Picture Books Where the Pictures Steal the Show

Quest, by Aaron Becker
This beautiful book doesn’t even give the words a chance—because there are none! A fully illustrated, wordless picture book that will set your imagination on fire, Quest picks up where Journey leaves off. (And if you haven’t experienced the awe-inspiring story of Journey yet, start there!) A magic door under a park bridge and a mysterious king send two ordinary children on the quest of a lifetime. Each time you “read” this book you will spot something new, as the story is only limited by the boundaries of your own imagination.

The Secret Life of Squirrels, by Nancy Rose
This book stars Mr. Peanuts, a most unusual and active squirrel. You’ll find that reading about what Mr. Peanuts likes to do is fun, but seeing the photographs of an actual squirrel playing the piano (his favorite piece, the “Moonlight Sonutta”) and grilling hot dogs on the miniature bar-b-q is another level entirely. Inspired by the wild squirrels that photographer Nancy Rose watched in her backyard, this nutty book is one you will have to see to believe.

The Snowy Day, by Ezra Jack Keats
I’d venture to say that The Snowy Day is one of the most iconic picture books of all time. Even if you can’t recall the story (a sweet tale about a boy experiencing the wonder of a new snowfall in the city), you can probably still call up the striking bright and bold orange, red, and white cover illustration. Perhaps we’re ready to leave the snow for spring, but this book, which incredibly was first published almost 40 years ago, is a must read for the entire year.

Once Upon a Cloud, by Claire Keane
After reading this sweet book by debut writer Claire Keane, I was not surprised to learn that its author has been busy working in the art department at Walt Disney Animation Studios on such blockbuster films as Frozen and Tangled. The gorgeous pastel illustrations will make you feel like you are being carried away on a purple cloud and bring this simple story, of a girl trying to find the perfect gift for her mother, to a whole new sparkly and celestial level.

What A Wonderful World, by Bob Thiele, George David Weiss, and Tim Hopgood
The lyrics to this song are timeless, but in this book the bright and bold illustrations are the real show stoppers. Vibrant red roses, crisp blue skies, a bright yellow sun, lush green grass, and all of the colors of the rainbow make flipping these pages a visual treat. Sing along, or put on the original Louis Armstrong recording and let yourself get lost in the beautiful imagery, which will have you seeing this classic in a whole new technicolor light!
What picture books do you love mainly for their pictures?