Readers can spring into new additions to series, including a picture book about learning to embrace differences, an illustrated novel about navigating potential failures, a YA fantasy about a girl trapped in a deadly deal, and more.
Picture Books
Be a Hero with Skipper the Seal by William H. McRaven and Kelly Marie McRaven, illus. by Howard McWilliam (Little, Brown, Mar. 18 $19.99; ISBN 978-0-316-57640-6). In the second Skipper the Seal picture book, the titular seal is tasked with finding heroes for a team and finds that there are everyday heroes all around him.
Chicka Chicka I Love Dad and Chicka Chicka I Love Mom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault, illus. by Julien Chung (Little Simon, Mar. 11 $9.99; ISBN 978-1-665-96685-6; ISBN 978-1-665-96683-2). In the latest additions to the Chicka Chicka Book series, young readers can show appreciation for their mothers and fathers.
An Eggcellent Book of Kindness by duopress labs, illus. by Kat Uno (Duopress, Mar. 25 $9.99; ISBN 978-1-4642-2573-4). Little Egg gives readers a variety of ways to demonstrate kindness towards their friends in the second installment of the Little Egg Books series.
Giraffe’s Book Is Missing a Story by DK Ryland (Page Street Kids, Mar. 18 $18.99; ISBN 979-8-890-03163-1). In the follow-up Giraffe Is Too Tall for This Book, Giraffe discovers a missing page in their book and invites the reader to help fill it in.
Hello, I’m an Axolotl by Hayley and John Rocco (Putnam, Mar. 11 $16.99; ISBN 978-0-593-61821-9). Young readers learn about the capabilities of the endangered axolotl in the fourth installment of the Meet the Wild Things series.
How to Explain Climate Science to a Grown-Up by Ruth Spiro, illus. by Teresa Martínez (Charlesbridge, Mar. 4 $17.99; ISBN 978-1-62354-620-5). Children learn about the science behind climate change and what we can do to help combat it in the third installment of the How to Explain Science to a Grown-Up series.
I Loved You First by Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush, illus. by Ramona Kaulitzki (Little, Brown, Mar. 25 $19.99; ISBN 978-0-316-52529-9). In the third Sisters First picture book, a child and parent appreciate the quality time they’re able to spend together.
Little Blue Truck and Racer Red by Alice Schertle, illus. by Jill McElmurry (Clarion, Mar. 25 $21.99; ISBN 978-0-06-338784-3). Little Blue Truck is challenged to a race by a flashy new car in the fourth Little Blue Truck picture book.
Mermaids Are the Worst! by Alex Willan (Simon & Schuster, Mar. 4 $19.99; ISBN 978-1-665-96259-9). Gilbert the goblin struggles to enjoy his vacation when rambunctious mermaids make an appearance in the latest addition to The Worst! picture book series.
Parts of Us by Shannon Hale, illus. by LeUyen Pham (Abrams Appleseed, Mar. 18 $9.99; ISBN 978-1-4197-6882-8). In the latest addition to the Kitty-Corn Club Book series, Kitty and Unicorn welcome animals of all kinds to join their club, no matter what they look like.
The Teeny-Weeny Unicorn’s Great Big Wish by Shawn Harris (Knopf, Mar. 4 $18.99; ISBN 978-0-593-57191-0). The titular unicorn goes off in search of something smaller than him in the sequel to The Teeny-Weeny Unicorn.
Thanks a Latte for Being My Teacher! by Rose Rossner (Sourcebooks Wonderland, Mar. 4 $12.99; ISBN 978-1-4642-2053-1). The latest picture book in the Punderland series celebrates the impact of great teachers.
That’s Not Funny, David! by David Shannon (Orchard, Mar. 4 $18.99; ISBN 978-1-546-12318-7). In this companion to the Caldecott Honor-winning picture book No, David!, the young troublemaker learns that sometimes his attempts to make others laugh come with consequences.
Where’s Mommy Donkey? by Craig Smith, illus. by Katz Cowley (Cartwheel, Mar. 4 $9.99; ISBN 978-1-546-16299-5). In the latest addition to the Wonky Donkey series, Dinky Donkey invites readers to help her find her mother by searching through the flaps of this picture book.
