50 Favorite Picture Books
for ages 4-6
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Picture books are some of my favorite books to read and I always enjoy collecting our top choices for our own bookshelves. Some of these are childhood favorites that I get to pass on to my children, others are ones we discovered ourselves.
I hope your family can find a new favorite!
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Click the button below to download the PDF version of this list.
MY TOP FIVE
by Laura Alary
A girl and her neighbor grow a community from their garden. Grace thinks Larry's garden is one of the wonders of the world. In his tiny backyard next door to hers, Larry grows the most extraordinary vegetables. Grace loves helping him.
by Barbara Cooney
Alice Rumphius longs to travel the world, live in a house by the sea, and do something to make the world more beautiful. The countless lupines that bloom along the coast of Maine are the legacy of the real Miss Rumphius, the Lupine Lady, who scattered lupine seeds everywhere she went.
by Terry Fan
None of the insects know where it came from, or what it is. Some say it’s an egg. Others, a gumdrop. But whatever it is, it fell near Spider’s house, so he’s convinced it belongs to him.
by Mem Fox
In this gentle, beautiful story of empathy, Wilfrid Gordon helps his 96-year-old friend, Miss Nancy, regain some of her memories.
by William Steig
Mrs. Bobbin, isn't feeling so well and can't possibly deliver the beautiful ball gown she's made for the duchess to wear that very evening. So plucky Irene volunteers to get the gown to the palace on time, in spite of the fierce snowstorm that's brewing - quite an errand for a little girl.
by Ferida Wolff
Babba Zarrah lives in a tiny village in the snow-covered mountains, and the children love to visit her. They settle down on her big, old story blanket and listen to her imaginative tales. One day, Babba Zarrah notices that Nikolai needs new socks, but she has no yarn.
by Janet Stevens
Hare solves his family’s problems by tricking rich and lazy Bear in this funny, energetic version of an old slave story. With roots in American slave tales, Tops & Bottoms celebrates the trickster tradition of using one’s wits to overcome hardship.
by Cynthia Rylant
In a rainbow-colored station wagon that smelled like a real car, the relatives came. When they arrived, they hugged and hugged from the kitchen to the front room. All summer they tended the garden and ate up all the strawberries and melons. They plucked banjos and strummed guitars.
by John Rocco
One hot summer night in the city, all the power goes out. The TV shuts off and a boy wails, "Mommm!" His sister can no longer use the phone, Mom can't work on her computer, and Dad can't finish cooking dinner. What's a family to do?
by Michelle Knudson
Miss Merriweather, the head librarian, is very particular about rules in the library. No running allowed. And you must be quiet. But when a lion comes to the library one day, no one is sure what to do. There aren't any rules about lions in the library. And, as it turns out, this lion seems very well suited to library visiting.
by Dahlov Ipcar
Lobsterman tells the story of a day in the life of a lobsterman's son, owrking alongside his father. In acclaimed artist, Dahlov Ipcar's signature style, it portrays a major lifeway of the Maine coast and is a classic staple of Maine children's literature.
by Sophie Blackall
Watch the days and seasons pass as the wind blows, the fog rolls in, and icebergs drift by. Outside, there is water all around. Inside, the daily life of a lighthouse keeper and his family unfolds as the keeper boils water for tea, lights the lamp's wick, and writes every detail in his logbook.
by Andrea Wang
hile driving through Ohio in an old Pontiac, a young girl's Chinese immigrant parents spot watercress growing wild in a ditch by the side of the road. They stop the car, grabbing rusty scissors and an old paper bag, and the whole family wades into the mud to gather as much as they can.
by Tyler Van Halteren
This is a beautifully illustrated version of the Pilgrim's Progress designed for children ages 2 to 10, with beautiful artwork on every page and engaging text. Follow Christian on his unforgettable journey and help equip your kids to lead a life of faith as they follow the King's path to the Celestial City.
by Karen Kingsbury
This is a story of a boy in competition with other young knights to become prince of all the land. In a series of contests and competitions, the king recognizes the brave young knight as the winner, not because he was the fastest or strongest, rather, the brave young knight is the winner because he doesn’t follow the crowd.
by Tololwa Mollel
When a girl and her family travel four thousand miles from home, it’s not your typical summer vacation. Everything is different on the Alaskan tundra―where the grizzly bears roam and the sockeye salmon swim―including the rules. A girl can do things she wouldn’t, and couldn’t, do at home.
