Tried & True and New: Picture Books

Our storytime experts are bringing you reviews of the latest from our Easy collection (or picture books) as well as some of their favorites used during storytime. We have thousands of picture books at each library, so this is just a small introduction to the collection. See all of our Tried & True and New reviews here on the blog.

Kitten’s First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes

Reviewed by: Erik Knapp

What a night! It’s Kitten’s first full moon and she thinks it’s a little bowl of milk, just waiting for her. The poor kitten tries everything to make that bowl of milk hers but each attempt just makes it worse. Finally, she gives up and finds an unexpected surprise waiting for her on her own front porch.

Read-alikes:

A Color of His Own by Leo Lionni
My Friend Rabbit by Eric Rohmann
Where the Wild Things Are by Mercer Mayer
Cookie’s Week by Cindy Ward
Mama Cat Has Three Kittens by Denise Fleming

Truck Full of Ducks by Ross Burach

Reviewed by: Brittnee Emerine

Who called for a truck full of ducks?! It wasn’t the construction crew (they wanted a DUMP truck, not a DUCK truck!) and it wasn’t the pirate captain (he wanted CRACKERS, not QUACKERS!) so, who could it be? Follow along with Bernie and his truck full of ducks as they try to find their waiting customer! This picture book will have children and parents alike giggling as the truck bumps along from one hilarious encounter to the next. 

Read-alikes:

Duck on a Bike by David Shannon
I Am Not a Chair! by Ross Burach
Ribbit! by Rodrigo Folguiera 
Frog on a Log? by Kes Gray

The Bears Shared by Kim Norman, Illustrated by David Walker

Reviewed by: Sarah Deay

There is plenty of cuteness to share in this cleverly constructed story about a family of birds and a family of bears, just published in early 2023. The storms and showers that go along with springtime make us wonder if the little birds will be okay, but thanks to the hospitality of the family of bears coming out of hibernation, both families find new friends in one another. The rhythmic, cumulative verse and adorable pictures will make this one a favorite to read aloud together.

Read-alikes:

This Is the Nest That Robin Built by Denise Fleming
First Notes of Spring by Jessica Kulekjian
Shh! Bears Sleeping by David Martin
Little Chicks by Taro Gomi

Chengdu Could Not, Would Not Fall Asleep by Barney Saltzberg

Reviewed by: Sarah Deay

This is a very cute, funny, and relatable book about a tired little panda who goes to great lengths to fall asleep but just can’t seem to do it no matter what he tries! Different page sizes, flaps that open sideways and down, and high-contrast color illustrations help keep this book interactive and engaging to the senses. This title was also named a Charlotte Zolotow Award Honor Book in 2015 for its outstanding writing.

Read-alikes:

Sloth Wasn’t Sleepy by Kate Messner
Arlo the Lion Who Couldn’t Sleep by Catherine Rayner
Sleepy Bird by Jeremy Tankard
Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson
Sleep Tight, Charlie by Michael Escoffier

Granny and Bean by Karen Hesse, Illustrated by Charlotte Voake

Reviewed by: Erik Knapp

It’s a gray Fall day at the beach and Granny and Bean are spending it the best way possible, together. Singing, greeting friends along the way, and fighting the wind and the sea spray along they go, never grumbling, just happy to be with each other. Finally, after a fine tea and some shell-sorting, hand-in-hand, they make their way back home. Granny and Bean is a quiet, lyrical story and the gentle text, as well as the excellent and evocative art perfectly conveys the mood of these two sharing a simple yet magical day. This book would be excellent for quiet time reading or bedtime.

Read-alikes: