24 Best Picture Books That Celebrate Reading: Love to Read

Best Picture Books that celebrate Reading Booklist with books about books arranged in columns with an open book and flowers and a fun colorful pom pom banner.

Picture Books That Celebrate Reading. This book list is full of the best books to facilitate a love of reading for young readers. Grab this book list and spend a library day, hunting for a literary gem. On this list, I have included living books with colorful illustrations to empower a child’s imagination and spark the joy of books.

Celebrate the joy of reading with a wonderful book from this compilation of book recommendations with beautiful illustrations and heartwarming stories.

books about books.

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24 Favorite Picture Books That Celebrate Reading: The Best Books About Books for Kids

1. Moose’s Book Bus by Inga Moore

Moose converses with bear over a book wile standing in front of his big red book bus and the wild boar babies and badgers are running up the stairs to borrow books on the book cover of "Moose's Book Bus" by Inga Moore, a book on the best January picture books for kids. — Moose’s Book Bus by Inga Moore

Moose runs out of stories to share with his family, so he visits town to borrow books from his local library. His woodland neighbors soon join and crowd into his living room to hear Moose read aloud. I love the author’s emphasis on the power of books and the value of community. As a family that values read-aloud time, this sweet book is a sure win and my first recommendation on the Best Picture Books that Celebrate Reading Booklist.

2. Lost in the Library: A Story of Patience and Fortitude by Josh Funk

A lion peeks out between the library shelves filled with colorful books on the book cover of "Lost in the Library," a book on the January picture books for kids booklist. — Lost in the Library by Josh Funk

Fortitude and Patience are the two lions that greet everyone entering the New York Public Library. However, one morning Patience is missing, and the sun is rising. Where is Patience? Fortitude abandons his post to search for his friend.

3. Where is My Library: A Story of Patience and Fortitude by Josh Funk

Two lions, named patience and fortitude look for their missing children's library in the middle of New York on the book cover "Where is our Library?" by Josh Funk, a book on the Best August Picture books for kids booklist. — Where is Our Library? by Josh Funk

This is the second book in the series of A Story of Patience and Fortitude. The two statue lions that guard the New York Public Library love to adventure into the children’s section of the library while everyone sleeps, but one night, the children’s books are gone.

5. A Library Book for Bear by Bonny Becker

The beloved friendly duo Bear and Mouse look for Bear a book in the library on the watercolor illustrated book cover of "A Library book for bear" by Bonny Becker, a book on the Best August picture books for kids booklist. — A Library Book for Bear by Bonny Becker

This is the fifth book in the Bear and Mouse Series. Grumpy Bear doesn’t want to go to the library, but Bear goes along with relentless Mouse. Bear learns about appropriate behavior at the library and discovers a new book. Don’t miss the first book in the series.

6. Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen

A mighty lion stands with two children reading books in the library on the favorite children's picture book 'Library Lion." — Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen

The head librarian enforces strict rules in the library, but the staff’s attitude changes when a special visitor, the Lion, becomes a source of comfort for the library-goers. However, when the Lion breaks the rules to come to someone’s aid, his absence is sorely felt.

7. The Horseback Librarians by Jane Yolen

A female librarian on horseback delivers a stack of books to a young boy on his family farm on the children's book cover "The Horseback Librarians" by Jane Yolen, a book on the best August picture books for kids booklist. — The Horseback Librarians by Jane Yolen

This sweet story is about a librarian named Anna Mary who brings books to children and adults riding horseback in rural Kentucky during the Great Depression.

8. Digging for Words: Jose Alberto Gutierrez and the Library He Built by Angela Burke Kunkel

An elder and a young boy sit on the floor of a secondhand library with a stack of books and their imaginations running wild on the book cover of "Digging for Words," a book on the Best August Picture Books for Kids booklist. — Digging for Words by Angela Burke Kunkel

This picture book biography is based on the life of Jose Alberto Gutierrez, a garbage man in Botota, Colombia, who collected discarded books found along his route and built a secondhand library for the community. Book lovers will adore this one.

9. The Storybook Knight by Helen Docherty

A bright yellow-orange dragon peacefully listens to a knight read a story on a starry and full moon night on the book cover of "The story book knight," a book on the January picture books for kids booklist. — The Storybook Knight by Helen Docherty

This little gentle knight is sent to tame a scary dragon. His weapons of choice include a shield, a sword, and a pile of books.

