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

The animal denizens of Farmer Jolene's barnyard have only just exclaimed at how friendly the new "farm shark" appears when they are eaten by their fishy new neighbor. Luckily, their sojourn in the shark's stomach is brief in this gleefully absurd and cartoony adventure. For fans of: We Don't Eat Our Classmates! by Ryan T. Higgins.
Spendin' Time
by Gary R. Gray Jr.; illustrated by Rahele Jomepour Bell

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). Read-alike: Anne Wynter's While We're Here.
A Room with a View
by Joanna Ho; illustrated by Thaís Mesquita

Indoorsy kid Oliver hates everything about camping, from the boring drives to the exhausting hikes to the scary darkness. But his Mama is so enthusiastic that it might just be catching -- especially if marshmallow roasting is involved. Expressive artwork highlights the affection in this family story.
Dad
by Christian Robinson

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

Instead of boring facts, young Corey's class presentation about bears offers a bear's-eye view of imagined ursine activities: riding a motorcycle, lunching at the mall, and rescuing a mouse from a hot air balloon. Just like the audience in this whimsical tale, kids will delight in providing their own suggestions for what might happen next.
Retro Reads
Check out these awesome books from the not-so-distant past.
 
Every Monday Mabel
by Jashar Awan

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. 
Shark Girl
by Kate Beaton

No cute little mermaids here! Meet Shark Girl: a toothy, blue-skinned protector of the seas who takes human form to wreak vengeance on an over-fishing captain. Dry wit blends with dramatic, comics-style artwork in this playful yet issue-oriented yarn.
Everybelly
by Thao Lam

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. Read-alikes: Our Pool by Lucy Ruth Cummins; Bodies Are Cool by Tyler Feder.
It's Powwow Time!
by Martha Troian; illustrated by Hawlii Pichette

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. Try this next: Pasha Westbrook's Braided Roots, another lyrical story about a child's connection to their Indigenous heritage.
Meet the Mini-Mammals: A Night at the Natural History Museum
by Melissa Stewart; illustrated by Brian Lies

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!