Guess that image should probably be “Goodbye, August,” huh? Either way, as the summer comes to an end and the school year gets started, I’m excited for fall to arrive and to sit down with a good book. Thankfully, lots of great picture books came out this August!
So many, in fact, that instead of my usual five I’m recommending 10! These new picturebooks from August of 2024 will get you and your loved ones ready for the school year and the fall. Even better (unlike with our usual posts), all of these books are available right now!
Clack, Clack! Smack! A Cherokee Stickball Story
by Traci Sorell, illustrated by Joseph Erb
One of the hardest things for anyone to learn is how to continue to be a good sport and a good teammate when you aren’t doing particularly well at something. What really sets this one apart, though, is the Cherokee Nation protagonists and setting.
by Erin Guendelsberger, illustrated by Jennifer Zivoin
Little Orange Pumpkin is big enough to do all the Halloween things herself this year — no matter what her mom and dad say. But when things turn a bit too scary, she learns that having a loving family may be even more important that being big.
by Hannah Chung
Joo Hong wants nothing more than to save the persimmon she gets from her mom’s garden and give it to her grandma when she visits. Unfortunately, the persimmon gets decidedly less perfect as the days pass. What can she possibly do?
by Christine Liu-Perkins, illustrated by Lynn Scurfield
Blending shapes and puzzles and a heartfelt story involving the search for a Chinese dragon to end a drought, this book is a little bit of everything. A great way to bring some early math to your littles — without having to use numbers!
by Bee Johnson
Kids know all about messes — as grownups, we’re constantly exhorting them to clean up after themselves and not leave messes behind. It’s an important message to help them grow up into functional adults. However, just as valuable is the message that messes can be amazing for developing minds. They can help inspire imagination and adventure and experimentation. What Can a Mess Make? is a fantastic ode to that.
ABCs for a Peaceful Me
by Shelly Becker, illustrated by Dan Yaccarino
Getting your kids calm and ready for bed can be… challenging, so I’m all for any book that aims to make that process easier! ABCs for a Peaceful Me is a relaxing, kid friendly book that engages the whole family with mindfulness principles and the fun of seek-and-finds. Maybe it’ll help me relax, too!
Anonymoose
by Shawna J.C. Tenney
I love the idea of this book! Most people have trouble getting out of their comfort zone sometimes, and this book illustrates perfectly how actually getting out and taking a chance can be worth how scary it might be. In Anonymoose, Ana Moose’s story perfectly shows how taking a chance can result in making friends and having a lot of fun!
Bear’s Lost Glasses
by Leo Timmers
The world can be a very interesting place if you take a moment to look at it through a different perspective. Sometimes, that perspective is… without your glasses! Just as my book explores how interesting your own neighborhood can be, this creative picturebook takes Bear and Giraffe on an adventure discovering how exciting every day can really be.
Before the Ships: The Birth of Black Excellence
by Maisha Oso, illustrated by Candice Bradley
In the U.S., black history is generally taught to kids through the lens of American history – if it’s taught at all. This picturebook, however, shows a different story. Here, through poetic, rhyming verse, we get to see the strength of many generations of people – before slavery was brought into the picture. Paired with lush, evocative artwork, Before the Ships has me excited to read.
I’m Sorry You Got Mad
By Kyle Lukoff, illustrated by Julie Kwon
Man, how I love that title. As a kid, it can be hard to see the importance of an apology – it just seems like words! Understanding how apologizing to someone can both save a relationship and allow you to learn from your mistakes takes work that many adults could use a refresher on. I’m Sorry You Got Mad is a wonderful idea for a picturebook, as it helps kids learn that an apology is a whole lot more than a couple of words.
