2024-2025 School Year Picture Books

Sources are listed here.

Chooch Helped illustrated by Rebecca Lee Kunz and written by Andrea L. Rogers

Randolph Caldecott Medal

“Sissy has a mischievous 2-year-old brother called Chooch—an affectionate nickname based on the Cherokee word for boy or son. No matter what the usdi (baby) does, he “just gets away with everything”—from painting streaks through Elisi’s mural to making a mess of Edutsi’s grape dumpling flour.” (Source: Kirkus Reviews)

My Daddy Is a Cowboy illustrated by C.G. Esperanza and written by Stephanie Seales

King Illustrator Book

“The child, who narrates the story, kisses Abuelita goodbye. Then Daddy and the little one head to the ranch on his motorcycle. They greet their horses: a shiny black mare called Power for Daddy and a spunky brown pony named Clover for the child. They ride their horses through the quiet streets of the city, and the child relishes Daddy’s undivided attention as well as the thrill of being the only ones awake. Daddy tells stories about learning to ride as a child, and they see the city begin to wake up.” (Source: Kirkus Reviews)

Jimmy’s Rhythm & Blues: The Extraordinary Life of James Baldwin by Michelle Meadows; illustrated by Jamiel Law

Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Illustrator Award

“Writing in verse, Meadows employs vivid imagery to convey Baldwin’s passion for writing, his desire for freedom, and his love for friends and family. The stories she chooses to highlight provide a full picture of the iconic writer and demonstrate his importance in African American literary history. Digital illustrations complement the text with a rich, warm palette. A high-quality introduction to an important figure in American literature.” (Source: Kirkus Reviews)

A Little Like Magic written and illustrated by Sarah Kurpiel

Schneider Younger Children’s Award

“The nameless narrator can’t stand uncomfortable hats, thick coats, stiff boots, and cold wind. The youngster especially dislikes new places. But today the child must endure all these things: Mom and the protagonist are going to watch ice sculptors building in the park…And visiting the completed sculptures, from whale to goldfish, feels magical; the cold and the crowds “melt away.” (Source: Kirkus Reviews)

A Plate of Hope: The Inspiring Story of Chef José Andrés and World Central Kitchen written by Erin Frankel

Odyssey Award

“For Andrés, cooking has always been about more than food. Growing up in Asturias, Spain, he learned that cooking is about people, and when he began working as a chef on a navy ship, fresh out of cooking school, he had a far greater goal than feeding sailors: He wanted everyone around the world to have enough to eat…The refrain “It wasn’t just” (“the rice,” “a restaurant,” “a trip”) helps readers learn to look beyond the surface of things, to discover new possibilities, surprises, and opportunities, even in the face of tragedy.” (Source: Kirkus Reviews)

An Etrog from Across the Sea written by Deborah Bodin Cohen and Kerry Olitzky, illustrated by Stacey Dressen McQueen

 The Sydney Taylor Book Award: Picture Book

“​​This touching story, written by two rabbis, offers a glimpse into a lesser-known aspect of colonial America and celebrates the warmth of family togetherness. The authors’ note explains that Grandpapa Luis is based on Luis Moises Gomez, a Sephardic Jewish colonial merchant and trader. The lovely, stylized illustrations expertly capture historical details and resemble delicate paintings on porcelain or needlework on embroidery samplers. A homey, appealing holiday celebration. (Picture book. 5-8)” (Source: Kirkus Reviews)

Aloha Everything written by Kaylin Melia George, illustrated by Mae Waite

 Asian/Pacific American Awards for Literature 

“A baby girl is born on an island in the moonlight; she and the island share a heartbeat. As she grows up, she learns to be swift like the honu (turtle) and smart like the heʻe (octopus), but the island knows that there’s more for her to learn…Mesmerizing, metered verse combines English and Hawaiian words for a rich tale of Hawaiian history, culture, ecology, and legends. Showing a deft use of light and shadow, the vibrant images bring the text to life, with a few wordless spreads throughout…A stunning tribute to Hawaiian culture and identity. (Picture book. 4-8)” (Source: Kirkus Reviews)

The Dream Catcher illustrated by Marcelo Verdad

Belpré Children’s Illustration Award

“Gr 1-4–Miguel and his abuelito wake early to prepare for their day of selling coconuts and dream catchers…The scenes are evocative and layered, bringing both the characters’ quiet home and their bustling town to life…VERDICT A gentle, contemplative tale that speaks beautifully to themes of empathy, family, community, and the power of dreams.” (Souce: School Library Journal)

Life After Whale: The Amazing Ecosystem of a Whale Fall

Multiple Starred Reviews

The Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award

Infused with wonder, an account of a natural cycle that occurs, mostly, far below the ocean’s surface…Grand and engrossing. (Informational picture book. 6-9) (From Kirkus)

Finding Things by Kevin Henke 

Multiple Starred Reviews

Acclaimed husband-and-wife team Henkes and Dronzek present an ode to noticing the little things…Found objects sometimes yield the simplest pleasures. Consider this book one such example. (Picture book. 3-6) (From Kirkus)

Being Home by Traci Sorell

Multiple Starred Reviews

A contemporary Cherokee family finds their way home…An evocative, heartwarming testament to the power of home and community. (Cherokee glossary) (Picture book. 6-10) (From Kirkus)

Cesaria Feels the Beat by Denise Rosario Adusei

Multiple Starred Reviews

A Deaf dancer learns to assert herself…A vibrant, poetic celebration of Deafness, dance, nature, and self-advocacy. (Picture book. 4-8) (From Kirkus)

A Star Shines Through by Anna Desnitskaya

Multiple Starred Reviews

A mother and child…have left home. The youngster shares details about the big city they’ve left behind. A star-shaped cardboard lamp used to hang in the apartment’s kitchen window, orienting the child while the little one headed home from music lessons. As war began, “We left for another country. It’s not like home here.”..Beautifully crafted and warmly empathetic. (author’s note) (Picture book. 5-9) (From Kirkus)

I’m sorry you got mad by Kyle Lukoff

Multiple Starred Reviews

“Ripped and crumpled notes tell most of the story as Jack…grumps through the school day. An early draft reads, “DEAR ZOE, I’M SORRY YOU GOT SO MAD!!! JACK.” …Ms. Rice, who looks over his drafts, writes back, “Dear Jack, Please try again. Love, Ms. Rice.” As each subsequent draft makes incremental progress, the story of what happened emerges..A master class in apologies and in storytelling through words and art. (Picture book. 4-8)” (Source: Kirkus)

Godfather Death by Sally Nicholls

Multiple Starred Reviews

“A lesser-known Brothers Grimm tale finds new life. Upon the birth of his son, a poor fisherman sets out to find an appropriate godfather…Deft writing and entrancing art prove once more why the old stories are worth retelling. (Picture book/folktale. 7-10)” (Source: Kirkus Reviews)

When I Hear Spirituals by Cheryl Willis Hudson

Multiple Starred Reviews

“An exuberant and picturesque celebration of African American spirituals. A Black child…waxes rhapsodic about spirituals in free verse, while choruses from relevant songs accompany the youngster’s words…A deeply resonant work that speaks to these songs’ historical—and present—meaning. (author’s note, glossary, bibliography) (Informational picture book. 6-10)” (Source: Kirkus Reviews)