30 Beautiful Children’s Books with Stunning Illustrations

One of my first tips for choosing picture books that kids will fall in love with has always been – choose books with captivating illustrations. It is no surprise that the pictures inform your child’s first impression of a book, so choosing books with wonderful illustrations is a perfect place to start, which led me to compile this list of thirty truly beautiful children’s books.

Illustrations inspire a child’s imagination, and in picture books the illustrations really do contribute as much as the story shared. This collection of books includes illustrations that truly are works of art, representing a range of artistic mediums and styles. They are also a fabulous reminder that picture books are not just for tiny tots, in fact many of these stories are more suited to children in the early and even middle years of primary/elementary school. 

Beautiful children's books with stunning illustrations

30 Beautiful Children’s Books with Stunning Illustrations

For more information about the titles listed below, each is linked to an online bookstore page where you can find reviews and age recommendations for titles you are unfamiliar with (these are affiliate links).

Change Sings: A Children’s Anthem by Amanda Gorman. Illustrated by Loren Long Change Sings:Beautiful Children's Books
A celebrated poet and fabulous illustrator pair up in this lyrical celebration of change, reminding children that they have the power to make a difference in the world.
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository
The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson. Illustrated by Rafael Lopez The Day You Begin
“There will be times when you walk into a room and no one there is quite like you.” This award winning affirming book is about the many reasons you might feel different, starting in a new place when you know no one, and so much more. A beautiful, evocative picture book for kids right up into middle elementary/primary grades.
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository
Florette by Anna Walker Florette
When Mae’s family move to a big city, all Mae wants to do is bring her garden with her but there is no room for a garden at their new home. Mae feels lonely and sad – until she discovers a beautiful place full of green in the middle of Paris, and she discovers there is something truly beautiful that will make her feel much more at home.
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository
Happy: A Children’s Book of Mindfulness by Nicola Edwards. Illustrated by Katie Hickey Happy: A Children's Book of Mindfulness
This poetic introduction to taking time to be present, slowing down to appreciate moments of happiness, offers a soothing introduction to mindfulness and emotions.
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository
We Are Together by Britta Teckentrup We Are Together
Each of us is wonderful and special on our own but when we team up with other we can make truly amazing things happen. Beautiful illustrations and clever diecut pages combine with this wonderful message to make a truly engaging picture book.
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository
How to Catch A Star by Oliver Jeffers How to Catch a Star
We haven’t found an Oliver Jeffers book that hasn’t instantly become a firm favourite but I particularly love the illustrations in How to Catch a Star.
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository
Kissed by the Moon by Alison Lester Kissed by the Moon
A beautiful, calming lyrical tale that is sure to become a beloved bedtime pick with toddlers and preschoolers.
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository

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Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett. Illustrated by Jon Klassen Extra Yarn
The clever combination of black and white and colour illustrations is integral to this lovely story of kindness and generosity.
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository
Mirror by Jeannie Baker Mirror: Beautiful Books for Kids
All of Jeannie Baker’s books featuring collage illustrations are spectacular. I love that Mirror compares the lives and stories of two families who live worlds apart.
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository
Animalia by Graeme Base Animalia
This is an alphabet book like no other, Graeme Base is such a master of fascinating, detailed illustrations that we created a whole post about his stunning books – Graeme Base Author Study.
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository
For more fabulous books by Australian authors like Graeme Base, check out our 50 Best Australian Picture Books and 35 Books About Australian Animals booklists.
The Lion and the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney The Lion and the Mouse
Aesop’s classic fable retold through stunning illustrations, this award-winning, wordless picture book is clever and captivating.
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository
Owl Moon by Jane Yolen. Illustrated by John Schoenherr Owl Moon
A girl and her father head out on a nighttime adventure to go owling. The beautiful watercolour illustrations in Owl Moon are .
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository
Iggy Pack, Architect by Andrea Beaty. Illustrations by David Roberts Iggy Peck Architect
Iggy has one passion – building – but when his second grade teacher dislikes architecture, what is Iggy to do – clever, humorous, spectacular!
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository
The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka. Illustrated by Lane Smith The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs
A very funny, fractured fairy tale, straight from the wolf’s mouth, with very special illustrations.
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak Where the Wild Things Are
Let the wild rumpus begin! There are many reasons why Where the Wild Things Are is an acclaimed classic, the fabulous illustrations being just one.
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository
Rapunzel by Paul O. Zelinsky Rapunzel
A classic tale shares will beautiful illustrations that are thankfully nothing at all like the Disneyfied version!
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository
The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg The Polar Express
In this celebrated classic, a young boy takes a magical trip to the North Pole on Christmas Eve.
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository

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Actual Size by Steve Jenkins Actual Size: Non Fiction Children's Books with Beautiful Illustrations
The paper-cut collages of Steve Jenkins are amazing and the concept of this non-fiction picture book – where children can see how they measure up to the actual size of a range of animals from around the world – is ingenious.
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository
The Street Beneath My Feet by Charlotte Guillain. Illustrated by Yuval Zommer The Street Beneath My Feet
This very clever non-fiction book uses a unique format and outstanding illustrations to take readers on a journey to the centre of the earth, and then back again.
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository
Journey by Aaron Becker Journey wordless picture book
A fabulous wordless wonder, Journey is the story of a lonely girl who draws a magic door on her bedroom wall as an escape to a world of adventure, wonder and possibly even a little danger!
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository
Flotsam by David Wiesner
A young beachcomber finds a camera washed up on the beach and the photos it contains are astonishing, as is the story contained in this fabulous wordless book.
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository
Green by Laura Vaccaro Seeger Kids Books with Stunning Illustrations
More of a concept book than a story, the stunning acrylic paintings of Green truly do tell the story of many of the different shades of green that exist in the world.
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository

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Beautiful Children’s Picture Book Classics

These beautiful children’s books are true classics. They make wonderful keepsakes and are perfect baby shower or first birthday party gifts.

The Runaway Hug by Nick Bland. Illustrated by Freya Blackwood The Runaway Hug
A delightfully loving story about sharing love within families.
Available:  The Book Depository
Time for Bed by Mem Fox. Illustrated by Jane Dyer Time for Bed
A beautiful bedtime book for young children, in Time For Bed a series of animals each says goodnight to their mother, with exquisite watercolour illustrations and simple rhyme.
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository
Owl Babies by Martin Waddell. Illustrated by Patrick Benson Owl Babies
Three baby owls awake to find their mother gone. Where is she and when will she return? Beautiful illustrations accompany a classic story for young children experiencing separation anxiety.
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository
Mama, Do You Love Me? by Barbara M. Joosse. Illustrated by Barbara Lavallee Mama Do You Love Me
Is it true that whatever a child does their parent will forgive them? This is the theme explored in this beautifully illustrated story of an Inuit mother and child.
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle The Very Hungry Caterpillar
This list would not be complete without the wonderful illustrations of Eric Carle and The Very Hungry Caterpillar is our absolute favourite.
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen. Illustrated by Helen Oxenbury We're Going on a Bear Hunt
Head off on an adventure, a bear hunt, with a family of brave explorers in this childhood classic. The alternating black and white illustrations with full watercolour pages is clever and captivating.
Available:  The Book Depository

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2 Comments

  1. Great selection! My kid loves “Owl babies” apart from illustrations it is pretty educational and warm. But the biggest find of these days in terms of early education is personalized books for kids. I ordered My Custom Book http://www.mycustombook.com/ personalized book for my toddler with her name on the cover and inside the book. It is about forgiveness, and she just loves it. What do you think of such approach in children books?

  2. Christine Kuntz says:

    30 books that make kids laugh out loud link took me to this stunningly illustrated books instead. i found it on pinterest. could you fix it so that i can find the right one please

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