Spring 2018 Children’s Sneak Previews

ABRAMS

Abrams fuels up with The Princess and the Pit Stop by Tom Angleberger, illus. by Dan Santat, a mash-up of auto racing and fractured fairytale favorites; They Say Blue by Jillian Tamaki, following a girl who illuminates where she finds colors in the physical world and the world beyond what she can see; The 5 O’Clock Band by Troy Andrews, illus. by Bryan Collier, featuring a scrappy young musician who learns what it means to be an artist and a band leader in his hometown of New Orleans; and The Faithful Spy by John Hendrix, the story of German pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer who opposed the Nazis and was part of a failed plot to assassinate Hitler.

ABRAMS/AMULET

Amulet steps into spring with Big Foot Little Foot by Ellen Potter, focused on a young Sasquatch and a curious boy who become best friends; Munmun by Jesse Andrews, set in a near-future world where every person’s physical size is directly proportionate to their wealth; Ginger Kid: Mostly True Tales from a Former Nerd by Steve Hofstetter, in which this comedian walks readers through awkward early dating, family turbulence, and revenge of the bullied nerds; Like Love by Leah Konen, which finds Mabel using the memory-viewing virtual reality tech at her job to snoop on her coworker/potential love interest’s memories; and Jack and the Geniuses: Lost in the Jungle by Bill Nye and Greg Mone, illus. by Nick Iluzada, which follows Jack and his two genius foster siblings to the Amazon to find a famed scientist and inventor who’s gone missing.

ABRAMS/APPLESEED

Appleseed makes a flap with Balance the Birds by Susie Ghahremani, in which birds of all types introduce counting and organizing; My Mom Is Magical and My Dad Is Amazing by Hello!Lucky, expressing children’s admiration for their parents; and Whose Boat? by Toni Buzzeo, illus. by Tom Froese, featuring six different kinds of boats and the workers aboard them.

ADVENTURE KEEN

AdventureKEEN gets behind its spring list with Whose Baby Butt? by Stan Tekiela, an interactive guessing game-style title challenging readers to identify animals by their rear ends.

AKASHIC/BLACK SHEEP

Black Sheep lands a whopper with Sea Creatures from the Sky by Ricardo Cortés, in which a shark recounts his experience being abducted by aliens (marine biologists) and none of his friends believes him.

ALBERT WHITMAN

Albert Whitman has all its test tubes in order for Mary Had a Little Lab by Sue Fliess, illus. by Petros Bouloubasis, featuring a young inventor whose method for creating sheep causes chaos; Mindful Me: Mindfulness for Kids by Whitney Stewart, illus. by Stacy Peterson, a guide to mindfulness for middle grade readers, including meditations and breathing exercises; and Chester Nez and the Unbreakable Code: A Navajo Code Talker’s Story by Joseph Bruchac, illus. by Liz Amini-Holmes, a picture-book biography of a Navajo soldier who helped the effort in WWII as part of the team that created an unbreakable military code using his native language.

ALGONQUIN

Algonquin pulls out its binoculars for A Possibility of Whales by Karen Rivers, about a girl who comes to a realization about some of the biggest challenges in her life during a whale-watching trip; The Crooked Castle: Carmer and Grit Book #2 by Sarah Jean Horowitz, in which magician and inventor Carmer and faerie princess Grit investigate a magical flying circus; She’s Lost Control by Adele Griffin, the story of Lizzy’s senior year in the 1980s, when she discovers the shocking secrets her boyfriend and her new best friend have kept from her; and Very Short Book Reports by Lisa Brown, showcasing comic-book parodies of such classics as Moby Dick, The Handmaid’s Tale, and The Hunger Games.

ANDERSEN PRESS USA

Andersen Press puts things into focus with The T-Rex Who Lost His Specs by Jeanne Willis, illus. by Tony Ross, about a dinosaur’s chaotic day without his glasses; I Want My Dad! by Tony Ross, in which Little Princess wants a father who can do exciting things; The Stone Bird by Jenny McCartney, illus. by Patrick Benson, focusing on Eliza’s beach discovery, which Mom thinks is a stone, but Eliza knows is an egg; and The Weaver by Qian Shi, featuring proud weaver and collector Stanley the spider.

ANDREWS MCMEEL

Andrews McMeel puts the squeeze on spring with Fruit Ninja: Frenzy Force by Erich Owen, a graphic novel based on the popular fruit-slicing-game/app; Phoebe and Her Unicorn Collection by Dana Simpson, the seventh graphic-novel adventure for Phoebe and her unicorn BFF Merigold Heavenly Nostrils; Stinky Cecil in Mudslide Mayhem! by Paige Braddock, which finds Cecil and his pond pals helping Nesbit the chameleon find a place to live in the wild; and Everything Is Okay: My Life in Smiley by Anne Kalicky, in which an 11-year-old boy chronicles his first year in middle school via journal entries, doodles, and colorful smileys.

ANNICK PRESS

Annick Press pricks up its ears for The Sound of Freedom by Kathy Kacer, in which Anna and her family must find a way to escape from Poland in 1936; Tournament Trouble by Sylvia Chang, launching the Cross Ups series about the video game of the same name that Jaden and his friends can’t stop playing; Fire Song by Adam Jones, featuring Shane, who must come to terms with the feelings he has for his sister’s best friend, David; Sugar and Snails by Sarah Tsiang, illus. by Sonja Wimmer, which turns the traditional rhyme about what girls and boys are made of on its head; and Tree Song by Tiffany Stone, illus. by Holly Hatam, a look at the life cycle of a tree.

APPLES & HONEY

Apples & Honey takes a ride with Roller Coaster Grandma: The Amazing Story of Dr. Ruth by Ruth K. Westheimer and Pierre Lehu, illus. by Mark Simmons, a graphic novel biography depicting the famous sex therapist’s life from her escape from the Nazis in Germany at age 11 aboard a Kinderstransport to her sniper training in Israel, to her immigration to the U.S. and her career as a radio host and author.

ARBORDALE

Arbordale posts a spring list with Dear Komodo Dragon by Nancy Kelly Allen, illus. by Laurie Allen Klein, about a girl who changes her mind about being a dragon hunter after she hears what life is like for her pen pal, a real komodo dragon; Animal Ears by Mary Holland, a photographic look at how different animals use their ears; The Lizard Lady by Jennifer Keats Curtis and Nicole F. Angeli, illus. by Veronica Jones, featuring Angeli’s work to study and help restore the endangered St. Croix ground lizard; Maggie, Alaska’s Last Elephant by Jennifer Keats Curtis, illus. by Phyllis Saroff, in which keepers search for the perfect herd and sanctuary for an elephant that can no longer live at the Alaska Zoo; and Oliver’s Otter Phase by Lisa Connors, illus. by Karen Jones, which finds Oliver deciding to behave like an otter after his trip to the aquarium.

BAREFOOT BOOKS

Barefoot glides into the season with Wild Swans, retold by Xanthe Gresham, illus. by Charlotte Gastaut, a feminist spin on the Andersen fairy tale that finds a princess rescuing her brothers from an evil queen’s spell that turned them into swans; and Just Like Brothers by Elizabeth Baguley, illus. by Aurélie Blanz, featuring a boy and a wolf cub who become friends, despite their mothers’ warnings.

BLOOMSBURY

Bloomsbury makes a deal with How to Sell Your Family to the Aliens by Paul Noth, first in an illustrated middle-grade series about a boy who accidentally sells his family to aliens; The Unicorn Quest by Kamilla Benko, in which a real-world girl searches for her sister in a magical land full of strange creatures; The Rose Legacy by Jessica Day George, featuring a girl who can communicate with horses; Throne of Glass #6 by Sarah J. Maas, which concludes the series; The Universe Is Expanding and So Am I by Carolyn Mackler, the sequel to The Earth, My Butt and Other Big Round Things, about Virginia’s efforts to adjust to her life after a not so perfect “happy ending”; and Lola Dutch is a Little Bit Much by Kenneth Wright, illus. by Sarah Jane Wright, about a creative girl who is bursting with grand ideas.

BOYDS MILLS PRESS

Boyds Mills gets tucked in for Dreaming of You by Amy Ludwig Vanderwater, illus. by Aaron DeWitt, a lullaby picture book that imagines what animals dream; Terrific Tongues by Maria Gianferrari, illus. by Jia Liu, highlighting the fascinating ways that different animals use their tongues; The Goolz Next Door: A Bad Night for Bullies by Gary Ghislain, in which things get out of control when wheelchair-user Harold accepts the Stone of the Dead from a horror novelist’s daughter to fight bullies; The Gift: Ghosts of Ordinary Objects by Angie Smibert, featuring Bone, a girl in 1942 Virginia who discovers her gift for seeing stories in everyday objects; and Rewind by Carolyn O’Doherty, a time-travel thriller about teens who can rewind time to help solve crimes.

BOYDS MILLS/CALKINS CREEK

Calkins Creek launches its spring campaign with A Lady Has the Floor by Kate Hannigan, illus. by Alison Jay, a picture-book biography of Belva Lockwood, the first woman to appear on a presidential ballot (in 1884); Born to Swing by Mara Rockliff, illus. by Michele Wood, profiling female jazz pioneer Lil’ Hardin Armstrong; Blue Grass Boy by Barb Rosenstock, illus. by Edward Fotheringham, the life of Bill Monroe, the father of bluegrass; and When the Crickets Stopped Singing by Marilyn Cram Donahue, about one girl’s transformative summer in 1939.

BOYDS MILLS/WORDSONG

Wordsong goes to the head of the class with The Crawly School for Bugs by David Harrison, illus. by Julie Bayless, featuring poems about an entire school just for bugs; and School People by Lee Bennett Hopkins, illus. by Ellen Shi, a poetry collection celebrating the people children encounter during the course of a school day.

CAMERON + COMPANY/CAMERON KIDS

Cameron Kids marks a spring route with Magnolia’s Magnificent Map by Lauren Bradshaw, illus. by Wednesday Kirwan, in which Magnolia searches for the special place to complete her map; Chickens on the Run! by Nikki McClure, featuring four chickens who flee the coop for a day’s adventure; Los Angeles by Elisa Parhad, illus. by Alexander Vidal, a board book spotlighting the sights of L.A.; and Red by Jed Alexander, a wordless adaptation of Little Red Riding Hood.

CANDLEWICK

Candlewick shapes up its spring list with Square by Mac Barnett, illus. by Jon Klassen, following the adventures of Square as he moves a pile of blocks and earns the admiration of his friend Circle; Alma by Juana Martinez-Neal, about a girl who learns the colorful family namesakes behind the long name she’s been given; Rescue and Jessica: A True Story of Friendship by Jessica Kensky and Patrick Downes, illus. by Scott Magoon, featuring a service dog named Rescue and the girl he helps; Price Guide to the Occult by Leslye Walton, in which 17-year-old Nor, born into a family of cursed witches, sees darkness ahead when a mysterious spell book comes her way; and Jabberwalking by Juan Felipe Herrera, exploring the U.S. Poet Laureate’s writing process and how he is always a poet on the move thanks to walking.

