Best of 2019: Picture Books

We’re rounding up the Best Books of 2019 across all genres and categories – scroll down to see our favourite picture books!

The Return of Thelma the Unicorn

by Aaron Blabey

This is such an utterly delightful and moving sequel to Aaron Blabey’s beloved Thelma The Unicorn. Funny and touching, with a great message for kids, this is definitely one of my favourite picture books of 2019!

Buy it here

Macca’s Makeover

by Matt Cosgrove

Every new Macca book is such a treat, and Macca’s Makeover is especially charming and sweet! Macca think he needs a makeover to be cool, but what he learns is that he’s already perfect just the way he is!

Buy it here

The Tiny Star

by Mem Fox and Freya Blackwood (Illustrator)

This gorgeous picture book from the amazing combined talents of Mem Fox and Freya Blackwood begins with one of the best opening lines I have encountered in ages: “Once upon a time, although this happens all the time, a tiny star fell to earth …”

Buy it here

Pea and Nut

by Matt Stanton

This hilarious rhyming picture book is so much fun! Meet Pea and Nut, one of the best odd couples ever! Best friends and also best rivals, these two are perfect together in this wonderful first book of a new series from Matt Stanton.

Buy it here

Argh! There’s a Skeleton Inside You!

by Idan Ben-Barak and Julian Frost (Illustrator)

With its excellent title, quirky humour, original concept and striking illustrations, Argh! There’s a Skeleton Inside You! is undoubtedly one of the best picture books of the year. Wonderfully odd, this is a great interactive story that teaches kids while also entertaining them!

Buy it here

Bluey: The Beach

Everybody loves Bluey! This super cute and uplifting show has been embraced by parents and kids all over Australia, and now Bluey is available in books for the first time! Bluey: The Beach is an absolutely lovely board book, perfect for both fans of the show and newcomers alike.

Buy it here

The Fate of Fausto

by Oliver Jeffers

This absolutely breathtaking book from Oliver Jeffers is such a treasure! In fact, it might just be the most exquisite picture book of the year – a lush hardcover with a beautiful dust jacket and gorgeous marbled end papers. The striking illustrations and powerful writing combine to make a truly stunning painted fable.

Buy it here

Horatio Squeak

by Karen Foxlee and Evie Barrow (Illustrator)

Oh how I adore this ridiculously charming book! Karen Foxlee and Evie Barrow have created a something really special with Horatio Squeak. It feels like an instant classic, with its heartwarming story of one very brave little mouse attending a cat’s birthday party.

Buy it here

Llama Destroys the World

by Jonathan Stutzman and Heather Fox (Illustrator)

I dare anyone, child or adult, to read this book without laughing. Llama Destroys the World is a hilarious and brilliantly illustrated story about a llama who loves eating cake to such an epic degree that it may very well end up destroying the world!

Buy it here

Celeste the Giraffe Loves to Laugh

by Celeste Barber and Matt Cosgrove (Illustrator)

From the brilliant minds of Celeste Barber and Matt Cosgrove comes this funny and heartwarming tale of Celeste the Giraffe. Celeste worries that she doesn’t measure up to the other animals, and her journey to discover what makes her special is both laugh-out-loud funny and genuinely touching.

Buy it here

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About the Contributor

Sarah McDuling

Sarah McDuling is Booktopia's Category Manager for Children's and Young Adult Books. She has been in the bookselling game for almost a decade and a dedicated booklover since birth (potentially longer). At her happiest when reading a book, Sarah also enjoys talking/writing/tweeting about books. In her spare time, she often likes to buy a lot of books and take photographs of books. You can follow her on Twitter and Instragram @sarahmcduling

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