Picturesque Picture Books

Created byHaley- Updated on September 12^th2017

Picture books aren't always for toddlers or young'uns. I am often blown away by the talent of the illustrators of these books and can't help picking up just a few to flip through just to look at those pretty pictures (despite not having any kids)! These are some of my personal favorites where the art just brings me joy and excitement, and usually you get a cute story to boot!

Ish

Reynolds, Peter, 1961-

From the Publisher

Ramon loses confidence in his ability to draw, but his sister gives him a new perspective on things.

My Thoughts

The author and illustrator who inspired me to make this list. He's also well known for his work, "The Dot." I love absolutely everything he has done.

Gaston

DiPucchio, Kelly.

From the Publisher

一个合适的斗牛犬在贵宾犬的家人和tough poodle raised in a bulldog family meet one day in the park.

My Thoughts

An adorable story about family and fitting in with a distinct visual style!

Don't blink!

Booth, Tom, 1983- author, illustrator.

From the Publisher

A girl and her animal friends challenge the reader to a staring contest in this interactive picture book.

My Thoughts

Those wide eyes... I love the idea of reading this book to a child for a storytime and having them try so hard to have a staring contest with them!

Claymates

Petty, Dev, author.

From the Publisher

"Two balls of clay have a great time shaping themselves into various animals and objects until their sculptor comes back and discovers the mess they've made of her work"-- Provided by publisher.

My Thoughts

A creative, hands-on approach to illustrations! Using pictures of sculptures is a fabulous idea and will make you want to go find some clay to play with yourself!

Flora and the flamingo

Idle, Molly Schaar.

From the Publisher

In this wordless book, a friendship develops between a girl named Flora and a graceful flamingo, as they learn to dance together.

My Thoughts

A gorgeous no-words story with lots of flapping and splashing. Flora has many friends, but the flamingo one is my favorite (and perfect for summer)!

Pandora

Turnbull, Victoria, author, illustrator.

From the Publisher

"Pandora the fox lives alone in a junk yard. She's depressed and has no contact with the outside world. Then, she rescues a blue bird. As she nurses him back to health, the bird collects seeds and trinkets for her. One day, the bird grows strong enough to fly away, but the garden seeds he brought begin to transform Pandora's landscape"-- Provided by publisher.

My Thoughts

The story in the book is moving and is only enhanced by the soft art.

Escargot

Slater, Dashka, author.

From the Publisher

Escargot is a beautiful French snail who only wants to be your favorite animal and get to the delicious salad at the end of the book, even if he has to try a carrot, which he hates.

My Thoughts

Try something new with Escargot, the cute little snail who loves salad.

The Nian monster

Wang, Andrea, author.

From the Publisher

"The legendary Nian monster has returned at Chinese New Year. Nian is intent on devouring Shanghai, starting with young Xingling! But Xingling is clever and thinks quickly to outwit him with Chinese New Year traditions"-- Provided by publisher.

The white cat and the monk : a retelling of the poem "Pangur bán"

Bogart, Jo Ellen, author.

From the Publisher

"A monk leads a simple life. He studies his books late into the evening and searches for truth in their pages. His cat Pangur leads a simple life, too, chasing prey in the darkness. As night turns to dawn, Pangur leads his companion to the truth he has been seeking"-- Provided by publisher.

Watersong

McCanna, Tim, author.

From the Publisher

"A fox's journey to take shelter from a rainstorm, told entirely in onomatopoeia"-- Provided by publisher.

My Thoughts

A book that's told entirely in onomatopoeia. 1) That's super cool. 2) It's minimal words make the art shine. With every split and splat, you can almost feel the raindrops falling off the page onto you.

Moana and the ocean

Knowles, Heather (Editor for Walt Disney Company)

From the Publisher

"The ocean is Moana's friend. It has watched her grow up on the island of Motunui. It has seen her highs and her lows, her joys and her sorrows. It has seen just how much she wantes to explore the world and travel the seas. The ocean knows Moana's caring heart, her untiring spirit. And it knows, better than most, that Moana is special. Follow this tale about a girl like no other as told by the ocean itself."--Jacket flap.

My Thoughts

Jump on the Moana train, and check out this gorgeous thing!

To the sea

Atkinson, Cale, author, illustrator.

From the Publisher

Tim, a boy, and Sam, a blue whale lost in the city, both feel unnoticed until they meet, and they become best friends as Tim tries to help Sam get back home.

My Thoughts

A whale of a tale about friendship.

Cloud country

Becker, Bonny.

From the Publisher

A little cloud moves through the sky among the other clouds, wishing to be big enough to make a real cloud shape before realizing that she is capable of making something different.

My Thoughts

Reminiscent of Pixar's short "Partly Cloudy," this soft and fluffy looking picture book makes me long to go cloud watching.

Super Happy Magic Forest

Long, Matty, author, illustrator.

From the Publisher

When the Mystical Crystals of Life are stolen from the Super Happy Magic Forest--where everybody parties all the time--five unlikely heroes are chosen to go on a quest to retrieve them.

My Thoughts

For fans of "Adventure Time"! This book has really cute illustrations packed with details that are great fun to look at!

Nobody likes a goblin

Hatke, Ben, author.

From the Publisher

Goblin, a cheerful little homebody, lives in a cosy, rat-infested dungeon, with his only friend, Skeleton. Every day, Goblin and Skeleton play with the treasure in their dungeon. But one day, a gang of "heroic" adventurers bursts in. These marauders trash the place, steal all the treasure, and make off with Skeleton-leaving Goblin all alone! It's up to Goblin to save the day. But first he's going to have to leave the dungeon and find out how the rest of the world feels about...

My Thoughts

As someone who grew up adventuring in dungeons and rolling dice for fun, I love this book. Its illustrations are especially cute, but the story is also very heartfelt.