CANDLEWICK ENTERTAINMENT

Candlewick Entertainment curbs its appetite with Shelby’s Snack Shack, a board book inspired by the Educational Insights counting game starring Shelby the pug, and the following tie-ins to Nick Jr., Nick and PBS Kids programs: Ride: Competing for the Cup by Bobbi J.G. Weiss; Peppa Pig and the Halloween Costume; and Peg + Cat: The Eid al-Adha Adventure by Jennifer Oxley and Billy Aronson.

CANDLEWICK STUDIO

Candlewick Studio flocks to spring with Birds of a Color and Contrary Dogs by Elodie Jarret, two novelty concept books introducing colors and opposites, respectively; and See the Stripes by Andy Mansfield, a board book combining puzzle elements and color concepts via sliders, accordion folds, and pop-ups.

CANDLEWICK/BIG PICTURE PRESS

Big Picture Press gets back to nature with Walk This Wild World by Kate Baker, illus. by Sam Brewster, celebrating the diversity of animal and plant life around the globe; A Year in the Wild by Helen Ahpornsiri, offering a journey through the seasons using nothing but pressed plants; Dinosaurium: Welcome to the Museum by Lily Mangus, illus. by Chris Wormell, a curated guide to dinosaurs; Where’s the Baby? by Britta Teckentrup, in which readers scan each page looking for the child of a parent-child pair; and The World Famous Book of Counting by Sara Goodreau, a book about numbers that features magic-themed illustrations.

CANDLEWICK/TEMPLAR

Templar walks the plank with Pirates of Scurvy Sands by Jonny Duddle, in which landlubber Matilda vacations with her pirate friends, the Jolley-Rogers; Duck Gets a Job by Sonny Ross, about Duck’s pursuit of his dream to be an artist; I Thought I Saw a Dino!, illus. by Lydia Nichols, launching a slider book seek-and-find series; and To Catch a Thief and Into the Underdark by Matt Forbeck, two additions to the Dungeons and Dragons: Endless Quest middle-grade fantasy series.

CAPSTONE

Capstone ties on its cape for Sweet Dreams, Supergirl! by Michael Dahl, illus. by Omar Lozano, in which a young fan of DC Comics’ Supergirl tries to get some sleep, as her heroine tracks down an elusive enemy; Goodnight Soccer by Michael Dahl, illus. by Christina E. Forshay, a Sports Illustrated for Kids Bedtime Book about a girl winding down her day by saying goodnight to all the things she loves about her favorite sport; The Marvelous, Amazing Pig-Tastic Gracie LaRoo! by Marsha Qualey, illus. by Kristyna Litten, following Gracie the synchronized swimming pig’s quest for a gold medal and a starring movie role; and The Legend of Jack Riddle by H. Easson, the tale of a boy’s visit to his distant and scary Aunt Gretel, who lives in the forest.

CAPSTONE/SWITCH PRESS

Switch Press welcomes Children of Daedala by Caighlan Smith, the follow-up to Children of Icarus, about a group of children and teens trying to survive when they’re sent into the deadly, monster-filled labyrinth that surrounds their city; and Sweet Revenge: Passive-Aggressive Desserts for Your Exes & Enemies by Heather Kim, a humorous cookbook from pastry chef and tattoo artist Kim.

CHRONICLE

Chronicle hops into spring with Big Bunny by Rowboat Watkins, a picture book about perception; Hello, Hello by Brendan Wenzel, in which endangered animals greet each other with a simple “hello”; Forever or a Day by Sarah Jacoby, contemplating the elastic nature of time; Everything You Need for a Treehouse by Carter Higgins, illus. by Emily Hughes, celebrating all the requisite elements of a treehouse, from time to a rope of twisted twine; and The Language of Spells by Garret Wyer, illus. by Katie Harnett, chronicling the exploits of the daughter of a professor and her friend—a dragon not everyone can see—as they navigate Vienna.

CHRONICLE/HANDPRINT

Handprint goes back to the blueprints for A Bear Sat on My Porch by Jane Yolen, illus. by Rilla Alexander, in which a crew of animals seek a friendly solution when a porch gives way under the weight of a visiting bear; and TouchThinkLearn: Wiggles by Claire Zucchelli-Romer, a board book with die-cut dots and grooved paths for finger tracing.

CHRONICLE/TWIRL

Twirl doesn’t forget spring with Mr. Elephant by Xavier Deneux, exploring the world of a dignified pachyderm, and the following novelty board book concept books: On the Potty by Thierry Bedouet; My Vegetable Garden by A.S. Bauman, illus. by Deborah Pinto; and My First Touch and Feel Farm by Marion Coklico.

CHARLESBRIDGE

Charlesbridge blasts off with Hey-Ho to Mars We’ll Go: A Space-Age Version of “The Farmer in the Dell” by Susan Lendroth, illus. by Bob Kolar, introducing some of the basic concepts of space travel; Breaking News: Alien Alert by David Biedrzycki, in which bumbling reporter Chad Newsworthy covers the abduction of the Bear family to a UFO; The Boo-Boos That Changed the World by Barry Wittenstein, illus. by Chris Hsu, detailing the accidental invention of the Band-Aid; Plant, Cook, Eat! by Joe Archer and Caroline Craig, an all inclusive garden-to-kitchen cookbook featuring gardening tips and kid-friendly recipes; and Like Vanessa by Tami Charles, the story of 13-year-old Vanessa Martin who hopes to emulate the success of her glamorous idol, Vanessa Williams, the first black Miss America.

CHARLESBRIDGE TEEN

Charlesbridge Teen pulls the ripcord for My Freefall Summer by Tracy Barrett, in which 16-year-old Clancy falls for a college guy who comes to take skydiving lessons at her family’s drop zone.

DISNEY/DISNEY-HYPERION

Disney-Hyperion checks the Doppler radar for Storm Chasers by Ginger Zee, exploring the decisions Helicity makes as a dangerous storm approaches; The Trials of Apollo, Book Three: The Burning Maze by Rick Riordan, more challenges for awkward mortal teen Lester, who used to be the glorious god Apollo; Isle of the Lost #4: A Descendants Novel by Melissa de la Cruz, a tie-in to Descendants #2; Willa of the Wood by Robert Beatty, which pits the nightspirits like 12-year-old Willa against the rich and powerful humans called “day folk”; and We Don’t Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins, about a dinosaur’s challenges in making human friends, who happen to be delicious.

DISNEY/DISNEY-HYPERION/RICK RIORDAN PRESENTS

Rick Riordan Presents explores another culture with Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi, a tale inspired by Hindu mythology that features a 12-year-old girl who sets up a cosmic showdown when she lights an ancient lamp on a dare.

DISNEY PRESS

Disney Press greets spring with Tales from Adventureland: The Golden Paw by Jason Lethcoe, featuring Andy’s quest to recover a legendary artifact, the Golden Paw.

DISNEY/FREEFORM

Freeform sails into the season with Ship It by Britta Lundin, in which a fanfic blogger is thrust into the limelight when she becomes a consultant for her favorite TV show; #Murdertrending by Gretchen McNeil, about a wrongfully convicted teen who is sent to a prison island where government sanctioned killers hunt and kill convicts live on social media; and The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton, set in an opulent fantasy world where the Belles control Beauty, the most coveted commodity.

DISNEY/HYPERION

Hyperion exposes Picture Us in the Light by Kelly Loy Gilbert, about Danny’s discovery that his father has a secret file on a powerful Bay Area family; Neanderthal Opens the Door to the Universe by Preston Norton, in which a revoltingly popular jock returns to school with a mission after suffering a serious accident; Little Do We Know by Tamara Ireland Stone, featuring two teens challenged to reexamine the things they hold true following a near-death experience; City of Bastards by Andrew Shvarts, which finds Tilla on a quest to prove that her roommate’s death was not a suicide; and Expats by Rachel Cohn, the Tokyo-set tale of a foster kid who is suddenly swept into her wealthy biological father’s lavish lifestyle and exclusive world.

DISNEY/HYPERION BOOKS FOR CHILDREN

Hyperion Books for Children grabs a spoon for A Busy Creature’s Day Eating by Mo Willems, following a creature through an alphabet of foods; and Elephant and Piggie Like Reading: The Itchy Book! by Mo Willems and LeUyen Pham, emphasizing that itchy dinosaurs should not scratch.

DISNEY/MARVEL PRESS

Marvel Press is bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl: Book #2 by Shannon and Dean Hale, showcasing Squirrel Girl’s efforts to unmask a sinister corporation and save her town.

DK

DK buzzes into spring with The Bee Book, illus. by Charlotte Millner, focusing on these pollinators; Heads Up Sociology, offering YA readers an overview of sociology; Maker Lab: Outdoors, encouraging builders and tinkerers with outdoor experiments and activities; 100 Scientists Who Made History, exploring the challenges and successes of 100 men and women who made strides in the field of science; and Make Your Own Videos, a collection of tools and ideas for budding cinematographers.

EERDMANS

Eerdmans puts air in the tires for The Bike Ride by Joukje Akveld, illus. by Philip Hopman, in which a disagreement leads to a colorful cycling adventure; The Fishing Lesson by Heinrich Bölle, illus. by Emile Bravo, about the encounter between a laid-back fisherman and an outspoken tourist who has lots of ideas about how to fish better; Hidden City by Sarah Grace Tuttle, illus. by Amy Schimler-Safford, demonstrating that nature can thrive anywhere; Scout’s Heaven by Annemarie van Haeringen, focusing on a family that is mourning their beloved dog, Scout; and The Rabbit and the Shadow by Mélanie Rutten, the story of a cat, an angry soldier, and a rabbit who meet in the woods and hike to the top of a volcano together, where they confront their fears and each finds what they are looking for.

FABER & FABER

Faber & Faber has a soft spot for Squishy McFluff: Tea with the Queen by Pip Jones, illus. by Ella Okstad, first in a series about a girl and her imaginary feline pet; Bathroom Boogie by Care Foges, illus. by Al Murphy, in which the toothbrushes, mouthwash, and other bathroom pals have a dance party; and Magnificent Creatures: Animals on the Move by Anna Wright, exploring the behaviors of various animals.

FREE SPIRIT

Free Spirit offers Zach Stands Up by William Mulcahy, illus. by Darren McKee, in which Zach steps in to help a friend who is bullied; I Belong by Cheri J. Meiners, illus. by Penny Weber, launching the Learning About Me & You board book series introducing early social skills; ABC Ready for School: An Alphabet of Social Skills by Celeste Delaney, an A-to-Z list of skills for getting along; Gentle Hands and Other Sing-Along Songs for Social–Emotional Learning by Amadee Ricketts, collecting well-known tunes whose lyrics are tweaked to teach self-regulation; and Jamie Is Jamie: A Book About Being Yourself and Playing Your Way by Afsaneh Moradian, illus. by Maria Bogade, in which preschoolers are surprised when new student Jamie plays with cars and dolls.

GRAPHIC ARTS

Graphic Arts straps on a helmet for I Want a Real Bike! by Eric A. Kimmel, illus. by Josh Cleland, in which a young raccoon dreams of having a “real” bike with gears he can shift; Yao Bai and the Egg Pirates by Tim J. Myers, illus. by Justin Wong, spotlighting Yao Bai’s clever plan to help his San Francisco family transport eggs on their boat to sell to the gold rush miners on a nearby island in the 1850s; and Chuylen’s Crooked Nose by Barbara J. Atwater and Ethan J. Atwater, illus. by Mindy Dwyer, a retelling of a Dena’ina fable from southern Alaska.

