If you’re looking to have a great reading month, you won’t want to miss these exciting new picture books to read in April 2022.
Picture books are getting better and better each month. I’m so lucky to be sent some great new titles, but I also treat myself to lots of new books as well.
Between the meaningful text and the dreamy illustrations, there’s always something to look forward to with new picture books.
With this list of 25 new picture books to read in April 2022, bedtime reading and classroom read-alouds will be much more fun.
Whether you’re looking for the most anticipated picture books or something that’s not on your radar yet, there’s a picture book for you on this list. Trust me, you don’t want to miss out on these April 2022 picture books!
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April 5th
Family • Doubleday Books for Young Readers
A picture book celebrating grandmas and all that makes them magic, ideal for fans of How to Babysit a Grandma.
When a child is born, a grandma is born too. Grandmas aren’t like regular grown-ups. Grandmas are filled with magic.
In this charming picture book tribute to grandmas, a grandma’s magic bursts through the door as soon as she comes to visit and can be seen in every wonderful thing she does: playing, exploring, baking, gardening, and in all the many ways a grandma and grandchild connect.
Filled with adorable scenes featuring a diversity of grandmas and their grandkids, this is a book that will families can enjoy together. Grandmas will love snuggling with their grandchildren as they share their love and magic through cuddles, kisses, and many repeat readings.
Social Themes • Neal Porter Books
A little girl grows up to be an accomplished artist in this sumptuously illustrated book about the small things that lead to a rich and fulfilling life.
All You need
Is a planet to live on,
A sun to give you light,
And warmth …
In All You Need, poet Howard Schwartz’s graceful, deceptively simple text describes a handful of things anyone needs to live a rich and fulfilling life, made all the more potent by the illustrations of debut picture book artist Jasu Hu, who uses her talents to create a rich and powerful narrative describing her own journey, creative and otherwise, from a childhood in China to her arrival to study art in New York. Ultimately, she creates her own book, this book, a gift to her distant parents.
This irresistible picture book, illustrated by #1 New York Times bestselling artist Pete Oswald, introduces young readers to mindfulness by encouraging them to simply be like a dog.
Stretch while you rise. Wag your body. Greet the day!
Feel what you’re feeling: Bark if you’re worried. Growl if you’re angry. Howl if you’re sad. Sing if you’re happy!
Join a young boy and his dog as they experience every minute of the day to its fullest—from the second they wake up to the moment they fall asleep.
Readers will love barking, growling, and howling along with the gentle cues in the book. Interactive back matter includes prompts for a mindfulness walk that engages all five senses, as well as a guided breathing exercise.
A stunning picture book debut showcasing the love between grandparents and grandchildren, the challenges of memory loss, and the joy that sweet reminders of a faraway home can bring, from award-winning, bestselling author Thanhhà Lại.
This sweet and emotional picture book will resonate with readers who love A Big Mooncake for Little Star, Ladder to the Moon, and Thank You, Omu!
An’s grandmother Bà sometimes gets trapped in her cloudy memories. An and her grandfather, Ông, come up with a plan to bring her back to a happy moment: They grow gấc fruits so they can make xôi gấc, Bà’s favorite dish from her wedding in Vietnam many years ago.
An and Ông work together in the garden, nurturing the gấc seeds. They must be patient and wait for the seeds to grow, flower, and turn into fruit. When the xôi gấc is finally ready, An is hopeful that her grandmother will remember her wedding wish with Ông: hundred years of happiness.
Striking and vivid illustrations bring this tender story of a loving, intergenerational Vietnamese family to life.
Non-Fiction • Henry Holt and Co
From writer Stacy McAnulty and illustrator Stevie Lewis, Our Planet! There’s No Place Like Earth is a nonfiction picture book about the Earth, told from the perspective of Earth herself.
Meet Earth. Planet Awesome! And your awesome home! Actually, Earth is home to all the plants and all the animals in the solar system, including nearly eight billion people. Humans have accidentally moved Earth’s climate change into the fast lane, and she need your help to put on the brakes. Earthlings need Earth, and Earth needs Earthlings, so let’s save Earth together!
