Librarian Favorites 2023
Librarian book recommendations for kids, educators, booksellers, librarians, and caregivers of the best children’s books in 2022.
100 Things to Know About Art
By: Susie Hodge
Illustrated by:
Ben Sanders
Ben Sanders
ISBN: 9780711268203
Nonfiction, 4-6, Music / Art
Abdul’s Story
By: Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow
Illustrated by:
Tiffany Rose
Tiffany Rose
ISBN: 9781534462984
Fiction, 4-6, Diversity
Acorn Was a Little Wild
By: Jen Arena
Illustrated by:
Jessica Gibson
Jessica Gibson
ISBN: 9781534483156
Fiction, 4-6, Science
All Are Neighbors
By: Alexandra Penfold
Illustrated by:
Suzanne Kaufman
Suzanne Kaufman
ISBN: 9780593429983
Fiction, 4-6, Background / Culture
All Through the Night
By: Polly Faber
Illustrated by:
Harriet Hobday
Harriet Hobday
ISBN: 9781536227512
Fiction, 4-6, Contemporary
Armadillo Antics
By: Bill Martin Jr, Michael Sampson
Illustrated by:
Nathalie Beauvois
Nathalie Beauvois
ISBN: 9781612545479
Fiction, 4-6, Music / Art
Bathe the Cat
By: Alice B. McGinty
Illustrated by:
David Roberts
David Roberts
ISBN: 9781452142708
Fiction, 4-6, Mental/Physical Health
A Bear, a Bee, and a Honey Tree
By: Daniel Bernstrom
Illustrated by:
Brandon James Scott
Brandon James Scott
ISBN: 9781662640087
Fiction, 4-6, Animals
Berry Song
By: Michaela Goade
Illustrated by:
Michaela Goade
Michaela Goade
ISBN: 9780316494175
Fiction, 4-6, Background / Culture
Big and Small and In-Between
By: Carter Higgins
Illustrated by:
Daniel Miyares
Daniel Miyares
ISBN: 9781452166506
Fiction, 4-6, Concepts
Big Bold Beautiful Me
By: Jane Yolen, Maddison Stemple-Piatt
Illustrated by:
Chloe Burgett
Chloe Burgett
ISBN: 9781433838644
Fiction, 4-6, Mental/Physical Health
Black Boy, Black Boy
By: Ali Kamanda, Jorge Redmond
Illustrated by:
Ken Daley
Ken Daley
ISBN: 9781728250649
Nonfiction, 4-6, Biography / Memoir
Blurp’s Book of Manners
By: Cindy Derby
Illustrated by:
Cindy Derby
Cindy Derby
ISBN: 9781250810359
Fiction, 4-6, Humor
Books Aren’t for Eating
By: Carlie Sorosiak
Illustrated by:
Manu Montoya
Manu Montoya
ISBN: 9781536214963
Fiction, 4-6, Humor
Creepy Crayon!
By: Aaron Reynolds
Illustrated by:
Peter Brown
Peter Brown
ISBN: 9781534465886
Fiction, 4-6, Animals
Dodos Are NOT Extinct!
By: Paddy Donnelly
Illustrated by:
Paddy Donnelly
Paddy Donnelly
ISBN: 9781953458209
Fiction, 4-6, Animals
Double Puppy Trouble
By: Danica McKellar
Illustrated by:
Josée Masse
Josée Masse
ISBN: 9781101933862
Fiction, 4-6, Math
Endlessly Ever After
By: Laurel Snyder
Illustrated by:
Dan Santat
Dan Santat
ISBN: 9781452144825
Fiction, 4-6, Action / Adventure
Farmhouse
By: Sophie Blackall
Illustrated by:
Sophie Blackall
Sophie Blackall
ISBN: 9780316528948
Fiction, 4-6, Historical Fiction
Gigi and Ojiji
By: Melissa Iwai
Illustrated by:
Melissa Iwai
Melissa Iwai
ISBN: 9780063208063
Fiction, 4-6, Diversity
Hey, Bruce!
By: Ryan T. Higgins
Illustrated by:
Ryan T. Higgins
Ryan T. Higgins
ISBN: 9781368084116
Fiction, 4-6, Humor
Hurry, Little Tortoise, Time for School!
