100 amazing picture books kids of all ages will love

Watch my Good Things Utah segment featuring 10 of my family’s favorite picture books here!

Find part two here:

I love picture books, because the whole family can enjoy them. You are NEVER too old for picture books. Picture books develop a child’s critical thinking skills, spark imagination, and teach vocabulary in a way other books can’t.

BUT, not all picture books are created equal. There are plenty of mediocre ones out there, so I happily put together this list of books for you. I included a few non-fiction picture books, some interactive picture books, and some wordless ones too. My family loves each one of these and I’m pretty confident yours will too. The titles are all linked for you.

The Boy and the Sea by Camille Andros and Amy Bates: My dear friend wrote this, and even if I didn’t know her, I would rave about this book. The illustrations of the ocean and the words about going to the sea to find both answers and peace in the unknowing gets me every time.

There Must Be More Than That! By Sinshuke Yoshitake: Me and my kids are obsessed with all of this author’s books. His dry humor that drives home important topics gets a solid chef’s kiss from me. This one is about moving away from black-and-white thinking and exploring the many possibilities life offers.

The Napping House by Audrey Wood: A cozy, rhyming read about a house full of napping pets and people who get woken by the ripple effect of one little event.

The Giant Jam Sandwich by Janet Burroway and Jon Vernon Lord: My mom read this to me as a kid and i’ve never forgotten it! An idyllic town is overrun by hungry wasps, and the villagers have to find a way to drive them out. A giant jam sandwich is just the trick!

The World Champion of Staying Awake by Sean Taylor: Stella has the tough job of putting all of her stuffed toys to bed, but Cherry Pig is wide awake, Thunderbolt the Mouse is going a hundred miles a minute, and Beanbag Frog is going hoppitty hop. She takes them on imaginative adventures to get them to doze off. Such a charming book.

All the Wonderful Things You’ll Be by Emily Winfield Martin: The illustrations alone make this book worth buying, but it’s also the sweetest tribute to children and their potential.

It Came in the Mail by Ben Clanton: A boy writes a letter to his mailbox, asking for something fun to be delivered, and he gets more than he bargained for.

Stuck by Oliver Jeffers: When a little boy’s kite gets stuck in a tree, he tries the most unconventional things to get it out. He ends up with a tree that now contains everything from his favorite pair of shoes to a whale (in the wrong place at the wrong time). A creative book that always gets us laughing. Oliver Jeffers is my all-time favorite children’s book author, so you’ll see his name again and again on this list.

Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth by Oliver Jeffers: A newcomer’s tour of the world. Like I said, Oliver Jeffers NEVER disappoints.

Can I Play Too? By Mo Willems: Another favorite children’s book author. The Elephant and Piggie series never gets old! And it’s GARE-old, not JER-old. Just had to say it.

The Pigeon Needs a Bath by Mo Willems: My kids can’t get enough of Pigeon and his stubborn outbursts.

Press Here by Hervé Tullet: These books are especially engaging for my wiggly boy.

All the World by Liz Scranton: It’s no wonder this breathtaking book is a Caldecott winner. The story follows a family’s day and teaches us to celebrate simple pleasures and family connections.

What Should Danny Do? by Ganit and Adir Levy: Remember Choose Your Own Adventure? This book is a similar concept, except for younger kids, AND it teaches them the concept of choice and consequence.

Danny and the Dinosaur by Syd Hoff: A classic! Who wouldn’t want a nice pet dino for the day?

Lola Dutch and Lola Dutch When I Grow Up by Kenneth and Sarah Jane Wright: Ken and Sarah happen to be good friends of mine, but I loved their books even before I met the husband-wife team behind them. They teach kids (and adults!) that it’s okay to have a million dreams and an uninhibited imagination. And I so relate to Lola Dutch, because sometimes, I’m totally too much.

The Dress and the Girl by Camille Andros: I cried the first time I read this. I’m lucky to call Camille friend now, but again, I fell in love with her books before I even met her! She is an incredibly talented writer and because of that, she always gets paired with the best illustrators.

The Empty Pot by Demi: A classic tale about telling the truth. Fantastic illustrations.

Everyone Loves Cupcake by Kelly DiPuchio: The food puns in this one are irresistible, and the message about being yourself priceless.

Flotsam by David Wiesner: An enchanting wordless picture book about a boy who finds a camera that washed up on the shore and the enchanting pictures from under the sea that he finds when he develops the film.

Charlotte the Scientist Is Squished by Camille Andros: The sweetest book about a little bunny scientist who feels squished in her big family. To get more space for her science experiments, she blasts off in a rocket ship and enjoys the peace and quiet. But she quickly learns that robot bunnies make poor friends, and she misses her family. She learns to find a happy compromise between playing with her siblings and having a little spot of her own when she needs one.

