This time of year feels magical. Yes, the holidays, fun traditions, and magical guests all play a part in this, but I truly believe what makes this season so incredible is us. The giving, the spirit of wonder, and our imagination that helps us believe in the impossible. These picture books highlight how important imagination and creativity truly are, and all of the things we can accomplish if we recognize their power.
The Artist
By Ed Vere
New York: Doubleday Books for Young Readers, 2023. Picture Book.
By Ed Vere
New York: Doubleday Books for Young Readers, 2023. Picture Book.
In this adorable picture book that seeks to answer the question, "What is an artist?," a cute dinosaur-like creature, covered in a rainbow of colors, seeks to create art. She sees the world differently, her head is a beautifully chaotic combination of ideas, and she decides to share that art with the world. As she makes mistakes, she learns that art is about heart, not being perfect. Readers learn that maybe an artist is someone with a big imagination and the courage to be brave.
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The Fantastic Bureau of Imagination
Written by Brad Montague
Illustrated by Brad and Kristi Montague
New York: Dial Books for Young Readers, 2023. Picture Book.
Sparky is a special figment agent who delivers mail to all the other fairies in the Fantastic Bureau of Imagination. One day, he discovers that a cave full of great, wondrous ideas is overflowing. There isn't enough space for them, and Sparky needs to fix this problem before the cave of ideas threatens to take down the entire building. The only solution? Share them! As Sparky encourages those around him to share their amazing ideas and dreams, he gains the courage to share his own. A great story for anyone feeling a little shy or scared about sharing their imaginative, creative selves.
Written by Brad Montague
Illustrated by Brad and Kristi Montague
New York: Dial Books for Young Readers, 2023. Picture Book.
Sparky is a special figment agent who delivers mail to all the other fairies in the Fantastic Bureau of Imagination. One day, he discovers that a cave full of great, wondrous ideas is overflowing. There isn't enough space for them, and Sparky needs to fix this problem before the cave of ideas threatens to take down the entire building. The only solution? Share them! As Sparky encourages those around him to share their amazing ideas and dreams, he gains the courage to share his own. A great story for anyone feeling a little shy or scared about sharing their imaginative, creative selves.
Once Upon a Book
Written by Grace Lin and Kate Messner
Illustrated by Grace Lin
New York: Little, Brown and Company, 2023. Picture Book.
Written by Grace Lin and Kate Messner
Illustrated by Grace Lin
New York: Little, Brown and Company, 2023. Picture Book.
On a dreary day, Alice wishes she were anywhere else but home. When she starts reading a book, it invites her to join the story! She crawls into the pages and encounters all manners of creatures, places, and weather. As Alice travels to each new place, she comes to realize that nowhere is perfect; however, inside the pages of book, she can go anywhere she wants, even home. A stellar book that highlights the imaginative power behind books and reading.
In the Palm of My Hand
Written by Jennifer Raudenbush
Illustrated by Isabella Conti
New York: Running Press Kids, 2023. Picture Book.
Written by Jennifer Raudenbush
Illustrated by Isabella Conti
New York: Running Press Kids, 2023. Picture Book.
When a boy holds a tiny acorn in his hand, he imagines the forest it will become and the many wonderful things that will grow in the forest, creatures and plants alike. The child imagines what each things he holds in the palm of his hand will become, each object building upon the previous. With charming illustrations, this melodic story tells us that opportunities for imagination are all around us, and it reminds us that our potential is only limited by our imagination.
Real to Me
Written by Minh Lê
Illustrated by Raissa Figueroa
New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2023. Picture Book.
Written by Minh Lê
Illustrated by Raissa Figueroa
New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2023. Picture Book.
An imaginary friend reflects on his friendship with a human girl, despite many saying "she isn't real." One day, the girl disappears, and the imaginary friend questions if she was even real. But he realizes that their friendship was real, and he goes on to make new friends. Along with the imaginary friend, readers learn that maybe what's "real" to us is what truly matters, even if no one else can see it.
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