Kids Staff Picks
This heartfelt tale revolves around a gorgeously illustrated Oona as she struggles to acquire a deep sea treasure alongside a dear friend/pet, Otto. Gloriously adventurous and persistent, Oona is exactly the kind of character I would have loved to read as a kid!
— Phoenix
A peculiar book, though I enjoyed being thrust into its strange world. Figs float in fountains, blueberries enjoy a day at the beach, a watermelon sits contemplatively inside of a wigwam, and lemons lounge glamorously inside a limo. Before reading this, I didn't know what a vivonga fruit was. Now I do, hurray.
— Peter
Claude Ponti’s beautifully illustrated book has a Where’s Waldo meets Hieronymus Bosch quality that is playfully transfixing! It allows the reader, or viewer, to wander around the scene and discover. Or maybe even create your own story! What a fantastic gem of a book!
— Maya
Sweet Lyle, generous crocodile and friend to all, meets his first enemy in this tale of conflict and connection. I read this and wished I could enjoy a sugar cookie (with sprinkles on top) alongside him.
— Peter
The titular elephant, no bigger than a housecat, is tired of not fitting in and sets off on a journey to find where he belongs. Beautifully illustrated by the man who gave us the I <3 NY logo, you'll love watching this little elephant find exactly where he belongs.
— kathryn
This book is parfait, in the literal French sense of it being perfect. It is not a dessert, please do not attempt to eat it.
— Nick
Having tea dragons in the village is one thing, stumbling across a REAL dragon in the woods is entirely different! A magical, cozy story about a town where everyone works together for the common good with an emphasis on family and being proud of yourself and comfortable with who you are!
— Kasey
This is Pip's book, but he just so happens to be friends with the longest dog in the world so we're going to have to make a little more room so everyone can fit on the pages. How should we make more space? Flip over? Turn around? Jump about? This is a great book to talk to children about making room for their friends and others, breaking the fourth wall to encourage children to brainstorm solutions and interact with the story!
— Kasey
Maggie makes every decision by rolling a D20, doing whatever it says, even when she doesn't want to. Sometimes that makes her stressed, anxious, and unhappy, so why not stop? Maggie might not know it yet, but she has anxiety and OCD. With gentle encouragement from family and friends, she finds a safe way to learn about her mental health. A very kind story that destigmatizes mental health care, offers a kind model for parents to follow, and emphasizes how admitting it's time for help isn't a sign of weakness.
— Kasey
Do New York kids see the stars? They're there, I promise, above the haze and light pollution. Can you see them poking through? The North Star, Orion's Belt, the Big Dipper. Tales of every Roman god are up there and city kids deserve to know them too.
— Emma
A gorgeous book that illustrates happiness through classic and modern art. A must for kids of all ages, really. (PS: it absolutely doubles as a treat for adults!)
— Maria
I am so happy this series exists! Ryan Hart is definitely the spiritual successor to childhood classic heroines like Ramona Quimby and Anne Shirley. She's funny and brave, and she has a wonderful sense of fun and optimism. When you finish this book, you'll feel like you just made a new friend.
— Cass
Lucy Van Pelt may once again be set up as the bully of the story, but she pushes Charlie to identify what a friend truly is and urges him to be self-assured regardless of how many friends he has.
— Lexi
The children in this book have such strong dark circles I originally thought that they were an elderly brother/sister duo. This is the perfect book for your child who is simultaneously goth and a minimalist.
— Lexi