52+ New Children’s Books for 2024 to Enjoy

Hey! What’s That? by Sandra Boyton

Release Date: January 30, 2024

Plot: Hey! What’s That? invites readers to guess what comes next by touching a mysterious tactile element through a hole on each page. Once the page is turned, readers can keep their wiggly finger in place to join in the animal fun! Become a swinging elephant trunk, a swishy lion tail, or a waggly rabbit ear! The adventure is all in your hands!

Hug Me by Simona Ciraolo

Release Date: February 6, 2024

Plot: An endearing tale of friendship, beautifully illustrated with buoyant wit and the perfect story to share, now available in board book format. Ever feel like you need a hug, a really big hug from someone? That’s how Felipe the little cactus feels, but his family can be pretty prickly . . . So one day Felipe sets off to find a friend and, just maybe, that long-awaited hug.

Don’t Push the Button: on the Farm by Bill Cotter

Release Date: March 5, 2024

Plot: From the brilliant mind of author and illustrator, Bill Cotter, comes a farm-tastic interactive book for children. Everyone knows farms are full of cool animals, but you have to stay on this side of the…hey, wait! The sign says don’t open the gate! Now you’ve done it. Whatever you do, do NOT push the button and make animal noises! This is one of the baby books of 2024 I’ll be gifting.

Where’s Wonky Donkey by Craig Smith

Release Date: March 5, 2024

Plot: An interactive, lift-the-flap new baby book featuring the bestselling Wonky Donkey!

Dinky Donkey is looking for her dad, Wonky Donkey. But where did he go? Is he under the bed? Or behind the door? Readers will love lifting the brightly colored flaps to find Wonky Donkey in this chunky board book just right for little hands!

Maisy Loves Trees by Lucy Cousins

Release Date: March 19, 2024

Plot: Explore the wonder of trees with the littlest listeners as the Maisy’s Planet series kicks off by celebrating this vital part of the natural world.

Llama Llama Feelings by Anna Dewdney

Release Date: April 9, 2024

Plot: Sometimes Llama Llama feels happy and other times he feels sad. Sometimes he is excited and sometimes angry. Join Llama Llama as he gets ready for bed and experiences the universal highs and lows that all kids get at bedtime.

It’s perfect for fans of Anna Dewdney books.

Lola Meets the Bees by Anna McQuinn

Release Date: April 9, 2024

Plot: In the latest Lola Reads book, Lola learns about urban beekeeping in this simple and charming introduction to the importance of bees.

Little Boos On the Loose by Mark Waters

Release Date: April 30, 2024

Plot: Readers of interactive EEK-a-BOO Books are part of the story, magically transforming each scene by activating sliding blinds with the turn of the page! You’ll uncover dozens of silly Little Boos as they cause mischief in everyday places, including the subway, the farm, the playground, and the movie theater!

Go Block by Christopher Franceschelli

Release Date: April 30, 2024

Plot: Get into gear and learn all about vehicles that go, go, goin Christopher Franceschelli’s Go!Blockfrom the bestselling Abrams Block Book series!In this small but sturdy block-shaped board book, young readers are introduced to an incredible array of vehicles big and small.

Hello, Bedtime by Jannie Ho

Release Date: May 1, 2024

Plot: A charming high-contrast introduction to bedtime. Black-and-white patterns and illustrations pair with friendly greetings for favorite pjs, a teddy bear, a comfy pillow, and more.

Are You Big? by Mo Willems

Release Date: February 6

Plot: Mo Willems, #1 New York Times bestselling, award-winning author-illustrator, tackles a BIG concept in this hilarious nonfiction picture book about the relationship between size and scale.  

Ten Little Rabbits by Maurice Sendak

Release Date: February 6

Plot: Maurice Sendak’s legacy continues with this playful counting extravaganza for the youngest child. Here is a small reader’s introduction to the magic of Mr. Sendak’s books—a journey that will continue for many years to come.

The Crayons Love Our Planet by Drew Daywalt

Release Date: February 13, 2024

Plot: The Crayons love our planet and are proud of their contributions. White ice caps, Green trees, Blue oceans and skies, Brown soil…and more! Even Beige is proud of his contribution: Wheat! This humorous mini hardcover book shows the beauty of our plant—and why it needs all of us to be complete. Perfect for Earth Day.

