I can’t believe 2023 is about to end, and a new year will soon begin. There have been so many incredible titles published this year~ titles that I haven’t even been able to read yet and books that I loved but didn’t get the chance to review. But from the many books that I did get to read this year in 2023, I was *somehow* able to select my top 23 favorites and am thrilled to share this special selection that stood out to me.

Making this list was NOT easy ~ in fact, it was very difficult and I went through several revisions to narrow down mai top 23 list to just 23 books (Mai initial list had over 50 titles!). I scoured all of mai posts, reels, book lists, and reviews from 2023 ~ all to find the twenty-three books that stood out the most to me.

What did I consider when making these selections? First, diverse representation is of utmost importance to me. As an Asian American, mai choices include many books with Asian representation as that is meaningful to me, and therefore the book made a greater impression. But I also consider theme – what the message of the story is and what lesson or validation it may share with a child, and inclusivity – whose story is being told and how it is adding to the representation of all littles. Additionally, of course I look at the illustrations too. All of these books are beautifully illustrated, and a few of them even made it on to this list mainly for their stunning visuals.

Below, you will find descriptions and links to mai Top 23 books of 2023 ( in no particular order). I’d love to know what book made your own top 23 book lists, and I’m curious if any of our selections will overlap! Please leave a comment to share your own choices or thoughts!

CLICK HERE for the FULL TOP 23 LIST of books, or click on individual titles below.

1. Remember by Joy Harjo, Illustrated by Micheala Goade // Gorgeous illustrations alert + Indigenous representation. Michaela Goade is a brilliant illustrator and the artwork truly encapsulates the wonders of the world. This book is a picture book adaptation of the renowned poem by Joy Harjo that urges readers to reflect on who they are, and to honor the world and all of its inhabitants.

2. Crowned: Magical Folk and Fairy Tales from the Diaspora by Kahran & Regis Bethencourt // This is mai new favorite collection of fairytales. It anthalogy is divided into 3 sections: Classic Fairytales Reimagined, African and African American Folktales, and New Classics: Our Stories. These stories feature Black protagonists, and are accompanied by the most STUNNING photography that captures the beauty, innocence, and magic of black children dressed in fairytale costumes. An empowering collection!

3. One Day by Joanna Ho // This book warms mai heart and I read it to mai own son at least once a week! It is the sweetest, most tender, message to your little one that shares your hopes and dreams for them to be courageous and kind, powerful and curious, and to blaze their own trail. The story features a son, and also encourages them to express their emotions and keep their heart open and vulnerable. The lyrical narrative is affirming and enchanting, and the illustrations are cozy and soft.

4. My Grandfather’s Song by Phung Nguyen Quang & Huynh Kim Lien // I think this book wins for mai favorite illustrations of the year. (Plus, Vietnamese representation!) This author and illustrator duo creates the most magical scenes, and this is their second book that takes place in Vietnam. It’s a beautiful story about a family’s connection to the land: how the grandfather came to South Vietnam and worked with nature to create a home.

5. Homeland: My Father Dreams of Palestine by Hannah Moushabeck // This book depicts the refugee and immigrant experience beautifully~ anyone who has had to leave their homeland behind will appreciate this story of staying connected to your roots through memories and stories. Three young girls feel a love for their homeland, a place they’ve never been and a home they cannot visit, through their father’s memories of the Old City of Jerusalem.

6. Maribel’s Year by Michelle Sterling // Michelle Sterling has the most evocative prose. Every stanza is filled with sensory details, and Sarah Gonzales has created illustrated scenes that glow warmly with love. In this book, we join Maribel through a year in a new country while she eagerly awaits for her father to come from the Phillipines and reunite with them in their new home. Each month brings new experiences, new friends, and new memories to share with her father once he arrives.

7. My Powerful Hair by Carole Lindstrom, Illustrated by Steph Littlebird // I love intergenerational stories, and this is an empowering *Indigenous* story about reclaiming your history, connecting with your ancestors, and honoring the Earth. A young girl cannot wait to grow her hair long, something the women in her family before her were unable to do: Her mother was told long hair was too wild, her Grandma’s hair was taken from her. The young girl is determined to grow her hair to honor the resilience of the women who came before her, and to strengthen her connection to her culture.

8. Dancing Hands by Joanna Que & Charima Marquez, Illustrated by Fran Alvarez // *Deaf/ Hearing/ Speech Impairment* representation + Sign Language + Filipina representation. This picture book features Filipino Sign Language. It is a thoughtful story of friendship and overcoming language barriers. Sam’s new neighbor, Mai, makes movements with her hands that Sam doesn’t recognize. When they meet, Mai teachers Sam some Filipino Sign Language, and together they discover the joy of making a new friend. Backmatter includes information about sign languages around the world.

9. Tokyo Night Parade by J.P. Takahashi, Illustrated by Minako Tomigahara // This picture book *glows*! The illustrations exude light, delight, and pure magic! In the story, a young girl returns to Japan for the summer for her favorite evening of the year, the Japanese Night Parade of One Hundred Demons: when the humans world and the spirit world overlap. Not only do readers discover the supernatural world and cultural traditions of this special night in Japan, but this book is also about the loss and sadness immigrants experience when they move away from family and their home. The young girl knows their new home in New York is expensive and Japan is too far away to keep visiting, so she worries that this could be her last parade and perhaps the last time seeing her grandpa. But for this one night  she puts her worries behind her and celebrates with her whole heart.