GROUNDWOOD

Groundwood flits into spring with The Triumphant Tale of the House Sparrow by Jan Thornhill, an up-close look at one of the most adaptable creatures on Earth; I Was Cleopatra by Dennis Abrams, the fictional memoir of a boy actor in Shakespearian London; The Funeral by Matt James, chronicling a child’s first experience of death; On the Other Side of the Garden by Jairo Buitrago, illus. by Rafael Yockteng, trans. by Elise Amado, in which a girl meets several friendly animals while spending time at her grandmother’s home in the country; and The Breadwinner: The Graphic Novel, adapted from the film and based on the original work by Deborah Ellis, the story of an 11-year-old girl who disguises herself as a boy to support her family during the Taliban’s rule in Afghanistan.

HARLEQUIN TEEN

Harlequin Teen feels the heat with Inferno by Julie Kagawa, wrapping up the action-fantasy Talon series; Everlife by Gena Showalter, the final volume in the Everlife series about the two realms of the afterworld; Frat Girl by Kiley Roache, a debut novel from a Stanford student in which a college journalist goes undercover to write an exposé of campus Greek life; Ace of Shades by Amanda Foody, a dark fantasy set in the City of Sin; and All Out, ed. by Saundra Mitchell, collecting 17 stories by queer YA authors.

HARPERCOLLINS

HarperCollins freshens up with Magic Breath by Nick Ortner, illus. by Michelle Polizzi, offering young readers a guide to deep breathing; Bloom: A Story of Elsa Schiaparelli by Kyo Maclear, illus. by Julie Morstad, a picture book biography of the fashion designer who invented the color shocking pink; Little Ree #2 by Ree Drummond, illus. by Jacqueline Rogers, featuring country girl Little Ree and her friend Hyacinth baking a pie; Gone to Drift by Diana McCaulay, the tale of a 10-year-old boy determined to rescue his fisherman grandfather who is lost at sea; Maggie and Abby’s Neverending Pillow Fort by Will Taylor, first in a magical realism duology in which two friends discover a portal through their living room pillow fort; Courage by B.A. Binns, chronicling the adjustments of T’Shawn and his family when his brother returns home from prison; Endling #1: The Last by Katherine Applegate, launching a fantasy trilogy about a dog-like animal on a quest to discover if he truly is the last of his kind; and Where the Watermelons Grow by Cindy Baldwin, a debut middle-grade novel in which a girl tries to help her mother deal with mental illness.

HARPERCOLLINS/BALZER + BRAY

Balzer + Bray has spring sewn up with The Golden Thread by Colin Meloy, illus. by Nikki McClure, a picture-book biography of folk singer and activist Pete Seeger; I Am Enough by Grace Byers, illus. by Keturah A. Bobo, which celebrates loving who you are and respecting others; Evangeline of the Bayou by Jan Eldredge, illus. by Joseph Kuefler, a spooky middle-grade debut about a girl who comes from a long line of Haunt Huntresses in Louisiana; These Rebel Waves by Sara Raasch, kicking off a teen fantasy duology featuring a well-mannered lady, a tortured pirate, and an ambitious prince; and Dread Nation by Justina Ireland, the story of a young woman fighting the living and the undead in an alternate-history, post-Reconstruction America.

HARPERCOLLINS/GREENWILLOW

Greenwillow dives in to the season with Secret Sisters of the Salty Sea by Lynne Rae Perkins, an illustrated middle-grade novel capturing two sisters’ first trip to the beach; This Is It by Daria Peoples-Riley, in which a young ballerina explores her city through dance; New Shoes by Chris Raschka, celebrating a special moment in a toddler’s life—going to the store to purchase new shoes; Voices in the Air: Poems for Listeners by Naomi Shihab Nye, which collects 100 poems that offer peace, solace, and hope; and Losers Bracket by Chris Crutcher, the story of how 17-year-old-Annie does everything she can to locate her missing nephew and keep him away from her dysfunctional family.

HARPERTEEN

HarperTeen loads up on snacks for The Road-Trip Effect by Sheba Karim, in which three Pakistani-American teens discover truths about themselves while driving from New Jersey to New Orleans, When My Heart Joins the Thousand by A.J. Steiger, a debut YA romance featuring a neuroatypical girl and a chronically ill boy; Where I Live by Brenda Rufener, a debut novel about a homeless teen secretly living in her high school; Restore Me by Tahereh Mafi, first in a three-book arc in the Shatter Me series; Love, Life, and the List by Kasie West, the initial title of three companion romances following one girl’s quest to complete a list of life-changing events by summer’s end; Beyond a Darkened Shore by Jessica Leake, a debut historical fantasy inspired by Celtic and Norse mythology; The Summer Boys by Gillian French, in which a working-class girl is admitted to a clique of over-privileged boys at the Maine club where she works, and finds all is not as it seems; and Always, Forever, Maybe by Anica Rissi, about a teen girl who falls in love with a guy who seems perfect, until he becomes super-controlling.

HARPERCOLLINS/TEGEN

Katherine Tegen Books switches on a flashlight for Nightbooks by J.A. White, in which a boy held captive by a contemporary witch must appease her by telling her a scary story each night; The Problim Children by Natalie Lloyd, launching a new series about seven strange siblings all born on a different day of the week and the neighbors who want to tear their family apart; Honor Among Thieves by Rachel Caine and Ann Aguirre, kicking off a sci-fi series starring a girl with a criminal past who is chosen for an elite program aboard a sentient alien starship; A Little Too Bright by Samuel Miller, a YA debut in which a teen travels cross country by train to unravel secrets about his famous novelist grandfather; and A Case for Jamie by Brittany Cavallaro, in which teen sleuths Charlotte Holmes and Jamie Watson may be forced to reunite after a year-long estrangement to investigate sinister messages left for Jamie.

HARPERCOLLINS/WALDEN POND

Walden Pond Press ticks along with York: The Clockwork Ghost by Laura Ruby, sequel to the alternate-history adventure set in New York, York: The Shadow Cipher; Granted by John David Anderson, in which a fairy-in-training discovers that granting wishes is easier said than done; Bat and the Waiting Game by Elana K. Arnold, exploring complicated new friendships for Bixby, a boy on the autism spectrum introduced in A Boy Called Bat; Two Truths and a Lie by Ammi-Joan Paquette and Laurie Thompson, featuring a new collection of unbelievable-but-true stories about history, current events, and human achievement; and The Oceans Between Stars by Kevin Emerson, which finds Liam and Phoebe waking up after 10 years of hypersleep to try and save the galaxy.

HOLIDAY HOUSE

Holiday House casts a line for Noodleheads Gone Fishing by Tedd Arnold, Martha Hamilton, and Mitch Weiss, featuring empty-headed brothers Mac and Mac outwitted by some fish; First Star: A Bear and Mole Story by Will Hillenbrand, in which Mole and Bear camp out to gaze at the night sky; The Palace of Ruins by Hannah West, the YA fantasy follow-up to Kingdom of Ash and Briars; The 48 by Donna Hosie, a YA time-travel thriller featuring two contemporary brothers tasked with infiltrating the Tudor Court and changing history; and When the Cousins Came by Katie Yamasaki, about city kids getting to know their country cousin.

HOUGHTON MIFFLIN HARCOURT

HMH fires up the Bunsen burner for Chemistry Lessons by Meredith Goldstein, a YA debut by the Boston Globe Love Letters advice columnist, in which a teen science whiz tries to crack the chemical equation for lasting love; Rebound by Kwame Alexander, the prequel to The Crossover, focusing on the childhood of Chuck “Da Man” Bell; Brightly Burning by Alexa Dunn, reimagining Jane Eyre in space aboard the private ship The Rochester; The Spinner Price by Matt Laney, launching the Pride Wars series featuring lions with superior intellect; and One Fun Day with Lewis Carroll: A Celebration of Wordplay and a Girl Named Alice, by Kathleen Krull, illus. by Júlia Sardà, a picture book biography of the beloved children’s book author and wordsmith.

HMH/CLARION

Clarion blazes a trail with The Forest Queen by Betsy Cornwell, a female-centered retelling of “Robin Hood” in which a young noblewoman becomes an outlaw fighting for social justice; I Got It! by David Wiesner, a near-wordless book capturing the most suspenseful few seconds of a baseball game; Sometimes You Fly by Katherine Applegate, illus. by Jennifer Black Reinhardt, spotlighting universal struggles of childhood in a series of before-and-after illustrations; The Stone Girl’s Story by Sarah Beth Durst, starring a girl made of living stone on a quest to save her family; and Moon by Alison Oliver, an appreciation of the joy found in wildness.

KAR-BEN

Kar-Ben slides into home with The Spy Who Played Baseball by Carrie Jones, illus. by Gary Cherrington, presenting the true story of Moe Berg, a Jewish Major League Baseball player and WWII spy; The Family with Two Front Doors by Anna Ciddor, focusing on a Jewish family in 1920s Poland with lots of kids; A Heart Just Like My Mother’s by Lela Nargi, illus. by Valeria Cis, in which a shy girl realizes she has something in common with her outgoing mother; and Can You Hear a Coo-Coo? by Jamie Kiffel-Alcheh, illus. by Marc Lumer, a retelling of the Noah’s Ark story that highlights animal sounds.

KIDS CAN PRESS

Kids Can calls “offside” for The Day My Dad Joined the Soccer Team by Maureen Fergus, illus. by Mike Lowery, chronicling a boy’s efforts to instruct his dad on how to be a team player and a good sport on his soccer team; Ebb and Flow by Heather Smith, in which 11-year-old Jett returns to Newfoundland after a rough year on the mainland and comes to terms with his shameful secret; Gordon: Bark to the Future! by Ashley Spires, a humorous graphic novel adventure; Tinkle, Tinkle, Little Star by Chris Tougas, a potty-training book based on the favorite nursery rhyme song; and Walking in the City with Jane by Susan Hughes, illus. by Valérie Boivin, presenting a picture-book profile of urban thinker and activist Jane Jacobs.

KIDS CAN PRESS/KCP LOFT

KCP Loft adds sprinkles to spring with Rebel with a Cupcake by Anna Mainwaring, about a young woman happy in her body until her dream guy suddenly has her thinking otherwise; Someday, Somewhere by Lindsay Champion, featuring a young woman from the wrong side of the tracks in New Jersey who falls for a privileged musical prodigy with a secret from Manhattan; Summer Constellations by Alisha Sevigny, in which 17-year-old Julia falls for the new boy at her family’s campground only to discover that he’s the son of the developer trying to take it over; and Whisper by Lynette Noni, the story of an imprisoned girl known only as Subject 684 who has kept silent for years knowing that she can’t control the power unleashed when she speaks.

KINGFISHER US

Kingfisher bends it like Beckham for The Kingfisher Soccer Encyclopedia by Clive Gifford, which includes a fill-in World Cup 2018 poster; and Basher Science: An A-Z of Science by Dan Green and Simon Basher, a visual reference guide to this subject.

