Picture Books
June 2026
Recent Releases
Farm Shark
by Bill Canterbury; illustrated by Maddie Frost

When an unexpected visitor arrives at the farm, the animals are shocked to find out it's . . . a shark? In this super-silly summer read-aloud by a former writer for The Simpsons, children will giggle as they watch Farm Shark's new pals try to NOT to get chomped.
Dive into the strangest farm ever, where a shark moves in and brings chaos to its quirky inhabitants. As one animal after another find themselves in the shark's tummy, it's up to Farmer Jolene to come up with an inventive--and ticklish--way to get her animals back.
Young readers and their grownups will giggle at the sarcastic banter as each animal lands inside the shark ("I love the echoes in here! BAWK BAWK BAWK BAWK"). And as unexpected friendships and allegiances are formed within the shark's belly, a story of adaptability, community spirit, and pure silliness emerges.
Children who love sharks, farm stories, and animal tales will gobble up this uniquely funny twist on rural life.
Spendin' Time
by Gary R. Gray Jr.; illustrated by Rahele Jomepour Bell

Upbeat lyricism and cheerful illustration bring to life this kid-friendly meditation on appreciating every moment—big or small—spent with the people you love.
A simple trip to run errands turns into a leisurely day for a granddad and grandkid as they pick berries, go fishing, eat ice cream, and chat with neighbors. Ample visual details and a cozy sense of place make this book feel "as warm and nourishing as apple pie" (Kirkus Reviews). 
A Room with a View
by Joanna Ho; illustrated by Thaís Mesquita

A sweet, funny picture book about summertime outdoor adventures and the unforgettable memories often made along the way.
Mama's decided it's time for their next big outdoor adventure, but Oliver's not so sure.He's no fan of bazillion-mile, brain-melting car rides, sleeping someplace with bears, bugs, and bats, or the sticky, icky food! Blech!
Mama may be convinced that memories are best made outdoors, but Oliver's determined to make this adventure his last. But is it all that bad? After hide n' seek, hiking, and s'mores, Oliver realizes that there just might be fun times and unforgettable moments to treasure after all.
New York Times bestselling author, Joanna Ho, returns with another touching and hilarious story, illustrated by the talented Thaís Mesquita, that highlights nature and family, and reminds us that the best views are the ones we share with those we love.
Dad
by Christian Robinson
 
Dad is strong. Dad is sweet. Dad is here now. Dad had to go away. Dad is a big-hearted love letter to all of them, reflecting the range of relationships that dads, both animal and human, have with their little ones.
Through spare text and an inclusive lineup of animals and humans, this picture book highlights the many facets of fatherhood: present and absent, strong and vulnerable, caring and fallible. Creator Christian Robinson's signature collage art is bold and highly expressive, inviting readers of all ages into the sweetness and complexity of parent-child bonds. 
Bear for a Day
by Corey R. Tabor

If you were a bear for a day, what would you do? Probably wake up, eat breakfast, go for a motorcycle ride, and rescue your best friend from a rogue hot air balloon. . . . You know, normal bear stuff! You certainly wouldn’t stand in front of the whole class and give a boring, detailed, and informational report about bears.
This funny, mischievous, and surprising picture book about creativity, friendship, where ideas come from, and the fun of using your imagination, will be a hit at home, at story times, and in classrooms
Retro Reads
Check out these awesome books from the not-so-distant past.
 
Every Monday Mabel
by Jashar Awan

Every Monday, Mabel wakes up early and peeks out her window to make sure she didn't miss the one thing she's been looking forward to the whole week.
She drags her chair down the hallway, past her big sister and Mom and Dad, out the door, and waits. What is Mabel waiting for every Monday? According to Mabel, it's the best thing in the world. But no one else in her family seems to understand...until they see what's honking down the street!
The suspense builds gently in this story as readers watch young Mabel go through her Monday-morning rituals, preparing for "best thing in the world:" the arrival of the garbage truck! Soft textures and crisp edges make the illustrations pop in this sweetly affirming read for vehicle fans.
 
Also available as a VOX book for another fun reading experience!
Shark Girl
by Kate Beaton
 
A laugh-out-loud picture book from bestselling comics creator Kate Beaton about a brave shark girl bent on revenge after a greedy fishing captain messes with her waters -
When Shark Girl is captured by an evil fishing captain's net, she makes a vow... for REVENGE!
With the sea witch's help, Shark Girl becomes a human sailor and launches a plan... for MUTINY!
But Shark Girl needs the help of her crew mates before she can enact her plan. Will Shark girl SINK... or SWIM?
Bestselling creator Kate Beaton has created a subversive and hilarious spin on the classic little mermaid fairytale that will inspire little readers. Sometimes standing up for what's right means you have to show your teeth! No cute little mermaids here! Shark Girl is a toothy, blue-skinned protector of the seas who takes human form to wreak vengeance on the over-fishing captain. Dry wit blends with dramatic, comics-style artwork in this playful yet issue-oriented yarn.
Everybelly
by Thao Lam
 
Winner of the 2025 Kirkus Prize! A joyful celebration of an oft-maligned body part -- the belly!
Some people may be self-conscious of their bellies at the pool, but little Maddie, who's eye-level with everyone's midsections, happily identifies her neighbors by their diverse variety of bellies, offering friendly anecdotes about each person. The poolside belly parade keeps Maddie musing: How bellies can make excellent tables, how hard some people work to keep their bellies flat when Maddie prefers her belly full, and how you should never, ever stick your hands in other people’s bellies, no matter how soft and doughy they might look. Thao Lam’s celebrated cut-paper collage portrays bellies and bodies of all shapes and sizes ― bellies with scars, tattooed bellies, growing bellies, growling bellies, bellies with six-packs, stretch marks, insulin monitors, freckles and more ― proving that every belly deserves its place in the sun.
It's Powwow Time!
by Martha Troian; illustrated by Hawlii Pichette

This lyrical and joyful picture book celebrates new experiences and community traditions when a young boy learns to dance at his first powwow. 
Bineshii is looking forward to his first powwow. He wakes up and travels with his mother to the community event. He eats bannock and drinks strawberry juice as he watches the dancers perform. And ever so slowly, Bineshii works his way from the edge of the circle watching the dancers to inside the circle itself, dancing and celebrating with everyone else. 
Award-winning journalist Martha Troian's child-centered text and Hawlii Pichette's action-packed illustrations build excitement on the page as Bineshii's curiosity and confidence grows. It's Powwow Time! explores the rewards of being open to new experiences while also serving as a beautiful and informative introduction to a First Nations powwow. 
Through rhythmic words and rich onomatopoeia, readers can follow along with Bineshii as he absorbs the sensory experiences of his first powwow and finds the confidence to join the dancers.
Meet the Mini-Mammals: A Night at the Natural History Museum
by Melissa Stewart; illustrated by Brian Lies

Big mammals like elephants, hippos, and giraffes get a lot of press, but what about the little guys? From pint-sized flying squirrels to itty bitty chipmunks and teeny tiny mouse lemurs, learn all about the mini-est mammals from around the world, depicted at their real-life size!
Guided by a bowtie-wearing ferret docent, this charming nonfiction book takes you on a museum tour of the 10 smallest mammals, from the Japanese dwarf flying squirrel to the Etruscan pygmy shrew to the Kitti's hog-nosed bat (tiniest of them all). Each fact-filled animal profile is sumptuously illustrated with true-to-life details -- in actual size, of course.
Contact your librarian for more great books for ages 0-8!
The Public Library
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Albuquerque, New Mexico 87102
505-768-5141
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