Since it’s the last month of the year, it’s the perfect time to add the best new picture books to read in December 2022 to your shopping list!
It’s hard to believe that this year is coming to an end. Thankfully, there are still so many incredible books to look forward to this month. The books on this list are perfect for family reading or even classroom read-alouds!
The new picture books releasing this month are fun and have gorgeous illustrations. They’re perfect for readers of all ages!
From some anticipated releases to debut authors, you don’t want to miss the best picture books to read in December 2022.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of my links, I may earn a very small commission, at no additional cost to you.
December 6th
Cooking • Frances Lincoln Children’s Books
Following on from Love Grows Everywhere, A Pinch of Love is Barry Timms and Tisha Lee’s second book on the subject of love—this time celebrating the love that comes through baking, cooking and sharing food.
In this beautiful story told in rhyming verse, a boy and his grandmother, are preparing for a big neighborhood bake-off. See the loving (and sticky!) moments of their tender relationship, along with the many other warm bonds that exist within their community.
Barry Timms’ gentle text skillfully links these loving moments with the love that is represented by the food, while Tisha Lee’s lush illustrations give real depth to this vibrant and diverse neighborhood.
This book is a warm and charming tale, perfect for Valentine’s Day and beyond.
I love you more than all the love on this island.
In the spirit of Guess How Much I Love You, this book explores the love that runs deep between Moana and her grandmother. In this story Moana and her grandmother take turns comparing their love for one another to all the different things they can find on their island home of Motunui.
From Caldecott Honoree Cindy Derby comes an uproarious tale about an etiquette coach and the sentient paint blob that just might teach her proper manners.
When etiquette coach Ms. Picklepop teeters off her stool and spills a bucket of paint, a creature emerges. Not a scary one, or an evil one, or anything of the sort. Instead, what comes alive is …
BLURP!
She’ll have to carry on with her lesson, despite Blurp’s many, messy distractions. But paint splotches and burps aren’t all that disrupt Ms. Picklepop’s decorous class. Perhaps through an unlikely friendship, Ms. Picklepop will learn a thing or two about manners herself.
Fall in love with Cindy Derby’s newest adorable creation — Blurp — in this colorful, heartwarming, and laugh-out-loud funny tale.
As the sun sets, three siblings discover nature’s nighttime beauty in this soothingly rhythmic and gorgeously illustrated bedtime picture book from the acclaimed author-illustrator team behind Green on Green.
Gentle the evening. Sweeping the skies.
Dark the shadows as twilight arrives.
Rose the horizon, gleaming and bright.
Twilight and evening and dark on light.
When the family dog trots away from the house at sunset, three siblings tumble out the door to go find him. Soon they find themselves immersed in the luminous colors, shades, and shadows of nature at night—both dark and light. They wander through moonlit lavender meadows, past a timid fawn, beneath a snowy white owl, and much, much more as the night deepens until, at last, they find their sneaky pup.
With beautiful illustrations by Felicita Sala and lyrical text by Dianne White that’s perfect for reading aloud, this book invites young readers to step into the wondrous, colorful nighttime natural world.
Holiday • Sourcebooks Wonderland
Can you catch the magical Loveosaurus? From the New York Times and USA Today bestselling How to Catch series comes an exciting Valentine’s Day treat about a rare new creature!
The Catch Club Kids are on the chase again, this time to trap an escaped dinosaur that wants to spread love and kindness. Blending exciting traps and STEAM concepts with hilarity and chaos to encourage reading, learning, and imagination, this charming adventure will delight young readers, families, and educators alike—and maybe inspire spreading some kindness too!
Have you heard of the Loveosaurus?
The first ever found—it’s true!
He’s on the run spreading kindness and joy,
But who will trap him … YOU?
Just. Like. You. is a rhyming story in celebration of diversity that introduces readers to all the different members of a classroom, and what makes each of them uniquely who they are.
Lu speaks with her hands
Will writes down their thoughts
Ava reads along the page; her fingers glide on dots.
Bella’s body’s narrow
Julian’s is round
Elijah’s legs are shortish, so his dress drags on the ground.
