picture books

Are picture books undervalued? This new ambassador of children's literature thinks so

5:43pm February 06, 2025

by Andrew Limbong

The Library of Congress has given Mac Barnett the job of promoting books and reading to kids across the country. His plan is to focus on picture books.

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In a 'Still Life' painting nothing moves — but, wait! Was that a dragon?

7:00am November 23, 2024

An authoritative artist has many rules for his still life painting. Too bad! Because the mouse, the dragon, the knight, and the princess are here to break them in this raucous new picture book.

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A little mouse sets sail on a big adventure in 'The Ship in the Window'

7:00am October 13, 2024

Author Travis Jonker and illustrator Matthew Cordell talk about the real model ship that inspired their picture book about a man, his son, a mouse, and the voyage that brings them together.

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Some babysitters are forever — just ask 'Señora Mimí'

7:00am September 08, 2024

Ana is so excited that her abuela is coming to live with her — until it means saying goodbye to her babysitter. No More Señora Mimí is an ode to caregivers from Meg Medina and Brittany Cicchese.

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'The Dictionary Story' is a kids' book that defies definition

7:00am August 31, 2024

Dictionary wants to bring her pages to life but then a hungry alligator chasing a donut crashes into a queen who slips on some soap and chaos ensues. Can Dictionary put herself back together again?

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To learn 'The Truth About Dragons,' go on a quest through this kids' book

7:00am July 27, 2024

by Samantha Balaban

A little boy must go on a hero's quest — through woods full of oak trees and a bamboo forest — to discover "The Truth About Dragons" in Julie Leung and Hanna Cha's Caldecott Honor children's book.

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'Emergency Quarters' are for pay phones (remember those?) in a new book by ‘90s kids

7:00am June 30, 2024

by Samantha Balaban

Ernesto's mom gives him a quarter every morning. "For emergencies," she says. "If you need me, look for a pay phone." Hey, it was the '90s! But how will Ernesto spend his Emergency Quarters?

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Mama in the Moon, written by Doreen Cronin and illustrated by Brian Cronin

When Baby Sloth tumbles out of a tree, Mama Sloth comes for him — s l o w l y

8:43am May 25, 2024

by Samantha Balaban

Did you know on average a sloth will fall out of a tree once a week for its entire life? It's true — and the inspiration for Brian Cronin and Doreen Cronin's new children's book, Mama in the Moon.

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Spider in the Well, written and illustrated by Jess Hannigan

Books
Arts

Hold on to your wishes — there's a 'Spider in the Well'

8:56am May 19, 2024

There's trouble in the town of Bad Göodsburg! A wishing well has stopped working! NPR's Tamara Keith talks with Jess Hannigan about her new children's book, "Spider in the Well."

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<em>My Lost Freedom</em>, written by George Takei and illustrated by Michelle Lee

George Takei 'Lost Freedom' some 80 years ago – now he's written that story for kids

8:00am April 20, 2024

by Samantha Balaban

When actor George Takei was 4 years old, he was labeled an "enemy" by the U.S. government and sent to a string of incarceration camps. His new children's book about that time is My Lost Freedom.

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