Here’s how these previews work:
- I look at all the books.
- I pick 10 that jump out to me.
- I share them with you.
Here we go – this batch will all arrive in September, October, and November.
Picture Books
A Well-Mannered Young Wolf by Jean Leroy, illustrated by Matthieu Maudet
October 3, 2016 | Eerdmans Books | Grades K-2
A sweet book with a dark end, I Want My Hat Back fans take note of this French import.
The Fix-It Man by Susan Hood, illustrated by Arree Chung
November 8, 2016 | HarperCollins | Grades PreK-2
An excellent example of illustrations (which show step-by-step Rube Goldberg machines) taking a story about a tinkering tot to greater heights.
Early Reader
The Great Antonio by Elise Gravel
October 11, 2016 | TOON Books | Grades K-2
Elise Gravel tells the true (and unusual) story of Montreal strongman Antonio Barichievich with her customary verbal and visual wit.
Chapter Book
Dory Fantasmagory: Dory Dory Black Sheep by Abby Hanlon
September 20, 2016 | Dial Books (Penguin) | Grades 1-3
What can I say? It is my duty to alert you when a new book in my favorite chapter book series arrives. If you haven’t read the previous two Dory books yet, get on with it already. They’re quirky and funny and capture childhood like few books can.
Middle Grade
Frazzled: Everyday Disasters and Impending Doom by Booki Vivat
September 27, 2016 | HarperCollins | Grades 3-7
Here’s looking forward to reading this illustrated novel about a girl entering middle school and the panic that ensues.
The Poet’s Dog by Patricia MacLachlan
September 13, 2016 | Katherine Tegen Books (HarperCollins) | Grades 1-5
The Newbery Medal winning Queen of Brevity is back. MacLachlan books pack a punch – emotionally charged and oh-so-efficient. This book, clocking in at 96 pages, looks to be more of the same.
Nonfiction
Mistakes That Worked : The World’s Familiar Inventions and How They Came to Be by Charlotte Jones, illustrated by John Obrien
October 11, 2016 | Delacourt Books (Random House) | Grades 3-7
How many things have been invented while trying to invent something else? A whole lot. Potato chips, Silly Putty, Coca-Cola – this book takes us behind some of the most famous happy accidents of all time.
Graphic Novels
The Short Con by Aleks Sennwald, illustrated by Pete Toms
November 15, 2016 | Alternative Comics | Grades 3-7
Sometimes I come across a book and I think “What is this???” (in a good way) and put it on this list. The cover alone made me do a double take. It’s about a girl who seeks out help to solve the mystery of her parents’ death. It’s been called “True Detective meets Encyclopedia Brown”. The author also writes for Adventure Time, so you know it’s not going to be conventional. You can check out the whole thing here.
Caveboy Dave: More Scrawny Than Brawny by Aaron Reynolds, illustrated by Phil McAndrew
November 1, 2016 | Viking Books (Random House) | Grades 3-7
A graphic novel written by Aaron Reynolds caught my eye, but it was the tagline of the book that sold me:
HIS GRANDPA INVENTED FIRE. HIS DAD INVENTED THE WHEEL. HOW WILL CAVEBOY DAVE LEAVE HIS MARK?
I’m predicting big laughs.
The Creepy Case Files of Margo Maloo by Drew Weing
September 13, 2016 | First Second (Macmillan) | Grades 3-7
Continuing the age-old battle between kids and monsters, this is the first book in a new middle grade graphic novel series.
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