My favorite picks from 2011!
These are currently some of my favorite picture books from 2011. I say “currently” because I am always discovering more books, so this list is not set up as finalized or definitive. I may continue to add to and refine this list as time goes on. Follow the links to read a review. In most cases I wrote these reviews, but if someone else already reviewed the book for our site I just linked to their review.
Part 1: My Essential Purchase Picks
- Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans* | Written and Illustrated by Kadir Nelson
- Me…Jane | Written and Illustrated by Patrick McDonnell
- Perfect Square | Written and Illustrated by Michael Hall
- Wonderstruck* | Written and Illustrated by Brian Selznick
Part 2: Highly Recommended Titles
- 11 Experiments that Failed | Written by Jenny Offill, Illustrated by Nancy Carpenter
- The Amazing Adventures of Bumblebee Boy | Written and Illustrated by David Soman and Jacky Davis
- Blackout | Written and Illustrated by John Rocco
- The Boy Who Cried Ninja | Written and Illustrated by Alex Latimer
- Earth to Clunk | Written by Pam Smallcomb, Illustrated by Joe Berger
- Grandpa Green | Written and Illustrated by Lane Smith
- Hooray for Amanda and Her Alligator! | Written and Illustrated by Mo Willems
- I Want My Hat Back | Written and Illustrated by Jon Klassen
- I’m Not | Written by Pam Smallcomb, Illustrated by Robert Weinstock
- Into the Outdoors | Written and Illustrated by Susan Gal
- Pig Kahuna | Written and Illustrated by Jennifer Gordon Sattler
- Stuck | Written and Illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
- Where’s Walrus? | Written and Illustrated by Stephen Savage
- You Will Be My Friend! | Written and Illustrated by Peter Brown
Want some more suggestions? Check out our Best Picture Books list all the time for more recommended picture books. You can also look at our list of ALL Picture Books to see even more reviews. There are still many notable and interesting books that don’t make the “Best Books” category. I myself have reviewed a number that I like, but I just couldn’t justify putting them on this list or in the “Best” category.
*I used the term “picture book” a little loosely in some of these cases; for my purposes here, if the illustrations are a significant element of the book I am including it in this list.
List and Notes by Joshua Whiting, Granite School District Library Media Program
I LOVE the website Josh! You do such a good job and I really appreciate all the lists and resourses that are there!