From Our Bookshelves 2023

 

We heartily recommend these dozen books from 2023.  They made us laugh, cry, and think—sometimes all at the same time.  They prompted giggles, filled us with wonder, and reminded us of truths our hearts knew.  Whether you are looking for a book to recommend to the child in your life or a book to read yourself, we think you'll love these.

Picture Books:

•  Nell Plants a Tree by Anne Wynter, illustrated by Daniel Miyares
• Rabbit, Duck, and Big Bear by Nadine Brun-Cosme, illustrated by Olivier Tallec
•  The Red Jacket by Bob Holt
•  How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney? by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Jon Klassen

Easy Readers:

• Fox Has a Problem by Corey R. Tabor

Fiction:

• The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams by Daniel Nayeri, illustrated by Daniel Miyares
• The Labors of Hercules Beal by Gary D. Schmidt
• The Puppets of Spelhorst by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Julie Morstad
• A First Time for Everything by Dan Santat

Nonfiction:

• Stars of the Night: The Courageous Children of the Czech Kindertransport by Caren Stelson, illustrated by Selina Alko
• Tomfoolery!: Randolph Caldecott and the Rambunctious Coming-of-Age of Children’s Books by Michelle Markel, illustrated by Barbara McClintock
• The Mona Lisa Vanishes: A Legendary Painter, a Shocking Heist, and the Birth of a Global Celebrity by Nicholas Day, illustrated by Brett Helquist

And because there are many wonderful books not on our list this year, here a list of lists to explore.

Horn Book Fanfare 2023

Kirkus Best Picture Books of 2023

Kirkus Best Middle-Grade Books of 2023

NCTE Charlotte Huck Award for Outstanding Fiction for Children 2024

NCTE Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children 2024

The 2023 New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’sBooks

Publishers Weekly Best Children’s and YA Books 2023

School Library Journal Best Books of 2023