Spring 2026 Picture Books on My Radar

Spring 2026 Picture Books on My Radar

Spring 2026 Picture Books on My Radar

There’s something about springtime that draws me toward picture books. I don’t know if it’s the optimism or the cheery or soothing illustrations, or simply a hunger for art following the cold winter days. Whatever the reason, I am ready for some picture books to bring in the spring!

Not all of these titles are published in Spring 2026, but they are all on my reading list this month, so I’m sharing them all at once. There are a few nonfiction titles here that I found energizing as well as some sweet, uplifting stories and even an unusual alphabet book listing instruments from all over the world.

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Spring 2026 Picture Books on My Radar

Woods & Words: The Story of Poet Mary Oliver
Sara Holly Ackerman
Illustrated by Naoko Stoop
Beach Lane Books
Published April 1, 2025

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

I heard about this book during the ALA awards announcements. I believe this title received a Stonewall Honor. The soothing color palette and beautiful images are filled with the forest creatures Oliver celebrated in her poems. The narrative highlights Mary Oliver’s love of nature and offers snippets of her life, including details about her partner, Molly. The backmatter has a more substantial biography for older elementary-aged readers. As a fan of Oliver’s poetry, I really enjoyed this one.

We Are American, Too
Kirsten Mei Chase
Illustrated by Jieting Chen
Farrar, Straus, Giroux
Published June 10, 2025

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

A family celebrates their history, honoring relatives who journeyed to the United States as they visit places important to their history. They end at a rally where other Asian Americans point out their own American experience and heritage. Mei shares her family’s history, reminding all the attendees that they are American, too. The illustrations are absolutely stunning in this bold, beautiful book. The characters’ faces are so expressive, and the message is so timely. Shelve this next to Eyes that Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho.

Notre-Dame: The World’s Cathedral
Lynn Curlee
Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Published May 5, 2026

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

This informative text offers a look at the history of Notre-Dame Cathedral, including the 2019 fire and the long rebuilding process. Illustrations highlight the architecture and history of the building as well as its cultural significance. Bold colors make the illustrations pop and draw readers deeper into the world of the Cathedral. Backmatter also includes sources, a glossary, statistics, and interesting facts. A must-have for older elementary school-aged readers interested in French history or architecture.

Just One Oak: What a Single Tree Can Be
Maria Gianferrari
Illustrated by Diana Sudyka
Beach Lane Books
Published April 7, 2026

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

This adorable book offers a wealth of information about the ecosystem surrounding oak trees. Each illustration highlights one aspect of an oak tree’s role in the environment. Animals and insects in the illustrations are labeled. At the bottom of the page, a glossary term related to the image may be defined. Gianferrari has included so much information here, and it’s presented in such an accessible way. Readers will want to peruse each page before turning to the next. This is a perfect companion to a project or unit on seasons or the environment.

Saif’s Special Patches
Humera Malik
Illustrated by Ravan Sader
Soaring Kite Books
Published March 4, 2025

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

Saif’s mother makes a special patchwork quilt with pieces of shirts he wore on special days. As he ventures into new experiences, he wonders if today will be the day his mom adds a new patch to his quilt because he has learned something new. Though the adventures don’t always turn out the way Saif expects, his quilt reminds him that the experience and the memory matter more than performing a new activity perfectly the first time in this warm, inviting story.

Instruments of the World
Kricket Moros
Kricket Press
Published March 1, 2025

Amazon | Goodreads

This unusual alphabet book, written in verse, highlights instruments found all over the world. I love the bold illustrations and the fact that the author chose both familiar and unusual instruments to highlight here. This would easily benefit an elementary school music classroom or program, and young readers interested in music would enjoy it as well. My mom picked this up at a dulcimer conference earlier this year, and I’m really glad she passed this copy on to me. I’m excited to share it with the little musicians in my life.

From the Fields to the Fight: How Jessica Govea Thorbourne Organized for Justice
Angela Quezada Padron
Illustrated by Sol Salinas
Bloomsbury
Published April 15, 2025

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

I’m so excited to see this book on the shelf. It tells the story of a young girl who spoke up about injustice and pressed for change, even though it took years. This part of American history isn’t something we always highlight, but it’s so important. For kids to have stories like this, about leaders who made a difference, who began their work as children, is so powerful. The bright colors on each page emphasize the story’s urgency and draw attention to the expressive faces in the illustrations. I wish this had come out in time for Women’s History Month, but it publishes in plenty of time to add it to your Hispanic Heritage reading list.

