I dove headfirst into February’s picture book pile—and resurfaced with some absolute treasures! These are the stories I can’t stop thinking about.
Dinosaur Day – Diana Murray
The author of Unicorn Day has done it again and this time, it is Dinosaur Day. We all know that anything dinosaur is going to be a hit with children right now, especially at storytime. This silly rhyming book reads extremely well out loud, is well-paced, and the digital illustrations are even more fun.
Pete the Cat Rocks on! – Kimberly and James Dean
Pete the Cat is back, and this time he’s at a concert with his friends—but the band isn’t showing up! Pete decides to help and goes off to find the bandmates. Each one has a different problem, but Pete figures it out and saves the show. He even gets to perform with them in the end! This is a classic Pete the Cat story that kids will love—it’s definitely worth the read!
If You Find a Fawn – Kellie DuBay Gillis
A young child heads out on a walk in the wild with her grownup and encounters a variety of baby animals along the way. With each meeting, the narrator gently teaches the child what to do, using a lyrical, repetitive refrain: “Go on your way, wild wanderer.” The digital illustrations are bright, lively, and almost magical—bringing the beauty of nature to life on every page. This one would make a wonderful addition to storytime.
Hope in a Jar – Deborah Marcero
Three bunny friends begin putting their hopes and dreams into jars to hold onto them. No dream is too big and soon, they have an entire collection. The mixed media illustrations are fun to look at and the story is sweet. This would make a great read aloud and there are plenty of craft ideas there like having children put their own dreams into a jar.
Every Monday Mabel – Jashar Awan
Every Monday, Mabel goes outside with her bowl of dry cereal to wait for the best thing in the world – the garbage truck! This story is short and sweet and is sure to elicit excitement from children who can relate to loving garbage trucks. This would make a popular storytime read aloud for all ages!
Hap-Pea Easter – Keith Baker
The peas are back—this time they’re celebrating Easter! With Keith Baker’s classic illustrations, there’s plenty to look at and even a little ladybug to find on each page. The rhyming text is fun to read aloud, but with so many tiny details in the pictures, this one is best enjoyed up close—perfect for families to read together at home rather than in a big storytime setting.
The Hare Who Wouldn’t Share – Steve Small
Hare lives alone and doesn’t like to share—and that’s just the way he likes it. So when a friendly rabbit family moves in nearby, he wants nothing to do with them or their parties. But when a boar shows up, ready to eat the rabbits’ entire harvest, Hare steps in, distracting the boar with his own turnips. In the end, Hare learns the value of sharing and friendship in a gentle, heartfelt way. This story is sweet and entertaining, with a timeless feel—like an old fable—and it delivers its message without being too on-the-nose.
The Search for Carmella – Chloe Savage
Watercolor and ink illustrations are my favorite, so I was already excited about this title based on the illustrations alone. Dr. Rose has always loved the sea and the creatures that live in it. Now that she is a marine biologist, she wants to prove that the legendary sea beast Carmella exists. A group of scientists undergo an underwater exploration and the excitement of it will capture the attention of the reader. This is a highly recommended title for its scientific adventure, illustrations, and storytelling.
Big Bike, Little Bike – Kellie DuBay Gillis
A single bike can be little or big, fast or slow, clean or dirty, and many more things depending on who is riding it. Featuring an all-animal cast and digital illustrations, this one is sure to be a hit in storytimes.
Nearly Exactly Almost Like Me – Jennifer Bradbury
These two brothers don’t look alike but are family all the same. They both like playing in the park, eating ice cream on a sugar cone, and more. This book beautifully depicts how families can be different and is a great choice for families to read.
Bouncing Bunnies – Fiz Osborne
This would make a great toddler read aloud book because of the interactive nature. Each spread encourages a different movement like bouncing, shaking, wiggling, and more. The text is rhyming, the illustrations are adorable, and the movement will keep them engaged. Maybe not the best book I have read, but the younger group will love it.