Must-Have Picture Books of 2021

Is there anything cozier than gathering at the fireplace or settling into bed for story time? Grab one of these fantastic picture books to make your next bedtime story even more special!

The Legend of the Christmas Witch By Aubrey Plaza, Dan Murphy, Julia Iredale (Illustrator) Cover Image
$18.99
ISBN: 9780593350805
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Viking Books for Young Readers - November 16th, 2021

From Parks and Recreation star Aubrey Plaza and creative partner Dan Murphy comes the long lost tale of the Christmas Witch, Santa Claus's much misunderstood twin sister. The perfect gift for the holiday season and beyond!


Little Messy Marcy Su By Cherie Fu, Julie Kwon (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Cherie Fu, Julie Kwon (Illustrator)
$17.99
Currently Unavailable
ISBN: 9780759556096
Published: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers - November 30th, 2021

A pitch-perfect rhyming text about messiness that any child and parent can relate to -- featuring a unique Chinese-American, intergenerational twist.

Marcy Su couldn't help make messes, track mud on the floors, and get stains on her dresses.

But Marcy's Mama has had enough!


Off-Limits By Helen Yoon, Helen Yoon (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Helen Yoon, Helen Yoon (Illustrator)
$17.99
Currently Unavailable
ISBN: 9781536207316
Published: Candlewick - November 9th, 2021

For every child who has ever felt that grown-ups have all the fun, here is a vicarious chance to slip behind the office door—and play with all the tempting things that are off-limits.


Mel Fell: A Caldecott Honor Award Winner By Corey R. Tabor, Corey R. Tabor (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Corey R. Tabor, Corey R. Tabor (Illustrator)
$18.99
ISBN: 9780062878014
Availability: Available from Warehouse (minimum 2 days delivery time)
Published: Balzer + Bray - February 2nd, 2021

A Caldecott Honor Book and ALA Notable Book of the Year! An innovative and charming tale about a plucky little bird, from the award-winning author-illustrator of Fox the Tiger.


Circle Under Berry By Carter Higgins Cover Image
$15.99
ISBN: 9781797205083
Availability: Available from Warehouse (minimum 2 days delivery time)
Published: Chronicle Books - September 14th, 2021

Part Sandra Boynton, part Each Peach Pear Plum; part Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, part Hippopposites—a treat for the brain and the tongue.

With an elegant and simple approach, this thought-provoking concept book shows young readers that everything in the world can be seen from infinite perspectives.


Dream Street By Tricia Elam Walker, Ekua Holmes (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Tricia Elam Walker, Ekua Holmes (Illustrator)
$17.99
ISBN: 9780525581109
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Anne Schwartz Books - November 16th, 2021

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST CHILDREN’S BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY THE NEW YORK TIMESFIVE STARRED REVIEWS
 


Hello, Star By Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic, Vashti Harrison (Illustrator) Cover Image
$17.99
ISBN: 9780316451758
Availability: Available from Warehouse (minimum 2 days delivery time)
Published: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers - October 19th, 2021

Stunningly illustrated by #1 New York Times bestselling artist Vashti Harrison, Hello, Star (written by Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic) is an inspiring story about a love of science and the importance of empathy.  When a young girl learns that a bright light in the sky is coming from a dying star, she promises to keep it company until the light goes out.


Stick and Stone: Best Friends Forever! By Beth Ferry, Tom Lichtenheld (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Beth Ferry, Tom Lichtenheld (Illustrator)
$17.99
ISBN: 9780358473022
Availability: Available from Warehouse (minimum 2 days delivery time)
Published: Clarion Books - September 7th, 2021

This ode to unconditional love is a new picture book adventure for New York Times bestselling BFFs Stick and Stone, in which Stick searches for his family tree and discovers the importance of found family and forever friends.


Have You Seen Gordon? By Adam Jay Epstein, Ruth Chan (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Adam Jay Epstein, Ruth Chan (Illustrator)
$18.99
ISBN: 9781534477360
Availability: Available from Warehouse (minimum 2 days delivery time)
Published: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers - September 28th, 2021

A Time Best Children’s Book of 2021!

Packed with vibrant and dizzying artwork, this hilarious story cleverly riffs on classic seek-and-find books and will have young ones laughing out loud as the narrator struggles to get the characters to play along.

Have you seen Gordon? Oh. There he is.


Wishes By Muon Thi Van, Victo Ngai (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Muon Thi Van, Victo Ngai (Illustrator)
$18.99
ISBN: 9781338305890
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Orchard Books - May 4th, 2021

An arresting, poetic journey and a moving reflection on immigration, family, and home, from an acclaimed creative team.

Wishes tells the powerful, honest story about one Vietnamese family's search for a new home on the other side of the world, and the long-lasting and powerful impact that makes on one of the youngest members of the family.


A Sled for Gabo By Emma Otheguy, Ana Ramírez González (Illustrator) Cover Image
$18.99
ISBN: 9781534445345
Availability: Temporarily Out of Stock
Published: Atheneum Books for Young Readers - January 5th, 2021

The Snowy Day meets Last Stop on Market Street in this heartwarming classic in the making about a young boy who is in a new town and doesn’t have much, but with the help of a loving community discovers the joys of his first snowy day.

On the day it snows, Gabo sees kids tugging sleds up the hill, then coasting down, whooping all the while.


The Hug By Eoin McLaughlin, Polly Dunbar (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Eoin McLaughlin, Polly Dunbar (Illustrator)
$15.95
ISBN: 9780571348756
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Faber & Faber Children's - April 2nd, 2019

A
beautiful, heartwarming picture book with all the universal appeal of Guess How Much I Love You.

Hedgehog was feeling sad.

As sad as a hedgehog can feel.

So sad only one thing could help . . .


Tortoise was feeling sad.

As sad as a tortoise can feel.


Where Snow Angels Go By Maggie O'Farrell, Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini (Illustrator) Cover Image
$18.99
ISBN: 9781536219371
Availability: Available from Warehouse (minimum 2 days delivery time)
Published: Candlewick - November 16th, 2021

What happens to a snow angel after you leave it behind? A little girl discovers she has an unusual protector in a modern fairy tale with gorgeously detailed illustrations.


The Little Wooden Robot and the Log Princess By Tom Gauld Cover Image
$18.99
ISBN: 9780823446988
Availability: Temporarily Out of Stock
Published: Neal Porter Books - August 24th, 2021

A New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Book of the Year
 
In this fresh new fairy tale, a wooden robot embarks on a quest to find his missing sister-- making for a memorable contemporary bedtime story in acclaimed graphic novelist Tom Gauld's first picture book for children.


There's a Ghost In This House By Oliver Jeffers Cover Image
$27.99
ISBN: 9780593466186
Availability: Available from Warehouse (minimum 2 days delivery time)
Published: Philomel Books - November 2nd, 2021

A captivating and utterly unique picture book with interactive, transparent pages about a girl who lives in a haunted house from world-renowned artist Oliver Jeffers.