It is one of my favorite posts of the year. Time for me to share my favorite picture books of 2024 with all of you. Grab a cozy drink and get comfy. Let’s get reading.
All year long, I read thousands of picture books sharing my favorites with you here on Growing Book by Book, through my newsletter, and on Instagram. Here are my tip-top picks of 2024.
Please note that these are my personal favorites that I have read. Though I read a lot of children’s books throughout the year, I haven’t read them all. I’m sure there are some great ones that I have missed.
You can shop for all the books I share below HERE. Or, click on each link or book cover in the descriptions.
Read Jodie’s Favorite Children’s Books of 2024
Full Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
On Growing Book by Book, I focus on great books for kids ages 0-8.
Favorite Board Books of 2024
There were so many amazing board books published in 2024, that I created a separate list for those. Check it out here.—> Favorite Board Books of 2024
Best Illustrations in a Picture Book
This category is always hard for me to narrow down. I always have lots of honor books because it’s so hard to choose.
This book has all the feels…
Home in a Lunchbox by Cherry Mo has gorgeous illustrations that somehow pull you right into the scene. You almost feel like you can literally smell the smells of the food.
Jun has moved from Hong Kong to America. She knows a few American phrases/words which leaves her feeling vulnerable and nervous as she starts an American school. But, when she opens her lunchbox she is immediately transported to home.
I was smitten from the endpapers to the hidden book cover!
HONORS
The Yellow Bus by Loren Long
Just Us by Molly Beth Griffin and Anait Semirdzhyan
Two Together by Brendan Wenzel
Thank You by Jarvis
Mouse on the River A Journey Through Nature by William Snow and Alice Melvin
Joy of Books and Reading
All the Books by Rocco gives you all the feels when it comes to books, libraries, and being surrounded by all the books!
HONORS
I Want to Read All the Books by Debbie Ridpath Ohi
A Love Letter to My Library by Lisa Katzenberger
Laugh Out Loud Funny Read-Alouds
Mr. Fox’s Game of “No!” by David LaRochelle is a fun one to get listeners involved in a very vocal way.
Mr. Fox instructs us at the beginning of the book that every time a question is asked, we must respond, “NO!” If we fail, we must return to the beginning of the book and start over. David LaRochelle and Mike Wohnoutka know how to create an engaging read-aloud!
HONORS
The Quacken by Justin Colón
Lucky Duck by Greg Pizzoli- (Check out these book activities to go with Lucky Duck that I created.)
Circle Time Picks to Capture a Crowd’s Interest
Here’s another category that I always have a hard time narrowing down so we’ve got lots of honors.
This cumulative tale takes us to the forest and starts with a mischievous mouse and quickly snowballs into a very loud day in the forest.
So many early literacy opportunities in this one making it a great read aloud to read over and over.
Enjoy The Quiet Forest by Charlotte Offsay and Abi Cushman. And, check out these The Quiet Forest book activities I created to go with the book.
HONORS
The Man Who Didn’t Like Animals by Deborah Underwood
Miss MacDonald Has a Farm by Kalee Gwarjanski
Hen in the Bed by Katrina Charman
Summer Reads That Take You Right to the Season
Touch the Sky by Stephanie V. W. Lucianovic could easily fall under best illustrated category. But, I’ll share the love and put it here instead. If you can recall learning to swing on a swing for the first time or teaching someone else to achieve this milestone, you’ll immediately be transported back to that memory in this book.
HONORS
Summer is Here by Renée Watson
My Block Looks Like by Janelle Harper
Reading With or About Friends is the Best
Bake up a batch of cookies for it is time for reading aloud Bookie & Cookie by Blanca Gómez. I adore the illustrations in this sweet book about friendship.
Our two friends in the story love to spend time with each other over cookies and books. But, it seems they always end up at one particular house and that becomes a problem. How will these friends solve their problem? Grab a cookie and find out.
HONOR
Bros by Carole Boston Weatherford
SEL Nugget of the Year
A great introductory book for introducing personal space and body autonomy. Who’s in Charge? by Stephanie Allain & Jenny Klion is colorful and rhythmic making it a nice whole group read-aloud choice. Also great for use as a conversation starter.
HONOR
Gray by Laura Dockrill
Informational & Nonfiction Pick
Clever Crow by Chris Butterworth is super accessible for young listeners or new readers learning to navigate informational books.
The crow doesn’t seem like the most interesting bird but did you know it is probably the most clever? Scientists think they may be as intelligent as monkeys and apes.
Loved how approachable this book was for the younger crowd.
HONORS
When Beavers Flew by Kristen Tracy and Luisa Uribe
This Is My Brain!: A Book on Neurodiversity by Elise Gravel
Math Book that Requires MULTIPLE Reads
Right before this book was released this year, the author, Katey Howes, passed away. So wish she could see all the love this book deserves.
The Reindeer Remainders by Katey Howes takes us to the forest where there just always seems to be one remain-DEER. Can these 13 remainder figure out their presentation for the showcase so that do reindeer feels left out? Sure they can!
And, in the process, they figure out the best presentation about remainders and prime numbers to present.
HONOR
Animal Countdown by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
Cars, Trucks and Things That Go
It’s not just the pilots, truck drivers, and conductors that keep our transportation system moving. It’s the countless behinds the scenes workers such as air traffic controllers and mechanics. And, it this rhythmic read aloud we get to be introduced to some of those jobs. Read Not Just the Driver! by Sara Holly Ackerman.
HONORS
Towed by Toad by Jashar Awan
Trucky Roads by Lulu Miller
What We Wear When We Take Care by Sarah Finan
To the Garden We Grow (Go)
Garden Glen was a place of sameness until Millie Fleur La Fae arrived. She arrived with seeds in hand and sets to planting her own unique garden.
The new garden is not an instant hit. In fact, it’s met with great resistance. But, Millie has a plan for that too.
Millie Fleur’s Poison Garden by Christy Mandin is full of wonderful illustrations that will have you inspired to make your mark on a garden of your very own too.
Don’t forget to check out the back matter for the inspirational garden that sparked the seed for this story.
HONOR
Cactus Queen: Minerva Hoyt Establishes Joshua Tree National Park by Lori Alexande
Holiday Picks Throughout the Year
Ruthie loves her new pajamakkahs so much that she wants to wear them all eight nights of Hanukkah. Will she be able to keep them spotless for the Hanukkah Pajamakkah Party? Enjoy Hanukkah Pajamakkahs by Dara Henry and Olga & Aleksey Ivanov.
HONOR
Enjoy Griselda Snook’s Spectacular Books by Barry Timms
Out of the Box/Unique Pick
A super unique book by an author who got travel to Antarctica for this book. And, we get to travel along and see what he sees and learn what he learns. This picture book clocks in at 93 pages but the kids will be fascinated by each and every page. Check out My Antarctica by Corban Wilkin.
HONOR
Pepper and Me by Beatrice Alemagna
Closing Out With a Bedtime Read
Knight Owl and Early Bird by Christopher Denise is the follow-up to Knight Owl. This time we get to meet a new character. This one is just as delightful as the first book and the illustrations are gorgeous.
HONOR
Mama in the Moon by Doreen Cronin
And, I’m already starting my list for 2025. You can see the sneak peeks of that too.—>Books Jodie is Looking Forward to in 2025
What were your favorite books of the year