I picked this up because I loved the art style and I’m so glad I did! Peculiar Woods is heartfelt, funny, and delightfully weird. Nine-year old Iggie is new to town and discovers that it is full of talking everyday objects that hide from everyone except for him. When the king (a sentient chess piece) asks for his help, Iggie sets out with his chair and blanket companions on a wild adventure through some very peculiar woods. 

Pilu of the Woods is sure to be resonant with any kid (or anyone) who has felt the need to suppress their emotions. Will(ow) is a young girl struggling to grapple with the loss of her mother. After fighting with her older sister, she and her dog go into the forest and where they find a lost tree spirit, Pilu. As Will helps her home, both children are made to confront the feelings they've tried to hide away. 

I don't think anyone ever told Corey Tabor which orientation picture books are supposed to be; I hope they never do. Tabor uses the book's horizontal layout to brilliantly illustrate the story of a dog interacting with its reflection, distorting the images of the top page onto the surface of the "pond" beneath it. What might seem like a gimmick is executed so well that I can't imagine the story being told any other way. 

Jessie Sima uses their loveable characters, Kelp and Nimbus, to explore the importance of talking about your feelings (especially the ones we'd rather not share). This picture book does an incredible job normalizing discussions about mental health and has the potential to change lives. As someone who waited far too long to talk about their problems, I can't recommend this book enough.  

The Infinity Particle takes a unique approach to artificial intelligence, using it as a vehicle to explore parent-child relationships and individual autonomy. The graphic novel doesn't shy away from difficult topics; instead it deftly exposes how parents can treat their children as something to be used to achieve their own dreams. Xu's illustrations do an excellent job conveying the emotional narrative and creating a vibrant setting that grounds the story. 

Juniper Mae is a genius inventor who dreams of the Guardian Knights who once protected her city. After crash landing outside the city limits, Juniper meets a tama-tama (an adorable frog creature) and learns that there might be something darker behind Tykotech City's power outages. Armed with her finest inventions and unwavering spirit (as well as her tama-tama companion), Juniper sets out to confront the dark machinations threatening the city. 

Sarah Soh's artwork is stunning. She uses the larger page size to create immersive backgrounds, effortlessly shifting from glistening cityscapes to cozy woodland homes. The soft linework and matte finish of the pages combine to create an nostalgic effect, making this science fiction graphic novel read like a mythic folktale.  

The Red Tin Box is a beautiful, multi-generational tale of love and legacy. It uses traditional illustrations to tell a heartwarming story of a grandmother sharing her childhood with her granddaughter. 

A Friend Like No Otter does an incredible job teaching kids about being vulnerable and making friends. Otter and Rock always played alone, until one day Manatee asked to join. They start by having a great time, but disaster strikes when Rock gets lost. Though initially reluctant to open up again, Otter learns that the joys of friendship are worth the risk of getting hurt. 

P.S. It includes animal facts at the end! 

Flung Out of Space is a graphic novel that exemplifies the strengths of the format. The book tells the story of Patricia Highsmith, author of the first work of lesbian literature with a happy ending. The graphic novel delves into Highsmith’s personal and professional life, portraying her early career as a comic book writer and her experiences of self-loathing regarding her sexuality. Ellis and Templer do an incredible job capturing Highsmith’s complex emotions, her conflicted expressions and furtive glances. Flung Out of Space does not glorify Highsmith; it offers a nuanced portrayal of a flawed person whose story is worth telling.  

A perfect book for young dreamers who need a little nudge towards their creative passions.

Woven of the World uses the art of textiles to spin together a story of humanity across ages and cultures. Howes’s verse and Mirtalipova’s illustrations combine to celebrate the long history of weaving as well as the deeply personal ways the tradition has been passed down over the generations. Any reader interested in learning more will love the final pages which provide a more in-depth look into both the process and history of weaving. 

 A Song of Sun and Sky uses the beauty of the natural world to challenge the limiting assumptions people tend to make. A chance encounter with Georgia O’Keefe leads a young girl to see that the world is never just one color, but a myriad of constantly shifting hues.  As they part ways, she realizes even the people are never just one color.