16 Must-Read Picture Books of Fall 2018
by Janssen Bradshaw
Fall is just around the corner. I love the holidays, but autumn might just be my favorite time of year. And not ONLY because it’s when I celebrate my birthday. I love the excitement of a new school year, the beauty of the leaves changing, and, of course, all the new books that come out in the fall!
This season is packed with spectacular new children’s titles that you’ll love. Here’s a peek at some board books and picture books you won’t want to miss:
-
Corduroy Takes a Bow
Available from:Fifty years after Corduroy’s initial debut, he takes the stage in this book where Lisa takes him on his first theater trip where he can’t resist the urge to go explore on his own and see everything the world of live theater has to offer.
(On sale: 9/4/18)Also available from: -
There’s a Dragon in Your Book
Available from:To begin with, there is an egg in the book. Which hatches into a baby dragon (a darn cute dragon). But dragons are TROUBLE, especially when they sneeze. Because what does a dragon sneeze? FIRE, of course!
(On sale: 9/4/18)Also available from: -
Turning Pages: My Life Story
Available from:Written by Sonia Sotomayor herself, Turning Pages shares what inspired the first Latina Supreme Court Justice from her earliest days. Books! They acted as friends and teachers, helping her to deal with illness, death, and a future she couldn’t have imagined for herself.
(On sale: 9/4/18)Also available from: -
Douglas, You’re a Genius!
When you need a laugh, Douglas the dog and his human-friend Nancy are here for you. In this one, they’re playing baseball together until the ball goes through a hole in the fence and all seems to be lost. But then the ball returns, followed by a secret note they can’t decipher. WHO is on the other side of the fence?
(On sale: 9/11/18) -
Holes in the Sky
Available from:In this story based on Polacco’s own experiences, Trisha is devastated by the death of her beloved grandmother. But when Trisha moves with her family to California, she finds a new friend who is willing to share his grandmother who uses the same comforting phrase Trisha’s own grandmother used to share.
(On sale: 9/11/18)Also available from: -
Hungry Bunny
Fall means apples — and more importantly, apple pie. But for a small bunny, reaching those high apples can be tricky. Fortunately, Bunny has some tricks up his sleeve, mainly using his red scarp. Using the red ribbon attached like a bookmark to the book, readers can help Bunny grab those tasty apples. The perfect interactive book for the perfect season.
(On sale: 9/11/18) -
She Made a Monster: How Mary Shelley Created Frankenstein
Celebrate the 200th anniversary of Frankenstein with this children’s book that explains how Mary Shelley came up with the idea for the book. An ideal fit for fans of nonfiction and slightly spooky stories, She Made a Monster is perfectly timed for Halloween.
(On sale: 9/18/18) -
Giraffe Problems
Available from:Can you imagine how difficult it is to have the longest neck ever? VERY. It’s so long and bendy and no one else has one. How can Cyrus the giraffe disguise his massive neck? Fortunately, a turtle ambles in just in time with an unexpected solution to the problem.
(On sale: 9/25/18)Also available from: -
Eliza: The Story of Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton
Listen up, “Hamilton” fans! This book about Eliza Hamilton is not to be missed! She was born to a powerful wealthy family but fell in love with Hamilton and stood by him through his (many) ups and downs and then outlived him by 50 years during which she accomplished many incredible things.
(On sale: 10/2/18) -
I Look Up To… Ruth Bader Ginsburg
This fantastic, new board book series introduces role models to the littlest readers. This one shares Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s best qualities through toddler-appropriate language and concepts enhanced by quotes from the lady herself!
(On sale: 10/2/18) -
The Wall in the Middle of the Book
Available from:A knight is determined to keep himself safe by building a wall in the middle of the book to keep out the dangers on the other side. Who knows what’s over there, but the knight is taking NO chances. Until it starts to get a bit dangerous on his own side, and he learns that his assumptions about what was on the other side of the wall were totally wrong.
(On sale: 10/2/18)Also available from: -
Carmela Full of Wishes
Available from:Matt de la Peña and Christian Robinson have done it again! From the duo that brought us Last Stop on Market Street, which snagged both the Newbery Medal and a Caldecott Honor, comes a stunning new picture book that readers of all ages will love. Carmela spends her birthday running family errands with her brother, ending at the Laundromat with a lone dandelion that Carmela wants to use to make a wish. But which wish is good enough?
(On sale: 10/9/18)Also available from: -
Everything & Everywhere: A Fact-Filled Adventure for Curious Globe-Trotters
For fact lovers and curious readers, this book gives a journey around the world from your couch, with plenty to discover. From beautiful skylines to unique animals, there are surprises at every turn. Grab your suitcase and let’s hit the road.
(On sale: 10/9/18) -
I'm an Immigrant Too!
Mem Fox brings her lyrical rhyming skills to this exploration of how immigrants have changed and enriched her homeland in Australia. This book is the perfect way to introduce the topic of immigration and refugees to your young children.
(On sale: 10/23/18) -
Animalphabet
Just when you think you’ve seen it all when it comes to ABC books, something like this comes along and blows you away. From the author of the mega-popular Room on the Broom, this picture book is a guessing game, alphabet book, and puzzle all combined into one. It’s destined to be a family favorite as you flip from ant to butterfly to caterpillar ... to zebra and then back again.
(On sale: 10/30/18) -
Art and How it Works: An Introduction to Art for Children
This child-friendly look at art covers major artists, art lingo, and art history in a way that will appeal to all little artists. Make sure to check out the foreword from beloved artist Tomie dePaola before you dive in!
(On sale: 11/6/18)
What board books and picture books are you looking forward to reading this fall? Let us know in the comments below!