Best Kids’ Picture Books – The Baby Vine

Looking for the best picture books for kids? Reading with your kids has so many benefits and there is nothing like snuggling up to your little one with some good childrens books.

Here we have put together some of our favourite kids books, along with some brand new picture books for kids for 2023.

Childrens’ Picture Books

Do you have some avid readers in your home? Our kids love picture books so much, and often take themselves off to read throughout the day. A habit we encourage. ‘

As a lover of the words myself, we have far too many picture books to count. The way I see it, the more books you have in your house, the more chance your little ones will pick one up and start reading it.

Best Kids’ Picture Books

Here we take you through the top kids’ books. Happy reading!

1. Alfie the Kind

The perfect kids story book for this year! Meet Alfie, not the boldest canine around—he’s afraid of magpies, sea swimming, and anything with noisy wheels like skateboards and wheelbarrows! Yet, within Alfie lies an unexplored talent. Despite his fears, he adores his family and consistently seeks ways to bring them joy, from morning wake-up licks to sharing his cherished toy. It’s at the park where Alfie encounters a despondent little boy that he uncovers his true gift—his innate kindness.
Find it online here>>>>

2. Dolly Parton’s Billy The Kid Makes It Big

This is a great story book for kids from Dolly Parton about standing up to people.

Billy the Kid is a French Bulldog and was born with an ear for country music! So Billy sets out to Nashville to sing his heart out. Along the way he meets some bullies but with his favourite songs and some new friends he is able to regain his self confidence to become a star.
Find online here>>>

3. Bluey: Queens, A Mother’s Day Book by Bluey

Based on the hit ABC KIDS TV show this is such a fun picture book for toddlers and kids. Bluey and Bingo are playing Queens but they both want to be the butler. Find out who will have to wear the crown in the end! It is a gorgeous hardback book with lots of pictures perfect for Mother’s Day.
Find online here>>>

4. Parcel for Penguin by Shelley Knoll-Miller

Definitely one of our favourite picture books for young kids this year, Parcel for Penguin makes a great read with your pre-schoolers. What is in the parcel? Can you guess?

This picture book for kids is a guessing game where all of Penguins friends play a guessing game. Your little one will love to guess along with them too. There are lots of fantastic illustrations and easy to read large words. Solve the mystery, can you guess what’s inside the parcel for Penguin?
Find online here>>>>>

5. Fart’s Favourite Smells

A great new lift the flap picture book in 2023 by Zoe Foster Blake. Fart, the character from the bestselling No one Likes a Fart is ready to make some new toddler and baby friends with this fun lift-the-flap board book. Fart is looking for his favourite smells – so lift the flaps to discover what your favourite smell will be!
Find online here>>>

6. Koko and the Cocunut by Turia Pitt and Celestine Vaite

This fun picture book for kids is about a determined little crab who needs to face his fears with a big challenge. He must climb up the tree to get the coconut, can he do it with his friends cheering him on?

Written by the inspirational Turia Pitt who has overcome her own challenges in life, she joins her mother to tell the story while celebrating their Tahitian heritage.
Find it online here>>>>>

7. Parcel for Koala

This is a household favourite because we love koalas and it is a great Aussie picture books for kids. Koala and his friends are stuck in a tree with cockatoos. They are surprised by a parcel that arrives for koala and want to open it.

But what is in the parcel for Koala…?! The kids can guess along with koala and his friends

Guess along with Koala and mates in this playful Aussie tale. Will it be this…. will it be that…. read along to solve the mystery of what the parcel is for koala.
Find it online here>>>>

8. Dorothy by Jordan Collins

Another great picture book for kids for 2023 is the modern comparison to the Wizard of Oz, Dorothy. It is a lovely children’s story book that adults will love too.

Switching the red slippers for Doc Martens and clicking her toes together whispering “Where is my home”, this picture book explores where home could be. A person, a place, or being yourself. Kids will love the story and the illustrations that capture Dorothy’s journey of belonging, and feeling at home.
Find it online here>>>>

9. The Body Book by Hannah Alice

Ever wanted to look inside the human body? This is the perfect way to teach kids what’s going on inside their body, with see-through pages encouraging interaction throughout. It goes in-depth into the functions of bones, muscles, your blood and so much more, and is a book that will grow with your child over the years. A great learning aid!
Find it online here>>>

9. Sometimes Cake by Edwina Wyatt and Tamsin Ainslie

This is a beautiful story about two friends who are learning the joy of celebrating everyday. An important tale we can all enjoy during these testing times. Through innocent eyes we discover it’s important to enjoy things like Tuesdays, coconuts and oranges.
Find it online here>>>>

10. Making A Baby by Rachel Greener and Clare Owen

Wondering how to teach your child about where babies come from? Cassie is four and has already been asking me, and I have no way to explain it to her.

This book is amazing. It shows that all families start in their own special way and every family is amazing. It’s a very honest book with illustrations throughout (some naked). It shows what is needed to grow a baby (sperm and eggs) and explains the different ways this can happen.
Find it online here>>>>

11. There’s A Hippopotamus On Our Roof Eating Cake by Hazel Edwards & Deborah Niland 

Another classic picture book for kids that we love! The imaginary Hippo can do what he likes on the roof. In fact, he does all the things a little girl wishes she could, but is not allowed. It’s a very cute tale told from the eyes of a kid, who just wants to eat cake. My youngest resonates well with this one!
Find it online here>>>>>

12. Atlas Of Ocean Adventures by Lucy Letherland & Emily Hawkins

The gorgeous coffee table book will take your child on underwater adventures. Kids can dive deep into the world’s greatest oceans and discover all the life that lives in there. The pages are filled with stunning illustrations and 30 scenes for them to explore. It’s also full of fun facts to teach them plenty along the journey.
Find it online here>>>>>

13. The Colouring Competition by Heath McKenzie

It was the perfect day for colouring in . . . until Oscar noticed he had competition! Now both Oscar and Henry can’t stop colouring, and they have gone way outside the lines! This gorgeous picture book for kids starts off black and white as the pages fill up with colouring from the boys. My art loving daughter thought this book was fantastic, and it has a very simple message about friendship at the end.
Find it online here>>>>>

14. Finding Francois by Gus Gordon

This is a beautifully heartwarming book, all about friendships. It introduces important concepts to kids about loneliness and saying goodbye, with a nice and uplifting ending. Alice wishes she had someone her own size to talk to. Then one day her wish comes true. Through hope and chance, love and loss, two little ones who need each other find each other.
Find it online here>>>>

15.

If you’re after a bit of rhyming fun then this is it! Whitney and Britney are two gorgeous chooks, Fluffy and silky with stunning good looks. Dora is perplexed about where her chooks go each night. Little does she know, they are Whitney and Britney, Chicken Divas!

This catchy picture book for kids can be read over and over, with fun and upbeat illustrations to match. The kids love watching the chooks getting dressed up and sneaking out.
Find it online here>>>>>

16. I can be a Socceroo / I can be a Matilda by Penguin Random House Australia

With the popularity of soccer on the rise in Australia, and with the FIFA women’s world cup this year in Australia and New Zealand, it is no surprise that these make our list of the best picture books for kids. These great children’s books make the perfect gift for every soccer-loving parent and your young kids.
Find online here>>>

Kids Picture Books Australia

Hopefully this post on the best picture books for kids has given you some ideas of story books for your children.

We love checking out new picture books with our kids and recommending our favourites! We will keep adding to this list as we find new story books and picture books for kids throughout the year so keep checking in for more recommendations.

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Note: This post on top kids’ picture books contains affiliate links at no cost to you. I’ll only ever recommend things that I love and believe will help you.

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