⬇️ Author/illustrator Marie Boyd shares about their picture book JUST A WORM:

✨ "This is the perfect picture book for anyone who has ever compared themselves to others and felt like they have fallen short."

"This book can also be used . . .

📚 to teach young scientists and gardeners about the natural world,

📚 to encourage young helpers to look for ways that they can contribute to their communities, and

📚 to inspire young artists to make their own quilled paper art."

Author/illustrator: Marie Boyd

Publisher: Greenwillow Books (HarperCollins)

Publication Date: March 2023

Follow Marie Boyd:

📌 www.marieboyd.com 

📌 @artistscholar

⬇️ Author Laurie Wallmark shares about their picture book JOURNEY TO THE STARS: KALPANA CHAWLA, ASTRONAUT:

✨ "This is the perfect picture book for any child who has dreams."

📚 "This book can also be used to encourage an interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering, math)."

Authors: Laurie Wallmark and Raakhee Mirchandani
Illustrator: Maitreyi Ghosh
Publisher: Beaming Books
Pub date: 2/13/24

Follow Laurie Wallmark:
📌 lauriewallmark.com
📌 @lauriewallmark

⬇️ Author Sara Levine shares about their picture book POOP FOR BREAKFAST: WHY SOME ANIMALS EAT IT: 

✨ "This is the perfect picture book for teaching about the digestive system in a gross and engaging way."

📚 "This book can also be used to make kids laugh!"

Author: Sara Levine

Illustrator: Kate Slater

Publisher: Millbrook/Lerner

Publication Date: April 2023

Follow Sara Levine:

📌 https://www.saralevinebooks.com/ 

📌 @saralevinebooks (instagram and fb)

📌 @saraclevine (twitter/X)

⬇️ Author Roxanne Troup shares about their picture book MY GRANDPA, MY TREE, AND ME:

✨ "This is the perfect picture book for celebrating grandparents and learning where our food comes from."

This book can also be used:
📚 to study lyrical language
📚 to learn about the seasons and how those seasons affect farmers
📚 as a mentor text for writers using a compare and contrast story structure

Author: Roxanne Troup
Illustrator: Kendra Binney
Publisher: Yeehoo Press
Publication Date: April 2023

Follow Roxanne Troup:
📌 www.roxannetroup.com
📌 @roxannetroup (on Twitter/X)

⬇️ Author A.J. Irving shares about their picture book THE WISHING FLOWER:

✨ "This is the perfect picture book for shy and queer children who long for friendship."

📚 "This book can also be used for social emotional learning, celebrating Pride, and studying literary devices."

Author: A.J. Irving
Illustrator: Kip Alizadeh
Publisher: Knopf BFYR
Publication date: May 30, 2023

Follow A.J. Irving:

📌 Website: https://ajirving.com/
📌 IG/Twitter: @aj_irving

⬇️ Author Guy Brown shares about their picture book HOW CATS SAY I LOVE YOU: 

✨ "This is the perfect picture book for all curious children who are interested in loving a pet cat (whether a current cat owner or open to rescuing a cat of their own). This book is about learning social cues of love, and showing affection to people and pets."

Author: Guy Brown

Illustrator: Davide Ortu

Publisher: Platypus media

Publication Date: September 2023

Follow Guy Brown:

📌 @guybrownweather and/or @guybrownbooks on Instagram and twitter (x)

⬇️ Author Gabriella Aldeman shares about their picture book PAULA'S PATCHES:

✨ "This is the perfect picture book to celebrate mending and reusing."

This book can also be used:
📚 to illustrate the power of creative thinking, empathy, and kindness.
📚 as a starting point to discuss consumerism and throw away culture.

Author: Gabriella Aldeman
Illustrator: Rocio Arreola Mendoza
Publisher: Free Spirit Publishing
Pub Date: July 2023

Follow Gabriella Aldeman:
📌 website: https://www.writebetween.com/
📌 IG and Twitter/X: @write_between

⬇️ Author Ellen Mayer shares about their new picture book GIFT & BOX:

✨ "This is the perfect picture book for holiday and birthday gift-giving."

This book can also be used to:
📚 explore gift-giving as an expression of love
📚 talk about friendship and working together
📚 talk about grandparent-grandchild relationships
📚 spark creativity
📚 learn about the postal system
📚 discuss different modes of transportation
📚 get ready for a long voyage

Author: Ellen Mayer
Illustrator: Brizida Magro
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
Publication Date: October 10, 2023

Follow Ellen Mayer:
📌 www.ellenmayerbooks.com
📌 @ellenmayerbooks

⬇️ Author Cathy Ballou Mealey shares about their picture book MAKE MORE S'MORES:

✨ "This is the perfect picture book for campfire storytimes."

📚 "This book can also be used to encourage sharing and hospitality."

Author: Cathy Ballou Mealey
Illustrator: Ariel Landy
Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press
Publication Date: March 2023

Follow Cathy Ballou Mealey:
📌 https://cathyballoumealey.wixsite.com/author
📌 @catballoumealey on Instagram/X Twitter and Bluesky

⬇️ Author Nyasha Williams shares about their new picture book KEEP DREAMING, BLACK CHILD: 

✨ "This is the perfect picture book for budding activists and dreamers."

Nyasha also says that this book can be used:

📚 to encourage supporting the dreams of others. 

📚 as a reminder not to ever give up on your dreams.

📚 for affirmations towards an Antiracist and just world.

Author: Nyasha Williams 

Illustrator: Sawyer Cloud

Publisher: Running Press Kids 

Publication Date: December 5th 2023

Follow Nyasha Williams:

📌 @writingtochangethenarrative 

📌 https://www.nyashawilliams.online/

⬇️ Author Shannon Anderson shares about their picture book HEROES DON'T HAVE TO FLY: 

✨ "This is the perfect picture book for promoting kindness by using our words to encourage."

This book can also be used for:

📚 talking about bullying.

📚 sharing the power of our words.

Author: Shannon Anderson

Illustrator: Olga Demidova

Publisher: Clever Publishing

Publication Date: July 2023

Follow Shannon Anderson:

📌 www.shannonisteaching.com

📌 Facebook: authorshannonanderson

📌 Twitter:@shannonteaches

📌 Instagram: @shannonisteaching

⬇️ Author Jolene Gutiérrez shares about their picture book TOO MUCH! AN OVERWHELMING DAY:

✨ "This is the perfect picture book for helping kids with sensory sensitivities feel seen and understood."

📚 This book can also be used "to allow kids who aren't sensorily sensitive to grow their compassion and understanding."

Author: Jolene Gutiérrez

Illustrator: Angel Chang

Publisher: Abrams Appleseed

Publication Date: August 1, 2023

Follow Jolene Gutiérrez:

📌 www.jolenegutierrez.com

📌 Instagram, Twitter/X, Bluesky, Threads, Facebook: @writerjolene

I am super excited to introduce a series of posts called THE PERFECT PICTURE BOOK where authors and illustrators share what their picture books are perfect for and how families and educators can best use them. 

Inspiration for THE PERFECT PICTURE BOOK:

📚 many just don't have the time to read lengthy book review posts

📚 the title of a book and its cover may not give a complete picture of what a book has to offer

My goals for THE PERFECT PICTURE BOOK:

🩶 to provide families and educators with relevant information in an easy-to-read format

🩶 to provide meaningful information from those who know the books the best -- the authors and illustrators!