Will the Pigeon Graduate? by Mo Willems (Union Square Kids, Mar. 4 $18.99; ISBN 978-1-4549-6043-0). The newest book in the Pigeon series follows the titular foul as he finds out if all his hard work will pay off on graduation day.
Illustrated/Graphic Novels
Game On! by Kelly Leigh Miller (Atheneum, Mar. 4 $12.99; ISBN 978-1-665-93215-8). In the second installment of the Cloud Puppy series, Cloud Puppy introduces a friend to her favorite game after he insinuates that her hobbies aren’t as good as his.
Henry’s Picture Perfect Day by Jenn Bailey, illus. by Mika Song (Chronicle, Mar. 18 $14.99; ISBN 978-1-79723-025-2). In the third Henry book, the titular student and the rest of his class prepare for Picture Day.
Hocus and Pocus and the Dragon Next Door by A.R. Capetta, illus. by Charlene Chua (Candlewick, Mar. 4 $16.99; ISBN 978-1-5362-2493-1). Best friends Hocus and Pocus navigate the introduction of a new friend with different approaches in the second addition to the Hocus and Pocus series.
I Survived the Great Molasses Flood, 1919 by Lauren Tarshis, illus. by Karen De La Vega (Graphix, Mar. 4 $12.99 paper; ISBN 978-1-546-11037-8). The 11th installment in the I Survived Graphic Novel series follows Carmen and her father as they try to navigate the sudden eruption of a tank that sends molasses into the Boston streets.
Frankie and Friends and The Lost Tooth by Christine Platt, illus. by Alea Marley (Walker Books US, Mar. 18 $15.99 ISBN 978-1-5362-2211-1). In the third addition to the Frankie and Friends series, Frankie worries that the Tooth Fairy won’t be able to find her when she loses her first tooth at a journalism conference.
Maggie Sparks and the School of Slime by Steve Smallman, illus. by Esther Hernando (Sweet Cherry, Mar. 25 paper $7.95; ISBN 978-1-78226-496-5). The newest book in the Maggie Sparks series follows the titular witch on her way to a new school, where she’s convinced her teacher is a vampire.
Mallory and the Trouble with Twins by Ann M. Martin, illus. by Arley Nopra (Graphix, Mar. 4 paper $12.99; ISBN 978-1-338-83561-8). In the 17th installment of the Baby-sitters Club Graphic Novel series, Mallory takes on a new babysitting gig only to learn that her new twin charges are far more mischievous than advertised.
Maple’s Formula for Victory by Kate McMillan and Ruthie Prillaman (Aladdin, Mar. 4 $14.99; ISBN 978-1-665-94105-1). When Maple discovers that she has scored a less-than-perfect grade on her fitness test, she joins the track team and struggles with feelings of competitiveness in the second Maple book.
Mercy Watson Is Missing! by Kate DiCamillo, illus. by Chris Van Dusen (Candlewick, Mar. 4 $7.99; ISBN 978-1-5362-4201-0). The neighborhood comes out in full force to search for Mercy when she disappears in the seventh and final installment of the Tales from Mercy Watson’s Deckawoo Drive series.
Penny Draws a Team Sport by Sara Shepard (Putnam, Mar. 4 $14.99; ISBN 978-0-593-70031-0). Titular artist Penny turns to her notepad as an outlet when a new pickleball tournament is announced and she questions joining the team in the fifth addition to the Penny Draws series.
The Pinchers and the Curse of the Egyptian Cat by Anders Sparring, illus. by Per Gustavsson (Gecko, Mar. 4 $18.99; ISBN 979-8-765-66867-2). In the third book in the Pinchers series, Theo and Ellen break an ancient statue that curses them to switch roles.
Prank War by Kayla Miller and Jeffrey Canino, illus. by Sarah K. Turner (Clarion, Mar. 4 paper $15.99; ISBN 978-0-06-328559-0). In hopes of meeting their favorite skateboarder by winning a prank competition, best friend Trent and Sawyer accidentally start an all-out prank war in the third addition to the World of Click series.
Spy Ski School the Graphic Novel by Stuart Gibbs, illus. by Anjan Sarkar (Simon & Schuster, Mar. 4 paper $14.99; ISBN 978-1-665-95660-4). Spy Ben Ripley has finally been activated by the agency for his first mission in the fourth addition to the Spy School the Graphic Novel series.