By: Carrie Finison
Illustrated by:
Erin Kraan
Erin Kraan
ISBN: 9780593305669
Fiction, 4-6, Animals
The Kindest Red
By: Ibtihaj Muhammad, S. K. Ali
Illustrated by:
Hatem Aly
Hatem Aly
ISBN: 9780759555709
Fiction, 4-6, Religion
Mermaid Dance
By: Matthew Van Fleet
Illustrated by:
Mara Van Fleet
Mara Van Fleet
ISBN: 9781665904919
Fiction, 4-6, Fantasy
Monsters in the Fog
By: Ali Bahrampour
Illustrated by:
Ali Bahrampour
Ali Bahrampour
ISBN: 9781419752452
Fiction, 4-6, Humor
The Most Haunted House in America
By: Jarrett Dapier
Illustrated by:
Lee Gatlin
Lee Gatlin
ISBN: 9781419752469
Fiction, 4-6, Mystery / Thrilller
My Love Will Never Leave You
By: Stephen Hogtun
Illustrated by:
Stephen Hogtun
Stephen Hogtun
ISBN: 9781547608997
Fiction, 4-6, Coming of Age
Noodle and the No Bones Day
By: Jonathan Graziano
Illustrated by:
Dan Tavis
Dan Tavis
ISBN: 9781665927109
Fiction, 4-6, Animals
Not Enough Lollipops
By: Megan Maynor
Illustrated by:
Micah Player
Micah Player
ISBN: 9780593372562
Fiction, 4-6, Humor
The Poem Forest
By: Carrie Fountain
Illustrated by:
Chris Turnham
Chris Turnham
ISBN: 9781536211269
Nonfiction, 4-6, Biography / Memoir
Puppy Bus
By: Drew Brockington
Illustrated by:
Drew Brockington
Drew Brockington
ISBN: 9781419751912
Fiction, 4-6, Humor
A Spark in the Dark
By: Pam Fong
Illustrated by:
Pam Fong
Pam Fong
ISBN: 9780063136533
Fiction, 4-6, Mental/Physical Health
Tell the Truth, Pangolin
By: Melinda Beatty
Illustrated by:
Paola Escobar
Paola Escobar
ISBN: 9780593180136
Fiction, 4-6, Animals
The Three Billy Goats Gruff
By: Mac Barnett
Illustrated by:
Jon Klassen
Jon Klassen
ISBN: 9781338673845
Fiction, 4-6, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
A Very Mercy Christmas
By: Kate DiCamillo
Illustrated by:
Chris Van Dusen
Chris Van Dusen
ISBN: 9781536213607
Fiction, 4-6, Series
Wolf Girl
By: Jo Loring-Fisher
Illustrated by:
Jo Loring-Fisher
Jo Loring-Fisher
ISBN: 9780711249578
Fiction, 4-6, Contemporary
The World Belonged to Us
By: Jacqueline Woodson
Illustrated by:
Leo Espinosa
Leo Espinosa
ISBN: 9780399545498
Fiction, 4-6, Background / Culture
Animal BFFs
By: Sophie Corrigan
Illustrated by:
Sophie Corrigan
Sophie Corrigan
ISBN: 9780711260177
Nonfiction, 7-12, Animals
Artemis Fowl
By: Eoin Colfer
Illustrated by:
Stephen Gilpin
Stephen Gilpin
ISBN: 9781368065085
Fiction, 7-12, Action / Adventure
Ballet Bunnies #6
By: Swapna Reddy
Illustrated by:
Binny Talib
Binny Talib
ISBN: 9780593305782
Fiction, 7-12, Series
Blast Off!