Pretty Ugly by David Sedaris and Ian Falconer

Release Date: February 27, 2024

Plot: In this beautifully gross picture book, Anna Van Ogre’s lovely monster face turns into that of a sickeningly adorable, rosy-cheeked little girl–and it’s not switching back! Can she find a way to stop looking like an ugly human and regain her gorgeous monstrosity of a face?

Champ by Payam Ebrahimi

Release Date: April 2, 2024

Plot: Abtin is nothing like the rest of his family. The Moleskis are fiercely competitive sports champions, and they expect Abtin to become a great athlete too. But Abtin is a reader, an artist, and has his own way of doing things. Despite his family’s best efforts, Abtin remains stubbornly himself. Wanting his family to be proud of him, he comes up with a plan to make them happy: a plan that doesn’t go quite as expected…

Addie Ant Goes on an Advenute by Maren Morris

Release Date: April 9, 2024

Plot: Acclaimed singer-songwriter Maren Morris and former schoolteacher Karina Argow have together written their picture-book debut, Addie Ant Goes on an Adventure. This delightful story of one little ant’s journey for independence while realizing when to ask for help, is set against the backdrop of a vast and abundant garden inhabited by some very helpful insect friends.

Roy is Not a Dog by  Esmé Shapiro and Daniel Newell Kaufman

Release Date: April 23

Plot: Take a ride down Lilypod Lane with Weasel and Pam Pam as they try to solve a mystery in their neighborhood in this hilariously fetching picture book: could their peculiar neighbor actually be a dog in disguise?

Angelina’s Cinderella by Katharine Holabird

Release Date: May 7, 2024

The classic bestselling Angelina Ballerina picture book about Angelina performing as Cinderella in a traveling tour is back in a beautiful, refreshed hardcover edition! Angelina is playing the lead in the Cinderella Dance Tour traveling across Mouseland. The final stop on the tour is at the grand Von Whiskers Castle, but just before the performance, the scenery is ruined! Angelina and her friends know the show must go on, but how?

No 5 Bubblegum Street by Mikolaj Pa

Release Date: May 14, 2024

Plot: There’s a lot happening inside the apartment building on Bubblegum Street. There’s Mouse, a famous rapper, who lives on the ground floor and is getting ready to go out. Panther, the plant collector, has plants from every single continent. Hippo snores in his favorite armchair, dreaming of a great Arctic adventure. In the attic apartment, Bat is practicing a new dance routine, while in apartment number two, the monkeys are baking a “Speckled Orange Orangutan Cake.”

This Table by Alex Killian

Release Date: May 28, 2024

Plot: This moving picture book traces a table and its transformation: from a seed to a tree to a treasured object in a home. Strong and stable through the years, the table becomes a space for being together: for birthday parties and science projects, and meals big and small. With captivating text and lush illustrations, This Table will inspire conversations about the everyday, ordinary objects in our lives, and their role in creating lifelong memories.

Mushrooms Know by Kallie George

Release Date: May 28, 2024

Plot: Mushrooms always wear their thinking caps. They know so many things. This vibrant and informative book shares the fascinating lessons that fungi can teach us: that small can be mighty, being unique is a reason to celebrate—and staying connected is key. Sara Gillingham’s lively art and Kallie George’s charming text captures the wondrous world of mushrooms and everything we can learn from it.

You Can Be a Good Friend by Taraji P. Henson

Release Date: June 18, 2024

Plot: From award-winning actress and mental-health advocate Taraji P. Henson, You Can Be a Good Friend (No Matter What!) shows kids the great things that can happen when we approach others and ourselves with empathy, patience, and love.

Trick or Treat on Scary Street by Lance Bass

Release Date: July 23, 2024

Plot: From musical superstar Lance Bass, this quirky and surprising Halloween story is perfect for trick-or-treaters who love extra tricks and treats.

Come follow thirteen trick-or-treaters down Scary Street. Dare to stop at the vampire’s lair? Tempted to take a bite of the witch’s delight? How about a peek inside a ghostly haunt? Who will make it to the end. . . and what last trick (or treat) awaits?

Show Up and Vote by Ani Di Franco

Release Date: August 27, 2024

Plot: From the Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter, political activist, and feminist icon comes a story of connectedness and collective responsibility, as told through the eyes of a young child going to vote for the first time.

