2025 Favourite Storytime Picture Books

All the Dogs

by Nicola Kent

Adjectives abound in this short and sweet pup-centred story. Brief text with a jaunty rhythm makes it a great choice for toddlers or mixed-age groups. Save it for the end of storytime and kids will still be hooked on the playful illustrations.

Are You a Hungry Monster?

by Guilherme Kartsen

All of Karsten’s Monster books make laugh-out-loud choices for the preschool – Grade 2 range. This one has fart jokes, people. Reminds me of a time I sang a song about making soup with dirty diapers and the 4-year-olds LOST IT.

Beep! Beep! Vehicles on the Go

by Byron Barton

This board book is bright, colourful, and perfectly suited for toddler language development. Label each vehicle and encourage little ones to mimic back the words. Small size means its best for small groups, but the boldness of the illustrations can travel.

Big Rhinoceros, Little Rhinoceros

by Jerrold Connors

Innovative flaps allow this story to move in a straightforward, simple way. The primary colours and big bold text make it an excellent choice for toddlers on up. A child follows a caregiver to discover who is making all that honking. Just make sure to practice with the flaps!

Bouncing Bunnies!

by Fiz Osborne; illustrated by Tim Budgen

A book that demands to be read standing up. Get the whole group to bounce, shake, sniff, and hop along with you. Very active and very fun for toddlers and preschoolers. It must definitely be followed by a few verses of Sleeping Bunnies.

Can You Do This? (Super Silly Edition): An Imagination Play Book

by Megan Roy

Roy is on the list two years in a row with this interactive sequel that’s even more fun. Each page begins with the question starter “Can you…” You can’t read this book without kids! Great choice for mixed-age groups or end of storytimes when the kids need to wiggle.

A Cat Like That

by Lester L. Laminack; illustrated by Nicole Wong

Follow a cat as they explore their island town. The illustrations tell more of a story than the words which is why I recommend this one for preschool – Grade 1 students. The pages with the cat close-ups are my favourite.

Don’t Trust Fish

by Neil Sharpson; illustrated by Dan Santat

Lots of buzz about this book and for good reason – I snort laughed the first time I read it. It’s my new go-to choice for school-age groups. I would also read this in a variety of school-age programs. Pairs nicely with a game of Two Truths and a Lie.

Every Monday Mabel

by Jashar Awan

It’s about time someone wrote a book about waiting for the garbage truck. A stellar choice for toddlers and preschoolers with its simple text and relatable subject. Awan is moving into “Storytime Author to Know” territory.

Fire Pups to the Rescue!

by Lisa Desimini

Straightforward narratives that work in storytime can be hard to come by. Enter Fire Pups! Combining two high interest topics, this book is great for showing stories with beginnings, middles, and ends. Recommended for preschool-age children.

Goat is the G.O.A.T.

by Bea Birdsong; illustrated by Kelly Murphy

I found Goat’s journey to self-discovery absolutely charming. Based on the message of the book I recommend for preschool and up. A fun and lighthearted choice.

Go, Go, Dodo!

by Huw Lewis Jones; illustrated by Fred Blunt

Oh, this one is so fun! Kids delight in being “in” on the scene taking place behind the unsuspecting Dodo. Works great with mixed-age groups, especially if you have some kids who are old enough to point out the story in the pictures.

Go, Sloth, Go!

by Gabrielle Prendergast; illustrated by Sophie Benmouyal

A sloth is treated at an animal hospital in this story about humans helping animals. Its doubly interactive – get families to repeat each short phrase after you or have older kids help tell the story they see in the illustrations. Great for mixed-age groups.

Go, Sloth, Go!

by Toni Yuly

Sloths are having a moment and I am here for it. The title refrain can be chanted as a group – fastly or slowly – to encourage Sloth to explore the rain forest. You could also try doing it as a call-and-response. Great for toddlers, but will work with any age.

