GPLD 2025 Winter Favorites: Picture Books/Kids Nonfiction | Downers Grove Public Library

1) I'm very busy: a (nearly forgotten) birthday book

Author

Jeffers, Oliver

Description

It's Bridget's birthday, and she thinks it would be fun to spend the day with friends. But Royal has places to go, Rodney has to see a man about a dog, Regis has to wash his hair, and Pearl has a list of items she needs to cross off as quickly as she can. Bridget's friends are all too busy to hang out! Will Bridget have to spend her birthday all alone? In a story that shows how friends are more important than the busy-ness of a day, Oliver Jeffers'...

2) Soup's on around the world

Author

Waissbluth, Denyse

Series

Taste the World

Description

"From the creators of Teatime Around the World, this poetic picture book takes readers ages 4-8 across the globe exploring different soups and soup traditions! Soup's on. A tasty treat. Fill your bowl up. Time to eat! Through vibrant illustrations and heartwarming text, Soup's On Around the World invites readers on a flavorful journey of soups across the globe, each with its own unique history and traditions! Every soup tells its own story, revealing...

3) The bakery dragon and the fairy cake

Author

Kurtz, Devin Elle

Series

The Bakery Dragon

Description

"Running a bakery is no piece of cake for a little dragon with a sweet tooth!" -- page [4] of cover.

4) Fish fry Friday

Author

Bingham, Winsome

Description

A young African American boy joins his grandma's weekly ritual of catching and frying fish for a big family dinner.

5) Lost in a book

Author

Description

When best friends Chad and Oliver step into a book, Chad becomes trapped in the cavernous binding until a friendly librarian comes to the rescue.

6) Aggie and the ghost

Author

Forsythe, Matthew, 1976-

Description

Aggie's enthusiasm about living alone wanes when she discovers her house is haunted.

7) Seven ways through the woods

Author

Description

What starts as a very simple question--What's the best way through the woods?--quickly becomes a fantastical and awe-inspiring adventure. Young readers are invited to meet griffins, giants, serpents, and sprites as they make their way through this magical landscape. After all, isn't the journey often more fun and rewarding than the destination? With breathtaking, magical illustrations by rising star illustrator Devin Elle Kurtz and a sly, playful...

8) Itty Bitty Betty Blob makes a splash

Author

Lombardo, Constance

Description

"When Itty Bitty Betty Blob tries out for the Devil Divers, Coach wants her to CRASH and FLOP and make a big splash like a fierce monster--but fierce is not Betty! Can she follow her heart and do the unique dives she loves?"--Provided by publisher.

9) Ada and the goat

Author

Aubrey, Heidi (Heidi Christine)

Description

"Ada seeks a peaceful, solitary life in a remote fixer-upper cottage, but her plans are disrupted by a capricious goat"-- Provided by publisher.

10) Zip zap wickety wack: a story about sharing

Author

Diffee, Matthew

Description

"Farm animals share their sounds, but humorous drama ensues when the goat and the sheep both lay claim to "baa.""-- Provided by publisher.

11) The escape artist: a true story of octopus adventure

Author

Description

"The true story of Inky the octopus, who slipped out of his tank at the National Aquarium in New Zealand and into the world's imagination"-- Provided by publisher.

12) Cats on cats on cats

Author

Description

Bea, worried that her grandmother is lonely, gets her a cat to keep her company, but when Granny assumes it is Bea who loves cats, she gets carried away, and Bea must find a way to restore order and save their special weekends together.

13) My friend May

Author

Description

A little girl named Margaux has a big black cat named May. One day, May doesn't come home for dinner and, although the family looks and looks, they can't find her. Margaux's auntie helps in the search, but she can't stay long because she is packing to move to the city. Margaux will miss her auntie. She also misses May. Will May ever come home?

14) The invisible parade

Author

Description

There's a party tonight, but Cala doesn't want to go. While her family prepares for the celebration, Cala grieves her grandfather and tries to pretend she's not afraid. But when she is separated from her family at the cemetery, Cala encounters four mysterious riders who will show her she is actually quite brave after all. Adventure awaits readers of all ages on Día de Muertos in this stunningly original and lushly illustrated tour de force about...

15) All that you are

Author

Prasadam-Halls, Smriti

Description

A celebration of different heritages and identities, showing how families can be made up of diverse ethnicities.

16) A monstrous bedtime

Author

Wilson, Kerilynn

Description

"Bedtime routines are important for a good night's sleep--even for the monster under your bed"-- Provided by publisher.

17) Vera la Valiente is scared

Author

Description

"A hilarious story about what it really means to be brave. Meet Vera the Brave--La Valiente! She dives like a dolphin, climbs like a mountain goat, and defends her amigos like un le̤n. But she trembles when she hears her teacher say, "We're going to Rocking Roller Coasters!" Oh no! Vera tries to convince the teacher her plan is not the best, but Ms. Rodr̕guez does not change her mind about the field trip. Now if Vera can't face her fears, everyone...

18) No more gnomes

Author

Mills, Beth, 1986-

Description

Well-mannered Herbert struggles to politely tell Ms. Goat that he detests her creepy, boorish garden gnomes.

19) And they walk on

Author

Maillard, Kevin Noble

Description

A young boy reflects on the enduring presence of a loved one who has "walked on," finding comfort in memories, stories, and the love that lives on in his heart.

20) The winding willow

Author

Hillenbrand, Will

Description

On his way home in the snow, Hubert finds a tree full of lost possessions, including some that belong to his family, and faces a hungry owl before bringing his found trinkets home.