These Picture Books Are Hidden Gems Everyone Should Read

Grandad promised to take his grandchildren to the park, but he needs some help locating a few lost things first. Follow the perplexed trio through Grandad’s house, where each room is devoted to a saturated single color. Use the list of missing items on the introductory page as you pore over the rainbow of seek-and-find pages. Once you’ve mastered this one, The Lost Picnic and The Lost Christmas are equally enchanting.

Sybil lives in New York City, next door to a dinosaur named Bolivar. But dinosaurs are extinct, so nobody believes Sybil, even when she tells her mother that she sees Bolivar at the museum, shopping at the corner bodega, and riding the subway. One night, Sybil tries to stay up all night to capture her prehistoric neighbor on film. With exceptionally detailed cross-hatch illustrations and over 200 pages, this is a non-traditional picture book. However, it’s perfect for sprawling on the floor and reading over the course of a week. Honestly, we can’t recommend this book enough!

At four years old, George Takei and his family (mother, father, brother, and baby sister) are removed from their home, forced on a train, and imprisoned in a Japanese internment camp after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. His mother smuggled in a sewing machine and made their living space a home in otherwise dire circumstances. However, when Takei’s parents filled out government forms, their answers branded them as disloyal, and the family was relocated to a harsher internment camp. Use this true-life tale to foster conversations about a difficult period in American history with kids aged 6-9. Middle schoolers will also appreciate Takei’s graphic novel They Called Us Enemy.

A young boy sits alone in a circle with a chalk line around him. So, he draws a bigger circle for his immediate family, then another to include extended family, like cousins and grandparents. But what about friends? They need a circle, too. His circles grow even bigger to include others, such as the teachers, coaches, and neighbors who make a difference. This heartfelt picture book celebrates the many circles of people who love and care for each other.

Nunu storms into her room, slams the door, and crumples to the floor in tears. Overwhelmed by emotion, Nunu boards a paper boat and sails away. The sea is boundless and empty, and Nunu is alone with her feelings. When an origami friend emerges from her backpack, Nunu folds and creases paper to create more creatures. With her boat full of paper friends and a full heart, Nunu turns her boat towards home. This lavishly illustrated and nearly wordless picture book is ideal for deeply feeling kids (and their caregivers!).

Two winged insects marvel at a little green shoot growing from the ground. More garden creatures join them, all communicating in an unknown dialect about the mysterious and ever-changing plant. They share news, turn the plant into a fort, and see a spider invade, only to be snatched up by a benevolent bird. Still, the season progresses and the plant changes. The cleverness of Du Iz Tak? is rooted in everyday wonders, while its imaginative, unique quality makes it a brilliant read-aloud.

Little Bear heads downstairs for breakfast, where the television shows an athlete skiing down a slope. Dad Bear asks him, “Can bears ski?” On the way to school, Little Bear gets scolded for not saying hi to his friend. At lunch, Little Bear wonders what all the other kids are laughing at. One day, Dad Bear takes his cub to an audiologist, who gives him a hearing test. At first, Bear’s hearing aids are uncomfortable, and the sound doesn’t make sense. But as he adjusts, Bear realizes everyone has been asking, “Can you hear me?” This story is a marvelous depiction of children encountering auditory loss.

“Everyone makes mistakes. Whether you are big or small.” Whether you fell through a roof, broke a priceless heirloom, or ran an unfair campaign, it’s important to recognize when you need to apologize. Apologies can be simple, but they should always be sincere. Whenever possible, try to fix the mistake, and know that it’s never too late to offer a heartfelt apology. It will make you — and more importantly, the other person — feel better. This book is a family-friendly step-by-step teaching tool for fostering forgiveness.

Xiao Xin lives in a multigenerational household and isn’t allowed to do anything by himself. His elders constantly warn him of dangers, fearful that if he falls or hurts himself, he won’t want to try again. Eager for a taste of freedom, Xiao Xin runs away. His distraught family imagines the worst until they are reunited and given a glimpse of Xiao Xin’s potential. Written in both Chinese and English, this book is an excellent pick for children living between cultures.

A young girl builds a life-sized sandcastle, complete with turrets, a moat, and soaring wings. Inside the sandcastle, royal guests from around the world are impressed with her creation. However, sand gets into the breakfast strudel, spoils a king’s milk bath, and into a queen’s bed sheets. Everyone is angry until a sandball fight erupts and the entire sandcastle collapses. We keep this summer-themed book out year-round, and I’ve read it to my kids too many times to count!