The Greedy Wolf

by Timothy Knapman; illustrated by Jean Jullien

A new take on a Grimms’ fairy tale. This will have your preschool and school-age kids laughing out loud. Jullien’s illustrations are the perfect match for the re-imagined story, especially the twist ending. Highly recommend practising with different voices to really bring this story to life.

Hedgehogs Don’t Wear Underwear

by Marissa Valdez

This is a story about an adorable French hedgehog with an underwear secret. Namely, he wears them. Read with toddlers and preschoolers who are in the “underwear are the funniest thing in the universe” stage.

Henry is an Artist

by Justin Worsley

I feel as though dog owners will be the ones to truly appreciate this book, but that won’t stop your toddlers and preschoolers thinking it’s absolutely hilarious. I mean do poop jokes ever go out of style? The text is brief enough to work for multi-age groups.

I Can Say Moo!

by Stephanie Cohen; illustrated by Lindsay Dale-Scott

Written by a speech language pathologist, this board book offers a chance to say words and sounds together. A great choice for your babytimes, the pictures of real people will be especially engaging. Part of a series on language development for babies and toddlers.

If We Were Dogs

by Sophie Blackall

The companion to If I Was a Horse, this simply story is a great choice for ages 2 and up. What I appreciate are the large pages that translate well for big storytime groups. A wonderful choice for encouraging imaginative play and friendship.

I Hate Every Thing!

by Sophy Henn

As a long time fan of Sophy Henn, I was delighted to see this picture book about a ghost having a bad day come across my desk. You could absolutely use it in storytime, especially if you are good at voices, but I think it’s true value lies in its ability to become a puppet show. Seriously, one of my goals next year is to script this and perform it. It’s funny, charming, and has so much potential!

Just One Wave

by Travis Jonker

If you read Jonker’s Just One Flake in winter, then you definitely need to try this one in the summer. It’s funny and fun, and of particular interest to kids who live near the beach. A great choice for outdoor play inspiration for your toddler and preschool groups.

Let’s Be Bees

by Shawn Harris

Imaginative play for the win! As you pretend to be all sorts of living things get the kids to make the sounds and actions with you. Because it’s an interactive read it will work with squirmy toddlers. Harris stuns once again.

Little Freddie Two Pants: (The Dog with Too Many Pants)

by Drew Daywalt; illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins

Is there such a thing as too many silly dog stories? Similar to Maggie and Michael Get Dressed, this one follows a pup’s foray into pant wear. The bright illustrations and humorous text make it a great choice for mixed-age groups of toddlers and preschoolers.

M is for Mango

by Atinuke; illustrated by Angela Brooksbank

I love reading Atinuke’s books in storytime. The phonological awareness is in full force as you “mmm” your way through the story set in Nigeria. Preschoolers will be able to help tell the story, while toddlers will enjoy mimicking all the wonderful M words.

Maisy Big, Maisy Small: A Book of Rhyming Opposites

by Lucy Cousins

I think this may be a reprint of a 2007 title, but thank goodness! This right here is what we call toddler gold. Large bright pictures. Short and sweet text. Helping them understand how things are different. I love following this book with my favourite opposites song – Roly Poly!

Mama Hug

by Emma Straub; illustrated by Stevie Lewis

Two-word phrases on each page showcase the love between child and caregiver. Good choice for babytimes or other programs where you are wanting to foster a loving connection. Although the titular title is Mama, I think you can take some poetic license to include other caregiver names.

Oh Dear, Look What I Got!

by Michael Rosen; illustrated by Helen Oxenbury

This right here is classic storytime material. A repetitive phrase everyone can say together, a rhyme that allows kids to guess the answer, and an increasingly silly storyline. Perfect for all ages. *chef’s kiss*

Old MacDonald Had a Farm E-I-UFO

by Zach von Zonk; illustrated by Benjamin Chaud

This zany take on the traditional song will delight your preschool crowd who love funny twists on things they already know. Definitely sing this one for added giggles. I recommend defining UFO before reading so they get the play on letters.

