Here is the thing, I love animal picture books. Which is totally ironic since I don’t actually love pets or being around animals. But if you want to watch a documentary about animals or you want to visit the zoo or aquarium or you want to read a book about animals, then fantastic. I’m totally with you. When it comes to learning about animals or seeing cute animal characters in a book—I love it. I guess I just don’t want to clean up the messes or get fur all over my clothes. Anyway, there are a lot of fun animal picture books that have recently been published, and I wanted to share some of my new favorites with you!
By Ben Mantle
Candlewick Press, 2022. Picture Book.
I nearly snorted when reading the first part of this book. It starts off with a frog catching a fly that was caught at the same moment by a toad. When the fly comments on being eaten by “two frogs” the frog and the toad are offended—and both let go of the fly who buzzes off. The rest of the book is a hilarious banter about which species is better—frogs or toads. With comical and brightly colored illustrations as well as a humorous ending, this is one amphibian tale not to miss.
By April Pulley Sayre with Jeff Sayre
Beach Lane Books, 2022. Informational.
If any young readers out there love sloths, then this is a book for them. It teaches all about sloths in the lyrical way that only the late April Pulley Sayre can do. For all the readers who want even more information there are more detailed side-bars that teach more about sloths. The book is illustrated with photographs that capture all the sloth-filled moments. This is an informational book that reads like a picture book (with all the extra facts on the side).
By Carrie Finison
Illustrated by Erin Kraan
Random House Studio, 2022. Picture Book.
Little Tortoise is ready for school. She is off and hoping to get to school faster than all the other animals; however, soon after she heads out, other animals come and quickly outpace her. With a healthy dose of onomatopoeia and a lot of emotion, Tortoise and all the other animals (and their teacher) are able to get to school. The illustrations have a lot of texture and this story has a lot of heart. It is a perfect read for little ones heading to school or young readers who sometimes feel that they can’t be as fast as everyone else.
By Margaux Meganck
Alfred A. Knopf, 2022. Picture Book.
In this story a young elephant looks across the savannah and asks “what is that?” In response various animals all over the world respond to their young that “that’s a person” and “people are wild.” In a juxtaposition we see how people are the loud, smelly, messy and strange creatures. With lots of fun illustrations that showcase animals and people who happen to be observing nature, readers will get a tiny glimpse into what it is like to obverse animals and how important it is to let animals stay in their own habitats.
By Rashmi Sirdeshpande
Illustrated by Rikin Parekh
Faber, 2022. Picture Book.
In this retelling of the classic nursery rhyme of “Hey, Diddle Diddle” Cow is a little nervous to jump over the moon. She isn’t quite sure that she can do it and is worried that everyone will laugh at her. With some comical illustrations (for example, the plate looks like a lion’s head and the spoon looks like a giraffe) and a lot of encouragement (“Ready…Steady…Go!”) Cow is able to do the impossible. Readers who are timid and afraid might find solace in this new picture book.
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