8 of the Best Books for Storytime
Storytime is a staple of teachers and librarians: gathering kiddos at the rug, welcoming them by name with a song or rhyme, opening a book, and inviting them to explore a new world. We've gathered a few of our upcoming picture books that we know will make for the perfect storytime read. With text that is a joy to read aloud, bright illustrations, funny stories, and more, these picture books are sure to engage and make your storytime the best ever!
Looking to Shake Up Your Storytime by making it more inclusive? In addition to the books on this list, check out our downloadable Shake Up Your Storytime guide for even more storytime books and ideas!
Explore the Titles

From Newbery Medalist and bestselling author Linda Sue Park comes a joyous and inclusive celebration of eyes—showcasing the variety of Asian eye shapes and hues—in lively rhyming text ideal for sharing with any child.
For an enthusiastic little boy, an ordinary day is filled with the joys and surprises of seeing and being seen. All around him, people are using their eyes: big eyes, small eyes, eyes that are open wide, or shut tight, or even winking! With irresistible rhymes and warm, inviting art, this ode to eyes by Linda Sue Park and Lenny Wen will delight the youngest of readers.

The #1 bestselling Little Blue Truck meets a zippy red race car with a need for speed.
Little Blue Truck and good friend Toad are out for a drive when a flash of red whizzes by—then whizzes back to stop and say hi. Sleek and low, Racer Red is made for speed and loves to go fast! When she challenges Blue to a race, Blue knows that win or lose, it’s fun to try! Beep! Beep! Zooooom!

A bike.
Is it a big bike or a little bike?
Fast or slow?
Dirty or clean?
It all depends on who is taking it for a ride. . .
Join a charming cast of characters who discover just how far a different perspective—and one simple bike—can take you. Perfect for fans of books by Brendan Wenzel, Antoinette Portis, and Corey Tabor, Big Bike, Little Bike will wheel riders and readers away on a hilarious and heartfelt journey!

Amelia Bedelia meets the Cat in the Hat in this hilarious tale of a good mouse gone bad!
Meet Sadie. She's a good mouse. She follows all the rules, listens to Mom, and takes her chores very seriously. Sadie's bother does not do any of these things. He'd rather let Sadie do all the hard work. After all, she's so good at it! But every mouse has her limits, and one day Sadie decides she's had enough. Soon she's tossing garbage out the windows, making ice cream sundaes on her bed, and creating a tidal wave in her living room. Now she can't wait for Mom to get home to show her just how bad this good mouse can be.
From the masterminds behind Horse Meets Dog, Elliott Kalan and Tim Miller, Sadie Mouse Wrecks the House tells the odd-couple story of a brother and sister who find themselves competing for who can be the absolute worst is sure to resonate with sibling rivals and anyone who feels like they've had enough of being the good kid—and wants to see what it's like to be bad.

In this second picture book from the #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator of the Food Group series, Pete Oswald, and acclaimed picture book author Phuc Tran’s bestselling Cranky series, Cranky is feeling extra cranky when a new crane joins the crew.
There’s a new crane on the construction site! His name is Lefty and he's the opposite of Cranky—smiley, talkative, and a jokester. Everything Lefty does makes Cranky feel extra cranky. But everyone else seems to love him. What if Cranky's friends like Lefty more than him?
Find out how self-acceptance and a supportive crew help one cranky truck make a new friend in this humorous story about big trucks, big feelings, and even bigger friendships. With Phuc Tran’s hilarious text and Pete Oswald’s bold, expressive illustrations, this read is perfect for fans of Grumpy Monkey and construction vehicles.

A beautiful new book by Beth Ferry and Tom Lichtenheld, the bestselling creators of Stick and Stone!
Here's a heart-expanding story about an on-the-go inventor who makes homes for others before realizing the rewards of putting down his own roots. The Peddler of Puddles is a friendship-forward tale, perfect for fans of Bear Came Along and Strictly No Elephants.
The Peddler travels the countryside making perfect puddles for all his forest friends. Puddles that delight ducks, refresh frogs, and satisfy even the thirstiest hummingbird. But being constantly on the go can be lonely, and it's not until his friends step in that the Peddler discovers the joys of a home sweet home of his own.
Filled with whimsy and adorable detail, this tale is a tribute to finding a place to hang your hat.

DON’T SCREAM! There’s something scary out in the forest, but you’re in good hands in this story by Jess Hannigan, author of the wryly silly Spider in the Well. Just make sure you keep a cool head, and watch out for any intruders…
The signs are clear—there’s a BEAR OUT THERE!
You’re lucky to be safe in this cabin in the woods, with a host who is levelheaded, trustworthy, and smart about bear safety.
There’s certainly no need to worry about any dark shadows or sneaky schemes in this book…RIGHT?
Jess Hannigan is back with another bold and brazen tale that’s not too silly, not too scary, but just right.

Neighborhood friends greet eight different trucks until the truck they're really waiting for—the ice cream truck—finally arrives. A sweet and colorful celebration of vehicles, community, friendship, and ice cream!
So many trucks drive down our street,
each with a job it must complete.
We’ll wave to all and wish them luck,
until we see the ICE CREAM TRUCK!
The sweet anticipation of waiting for the ice cream truck is tempered by the arrival of eight other trucks—a dump truck, a mail truck, a fire truck, a news truck, a utility truck, an excavator, a garbage truck, and a cement truck—in this picture book celebration of vehicles, professions, community, friendship, and delicious ice cream. Illustrated by Terry Runyan and featuring a lively call-and-response text by Sorche Fairbank, Good Luck, Ice Cream Truck! will appeal to preschoolers everywhere. A great choice for readers who love things that go!