It’s that time of year when the “Best of” lists are being published.  The following books received five stars from me on Goodreads, which isn’t easy to do.   I’ve read 499 picture books this year; most which were published this year.  Only fifteen received 5 stars.

The Whale in My Swimming Pool by Joyce Wan

Juneteenth for Mazie by Floyd Cooper

Home by Carson Ellis

If You Plant a Seed by Kadir Nelson

Simon’s New Bed by Christian Trimmer and illustrated by Melissa van der Paardt

Waiting by Kevin Henkes

Where’s Walrus?  And Penguin? by Stephen Savage

Lizard from the Park by Mark Pett

A Dog Wearing Shoes by Sangmi Ko

Everybody Sleeps (but not Fred) by Josh Schneider

How to Share With a Bear by Eric Pinder and illustrated by Stephanie Graegin

Last Stop on Market Street by  Matt de La Pena and illustrated by Christian Robinson

Beep, Beep, Go To Sleep by Todd Tarpley and illustrated by John Rocco

Look by Jeff Mack

Interstellar Cinderella by Deborah Underwood and illustrated by Meg Hunt