Welcome to the Cup of Tea’s Best Books of the Year, where I list the best books I read this year.
It’s always a pleasant experience to read children’s books. In a world of turmoil and uncertainty, we must read books full of courage and hope. This year, I read enlightening and hopeful books and beautifully illustrated books that really stood out to me, and it was just a pleasure for me to read. So, without further ado,
Here are the best children books of 2023:
Whirly Twirly Me by Manjeet Mann and illustrated by Amanda Quartey
Manjeet Mann returns once again with a beautifully written and illustrated picture book that importantly demonstrates to young readers (older ones) that it is ok that have a variety of feelings and to embrace our “whirly twirly days”.
Animal Tales From India: Ten Stories From The Panchatantra by Nikita Gill and illustrated Chaaya Prabhat
Beautifully depicted picture book that tells fables and lessons from another country. As always, Nikita has a great way of telling a story and what better way to retell stories that she was to read to when she was a child. Keeping the oral tradition of stories alive by showing the variety of stories they can come across around the world.
This Book Is Banned by Raj Haldar and illustrated by Julia Patton
This is a book about dinosaurs. No it’s not. Dinosaurs are not allowed.
Oh. This is now a book about avocados! Sorry. We deleted those too.
FINE. This book is about–nope! Forbidden! BANNED!
Maybe you shouldn’t even try reading this book…But what could possibly be inside?
Discover just what happens when we aren’t allowed to freely share and explore ideas with this funny, self-referential picture book romp that kids (and grown-ups) will want to read over and over again. (Credit: Sourcebooks Explore)
You Need To Chill: A Story of Love and Family by Juno Dawson and illustrated by Laura Hughes
Beautifully illustrated picture book with a powerful message of acceptance and fighting for one’s family. This is a great picture book to read to children to promote inclusiveness and love for all shapes and forms.
And I’ve come up with a new callback for any type of arrogance and judgement…
“You Need To Chill” ❤💜💚💛
Windrush Child: The Tale of a Caribbean Child Who Faced a New Horizon by John Agard and illustrated by Sophie Bass
With one last hug, Windrush child says goodbye to his grandmother and the shores of his Caribbean home before embarking on an adventure across the ocean–under a sky full of promise–to an unknown horizon. With sensitivity and tender lyricism, world-renowned and multi-award-winning poet John Agard narrates the epic story of a child’s voyage to England aboard Empire Windrush. Joyous illustrations by debut artist Sophie Bass richly evoke the changing landscapes and the uncertainty, courage, and hope of those who step into history–and travel far in search of home. (Credit: Candlewick Press)
The Light She Feels Inside by Gwendolyn Wallace and illustrated by Olivia Duchess
Maya feels a warm glow when she picks strawberries in the community garden, hears music in her neighborhood, or spends time with the people she loves.She feels a different kind of glow when she gets pushed down on the playground, overhears her family worrying about bills, and sees her favorite cousin stopped by police. Sometimes that glowing seems like too much to carry.
But Maya is learning that others feel the same glowing light. Black women throughout history, like Ida B. Wells, Nina Simone, June Jordan, and Maya’s own ancestors, found ways to honor these glowing feelings. They were guided by their light to make a difference. The light Maya feels inside is an important part of her that she’ll share as she works toward a brighter world. (Credit: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky)
One Little Word by Joseph Coelho and illustrated by Allison Colpoys
“The argument came from nowhere.
It sat huge and bloated
in the middle of the playground
between me and my best friend.”
