The Best New Kids Books from June, July & August, 2019

Whizzy Wheels Academy Series

Kiddos obsessed with trucks will become enamored with two new reads in the Whizzy Wheels Academy series: Dylan the Dump Truck and Daisy the Digger by Peter Bently. Both titles, published in board book style, showcase life lessons in patience, perseverance and overcoming challenges.   

Ages: 3-5

Dylan the Dump Truck available on amazon.com for $9.95 and Daisy the Digger available on amazon.com for $9.95.

I'm a Gnome

Author Jessica Peill-Meininghaus needs you to know that if you like magical creatures and beautiful, bright illustrations (by Polly Bernatene) this is the book for you! Follow one very chatty gnome as he teaches kids the difference between creatures like elves, gnomes, dwarves, trolls and fairies. This humorous tale is a sweet romp into another enchanted, woodland realm, perfect to activate imaginations.

Ages: 3-7

Get it here. $17.99

Is 2 A Lot?

Looking for a great intro the world of numbers and math? Is 2 A Lot, written by Annie Watson and illustrated by Rebecca Evans, aims to help kids understand numbers in the context of things they see every day. Head out on a road trip while a young kiddo asks his mom questions like, "Is one thousand a lot?" Mom's answer? "One thousand is not a lot of grains of sand, but it is a lot of hot air balloons!" 

Ages: 4-6

Find a copy here. $12.29.

My Name Is Wakawakaloch!

Ever feel like you don't fit in because of your name? Wakawakaloch feels your pain, which is why she wants to change her name to something others can easily pronounce. But when she discovers the origin of her name, Wakawakaloch's attitude takes a turn. Find out whether she embraces her name or decides it's just not working in this fun picture book set in prehistoric times by Chana Stiefel, with illustrations by Mary Sullivan.

Ages 4-7

Available at amazon.com for $17.99

No More Monsters Under Your Bed!

We love our kids' wild imaginations but when those imaginations conjure up images of monsters under the bed and prevent your little from falling asleep at night, it's time to bring in reinforcements. Turn to this magical book by Jordan Chouteau with illustrations by Anat Even Or, to help your kiddo conquer her fears. With goofy monster illustrations and even a real no-more-monsters patch your child can wear to bed, this book is sure to drive away those monsters in no time.

Ages 4-8

Available on amazon.com for $13.60

Vlad the Rad

NY Times bestselling illustrator Brigette Barrager brings Vlad, a high-energy young vampire, to life in this adorable picture book. Not only does Vlad love skateboarding (because he's rad!) he also loves schoolwork! Which makes this a great back-to-school, fall read! 

Ages: 3-7

Get it here. 

Look! I Wrote a Book! (And You Can Too)

A wonderfully silly story that will inspire your little literati to get creative, Sally Lloyd Jones' new book is a great choice for teachers, classrooms and families that love to read and write together. Illustrated by Neal Layton. 

Ages: 4-8

Find one here. $16.19

The Seekers

We're not sure what is the best part of this amazing new book; the original story based on mythology from the artists' native Mombai or the stunning illustrations created by Hari & Deepti, two paper-cut artists who bring the words to life. Both elements combine to make hands-down one of the most beautiful and unique books of 2019. The story about two children who learn that Silver Fox and Fire Wolf are anything but myths. 

Ages: 4-8

Find your copy today here. $17.60

If I Built a School

If you could build a school what would it include? Hover desks? Pop-up textbooks? Author/illustrator Chris Van Dusen is an E.B. White Read-Aloud winner and this book reminds you why. Read it aloud as the new school year begins and ask your kiddos to imagine the school they'd build. A fun, rhyming read, and a great one for early readers to practice reading out loud to their grown-ups! 

Ages: 5-8

Get your copy now. $12.75

Two Brothers, One Tail

This sweet story by Richard T. Morris is told in rhyme is about a boy and his brother—who happens to be a dog. A wonderful reminder of the importance of a family pet. (Hint: don't read this to your kids if they've been begging you for a dog and you can't have one). You'll love the illustrations by Jay Fleck. 

Ages: 5-8

See for yourself here. $12.77

How to Be a Coder

Kiki Prottsman doesn't just know all about coding,  she knows how to encourage, teach and get kids excited about learning to code...by reading. No small feat, getting kids to learn about greats like computer science pioneers Katherine Johnson and Alan Turing along with gleaning new skills, this impressive (and very colorful) book from DK is sure to be a hit. 

Ages: 7-9

See it here. $19.09

From an Idea to LEGO

This awesome series, which includes other books like From an Idea to Google, and From an Idea to Disney, is basically like a "How I Built This" for kids, in book form. We learned so many amazing things about LEGO including the beginning concepts and hardships, fun facts and so much more. The perfect book for little LEGO lovers who want to go beyond sticking bricks. In short, Lowey Bundy Sichol's books are brilliant and inspiring for inventors and innovators everywhere. 

Find it here. $7.99

The Math Kids: A Sequence of Events

David Cole's second book in the Math Kids chapter book series is just as lively and entertaining as the first. The Math Kids Club is back and this time they're entering the district Math Olympics. But they need one key thing to win: the quiet, math genius in class Catherine Duchesne. But when Catherine's dad goes missing, her new math friends spring into action to use math to solve the mystery. For any kid who loves math, buy this book. And any kid who doesn't? Buy it to show them math is fun! 

Ages: 8-11

Get a copy here. $9.99

Amelia Fang Books

This summer brought us not one but two new Amelia Fang books: Amelia Fang and the Barbaric Ball (in which our heroine reluctantly attends her parents annual ball only to embark on an adventure to save her pet pumpkin, Squashy, from the evil clutches of a spoiled prince) and Amelia Fang and the Unicorns of Glitteropolis, where we find Amelia and her friends on a quest to rescue Queen Fairyweather from the terrifying Kingdom of Light. Both make a great read from author/illustrator  Laura Ellen Anderson, the perfect celebration of the dark side in all of us. 

Ages: 7 and up

See more here. 

The Curse of the Werepenguin

Allan Woodrow's just-released, The Curse of the Werepenguin not only gets the summer award for best book title ever, it also gets kudos for creativity, humor and engaging writing. Oprhan Bolt Wattle's life takes a dramatic turn when he is sent for by a mysterious baron in far-off Brugaria. Baron Chordata seems a little odd—he wears tuxedos and refuses to answer any questions. Things get a lot worse when the Baron bites Bolt and turns him into a half-boy, half-penguin. For fans of humor and adventure, you can't go wrong with this middle-grade chapter book. 

Ages: 8-12

Find it now. $16.39