Book Lists

New Picture Books

Summer 2026

Readers of all ages will be captivated by our outstanding new picture books perfect for reading together! Keep reading to learn more about the captivating nonfiction, engaging readalouds, heartfelt lessons in social emotional learning, and stunning illustrations featured in the picture books hitting shelves in summer 2026.

A Flame Burns On

A Flame Burns On

Richard Ho

A girl and her mom light a candle to honor the memory of a loved one in this gorgeously illustrated picture book about this special Jewish tradition.

A Not So Perfect Start (The Caring Classroom, Book 1)

A Not So Perfect Start (The Caring Classroom, Book 1)

Trudy Ludwig

Welcome to The Caring Classroom! A new series that gives kids the building blocks they need to be a kind and caring person in the classroom and beyond, from a trusted expert in social development.

In book 1, a young perfectionist learns from her mistakes when her first week of school turns into a perfect mess!

Billie Jean King: A Little Golden Book Biography

Billie Jean King: A Little Golden Book Biography

Anna Membrino

Game, set, match! Read all about Billie Jean King—champion tennis player, advocate for woman’s rights, and LGBTQ+ icon—in this beautifully illustrated and collectible Little Golden Book!

Billie Jean had two things growing up: a strong sense of right and wrong, and a love for sports.

But I'm a Pumpkin!: A Summerween Story

But I'm a Pumpkin!: A Summerween Story

Kat Choppy

A little seed dreams of becoming a jack-o-lantern, but nature has other ideas in this delightful read-aloud about the origin of a “summerween” tradition—perfect for fans of Stumpkin or The Bad Seed.

Cats in Conductor Hats

Cats in Conductor Hats

Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen

Colorful cats in conductor hats are on the move on this train ride with an unexpected twist! Kids will delight in learning about colors and directions while giggling at the hilarious antics of these train conductor kitties.

Coco and Stephen, Together Forever

Coco and Stephen, Together Forever

Beth Stern

From New York Times bestselling author, proud animal foster parent, and spokesperson for the world’s largest no-kill rescue and adoption organization Beth Stern comes the heartwarming story of an abandoned bunny and a discarded kitten who each found their forever home and became best friends.

Dinosaur Day

Dinosaur Day

Edward Miller

This super-simple rhyming Beginner Book follows everyone’s favorite prehistoric creatures as they go about their day—the perfect introduction to dinosaurs for budding paleontologists!

Duck & Goose, Honk! Quack! Boo!

Duck & Goose, Honk! Quack! Boo!

Tad Hills

The New York Times bestselling and beloved characters from the Apple TV+ animated series are ready for a Halloween adventure. This hardcover edition includes a full sheet of fun stickers!

Emilia Wishing

Emilia Wishing

Belen Medina

In this poignant picture book, Emilia wishes for all the things she doesn’t have, including her own bed, a new car, and nicer clothes. But as she discovers through her mom’s sacrifices, Emilia already has what she needs.

Farm Shark

Farm Shark

Bill Canterbury

When an unexpected visitor arrives at the farm, the animals are shocked to find out it’s . . . a shark? In this super-silly summer read-aloud by a former writer for The Simpsons, children will giggle as they watch Farm Shark’s new pals try to NOT to get chomped.

George vs. George

George vs. George

Rosalyn Schanzer

There are two sides to every story. Rosalyn Schanzer’s engaging and wonderfully illustrated book brings to life two sides of the American Revolution—reissued with a gorgeous new cover and a new foreword in celebration of America’s 250th birthday.

Go, Crow

Go, Crow

Tjitske Kamphuis

This majestic yet simple picture book follows a crow’s flight from dawn to dusk, inspiring readers to observe and experience the world from a bird’s-eye view.

Perched in a tree, a crow waits in anticipation, eyes alert and ready. As dawn breaks, the crow sets off! But where is she headed?

Indigo Hands

Indigo Hands

Sita Singh

Here is a heartwarming picture book about family, tradition… and indigo!

An Indian girl accompanies her grandfather to his indigo studio, where she learns, step-by-step, how to dye cloth–and her hands!–the color of the midnight sky.

Is This a Plum? A Peek-Through Picture Book

Is This a Plum? A Peek-Through Picture Book

Dan Ojari, Finn Ojari

Is this a pear? No, it’s a bear!