By: Suzanne Slade
Illustrated by:
Sally W. Comport
Sally W. Comport
ISBN: 9781684372416
Nonfiction, 7-12, Science
Bodies, Brains and Boogers
By: Paul Ian Cross
Illustrated by:
Steve Brown
Steve Brown
ISBN: 9781783128969
Nonfiction, 7-12, Contemporary
Breaking Through the Clouds
By: Sandra Nickel
Illustrated by:
Helena Perez Garcia
Helena Perez Garcia
ISBN: 9781419749568
Nonfiction, 7-12, Biography / Memoir
Bristlecone
By: Alexandra Siy
Illustrated by:
Marlo Garnsworthy
Marlo Garnsworthy
ISBN: 9781970039030
Nonfiction, 7-12, Science
Build a House
By: Rhiannon Giddens
Illustrated by:
Monica Mikai
Monica Mikai
ISBN: 9781536222524
Fiction, 7-12, Music / Art
Building an Orchestra of Hope
By: Carmen Oliver
Illustrated by:
Luisa Uribe
Luisa Uribe
ISBN: 9780802854674
Nonfiction, 7-12, Background / Culture
Bunnicula
By: James Howe
Illustrated by:
Stephen Gilpin
Stephen Gilpin
ISBN: 9781534421615
Fiction, 7-12, Mystery / Thriller
Can’t Get Enough Shark Stuff
By: Andrea Sile, Kelly Hargrave
ISBN: 9781426372582
Nonfiction, 7-12, Science
Can’t Get Enough Space Stuff
By: Stephanie Drimmer, Julie Beer
ISBN: 9781426372803
Nonfiction, 7-12, How-to / Activity
Cat & Cat Adventures
By: Susie Yi
Illustrated by:
Susie Yi
Susie Yi
ISBN: 9780063083844
Fiction, 7-12, Action / Adventure
Crab and Snail
By: Beth Ferry
Illustrated by:
Jared Chapman
Jared Chapman
ISBN: 9780062962164
Fiction, 7-12, Animals
Dazzlin’ Dolly
By: Suzanne Slade
Illustrated by:
Edwin Fotheringham
Edwin Fotheringham
ISBN: 9781635928419
Nonfiction, 7-12, Biography / Memoir
The Flower Garden
By: Renée Kurilla
Illustrated by:
Renée Kurilla
Renée Kurilla
ISBN: 9781419750205
Fiction, 7-12, Action / Adventure
The Gardener of Alcatraz
By: Emma Bland Smith
Illustrated by:
Jenn Ely
Jenn Ely
ISBN: 9781623541606
Nonfiction, 7-12, History
H Is for Harlem
By: Dinah Johnson
Illustrated by:
April Harrison
April Harrison
ISBN: 9780316322379
Nonfiction, 7-12, Diversity
Her Name Was Mary Katharine
By: Ella Schwartz
Illustrated by:
Dow Phumiruk
Dow Phumiruk
ISBN: 9780316298322
Nonfiction, 7-12, Biography / Memoir
Hispanic Star
By: Claudia Romo Edelman and William Alexander
ISBN: 9781250828132
Nonfiction, 7-12, Music / Art
Jordan and Max, Field Trip!
By: Suzanne Sutherland
Illustrated by:
Michelle Simpson
Michelle Simpson
ISBN: 9781459831995
Fiction, 7-12, Action / Adventure
Kaleidoscope of Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Life
By: Greer Stothers
Illustrated by:
Greer Stothers
Greer Stothers
ISBN: 9780711266919
Nonfiction, 7-12, Science
Miss Quinces
By: Kat Fajardo
Illustrated by:
Kat Fajardo
Kat Fajardo
ISBN: 9781338535594
Fiction, 7-12, Background / Culture
Noah and His Wagon
By: Jerry Ruff
Illustrated by:
Katrijn Jacobs
Katrijn Jacobs
ISBN: 9781605377100
Fiction, 7-12, Mental/Physical Health
Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun
By: Tolá Okogwu
ISBN: 9781665912617
Fiction, 7-12, Action / Adventure
Out of This World
By: Sally M. Walker
Illustrated by:
Matthew Trueman
Matthew Trueman
ISBN: 9781536203561
Nonfiction, 7-12, Poetry
Rocket
By: Ellen F. Feld
Illustrated by:
Heidi Osgood-Metcalf
Heidi Osgood-Metcalf
ISBN: 9781733767453
Fiction, 7-12, Action / Adventure