With characteristic humor and charm, Stacy McAnulty channels the voice of Earth in this next celestial “autobiography” in the Our Universe series. Rich with kid-friendly facts and beautifully brought to life by Stevie Lewis, this is an equally charming and irresistible picture book.
Emotions & Feelings • Atheneum/Caitlyn Dloughy Books
An anxious baby bird who fears he’ll never learn to fly gets a lesson in mindfulness in this funny and sweetly encouraging picture book about believing in yourself.
Every morning, the birds are flapping with excitement for their first flight of the day…except for Bob. Bob doesn’t get the whole flying thing; when the other baby birds go up, up, up, he goes down, down, down. Bob can’t help worrying…what if he never learns how to fly?
His friend Crow tells him, “All you need to do is breathe, Bob.” Of course, Bob breathes all the time, but there’s breathing and then there’s B-R-E-A-T-H-I-N-G. And it might just be the thing to calm Bob’s ruffled feathers.
From two Caldecott Honor–winning creators comes a sweet and inspiring picture book about a runaway circus performer who learns to face his fears and follow his heart.
When The Great Zapfino climbs to the top of the circus platform, all eyes are on him, waiting for his incredible leap. But Zapfino is afraid of heights! He can’t take the pressure and flees, boards a plane, and runs away to start a new life.
In the city, Zapfino starts work as an elevator operator in a tall building but soon learns you can never really outrun your fears. When disaster strikes, can Zapfino find the strength to be great?
Humour • Farrar, Straus and Giroux
For little ones reluctant to say good night, this laugh-out-loud story from beloved author Jory John and internationally acclaimed illustrator Olivier Tallec will guide them through different methods of falling asleep—until they might just get tired after all.
ATTENTION, READER: This book is going to MAKE YOU TIRED! It will CALM YOU DOWN! Yes, this book WILL PUT YOU TO SLEEP! How? Easy.
There are monster trucks dashing across the pages. There are sheep being chased by dragons. There are electric guitars wailing throughout. Plus so MUCH MORE! Yep. All the typical stuff that makes you sleepy. So … are you asleep yet? No? Well, maybe another method would work better … So read on, and it’s guaranteed you’ll start to snooze!
Emotions & Feelings • Dial Books
New student Winnie has sensory processing challenges, but her wonderful teacher knows just how to make sure she’s a welcome part of the class.
Winnie is the new kid at school, and sometimes she acts kind of wild. Her teacher says to her classmates, Maybe Winnie feels the world differently than most of us. Why don’t we give her world a try? So that week, when Winnie can’t stop monkeying around, the class joins her on the jungle gym. And when she’s acting squirrelly, they all go nuts on an obstacle course. When Winnie is being a bit of a bear, the whole class burrows into a cozy den for storytime. Soon, with the guidance of their loving teacher, Winnie’s classmates realize that sometimes we all feel the world differently, and that’s more than okay.
This whimsical and poignant picture book celebrates playing outside and invites readers to grab some friends, gear up their imaginations, and immerse themselves in nature.
Can you imagine what it’s like to be a rock, a nest, a bird, or even a bubbling creek? A group of curious children is headed outside to find out … Would you come, too? Join in on an outdoor adventure to discover the magic and mystery of the living, breathing natural world all around us.
April 12th
People & Places • HarperCollins
A lyrical picture book that highlights good moments—from small to big—that inspire children to become the good news in the world! Written by the creator of Good News Movement, Michelle Figueroa, and illustrated by #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator Ramona Kaulitzki.
A good thing happened today. Hooray! Did you hear?
Good things are happening every day, and everywhere!
A rhythmic collection of happiness and hope inspired by real-life good news, this book reminds us that there are positive things happening every day and we can all be a part of it.
Perfect for graduation, birthdays, and anytime reading.
People & Places • Annick Press
In this poignant, empowering picture book debut, a girl and her beloved abuelita lean on each other as they contend with racism while running errands in the city.
Spending time at home with Abuelita means pancakes, puddle-jumping, and nail-painting. But venturing out into the city is not always as fun. On the bus and at the grocery store, people are impatient and suspicious—sometimes they even yell. Sad, angry, and scared, the story’s young narrator decides not to leave home again … until a moment of empowerment helps her see the strength she and Abuelita share when they face the world together. Warm, expressive illustrations by Rafael Mayani highlight the tenderness in Abuelita and the narrator’s relationship.
