The magic of picture books transports us from library rugs and living room sofas to faraway places. They can make us laugh over the antics of a bunch of lost crayons or cry for a pet left behind by his owners. From the hilarious to the heart-wrenching, here are 10 picture books for all sorts of young readers.
For the enthusiastic young artist with a big imagination...
The Day the Crayons Came Home by Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers
Ever wonder what became of all the crayons you ever lost? Maybe the dog ate them, like Tan Crayon, or they melted together in the sun like Orange and Yellow Crayon, or they simply left to see more of the world like Esteban the Magnificent (formerly Pea Green Crayon). This is one of those rare picture books that will have the adults laughing just as much as the kids.
For the little fibber in all of us...
Pig the Fibber by Aaron Blabey
Pig isn’t the most well-behaved pug in the world. When things around the house get ruined, he lies and blames it on Trevor. But Pig is about to learn that being a fibber usually backfires. Pig might be naughty, but that doesn’t stop us from loving him and his cheeky antics. This is destined to be one of those picture books that gets asked for night after night.
For bedtime reading…
We All Sleep by Sally Morgan and Ezekiel Kwaymullina
From the first kookaburra call of the morning the world comes alive with colours and sounds in this evocative picture book from mother and son team Morgan and Kwaymullina. Readers are taken on a journey through the Australian landscape enjoying playful language and vibrant illustrations. The artwork in this stunning book really does need to be seen to be believed.
For children you want to entice away from their screens...
Rivertime by Trace Balla
Clancy isn’t so sure he’ll have a good time when his Uncle Egg takes him on a trip down the Glenelg River. Clancy thinks he’ll go crazy without technology, but quickly learns that nature has much more to offer than he first thought.
For showing your child just how big the world really is (and how they fit right into it)...
How the Sun Got to Coco’s House by Bob Graham
Follow the sun as it makes its long journey over hills, across oceans, through forests and busy cities until it finally arrives at Coco’s house. This book is full of warmth and is a beautiful contemplation of the world around us that begs to be read more than once.
For any child sporting a secret dream of finding buried treasure…
Sam and Dave Dig a Hole by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen
Sam and Dave are on a mission to find something spectacular, so they start to dig a hole. They’re not quite sure what they’re looking for, but they’ll know it when they find it. A great read-aloud that will see young readers shrieking with glee as they join in the search. It’s a simple premise but utterly hilarious.
For the child who is feeling anxious or a little bit shy…
The Underwater Fancy-Dress Parade by Davina Bell and Allison Colpoys
When Alfie thinks about appearing as Captain Starfish in the school play, he gets a bad feeling in his tummy. But after a trip to the aquarium, he learns that not every fish or child needs to spend their time in the spotlight, and that it’s OK not to feel brave sometimes.
For the child who loves his furry friend…
Sad, the Dog by Sandy Fussell and Tull Suwannakit
Sad the Dog is, well, sad. His owners aren’t very nice to him and when they move away they don’t even bother to take Sad with them. But Sad’s new owner isn’t like his old ones. Jack plays with him, feeds him and gives him scratches, until Sad doesn’t feel like his name fits any more. Absolutely heart-warming stuff, and if there isn’t a little tear of happiness in your eye by the end, you must be made of stone.
For when your child has a really, really bad day...
Mr Huff by Anna Walker
Ever have one of those bad days that just gets worse? When Bill starts noticing the imaginary Mr Huff following him around, it seems like nothing will lift him out of his bad mood. A poignant read for when we’re not feeling our best and a really great jumping off point to encourage kids to talk about their feelings.
For the child who’s learning to be brave…
Sir Lilypad by Anna Kemp and Sara Ogilvie
A plucky frog knight sets out on a quest across the land in search of a princess, but the one he finds isn’t exactly what he had in mind. Sir Lilypad might be small but he’s big on courage and will have young readers in stitches. A really great read to challenge our views on bravery, while still delivering plenty of laughs.
