Picture book and graphic novel sequels releasing this month include the return of a fourth wall-breaking French snail; a famous baby hippo starring in a bedtime book; a nonfiction compendium on soft-bodied cephalopods; the finale of a popular webcomic collection featuring a vlogger-cum-baker-cum-hockey player and his boyfriend; and more.

Baby Loves Political Science: Democracy!

by Ruth Spiro, illus. by Greg Paprocki (Charlesbridge, Apr. 7, $8.99 board book, ISBN 978-1-62354-227-6)

The latest installment of the Baby Loves series, kicking off the Baby Loves Political Science books, features Baby learning about the U.S. government and how citizens can make a difference. 

Be Curious (An Oh Joy! Story)

by Joy Cho, illus. by Angie Stalker (Scholastic/Cartwheel, Apr. 7, $9.99 board book, ISBN 978-1-338-35634-2)

Lift-the-flaps, peepholes, and rhyming text make this Oh Joy! board book an interactive adventure as young readers follow a curious feline on a colorful sensory expedition. The author launched Oh Joy! in 2005 as a graphic design studio; it has since grown to include a lifestyle brand with licensed products, like this first in a board book series.

A Book for Escargot

by Dashka Slater, illus. by Sydney Hanson (FSG, Apr. 7, $16.99, ISBN 978-0-374-31286-2)

In this standalone interactive sequel to Escargot, the eponymous “beautiful French snail” takes a trip to the library, where he searches for a book featuring a snail hero.

Ellie Makes a Friend

by Mike Wu (Disney-Hyperion, Apr. 7, $16.99, ISBN 978-1-368-01000-9)

This sequel to Ellie finds the shy baby elephant painter facing a different sort of challenge. The zoo has gained a new resident, a panda named Ping who is also an artist. Will Ellie be able to surmount her insecurities and befriend Ping?

Fiona, It’s Bedtime (A Fiona the Hippo Book)

by Richard Cowdrey (Zonderkidz, Apr. 7, $17.99, ISBN 978-0-310-76755-8)

Fiona the Hippo must say goodnight to each of her animal friends at the Cincinnati Zoo in this third picture book starring the real-life celebrity.

Obsessive About Octopuses (About Animals #6)

by Owen Davey (Flying Eye, Apr. 7, $19.95, ISBN 978-1-912497-78-2)

The sixth book in the illustrated nonfiction About Animals series centers everyone’s favorite eight-limbed, three-hearted oceanic creature in an oversized graphic tome.

Me, Three! (Catwad #3)

by Jim Benton (Graphix, Apr. 7, $8.99 paper, ISBN 978-1-338-61628-6)

New friends, yoga, and more find their way into Catwad and Blurmp’s antics in this third installment of the Catwad middle grade graphic novel series.

Sticks & Scones (Check, Please! #2)

by Ngozi Ukazu (First Second, Apr. 7, $23.99, ISBN 978-1-250-17949-4) $16.99 paper, ISBN 978-1-250-17950-0)

In this duology conclusion, the second volume collecting the eponymous webcomic after
Hockey (Check, Please! #1), figure skater turned Samwell University hockey player Eric Bittle returns. A rising junior, Bitty must learn to navigate his new relationship with Jack, the hockey team captain, despite distance and secrecy.

Operation: Hat Heist! (Middle School Misadventures #2)

by Jason Platt (Little, Brown, Apr. 21, $24.99, ISBN 978-0-316-41690-0) $12.99 paper, ISBN 978-0-316-41689-4)

When Newell brings his cherished hat to school, it gets stolen—and then, to make matters worse, it’s confiscated by a teacher, in this second Middle School Misadventures graphic novel. Will Newell, eighth grader Ethan, and their crew be able to steal the hat back?