5 Notable New Picture Books

Rot, the Cutest in the World!, by Ben Clanton
In Ben Clanton’s fun and silly new picture book, titular character Rot is a mutant potato with five little hairs, an oddly matched pair of eyes, and spindly stick legs. So, naturally, when he sees a sign advertising the Cutest in the World contest, he can’t wait to enter. The odds are stacked against our plucky little mutant potato, though, as he’s up against some truly adorable opponents: an “itty bitty baby bunny,” a “little-wittle” kitten, and an “eenie-weenie” pink jellyfish. Clanton presents kiddos with a funny and endearing tale about the power of believing in yourself exactly as you are.

I Love You for Miles and Miles, by Alison Goldberg and Mike Yamada
This sweet and colorful picture book is made for kids who love all things that go and the mamas and daddies whose love for them can only be compared to the biggest, tallest, longest, toughest machines around. On each lively spread, a mama bear tells her little bear just how big her love for him is—”longer than the longest train,” “wider than the widest big rig,” “stronger than the strongest excavator,” and “taller than the tallest crane.” Kids will love seeing all the vehicles and machines in action and the gentle reminder of their parents’ love for them.

Norman the Slug with the Silly Shell, by Sue Hendra
Norman the slug desperately wants to be a snail in this whimsical and lively new children’s book. And readers will understand why when they see the colorful pinwheel shells of the other snails that just jump off the page at you. But a shell is the very thing Norman is missing in his quest to be a snail. He finally finds the perfect fit—a delectable-looking doughnut with pink frosting and rainbow sprinkles! But is this sweet shell really perfect for Norman? Find out in this silly story that kids will ask for again and again.

Everything You, by Elizabeth McPike and Jay Fleck
When parents welcome a new baby into the world, the wee one represents “everything fresh,” “everything wondrous,” and “everything possible.” And this charming new picture book from Elizabeth McPike and illustrator Jay Fleck celebrates precisely that feeling that moms and dads have for their babies. “We wait and we wait, and we watch all day through, and our dreams while we wait are of everything you,” the sentimental tale begins. Graphic illustrations of different animal families accompany simple rhyming text that will make for a sweet storytime for kids at any age.

Snow Scene, by Richard Jackson and Laura Vaccaro Seeger
Richard Jackson doesn’t need many words to take young readers on a journey through winter and into spring in this playful new picture book with beautiful illustrations painted on canvas by Laura Vaccaro Seeger. Each spread offers a simple guessing game for kids as they follow along with the opening page showing a close-up of some trees with coy accompanying prose, “What are these?” “And those?” the book asks, while showing a hint of black leading off the edge of the page. “Shadows. Of crows,” comes the reply on the following page. Young readers journey through winter and into the melt of spring and then summer in this lovely read.
What picture books are you and your kids reading this month?