The Sweetest Scoop
By: Lisa Robinson
Illustrated by:
Stacy Innerst
Stacy Innerst
ISBN: 9781419748035
Nonfiction, 7-12, Biography / Memoir
The Good Guys Agency
By: Nick Esposito
Illustrated by:
Ricardo Tokumoto
Ricardo Tokumoto
ISBN: 9781638190790
Fiction, 7-12, Historical Fiction
When the Sky Glows
By: Nell C. Beckerman
Illustrated by:
David Litchfield
David Litchfield
ISBN: 9781534450394
Nonfiction, 7-12, Science
Wonderful Hair
By: Eve Catarevas
Illustrated by:
Felicia Marshall
Felicia Marshall
ISBN: 9781954354104
Nonfiction, 7-12, Biography / Memoir
The Yippee Stick
By: Roel Seidell
Illustrated by:
Roel Seidell
Roel Seidell
ISBN: 9781605377902
Fiction, 7-12, Animals
Aliens
By: Joalda Morancy and Amy Grimes
Illustrated by:
Amy Grimes
Amy Grimes
ISBN: 9781684492534
Nonfiction, 7-12, Science
Attack of the Black Rectangles
By: A. S. King
ISBN: 9781338680522
Fiction, 7-12, Social Activism / Equality / Feminism
The Elephant Girl
By: James Patterson, Ellen Banda-Aaku, Sophia Krevoy
ISBN: 9780316316927
Fiction, 7-12, Animals
Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Puberty—and Shouldn’t Learn on TikTok
By: Gemma Hong, Sophie Young
Illustrated by:
Amelia Pinney
Amelia Pinney
ISBN: 9781950587360
Nonfiction, 7-12, Coming of Age
Hardcourt
By: Fred Bowen
Illustrated by:
James E. Ransome
James E. Ransome
ISBN: 9781534460430
Nonfiction, 7-12, History
Isla to Island
By: Alexis Castellanos
Illustrated by:
Alexis Castellanos
Alexis Castellanos
ISBN: 9781534469242
Fiction, 7-12, Background / Culture
Operation Sisterhood
By: Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich
ISBN: 9780593379899
Fiction, 7-12, Coming of Age
Swim Team
By: Johnnie Christmas
Illustrated by:
Johnnie Christmas
Johnnie Christmas
ISBN: 9780063056770
Fiction, 7-12, Coming of Age
Wait Till Helen Comes Graphic Novel
By: Mary Downing Hahn
Illustrated by:
Meredith Laxton
Meredith Laxton
ISBN: 9780358536901
Fiction, 7-12, Mystery / Thriller
Ain’t Burned All the Bright
By: Jason Reynolds
Illustrated by:
Jason Griffin
Jason Griffin
ISBN: 9781534439467
Fiction, Teen, Background / Culture
Curse of the Chosen Vol. 1
By: Alexis Deacon
Illustrated by:
Alexis Deacon
Alexis Deacon
ISBN: 9781910620830
Fiction, Teen, Fantasy
Ducks
By: Kate Beaton
Illustrated by:
Kate Beaton
Kate Beaton
ISBN: 9781770462892
Nonfiction, Teen, Biography / Memoir
The Gifts That Bind Us
By: Caroline O’Donoghue
Illustrated by:
Stefanie Caponi
Stefanie Caponi
ISBN: 9781536222227
Fiction, Teen, Coming of Age
Girl on Fire
By: Alicia Keys
Illustrated by:
Brittney Williams
Brittney Williams
ISBN: 9780063029569
Fiction, Teen, Coming of Age
Girls Who Green the World
By: Diana Kapp
Illustrated by:
Ana Jarén
Ana Jarén
ISBN: 9780593428054
Nonfiction, Teen, Biography / Memoir
If Anything Happens I Love You
By: Will McCormack, Michael Govier
Illustrated by:
Youngran Nho
Youngran Nho
ISBN: 9781524871253
Fiction, Teen, Contemporary
My Name Is Jason. Mine Too.
By: Jason Reynolds, Jason Griffin
ISBN: 9781534478220
Nonfiction, Teen, Biography / Memoir
Nowhere Girl
By: Magali Le Huche
Illustrated by:
Magali Le Huche
Magali Le Huche
ISBN: 9781913123192
Nonfiction, Teen, Biography / Memoir
