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.

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.