5 More Sleeps ’til Halloween by Jimmy Fallon

Release Date: September 3, 2024

Plot: The excitement leading up to spooky season has been enjoyed by so many for so long. Filled with costumes, candy, and big scares! But why not make the last few days before Halloween even more exciting by counting how many sleeps until trick-or-treat night?

Soren’s Seventh Song by Dave Eggers

Release Date: February 6, 2024

Plot: From New York Times bestselling author Dave Eggers comes a deadpan take on creativity and persistence, as told through the eyes of a humpback whale looking for a new song. This is one of our most anticipated new children’s books.

Gnome and Rat: Time to Party by Lauren Stohler

Release Date: March 12, 2024

Plot: Your favorite hilarious best friends are BACK and ready to party in the second installment of this early graphic novel series. We recommend this new children’s book for beginning readers.

Libby Loves Science by Kimberly Derting

Release Date: April 20, 2024

Libby loves science—and experimenting! In this Level 3 I Can Read! title, Libby and her classmates are excited to welcome a new student into their classroom. When the ice cream for the welcome party melts, Libby is curious to see how the three states of matter can save the celebration. Experiment with Libby and find out!

Dr. Seuss Graphic Novel: Cat Out of Water by Art Baltazer

Release Date: April 30, 2024

Plot: Discover Dr. Seuss’s whimsical world like never before in this colorful graphic novel companion to The Cat in the Hat! With all-new illustrations and easy-to-read paneled storytelling, this is the perfect next step for beginner readers transitioning to chapter books!

Ice Cream Town by Margaret Buckley

Release Date: May 7, 2024

Plot: This rhyming reader takes kids on a tour of the fantastical Ice Cream Town, where everything is made of ice cream! Fancy a ride on the ice cream train, a dip in the ice cream lake, or a visit to the ice cream park? It’s all possible in Ice Cream Town, where the sweetest dreams come true!

Little People, Big Dreams: Taylor Swift by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara

Release Date: June 11, 2024

Plot: Inspire kids with the glittering story of pop superstar Taylor Swift! This talented singer–songwriter started as a little country girl with a big dream to become a star.
 
Little Taylor grew up on her family’s Christmas tree farm in Pennsylvania. Then, at age six, she went to her first concert – she saw LeAnn Rimes, the country musician. At that moment, Taylor fell in love with country music! Some of the kids at school didn’t understand but Taylor managed to shake it off!

Hide-and-Seek Pup by Joe McGee

Release Date: July 16, 2024

Plot: It’s time for Sprocket’s yearly vet visit. But when Franky tries to bring his beloved pup to Dr. Frankenstein’s office for her checkup, Sprocket decides to hide…and she’s really good at hiding! Can the Junior Monster Scouts find Sprocket and convince her that everything is going to be okay?

The Kelce Brothers by Apple Jordon

Release Date: October 15, 2024

Plot: Dream big with a Little Golden Book biography about Travis and Jason Kelce—star NFL players, brothers, and podcast hosts. Little Golden Book biographies are the perfect introduction to nonfiction for young readers—as well as fans of all ages!

Fairest of All: The Graphic Novel by Sarah Mlynowski

Release Date: April 2, 2024

Plot: The magic of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling Whatever After series comes to life in this brand-new graphic novel adaptation! Fractured fairy tales have never been this fun.

Once upon a time, Abby and her little brother, Jonah, were ordinary kids. The next minute? The mirror in their basement slurped them up and magically transported them into the fairy tale of Snow White.

Who is Taylor Swift by Kirsten Anderson

Release Date: April 30, 2024

Plot: The nonfiction gurus at WhoHQ are coming out with a book that will surely make Swifties thrilled. It’s the true story of Taylor’s life from being a Pennsylvania girl to becoming an international superstar. It’s a best kids books 2023 must-read!

Mulan and the Palace of Secrets

Release Date: May 7, 2024

Plot: Disney Princess Mulan must save the Emperor’s life once again from an invisible enemy in this original graphic novel. Perfect for kids ages 8 to 12!

The war with the Huns is over, but a new invisible enemy poses a threat to the Emperor’s life. Mulan is the only one he trusts to discover and defeat this new danger, but she feels discouraged by all the rules and expectations of court life. Can Mulan rise to the Emperor’s challenge and save China once again?

