Picture Books
November 2025

Recent Releases
It's Corn Picking Time! by Jill Esbaum
It's Corn Picking Time!
by Jill Esbaum

A rhyming tour of the process of harvesting corn--
The Escape Artist: A True Story of Octopus Adventure by Thor Hanson
The Escape Artist: A True Story of Octopus Adventure
by Thor Hanson

The true story of Inky the octopus, who slipped out of his tank at the National Aquarium [of] New Zealand and into the world's imagination--
Norman and the Smell of Adventure by Ryan T. Higgins
Norman and the Smell of Adventure
by Ryan T. Higgins

Norman the porcupine leaves his best friend Mildred the tree and sets out to find an adventure, but eventually decides that the best adventures are shared.
Bear and the Three Goldilocks by Patrick Horne
Bear and the Three Goldilocks
by Patrick Horne

When the Goldilocks family leaves their campsite to go on a hike, Bear comes along and makes a mess of their food and belongings--because that is how bears roll.
Whoa Panda! by C. S. Jennings
Whoa Panda!
by C. S. Jennings

An excited, affectionate young panda learns to navigate his friends' personal boundaries--
Gratitude
At Our Table
by Patrick Hulse; illustrated by Madelyn Goodnight

"At our table there is room," declares this inclusive picture book. Featuring diverse groups of loved ones gathered for shared meals, this lyrical story invites readers to linger on delicious sensory details as well as opportunities for gratitude -- including gratitude for the farm labor and Indigenous knowledge that puts food on tables. Read-alike: Pie Is For Sharing by Stephanie Parsley Ledyard.
Sallie Bee Writes a Thank-You Note
by Courtney Sheinmel and Susan Verde; illustrated by Heather Ross

After receiving a handmade scarf in the mail from Grandma Bee, Sallie just has to write down her feelings of gratitude. That first thank-you note leads Sallie to write more notes -- for her bus buddy, for the lunch lady, even for her sometimes-annoying brother. Don't miss: the fun extras, like finding Sallie's kitten in the illustrations, or the tips to help kids write their own thank-you notes. 
Family Feast! by Carole Boston Weatherford
Family Feast!
by Carole Boston Weatherford

An intergenerational Black family gets together for a family feast, as they share love, laughter, and sweet treats
Bear Says Thanks by Karma Wilson
Bear Says Thanks
by Karma Wilson

In this playful and charmingly illustrated picture book, Bear has so much to give thanks for! What better way for Bear to say thanks than over a nice, big dinner? Bear decides to throw a feast! One by one, Bear's friends show up with different platters of delicious food to share. There's just one problem: Bear's cupboards are bare! What is he to do?
Contact your librarian for more great books for ages 0-8!
Joliet Public Library
150 N Ottawa St, Joliet, Illinois 60432
(815) 740-2660

https://www.jolietlibrary.org/en/