The Best Picture Books of 2020
It’s that time of the year again, folks. It’s time to break down our very favorite picture books of 2020. That’s right - it’s the 3rd Annual Dad Suggests Picture Book Awards!
Throughout the year, we shortlist the picture books that leave a deep impression on us. Whether it’s scary, sad, funny, or beautiful - if it leaves us feeling some powerful emotions, there’s a good chance we’re going to read it a lot and remember it for a long time.
Every year we are consistently surprised by the beautiful art that picture book authors and illustrators create. The picture book is a very special medium for bonding with kids - and teaching them so much about life at the same time. It will never cease to amaze me how much emotional intelligence kids can absorb through a good book.
And let’s not forget the sense of wonder they provide to children and adults alike. The authors and illustrators on this list are masters at transporting us all to other worlds, or allowing us to peak inside the window of lives we’ve never imagined. Empathy is always big with me, and I have no doubt you’ll see several books on this list that make that a bit obvious.
So I just want to thank all of the picture book artists in the world for sharing their gift with us and making all of these special memories possible. They truly deserve all the credit in the world, and it’s hard to imagine a childhood without their beautiful minds and talents.
Disclosure: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links. Clicking on those links will lead you to view the books’ listings on the websites of affiliate partners such as Amazon or IndieBound.
Make sure to scroll all the way to the bottom for a printable PDF checklist of this year’s winners!
Honorable Mentions
These are all of the picture books that were in serious consideration this year, and were a big part of our debates. At any point during 2020, they were shortlisted and placed in contention for making this list of the best picture books of 2020. Listed in no particular order, these books are certainly among the best of the year.
Who’s Your Real Mom? - Written by Bernadette Green and Illustrated by Anna Zobel
Hello, Neighbor!: The Kind and Caring World of Mister Rogers - Written and Illustrated by Matthew Cordell
Izzy and Frank - Written by Katrina Lehman and Illustrated by Sophie Beer
Night Walk - Written by Sara O’Leary and Illustrated by Ellie Arscott
I Talk Like a River - Written by Jordan Scott and Illustrated by Sydney Smith
Lift - Written by Minh Lê and Illustrated by Dan Santat
Bear and Fred: A World War II Story - Written by Iris Argaman and Illustrated by Avi Ofer
The Little Ghost Who was a Quilt - Written by Riel Nason and Illustrated by Byron Eggenschwiler
Outside In - Written by Deborah Underwood and Illustrated by Cindy Derby
I Can Be Anything - Written and Illustrated by Shinsuke Yoshitake
No Reading Allowed: The Worst Read-Aloud Book Ever - Written by Raj Haldar & Chris Carpenter and Illustrated by Bryce Gladfelter
My Friend Earth - Written by Patricia MacLachlan and Illustrated by Francesca Sanna
Becoming a Good Creature - Written by Sy Montgomery and Illustrated by Rebecca Green
Addy’s Cup of Sugar - Written and Illustrated by Jon J. Muth
Bird Hugs - Written and Illustrated by Ged Adamson
You Matter - Written and Illustrated by Christian Robinson
We Will Rock Our Classmates - Written and Illustrated by Ryan T. Higgins
Hike - Written and Illustrated by Pete Oswald
Best Picture Books of 2020 - Runners-Up
After careful and long deliberation, these 5 runners-up made our list of our favorite 15 picture books of the year. Again listed in no particular order, these 5 books received the most consideration and fiercest discussion for cracking into the top 10 list of winners this year.
15. Gustavo the Shy Ghost
Written and Illustrated by Flavia Z. Drago
Gustavo finished in 2nd place in our list of the best Halloween books of 2020, but there’s just something about that little guy that is so incredibly endearing. The debates right around the cutoff for the honorable mentions were fierce, but we went with our gut on this one. Gustavo just grows on you and his story is hard to forget. At the end of the day it’s turned out that he’s simply one of our favorite picture book characters of all time.
This story about a ghost’s attempt to make friends and overcome his shyness is simply spectacular, and the art of Flavia Z. Drago truly takes the entire package to the next level. The combination of heartfelt story and quirky art style make it very special. It’s a great work of art full of very important messages about being yourself - and you can’t do much better at all if you’re looking for a pure feel-good story. Gustavo is fantastic.
