2019 Staff Picks for Kids

It is once again time for us to share our favorite books of the year. We are starting with our favorite books for kids (and those young at heart!). Be sure to keep an eye out for our favorites for teens and adults later this week.

There were so many great books to choose from this year. We hope you enjoy these titles as much as we did!

Picture Books

Unicorns 101 by Cale Atkinson – recommended by Lisa K. at Glen Allen
Up Verses Down by Calef Brown – recommended by Barbra S. at Varina
Llama Destroys the World by Jonathan Stutzman, illustrated by Heather Fox – recommended by Chris D. at Fairfield Also available on Hoopla.
Some Days by Karen Kaufman Orloff, illustrated by Ziyue Chen – recommended by Hayley D. at Twin Hickory
The Quiet Boat Ride and Other Stories by Sergio Ruzzier – recommended by Gay Lynn V. at Twin Hickory Also available on Hoopla.
The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander, illustrated by Kadir Nelson – recommended by Kelsey C. at VA and Amanda S. at Fairfield
Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré by Anika Aldamuy Denise, illustrated by Paola Escobar – recommended by Tracey B. at Libbie Mill
Nighttime Symphony by Timbaland, illustrated by Christopher Myers – recommended by Penelope F. at Varina
Leila in Saffron by Rukhsanna Guidroz, illustrated by Dinara Mirtalipova – recommended by Kareemah H. at Varina
Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry, illustrated by Vashti Harrison – recommended by Trisha K. at Twin Hickory
I Wonder by K. A. Holt, illustrated by Kenard Pak – recommended by Amy C. at Tuckahoe
Magic Ramen by Andrea Wang, illustrated by Kana Urbanowicz – recommended by Rachel S. at Fairfield
Ruby Finds a Worry by Tom Percival – recommended by Haven H. at Gayton
You are Light by Aaron Becker – recommended by Hannah T. at Fairfield
Just Because by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault – recommended by Kendall H. at Library Administration
A Crazy-Much Love by Joy Jordan-Lake, illustrated by Sonia Sánchez – recommended by Courtney M. at North Park
Bird Watch by Christie Matheson – recommended by Rick S. at Library Administration

Chapter Books

Cleopatra in Space: Book Five, Fallen Empires by Mike Maihack – recommended by Barbra S. at Varina
Rumple Buttercup: A Story of Bananas, Belonging, and Being Yourself by Matthew Gray Gubler – recommended by Chris D. at Fairfield
Sweeping up the Heart by Kevin Henkes – recommended by Gay Lynn V. at Twin Hickory
The Tea Dragon Festival by Katie O’Neill – recommended by Ame H. at Library Admin and Drew C. at Twin Hickory
Bigby Bear by Philippe Coudray – recommended by Penelope F. at Varina Also available on Hoopla.
Skyjacked by Paul Griffin – recommended by Trisha K. at Twin Hickory
Stargazing by Jen Wang – recommended by Kelsey C. at Varina
The True History of Lyndie B. Hawkins by Gail Shepherd – recommended by Amy C. at Tuckahoe
The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise by Dan Gemeinhart – recommended by Rachel S. at Fairfield
Atlas of Monsters and Ghosts by Federica Magrin – recommended by Haven H. at Gayton
Changeling by William Ritter – recommended by Hannah T. at Fairfield Also available on Hoopla.
Guts by Raina Telgemeier – recommended by Amanda S. at Fairfield
Klawde: Evil Alien Warlord Cat by Johnny Marciano – recommended by Kendall H. at Library Administration
Strange Birds: A Field Guide to Ruffling Feathers by Celia C. Pérez– recommended by Rick S. at Library Administration

The lists for teen and adult books will be out later this week! What was your favorite children’s book of 2019?