Before we ring in 2025, here is a tribute to some of the best picture books I’ve read in 2024! There have been so many incredible titles published this year~ including books that I haven’t even been able to read yet, and stories 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 2024, I was *somehow* able to select my top 24 favorites and am thrilled to share this special selection with all of you!

Making this list was NOT easy ~ in fact, it was very difficult and I went through several revisions to narrow down my top 24 list to just 24 books (The initial list had over double as many titles!) I scoured all of my posts, reels, book lists, and reviews from 2024 ~ all to find the twenty-four 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, my 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 (You will find the majority of these titles include meaningful SEL themes). Inclusivity, particularly representation of neurodivergence, was also particularly important to me this year, so several titles also feature different disabilities and neurotypes. 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 my Top 24 books of 2024 ( in no particular order). I’d love to know what book made your own top 24 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 24 LIST of books, or click on individual titles below.

1. Home in a Lunchbox by Cherry Mo // Jun struggles to adjust to her new life after moving from Hong Kong to America. With limited English, her new school feels isolating and overwhelming. However, when she opens her lunchbox to find comforting meals from home—like bao, dumplings, and bok choy—Jun begins to see that home and belonging are not as distant as they seem. The story beautifully captures the emotional journey of a young immigrant finding her place in a new world, and the illustrations are absolutely gorgeous.

2. Between Words: A Friendship Tale by Saki Tanaka // Kai and his father move from place to place, following the changing seasons. Each new location feels foreign, with people speaking languages Kai doesn’t understand. When they finally settle in a valley filled with pools, Kai is eager to make friends, but his words feel strange to the local children, and they shy away. Frustrated, he kicks his most treasured stone into one of the pools, only to discover something far more valuable during his search. This one also has the most dreamy illustrations!

3. A Song for Nolan by Rushie Ellenwood // Nolan is thrilled to be invited to a birthday party at the roller rink, where they can show off their sparkling outfit and enjoy a day of skating with friends. But when the DJ announces a “boys skate” followed by a “girls skate,” Nolan feels excluded, as neither category fits. With courage and a strong sense of self, Nolan confidently requests a song for everyone to skate together. This uplifting and joyful picture book celebrates nonbinary children and their right to be seen and included.

4. Next Level: A Hymn in Gratitude for Neurodiversity by Samara Cole Doyon // This book is aa heartfelt and powerful love letter from a mother to her son with autism. Through her perspective, the book beautifully reveals the full humanity of individuals who move through the world and communicate in their own unique, complete, and powerful ways. The mother invites readers to “level up” and see beyond societal expectations, embracing a deeper understanding of shared humanity. I love how this one celebrates the the richness of neurodiversity.

5. Flap Your Hands: A Celebration of Stimming by Steve Asbell // This one is a joyful celebration of neurodivergence and the powerful role that stimming plays in self-regulation. When four neurodivergent children face moments of stress, they each turn to their unique body movements—called stims—to help calm their emotions.As the children engage in their stims, saying fun words and flapping their hands, their actions build in energy and joy, ultimately helping them return to a place of inner calm. The book beautifully celebrates stimming as a natural and joyful way for individuals to connect with their own emotions, fostering a sense of self-awareness and comfort.

6. Monster Hands by Karen Kane & Jonaz McMillan // When Milo becomes convinced there’s a monster under his bed, his best friend Mel knows exactly how to help. Together, they use rhyming American Sign Language (ASL) to create shadow puppets on the wall, making monster hands that roar, chomp, and even laugh to scare the creature away. This is an empowering story for children learning to face their own fears, and I appreciate how the illustrations incorporate the ASL.

7. Stay Angry, Little Girl by Madeleine L’Engle // Empower your girls with this picture book! Inspired by The Wrinkle in Time, the text encourages girls to embrace their full range of emotions and traits, and celebrates the power of being brave, sensitive, stubborn, curious, loud, kind, and playful, even in the face of resistance. The book reminds girls that their unique qualities can help them build strength and stay true to themselves, no matter the challenges they face.

8. Someone Just Like You by Helen Docherty // This is one of the most inclusive books I’ve read this year that models kindness and empathy. hrough lyrical, rhyming text and stunning illustrations, the book highlights the idea that somewhere in the world, there is someone just like you—someone who laughs the way you do and finds joy in the same things. It gently encourages kids to recognize that despite our differences, we have more in common than we think, and that kindness is always within reach, no matter how small you are.

9. The Boy Who Said Wow by Todd Boss // Inspired by the true story of a nonspeaking boy who finds his voice through the power of music, this book is a testament to the transformative power of art. When Grandfather takes his grandson to his very first concert, the boy is silent throughout the entire experience. But as the music fades and the performance ends, the young child suddenly opens his mouth and lets out his very first: WOW! That simple but powerful expression of awe touches the hearts of his family, the musicians, and the audience, and when the moment goes viral, it spreads joy to the world.

10. Cookie Time by Jessie Sima // This is my top favorite book of the year on the topic of patience. Kat and Ari love their special tradition of baking cookies with Grandpa. Eager to skip the waiting, they build a time machine to jump ahead to when the cookies are ready—but they overshoot, landing in the past and future where they encounter dinosaurs, robots, and even past versions of themselves. As they race to return to Grandpa, they realize the best part of cookie time might just be the waiting, after all. Highly recommend you read this one with a plate of cookies!