On Our Way! What a Day!

by JaNay Brown-Wood; illustrated by Tamisha Anthony 

I just discovered Brown-Wood lives in my hometown of Sacramento! What an honour. This story follows a group of grandkids searching for the perfect present for their grandmother. I like how you can get your storytime crowd saying, “Yeah, but I do” on each page. Recommended for preschool – Grade 1 due to the length.

pêyak little duck

by Sandra Lamouche; illustrated by Mando Littlechild

Lamouche (Cree/Nehiyawin) and Littlechild (Cree/Nehiyawin) provide a simple introduction to counting in Cree while learning about native ducks. You can use this with babies and toddlers, especially since there is a pronunciation guide on each page which makes it much easier to say the Cree words. If sharing the Cree words, I introduce the book by saying I do not speak Cree and will be using the book to guide us.

Red Canoe Shows Up at Two!

by Victoria Allenby

Another great addition to Allenby’s Big, Little concept books. I ignore the ‘teaching time’ aspect of this book and instead focus on the sing-songy lyrics and ability for kids to name each water vehicle. A great choice for summer storytimes, especially if you live near a body of water.

A Seed in the Universe

by Elyon Liu

The high contrast colours and die-cut illustrations made this book stand out to me. With simple text, Liu illustrates how everything in the universe is connected. Seems like a big concept? It’s done so elegantly that I use this with toddlers and preschoolers.

Seven Babies

by Forest Xiao

Yes, another bobble head baby book! With art reminiscent of Karen Katz this is a great choice for babytime. It’s short and sweet and ultimately relatable to new caregivers. Plus, the babies are just too cute.

Shmoof

by Heidi McKinnon

A follow up to the equally adorable Floof, this is a story of cat-dog friendship. I just love saying the word Shmoof and think your toddlers and preschoolers will also love it. A great social emotional learning story.

Take a Breath, Big Red Monster!

by Ed Emberley

Finally, a sequel to the classic Go Away, Big Green Monster! I like how the focus is still on the face, and then the switch to deep breathing and emotional regulation can be an interactive experience for your group. A great choice for mixed-aged storytimes. We could all use more breathing practice.

This Book is Dangerous!

by Ben Clanton

One of my new favourite school-age read alouds. Kids who know Narwhal and Jelly will especially delight in this interactive story of a jellyfish on an escape mission. There are pages for the kids to touch, but if your group is large you can do the touching. Fun and funny.

Vampire Jam Sandwich

by Casey Lyall; illustrated by Nici Gregory

You have got to read this to the next Grade 1 or 2 class who comes to the library. It works especially well during the fall season, but these spooky funny books work all year-round. If you do any writing programs with kids I think this would work excellently as a fun introduction to creating myths and legends.

When I Move

by Carole Boston Weatherford; illustrated by Alea Marley

You can read this book standing up and encourage the toddlers and preschoolers to mimic the actions of the little girl in the story. Sparse text make this read aloud go fast. Some of the metaphors may go over the heads of toddlers, but the interactive nature of the book makes it worth it.

Who Ate Steve?

by Susannah Lloyd; illustrated by Kate Hindley

Oh man, I literally laughed out loud when reading this gem. The “who ate who” story never gets old to me, and school-age kids will especially enjoy the humour packed into this book. The unseen narrator is a hoot!

Who Meows? A Book of Animal Sounds

by Robin Page

It doesn’t get any better for babies and toddler than this right here, folks. Super simple question and answer format plus nice zoomed in illustrations of animal faces. Bump up the interactivity by having the group make each sound together. Storytime perfection!

Who’s Making All That Noise?

by Darrin Lunde; illustrated by Erica J. Chen

Shout out to Lesley in the comment for telling me about this one! It’s one of those great nonfiction guessing game books that can scale up or down depending on your audience. Lunde has a whole collection of these type of nonfiction books, so definitely check him out.