Michigan City Public Library: Picture Books: January 2026

Recent Releases

If We Were Dogs
by Sophie Blackall

In this upbeat, energetic tale, an enthusiastic child -- the self-proclaimed “big dog” -- dictates the many canine capers they’d get up to with the assigned “little dog”...who turns out to have their own ideas for imaginative play. For fans of: If I Was a Horse, also by two-time Caldecott Medalist Sophie Blackall.

Rudy's Lullaby
by Alexandra Boiger

Two raccoons live at the bottom of a tree where a mama bird and her family of chicks move in. Rudy the raccoon is not impressed at all--not by Mama Bird, not by her chicks, and certainly not by the singing school she starts in the hollow of the tree. But when Mama Bird's work at the singing school sends her on a business trip to another forest, Rudy must step up and care for the chicks. When he does, he learns a thing or two about love ... and the power of music.

The Day Leap Soared
by Blair Braverman

Leap is a sweet, snow-loving sled dog puppy who can't wait until she's big enough to join the team. Each of the other sled dogs is special in their own way. Boo is fast. Donut is brave. Jenga is smart. And Leap wonders: is she special, too? This empowering story reminds us that anything is possible when teamwork, individuality, and friendship grow in leaps and bounds--

Lap Cat
by Joren Cull

Lap Cat leaves behind a path of destruction while searching for the perfect lap, and must make amends with the animals of Mellsville in order to complete their quest.

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.

Outside in and the Inside Out: A Story about Arnold Lobel
by Emmy Kastner

A thoughtful and whimsical picture book about Arnold Lobel, award-winning creator of Frog and Toad. Arnold Lobel was many things: a quiet observer, an avid reader, and the kind of man who kept a gorilla suit in his closet, just in case. Above all else, Arnold was an artist and a storyteller. And he infused pieces of himself in the characters he created. This made sharing his books with the world scary sometimes-but his stories would go on to inspire and delight readers and live on in their hearts for generations. A rare window into the life and work of Arnold Lobel, creator of the Frog and Toad series, Outside In and the Inside Out captures the iconic creator of some of the most beloved children's books of all time-- Provided by publisher.

The Language of Birds
by Jon-Erik Lappano; illustrated by Zach Manbeck

Quiet, attentive Mira finds it much easier to communicate with birds than with people. And that’s fine with her. But then she meets new classmate Jad, who has a special affinity for trees, and discovers that human connection might be possible after all. This gentle and lyrical friendship story will appeal to fans of Matthew Burgess' Bird Boy.

A Knot Is Not a Tangle
by Daniel Nayeri; illustrated by Vesper Stamper

Precious time spent with his grandparents becomes even more special for one Iranian boy as his grandmother teaches him the ancient art of Persian rug-making. Intricately detailed watercolor art captures their step-by-step process, including the addition of a purposeful flaw as a defense against perfectionism.

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."

Snow Kid
by Jessie Sima

Twig is a kid made of snowflakes, sticks, and stones, but when his hat blows away he takes cautious steps forward to find his hat and find out who they are.

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