Worst Wish Ever! by Wanda Coven, illus. by Anna Abramskaya (Simon Spotlight, Mar. 4 $14.99; ISBN 978-1-665-96414-2). Witch-in-training Heidi discovers a wishing well but finds that having her desire to be in two places at once fulfilled comes with complications in the fifth book of the Middle School and Other Disasters series.
When Pancakes Go Really Bad! by John Gallagher (Random House Graphic, Mar. 11 $14.99; ISBN 978-0-593-71227-6). Max Meow attempts to save Kittyopolois from villainous pancakes in the sixth addition to the Max Meow graphic novel series.
Willy and Stone Fox by Robert Tate Miller, illus. by Nicole Neidhardt (Tilbury House, Mar. 18 $18.99; ISBN 978-1-88448-972-6). In the sequel to Stone Fox, Willy must return to dogsled racing when his friend Stone Fox asks for his help, but struggles with tragic memories from his past.
Novels
The Big Bad Wolf by Michaelbrent Collings (Shadow Mountain, Mar. 11 $19.99; ISBN 978-1-63993-380-8). Jake and Willow return to Grimmworld in search of their father but become embroiled in a battle with another fairy tale Big Bad in the second Grimmworld book.
The Deadly Fates by Dhonielle Clayton (Holt, Mar. 4 $17.99; ISBN 978-1-250-87482-5). Ella, Brigit, and Jason question the intentions of the magic school’s founders in the third addition to the Conjureverse series.
Dear Manny by Nic Stone (Crown, Mar. 4 $19.99; ISBN 978-0-593-30801-1). In the third and final installment of the Dear Martin series, Jared is running for class president but must navigate criticism from a new student.
The Deathly Grimm by Kathryn Purdie (Wednesday, Mar. 25 $14; ISBN 978-1-250-37259-8). When villagers begin being lured into the forest, Clara and Axel must wade back into dangerous woodland in the final book of the Forest Grimm duology.
The Encanto’s Curse by Melissa de la Cruz (Putnam, Mar. 4 $19.99; ISBN 978-0-593-53311-6). Newly crowned Queen MJ flees her own kingdom when she discovers a monster living within her in the second book in the Encanto’s Daughter series.
His Mortal Demise by Vanessa Le (Roaring Brook, Mar. 18 $19.99; ISBN 978-1-250-88154-0). Heartsooth Kochin is capable of healing all wounds except for death. In the final installment of the Last Bloodcarver duology, Kochin will find a way to bring their friend Nhika back from the dead, whatever the cost.
The Legendary Scarlett and Browne by Jonathan Stroud (Knopf, Mar. 25 $17.99; ISBN 978-0-593-70736-4 ). In the third and final book of the Scarlett and Browne series, Albert returns to a terrifying prison and Scarlett continues her search for her brother.
Oathbound by Tracy Deonn (Simon & Schuster, Mar. 4 $21.99; ISBN 978-1-665-95190-6). Bree is trapped in a deadly deal with the Shadow King and cut off from her allies at the Round Table in the third installment of the Legendborn series.
The Shadow Bride by Shelby Mahurin (HarperCollins, Mar. 25 $21.99; ISBN 978-0-06-325880-8). Although it seems that Célie may be gone for good, vampire Michal will do anything to get her back in the second and final book of the Scarlet Veil duology.
She Waits for You Beyond the Dark by Kristen Simmons (Tor Teen, Mar. 11 $19.99; ISBN 978-1-250-85116-1). Owen, Maddy, and Emerson are embroiled in a new game to find three sacred objects across three realms in the second and final installment of the Death Games duology.
A Single Fate by Lee Paige O’Brien (Amulet, Mar. 11 $19.99 ISBN 978-1-4197-6517-9). Spellcaster Rat find themselves trapped in a dangerous deal and must uncover an ancient archive in order to escape in the second book of the Broken Tower series.
Snow White and the Dragon (or, Sleeping Beauty and the Seven Dwarfs) by Kim Bussing (Random House, Mar. 4 paper $9.99; ISBN 978-0-593-70806-4; hardcover $17.99; ISBN 978-0-593-70807-1). Princess Rose and Princess Snow find themselves at the hands of a wicked witch with an apple, and a sleeping curse in the second book of the Princess Swap series.
