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Only Picture Books’ 23 Favorites of 2023

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Well, we’re now fully into 2024, which means I now have 100% of the picture book options from 2023 available to read and rave about. In no particular order (save alphabetical!), here are OPB’s 23 favorite picture books from 2023.

People sometimes ask how I pick these books. I have the following listed on the SUBMIT PBs tab above as my overall criteria for including a book on the blog:

  • Books that have heart.
  • Books that resonate.
  • Books that are skillfully done.
  • Books that matter.

To be a Best of 2023, though? I’m looking for even more, such as:

  • Engagement of the Imagination: Books that spark creativity and wonder, inviting young minds to explore new worlds and ideas.
  • Emotional Detail and Complexity: Stories that navigate a spectrum of feelings with nuance and depth, resonating with both young hearts and mature minds.
  • Exceptional, Vivid Writing: Narratives that are not only beautifully penned but also vibrant and evocative, creating lasting impressions.
  • Interplay Between Text and Image: A harmonious and enriching balance where words and illustrations enhance and echo each other, creating a unified storytelling experience.
  • Relevance and Timelessness: Something that speaks to the present moment while holding enduring appeal for future generations.
  • Re-​readability: Titles that invite repeated enjoyment, revealing new layers and joys with each reading.
  • Visual Storytelling: Illustrations that don’t just accompany the text but enrich the narrative, adding dimensions of meaning and engagement.

Yeah, that’s a tall order. I quite agree. But doing so many good things at once is how you get on a Best of list.

Now, any list like this is wildly subjective despite my lists above, so plenty of worthy books won’t appear here. If I missed your favorite, my apologies! Feel free to note those in the comments on this post. Perhaps I’ll be able to work them into a future roundup or list of one type or another.

Since this is running in OPB’s usual monthly Picture Book Review slot, I’m including my own 5‑word reviews for each title along with a link to the appropriates Goodreads page.

Here we go!

Autumn Peltier, Water Warrior by Carole Lindstrom, illustrated by Bridget George (19 September 2023)

OPB Five-​Word Review: Tidal wave of change inspires.

Goodreads Reviews

Beneath by Cori Doerrfeld (17 January 2023)

OPB Five-​Word Review: Hidden depths, revealed with love.

Goodreads Reviews

The Book from Far Away by Bruce Handy, illustrated by Julie Benbassat (15 August 2023)

OPB Five-​Word Review: Wordless wonder: cosmic book connection.

Goodreads Reviews

Butt or Face? by Kari Lavelle (11 July 2023)

OPB Five-​Word Review: Guessing game with cheeky charm.

Goodreads Reviews

Cape by Kevin Johnson, illustrated by Kitt Thomas (20 June 2023)

OPB Five-​Word Review: Grief, memories, and hope entwined.

Goodreads Reviews

Friends Beyond Measure by Lalena Fisher (28 February 2023)

OPB Five-​Word Review: Friendship visualized through graphic design.

Goodreads Reviews

Grief Is an Elephant by Tamara Ellis Smith, illustrated by Nancy Whitesides (23 October 2023)

OPB Five-​Word Review: Metaphorical, empathetic exploration of grief.

Goodreads Reviews

Hidden Gem by Linda Liu (11 July 2023)

OPB Five-​Word Review: Rock’s reflections, profound self-​acceptance lesson.

Goodreads Reviews

How Dinosaurs Went Extinct: A Safety Guide by Ame Dyckman, illustrated by Jennifer Harney (18 April 2023)

OPB Five-​Word Review: “Safety Guide,” dino style. UpROARious!

Goodreads Reviews

How to Write a Poem, by Kwame Alexander and Deanna Nikaido, illustrated by Melissa Sweet (4 April 2023)

OPB Five-​Word Review: Poetry’s dance in everyday moments.

Goodreads Reviews

Invisible Things by Andy J. Pizza, illustrated by Sophie Miller (18 July 2023)

OPB Five-​Word Review: Unveiling life’s unseen wonders…poetically.

Goodreads Reviews

Jumper: A Day in the Life of a Backyard Jumping Spider by Jessica Lanan (11 April 2023)

OPB Five-​Word Review: Arachnid adventure–jumping into action.

Goodreads Reviews

Mae and Gerty and the Matter with Matter by Elaine Vickers, illustrated by Erica Salcedo (17 October 2023)

OPB Five-​Word Review: Sibling scientists bond through chemistry.