LEE & LOW

Lee & Low sharpens its pencils for Midnight Teacher: Lilly Ann Granderson and Her Secret School by Janet Halfmann, illus. by London Ladd, a historical fiction story about Lilly Ann Granderson, an African-American teacher who risked her life to teach others during slavery; I Remember: Poems and Pictures of Heritage edited by Lee Bennett Hopkins, a collection of original poems and illustrations, in which artists of diverse backgrounds remember their unique childhoods growing up in the United States and reflect on their ancestry, traditions, and beliefs; and Every Month Is a New Year by Marilyn Singer, illus. by Susan L. Roth, a celebration of New Years around the world.

LERNER

Lerner makes some noise with Honk! Splat! Vroom! by Barry Gott, the story of a raucous mouse road race; I Got a Chicken for My Birthday! by Laura Gehl, illus. by Sarah Horne, in which a special chicken may just help a birthday girl get her wish; My Best Friend Is a Goldfish by Mark Lee, illus. by Chris Jevons, about a boy who tries to find friendship in his pets after he has an argument with his best friend; Without Refuge by Jane Mitchell, following the journey of 13-year-old Ghalib and his family when they are forced to flee their home in Syria; and A Side of Sabotage: A Quinnie Boyd Mystery by C.M. Surrisi, which finds Quinnie investigating all the things going wrong at a new restaurant in her small Maine town.

LERNER/CAROLRHODA LAB

Carolrhoda Lab crosses its heart for The Honor Code by Kiersi Burkhart, about a girl weighing the true cost of fitting in at elite Edwards Academy; Blink by Sasha Dawn, in which a girl begins to understand the crime she witnessed a decade ago and then disappears, in a blink; The Disturbed Girl’s Dictionary by NoNieqa Ramos, the story of 15-year-old Macy, who is labeled “disturbed” by her school but maintains control in her life by creating a unique dictionary, documenting everything she sees; and Troublemakers by Catherine Barter, in which Alena must decide the lengths she will go to in order to learn about her late mother.

LERNER/DARBY CREEK

Darby Creek ties up its cleats for The Captain by Chris Kreie and The Freshman by K.R. Coleman, two titles launching the Kick! soccer series; Behind the Screen by Israel Keats and The House by Raelyn Drake, the initial volumes in the Mason Falls mystery series; and Mind Over Matter by R.T. Martin, first in the Superhuman series about six teenagers who develop superpowers on their 16th birthdays.

LERNER/GRAPHIC UNIVERSE

Graphic Universe mounts a search party for Chavo the Invisible by Lee Nordling, illus. by Flavio B. Silva, featuring a boy that everyone underestimates; Losing the Girl by MariNaomi kicking off a trilogy about a missing teen girl whose classmates believe she may have been abducted by aliens; Meteorite or Meteor-wrong?: Case #2 by Trisha Speed Shaskan, illus. by Stephen Shaskan, a graphic mystery in which sleuths Q and Ray set out to find a meteorite thief; Sanctuary (Stone Man Mysteries #2) by Jane Yolen and Adam Stemple, illus. by Orion Zangara, which focuses on a girl who escapes the underworld and seeks refuge with a gargoyle; and The Mystery of the Tree Stump Ghost (Whiskers Sisters #2) by Miss Paty, trans. by Nathan Sacks, following the three Whiskers Sisters who go looking for their missing friend, Tim the fox.

LERNER/MILLBROOK

Millbrook digs spring with Fossil by Fossil: Comparing Dinosaur Bones by Sara Levine, illus. by T.S. Spookytooth, in which readers discover what they might look like if they were a dinosaur; Meet My Family!: Animal Babies and Their Families by Laura Purdie Salas, illus. by Stephanie Fizer Coleman, which compares and contrasts a variety of animal families; and Seeing into Tomorrow: Haiku by Richard Wright by Nina Crews, featuring a biography of and haikus by the acclaimed African-American writer, accompanied by photocollage artwork.

LITTLE BEE

Little Bee hails the season with Prince + Knight by Daniel Haack, illus. by Stevie Lewis, in which a prince and knight find true love when they join forces to vanquish a monster; Shark Nate-O by Tara Luebbe and Becky Cattie, illus. by Daniel Duncan, about a boy obsessed with sharks who’s determined to learn to swim and best his older brother; Three Little Pugs by Nina Victor Crittenden, a fractured fairy tale featuring three puppies and a big, bad cat; Quincy by Barbara DiLorenzo, focused on Quincy’s efforts to blend in at chameleon school; and A Paintbrush for Paco by Tracey Kyle, illus. by Joshua Heinsz featuring a boy who loves to daydream and draw but has trouble concentrating in school.

LITTLE, BROWN

Little, Brown signals safe passage with Hello, Lighthouse! by Sophie Blackall, chronicling the daily life of a lighthouse keeper and his family; Tyler Johnson Was Here by Jay Coles, about a young man trying to understand the death of his brother, killed by a police officer during a police raid of a raucous party; Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes, in which the ghost of 12-year-old Jerome, killed by a police officer who believed the boy had a real gun, meets the ghost of Emmett Till and works to understand racism; The Creativity Project by Colby Sharp, the result of a story-making game that attracted contributions from more than 40 diverse book creators; and The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X.R. Pan, the story of a girl who is certain that her mother turned into a bird when she committed suicide, and travels to Taiwan to find her.

LITTLE, BROWN/PATTERSON

Jimmy Patterson Books grabs a plunger for The Unflushables by Ron Bates, following the struggles of the plumber heroes of Nitro City, who are members of P.L.U.N.G.E. (The Plumber’s League of Un-Naturally Gifted Exceptionals); Not So Normal Norbert by James Patterson with Joey Green, featuring a boy from the United State of Earth who is banished to Astronuts camp in the Orion Nebula; Twelve Steps to Normal by Farrah Penn, chronicling Kira’s efforts to get things back to Normal after her father’s stay in rehab; Disasterland by James Patterson and Robison Wells, focused on the unusual changes Jordan sees in his town and himself following a nuclear explosion a year earlier; and Sci-Fi Junior High: Crash Landing by Scott Seegert and John Martin, in which Kelvin must fight a battle to save Sci-Fi Junior High from imminent doom before he can ask Luna to the school dance.

LITTLE, BROWN/POPPY

Poppy writes a postcard with The Summer of Us by Cecilia Vinesse, in which American expat Aubrey plans a final trip across Europe with her best friend before leaving for college.

MACMILLAN/FARRAR, STRAUS & GIROUX

FSG pulls on a wetsuit for Deep Water by Watt Key, the middle grade adventure tale of a scuba dive gone wrong; Food Truck Fest! by Alexandra Penfold, illus. by Mike Dutton, following a fleet of food trucks, and a hungry family, as they prepare for a special event; Frederick Frederickson by Kate Beasley, in which social outcast Frederick washes up at a boys’ juvenile detention camp following a boating accident, Speak: The Graphic Novel by Laurie Halse Anderson, illus. by Emily Carroll, an adaptation of the award-winning novel; and In Search Of by Ava Dellaira, a parallel story of a mother and daughter each at age 17, as one falls in love and the other searches for her unknown father.

MACMILLAN/FEIWEL AND FRIENDS

Feiwel and Friends beguiles with Daughter of a Siren Queen by Tricia Levenseller, about a 17-year-old pirate captain who must race her father, the Pirate King, to a hidden treasure; To Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Christo, in which a siren princess and a siren-hunting human prince do battle to protect their kingdoms; As She Fades by Abbi Glines, the story of how Vale begins to fall for a guy who visits the hospital where she waits for her boyfriend to come out of a coma; I Stop Somewhere by T.E. Carter, focused on the black night when Ellie learns what a monster her new boyfriend is; and White Rabbit by Caleb Roehrig, about a teenager trying to clear his sister’s name when evidence makes her a suspect in her boyfriend’s murder.

MACMILLAN/FEIWEL AND FRIENDS/SWOON

Swoon Reads keeps its eyes peeled for Suitors and Sabotage by Cindy Anstey, about two lovers who must hide their true feelings for each other while figuring out who means them harm; A Prom to Remember by Sandy Hall, exploring a high school tradition via the stories of five high school seniors; The Impossibility to Us by Katy Upperman, in which an aspiring photo-journalist and an exchange student try to keep their relationship a secret as their families try to tear them apart; Airports, Exes, and Other Things I’m Over by Shani Petroff, the adventures of a teen girl stranded at an airport with her cheating ex; and Men in Tights by Danielle Banas, the story of a girl who teams up with a supervillain to investigate an insidious plot in their city.

MACMILLAN/FIRST SECOND

First Second has designs on The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang, about a prince who seeks a dressmaker to create the type of clothing—dresses—in which he feels he can be himself.

MACMILLAN/HENRY HOLT

Henry Holt expands its palette with Mixed! by Arree Chung, in which the reds, yellows and blues all think they are the best, until a brand-new color comes along; Legends of the Lost Causes by Brad McLelland and Louis Sylvester, a debut novel set in the Old West, where Keech is tasked with putting Evil back in the ground; More Deadly Than War by Kenneth C. Davis, offering an account of how the Spanish Influenza pandemic swept the world from 1918–1919; Peasprout Chen, Future Legend of Skate and Sword by Henry Lien, about a girl determined to become a champion of wu liu, a blend of marital arts and figure skating; and Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi, launching a YA fantasy trilogy inspired by West Africa.

MACMILLAN/HOLT/GODWIN

Laura Godwin Books wades into spring with Dreams from Many Rivers by Margarita Engle, a middle-grade history of Latinos in verse, told through a range of voices from past and present; Kit and Kaboodle by Rosemary Wells, introducing brother-and-sister cat duo Kit and Kaboodle; The Weather Girls by Aki, offering a look at the seasons through the eyes of a troupe of very busy girls; Vivid by Julie Paschkis, celebrating the art and science of color via facts and verse; and What’s Your Favorite Bug? by Eric Carle and Friends, featuring Carle’s and 13 children’s book illustrators’ renditions of their favorite bug.

MACMILLAN/HOLT/OTTAVIANO

Christy Ottaviano Books follows procedure with Run, Hide, Fight Back by April Henry, an account of what happens when six teen misfits are trapped inside a shopping mall during a shooting; My Pet Wants a Pet by Elise Broach, illus. by Eric Barclay, the cumulative story of a boy who gets a puppy and the puppy wants a pet as well; Counting on Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Saved Apollo 13 by Helaine Becker, illus. by Dow Phumiruk, profiling the African-American mathematician who worked for NASA to calculate the first Apollo moon landing; and Geeked Up, Book 1 by Obert Skye, kicking off a series featuring a group of goth geeks and their adventures in middle school.

MACMILLAN/IMPRINT

Imprint flashes a message with Firefly Forest by Robyn Frampton, illus. by Mike Heath, spotlighting a place that nurtures imagination and encourages appreciation for nature; Broken Battered Hearts by Kami Garcia, about an injured star athlete who retreats to a small southern town in the wake of an abusive relationship and is challenged to trust someone new; and Ink, Iron, and Glass by Gwendolyn Clare, in which a scriptologist who can write worlds into creation joins forces with a group of other geniuses to save her kidnapped mother.

MACMILLAN/ROARING BROOK

Roaring Brook Press soars into spring with Hawk Rising by Maria Gianferrari, illus. by Brian Floca, showcasing a red-tailed hawk hunting for his family in a suburban neighborhood; Arlo Finch in the Valley of Fire by John August, about a 12-year-old boy who joins a scout troop to learn how to survive the wilds of the forest and the magical world within it; A House That Once Was by Julie Fogliano, illus. by Lane Smith, in which two kids try to solve the mysteries surrounding an abandoned house; The Super-Life of Ben Braver by Marcus Emerson, beginning a series about a boy recruited to join a secret middle school for children with super powers; and The Breaking News by Sarah Lynne Reul, a debut picture book focused on a girl’s efforts to help make things better one small thing at a time when devastating news rocks her community.

MACMILLAN/ROARING BROOK/PORTER

Neal Porter Books hangs 10 with Dude! by Aaron Reynolds, illus. by Dan Santat, telling the humorous story of a surfing platypus and beaver using only one word: “dude”; Do Not Lick This Book by Idan Ben-Barak, illus. by Julian Frost, an interactive book by the microbiologist and YouTube star about the germs that reside on all of our bodies; Water Land by Christy Hale, featuring die-cut pages that identify land and water masses, based on Montessori techniques; Geraldine by Elizabeth Lilly, spotlighting the challenges faced by a young giraffe who’s the new student in a school of children; and All the Animals Where I Live by Philip C. Stead, providing a tour of all the animals near the author-illustrator’s home.

MAGINATION

Magination Press flexes its muscles with Big, Brave, Bold Sergio by Debbie Wagenbach, illus. by Jamie Tablason, about a turtle who finds the courage to swim away from the “Snappers” who bully others and make new friends; Bye Bye Pesky Fly by Lysa Mullady, illus. by Janet McDonnell, in which Billy finds his calm so an annoying classmate no longer bothers him; Little Worlds by Géraldine Collet, illus. by Sébastien Chebret, in which kids across the globe show their “little worlds,” whether it is inside a book or in a backyard treehouse; and Mommy and Daddy Look Different Than Me by Carrie Lara, illus. by Christine Battuz, in which an interracial child shares her experience of her culture in a multicultural world.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC KIDS

National Geographic Kids wags its tail for Dog Days of History: The Incredible Story of Our Best Friends by Sarah Albee, tracking the story of dogs from the wild wolves of ancient civilizations to modern-day breeds; The Ultimate Book of Sharks by Brian Skerry, presenting facts, photos, and science about shark habitats and behavior; Star Talk by Neil deGrasse Tyson, an illustrated companion to the astrophysicist’s podcast and TV show; It’s a Puppy’s Life by Seth Casteel, illustrating what happens in a day of the life of a puppy; and National Geographic Kids Guide to Genealogy: Tips and Tricks on How to Uncover Your Roots and Build Your Family Tree by T.J. Resler, informing young readers on how they can preserve their past by discovering their genealogy.

NOMAD PRESS

Nomad Press welcomes spring with four titles touting the engineering and history of various structures: Explore Bridges! With 25 Great Projects by Jennifer Swanson, illus. by Bryan Stone, Explore Canals and Dams! With 25 Great Projects by Anita Yasuda, illus. by Bryan Stone, Explore Tunnels! With 25 Great Projects by Jeanette Moore, illus. by Bryan Stone, and Explore Skyscrapers! With 25 Great Projects by Elizabeth Schmermund, illus. by Bryan Stone.

NORTHSOUTH

NorthSouth hops along with The Backup Bunny by Abigail Rayner, illus. by Greg Stones, about a boy who loses his favorite toy, Bunny, and calls on an understudy to step in; Smon Smon by Sonja Danowski, a book of nonsense words and tongue twisters set on a fictional planet, from the Batchelder Honor-winning author and artist; The Field by Baptiste Paul, illus. by Jacqueline Alcántara, a look at the poetic and spirited side of soccer; It's Springtime, Mr. Squirrel by Sebastian Meschenmoser, a springtime story featuring a squirrel and his animal friends; and For Audrey With Love by Philip Hopman, telling the story of Audrey Hepburn's friendship with Givenchy.

NOSY CROW

Nosy Crow makes a wish for Happy Birthday to You!, illus. by Nicola Slater, a novelty book with musical buttons and a light-up cake; The Prince and the Pee by Greg Gormley, illus. by Chris Mould, the tale of a young prince who really, really needs to relieve himself on the way to fight a ferocious dragon; Zoo Is Not for You by Ross Collins, in which the other animals at the zoo size up a visiting platypus they think wants to join their ranks; Baby’s First Cloth Book: Park, illus. by Lisa Jones and Edward Underwood, featuring first words in a novelty format; and 50 Things to Do Before You’re 11 3/4, illus. by Tom Percival, listing activities, ideas, and tips to help kids discover the great outdoors.

ONEWORLD

Oneworld looks up with A Good Day for Climbing Trees by Jaco Jacobs, about children who work together to petition the community and rally everyone to save a local tree.

ORCA

Orca makes a splash with Swimming with Seals by Maggie de Vries, illus. by Janice Kun, the story of how a girl living with her grandparents finds a way to connect with her birth mother; Ramadan: The Holy Month of Fasting by Ausma Khan, exploring this holy time observed by Muslims; Black Chuck by Reagan McDonnell, in which a boy is found dead and his best friend can’t remember anything that happened after beating him up the night before; Who Can? by Charles Ghigna, illus. by Vlasta van Kampen, a seek-and-find board book featuring animals; and On Our Street: Our First Talk About Homelessness and Poverty by Jillian Roberts and Jamie Casap, illus. by Jane Heinrichs, the launch title in the World Around Us nonfiction picture book series, which offers a way to approach conversation with young people about difficult topics.

OWLKIDS

Owlkids tracks through the forest for Sass the Sasquatch by J. Torres, illus. by Aurélie Grand, a graphic novel featuring kids on a camping trip hoping to snap a photo of Bigfoot; Wallpaper by Thao Lam, a wordless picture book that follows a lonely girl as she moves into an imaginary world behind her wallpaper; What Happens Next by Susan Hughes, illus. by Carey Sookocheff, focusing on a young protagonist who feels like an outsider and is bullied at school; and Not ‘Til Tomorrow, Phoebe by Julie Zwillich, illus. by Denise Holmes, introducing the concept of time.

PAJAMA PRESS

Pajama Press pitches a tent for Timo Goes Camping by Victoria Allenby, illus. by Dean Griffiths, in which Timo is anxious about going camping with friends who haven’t done it before; Bat Citizens: Defending the Ninjas of the Night by Rob Laidlaw, combining facts about bats and profiles of children who are helping them; The Night Lion by Sanne Dufft, about a boy who imagines that his toy lion comes to life at night to keep his bad dreams at bay; Wild One by Jane Whittingham, illus. by Noel Tuazon, featuring a day in the life of an energetic girl who mimics such animal movements as “stretching like a cat”; and Woodrow at Sea by Wallace Edwards, a wordless book spotlighting a small elephant who rows off to find adventure and discovers a mouse king marooned at sea.

PEACHTREE

Peachtree files a patent application for Izzy Gizmo by Pip Jones, illus. by Sara Ogilvie, about a girl known for her marvelous inventions who struggles with making a new pair of wings for an injured crow; The Secret Science of Magic by Melissa Kell, in which a former child prodigy and 17-year-old math whiz gets tangled in a mystery and maybe a new romance as she suffers pressure-induced panic attacks; King of Bees by Lester L. Laminack, illus. by Jim LaMarche, featuring a boy who tries to emulate his aunt and find a way to communicate with the bees at her farm; Leaf Litter Critters by Leslie Bulion, illus. by Robert Meganck, collecting 19 poems with accompanying science notes on how nature’s decomposers/recyclers work; and Kalinka and Grakkle by Julie Paschkis, chronicling the relationship between neat bird Kalinka and messy bird Grakkle.

PENGUIN

Penguin Young Readers is not throwing away its shot with Alexander: American Hero by Barbara Lowell, a leveled reader biography of the statesman and founding father; and leveled readers Life in the Amazon Rainforest by Ginjer L. Clarke, a nonfiction title, and Max’s Half Birthday by Rosemary Wells, illus. by Andrew Gray, featuring Max and Ruby.

PENGUIN/DIAL

Dial Books runs on the wheel for Hamster Princess: Whiskerella by Ursula Vernon, featuring Princess Harriet Hamsterbone’s role in a version of “Cinderella”; Dory Fantasmagory: Head in the Clouds by Abby Hanlon, in which Dory loses her first tooth and must keep her nemesis away from the tooth fairy; The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani, focusing on a 12-year-old girl and her family, who are made refugees during India’s partition in 1947; Ladybug Girl and the Rescue Dogs by Jacky Davis, illus. by David Soman, the story of Ladybug Girl and her friends helping out at a dog-adoption fair; and Can Somebody Please Scratch My Back? by Jory John, illus. by Liz Climo, chronicling the plight of an itchy and beleaguered elephant seeking relief.

PENGUIN/DUTTON

Dutton Books sets up the easel for Blood Water Paint by Joy McCullough, a YA novel inspired by the teenage years of Italian Baroque painter and feminist icon Artemisia Gentileschi; and Unicorn Rescue Society Books 1 and 2 by Adam Gidwitz with Jesse Casey and Christopher Smith, illus. by Hatem Aly, the first titles in an illustrated action-adventure middle grade series about two children who rescue mythical creatures from all over the world.

PENGUIN/DAWSON

Kathy Dawson Books howls at the moon with The Mad Wolf’s Daughter by Diane Magras, a middle-grade debut about a girl trying to rescue her family from a castle prison in medieval Scotland; The Law of Finders Keepers by Sheila Turnage, wrapping up the mystery series featuring Mo & Dale, in which Mo finally takes up the case of her missing Upstream Mother; and Trouble Never Sleeps by Stephanie Tromly, the final volume in the Trouble Is a Friend of Mine trilogy, concluding the search for Digby’s kidnapped mother.

PENGUIN/GROSSET & DUNLAP

Grosset & Dunlap covers its eyes with Ready or Not, Here Comes Peanut Butter by Terry Border, in which Peanut Butter plays hide-and-seek with his friends; Good Morning, Farm Friends by Annie Bach, presenting a bustling morning in the barnyard; and novelty tie-ins to the following book properties: The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper and The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle.

PENGUIN/PAULSEN

Nancy Paulsen Books crosses the finish line with Girl Running by Annette Bay Pimentel, illus. by Micha Archer, the true story of the first woman to run the Boston Marathon in 1966 even though women were not permitted in the race; Hope in the Holler by Lisa Lewis Tyre, in which Wavie’s classmates come to rescue her after she is sent to live with scheming relatives in Appalachia; A Chip Off the Old Block by Jody Jensen Shaffer, illus. by Daniel Miyares, following a plucky pebble on a cross-country journey to see if he fits in with any of his famous rock-formation relatives; A Round of Robins by Katie Hesterman, illus. by Sergio Ruzzier, celebrating the circle of bird life in verse; and My Dog Laughs! by Rachel Isadora, an exploration of the joys of having a dog.

