Ericka Brunson-Rochette

The year 2022 marked another year of magnificent books.

As a youth librarian, I have a soft spot in my heart for picture books, in particular. While I can’t share every book I loved — trust me, there are a lot, I have opted to focus on some of my favorite picture book titles published this year. From learning to be brave, to appreciating stories from lives well-lived, these books have the power to evoke emotions, initiate conversation and even inspire some laughter from a wide variety of book lovers.

”Knight Owl” by Christopher DeniseThis book is a crowd pleaser for all ages. A little owl dreams of becoming a knight. When knights start going missing in his village with a dragon on the loose, Owl knows that time has come for him to fulfill his destiny. He enrolls in Knight School, and despite a few setbacks due to his size and nocturnal ways, he graduates with honor. But school and actual knightly duties prove to be very different. When Owl is put on the knight night watch, he quickly learns that to be a good knight takes more than just bravery.

”Farmhouse” by Sophie BlackwellA beautiful and heartfelt story showing how the lives of a family of 14 intertwine as 12 children are born, raised and come to their own in one quaint farmhouse. With ornate and detailed illustrations, reading this story feels like stepping into a dollhouse where you can hear, see and feel the hustle and bustle all around as the family expands and grows. Readers can enjoy this book over and over and discover something new each time.

”A Library” by Nikki GiovanniA lyrical ode to the magic and wonder that can be found in the library. World-renowned poet Giovoni shares a joy-filled story of a little girl that has a special relationship with her local library. Her library gives her the power to travel, dream, create and imagine. This story is perfect for library and book lovers of any age.

”Poopsie Gets Lost” by Hannah E. HarrisonA hilarious book about a fluffy, spoiled and clearly well-loved cat named Poopsie. Poopsie has it made in her glamorous home with food at the ready and an assortment of plush beds for her choosing. That is, until a nosey narrator urges Poopsie to wander outside and experience all the things she’s missed by being an indoor cat.

Before long, Poopsie finds herself on a wild adventure in the rugged and frightening wilderness, trying desperately to make her way back home.

”Witch Hazel” by Molly IdleThis is a subtle book about loss, but it is so much more. It holds memories, stories, love, empathy and understanding on each page. A young girl named Hilda enjoys spending time with her grandmother Hazel, whose hat and broom purposefully give her a “witchy” feel. Hilda helps Hazel dust and sweep different areas of her home during each of the year’s seasons.

While doing so, Hazel shares stories from her life while the dust the two kick up magically brings to life visions of these memories as if they are happening in present day. Over time, some of that magic begins to transfer to Hilda as Hazel’s stories start to fade making room for new magic to emerge.

View some of the other top choices not mentioned here on my 2022 picture book favorites, and see if you might find some new favorites for yourself.

For more sharing of picture books, join me at the High Desert Music Hall in Redmond on Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. for family story times starting Tuesday, Jan. 18.