Gregory Christie, written by Mara Rockcliff This book about anxiety pushes illustration boundaries on every page. Spoiler alert: this book might also pop up on my annual Astonishingly Unconventional list (coming soon). It’s So Difficult by Guridi, translated by Lawrence Schimel She even incorporated elements from the old farmhouse into the collage and paint art. Sophie Blackall made a picture book about the old farmhouse she bought and refurbished. What’s the saying? Art mimicks life? That statement has never been more true than with this book. This book, about exploring the natural world, seems like a good bet for Best Illustrated recognition.

And UK artist (and Kate Greenaway nominee) Emma Carlisle makes some of the best dreamy artwork out there. What Do You See When You Look at a Tree? by Emma Carlisle I’m predicting that changes with Still This Love Goes On, which is brimming with Flett’s bold yet understated art. Julie Flett has won all sorts of Canadian illustration awards, but has yet to be a Best Illustrated recipient. Still This Love Goes On illustrated by Julie Flett, written by Buffy Sainte-Marie Sporting a surreal, Van Allsburg-esque style, I think it has a great chance. – it’s just the sort of book that makes it onto the Best Illustrated list. I hadn’t seen it, but now that I have, I must agree with E.C. I’m thinking her inky style will wow the judges in 2022.Ĭredit where credit is due: shout-out to librarian Eric Carpenter for showing me this book. I thought she’d get a Best Illustrated nod for her books Lala’s Words or The Big Bath House but no such luck. Nigel and the Moon illustrated by Gracey Zhang, written by Antwan Eadyįor me it’s not a question of if Gracey Zhang will end up on this list, but when. The book is more heavily illustrated chapter book than picture book, giving the artwork even more pages to shine. In Forever Truffle, all her skills of illustration and design are on display.

Isabelle Arsenault is no stranger to the NYT Best Illustrated list. So the question is: Which Enchanted Lion book or books will make the cut? I’m predicting Norweigen import Bedtime for Bo will be the one.įorever Truffle, illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault, written by Fanny Britt, and translated by Susan Ouriou There’s a reason – they publish some of the best illustrated books, often by non American artists. I’ve emerged from the bunker with the books I think will end up on the list this year.īedtime for Bo illustrated by Mari Kanstad Johnsen, written by Kjersti Annesdatter Skomsvold, translated by Kari Dicksonīooks published by Enchanted Lion end up on this list all the time.

Nytimes best books 2020