Authors and illustrators bring everything from the life of bees to childhood insecurities into perspective for students who will delight in these creative, colorful, beautiful picture books. Read on to learn of the latest and best from our premier publishing partners, whose extraordinary books bring complex subjects down to earth.
Audience: Lower Elementary
Monster decides to run for president, and his campaign encourages kids to take a stand and fight for what they believe in. This inspirational picture book is aligned with Common Core standards and correlates with state standards. The story by Paul Czajak is delightfully illustrated by Wendy Grieb.
Audience: Lower Elementary
Ameena feels invisible. It’s been that way since she started at her new school. But now there’s another new girl in class. Ameena sees her brownness and her hijab, even though the other kids don’t. Ameena wants to be her friend, but she can’t seem to find the right words or do the right things – until one day, they find them together.
Audience: Lower Elementary
On a street of old houses, a big hairy spider searches for a home with dark corners to hide in. But when he wakes up, he finds a kind lady proclaiming that she has always wanted a kitten – and will name him Luigi! He resists. But soon, tasty breakfasts and getting tucked into bed have him thinking that kittens surely live magical lives.
Audience: Lower Elementary
Close companions through daily adventures, two otters are always sharing, always together – until suddenly, they’re not. One is left behind, and nothing is the same. Debut author-illustrator Patricia Kreiser brilliantly showcases themes of loss, separation, and loneliness by combining soft, watercolor illustrations with minimal but powerful text.
Audience: Lower Elementary
Junia, the beloved, spunky mule from the best-selling The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek series, comes to vivid life for young readers in this picture book tribute to Kentucky's Great Depression Pack Horse Library Project. Follow along as steady, sure-footed, big-hearted Junia turns paths where no car or wagon could ever go.
Audience: Lower Elementary
Maggie loves living on a farm, but she isn't happy when the cows move into her cozy house. They cook in her kitchen, play dress-up in her closet, take bubble baths in her tub, and have no interest in leaving! Can Maggie find a way to get the cows to go? In this humorous rhyming picture book, Maggie shows readers that anything is possible.
Audience: Lower Elementary
The Big Cheese is the best at everything, and brags about it, too. When the annual Cheese-cathlon comes around, the Big Cheese is prepared to win, as always. But what happens when the quiet new kid, Wedge Wedgeman, comes out on top is a slice of humility, and the Big Cheese discovers that some things are better than being the best.
Audience: Upper Elementary
Operation: Happy is a moving middle grade novel featuring a dog’s point of view and inspired by the real-life experiences of a young Pearl Harbor survivor. This book is perfect for fans of historical fiction as well as animal lovers, a moving and historically accurate novel inspired by true events.
Audience: Lower Elementary
In the Aesop’s Fables series by AV2, classic fables are given a lighthearted twist. These familiar tales are performed by a troupe of animal players whose endearing personalities bring the stories to life. Each AV2 book features a code enabling the reader to access an exclusive animated video of the story.
Audience: Lower Elementary
After her family realizes the puppy they adopted is a pit bull, Holly finds herself abandoned. To make matters worse, many are unwilling to help her because of misconceptions about her breed. Holly’s search for love (and food) takes her to a dog park, an animal shelter, and, finally, a fabulous pittie party. Holly learns that belonging is possible.
Audience: Lower Elementary
Meena and her grandmother are having a tea party with a special tea called doodh cha. Meena’s impatient but learns it’s worth the wait to make the special tea together. Said Kirkus Reviews, “This vibrantly illustrated book is a quiet tribute to intergenerational relationships and family traditions.”
Audience: Lower Elementary
You might have heard the words “busy as a bee,” but what do bees actually do each day? Did you know bees clean their rooms, help feed baby bees, and build the hive they live in? From birth to first flight and beyond, discover all that goes into being a bee in this charming picture book, the first in the Meet Your World series.
Audience: Lower Elementary
Join a child captain and parent first mate as they embark on a wild high-seas adventure – all without leaving the living room! This imaginative romp of a picture book is filled with glorious illustrations from beloved Caldecott Medalist and New York Times best-selling creator Sophie Blackall. All aboard!
Audience: Lower Elementary
Stone-in-the-Glen, once a lovely town, has fallen on hard times thanks to fires, floods, and other calamities. The people put their faith in the mayor, a dazzling fellow who promises he alone can help. Only the clever children of the Orphan House and the kindly Ogress at the edge of town can see how dire the town’s problems are.
Audience: Lower Elementary
During her first day at a new school, Ruby the fox is nervous. But luckily, she has her tools to help: a tape measure to count her breaths if she feels overwhelmed, pliers to remind her to be flexible, and safety goggles to see things in a new way. Ruby uses her tools to overcome anxiety and make friends in this heartfelt picture book.
Audience: Lower Elementary
This lyrical, STEM-focused, girl-power picture book pairs a different girl with each scientific force to create a diverse cast of individuals, simplifying complex forces into memorable characters. Back matter on forces rounds out this teaching tool, and each “I am” statement encourages girls to see themselves in science!
Audience: Lower Elementary
Penelope loves her 10 red balloons. She spends every moment with them, taking them with her everywhere she goes. So, when she loses her balloons, Penelope is devastated. With a nod to perennial classics, Penelope's Balloons explores childhood passions, identity, and anxiety in this timeless story about the power of friends, family, and community.