November is National Picture Book Month! The Alachua County Library District invites you to explore, rediscover, and delight in our extensive collection of picture books.
Reading to young children not only accelerates their understanding of concepts but also fosters a lifelong love of reading. The experience creates a comforting and enjoyable association with reading, strengthening the parent-child bond.
Moreover, reading is an affordable and effective way for children to learn about the world beyond their daily lives. It's an engaging avenue for them to explore science, history, and legends from various cultures. Picture books serve as an excellent starting point on this educational journey.
Check out our curated list of must-reads, but remember, ACLD offers thousands more picture books for you to discover.
- Board Books
Children's Board Books: These books are great for babies as they are usually very simple, with high contrast colors, and the pages are made of thick paperboard that is not as fragile as regular paper. Babies will be at the stage of reaching out and scrunching materials, so board books offer a more durable option to standard picture books.
We always have new books on order. Here is a small sampling of some of the new titles available now:
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My First Brain Quest ABCs : A Question-and-Answer Book illustrated by Marisa Morea.
My First Brain Quest: ABCs is a delightful alphabet book that helps babies and toddlers learn the letters of the alphabet, expand their vocabulary, and develop phonics skills. Each letter of the alphabet is showcased with an engaging alliteration, a fun illustration, and questions that support conversation about counting, colors, comparison, and more.
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I Love You Little Truck by David Miles.
This cute story shows how a parent's love overcomes oil spills, cement and even the deepest holes as Big Truck reassures Little Truck they are loved with a full heart
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Here We Go Digging For Dinosaur Bones by Bob Kolar.
Let's go digging for dinosaur bones, dinosaur bones, dinosaur bones. To the tune of "Here We Go 'Round the Mulberry Bush," join paleontologists as they hike the trail, scan the ground, and make a giant find.
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Now That You're Here by Loryn Brantz.
Featuring bold black-and-white artwork, this board book presents a sweet love poem from caregiver to baby. From blowing bubbles to exploring in the park, these moments and more are cherished in this sweet poem.
- Traditional Picture Books
Children's Picture Books: These books are perfect for children who are not reading on their own yet, generally in the 3 to 6 age range. They rely heavily on pictures and illustrations to tell a story and are great for story time at the library or exploring at home with an older reader.
We always have new books on order. Here is a small sampling of some of the new titles available now:
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Nubby by Dan Richards.
Nubby the stuffed rabbit is his owner’s favorite toy, but you wouldn’t know it from the way he’s treated. He’s been dropped, dragged, and even used as a nose wipe. He decides to strike out for a fresh start, and his adventure takes him across the realm—or at least around the cul-de-sac—in search of treasure, fame, and glory. But these rewards aren't as sweet as Nubby hoped they'd be. What's missing?
As Nubby travels through the neighborhood, his owner's family begins to search for him. Nubby's journey might not have taken him far, but it does teach him one thing: no amount of glory could replace the love of his owner.Image
Good Morning, Good Night by Anita Lobel.
Told from a child’s perspective, this engaging picture book depicts opposites as the narrator strolls through town and sees all that makes the city go. Caldecott Honor–winning illustrator Anita Lobel introduces the concept of opposites with search and find elements in this picture book detailing the “rich, warm journey from morning to night.”
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Mister Kitty Is Lost! by Greg Pizzoli.
Mister Kitty is missing somewhere inside this book! Will you help us find him? Join the hunt for five yellow spots, four orange paws, three purple bells, and more, exploring numbers and colors along the way in an interactive countdown. Cutouts interacting with Greg Pizzoli’s vivid artwork reveal a surprise after each page turn, all leading up to the BIGGEST twist of all at the end!
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Once Upon A Book by Grace Lin.
Alice can go anywhere in the magical pages of her favorite book. So when it flaps its pages and invites her in, she is swept away to a world of wonder and adventure. But at the end of her imaginative journey, she yearns for the place she loves best of all.
- Early Readers
Children's Early Readers: These books are considered the earliest chapter book a child can experience. Broken up into smaller chapters, early readers are a great way to boost confidence in young readers. While they are mostly read from the ages 5-9, early readers can be enjoyed by anyone! The benefit to these books are simpler words and greater word repetition than your traditional picture book, thereby making it easier for an emerging reader to begin reading on their own.
We always have new books on order. Here is a small sampling of some of the new titles available now:
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Emma loves animals and is looking forward to taking care of her neighbor's dog, Lily, for the weekend, with some help from her brother--but disaster threatens when Lily slips her leash and runs away. Includes an ASL fingerspelling chart and a sign language guide.
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Sabrina Sue Loves the Sky by Priscilla Burris.
Sabrina Sue wants to fly like all the other birds she sees in the sky. Will her flying machine invention be what she needs, or will she find another way to soar?
