10 to Note: Winter Preview 2019
New Year, new books. Here are 10 that I’m excited about this season. So excited, in fact, that I included 11 books instead of 10.
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Picture Books
The Lost Book by Margarita Surnaite
Margaret K. McElderry Books (Simon & Schuster) | February 5 | Grades K-2
A rabbit finds a book that sends him on a journey to the human world. I like the premise, I like the looks of the illustrations.
Noodlephant by Jacob Kramer, illustrated by K-Fai Steele
Enchanted Lion | January 29 | Grades K-2
I interviewed the creators on the blog a couple weeks ago. Then I talked about it on our year-end episode of The Yarn. I will keep talking about it here because I think this book is so great. Mixing pasta, social commentary, and one fantastic (excuse me – phantastic) invention, this long form picture book is doing things you won’t see elsewhere.
Chapter Books
The Great Louweezie (Arnold and Louise #1) by Erica S. Perl, illustrated by Chris Chatterton
Penguin Workshop | January 22 | Grades K-2
Aw yeah. I’ve been an Erica S. Perl fan for a while now, and I was happy to see that she has an early chapter book series coming. The format is reminiscent of your Mercy Watson and your Princess in Black, and I can’t wait to read it.
Mighty Meg and the Magical Ring (Mighty Meg #1) by Sammy Griffin, illustrated by Micah Player
Little Bee Books (Simon & Schuster) | January 29 | Grades 1-3
New series. Magic ring. Super powers. Yes.
Middle Grade
Genesis Begins Again by Alicia D. Williams
Atheneum | January 15 | Grades 4-8
Starred reviews are coming in. Recommendations from readers I trust are too. I’m looking forward to this debut.
The Lost Girl by Anne Ursu
Walden Pond Press (HarperCollins) | January 23 | Grades 3-7
Sign me up for an Anne Ursu story about identical twins.
Graphic Novels
Max and the Midknights by Lincoln Peirce
Crown (Random House) | January 8 | Grades 3-7
The creator of Big Nate is starting up a new series about a kid who wants to be a knight. Max and his crew of friends set out on an adventure to rescue Max’s uncle. I expect humor and hi-jinx, and I will not be denied.
Maker Comics: Bake Like a Pro! by Falynn Koch
First Second (Macmillan) | February 5 | Grades 3-6
In 2019, we have fully entered the era of nonfiction graphic novels. Comics about all sorts of topics are coming fast and furious. Does the world need a comic about baking? Are you kidding? This entry in the new Maker Comics series is bound to be popular with aspiring pastry chefs.
New Kid by Jerry Craft
HarperCollins | February 5 | Grades 3-7
A fish out of water story about a comic-drawing kid who’s heading to an academics-focused private school. I feel like this is going to have a similar appeal to books like All’s Faire in Middle School.
Nonfiction
The Roots of Rap: 16 Bars on the 4 Pillars of Hip-Hop by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Frank Morrison
Little Bee Books (Simon & Schuster) | January 8 | K-4
This blog was created to highlight books like this. I’m a hip-hop fan and this book by two picture book pros is one of the most anticipated books of the winter for me.
Rotten!: Vultures, Beetles, Slime, and Nature’s Other Decomposers by Anita Sanchez, illustrated by Gilbert Ford
HMH | January 22 | Grades 2-5
A completely fun (if you enjoy gross stuff) and uniquely illustrated bit of nonfiction for the kids.
Filed under: Previews
About Travis Jonker
Travis Jonker is an elementary school librarian in Michigan. He writes reviews (and the occasional article or two) for School Library Journal and is a member of the 2014 Caldecott committee. You can email Travis at scopenotes@gmail.com, or follow him on Twitter: @100scopenotes.
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Awesome list. I’m particularly eager to see these last two books–wonderful topics and intriguing art. Thanks for sharing these, Travis!
Loving the list, and being a “cover girl,” my favorite is GENESIS BEGINS AGAIN. Just beautiful!