Joyful Picture Books

In their 2024 article entitled “Unfolding joy in children’s literacy practices in a Finnish early years classroom”, the authors Nordström, Kumpulainen & Rajala observe that joyful encounters related to literacy often occur in unexpected, unpredictable, unintended ways. Similarly, in our lifeworlds as children’s library workers, literacy is everywhere, and so, I believe is joy.

I think we can all agree that picture books bring joy to young children. Most children’s library workers see little kids exhibiting joy with picture books every day, both in and outside of storytime. Picture books delight them in different ways, some inciting giggles and shrieks, others inducing moments of wistful wonder. Some picture books do both! But what about us? I have recently been thinking about the potential of children’s books to give adults joy. In their article entitled “Activating joy through culturally and historically responsive read-alouds, the authors state: 

Joy is a special enlightenment of one’s heart and mind. When we learn and practice love of self and humanity, and care deeply for humanity and the earth, joy is enhanced. (Vlach, Lentz, & Muhammad, 2023 p. 121)

In my new series of blog posts (this being Part 1, who knows when I’ll stop?). I want to share picture books that give me joy, that enlighten my heart and my mind, that give me something new to think about, and that make me remember how deeply I care about humanity, and the earth we inhabit. 

The Yellow Bus, written and illustrated by Loren Long. Image courtesy of Macmillan.

Annotation: In a gloriously illustrated and warmly told story, readers follow the various stages of a yellow school bus’s existence. First and unsurprisingly, children are transported to school. Then, after a time, elderly folks are taken to various events on the bus. After being decommissioned, a community of unhoused people take shelter in the bus’s warm interior. Following this long and varied service to humanity, the bus becomes a haven for animals. First a a herd of goats play on it, and then, after a flood, the bus floats to the bottom of a lake where fish make themselves right at home. In all of these incarnations, bus is filled with joy. 

Why this book brings me joy: I have read and appreciate a lot of picture books. The Yellow Bus does something more than earn my deep appreciation. I know on a factual level that buses are inanimate objects, devoid of true feelings and therefore they cannot actually feel joy. I know this and yet, this book still brings me real human joy. I think it is because The Yellow Bus reminds me of what picture books can do on an emotional level. Creating true empathy for an inanimate object is a towering achievement in writing and illustration. By simply demonstrating the power of subtle visual language that speaks volumes past the spare text, The Yellow Bus delivers an unforgettable allegorical tale of a life well-lived and that brings me joy. 

A Sleepless Night written by Micaela Chirif, illustrated by Joaquin Camp, translated from Spanish to English by Jordan Landsman. Image courtesy of Transit Children’s Editions.

Annotation: An unnamed sibling recounts the story of a long and sleepless night because baby sister Elisa is crying, very loudly. The noise causes more and more chaos, until the whole community is in disarray, exhausted, and overwhelmed. And still, Elisa cries. When morning finally arrives, Grandma appears and takes matters into her own very capable hands. The resolution to the crying is as explosive as it is hilarious (no spoilers!) and will have everyone within earshot laughing their heads off.

Why this book brings me joy: (Spoilers ahead!) I am usually not a huge fan of potty humour, but this book brings bodily functions to a new level of hilarity. Grandma, in her wisdom takes one look at baby Elisa and says “…it’s clear what you need is a bicycle” and proceeds to take hold of Elisa’s legs and move them like she’s riding a bicycle. This brings on the biggest fart imaginable and, not surprisingly, brings poor baby Elisa sweet relief. Although completely hyperbolic, as an adult who has heard my share of screaming babies inside and outside the children’s library, the story also speaks to adults’ (mostly) stoic tolerance of the chaos that babies bring, whether they have gas or not. It just makes me laugh, for its absurdity, and its whimsical illustrations. Above all, I find joy in the way the narrative centres a single baby’s need for comfort over everyone else’s. 

Meena’s Saturday written by Kusum Mepani, illustrated by Yasmeen Ismail. Image courtesy of Penguin Randomhouse.

Annotation: Beginning at dawn, Indian-American Meena describes the elaborate and delicious preparations for her family’s Saturday gathering. But, while Meena, her mother, and sisters do the work, her brother lounges in bed reading, and this injustice is stated plainly: “It’s not fair.” At the same time, the energy and warmth of Meena’s loving extended family just bounces off the colourful pages. While she immensely enjoys the day, Meena explores her budding feminism and decides to make her first small protest at the end of the book. 

Why this book brings me joy: First, I just love the jaunty and colorful illustrations. I have long appreciated Ismail’s work in other picture books. But, I also love how Mepani subtly presents the tension surrounding the very unfair division of labour based on gender. The prose is never heavy handed, preachy, or didactic. Meena’s voice sounds totally believable as she begins to question the patriarchy in the midst of a day she revels in with the people she loves. The way this contradiction is handled is truly impressive. It gives me joy to think that kids who read this book might – like Meena – begin to question the way things work in the world and feel empowered to change them. 

The Man Who Didn’t Like Animals  written by Deborah Underwood, illustrated by LeUyen Pham. Image courtesy of Harper Collins.

Annotation: The story begins by introducing us to a man who loves his tidy home and does not like animals! No rationale is offered for his disdain of warm fuzzy creatures, however, one day a cat who seems to have not have received this memo simply takes up residence. The man’s protests eventually give way to acceptance, and soon other animals start arriving. Before long, the house is overrun with animals and the neighbours demand action. The man sends the animals away, only to realize his heart is broken without them. Suffice it to say, while entertaining throughout, the satisfying conclusion will resonate across generations of readers! 

Why this book brings me joy: Fuzzy cats, dogs, ducks, chickens, goats, pigs, & cows warm an old man’s heart and make him change his stodgy ways? Yes, please! Watch him crack under his cranky human neighbours’ peer pressure to send his new animal family away? Sure, I guess so, that’s really sad, but I just know he’s got to have something up his sleeve, right? It can’t end like that, can it? No, indeed it cannot, and for someone like me who has spent literally decades of my life singing a popular children’s song about farm animals and the sounds they make (hint, hint) this one is has it all. It’s kind of everything a joyful picture book should be. Enjoy! 

I will leave you with a quote that resonates with me and invite you to share more joyful picture books in the comments!

Joy also has a special relationship to consciousness and justice—for there is no joy without justice. (Vlach, Lentz, & Muhammad, 2023 p.122)

References: 

Nordström, A., Kumpulainen, K., & Rajala, A. (2024). Unfolding joy in young children’s literacy practices in a Finnish early years classroom. Journal of Early Childhood Literacy, 24(1), 3-19. https://doi.org/10.1177/14687984211038662Link

Vlach, S. K., Lentz, T. S., & Muhammad, G. E. (2023). Activating joy through culturally and historically responsive Read‐Alouds. The Reading Teacher, 77(1), 121-130. https://doi.org/10.1002/trtr.2203

I can’t wait to share Part 2 of my Joyful Picture Book series coming in May! 

This post is intended to address the following ALSC Competencies:  I: Commitment to client group; II: Reference and User Services; IV: Collection Knowledge and Management.  

Tess Prendergast worked as a children’s librarian for 23 years. She has a PhD in early literacy education and now teaches librarianship and children’s literature courses at The School of Information, University of British Columbia, in Vancouver, Canada. Tess is a ALSC Priority Group Consultant (for Group 6 Professional Development) and she has facilitated the annual ALSC Preschool Discussion since 2023. Tess served on the Geisel (2023) and Caldecott (2016) committees and is currently serving on the Children’s Literature Association 2026 Phoenix Picture Book Award Committee.