Staff Picks: Beautifully Illustrated Children's Books

Posted by the Youth Library Staff

The Sleeping Beauty by Trina Schart Hyman and Snow White and the Seven Dwarves translated by Randall Jarrell and illustrated by Nancy Ekhelm Burkert.  Both are beautifully done versions of the classic tales.


The Lion & the Mouse illustrated by Jerry Pinkney.  Illustrated with maybe 2 or 3 words total.  Everyone knows the story but the illustrations are beautiful in this version (Caldecott winner).

Little Tug by Stephen Savage.  The book describes all the jobs a tug boat has to do.

Ganesha's Sweet Tooth by Emily Haynes, illustrated by Sanjay Patel.  A sweet story about the Hindu deity Ganesha.

A Pocket Full of Kisses by Audrey Penn.  Barbara Leonard Gibson's illustrations are truly heartwarmning in this story about a family adjusting to all the changes new family members can bring.

Nightsong by Ari Kerk and Loren Long.  A little bat's first night adventure where he conquers his fear and realizes just how independent he can be.

Plum by Tony Milton, illustrated by Mary GrandPre.  A beautiful collection of children's poems.

All the World by Liz Garton Scanlon.  Charming illustration drawn by Marla Frazee.

Flotsom by David Weisner.  A boy finds a mysterious camera on the beach and discovers the wonders of the ocean.  The story is told entirely with the detailed and gorgeous illustrations.  (Caldecott winner).

The Arrival by Shaun Tan.  Some libraries put this book in the adult section (as we do), and others place in in the children's collection.  Either way, it is an intriguing story of immigration told through imaginative and beautiful sketches.