Written in a melodic, read-aloud ready rhyme, Just. Like. You. is a joyful celebration of individuality and diversity. Follow a class of students throughout the school day from morning to night and discover what makes each of them unique; from different talents, abilities, and body sizes, to ethnicities, religions, gender expressions and more, there are so many things to love about being you. Avneet Sandhu’s endearing, playful portrait illustrations bring this magnificent classroom to life.
A perfect back-to-school gift, or anytime-gift, Just. Like. You. is a burst of delight.
Love • Viking Books for Young Readers
The star of Little Owl’s Night returns to find love in his beloved nighttime forest.
“What do I love” Little Owl thought.
There were so many things.
Gliding along on a quiet night, Little Owl looks for the things that make him happy—shimmering stars, winking fireflies, listening to the cricket song,
And most of all, spending time with his good friends.
Lyrical and deeply heartfelt, Little Owl’s Love is a love letter to the natural world on a child’s level.
In a rhythmic celebration of sport and play, four-time Grand Slam champion and tennis superstar Naomi Osaka shares key steps to becoming a true champ, including being kind, working as a team, doing your best, and most importantly, having fun.
At Play Academy,
We love to move.
That’s why we play.
We are champs and we play all day!
Inspired by Osaka’s game-changing program Play Academy, which instills confidence in and provides resources to young girls through sports, The Way Champs Play is an exciting and inspiring anthem for all kids in and out of the classroom who want to PLAY ALL DAY!
Self-Esteem • Sourcebooks Wonderland
What are little boys made of? Discover and inspire a new generation of loving, unique boys in this modern retelling of the classic nursery rhyme!
Celebrate all the things that make boys special! Elaborating on the well-known nursery rhyme, this special story moves beyond stereotypes and encourages readers to inspire a new generation of wonderful boys! Every child is filled with boundless potential, and this empowering book encourages every little boy to feel confident in who he is and what he loves to do, loving himself inside and out.
Self-Esteem • Sourcebooks Wonderland
What are little girls made of? Inspire a new generation of empowered girls in this modern retelling of the classic nursery rhyme!
Celebrate all the things that make girls special! Elaborating on the well-known nursery rhyme, this special story moves beyond stereotypes and encourages readers to inspire a new generation of unique, wonderful girls! Every child is filled with boundless potential, and this empowering book encourages every little girl to feel confident in who she is and what she loves to do, loving herself inside and out.
December 13th
A funny, fish-filled story about the joys of learning, and the rewards that come with staying true to who you are.
Agatha May just can’t understand why her classmates aren’t as crazy as she is about the hideous humpback anglerfish. But when a school assignment gives Agatha the chance to show everybody what they’re missing, she single-handedly schools them all—and, in the process, discovers a passion for research and an exciting new dream for her future.
This book is perfect for dreamers, outside-the-box thinkers, and anyone who has ever felt like their special interest wasn’t appreciated.
Encanto tells the tale of an extraordinary family, the Madrigals, who live deep in the mountains of Colombia, in a magical house, in a vibrant town, in a wondrous, charmed place called an Encanto.
Inspired by characters and scenes from Encanto, this brightly illustrated picture book celebrates Antonio’s gift day! The young boy learns he can communicate with animals and tours his new, magical bedroom alongside his amazing family.
It’s a birthday party the Encanto will never forget!
Join the animals of the zodiac as they make noodles for a party in this festive book from an award-winning author and food editor.
It’s almost time for the party! One-by-one all the animals of the zodiac go up the hill, each one carrying an ingredient. Horse trots up the hill with a big wok. Goat strolls up the hill with wild onions.
Except for snake, that is. It’s his birthday! All of his friends have prepared long noodles to celebrate his long and happy life. Simple text is paired with delightful, friendly art in this joyous look at the Chinese tradition of preparing long noodles to celebrate birthdays, the New Year, and other festive occasions.
A kid-friendly recipe for how to make Dragon Beard Noodles, a dish popular in Northern China, is included as well as a note on the Chinese Zodiac.
This funny and heartwarming follow-up to Grandpa Grumps celebrates Lunar New Year and the love of a doting grandparent.
