The Best Picture Books of 2012

This year we’ve seen a bumper crop of books, music and film and over the next few weeks we’ll be presenting a series of our favourites, voted for and selected by Readings’ staff.

Here, our children and YA specialists share their picks for the best Picture Books of 2012.


Emily Gale recommends

A beautiful book that combines elegant, quirky art with unusual facts about Australian animals, anthropomorphised in a pleasingly retro way. Possums picnic at an open-air cinema and sugar-gliders gorge on lollies.

A range of family patterns are shown, such as the single-dad seadragon carting shopping and his babies. Wonderful for all ages.


Kim Gruschow recommends

Bear’s dear friend bird has died, leaving him sad and lonely. Eventually, he is able to find compassion and a new friend in the lovely, violin-playing wildcat. Translated from Japanese, this book is stunningly illustrated in black and white and serves as a gentle observation of the grieving process for a child. Exquisite and perfectly executed.


Athina Clarke recommends

The creators of the much-loved All Through the Year bring us another exceptional gift – a wonderful book celebrating those prized days of the week that have no plans. Lovely to read aloud and beautiful to behold, it quietly pays tribute to meandering time.


Angela Crocombe recommends

Fact and fiction blend harmoniously in this stylish hardcover, which profiles 27 extinct animals. The combination of stunning retro design and informative and amusing text, makes this a highly covetable object for ages 8 and up.


Angela Crocombe also recommends

Olivia is dreadfully tired of all the pink fairy princess frippery around and wants to be unique. Her journey of discovery is one all ages can delight in, particularly girls aged 3 to 5.


Kathy Kozlowski recommends

‘Nobody knows where they come from. But they come. Impossible birds of the big sky.’ The hidden presences in our bustling, dark metropolis are glimpsed in this exquisite picture book about an angel overcome bythe big city. The brooding collages, using archival and contemporary photographs, demand to be pored over again and again.


Kathy Kozlowski also recommends

A gift edition of Oscar Wilde’s classic tale of a giant who refuses to share his beautiful garden, until one day his hard heart is melted by the return of spring and the gratitude of a mysterious child. For ages 5 and up.


Kathy Kozlowski also recommends

A princess longs for her prince to come and for happy-ever-after to begin. But, of course, languishing in a tower with beautiful dresses is a deadly bore, so it’s off with the dragon. Yay! I love the fact that my appallingly pink-besotted granddaughter adores this book. For ages 3 to 6.


Alexa Dretzke recommends

This adorable book about a pet’s first night with his new family is perfect. The pictures capture the softness and sweet innocence of a tiny puppy and marry seamlessly with the charming and heartfelt story. Cuddly fun for all the family.


Alexa Dretzke also recommends

This is a delicious celebration of the natural world. The sparkling text and the sumptuous pictures make this a stand-out non-fiction picture book for 2012. Every page has bold, striking illustrations that show nature at its most enticing. Encourage the appreciation of our world with children from ages 3 and up.


If you’re after advice this Christmas concerning gifts for young people, come visit one of our stores to chat with our children and YA specialists in person.