Children's book award · 1954–2021

The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award Books

The New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Books Award has been given since 1952, when The New York Times Book Review began naming the year's finest illustrated children's books. Since 2017 it has been presented jointly with the New York Public Library.

A panel of three judges is chosen fresh each year and asked to consider one thing: the art. Text is set aside entirely, which is why the list regularly includes books almost nobody else honored, and why it reads as a running history of what illustration has been capable of for seventy years.

Information from The New York Times.

The Little Wooden Robot and the Log Princess

Graphic Nov.

The most recent cycle

The 2021 The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award

2021 The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award Winner

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$1398

Picture Book · Ages 4–7 · 2021

¡Vamos! Let's Cross the Bridge

By Raúl the Third · ¡Vamos! series

Stuck in traffic, Little Lobo turns a bridge into a party.

The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award (2021)

48 pages

4.1/5 Goodreads · 510 ratings

$14.99Save 7%

Hardcover

Summary: Little Lobo and his dog Bernabé are on a mission to deliver party supplies across a bustling bridge. But when traffic grinds to a halt, they face an unexpected challenge. With friends like El Toro and La Oink Oink, they transform the delay into a vibrant celebration, uniting travelers from both sides. Will this impromptu fiesta bridge the gap between two worlds? Discover how a simple journey becomes an unforgettable community event.

2021 The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award Winner

Sale price

$1697

Picture Book · Ages 3–7 · 2018

The Night Walk

By Marie Dorleans

A family ventures into the night, discovering the wonders hidden in darkness.

The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award (2021)

32 pages

4.3/5 Goodreads · 762 ratings

$17.95Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: In the stillness of a summer night, a family embarks on a mysterious journey. Awakened by their mother, they step into a world transformed by shadows and scents. As they leave their sleeping village behind, the family wonders what secrets the night holds. This enchanting tale captures the thrill of adventure and the beauty of nature, inviting readers to explore the unknown and cherish the magic of family moments.

2021 The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award Winner

Sale price

$1697

Picture Book · Ages 8–12 · 2021

Unspeakable

By Carole Boston Weatherford, Floyd Cooper (Illustrator)

A thriving community faces devastation in a forgotten tragedy of racial violence.

The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award (2021)Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor (2021)Caldecott Honor (2022)Coretta Scott King Award (2022)Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Honor (2022)Jane Addams Children's Book Honor (2022)

32 pages· 859 words· Est. 7 min read-aloud

4.5/5 Goodreads · 4,326 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: In 1921, Tulsa's Greenwood District, a prosperous African American community, is shattered when a white mob attacks, leaving death and destruction in its wake. As the truth is buried for decades, this powerful narrative invites young readers to confront the past and envision a future of hope and justice. What will it take to heal and remember?

2021 The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award Winner

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$1797

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2021

The Little Wooden Robot and the Log Princess

By Tom Gauld

A wooden robot must rescue his enchanted sister before it's too late.

The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award (2021)

40 pages· 1,245 words· Est. 13 min read-aloud

5.0/7 Bookroo·4.3/5 Goodreads · 2,356 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: In a kingdom where wishes come true, a wooden robot and his enchanted log sister are inseparable. But when she is mistaken for lumber and taken away, the robot embarks on a daring quest to find her. Facing magical challenges like the Queen of Mushrooms and a magic pudding, he must navigate a world of wonder and danger. Will he succeed in bringing his sister back home, or will they be lost to the unknown forever? Join this heartwarming adventure of sibling love and bravery.

2021 The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award Winner

Sale price

$1797

Picture Book · Ages 5–8 · 2021

On the Other Side of the Forest

By Nadine Robert

A rabbit and his father build a tower to uncover forest secrets. What will they find?

The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award (2021)

72 pages

4.0/5 Goodreads · 380 ratings

$18.95Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Arthur, a curious young rabbit, and his father embark on a daring quest to discover what's beyond the mysterious forest near their home. Rumors of wolves and ogres keep everyone away, but Arthur's dad has a bold plan: build a towering structure to see over the treetops. As they rally the villagers to join their ambitious project, the community learns the power of teamwork. But as the tower rises, what hidden wonders or dangers will they unveil on the other side? Dive into this enchanting tale of adventure and cooperation.

2021 The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award Winner

Sale price

$1797

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2021

I Am the Subway

By Kim Hyo-eun, Deborah Smith (Translator)

Discover the hidden stories of lives intertwined on the Seoul subway.

The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award (2021)

52 pages

4.2/5 Goodreads · 761 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Embark on a poetic journey through the Seoul subway, where each passenger carries a unique story. From sunrise to sunset, the train embraces their joys, fears, and dreams. As the subway rumbles through the city, it reveals the shared humanity of its travelers. What tales unfold in the heart of this bustling metropolis? Dive into a world where every ride is an extraordinary exploration of life.

2021 The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award Winner

Sale price

$1797

Picture Book · Ages 3–7 · 2021

Time Is a Flower

By Julie Morstad

Discover time's mysteries through a child's eyes.

The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award (2021)

56 pages· 327 words· Est. 3 min read-aloud

4.3/5 Goodreads · 622 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Through a child's eyes, time transforms from ticking clocks to blooming flowers and fading sunsets. Explore its mysteries as moments stretch and shrink, revealing the wonders of our world anew.

2021 The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award Winner

Sale price

$1697

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2021

It Fell from the Sky

By Terry Fan (Author/Illustrator), Eric Fan (Author/Illustrator)

A mysterious object falls from the sky and changes the lives of the garden's inhabitants.

The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award (2021)

48 pages· 565 words· Est. 5 min read-aloud

4.8/7 Bookroo·4.2/5 Goodreads · 2,128 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: When a mysterious object falls from the sky, Spider claims it as his own, creating a spectacle for all insects to see. Charging a fee, he draws crowds, but as lines grow and the wonder fades from view, Spider risks losing his friends. What happens when the allure vanishes and the visitors stop coming? Discover the balance between wonder and greed in this enchanting tale of community and giving back.

2021 The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award Winner

Sale price

$1697

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2021

Keeping the City Going

By Brian Floca

Discover the unseen heroes who keep the city alive during quarantine.

The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award (2021)

40 pages· 631 words· Est. 5 min read-aloud

3.8/5 Goodreads · 1,138 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: In a city transformed by quarantine, the streets are eerily quiet. Yet, essential workers tirelessly ensure safety, health, and supplies. This beautifully illustrated tribute captures their vital role, inviting readers to appreciate those who keep life moving while we stay home.

Every year