NORTH KANSAS CITY LIBRARY: Picture Books: March 2026

Recent Releases

Loops
by Jashar Awan

Solid-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.

The Future Book
by Mac Barnett; illustrated by Shawn Harris

In 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.

Bartleby
by Matt Phelan

Bartleby 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.

The Littlest Elephant: A One and Only Ruby Story
by Katherine Applegate

Ruby is the littlest elephant in the herd at the animal sanctuary, where she lives near her best friends Ivan the silverback gorilla and Bob the lovable mutt. Ruby loves all the things that make being an elephant fun, like splashing in muddy puddles and spraying water through her trunk. But there are parts of being an elephant that she doesn't love so much, like her new tusks.The herd is preparing for Ruby's Tuskday, a day to celebrate the fact that Ruby is growing up, and for remembering. Ruby has lots of happy memories, but she also has lots of sad ones, ones that are hard to think about. Surrounded by the love of her herd and her friends, the littlest elephant will see that growing up doesn't have to be scary, and that remembering the darkness can help us appreciate the light.This beautiful and poignant story shows readers the importance of honoring the past, cherishing the present, and facing the future without fear.

Cat's New Book
by Nathalie Belhassen

Celebrate the joys of reading and sharing with Cat and all the friends he makes through the magic of stories. Cat's brand new book has the cleanest cover and the smoothest pages. It even smells good! He can read it whenever he wants to because it's all his, and he plans to keep it looking new forever. But then Mole asks to read it. And then Frog. And then Turtle. After so much sharing, Cat's perfect new book is sandy and stained and...not so new anymore. This makes Cat sad. Will a new perspective from Squirrel be enough to teach Cat about what really make a book special?

Graphic Novels for Beginning Readers

A Pair of Parrots
by David A. Adler; illustrated by Clarice Elliott

When 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.

Snap! Crunch! Munch?
by Diana Castillo

Dinnertime 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.

Duckie & Snaps: We Cannot Be Friends
by Ame Dyckman; illustrated by Tim Miller

Meet 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.

One Smart Cookie
by Mika Song

Pairing 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.

Worm and Caterpillar Are Friends
by Kaz Windness

Caterpillar 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.

Contact your librarian for more great books for ages 0-8!