Book picks similar to
Loving Hands by Tony Johnston


picture-books
picture-book
family
children-s-books

Baby Love


Angela DiTerlizzi - 2015
    With just the right balance of sweetness and humor, this is a soothing ode to all the wonderful bits and pieces that make up a cuddly, snuggly baby.

You're My Boo


Kate Dopirak - 2016
    But whether he gets along (or doesn’t) with his baby sibling, whether he is helpful (or not) to his family, or whether he behaves (or doesn’t) when it’s time to settle down, his Mama is always right there to reassure him that, “No matter what you do, you will always be my boo.”

Because I Am Your Daddy


Sherry North - 2010
    Because I Am Your Daddy is a great read-aloud book at storytime or a soothing book at bedtime, and an ideal gift for new fathers on Father’s Day.F&P level: K   Praise for Because I Am Your Daddy "Daddy/daughter bedtime reading doesn't get any cozier. The text is accompanied by Hall's fun and stylishly retro watercolors." -BookPage"This selection is a perfect Father's Day pick." -School Library Journal"Hall's airy, retro-flavored watercolors depict the father's artfully exaggerated roles. A stylish depiction of fatherly devotion." -Publishers Weekly"The loving bond between parent and child is at the core of the story, and the joy is as much in the hugs as in the imaginative play." -Booklist"Hall's simply gorgeous retro-styled watercolors depicting a dad with his dark-haired daughter and her dolly go to town with each premise--the image of the three of them surfing is nothing short of breathtaking in its jewel-toned splashy motion." -Kirkus reviewsAlso available by Sherry North and Marcellus HallPraise for Because You Are My Baby“Rhythms reminiscent of those in Margaret Wise Brown’s Runaway Bunny . . . The sentimental text is balanced by simple geometric shapes that evoke rockets, sea life, and airplanes adventuring happily together in uncluttered spreads.” —Booklist “Wry but always inviting images . . . lifts a familiar premise far above the ordinary.” —Publishers Weekly  Also available from Marcellus HallPraise for City I Love [STAR] “Many added layers of narrative delight as well as beautiful colors and an eye-catching sense of design . . . This book is really special, a global tour de force.” —School Library Journal, starred review [STAR] “Hall’s watercolor urban scenes capture the big city’s scale while depicting both its bustle and its quieter corners.” —Kirkus, starred reviewF&P level: Z

Dance Like a Leaf


A.J. Irving - 2020
    Poetic prose paired with evocative illustrations by Mexican illustrator Claudia Navarro make for a beautiful celebration of life and a gentle introduction to the death of a loved one.

When I Grow Up


Al Yankovic - 2010
     Billy's classmates may have never considered careers in snail training or sumo wrestling before, but by the time the exuberant eight-year-old is done cataloging his dream jobs, they just might share his belief in unlimited potential! Virtuoso wordplay, irresistible rhythm, and laugh-out-loud humor abound in the first picture book by the one and only "Weird Al" Yankovic. This unbridled celebration of creativity and possibility invites readers of all ages to consider afresh what they want to be when they grow up.

Dinosaur Parade


Shari Halpern - 2014
    Some dinosaurs are very small. Some dinosaurs walk on two legs, others on four. And some dinosaurs look sweet while others look scary.This colorful parade of dinosaurs is a visual feast for very young fans of prehistorical creatures. The simple text and bold illustrations are ideal for preschoolers who are fascinated with these magnificent animals.

Parts


Tedd Arnold - 1997
    The last straw is a loose tooth, which convinces him of the awful truth his parts are coming unglued!Parts deals with a subject of deepest interest to every young child: the stuff our bodies shed.