14. Swashby and the Sea
Written by Beth Ferry and Illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal
Swashby caught us by surprise and was a late entry to our shortlist. But we’ve enjoyed several of Beth Ferry’s books in the past, and Juana Martinez-Neal draws beautiful pictures and is a Caldecott Honor winner - so perhaps it shouldn’t have snuck up on us so much. But once we got our hands on it, it was obvious why it’s been getting so much love - our 8-year-old and 4-year-old were both very invested in it.
Perhaps the very best part about this book is that the sea itself plays a character. It’s adorable how the sea washes away the grumpy Swashby’s messages in the sand, and changes them to cute messages for the little girl next door. Swashby’s old friend the sea does its best to get him to make friends with his new neighbors, but it isn’t an easy task to melt the heart of the old curmudgeon. It’s quite funny with great dialogue - and it’s just a very sweet story that the kids absolutely adore.
13. There Must Be More Than That!
Written and Illustrated by Shinsuke Yoshitake
Shinsuke Yoshitake is one of our very favorite picture book creators in the world. At this point he is easily in our top 5, and we’ll pick up any of his new books at the drop of a hat. His ability to merge kid-friendly humor with deep, intriguing philosophy is second-to-none. And this all but assures that we will love every one of his books just as much as our kids do. It’s truly always an absolute delight.
There Must Be More Than That! is an exploration of the negativity that surrounds thinking about the future - especially these days. It’s an exploration about perspective and possibilities. And it’s simply impossible to do justice to the style of Shinsuke Yoshitake. His cartoon illustrations and his dialogue are just hilarious. Don’t just pick up this book, make certain to look up his entire catalogue!
12. The Wanderer
Written and Illustrated by Peter Van den Ende
The Wanderer is Peter Van den Ende’s debut picture book, and it’s truly magical. Both my 8-year-old and my 4-year-old were glued to every single page as we flipped through this wordless picture book. We talked about the images we were looking at, and tried to do our best to interpret what was happening and tell our own story. It’s simply a fantastic, dreamlike experience - and undeniably a bit of a spooky one too!
I’ve seen The Wanderer compared to the work of Shaun Tan before, and that’s simply very high praise. One small difference is that The Wanderer contains images that are spookier than anything we’ve read in Shaun Tan’s amazing books. And, as big fans of scary things, that suits us just fine! The spectacular imagination on display is indeed very comparable, and I look forward to seeing what Peter Van den Ende comes up with next.
11. Julián at the Wedding
Written and Illustrated by Jessica Love
Julián at the Wedding is the followup to one of the very best picture books of 2018 - Julián is a Mermaid. But don’t remind my wife, because she’ll never let me live down that we didn’t discover Julián is a Mermaid until after the 2018 Dad Suggests Picture Book Awards came out. It introduced two legendary picture book characters - Julián and his abuela - and now they’re back with new friends and the same stunning gouache images.
For me, the most endearing thing about the Julián books is the relationship between Julián and his abuela. I love the moments where you think he’s going to get in trouble, but the adults in his life surprise him and us and surround him with love and understanding instead. Not only is Julián at the Wedding a great champion of love and being yourself - but it’s also a great champion for good, positive, and loving parenting.
The Top 10 Best Picture Books of 2020
These are our top 10 picture books of the year - the best of the best of 2020. On this list you’ll find books that inspired an emotional response in us that makes us certain we’ll remember the book for a long time. Several could even become some of our favorites of all time. You’ll find masterful combinations of words and illustrations. And we feel like they’ll leave a lasting impression on our children.
10. Lights on Wonder Rock
Written and Illustrated by David Litchfield
Lights on Wonder Rock really spoke to me. The first time I read it, I had absolutely no idea what the story was going to be about. And this led to a very enjoyable sense of wonder and discovery for all of us - which of course turned out very well considering the title of the book. The wonder and magic in this book make for a wonderful metaphor about what we’re chasing in life, and that makes it a special thing to share with the kids.
A little girl has a chance encounter with an alien, and then basically spends her entire life trying to recapture that experience. She sits in the very same spot hoping the alien will return one day and finally take her away. But along the way she builds a beautiful and fulfilling life on earth as well. It’s truly a very special book that explores happiness and fulfillment - as well as wonder and imagination. It’s bright and vibrant and has an engaging almost-graphic-novel style that’s very engaging for the kiddos too.