This delightfully clever keepsake picture book is full of visual tricks and rhyming reveals to inspire wonder while making you chuckle—brought to life by an Oscar-nominated animator and based on his seven-year-old son’s original idea and drawings!

Jim Henson: A Little Golden Book Biography

Jim Henson: A Little Golden Book Biography

Luke Flowers

“It’s time to play the music. It’s time to light the lights.” It’s time to introduce young readers to Jim Henson, creator of the Muppets, in this collectible Little Golden Book with awesome illustrations!

Jimmy Buffett: A Little Golden Book Biography

Jimmy Buffett: A Little Golden Book Biography

Donna Rocco

Fins up! Discover the life and legacy of beloved laid-back musician Jimmy Buffett in this beautifully illustrated and collectible Little Golden Book!

His songs taught us to find joy in life, to not give up on our dreams, and most of all, to have fun.

La quinceañera de mi hermana (My Sister's Quinceañera Spanish Edition)

La quinceañera de mi hermana (My Sister's Quinceañera Spanish Edition)

Delia Ruiz

Una niña se siente excluída durante la quinceañera de su hermana, hasta que, al celebrar junto a ella, ¡comprende que algún día tendrá su propia quinceañera! Complementado con un apéndice creado por el Smithsoniano, este emotivo libro ilustrado es un homenaje a la familia y la tradición.

Mi papá tiene un bigote rojo (My Papa Has a Red Mustache Spanish edition)

Mi papá tiene un bigote rojo (My Papa Has a Red Mustache Spanish edition)

Leo Espinosa

Una historia graciosa y sincera sobre una niña que adora a su papá —todo menos su bigote— escrito por un ilustrador superventas del New York Times y galardonado con el Pura Belpré Honor.

Miles Ahead

Miles Ahead

Minh Lê

An adorable dog helps his family welcome a new baby after their gift goes missing in this warm and funny picture book from the award-winning creator of Drawn Together.

My Papa Has a Red Mustache

My Papa Has a Red Mustache

Leo Espinosa

A heartfelt and humorous story about a young girl who adores everything about her papa – except for his embarrassing mustache – from a New York Times bestselling illustrator and Pura Belpré Honor recipient.

My Pony Wonder

My Pony Wonder

Jessica Milo

Join a young rider and her pony on a trail ride adventure in this tender ode to the power of friendship and trust shared between a child and animal.

Easy gallop,
wild and free.
Endless fun,
you and me.

My Sister's Quinceañera

My Sister's Quinceañera

Delia Ruiz

A little girl feels left out at her sister’s quinceañera, until she realizes the joy of celebrating her big sister—and that she’ll get to have her own quinceañera one day!  With Spanish woven throughout and back matter created by the Smithsonian, this heartfelt, bilingual picture book is a tribute to family and tradition.

National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Bugs

National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Bugs

Catherine D. Hughes, National Geographic Kids

The experts at National Geographic present a delightful reference that introduces young children to bugs of all kinds: big and small, jumping and crawling, colorful and creepy. This charming book explores backyard favorites, such as ladybugs and lightning bugs, and introduces kids to more exotic species that inhabit rain forests and deserts around the world.

National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Dinosaurs

National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Dinosaurs

Catherine D. Hughes, National Geographic Kids

The third title in National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book series, this book is for kids 4- to 8-years-old who LOVE dinos! The prehistoric world comes alive with dinosaurs small, big, giant, and gigantic, with stunning illustrations by Franco Tempesta—who illustrated National Geographic Kids The Ultimate Dinopedia.

National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Space, 2nd Edition

National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Space, 2nd Edition

Catherine D. Hughes, National Geographic Kids

Blast off on an outer-space adventure with this colorful interactive guide to our universe! Featuring awe-inspiring illustrations and astonishing facts, this 2nd edition of the classic beginner’s reference book introduces young readers to the wonders of our solar system and beyond.

Nice Work

Nice Work

Nicholas Day

A wise and tender story about the patience needed for a tree–and a friendship–to grow, from award-winning author Nicholas Day.

All he wanted was a peach tree: Because when you eat a ripe peach, you get sticky and sweet, and if you don’t wash up, you stay sticky and sweet. And you feel like summer.

Night Treasure

Night Treasure

Allison Wortche

This lyrical picture book celebrates the special bond between a father and daughter as they embark on a night walk and discover priceless treasures in the natural world around them.

