the Public Library Albuquerque Bernalillo County: Picture Books: January 2026

Recent Releases

Whooo Is Still Awake?
by Brigette Barrager

As dusk falls over the woods, two little owls wake up and take flight, greeting their nocturnal animal neighbors as they explore. Silhouetted shapes in the illustrations evoke the shadowy nighttime setting of this rhyming bedtime book. Read-alike: Hello, Moon by Julie Downing.

Molly, Olive, and Dexter Play Hide-And-Seek
by Catherine Rayner

Meet Molly the hare, Olive the owl, and Dexter the fox, three friends who live near the oak tree at the edge of the meadow. Hide-and-seek is Molly's favorite game, but things aren't going her way. For starters, Olive and Dexter don't seem to know the rules. And when Molly shows her friends how to play properly, they hide a little too well. Set in a delicately rendered pastoral world of soft color and shimmering line, here is a picture book that tackles outsize toddler emotions with sensitivity and whimsy. Make way for the singular Molly, Olive, and Dexter--ready or not, here they come!--

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.

Making Art
by Diana Ejaita

Beginning with an invitation -- "let's look around and make some art" -- this paean to creativity encourages children to channel their feelings into dancing, writing, making music, or crafting visual art. Deep colors and big, bold illustrations add plenty of visual verve. Read-alike: The Idea in You, by musician Questlove.

Wemberly Worried
by Kevin Henkes

Wemberly worried about everything. Big things. Little things. And things in between. Then it was time for school to start. And Wemberly worried even more. If you ever worry (or know someone who does), this is the book for you.Wemberly worried about spilling her juice, about shrinking in the bathtub, even about snakes in the radiator. She worried morning, noon, and night. Worry, worry, worry, her family said. Too much worry.And Wemberly worried about one thing most of all: her first day of school. But when it's time to go back to school and she meets a fellow worrywart in her class, Wemberly realizes that school is too much fun to waste time worrying!This warm and comforting back-to-school favorite is from Kevin Henkes, the nationally bestselling and celebrated creator of Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse, Kitten's First Full Moon, and Chrysanthemum.This winning heroine speaks to the worrywart in everyone. --Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Dreamers
by Yuyi Morales

What it is: a lyrical and deeply moving account of a mother and son who immigrate from Mexico to the U.S., bringing the gifts of their love and creativity.

Art alert: Readers of all ages will be mesmerized by the glowing colors and rich textures in the fantastical, folk art-infused illustrations.

Don't miss: the real-life books that appear in the illustrations -- kids can have fun finding them, both in the artwork and at the library.

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."

We Always Had Wings
by Jess X. Snow

When Little Snow confesses that she's nervous about flying on a plane to visit relatives in China for Lunar New Year, Mama reminds her that "we belong in the sky." Mama's soothing story about their migrating crane ancestors spills into the illustrations, leading to a sweetly surreal conclusion for the whole family.

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