This big hairy monster appears out of the blue one day, splitting up the best friends and growing bigger and bigger, until it starts to ruin all the children in the playground’s fun. Together, they learn how to shrink the monster until it vanishes completely, to the point where they can’t even remember what it looks like! Coelho’s gentle and lyrical verse pair perfectly with Allison Colpoys’ beautiful illustrations to create a book which will be treasured by young readers. This is an ode to the power of an apology, and to treasuring a special bond that runs deeper than even the friends realized. (Credit: Frances Lincoln Ltd)
The Skull: A Tyrolean Folktale by Jon Klassen
Jon Klassen’s signature wry humor takes a turn for the ghostly in this thrilling retelling of a traditional Tyrolean folktale. In a big abandoned house, on a barren hill, lives a skull. A brave girl named Otilla has escaped from terrible danger and run away, and when she finds herself lost in the dark forest, the lonely house beckons. Her host, the skull, is afraid of something too, something that comes every night. Can brave Otilla save them both? Steeped in shadows and threaded with subtle wit–with rich, monochromatic artwork and an illuminating author’s note–The Skull is as empowering as it is mysterious and foreboding. (Credit: Candlewick Press)
Timid by Harry Woodgate
If you are looking for a book that reflects on childhood anxiety and how children must have the opportunity to be true to themselves, then Timid is a picture book that is vital for children to read but is a perfect selection for family storytime. It’s okay to be anxious and scared, but, you don’t let it rule you and prevent you from being yourself. I also loved the LGBTQ representation in this picture book. When you are introduced to Timmy, they say, “I use they/them pronouns,” I think that it is crucial nonbinary kids or any child in the LGBTQIA community should see themselves reflected in stories, and this picture book beautifully does that.
How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney? by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Jon Klassen
When Santa arrives at a child’s house on Christmas Eve, does he go down the chimney feetfirst or headfirst? What if he gets stuck? What if there’s no chimney? Maybe he slides under the door, as thin as a piece of paper? Or is it possible he pours himself through the faucet? What happens once he’s inside? Whether it’s shape-shifting or impromptu laundry use, Mac Barnett’s iconic talent for earnest deadpan humor and Jon Klassen’s irresistibly funny art honor the timeless question with answers both ridiculous and plausible, mounting in hilarity as the night continues. Channeling a child’s fanciful explanations (and begging for further speculation), this latest collaboration by a New York Times best-selling team will find a secure spot among family holiday traditions. (Credit: Candlewick Press)
The Book That No One Wanted To Read by Richard Ayoade and illustrated by Tor Freeman
What happens when a book encounters a someone who actually wants to read it? A magical adventure. Richard Ayoade brings his sense of humor but also brings the heartwarming feeling of what readers get when they open up a book. This may be a children’s book but readers of all ages will definitely appreciate and love the message that this book brings. And also I love books that promote reading and the love for this beloved pastime so that ranks it high in my favor!
Keep Dancing, Lizzie Chu by Maisie Chan
I am becoming a Masie Chan fan because this is the second book by her that I absolutely love and warmed my heart. Just like Danny Chung Sums It Up, the intergenerational relationship between Lizzie and her grandfather reminded me a lot of my relationship with my grandfather and I just fell in love with this book even more. If you are looking for a poignant and heartwarming story, then you won’t go wrong with this one.
Gods and Monsters: Mythological Poems by Ana Sampson and illustrated by Chris Riddell
People all over the world have always told each other stories. And from the very earliest times, many of these stories were told in verse. This collection of poems includes retellings and reimaginings of Roman, Greek, Egyptian, Norse, Celtic, Aztec, Japanese and Inuit mythology.
You will meet gods, monsters, tricksters, heroes, magical creatures and objects, magicians and spirits including Medusa, Icarus, Loki, Osiris, the Minotaur, Pegasus, Bunyip, Kukulcan, Cerberus, Beowolf and Mjolnir and there are footnotes to shine a light on stories themselves. (Credit: Pan Macmillan)
Julia and the Shark by Kiran Millwood Hargrave and illustrated by Tom de Freston
Ten-year-old Julia loves the mysteries of the ocean and marine biology, just like her scientist mother. Her family is spending the summer on a remote island where her mom is searching for the elusive Greenland shark, a creature that might be older than the trees, and so rare that it’s only been seen a few times.
But the ocean is reluctant to give up its secrets, and Julia tries not to worry as her mother returns disappointed at the end of each day.
Determined to prove that the shark is real, Julia sets off on a quest to find it herself, armed with a set of coordinates, a compass, and her trusty rain jacket.
She soon realizes that there are some journeys you shouldn’t go on alone. As Julia comes face to face with the dark and wondrous truths of the sea, she finds the strength to leave the shark in the depths and kick up towards the light. (Credit: Union Square Kids)
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