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Danger In The Deep by Steve Kortė.
When his friends are captured by the evil Dr. Sivana and Dex-Starr the Red Lantern it is up to Shazam's super pet, Hoppy the Marvel Bunny, to use his superpowers to rescue them.
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Grumpy Monkey: The Egg Sitter by Suzanne Lang.
Jim wakes up to a perfect day and is ready to have fun. Instead, Oxpecker persuades Jim to sit on her egg for just a minute...and now she is nowhere to be found! Poor Jim is stuck being the egg-sitter. Then Norman suggests that the other jungle animals take turns, so everybody gets a chance to play. But when Jim, Norman, and Leslie take a lunch break, the troublesome egg rolls away. Jim runs after it, but the egg slips by him and ends up with the eggs in Snake's nest. When the snake eggs hatch, the baby snakes look right at Jim and cry "Mama!" Jim vows to never egg-sit again.
In addition to all of the above, did you know that the library offers Children's Read-Alongs? These books are regular picture books with professionally recorded narration that plays along while you read. The recording allows children to "read" through books even when an older reader isn't available to share the book with them. Read-Alongs come in physical copies, and are also available as downloads through our Libby app.
Beyond picture books that explore today's world and fancies, you can also find traditional folklore and fairy tales at your library. These are published in picture book form, but are generally shelved with children's non-fiction due to their historical value. Don't miss out! We have offerings from cultures around the world, and often depicted by award-winning illustrators.
- Staff Favorites
As librarians, we are often asked for our favorite book titles. Below are the go-to picture books selected by Youth Services staff.
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Daniel's Pick.
The Woodpecker Wants A Waffle by Steve Breen.
When Benny the woodpecker awakens to the best tummy-rumbling waffle smell, he must have a taste.
He pecks on the door of the waffle house, but he gets the boot. BAP!
He tries to sneak in, but he gets swept away. FWAP!
Each time Benny tries, he just can't seem to get to those delicious waffles. The other forest animals laugh at him. "Woodpeckers don't eat waffles!" they say. But Benny has a brilliant plan. Will it work?
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Laurel's Pick.
A sunflower seed is certain that he's "baaaaaaaaaaad," and his grim scowl, shown in frightening close-up, certainly seems to indicate incorrigibility. But as the seed catalogues his wickedness, it becomes clear that his problem is actually impulsiveness and thoughtlessness—the kind of misbehavior that children struggle with daily.
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Lynda's Pick.
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin.
In this bright and lively rhyme, the letters of the alphabet race each other to the top of the coconut tree. When X, Y and Z finally scramble up the trunk, however, the weight is too much, and down they all tumble in a colorful chaotic heap: ``Chicka Chicka . . . BOOM! BOOM!'' All the family members race to help, as one by one the letters recover in amusingly battered fashion.
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Bill's Pick.
Bruce is a grumpy bear who likes no one and nothing but cooked eggs, but when some eggs he was planning to boil hatch and the goslings believe he is their mother, he must try to make the best of the situation.
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Jayde's Pick
Poesy The Monster Slayer by Corey Doctorow.
Once her parents are off to bed, Poesy excitedly awaits the monsters that creep into her room. With the knowledge she's gained from her trusty Monster Book and a few of her favorite toys, Poesy easily fends off a werewolf, a vampire, and much more.
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Hailey's Pick
Are You Scared, Darth Vader? by Adam Rex
An unidentified narrator asks Darth Vader what scares him. Practical and unfazed, Vader denies any fears. He doesn't even fear children, despite their exasperating, rambunctious behavior, such as stealing his lightsaber and jumping on his back. Rex's silly tone, goofy creatures, and spry children humorously offset Vader's beautifully charcoaled figure silhouetted against a dark, dreary swamp.
- 1000 Books Before Kindergarten
ACLD offers to you the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program. The concept is simple, the rewards are priceless. 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten encourages you to read books with your newborn, infant, and toddler. The goal is to read 1,000 books before your little one starts kindergarten. Reading together helps develop important pre-literacy skills that provide a solid reading foundation. Reading is key to school and learning success. This page will be your guide throughout the program. Here are gathered book recommendations, tips for reading aloud together, and more.
Did you know we have a section in our catalog for kids? Our For Kids page is full of resources for kids—and their parents—looking for something to read and includes links to award-winning books. Keep an eye on our New in Picture Books, New in Children's Fiction, and New in Children's Non-Fiction links in our catalog to stay informed on these new arrivals and more.
If you are interested in further picture book discovery, here are more blogs written by ACLD staff. You can explore wordless picture books, STEM picture books, social justice books, musical picture books, and picture books that further explore folktales and fables from around the world.