Summer Vamp by Violet Chan Karim

Release Date: May 14, 2024

Plot: What happens when a very human kid ends up at the wrong summer camp–FOR VAMPIRES?! This quirky and heartwarming graphic novel about making friends and getting in trouble is perfect for fans of Witches of Brooklyn. It’s one of the best 2023 kids books.

Your Pets’ Secret Lives by Eleanor Spicer Rice

Release Date: May 28, 2024

Plot: Butt-sniffing dogs. Terrified tarantulas. Canaries with invisible force fields? Yep—it turns out our pets experience the world in totally different ways than we do. Unlock some of your nonhuman family members’ wildest behaviors in this hilarious (and sometimes shiver-worthy) illustrated guide to their secret lives, complete with exciting interviews with the scientists who research them. From fierce hamster stink wars to the hidden wild side of Bubbles the goldfish, who knew there was so much more to understand about our furry and scaly friends?

We Are in an ACT-ivity Book! by Mo Willems

Release Date: August 20, 2024

Plot: This new kids’ book is perfect for beginning readers to work on alone during quiet time. We recommend books like this for traveling or taking to a restaurant.

Pencil & Eraser by Jenny Alvarado

Release Date: September 10, 2024

Plot: Fans of Narwhal and Jelly & Pizza and Taco, prepare to meet your new favorite duo! This hilarious new early-reader graphic novel series follows the adventures of two best friend school supplies: Pencil and Eraser!

Slugfest by Gordon Korman

Release Date: January 9

Plot: Yash is the best athlete at Robinette Middle School. So good, in fact, that’s he’s already been playing on the high school’s JV sports teams. Imagine his shock when he learns that his JV practices have kept him from earning a state-mandated credit for eighth-grade PE. To graduate, he has to take Physical Education Equivalency—PEE—which is also known as “Slugfest,” in summer school. We can’t wait to read this new children’s book.

Alterations by Ray Xu

Release Date: January 30

Plot: For fans of Gene Luen Yang’s American Born Chinese and Svetlana Chmakova’s Awkward, this funny yet poignant middle-grade coming-of-age story highlights the struggle of feeling invisible while yearning to be seen by all.

The Liars Society by Alyson Gerber

Release Date: February 6, 2024

Plot: The Inheritance Games and One of Us is Lying for middle grade — beloved author Alyson Gerber’s new series is an unforgettable mystery featuring a secret society, a mysterious island, and dangerous family secrets. It’s going to be one of the best new 2023 kids books.

Heroes by Alan Gratz

Release Date: February 6, 2024

Plot: A new novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Alan Gratz (Refugee; Ground Zero; Two Degrees) is a major publishing moment. A new World War II novel from Alan Gratz? That’s even bigger! Get ready for an action-packed, inventive, and powerful take on the attack on Pearl Harbor, as only Alan Gratz can tell it.

Our kids can’t wait to read this new children’s book for middle grade readers.

The Princess Protection Program by Alex London

Release Date: February 13, 2024

Plot: Where can a princess hide if her Ever After isn’t all that Happy? Bestselling author Alex London turns classic fairy tales on their heads in this fast-paced, funny fantasy about embracing change and taking control of your own story. For fans of The School for Good and Evil and the Chronicles of Never After series.

The Mystery of Locked Rooms by Lindsay Currie

Release Date: April 2, 2024

Plot: Crack the codes. Find the treasure. Escape the house.

From the acclaimed author of Scritch Scratch and What Lives in the Woods comes a action-packed adventure novel about three friends who team up to find a hidden treasure in an abandoned 1950’s funhouse.

Twelve-year-old Sarah Greene wants nothing more from her seventh-grade year than to beat the hardest escape room left in her town with her best friends, West, and Hannah. But when a foreclosure notice shows up on Sarah’s front door, everything changes. Since her father became ill two years ago, things have been bad, but not lose your house bad…until now. 

Bridge to Bat City by Ernest Cline

Release Date: April 9, 2024

Plot: After losing her mother, thirteen-year-old Opal moves in with her uncle Roscoe on the family farm. There, Opal bonds with Uncle Roscoe over music and befriends a group of orphaned, music-loving bats. But just as the farm is starting to feel like home, the bats’ cave is destroyed by a big mining company with its sights set on the farmland next.

If Opal and the bats can fit in anywhere, it’s the nearby city of Austin, home to their favorite music and a host of wonderfully eccentric characters. But with people afraid of the bats and determined to get rid of them, it’ll take a whole lot of courage to prove that this is where the bats–and Opal–belong.

