The pandemic seems to have hit this category the hardest. Most of the books I read this year were digital rather than in print. I don’t know that board books work particularly well for me in digital format, because so many of them play with textures, flaps and movable elements. Here are the four board books that managed to catch my attention in 2020:

Antiracist Baby by Ibram X. Kendi, illustrations by Ashley Lukashevsky

With bright illustrations, this book takes a firm stand of hope and optimism as long as hard work is done and children are raised to see themselves as part of the solution.

Play with Your Plate! by Judith Rossell

Clever and fun, you won’t be able to stop playing with this one.

Pride 1 2 3 by Michael Joosten, illustrated by Wednesday Holmes

The illustrations are bold and bright, featuring all sorts of characters and families who are part of the LGBTQIA+ family.

The Scary Book by Thierry Dedieu (9783791374642)

Expect a mix of giggles and gasps as children explore this one.