Are you looking for the best picture books to read in July 2021?
With every month of new releases, the books get better and better. I’m always adding new books to my TBR — and even though I really don’t need more books, the TBR is always getting bigger!
If you’re looking for new releases to read with your kids before bed, picture books to add to your classroom library, or a new read-aloud for class, this list of brand new picture book releases is for you!
Whether you need a humourous story or one with an important message, you’ll find a perfect book on this list of picture books to read in July 2021.
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July 6th
Imagination • Random House Books for Young Readers
HOCUS POCUS! There’s a witch in your book and she’s making a terrible mess. Can you use your own magic to show Messy Witch who’s boss and help her keep your book tidy?
July 13th
In the tradition of Blueberries for Sal, author of I Wish It Would Snow! Sarah Dillard presents a witty and whimsical tale of a young bear who can’t get enough of his favorite treat!
There’s nothing Little Bear loves more than delicious, delectable blueberries. And one of the very best ways to eat blueberries is in Mama’s sweet, scrumptious blueberry cake. But when Little Bear goes to pick berries so Mama can fix him a treat, he can’t resist eating them all! Can Little Bear figure out how to save some yummy blueberries, or will he once again come home empty handed and never get any blueberry cake?
A young slime scientist is surprised when her latest creation comes to life in this funny and clever picture book twist on Frankenstein.
Victoria Franken is a slime scientist.
Her experiments lead to amazing slimes. Until, one dark and stormy night, her latest experiment goes awry and her newest creation COMES TO LIFE!
Joy Keller’s clever text and Ashley Belote’s humor-filled art combine to create a fun picture book twist on horror movies like Frankenstein and The Blob, that also explores the scientific method and the importance of recording observations and results. The author has also included a couple of Victoria’s best slime recipes, although you’ll notice the secret formula for making a Frankenstein slime is missing.
Sounds • Simon & Schuster / Paul Wiseman Books
In the tradition of Tomie dePaola’s Quiet and Scott Magoon’s Breathe comes this lyrical, meditative picture book about listening and mindfulness.
BEEP!
WOOF!
VROOM!
Isn’t the world a noisy place?
But what if you
stop, close your eyes,
and LISTEN?
Can you hear each sound?
Can you listen past the noise
and hear the quiet, too?
Beautifully illustrated and poignant, this lovely picture book follows a girl through her school day as she listens to sounds across the city: caws of crows, shouts across the playground, and finally, the quiet beating of her heart and whispered goodnights.
Social Themes • Flamingo Books
From rising country star Jimmie Allen comes a lyrical celebration of the many types of voices that can effect change.
From voices tall as a tree, to voices small as a bee, all it takes is confidence and a belief in the goodness of others to change the world. Coming at a time when issues of social justice are at the forefront of our society, this is the perfect book to teach children that they’re not too young to express what they believe in and that all voices are valuable.
Animals, Social Themes • HarperCollins
Never, Not Ever! is the instant classic from Beatrice Alemagna—a laugh-out-loud tribute to little kids everywhere who would prefer not to leave home on the first day of school.
The other animals are marching dutifully to school, but Pascaline could care less. “Never, not ever!” she declares. She’s NOT going. And nothing—not even her parents pulling her by her feet—will change her mind.
She shrieks so loudly that her parents shrink down to the size of peanuts—becoming just the right size to fit snugly under Pascaline’s wing. Now they can all go to school together!
In Never, Not Ever! award-winning picture book creator Beatrice Alemagna reminds us that small children need their parents to be close by … but not too close.
Self-Esteem • Grosset & Dunlap
A gorgeously illustrated, modern retelling of the classic The Little Engine That Could, sharing the timely message that everyone’s journey is different, and that sometimes, success comes from a helping hand.
Graduation day is finally here! The Little Blue Engine, the Yellow Passenger Engine, and the Red Freight Engine are excited to take their final test of Engine School: making their first solo trip over the mountain. But each engine encounters different challenges and obstacles on their journey. Gorgeous illustrations by Lou Fancher and Steve Johnson combine with a poignant story told by Bob McKinnon to remind a new generation of readers to think they can.
Vivi loves science! In this STEM-themed picture book, part of a series about girls who love science, Vivi and her classmates go on a field trip to the ocean to investigate tide pools. A must-have for fans of Rosie Revere, Engineer and What Do You Do with an Idea? and anyone who loves to ask questions and learn about the world. Features a glossary and fun tide pool activity to do a home.