The One and Only Family by Katerine Applegate

Release Date: May 7, 2024

Plot: For more than a decade, readers have been enchanted by the modern classic The One and Only Ivan, a Newbery Award winner and a #1 New York Times bestseller, and by its bestselling sequels, The One and Only Bob and The One and Only Ruby. Powerhouse author Katherine Applegate invites readers back into Ivan’s world for one last adventure–his most exciting yet.

Ivan has been happily living in a wildlife sanctuary, with his friend Ruby next door in the elephant enclosure, frequent visits from his canine friend Bob, and his mate Kinyani by his side. And in the happiest turn of all, Ivan and Kinyani have welcomed a set of twins to their family!

Puzzleheart by Jenn Reese

Release Date: May 14, 2024

Plot: Get ready to solve the mystery at the heart of this captivating new middle grade adventure about family—and a house with a mind of its own—from the award-winning author of Game of Fox & Squirrels and Every Bird a Prince, Jenn Reese.

Twelve-year-old Perigee has never met a problem they couldn’t solve. So when their Dad’s spirits need raising, Perigee formulates the Plan: a road trip to Dad’s childhood home to reunite him with his estranged mother. There’s something in it for Perigee, too, as they will finally get to visit “Eklunds’ Puzzle House,” the mysterious bed & breakfast their grandparents built but never opened.

A Galaxy of Whales by Heather Fawcett

Release Date: May 28, 2024

Plot: A perfect summer read about whale watching and friendship both lost and found, from the author of Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries and The Islands of Elsewhere. When Fern hears about a photo contest with a big cash award, she decides she’ll enter and win! After all, photography is her passion (and was an interest she shared with her dad, who has recently died). She knows she can take a prize-worthy photo of a whale during one of the whale-watching tours her mom runs.But her neighbor (and nemesis), Jasper, is also planning to enter the contest.

The Labryinth of Lost and Found by Jordan Lees

Release Date: May 28, 2024

Plot: Eleven-year-old Benjamiah Creek believes in science, logic, and the power of reason. He definitely does not believe in magic. But when he receives a mysterious doll in the mail—a doll that can transform into a bird—he is led into an impossible (and most definitely magical) realm: Wreathenwold.

Roswell Johnson Saves the World by Chris Colfer

Release Date: June 4, 2024

Plot: Eleven-year-old Roswell Johnson is obsessed with conspiracies about extraterrestrial life, an interest he inherited from his late father, who aptly named Roswell after the infamous UFO crash in Roswell, New Mexico. When Roswell is accidentally abducted by aliens, his biggest dream comes true–he learns that aliens are real! But when he discovers Earth is in grave danger, he must join forces with a team of quirky extraterrestrials, including two bickering Grays, a humorless Cyborg, a germophobic Mantis, an overly confident Furgarian, and an over-achieving Pleiadean to save his planet from a tyrannical invasion. But can Roswell restore his own faith in humanity and Earth in time to save the world?

Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell

Release Date: September 10, 2024

Plot: The day that Christopher saved a drowning baby griffin from a hidden lake would change his life forever. It’s the day he learned about the Archipelago—a cluster of unmapped islands where magical creatures of every kind have thrived for thousands of years, until now. And it’s the day he met Mal—a girl on the run, in desperate need of his help.

When We Flew Away: A Novel of Anne Frank by Alice Hoffman

Release Date: September 17, 2024

Plot: Bestselling author Alice Hoffman delivers a stunning novel about one of contemporary history’s most acclaimed figures, exploring the little-known details of Anne Frank’s life before she went into hiding.

Anne Frank’s The Diary of a Young Girl has captivated and inspired readers for decades. Published posthumously by her bereaved father, Anne’s journal, written while she and her family were in hiding during World War II, has become one of the central texts of the Jewish experience during the Holocaust, as well as a work of literary genius.

Percy Jackson and The Olympians: Wrath of the Triple Goddess by Rick Riordan

Release Date: September 24, 2024

Plot: This is the second book in the Percy Jackson trilogy about the quests Percy needs to complete to apply for college.

In his continuing quest to earn college recommendation letters from the gods, Percy has to pet sit the goddess Hecate’s polecat and giant mastiff during Halloween week. What could go wrong? This new book for tweens has already been preordered in my house.