Goodreads Reviews

Mama Shamsi at the Bazaar by Mojdeh Hassani and Samira Iravani, illustrated by Maya Fidwai (19 July 202)

OPB Five-​Word Review: Under chador, a world unfolds.

Mother of Sharks by Melissa Cristina Márquez, illustrated by Devin Elle Kurtz (30 May 2023)

OPB Five-​Word Review: Shark magic fuels STEAM dreams.

Our Pool by Lucy Ruth Cummins (13 June 2023)

OPB Five-​Word Review: City pool: splashtastic summer delight.

Goodreads Reviews

Paula’s Patches by Gabriella Aldeman, illustrated by Rocío Arreola Mendoza (11 July 2023)

OPB Five-​Word Review: Heartwarming tale of mending friendships.

Goodreads Reviews

Remember by Joy Harjo, illustrated by Michaela Goade (21 March 2023)

OPB Five-​Word Review: Nature’s wisdom in poetic embrace.

Goodreads Reviews

The Skull by Jon Klassen (11 July 2023)

OPB Five-​Word Review: Cozy chills: eerie, tender, captivating.

Goodreads Reviews

Spicy Spicy Hot! by Lenny Wen (19 July 2022)

OPB Five-​Word Review: Cultural connection through fiery sambal.

Goodreads Reviews

The Search for the Giant Arctic Jellyfish by Chloe Savage (5 October 2023)

OPB Five-​Word Review: Enchanting storytelling reveals hidden marvel.

Goodreads Reviews

A Vaccine Is Like a Memory by Rajani LaRocca, illustrated by Kathleen Marcotte (20 June 2023)

OPB Five-​Word Review: Inoculating minds with vaccine knowledge.

Goodreads Reviews

A Walk in the Woods by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney and Brian Pinkney (12 September 2023)

OPB Five-​Word Review: Grief’s path leads to treasure.

Goodreads Reviews

Educational Activities: Turbo’s Special Delivery by Jean Reagan, illustrated by Eduardo Marticorena

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Turbo’s Special Delivery
Author: Jean Reagan
Illustrator: Eduardo Marticorena
24 October 2023
Clarion Books
40 pages

Book description from Goodreads: “There’s a new truck on the road and he goes fast— turbo fast; from New York Times bestselling author Jean Reagan comes a social-​emotional picture book about slowing down and learning new skills. Turbo Truck has always stayed in his lane. That lane being the fast one. But when the only job left is one that calls for a delicate hand at the wheel, Turbo has the chance to prove to everyone—and himself—that he can travel at more than one speed. As Turbo slows down, he discovers the satisfaction of a job well done (even one with no impressive accelerations) and the sights only visible from the slow lane.”

Need some reviews for Turbo’s Special Delivery?

Educational Activities inspired by Turbo’s Special Delivery:

  • Before Reading–From looking at the front cover: 
    • What do you think the story might be about, based on the title and cover of the book?
    • What characters do you think might be in this story?
    • What do you know about trucks? How do they work, and what jobs do they do?
    • What are you wondering about as you look at the front and back cover?
    • What questions would you like to ask the author–or the illustrator!–before reading the book?
  • After Reading–Now that you’ve read the story: 
    • What made Turbo different?
    • If you were in the story, what would you hear, see, smell, and feel at the warehouse?
    • How did you react when Turbo didn’t get a job? Has anything like this happened to you before?
    • How worried were you about Turbo successfully handling the special delivery?
    • Was there a moment in the book that surprised you?
    • What was your favorite part of the story, and why?
    • After the events of this story, how might Turbo act differently in the future?
    • Would you suggest this book to a friend? Why/​why not?
  • Turbo Truck Craft: Create a detailed model of Turbo using cardboard, bottle caps for wheels, and paint. Focus on making parts of him, like wheels or doors, move in slow motion. Decorate Turbo with colors as seen in the book. As you build, think about how each part of a truck works and why slowing down might be important for Turbo.
  • Slow Race Challenge: Organize a race where the slowest person to reach the finish line wins. Mark a starting and finishing line in a safe outdoor area. Discuss strategies to move slowly and steadily, and observe how different it feels compared to a regular race. Talk about the importance of patience and how it relates to the story.
  • Further Reading: Turbo’s Special Delivery features a very special truck. Here are some other picture books about trucks (and truck-​like things). Which of these have you already read? Which of the others would you want to read first? (Click on any book cover for more information on these titles!)

