The stunning images capture and hold our attention even when we’re just trying to skim or flip through these wonderful visual escapes. But when we pause and take it all in, we notice just how much thought goes into each illustration. The words, too, are carefully crafted. It comes together in a compact book that almost always makes us wish for more pages. I think picture books for adults are wildly underrated. They’re rarely given the value and appreciation they deserve. Let’s try to fix that, shall we? Here’s a list of some of the best picture books for adults I’ve come across. They’re about a wide variety of themes like platonic love, fear and history. I hope you cherish them the way I do. For more best picture books for adults, check out 16 Picture Books Just For Adults and our Picture Book Archives. For more on the state of adult picture books, check out Why Aren’t There Picture Books for Adults? She writes in her introduction, “Trying to keep up with my self-induced pressure to be positive was exhausting, so I made some decisions to be true to my own experience. I stopped using the phrase “I feel like I should” and instead tried to show up for the emotions I was feeling in that moment.” She tries to do exactly that with bright, beautiful colours and simplistic illustrations. It will make you smile, tear up and feel the warmth of a hug when you cannot physically get one. Suzy Hopkins’s humor and wisdom makes the devastating loss of losing someone you love a little less heavy. Hallie’s colorful illustrations capture the tone and essence of the words. This book is warm despite its difficult theme. It shows us how to continue to express our love for someone after we cannot physically hold them close anymore. The illustrations are simple and sweet. They capture just how pure, intense and uplifting friend-love can be. It’s an extremely quick read. I’d recommend picking it up and sending it to your friend-loves while you’re at it. I love how it has something for readers of every age. In fact, the author writes in his introduction, “This book is for everyone, whether you are eighty or eight – I feel like I am both sometimes.” This short, heartbreaking novel is filled with beautiful watercolor illustrations. It brings out our empathy, compassion and need for action. The proceeds from this book will be donated to the UNHCR (the United Nations Refugee Agency) and The Khaled Hosseini Foundation to help refugees around the globe.