PENGUIN/PHILOMEL

Philomel begins the countdown to spring with To the Moon!: The True Story of the American Heroes on the Apollo 8 Spaceship by Jeffrey Kluger with Ruby Shamir, profiling the first three astronauts to travel to the moon; Calling All Minds: How to Think Like an Inventor by Temple Grandin, in which Grandin imparts the wisdom she’s acquired through her career as a scientist and inventor; Crows Cry Emilia by Jenny Torres Sanchez, about a teenage girl who learns that police arrested the wrong man for her assault years earlier and the real perpetrator is still out there; Rising Above: Inspiring Women in Sports by Gregory Zuckerman with Elijah and Gabriel Zuckerman, biographies of superstar athletes who overcame adversity in their youth; and Mapping the Bones by Jane Yolen, featuring twins who during WWII face illness and brutality at the hands of a cruel doctor.

PENGUIN/PUTNAM

Putnam puzzles out the season with Jigsaw Jungle by Kristin Levine, in which Claudia uncovers clues to a treasure hunt that reveals a family secret after her father disappears; Love by Matt de la Peña, illus. by Loren Long, exploring the many ways we experience this universal bond; Genesis by Brendan Reichs, the sequel to Nemesis, which finds Min and the sophomore class of Fire Lake fighting to survive; Love and War: An Alex and Eliza Story by Melissa de la Cruz, focusing on the romance of young Alexander Hamilton and Elizabeth Schuyler as newlyweds; and Life According to Og the Frog by Betty G. Birney, the story of how Humphrey the hamster’s friend Og becomes a fellow class pet.

PENGUIN/RAZORBILL

Razorbill passes it on with Folded Notes from High School by actor Matt Boren, an epistolary novel set in 1991 about a status-obsessed senior who falls for a freshman; All We Can Do Is Wait by Richard Lawson, following a group of teens waiting to hear news of their loved ones following a disaster in Boston; Reign of the Fallen by Sarah Glenn Marsh, launching an LGBT fantasy series featuring a necromancer who must face down a deadly nemesis; Undead Girl Gang by Lily Anderson, the tale of a teen girl who investigates the suspicious deaths of three classmates and accidentally brings them back to life in an unlikely vigilante gang; and The Merciless IV by Danielle Vega, wrapping up the cult horror series.

PENGUIN/VIKING

Viking salutes Boots on the Ground by Elizabeth Partridge, exploring the complexities of the Vietnam War via the stories of veterans and a refugee, and profiles of key leaders and events; Roses and Radicals: The Epic Story of How American Women Won the Right to Vote by Susan Zimet, about the suffragists who waged a nearly 70-year battle for the ballot; Payback on Poplar Lane by Margaret Mincks, a series starter featuring two sixth-grade entrepreneurs with creative business pursuits; Hi, Jack! by Mac Barnett, illus. by Greg Pizzoli, kicking off an early-reader series spotlighting a mischievous monkey, a cranky lady, and a loyal dog.

PENGUIN/WARNE

Warne puts on its floaties for Spot Goes to the Swimming Pool by Eric Hill, in which the popular pup learns to swim.

PENGUIN WORKSHOP

Penguin Workshop puts a token in the slot for Midnight Arcade: Level 1: Crypt Quest/Space Battles by Gabe Soria, illus. by Nick Robles, launching a series featuring a second-person play-your-way narrative set in a haunted 1980s video game arcade where readers get sucked into a game and must play their way out to survive; Mightier Than the Sword by Drew Callander and Alana Harrison, an interactive novel in which readers wake up in a magical land armed only with a pencil and notebook; She Loves You by Ann Hood, the tale of a group of teens traveling to see the Beatles on their final world tour in 1966; Maud the Koala: Fish Are Not Afraid of Doctors by J.E. Morris, focusing on an anxious koala who gets nervous at a checkup; and Project Terra #2 by Landry Q. Walker, illus. by Keith Zoo, following Elara’s second year at the Academy for Terraforming Arts with her alien-sponge roommate.

PHAIDON

Phaidon rounds out the season with Circle Rolls by Barbara Kanninen, illus. by Serge Bloch, about friends who literally come in all shapes and sizes; Food Hide and Sneak by Bastien Contraire, in which readers seek for one non-food item in each spread of edibles; and Designer D.I.Y. by Thomas Barnthaler, collecting 25 projects to make at home from 25 designers and artists.

POW!

POW! Kids marches into spring with Franny’s Father Is a Feminist by Rhonda Leet, about a dad raising his daughter to be self-assured and believing she is entitled to the same rights and opportunities he has; Don’t Ask a Dinosaur by Matt Forrest Esenwine and Deborah Bruss, depicting the mayhem that ensues when a pack of dinosaurs try to help a child plan a party; and I Hate Everyone by Naomi Davis, a portrait of the shifting emotions of a child at a birthday party who is not in the mood to celebrate.

PRINCETON ARCHITECTURAL PRESS

Princeton Architectural Press passes the time with From Morning to Night by Flavia Routola, which shows how one shape can become another; When I Am Big by Maria Dek, a counting adventure story; and The Fish and the Cat, a wordless picture book focused on a cat in pursuit of a fish.

QUARTO/FRANCES LINCOLN

Frances Lincoln Children’s Books clicks its stopwatch for Cool Cat vs. Top Dog by Mike Yamada, featuring a midnight race between the two fastest kids on the block; Little People Big Dreams: Ada Lovelace and Little People Big Dreams: Ella Fitzgerald, two mini biographies by Sanchez Vegara, illus. by Amaia Arrazola; Treasure House by Julie Lasky, in which readers lift flaps and solve clues to reveal a house’s secrets; and The Great Big Book of Friends by Mary Hoffman, illus. by Ros Asquith, celebrating all kinds of friendships.

QUARTO/MOONDANCE

MoonDance Press wiggles its toes in the sand for These Little Piggies Go to the Beach by Amy E. Sklansky, illus. by Christine Davenier, following the rhythm of the original toe-play rhyme and featuring five sibling piggies enjoying a seaside outing.

QUARTO/WIDE EYED EDITIONS

Wide Eyed Editions consults a compass for Go West! by Pascal Blanchet, exploring how the railroad shaped U.S. history and introducing some of its most important locomotives on a westward journey; What Do Animals Do All Day? by Wendy Hunt, illus. by Studio Muti, presenting 15 scenes of diverse habitats populated with native animals; Young, Gifted and Black by Jamia Wilson, illus. by Andrea Pippins, celebrating the lives and accomplishments of 50 iconic black people from the past and present; Planet Earth by Jo Nelson, illus. by Tom Clohosy Cole, a detailed look at the physical geography of our planet, including weather, climate, and the water cycle; and Sounds of Nature: World of Birds by Rob Hunter, in which readers can press a button to listen to birds from 10 habitats around the globe.

QUARTO/YOUNG VOYAGEUR

Young Voyageur charges into spring with Joan of Arc: Warrior Saint by Jay Williams, the story of the courageous teen who was inspired by visions of saints to fight in the Hundred Years’ War for the glory of God and France; Jamestown: The Perilous Adventure by Olga Hall-Quest, about the founding of the first permanent English colony in America in 1607; Geronimo: Wolf of the Warpath by Ralph Moody, presenting the life story of the Native American man who became a feared and respected war leader; Alexander the Great by John Gunther, introducing the young Macedonian prince who was schooled by Aristotle, became king, and created an empire stretching from Greece to India; and Let’s Hatch Chicks: A Day-to-Day Chick Hatching Guide for Kids by Lisa Steele, illus. by Perry Taylor, featuring practical information from a backyard poultry expert.

RANDOM HOUSE

Random House is wide-awake for Don’t Blink! by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illus. by David Roberts, an interactive bedtime book in which every time a reader blinks they must turn the page (and hasten bedtime); Numair Rising #1: Tempests and Slaughter by Tamora Pierce, the first installment of a fantasy series about a young mage; Tess of the Road by Rachel Hartman, about a girl trying to find herself in a world where she doesn’t quite belong; The Science of Breakable Things by Tae Keller, following a girl who uses the scientific method, an egg drop competition, and an extraordinary blue orchid to “save” her mother from depression; and Welcome to Wonderland #3: Banana Shack Shake-Up by Chris Grabenstein, featuring more exploits of P.T. and Gloria as they keep the Wonderland Motel’s new restaurant going.

RANDOM HOUSE/CROWN

Crown counts down to spring with Ten Magic Butterflies by Danica McKellar, illus. by Jennifer Bricking, a math picture book that sneaks in addition and subtraction concepts on each page; Jake the Fake Stands Up by Craig Robinson and Adam Mansbach, illus. by Keith Knight, a new adventure for budding stand-up comedian and Music and Art Academy student Jake; and The Book About Nothing by Mike Bender, illus. by Hugh Murphy, a read-aloud picture book about...nothing.

RANDOM HOUSE/DELACORTE

Delacorte keeps things on the QT with Samantha Spinner and the Super-Secret Plans by Russell Ginns, illus. by Barbara Fisinger, kicking off a middle grade series about a girl exploring the mysterious disappearance of her uncle; The Beauty That Remains by Ashley Woodfolk, a debut novel about three teens who each experience loss and find a way to process their grief through social media; Ash Princess by Laura Sebastian, the beginning of a fantasy trilogy about a girl taking back what’s rightfully hers after the murder of her mother, the Fire Queen; The Neverworld Wake by Marisha Pessl, a psychological suspense novel with a sci-fi twist about a group of teens who reunite just before college and uncover discrepancies in the story of a beloved schoolmate’s death; and Landslide by Kathleen Glasgow, in which Tiger must find her footing when her mother dies and her world falls apart.

RANDOM HOUSE/DOUBLEDAY

Doubleday orbits spring with Moon: A Peek-Through Picture Book by Britta Teckentrup, a die-cut picture book showing the phases of the moon in a series of different landscapes around the world; and Wordy Birdy by Tammi Sauer, illus. by Dave Mottram, introducing a very chatty bird who talks way more than she listens.

RANDOM HOUSE/KNOPF

Knopf Books for Young Readers logs on for Girls and Tech by Miriam Peskowitz, offering a hands-on book for readers interested in technology and new media; Americanized: Rebel Without a Green Card by Sara Saedi, the true tale of one teen’s experience growing up in America as an undocumented immigrant from the Middle East; The Cardboard Kingdom by Chad Sell, a graphic novel about a group of neighborhood kids who transform ordinary cardboard into superhero costumes; Just Under the Clouds by Melissa Sarno, a debut novel in which a homeless girl tries to find connections that make her feel rooted even as she and her mother and sister lead a transient life; and What the Night Sings by Vesper Stamper, the story of how a teen Holocaust survivor who lost her family in the Nazi concentration camps rediscovers her Jewish identity and must rebuild her life.

