With this list of the best new picture books to read in October 2022, your children will have an incredible fall full of reading!
Fall is in full swing — the cool breeze makes for cozy nights reading, whether alone, or together as a family. These incredible new picture books releasing this month are sure to please readers of all ages.
Whether you’re looking for some picture books to read with your children or new picture books to add to your classroom library, you’ll love this months new releases.
From some anticipated releases from celebrities to debut authors, you don’t want to miss the best picture books to read in October 2022.
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October 4th
From Academy Award winning actress, founder, and bestselling author, Reese Witherspoon, comes Busy Betty, a story about a creative, curious, and exuberant young girl who has big plans and an even bigger heart.
Busy Betty has always been busy … even when she was just a baby! When Betty gives Frank a big hug, she realizes he needs a bath, PRONTO! Her best friend, Mae, is coming over, and Betty can’t have the smelliest dog in the whole world! But giving Frank a bath is harder than she thought and just when everything seems impossible, with Mae’s help, Betty learns she can accomplish anything with perseverance, teamwork, and one great idea.
From Reese Witherspoon comes a smart and larger-than-life character who encourages young readers to celebrate what makes them unique and realize that anything is possible!
Self-Esteem • Farrar, Straus and Giroux
A picture book about recognizing the beauty around you and within you.
Brown is beautiful.
On a hike with her grandparents, a young Indian-American girl makes note of all the things in nature that are brown, too. From a nurturing mother bear, to the steadiness of deep twisting roots, to the beauty of a wild mustang, brown is everywhere! On her way, the girl collects the beautiful brown things she encounters as mementos for a scrapbook to share with a very special new addition to her family—a baby brother!
Brown is you.
Brown is me.
Bedtime • Andrews McMeel Publishing
From New York Times bestselling author r.h. Sin comes a modern-day lullaby that illustrates the importance of rest.
Written from the perspective of parenthood with the intent to illustrate the beauty in rest. The wonderful exploration that exists within a dream and a baby’s journey to get there. Dream, My Child is a modern lullaby that will spark the imagination of your little one.
Friendship • Abrams Books for Young Readers
From the award-winning team behind Ida, Always and This Way, Charlie comes an uplifting story of animal friendship, inspired by a real-life pair of storks whose bond overcame great distance.
Best friends Malena and Klepetan always adventure together! The two excitedly prepare to fly thousands of miles for the flock’s annual migration to a warm winter. But when Malena is injured, she stays in Croatia while Klepetan goes to South Africa—and the pair must navigate the turbulent winds of separation for the first time.
Being apart is hard. Malena and Klepetan miss each other achingly, and they have big feelings about adventuring on their own. But even over the vast distance, the two brave explorers discover ways to enjoy their separate seasons while keeping their hearts connected—and their hopes aloft that spring will bring them back together.
Family • Frances Lincoln Children’s Books
This stunningly illustrated and heartfelt book tells the story of a mother bear and her child, who leave their house on an adventure in search of a star, in a warm tale of love, family and home.
Look up at the stars, so high above me.
If I could just hold one, how happy I’d be!
A parent and child go in search of a star, journeying through dark woods, accross rough seas and through snow and ice to the top of Mount Digger-Doo in order to reach their goal, but what will happen when they find it out of reach?
This lyrical picture book celebrates adventure, coming home, love — and the idea that sometimes what you are looking for is right under your nose. A relaxing and mindful read that’s perfect for any parent who is looking to soothe their child at bedtime.
A sweet and heartwarming picture book about a young girl forming a connection with her family—and her Abuelita—on her first trip to Mexico from debut author Mónica Mancillas and rising-star illustrator Erika Meza.
Mariana’s tummy does a flip as she and Mami cross the Mexican frontera. Mariana is visiting her Abuelita and extended family for the first time.
There are all new sights, smells, and sounds.
And at Abuelita’s house, Mariana is overwhelmed by new faces and Spanish words she doesn’t understand.
But with a story, some kindness, and a few new words from Abuelita, Mariana discovers that the love of family knows no cultural divide.
A story about coming to a new home and the diverse people you meet on an airplane. For fans of Last Stop on Market Street.
