In the very first Butler Bookshelf of 2025, we’re taking a look at some of the new picture books in the Butler collection! Our first feature of the year is Mary Murphy’s Friends Forever. Two monkeys celebrate their friendship, climbing, swinging, and playing together in the trees. When they find themselves head to head with a hungry crocodile, they come away even more sure of their friendship than before. With charming full-page illustrations and bouncy prose, this book is a fantastic addition to any picture book collection.

Check out the Butler Center’s picture book picks below!

Are You a Hungry Monster?
Written and illustrated by Guilherme Karsten
Published by Happy Yak
Available January 21, 2025

Dinosaur Roar! (Simon Spotlight Edition)
Written by Henrietta Stickland
Illustrated by Paul Stickland
Published by Simon Spotlight
Available now!

Friends Forever
Written and illustrated by Mary Murphy
Published by Happy Yak
Available January 28, 2025

Heartfelt
Written by Elaine Vickers
Illustrated by Samantha Cotterill
Published by Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
Available now!

Willow Takes on the Weather
Written by Rachel Noble
Illustrated by Annabel Tempest
Published by Page Street Kids
Available now!