New Picture Books

Going, K. L. (Kelly L.)

2025

Reading Level: Ages 4-8. Little, Brown and Company.

A young boy starting school feels intimidated when he sees all the big kids, but a new buddy helps him settle in.

Bingham, Winsome

2025

A young African American boy joins his grandma's weekly ritual of catching and frying fish for a big family dinner.

Cordell, Matthew, 1975-

2025

Reading Level: Ages 4-8. Random House Studio.

Inspired by her teacher, Mr. Koji, a girl begins bird watching in the hopes of seeing an owl.

Abbott, Zoey

2025

Reading Level: Ages 4-8 Atheneum Books for Young Readers

A little girl is tired of dressing up as something adorable for Halloween, so this year she plans to be a scary witch and frighten everyone, even herself.

Gill, Dan, 1947-

2025

From art to science, history to math, there are so many things to learn at school! But Mr. Gill's students are most interested in learning about the empty chair that sits in the front of their classroom. He tells them a story from his childhood about his Black best friend, Archie, the racism they experienced at a classmate's birthday party, when Archie was told there wasn't a chair for him, and how it inspired Mr. Gill to prioritize inclusivity and love. In this true story of bravery and belonging from longtime elementary school teacher Dan Gill and gorgeously illustrated by Susan Gal, readers will learn to always keep an extra chair in their home and in their hearts.

Mahoney, Kristin

2025

"A sweet and soulful celebration of how a child's imagination can transform ordinary objects into extraordinary treasures. You can do a lot with a pocket full of rocks... Rocks make excellent chairs for fairies, they are perfect for writing your name on the sidewalk, or just to hold in your hand when you need reassurance. And so the rocks pile up... Until the season turns and you need to make room for pockets full of petals. And shells. And acorns! Each season's treasure is kept and curated and loved, until it's time to give the treasures away and make room for new things to come. A Pocket Full of Rocks showcases how a creative child can see big possibilities in the smallest things. It's about noticing, collecting, appreciating, and sharing the wonders around us every day"--Amazon.com.