10 Picture Books to Inspire Your Young Readers

10 Picture Books to Inspire Your Young Readers

By Lauren Vassallo / March 23, 2022

Looking for a great new book for your young readers? Buying and reading books by self-published and indie authors is a fantastic way to find new stories that the whole family will love! 

The Lulu Bookstore or our Children’s Book page have so many amazing books by indie authors and creators, but how can you pick out the best ones for your child?  Don’t worry - we’ve done that for you. Check out this list of ten of our favorite picture books (perfect for young readers ages 3-8) available in the Lulu Bookstore: Inspiring Picture Books

Inspiring Picture Books

Today I Am Me

Author and illustrator Meg Stafford explores the beautiful things that make us all special and unique - and, in turn, how those things unite us - through the lense of animals we know and love. With a sweet message about celebrating our differences, beautiful illustrations, and fun little tidbits about all different kinds of animals, Today I Am Me is a great read for little animal-lovers! 



Today I Am Me

Written & Illustrated by Meg Stafford

"Today I Am Me" beautifully illustrates the importance of celebrating and accepting our differences through imagery of animals that we all know and love. Children will be captivated by the familiar creatures, and taken on a lyrically written journey showcasing just how meaningful our diversity and uniqueness is to the world.

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Today I Am Me

Rainy the Little Raincloud

This charming and heartwarming picture book tells the story of Rainy, a little rain cloud who worries that as a rain cloud, people are disappointed whenever he’s around. With the help of Mr. Thunder, Rainy comes to realize just how important and valued he really is! Filled with cheerfully bright illustrations and an equally cheery message, Rainy the Little Raincloud is a sweet read for the whole family. Show your kids that everyone has the power to make the world a better place with Rainy!



Rainy the Little Raincloud

Written by Patricia Markech & Illustrated by Lora Lee

Rainy is a little raincloud who thinks he is not important like his friends. Take a ride with him to discover how special he really is.

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Rainy the Little Raincloud

Zuzu

See the magic of the world through a child’s eyes in this imaginative and inspiring picture book! Where adults might see a simple chore like taking a bath or making breakfast, Zuzu sees adventures like exploring the lost city of Atlantis and defending the kingdom in a fierce battle. Ask your little readers what exciting opportunities they see in their everyday life when you read Zuzu together.



Zuzu

Written & Illustrated by Devina Gunawan

Every child sees things differently. One sees a book, a child sees another world. One sees a bed, a child sees a boat. And the world is always full of magic in the eyes of a child.

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Zuzu

Outdoor Adventures

P is for Permaculture

Teach your kids about the environment, nature, sustainability, and earth-conscious living as you read together through the ABCs of permaculture! With gorgeous illustrations for each letter and a fun, read-out-loudable rhyme scheme, P is for Permaculture picture book is both educational and entertaining.

Looking for a book for an older reader? Sharon Baldwin also has a series of chapter books for the adventurous, outdoors-y kid! Learn more about The Gardeneers here.



P is for Permaculture

Written by Sharon Baldwin & Illustrated by Tia Madden

Make your way through the alphabet learning about the tenets of permaculture: earth care, people care and fair share. This beautifully illustrated, full-colour rhyming book is perfect for the eco-conscious baby or tree-hugging child in your life.

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P is for Permaculture

Animals in the City

Looking for the perfect storytime book for your young animal-lover? Any big fans of The Secret Life of Pets in the family? Animals in the City takes a charming “insider” look at the lives of all different cats, dogs, and birds living in and out of the city! Filled with bright, beautiful illustrations and fun facts about different animals, this picture book is sure to be a hit with everyone in the family.



Animals in the City

Written by Jorge Albarrán & Illustrated by Gracia Artigas

Would you like to know what cats do during their nine lives? How do dogs choose their friends? Why do seagulls live by the sea? This beautifully illustrated book will help you discover the answer to these questions and many other secrets kept by the animals in the city.

