1. Goodnight Already! by Jory John, illustrated by Benji Davies
HarperCollins
Bear longs for sweet, sweet slumber — if only Duck would let him get some shut-eye.
What kind of reader is it for? Those with younger siblings who constantly prevent them from experiencing peace and quiet.
Release Date: Dec. 2, 2014
Buy here.
2. Please, Mr. Panda by Steve Antony
Scholastic Press
It definitely pays to be polite when doughnuts are involved! Remember to say “please” and “thank you” if you want a sweet treat from this bear.
What kind of reader is it for? Someone who could use a little brushing up when it comes to manners (but in a fun way).
Release Date: Dec. 30, 2014
Release Date: Dec. 30, 2014
Preorder here.
3. Zombie in Love 2 + 1 by Kelly DiPucchio, illustrated by Scott Campbell
Atheneum Books for Young Readers
The sequel to Zombies in Love in which our zombie pals become parents to a bouncing, non-dead baby boy. Why are his teeth growing in instead of falling out? It just doesn’t make sense!
What kind of reader is it for? Anyone who appreciates things that are heartwarming and hair-raising in equal amounts.
Release Date: Dec. 30, 2014
Release Date: Dec. 30, 2014
Preorder here.
4. Oliver and Patch by Claire Freedman, illustrated by Kate Hindley
Simon & Schuster Children’s Books
A lonely boy + a lost dog.
What kind of reader is it for? Boys and girls who may be feeling a little lonely themselves (whether it’s because they’ve moved to a new school or even just a new classroom).
Release Date: Jan. 1, 2015
Preorder here.
5. The Big Blue Thing on the Hill by Yuval Zommer
Templar
What on earth is this strange thing on the hill? None of the animals can quite figure it out, but they want it to vamoose ASAP.
What kind of reader is it for? Children who will enjoy feeling smarter than those silly animals (“It’s not a monster, it’s a van!”).
Release Date: Jan. 6, 2015
Preorder here.
6. First Snow by Peter McCarty
Balzer + Bray
It’s Pedro’s first time seeing snow and he’s going to take full advantage of the fluffy white stuff. Sledding! Snow angels! Snowballs!
What kind of reader is it for? Anyone who appreciates the joy and magic that occurs whenever snowflakes start to fall.
Release Date: Jan. 6, 2015
Preorder here.
7. Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña, illustrated by Christian Robinson
Putnam Juvenile
CJ and his grandmother ride the bus through town and he learns how to see the beauty of his neighborhood.
What kind of reader is it for? Someone who may have some questions about inequality (“Why don’t I have an iPod like the other boys on the bus?”), as well as anyone who just adores time spent with their grandmother.
Release Date: Jan. 8, 2015
Preorder here.
8. Around the Clock by Roz Chast
Atheneum Books for Young Readers
A hilarious trip through the 24 hours of the day.
What kind of reader is it for? Anyone who appreciates zany humor (with a bit of learning about time thrown in).
Release Date: Jan. 13, 2015
Preorder here.
9. Snoozefest by Samantha Berger, illustrated by Kristyna Litten
Dial
What sort of festival would a sloth attend? One with napping, of course!
What kind of reader is it for? A sloth fan looking for the perfect book to read before bed.
Release Date: Jan. 22, 2015
Preorder here.
10. Sick Simon by Dan Krall
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
The must-read book of flu season.
What kind of reader is it for? Someone who may need a refresher in how to avoid spreading their germs when they have a cold.
Release Date: Jan. 13, 2015
Preorder here.
11. A Fine Dessert: Four Centuries, Four Families, One Delicious Treat by Emily Jenkins, illustrated by Sophie Blackall
Schwartz & Wade
Discover how daily life has changed over the centuries in this inventive book showing how four different families (in four different time periods) prepare a batch of blackberry fool.
What kind of reader is it for? Children interested in history (or cooking).
Release Date: Jan. 27, 2015
Preorder here.
12. The New Small Person by Lauren Child
Candlewick
Welcome to the world of big brother or sister-dom.
What kind of reader is it for? Anyone learning how to deal with the arrival of a new sibling.
Release Date: Feb. 10, 2015
Preorder here.
13. Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt by Kate Messner, illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal
Chronicle Books
A follow-up to the marvelous Over and Under the Snow, this book explores the bloom-filled world of the garden plus the land where the worms wiggle down below.
What kind of reader is it for? Nature lovers.
Release Date: March 3, 2015
Preorder here.
14. A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to School by Benjamin Chaud and Davide Cali
Chronicle Books
Tall tales are the best tales.
What kind of reader is it for? Anyone known to spin a yarn (or two, or three).
Release Date: March 3, 2015
Preorder here.
15. Little Big Boubo by Beatrice Alemagna
Tate Publishing
A depiction of life as a toddler by award-winning author and illustrator Beatrice Alemagna.
What kind of reader is it for? Little guys and gals who are eager to prove that they’re not babies anymore.
Release Date: March 3, 2015
Preorder here.
16. Polar Bear’s Underwear by Tupera Tupera
Chronicle Books
Underwear is one of the few topics that can always be counted on to provide some kid-laughs: Give the people what they want (and by people, I mean your children).
What kind of reader is it for? Helpful souls who can’t bear to see a bare bear with no underwear.
Release Date: March 3, 2015
Preorder here.
17. Tricky Vic: The Impossibly True Story of the Man Who Sold the Eiffel Tower by Greg Pizzoli
Viking Juvenile
The illustrated biography of Robert Miller (the con artist who “sold” the Eiffel Tower).
What kind of reader is it for? Anyone who will appreciate a true tale of trickery.
Release Date: March 10, 2015
Preorder here.
18. Where Does Kitty Go in the Rain? by Harriet Ziefert, illustrated by Brigette Barrager
Blue Apple Books
A sweet book that blends mystery (where’s the cat?) with science (what do animals do in the rain?).
What kind of reader is it for? Anyone who has always wondered what makes a duck waterproof.
Release Date: March 17, 2015
Preorder here.
19. Once Upon a Cloud by Claire Keane
Dial
Celeste is looking for the perfect present for her mother and if she has to, she’ll even venture to the clouds to find it.
What kind of reader is it for? Lovers of Frozen or Tangled (this is the debut picture book of Claire Keane, an artist from Walt Disney Animation Studios).
Release Date: March 24, 2015
Preorder here.
20. The Nosyhood by Tim Lahan
McSweeney’s McMullens / Via timlahan.com
A couple gets pestered by a flood of neighbors coming over to visit after moving into their new home…and then a giant nose shows up. Achooooooooooo.
What kind of reader is it for? Anyone looking for a few chuckles, some giggles and a couple of tee-hee-hee’s.
Release Date: March 24, 2015
Preorder here.
21. Meet the Dullards by Sara Pennypacker, illustrated by Daniel Salmieri
Balzer + Bray
Mr. and Mrs. Dullard like to keep things bland, but their children have other ideas.
What kind of reader is it for? Fans of The Stupids and those who laugh in the face of monotony.
Release Date: March 24, 2015
Preorder here.
22. I Don’t Like Koala by Sean Ferrell, illustrated by Charles Santoso
Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Most stuffed animals are adorable, but koala is not one of those stuffed animals. Adam’s parents just don’t understand how creepy his furry non-friend is: The bear just won’t stop staring! How will he get rid of him?
What kind of reader is it for? Kids who can appreciate a bit of dark humor in a picture book.
Release Date: April 14, 2015
Preorder here.
23. Pool by Lee Jihyeon
Chronicle Books
A tale of friendship and imagination.
What kind of reader is it for? The kind looking for a refreshing and beautiful read for when the weather gets hot and winter is a distant memory.
Release Date: May 5, 2015
24. This Is Sadie by Sara O’Leary, illustrated by Julie Morstad
Tundra Books
A little girl with a huge imagination.
What kind of reader is it for? This is a story for those with a deep love of stories.
Release Date: May 12, 2015
Preorder here.
25. Where Are My Books? by Debbie Ridpath Ohi
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Where oh where are Spencer’s books? This is a mystery that must be solved immediately.
What kind of reader is it for? Avid ones! Those who treat their books as though they were made of gold. Losing one? What a horrifying prospect!
Release Date: May 12, 2015
Cheerio
