Nine Picture Books that Should Have Won Awards

Bear and the Three Goldilocks

Written by Patrick Horne, illustrated by Dan Yaccarino

Holiday House, 2025, 4–8 years

A Book of Maps for You

Written by Lourdes Heuer, illustrated by Maxwell Eaton III

Neal Porter Books, 2025, 4–8 years

Broken

Written and illustrated by X. Fang

Tundra Books, 2025, 3–7 years

Dear Duck, Please Come!

Written by Sarah Mackenzie, illustrated by Charles Santoso

Waxwing Books, 2025, 4–6 years

Gather Grateful

Written by Megan Litwin, illustrated by Alexandra Finkeldey

Candlewick, 2025, 3–7 years

The Hare Who Wouldn’t Share

Written and illustrated by Steve Small

Beach Lane Books, 2025, 4–8 years

Hope in a Jar

Written and illustrated by Deborah Marcero

G. P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, 2025, 3–7 years

To See an Owl

Written and illustrated by Matthew Cordell

Random House Studio, 2025, 4–8 years

Zip Zap Wickety Wack: A Story About Sharing

Written and illustrated by Matthew Diffee

Neal Porter Books, 2025, 4–8 years


Lois Boerman is librarian at Ada Christian School in Ada, Michigan.