RANDOM HOUSE/SCHWARTZ & WADE

Schwartz & Wade Books is ready for its close-up with Strongheart: Wonder Dog of the Silver Screen by Candace Fleming, illus. by Eric Rohmann, an illustrated middle grade novel featuring a canine movie star of the 1920s; Fatal Throne: The Wives of Henry VIII Tell All by Candace Fleming et al., illuminating the sensational and tragic lives of Henry VIII and his six wives via seven stories told from seven perspectives, written by seven bestselling YA authors; Night Out by Daniel Miyares, about a lonely boy’s magical nighttime adventure; Affectionately, Eliza by Margaret McNamara, illus. by Esme Shapiro, a portrait of historical figure Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton, who was married to American founding father Alexander Hamilton; and The Heat and Mind of Frances Pauley by April Stevens, a middle-grade debut focused on an offbeat girl who learns that she can remain true to herself while also letting others into her life.

RIPPLE GROVE PRESS

Ripple Grove Press rises for Seb and the Sun by Jami Gigot, in which a boy goes looking for the sun to warm up his coastal town; and Iver and Ellsworth by Casey Robinson, illus. by Melissa Larson, the tale of what happens to a man and his best friend—an inflatable rooftop bear—when the man retires.

RODALE KIDS

Rodale Kids grows its second list with more in Mrs. Peanuckle's board book series as she explores from A to Z different varieties in Tree Alphabet and Bug Alphabet, both illustrated by Jessie Ford; the debut middle grade book series from Story Pirates, Stuck in the Stone Age, by Geoff Rodkey, based on an idea by 11-year-old Vince Boberski, illustrated by Hatem Aly, in which two scientists are transported back to the stone age and get stuck there; an updated and expanded version of the bestseller Words that Built a Nation: Voices of Democracy That Have Shaped American History by Marilyn Miller, Ellen Scordato, and Dan Tucker; Bloomer's Island: The Great Garden Party, a picture book introduction to a world of gardening and friendship based on the popular children's healthy-lifestyle program, written by Cynthia Wylie and Courtney Carbone, illustrated by Katya Longhi; and Meddy Teddy:A Mindful Yoga Journey, by Apple Jordan, a debut picture book illustrated by Nicholas Hong, based on the hit poseable yogi bear, in which he meets animal friends while in search of his family.

RUNNING PRESS

Running Press finds a mantra for Meditation and Mindfulness for Kids by Mallika Chopra, offering techniques for dealing with stress and anxiety and building self-confidence; Pink Is for Boys by Robb Pearlman, illus. by Eda Kaban, encouraging girls and boys to enjoy what they love to do in spite of gender stereotypes; The Awesome Achievers in Technology by Alan Katz, the launch title in a series profiling lesser-known inventors whose contributions are relevant today; The Ultimate Survival Guide to Being a Girl: The 101 on Love, Body Image, School, and Making It Through Life by Christina De Witte (aka Chrostin), serving up humor, advice, and encouragement; and I Know Who Hacked You by Ken Baker, the story of a popular teen YouTuber who becomes the target of a hacker who is motivated to destroy her career.

SASQUATCH

Sasquatch catches a wave with Ocean Motions by Caspar Babypants, illus. by Kate Endle, a board book about ocean creatures, featuring lyrics from Seattle songwriter Caspar Babypants; Explore the Salish Sea by Joseph Gaydos and Audrey DeLella Benedict, introducing the marine ecosystem of the coastal waters from Puget Sound to the Georgia Strait of British Columbia; Lobo by Brenda Peterson, photos by Annie Marie Musselman, following the lives of a Mexican gray wolf family from a sanctuary in Washington state to their release into the wild in Mexico; The Sasquatch and the Lumberjack by Chris Sheridan, spotlighting the friendship between a lumberjack and a sasquatch he meets in the woods of the Pacific Northwest; and Penguin on a Scooter by Caspar Babypants, illus. by Kate Endle, focused on the antics of a cast of animals.

SCHOLASTIC

Scholastic Inc. puts on its thinking cap for What If You Had an Animal Tail? by Sandra Markle, illus. by Howard McWilliam, imagining the experience of having one of a variety of special animal tails.

SCHOLASTIC EN ESPAÑOL

Scholastic en Español says hola to the following titles in Spanish: Thank You, Mr. Panda/Gracias, Sr. Panda (Bilingual Spanish) by Steve Antony, Por qué yo soy yo? (Why Am I Me?) by Paige Britt, Hombre perro se desata (Dog Man Unleashed) by Dav Pilkey, and Peppa: George se resfría (George Catches a Cold).

SCHOLASTIC LICENSED PUBLISHING

Licensed Publishing looks back in time with American Girl: A Girl Named Rosa: The True Story of Rosa Parks and A Girl Named Hillary: The True Story of Hillary Clinton, beginning a biography series focused on the childhood and adolescence of various famous women; Peachy and Keen by Jason Tharp and J.B. Rose, illus. by Jason Tharp, the debut volume of a chapter book series about the adventures of best friends Peachy, a perfectionist cat, and Keen, an energetic dog; and tie-ins, in various formats, to the following properties: Lego Ninjago, Lego DC Comics, Peppa Pig, and World of Warcraft.

SCHOLASTIC NONFICTION

Scholastic Nonfiction goes undercover for The Lady Is a Spy by Don Mitchell, a narrative biography of Virginia Hall, an American secret agent in WWII; Marley Dias Gets It Done: And So Can You! by Marley Dias, tips on how to make the world better through positive social action by the girl who started the #1000blackgirlbooks campaign; In Harm’s Way by Iain Martin, the true story of John F. Kennedy’s efforts to save his PT-109 crew after a shipwreck during WWII; and Chasing King’s Killer: The Hunt for Martin Luther King’s Assassin by James L. Swanson, focusing on the investigation of the assassination of the civil rights leader.

SCHOLASTIC PAPERBACKS

Scholastic Paperbacks holds court with Puppy Princess #1: Party Time! by Patty Furlington, introducing the adventures of Princess Rosie, a Maltese puppy; American Girl: Forever Friends #1: Jasmine’s Big Idea by Crystal Velasquez, an animal shelter series in which four friends bond over their love of animals; Melowy #1: Dreams Come True by Danielle Star, featuring four friends learning to use their magical powers; Class Pets #1: Fuzzy’s Great Escape by Bruce Hale, about the exploits of the school’s Class Pets Club, led by Fuzzy the ambitious guinea pig; and Wish Fairy #1: Too Many Cats! by Lisa Ann Scott, chronicling the enchanted exploits of an ordinary girl granted seven wishes after she rescues a fairy.

SCHOLASTIC PRESS

Scholastic Press battens down the hatches for Hurricane Child by Kheryn Callender, a debut novel set in the Virgin Islands, in which a 12-year-old girl’s mystical visions help her cope with the loss of her mother and forge a bond with the new girl at school; Kiranmala and the Kingdom Beyond #1: The Serpent’s Secret by Sayantani DasGupta, featuring a girl who discovers she’s an interdimensional demon slayer and must travel to a land inspired by Indian mythology to rescue her kidnapped parents; The Traitor’s Game by Jennifer A. Nielsen, the YA story of a young noblewoman kidnapped by a band of rebels determined to dethrone the despotic king; Truck Full of Ducks by Ross Burach, about a duck delivery gone awry; and Baby Monkey, Private Eye by Brian Selznick and David Serlin, illus. by Brian Selznick, introducing a new character and a new format that blends elements of picture book, beginning reader, and graphic novel.

SCHOLASTIC REFERENCE

Scholastic Reference takes a perp walk with Fly Guy Presents: Police Officers, providing a field trip to the police station and a look at what police officers do, wear, and drive.

SCHOLASTIC/BLUE SKY

Blue Sky Press persists with I Can Be Anything! Don’t Tell Me I Can’t by Diane Dillon, spotlighting a confident girl who is excited about all the things she can do despite a little voice of doubt that questions her abilities; When Sophie Thinks She Can’t… by Molly Bang, inspired by the “growth mindset” teaching technique, in which Sophie’s teacher reminds her she can’t solve a difficult problem…yet; and How Do Dinosaurs Learn to Read? by Jane Yolen, illus. by Mark Teague, following the mischievous dinos as they work out the do’s and don’ts of reading.

SCHOLASTIC/CARTWHEEL

Cartwheel Books gives a hoot for Owl Always Love You by Sandra Magsamen, featuring a plush owl finger puppet sitting atop the board book pages; Count My Cupcakes by Joyce Wan, a rhyming counting book with touch-and-feel cupcakes that disappear; 101 Dinosaurs by April Jones Prince, illus. by Bob Kolar, introducing creatures from prehistoric times in a rhyming text; Will Bear Share? by Hilary Leung, launching a series of tales about young animals achieving childhood milestones; and There Was an Old Mermaid Who Swallowed a Shark by Lucille Colandro, illus. by Jared Lee, in a beginning reader, seek-and-find format.

SCHOLASTIC/CHICKEN HOUSE

Chicken House rides into the season with The Elephant Thief by Jane Kerr, a tale inspired by real events, in which a boy befriends a famous elephant during a race against time and villains; Stormwake by Lucy Christopher, a retelling of Shakespeare’s The Tempest set on an island that is alive with magic and dreams; Griffin’s Feather by Cornelia Funke, the sequel to Dragon Rider, which takes readers on a quest to hatch the eggs of the last Pegasus in the world; The Fandom by Anna Day, the story of how Violet and her friends are transported into the world of their favorite book and movie franchise via a freak accident at Comic Con; and Revenge of the Beetle Queen by M.G. Leonard, about the efforts to stop cruel beetle fashionista Lucretia Cutter’s devious plan.

SCHOLASTIC/FICKLING

David Fickling Books heads to the launch pad with Tiny Little Rocket by Richard Collingridge, sending readers into the cockpit of a rocket zipping through space before bedtime; Wed Wabbit by Lissa Evans, in which 11-year-old Fidge has been hurled down the rabbit hole into a stranger world and must face a cruel stuffed animal dictator and solve clues to return home; The Invasion by Peadar O’Guilin, follow-up to The Call, in a world featuring a witch hunt for traitors; Evil Emperor Penguin 2 by Laura Ellen Anderson, a graphic novel following a cast of characters who get trapped in video games and paintings and even turn into babies; and Mega Robo Bros by Neill Cameron, in which graphic novel characters Alex and Freddy discover they are not the only super-powered robots around.

SCHOLASTIC/GRAPHIX

Graphix makes the grade with Mr. Wolf’s Class #1: First Day of School by Aron Nels Steinke, launching a graphic novel series capturing the everyday antics of a fourth-grade classroom; Clem Hetherington and the Ironwood Race by Jen Breach, illus. by Douglas Holgate, kicking off a graphic novel adventure series about a pair of orphans who enter a road rally race to recover stolen artifacts; Sparks! by Ian Boothby, illus. by Nina Matsumoto, in which two genius cats disguised as a superhero dog save the world from an evil alien; Imaginary Madison by Kristen Gudsnuk, about a lonely girl at a new school who finds a magic sketchbook that brings to life everything she draws—including a best friend; and 7 Good Reasons Not to Grow Up by Jimmy Gownley, exploring the surprising secret to success behind middle-school hero Kirby Finn.

