Sequels hitting shelves this month include a familiar feline heading on vacation, a heartfelt goodbye to a favorite teacher, a reminder to celebrate love, and more.

Picture Books and Graphic Novels

The Dark Secret by Tui T. Sutherland, illus. by Mike Holmes (Graphix, Dec. 29 $12.99 paper; ISBN 978-1-338-34421-9)

In the fourth graphic novel adaptation of the Wings of Fire saga, trouble is brewing in the shadows. The mysterious NightWings keep everything hidden. Now they’ve kidnapped their own dragonet of destiny, Starflight, who will finally meet the rest of his tribe—whether he wants to or not. See our q&a with Sutherland on the series and graphic novel adaptations.


Karen’s Worst Day by Ann M. Martin, illus. by Katy Farina (Graphix, Dec. 29 $10.99 paper; ISBN 978-1-338-35618-2)

Book three in the Baby-sitters Little Sister graphic novel series finds Karen having a bad-luck day. Her favorite jeans are missing. There’s no prize in the cereal box. And her cat won’t play. See our q&a with illustrator Farina here.


Little Blue Truck’s Valentine by Alice Schertle, illus. by Jill McElmurry (HMH, Dec. 8 $13.99 paper over board; ISBN 978-0-358-27244-1)

The star of the Little Blue Truck series is delivering Valentine’s Day cards to his farm animal friends. But as Blue beeps along, he starts to wonder: will he get any cards of his own?


Love from Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae, illus. by Guy Parker-Rees (Orchard, Dec. 1 $8.99; ISBN 978-1-338-66676-2)

With modified art and text from the bestselling picture book Giraffe’s Can’t Dance, this story reminds readers to celebrate love, music, and dance. See our interview with the series creators.


My Baby Loves Valentine’s Day by Jabari Asim, illus. by Nicole Whitaker (HarperFestival, Dec. 15 $7.99 board book; ISBN 978-0-06-288464-0)

The newest book in the My Baby Loves series is an #OwnVoices celebration of all the lovely things that baby discovers about Valentine’s Day.


Tiny T. Rex and the Perfect Valentine by Jonathan Stutzman, illus. by Jay Fleck (Chronicle, Dec. 29 $7.99 board book; ISBN 978-1-4521-8489-0)

In this follow-up to Tiny T. Rex and the Impossible Hug, Valentine’s Day is coming, and Tiny has decided to make the perfect Valentine for his best friend Pointy. But he soon discovers that making one isn’t easy.


Chapter Books and Novels

Bad Kitty Goes on Vacation by Nick Bruel (Roaring Brook, Dec. 29 $13.99; ISBN 978-1-250-20808-8)

The 14th addition to the Bad Kitty series follows Kitty as she gets the opportunity to go with her very favorite Uncle Murray to “LOVE LOVE ANGEL KITTY WORLD.” But what she doesn’t realize is that it will be an adventure just trying to get there.


Battle of the Bodkins by Lincoln Peirce (Crown, Dec. 1 $13.99; ISBN 978-0-593-12590-8)

Max is back in the sequel to Max and the Midknights. Max didn’t expect knight school to be so tough. Luckily, she has her friends the Midknights with her. But when Byjovia is under attack, the Midknights will have to face beastly creatures, powerful spells, and their greatest foe yet—themselves. Read our q&a with Peirce about the series.


Goodbye, Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea (Delacorte, Dec. 1 $17.99; ISBN 978-0-525-64798-0)

In the conclusion to the Mr. Terupt series, Jeffrey, Alexia, Anna, Danielle, Luke, Peter, and Jessica are thrilled to have their beloved teacher, Mr. Terupt, back as their biweekly adviser. To celebrate their remaining time with Mr. Terupt, the students hatch bucket-list type projects to make the school year important and memorable.


I Can’t Feel My Feet by Tom Watson, illus. by Marta Kissi (HarperCollins, Dec. 22 $5.99 paper; ISBN 978-0-06-295349-0)

The fourth book in the Trouble at Table series shows Molly, Rosie, and Simon coming up with a plan to keep their feet from freezing off on their walk to school—and hopefully, without destroying the neighborhood in the process.


The Mini Mistake by Calliope Glass, illus. by Hollie Mengert (HarperCollins, Dec. 1 $5.99 paper; ISBN 978-0-06-294797-0)

Sparkleton accidentally shrinks himself and his friends in the third installment of the Sparkleton series. Now he may have to do the worst thing ever to get back to regular size: ask his rival, Twinkle, for help.


Survival in the Wilderness by Steven Otfinoski, illus. by James Bernardin (HarperCollins, Dec. 1 $4.99 paper; ISBN 978-0-06-286044-6)

In the fourth book in Otfinoski’s historical fiction series, on December 1920, three U.S. Navy lieutenants board a hot air balloon for a routine training flight. But heavy rain and wind knock the balloon off course forcing an emergency landing deep in the snowy Canadian wilderness.