10 to Note: Summer Preview 2019

It was 75 degrees here in Michigan yesterday and I am feeling summerish. So summerish, in fact, that I decided to sift through the 8oo some odd children’s books publishing in June, July, and August and pick 10 that I am especially excited about.

Picture Books

A Normal Pig by K-Fai Steele

June 4 | Balzer + Bray | Grades K-3

After the incredible Noodlephant, I’m excited to read K-Fai Steele’s debut author/illustrator book.

My Teacher is a Robot! by Jeffrey Brown

June 25 | Crown | Grades K-2

I thought Jeffrey Brown did a pretty great job with the first few books in the Jedi Academy series, and this book has the makings of a fun read aloud.

Chapter Book

Fabio The World’s Greatest Flamingo Detective: The Case of the Missing Hippo by Laura James, illustrated by Emily Fox

August 6 | Bloomsbury | Grades 1-3

Give me a heavily illustrated chapter book any day of the week. Especially if it’s a mystery that reminds me of the Digby O’Day series.

Middle Grade

A Small Zombie Problem by K.G. Campbell

June 4 | Knopf | Grades 3-7

Picture book maker and Flora & Ulysses illustrator K.G. Campbell is trying something new – middle grade fiction. I have high hopes for this new series about a boy who brings home a zombie.

King of the Mole People by Paul Gilligan

August 27 | Henry Holt | Grades 2-5

How to balance school, friends, and being king of the Mole People? This is the problem facing Doug Underbelly in this illustrated novel.

Each Tiny Spark by Pablo Cartaya

August 6 | Kokila | Grades 5 and Up

I’m looking forward to this story about a girl trying to reconnect with her father after he returns from deployment.

Graphic Novel

Best Friends by Shannon Hale, illustrated by LeUyen Pham

August 27 | First Second | Grades 3-7

The first time Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham teamed up for a graphic novel memoir, the result was something special. The story continues here and I can’t wait.

The Dam Keeper: Return from the Shadows (Dam Keeper, Book #3) by Robert Kondo and Dice Tsutsumi

July 2 | First Second | Grades 3-6

I loved the first two books in this epic graphic novel series based on an Oscar-nominated animated short film.

Nonfiction

Look! I Wrote a Book! (And You Can Too!) by Sally Lloyd-Jones, Neal Layton

July 23 | Schwartz & Wade | Grades K-3

There are plenty of “how to write” books. But how many of them are fun to read? Not a lot. This one looks like one of the good ones.

Birthday on Mars! by Sara Schonfeld, illustrated by Andrew J. Ross

June 4 | Penguin Workshop | Grades K-2

Get to know Mars through the eyes (cameras?) of the Curiosity rover. A nonfiction picture book about the robot’s one-year birthday back in 2013.

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