We’re All Wonders by R.J. Palacio: A beautiful lesson on loving and accepting ourselves and others, despite our differences.

Maps by Aleksandra Mizielinska and Daniel Mizielinski: A magical book about countries around the world and the people, landmarks, food, traditions, and animals found on each one.

Go Dog Go by P.D. Eastman: I grew up on this one and love reading it to my kids.

The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton: The cutest vintage book about the changes a little country home sees as the years pass, and how she finds her way back to simplicity after getting a taste of city life.

Tikki Timbo Tembo by Arlene Mosel: We all read this in elementary school, right? It’s a retelling of a Chinese folktale and has sold over a million copies since it was released over 30 years ago.

Frog and Toad by Arnold Lobel: The charming tales of two British frogs who have very different personalities but who are the best of friends.

When Charley met Emma by Amy Webb: An important book about how everyone is unique, but some people’s differences are more visible. This book so beautifully teaches us to love to people who look different, and reminds us that we’re all the same inside.

Grandpa’s Stories by Joseph Coelho and Allison Colpoys: The sweetest story of a girl and her grandpa, and how she hold onto him through his stories and her memories of spending time with him after he dies.

Zen Shorts by Jon Muth: A wise panda who teaches simple but profound lessons.

If You Want to See a Whale by Julie Fogliano: My friend Ali gave this to me and it’s been a staple in our reading routine ever since. A boy and his dog watch out the window for a whale all day, trying not to get distracted by all of the other cool things they see as they wait.

Tomorrow Is Waiting by Kiley Frank: A hopeful tale about the wonders of the world and the potential inside each of us. My kids love the pink clouds!

Are You My Mother? By P.D. Eastman: No one can resist this story of the little bird looking for his mother. This is the first book my oldest daughter ever read on her own, so it will always hold a special place in my heart.

How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight? By Jane Yolen: I love this series that teaches kids a better way to behave.

Jesse Bear, What Will You Wear? By Nancy White Carlstrom: Another childhood favorite. These poems about Jesse Bear and his day of play are so fun.

We Don’t Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins: This is a hilarious tale about discipline.

Miss Nelson is Missing by James Marshall: Such a fun and classic read-aloud about what happens when a teacher disguises herself as a substitute.

Atlas of Adventures by Rachel Williams and Lucy Letherland:

The Airport Book by Lisa Brown: A book all about what you’ll see in an airport. This would be especially fun before (or during) a trip!

Little Pea, Little Hoot, Little Oink by Amy Krause Rosenthal: The cleverest little board books. A must for every library.

Hello Lighthouse by Sophie Blackall: I have an obsession with lighthouses, so…

What Do you Do with a Chance? (and with an Idea and a Problem) by Yobi Kamada. definitely worth buying the set.

Chalk by Bill Thomson: A wordless book about what happens when some kids find some magic sidewalk chalk.

The Watermelon Seed by Greg Pizzoli: A funny story about a crocodile who has a fear of swallowing a watermelon seed.

Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynolds: Jasper loves the carrots in his neighbor’s garden, that is, until they start following him home.

Lexie the Word Wrangler by Rebecca Van Slyke: A witty book about words? Yes, please.

Night Animals by Giana Marino: A group of nocturnal animals are scared of the infamous Night Animals, until, of course, they realize they ARE the night animals.

Life Size Zoo by Teruyuki Fukudu: An actual-size animal encyclopedia.

The Curious Garden by Peter Brown: Everyone in a barren, treeless city perpetually stays inside until a little boy discovers a forgotten garden and brings it to life. This is a beautifully told story of the joy and fulfillment that even the simplest of gardens can bring. This book is based on The High Line in New York City!

Life by Cynthia Rylant: This book is a 10 out of 10 for me. I love the message that there is always something in this life to be hopeful about.

Mr. Tiger Goes Wild by Peter Brown: A tiger living in an uptight society gets bored with always being so proper and refined. The book is funny, endearing, and encourages kids to be themselves. (Note: Must read dialogue in a British accent.)

An Egg is Quiet by Diana Hutts Aston: A fascinating book about the different shapes, colors and sizes eggs take. Perfect for inquisitive little minds who like to know how things work.

A Child of Books by Oliver Jeffers and Sam Winston

Lovely Beasts by Kate Gardner: Even the most dangerous animals have a soft side.

The Cloud Spinner by Michael Catchpool and Allison Jay: We love this story of a little boy who can weave cloth from the clouds.

Number One Sam by Greg Pizzoli: A book about the importance of being a good sport.

The Circus Ship by Chris Van Dusen: My friend Janssen introduced me to this and it became a quick family favorite.

Cloudette by Tom Lichtenheld: The most endearing and witty little book about a small cloud who learns that she can do big things.

