| Loops by Jashar AwanSolid-colored backdrops and bold, chunky artwork invite readers to focus on the sole character in this story: a child who's determined to tie the laces on his first pair of big-kid shoes. For fans of: Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic's Touch the Sky, another upbeat tale of persistence in the face of frustration. |
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| The Future Book by Mac Barnett; illustrated by Shawn HarrisIn this picture book from two popular creators, the future is here, and it's goofier than anyone imagined. Oranges are now "bloranges," "Charlie Cheese Face" is a common name, and saying thanks involves…a fish? This "solemnly silly look at social norms" (Publishers Weekly) is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
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Sarabeth's Garage by Melanie FlorenceSarabeth loves cars. She loves the way the engines sometimes roar like lions and other times purr like kittens. She loves seeing sports cars that are sleek and fast like cheetahs and boxy SUVs that trundle along like elephants. And most of all, she loves to help her dad at his garage. Sarabeth's grandmother doesn't approve. She thinks little girls should play with dolls and wear dresses and always have clean hands. But when her car starts grumbling like a walrus instead of purring like a kitten, who will be there to help?
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| Bartleby by Matt PhelanBartleby the bear stands out among his classmates, not only because of his bright red bowler hat, but also because of his quiet response to most invitations: "I would prefer not to." Inspired by Herman Melville's classic short story, Bartleby offers a kid-friendly take on thoughtful participation and self-determination.
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| Here Come the Aunties! by Cynthia Leitich Smith; illustrated by AphelandraKinship extends beyond biology in this celebration of community. Readers follow a year in the life of River, a Muscogee child, and meet all the "aunties" who care for him through affection, shared skills, and everyday support. Richly colored mixed-media illustrations add to the story's warm, lived-in feel.
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Kitty Caterpillar
by Annabeth Bondor-Stone
Meet Kitty Caterpillar: She is a part kitty-cat, part caterpillar, 100% irresistible new picture book character, created by an Emmy-nominated writing duo and illustrated by the New York Times bestselling artist of Uni the Unicorn. Perfect for fans of Itty-Bitty Kitty-Corn and The Bad Seed.
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Exca-Gator!
by Brooke Hartman
Exca-Gator and his crew spend the day using their construction equipment to build and play, but when big mistakes get in their way, the team works together to save the day.
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Graphic Novels for Beginning Readers
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| A Pair of Parrots by David A. Adler; illustrated by Clarice ElliottWhen Ava’s new pet parrot escapes, Ava and her mom pair up to find the missing bird, leading them to discover further dynamic duos (and trios). Starring a clever young wheelchair user, this comic book easy reader introduces simple math concepts while telling an upbeat story. |
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| Snap! Crunch! Munch? by Diana CastilloDinnertime becomes more fun for one little boy as he imagines his family members as different animals, based on their preferred foods. Brightly colored panels, brief text, and plenty of food-based onomatopoeia make this graphic novel a tasty treat for beginning readers.
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| Duckie & Snaps: We Cannot Be Friends by Ame Dyckman; illustrated by Tim MillerMeet Snaps (an alligator) and Duckie (a duckling), two curious youngsters in a world that says they should be enemies. With repetitive text and crisp, minimalist artwork, this series opener will build confidence in kids ready to jump from easy readers to comics. Next in the series: We Cannot Be Brave, due out in August 2026.
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| One Smart Cookie by Mika SongPairing soft, sketchy illustrations and sweetly silly humor, this graphic novel follows squirrel pals Norma and Belly as they infiltrate a fortune cookie factory, hoping to reap delicious rewards. Kids who enjoy this 4th Norma and Belly caper may want to go back to the beginning with Donut Feed the Squirrels.
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| Worm and Caterpillar Are Friends by Kaz WindnessCaterpillar and Worm are BFFs who share a lot in common, but Caterpillar knows those similarities will disappear soon. Will Worm still want to be friends when Butterfly emerges? (Spoiler alert: of course!) Cartoon art brings even more joy to this easy-reading, friendship-focused comic. |
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