“You should sleep on the long flight,” said Mama.
Daisy should have slept-
but she didn’t.
She was too excited to see Yeh-Yeh!
Daisy is traveling to China, and she’s excited to see her Yeh-Yeh again! She has big plans for all the fun they’ll have together in preparation for Lunar New Year, like flying kites and making jiao zi. But when she arrives, she has trouble sleeping and is less jolly than she hoped. Throughout the week, Yeh-Yeh tries all sorts of things to help her have a fun holiday and get her past her grumpiness. Will Daisy be able to get some rest and have one perfect day before she goes home?
Are hats for cats?! A big, bossy dog and a determined cat disagree. This funny rhyming romp—with a large cast of cats and hats—leads readers to the perfect conclusion: Hats are for everyone!
A big, severe, plaid-hat-wearing dog insists that the small black cat in the red fez shouldn’t be wearing a hat—any kind of hat—because hats are for dogs.
His patronizing tirade doesn’t convince this cat, however. Defiantly, she wears an assortment of hats, described in the gleeful rhyming text, and brings in other cats to join the protest.
The silliness of both text and pictures offers a cheerful take on bossiness and managing conflict, with a win-win resolution.
Family • Knopf Books for Young Readers
In this heartwarming picture book, an Asian American girl shares how her family expresses their love for one another through actions rather than words.
How do you tell your family that you love them? For Hana, love is all around her: Mom stirs love into a steaming pot of xifan. Dad cheers with love at her soccer game. Hana says good night with love by rubbing her grandma’s feet and pouring her grandpa his sleepy tea. And as the light fades, Hana’s parents tuck her into bed and give her a good night kiss.
So many families express their love in all they do for one another, every day. Here is a book that wraps you in a hug and invites your family to share their own special ways of showing love.
Family • Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Natasha Anastasia Tarpley returns with a breakout new picture book series all about Keyana, the protagonist of her bestselling title I Love My Hair!, and the people and places she adores.
Keyana’s always full of big ideas. Her latest and greatest plan is to host a perfect family movie night. From aunts to uncles to her five favorite cousins, everyone is invited! She knows the best way to impress her guests is with a fabulous soiree, and there’s a lot on her to-do list. But when the night doesn’t go as planned, she’ll have to rely on a little help from the people she loves most.
With warm illustrations by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow, this character-centric new picture book series from Natasha Anastasia Tarpley will give Keyana a fresh, commercial update that’s perfect for today’s young readers.
Amazon
The companion to the #1 New York Times bestseller and NAACP Image Award winner Stacey’s Extraordinary Words, from political leader Stacey Abrams and artist Kitt Thomas.
Stacey’s favorite day of the week is Thursday, when the whole class goes to the library and she gets to lose herself in her beloved books.
On one of these special days, Stacey discovers that a new student named Julie has trouble reading in English, so they begin sharing books and stories to practice. Soon, more students start to join them.
Books take the group on magical adventures and reveal other worlds and cultures—but best of all, they bring them together as friends.
This is another inspiring tale, based on a true story from Stacey Abrams’s childhood, about the life-changing power of books.
Holiday • Viking Books for Young Readers
A heart-warming Valentine’s mystery!
Pippa’s teacher tells her students to make a love list—a list of all the things that take up room in their hearts. Pippa makes her list, but when she finds someone else’s and sees that her own name has been written down, along with all of her favorite things, she discovers she has a secret admirer! Maybe the best friend she’s always hoped for is right in her classroom, if only she can crack the case. Good thing there’s nothing Pippa loves more than a good detective story. Will she solve the mystery of the love list and find a new friend?
Emotions & Feelings • Katherine Tegen Books
Author-illustrator June Tate makes her debut with a heartwarming picture book comparing the seemingly small but tenderly profound moments hidden in our world. A modern-day classic in the making for fans of Margaret Wise Brown and William Steig.
This extraordinary book focuses on the everyday moments that slow the world down for us: a hug from someone we haven’t seen in a long time, the soft spot behind a cat’s ear, a ladybug landing on your arm.