10. Once Upon A Book by Grace Lin

A little girl opens a book filled with rainforest animals and plants and climbs into the page on the Children's book cover "Once Upon A Book" by Grace Lin and Kate Messner, a book on the Best Picture Books that Celebrate Reading Booklist. — Once Upon A Book by Grace Lin

This sweet picture book follows a young girl who opens a book and becomes captivated by the warmth and morning dew of the rainforest. Alice, climbs into the book and travels through the magical pages. She embarks on adventures riding camels, swimming in the sea, and soaring across the sky. Her journey ends with her loving and present family. It’s a wonderful read for all the young book lovers.

11. Amelia Bedelia’s First Library Card by Herman Parish

Young Amelia Bedelia runs across the library lawn holding her library card and a library book on the book cover of "Amelia Bedelia's First Library Card" by Herman Parish, a book on the Best Picture Books that Celebrate Reading Booklist. — Amelia Bedelia’s First Library Card by Herman Parish

In the picture book, young Amelia Bedelia gets her first library card. During a visit to the library with her classmates, she encounters several amusing mishaps. Very young children might not quite understand the humor just yet.

12. The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read by Rita Lorraine Hubbard

Mary Walker, an older African American woman who learns to read at a late age, holds a book dearly with birds flying high above her as she stands on the street of her city on the book cover of "The Oldest Student," a book on the booklist of children's books about perseverance. — The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read by Rita Lorraine Hubbard

This beautiful book is based on the true story of the oldest person to learn to read. Mary Walker learned to read at age 116. Mary was born into slavery, and reading was prohibited. At age 15, slavery was outlawed. She was given a bible but continued to delay her goal of learning to read. After outliving all her family members, she enrolls in a literacy program and becomes the oldest student. An inspirational story that should be shared with all.

13. Miss Dorothy and Her Bookmobile by Gloria Houston

Ms. Dorothy holds a stack of books with children gathered around her and her green bookmobile on the beloved children's picture book cover "Miss Dorothy and Her Bookmobile," a book on the Best Picture Books that Celebrate Reading booklist. — Miss Dorothy and Her Bookmobile by Gloria Houston

In this lovely book, Dorothy dreamed of becoming a librarian in a fine brick library. But after she was married, she moved to her new home in North Carolina with no library. Miss Dorothy saw a need. The town needed a library. With the help of her neighbors, Miss Dorothy started a bookmobile to bring the joy of reading to her community.

14. Madeline Finn and the Library Dog by Lisa Papp

Madeline Finn, a young girl leans across a big white library dog and reads her a book aloud on the book cover "Madeline Finn and the Library Dog" by Lisa Papp, a book on the best Picture books that celebrate reading booklist. — Madeline Finn and the Library Dog by Lisa Papp

Poor Madeline Finn does not like to read. She doesn’t even enjoy reading the menu on the ice cream truck. At school, she always receives heart stickers to encourage her to keep trying, but she dreams of a gold star. One day, her mother takes her to visit the library, and she gets to read aloud to Bonnie, a library dog. Bonnie is kind and patient and teaches her it’s okay to go slow with reading.

15. The Detective Dog by Julia Donaldson

The classroom of kids follow a brown and white dog sniffing down a trail and pulling them down town on the children's book cover "The Detective Dog" by Julia Donaldson, a book on the best May picture books for kids booklist. — The Detective Dog by Julia Donaldson

In this fun story, Nell, the Detective Dog, has a keen sense of smell, and one day, she smells trouble—all the school’s books are gone. Peter follows his dog as she sniffs out the thief. The rhyming text and detailed illustrations make for a fun read aloud.

16. Bear’s House of Books by Poppy Bishop

Woodland animal friends gather together in Bear's house and read books on the book cover of "Bear's House of Books," a book on the Best Picture Books that Celebrate Reading Booklist. — Bear’s House of Books by Poppy Bishop

In the woods, a close-knit family of woodland friends shares a love for reading. Every evening, they gather to read the same storybook. One day, while hunting for a new book in the woods, they stumble upon a new storybook. Upon reading it together, they uncover a note that the book belongs to Bear. The animal friends embark on a journey through the forest to Bear’s home, where they find a charming house filled with books. They happily delve into Bear’s collection until he returns!

