Michigan City Public Library: Picture Books: November 2025

Recent Releases

Don't Eat Eustace
by Lian Cho

Solitary lighthouse keeper Bear has caught a tasty fish for their lunch. But the fish, Eustace, would prefer not to be eaten. Can he talk his way out of the soup pot and into an interspecies friendship? Blending deadpan humor with outright silliness, this offbeat tale will make kids laugh out loud.

Broken
by X. Fang

While playing at her grandmother's house, Mei Mei accidentally breaks Ama's favorite teacup. Ama blames the judgmental cat, Mimi, but the child's guilt might be too big to bear. Expressive illustrations rife with dramatic angles highlight both the comedy and the discomfort in Mei Mei's situation, while a conclusion focused on honesty and repair will leave readers reassured. Read-alike: Accident! by Andrea Tsurumi.

Moon Song
by Michaela Goade

"Come! Haagú! Follow the light." So begins a bedtime story, spun by a Tlingit child for her anxious cousin. Together, they take an imaginary journey through nighttime wonders, from the snow-covered woods to the dark ocean waves to the glowing aurora borealis overhead. Illustrated in jewel-bright colors, this companion book to Berry Song is equal parts enchanting and soothing.

Robot's First Snow
by Billy Sharff

All day in the factory, Robot sorts and stacks and dreams of playing when he is done, until one day it snows, and he ventures out, discovering the joy of snowy fun.

Hogbert
by Briony May Smith

When Mommy Boar sends her little snufflebugs to explore the forest for the first time, she cautions them to stick together. After all, the Big Bad Wolf could be near! But Hogbert's keen nose has other ideas, and after following a trail too far, he finds himself trembling alone in fear. What's that rustling in the leaves? Just a little red squirrel on her way to visit her sick granny! What's that growl coming through the trees? Just a snoring white doe who took a bite of an apple that made her sleepy! With each temporarily scary encounter, Hogbert finds that the world is a less frightening place, and that the same sense of smell that led him into trouble may just lead them all out of it again.--Provided by publisher.

Gratitude

Grow Grateful
by Sage Foster-Lasser

Kiko goes on a camping trip with her class and learns about gratitude! Throughout the trip, Kiko discovers different things she appreciates about her family, friends, and opportunities. This story is based on the “theory of mind,” which is the ability to take the perspective of others and recognize that each person has their own thoughts, feelings, and perspectives. Growing gratitude leads to greater happiness and stronger interpersonal relationships.

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.

Little Mole Gives Thanks
by Glenys Nellist

In the fourth book in the Little Mole series, disappointment turns into gratitude when Little Mole's fancy forest feast doesn't go according to plan. Ultimately, Little Mole's friends come together to fill his table, showing him what true friendship looks like.

We Give Thanks
by Cynthia Rylant; illustrated by Sergio Ruzzier

In this sweet story told in rhyme, a rabbit and a frog journey through their community of animal friends, offering up gratitude for everything from mittens to roses to the "nice warm soup" they eventually share with everyone in a joyful closing feast. Pastel-shaded watercolors with pops of neon ensure that this cozy read is eye-catching, too.

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.

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