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Picture Books February 2026 |
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| Rumpelstiltskin by Mac Barnett; illustrated by Carson EllisThe traditional fairy tale about a magical trickster and the woman who outwits him gets a fresh take in this retelling. Quirky humor gives the text a contemporary edge, balanced by medieval-inspired illustrations in deep, rich hues. For fans of: The Three Billy Goats Gruff, another fairy tale remix by author Mac Barnett.
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Your Truck: (A Board Book with Minimalist Illustrations That Explores Ownership, Imagination, and Perspective)
by Jon Klassen
A] standout board book series starter. . . .Minimalism motors toward an expansive experience in this smart work that puts youngest readers in the driver's seat. --Publishers Weekly (starred review)From Caldecott Medalist Jon Klassen comes the first board book in the Your Things series for the youngest of children. This is your truck.It is yours to have. Your truck is red, but it could be other colors too. It can carry things around, like a chair and table, a dog, or a horse. It will wait for you until you tell it to go, then it will go wherever you want, as far as you want, whenever you want. At the end of the day it will sleep, and you can sleep, too. Jon Klassen brings his minimalist's touch to a soothing story of a simple object that a child can command and befriend, one that is there whenever the child chooses to visit it. Building on the quiet but evocative world he created in Your Farm, Your Forest, and Your Island, Jon Klassen invites young children to consider more things that are theirs and theirs alone, reinforcing that they have a right to things like solitude, exploration, and companionship.
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The March for Hope
by Valerie Bolling
In this uplifting picture book, a young Black girl's identities converge at the Women's March, helping her find power in her voice and her community.
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It's Almost Time for . . . Easter!
by Maisha Oso
How to Catch the Easter Bunny meets The Night Before series in this bunny-hopping picture book anticipating Easter in the laugh-out-loud, rhyming It's Almost Time For... series. It's almost time for Easter, and excitement is running high! It might not be here yet, but there's so much to do before the joyful day arrives... From decorating and dyeing eggs in pastel hues, flaunting the most fabulous and fancy outfit, and diving into a basket filled with bunny-delivered goodies, there are endless ways to celebrate! But not everyone can read the signs of the highly anticipated holiday on the way... It's Almost Time for...Easter! is a perfect blend of festive fun and read-aloud magic that will have young readers laughing and identifying the misunderstanding at play before the characters catch on. This picture book makes a delightful gift for kids aged four to eight!
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What a Small Cat Needs
by Natalia Shaloshvili
Sweet, tender, and perfect for the youngest picture book readers, this winning story about a most adorable kitten is an affectionate invitation to identify with and love this small cat! What does a small cat need? Two little eyes, two little ears, big whiskers, and a tail, to start. What else does a small cat need? Maybe a walk in the flowers, a sip of milk, or a warm spot to laze around in the sun. But above all else, what a small cat needs is... someone big or little--maybe someone just like you!--with cuddly arms and a huge heart to pet it and hear it purr. Yes, every cat needs that! This is a tender and universal story through which author-illustrator Natalia Shaloshvili achieves something quite rare: illustrations that are of great artistic quality, and yet succeed in being warm, funny and relatable to children. With beautiful pacing and emotionally astute moments, this small story succeeds brilliantly in structuring an identification between small cat and child that will have young readers returning to this book again and again--to see themselves, while also feeling love and care for this irresistible kitten.
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| Dalmartian by Lucy Ruth CumminsWhile visiting Earth, an alien who resembles a green-spotted Dalmatian is adopted by human child Stephen. There's confusion -- the alien walks on two legs and is appalled by dog park antics -- but understanding grows as boy and alien bond. Playful humor and charming minimalist illustrations distinguish this transplanetary tale.
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| Chooch Helped by Andrea L. Rogers; illustrated by Rebecca Lee KunzSissy, an older Indigenous girl, doesn't understand why her little brother Chooch gets away with everything! His so-called "help" only messes things up. As her temper flares, Sissy's family offers support and perspective. Book buzz: Featuring textured illustrations filled with Cherokee imagery, this relatable sibling story is the winner of the 2025 Caldecott Medal, as well as the 2026 American Indian Youth Literature Award for picture books.
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Sleepover night!
by Candice F. Ransom
"Brother and Sister go over to their cousin's house for a sleepover"
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| Lost by Bob StaakeStylized, expressive artwork tells the story in this wordless picture book about a child seeking a lost cat. While hanging up posters, she encounters owners of other lost pets -- from a bird to a dog to a giraffe -- all of whom are reunited by the final page. Read-alike: Bruce Handy's Balloon.
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| A Pinecone! by Helen YoonA dad is busy wrangling a very muddy dog, leaving his daughter free to pursue her obsession: collecting pinecones. But where can she store them all? While the slapstick humor in this story will elicit giggles, the substance will ring true for young collectors. For fans of: Off-Limits, also by Helen Yoon and featuring the same parent-child duo.
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Contact your librarian for more great books for ages 0-8!
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