Seek and find

A DECADE AGO, WORLD published its first children’s Books of the Year feature with a focus on noteworthy middle-grade fiction (see “Kickstarter classic,” Aug. 9, 2014). In subsequent years, the coverage expanded to include picture book and youth nonfiction selections, too. As this year’s picture book ­committee sorted through stacks of potential options, we were looking for engaging, wise, and visually delightful stories to form a well-rounded list of books that (hopefully) will appeal to families and readers of all types. This year our choice for WORLD’s Picture Book of the Year is The Search for the Giant Arctic Jellyfish, written and illustrated by Chloe Savage (Candlewick 2023).

The story begins as Dr. Morley and her crew prepare to embark on an expedition to the top of the world, in search of the elusive giant Arctic jellyfish. Savage’s detailed ink and watercolor illustrations are a visual treat and the opening pages set the scene with an Arctic map, crew picture, and supply packing list.

Children will love poring over subsequent pages that feature cutaways of the ship, first as the crew prepares the ship for departure and then later mid-voyage as the crew goes about their daily routines (complete with laundry drying on a line).

As Dr. Morley and her team sail through frigid waters, always watching for the rare jellyfish, they marvel at a pod of narwhals, collect scientific samples, watch playful orcas frolic, and bask in the glow of the aurora borealis. All the while—in an ironic twist obvious only to readers—the shy giant Arctic jellyfish watches, just out of sight of Dr. Morley and her crew.

Weeks pass and the exhausted crew members begin to pine for home: “They have marveled at the wonders of life in the Arctic waters, worked so hard, and come so far. But no one has seen a single solitary peep of the giant Arctic jellyfish.” As the boat turns and heads for home, however, there is a glimmer of hope. The final page will leave children to speculate about whether Dr. Morley’s expedition achieved its goal or not.

For committee members, there was no doubt that Savage achieved the goal of an engaging and visually delightful read, but the story also proved wise with its subtle nod to hope and faith. Although the author did not set out to write about Christ, Christian families will see an echo of their own faith walk. Dr. Morley and her crew had faith that the giant Arctic jellyfish was somewhere out there, but even when the crew is rocked by doubts, it is their confidence in Dr. Morley that keeps them going.

And so it is in the Christian life: Our faith in Christ is the bulwark against our own moments of doubt, and that same faith is “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).

Picture Books runners-up

A Little More Beautiful

Sarah Mackenzie

(Waxwing Books 2023)

Each day, Lou Alice looks for a way to leave the world a little more beautiful. After she plants a garden outside the town hall under the cover of moonlight, the little garden grows, making town hall workers happier as they walk to work. But when Lou Alice disappears, no one notices—except one little girl, who recognized Lou Alice “made each day more beautiful.” The girl sets out to do the same. In her debut picture book, Mackenzie instills a quiet but potent message: “sow, tend, water, mend,” especially when no one is watching. Breezy Brookshire’s watercolor illustrations bring the story to life with abundant nature and floral displays. A timeless story that young children will want to read again. Ages 4-8
—Mary Jackson

The Fantastic Bureau of Imagination

Brad Montague

(Dial Books 2023)

Special agents called figments work at the top-secret Fantastic Bureau of Imagination. A figment (and secret poet) named Sparky delivers mail to each bureau office. Every day he cautiously flies over the Cave of Untold Stories where a dragon lives. One day, the dragon cries for help because the cave is exploding with unshared stories, songs, and ideas. Sparky gathers his ­courage and pens a poem to humans all over the world asking them to share their creativity with others. It works! The cave no longer overflows. Clever storytelling paired with Brad and Kristi Montague’s enchanting illustrations inspires readers to also become agents of imagination—a message parents can build upon to encourage children to use their God-given gifts and abilities to bless the world. Ages 5-8
—Sandy Barwick

Gertie: The Darling Duck of WWII

Shari Swanson

(Sleeping Bear Press 2023)

When a mama duck chooses to lay her eggs atop a tall wooden post in a particularly treacherous section of the Milwaukee River, a World War II–weary world takes notice, happy for the hopeful distraction. Renée Graef’s illustrations depict the crowds of people that gather each day on a nearby bridge for a glimpse of the darling duck, while those on “the other side of the pond” follow her story via newspaper and radio reports. “When will the ducklings hatch and how will Gertie keep them safe?” the world wonders. Turns out, it takes a village to protect these ducklings, and Gertie’s crew stands at the ready. The endnotes of this true story offer more historical details and charming black-and-white photos. Ages 6-9
—Whitney Williams

Angels on Your Side

Marty Machowski

(New Growth Press 2023)

From its front cover, this picture book pops with Rommel Ruiz’s futuristic art and transformer-like angels. That style—along with 3D glasses—may deter some readers while many reluctant readers will love it. The story ­centers on Logan, who feels afraid during a thunderstorm. Logan’s grandfather comforts him with several Bible stories—including how an angel army protected Elisha and how angels played a role at Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection. Logan rightly learns to trust God, though parents can clarify that God’s protection includes our death and resurrection. Not all Christians will agree with Machowski’s interpretation of Matthew 18:10 (that “God assigns angels to guard over each of his children”), but he richly weaves Scripture throughout, carefully presenting angels as ­obedient servants of God. Ages 6-10
—Emily Whitten

This page is part of WORLD’s Children’s Books of the Year special section for the March 9 issue.