Beyond Goodnight Moon: 7 Great Picture Books For New Parents

If You Want to See a Whale, by Julie Fogliano and Erin Stead

If you want to see a whale, first you have to know where not to look. You won’t find them by staring at clouds, birds or pirate ships, and you definitely won’t find them in pink roses. This serene book is a lesson in patience and observation, but it’s also a magical introduction to lulling, lyrical language.

Gallop!, by Rufus Butler Seder
Gallop! is the first children’s book to employ the use of “Scanimation,” which was invented by this author and illustrator. It’s a six-phase animation process, reminiscent of an old-timey kinetoscope that gives the illusion of movement to pictures. The book’s galloping horse, running dog, springing cat and other boisterous animals will fascinate children of all ages.

Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes, by Mem Fox and Helen Oxenbury
It’s hard to know what to love best about this board book—the exuberant illustrations or the dreamy and repetitive rhymes. Showcasing the sweet similarities of different babies across the globe, this is a book that begs to be read aloud over and over again.

Hot Dog, Cold Dog, by Frann Preston-Gannon
With simple rhymes and bold illustrations, this book celebrates all things wiener dog. From “lots and lots of spots dog” to “tied up in knots dog,” every bold and bright Dachshund takes the reader on a fun romp through opposites.

This Book Just Ate My Dog!, by Richard Byrne
Bella is a little girl taking her dog for a walk when the gutter of the book gobbles the pup right up. Animal control comes, only to disappear into the book as well. Then Bella is gone! You’ll have to turn the book on its side and shake-shake-shake to rescue everyone from this story. The physicality of this funny book keeps everyone, from adult to child, engaged and entertained.

Dragons Love Tacos, by Adam Rubin and Daniel Salmieri
Everybody loves tacos, right? But it’s a little-known fact that dragons reeeeally love tacos. This book about a taco party—and the inherent dangers of giving hot salsa to fire-breathing dragons—is as hilarious as it is charming. Plus it’s never too early for kids to learn the word “jalapeño.”

The Story of Fish and Snail, by Deborah Freedman
Every day Fish returns home from another book and tells Snail a story. One day Fish finds a story so compelling, he must show it to Snail. Snail doesn’t want to leave the book he’s in, so Fish leaps into another book without him. Younger readers will delight in the courageous friendship of Fish and Snail. Meanwhile, older children will discover that sometimes a book is just the beginning of a story.
 
 
What are your favorite new picture books for kids?