Is it the dog days of summer where you live yet? July is typically the hottest month here in Arizona, so we’re always looking for activities that can help you stay cool indoors.

One of my biggest indoor joys is curling up with a great book. My own kids are well past the picturebook stage, but they still love finding an engaging story to wile away the afternoon – and so do I!

Start the practice early with your kids and hopefully it will be something that lasts a lifetime. Take a look at a few awesome new picturebooks coming out in July.

Little Ghost Makes a Friend

by Maggie Edkins Willis

Don’t let the fact that this one is frightfully out of season scare you off! (Okay, okay, no more puns.) Sweet and fun, in this story little ghost wants the perfect Halloween costume for her party so that she can make a friend. Releases July 16, but you can preorder now.

Rainbow Allies: The True Story of Kids Who Stood against Hate

by Nancy Churnin, illustrated by Izzy Evans

I love stories featuring real world kids engaging in things that help people and their community. This book is about neighborhood kids who rally around a couple after their house is vandalized, showing them how much they are loved. Releases July 9, but you can preorder now.

Prunella

by Beth Ferry, illustrated by Claire Keane

Do your littles enjoy a bit of creepiness? Meet Prunella, whose purple thumb helps all of the nastiest plants thrive – from corpse flowers to poison ivy. But scary, stinky plants can make it hard to find friends. Releases July 16, but you can preorder now.

 

Sleepy: Surprising Ways Animals Snooze

by Jennifer Ward, illustrated by Robin Page

Illustrations of animals sleeping doesn’t sound particularly exciting, but Ward and Page keep finding compelling tidbits to share that will spark any kid’s imagination. Like the fact that snakes sleep with their eyes open. Or that giraffes only sleep five minutes at a time! Releases July 9, but you can preorder now.  

 

The Quacken

by Justin Colón, illustrated by Pablo Pino

First Prunella, now The Quacken. Who knew July would be the month for spooky releases? Like Gremlins for the pre-K-Grade 2 crowd, this summer camp has one rule: don’t feed the ducks. When the protagonist breaks this rule, they must deal with… The Quacken . Releases July 16, but you can preorder now.