Most anticipated children's books of 2024

From legends such as Kate DiCamillo and Lois Lowry, as well as cherished writers of adult literature including Isabel Allende and David Sedaris, the picture book and middle grade offerings of 2024 promise to be hilarious and emotionally profound, action-packed and ruminative, wildly imaginative and grounded.

Available 1/09/2024

Children's, Middle Grade

Slugfest

By Gordon Korman

Gordon Korman has demonstrated a penchant for championing misfits. Slugfest introduces a new group of lovable underdogs in a summer gym class. Yash is his middle school’s most talented jock, which has actually kept him from properly earning his PE credits, so he’s stuck with a bunch of fellow “slugs” in Physical Education Equivalency (PEE) class. Knowing Korman, there’s much more to this mishmash of personalities than what’s apparent on the surface.

Available 1/30/2024

Children's, Picture Book

The Last Stand

By Jerome Pumphrey, By Jarrett Pumphrey, By Antwan Eady

Antwan Eady, author of the lovely Nigel and the Moon, unites with Jarrett and Jerome Pumphrey! The acclaimed sibling duo wrote and illustrated This Old Truck, which we described as “an instant classic” and put at the top of our Best Picture Books of 2020 list. Given the combined might of these rising superstars, we expect The Last Stand to offer poignant insights with memorable lyricism throughout its story of a boy and his Papa who sell produce at a struggling community farmers market.

Available 2/06/2024

Children's, Picture Book

Ten Little Rabbits

By Maurice Sendak

This picture book by the late Where the Wild Things Are author was previously available only as a pamphlet created for the Rosenbach Museum in 1970. Now, for the first time, it’s seeing a wide release. Sendak invites readers to learn numbers at Mino’s magic show, where the little magician struggles to keep a succession of rascally—yet insanely adorable—rabbits under control.

Available 2/27/2024

Children's, Picture Book

Pretty Ugly

By David Sedaris, Illustrated by Ian Falconer

David Sedaris is beloved by adult audiences as a humorist, frequent New Yorker contributor, and guest star on shows including “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and “Bojack Horseman.” The author of Me Talk Pretty One Day joins forces with Ian Falconer—creator of the bestselling Olivia series—to spread his legendary humor to juvenile audiences with Pretty Ugly. Anna Van Ogre finds herself stuck with the ugliest, grossest face of all: that of a sweetly cute human girl. How will she return to looking like a monster?

Available 3/05/2024

Chapter Book, Children's

Bunny and Clyde

By Megan McDonald, Illustrated by Scott Nash

As creator of the wildly popular Judy Moody series, as well as its spinoffs, Megan McDonald has delighted millions worldwide with her fun, witty writing. Readers can look forward to more of her signature charm as she teams up with prolific illustrator (and the designer responsible for the original Nickelodeon logo) Scott Nash in Bunny and Clyde, which follows a rabbit and chipmunk as they set out to be “bad to the bone.” Their crime spree includes dastardly acts such as throwing socks onto the ground and rearranging books in “un-alphabetical” order.

Available 3/05/2024

Children's, Middle Grade

Ferris

By Kate DiCamillo

Queen of unique tales that stick with readers for years afterwards, Kate DiCamillo has left an outsized impact in children’s literature with books such as Because of Winn-Dixie and The Tale of Despereaux. But don’t expect the two-time Newbery Medalist to rest on her laurels: She’s back to capture more hearts and minds with Ferris, which follows Ferris Wilkey as she navigates a chaotic summer of raccoons, a wannabe outlaw, a ghost and wildest of all—family.

Available 3/26/2024

Children's, Picture Book

Lost Stick

By Anoosha Syed

Anoosha Syed has illustrated over 40 children’s books, including titles such as Monster and Boy and her authorial debut, That’s Not My Name! We’re looking forward to seeing how she brings her vibrant, winsome illustration style to the story of Louise, her dog, Milo, and Milo’s favorite Stick. Lost Stick follows Milo as he searches for Stick—while unbeknownst to him, Louise searches for him.

Available 4/23/2024

Children's, Middle Grade

Tree. Table. Book

Lois Lowry’s Tree. Table. Book. will captivate readers as they reflect on the vagaries of history and the beauty of friendship, which are so poignantly conveyed in this timeless tale.

Available 6/04/2024

Chapter Book, Children's

Perla the Mighty Dog

By Isabel Allende, Illustrated by Sandy Rodriguez

Few authors can touch Isabel Allende’s literary fame. The Presidential Medal of Freedom and Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters recipient brings her immense talents to children’s literature with Perla the Mighty Dog. The titular character is small, but she has big talents: She can make anyone love her, and she can “roar like a lion.” But can she use these talents to protect her human brother, Nico Rico, from being bullied at school?

Available 6/11/2024

Children's, Picture Book

My Daddy Is a Cowboy

By Stephanie Seales, Illustrated by C.G. Esperanza

There is so much to love about My Daddy Is a Cowboy, a gorgeous book that celebrates Black urban horsemanship.

Most anticipated by genre

Previous most anticipated children's books

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Book jacket image for Simone by Viet Thanh Nguyen

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Book jacket image for Shine by Bruno Valasse

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