I’m So Happy You’re Here: A Celebration of Library Joy
Mychal Threets
Illustrated by Lorraine Nam
Random House
Published February 3, 2026

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

Is there anyone who brings more joy to readers than Mychal Threets? I haven’t caught the new episodes of Reading Rainbow yet, but I have followed him on social media for years and can’t imagine a better ambassador for books. This book is packed with cheerful illustrations and large-print text. It has just a line or two on each page, making it perfect for a read-aloud or beginning independent reader. It briefly highlights some activities and reasons someone might visit the library and encourages readers to get a library card.

What Picture Books Are on Your Radar?

Have you read any picture books lately that stood out to you as new favorites? What’s coming out soon that you’re looking forward to reading?

Review: A Wolf Called Fire by Rosanne Parry

A Wolf Called Fire (A Voice of the Wilderness #4)
Rosanne Parry
SparkPress
Published February 4, 2025

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About A Wolf Called Fire

The stand-alone companion to Rosanne Parry’s New York Times bestseller A Wolf Called Wander tells the wilderness survival story of the wolf pup known as Warm and is illustrated in black and white throughout. This Voice of the Wilderness Novel features extensive back matter, including a map.

Warm is the smallest pup, the one his father calls the heart of the pack. But all Warm sees is his bigger brothers Sharp and Swift, even his sisters Pounce and Wag, winning all the wrestling matches. Just as Warm is finding his place, enemy wolves destroy and scatter the pack. Warm helps lead the pups away from the fight, only to find himself alone with four pups to defend and feed. Can he be both the heart and the head of a new pack? Does he have to choose the aggressive leadership style of his father and brothers? Or is there another way?

A Wolf Called Fire is a stand-alone companion novel to A Wolf Called Wander . It’s inspired by Wolf 8, a real Yellowstone wolf who was the smallest of his pack and constantly bullied by his bigger brothers. Wolf 8 survived a tumultuous first year and grew up to be a different sort of leader—one who fought many rival wolves to submission but never killed any. He had a rare talent for mentoring young wolves and became the patriarch of the largest and most successful pack in Yellowstone by choosing a more collaborative and generous leadership style. 

Features black-and-white illustrations throughout and extensive back matter, including a map.

My Review

I started reading A Wolf Called Wander last spring. My copy went back to the library before I had a chance to finish it. A Wolf Called Fire begins similarly to the other book. A litter of wolf pups in a den wait for their mother to return and practice their hunting skills on one another.

From the beginning, Warm, the main character, doesn’t like the rough way that one of his siblings plays. Instead of being the fastest or biggest, Warm will have to cultivate other virtues to survive, like wisdom and ingenuity.

One of my favorite things about this book is that the story was inspired by a wolf who led his pack with values and methods similar to Warm’s. The story deftly explores what character traits make a good leader. Those get put to the test when an invading pack threatens Warm’s home and family.

Frequent illustrations give readers context for some of Warm’s descriptions. He describes other animals using words that references how they move or where they live. The illustrations clues readers into what kinds of animals he refers to.

There’s also a section in the back of the book that tells readers about the real wolf who inspired the story. There’s information about the landscape where the story takes place as well. A section offers more details about American wolves and other animals found in the habitat described in the book. There’s a list of additional resources, too. I could see readers who, after reading this book, want to check out some nonfiction about animal communication or wolves in general loving that section.

Conclusion

I think this is a great series for jumpstarting conversations about conservation and animal life. The frequent illustrations make it a great pick for readers just beginning to read middle grade fiction.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 8 to 12.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
An older wolf comments that it will soon be his time to go to the great beyond, indicating he is nearing the end of his life.

Violent Content
Situations of peril. Descriptions of wolves hunting other animals and battling one another for dominance and territory. No wolf deaths depicted on scene.

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Review: In Time with You by Kristin Dwyer

In Time with You
Kristin Dwyer
Wednesday Books
Published March 3, 2026

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About In Time with You

A gripping speculative romance about one girl saving her first love’s life by falling for the last person she ever should – his best friend.

Nieve Monroe is devastated after her boyfriend Carter dies saving her from drowning. Even worse she blames herself for his death… and so does his best friend, Max. He was there with them on that fateful day, and he’s never liked Nieve.

Unable to pull herself from her grief and wanting to hide from the accusation in his eyes, Nieve goes to stay with her grandmother, who has always had strange stories to tell of uncanny happenings, of magic and make believe. The next morning, Nieve wakes up on the first day of college, the year before.