by Matthew Swanson
Mrs. Spitzer is a wise teacher who knows many things. She knows about gardens. She knows about children. She knows how similar they are, and how both will flourish if tended lovingly.
by Adam Hancher
​Children of all ages will be captivated by one brave girl's adventures come to life as she relates the challenges, excitement, and dangers of the American frontier. Filled with drama and gorgeous, evocative illustrations, this first-person tale is a testament to the determination, solidarity, and courage of the early pioneers, each chasing their own American Dream.
by Caroline Starr Rose
According to legend, Will Cody (later known as America's greatest showman, Buffalo Bill) rode for the Pony Express at the age of fifteen. His most famous ride, recounted in this lyrical verse story, covered 322 miles, required 21 horses, and took over 21 hours to complete.
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by Lynne Cox
Here is the incredible story of Elizabeth, a real-life elephant seal who made her home in the Avon River in the city of Christchurch, New Zealand. When Elizabeth decides to stretch out across a two-lane road, the citizens worry she might get hurt or cause traffic accidents, so a group of volunteers tows her out to sea.
by Lindsay Mattick
In 1914, Harry Colebourn, a veterinarian on his way to tend horses in World War I, followed his heart and rescued a baby bear. He named her Winnie, after his hometown of Winnipeg, and he took the bear to war.
Harry Colebourn's real-life great-granddaughter tells the true story of a remarkable friendship and an even more remarkable journey--from the fields of Canada to a convoy across the ocean to an army base in England and finally to the London Zoo.
by Jim LaMarche
When Matt is out for a late winter hike he sees a trickle of water in the old deserted and junk filled dirt pit at the edge of his neighborhood. With quiet appreciation, Matt can imagine the pond that must once have been there, shining in the early spring light, freezing in the winter for skating and the perfect place for swimming in the summer.
by Doreen Rappaport
This picturebook biography is an excellent and accessible introduction for young readers to learn about one of the world’s most influential luminaries. With her signature style of prose laced with stirring quotes, Doreen Rappaport brings to life Helen Keller’s poignant narrative.
by Robert McCloskey
Mrs. Mallard was sure that the pond in the Boston Public Gardens would be a perfect place for her and her eight ducklings to live. The problem was how to get them there through the busy streets of Boston. But with a little help from the Boston police, Mrs. Mallard and Jack, Kack, Lack, Nack, Ouack, Pack, and Quack arrive safely at their new home.
by Natalie Warnock
​In June 1783, three-year-old Sarah Whitcher wanders into the woods and disappears. For three long days, friends and neighbors search fruitlessly for her. Then a stranger leads the desperate family to a pine tree beneath which the child lies. Sarah tells her rescuers of the “big black dog” that kept her warm every night—but the bear tracks encircling her tell a different tale.
by Travis Jonker
A curious little girl watches the man who guards the last castle in town. While the other townspeople fear what may be locked up inside the mysterious castle, the girl finally gets up the courage to knock on the door and find out what’s really behind the gate.
by Chris van Dusen
When a big truck and its big load get stuck on a narrow road, traffic on the little island comes to a halt. Some cars need to go south and some have to travel north. Luckily, the kids come up with an ingenious solution: why not just swap cars?
by Jonathan Bean
Mom and Dad are going to make the new house themselves, from the ground up. From empty lot to finished home, every stage of their year-and-a-half-long building project is here. This is Jonathan Bean’s retelling of his own family’s true experience.
by Bernadette Watts
To show their appreciation for the reliability and hard work of their postman Harvey Hare, the other animals plan to give him a perfect present, in a whimsical story of friendship and hard work rewarded.
by Oge Mora
Everyone in the neighborhood dreams of a taste of Omu's delicious stew! One by one, they follow their noses toward the scrumptious scent. And one by one, Omu offers a portion of her meal. Soon, the pot is empty.
by Doris Burn
Andrew Henry has two younger brothers, who are always together, and two older sisters, who are always together. But Andrew Henry is in the middle--and he's always with himself. He doesn't mind this very much, because he's an inventor.
by Melissa Iwai
Lili loves to cook baos, and Nai Nai has taught her all the secrets to making them. But when Nai Nai realizes that they are out of cabbage, she sends Lili up to Babcia’s apartment on the sixth floor to get some.