Bundled and pj-ed with blue boots on, Quinn held Daddy’s hand and stepped outside into the dark.

Our Flag

Our Flag

Carl Memling

The youngest readers will enjoy this concise but informative history of the American flag with beautiful and exciting illlustrations of colonial life, Betsy Ross, George Washington, and Fort McHenry.

Owl by Myself

Owl by Myself

From the New York Times-bestselling illustrator of Sleepy Sheepy and The Good Egg comes an irresistible new character who insists on doing everything owl by himself today. He might not be great at it, but it’s fun to see him try!

Pink: A Little Golden Book Biography

Pink: A Little Golden Book Biography

Trin Betrell

Get the party started! Read all about the life and fearless spirit of Pink, the pop superstar and talented singer-songwriter, in this beautifully illustrated and collectible Little Golden Book.

Please Pass the Tamales!

Please Pass the Tamales!

Silvia López

A mouth-watering picture book that celebrates the rich cultural diversity and culinary traditions of tamal-making across the Americas. Features an informative backmatter and activity created by collaborator, the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino!

Poppy's Family Recipes

Poppy's Family Recipes

Lauren Semmer

Learn about the joy of making homemade meals! Written and illustrated by the New York Times bestselling illustrator of The ABCs of Black History, this picture book shows that cooking can be fun, especially with your loved ones! This book also includes two distinct jacket and case designs that make it the perfect gift.

Por favor, ¡pasen los tamales! (Please Pass the Tamales Spanish Edition)

Por favor, ¡pasen los tamales! (Please Pass the Tamales Spanish Edition)

Silvia López

Un delicioso libro ilustrado que celebra la rica diversidad cultural y la tradición culinaria de hacer tamales a lo largo de todo el continente americano. ¡Incluye material informativo y actividades creadas por nuestro colaborador, el Museo Nacional Smithsoniano de los Latino Americanos!

Scritch! Scratch!

Scritch! Scratch!

Teri Sloat

Scritch! Scratch! What was that? This Halloween, give readers a “safe scare” with a rhyming picture book about a group of kids outrunning a witch’s itchy spell, perfect for little ones looking for a dose of extra-eerie fun!

Scritch! Scratch!
What was that?
The witch!
She’s in the pumpkin patch!

Sharks in Kansas

Sharks in Kansas

Melissa Stewart

Sharks in Kansas? Yes, it’s true! Take a fascinating journey back 85 million years to a time when Kansas was submerged under a vast ocean teeming with incredible prehistoric sharks.

Sing the 50 United States!

Sing the 50 United States!

Dr. Seuss

With this newly discovered and never-before-seen picture book by Dr. Seuss himself, celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States of America! From Alabama to Wyoming, learn the names of all 50 states with a little help from the Cat in the Hat.

To sing the 50 United States
you have to use your brain.

Sunday Scaries

Sunday Scaries

Debra Kempf Shumaker

Do you dread Mondays? Does the thought fill you with anxiety? Then this humorous picture book on tackling anxiety about the week ahead might be just what you need to get rid of the Sunday scaries.

Thank You for Being a Friend

Thank You for Being a Friend

Andrew Gold

This ode to friendship in all of its forms will warm your heart and make you grateful for all the special people in your life! An adorable sing-along picture book based on the classic hit song by Andrew Gold.

Traveled down a road
and back again.
Your heart is true.
You’re a pal and a confidant.

The Baby Who Only Said No!

The Baby Who Only Said No!

Sandra Salsbury

Fueled by the only word she knows—NO!—Baby is learning how to talk while stirring chaos through the entire family. This hilarious follow-up to The Baby Who Stayed Awake Forever is the perfect baby shower gift for parents and older siblings of bossy babies and temperamental toddlers.

The Big One

The Big One

Dashka Slater

A heartwarming picture book in which a small child and her tenacious nana work together to catch the biggest fish in the sea – only to realize that their sweet bait has lured in something much bigger.

Marina was the smallest of the town’s children.
Nana was the oldest of the town’s elders.
But even the old and the small have dreams.

The Brunch Shift

The Brunch Shift

Adrienne Thurman

A beautiful story about a single mother who must take her daughter to work with her at the diner on Saturdays. To make it fun, the two spin imaginative stories–and they are the stars! A Chair for My Mother meets Last Stop on Market Street in this touching picture book about working parents.

