 2023 | SLJ Best Books |
Waterstones | The Best Books of 2023: Baby & Toddler |