I’ve been doing a lot of research into popular children’s fiction and here’s a collection of awesome books that I want to get my mits on! You can follow my pinterest board for even more new kids books.

Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl’s Courage Changed Music – 1 May 2015

Girls cannot be drummers. Long ago on an island filled with music, no one questioned that rule—until the drum dream girl. In her city of drumbeats, she dreamed of pounding tall congas and tapping small bongós. She had to keep quiet. She had to practice in secret. But when at last her dream-bright music was heard, everyone sang and danced and decided that both girls and boys should be free to drum and dream.

Little Red Gliding Hood – 15 Nov 2015

Little Red Riding Hood straps on ice skates in this fractured fairy tale! A figure-skating enthusiast, Little Red has worn out her skates and must win a pairs competition to earn new ones. But who will be her partner? The Dish is already skating with the Spoon, and Hansel has Gretel. You won’t believe what big eyes, sharp teeth, and furry paws her partner has . . . all the better to spin her with!

I Don’t Like Koala – 23 Apr 2015

This darkly funny debut picture book from Sean Ferrell and Charles Santoso celebrates imagination and bravery while addressing a universal childhood dilemma: what to do about that one stuffed animal who just won’t stop staring at you.

Bunny Roo, I Love You – 7 Aug 2015

In a gorgeous picture book that’s playfully sweet and visually captivating, New York Times bestselling author Melissa Marr and talented new illustrator Teagan White celebrate the many ways parents make their new babies feel at home.

Lizard from the Park – 10 Sep 2015

When Leonard takes a shortcut through the park, he finds an egg and takes it home, where it hatches. But Buster keeps growing and growing—and Leonard gets the sense that Buster is longing for something Leonard can’t provide. Leonard comes up with an inventive plan, one that involves all the balloons Leonard can find and the annual Thanksgiving parade, in an imaginative plot twist that will spark readers’ imaginations—and touch their hearts.

Night Animals – 13 Aug 2015

Something’s out there in the dark! First Possum hears it. Then Skunk. Then Wolf comes running. “What could it possibly be?” asks Bat. “Night Animals!” the animals declare. “But you are night animals,” Bat informs this not-so-smart crew. Children will love the oh-so-funny animals in this twist on a cozy bedtime book.

The Only Child Library Binding – Dec 2015

A little girl—lost and alone—follows a mysterious stag deep into the woods, and, like Alice down the rabbit hole, she finds herself in a strange and wondrous world. But . . . home and family are very far away. How will she get back there? In this magnificently illustrated—and wordless—masterpiece, debut artist Guojing brilliantly captures the rich and deeply-felt emotional life of a child, filled with loneliness and longing as well as love and joy.

The Sky Painter: Louis Fuertes, Bird Artist – 28 Apr 2015

Louis loves to watch birds. He takes care of injured birds and studies how they look and how they move. His father wants him to become an engineer, but Louis dreams of being a bird artist. To achieve this dream, he must practice, practice, practice.

Flowers Are Calling – 1 Apr 2015

Flowers are calling to all the animals of the forest, “Drink me!”—but it’s the pollinators who feast on their nectar. In rhyming poetic form and with luminous artwork, this book shows us the marvel of natural cooperation between plants, animals, and insects as they each play their part in the forest’s cycle of life.

A Rock Can Be... – Mar 2015

Rocks may seem like boring, static objects—until you discover that a rock can spark a fire, glow in the dark, and provide shelters of all shapes and sizes. Laura Purdie Salas’s lyrical rhyming text and Violeta Dabija’s glowing illustrations show how rocks decorate and strengthen the world around them.

 

Luna & Me: The True Story of a Girl Who Lived in a Tree to Save a Forest – 12 May 2015

A tree wouldn’t be cut down if it had a person living in it. This is the story of Julia Butterfly Hill and Luna, the redwood tree she lived in for two years, never once coming down. That is, not until Luna’s future was safe.

Butterfly Park – 11 Jun 2015

When a little girl moves to a new town, she finds a place called Butterfly Park. But when she opens the gate, there are no butterflies.

Determined to lure the butterflies in, the girl inspires her entire town to help her. And with their combined efforts, soon the butterflies—and the girl—feel right at home.

Beastly Babies – 7 Jul 2015

From wriggling chicks to jumpy kangaroos, this hilarious rhyming picture book showcases different kinds of babies, all of which are perfectly, adorably beastly!

Water Is Water: A Book about the Water Cycle  – 26 May 2015

This spare, poetic picture book follows a group of kids as they move through all the different phases of the water cycle. From rain to fog to snow to mist, talented author Miranda Paul and the always remarkable Jason Chin combine to create a beautiful and informative journey in this innovative nonfiction picture book that will leave you thirsty for more.

Interstellar Cinderella – 5 May 2015

With a little help from her fairy godrobot, Cinderella is going to the ball. But when the prince’s ship has mechanical trouble, someone will have to zoom to the rescue! Readers will thank their lucky stars for this irrepressible fairy tale retelling, its independent heroine, and its stellar happy ending. Plus, this is a fixed-format version of the book, which looks nearly identical to the print version.

Ninja Bunny – 18 Jun 2015

A fresh, funny, and hip picture book about a little bunny who wants to be . . . a ninja! Our little bunny is ready to embark on his path to becoming a ninja. But is he cut out for the ninja life? Especially if it means leaving his friends behind?

 

Thank You and Good Night  – 1 Oct 2015

The sun set, the moon rose, and Clement buttons his favourite pyjamas, ready for bed. But then his friends arrive for a surprise pyjama party! Together they play, snack and practice yoga before wishing on a shooting star and finally getting tucked into bed. But not before saying thank you for all of the wonderful and simple joys they’ve shared.

Little Tree – 1 Nov 2015

In the middle of a little forest, there lives a Little Tree who loves his life and the splendid leaves that keep him cool in the heat of long summer days. As Little Tree sits in the shadow of the other trees, now grown sturdy and tall as though to touch the sun, he remembers when they were all the same size. And he knows he has an important decision to make.

The Whisper Hardcover – 1 Nov 2015

Step inside the pages of a little girl’s magical book as she discovers the profound and inspiring notion that we each bring something different to the same story. Two-time Caldecott Honor artist Pamela Zagarenski debuts as an author in this tender picture book about the joy of reading

Grandad’s Island – 2 Jul 2015

This new book by Benji Davies deals with the emotional topic of losing a grandparent. Subtly told, this beautifully illustrated book tackles a difficult subject with great sensitivity and depth

Max the Brave – 4 Jun 2015

This is Max. Doesn’t Max look sweet. Max looks so sweet that sometimes people like to dress him up in ribbons. Max does not like being dressed up in ribbons. Because Max is a fearless kitten. Max is an intrepid kitten. Max is a brave kitten. Max is a Kitten who chases MICE.

Spit and Sticks: A Chimney Full of Swifts – 7 Oct 2015

In a parallel, wordless story, a mom, dad, and young girl on the farm watch the chimney swifts throughout the summer and fall, even as they build a new crib and ready for the new baby they’re expecting. As they enjoy their baby’s first months, they also celebrate the fledglings’ first flight and bid the birds good-bye until next year