Picture Book Review: How the Sea Came to Be by Jennifer Berne (illustrated by Amanda Hall)

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Author: Jennifer Berne
Illustrator: Amanda Hall
Eerdmans Books for Young Readers
25 April 2023
56 pages

This month’s PB review is by Ryan G. Van Cleave (Owner/​Operator of Only Picture Books) and Florida-​based author/​illustrator Loreen Leedy.

 

–Ryan’s Review of the Writing–

Jennifer Berne’s new picture book, How the Sea Came to Be, is an evocative and captivating exploration into Earth’s aquatic history. The storytelling (divided into three parts—The Birth of the Sea, The Birth of Life, and All That the Sea Came To Be) combines elements of geology, oceanography, biology, and evolution. Written in rhyming verse quatrains, the narrative is as much a lyrical journey as it is an educational resource, offering readers an overview of over 4.5 billion years of oceanic history. Yeah, that’s a lot of room to cover, and she manages it on in a robust 56 pages.

The vivid imagery created by the text grips from the outset, with descriptions that bring to life the primal chaos of the earth’s formative years. I’m also a fan of how Berne goes beyond rhyming to include alliteration (“They blazed and they blasted and boomed”) that add to the meter (mostly iambic) which makes this a fun read-aloud.

Accompanying Berne’s textual journey are Amanda Hall’s mixed media illustrations. I’ll let Loreen dive deeper into those (like the watery pun?), but I find them to be integral components of the learning journey, adding richness to the storytelling. The layout of each spread invites exploration and appreciation, with the varied marine life forms being depicted in their natural, multi-​layered aquatic habitats. I wish there were clearer labels directly on the art, but most of what’s shown is either in the main text or the extensive back matter. The full-​page notes from both creators, glossary, full-​spread chart of “Ocean Creatures Over Time,” and recommended readings and resources adds an extra layer of depth (is that another ocean pun?) that will no doubt be a welcome addition for the home school and classroom market.

It’s a challenge to simplify and present complex scientific concepts in a way that’s both accessible and engaging to young readers. For the most part, that’s what happens here. Ultimately, this picture book inspires curiosity and invites questions about our world’s natural history, making it a solid resource for young scientists or anyone with a keen interest in the marine world.

4.5 out of 5 pencils

 

–Loreen’s Review of the Illustrations–

The rhyming text and impressive illustrations in this nonfiction book present a whirlwind tour of the earth’s oceans from the earliest moments in prehistory up to the present day. Colorfully complex endpapers give a sneak peek of the visual delights to come. Every page invites readers to explore the vastly different environments that once existed (or still exist) on our planet.

Earth’s early period of cosmic bombardment and erupting volcanoes appear in dramatic compositions of orange, black, and white. Monochromatic scenes depict a cooling, rainy world with brand new oceans full of crashing waves. Life begins microscopically small yet with pulsating energy, pictured as tiny circles/​cells that expand into more numerous and complex forms. Soon, simple but more recognizable animals such as sponges and jellyfish cling to rocks or float in the salty waters.

A delightful close-​up view of a worm wriggling along the ocean floor conveys an important milestone in the history of life: the ability to travel in a desired direction. Hard-​shelled arthropods scuttle and swim through a viridian and magenta frieze. One illustration requires a 90-​degree turn of the book to explore the dark depths of the sea where unusual, even glowing creatures dwell. Each spread moves forward in time as cephalopods, fish, reptiles, and whales wander the seven seas in their turn.

The animals are drawn and painted in a lightly stylized, realistic way with a hint of friendly charm. Technical jargon is avoided in the main text, while the back matter provides additional in-​depth information such as an illustrated fold-​out chart of geological eras. Curiously, plants are not mentioned despite their vital role in the food chain. Aside from that quibble, this is a terrific book to engage young readers in learning about major ocean-​related developments in prehistory. The beautifully designed artwork is outstanding throughout with numerous details for young readers to examine and enjoy.

4.5 out of 5 crayons

Loreen Leedy is the author and illustrator of over 45 picture books for children. Most of them include educational content such as math, science, language arts, and social studies topics, presented with humor and enthusiasm. Her titles include My Teacher Is a Dinosaur and Other Prehistoric Poems, Jokes, Riddles, & Amazing Facts; Fraction Action; Measuring Penny; and Crazy Like a Fox: A Simile Story. She lives with her husband on a rural property in central Florida.

