10 More Picture Books That Feel Like a Hug

Dear Girl, by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, Paris Rosenthal, and Holly Hatam
The final work from the late, amazing Amy Krouse Rosenthal (and her grown daughter) feels like a warm embrace every time we read it. It’s a letter to the special girl in your life, and each page contains a reminder of why she is special, wonderful, and unique. It’s guaranteed to become a family favorite.

We’re All Wonders, by R.J. Palacio
Palacio’s middle-grade novel, Wonder, along with the recent feature film of the same title, have brought the anti-bullying “Choose Kind” movement into focus for millions of people. Auggie Pullman is the ordinary kid with the extraordinary face, and his story works perfectly in storybook format here. Colorful illustrations and accessible prose usher in an unforgettable lesson for younger readers.

Love, by Matt de la Peña and Loren Long
A hug is simply love in action, so there’s little question as to why this tender story made our list. Love is the powerful bond that connects us all, and kids tap into it almost as soon as they enter this world. Celebrate love—and all the unexpected places we find it—at your next storytime!

Be Brave Little One, by Marianne Richmond
In addition to voracious consumers of classic literature, we all want to encourage our little readers to grow up to be kind, compassionate, and courageous, and Richmond’s touching rhymes and tender illustrations are brimming with gentle nudges in this direction. Bravery never goes out of style, so cuddle up and enjoy this story tonight!

In My Heart: A Book of Feelings, by Jo Witek and Christine Roussey
For toddlers and their weary parents, every day is an emotional rollercoaster. For every tear, there’s a smile, for every hug, a tired scowl. Helping your little reader develop a vocabulary for the myriad emotions they experience in the course of a day (or an hour) can be a lifesaver—and this exhilarating story has set out to do just that! We can almost guarantee that reading it over and over again will prove therapeutic for all involved.

Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth, by Oliver Jeffers
Written originally for his son, Jeffers’ useful manual for leading a kind, tolerant life on our beautiful planet is a wonderful way to end your day with your little reader. Travel at light speed through these pages to examine the earth’s surface, atmosphere, and all the people in it—everyone at your storytime is assured some perspective.

The Wonderful Things You Will Be, by Emily Winfield Martin
What if the daydream we all share for our children’s futures came to life? What if you could buy that book at your local Barnes & Noble? Would you be as excited as we are? Martin’s exceptional story takes all readers on a wonderful adventure of dreams, ambitions, and imagination.

Wherever You Are My Love Will Find You, by Nancy Tillman
All of Tillman’s books are tenderhearted tearjerkers, so to say this one is especially touching is another way of saying, “grab the tissues, Pop!” As with all of her other stories, Tillman has found a way, through words and pictures, to demonstrate the distance love will travel—in an instant—to your child. It’s a tale to treasure for years to come.

You Are My I Love You, by Maryann Cusimano Love and Satomi Ichikawa
Filled with gentle refrains and whimsical illustrations, this story feels like a sweet embrace from start to finish. Littlest readers will respond to the lyrical nature of the prose, and you’ll find yourself immediately swept away to the relaxing place we all love to visit during storytime.

You!, by Sandra Magsamen
This hopeful, inspiring tale is perfect for your youngest reader—it’s ALL about him or her, in fact. And all the wild and crazy dreams you two have for the future! You’ll bounce from one page to the next, and then you’ll probably start all over again—start the fun at your next read-aloud!