21 Highly-Anticipated Picture Books to Read in Fall 2021
by Jennifer Garry
There are so many fantastic picture books to look forward to this fall! Whether you and your favorite little readers lean toward the lyrical or the laugh-out-loud, there are books for everyone. With diverse characters and subjects, these 21 picture books from both award-winning and debut authors will capture your heart.
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The Met Vincent van Gogh
Available from:Created in partnership the Metropolitan Museum of Art, DK's What the Artist Saw is a new series of children’s books perfect for art lovers and fans of the Who Was? series. These beautifully illustrated biographies rather fittingly use art to tell the story of artists like Georgia O'Keeffe, Hokusai, and Faith Ringgold. Various prompts relating to the narrative will also inspire readers to create masterpieces of their own. This first in the series focuses on Vincent van Gogh's extraordinary life and inspiring work.
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See the Dog: Three Stories About a Cat
Available from:A bossy book orders a cat to act like a dog in this hilarious tale from the author of See the Cat. From digging dirt to fetching a stick, the cat finds feline ways to fulfill the book's demands. With repetition and lots of silliness, this book is sure to become a treasured favorite.
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What’s In the Box?
Available from:For inquisitive readers who like to explore their surroundings, this book is a sensory dream! The touch-and-feel patches and lift-the-flaps will draw in even the squirmiest of kids. Using fun illustrations and rhyming text, each page of this irresistible book invites readers to guess what’s inside the mysterious boxes.
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Change Sings
Available from:Presidential inaugural poet Amanda Gorman’s debut picture book is a children’s anthem that shows that anything is possible when we work together. Through her music and leadership, a young girl teaches readers that everyone has the power to make a difference and become a force for good.
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Nina
Available from:A bold picture book biography that illuminates the personal history of an acclaimed singer, Nina follows Eunice Kathleen Waymon as she grows up to become the legendary Nina Simone. This stunning picture book covers her childhood in North Carolina to her days as a musician and Civil Rights activist. It's perfect for young readers who want to learn about real people making a difference.
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Grandude’s Green Submarine
Available from:A companion to Paul McCartney’s Hey Grandude, this story follows Grandude and his grandkids on another legendary adventure — this time with a bit of help from Nandude. Celebrating the bond between grandparents and grandkids, this fun book takes readers up into the sky, under the sea, into the rainforest, and everywhere in between!
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I am Oprah Winfrey
Available from:The “Queen of All Media” is the newest icon featured in this fun biography series that makes heroes accessible to young readers. This book focuses on how Oprah became an empathetic listener as a child and how that became her superpower as an adult.
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Better Together!
A bad storm forces both the Squirrelly and the McMunk families to flee their homes — and end up in the same tree. At first, it feels like a fun adventure with new friends and playmates. But soon, the families realize they’re used to doing things differently. This sweet story from Good Morning America’s Amy Robach and her husband, actor Andrew Shue, is an excellent read for blended families and little readers learning to compromise.
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Gladys the Magic Chicken
Available from:This story follows Gladys — a silly chicken — on a hilarious adventure during Ancient Times. Everyone Gladys meets suddenly has their dreams come true, and they think it’s because of Gladys. After all, they couldn’t be making their own wishes happen … or could they?
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Return of the Underwear Dragon
Available from:In the sequel to Attack of the Underwear Dragon, Sir Cole realizes that the Underwear Dragon can’t read — which means he can’t understand the signs asking him not to attack the kingdom. This discovery leaves the brave knight determined to teach his fire-breathing former enemy to read — a job that’s no small feat and full of laugh-out-loud attempts.
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Hidden Animals
Animal lovers will adore this unique board book where shapes, colors, and animals collide. Bursting with color, Hidden Animals teaches little readers fun facts while encouraging them to look closely to find the creatures lurking in the pages.
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There’s a Ghost In This House
Available from:This interactive picture book is captivating and unique in a way that only Oliver Jeffers can pull off. It's about a girl who thinks she lives in a haunted house — even though she’s never seen a ghost! The girl invites readers in to hunt high and low for spooky friends. Halloween lovers will want to read this silly book on repeat.
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The Creature of Habit
Available from:A large creature who lives on the island of Habit does the same things day in and day out. He’s very happy with his routine. When a small creature arrives on the island, the big creature is thrilled — until the small creature turns everything upside down. This book is perfect for readers going through a significant change — whether a new sibling or learning a new routine.
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I Don't Want to Read This Book
Available from:Fans of The Book With No Pictures will love this silly story about why books are the worst. I Don’t Want to Read This Book asks why anyone would want to stare at a word-filled book when there are so many other things you can do with your time (most of which involve cake or YouTube or cake with a side of YouTube). The silliness will have even the most reluctant readers asking for it night after night.
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The Sun, the Moon, and the Stars
Available from:This debut from actress, dancer, and singer Rachel Montez Minor uses rhyming, lyrical prose to drive home the idea that we are all connected. With a diverse cast of characters and breathtaking illustrations, this uplifting book will inspire young readers to be a positive force in the world.
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Dream Street
Available from:Cousins Tricia Elam Walker and Ekua Holmes pay homage to the Boston neighborhood that filled their childhood with magic in this vibrant love letter to the power of community. With a cast of lively characters, little readers will feel like they live on Dream Street, “the best street in the world.” Full of joy and encouragement, this book will be a delight to read again and again.
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The 1619 Project: Born on the Water
Available from:Told in verse, this gorgeous book dives into a Black family’s ancestry while simultaneously chronicling Black history in America. Grandma tells the family their whole story after her granddaughter has trouble filling out their family tree. This powerful book is a must-read.
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This Is a Gift for You
Available from:Readers who enjoyed The Wonderful Things You Will Be will adore this beautiful new book from Emily Winfield Martin. Poetic and brimming with love, This Is a Gift for You explores the little ways we show that we care. Perfect for gift-giving, adults and children alike will fall in love with it.
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Uni the Unicorn in the Real World
Available from:When Uni the Unicorn visits her best friend, they hope to prove to everyone that unicorns are real. But there’s one little problem: no one can see Uni! But, with a bit of help from her magic horn, the other kids start to believe. Once they do, fairies, dragons, elves, and other magical creatures start to appear. A perfect read for unicorn and magic lovers, this book is sure to ignite a spark of belief.
(On sale: 11/30/2021)Also available from: -
The Night the Moon Went Missing
Available from:Reading The Night the Moon Went Missing is such a sweet story to end the day with. Moon feels sad that everyone goes to sleep when she comes out at night, not realizing that a little girl named Lucy loves looking up at her. So when Moon goes missing one night, it's up to Lucy to find her and help her see how important she is to everyone on Earth.
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Justice Is…
Available from:Preet Bharara teaches young readers about justice by touching on the real stories of people like Ida B. Wells, John Lewis, Malala Yousafzai, and more. With beautiful illustrations and simple sentences, the book encourages young activists to stand together and fight for what’s right.
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