9. The Boy and the Gorilla
Written by Jackie Azúa Kramer and Illustrated by Cindy Derby
This book left such an impression on me that I immediately added it to our list of the best picture books that deal with death. Like all of the best books on that list, The Boy and the Gorilla makes me break into uncontrollable tears when I read it. It reminds me a lot of My Father’s Arms are a Boat, because a mother’s death leaves a boy alone with his father - and a big part of the subtext of the story is the father/son relationship that remains.
It’s heartbreaking and all-too-realistic how difficult it is for the father and son to talk about their feelings after the death of the mother. So the young boy talks to a gorilla throughout the story instead. The calm and thoughtful words of the gorilla could be immensely helpful for those dealing with grief. And the watercolor art pairs with the emotions of the story quite perfectly. This is a special work of art.
8. What We’ll Build: Plans for Our Together Future
Written and Illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
Oliver Jeffers and his reflections on fatherhood never fail to entertain me. I love his thoughts on life and how much he wants to share with his kids. Many of his stories have always seemed to reflect on our place in the universe, and focus on how to explain things to kids. But What We’ll Build is truly an unabashed love letter from father to daughter - and I’m here for it.
It’s hard not to fall in love with the passion of this book. It perfectly encapsulates the feeling of wanting to give the world to your kids, and to experience everything together with the time we’re given. It’s quite inspiring to be honest, and a welcome reminder about the beautiful gift it is to share the world with someone. Jeffers is simply a fantastic and thoughtful artist that speaks loudly to this dad.
7. Howl
Written by Kat Patrick and Illustrated by Evie Barrow
Howl is a very timely book that definitely makes you think about families across the world cooped up in a house together during quarantine. Especially because one of the things many families did during quarantine was to actually stand on their porches and howl at the moon in the evening. In many ways, I see this book as a modern reimagining of Where the Wild Things Are - with a grumpy kid exploring her emotions and asserting her independence with a wild transformation. The main difference, of course, is that this time the mother comes along for the ride.
In that way, Howl turns into quite a tale of mother/daughter bonding at the end of the day. The fact that the mom transforms into a howling wolf as well is a great way to humanize parents - and show that they also have real feelings inside. Howl is an especially beautiful book as well, and the details of the art make it a very memorable experience. There’s no doubt we’ll treasure this one for a long time.
6. Julia’s House Moves On
Written and Illustrated by Ben Hatke
Ben Hatke is another one of those top 5 artists that we pay close attention to. All of his picture books are family favorites, seemingly because his love of fantasy settings aligns so closely with ours. And, in my opinion, parents that are fans of high fantasy - or things like Dungeons & Dragons and Lord of the Rings - simply need look no further for beloved picture books. The imagination and character-creation of Ben Hatke hits the spot perfectly.
Julia’s House Moves On is a sequel to the amazing Julia’s House for Lost Creatures. All of our favorite ghosts and goblins and trolls return, along with the very cool giant tortoise that carries Julia’s house on its back. This go-around, the major theme is how things in life don’t always go to plan. But, at the end of the day, family, and the relationships we build, make a world of difference. On the surface it’s a very entertaining story with spectacular fantasy characters, and, underneath, it’s also an important exploration of life’s curve balls.
5. Maud and Grand-Maud
Written by Sara O’Leary and Illustrated by Kenard Pak
What a power team! The writing of Sara O’Leary coupled with the art of Kenard Pak was destined to be special, and it absolutely was. Maud and Grand-Maud details the relationship between a girl and her grandmother, and it’s done so spectacularly well. O’Leary has a knack for including such memorable and perfectly obscure details - like the heart-shaped rock that Grand-Maud carried around in her pocket for a year, or the wooden chest under Maud’s bed that always has something new in it.
And Kenard Pak has a very similar ability to include the most amazing details in his art as well - like in the magnificent two-page spread of Maud and Grand-Maud watching TV together. Together, they give the reader a lot to explore and discover. They provide so many endearing details to latch onto - and to help you contemplate the special relationships in your own life. And it brings up so many feelings about childhood, and parenting, and the types of memories that have deep and powerful meaning for kids and adults. I just love it so much.
