I’m looking for beautiful illustration-forward baby/kid books. My daughter loves Richard Scarry’s “I Am a Bunny” and stares at each page for quite a while. I enjoy how rich each page is as well.

Question

Jenny · Answer

The Lion and the Bird: The sweetest kids book about a lion who rescues an injured bird. Mostly wordless, with really good story-telling just through the illustrations.

JaperMoon · Answer

We Might See by Charlie Mylie: Chock full o little details.

I recommend all his books :)

Noelle · Answer

Childrens Books: Most Beautiful: A roundup!

Coofandy · Answer

Our Animal Friends at Maple Hill Farm: So many animals to spot and little details to love.

Lauren Dancer · Answer

if you come to earth by sophie blackall: So much to look at on each page! Transportation, animals, people, houses, nature, everything. My daughter loves this book.

Lauren Dancer · Answer

Little Witch Hazel: The illustrations are beautiful, and the stories are just so lovely and warm.

Sarah · Answer

Stella Luna by Janell Cannon: I loved this book as a kid, and remember looking at the pictures for fun. I think stories like this helped me grow up loving animals of all kinds—not just the “cuddly” ones!

Spines, Flicks, and Wax · Answer

Little White Rabbit (Kevin Henkes): Kevin Henkes has a wonderful collection of easy, illustrated books but, if your daughter loves bunnies and rabbits, this will be a great pick 😊

Sarah Schneider · Answer

The Midnight Farm by Reeve Lindbergh, Paintings by Susan Jeffers: A good friend passed this lovely book down to my daughter from her own childhood collection. Very telling that instead of “illustrated by” it says “paintings by” Susan Jeffers. A beautiful, soothing book (if you can overlook a few questionable rhymes… stove/glove? Not sure bout that, Reeve!)

Sarah Cooney · Answer

Time of Wonder by Robert McCloskey: This is the perfect book. I reread it myself every summer, at the beginning and the end.

Elo · Answer

How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World: Super charming and one of my childhood favorites

Wren · Answer

Brambly Hedge books by Jill Barklem: These illustrations are meant to get lost in. They're so lovely.

Laura Messersmith · Answer

The Runaway Bunny (Margaret Wise Brown): I adore this book for so many reasons. The wonderful illustrations are imaginative and beautifully colored; and the message of enduring parental love in the midst of kid boundary-testing is so gently reassuring.

It’s in my top 5 gifts I give to new parents or anyone building a home library.

Lily · Answer

The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler: Julia Donaldson books always have something fun in the background- I’m partial to stickman

Lily · Answer

The Philharmonic Gets Dressed: Beautiful illustrations, 1970s nyc happening in the background, teaches kids the crucial difference between tuxes and tails.

Liv · Answer

Du Iz Tak?: Written in a made-up language, very fun to read, beautifully illustrated.

Rachel · Answer

Little Witch Hazel: The cutest little witch 🍄🍁🦉❤️

monna · Answer

Up the Mountain Path: a touching, beautifully illustrated story about an intergenerational friendship!

monna · Answer

Julián Is a Mermaid: Such a joy to read for kids and adults. A whimsical and sweet story about gender and acceptance with just the right amount of words and tension. So much to notice without being overwhelming!

even*cleveland · Answer

Chirri & Chirra — Enchanted Lion Books: Every book in this series is a jewel. Two cherry-cheeked children pedal through a gentle world of dreamy adventures, including soaking in hot springs scented with flowers, snuggling with friendly badgers, and making tourmaline candies.

Robin · Answer

"Classic" Little Golden Books: All of the Little Golden Books from the 40s-70s are definitely what you're looking for, and you can often find them in thrift stores and used bookshops.  Some are still getting new editions printed by Penguin RandomHouse.

I also love Sally Hunter's Humphrey books, they're all about a little elephant named Humphrey and the illustrations are so rich and atmospheric.  I have two prints framed in my bedroom!

Anything by Beatrix Potter, too!  She's most famous for The Tale of Peter Rabbit but she has over 20 children's books.  She was also a natural scientist and you can really feel just how much she  loved studying nature in her drawings.  (She was also a very  early female entrepreneur and Peter Rabbit was the FIRST licensed character ever which I think is pretty cool.)

Tori · Answer

Gaston: Gaston is a story of chosen family, loving, and belonging, despite how we look on the outside. It’s told through the lens of adorable poodles and French bull dogs, but every bit is handled sincerely. Illustrated by Christian Robinson, each page is a truly frame-worthy work of art. Did I shed a tear at the end the first time I read this book to my lil one? Yes, yes I did.

Mari · Answer

The Rainbow Goblins: The art literally belongs in a museum - oil paintings that make you want to stare and search.

Clara · Answer

“Blueberries for Sal” by Robert McCloskey: My favorite gift to give new babies (and their parents). And when kids get older, it’s so fun to revisit Sal (and her new little sister) in “One Morning in Maine”!

Tori · Answer

Milo the Knight: Milo is a bug. He’s also a knight, from a long line of knight bugs. Afraid of vulnerability, Milo is a sort of never-nude as he refuses to take off his knight armor. Until one day, rain renders his armor rusty and immovable. When he finally removes it, he sheds the only identity he’s ever known and discovers his true self, and joy. The illustrator Charlotte Parent, is an artist with an interest in medieval studies, and it comes through beautifully in this piece! A true delight start to finish.

Tori · Answer

More Than a Little: This book is cottage-core DOWN! It’s more poem-y than story, about all the ways the child is loved. The watercolor imagery shows the squirrels and foxes in different woodsy whimsical scenarios throughout, culminating in a fold-out scene of a musical parade, perfect to frame in a young child’s room!