5 Picture Books with Stunning Illustrations

Picture books have always been a fantastic, engaging way to tell stories. Here are a few of our favourites, old and new, that feature particularly stunning illustrations – perfect to engage kids and caregivers alike during reading time!

My Strange Shrinking Parents by Zeno Sworder

One boy’s parents travel from far-off lands to improve their son’s life. But what happens next is unexpected. What does it mean when your parents are different? What shape does love take? In this heartbreaking and heart-warming story, CBCA award-winner Zeno Sworder reflects on his own migrant parents’ sacrifices to create a universal story about what it means to give to those you love.

Ages 4+

Buy a copy of My Strange Shrinking Parents here. 

Giinagay Gaagal, Hello Ocean by Melissa Greenwood

An ode to happy days spent by the ocean, from Gumbaynggirr artist Melissa Greenwood, the creator of the heart-stirring picture books Miimi Marraal, Mother Earth and My Little Barlaagany.

Ages 0+

Buy a copy of Giinagay Gaagal, Hello Ocean here.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

The Very Hungry Caterpillar has been enchanting generations of toddlers for over forty years. Now you can share this enduring story in a brand new big board book format, perfect for the home, library or nursery classroom.

Ages 0+

Buy a copy of The Very Hungry Caterpillar here.

Where The Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

Sendak’s much-loved favourite, a best-seller and an acknowledged classic of twentieth-century children’s picture books. Max tames the wild things and crowns himself as their king, and then the wild rumpus begins! But when Max has sent the monsters to bed, and everything is quiet, he starts to feel lonely and realises it is time to sail home to the place where someone loves him best of all.

Ages 3+

Buy a copy of Where the Wild Things Are here.

Where the Forest Meets the Sea by Jeannie Baker

A boy and his father travel in their boat, ‘Time Machine’ to a stretch of beach beside a primordial tropical rainforest. As the boy walks among the trees he imagines the forest as it might have been in the past. This book is perfect to use in the classroom for discussing Australian conservation and environment issues or to use as part of the visual literacy component.

Ages 5+

Buy a copy of Where Forest Meets the Sea here.