Picture Books

Last updated: April 15, 2026

From the earliest age, kids love looking at picture books: The colors, the shapes, the characters -- they all come to life on the page. And when you pair great art with a memorable story, it's even better. This list of some of our favorite picture books includes stories about siblings, holidays, bedtime, overcoming fears, and more. For other great reads, check out our Picture Books With Truly Amazing Illustrations and Best Books for Preschoolers.

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Antiracist Baby Poster Image

BOOK

Antiracist Baby

age 2+

Meaningful how-to for raising equity-conscious kids.

Ibram X. Kendi Board (2020)

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Baby Young, Gifted, and Black book cover: Black child with crown and wings, title in large brown font on turquoise background

BOOK

Baby Young, Gifted, and Black

age 2+

Sweet, affirming board book about Black excellence.

Jamia Wilson Board (2021)

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Besos for Baby book cover: A little girl sitting on a tree branch with two birds and a heart behind

BOOK

Besos for Baby: A Little Book of Kisses

age 2+

Sweet book about kisses introduces Spanish words.

Jen Arena Picture Book (2014)

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Big machines smiling and working on a farm with a red barn

BOOK

Construction Site: Farming Strong, All Year Long

age 2+

Rhyming fun for big machines through all seasons on a farm.

Sherri Duskey Rinker Picture Book (2022)

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Corduroy Poster Image

BOOK

Corduroy

age 2+

Sweet, heartwarming picture-book classic.

Don Freeman Picture Book (1968)

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Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late! Poster Image

BOOK

Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late!

age 2+

The perfect go-to-bed book for stalling kids.

Mo Willems Picture Book (2006)

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Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site Poster Image

BOOK

Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site

age 2+

Charming bedtime book is magic for truck lovers.

Sherri Duskey Rinker Picture Book (2011)

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I Am Smart, I Am Blessed, I Can Do Anything! Poster Image

BOOK

I Am Smart, I Am Blessed, I Can Do Anything!

age 2+

Inspiring viral video comes to life in beautiful book.

Alissa Holder , Zulekha Holder-Young Picture Book (2020)

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Let's Play! Poster Image

BOOK

Let's Play!

age 2+

Artist charms with another engaging hands-on book.

Hervé Tullet Picture Book (2016)

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Mighty, Mighty Construction Site Poster Image

BOOK

Mighty, Mighty Construction Site

age 2+

Cheerful trucks show teamwork at its best.

Sherri Duskey Rinker Picture Book (2017)

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Papa Doesn't Do Anything! book cover: Grandfather dog in a bowtie and smaller grandkid dog stand together in front of a park with a slide and swings

BOOK

Papa Doesn't Do Anything!

age 2+

Sweet book honors grandparent-grandchild bonds.

Jimmy Fallon Picture Book (2025)

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Richard Scarry's Cars and Trucks and Things That Go Poster Image

BOOK

Richard Scarry's Cars and Trucks and Things That Go

age 2+

Excellent vocab builder is also big wacky fun.

Richard Scarry Transportation (1974)

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Room on the Broom book cover: Smiling witch holding a wand flying on a broom with a cat

BOOK

Room on the Broom

age 2+

Fun, silly rhyming story with a witch and her packed broom.

Julia Donaldson Picture Book (2001)

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Say Zoop! Poster Image

BOOK

Say Zoop!

age 2+

Joyfully noisy book sparkles with creative energy.

Hervé Tullet Picture Book (2017)

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So Many Sounds Poster Image

BOOK

So Many Sounds

age 2+

Fun exploration of everyday noises all around us.

Tim McCanna Picture Book (2017)

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The Snowy Day Poster Image

BOOK

The Snowy Day

age 2+

Classic captures a kid's delight in freshly fallen snow.

Ezra Jack Keats Picture Book (1962)

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Will You Be My Friend? Poster Image

BOOK

Will You Be My Friend?

age 2+

Warm, happy adventure is sequel to beloved picture book.

Sam McBratney Picture Book (2020)

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Yes & No Poster Image

BOOK

Yes & No

age 2+

Playful story of animal siblings' ups and downs together.

Elisha Cooper Picture Book (2021)

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5 More Sleeps 'til Halloween book cover: Child in ghost costume and glasses next to dog in front of spooky Halloween house

BOOK

5 More Sleeps ‘til Halloween

age 3+

Spooky-cute story and images capture Halloween excitement.

Jimmy Fallon Picture Book (2024)

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A Big Mooncake for Little Star Poster Image

BOOK

A Big Mooncake for Little Star

age 3+

Girl sneaks nibbles, mooncake wanes in cozy bedtime charmer.

Grace Lin Picture Book (2018)

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