Picture book sequels hitting shelves this season feature familiar faces and some brand-new stories.
All Right Already!
Unlikely friends and neighbors, Bear and Duck, first appeared in Goodnight Already! and in its sequel, Come Home Already! In their third story, when Bear reluctantly goes out into the snow with Duck, he catches a cold and Duck—rather overzealously—takes care of him. When Duck catches the cold, it’s Bear’s turn to become caretaker. Fans of the series will welcome more time spent with this affectionate odd couple.
Duck on a Disco Ball
In a follow-up to Duck in the Fridge (2014), after a boy’s parents tuck him in, he follows them downstairs, where they attend a wild disco party filled with snacks, puns, and visiting barnyard animals, including the boy’s stuffed duck, who appears to be the instigator. Mack’s tongue-in-cheek story centers on a common childhood suspicion—that all the fun is had once the kids go to bed.
Winter Is Here
Caldecott Medalist Henkes follows In the Middle of Fall and When Spring Comes with a winter-themed story. Simple verses pair with Dronzek’s rich, smudgy artwork to capture the visceral experience of a particular season—and its transition into the next.
Franklin and Luna Go to the Moon
Franklin, a large green dragon with red wings, and Luna—a dauntless, book-loving girl—became friends in Franklin’s Flying Bookshop. In their second book, Luna, Franklin, and Luna’s pet tortoise, Neil Armstrong, travel to the moon to locate Franklin’s dragon relatives.
Little Dreamers: Visionary Women Around the World
In her follow-up to Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History, Harrison introduces women artists, scientists, and entrepreneurs. Harrison endears readers to the subjects by depicting them as friendly and almost childlike, while the substantial biographical information gives readers a true sense of each figure’s individuality.
Pine & Boof: Blast Off!
In Pine & Boof: The Lucky Leaf, Boof the bear and Pine the porcupine bonded over the search for a lost leaf. In their second adventure, the friends discover an egg from outer space and build a rocket ship to return the egg to its intergalactic nest. Burach works in quirky, action-filled spreads that show how a little bit of imagination can go a long way—especially in the company of a likeminded friend.
The Truth About Elephants: Seriously Funny Facts About Your Favorite Animals
After telling “the truth” about hippos, bears, and dolphins in the first three books of his series, Eaton turns to a new animal subject. Cartoon elephants converse via dialogue balloons, delivering one-liners and running commentary, and the author provides intriguing facts about elephant behavior, anatomy, and family structures.