17. A Book for Escargot by Dashka Slater

A smiling French snail wearing a black beret, striped shirt and red scrap rests on top of a stack of books in the library on the children's picture book cover "A Book for Escargot," a book on the best picture books that celebrate reading booklist. — A Book for Escargot by Dashka Slater

In this fun book, a French snail named Escargot visits the library on a hunt for books about snail heroes but there is not one story about a daring and adorable snail. He needs the reader’s help to create a unique story.

18. The Three Pigs by David Wiesner

Two tan bigs and one black pig stare out of the award-winning children's book cover "The Three Pigs" by David Wiesner, a book on the Best October Picture Books for Kids booklist. — The Three Pigs by David Wiesner

This is a fun retelling of the classic story of the Three Little Pigs. Wiesner’s retelling takes the pigs right out of the story with fun illustrations and a happy ending.

19. Dragon Was Terrible by Kelly DiPucchio

A yellow dragon with white horns, white wings, and black spikes is painting the castle wall with yellow spray paint. — Dragon Was Terrible by Kelly DiPucchio

This is a fun retelling of the classic story of the Three Little Pigs. Wiesner’s retelling takes the pigs right out of the story with fun illustrations and a happy ending.

20. Petunia by Roger Duvoisin

A sassy goose waddles through the flowers on the red book cover of "Petunia," an old childrens book — Petunia by Roger Duvoisin

This sassy goose finds a book. Because Petunia is now the owner of a book, she must be wise.

21. The Mermaid’s Purse by Patricia Polacco

A young girl reads a book on her bed surrounded by many books on the classic children's book cover "The Mermaid's Purse" by Patricia Polacco, a book on the best Picture Books that Celebrate Reading booklist. — The Mermaid’s Purse by Patricia Polacco

In this inspiring story, a young girl named Stella’s passion for books leads her father to create a small library for her, named The Mermaid’s Purse. Stella delights in sharing books with her neighbors and travels the countryside to bring books to the farmers. However, when a tornado devastates the library, the community works together to restore Stella’s library and gather her scattered books.

22. The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus by Jen Bryant

Pirates, airplanes, a globe, bird, feather, and other various objects are busting out of the pages of a large red book on the children's picture book cover "The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus" by Jen Bryant and Melissa Sweet, a book on the Best Picture Books that Celebrate Reading Booklist. — The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus by Jen Bryant

Peter Mark Roget found solace in books and had a passion for categorizing ideas into lists. These lists aided him in finding the perfect words to articulate his thoughts. His love for organizing words led to the development of a significant reference book known as a thesaurus.

Content Warning: Peter’s dad dies when he is young. Noted mild disrespect towards his mother.

23. Bunny’s Book Club by Annie Silvestro

A group of woodland creatures gather under a tree to read books together on the book cover "Bunny's Book Club," a book on the Best Picture Books that Celebrate Reading Booklist. — Bunny’s Book Club by Annie Silvestro

In this delightful book, Bunny loves to hear the librarian read to the kids during outside summer storytime but outdoor story time ends when the weather gets cold. Determined to keep hearing stories, Bunny sneaks into the book return slot and brings home piles of books. Before long, Bunny’s woodland pals join in, and one morning they become so engrossed in their reading that they don’t even notice the librarian entering.

24. The Snatchabook by Helen Docherty

An excited rabbit reads a story to a tiny creature called a Snatchabook while sitting on stacks of books on the fun picture book cover "The Snatchabook," a book on the Best Picture Books that Celebrate Reading booklist. — The Snatchabook by Helen Docherty

In this captivating picture book, a mystery unfolds as books start vanishing. Where have all the bedtime stories gone? Eliza Brown, an inquisitive bunny, stakes out to uncover the culprit behind the missing books. Surprisingly, the book thief turns out to be a tiny creature who sadly has no one to read to him.

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More Booklists Coming Soon!

Thanks for Stopping By!

Lastly, thank you for stopping by! Please say Hi in the comment section and share your favorite book on the Best Picture Books that Celebrate Reading for Kids Booklist. Did I miss your favorite? Making these booklists with my daughters is always a blast. If you enjoyed this booklist, be sure to subscribe to my mailing list for monthly picture booklists delivered right to your inbox.

HAPPY READING!