A list of the best picture books for kids.
The Children’s Book Review
We’ve been dying to find a spare moment to share our picks for the best picture books of 2020! Yes, you heard right. Good things come to those who wait—thank you for waiting. So many stunning, meaningful, and fun picture books brightened shelves and lives in a challenging year for so many. I guarantee you that the creators of these books missed a ton of in-person celebrations when their books were released. Let’s celebrate them all here and now by filling our shelves with these delights!
We’re incredibly excited about our 2020 list because it includes TCBR founder Bianca Schulze’s debut picture book, Don’t Wake the Dragon.
Outside In
Written by Deborah Underwood
Illustrated by Cindy Derby
Ages 4-7 | 40 Pages
Publisher: Clarion Books | ISBN-13: 9781328866820
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You Matter
Written and Illustrated by Christian Robinson
Ages 4-8 | 40 Pages
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers | ISBN-13: 9781534421691
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Swashby and the Sea
Written by Beth Ferry
Illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal
Ages 4-7 | 32 Pages
Publisher: Clarion Books | ISBN-13: 9780544707375
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If You Come to Earth
Written and Illustrated by Sophie Blackall
Ages 5-8 | 80 Pages
Publisher: Chronicle Books | ISBN-13: 9781452137797
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I Talk Like a River
Written by Jordan Scott
Illustrated by Sydney Smith
Ages 4-8 | 40 Pages
Publisher: Neal Porter Books | ISBN-13: 9780823445592
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Evelyn Del Rey Is Moving Away
Written by Meg Medina
Illustrated by Sonia Sánchez
Ages 5-7 | 32 Pages
Publisher: Candlewick | ISBN-13: 9781536207040
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Nana Akua Goes to School
Written by Tricia Elam Walker
Illustrated by April Harrison
Ages 4-8 | 40 Pages
Publisher: Anne Schwartz Books | ISBN-13: 9780525581130
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We Are Water Protectors
Written by Carole Lindstrom
Illustrated by Michaela Goade
Ages 3-7 | 40 Pages
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press | ISBN-13: 9781250203557
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Your Name Is a Song
Written by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow
Illustrated by Luisa Uribe
Ages 4-8 | 40 Pages
Publisher: The Innovation Press | ISBN-13: 9781943147724
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I Am Every Good Thing
Written by Derrick Barnes
Illustrated by Gordon C. James
Ages 3-7 | 32 Pages
Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books | ISBN-13: 9780525518778
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The Barnabus Project
Written and Illustrated by The Fan Brothers
Ages 5-9 | 72 Pages
Publisher: Tundra Books | ISBN-13: 9780735263260
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All Because You Matter
Written by Tami Charles
Illustrated by Bryan Collier
Ages 4-8 | 40 Pages
Publisher: Orchard Books | ISBN-13: 9781338574852
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Don’t Wake the Dragon
Written by Bianca Schulze
Illustrated by Samara Hardy
Ages 2-6 | 32 Pages
Publisher: Clever Publishing | ISBN-13: 9781949998641
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Dozens of Doughnuts
Written by Carrie Finison
Illustrated by Brianne Farley
Ages 3-7 | 40 Pages
Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers | ISBN-13: 97805255183589
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Friday Night Wrestlefest
Written by J.F. Fox
Illustrated by Micah Player
Ages 3-6 | 48 Pages
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press | ISBN-13: 9781250212405
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Overground Railroad
Written by Lesa Cline-Ransome
Illustrated by James Ransome
Ages 4-8 | 48 Pages
Publisher: Holiday House | ISBN-13: 9780823438730
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Hike
Written and Illustrated by Pete Oswald
Ages 4-8 | 40 Pages
Publisher: Candlewick | ISBN-13: 9781536201574
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A Place Inside of Me: A Poem to Heal the Heart
Written by Zetta Elliott
Illustrated by Noa Denmon
Ages 4-8 | 32 Pages
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) | ISBN-13: 9780374307417
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Old Rock (is Not Boring)
Written and Illustrated by Deb Pilutti
Ages 4-8 | 40 Pages
Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers | ISBN-13: 9780525518181
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The Haunted Lake
Written and Illustrated by P.J. Lynch
Ages 7-10 | 48 Pages
Publisher: Candlewick | ISBN-13: 9781536200133
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Love, Sophia on the Moon
Written by Anica Mrose Rissi
Illustrated by Mika Song
Ages 4-8 | 32 Pages
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers | ISBN-13: 9781368022859
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Speak Up
Written by Miranda Paul
Illustrated by Ebony Glenn
Ages 4-7 | 40 Pages
Publisher: Clarion Books | ISBN-13: 9780358140962
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National Regular Average Ordinary Day
Written by Lisa Katzenberger
Illustrated by Barbara Bakos
Ages 3-7 | 32 Pages
Publisher: Penguin Workshop | ISBN-13: 9781524792404
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Danbi Leads the School Parade
Written and Illustrated by Anna Kim
Ages 3-7 | 40 Pages
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers | ISBN-13: 9780451478894
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Facts vs. Opinions vs. Robots
Written and Illustrated by Michael Rex
Ages 5-8 | 32 Pages
Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books | ISBN-13: 9781984816269
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The Fabled Life of Aesop
Written by Ian Landler
Illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski
Ages 4-7 | 64 Pages
Publisher: Clarion Books | ISBN-13: 9781328585523
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For more of the best new picture books for kids, follow along with our articles tagged with Picture Books, Books for Ages 0-3, and Books for Ages 4-8.
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