Animals • Viking Books for Young Readers
A rollicking rhyme that celebrates the playful and mischievous similarities between cats and toddlers!
Whether they’re stretching and scheming, playing or dreaming, cats love to make mischief, sneak snacks, and cuddle up in a cozy spot, just like … kids! Cats Can proves that kittens and kids are more alike than we think. Roseanne Greenfield Thong’s rhyming romp is perfectly matched by the vibrant, energetic illustrations of Ebony Glenn in this playful read-aloud.
When a young boy and his mother travel overseas to her childhood home in Korea, the town is not as he imagined. Will he be able to see it the way Mommy does?
This gentle, contemplative picture book about family origins invites us to ponder the meaning of home. A young boy loves listening to his mother describe the place where she grew up, a world of tall mountains and friends splashing together in the river. Mommy’s stories have let the boy visit her homeland in his thoughts and dreams, and now he’s old enough to travel with her to see it for himself. But when mother and son arrive, the town is not as he imagined. Skyscrapers block the mountains, and crowds hurry past. The boy feels like an outsider—until they visit the river where his mother used to play, and he sees that the spirit and happiness of those days remain. Sensitively pitched to a child’s-eye view, this vivid story honors the immigrant experience and the timeless bond between parent and child, past and present.
Every kid loves their dog … and every dog loves their kid. A sweet, funny and stylish celebration of the human-dog relationship. For fans of Maira Kalman’s Beloved Dog and Emily Gravett’s Dogs.
My best friend is soft, warm, and comfy as a ball of cotton.
My best friend doesn’t like baths.
My best friend follows me everywhere. We give each other strength. We have no fear.
Full of the heart, affection, sweetness and mischief that every dog possesses, this book will delight dog lovers big and small and remind them of every good thing that a dog is.
Gentle themes of resiliency, mindfulness, and self-care are brought home in this sweet and soulful picture book with charmingly graphic illustrations and a poetic text.
I love listening to music, especially samba!
It feels like my heart follows the beat.
Meet a young girl who loves her cozy home. It smells like cinnamon tea and feels like warm pajamas. But even when she’s away from home, and everything is different, she finds a way to become her own home, where she feels calm. At night, when it’s too dark and her feet are cold, her room can be a little scary. But she creates her own light when she closes her eyes and thinks of the sun. With friendliness and charm, Juliana Perdomo, in her debut as author-illustrator, shows young readers how to find comfort and confidence within. Her heartwarming picture book reassures children that sometimes, everything we need—courage, joy, peace, and love—is already inside us.
April 19th
From acclaimed author Linda Ashman and illustrator Eve Coy comes this joyful picture book about making new friends and finding common ground.
We’re opposites! / You’re right—we are.
Like big and small. / Like near and far.
But even when we disagree / I like you, and you like me.
A rhyming friendship story told in two voices, this picture book follows two children as they try to discover what they have in common, from favorite toys to shaggy dogs to pizza toppings. With its gentle message and dynamic illustrations, this sweet story is sure to resonate with young readers.
Sports • Bloomsbury Children’s Books
Award-winning picture book creator Frank Morrison makes his author/illustrator debut in an exuberant story about being yourself.
Epic has tricks you won’t believe. He’s the kick flipping, big rail king. When his family moves to a new neighborhood, he can’t wait to hit the street with his skateboard. But his old moves don’t feel fresh without a crew to see ’em. Epic thinks about giving up his board to fit in, but an encouraging word from his dad helps him see that the trick to making new friends is to always be yourself. Be you … be epic!
Award-winning illustrator Frank Morrison offers a heartwarming, dynamic celebration of self-expression, inspired by his own journey through fatherhood.
A fun, lyrical picture book, Kicks is an essential read for sneaker fans of all ages, from award-winning poet Van G. Garrett and illustrator Reggie Brown.
This is a love letter to sneakers. But not just any sneakers. Only the flyest, floatiest, you-est kicks you can get—the ones that let you soar!
This colorful, rhythmic adventure has something to offer anyone who prizes a great pair of shoes and any reader who loves to play with words.
