The Best Children’s Books of 2024, Picked by Amazon Editors

Mustache Duckstache by Amy Young brings whimsical fun to little readers through its thick, colorful board book pages. The story follows a wacky mustache contest among animals, culminating in a surprise ending that Amazon editor Seira Wilson describes as “absolutely perfect.” It’s a vibrant, engaging choice that babies will love to revisit again and again.

This touch-and-feel board book offers ample sensory exploration for little hands, delivering a heartwarming message that we don’t all have to be the same to get along. Little Blue Truck Feeling Happy by Alice Schertle presents a unique texture on each of its six spreads, helping young readers connect touch with descriptive words about popular farm animals.

The Yellow Bus by Loren Long tells the inspiring story of a yellow school bus that lives many lives—from ferrying kids to school to providing transportation for the elderly and serving as a home for those without one. This powerful narrative is one of transformation and reinvention. Amazon Book Editor Seira Wilson describes it as “a quiet book beautifully done from start to finish,” featuring largely black-and-white illustrations with the bus and its passengers rendered in bright pops of color.

A New York Times and New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Book of the Year, The Man Who Didn’t Like Animals by Deborah Underwood offers a whimsical origin story of Old MacDonald before he had a farm. “This bighearted and funny tale, with delightful artwork from Caldecott Honor artist LeUyen Pham, celebrates the joy of embracing new perspectives,” notes Amazon.