Picture Books
May 2025
Recent Releases
The Littlest Drop
by Sascha Alper; illustrated by Jerry Pinkney and Brian Pinkney

When their home turf catches fire, most of the animals flee. Only the tiny hummingbird tries to douse the blaze, one drop at a time, ultimately inspiring the other creatures to join in. Striking illustrations combine the distinctive styles of Brian Pinkney and his late father, Jerry Pinkney, to retell this uplifting old parable about cooperation.
Night Light
by Michael Emberley

When an adorable young monster is scared during a blackout, their parent uses the stars to provide comfort. This whimsical graphic novel pairs simple speech-bubble text with clear visual storytelling, making it just right for beginning readers. For fans of: author Michael Emberley’s I Did It! and Let's Go!, featuring the same character.

*If you'd like to request this book, please visit your library and ask for assistance!
Between you and me
by Rob Sanders

A new kid moves to town and a playful friendship begins, one filled with wonder and imagination, as they discover what it's like to connect with a true friend in real life and make-believe. Illustrations.
City Summer, Country Summer
by Kiese Laymon; illustrated by Alexis Franklin

Despite coming from different backgrounds, a powerful friendship springs up between three Black boys spending the summer with their neighboring grandmothers in Mississippi. Expressive digital paintings underscore lyrical writing in this debut picture book from award-winning author Kiese Laymon. Read-alike: All Because You Matter by Tami Charles.
Don't Trust Fish
by Neil Sharpson; illustrated by Dan Santat

While it might begin with innocuous animal introductions, this picture book soon reveals its bias, declaring that all fish are sneaky, rebellious outlaws who absolutely CAN’T be trusted. Kids and adults alike will appreciate the clever visual humor in this uproarious read-aloud, laughing all the way to the end (where the unreliable narrator is revealed).
Color Our World
Check out some books about art and artists.
 
Oh, Olive!
by Lian Cho

Although her parents are serious painters devoted to minimalist precision, rambunctious and ultra-confident young Olive expresses herself through bold splashes of color. Can this family of artists learn to understand each other? Try Blurp’s Book of Manners by Cindy Derby for another funny, color-drenched tale of challenging the status quo.
I ain't gonna paint no more!
by Karen Beaumont

Excited with the art he has created on the walls, a young artist decides to continue on with his vibrant creations--soon painting the floors, ceiling, and himself in the process!
Mix It Up!
by Hervé Tullet; translated by Christopher Franceschelli

Hervé Tullet, author of the popular Press Here, offers another inventive, engaging book that gives instructions directly to the reader. Focusing on color, Mix It Up! begins with a series of primary-colored dots. Readers are then encouraged to touch, smear, shake, and tilt the book in order to reveal new color combinations on every page. Tullet's minimal (but paint-spattered) illustrations are wonderfully tempting, vividly evoking the texture of actual wet paint. "Rivaling an iPad for its sheer fun and interactive elements" (School Library Journal), Mix It Up! is a mess-free way to teach kids about color mixing…though it's sure to send them running for the real paints!
Time to Make Art
by Jeff Mack

In this playfully philosophical picture book, a child wonders: How long does art take? Can it have mistakes? How should it feel? These questions (and more) are addressed by an inclusive array of real-life artists, showcasing styles from across the ages and the globe.
The Artist
by Ed Vere

A rainbow-colored creature revels in making art. Her murals -- illustrated with the verve of a real child's drawings -- delight her neighbors. But is the thrill of creation worth the inevitable setbacks? This tale of learning through mistakes will speak to artists of all ages. Read-alikes: Danielle Davis and Mags DeRoma's To Make or Peter H. Reynolds' The Dot.
Contact your librarian for more great books for ages 0-8!
Central Mississippi Regional Library System
100 Tamberline Street, Brandon, Mississippi 39042
601-825-0100

https://www.cmrls.lib.ms.us