On this airplane …
Someone travels solo,
two travel as one,
three return
and four set out.
In this simple and moving book, a young family takes a plane to their new home. While onboard, they encounter all the people you meet on a plane: a bookworm, a businessperson, tourists, crying babies and daydreamers … all with their own stories and all heading somewhere special.
LGBTQ+, Self-Esteem • Page Street Kids
In this refreshingly celebratory LGBTQIA+ story, a child goes on a quest to find the right pronouns and discovers many beautiful kinds of gender identity, unquestioning support, and a more confident sense of self.
“I’m not sure I’m a boy … so maybe he is not best for me.”
Payden has always used he/him pronouns, until one day Payden realizes those words might not fit. Payden’s parents promise to throw a big party to introduce whatever pronouns Payden chooses—but which pronouns are the best match? On a colorful quest, Payden talks to friends about a rainbow of possibilities: he, she, they, ze, and so many more! The right pronouns are just waiting to be tried on.
Put on your party hats and learn about the magical variety of pronouns in this thoughtful story that imagines a world of unquestioning support for gender exploration, celebrates all the different ways a person can present, and provides a blueprint for people of any age who are pondering what gender means to them.
The laughter is nonstop as everyone’s favorite greedy and selfish pug is sent to obedience school in this picture book from #1 New York Times bestselling author-illustrator Aaron Blabey.
Pig was a pug
and I’m sorry to say,
after years of his antics
it was now time to pay.
Pig’s bad behavior has finally caught up with him — it’s time for OBEDIENCE SCHOOL! Can this terrible pug ever be tamed? Not if he can help it …
Rich with author-illustrator Aaron Blabey’s signature rhyming text and unforgettable illustrations, Pig the Rebel is a laugh-out-loud story that follows the nine previous books in the series.
A pair of Christmas tree ornaments set out on the merry adventure of a lifetime in this imaginative picture book about the inner lives of holiday decorations.
All is quiet in the forest as the Great Star rises in the distance, and two little musicians, Strum and Drum, wake up from a deep slumber and set out to make the most joyous music they can! But as Strum strums his guitar and Drum drums her drum on their way to the North, some mysterious obstacles fill their paths … flickering lanterns, bubbles of glass, a silver waterfall, a tiny house, dangerous animals … and a wooden man with a toothy grin warns them of a beast with green eyes lying in wait. For this is no ordinary forest — it’s a Christmas tree, on Christmas Eve, and Strum, Drum and all their new friends are ornaments! But when the green-eyed beast strikes and sends them tumbling out of the “forest,” Strum and Drum’s quest to reach the Great Star seems doomed … until a little boy setting out milk and cookies for Santa spots them.
Emotions • Bloomsbury Children’s Books
Teach your little ones to soothe their worries and practice gratitude every day in this gorgeous, uplifting picture book that encourages mindfulness.
Whenever I am feeling sad
or life feels hard or wrong or bad,
I focus for a little while
on little things that make me smile …
What are the things that make YOU feel happy? From swinging high on playground swings to licking melting ice cream, there are lots of small things that can cheer up a grey day.
This reassuring, uplifting picture book celebrates the little things that bring us joy and happiness. We all have bad days and sad days, but sometimes it’s the smallest things that make us smile!
An outrageously funny sibling rivalry story with a hand-me-down twist
Olivia loves her favorite sweater. I mean, she really really loves it. So when her mom decides it’s time to hand it down to Olivia’s baby brother, Olivia vows that she will not rest until she and her beloved sweater are reunited.
In her riotously funny new picture book, Kevin the Unicorn creator Jessika von Innerebner puts an oh-so-satisfying spin on an age-old conflict that is bound to delight siblings of all stripes.
The Big Christmas Bake is a funny, lively romp through the twelve days of Christmas, taking the elements of the popular carol, and weaving them cleverly into the ingredients for a Twelfth Night Cake.
Starting with the partridge and its gift of dried fruit, this rhyming story includes all of the familiar characters from the song as they all contribute to the baking of the magnificent Twelfth Night cake.