11. Once Upon a Friend by Dan Gemeinhart // This one stood out initially for its darling illustrations, but the storyline is also so heartwarming! The book celebrates the lasting bond between a young reader and their favorite fictional character, Meego. Together, they embark on exciting adventures, from exploring shadowy caves to navigating life’s big milestones like the first day of school. Through every season and chapter, the story reminds us that the friends and memories we create in stories stay with us forever, no matter where life takes us. Features a nonbinary character.

12. All Food is Good Food by Molli Jackson Ehlert // Read this one to help negate diet culture! The book is a vibrant and inclusive celebration of the many kinds of food that bring joy and nourishment. From noodles and dim sum to pizza and pancakes, the book highlights the variety of flavors and dishes that make up the rich tapestry of our culinary world. It encourages readers to embrace all types of food, reminding them that whatever fuels and excites you is what’s right for you. There’s no such thing as a “bad” food.

13. Aloha Everything by Kaylin Melia George // This is the most stunning Native Hawaiian picture book I’ve read with the most breathtaking hand-painted illustrations! The story follows a brave young girl named Ano embarks on an adventure that helps her discover the deep connection between herself and her Hawaiian island home. As she learns the art of hula, a storytelling dance that carries the rich history and folklore of her people, Ano comes to understand the true meaning of aloha—love, respect, and belonging.

14. Tala Learns to Siva by Kealani Netane // This one is the first picture book I’ve read with Samoan representation, and it’s illustrated by one of my favorite illustrators (i.e. it’s gorgeous!)! Young Tala dreams of dancing the traditional Samoan dance, the taualuga, just like her Aunty Sina, but struggles with her stiff arms and bouncy legs. When it’s time for Tala to perform at her Grandma’s birthday, she freezes on stage, unsure of her ability. With the love and guidance of her family, Tala discovers her inner strength and finds the courage to dance, realizing that her unique style is just as special as Aunty Sina’s.

15. My Mother’s Tongues by Uma Menon // I love that this one celebrates multilingualism and frames it as a superpower! Through the eyes of young Sumi, the story explores how her mother seamlessly switches between Malayalam and English, a skill that seems like a superpower. As Sumi reflects on her mother’s migration from India and her journey to embrace two languages, the book highlights the lasting benefits of speaking multiple tongues, while also touching on themes of linguistic diversity and accent discrimination.

16. My Mama is a Work of Art by Hana Acabado // Celebrate tattooed moms! I featured this one earlier this year in a solo carousel post- and it was one of my most popular posts of the year! A young boy learns to appreciate the beauty of difference when he sees the world through the eyes of his creative mother, whose tattoos cover her from head to toe. As he begins to understand that beauty is subjective, he comes to value the unique story his mother’s tattoos tell. This one is perfect for celebrating individuality!

17. Seoul Food by Erin Danielle Russell // I’m always on the lookout for books featuring mixed-race children and families, and this was definitely a favorite of the year! Hana is determined to cook a special dinner for her four grandparents, but struggles to find the perfect dish. Drawing on fond memories of cooking with her grandparents in the South and Seoul, Hana combines the best flavors of both cultures to create a delicious, unique meal. This heartwarming story celebrates the richness of cultural heritage, family traditions, and the joy of cooking from the heart.

18. My Lost Freedom: A Japanese American World War II Story by George Takei // An important, yet difficult, history to share with littles. This picture book will help you start the conversation on Japanese internment. It’s a true story about the author’s own experience at an internment camp when he was a child.

19. Beach Hair by Ashley Woodfolk // This is another one that features a mixed race family, but cultural and racial identity is not the main focus. It was my favorite summer read of the year, but can be enjoyed year round! This story is a joyful celebration of the freedom and fun of a day at the beach, where everyone’s hair—twisty, twirly, glossy, or barely there—runs wild in the ocean breeze. The story highlights the sense of belonging and happiness that comes from embracing individuality and letting go, just like the carefree waves of the sea.

20. At the End of the Day by Lisl H. Detlefsen // Another mixed race family! And this one also features a father solo-parenting while the mother is away on deployment (typically you see the reverse roles so appreciate this representation). The story is a gentle reminder that even after a busy, sometimes difficult day, with patience, the end of the day can transform into a time of warmth, gratitude, and excitement, filled with reasons to appreciate today and look forward to tomorrow.

21. How We Share Cake by Kim Hyo-eun // This is my favorite book of the year on the topic of sharing ~ very relatable and very clever! The book features a humorous look at the challenges of fairness and sharing in a family with five siblings. The children are meticulous about measuring everything precisely to ensure no one feels left out. This playful story captures the lively and relatable dynamics of family life, showing the joy and frustration that comes with trying to get your rightful share.

22. Being Home by Traci Sorell // A beautiful story featuring Indigenous representation. Follow a young Cherokee girl as she prepares for a big move, saying goodbye to the house and city she’s always known to move back to her ancestral land on the reservation. As she journeys with her mother, she draws the changing landscape outside the car window, eagerly anticipating the new home and the reunion with family.

Happy reading~ and here’s to eagerly anticipating the new releases of 2025!

*~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!~