10. The Wilderness by Steve McCarthy // This is the most imaginative book I read this year! First, I love the large family (12 kids! All named after months of the year). It also features a mixed race family, and the different illustration layouts are entertaining with plenty of fun details to discover with each re-reading. Oktober is scared of the *Wilderness* and hates adventures, until one day he gets lost in the Wild, meets *The Wilderness*, and realized the wilderness isn’t so bad after all.

11. The Truth About Dragons by Julie Leung, Illustrated by Hanna Cha // This is a gorgeous story about navigating biracial identity. A young boy learns about Eastern and Western dragons from his European and Asian grandmas from both sides of the family. The book shows how Eastern and Western mythologies can coexist and enrich each other, and the boy learns that the dragons may be different, but they are both equally as enchanting.

12. Our Pool by Lucy Ruth Cummins // I had to add this one to the list because of LOVE to swim, and this one perfectly and completely encapsulates the pure joy of a day at the *community pool*! Every type of swimmer is represented, and readers will literally feel like they are splashing and diving under the beating sun right along with the characters. Kids will be begging for a pool day after this one, and you’ll be thrilled to take them!

13. B is for Bellies by Rennie Dyball, Illustrated by Mia Saine // An inclusive body book that affirms all body types! I had to include this one, because modeling for *all* children to be proud of and happy with their body is so important.* This ABC body book book features different body shapes and sizes from A-Z and I love the inclusivity and diversity.

14. Salat in Secret by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow, Illustrated by Hatem Aly // This is a story about being proud of your religion, and feeling safe and confident to practice your faith. A young boy is worried about praying at school, especially after seeing his father targeted in public when worshipping. However, his faith is important to him, and he becomes empowered to find a way to worship at school.

15. Quiet Time with My Seeya by Dinalie Dabarera // This is the first picture book I’ve read, and that I know of, with Sinhalese representation. This intergenerational story features a young girl and grandpa who cross a language barrier to spend the day together playing and adventuring. It shows readers that unconditional love transcends all langauges.

16. Wallflowers by Mackenzie Joy // This one is for all the introverts! It’s a story that *celebrates* shyness, rather than suggesting that children need to overcome their shy nature to be more outspoken and loud. I love how it turns the tables~ that instead of shy children needing to speak up, perhaps loud people need to be more quiet and listen.

17. Manolo and the Unicorn by Jackie Azua Kramer & Jonah Kramer, Illustrated by Zach Manbeck // This story is pure whimsical magic! First, I love the color scheme and lush illustrations full of enchantment. Manolo believes in unicorns and wants to dress up as a unicorn for the Wild Animal Parade. However, his classmates tease him saying there’s no such thing as a unicorn~ and Manolo almost starts to believe them until he meets a unicorn in real life and learns that life truly is extraordinary!

18. The Noise Inside Boys by Pete Oswald // This book busts the gender stereotype that Boys are Tough and Boys Don’t Cry – by instead encouraging boys to express their emotions. A younger brother tries to push his overhelmg feelings away after his two older brothers destroy his sandcastle… . However, instead of his dad telling him to toughen up, his dad helps him name his emotions, encouraging him to share and express  them,!a nd ultimtely to understand  and embrace his Big Feelings. Because your feelings are yours – and each one Is ok. AND IT even includes a picture chart at the end to help you identify feelings 

19. Ode to a Bad Day by Chelsea Lin Wallace, Illustrated by Hyewon Yum // Everyone has a bad day every once in awhile, so this book is for *Everyone* of all ages! When your little is feeling hopeless, and everything seems to be going wrong, this story encourages to embrace the bad day, feel all of their feelings, and remember that there is always a new day to look forward to – Tomorrow!

20. You Will Do Great Things by Amerie, Illustrated by Raissa Figueroa // If you are looking for an alternative to “Oh the Places You’ll Go,” this is the perfect inspiring book! I also appreciate that it features a mixed race family. This book is an ode to all of the possibilities and hopes and dreams that we have for our littles. It is a vibrant celebration of all our little one will one day set out to do, and a reminder that we will always have loved ones cheering us on in our hearts through every accomplishment and milestone. This book has become one of my favorite baby shower gifts.

21. Patchwork Prince by Baptiste Paul, Illustrated by Kitt Thomas // This is a touching story about how a mother who lives in poverty creates a magical childhood for her little boy. Together they pluck beautiful fabrics tossed in a scrap heap, and the mama hand sews them into a patchwork cape worthy of a prince! This book features an income insecure family, but shows how resilient they are, and are able to find joy and wonder no matter their circumstance.

22. Come Over to My House by Eliza Hull & Sally Rippin, Illustrated by Daniel Gray-Barnett // I love the inclusive representation in this book. The story features a cast of children inviting friends over for a playdate. Each house that we are welcomed into features a child and/or parent with different disabilities such as deafness, blindness, dwarfism, autism, and more.

Happy reading~ and here’s to eagerly anticipating the new releases of 2024!

*~Also, I’d love to  see and hear about your own reading adventures you are having with your little learners, so please share your story times below in the comments ~ Or Tag me on Instagram @MaiStoryBookLibrary , FaceBook , find me on TikTok, or contact me via email . I’d love to hear from you!~