Award Winning Picture Books | Ocean County Library

The Whiting Reading Center will be closing at 2:30pm today, June 5th, due to a power outage.

The current Stafford Branch will be closed as of May 1st, in anticipation of the new Stafford branch opening in the summer.

Chooch Helped
By Andrea L. Rogers (E Roge)
Sissy's younger brother, Chooch, isn't a baby anymore. Chooch gets away with everything! 'Chooch Helped' is a universal story of an older sibling learning to make space for a new child, told with grace, featuring stunning illustrations, and showing one Cherokee family practicing their cultural traditions.
My Daddy is a Cowboy
By Stephanie Seales (E Seal)
While a young Panamanian American girl and her father share "just-us" time on an early morning horseback ride around their town, he tells her cowboy stories and she realizes she is a cowboy too.
Big
By Vashti Harrison (E Harr)
Praised for acting like a big girl when she is small, as a young girl grows, "big" becomes a word of criticism, until the girl realizes that she is fine just the way she is.
Hot Dog
By Doug Salati (E Sala)
A summery picture book about mindfulness, featuring an overheated--and overwhelmed-- canine in need of sea, sand, and fresh air.
Watercress
By Andrea Wang (E Wang)
Embarrassed about gathering watercress from a roadside ditch, a girl learns to appreciate her Chinese heritage after learning why the plant is so important to her parents.
We Are Water Protectors
By Carole Lindstrom (E Lind)
Water affects and connects us all... When a black snake threatens to destroy the Earth, poisoning her people's water, water protector defends Earth's most sacred resource. Inspired by the many indigenous-led movements across North America, this picture book issues an urgent rallying cry to safeguard Earth's water from harm.
Hello Lighthouse
By Sophie Blackall (E Blac)
Explores the life of one lighthouse as it beams its message out to sea through shifting seasons, changeable weather, and the tenure of its final keeper.
Last Stop on Market Street
By Matt de le Pena (E Dela)
An award-winning children's book about a young boy, CJ, and his grandmother who take a weekly bus ride, where she teaches him to find beauty and joy in their everyday urban surroundings and the diverse people they encounter, ultimately revealing the magic in their routine and the world around them.
Aloha Everything
By Kaylin Melia George (E Geor)
Since Ano was born, her heart has been connected to her home. But, Ano has a lot to learn! When Ano begins to dance hula -- a storytelling dance that carries the knowledge, history, and folklore of the Hawaiian people -- Ano comes to understand the true meaning of aloha.
The Adventures of Beekle, the Unimaginary Friend
By Dan Santat (E Sant)
An imaginary friend waits a long time to be imagined by a child and given a special name, and finally does the unimaginable--he sets out on a quest to find his perfect match in the real world.
This is Not My Hat
By Jon Klassen (E Klas)
When a tiny fish shoots into view wearing a round blue topper (which happens to fit him perfectly), trouble could be following close behind. So it's a good thing that enormous fish won't wake up. And even if he does, it's not like he'll ever know what happened.
A Ball for Daisy
By Chris Raschka (E Rasc)
A dog named Daisy plays with her beloved red ball and it is accidentally popped by another dog at the park, leading to a poignant exploration of loss and sadness that is resolved with a new, cheerful beginning.
A Sick Day for Amos Mcgee
By Philip C. Stead (E Stea)
Amos McGee, a friendly zookeeper, always made time to visit his friends: the elephant, the tortoise, the penguin, the rhinoceros, and the owl. But one day, he woke with the sniffles and the sneezes. Though he didn't make it into the zoo that day, he did receive some unexpected guests.
Soul Food Sunday
By Winsome Bingham (E Bing)
Granny teaches her young grandson how to cook the family meal, in this celebration of food, traditions, and gathering together at the table. Includes recipe for baked macaroni and cheese.
Kitten’s First Full Moon
By Kevin Henkes (E Henk)
A kitten mistakes the full moon for a bowl of milk and tries to reach it, only to find a real bowl of milk waiting for her at home. This book is known for its simple, black-and-white illustrations with rose undertones, spare text, and a message about perseverance and discovery.