Picture Books
August 2026
Recent Releases
Story Rug by Sophie Blackall
Story Rug
by Sophie Blackall; illustrated by Phoebe Wahl

When a "braiding CRAZE" takes hold of classroom 203, the whole class begins contributing fabric scraps to plait and sew while Ms. Morena reads out loud. But what can they do with the epic braid they create? Find out in this gentle story about the joy and comfort of community crafting.
Mac & Cheese: The Origin Story by Michael L. Benner
Mac & Cheese: The Origin Story
by Michael L. Benner

Mac was a friendly Noodle from Pastaland and rubbed elbows with everyone. But he didn't have the one thing he wanted most: a friend. So one day, he packs up and goes on an epic journey that takes him across the Sea of Snacks, to the Isle of Candy, through the Desert of Dessert, and beyond Mount Cheddar, until he finds himself in... Quesoland. In Quesoland, Cheese was king. And while he could be a real crowd-pleaser, he didn't have the one thing he wanted most: a friend. When a mysterious and hilarious newcomer from Pastaland arrives, Cheese wonders if Mac might be who he was looking for all this time.
If the Moon by Matthew Burgess
If the Moon
by Matthew Burgess; illustrated by Matthew Forsythe

"If" can represent a myriad of worries, as it does for the sleepless child in this story. With a bit of imagination, however, "if" sends the child on a fantastical, exploratory journey. As the protagonist moves away from anxiety and into curiosity, the illustrations become more dramatic and expansive as well, ultimately bringing the story to a cozy, reassuring conclusion.
The Cow in the Dark at Night by Jess Hannigan
The Cow in the Dark at Night
by Jess Hannigan

The cow has always wondered what goes on when the sun goes down. Tonight, she will discover it all. Adventures, nocturnal friends, every exciting thing waiting out there in the dark new world. But these night people may have other things in mind. It's a good thing that the moon is very bright tonight. 
Off the Wall: Making Stuff Together by Juana Martinez-Neal
Off the Wall: Making Stuff Together
by Juana Martinez-Neal and Molly Idle

When a game of tic-tac-toe turns into a spontaneous art project, a group of friends discover that -- despite frictions and frustrations -- "making stuff" is better together. Illustrated in colorful, mixed-media collage against a backdrop of brown paper, this book offers eye-catching visuals to bolster its kid-friendly message of collaboration and artistic expression. 
The Haunted Playground by R. J. Palacio
The Haunted Playground
by R.J. Palacio; illustrated by Brett Helquist

After midnight every Halloween, ghosts take a break from the hard work of haunting and let loose at a playground party hosted by skeleton king Rex Magnificus. This year, however, two living children stumble into the festivities. Dramatic, dynamic illustrations add atmosphere to this creepy carnivale.
Back to School
Teachers in the Wild by Brad Davidson
Teachers in the Wild
by Brad Davidson

At some point, you're bound to encounter your teacher in the wild. It’s okay to be excited, awkward, or just plain confused. After all, you’ve never seen them outside of school. But teachers are just like us—they go to the dentist, cheer at soccer games, and take their pets to the vet. So, don’t panic! With these few simple, amusing strategies, you’ll be ready to handle any surprise teacher sightings like a pro. 
School Spirits by Charlotte Gunnufson
School Spirits
by Charlotte Gunnufson

It's time to go back to school, but... What if classes are too tough with loads of tests and tricky stuff? What if--yikes --your school's got ghosts? What's a kid to do when a mischievous crew of ghosts starts hoarding hula hoops and levitating lunches? Be brave and work with classmates to help the playful spirits understand how school works. As students model manners, they'll see these spooky newcomers might be just the thing to liven up the learning day.

For fans of: Gustavo the Shy Ghost by Flavia Drago and Little Ghost Makes a Friend by Maggie Edkins Willis.
In This Classroom by Andrew Hacket
In This Classroom
by Andrew Hacket

Young readers are invited into a vibrant and supportive classroom where they can explore the beauty of making mistakes, embracing challenges, and celebrating unique differences. This empowering picture book helps children understand that school is a place of opportunity, where they will learn from setbacks, support each other through difficulties, and ultimately grow in ways they never imagined. 
A Not So Perfect Start (the Caring Classroom, Book 1) by Trudy Ludwig
A Not So Perfect Start (the Caring Classroom, Book 1)
by Trudy Ludwig

It's the first week of school, and Thea wants everything to be perfect. She's determined not to make a single mistake—which leads to a lot of anxiety! When an art project disaster messes up her perfect week, Thea must make the best of an imperfect situation, with the help of her teacher and classmates. Turns out, a little mess is the perfect way to bring this caring classroom together! 
Stubby: A Pencil's Journey by Sydra Mallery
Stubby: A Pencil's Journey
by Sydra Mallery

Before working hard in the classroom and being sharpened down to a stub, Stubby was a towering cedar tree in a forest far away. It hasn’t been easy for Stubby—he’s been sliced and chewed, made friends and lost them, and even spent three dusty days on the floor before being scooped up . Stubby describes each step of his journey from tree to pencil to writer from his own (very silly, very dramatic, very creative) point of view. 
Mi Escuela Is My School by Laurenne Sala
Mi Escuela Is My School
by Laurenne Sala

Join a young boy as he takes readers through his day at school in this charming Spanglish picture book companion to Mi Casa Is My Home.
What Do We Do in Preschool? by Kathryn Wanless
What Do We Do in Preschool?
by Kathryn Wanless

The time to start preschool is a huge transition for young learners--emotionally, socially, and psychologically. Many children suffer from the separation anxiety of leaving their caregivers, fear of the unknown, and nervousness about making friends, and they find the social setting of a classroom extremely intimidating. The core message of this comforting book is that the day flies by when you are having fun, learning with friends . . . and before you know it, it's time to return to your family.
All the Ways We Learn by Chloe Ito Ward
All the Ways We Learn
by Chloe Ito Ward

Not every child learns by sitting still and staying quiet. Some kids learn by jumping and tapping their feet. Others by building, drawing, or making a joyful mess. However they learn, all kids deserve to feel proud of and confident in themselves Created by a neurodivergent author and illustrator team, with back matter to learn more about neurodivergence and simple accommodations, this is an essential reminder that there's no one right way to learn.
Contact your librarian for more great books for ages 0-8!
Dakota County Library
www.dakotacounty.us/library

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