This time she plans to make sure Carter never follows her into that river. She’ll do everything in her power to keep him safe, even if it means losing him in other ways. But the more distance she puts between her and Carter, the closer she gets to Max, drawn to him in ways she never expected.

But is she betraying Carter if the only way she can save him is to move on? And can she ever forget her past to embrace her future?

Kristin Dwyer’s In Time With You is a heartbreaking story of first love, loss, and one chance to change everything.

My Review

In Time With You is the first book by Kristin Dwyer that I’ve read. One of her earlier novels, The Atlas of Us, was on my radar the year it came out, but I haven’t read it yet. Both that one (hiking romance) and this one (enemies to lovers) have elements that appeal to me, so I feel like it was inevitable that I’d read one of her books eventually. I’m glad it was this one.

I liked the way that the story used the time travel elements to reveal parts of the relationship with Carter that Nieve hadn’t been ready to face. Her task was never really as simple as leaping backward in time to prevent her boyfriend’s drowning and save their relationship.

It’s almost like she needs a do-over to actually examine what was happening and what led her to the river that day. She needs to see her friend group from a more removed position in order to sift through her feelings and evaluate what was really going on. Those elements drew me into the story as much as the romantic plot.

I also liked the focus on art and the back-and-forth between Nieve and Max about their artwork. The family connection between Nieve, her grandmother, and her cousin was also really sweet. I thought the part about the sheep was nicely done, too. All in all, a pretty engrossing college time-travel romance.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 16 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Strong profanity used somewhat frequently.

Romance/Sexual Content
Kissing. A couple of scenes include brief descriptions of sex.

Spiritual Content
Nieve’s family celebrates holidays like Samhain and the Winter Solstice. She and her cousin follow different rituals and customs shaped by their grandmother’s beliefs.

Violent Content
References to an accidental drowning.

Drug Content
Several scenes show teens (college students) drinking alcohol.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Review: One Word, Six Letters by Adib Khorram

One Word, Six Letters
Adib Khorram
Henry Holt & Co
Published March 17, 2026

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About One Word, Six Letters

Two teen boys grapple with identity and accountability and set off a ripple effect within their community after a school assembly is disrupted by a shouted slur.

Freshmen Dayton and Farshid couldn’t be more different—or so it seems.

When Dayton takes a dare and shouts the f-slur at a visiting author during a school event, it sets off a chain reaction that forces both boys to face parts of themselves they’d rather ignore.

Dayton, grappling with the fallout of his actions, faces rejection from his friends, disappointment from his parents, and a growing awareness of the harm he’s caused. Meanwhile, Farshid is left to untangle his own feelings—about himself and about the quiet struggle of coming to terms with his queerness in a world steeped in heteronormativity.

As their lives unexpectedly intersect, Dayton and Farshid must reckon with what kind of men they want to become and whether they have the courage to defy toxic masculinity and societal expectations.

Timely, raw, and deeply thought-provoking, this novel is perfect for fans of Jason Reynolds and Nic Stone.

My Review

I think the way that the author chose to write this book is really interesting. First, it’s in second-person point of view (“You do this; you do that…”), which is an uncommon choice. Here, it really works to keep the narrative feeling immediate and to bring the reader as close to the story as possible. We are the protagonists, and the narrative never lets us forget that.

Additionally, the story alternates between Dayton and Farshid’s perspectives. We see both the circumstances that led Dayton to make a terrible choice and the harm that it causes.

I like that the story also highlights Farshid’s interest in boxing, a sport that not a lot of middle grade books explore. We also witness his battle with dysmorphia and how entangled that is with his identity and his fears about being outed.

I imagine it wasn’t easy to write Dayton’s perspective. While his viewpoint offers a deeper understanding into his behavior and his deep regret afterward, we are never asked to excuse what he did.

This is the kind of book that will start meaningful conversations about language and bullying and the harm that can come from using words carelessly. One Word, Six Letters is the first book by Adib Khorram that I’ve read, but it won’t be the last.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 10 to 14.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
References to a slur. The slur itself never appears in the text.

Romance/Sexual Content
References to a crush.

Spiritual Content
References to faith and Muslim prayer practices.

Violent Content
References to a homophobic slur. Some homophobic comments and behavior. Bullying behavior.

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Review: El Deafo by CeCe Bell

El Deafo
Cece Bell
Amulet Books
Published September 2, 2014

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About El Deafo

Starting at a new school is scary, even more so with a giant hearing aid strapped to your chest! At her old school, everyone in Cece’s class was deaf. Here she is different. She is sure the kids are staring at the Phonic Ear, the powerful aid that will help her hear her teacher. Too bad it also seems certain to repel potential friends.

