On the Shelf: These new books will captivate young readers with engaging illustrations

Chris Worthy
·2 min read

Sometimes, a picture really is worth a thousand words. These new books feature engaging illustrations that captivate readers of all ages.

“Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes” illustrated by Nicola Slater
“Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes” illustrated by Nicola Slater

“Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes” illustrated by Nicola Slater (Chronicle Books, ages birth – 3)

Grow little readers by singing along with the bright, fun animals in this board book. Repetition is the name of the game with this one. Enjoy!

“CoComelon: Sweet, Sweet Bedtime” adapted by May Nakamura (Simon Spotlight, ages birth – preschool)
“CoComelon: Sweet, Sweet Bedtime” adapted by May Nakamura (Simon Spotlight, ages birth – preschool)

“CoComelon: Sweet, Sweet Bedtime” adapted by May Nakamura (Simon Spotlight, ages birth – preschool)

Yes, CoComelon is still the top kids’ show on YouTube with over 100 million subscribers) and No. 1 show on Netflix. But if you want to take a break from screen time, little eyes can still delight in the big eyes and sweet smile of their favorite on-screen buddy. This board book has sensory elements, too, like a fuzzy teddy bear and soft pajamas.

“Book of Dinosaurs” by Gabrielle Balkan, illustrated by Sam Brewster (Phaidon, ages 5 – 8)
“Book of Dinosaurs” by Gabrielle Balkan, illustrated by Sam Brewster (Phaidon, ages 5 – 8)

“Book of Dinosaurs” by Gabrielle Balkan, illustrated by Sam Brewster (Phaidon, ages 5 – 8)

Do you know which dinosaur was the fastest swimmer? Which one had the strongest bite? Once your young paleontologist gets ahold of this book, you will learn a wealth of dinosaur facts. The illustrations here start with a skeleton and then feature the animal as it might have lived. It’s a beautiful take on a subject that is always a kid favorite.

“Fantastic Fruits” by Olaf Hajek (Prestel, ages 6 – 9)
“Fantastic Fruits” by Olaf Hajek (Prestel, ages 6 – 9)

“Fantastic Fruits” by Olaf Hajek (Prestel, ages 6 – 9)

Every page of this book is worthy of a frame, as is true with each one in this series. Kids will have more facts about their favorite fruits than they could have ever dreamed, with fanciful illustrations that can prove to be the starting point for a summer full of make believe.

“What a Shell Can Tell” by Helen Scales, illustration by Sonia Pulido (Phaidon, ages 6 – 9)
“What a Shell Can Tell” by Helen Scales, illustration by Sonia Pulido (Phaidon, ages 6 – 9)

“What a Shell Can Tell” by Helen Scales, illustration by Sonia Pulido (Phaidon, ages 6 – 9)

If you are headed to the beach this summer, get little shell seekers ready with this gorgeous book that is filled to the brim with facts about seashell and their inhabitants. You might come home from vacation with an aspiring marine biologist.

“All Around Bustletown: Nighttime” by Rotraut Susanne Berner (Prestel, ages 2 – 5)
“All Around Bustletown: Nighttime” by Rotraut Susanne Berner (Prestel, ages 2 – 5)

“All Around Bustletown: Nighttime” by Rotraut Susanne Berner (Prestel, ages 2 – 5)

Bustletown is back – the familiar, oversized board books of this series are a delight that can last from toddlers to adults, if we’re being honest. This one features what happens all around town after the sun sets, with a new detail to find every time it is read.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: On the Shelf: These new books will captivate young readers