Books & Audiobooks
Written by Guest Blogger: Miriam (Supervisor, John M. Harper Branch)
Picture books have my whole heart. There’s something magical about the way story and artwork come together in just a few short pages. One of the best perks of my job at the John M. Harper Branch is access to a massive picture book collection—which is wonderful, but also makes choosing favourites a challenge. To help you skip the overwhelm, I’ve gathered some of the picture books my family can’t stop rereading right now. From silly to thoughtful, these are the stories on heavy rotation in our house. I hope your little people love them as much as we do!
Click on the images below to read a little bit about each book.
Little Freddie Two Pants (The Dog with Too Many Pants) by Drew Daywalt
This book is 100% silly. Freddie Two Pants is a dog who—surprise! —wears too many pants. Even when he’s technically wearing the right number, he’s almost certainly wearing them wrong. Buckle up for plenty of giggles as readers attempt to solve Freddie’s ongoing pants predicament. Pure absurdity from start to finish.
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Every Monday Mabel by Jashar Awan
As the parent of a child deeply devoted to garbage trucks, this book became an instant classic in our home. Meet Mabel, who loves Mondays for one reason and one reason only: it’s garbage day. With bright illustrations and a celebration of curbside collection, this is a joyful ode to waste removal—and the tiny humans who treat it like a weekly holiday.
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Don’t Lose Mr. Cuddles (Life Lessons from Chip the Dog) by Dev Petty
Chip (not the potato kind—the smart-dog kind) explains all the important reasons you must never lose his beloved toy, Mr. Cuddles. Everything is going smoothly until… it isn’t. You don’t need to read the earlier books to enjoy this one, though fair warning: you’ll probably want to afterward. Silly and filled with heartfelt canine wisdom.
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This Book Is Dangerous! by Ben Clanton
This interactive story puts readers in charge of Jelly the jellyfish (from Narwhal and Jelly), with predictably chaotic results. Expect dramatic page turns, toothy encounters, and lots of laughs as Jelly repeatedly lands in dangerous situations—mostly thanks to you. Bonus: the cover glows in the dark!
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Cranky Crabby Crow (Saves the World) by Corey R. Tabor
Why is that grumpy crow sitting on the power line? Why doesn’t he want to hang out with his friends? As it turns out, Cranky Crow has a top-secret mission. Instead of a tidy moral about friendship, this story offers something better: a reminder that all is not what it seems—and your crankiest pal might be a secret hero.
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Papilio by Ben Clanton, Corey R. Tabor & Andy Musser
An all-star trio of picture book creators explores the butterfly life cycle: caterpillar, chrysalis, and butterfly. Each stage has its challenges, but much to my surprise, the chrysalis chapter delivers the most drama (who knew cocooning could be so intense?) If you have a Very Hungry Caterpillar fan at home, this makes a perfect “level-up” read.
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Island Storm by Brian Floca
Two children cross their island as a storm gathers. The sky darkens, the wind rises, and a great big BOOM makes it clear it’s time to head home. Told in poetic language with breathtaking illustrations, this book feels like a moving piece of art with a safe and cozy ending.
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Clive Penguin by Huw Lewis-Jones
Clive Penguin longs for more than cold and snow (don’t we all?) and sets off to explore the world—only to discover an abandoned orange tea cozy. After some experimentation, he realizes it’s exactly what he’s been missing… at least for a while. Cute, vibrant, and sure to delight.
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Mina by Matthew Forsythe
Mina’s dad is prone to shenanigans, but she barely bats an eye—until he brings home a “pet squirrel.” Mina knows something’s off, and readers quickly learn the truth: that squirrel is definitely a cat. Chaos ensues. With stunning and whimsical illustrations, Mina is a tale of parental chaos and quiet kid competence.
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Little Witch Hazel by Phoebe Wahl
This book is so close to my heart I couldn’t leave it off the list. Little Witch Hazel lives in a lush forest alongside a whole cast of friendly woodland creatures. Wahl’s illustrations feel almost retro, with vibrant primary colours and a rich world you’ll want to return to again and again. Reading this book feels like curling up in a warm bed of moss beneath the trees.
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