Family • Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Sisters aren’t just super, they’re superheroes in this celebration of friendship and sisterhood by Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush.
Emma has been lonely all her life growing up in a neighborhood with no other kids—until the day two sets of sisters move to her street! The girls immediately form a club, only to discover that something mysterious is going on. They’ve each always had special talents, but when they work together, it’s almost like their skills become … superpowers. Now the sisterhood is ready to help their neighborhood thrive, as long as they can keep the spooky Ms. Wigglestoot from discovering their secret. Or maybe there’s a way these super sisters can help their archnemesis too …
From former first daughters Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush, authors of the #1 New York Times bestselling Sisters First, The Superpower Sisterhood makes it clear that with sisters by your side, life is pretty exciting. And anything is possible!
Dinosaurs • Viking Books for Young Readers
Did you know dinosaurs still roam the earth?
A small but mighty bird declares it is a dinosaur! But no one believes that dinosaurs still exist. How can it be a dinosaur when it is so little? Dinosaurs didn’t have feathers … or did they? This tiny dino is here to explain to its animal friends that birds are, in fact, dinosaurs, and all creatures are connected to one big animal family. With a playful ensemble of animal characters and dynamic bursts of dialogue, celebrated author and illustrator Deborah Freedman has created a spirited and informative picture book for dinosaur lovers of all ages.
Emotions • Abrams Books for Young Readers
A fractured fairy tale to help kids slow down and find their energy, from New York Times bestseller and mindfulness expert Susan Verde!
Once upon a time there were two neighbors, Hare and Tortoise. Although they lived side by side, they did things very differently.
Hare did everything quickly and energetically. But she was so busy that she didn’t always pay attention to the things—or people—around her. Some might say she was too fast.
Tortoise did everything slowly and thoughtfully. But sometimes he took so much time that he had trouble finishing things. Some might say he was too slow.
What will happen when the two come head to head? In this original spin on a classic fairytale, New York Times bestselling author Susan Verde and illustrator Jay Fleck explore how too much of anything won’t get you across the finish line, and how having a friend to help you find balance is the best thing of all.
Includes exercises to help YOU find your “just right.”
April 26th
People & Places • Viking Books for Young Readers
A loving ode to modern motherhood by Kelly Rowland and Jessica McKay.
Grammy Award–winning artist Kelly Rowland and educator Jessica McKay have crafted a lyrical celebration of working moms everywhere and a soothing story for their children. As a mother gets ready to go to work, first she works on building the world for her child. Because it can sometimes be hard to be separated during the day, Mom collects some simple words that she and her child can repeat whenever they are missing each other or feeling overwhelmed:
Always with you,
always with me,
mommy and child,
together we’ll be.
For any child who needs a little reassurance or just to share a sweet gesture of affection, Always with You, Always with Me is a loving tribute to families that honors the work a mother does both inside and outside of the home.
Animals, Humour • Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
In this funny and winsome epistolary picture book, a young boy who orders a dinosaur egg ends up with more than he—or his dad—bargained for!
All Maximus wants is a pet dinosaur—is that really too much to ask? But when his dad tells him he must send the egg back to where it came from, a mysterious company called Eggasaurus, Inc, a hiccup in communication leads to Max getting more … and more … and MORE eggs! Can he and his dad find a compromise before the eggs hatch and the baby dinosaurs take over their home?
People & Places • Tra Publishing
The Rare, Tiny Flower illustrates a deeply touching and thoughtful poem by Kitty O’Meara that, in the form of a parable, celebrates difference, tolerance, and unity.
The poem features a mysterious flower that looks different to each viewer, which leads to strife as everyone insists that their vision is “right.” Leaders and even botanists are unable to agree on the nature of the flower—it takes a young girl to point out that the flower is, in fact, quite multidimensional. Remarkably, she has the ability to be heard by the squabbling masses, who then see beyond their fighting and commit to connecting with one another.
O’Meara’s thoughtful poem begins with these words:
Once, in a forest,
a bird dropped a seed.
It wasn’t a sapling,
it wasn’t a weed,
but a rare, tiny flower
that found light and grew.
To some it looked red,
to some it looked blue.
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