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Animals in the City

The Tree Across the River

A young tree knows that the river he lives beside is a source of life for himself and his critter friends, and yet he can’t help but wish that the river wasn’t there to separate him from the tree on the other bank. When he makes the dangerous but faithful leap to hopefully be united with the other tree, he learns that anything is possible when they support each other! This heartwarming story of finding and fighting for love, and learning the importance of leaning on your loved ones when you need them, is a sweet and unique look at life, love, and nature.



The Tree Across the River

Written by A.M. Ricossa

The young tree thought he was happy with his side of the river, with his critter friends, and the warm sunshine all around. He thought he had everything he could want, until one day the sunshine lit up a whole world he didn’t even know he needed. That world was the tree across the river. Once his source of life, the river was now his biggest enemy. A barrier so small, yet so impossible to cross, kept him from the love he knew he couldn’t live without.

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The Tree Across the River

Bear Foot

Humphrey the bear finds an incredible surprise in the woods one day when he comes across a pair of running sneakers. Though they first make him fast and agile, Humphrey quickly learns that the shoes actually hinder his own natural ability to connect with his forest home. With a bright message about making the most of your own gifts, author, illustrator, and endurance runner Richard Jansen channels his own love of minimalist and barefoot-style running shoes into this fun picture book.



Bear Foot

Written & Illustrated by Richard Jansen

Wandering deep into the wood, Humphrey the bear cub discovers a pair of shiny trainers that look super comfy. His pals are very jealous, but will such flashy shoes with ZOOM, BOOST and AIR suit a bear?

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Bear Foot

Educational Children’s Books

What is Privilege?

It’s so important to be able to speak to our kids about the social and cultural issues we tackle daily as a society, but it can be hard sometimes to break these adult topics down to a level easily understood by children. Authors Ashley Gooding & Kayla DeWalt have created an amazing educational resource for children and adults alike with What is Privilege, an illustrated taxonomy of important social issues explained simply. Ready to inspire little minds to make big changes? What is Privilege includes online resources to help the whole family learn and get involved.



What is Privilege?

Written by Ashley Gooding & Kayla DeWalt

What is Privilege?’ is an ABC book designed specifically for grown-ups and children to read together. We want to inspire little minds to make big changes! As you read through the book, you will encounter important social issues and societal concepts. We’ve taken these grown-up topics and broken them down so they can be easily understood by children! In these pages there are kid-friendly definitions, intriguing illustrations, and prompts/ideas for starting conversations. We also include important, relevant information on each topic, as well as supplemental information for further learning.

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What is Privilege?

Black Music Is

South Carolina’s Poet Laureate Marcus Amaker takes readers on a journey through the incredible and awe-inspiring history of Black music through the eyes and ears of Bebop the cat (named in honor of the music style famously performed by Dizzy Gillespie!). Celebrate the history, culture, and achievements of Black musicians in five different genres of music in Black Music Is, perfect for music-lovers young and old.



Black Music Is

Written by Marcus Amaker & Illustrated by Nathan Durfee

The book weaves poetry and pop-surrealist illustration, teaching readers about icons like Big Mama Thornton, BB King, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Max Roach, Prince and Alice Coltrane. It also mentions modern-day musicians Our Native Daughters, Saba, Rapsody, Big Joanie, Black Thought, and more.

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Black Music Is

The Great Monster Cookbook

Looking for a fun way to connect with your kids that aren’t really big readers? Get them involved with a family cooking adventure! These monstrous recipes are kid-friendly both in terms of ingredients and skill level, and can easily be enjoyed by the whole family. Make food fun with these unique and healthy recipes from The Great Monster Cookbook!



The Great Monster Cookbook

Written by Michalla Brianna & Illustrated by Olivia Butler-Bowen

Learning to cook is a fun way to boost your child's confidence in the kitchen while providing wonderful opportunities for family memories. Whether your little chef is just starting out or is a true connoisseur, these creative and health conscious dishes will be sure to entertain and sustain them.

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The Great Monster Cookbook

For more picture book recommendations, be sure to follow Lulu Junior on Instagram (@lulujrdotcom) where we highlight a new book every Friday! Feeling inspired to make your own? Get the whole family involved with a Lulu Junior book-making kit; learn more about our IlluStory and My Comic Book kits here: