Heather Dent's Studio: Favorite Picture Books from 2014

I am not a critic, or editor, or librarian, but I am an eccentric lover of picture books and read more of them in a single month than the average person reads in a year. Lately I've spent a lot of time in the "New" section of our library and read over 100 of the marvelous selection of 2014 picture books. There are so many fantastic books and it about killed me to narrow them down to the top 15, but somehow I managed and here are the results. I've grouped them in 3 categories: my favorites, my 3 year old son's favorites, and our mutual favorites. I'd like to thank all the brilliant and inspired authors and illustrators who have brought so much joy in to our home! Thank you so much for all your hard work and divine creativity!

MY FAVORITES

1. Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker
Written by Patricia Hruby Powell
Illustrated by Christian Robinson

Recommended For: Ages 8 and up

Style: Nonfiction, biography

Why I Love this Book: The words were lyrical, the story was inspiring, and the illustrations were unique and powerful.

2. The Lion and the Bird

Written and Illustrated by Marianne Dubuc

Recommended For: Ages 3-7

Style: Sweet, simple, few words.

Why I Love this Book: The illustrations really spoke to me in this one. It was very whimsical and heartwarming.

3. Flashlight

Written and illustrated by Lizi Boyd

Recommended for: ages 3-7

Style: Wordless

Why I Love this Book: It's unlike any picture book I've read before, using the flashlight to tell the story. Brilliant.

4. Nana in the City

Written and illustrated by Lauren Castillo

Recommended for: ages 3-7

Style: simple and endearing

Why I Love this Book: It captures the exact way I used to feel about big cities when I was a little girl.

5. Queen Victoria's Bathing Machine

Written by Gloria Whelan
Illustrated by Nancy Carpenter

Recommended for: ages 5 and up

Style: Nonfiction, Rhyming

Why I Love this Book: It is so delightfully humorous for a nonfiction book. The illustrations and words are hilarious!

MY 3 YEAR OLD SON'S FAVORITES

1. Hooray for Hat!

Written and illustrated by Brian Won

Recommended for Ages: 3-7

Style: Simple and fun to read aloud

Why I Love this book: The repetition and simplicity of this book makes it easy for kids to participate and say certain phrases along with you.

2. Quest

By Aaron Becker

Recommended for Ages: 3-7

Style: Wordless

Why I Love this Book: Not only are the illustrations gorgeous, they really spark the imagination.

3. Five Trucks

By Brian Floca

Recommended for Ages: 3-7

Style: Informational

Why I Love this Book: Because my son LOVES it! Like so many other kids he is fascinated by various trucks and their functions.

4. Camp Rex

By Molly Idle

Recommended for Ages - 3-7

Style: Simple, few words

Why I Love this Book: The colored pencil illustrations and expressions on the character's faces are brilliant. Fantastic work.

5. Have You Seen My Dragon

By Steve Light

Recommended for Ages: 3-7

Style: Counting, numbers

Why I Love this Book: There is so much to look at on each and every page spread. My son and I could spend hours looking at all of the lovely little details.

MUTUAL FAVORITES