Here we round up new and forthcoming children’s titles including an early reader about two dog friends, a middle grade novel that confronts addiction, a YA novel about grief and roller derby, a picture book about confidence, and many more.
Doggo and Pupper by Katherine Applegate, illus. by Charlie Alder. Macmillan/Feiwel and Friends, $9.99; ISBN 978-1-250-62097-2. Nudged by a new friend, an older dog rediscovers how to let loose in this goofy illustration-driven early reader, a series opener by Newbery Medalist Applegate (The One and Only Ivan) and Alder (Miss Mary Mack).
Where We Used to Roam by Jenn Bishop. Aladdin, $17.99; ISBN 978-1-5344-5729-4. In this examination of how addiction can affect families, Bishop (Things You Can’t Say) effectively showcases sixth grader Emma’s realistic struggle to forgive her friends, her family, and herself.
Bruised by Tanya Boteju. Simon & Schuster, $19.99; ISBN 978-1-5344-5502-3. Eighteen-year-old Daya Wijesinghe is tough, just like her boxer father taught her to be. When her parents, both Sri Lankan immigrants, die in a car crash that she survives, that toughness becomes a shield as she bruises herself to cope with her grief. A year and a half after the accident, she learns about roller derby—seemingly the perfect way to get some new bruises.
My Little Brave Girl by Hilary Duff, illus. by Kelsey Garrity-Riley. Random House, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-593-30072-5. In actor Duff’s motivational picture book debut, an unnamed narrator emboldens girls to move through their lives with assurance.
The Three Water Drop Brothers by Lee Eun-hee, trans. from the Korean by Asuka Minamoto, illus. by Yoon Mi-sook. Enchanted Lion, $16.95; ISBN 978-1-59270-323-4. This Korean import adds a mythological spin to its explanation of how water explores “the world in different forms and ways.” In elegant yet straightforward prose, biologist Lee follows the three water drop brothers, who are personified with simple, finely drawn features.
Bicycle Bash by Alison Farrell. Chronicle, $17.99; ISBN 978-1-4521-7462-4. In this picture book, the Metropolitan Bicycle Museum is having a big celebration, and everyone Etta the elephant knows is going—after all, who would pass up a chance to ride a bicycle inside a museum?
The Nice Dream Truck by Beth Ferry, illus. by Brigette Barrager. HarperCollins, $17.99; ISBN 978-0-06-290783-7. Three round-faced children of varying ethnicities are tucked into bed as this picture book opens. A page later, a brown-skinned, purple-haired girl with “stars in her eyes” makes her entrance in the fantastical Nice Dream Truck—which serves up sweet dreams in the form of elaborate ice cream treats.
Itty-Bitty Kitty-Corn by Shannon Hale, illus. by LeUyen Pham. Abrams, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-4197-5091-5. This picture book by collaborators Hale and Pham (Real Friends) ostensibly starts out as a cute tale of pretend play, and transforms into something much more: a celebration of claiming and naming one’s identity and having it affirmed by others—even if it’s a community of two. The book earned a starred review in PW.
The Book of Not Entirely Useful Advice by A.F. Harrold, illus. by Mini Grey. Bloomsbury, $19.99; ISBN 978-1-54760-677-1. A sly, tongue-in-cheek ambiance pervades British poet Harrold’s collection of sometimes questionable counsel on matters ranging from unconventional (“Gravy Is Not Perfume”) to practical (“If you’re worried your teacher’s going to shout at you/ because you’ve not done your homework,/ do your homework”).
The Immortal Boy by Francisco Montaña Ibáñez, trans. from the Spanish by David Bowles. Levine Querido, $17.99; ISBN 978-1-64614-044-2. Two stories told in parallel converge tragically in this poignant dual-language YA novel set around Bogotá, Colombia, following children in an orphanage in a violent area of the city.
Something’s Wrong!: A Bear, a Hare, and Some Underwear by Jory John, illus. by Erin Kraan. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-374-31388-3. In this picture book, Jeff, an absentminded bear, has left his house forgetting that he’s wearing a pair of tighty-whities gifted to him by his grandmother, and none of the animals he meets in the woods dares tell him.
Blue Floats Away by Travis Jonker, illus. by Grant Snider. Abrams, $17.99; ISBN 978-1-4197-4423-5. In this picture book about an iceberg who breaks off from his parents, a whole new existence opens up for Blue, offering more adventures, new friends, and a gratifying conclusion. Animating the water cycle is a project that Jonker (The Very Last Castle) takes on with humor, drama, and even momentary twinges of fear. The book earned a starred review in PW book.
The Many Mysteries of the Finkel Family by Sarah Kapit. Dial, $17.99; ISBN 978-0-593-11229-8. Joining the shelf of books about autistic characters drawn to sleuthing, this quiet family story by Kapit (Get a Grip, Vivy Cohen!) centers two Jewish autistic sisters ages 11 and 12 navigating life’s mysteries.
The Stolen Prince of Cloudburst by Jaclyn Moriarty. Levine Querido, $17.99; ISBN 978-1-64614-076-3. When Esther Mettlestone-Staranise—an unexceptional child from an exceptional family—returns to Katherine Valley Boarding School after summer break, she’s distraught to learn that her two best friends have transferred elsewhere. What’s more, the normally peaceful mountains surrounding the academy now teem with malevolent Shadow Mages, in this standalone middle grade high fantasy.
Renegade Flight by Andrea Tang. Razorbill, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-9848-3512-3. Picking up 15 years after the events of Rebelwing, this speculative standalone YA novel revisits the heroes of the first installment while focusing on a generation raised against the backdrop of sentient mechs and an intrigue-laden new world order.
The Middle Kid by Steven Weinberg. Chronicle, $14.99; ISBN 978-1-4521-8180-6. This engaging early chapter book uses a loose diary structure to capture episodes in a day in the life of a middle child. Not tough enough for the older brother but too rambunctious for the younger sister, an unnamed and subtly ungendered diarist feels “attacked from both sides.” But with their abundant energy, love of drawing, and powers of creativity, they are able to appreciate their places. The book earned a starred review from PW.
For more children’s and YA titles on sale throughout the month of March, check out PW’s full On-Sale Calendar.
