We’re excited to announce our Staff Picks for 2018! For the past four years, we’ve asked staff to recommend their favorite books published in the calendar year. Here are the children’s books they loved most in 2018. Staff Picks for young adults and adults will be published over the next week.
If you are looking for more suggestions for children’s books, stop into your local branch and ask for our Holiday bookmarks that list titles perfect for gifting to younger book lovers.
See 2018 Staff Picks for: Young Adult Literature, Adult Fiction, and Adult Nonfiction.
Picture Books
- Corduroy Takes a Bow by Viola Davis: Celebrate 50 years of America’s favorite teddy bear originally created by Don Freeman, with this brand new, classically illustrated picture book by Academy Award-winner Viola Davis. — Kathleen L., Doylestown District Library Center
- Ducks Away! by Mem Fox: Adorable illustrations and an updated storyline help Mem Fox retell the classic “Five Little Ducks” rhyme. This book, which incorporates counting skills along with repetition, is perfect for toddlers and preschoolers. — Sarah D., Children’s Services
- A House That Once Was by Julie Fogliano, illustrated by Lane Smith. Gorgeous and inventive artwork for a story that’s equally beautiful. — Travis M., Langhorne Branch
- I Lost My Tooth! by Mo Willems: Zoom Squirrel has lost a front tooth! The Squirrels leap into action when they discover the missing tooth is a baby tooth! Do you know more about teeth than the Squirrels do? You will by the end of this easy reader book! Perfect for fans of his Elephant and Piggie series. — Kathleen L., Doylestown District Library Center
- Julián is a Mermaid by Jessica Love: “While riding the subway home from the pool with his Abuela one day, Julián notices three women spectacularly dressed up as mermaids. When Julián gets home, daydreaming of the magic he’s seen, all he can think about is dressing up just like these ladies. Mesmerizing and full of heart, this debut is a jubilant expression of self-love and a radiant celebration of individuality” (from the publisher). — Kathleen L., Doylestown District Library Center
- Monster Boogie by Laurie Berkner: “Boogie away those bedtime fears and embrace your inner monster with this new whimsical picture book, based on Laurie Berkner’s irresistibly fun song and featuring lively, playful illustrations by Ben Clanton! A must-have for fans of Laurie, dancing, and all things monstrous!” (from the publisher) — Kathleen L., Doylestown District Library Center
- People Don’t Bite People by Lisa Wheeler: This picture book is a favorite among children and adults with its laugh-out-loud life lesson. — Jess R., Langhorne Branch
- Pignic by Matt Phelan: I personally have used this book several times this year in storytimes and loved the positive reactions from the children and their caregivers. This is a great book to use in storytimes or just to read at home with your child. And besides, who wouldn’t want to read a book about a cute family of pigs on a picnic! — Cathy G., Children’s Services
- Run Wild by David Covell: Beautiful illustrations encourage children and adults to get outside and run wild in today’s tech-focused world. — Jess R., Langhorne Branch
- The Snowy Nap by Jan Brett: Autumn gives way to winter as Hedgie tries to stay awake so he doesn’t miss out on all of the winter-time fun his friends are having while he would be hibernating. A must-read companion to The Hat. — Kathleen L., Doylestown District Library Center
- What’s Next Door? by Nicola O’Byrne: Can your preschooler or kindergartner help the crocodile find its home by clapping, wiggling, and tracing shapes? This interactive book helps children learn about habitats while having fun. — Sarah D., Children’s Services
Juvenile
- Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi: This is a series kickoff, introduced by bestselling author Rick Riordan. Seventh grader Aru should never have lit the ancient lamp, which proves to have dire consequences. She gets launched into a mystical world of the gods, while her classmates and mother are frozen in time. It’s up to Aru to save them, but how is one girl in Spider-Man pajamas supposed to do all that? — Kathleen L., Doylestown District Library Center
- City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab: “Ever since Cass almost drowned (okay, she did drown, but she doesn’t like to think about it), she can pull back the Veil that separates the living from the dead . . . and enter the world of spirits. Her best friend is even a ghost. Things are already pretty strange, but they are about to get much stranger” (from the publisher). Perfect for fans of Mary Downing Hahn. — Kathleen L., Doylestown District Library Center
- The Girl in the Locked Room: a Ghost Story by Mary Downing Hahn: This spooky middle grade ghost story is a suspenseful tale of a girl imprisoned for more than a century. Spine-chilling events unfold as the reader learns both her story and about a friendship that crosses the boundary between past and present, which just might save her. — Kathleen L., Doylestown District Library Center
- Harbor Me by Jacqueline Woodson: In her first middle-grade novel since National Book Award winner Brown Girl Dreaming, Woodson celebrates both diversity and the healing that can occur when a group of students share their personal and family struggles. And together, these students can grow braver and more ready for the rest of their lives. — Kathleen L., Doylestown District Library Center
- Louisiana’s Way Home by Kate DiCamillo. When Louisiana’s grandmother wakes her up in the middle of the night and takes her on a cross-country road trip, she learns a lot more about herself and her Granny than she ever bargained for. Like all of DiCamillo’s books, this story is charming, and beautiful, and readers, much like Louisiana, are sure to learn more about themselves than they bargained for when they started reading. — Mindi P., Yardley-Makefield Branch
