100 outstanding picturebooks: 2026 dPictus selection

The international art platform dPictus has released a list of the 100 best picturebooks of 2026.

“Through the year, we invite guest curators — international picturebook and illustration specialists — to independently highlight their favourite picturebooks showcased on the dPictus platform,” the description on the website reads. “The ongoing 100 Outstanding Picturebooks selection features the titles which have been highlighted by the most guest curators, and includes an eclectic mix of picturebooks from around the world. We hope you’ll enjoy discovering the 100 Outstanding Picturebooks!”

See full list via the link.

“All about Dance” by Zuzanna Kisielewska & Agata Dudek, Druganoga, Poland

“Snarlie” by Katrin Tõnisson & Ulla Saar Päike ja Pilv, Estonia

“The Forest into You” by Gaya Wisniewski, Editions MeMo, France

Three books by Ukrainian authors, “Half a Word: About Communication and Understanding Each Other” (aka “Do you read me?”) by Romana Romanyshyn and Andriy Lesiv, “Quak” by Yuliya Gwilym, and “The Secret Life of Toffee” by Oksana Drachkovska, are also on the list.

“Half a Word: About Communication and Understanding Each Other” is a book which uses illustrations and short captions to explore different forms of communication. The book was published by the Old Lion Publishing House in 2025.

“Quak” is an illustrated story about finding your own voice and having the courage to be yourself in an environment that places certain demands on individuals.

“The Secret Life of Toffee” is a picturebook for 3–5-year-olds about a little girl named Olesya who tries to investigate the disappearance of Karamelka (Toffee), her grandmother’s cat. The book was published by the Old Lion Publishing House in 2026.

The dPictus is an active community of international picturebook publishers. Agents use the dPictus online platform to promote their titles, secure foreign rights deals, discover emerging talent, and make new publishing connections to meet at book fairs. The dPictus platform is an excellent place for exposure and discovery. It gives all showcased titles the year-round opportunity to be seen by publishing professionals around the world.

RELATED: Three Ukrainian books included in The White Ravens 2025 catalogue

Images: dPictus website, the Old Lion Publishing House website

Copyediting: Sheri Liguori