Today, right now, is a Golden Age of juvenile literature.
Don’t believe it? Here are children’s books published since 2012 that are true masterpieces of art and language. These books are breathtaking works of art, and they’re in print right now.
There are many more books that could be on this list. But, 12 seemed like a good-solid number. These are absolute must-read books for children and demonstrate that the art form we call the picture book, is thriving.
by Isabrl Minhos Matrins Illustrated by Bernardo P. Carvalho
A richly colorful book published by Enchanted Lion Books.
Each page depicts a scene from a spot somewhere in the world. “Someone honks in a Mexican City.” “A boat is surprised by a storm in the Baltic Sea.” “A girl rums home from school.”
Each page shows a sampling of the vast range of events, both big and small, that can happen in a singe second all over the world.
Each illustration is rich with color and detail. Yet, accessible for a very young reader. The illustrations make every scene seem feasible and easy to interpret.
The book itself is large, 10.77 x 11 inches. The paper is thick and durable—this book is made to last.
A wonderful book for any age reader that can open discussions regarding how big the world is. The magic of the book is that it makes everyday actions from around the world relatable and shows that people, no matter where they live, are all about the same.
Home by Carson Ellis
A mere glance at the cover of this book almost commands a reader to pick it up.
Each page of the book shows a different kind of home that people can live in. “Some homes are boats, some homes are wigwams, some are palaces. . . “
Whimsical illustrations depict a wide range of homes representing different culture, time periods and even imaginary characters, like Norse Gods.
A fun book to read with a young child that will open discussions about different people and cultures.
Certainly a book that will stick with the reader long past a first reading.
Grand Canyon by Jason Chin
The reference books made by Jason Chin are unlike anything else in juvenile literature. Grand Canyon sets a new standard for reference books.
The illustrations within the book show the breathtaking beauty of the Grand Canyon. Young readers follow a young girl, a peer through the book as she discovers the history, geology and wildlife of the canyon. Each page is beautifully illustrated and text tis tactfully placed to tell the story.
The girl goes back in time to see how the canyon was formed, swims underwater and explores current trails with her father.
There are numerous cut-outs on the pages that expose art on the next. These cut-outs connect the past to the present and make the book ever more interesting.
The power of this book is the beautifully rendered combination of art, fats and familiarity make it a book that appeals to a broad range of readers—even those with no interest in geology.
Pool by JiHyeon Lee
A beautiful wordless story of a shy boy who arrives at a public pool just ahead of a large, noisy crowd. Overwhelmed by the mass of people, he dives down, meets a friend and embarks on an amazing aquatic adventure.
Each page contains a soft, dreamy illustration. The use of color is tactful and draws the reader through the illustrated narrative.
A book that invites exploration, Pool is certain to be a favorite in many home and classrooms.
Teacup by Rebecca Young illustrated by Matt Ottley
A boy takes a blanket, book, bottle and teacup filled with dirt from his home as he searches for a new homeland. His journey is beautifully chronicled:
“Some days shone bright on an endless sea of white. Other days were so dark that the boy longed for the stars. Every day he watched the horizon for a speck that he could follow until it grew into something glorious”
The story is a delicate and impactful study of loneliness, tenacity and endurance. The boy does eventually reach a new land and an apple grows within the earth of his teacup. The story concludes with hopeful anticipation as the boy makes new friends and find peace.
Each breathtaking illustration is a work of art, worthy of being hung on a wall with a perfect frame. Each painting tells a story. Each evokes emotion, whether it be hope and joy, or even tinges of sadness or longing. Illustrator, Matt Ottley, uses color with perfection.
A harmonious marriage with Rebecca Young’s lyrics. The colors blossom and bloom from graying blues of sad loneliness to the brighter cheerful bright blues of new opportunities.This is a story that will leave readers spellbound and speechless at story time
Take Heart my Child by Ainsley Earhardt, illustrated by Jaime Kim
A heart-felt lyric poem about the wishes a mother has for her child. “May your feet trace new patterns on warm, sandy shores. May you dive into waves. And yearn to explore”.
Each page contains one or two stanzas that explain a different wish for the child and assures that the mother will always be there to support and love.
The mother encourages the child “take heart” and have courage in the face of adversity.