"Let's Get a Pup!" Said Kate


Bob Graham - 2001
    After her cat, Tiger, dies, Kate needs another companion to love, someone to keep her feet warm at night. "Let's get a pup!" she proclaims as she bounces in bed with Mom and Dad. The young parents are quite cool with the idea and scan the papers until they find a Rescue Center. There they find a wide assortment of pooches: "sniffers, sleepers...fighters and biters...happy dogs, sad dogs." And then they see Dave. Dave is perfect -- small, cute, and brand-new. Content to leave with the new member of the family, they spot another dog, Rosy, who is old and gray and can barely stand up. But, as Graham so beautifully states, "she radiated Good Intention." Now they want Rosy too, but they can't save every dog, right? So, they reluctantly leave. That night the family can barely sleep, and only due in part to Dave's crying. They know what they have to do -- they go to the shelter and get Rosy.Graham uses pen-and-ink and watercolor to reveal the close-knit and very hip family. With Mom's tattoo and nose ring, and Dad's ear-pierced, funky look, this parental duo reflects the times. And their house, filled with the tiny details that make up our lives, makes for cozy reading. Uneaten toast on the counter, with shoes and toys strewn on the floor, will be familiar to young readers who don't have Donna Reed as a mother. Graham's signature watercolors are a perfect match for this easygoing and loving group. The text also complements the pace of the story. When they see their new pup, the name "Dave" is in bold, and is the only word on the page. And when they leave Rosy behind, white space and a minimum of words convey their heartbreaking decision.With expert storytelling and humorously endearing illustrations, Graham once again creates a loving family with unconventional folks. Their love of pups, and each other, is sure to tug at the heartstrings of every young reader. (Amy Barkat)

Hello, Jimmy!


Anna Walker - 2021
    They have tacos and milkshakes, and make each other laugh. But lately Jack wonders if his dad is lonely when he isn’t there. Then Jimmy arrives. Jimmy is loud and obnoxious, but Dad thinks he’s clever and funny. Jack does not think he’s clever or funny. And he’s starting to wonder if Dad likes Jimmy better than he likes Jack. This beautifully written and illustrated book about the unconditional love a parent has for a child is both heartwarming and reassuring.

Dad's Camera


Ross Watkins - 2018
    But he doesn't take photos of the regular things people photograph. He takes pictures of his keys, his coffee cup, the objects scattered on his desk. He starts doing a lot of things that are hard to understand, like putting items that belong in the fridge in the cupboard and ones that belong in the cupboard in the fridge. In a sensitive, touching tale about losing a family member to a terminal illness, Ross Watkins and Liz Anelli prove that love is the one thing that can never be forgotten.

You Are New


Lucy Knisley - 2019
    From napping to crying, cuddling to playing, this book introduces the world with humor, honesty, and unmitigated sweetness. Award-winning author and artist Lucy Knisley celebrates the joys of having—and being!—a baby in this timeless celebration of new beginnings and the transformative power of love.

If You Were a Panda Bear


Wendell Minor - 2013
    If You Were a Panda Bear introduces different types of bears to young children. Through the poems in this charming storybook, kids will learn that pandas are shy and eat bamboo, black bears love to climb trees, and grizzly bears can be up to ten feet tall. A section at the back includes even more fun animal facts. The full-color illustrations are playful and bring the personality of each bear wonderfully to life.

Thank You, World


Alice B. McGinty - 2007
    Thank you, trees. Your branches are my playhouse. I?m climbing to the clouds!Eight very different kids, from eight different continents, all go about their day and experience the same moments of happiness: greeting the sun in the morning, swinging on a swing, flying a kite, being tucked in by Mommy at bedtime. Uplifting and visually rich, this book reminds us that the world isn?t as large as it seems, and that life?s greatest pleasures are the simple ones.

Little Tigers


Jo Weaver - 2019
    Together, they explore different homes, but the ones they find aren't suited for tigers. Some are too wet, some are too dry, and some are just downright unwelcoming. But with their mother's help, they may be able to find one that's just right.With gentle text and stunning monochromatic illustrations, Jo Weaver reveals the wonder of nature, the excitement of discovery, and the strength of familial bonds.

Knock Knock: My Dad's Dream for Me


Daniel Beaty - 2013
    Every morning, I play a game with my father.He goes knock knock on my door and I pretend to be asleep till he gets right next to the bed.And my papa, he tells me, "I love you."But what happens when, one day, that "knock knock" doesn't come? This powerful and inspiring book shows the love that an absent parent can leave behind, and the strength that children find in themselves as they grow up and follow their dreams.