In the companion to Cece Loves Science and Libby Loves Science, Vivi and her classmates take a field trip to the beach to study tide pools. With help from her teacher and a park ranger, Vivi and her friends make aquascopes, participate in a marine-inspired scavenger hunt, and learn about different species that call the ocean home.
At the end of their trip, there’s one more surprise for Vivi! Full of fun facts about marine biology and conservation, Vivi Loves Science is a perfect pick for aspiring scientists, classrooms, and fans of Andrea Beaty’s Ada Twist, Scientist.
July 20th
Animals • Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Environmental activism gets a nocturnal twist in this utterly charming picture book about a young girl and her mission to save the bats!
Amara loves bats! Her favorite thing to do is to collect bat facts and watch the amazing mammals fly at night by her house. But when Amara moves to a new town, she learns that her beloved bats no longer roost nearby because so many trees are being cut down.
Amara is upset. What can she do to help? She’s just one person, and the problem feels so much bigger than her. But after doing some research, she discovers that there are many young people making big changes all around the world. Inspired to take action, Amara gathers her new friends to help save the bats. Together, she knows they can make a difference!
Emma Reynolds crafts an inspiring story about community action, perseverance, and what to do in the face of climate anxiety. At its heart, this is a story about hope and finding a place to call home.
This heartwarming picture book reassures children that a parent’s love never lets go—based on the poignant lyrics of JJ Heller’s beloved lullaby “Hand to Hold.”
“May the living light inside you be the compass as you go /
May you always know you have my hand to hold.”
With delightful illustrations and an engaging rhyme scheme, this book offers the promise of security and love every child’s heart longs to know. From skipping stones and counting stars to climbing trees and telling stories, every moment is wrapped snugly in the certain warmth of a parent’s presence and God’s blessing. With poignancy and joy, this bedtime read captures the unconditional love parents want their children to know but so often fail to express amid the chaos of daily life.
Ghost Story • Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
From the bestselling creator of Not Quite Narwhal comes a delightfully spooky story about an old house who wants to be a home … even if her new family isn’t what she expected.
House has a problem.
She’s a little spooky. She’s a little cobwebby. Oh, no! What if she’s haunted?
She’s not sure, but … her hinges creak. Her pipes bang. And on windy days, the branches scritch-scratch at her windows. She tries to hold her breath and be as still as possible. If she’s on her best behavior, maybe a family will move in.
How will House ever find a family that doesn’t mind being haunted?
What does it take to help a pumpkin grow? Find out in this warm, rhyming tale of gardening and unexpected friendship.
Dog is planting a garden, doing all he can to help his pumpkins grow: protecting them from snow, weeding and watering their patch, and keeping them safe from barnyard creatures who might eat the sprouts! But are Crow, Rabbit, Duck, and Goat really out to destroy the garden? Or are they be new friends hoping to pitch in and help the pumpkins thrive?
Cooking • Random House Books for Young Readers
Dora the Explorer meets No Reservations in this delicious picture book debut! Follow Kalamata and her alligator sidekick on the first of many exciting food adventures in a charming story about facing fears and overcoming back-to-school jitters.
Grown-ups never seemed to notice, but Kalamata’s kitchen table was magical. Under her table, she and Al Dente could transport themselves anywhere …
Tomorrow is Kalamata’s first day at a new school, and she’s nervous! What if the kids aren’t friendly? Or worse, what if they don’t like alligators!? If only Kalamata and Al Dente could go to back to the Indian spice market they visited this summer, then maybe she’d remember how to feel brave when new experiences seem scary.
Luckily for Kalamata, all the magic required for her journey is right in her own kitchen! As Kalamata and her alligator friend, Al Dente, transport themselves to a magical land filled with tasty ingredients, she realizes being brave is exciting! And most importantly, she learns that when we’re nervous about trying new things, food can comfort us and remind us to stay curious, courageous, and compassionate.
Friendship, Mermaids • Sky Pony
Yara loves being the only mermaid in the lagoon where she plays with her friends all day. That is, until another mermaid arrives—and she wants to play, too. Can Yara adjust to no longer being the only mermaid?
Dive into a world full of colorful sea creatures and experience joyful mermaid games in this important story about the value of kindness and friendship!
Yara’s lagoon is full of beautiful sights, from her cozy cave to the shining moon. If you look closely, you’re sure to spot seahorses, jellies, dolphins, a turtle, an octopus, and even a whale among Yara’s friends. It’s no wonder the new mermaid, Devya, wants to stay and play! Yara struggles with all the changes brought on by the new arrival and misses the days when she was the only mermaid, but she may soon learn that there’s more to Devya than she first thought.
