100+ Character Driven Picture Books

9/21/2014

What have you read lately?

Many agents are seeking "Character Driven Picture Books." In a previous blog post I gave resources for information about writing character driven picture books.

But as Stephen King said, "If you don't have time to read, you don't have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that.”

And in order to really know how character driven stories work, we need to read them. And read lots of them. And read lots of them that are CURRENT. (You should have favorites from the good old days, but we need to know what is currently being bought and sold and published.)

So (out of my own need) I've compiled a huge list of 100 + Character Driven Picture Books. 80 of them on the list were published in the last 4 years. The last 25 or so range from 2000-2010 (with the exception of one book being from 1990: Tacky the Penguin.)

Download a copy here.

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Agents share their favorite character driven picture books...

Brooks Sherman from The Bent Agency told me off the top of his head, his favorites are THIS IS NOT MY HAT by Jon Klassen, SECRET PIZZA PARTY By Adam Rubin, and I AM OTTER by Sam Garton.

Lara Perkins, from Andrea Brown Literary said "I always love Tammi Sauer's MOSTLY MONSTERLY and one of my recent favorites is Zacharaiah Ohora's NO FITS, NILSON!"

Charlie Olsen, from Inkwell Management said his favorite character driven picture book is HERMAN AND ROSIE by Gus Gordon.

Sara Sciuto from Foreword Literary told me her favorite was BETTY BUNNY LOVES CHOCOLATE CAKE by Michael Kaplan. "Mmm...chocolate..."

So, what books are you looking forward to adding to your reading list? Comment below and let me know!

Mandy Yates is currently an elementary reading specialist and children's book writer. She has an MFA in creative writing from Spalding University and has been published multiple times in Highlights Magazine.

She is also assisting Mira in teaching The Craft and Business of Writing Children's Books. http://www.childrensbookacademy.com/writing-childrens-picture-books.html, as well as The Chapter Book Alchemist http://www.childrensbookacademy.com/the-chapter-book-alchemist.html .

Find some of her teacher resources over at http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Mandy-Yates.

And you can follow her on Pinterest, Twitter,and Facebook.

15 Comments

Joanne Sher link

9/21/2014 11:11:58 pm

Fabulous post, Mandy! Thanks a TON for putting it together!!

Debbie Best

9/22/2014 10:38:21 am

Great informative post! Thank you! :)

tanya smith link

9/22/2014 12:01:19 am

Going to my small town library today. Hopefully I can fund some of these.

Sheri McCrimmon

9/22/2014 01:29:51 am

Mandy, this is fantastic! Thank you! Can't wait to find/read "Crankenstein" :)

Lisa Lynn Bates

9/22/2014 01:32:53 am

Thank you! This list is a great resource.

Carrie Charley Brown link

9/22/2014 01:53:09 am

Great information! Thanks, Mandy!

Patricia Toht

9/22/2014 02:44:59 am

Thanks for all of the hard work compiling this, Mandy. What a great resource!

Lori Alexander link

9/22/2014 02:51:12 am

What a great list, Mandy! Thanks for including my picture book, BACKHOE JOE.

Elizabeth Rose Stanton link

9/22/2014 03:57:30 am

HENNY is thrilled to be in such grand company! Bwwaaak!

Taurean J. Watkins (@Taurean_Watkins) link

9/22/2014 05:12:05 am

So many of my favorite books released recently are on this list!

Of those on the list I've not gotten to yet, the ones I plan to read next are-

"Little Elliot, BIG CITY" by Mike Curato

I'm so used to many of my fave books being considered "obscure" but I'm glad that so many books I've read and love over the past two years are getting more recognition and traction. But here are some great (and fairly recent) releases that aren't on this list but are also fairly current-

"Mr. Tiger Goes Wild" by Peter Brown

"Letters From A Desperate Dog" by Eileen Christelow
Getting ready to review this one soon, and it's sequel "The Desperate Dog Writes Again", the comic panel format in some page spreads and impeccable dynamic pacing really bring these books to life.

While I understand the need to read current books in our field, I HAVE to recommend some Golden Oldies-

"Ballerino Nate" by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley and illustrated by R.W. Alley (Best known for illustrating the iconic "Paddington Bear")
-Out of print, but WORTH hunting down (especially if you've got a dance fan of the male persuasion) or seeing if your library has a copy. Hope someone reprints this one.

"Fox and Fluff" by Shutta Crum, illustrated by John Bendall-Brunello
Again, out of print, but WORTH seeking out, especially for you fathers out there! This is the fatherly companion to "Are You My Mother" and I HOPE someone reprints this one, too!

"Big Bad Bruce" by Bill Peet

As we near "Bully Prevention Month" in October, this old school title is especially worth checking out.

"The Wainscott Weasel" by Tor Seidler, illustrated by Fred Marcelino
This isn't a picture book, but is a great read for middle graders, and also would make a fab read, and the color art throughout the book from the late and great Fred Marcelino only sweeten the deal!

It was out of print but happily will be re-issued Fall 2014 in time for the 20th Anniversary of it's original publication back in the 90s.

This author's been under the radar for FAR TOO LONG! I urge you to check out this one when it re-launches. Expect a review on "Talking Animal Addicts" soon.

Kat

9/22/2014 06:31:44 am

Thanks, Mandy!!!

Sita Singh

9/22/2014 11:24:46 am

Awesome!! Thanks for the list Mandy! Most of them are my favorites:)

pat gibbs

9/22/2014 01:18:10 pm

Thanks for posting this....

Tracy Molitors

9/23/2014 05:05:31 am

What a lot of work went into this, Mandy. And what a great resource you have now provided. Thanks so much!

5/5/2019 01:10:52 pm

A good character pb. The Royal Rumpus and the March of the Pink Hats!