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Picture Books October 2026 |
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How to Have a Thought: A Walk with Charles Darwin
by Nicholas Day
Take a walk with Charles Darwin in this electrifying new picture book from Sibert Medalist Nicholas Day. How do you work through a complicated idea, solve a tricky problem, or make a big discovery? Charles Darwin had a lot of ways to do it. He paced in circles and hit rocks with a stick. He studied the bones of his dinner. He even rode around the world on a boat called The Beagle. These methods may sound unorthodox, but they led him to some pretty great thoughts--and discoveries about the origins of life as we know it. Sibert Medalist Nicholas Day's conversational text has all the charm of a true story told by your smartest, most interesting friend. With Hadley Hooper's engrossingly textured illustrations, How to Have a Thought is both an introduction to Darwin and an invitation to live with brilliant curiosity.
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| Be the Acorn by Jason Douglas GriffinChoko Choko might be tiny, but when he's deemed too small to help his squirrel family find a new home, he has some HUGE emotions. Only his grandma, Great HaHa, can soothe him with reminders of big potential in little packages -- like acorns. Stylized, expressive illustrations underscore this quietly winsome tale that teaches patience while respecting the frustrations of childhood.
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Indigenous from A to Z
by Traci Sorell
From an award-winning author-illustrator team, Indigenous from A to Z offers a bold, beautiful, authentic view of Indigenous peoples' history, culture, values, and future--essential for Native American Heritage Month and all year round. Welcome to Indigenous from A to Z, a stunning alphabetical introduction to the rich history of Native peoples across the USA. Letter by letter, award-winning author Traci Sorell (Cherokee) offers terms that speak to both the vast diversity among Native Nations and the many connections they share, building an essential foundation of understanding for young readers. From the past shown in B is for Before 1492 and C is for Colonialism, to the vibrant culture revealed in J is for Joking and M is for Music, to the dynamic future promised by O is for Organize and R is for Reclaim, this powerful book captures the legacy and living history of Indigenous peoples today. The sweeping illustrations by artist Natasha Donovan (M tis) encompass both the vastness of the changes Indigenous people have experienced and the specificity of individual artists, scientists, and other significant figures. Rich backmatter explains the visual and textual references. The book concludes with a Z to A listing of twenty-six Native Nations, coming full circle to say: We're surviving, Striving towards thriving, and Indigenous to this land--Always.
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Tom Nancy: The Sheep Who Swapped Brains with a Boy
by Mac Barnett
THREE STARRED REVIEWS - From two of the most acclaimed and beloved picture book makers today, Mac Barnett and X. Fang, comes a hilarious trickster tale like no other. A sneaky sheep has a proposal for an innocent boy that will change both of their lives forever: a brain swap Farmer's son Felix knows that Tom Nancy is a clever little sheep. Still, Felix is surprised to learn that not only can this sheep talk, he also has a marvelous machine stowed away in the barn that will allow them to switch brains for the day. Felix agrees to Tom Nancy's idea of a swap, and it works Felix finds that life in the pasture as a sheep is interesting. But Tom Nancy discovers that being a boy who wrestles and eats sandwiches is simply stupendous So when Felix tells him he's ready to switch back, Tom Nancy has another idea . . . A deliciously subversive story that delivers some just deserts, Tom Nancy will have readers of all ages laughing out loud and on the edge of their seats.
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The Goodnight Train Gives Thanks
by June Sobel
Practice gratitude at Thanksgiving and all year round with The Goodnight Train in this sturdy board book featuring peekaboo die-cuts on every page The Goodnight Train ends the dayspreading thanks along the way.As the Goodnight Train chugs along, readers can thank the moon shining brightly, good books to read, and their trusty train as it whisks them away to Dreamland. An ideal read for Thanksgiving or all year long, this book models gratitude for the youngest readers, and is perfect for any train enthusiast or bedtime resister.
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| This Year, a Witch! by Zoey AbbottNo more adorable Halloween costumes for this kid! Nope, this year she's going to be a powerful, fearsome witch -- so fearsome that she might even scare herself. With pops of neon color and perfectly paced page turns to heighten the drama, This Year, a Witch! is a funny and ultimately reassuring read.
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| The Zombees by Justin Colón; illustrated by Kaly QuarlesOn Halloween night, the undead "zombees" rise from the cemetery in a ghastly green swarm. Are they hungry for brains? Or could they have a sweeter purpose? Abuzz with bouncy rhymes and wordplay, "this charming read-aloud will be requested on repeat" (School Library Journal). Read-alike: Robert Heidbreder's Black and Bittern Was Night. |
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The Snowball Fight
by Beth Ferry
One wintry morning, the snow begins and so does--a snowball fight. In her signature verse, Beth Ferry recounts a day spent behind snowbanks and on sleds, while Tom Lichtenheld's cinematic art [presents] readers with sly and snowy twists--
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| Aggie and the Ghost by Matthew ForsytheAdorable, gnome-like Aggie’s excitement to live on her own turns to annoyance when she discovers that her new cottage comes with a roommate: a shapeshifting ghost who follows her around, steals her socks, and eats all the cheese. Whimsical, imaginative illustrations enhance this offbeat ghost story. |
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| Bob the Vampire Snail by Andrea ZuillFor kids who enjoy spooky vibes seasoned with supremely silly humor comes the story of Bob, a snail who mysteriously sprouts wings, fangs, and a taste for tomato juice. A sprinkling of snail facts plus illustrations in Halloween-inspired colors round out this quirky tale. Read-alike: Aaron Reynolds’ Creepy Tales! series. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books for ages 0-8!
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