The Incredible Book Eating Boy by Oliver Jeffers

Bats at the Beach by Brian Lies: We’ve been a longtime fan of Bats at the Library, and this one is another, summerier edition of nighttime bat adventures.

Water Land by Christy Hale: A fun book with cutout pages to teach about the different kinds of bodies of water and land formations around the world.

The Night Gardener by The Tan Brothers: A whimsical tale about the beauty and wonder to be found in the nature around us.

Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen: A book about how sometimes, it’s okay to break the rules.

You’re Missing It! By Brady Smith: There’s a lot we can miss out on if we’re stuck to our phones.

Imagine! By Raúl Colón: A wordless book that, as you can guess, inspires big-time imagination.

The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes by Mark Pet: My daughter came home from school one day and told me she thought I’d like this book. She was right! I love how it teaches us to overcome perfectionism.

A Piglet Named Mercy by Kate DiCamillo: We cannot get enough of these cheery, vintage illustrations and the irresistible character of Mercy the Pig. We salute you, Kate DiCamillo.

Iggy Peck Architect by Andrea Beaty: I love this series of books about kids who follow their passions, even when their creativity and determination catches other people off guard.

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore by William Joyce: If the title doesn’t sell you, I don’t know what will.

If You Give a Pig a Pancake by Laura Numeroff: These never get old!

Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin: A refreshingly unique book that educates kids on the important fact that dragons love tacos, but if they’re made with spicy salsa, disaster will ensue. And in this book, it does.

The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt: I mean, can you imagine a world without crayons?

All My Friends Are Dead by Avery Monson and Jory John: The most hilarious book. A friend told me they gave this to a close family friend who was moving away and said “You are dead to us.” Genius!

National Parks of the USA by Kate Siber: This one is perfect for summer, and has the best illustrations.

You Choose by Pippa Goodhart: We have so much fun picking our favorite foods, dream vacations, houses, pets, and occupations throughout the pages.

Hungry Bunny by Claudia Rueda: An interactive story about a bunny and an apple tree, where the apples are just out of reach.

The Lines on Nana’s Face by Simone Ciraolo: A little girl asks her grandma what the lines on her face mean, and Nana shares a memory that corresponds with each one. I dare you not to cry when you read this!

Uni the Unicorn by Amy Krause Rosenthal: A story about a unicorn who believes little girls are real, no matter what the grown-ups say.

Sector 7 by David Weisner: A delightful wordless book about clouds.

The Panda Problem by Deborah Underwood: A silly story about a panda who needs a problem. (Because every story does!)

Earth! My First 4.54 Billion Years by Stacy McAnulty: Such a fun “first-hand” perspective of Earth. Like a baby book for our planet.

This Moose Belongs to Me by Oliver Jeffers: Just your usual tale of a boy and his moose, Oliver Jeffers style.

Once Upon an Alphabet This book is so clever and makes me laugh out loud.

Picturepedia by The Smithsonian: A quick-reference book of all the wonders of the world.

Little Bear by Else Homelund Minarik: My favorite book from my childhood. Everyone needs this in their home!

Beyond the Pond by Joseph Kuefler: A little boy goes exploring with his scuba gear to the bottom of the pond and finds a magical world.

The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds: A book about the importance of making mistakes.

The Wall in the Middle of the Book by Jon Agee: A young knight is determined to protect one side of the book from the ogre on the other side of the wall. But he’s so caught up in defending his side of the book that he doesn’t see the danger lurking right behind him.

Strictly No Elephants by Lisa Mantchev: A beautifully illustrated book about inclusion.

The 50 States by Gabrielle Balkan: Bright and fun infographic maps about each of the 50 United States.

Doug Unplugged by Dan Yaccarino: A little boy robot who decides to unplug and discover the real world around him instead of just downloading information.

Inch by Inch by Lio Lionni: The inchworm can measure everything, but when a sparrow threatens to eat him if he can’t measure his song, he has to find a creative solution.

The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson: Julia Donaldson is pure talent and I love her endearing and creative tales. This one has the cutest short film that goes along with it.

Have you seen my Dragon? By Steve Light: My kids love looking through the pages to find the dragon.

A Creepy Pair of Underwear! By Aaron Reynolds and Peter Brown: Hilarious, random, and my kids love it. Anyone else’s kids think underwear is hilarious?

Over and Under the Canyon by Kate Messner and Christopher Silas Neale: I love this whole series of educational *and* fun books.

Home by Carson Ellis: This visually mesmerizing book shares the different places people, animals, and even fairies call home.

Say Zoop by Herve Tullet: An interactive journey through sounds. All my kids have fun with this one—from my toddler up to my 3rd-grader.

Boy and Bot by Ame Dyckman and Dan Yaccarino: A cute story about how a boy and bot become friends and look after each other.

Please add some of your favorites in the comments!

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7 books on my nightstand right now

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