SCHOLASTIC/LEVINE

Arthur A. Levine Books screams for Saffron Ice Cream by Rashin Kheiriyeh, in which Rashin fondly remembers summers in Iran, and summers in her new home in New York City; Rabbit Moon by Jean Kim, a picture book debut inspired by a Korean tale about the rabbit on the moon who wishes for some company; The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson, the story of a mysterious letter, a missing fortune, and a strange boy across the street; Front Desk by Kelly Yang, marking the author’s debut and recalling her childhood experiences working at the motel her parents manage by day, offering other Chinese immigrants a place to stay by night; and Give Me Some Truth by Eric Gansworth, telling a tale of rock ’n roll, protest, and first love for two teens “on the Rez.”

SCHOLASTIC/ORCHARD

Orchard Books gets down with Zoogie Boogie Fever: An Animal Dance Book by Sujean Rim, in which the zoo animals dance the night away; The Word Collector by Peter H. Reynolds, the story of a boy who discovers the transformative and profound power of words; Misunderstood Shark by Ame Dyckman, illus. by Scott Magoon, about a shark who feels misunderstood by everyone, and has a good explanation for each misunderstanding; Letter Town by Darren Farrell, an alphabet rhyme through town aboard the Letter Town Bus; and Jack B. Ninja by Tim McCanna, illus. by Stephen Savage, featuring a tricky ninja mission inspired by the classic nursery rhyme “Jack Be Nimble.”

SCHOLASTIC/POINT

Point serves up a spring list with And She Was by Jessica Verdi, exploring the relationship between teenage Dara and her mother, who is transgender, as Dara sets off to learn more about her mother’s past.

SIMON & SCHUSTER

Simon & Schuster scoops up a flavorful spring with Stay Sweet by Siobhan Vivian, a YA tale of first love, feminism, and ice cream; Emergency Contact by Mary H.K. Choi, offering a portrait of first love in all its awkward glory; Harriet Gets Carried Away by Jessie Sima, about a girl who loves dress-up and gets carried away looking for party hats; Waste of Space by Stuart Gibbs, the final volume in the Moon Alpha Base series in which multi-billionaire Lars is poisoned and demands to go home; and Save the Date by Morgan Matson, focused on the weekend of chaos as Charlie’s family gathers for her older sister’s wedding.

S&S/ALADDIN

Aladdin slathers on sunscreen for Day at the Beach by Tom Booth, another adventure for Gideon, star of Night at the Stadium, who hopes to build a grand sandcastle; How to Trick the Tooth Fairy by Erin Russell, illus. by Jennifer Hansen Rolli, featuring Kaylee, a lover of pranks; Dragonwatch by Brandon Mull, kicking off a new sequel series to Fablehaven; and Story Thieves #5 by James Riley, the finale of the Story Thieves series in which Owen and Bethany try to find their way back to each other when the fictional and nonfictional worlds are torn apart.

S&S/ATHENEUM

Atheneum is all smiles with People Don’t Bite People by Lisa Wheeler, illus. by Molly Idle, humorously reminding overeager biters that biting is for food; R Is for Rebel by J. Anderson Coats, about a girl who won’t let anything—not the government that conquered her people, not reform school—tame her rebellious spirit; How Sweet the Sound by Carole Boston Weatherford, a biography in verse of John Newton and how he came to write the hymn “Amazing Grace”; and Heartbeat by Evan Turk, following the life of a baby whale from birth, to song, to silence.

S&S/ATHENEUM/DLOUHY

Caitlyn Dlouhy Books shines on with Sunny by Jason Reynolds, the third volume in the Track series, featuring a boy trying to make his mark despite his troubled past, The Place Between Breaths by An Na, in which 16-year-old Grace is determined to help find a cure for the mental illness that took her mother away from the family and could possibly destroy her own life, too; Click, Clack Classroom (working title) by Doreen Cronin, illus. by Betsy Lewin, in which the favorite barnyard bunch tries to attend Farm Day at school where there is a “no farm animals in school” policy; and Dollar Will by Alison McGhee, which tells the story, in 100 chapters of 100 words each, of a boy overcoming his own misery by secretly helping the people around him.

S&S/BEACH LANE

Beach Lane Books hops into Twinkle, Twinkle Little Car by Kate Dopirak, illus. by Mary Peterson, about a red car beeping goodnight to his friends in a new spin on “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”; This Is the Nest That Robin Built by Denise Fleming, a cumulative tale in which a robin’s animal pals help her build her nest; Friends and Fiends: Poems About Us All by Douglas Florian, presenting a collection of poems about relationships good and bad; Mama Dug a Little Den by Jennifer Ward, illus. by Steve Jenkins, exploring the many different kinds of dens that various animals build for their young; and It’s Your First Day of School, Busy Bus! by Jody Jensen Shaffer, illus. by Claire Messer, featuring a school bus with first-day-of-school jitters.

S&S/LITTLE SIMON

Little Simon says bonjour to spring with Mon Petit Busy Day by Annette Tamarkin, an oversized, interactive, first concept book; The Un-Friendship Bracelet by Martha Maker, illus. by Xindi Yan, the launch title in the Craftily Ever After chapter book series, in which a new student gets between best friends Emily and Maddie; and Ramadan by Hannah Eliot, illus. by Rashin Kheiriyeh, presenting the traditions of this Muslim observance.

S&S/MCELDERRY

Margaret K. McElderry Books puts up its dukes with Boggart Fights Back by Susan Cooper, in which the mischievous Boggart comes up with new tricks to stop an American developer from ruining his island; A Dog Named Doug by Karma Wilson, illus. by Matt Myers, about a pup who takes digging to new depths; and Two Problems for Sophia by Jim Averbeck, illus. by Yasmeen Ismail, in which Sophia quickly learns her new pet giraffe comes with two big problems.

S&S/SALAAM READS

Salaam Reads gets nothing but net with Zayd Saleem Chasing the Dream #1: Power Forward and Zayd Saleem Chasing the Dream #2: On Point by Hena Khan, introducing a chapter book series about a scrawny Pakistani-American fourth grader with big dreams of basketball stardom.

S&S/SIMON PULSE

Simon Pulse rolls the dice with Love & Luck by Jenna Evans Welch, spotlighting love, adventure, and the true meaning of family; From Twinkle with Love by Sandhya Menon, the story of an aspiring teen filmmaker who falls in love and finds her voice told via the letters she writes to her favorite female filmmakers; The Year of Living Awkwardly by Emma Chastain, following flawed high school student Chloe as she chronicles a year in her life; Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw, about three sisters on a quest for revenge; and Apocalypse of Elena Mendoza by Shaun David Hutchinson, featuring a teen who was born to a virgin mother and who appears to have the power to heal and perform miracles.

S&S/WISEMAN

Paula Wiseman Books grabs a shovel for The World Below by Wesley King, about a field trip that turns into an underground quest for survival; Idea Jar by Adam Lehrhaupt, illus. by Deb Pilutti, showcasing a teacher’s special jar where her students keep their story ideas; All that Trash by Meghan McCarthy, in which a garbage barge that didn’t have a place to dock sparks a recycling movement; Lucy Castor Finds Her Sparkle by Natasha Lowe, featuring a girl who tries, with no luck, to stop the world around her from changing; and Boing! by Tim McCanna, illus. by Jorge Martin, an onomatopoeiac alphabet book.

SKYHORSE/SKY PONY PRESS

Sky Pony Press sends good vibes for Heal the Earth by Julian Lennon, illus. by Smiljana Coh, the sequel to Touch the Earth; Buttheads from Outer Space by Jerry Mahoney, about two best friends trying to prevent butthead aliens from taking over the planet; Sleight by Jennifer Sommers, a romance set against the backdrop of the circus; The Harper Effect by Taryn Bashford, about a rising tennis star who needs to decide between winning the game and losing everything; and Ride On by Gwen Cole, a YA novel following two teens who cross paths in a world where people are constantly searching for the sun.

SLEEPING BEAR

Sleeping Bear Press opens the door with W Is for Welcome: A Celebration of America’s Diversity by Brad Herzog, illus. by various artists, an alphabetical celebration of the American experience; Dirty Birdies and Jungle Gym by Jennifer Sattler, kicking off a new board book series exploring such everyday concepts as up/down, in/out, and counting; Write On, Irving Berlin! by Leslie Kimmelman, illus. by David C. Gardner, a look at the life of the American songwriter; Be a Good Dragon by Kurt Cyrus, featuring a wizard who uses a magic potion to heal a fire-sneezing dragon who catches cold; and Hardscrabble by Sandra Dallas, following one family’s homesteading efforts in 1900s Colorado.

SOURCEBOOKS JABBERWOCKY

Sourcebooks Jabberwocky sings out for Lorraine by Ketch Secor, illus. by Higgins Bond, a story about the power of music and family, from the Grammy award-winning musician and founding member of the Old Crow Medicine Show; and The Worst Alphabet Book Ever by Raj Haldar and Chris Carpenter, illus. by Maria Beddia, a look at the intricacies of our notoriously tricky language.

SOURCEBOOKS FIRE

Sourcebooks Fire claims You Will Be Mine by Natasha Preston, a YA thriller about a group of friends that starts receiving notes from a secret admirer whose words of adoration quickly become deadly; and Ashborn by Claire Legrand, the first book in the Empirium trilogy, in which two young women centuries apart—one a troubled, magic-wielding queen; the other a bounty hunter serving a ruthless empire—must fight at the heart of a cosmic war.

STERLING

Sterling takes center stage with Diva Delores and the Opera House Mouse by Laura Sassi, illus. by Rebecca Gerlings, about an operatic seal and the mouse who gives her the confidence to perform; Gloria’s Voice by Aura Lewis, a picture-book biography of feminist icon Gloria Steinem; But the Bear Came Back by Tammi Sauer, illus. by Dan Taylor, the story of a quiet boy who at first prefers not having the company of a boisterous bear, but then changes his mind; Albie Newton by Josh Funk, illus. by Ester Garay, in which a precocious boy genius finds inventive ways to try and make friends at his new preschool; and The Haunted Serpent by Dora M. Mitchell, focused on the son of TV ghost hunters who confronts some paranormal activity on his own.

TARA

Tara trumpets the arrival of spring with Speaking to an Elephant by Madhuri Ramesh and Manish Chandi, illus. by Matthew Frame, relating the stories of how the forest animals came to be and got their names; Water by Subhash Vyam, in which an indigenous migrant to the city marvels and fears its immense water needs; Walking Is a Way of Knowing by Madhuri Ramesh and Manish Chandi, the story of how an elderly forest dweller teaches an urban nature lover to enjoy and appreciate the forest; My Neighbors on Manmaru Street by Koki Oguma, featuring a doodle artist whose scribbles turn into strange and marvelous neighbors with a story to share; and Beasts of India by various artists, presenting a gallery of well-known Indian beasts and spotlighting different indigenous art traditions.

WORKMAN

Workman is the bee’s knees with Turn This Book Into a Beehive by Lynn Brunelle, an introduction to the importance of bees, which can be transformed into a working bee house that attracts wild mason bees; Stories of the Saints by Carey Wallace, delivering a compendium of stories from the lives of 100 Christian saints arranged chronologically, featuring both world and church history; and Mythlopedia by Korwin Briggs, featuring illustrated encyclopedia entries describing figures and themes from world mythology.