2017 Picture Books I’m Really Looking Forward To

Ending on a preposition and regretting nothing.

Here are the 2017 books I’ve seen that I’ve found positively delightful.  These are all completely and utterly worthy.  Put them on your To Be Read list today:

Baby’s First Words by Christiane Engel

I like a good book for the little littles where the fact that a kid has two dads is part of the equation but not the focus.  Additionally, there’s a stay-at-home dad here that’s awesome.

Home and Dry by Sarah L. Smith

A peculiar little book, but I was very fond of its love of all things soggy.

Mrs. White Rabbit by Giles Bachelet

It is French.  It is funny.  You will enjoy it.  Particularly the Alice in Wonderland in-jokes.

My Beautiful Birds by Suzanne Del Rizzo

A Syrian refugee picture book done in an entirely different medium – clay!

Prince Ribbit by Jonathan Emmett, ill. Poly Bernatene

Look. Any book that teaches kids to read everything critically is a necessary purchase in my book. Plus this is from the guys that brought us The Princess and the Pig, so that’s awesome right there.

Rabbit Magic by Meg McLaren

Books with tons of tiny details hidden within the pages are easy sells.  I love the delicacy of the art here.

There Might Be Lobsters by Carolyn Crimi, ill. Laurel Molk

At first it just looks like a story about a dog overcoming fears, but the text reads aloud particularly well.

Tony by Ed Galing, ill. Erin E. Stead

I won’t!  I won’t fall in love with this adapted poem about a boy and his love for the milkman’s horse!  I won’t, I say!  I . . . oh, darn it.  Too late.

The Unexpected Love Story of Alfred Fiddleduckling by Timothy Basil Ering

Ering tends to write longer picture books.  This was has more heart in its little finger than most books have in their whole bodies.

Waiting for Pumpsie by Barry Wittenstein, ill. London Ladd

Kids could easily get the impression that after Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier it was smooth sailing for African-Americans in baseball.  This book shoots down that myth elegantly and well.

When the Rain Comes by Alma Fullerton, ill. Kim La Fave

Remarkably dramatic for something so short.

XO OX by Adam Rex, ill. Scott Campbell

The return of Scott Campbell!  The pairing of Adam Rex!  And I’m calling it now: The most fabulous romantic pairing of 2017.

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