Our Favorite Beautiful Picture Books for Children

These beautiful picture books combine gorgeous illustrations and techniques that are sure to inspire even the youngest readers!

Updated September 2024

Picture books are a feast for the eyes, filled to the brim with beautiful art that you can share with your children every day just by reading!

The vibrant illustrations encourage children to see the world through an artistic lens, sparking creativity. As they explore different styles and techniques, they begin to understand the impact of visual storytelling and may feel inspired to create their own art.

There are many wonderful artists out there illustrating books for children and we can see their art on a regular basis for the small price of a book or with our library card.

Which children’s books do you love for their illustrations? Which are your favorite beautiful picture books for kids?

Our Favorite Beautiful Picture Books for Children

• The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus by Jen Bryant, illustrated by Melissa Sweet
• We Are Starlings: Inside the Mesmerizing Magic of a Murmuration by Robert Furrow and Donna Jo Napoli, illustrated by Marc Martin
• Tomorrow Most Likely by Dave Eggers, illustrated by Lane Smith

• I Am the Subway by Kim Hyo-eun, translated by Deborah Smith
• Birdsong by Julie Flett
• Have You Ever Seen a Flower? by Shawn Harris

• Outside In by Deborah Underwood, illustrated by Cindy Derby
• A Bed of Stars by Jessica Love
• The Truth About Dragons by Julie Leung, illustrated by Hanna Cha

• My Baba’s Garden by Jordan Scott, illustrated by Sydney Smith
• Berry Song by Michaela Goade
• The Blue House by Phoebe Wahl

• Farmhouse by Sophie Blackall
• A Child of Books by Oliver Jeffers
• Polar Bear Night by Lauren Thompson, illustrated by Stephen Savage

• The Whisper by Pamela Zagarenski
• Rabbit and the Motorbike by Kate Hoefler, illustrated by Sarah Jacoby
• Drawn Together by Minh Lê, illustrated by Dan Santat

• Trying by Kobi Yamada, illustrated by Elise Hurst
• Starcrossed by Julia Denos
• Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut by Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Gordon C. James

• Green on Green by Dianne White, illustrated by Felicita Sala
• You Are Home: An Ode to the National Parks by Evan Turk
• Yellow Kayak by Nina Laden, illustrated by Melissa Castrillon

• Real Cowboys by Kate Hoefler, illustrated by Jonathan Bean
• I Am the Storm by Jane Yolen and Heidi E. Y. Stemple, illustrated by Kristen Howdeshell and Kevin Howdeshell
• Midnight and Moon by Kelly Cooper, illustrated by Daniel Miyares

• I Dream of a Journey by Akiko Miyakoshi
• Boats on the Bay by Jeanne Walker Harvey, illustrated by Grady McFerrin
• If You Want to See a Whale by Julie Fogliano, illustrated by Erin E. Stead

• The Secret Fawn by Kallie George, illustrated by Elly MacKay
• Beastly Verse by JooHee Yoon
• This Is Sadie by Sara O’Leary, illustrated by Julie Morstad

• The Gold Leaf by Kirsten Hall, illustrated by Matthew Forsythe
• Shy by Deborah Freedman
• Lizzy and the Cloud by Terry Fan and Eric Fan

• The Boy and the Sea by Camille Andros, illustrated by Amy June Bates
• Don’t Worry, Little Crab by Chris Haughton
• The Moon is Going to Addy’s House by Ida Pearle

More Children’s Booklists

• The Best Rainforest Books for Kids
• The Best Books About Music for Kids
• The Best Wordless Picture Books for Children
• The Best Books About Mindfulness for Kids
• The Best Creative Activity Books for Kids

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