chicago public library's "best of the best"
Picture Books & Books for Younger Readers
Books for Older Readers
diverse book titles
Dream Big, Little One by Vashti Harrison
Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry
I Am Enough by Grace Byers
Leo Gets a Checkup by Anna McQuinn
The Man Who Built a Library by Carole Boston Weatherford
All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold
The Colors of Us by Karen Kotz
We’re Different, We’re the Same by Bobbi Janes Kates
Vamom ! Let’s Go to the Market by Raul the Third
ABCs of Kindness by Samantha Berger
Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller
Bear Says Thank You by Michael Dahl
Should I Share My Ice Cream by Mo Willems
local business shoutout!
Young, Black & Lit is a Chicago-based non-profit working to increase access to children’s books that center, reflect, and affirm the experiences of Black children. The organization partners with schools in Cook County to distribute books to children in kindergarten through third grade with free books. They also run an online bookshop that is stocked with excellent titles!
diverse ability books
Row, Row, Row Your Boat by Annie Kubler
The Adventures of Taxi Dog by Debra Barracca
All Dogs Have ADHD by Kathy Hoopmann
Global Babies by Mara Ajmera
Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile by Bernard Waber
My Brother Charlie by Holly Robinson Peete
Ears, Nose & Toes by Marion Dane Bauer
Mommies & Babies by Simms Taback
Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson
I Can, Can You? by Marjorie W. Pitzer
Sounds on the Go! by Gail Donovan
Hi, I’m Ben and… I’ve Got a Secret by Julie A. Bouwkamp
Sign & Sing Along: Itsy Bitsy Spider by Annie Kubler
Sign Language, My First 100 Words by Michiyo Nelson
Jordan Has A Hearing Loss by Jillian Powell
Is Your Mama a Llama? by Deborah Guarino
I Can, Can You? by Marjorie W. Pitzer
Back to Front and Upside Down by Claire Alexander
Motor Delay
Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson
A Rainbow of Friends by P.K Hallinan
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin, Jr.
Does a Chimp Wear Clothes? by Fred Ehrlich
Sammy Goes to Speech by Marissa Siegel