Children's Picture Books for Cozy Whimsy, Comfort, and Hope
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When times get hard, the books I read get cozier and more comforting. I suppose that is all I need to say to explain why there are 15 children’s picture books currently on hold on my library card. I’ve been shoring myself up against hard times by binging on delightful tomes of anthropomorphic animals and spoon-fed hope. If you need the same, I thought I would provide a list of some of my favorites.
Please note. I will be linking to B&N pages for these books, but I highly recommend you buy local. My favorite local bookstore is Birdie Books, but I’m sure you have some wonderful ones near you too. Or of course you can support your local library by requesting them there.
A Cozy Winter Day by Eliza Wheeler.
This book has the most sweet and adorable representation. Dad and Pop are two rabbits with a cute crew of little bunny kiddos, one of whom is in a wheelchair. The illustrations are just heart melting, and the book made me tear up and grin wide.
Frostfire by Elly Mackay
This book has just stunning illustrations, created with a mix of paper cuts and paintings.
Beatrice Likes the Dark by April Genevieve Tucholke
Two sisters as different as night and day learn to get along and appreciate their differences. This book is also delightfully witchy, with the sisters making a potion together and appreciating nature in the day and night. Also, if you have a child to read to, the format makes it especially fun to read out loud.
Beanie the Bansheenie by Eoin Colfer
I read this book when it came in at work and immediately put it on my wish list (and got it for Christmas!) It’s the story of a banshee who defies fate, and I love it so much. The illustrations style reminds me of Cartoon Saloon (Song of the Sea, The Secret of Kells).
Wild by Emily Hughes
Never tame your wild. I read this book years ago and really should get a copy. Just look at that sample illustration!
Willow and Bunny by Anitra Rowe Schulte
This one just came in at the library a couple of days ago, and it made me tear up. Beautiful beautiful message of coming together to help others, and empathy and love.
Millie Fleur’s Poison Garden by Christy Mandin
What a whimsical delight this book is! Very Strong Addams Family vibes. It teaches the lesson to not automatically fear the neighbor who is different from you. And you simply must at least peruse this one for the adorable illustrations of all sorts of creative monstrous plants.
The Cafe at the Edge of the Woods by Mikey Please
This charming book is the closest thing to a picture book cozy fantasy I’ve ever read. Chef Rene opens up a cafe and plans to serve Very Fine Food, but then only monsters from the forest come to eat. Learning to adapt and embrace is the moral of this story.
The Bakery Dragon by Devil Elle Kurtz
This one is just pure cute serotonin. I mean, do I even have to write words? Just look.
I’ll end this with three more honorable mentions worth getting.
Stickler Loves the World by Lane Smith
The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore by William Joyce
Drawn Onward by Daniel Nayeri (TW for intense discussion of grief, but it’s so moving and beautiful)
There! That was fun. I almost never talk about my day job on this blog, so it was nice to be able to share some suggestions with you. If you do end up reading any of these, I would truly love to know what you think!! And hey, I have 15 books on request at work, so maybe there will be a part 2 to this at some point.
