Top 15 picture books of 2014

Written by Frances Itani and illustrated by Genevieve Despres, Orca Books

Anything Hanna can do, Lizzy can do better, or at least that’s what Lizzy would claim. These best buds are always engaged in a tit-for-tat and Hanna is fed up. She doesn’t want to compete with her best friend anymore! Will the two be able to work it out?

Written by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Jon Klassen, Candlewick

I Want My Hat Back’s Jon Klassen has helped create another exciting title. This story is about two boys who are on a mission to find something marvelous. They dig and dig and dig, until, finally, they find the most spectacular thing

Written and illustrated by Chris Tougas, Owlkids Books

Teeny ninjas are bursting with energy, and sometimes take it out on each other. But with the help of their teacher, they learn about kindness and respect.

Written and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers, HarperCollins

The award-winning author of Lost and Found has written a story about every letter of the alphabet. Whether it’s about dangerous Delilah, or robots who don’t like rust, the alphabet sure has a lot of storytelling to do.

Written and illustrated by Ashley Spires, Tundra Books

Edie, a teeny fashion designer and self-proclaimed style guru dresses herself in the most extravagant ensembles. Her best friend Andrew is a patient assistant, but after Edie comes to school in an outrageous outfit (that won’t fit through the door!) and makes fun of Andrew’s get-up, his patience fizzles out. Will Edie apologize for taking things too far and make things right with her best friend?

Written by Linda Bailey and illustrated by Colin Jack, Tundra Books

Dinosaurs may make for reliable alarm clocks, or be used as can openers and even blamed for eating homework, but that’s only if you happen to find one.

Written and illustrated by Marianne Dubuc, Enchanted Lion Books

When Lion brings the injured Bird into his home over the winter, a friendship is kindled. Once winter is over, Bird must fly away. Will he come back next year?

Written by Jill Barber and illustrated by Sydney Smith,Nimbus Publishing

Author and musician Jill Barber takes little ones through each genre of music, demonstrating that there’s so much to be explored!

Written and illustrated by Elly MacKay, Running Press

As the summer sun sets, the children in this sweet tale try their best to catch their shadows before they disappear into the evening.

Written by Kyo Maclear and illustrated by Julie Morstad, Tundra Books

A pair of young girls stir together some secret ingredients, teaching the grown-ups in their lives just how important it is to stop worrying (and to use butter every chance they get!).

Written and illustrated by Leslie Patricelli,Candlewick

If you run around the house while your derriere lets out stinky air, you’ll sound like a little locomotive toot-tootin’ away! Kids will keel over in giggles while they read this book about their favourite thing­ – farts!

Written and illustrated by Mo Willems, Hyperion

This dirty birdy needs a serious scrub, but he doesn’t think so. Pigeon soon discovers that bathtime really isn’t all that bad—it can even be fun!

Written by B.J Novak, Penguin

Actor, comedian and author, B.J. Novak has created a book bursting of hilarious higgledy-piggledy! Readers beware, for there is one rule you must follow: Whatever the words say, the person reading the book has to say it out loud. Yep, that means every BLORK, Bluuurf and Boo Boo Butt! This book will have kids howling with laughter. We dare you to read it.

Written and illustrated by Jeffrey Brown, Chronicle Books

It’s bedtime and the Sith Lord must put his rambunctious twins, Luke and Leia, to bed. He reads them a bedtime story using all the Star Wars characters.

Written by Christine Baldacchino and illustrated by Isabelle Malenfant, Groundwood Books

If there’s one thing Morris loves best about his classroom’s dress-up centre, it’s the tangerine dress. He wears it a lot, but the other kids in his class don’t understand, and they exclude him from things like the spaceship project they’re working on. Gathering inspiration from a dream he had, Morris decides to make his own spaceship project instead.