10 Remarkable Picture Books of 2024

Picture books are beloved by students and educators alike. There’s something special—magical, even—about the way text and illustrations work together to tell a story. Not to mention that picture books typically tell stories that are compelling and complete and short enough to be enjoyed in a single sitting. It’s no wonder they’re perennially popular. 

The sheer number of end-of-year best-of lists, which often feature drastically different selections, is indicative of how many treasured picture books are published each year. And it also shows the subjectivity of those who create these lists. 

The list I’ve created this year is no less subjective than any other, of course. That said, in curating this list of 10 remarkable picture books, I’ve tried to include books that take risks and, in doing so, encourage us to take risks too—both in how we read and share these books and in how we interpret them.

As in previous years, along with a very short summary of each book, I also share suggestions for classroom use. These are not, of course, the only approaches to take. There are countless clever and creative ways to engage these picture books in K–12 classrooms. (Yes, picture books can and should be used with middle and high school students!) As an educator, I’ve always found it helpful to hear how other teachers approach specific texts. And as a picture book author, I know firsthand that these books are designed to invite interaction.

My Picks for Best Pictures Books from 2024

Drawn Onward, by Daniel Nayeri, illustrated by Matt Rockefeller (fiction). A gorgeously illustrated book about a boy’s journey through grief after losing his mother, written using palindromes. This book is a great way to initiate discussions about grief—an important topic often overlooked in schools, especially in the lower grades. It can also serve as an inspiration for creative writing activities that use language playfully, such as anagrams, acrostic poems, and yes... palindromes! (Pre-K to grade 3)

The First Week of School, by Drew Beckmeyer (fiction). In a book that’s both hilarious and heartfelt, we follow multiple characters—all humans except one bearded dragon and one extraterrestrial—as they navigate their first week of school. This book was illustrated exclusively using crayons, which can inspire students to illustrate their own beautiful books using everyday art supplies. Students can also try imitating Beckmeyer’s storytelling approach by creating a narrative that spans a week and is told through multiple perspectives, which can help them see how different people experience the same events in distinct ways. (Pre-K to grade 3)

Pepper & Me, by Beatrice Alemagna (fiction). Featuring warm, lively illustrations, this is a playful yet poignant story about a young girl who experiences a range of emotions about the scab that forms on her knee after a fall. After reading, you could invite students to reflect on a time they lost something they cared about as a child, through class discussion, creative writing, illustration, or some combination of the three. (Pre-K to grade 3)

Harriet’s Reflections, by Marion Kadi (fiction). This is a deceptively simple story in which a lion’s reflection decides to become the reflection of a little girl, which ultimately leads the girl on an unexpected process of self-discovery. Consider asking students to create illustrations in which they draw themselves in front of some kind of reflective surface (a mirror, window, pond, etc.) where their reflection appears as something or someone else. When students share and explain their work, this activity could lead to some fascinating insights into their self-perception. (Pre-K to grade 3)

Garbage Gulls, by Dorson Plourde, illustrated by Isabella Fassler (fiction). A story, told in poetic language and radiant illustrations, about two bored brothers hanging out in the back of a car on a hot summer day, trying to lure a whole lot of seagulls with french fries—and the fantastical result. This unconventional book not only is a fun story-time read-aloud, with lots of opportunity for students to share their interpretations of the words and the pictures, but also can serve as a great mentor text for elementary, middle, and high school poetry units. (Pre-K to grade 3)

The Quacken, by Justin Colón, illustrated by Pablo Pino (fiction). A humorously creepy story with a smart, engaging narrative and lively, cartoon-style illustrations, about a young camper who accidentally summons a giant beast of a bird. Encourage students to pay close attention to the details of the illustrations in this one: There are lots of fun details and clues throughout. Afterward, consider having them tell or write their own monster stories, and for an added level of fun (and challenge), they could sprinkle in some humor, too. (Pre-K to grade 3) 

Into the Goblin Market, by Vikki VanSickle, illustrated by Jensine Eckwall (fiction). Written in rhyming verse and richly illustrated with ink, this is the spooky tale of two sisters’ experience at the “Goblin Market”—a retelling of the classic poem by Christina Rossetti. This one’s a pitch-perfect read-aloud for early and upper elementary students, and it’s also a great springboard for students to dig into other fairy tales and perhaps even write their own retellings of the ones they like best. (Pre-K to grade 3)

Rumi: Poet of Joy and Love, by Rashin Kheiriyeh (nonfiction). With its colorful, intricate illustrations, this picture-book biography explores the life of Jalal al-Din Rumi, the mystical Persian poet, and how he arrived at his world-renowned wisdom. After reading aloud, consider sharing some of Rumi’s poems with your students, and have them write poems of their own. This book also invites discussions with students of all ages about how a writer’s life influences what—and how—they write. (Pre-K to grade 3)

Touch the Sky, by Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic, illustrated by Chris Park (fiction). With bright, energetic illustrations and propulsive, witty text, this is an encouraging story about a young boy determined to learn how to swing. Consider asking students to reflect on a time when they struggled to learn a new skill and what they discovered about themselves in the process. Then invite them to write their stories and/or create colorful, mixed-media illustrations—just like in the book—of their process. (Kindergarten to grade 3)

A Star Shines Through, by Anna Desnitskaya (fiction). With stunning illustrations and spare, emotional text, this picture book tells the story of a young girl and her mother as they flee their home and become refugees in a new country. The book is based on the author-illustrator’s personal experience of fleeing Ukraine after the Russian invasion. The topic, text, and illustrations make this book a great choice for younger and older students alike to explore the repercussions of a significant current event. It could also inspire students to create their own stories—fiction or nonfiction—of hope and light in dark times. (Kindergarten to grade 4)