A trio of french hens bring baking powder
Six geese bring eggs, and lots of feathers too
Ten lords help carry the cake into the oven ready to bake
At the end of the story, there is a recipe included to bake your own cake at home, giving this book the potential to be a favorite Christmas story as well as a resource to be used every year in introducing a twelfth-night cake tradition to a family.
Characterfully illustrated by Pippa Curnick The Big Christmas Bake is a beautiful, lyrical, and gently humourous Christmas story for the whole family to enjoy.
Emigration • Running Press Kids
An inspiring story about cultural identity, being true to oneself, and finding a new home as a refugee.
Layla lives in a beautiful blue world. One day, her mother gives her a gift—a blue scarf that Layla lovingly wears around her neck. But when a gust of wind carries the scarf away, Layla sets out to find it, traveling by boat to various worlds of different colors. But her scarf is nowhere to be found. Eventually, Layla lands at the shores of a Rainbow world and discovers the secret of her lost scarf while also finding a welcoming new home. A beautiful and poignant refugee story about identity, emigration, and acceptance told by Mohamed Danawi and brought to life in gorgeous color by illustrator Ruaida Mannaa.
Family, Grief • Kids Can Press
In this poignant story from Andrew Larsen, a child spends time with a beloved grandmother during her final days and experiences love that will last a lifetime.
When Grandma gets sick and comes to stay at her grandchild’s house, she brings her bird feeder. Grandma loves birds. And the child loves the time they now get to have together, drawing pictures of birds and “talking about interesting things.” After a while, though, Grandma’s health declines, and she moves to the hospice. Hanging Grandma’s bird feeder outside the window there makes things better. After a while, though, Grandma continues to grow weaker, and her ability to interact lessens. Difficult as it is, the child adjusts, knowing that, while the situation keeps changing, their love for each other never wavers.
Award-winning author Andrew Larsen beautifully captures the special bond between a child and a grandparent, and sensitively deals with a child’s loss of a loved one. Using the motif of their shared love of birds and its physical manifestation in the form of the bird feeder allows for a continuity in the child’s life that puts the loss in a larger context. Larsen offers an authentic, straightforward presentation of the process of a loved one’s death, from being sick, to going to the hospice, to participating less and less in their relationship, to death. It will lead young readers to ask their own questions about life, death and how we remember those who die. The cool palette and simple lines in Dorothy Leung’s art evoke empathy for the child’s experience, while the presence of the birds adds life and hope to the visual story.
From a tiny seed inside a cone, to a towering tree in the forest, follow the journey of a special pine turned shining Christmas tree. Through wooded roads and across deep seas, the tree makes a long trip to London’s Trafalgar Square. There it stands, spreading joy to all the cheery shoppers and Christmas carollers that pass it. But it won’t stay forever; next year, a new tree will experience the same magical journey.
This delightful picture book full of melodic rhymes and cheery illustrations is the perfect gift to brighten the holiday season.
Bunny searches for and finds the perfect Christmas tree in this perennial holiday tale.
Bunny is looking for the perfect Christmas tree. Her forest friends tell her that the perfect tree is one that is just her size, bushy as Squirrel’s tail, perfectly pointy on top for a star, the greenest green, and smells like Christmas. But sometimes the perfect tree is the one surrounded by friends.
A heartwarming picture book about a neighborhood coming together to help a kitten find a home, from a New York Times bestselling author and a Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator.
Contrary to what you may believe, this story is not about a kitten, hungry and dirty, scared and alone, needing a home. It is also not about the dog who heard the kitten meowing sadly. Even less so about the woman and child walking the dog, who stopped when their dog heard the kitten. Nor is it about the friends who brought a box for the kitten, or the man who offered it some milk. No, this story is not about a kitten at all—well, maybe a little—but more importantly this is a story about community, compassion, and generosity.
Randall de Sève’s thoughtful and warm story is sure to fill readers of all ages with hope and the warm fuzzy feeling that rescuing animals brings. Wonderfully complemented by Carson Ellis’s breathtaking illustrations, this book is sure to be cherished by animal-loving readers everywhere!
Farmer’s underpants will never be the same when Kitty and her funny and wacky barnyard pals squeeze into their new “coat” and prance around the farm. The hilarity is nonstop!
