Children's

That’s Not Funny, David!

Ah, troublesome David! Who could forget the iconic, mischievous protagonist of David Shannon’s No David!, which has been a steadfast fixture in elementary school libraries for decades? In this installment, David tries his hand at funny stunts . . . with mixed results. Readers can look forward to seeing all manner of pranks—cannonballs in the pool, knocking over a display of fruit—in Shannon’s instantly recognizable, exuberant art style, which earned him a Caldecott Honor in 1998.

Stalactite & Stalagmite

Illustrated by Drew Beckmeyer

Having trouble keeping track of the difference between stalactites and stalagmites? You’re not alone. Never fear—you probably won’t forget any more once Drew Beckmeyer’s Stalactite & Stalagmite hits shelves. We’re still remembering his clever and inventive The First Week of School, which we gave a starred review, and we’re sure this story following two “cave nubs” over millions of years will be just as entertaining.

How Sweet the Sound

Illustrated by Charly Palmer

Kwame Alexander is a superstar in children’s literature, with over 40 books and a Newbery Medal (The Crossover) under his belt. It’s hard to think of a project more thrilling than him teaming up with acclaimed artist Charly Palmer, whose recent projects include The New Brownies Book, the cover art of John Legend’s Bigger Love, and a USPS commission to create a stamp for the Black Heritage series. How Sweet the Sound celebrates the history of Black musicians in America—from Ella Fitzgerald to Beyoncé—and provides both extensive educational material alongside its musical flair.

Big Enough

By Regina Linke

Regina Linke’s webcomic The Oxherd Boy has amassed a huge following on Instagram, with regular posts sharing inspiring quotes paired with Linke’s calming artwork, which mixes traditional Chinese gongbi painting with digital techniques. Readers will be glad to hear that soon they’ll be able to experience Linke’s work for the first time in print in Big Enough, which tells the origin story of the comic strip’s titular character.

The Bear Out There

Illustrated by Jess Hannigan

After the hilarious and expressive Spider in the Well, we couldn’t wait to see what Jess Hannigan was going to do next. Luckily, she hasn’t made us wait too long! Yet another delightfully dramatic protagonist greets us in The Bear Out There, this time warning us of a scary bear—but of course, things aren’t that straightforward.

A Song for You and I

By K. O'Neill

Acclaimed author and Eisner-winner K. O’Neill once again graces us with another heartfelt middle grade graphic novel in A Song for You and I. Rowan is a ranger who finds themself grounded—literally—when their rashness gets their flying steed, Kes, hurt. Now stuck travelling on foot, Rowan is sent to help the sheep herder Leone make wool deliveries around the region—a less glamorous mission, but one that may be revelatory for both.

Smiling Eyes

By Lenny Wen

Lenny Wen made us giggle with her sweet Wolfgang in the Meadow, and now she’s pairing her adorable art with the words of renowned Newbery Medalist Linda Sue Park (A Single Shard) in Smiling Eyes. Together, this duo has crafted an ode to the diversity of human eyes, highlighting the delightfully different ways in which we use our eyes—which come in so many shapes and colors!—to express ourselves.

Nellie’s Big Splash

By Cori Doerrfeld

Bestselling author Cori Doerrfeld has reigned over many a bedtime with soothing titles such as The Rabbit Listened, and she’s bringing back her inspirational touch to Nellie’s Big Splash. Nellie is a newly hatched sea turtle, who is too afraid to join her siblings as they make their way down the beach, to the unknown ocean. Will she be able to overcome her fears?

The Trouble with Heroes

By Kate Messner

Kate Messner has written over 60 books that have inspired children in an amazing variety of ways, whether it’s been to pursue their dreams as scientists or try out the writing process. Her latest, The Trouble With Heroes, tackles hiking: specifically, the world of Adirondack 46ers, to which Messner belongs (what can’t she do?). Finn Connelly is struggling after the death of his father, and this culminates in him vandalizing the grave of someone who turns out to have been the first woman to have completed hiking all the 46 High Peaks in the Adirondacks. Instead of pursuing punishment, the woman’s daughter issues a challenge to Finn to summit all 46 peaks himself in one summer.

Sugar Shack

By Lucy Knisley

We were delighted by Lucy Knisley’s Woe, “a funny, touching saga” that chronicled the antics of Knisley’s cat, Linney. Middle grade audiences have had just as much to cheer for with Knisley’s Peapod Farm series, and Sugar Shack will provide an exciting conclusion to the story of Jen, who has faced big challenges as she’s adjusted to her new life on Peapod Farm, which has included barn chores and a pair of new stepsisters.

Dream On

By Marcela Cespedes

Shannon Hale, beloved for novels like The Goose Girl and Princess Academy (which received a Newbery Honor), is also on top of the graphic novel game, notably with her bestselling Real Friends series, illustrated by LeUyen Pham, and the Eisner-nominated Rapunzel’s Revenge, which was cowritten with her husband, Dean Hale. Illustrated by Marcela Cespedes, who has previously worked with Nickelodeon and Disney, Dream On tells the story of Cassie Carpenter, whose chaotic home life is interrupted by a letter telling her she is the grand prize winner of a magazine sweepstakes. Will this solve all of her problems?

The Cartoonists Club

By Raina Telgemeier, Illustrated by Scott McCloud

Raina Telgemeier has captured the hearts of countless readers and critics with her bestselling graphic memoirs, Smile, Sisters and Guts (she won Eisner Awards for the first two). Now she teams up with Scott McCloud, author of the bestselling Understanding Comics and member of the Eisner Awards Hall of Fame, for this new graphic series, which depicts a group of young comics creators as they learn more about the art form that has enthralled so many of Telgemeier and McCloud’s fans.

All the Blues in the Sky

By Renée Watson

With her unique propensity for writing about complex emotions and difficult situations for young audiences, Renee Watson might be the queen of middle grade. It’s no wonder that we’re excited for her newest offering, All the Blues in the Sky, which explores grief as it follows its 13-year-old protagonist, Sage, through the aftermath of her best friend’s death.

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