Summer will be here before we know it, and you know what that means, don't you? We all get a little bit more quality time with little ones! YAY! What better way to spend long summer days than snuggled up with the kids for a bit of storytime? Holiday House, Peachtree, and Pixel+Ink will soon be releasing nine incredible picture books that are sure to become instant household classics!
9 New Picture Books to Make Storytime Exciting
I Would Love You Still
I Would Love You Still by Adrea Theodore, illus. by Ken Wilson-Max (Holiday House, for ages 3–6, on sale 4/30/24)
What if you had cheetah spots? Or flew like an eagle? A trip to the zoo inspires a parent to list all the ways they love their child, no matter how wild they are, in this rhyming picture book.
A parent’s love never wavers. Cuddle up at bedtime to share these charming animal rhymes and giggle at the adorable illustrations. This celebration of the special bond between parent and child is the perfect gift for baby showers, new parents, or any occasion!
Get it here on Amazon.com!
With Dad
With Dad by Richard Jackson, illus. by Brian Floca (Neal Porter Books/Holiday House, for ages 4–8, on sale 5/7/24)
This timeless story is a perfect Father’s Day tribute. A boy with a father in the military reflects on cherished memories of a camping trip with Dad in this warm, reassuring picture book.
Acclaimed editor and author Richard Jackson drew from his own experience for this tender story about the lasting impact of quality time with a parent, especially poignant for military families. Caldecott Medalist and Sibert Honoree Brian Floca’s warm, lively illustrations pair perfectly with Jackson’s timeless words.
Get it on Amazon.com!
The Recess Genius 2: Tons of Talent
The Recess Genius 2: Tons of Talent by Janet Sumner Johnson, illus. by Stacy Ebert (Pixel+Ink, for ages 4–7, on sale 5/7/24)
The Recess Genius is back! There are still tons of tricky problems on the playground, but the upcoming talent show might be just the solution to help with them all.
The second book in The Recess Genius picture book series charms with funny, warm celebration of out-of-the-box thinking and an unforgettable heroine sure to solve any reading dilemma.
Get it on Amazon.com!
Big Bear and Little Bear Go Fishing
Big Bear and Little Bear Go Fishing by Amy Hest, illus. by Erin Stead (Neal Porter Books/Holiday House, for ages 4–8, on sale 5/21/24)
An unhurried fishing trip introduces a new bear duo sure to charm fans of Little Bear and Frog and Toad. Adults who grew up with classic stories about friendship and caring will feel an immediate resonance with these two adorable bears.
Amy Hest’s wry text sets a pitch-perfect mood, and Caldecott Medalist Erin Stead brings fine art to each bucolic illustration. Big Bear and Little Bear Go Fishing is a treat for all ages and is sure to find a treasured place on shelves for years to come.
Get it on Amazon.com!
Leo and the Pink Marker
Leo and the Pink Marker by Mariyka Foster (Peachtree, for ages 4–8, on sale 5/21/24)
It's fun to color outside the lines in this playful celebration of family, creativity, and the color pink! Leo LOVES doodling away with his pink marker!
So when Mom and Mama aren’t looking, he finds an opportunity to liven up the dusty, gray scrapyard. This playful ode to Harold and the Purple Crayon casually explores a LGTBQ+ family and is filled with vibrant illustrations that pop from the page.
Get it on Amazon.com!
Life After Whale: The Amazing Ecosystem of a Whale Fall
Life After Whale: The Amazing Ecosystem of a Whale Fall by Lynn Brunelle, illus. by Jason Chin (Neal Porter Books/Holiday House, for ages 4–8, on sale 6/4/24)
Follow a blue whale’s enormous body to the bottom of the ocean, where it sets the stage for a bustling new ecosystem to flourish. Caldecott Medalist Jason Chin’s astonishing artwork enriches and amplifies engaging, well-researched text by Bill Nye the Science Guy writer Lynn Brunelle.
Young lovers of the macabre will relish each page of Life After Whale. Meanwhile, those grappling with the hard subject of death will take solace in this honest look at the circle of life, which closes on a young whale enjoying the same waves as her ancestor.
Get it on Amazon.com!
Desert Song
Desert Song / Canción del desierto by Laekan Zea Kemp, illus. by Beatriz Gutiérrez Hernández (Neal Porter Books/Holiday House, for ages 4–8, on sale 6/4/24)
Available simultaneously in English and Spanish, a family joins the music of the Texas desert night in this tale of tradition and memory from Pura Belpré Honoree Laekan Zea Kemp. Desert Song hums and chimes with all the music a night can hold.
Kemp’s masterfully stirring text dances through Beatriz Gutierrez Hernandez’s enchanting and dynamic artwork. Readers will be left with the soothing sense that when creativity flourishes, the past is never out of reach, and the bonds that matter never break.
Get it on Amazon.com!
Crick, Crack, Crow!
Crick, Crack, Crow! by Janet Lord, illus. by Julie Paschkis (Margaret Quinlin Books/Peachtree, for ages 4–8, on sale 8/6/24)
Crow’s mischievous antics are featured in this playful and informative picture book that illustrates the cleverness of crows and their intriguing behavior.
This engaging work of informational fiction from Janet Lord is a dynamic read-aloud with colorful artwork by the celebrated illustrator Julie Paschkis. The book includes a page of facts about crows and a list of resources for learning more about these fascinating birds.
Get it on Amazon.com!
Round and Round the Year We Go
Round and Round the Year We Go by Carter Higgins (Neal Porter Books/Holiday House, for ages, on sale 8/6/24)
Eric Carle meets Chicken Soup with Rice in this joyful dance through the year. This book works like a song: each month is a new verse, and readers transition into each new season by a chorus with a recurring refrain.
Beloved author-illustrator Carter Higgins is back with all her quirky warmth in Round and Round the Year We Go, a book as fun to read aloud as it is to listen to and learn from. Story time is sure to provoke giggles, games, and ideas for your own seasonal escapades.
Get it on Amazon.com!
Leave a Reply