We read a lot of books last year, but these are the Best Children’s Picture Books 2019. Some of the very best picture books for kids that we’ve ever read!
2019 was an exceptional year for Picture Books. We read so many wonderful picture books, and we added so many new ones to our home library because they were so irresistible.
I tried, really I did, to narrow my favorites down to the top ten . . . but I couldn’t do it! What I ended up with after thoughtful consideration (and many story time sessions with my kids) are these, the 15 best children’s picture books 2019.
There are books here that were laugh out loud funny, some that were deeply moving, and some that my kids have begged to read at bedtime at least a hundred times (the true hallmark of a great picture book). Of all the books we read last year, these are the ones that we can’t stop thinking about. Every book on this list is one we’ve read over and over, and we highly recommend every one of them.
I’m so glad I still have young kids that want to sit down and read picture books with me, but I can confidently say that I will never be too old for a good picture book. Long after my children have outgrown my lap for story time, you’ll still find me here enjoying these picture books all by myself.
If you love children’s picture books as much as I do, then check out the best books from 2018 too.
Note: the Amazon links below are affiliate links.
The Best Children’s Picture Books 2019
Stormy: A Story About Finding a Forever Home
by Guojing
This wordless book absolutely stole my heart. The illustrations are breathtaking and the story, about a little stray dog, is beautiful. It’s a perfect picture book!
Carl and the Meaning of Life
by Deborah Freedman
Ostensibly, this book is about an earthworm named Carl. But it’s also a book about the big effects of small actions. It’s also a bit of a science lesson if you want it to be. Mostly, I just really love Carl and his quest to figure out his place in the world. After reading our library copy just once, I immediately ordered a copy to own from the bookstore because this book is such a treasure.
I Can Only Draw Worms
by Will Mabbit
This picture book made my 13 year old laugh so hard that she could barely read the story aloud to her little brother. So I, of course, purchased it so we could laugh over and over again. If you love a good funny picture book, I highly recommend this one.
A Piglet Named Mercy
by Kate DiCamillo and Chris Van Dusen
I’m a long time fan of the Mercy Watson books, so this picture book telling the story of how the Watsons first found their porcine wonder absolutely charmed me to pieces. This book is absolutely darling.
Truman
by Jean Reidy and Lucy Ruth Cummins
I love a good story of bravery and this bold little turtle is so sweet. When Truman the turtle’s little girl Sara goes to school for the first time, Truman get’s lonely and a little worried. Finally, he decides to set out on a journey across the big wide living room to find her. You’ll fall in love with little Truman.
Because
by Mo Willems and Amber Ren
We love Mo Willems, but this book was surprisingly different than his previous books. It’s a domino effect story about how a piece of music changes so many people’s lives. It’s a powerful read.
The King of Kindergarten
by Derrick Barnes and Vanessa Brantley-Newton
I wrote a whole post here about this book because it was so important to us this year. This is a book that will always hold such a special place in my heart.
Let’s Have a Dog Party
by Mikela Prevost
This book is a genius book about empathy. It’s a book about a sweet little dog who just wants to take a quiet nap in the sunshine, but his little girl and her friends want to throw him a big, loud birthday party instead. I love how the author uses the illustrations so cleverly to show how the dog is feeling and how he is interpreting the kids’ actions. It’s a wonderful book to talk about how sometimes it’s not about what we want, but about using empathy to figure out what someone else wants/needs. Excellent book!
Field Trip to the Moon
by John Hare
This is a super clever wordless book about a class field trip to the moon. Bright, stunning illustrations and a great story too. I especially love the ending of this one!
A Stone Sat Still
by Brendan Wenzel
Another masterpiece from Mr. Wenzel! This book is about a rock and readers will be mesmerized watching time pass as the little stone sits still. A beautiful message in this one.
The Undefeated
by Kwame Alexander and Kadir Nelson
This is a powerful poem paired with some really stunning illustrations! It’s a must read.
The Fate of Fausto
by Oliver Jeffers
I think I’ve loved every book Jeffers has written (I know he’s a little dark for some, but I love his perspective). This one is a fable about a man who feels entitled to everything – every flower, every animal, etc. But when he tries to take ownership of the mountain, it resists. There’s a very hard-to-forget moral to this story and it’s fantastic.
If I Was the Sunshine
by Julie Fogliano and Loren Long
This one brought tears to my eyes with its beauty the first time I read it. Julie Fogliano’s words often have that effect on me. It’s truly a gem of a book.
Fly!
by Mark Teague
One of my very favorite wordless books of all time! It’s about a bird who really doesn’t feel ready to leave the nest and his mother who really thinks he needs to give flying a try. It’s so funny and clever!
Why?
by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
I adore this book. Sometimes there aren’t any good answers for the questions our little ones will ask, but there’s always love. But while this may seem like it’s going to be kind of sappy (like Guess How Much I Love You), it’s really not. It packs an emotional punch, but it’s a smart little book.
