For the past 15 years, I’ve shared my favorite new children’s books with educators at LitCon, a national literacy conference, and with literacy coaches through Ohio State’s Literacy Collaborative.
Over time, this tradition has become one I truly cherish, a chance to reflect on the power of picturebooks in classrooms and in children’s lives.
My local library knows me well. I have a “power user” hold shelf where I pick up a weekly stack of titles that spans genres, formats and themes.
I love reading widely, but I especially love when two stories seem to speak to each other, offering different lenses through which to view a shared idea.
The book pairs featured here, all published in 2024, are grouped by topic. Each of these titles received at least one starred review or notable recognition from The Horn Book for their literary or artistic merit.
Reading them in tandem invites rich conversations, layered thinking and new ways of seeing.
Emotional Comfort
Just Like Millie
Written and illustrated by Lauren Castillo. Candlewick Press, 2024.
Moving to a new city can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re shy and feeling a bit anxious. In this gentle, first-person story, a young child finds comfort in familiar routines at home but struggles to connect with new people.
That begins to change when she and her mom adopt Millie, a rescue dog who greets everyone with quiet confidence. As Millie makes friends on their daily walks, the child slowly begins to feel braver, too.
The ink, watercolor and soft pastel illustrations paired with an authentic narrative voice beautifully capture how connection, especially the four-legged kind, can help us grow into new spaces and relationships.
This picturebook received two starred reviews from Booklist and Publishers Weekly.
My Thoughts Have Wings
Written by Maggie Smith, illustrated by Leanne Hatch. Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, 2024.
At bedtime, a child’s mind fills with worries. What-ifs that flutter and swirl, making it hard to rest. But with thoughtful guidance from a loving parent, those anxious thoughts are re-imagined as birds: some that can fly away, and others that build nests in our heads.
This tender story offers a comforting metaphor for managing anxiety, inviting children to make space for happy thoughts.
With dreamlike, textured illustrations and language that feels both poetic and accessible, this book is a reassuring companion for children learning to navigate big feelings at the end of the day.
Maggie Smith, a celebrated poet based in Ohio, brings her lyrical voice to the world of picturebooks in this debut. Her adult works, Goldenrod, Good Bones and the memoir You Could Make This Place Beautiful, are deeply moving.
This heartfelt story carries that same emotional resonance, now perfectly tuned for young readers.
Joyful Bonding
Ahoy!
Written and illustrated by Sophie Blackall. Anne Schwartz Books, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, 2024.
A rug becomes an ocean, a vacuum turns into a giant squid, and a living room transforms into a ship on the high seas in this joyful celebration of imaginative play.
When a child invites a parent to join their nautical adventure, the line between real and pretend blurs in a delightful way.
With hand-lettered text, Procreate illustrations and a glossary of sailing terms, this story captures the magic that happens when grown-ups say yes to play.
It’s a funny, poignant and thoughtfully layered reminder that the most memorable adventures sometimes begin right at home.
This picturebook from the two-time Caldecott medalist was named a Horn Book and Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books Best Book of the Year.
My Daddy Is a Cowboy
Written by Stephanie Seales, illustrated by C. G. Esperanza. Abrams Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Abrams, 2024.
Before the city wakes, a young child and her father set out on a horseback ride through quiet streets in the early hours before dawn.
With every step of their horses, the child soaks in shared stories, memories and the joy of being together, just the two of them.
Rooted in family life and full of sensory details, this lyrical story celebrates Black joy, connection and confidence. The richly textured oil paintings pulse with movement and color, capturing the magic of a ride that’s part tradition, part adventure and all love.
C. G. Esperanza was awarded a Caldecott Honor and the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award.
Sibling Dynamics
Terrible Horses
Written by Raymond Antrobus, illustrated by Ken Wilson-Max. Candlewick, 2024.
Sibling conflict takes center stage in this emotionally rich story about a younger brother who idolizes his older sister, but doesn’t always feel seen.
After a fight, he retreats to his sketchbook, where he draws “terrible horses” that gallop and trample across the page, leaving his pony-self behind.
Through expressive, mixed media illustrations and spare, poetic text, the book explores how creativity can become a powerful outlet for big feelings.
When his sister discovers his drawings, a quiet moment of understanding emerges.
This evocative and emotionally layered story explores the complexity of sibling relationships and the healing power of art.
This picturebook received starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews, Publishers Weekly, and School Library Journal.
Chooch Helped
Written by Andrea L. Rogers, illustrated by Rebecca Lee Kunz. Levine Querido, 2024.
Sissy’s little brother, Chooch, is always underfoot making a mess: spilling flour, smudging paint, ruining a clay pot. Yet somehow, the grown-ups still welcome his “help” with a smile.
When Chooch’s “help” finally pushes Sissy too far, a quiet moment of connection helps her to see her role in a new light: as a teacher, not just a sister.
Told through Sissy’s eyes, this warm and humorous story captures the frustrations and joys of being an older sibling.
Rooted in the rhythms of family life, the book weaves in Cherokee words and imagery, celebrating cultural traditions and the everyday moments that shape them.
Back matter includes notes from the author and illustrator, both members of the Cherokee Nation, a rich glossary that offers insight into the Cherokee language and step-by-step instructions for making a pinch pot.
Rebecca Lee Kunz was awarded the prestigious Caldecott Medal for her watercolor, gouache, printmaking, collage and digital illustrations.
Surprising Feats
The Book That Can Read Your Mind
Written and illustrated by Marianna Coppo. Chronicle Books, 2024.
Step right up: Lady Rabbit is ready to amaze! In this interactive picturebook, readers are invited to choose a character from a whimsical audience (think: a cupcake, a fork, a tooth), then follow a series of page turns as the magician “reads your mind” and guesses your choice.
Inspired by centuries-old magic tricks, this clever book blends playful design with a sense of theatrical wonder.
With vintage-style ink, digitally colored illustrations and a stage-like layout, it’s a joyful celebration of curiosity, illusion and the delight of being surprised ... again and again.
The illusion is powered by swapping rows and columns, concealing the coordinate map that makes the magic work.
This picturebook was named an Amazon and Barnes and Noble Best Book of 2024. My teacher friend’s third-grade students flocked to the book during rainy day recess all year.
Noodles on a Bicycle
Written by Kyo Maclear, illustrated by Gracey Zhang. Random House Studio, 2024.
In a bustling Tokyo neighborhood, children watch in amazement as demae, bicycle deliverymen, balance towering trays of noodles on one shoulder while weaving through the city’s streets.
Told from the perspective of young onlookers, this vibrant story captures the grace, grit and artistry of the awe-inspiring delivery method.
With rhythmic language and bursts of onomatopoeia, the book celebrates the everyday acrobats who feed a city, while the children try (and hilariously fail) to imitate their feats.
Lively ink and gouache illustrations bring the energy of mid-century Tokyo to life, offering a joyful tribute to skill, memory and movement.
This picturebook received a Caldecott Honor and a Charlotte Zolotow Honor.
Summary
Each of these 2024 titles offers something special, whether it’s a spark for deep thinking, a window into another perspective or a moment of joy and connection.
I hope these pairings inspire meaningful conversations and thoughtful reflection in your classrooms, libraries and homes. Happy reading!
Lisa Pinkerton is an endowed chair in the Department of Teaching and Learning within the college. She specializes in early literacy and literature for children and young adults.
