Where Literary Legends Are Born

2021 Children’s Department Releases!

We’re thrilled to announce a roundup of our children’s department authors who are releasing books in 2021! Join us in congratulating them, and consider pre-ordering their amazing books. Click on the titles to learn more!

 

1/26/21: NIGHT SHADOWS by Barbara DaCosta and Ed Young (Seven Stories Press)

The cover of NIGHT SHADOWS by Barbara DaCosta and Ed Young. Two people are silhouetted on a textured, dark-blue background. Click the image to pre-order the book from the publisher.

The third collaboration between famed duo Young and DaCosta, this thought-provoking picture book follows a lonely young girl who finds an unlikely friend in her elderly neighbor.

 

2/4/21 UK, 4/6/21 US: I’M A FEEL-O-SAUR by Lezlie Evans (Trigger Publishing)

The cover of I'M A FEEL-O-SAUR by Lezlie Evans. Illustrations of children dressed as dinosaurs on a gold background. Click the image to pre-order the book from the publisher.

A picture book featuring adorable art of kids dressed as dinosaurs, this rhyming romp through different emotions will help younger readers to identify and process their feelings.

 

2/23/21: G MY NAME IS GIRL by Dawn Masi (Random House/Doubleday)

The cover of G MY NAME IS GIRL, written and illustrated by Dawn Masi. On a sage-green background, we see the faces of girls from different countries around the world, featuring different skin colors and hairstyles. Click the cover image to pre-order the book from the publisher.

Skip right into this joyful, diverse, alphabetic picture book celebrating girls around the world, which is Dawn Masi’s author-illustrated debut.

 

2/23/21: HIP, HIP, BERET! by Melanie Ellsworth (HMH)

The cover of HIP, HIP, BERET!, Melanie Ellsworth's debut picture book. On a soft purple background, a little girl can be seen reaching for a red beret. Click the image to pre-order the book from the publisher.

Melanie Ellsworth’s picture book debut! What happens to Bella’s beret when the wind sweeps it away? This humorous, sweet book features touchable berets on the cover and inside.

 

3/9/21: SING ME FORGOTTEN by Jessica S. Olson (HarperCollins/Inkyard)

The cover of SING ME FORGOTTEN by Jessica S. Olson. On a black background with a gold filigree border, a magical glass bottle full of gold liquid is featured. Click the image to pre-order a signed copy from the author's local independent bookstore.

This lush, romantic YA fantasy is a gender-swapped retelling of The Phantom of the Opera. As heart-wrenching as it is thrilling, this is Jessica S. Olson’s debut!

 

3/30/21: CLARINET AND TRUMPET by Melanie Ellsworth (HMH)

The cover of CLARINET AND TRUMPET by Melanie Ellsworth. On a bold, purple background, we see illustrations of anthropomorphic musical instruments. Click the image to pre-order the book from the publisher.

This charming, shakeable picture book features a harmonious friendship between two instruments…but what happens when it falls flat?

 

4/6/21: MURDER ON THE BALTIMORE EXPRESS by Suzanne Jurmain (Little Bee/Yellow Jacket)

The cover of MURDER ON THE BALTIMORE EXPRESS by Suzanne Jurmain. An illustration of former president Abraham Lincoln is on an orange background, with an old-fashioned train illustrated beneath him. Click on the image to pre-order the book from the publisher.

This astonishing true story follows a plot to assassinate Abraham Lincoln before he became President of the United States.

 

4/20/21: WHERE SECRETS LIE by Eva V. Gibson (Simon & Schuster/SimonTeen)

The cover of WHERE SECRETS LIE by Eva V. Gibson. An inverted view of a green river, in which a girl swims. She holds her head as though she is crying. Click on the image to pre-order the book from the publisher.

WHERE SECRETS LIE is a stunning thriller perfect for fans of Courtney Summers. This tale of grief and tragedy, romance and suspense, unfolds in interwoven timelines of two unforgettable summers.

 

5/11/21: THANKS A LOT, UNIVERSE by Chad Lucas (Abrams/Amulet)

The cover of THANKS A LOT, UNIVERSE by Chad Lucas. We see illustrations of two boys: one white with red hair, the other Black with gold glasses and a dark afro. Their images are placed on opposite sides of an illustrated neighborhood and basketball hoop. Click on the image to pre-order the book from the publisher.

Chad Lucas’s astonishing middle-grade debut follows anxious, determined Brian as he navigates the foster system, and exuberant Ezra as he tries to help…while hiding his crush on Brian. 

 

5/11/21: MISSION MULTIVERSE by Rebecca Caprara (Abrams/Amulet)

The cover of MISSION MULTIVERSE by Rebecca Caprara. A group of kids, some in spacesuits, are pictured running into a tunnel. Click on the image to pre-order from the publisher.

Back to the Future meets Stranger Things in this middle-grade multiverse odyssey that kids won’t be able to put down!

 

5/25/21: PIGLETTE’S PERFECT SURPRISE by Katelyn Aronson (Penguin/Viking)

The cover of PIGLETTE'S PERFECT SURPRISE by Katelyn Aronson. Adorably illustrated in pastel tones, a feminine piglet is pictured amidst baking supplies and pastries. Click on the image to pre-order the book from the publisher.

This picture book is the scrumptious sequel to Katelyn Aronson’s much-adored PIGLETTE! Readers find beloved Piglette in a posh patisserie, in pursuit of the perfect cake.

 

6/15/21: Q AND U CALL IT QUITS by Stef Wade (HarperCollins/Quill Tree)

The cover of Q AND U CALL IT QUITS by Stef Wade. On a yellow background, anthropomorphic letters Q and U are pictured in despair, facing away from each other. Click the image to pre-order the book from the publisher.

We’re QUaking with anticipation for Q AND U CALL IT QUITS, Stef Wade’s latest picture book! This hilarious and QUirky story about friendship and the alphabet will make young readers excited about letter learning.

 

8/3/21: I LOVE YOU WITH ALL OF MY HEARTS by Lindsay Bonilla (Creative Editions)

The cover of I LOVE YOU WITH ALL OF MY HEARTS by Lindsay Bonilla. Two rust-orange octopi are illustrated, holding a baby octopus between them in an underwater scene. Click on the image to pre-order the book from Amazon.

Did you know octopi have 3 hearts?! Learn more fun animal facts in this simple, sweet picture book.

 

8/17/21: CLOVIS KEEPS HIS COOL by Katelyn Aronson (Page Street Kids)

The cover of CLOVIS KEEPS HIS COOL by Katelyn Aronson. Clovis is a grumpy-looking bull, pictured pouring tea in a china shop. Click the image to pre-order the book from the publisher.

Clovis is the proverbial bull in a china shop, and readers will love his gentle soul in this heartwarming, entertaining story about finding inner peace and second chances.

 

9/28/21: WORST-CASE COLLIN by Rebecca Caprara (Charlesbridge)

The cover of WORST-CASE COLLIN by Rebecca Caprara. An illustration of a house filled with various anxiety-inducing drawins, such as bugs and bicycles. In the background, a silhouetted young boy is pictured swimming. Click on the image to pre-order the book from the publisher.

This beautiful middle grade novel-in-verse follows 12-year-old Collin, who has a plan to survive any worst-case scenario. He’s 100% prepared for every disaster…except maybe his home life.