As usual, I will be posting my end-of-the-year favorites lists between Christmas and New Year’s!

Fireworks by Matthew Burgess, illustrated by Cátia Chien (Clarion Books, 44 pages, ages 4-8). The text of this story engages all the senses in describing a summer day, and the explosion of fireworks at the end–including a foldout page with the grand finale–is truly spectacular.

Papilio by Ben Clanton, Corey R. Tabor, and Andy Chou Musser (Viking Books for Young Readers, 48 pages, ages 3-7). I read this book to many groups of kids last spring, and it never got old: a classic tale of butterfly metamorphosis told in three chapters, each distinctively illustrated by a different artist, yet all seamlessly tied together.

Cat Nap by Brian Lies (Greenwillow Books, 48 pages, ages 4-8). This is an amazing book to me, with Brian Lies’ stunning reproductions of a wide range of artworks, complete with the main character cat inserted into each one. I particularly appreciated his artist’s note at the end which celebrates the joy of creating with your own hands, something we all could use a reminder about in this age of AI.

Home by Matt de la Peña, illustrated by Loren Long (G. P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, 48 pages, ages 4+). The meditations on home in this book can be read on many different levels by all ages of readers. I’d love to see Loren Long finally get some Caldecott recognition, especially after last year’s The Yellow Bus was passed by.

Don’t Trust Fish by Neil Sharpson, illustrated by Dan Santat (Dial Books, 40 pages, ages 4-8). Try to figure out who the narrator of this book is as he explains the different types of animals with a big detour to disparage all sorts of fish. Personally this was not a favorite–although I’ll always route for Dan Santat–but the kids I read it to loved it, and it would make a good springboard to discussing bias in the media.