By creating an enchanting mermaid world, Lisa Ann Scott’s dynamic text helps young readers understand feelings of jealousy and loneliness while teaching them to be kind, communicative, and generous with new friends.
Meet Tiny Barbarian! Tiny may be tiny, but he’s MIGHTY! (His imagination is, too!)
When Tiny and his family walk by a retro movie theater poster, Tiny realizes he wants to be:
“A BARBARIAN!” Just like ’80s fantasy movie character BOB THE BARBARIAN!
Tiny doesn’t have Bob’s shining helmet, sturdy club, fuzzy cape, etc.
But Tiny does have: A colander. A paper towel tube. That little rug that goes around the toilet. And a MIGHTY imagination!
Tiny puts them all together, looks in the mirror, and … He is TINY BARBARIAN!
With his Battle Kitty by his side, Tiny Barbarian defends his realm, protects his family, and defeats “A DRAGON!” “A TROLL!” And even, “GIANT BROCCOLI!”
But at bedtime, our brave Tiny Barbarian meets his most challenging foe of all: “THE DARK!”
Can Tiny conquer THIS?!
Ame Dyckman (You Don’t Want A Unicorn!, etc.) and Ashley Spires (The Most Magnificent Thing, etc.) share the hilarious origin story of a relatable little hero and the importance of embracing imagination, facing fears, and discovering one’s own inner conqueror.
Holiday • Atheneum Books for Young Readers
From the critically acclaimed author and illustrator of A Hungry Lion and Stumpkin comes a charming, wryly humorous story of adventure, mistaken identity, and a vampire family’s day at the zoo.
On a Saturday morning, baby Dracula visits the zoo with his family, where baby Penguin lives with hers. But these intrepid young adventurers are not content with staying in their proper places.
Instead, baby Dracula slips into the Penguin House to spend the day eating, swimming, and hanging around, while baby Penguin waddles into the stroller to explore the rest of the zoo. Dracula’s family doesn’t even notice the switch—will they bring the right baby home?
Observant and adventurous young readers will love this tale of the shenanigans that happen when parents’ backs are turned.
July 27th
The love between a brother and sister shines through in this reassuring picture book about a common childhood transition—an older sibling starting school and leaving the younger one behind.
Liza is Henry’s big sister, and Henry is Liza’s little brother. As long as there has been a Henry and Liza, they have always done everything together. Haircuts, birthday parties, tree climbing, even flu shots. Liza and Henry. Henry and Liza. But that all changes when Liza starts school for the first time, heading off to kindergarten and leaving her little brother behind. Henry is incredulous. How can Liza do this to him?
This true-to-life picture book, gorgeously illustrated, explores a sweet sibling relationship and carries an important and reassuring message about family and growing up.
A girl’s efforts to build a robot friend go comically awry when the robot attempts world domination in this witty metaphor for the ups and downs of friendship.
Ever wish friendship came with an instruction manual? A resourceful youngster follows step-by-step directions for constructing a robot to be her friend. The instructions make it sound so simple! But they also caution that sometimes a friendship doesn’t turn out as hoped for, as the girl discovers when her new friend unexpectedly unleashes an evil robot army on the city. Now she has to stop the robot and seriously reevaluate their friendship! In the end, the resilient heroine of this comical and clever tale not only saves the city, she finds a real and lasting friend where least expected.
NO! I do NOT want to be so small!
I wish I’d keep growing so I can be tall.
This little boy is fed up with being so little. He wants to be as tall as his friends and his big brother. But when he loses his teddy bear up a tree, not even his new tall friend can get it back for him. Maybe with a little bit of help they can reach the bear together …
A fun and inspiring tale about learning to love who we are, no matter what size. A perfect picture book for little people who don’t want to be so little! From the brilliant Laura Ellen Anderson — the author/illustrator of the brilliantly fun I Don’t Want Curly Hair and the bestselling Amelia Fang series.
From the #1 New York Times bestselling creators of The Bad Seed; The Good Egg; The Cool Bean; and The Couch Potato comes a 9×9 paper-over-board picture book featuring that ever-popular character, the bad seed.
In his second adventure, the bad seed conspires to postpone Halloween when he can’t find the perfect costume. If he can’t enjoy his favorite holiday, NOBODY can.
Will this seed return to his baaaaaaaaad ways?
Find out in this hilarious, charming, and thought-provoking continuation of Jory John and Pete Oswald’s bestselling series.
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