Here is a list of the Picture Books of the Year. Click on a title for a description.
1. Stick and Stone by Beth Ferry
2. Little Bird’s Bad Word by Jacob Grant
3. Ivan: The Remarkable True Story of the Shopping Mall Gorilla by K Applegate
4. Wolfie the Bunny by Ame Dyckman
5. I Dare You Not to Yawn by Helene Boudreau
6. Pig the Pug by Aaron Blabey
7. I Don’t Want to Be a Frog by Dev Petty
8. The Bear Ate Your Sandwich by J Sarcone-Roach
9. This Book Just Ate My Dog by Richard Byrne
10. The Adventures of Beekle by Dan Santat (Caldecott winner)
Find out more about the Caldecott Medal
Stick and Stone
By Beth Ferry
When Stick rescues Stone from a prickly situation with a Pinecone, the pair becomes fast friends. But when Stick gets stuck, can Stone return the favor?
Author Beth Ferry makes a memorable debut with a warm, rhyming text that includes a subtle anti-bullying message even the youngest reader will understand. New York Times bestselling illustrator Tom Lichtenheld imbues Stick and Stone with energy, emotion, and personality to spare.
In this funny story about kindness and friendship, Stick and Stone join George and Martha, Frog and Toad, and Elephant and Piggie, as some of the best friend duos in children’s literature.
Watch a preview of the story.
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Little Bird’s Bad Word
by Jacob Grant
Little Bird learned a new word! He loves it so much that he’s bursting to share it with all of his friends.
BLARK! BLARK! BLARK!
The only problem is, this isn’t a very nice word. Little Bird doesn’t realize it, but this word might even hurt someone’s feelings. What word will Little Bird learn to make things better?
With the help of Papa Bird, maybe Little Bird will learn another new word–one that will make things all better.
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Ivan The Remarkable True Story of the Shopping Mall Gorilla
By K Applegate
In a spare, powerful text and evocative illustrations, the Newbery medalist Katherine Applegate and the artist G. Brian Karas present the extraordinary real story of a special gorilla.
Captured as a baby, Ivan was brought to a Tacoma, Washington, mall to attract shoppers. Gradually, public pressure built until a better way of life for Ivan was found at Zoo Atlanta. From the Congo to America, and from a local business attraction to a national symbol of animal welfare, Ivan the Shopping Mall Gorilla traveled an astonishing distance in miles and in impact.
This is his true story and includes photographs of Ivan in the back matter.
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Wolfie the Bunny
By Ame Dyckman
The Bunny family has adopted a wolf son, and daughter Dot is the only one who realizes Wolfie can–and might–eat them all up! Dot tries to get through to her parents, but they are too smitten to listen. A new brother takes getting used to, and when (in a twist of fate) it’s Wolfie who’s threatened, can Dot save the day?
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I Dare You Not to Yawn
A yawn can land you in your pj’s and under the covers before you can blink and say “Baa baa black sheep.” So clamp your mouth shut and look away from your sleepy dog, stay away from your cuddly blanket, and whatever you do, don’t think of baby orangutans stretching their long arms out for a snuggly hug. Otherwise, you might find your mouth opening wide and letting out a great big yawny yaaaaaawn — hey, you were supposed hold it in! A hilarious read-aloud that is so much fun, kids will beg for it again and again, whatever the consequences.
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Pig the Pug
By Aaron Blabey
Pig is the greediest Pug in the world. He is ill-tempered, rude and unreasonable. When Pig the Pug is asked to share his toys, something unexpected happens. Hopefully Pig has learned a lesson!
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I Don’t Want To Be A Frog
By Dev Petty
“First-time author Petty’s dialogue between a frog father and his son makes its point about accepting one’s nature with a big grin….The story might create similar gratitude in the minds of readers—or it might just make them giggle.”—Publishers Weekly
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The Bear Ate Your Sandwich
Bear meets sandwich, adventure ensues. . . . A sly classic-in-the-making for fans of Jon Klassen, Peter Brown, and Mo Willems.
By now I think you know what happened to your sandwich.
But you may not know how it happened.
So let me tell you.
It all started with the bear . . .
So begins Julia Sarcone-Roach’s delicious tale of a bear, lost in the city, who happens upon an unattended sandwich in the park. The bear’s journey from forest to city and back home again is full of happy accidents, funny encounters, and sensory delights. The story is so engrossing, it’s not until the very end that we begin to suspect this is a TALL tale.
The wonderfully told story, spectacular illustrations, and surprise ending make this Julia Sarcone-Roach’s best book to date. You’ll want to share it with your friends (and keep a close eye on your lunch).
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This Book Just Ate My Dog
When her dog disappears into the gutter of the book, Bella calls for help. But when the helpers disappear too, Bella realizes it will take more than a tug on the leash to put things right. Cleverly using the physicality of the book, This book just ate my dog! is inventive, ingenious, and just pure kid-friendly fun!
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The Adventures of Beekle
By Dan Santat (Caldecott Winner – 2015)
This magical story begins on an island far away where an imaginary friend is born. He patiently waits his turn to be chosen by a real child, but when he is overlooked time and again, he sets off on an incredible journey to the bustling city, where he finally meets his perfect match and-at long last-is given his special name: Beekle.
New York Times bestselling and award-winning author and illustrator Dan Santat combines classic storytelling with breathtaking art, creating an unforgettable tale about friendship, imagination, and the courage to find one’s place in the world.
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Summaries are courtesy of Goodreads.com*
*Warning: some of the ads on the Goodread.com websites are not appropriate for young children, which is why there are no direct links to that site on this page.