Picture book sequels pubbing this month include the return of a bear musician, a mustachioed baby, an aquatic duo, and a rabbit learning fiscal responsibility.
Arr, Mustache Baby
Mustache Baby and bearded Baby Javier (both born with enviable facial hair) were mortal enemies in Heos’s previous book in the series, Mustache Baby Meets His Match. In the third title, the now inseparable pair take to the high seas as pirates.
The Baby Beast
Judge made his picture book debut with The Lonely Beast. In the follow-up, the shaggy haired monster character discovers an egg on his front doorstep. When the egg hatches, the Beast is in for a big surprise—and readers get to meet a brand new character.
The Bear, the Piano, the Dog, and the Fiddle
In The Bear and the Piano, Litchfield’s ursine character discovered a lonely piano in the forest and learned to play, skyrocketing into fame. The second story stars a downtrodden human fiddler, Hector, whose dog Hugo joins Bear in making music. But will Hector be left all alone? Music is for sharing, Litchfield suggests in this touching, theatrical story.
Narwhal’s Otter Friend
The fourth title in the Narwhal and Jelly Book series introduces a new character: Otty the Otter, who is an explorer. Jelly feels left out when Narwhal befriends the sea-faring adventurer. Clanton’s use of panels and dialogue balloons allows the quirky characters’ personalities to shine.
The Nature Girls
The enthusiastic pack of girl explorers introduced in Weather Girls returns for another outdoor adventure. Trukhan’s rhyming verse captures the group’s forward momentum, while Aki’s fine-lined depictions of the intrepid girls are reminiscent of Bemelmans.
Spend It!
In the first Moneybunny book, Earn It! (2017), a girl bunny learned about the importance of saving carrots (the currency of Bunnyland) to achieve goals. The sequel stars Sonny bunny, who faces the challenge of deciding how to spend his allowance.
The Quiet Boat Ride and Other Stories
Ruzzier’s endearing odd couple, Fox and Chick, who first appeared in The Party and Other Stories, star in three new tales, beginning with the pair’s eventful rowboat outing on a pond. Ruzzier offers a winning blend of early chapter book and comic for budding readers.
Charlotte the Scientist Finds a Cure
Charlotte—a gap-toothed bunny scientist who wears a lab coat and protective goggles—seeks a cure for a sickness affecting her grandfather and other woodland animals. Could it be “Funky Forest Fungi?” Andros’s follow-up to Charlotte the Scientist Is Squished (2017) again focuses on a capable girl whose passion for the sciences is undeniable.
Little Fox and the Missing Moon
In a sequel to Apples for Little Fox (2017), the sleuth investigates why the moon is missing from the sky. With the help of other woodland friends, Little Fox cracks the case: Rabbit took the moon down to clean it. Trukhan creates a light mystery with friendly characters, resembling cut-paper forms.
Zen Happiness
In Muth’s Caldecott Honor Book, Zen Shorts, the author-illustrator introduced Stillwater, a sagacious panda who offers solace and sensitive advice to a cast of child characters. This small gift book addition to the series features 12 meditative sayings accompanied by Muth’s illustrations from the previous books.