The illustrations are vibrant and depict a dream-like fantasy. Rich with perspective and a strong use of positive and negative space make each page an independent work of art.
This might be a book that parents will read and become teary-eyed at more than a child. Nevertheless, a beautifully rendered book that merits recognition.
There is nothing in literature quite like the art of Nikki McClure. McClure’s books have a modicum of copy and an abundance of meaning.
Each picture in the book is a carefully cut sheet of black paper. McClure takes a single sheet of paper and cuts out the pictures. This process is unique and draws the eyes to the art.
Using black and white to create positive and negative space makes each scene immensely interesting. McClure knows that the stark black and white pictures are, by themselves, a feast for the eyes. She uses color tactfully and minimally to give the pictures depth and to help draw the reader through the book.
This book contains one color, a soothing yellow, that works perfectly for the brief but poignant text of the story. The story itself is filled with emotions and actions that very young readers will recognize and identify with.
To the Sea by Cale Atkinson
A beautifully rendered and symbolic story about friendship. Tim is walking home from school when he encounters a blue whale, named Sam, who has made a wrong turn and is stuck on land in the neighborhood.
The symbolism begins when the whale, which is difficult to distinguish from the rainy skies, meet Tim who also feels invisible—without many friends at school. Tim is the only one who can see the whale and determines to help him return to the sea.
An abiding theme throughout is “friends don’t let friends down”. Tim works against great odds to devise and execute a plan that indeed puts the whale back in the sea where Sam thanks Tim and the gloomy color palette changes to bright and sunny as Tim realizes he can make friends and be a friend.
Each illustration is done with acrylic paint and is marvelous. The use of color to tell the story is perfect. Dark greens, oranges and a bright sunny scene at the end draw a reader through the emotional story.
Sun and Moon by Tara Books
A true work of art. This book is printed on hand-made paper. Each illustration is silk-screened.
Filled with ten Indian folk tales about solar and lunar myths of indigenous traditions. Each focuses on universal themes such as life, love, time and harmony.
“The Sun gives birth to life, and the moon gives rise to time.” “The moon is cool and generous. The sun, hot and fierce”
Cut-outs within the book give it depth and connect the ten separate tales, which are very efficiently written. The art is unlike any in modern publishing. Each depiction of sun and moon are expertly interpreted.
A masterpiece of publishing in the digital age.
On a Magical Do-Nothing Day by Jacqueline Ayer
This book has the feel of a soaring classic. But, with a very modern issue. A young child is taken to a mother’s writing cabin deep in the green woods.
All the child can do is play a handheld video game. At mother’s command, the youngster is sent outside. The game console is accidentally dropped into a stream and lost.
Now, the child must face that most forbidding thig of all—boredom and solitude.
The illustration scheme is deeply engrossing. The orange-0red of the child’s coat is drawn through the story and the many adventures. Discovering the natural workd for the first time, the child drinks raindrops, climbs trees and makes friends with snails.
An homage to the power of boredom and the necessity of imagination, this book is generous and thoughtful.
Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth by Oliver Jeffers
Published in 2017, A young boy holds a newborn, presumably a sibling, at arms’ length and tells him all about the planet on which we live, the planet earth.
He explains, in the language of a child. The surface and geology of the earth, the immensity of space and the responsibilities of being a person.
The beauty of the book is the interplay between the copy and illustration. The narration is beautiful simple for a child. When paired with the illustration, the concepts come to life for a child and makes difficult concepts beautifully simple to understand.
A triumph of instructions and inspiration, this is a book worth having and is certain to be worn out in libraries all over the earth.
Swan: The Life and Dance of Anna Pavlova
by Laurel Snyder, illustrated by Julie Morstad
A book about that truly captures the beauty and wonder of ballet.
Ballet is the beautiful combination of strength and grace. The illustrations in the book are strong in color and line in places and soft and muted in others—like Ballet itself.
The text is spare but descriptive. A reader learns the basic story of Anna Pavola who came from humble circumstances to become one of the world’s greatest prima ballerinas.
Each page spread tactfully tells the story in color and words such that a young reader can understand the work required and pressure involved with being a great dancer.
The book itself is tall and elegant. One that many aspiring ballerinas will cherish.