And in the end, the answer to the question of what’s sweeter rings truest of all.
The perfect gift for occasions ranging from celebrations like birthdays and graduation to a just-because gift appreciating someone. Pass this book to the sweetest around you.
December 20th
There’s an invisible string binding us all together! Beautifully illustrated, this heartwarming picture book reminds readers that we’re all connected.
Through backyards and neighborhoods, over mountains, and across oceans, this colorful heart string ties us all together. Invisible yet undeniable, it joins our hearts so that we are never truly alone.
Follow the thread of this reassuring story to see how, even in a world as vast as ours, there is always a bond that connects us to the ones we love—and to the world we share.
WE ARE CONNECTED: Whether we’re loved ones or strangers, this book is a poignant reminder that one person’s joys and sorrows impact us all.
REASSURING MESSAGE: Nervousness or anxiety about distance or separation are universal feelings! From attending the first day of school to a traveling parent or distant grandparent, any kid will find comfort in this book.
GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP: These colorful heart strings weave through streets, neighborhoods, mountains, and oceans—across the globe—showing us that love can overcome both distance and hardship, and ultimately revealing the threads that bind us together as one global community.
Family • Viking Books for Young Readers
A laugh-out-loud picture book that says I Love You no matter what!
I love you, Cockatoo! says Mama, Papa, and Aunt P.
But little Cockatoo isn’t so sure.
What about when he disturbs Mama’s morning bath, or wakes Papa up from a nap, or gets breakfast all over Aunt P’s clean kitchen floor?
Some might consider Cockatoo a little bit naughty, but moms and dads will see a familiar concern: a need for reassuring love.
Perfectly capturing the energy and humor of an active child, I Love You, Cockatoo is for families who seek to strengthen a child’s understanding of unconditional love through an entertaining and fun-to-read-aloud story.
December 27th
What do you call the ones you love the most?
Acclaimed author Mary Lee Donovan and illustrator Brizida Magro’s Let Me Call You Sweetheart is a playful, sometimes silly, and always cozy picture book that features more than fifty terms of endearment from around the world. Perfect for bedtime, for building vocabulary, for baby showers, and for gift giving all year long.
Mi cielito, my angel, my pumpkin, my bean. My kitten, my sweetheart, my darling sweet pea. Everyone has a special term of endearment for those they love. What do you call your loved ones?
Let Me Call You Sweetheart is an irresistible picture book to share with the ones you love—no matter what their age! Mary Lee Donovan’s rhythmic text keeps readers turning the pages, and Brizida Magro’s remarkable, sun-drenched illustrations present a cast of playful and charming children and animals, and an enchanting world full of friendship, love, and affection. Featuring more than fifty terms of endearment and expressions of love from around the world, Let Me Call You Sweetheart is perfect for baby showers and bedtime.
Family • Doubleday Books for Young Readers
Confident, empowered sisters and best friends are celebrated in this read-together picture book celebrating sisterly love and joy. From the author of the Happy Hair series, which promotes self-love, positivity, and acceptance.
Perfect together! Always and forever! My sister and me!
Beautiful Black and Brown girls with gorgeous natural hairstyles are the stars of this vibrant, rhythmic picture book. With encouraging words of unity and support on each page, it’s a great read-aloud to promote confidence and self-esteem among girls of all ages.
Diversity, Holiday • Farrar, Straus and Giroux
From Korean American author-illustrator Aram Kim, Tomorrow is New Year’s Day follows a little girl sharing the fun customs of Seollal—the Korean Lunar New Year—with her classmates.
Seollal, the Korean Lunar New Year, is Mina’s favorite day of the year.
Mina can’t wait to share the customs of Seollal with all of her friends at school. She will show her classmates her colorful hanbok, demonstrate how to do sebae, and then everyone will make tasty tteokguk in the cooking room. Yum! Her little brother may even join in on the fun … if he can find a way out of his bad mood.
In this joyful book about sharing age-old cultural celebrations with new friends, Aram Kim has created a must-have book for the New Year’s season. A glossary of Korean terms, with pronunciation guide, is included.
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