The Caterpillar Song: Soon You're Going to Fly (Ms. Rachel)

The Caterpillar Song: Soon You're Going to Fly (Ms. Rachel)

Mr. Aron

Ms. Rachel and her friend Frankie observe a caterpillar’s journey to becoming a butterfly in this colorful Little Golden Book.

Caterpillar, caterpillar, soon you’re going to fly…

The Farm Next Door

The Farm Next Door

Kelly Rice Schmitt

Discover how one individual impacts her community economically and how YOU can too in this inspiring story about a farmer and her friends!

The Haunted Playground

The Haunted Playground

R. J. Palacio

From the New York Times bestselling author of Wonder comes a spine-tingling Halloween picture book adventure!

I cast the spell that brings to life this playground of the night.
Here my phantoms come—but not to spook or fright.

They’re here because they want to laugh, to frolic and be merry.
They’re here because they need to take a break from being scary.

The Very Noisy House

The Very Noisy House

Sally Nicholls

Join the fun in the very, very NOISY house! A thrilling, interactive read-aloud, perfect for kids who love to explore and make noise. Knock on the door — RAT-A-TAT-TAT! — and let’s see what’s inside . . .

The World's Game

The World's Game

Yamile Saied Méndez

A vibrant picture book celebrating soccer and its worldwide fans, perfect for the 2026 World Cup–hosted in the US, Canada, and Mexico.

One field.
One ball.
Two teams…and a whole lot of fans!

To Knit a Ghost

To Knit a Ghost

Z.B. Asterplume

A crafty little witch and cast of distracting ghosts give knitting advice in this sweet and funny story that includes step-by-step instructions so little ones can knit their very own ghost!

Knitting a ghost is easy.
To knit a ghost, you need to cast on some stitches.
Cast? Like a spell?
Nope. Different kind of casting.

Tony Rex's Seven Stomps to Success

Tony Rex's Seven Stomps to Success

Alex Latimer

Does life sometimes get you down? Don’t worry! Successful predator and life coach Tony Rex is here to help… and he’s got KILLER advice. A spoof self-help picture book that will have kids and grown-ups roaring with laughter!

We Are Joy

We Are Joy

Chrystal D. Giles

The #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator of Stacey’s Extraordinary Words and the critically acclaimed author of Take Back the Block join together to create this heartwarming, empowering celebration of Black joy!

We Are Mighty

We Are Mighty

Sharon McMahon

“America’s Government Teacher” and author of the New York Times bestselling The Small and the Mighty pens a hopeful picture book about twelve ordinary Americans who stood up to do the next needed thing.

Welcome to Our Classroom! (An All Are Welcome Book)

Welcome to Our Classroom! (An All Are Welcome Book)

Alexandra Penfold

A teacher welcomes a new group of students as they prepare for an exciting and collaborative year ahead in this uplifting ode to educators from the bestselling creators of All Are Welcome.

On the first day of school
Everything is new
School supplies, classmates,
and teachers, too.

Yeti Is Not Ready for Game Over

Yeti Is Not Ready for Game Over

Leigh Anne Carter

No more screen time?! Yeti knows all about that! She’s not ready to get off her tablet in this humorous picture book that is a gentle reminder that sometimes it’s good to disconnect.

Watch the RHCB Summer 2026 Preview

Watch a prerecorded conversation with the incredible author Chrystal D. Giles and her editor, Shana Corey, as they dive into Chrystal’s two upcoming books—We Are Joy, a heartwarming picture book, and Listen to the Girls, a timely middle grade novel. Chrystal effortlessly tackles important topics for young readers, making these books stand out.

After the chat, stick around for a sneak peek at all the fresh, fantastic titles coming in Summer 2026, brought to you by the RHCB School & Library team. 

Explore More Summer 2026 Titles

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Early Readers, Chapter Books, & Middle Grade

Elementary and middle school students won’t be able to put down these engaging new early readers, chapter books, and middle grade titles. 

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Young Adult Books

Fantasy, romance, horror, and moreno matter what genre the teen readers in your life prefer, we’ve got you covered.

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New Paperbacks

Perfect for backpacks and beach bags alike, these new paperbacks with keep young readers engrossed and engaged all summer long.

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