20 Questions: Recent Picture Book Favorites
Welcome back to our series, 20 QUESTIONS!,
where we answer questions about writing, reading, and author life.
This month’s question:
Name one recent picture book that should be on every bookshelf and why?
THE LONGEST LETSGOBOY, by Derick Wilder, illustrated by Catia Chien
1. THE LONGEST LETSGOBOY, by Derick Wilder, illustrated by Catia Chien. Told from the point of view of a dog taking one last walk with his forever friend/young girl, this beautiful book brings comfort and hope to anyone coping with a loss of any kind, current or past. It is such a powerful reminder that our loved ones never really leave us.
—Elisa Boxer, author of ONE TURTLE’S LAST STRAW: THE REAL-LIFE RESCUE THAT SPARKED A SEA CHANGE, illustrated by Marta Alvarez Miguens (Crown/Random House Kids, 2022)
THE GARDENER OF ALCATRAZ, by Emma Bland Smith, illustrated by Jenn Ely
2 THE GARDENER OF ALCATRAZ by Emma Bland Smith, illustrated by Jenn Ely. Unlike many picture book biographies, this book is the story of an anti-hero, a prisoner on Alcatraz with plans to escape – until he becomes the prison gardener. This incredible story reminds us that no one is irredeemable, that anyone can change and bring a bit of beauty into the world.
– Kirsten W. Larson, author of A TRUE WONDER, illustrated by Katy Wu (Clarion Books, 2021)
BATHE THE CAT by Alice McGinty, Illustrated by David Roberts
3 BATHE THE CAT by Alice McGinty, illustrated by David Roberts. Pitch perfect in every way and an amazing read aloud. Hysterical story, great rhyming, incredibly creative and fantastic representation. A must have for every storytime collection.
—Susan Kusel, author of THE PASSOVER GUEST, illustrated by Sean Rubin (Neal Porter Books/Holiday House, 2021)
MINA by Matthew Forsythe
4 MINA by Matthew Forsythe. Mina is a mouse with better instincts than her father but with a heart just as big! Deadpan, delightful humor for all ages and gorgeously rendered.
—Julie Rowan-Zoch, author-illustrator of, I’M A HARE SO THERE! (Clarion Books, 2021)
BEFORE SHE WAS HARRIET by Lesa Cline-Ransome, Illustrated by James E. Ransome
5 BEFORE SHE WAS HARRIET by Lesa Cline-Ransome, illustrated by James E. Ransome. This is a perfect nonfiction picture book, with gorgeous, poetic language and a brilliant concept and structure. I return to it as a mentor text time and time again.
—Lindsay H. Metcalf, author of BEATRIX POTTER, SCIENTIST, FARMERS UNITE! and co-editor of NO VOICE TOO SMALL.
TOASTY by Sarah Hwang
6. TOASTY by Sarah Hwang. The premise is simple: a piece of toast wants to be a dog! Wacky premise, great illustrations, and a wonderful reminder of how fun and silly picture books can be while still packing an emotional punch.
–Stephen Briseño, author of THE NOTEBOOK KEEPER: A STORY OF KINDNESS FROM THE BORDER, illustrated by Magdalena Mora (Random House Studio, 2022)