Tammi Sauer’s The Underpants is a hilarious and irreverent homage to Jan Brett’s The Mitten, in which Kitty discovers a “coat” in a farmer’s fresh laundry pile. Hysterical hijinks ensue as Dog, Pig, Rooster, Cow, and Bird want to share the “coat.” Joren Cull’s illustrations add loads of laughter as the underpants “coat” gets more and more crowded and our five barnyard pals prance around the farmyard.
Readers of all ages will laugh out loud on this underwear adventure!
October 11th
People & Places • HarperCollins
This lyrical picture book is a joyous, poetic, celebration of Black children and a reminder of the Universe’s unconditional love in stunning verse and captivating collage. Perfect for fans of Sulwe!
When the Universe decides to create a child, she draws from the earth—rich, dark, and full of everything that gives life, including eyes like black star sapphires and full lips to speak the truth. With help from the Sun and the Moon, they create a child of the Universe: beautiful, powerful, and boundless with the brilliance of Black Gold.
Laura Obuobi’s empowering, whimsical text and London Ladd’s lustrous, captivating illustrations will inspire children to love themselves exactly as they are.
Grammy Award winner Rhiannon Giddens celebrates Black history and culture in her unflinching, uplifting, and gorgeously illustrated picture book debut.
I learned your words and wrote my song. I put my story down.
As an acclaimed musician, singer, songwriter, and cofounder of the traditional African American string band the Carolina Chocolate Drops, Rhiannon Giddens has long used her art to mine America’s musical past and manifest its future, passionately recovering lost voices and reconstructing a nation’s musical heritage. Written as a song to commemorate the 155th anniversary of Juneteenth—which was originally performed with famed cellist Yo-Yo Ma—and paired here with bold illustrations by painter Monica Mikai, Build a House tells the moving story of a people who would not be moved and the music that sustained them. Steeped in sorrow and joy, resilience and resolve, turmoil and transcendence, this dramatic debut offers a proud view of history and a vital message for readers of all ages: honor your heritage, express your truth, and let your voice soar, even—or perhaps especially—when your heart is heaviest.
Con Pollo: A Bilingual Playtime Adventure is an engaging and hilarious picture book that serves young readers as an introduction to basic Spanish vocabulary, brought to life by superstar team-up Jimmy Fallon and Jennifer Lopez.
Meet Pollo, a friendly little chicken who just wants to play. And play, and play, and play all day!
Pollo makes any activity more fun. Why just go to the beach when you could go to la playa con Pollo?
Do you want to play soccer, or play fútbol con Pollo?
Do you want to go dancing, or bailar con Pollo?
Whatever you decide to do, you’re in for a busy, adventurous day with your new friend, Pollo!
This laugh-out-loud picture book by Dan Marvin, with tongue-in-cheek art by Lesley Vamos, is an irreverent exploration of what it might’ve looked like if dinosaurs had lusciously stylized ‘dos.
What if dinosaurs had … hair?
Curled, crimped, feathered, and permed, this book imagines the wealth of colors, styles, and hair textures the Jurassic Period might have had to offer. As well as their epic hair warfare.
But as with any great battle, one hairstyle must have risen above the rest—one that literally blew these dinosaurs away …
Author Dan Marvin has crafted a hilariously escalating story that begs to be reread, and illustrator Lesley Vamos brings eye-catching dynamic color and personality to this picture book. If Dinosaurs Had Hair brings the dinosaurs back to life in full color.
From the creator of Wild Honey from the Moon comes a fanciful lullaby as cozy and unique as a mushroom home.
Here is your mushroom at the end of the day.
The sun stretches out and sets far away.
In gentle rhyme, this spare and whimsical picture book from the one-of-a-kind imagination of Kenneth Kraegel introduces little readers to all sorts of wonderful mushrooms: ones that grow up high and ones that never stay dry, ones that grow in a park and ones that glow in the dark, and even one made just for them! Who can resist climbing up the soft mushroom stair, curling up in a plush mushroom chair, and preparing to dream sweet mushroom dreams? The lulling narration and warm illustrations of this charmingly quirky book will have drowsy young ones settling into their own comfy beds, ready to drift off to sleep.
