One of my favorite parts of working in a public library is being surrounded by gorgeous picture books, both new and old. These are the four best ones I read this year.
Peggy by Anna Walker. An adorable tale about a hen who goes on a brave adventure in the city.
The Book with No Pictures by B.J. Novak. Not technically a picture book, but a joy to read aloud. Best read with someone else nearby. Pets count.
Once Upon an Alphabet: Short Stories for All the Letters by Oliver Jeffers. Dark but beautifully written and illustrated. I felt quite content the morning I read this.
Smoky Night by Eve Bunting. I picked this book up after reading a phenomenal blog post on resources for talking with children about race. There were tears at my desk.
Catherine Odson 