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by Christina Soontornvat
Merra, Locky, Roozle, Finn, and little Jory love their ramble shamble house. It's a lot of work taking care of the garden, the chickens, and themselves, but they all pitch in to make it easier. When they come across a picture of a "proper" house in a book, they start wondering if their own home is good enough.
by Mary Ann Hoberman
Peter only wants milk, Lucy won't settle for anything but homemade lemonade, and Jack is stuck on applesauce. Each new addition to the household brings a new demand for a special meal. What's a mother to do?
by Alice McLerran
Marian called it Roxaboxen. There across the road, it looked like any rocky hill—nothing but sand and rocks, and some old wooden boxes. But it was a special place. And all children needed to go there was a long stick and a soaring imagination.
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by Jerry Spinelli
​When Mama Seeton whistles, her children run home for chocolate cake, hugs, kisses, and shared memories. But as time passes, they travel farther and farther away from the familiar sound. Can mama's whistle be heard all over the world, and bring her children home one more time?
by Jamie Deenihan
A child is surprised (and disappointed) to receive a lemon tree from Grandma for her birthday. After all, she DID ask for a new gadget! But when she follows the narrator’s careful—and funny—instructions, she discovers that the tree might be exactly what she wanted after all.
by Robert San Souci
Robin Hood and his loyal band create a plan to outsmart the Sheriff of Nottingham by attending an archery contest in disguise. In the end, it is Robin Hood and his friends who have the last laugh.
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by Chris van Dusen
In If I Built a Car, imaginative Jack dreamed up a whimsical fantasy ride that could do just about anything. Now he's back and ready to build the house of his dreams, complete with a racetrack, flying room, and gigantic slide. Jack's limitless creativity and infectious enthusiasm will inspire budding young inventors to imagine their own fantastical designs.
by Brian Floca
It is the summer of 1869, and trains, crews, and family are traveling together, riding America’s brand-new transcontinental railroad. These pages come alive with the details of the trip and the sounds, speed, and strength of the mighty locomotives; the work that keeps them moving; and the thrill of travel from plains to mountain to ocean.
by Steve Light
When Bear’s old truck needs a new headlight, there’s just one thing to do: organize a road trip to Elephant’s Old Junk Tree to find a new one. And a road trip wouldn’t be complete without friends! After a day of adventure and misadventure, will the four friends find what they need?
by Donald Hall
The oxcart man packs his goods - the wool from his sheep, the shawl his wife made, the mittens his daughter knitted, and the linen they wove. He packs the birch brooms his son carved, and even a bag of goose feathers from the barnyard geese.
by Rebecca Bond
Antonio Willie Giroux lived in a hotel his mother ran on the edge of a lake. He loved to explore the woods and look for animals, but they always remained hidden away. One hot, dry summer, when Antonio was almost five, disaster struck: a fire rushed through the forest. Everyone ran to the lake-the only safe place in town.
by Jef Aerts
Adin and Dina are best friends. They live in the beautiful countryside surrounded by cherry trees. Their favorite game is to plant cherry pits around their little village. Then one day Adin and his family move away to the city. Will Adin and Dina's friendship survive the new distance between them?
by C.W. Andersen
Billy was a little boy who “loved horses more than anything else in the world.” Imagine how happy he was when he got his very own pony for his birthday! From that day on, Billy was seldom seen without his new friend, Blaze.
Riding through fields and woods, Billy and Blaze learned to trust and understand one another.
by Sophie Blackall
Step inside the dollhouse-like interior of Farmhouse and relish in the daily life of the family that lives there, rendered in impeccable, thrilling detail. Based on a real family and an actual farmhouse where Sophie salvaged facts and artifacts for the making of this spectacular work, page after page bursts with luminous detail and joy.
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by Natascha Biebow
Here’s the true story of an inventor who so loved nature’s vibrant colors that he found a way to bring the outside world to children – in a bright green box for only a nickel! With experimentation, and a special knack for listening, Edwin Binney and his dynamic team at Crayola created one of the world’s most enduring, best-loved childhood toys – empowering children to dream in COLOR!
by Liz Scanlon
Experience the Grand Canyon through the eyes of a child who is seeing it for the very first time. From soaring vistas and cloud-swept skies to tiny lizards and almost-invisible petroglyphs, the canyon is filled with so many sights waiting to be discovered…and so many amazing memories to carry back home.
by Helen Docherty
Leo was a gentle knight, in thought and word and deed. While other knights liked fighting, Leo liked to sit and read.
When Leo's mom and dad pack him off to fight a dragon, he takes a shield, a sword and a pile of his favorite books. But can a story be as mighty as a sword?
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by Jef Aerts
Johnny hunts for the biggest bear in the forest, but comes home with a little bear—that grows and grows and grows....
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