Discover namaste’s many meanings in a simple, lyrical text, paired with a charmingly detailed visual narrative about a little girl’s kindness.
Namaste calms your heart when things aren’t going right.
Namaste is saying “You matter.”
What is namaste? It’s found in a smile, a friendship, a celebration. It exists in silence; it can be said when you’re happy or when you’re feeling low. For one small girl in a bustling city, namaste (“I bow to you”) is all around her as she and her mother navigate a busy marketplace—and when she returns with a little plant and chooses to give it to an elderly neighbor, it can be seen in the caring bond between them. In a sweet, universal text, debut author Suma Subramaniam shines a light on a word with significance far beyond yoga class, while artist Sandhya Prabhat makes the concept of mindfulness come alive in delightful illustrations likely to draw children in again and again.
This Little Golden Book is based on the Disney film Strange World — in theaters on November 23, 2022!
Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Strange World journeys deep into an uncharted and treacherous land where fantastical creatures await. Directed by Don Hall, written by Qui Nguyen, and produced by Roy Conli, Strange World arrives in theaters on November 23, 2022. This Little Golden Book retelling of the animated feature film is perfect for children ages 2 to 5, as well as Disney Little Golden Book collectors of all ages!
Once upon a morning in Hong Kong, in the alley of Tai Yuen Street, a girl is promised a mooncake with a double-yolk center—the best kind!
The special mooncake seems like the only excitement on an otherwise boring day in the market where nothing changes … until an exhausted stranger falls to his knees right in the street! He ran through forests, swam through rivers, and even stowed away on a ship, all to get to Hong Kong. Now at the end of his journey, all he needs is a bite to eat, but no one seems willing to help—not even the girl, if it means giving up her prized treat.
The girl’s ultimate decision has surprising, far-reaching consequences in this mostly true story that reminds us that even the smallest acts of kindness hold the power to change lives, for the giver as much as the receiver.
Forest animals help an injured nightingale survive the winter in a comforting story of friendship and resilience, lyrically told and gorgeously illustrated.
As the days grow shorter and the air becomes colder, the spring birds fly south for winter—all except for a nightingale with a broken wing. Unable to fly, the nightingale worries about how to prepare for weather it’s never had to experience before. Luckily, the forest animals who are used to frosty conditions help the nightingale navigate the cold as its wing heals. Though the unfamiliar season proves challenging, and even a little scary at times, the nightingale discovers there’s beauty to be found in even the harshest weather—and with that comes newfound gratitude for the return of spring. Kate Banks weaves a story of perseverance and kindness, brought beautifully to life by Suzie Mason’s stunning artwork.
Magic • Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Transform dust into magical memories in this moving intergenerational tale that celebrates stories and the time we have together.
Something magical happens when Hazel and Hilda are together. As the seasons pass, Hazel’s broom whisks the dust off many years of joyful memories, and young Hilda watches them come to life. But is it magic making memories … or are memories making magic?
This poignant tale and artistic tour de force from Caldecott Honoree Molly Idle gently explores the passage of time and the transcendent power of sharing our stories.
October 18th
In this Christmas story starring the crayons from the #1 New York Times bestseller The Day The Crayons Quit, Green Crayon is certain that he is the only Christmas color in the box. Of course, Red, White, Silver and even Tan have something to say about that …
When Green Crayon claims that green is the only color for Christmas, other crayons let him know that there would be no Christmas without them either. No candy canes or Santa without Red, no snow without White, no bells or stars without Silver, and no cookies or reindeer without Tan! The crayons agree that they all need to come together to make Christmas special.
This humorous Christmas story is the perfect stocking stuffer and a great gift for fans of The Day The Crayons Quit—and all kids who like to color.
Cooking • Farrar, Straus and Giroux
A laugh-out-loud picture book about a self-proclaimed picky eater of a raccoon—perfect for human picky eaters!
Don’t look at this raccoon and think she’ll eat just anything. Oh, no. She is picky! She’s been choosy forever—and listen, it’s a tough life. It’s not as though the perfect snacks just fall from the sky (except when they do). You’ve got to work to find the sourest milk, the crunchiest bumblebees, and the most delicious trash. Snacking while picky is a real challenge sometimes … but you never know where you’ll find the tastiest treats to try!