Then Cece makes a startling discovery. With the Phonic Ear she can hear her teacher not just in the classroom, but anywhere her teacher is in school — in the hallway… in the teacher’s lounge… in the bathroom! This is power. Maybe even superpower! Cece is on her way to becoming El Deafo, Listener for All. But the funny thing about being a superhero is that it’s just another way of feeling different… and lonely. Can Cece channel her powers into finding the thing she wants most, a true friend?

This funny perceptive graphic novel memoir about growing up hearing impaired is also an unforgettable book about growing up, and all the super and super embarrassing moments along the way.

My Review

I read this book as part of a search for graphic novels for my littlest, who is seven and already beginning to read middle grade books. She loved this one. It brought up a few questions about what being Deaf means, which is great– it was a good thing to talk about. For the most part, she took the story at face value and easily engaged in the story about Cece’s quest for friends, her embarassment about the ways in which she is different, and her shyness about her first crush.

The writing has the perfect balance between kid sensibilities and adult reflection. There are a few scenes that made me laugh. The scenes captured how kids are but with a nod to the adults reading the book or acknowledging the irony or silliness of the situation from an adult perspective.

Cece discovers over and over that people react differently to her hearing aids and her hearing impairment than she expected. Sometimes this is annoying, as with her friend Ginny, who overpronounces everything and refers to Cece as her “deaf friend.” At other times, this is a welcome difference, like when her classmates learn about Cece’s ability to hear where her teacher is at all times.

This is one of those books that I hope finds its way into classrooms everywhere. I really enjoyed the smart, poignant writing. The illustrations are charming, with a simplicity that keeps the focus on Cece’s emotional journey. I loved this book.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 7 to 10.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
One instance of mild profanity.

Romance/Sexual Content
Cece has a crush on a boy in her neighborhood.

Spiritual Content
Cece imagines herself as a superhero named El Deafo. Her superhero alter ego can bravely confront others who make her sad or uncomfortable.

Violent Content
One panel shows a dog biting a girl’s lower leg while she frowns. Another shows a girl hit in the face with a stick. She covers her eye with one hand, but there’s blood on her face.

Drug Content
One mom smokes cigarettes. One scene shows moms with wine glasses.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I borrowed a copy of this book from my local library. All opinions are my own.

February 2026 Reading Recap

February 2026 Reading Recap

LOL. After a couple of months of perfectly timed recap posts, here I am, nearing the end of March, finally looking back at what I read in February. Falling behind was bound to happen eventually.

February was a busy month. I ended up starting a new job, which has required some reorganizing in the other areas of my life. It’s been really cool, though. Prior to this, I worked primarily from home doing freelance writing. This puts me in an office and in connection with a lot of people for 10-15 hours per week. The change in what’s required of me in terms of social energy has taken some time to acclimate to, but I find I really enjoy the work. I’m also enjoying connecting with new people.

I still managed to do some reading in February, though I think more of it was graphic novels and audiobooks than usual. Still counts!

Note: This post contains affiliate links that do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. Thanks for using them to do your shopping.

February 2026 Reading Recap

The Lion’s Run by Sarah Pennypacker

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: I love when authors examine a familiar moment in history (World War II) and then hone in on a part of it that is less frequently explored. I learned so much from the author’s note in this book. This is an incredibly compelling story that I didn’t want to put down until I’d read the last page.

Published February 3, 2026 | My Review


Carnival Fantástico by Angela Montoya

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: I am always a fan of a story about a magical carnival, and this one was no exception. The friends-to-enemies-to-lovers trope also hooked me pretty easily here.

Published February 3, 2026 | My Review


Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: I’ve heard about this book for years, and I’m so glad I finally got a chance to read it. I love the voice in this one. It’s very conversational. The framing of this as a story told to her grandparents during a road trip works really well here. I am a fan.

Published October 6, 2009 | My Review to Come


The Poisoned King (Impossible Creatures #2) by Katherine Rundell

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: I enjoyed Impossible Creatures (despite the death of a favorite character), so I was excited to continue the series with this new adventure. I loved seeing more of the characters from the first book, and the new characters were amazing as well.

Published September 11, 2025 | My Review to Come


Legendborn (Legendborn #1) by Tracy Deonn

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: This series has been on my reading list for years. I love the way that Deonn uses the King Arthur legends here and connects the story to southern culture and history in the US. I’m eager to see where the series goes.

