Top 10 Picture Book Examples

To begin our journey, let's set ourselves at the very start!

As some of you might already know, the production of illustrated books dates back to the earliest days of bookbinding. Perhaps the most important tradition of medieval art in regard to the development of picture books is the Poor Man's Bible, which sought to make illustrations of important Biblical events so that they could be understood by the illiterate.

Nowadays, modern picture books often aim to aid with children's language development or understanding of the world from the author's perspective.

1. Balloons over Broadway | Melissa Sweet

Melissa Sweet has illustrated over 100 books as well as toys and puzzles. And this time, she brings us closer to the life of the puppeteer who invented the giant balloons floating in the sky during the annual parade celebrating Thanksgiving: Tony Sarg, a self-taught immigrant with a fascinating imagination. Note: he didn't teach himself to be an immigrant... Those things can't be taught... I believe...!

This nonfiction illustrated book will capture the hearts of all ages.

2. The Right Word | Melissa Sweet

We can't get enough of Melissa Sweet!

The right word revolves around young Peter Mark Roget and his best companions: Books!

At age 8, Roget began writing his first "companion", simply titled Peter, Mark, Roget. His Book: “instead of writing stories, he wrote lists.” This lists grew to be about one hundred pages and more than fifteen thousand words! He kept it on his desk so that he could always find just the right word whenever he needed it.

But don't let me spoil the rest of this colorful biography, read it for yourselves!

3. The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read | Rita Lorraine Hubbard

Imagine learning to read at the age of 116! Discover the true story of Mary Walker, the oldest student who did just that in the US, in this picture book from a Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator and a rising star author Rita Lorraine Hubbard.

Rita is a former special education teacher and currently a full-time children’s writer, book blogger and freelance editor after the success her latest picture book acquired. We are also talking about it!

4. The People's Painter: How Ben Shahn Fought for Justice with Art | Cynthia Levinson

In this moving and timely portrait of Ben Shahn and his yearn to draw the unfair realities he saw in his life, award-winning author Cynthia Levinson and illustrator Evan Turk honor an artist whose work still resonates today: a true painter for the people and by the people... Well, actually only by Ben... but that is good enough!

As an observant child growing up in Lithuania, seeing his father banished by the Czar for demanding workers’ rights, made him develop a keen sense of justice.

“The first thing I can remember,” Ben said, “I drew.”

5. The World Is Not a Rectangle | Jeanette Winter

Get to know Zaha Hadid in this nonfiction award winning picture book about the famed architect’s life and her triumph over adversity from celebrated author-illustrator Jeanette Winter.

Jeanette is a picture book creator whose acclaimed works have been translated into twenty-one languages.

Back to Zaha Hadid: she grew up in Baghdad, Iraq, and dreamed of designing her own cities. She opened her own studio and in London and started designing buildings. But as a Muslim woman, Hadid faced many obstacles. Fortunately, now we can see the buildings Hadid has designed all over the world...! Oh sorry, I spoiled the ending, there...!

6. I am New York | Carlo Stanga

Following editions on Milan and London, Carlo Stanga leads readers on a tour of New York, paying tribute to local lifestyle, landmarks, parks, and architecture. His playful illustrations and intimate anecdotes showcase the personalities of cities and the idiosyncrasies that make them unique.

From the Chrysler Building to the bagel, I Am New York is an illustrated journey of the Big Apple like no other. Stanga's love letter to New York captures the magic of the city.

Check out his projects and courses by visiting his Domestika profile: @carlo_stanga

7. Iggy Peck, Architect | Andrea Beaty

Andrea was raised in southern Illinois, in a town so small she knew "everybody and their pets.". She was one of six kids and spent her summer days traipsing through the fields and forests hunting for adventure.

Iggy is similarly passionate, with one passion that trumps the others: architecture. His parents are proud of his fabulous creations, though they’re sometimes surprised by his methods. You'll need to read it to know all the "materials" Iggy uses to build his [i]"dreams"[/i]!

There are worse things to do when you're in grade two than to spend your time building a dream.

8. A Street Through Time | DK Children

Have you ever wondered what your street was like thousands of years ago? Did it have more or less pee stains on the walls? At least, that is what I wonder...!

This illustrated history book for children takes you on a 12,000-year journey to find out the story of a single street.

Think of the street you live on. Now think of how it may have looked in the Stone Age in 10,000 BCE (a lot of pee stains I bet!), or in Victorian times during the Industrial Revolution (maybe even more!), or how it may look 50 years from now (I hope I leave by then...!).

A Street Through Time takes you on a time-traveling journey that you won't forget. Highly detailed illustrations bring 15 key periods in time to life.

9. Home / Hogar | Carson Ellis

Home is the picture book debut of, influential artist, Carson Ellis. This is a gorgeous, imaginative celebration of the many possibilities, what we call a "home", can manifest as! Maybe a house in the country, a flat in the city, or even a shoe... Or maybe the space under a bridge... Or even an artful pee stain can signal where you live!

There are clean homes, messy homes, sea homes and bee homes. There are even homeless' homes...! Well, yes, but not in this book...! This loving look at the places where people live brims with intriguing characters and is a visual treat that demands many a return visit.

10. Building Zaha | Victoria Tentler-Krylov

Yes, Zaha Hadid has made it into two famous picture books! That is an accomplishment that only Santa Claus can compete with!

In this edition, Victoria Tentler-Krylov celebrates the pioneering British Iraqi architect. But I won't spoil the ending like last time. You will have to read it to know the troubles that she went through and how she overcame them in this inspiring picture book biography.

Get to know more about picture books in the following links:

- Our Picture Book Courses
- Digital Illustration Course by Victoria Tentler-Krylov
- Picture Books for Adults An Article by Harry Davies