Avon Lake Public Library: Picture Books: January 2026

Recent Releases

A Snow Day for Amos McGee
by Philip C. Stead; illustrated by Erin E. Stead

In this follow-up to A Sick Day for Amos McGee and Amos McGee Misses the Bus, the titular zookeeper prepares for winter weather, offering hand-knit garments to his animal charges (and frolicking with them once the snow finally arrives). Kirkus Reviews declares that this cozy tale is “an instant wintertime classic.”

The Family Tree
by Liz Garton Scanlon

Penny's family slows down their hectic life to nurture a tree setting roots in the middle of their kitchen floor.

Paper Chase
by Julia Donaldson; illustrated by Victoria Sandøy

When Ginger's paper airplane collides with James' book under the tallest tree in the forest, it kicks off a friendship full of joyful, imaginative play. This endearing story in verse also depicts how trees become paper, and how natural resources should be used respectfully.

The Humble Pie
by Jory John

The Humble Pie likes to give others the spotlight. Aw, shucks!--they deserve it! But when he's paired with his best friend, Jake the Cake, for a school project, he soon realizes that staying in the shadows isn't always as sweet as pie. Readers of all ages will laugh along as their new pie pal discovers that letting your voice be heard always takes the cake!--Provided by publisher.

The Language of Birds
by Jon-Erik Lappano; illustrated by Zach Manbeck

Quiet, attentive Mira finds it much easier to communicate with birds than with people. And that’s fine with her. But then she meets new classmate Jad, who has a special affinity for trees, and discovers that human connection might be possible after all. This gentle and lyrical friendship story will appeal to fans of Matthew Burgess' Bird Boy.

Can I Keep It, Please?
by John Sullivan

In an attempt to find the perfect pet, Evie soon realizes her plain old cat Sasha unknowingly fits the bill.

Meet the Smushkins
by Claudia Rueda

Big-eyed and endearing, a group of creature-like Smushkins daydream about the perfect house. Each adds to the list of necessities: big windows, an apple tree, easy access to ice cream and library books… Luckily, they all agree about the best quality in a home: that it's full of Smushkins. Kirkus Reviews calls this series opener "aspirational and friendly."

How to Find a Yeti
by Matt Hunt

Yetis aren't real . . . or are they? Get an epic game of hide and seek in bestselling author Matt Hunt's latest picture book. Some people don't believe in yetis, but this little boy does - in fact, he's a yeti expert, and today he's going out into the forest to find one and prove it. He searches over here and over there, up high and down low, but there is just no yeti to be found. Not today, and probably not EVER. Or is there . . . ? Readers of all ages can join in the hunt for the elusive yeti. Can you find one?A Junior Library Guild 2026 selection

Contact your librarian for more great books for ages 0-8!