Picture Book Reviews: Here I Can Be Mindful (Ally Condie); Oh No, the Aunts Are Here (Adam Rex); Stinkbird Has a Superpower (Jill Esbaum); Weather Together (Jessie Sima); When You Can Swim (Jack Wong)

On By Only Picture BooksIn Picture Book Reviews, Uncategorized

Things went sideways at OPB this month, so instead of offering a normal picture book review where I write about the story and a pro illustrator writes about the art, we’re going a different route this time. We’re doing five-​word reviews for five picture books.

If you like this zippy new format, maybe we’ll try it again from time to time.

 

Here I Can Be Mindful
Author: Ally Condie
Illustrator: Jamie Kim
Viking Books for Young Readers
2 May 2023
32 pages

Five-​word review: Peaceful voyage through mindful awareness.

4.25 out of 5 Zen koans

Oh No, the Aunts Are Here
Author: Adam Rex
Illustrator: Lian Cho
Chronicle Books
23 May 2023
40 pages

Five-​word review: Boisterous, loving family reunion tale.
4.25 out of 5 family photos

Stinkbird Has a Superpower
Author: Jill Esbaum
Illustrator: Bob Shea
G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers
16 May 2023
32 pages

Five-​word review: Unique charm amid stinky adventures.

4.25 out of 5 stink waves

Weather Together (Not Quite Narwhal and Friends)
Author: Jessie Sima
Illustrator: Jessie Sima
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
2 May 2023
56 pages

Five-​word review: Unicorns explore emotional weather together.

4.75 out of 5 rainbow swirls

When You Can Swim
Author: Jack Wong
Illustrator: Jack Wong
Orchard Books
2 May 2023
48 pages

Five-​word review: Diverse, empowering, aquatic joy ride.

4.5 out of 5 diving boards

Educational Activities: Super Pizza & Kid Kale by Phaea Crede

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Super Pizza & Kid Kale
Author: Phaea Crede
Illustrator: Zach Smith
27 September 2022
Viking Books for Young Readers
40 pages

Book description from Goodreads: “With great flavor, comes great responsibility.

Super Pizza and Kid Kale have been delicious do-​gooders and the best of friends since the day they came aleaf in the oven of the Baker Elementary cafeteria. But as they heroically foil one dastardly deed after another, Super Pizza’s popularity begins to go to their crust, and it leaves their veggie pal feeling rotten. The growing frustration that begins to drive a wedge in their friendship is now threatening to take the students of the school down with them! It’ll be up to Super Pizza and Kid Kale to patch things up so that they can get back to being the heroes that these kids knead.

For fans of Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast comes a hilarious and punny new picture book about navigating the ups and downs of friendship and the unintended consequences that actions can have on others, starring the Batman and Robin of food.”

Educational Activities inspired by Super Pizza & Kid Kale:

  • Before Reading–From looking at the front and back cover: 
    • What do you think about pizza?
    • What do you think about kale?
    • Where and when do you think this story takes place?
    • What differences do you see between the two superheroes on the front cover and the back cover?
    • What questions would you like to ask the author before you read the book?
  • After Reading–Now that you’ve read the story: 
    • How did you react when Kid Kale got upset about being ignored and undervalued?
    • Super Pizza & Kid Kale has a graphic novel/​comic illustration style. Why do you think the artist chose this style for this story?
    • Which of the pictures did you enjoy the most?
    • The book is full of puns (jokes that come from possible different meanings of a word, or words that have multiple meanings). Which were your favorites?
    • Did you like this book? Why/​why not?
  • Writing–The origin story of these unusual superheroes is a “freak cafeteria accident” on page one. What other school-​based superheroes might emerge from a different freak accident? Write one of those origin stories, and if you want, write one of their adventures, too. Use colored pencils, crayons, or markers to create your own story art, whether it’s comic-​style like Super Pizza & Kid Kale or something else entirely. Consider sharing your school superhero story with a friend or family member.
  • Crafting–Who knew there were so many kid crafts about pizza! OPB did, and here are a few of our favorites: 
  • Further Reading–Which of these books about pizza have you already read? Which of the others would you want to read first? (Click on any book cover for more information on these titles!)