4. And the People Stayed Home
Written by Kitty O’Meara and Illustrated by Stefano Di Cristofaro & Paul Pereda
This picture book is obviously quite timely - as it’s an ode to the possibilities the future holds for us after the pandemic. Half of the book focuses on what life was like during quarantine, and half of the book focuses on what’s going to come next - with a big focus on the environment. It’s an unabashedly positive take on the the last year - a true message of hope for our future.
And the People Stayed Home made our list of our favorite picture books about the pandemic, and there’s no doubt it’s going to go down in history as one of the most popular picture books about this unprecedented time in our lives. It began its life as an uplifting poem posted to Facebook, and, I have to admit, I really like the positive vibes it offers. Nobody is naive enough to deny the terrible things happening all over the world, but a beacon of hope is very much needed right now.
3. The Oldest Student
Written by Rita Lorraine Hubbard and Illustrated by Oge Mora
The art of Oge Mora stands out in the most glorious way. Few artists can claim to have such a spectacularly-individual style the way that she can. Her picture book Saturday blew us away and topped our list for the best picture books about moms, so when I saw her art on the cover of this book I picked it up without a second thought.
Quite frankly, this is one of the best picture book biographies we own. I was absolutely blown away by this book. The first time I read it, we were all really engaged in the powerful story of Mary Walker’s life, and we were entranced by the images. But then we got to the part where it said Mary Walker went to school to learn how to read when she was, wait for it… 114 years old! And she did it! She carried the same personal bible around with her for over 100 years before she learned how to read it. This story is just astounding and impossibly inspiring.
2. If You Come to Earth
Written and Illustrated by Sophie Blackall
Framed as a letter from a child to any aliens that might visit Earth one day, If You Come to Earth attempts to describe our planet in the most spectacular way. It’s a true joy to see the Earth and its inhabitants described through the eyes of a child, and Sophie Blackall did a lot of research and work with children to perfect the amazing childlike details.
We have already written a featured article about If You Come to Earth, because it was clear from the very first day that this was something special. This is without a doubt one of our most treasured picture books. It’s truly the perfect celebration of our diverse planet. Children from all over the world will find themselves in this book. It has humor, beauty, and sadness. It highlights the negative aspects of our planet with the perfect amount of childlike objectivity - so matter-of-fact. But the overwhelming message is how spectacularly beautiful and diverse our planet is. The task is monumental - describe Earth - and I couldn’t possibly imagine a better result.
1. The Barnabus Project
Written and Illustrated by the Fan Brothers
The Fan Brothers are back again, earning their second 1st place finish in the short history of the Dad Suggests Picture Book Awards - after they topped 2018 with the beautiful Ocean Meets Sky. These guys never cease to amaze me. Their art is in a class of its own, and if they illustrate somebody else’s words it turns the book into an instant must-purchase. But when they are in charge of both the illustrations AND the writing, they tend to create some of the most magnificent picture books ever made.
I can’t stand how much creativity and imagination is pouring out of this book. I was hooked from the very first page. No, to be honest, I was hooked from endpapers. The entire package of this book is crafted with such care. I instantly fell in love with this half-mouse half-elephant, and all of his wonderful friends. And there’s a subtle darkness and danger to the whole thing that really makes for a perfect adventure tale.
Barnabus is one of the many amazing creatures crafted in an underground laboratory to be sold in the Perfect Pets store above them. But he was considered to be a Failed Project - not perfect. And the story follows Barnabus and his friends as they try to stage a breakout from the laboratory. You will undoubtedly discover many powerful messages about self-worth and the cruelty of judging appearances. And the story lends itself to a very good conversation about perfection.
But my goodness, the creativity and imagination is off the charts with this one. Some of the spreads and creatures remind me of the amazing imagination of Shaun Tan, and I have to assume the Fan Brothers had a LOT of fun coming up with the many creatures in this laboratory. For a dad who loves to talk about empathy with his kids, and loves to stimulate their creativity - The Barnabus Project is quite a gift.
Click to download and print out a PDF checklist to make sure you read all of this year’s winners!
Make sure to check out the previous winners of the Dad Suggests Picture Book Awards!:
The Best Picture Books of 2018
The Best Picture Books of 2019
What was your favorite picture book of 2020? Did it make our list? Let us know in the comments!