From children’s author Kristen Tracy and rising star illustrator Erin Kraan, I AM PICKY is sure to delight even the choosiest of eaters—and readers.
Imagination • Margaret K McElderry Books
The Idea Jar meets When I Draw a Panda in this hilarious picture book following a boy who recruits his talented friend to teach him how to draw!
Max loves to draw, but he’s not very good at it. No, seriously, just look at some of his drawings. Ouch. So he asks his best friend, Eugene, for help. Working side by side, it’s pretty obvious there’s no hope for Max. Until Eugene has a brilliant idea, and they find a way to use Max’s unique talents to turn up the awesome and have some fun! A lot of fun!
Brian Bigg’s hilarious illustrations join Stephen W. Martin’s conversational text to create a laugh-out-loud read about embracing your talent and creativity that budding artists everywhere will relate to!
A colorful celebration of cities and the people living in them.
Just like people, there are so many ways a city can be. And this lively picture book explores all of them. From quiet and dreamy to bright and buzzing, the magnificent diversity of our world is celebrated by connecting the uniqueness of its places with the people who live in them. Wild, gritty, bookish, or sheltering—if you were a city, how would YOU be?
Celebrating cities and people: Vivid illustrations introduce readers to cities and their citizens across the globe.
A fun read-aloud: Kyo Maclear is an acclaimed writer for all ages. Her lively text is perfect for reading aloud both at home and at school.
A fresh way to think about ourselves: Sometimes it can be hard to come up with the right words to describe who we are and how we feel. This thought-provoking book gives readers a new way to think about themselves and to express their identities.
Values & Virtues • Anne Schwartz Books
In this delightful, thoroughly entertaining picture book about the importance—and difficulty—of telling the truth, the queen’s trusty servant, a pangolin, breaks the royal swing and doesn’t know what to tell her!
Pangolin is enjoying himself on the royal swing in the bright summer sunshine when suddenly, the ropes break and—OW!—he falls to the ground. What will I tell the queen?! Pangolin worries. He races to the stables to ask his friend Badger. Tell her the musicians needed the swing’s rope for their lutes! the stablemaster advises. Fox, the castle guard, has a different idea: Might you say that the King needed to repair his royal jump rope? Pug, Cat, and Goose all have suggestions, too. But which story will Pangolin tell the queen?! Here is a charming picture book, full of delightful animal friends, about finding the courage to be honest with those around you—and with yourself.
Adorable jungle animals explore kindness and the importance of respecting others in this playful and energetic romp.
Ellie, the littlest elephant, is in a big hurry. She’s just learned to swim, and she’s excited to get to the water. She better get dashing if she wants to be the first one in! But as she crashes through the jungle, Ellie doesn’t stop to see all the creatures she’s knocked out of the way. Until … she steps on a tiger tail. ARRRGH!
Kate Read depicts a rich and lush setting, which hosts a delightfully colorful cast of friendly animals. This social-emotional tale is an excellent pick for introducing young ones to concepts of shared spaces and boundaries.
The MOMENTOUS debut of a groundbreaking Fairy Tale series — a brilliantly crafted, hilarious twist on this beloved classic, The Three Billy Goats Gruff, from renowned, award-winning, and New York Times bestselling duo and picture book pioneers Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen.
Once there was a bridge and a terrible and VERY hungry troll lived underneath it. When the three Billy Goats Gruff decide to clip-clop across the bridge to get to the grassy ridge, the troll is already imagining all the way to prepare a delicious goat dinner. But the troll underestimates those seemingly sweet but oh-so-savvy goats! This is the first in a groundbreaking new collection of fractured fairy tales crafted by one of today’s most celebrated and acclaimed authors, Mac Barnett, and brought to stunning visual life by award-winning and beloved creator of I Want My Hat Back, Jon Klassen.
Told with pitch perfect timing and pacing, hilarious detail, and Barnett’s signature narrator voice, this is Billy Goats Gruff as never before. High-stakes page turns will have readers on the edge of their seats and giggling along, as they join each goat and anticipate the arrival of the hungry and terrible troll living under the bridge. With Klassen’s brilliantly restrained scenes, arresting characters, and celebrated artistic style, this first of three fairy tales is destined to be a true publishing event!
