Some of these could probably be on the Caldecott contenders list as well.  I do admire Candlewick, and it’s interesting that three of these were published there.

The Wolf, the Duck, and the Mouse by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Jon Klassen. Published by Candlewick.

Every time I finish a Mac Barnett/Jon Klassen book, I think, “That was weird.”  Then I read it to kids, they love it, and suddenly, I love it too.  May the bromance continue.  Link to Amazon.

 

Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall. Published by Candlewick.

The story, pictures, and message of this little book work their way into your heart.  Read it next year on the first day of summer.  Link to Amazon.

 

The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Adam Rex. Published by Balzer + Bray.

Kids may not get all the humor, but you will be so busy cracking yourself up, you won’t even care.  This was right behind After the Fall as my favorite picture book this year.  Link to Amazon.

 

A Different Pond by Bao Phi, illustrated by Thi Bui.

Should be required reading for anyone making policy around immigration.  It’s more of a read-aloud for older kids, maybe third grade and up.  Link to Amazon.

 

Professional Crocodile by Giovanna Zoboli, illustrated by Mariachiara Di Giorgio. Published by Chronicle.

If I could meet one fictional character from 2017, I think it might be this guy.  Link to Amazon.

I tend to be a bit conservative in my picture book tastes.  While I can appreciate the more avant garde styles of Evan Turk’s Muddy and Ed Young’s Mighty Moby, at the end of the day, I’m going to go with something a bit more traditional for my favorites.  Like these:

 

Dazzle Ships: World War I and the Art of Confusion by Chris Barton, illustrated by Victo Ngai.  Published by Millbrook Press.

In his first children’s book, Victo Ngai does an impressive job of capturing the feel of the World War I era as well as dazzling readers with his renditions of the ships.  Link to Amazon.

 

All the Way to Havana by Margarita Engle, illustrated by Mike Curato.  Published by Henry Holt.

I’ve loved Mike Curato’s Little Elliot books, and this book was even more spectacular.  This plus Katherine Paterson’s My Brigadista Year made me want to visit Cuba.  Link to Amazon.

 

Little Fox in the Forest by Stephanie Graegin.  Published by Schwartz and Wade.

How appropriate that I cannot find words to express how much I loved this enchanting, imaginative wordless book.  Link to Amazon.

 

After the Fall: How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again by Dan Santat.  Published by Roaring Brook Press.

Sometimes I’ll enjoy a book, then look at it again a few months later and realize it was even more fabulous than I originally realized.  This was one of those books; it is my #1 favorite picture book in 2017.  Link to Amazon.

 

The Antlered Ship by Dashka Slater, illustrated by the Fan Brothers.

I’ve seen some questions about whether the Fan Brothers can win a Caldecott, as they live and work in Canada, but I’m pretty sure they are eligible.  Their pigeon crew members on the antlered ship were among my favorite characters this year.  Link to Amazon.

Published by Feiwel and Friends

Summary:  Eli has been Astrid’s canine companion since she came home from the hospital.  The summer she is six, Astrid notices that Eli is getting old.  She decides to make a bucket list of things for them to do together.  Eli rides on Astrid’s bike, gets a bubble bath, and goes to a movie and to a restaurant for spaghetti and meatballs.  He enjoys it all, but finally he is too old and tired to do anything but stay home and remember their happy times together.  The last page: “Being with Astrid was the only thing left on Eli’s bucket list.  It was the only thing that had ever been on Eli’s bucket list.”  32 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  A sweet story, both the text and illustrations.  Eli’s thoughts as he is taken from one bucket list item to the next are amusing.  Aging and unconditional love are both addressed, but with a light touch.

Cons:  If you can read that last page without choking up, you are a stronger person than I am.

If you would like to buy this book on Amazon, click here.

 

Published by Clarion Books

Summary:  Pandora the fox lives by herself in a land of broken things, but she has a talent for fixing and repurposing them.  One day, an injured bird falls into her world, and she sets about making it better.  The two become friends, and the bird builds a nest near Pandora’s bed.  Soon the bird is well enough to fly, and one day, it flies away and doesn’t return.  Pandora thinks her heart will break; while she is lying in her bed, the reader can see a plant rising from the box that held the bird’s nest.  The plant grows to cover the world outside Pandora’s house.  One day it rouses her from her bed just in time to hear the sound of birdsong and to welcome her friend back to the land of living things.  32 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  The spare text and evocative watercolor illustrations tell a moving and mysterious story that can be appreciated as both a tale of friendship and a fable about taking care of the environment.

Cons:  The story may be confusing to younger readers.

If you would like to buy this book on Amazon, click here.

 

Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Summary:  A little girl and her father explore what is round in the world.  Round things can hold the promise of new life, like seeds and eggs.  They can last an instant, like bubbles, or for billions of years, like stars.  Sometimes they start off sharp, like rocks, but wear down to roundness.  The girl enjoys being part of a round circle of friends, and the roundness of her father’s arms around her in a hug.  The last two pages explain in more depth why so many things in nature are round.  32 pages; ages 3-7.

Pros:  A very satisfying exploration of the natural world, with a loving relationship between father and daughter conveyed through the illustrations.  This could also serve as a jumping-off point for further explorations, looking for other shapes or patterns in nature and writing about them.

Cons:  I’ve seen this book on some Caldecott contender lists; for me, the illustrations weren’t quite of that caliber.

If you would like to buy this book on Amazon, click here.