Published September 15, 2020 | My Review


City Spies: Forbidden City (City Spies #3) by James Ponti

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: I’m thoroughly hooked on this series at this point. I love how the stories rotate through the cast of characters. Each book centers a specific mystery while revealing clues to a larger story. It’s a lot of fun.

Published February 1, 2022 | My Review to Come


Queen of Faces by Petra Lord

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: I found the back cover copy of this book a little confusing, but once I got into the story, the magic system and societal issues/norms made more sense. I think it’s one of those that’s hard to describe in a few paragraphs. I thought going in that this would be a standalone, but I’m looking forward to seeing where the series heads next.

Published February 3, 2026 | My Review


I’m Still Here: Loving Myself in a World Not Made for Me (Adapted for Young Readers) by Austin Channing Brown

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: I’m not the target audience for this book, but I so appreciate its message. I think taking time to listen and think about the author’s experience as a Black student and professional is important. Some of the things she talked about were familiar ideas, but others gave me more to think about. I have a feeling I’ll return to this book again in the future.

Published April 4, 2023 | My Review


This Wretched Beauty: A Dorian Gray Remix by Elle Grenier

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: My only complaint is that I wish I’d read the original story before reading this. I suspect it would have given me a larger context for some of the scenes here. That said, I found this to be a really compelling novel and an interesting take on the original premise. A nice addition to the Remixed Classic series.

Published February 10, 2026 | My Review


Chris Makes a Friend by Alex Gino

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: I love Alex Gino’s books, so it was a given I’d read this one. Their books are always so wise. I love that the stories make space for the character to experience and work out their feelings without the author intruding to judge them. I also love the reading list the story creates, and that appears in the backmatter.

Published November 4, 2025 | My Review to Come


Table Titans Club: Sneak Attack by Scott Kurtz

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: This adorable summer camp story had me from its first pages. The tabletop references and gameplay scenes are such a great nod to DnD and other tabletop games. It’s such a fun story, especially for readers interested in summer camp stories.

Published March 10, 2026 | My Review


Serendipity by Gabbie Benda

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: This graphic novel is sneaky in the best way. It’s a quirky, fun story that explores what to do when you overcommit and how to set boundaries and expectations. It explores these topics with humor and charm, making this one entertaining, thoughtful experience.

Published February 10, 2026 | My Review


Korobá: The Case of the Missing Kolo by Àlàbá Ònájìn

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: I love that the author wrote a mystery set in a Nigerian town to show kids elsewhere what life is like. The mystery is well-paced, and the story’s cultural elements are accessible.

Published February 24, 2026 | My Review


Chernobyl, Life and Other Disasters by Yevgenia Nayberg

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: Fans of Eugene Yelchin will not want to miss this sharply observant, artistic memoir set in Kyiv during the Chernobyl disaster. The humor runs a little bit dark, but still totally appropriate for the audience. I highly recommend this one.

Published April 14, 2026 | My Review to Come


The Greenies by Emma Mills

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: I’ve loved novels by Emma Mills, so I was really curious to see how her writing translated to this story format. Turns out, it translates beautifully! This tale is packed with rich relationships and memorable characters. I’m eager to read more of this series.

Published March 3, 2026 | My Review


A Better World is Possible by Meera Subramanian

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: Part memoir, part informational guide, this book introduces readers to the climate crisis and the work of some remarkable young people and organizations. The hopeful tone and encouraging information about getting involved will energize more people to help.

Published March 3, 2026 | My Review


Postscript by Cory McCarthy

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: It’s been a while since I’ve read McCarthy’s writing, so I forgot how incredible it is. Omg I ate this book up in one night. The story is beautifully written. Fans of They Bloom at Night by Trang Thanh Tran will not want to miss this one.

Published February 17, 2026 | My Review


Bloodmarked (Legendborn #2) by Tracy Deonn

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: I am continuing to read the Legendborn Cycle, so this one was up next. It’s a long book, and a little slower-paced than the first. We do get a lot of background information on how the Legendborn group’s leadership operates and how racism and the allure of power have warped the institution. I still want to read the third book, so look for that in the coming monthly wraps!

Published November 8, 2022 | My Review to Come


The Dragon’s Apprentice (The Dragon’s Apprentice #1) by James Riley

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: I picked this book up at a book sale recently, and my daughter and I read it together. She really enjoyed the playful humor and the relationship between Ciara and Scorch, the dragon. She wants to continue the series, but we don’t have the second book yet.

Published April 1, 2025 | My Review to Come


What did you read in February 2026?

What books were on your February 2026 reading list? I’d love to hear about them. Have you read any of the titles I listed? Leave a comment and let me know if you enjoyed them.