I scoured publisher catalogs (can I borrow your Visine?) and I’m here to share 10 spring books that I’m excited about.
Picture Books
I Love My Colorful Nails by Alicia Acosta and Luis Amavisca, illustrated by Gusti
April 2 | NubeOcho | Grades K-2
This one’s for all the boys who like to paint their nails. A book about acceptance and being true to yourself.
Music for Mister Moon by Philip Stead, illustrated by Erin Stead
March 26 | Neal Porter Books (Holiday House) | Grades K-2
The Caldecott-winning duo is back with their (let’s see one, two, three . . .) fourth book. In words and art it’s about as beautiful as picture books come.
Bruno the Standing Cat by Nadine Robert, illustrated by Jean Jullien
April 16 | Random House | Grades K-2
You know what’s a good sign? When a book cover can make you laugh. That’s what happened when I first saw this book.
Chapter Books
Juana & Lucas: Big Problemas by Juana Medina
May 14 | Candlewick Press | Grades K-3
The first book in this series won a Belpre. Here’s looking forward to the next installment.
Didi Dodo, Future Spy (#1) Recipe for Disaster by Tom Angleberger, illustrated by Jared Chapman
March 19 | Amulet (Abrams) | Grades 1-3
Tom Angleberger is the king of joyful wackiness and this new series sounds like it has a lot of it.
Middle Grade Fiction
Shouting at the Rain by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
May 7 | Nancy Paulsen Books (Penguin) | Grades 5 and Up
Working in a school, I am well aware of how much Hunt’s previous two books One for the Murphys and Fish in a Tree have caught on with students and teachers. Hunt’s latest is about a girl facing family and friend struggles.
Sal and Gabi Break the Universe by Carlos Hernandez
March 5 | Rick Riordan Presents | Grades 3-7
Sal can manipulate space and time. What can go wrong? Oh yeah a lot.
Nonfiction
When Sue Found Sue: Sue Hendrickson Discovers Her T. Rex by Toni Buzzeo, illustrated by Diana Sudyka
May 14 | Abrams | Grades K-2
A lot of kids know about Sue, the most complete T. Rex skeleton ever discovered. But not so many know about how she was unearthed. This book provides the full picture of this amazing story.
Guitar Genius: How Les Paul Engineered the Solid-Body Electric Guitar and Rocked the World by Kim Tomsic, illustrated by Brett Helquist
April 9 | Chronicle Books | Grades K-3
The invention of the solid body electric guitar is one of the most important events in the history of popular music. I can’t wait to learn more about how it all went down.
Graphic Novels
Island Book by Evan Dahm
May 14 | First Second (Macmillan) | Grades 1-4
Sola has been treated like an outsider ever since she came in contact with a giant monster from the sea. So she decides to set sail and uncover the mystery of the beast. This is the first book in a series (it ends with a cliffhanger) and I’m already excited for book two.
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