Holidays • Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
An empowering holiday picture book by Meena Harris, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Ambitious Girl.
Amalia the Elf loves everything about making teddy bears …
Watching Grandma and Mama sew!
Feeling the soft, velvety fur!
Imagining the bears in their new homes!
… except the bear-making part.
Worried about disappointing her family, Amalia goes straight to Santa for advice. But it’s Mrs. Claus who knows how to solve Amalia’s problem—and who needs help with a secret of her own.
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Meena Harris, The Truth About Mrs. Claus is an empowering story about being true to yourself, honoring family traditions, and believing in Christmas magic.
From the bestselling author of The Quiet Book comes an honest and touching new picture book about the ups and downs of friendship.
Walter and Xavier are best friends. They do everything together! But then … quietly … slowly … Xavier becomes best friends with someone else. Walter goes from feeling hurt and left out to feeling confused and angry to feeling just plain lonely. Until one morning he wakes up feeling a tiny bit hopeful. That day, while out for a hike by himself, he meets Ollie. Could this be the beginning of a new friendship?
Sometimes best friends aren’t forever, and that’s okay. Because there might be a new pal waiting just around the corner.
October 25th
Concepts • Nancy Paulsen Books
A cast of adorable alphabet characters make this clever bedtime story a standout!
Suppertime’s over. Everyone’s fed.
Alpha Mom says, TIME FOR BED!
It’s a busy night for the Alphabet Family—after all, there are 26 kiddos to get ready for bed. A, B, and C declare they are not ready, and Impish I and Jazzy J don’t want to settle down, but by toothbrushing-time the crew seems to be headed in the right direction. Bath time requires six bathtubs and is super-splashy—and getting into jammies is no joke—but finally, after a story has been read and they are all tucked in tight, peace should reign. Except what’s this? When Mom turns off the light, it’s an Alpha pillow fight! Toddlers are sure to get a huge kick out of this lively alpha family—and hopefully following each and every little letter’s antics will tucker them out!
A hilarious and gorgeous picture book by A Hundred Billion Trillion Stars author Seth Fishman, following a bad drawer who works together with his friends to help bring his wildest stories to life.
Seth has a super fantastic story in his head. A story so completely awesome and unbelievably amazing that he needs to get it out on paper and share it with the world right away. There’s only one problem: He’s a bad drawer. Like, really bad. He’s tried and tried, but his illustrations are never quite like he imagined when they actually land on the page.
But he has an idea that might fix things: What if his friends help him bring his story to life? A delightful picture book featuring work from award-winning illustrators Jessixa Bagley, Armand Baltazar, Anna Bond, Travis Foster, Jessica Hische, Tillie Walden, and Ethan Young, Bad Drawer will make readers laugh out loud and embrace their flaws — while also having quite a bit of fun in the process.
Manners • Knopf Books for Young Readers
Two award-winning creators team up for this picture book about what happens—and how you feel—when you give to someone else. And then it asks you to do just that—with the book in your hands!
Prepare to open a very special book—a book that you read, but that you don’t keep. That’s right. This book isn’t destined for a pile in your room. It’s not going to gather dust on a bookshelf. This book is for you to read and enjoy, and then to give away. Yes, away, to someone you’ve never spoken to before.
So, who are you going to pick? The next person you pass on the street? Someone sitting alone on a bench? A kid at the park? Who knows—maybe you’ll even make a new friend!
Here is a one-of-a-kind picture book that brilliantly introduces the act of giving—quite literally—in a concrete way for kids to understand, and reveals how good it feels when you do.
Bedtime • Christy Ottaviano Books
Good Dream Dragon comes to the rescue in easing a child’s bedtime fears in this magical story featuring a nonbinary child.
When a young child is afraid to go to sleep, they call on the Good Dream Dragon to help lead the way. Together, the pair race past comets as they travel through the night galaxy, making their way to the magical world of Dreamland.
This soothing bedtime story celebrates imagination as a way to help alleviate a child’s bedtime jitters. It is a gentle reminder to children that comfort is always within reach.
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