Author: Chelsea Henley

As I write this, my own dog is asleep next to me (I love her), and I highly recommend you get one of your own if you’re so inclined. If you need more convincing, you can start with this rhyming picture book that pays tribute to all the good dogs.

This autobiographical picture book is written by DACA recipient Areli Morales. She recalls her story as a young girl living apart from her parents, who work and live in America trying to make a better life for their children. But eventually Areli reunites with her parents in New York.

The land of Lyrica, once filled with warmth and light, was thrown into darkness when Spectress and the Demon of Fear attacked and killed the royal family. When 12-year-old Prewitt hears the full story, he also learns his destiny is intertwined with that of the surviving princess, lost and unknown. After he stumbles upon Calliope, the lost princess herself, the two embark on a quest to find the fabled Firebird’s Feather and Song to save Lyrica.

This novel in verse is set in 2012 when Samira and her family are Rohingya refugees settling into their new home in Bangladesh. Samira struggles to adjust, missing her friends and her home, and her family doesn’t think they can put their future hopes on a girl. But when a surfing contest, with a cash prize, is announced, Samira resolves to prove that a girl can also change everything for her family.

For the Greek myth fans out there, this new graphic novel starts a new graphic novel series that explores the women of Greek antiquity. Athena, who popped fresh out of Zeus’s skull, is first up. Flawed and brilliant, Athena is one of heroism but also vanity and meddlesome antics, and she has to learn how to do more to help than to harm.

In this body positive picture book, the multitudes of the human body are presented in rich and vibrant illustrations to show just how varied and cool people really are.

In this fun and colorful picture book, a boy races to the paleta cart to enjoy his favorite summertime treat only to find that his money is missing.

In this autobiographical picture book, Congresswoman Sharice Davids recalls her upbringing, and tells the story of how she came to be elected as one of the first Native American women and one of the first out lesbians in Congress.

This biographical picture book retells the story of Shirley Chisholm’s early life watching her parents discuss politics in their Brooklyn neighborhood and her growing political activism. She runs for the New York State Assembly and then eventually for Congress, making history as the first Black woman elected.

So I just finished playing Spider Man: Miles Morales on PS4. Even for diehard Peter Parker fans, Miles is just so sweet and earnest and a perfect Spider-Man. This graphic novel finds him contending with his family’s work to raise money for Puerto Rico, Miles’s mom’s home, after a terrible earthquake. Meanwhile, a new super-powered duo is wreaking havoc, and Miles’s new friend, and her missing dad, might be involved.

When I was a kid, I read The Clique series by Lisi Harrison, about middle schoolers locked in various rich, middle school kid dramas. That was approximately a billion years ago, but Lisi Harrison has a new series set in an entirely different middle school but with similar dramas. This time against the backdrop of Charm House, a school where girls are sent to tame the magical, animal light inside them. Sadie’s a new student and when she learns she possesses a powerful animal light, she’s invited to join the infamous Pack, led by the school’s resident It-girl. As Sadie deals with new friendship trials and her crush on an off-limits boy, someone threatens Charm House and risks destroying the Pack for good.

In this fun picture book, a young business owner looks for the perfect spot to set up their lemonade stand. But it looks like all the good spots have been taken, until the narrator takes an accidental tumble and the stand stops at a river, which brings with it a steady stream of aquatic customers.

This minimalist and rhythmic picture book is full of animals and creatures that play much like humans do. This also includes words from the Cree language and a translation guide for readers.

In this delightful portal fantasy, Flick is inducted into the Strangeworlds Society, a group of people who use magical suitcases to travel to different worlds. Her new friend Jonathan is a member, and Flicka joins him in his search for his missing father.

In this graphic novel, goblin sisters embark on a journey to confront the Earth Queen and save their underground city. Worrisome Bix has always looked after her headstrong sister Pella, and when Pella ventures out into the Enchanted Forest, Bix has no choice but to face her fears and go after her.

This graphic novel follows a lonely Jo and her new friend, a dog named Pawcasso wowing their community as the shopping dog. Everyone assumes Jo is Pawcasso’s owner, and with Pawcasso’s fame bringing new friends for Jo, she doesn’t correct them. But as more time passes, Jo struggles with telling the truth or losing her new friends.

This fun picture book is from actress Gabrielle Union and basketball star Dwayne Wade, and is inspired by their daughter. Told in rhyme, this follows Shady Baby through a stylish and energetic day.

This sweet picture book makes for perfect summer reading. For the grandchild in this book, the season doesn’t officially start until their lola (grandmother) arrives, filling days with traditional Filipino food, fireworks, and spending time together.

Another perfect summer picture book, this one capturing the fun and wonder of the pool during summertime.

In this middle grade debut by Justina Ireland (one of my personal favorite YA authors) is this historical paranormal mystery. Ophie learns she can see and communicate with ghosts the night her father is murdered and her family forced to flee to family in Philadelphia. Working in an old manor for one of the city’s richest families, Ophie learns how to appease her cranky employer with the help of Clara, a ghost, and to repay her, Ophie searches for the answer as to how Clara died.

This Raina Telgemeier-esque graphic novel follows middle schooler Tara. Dealing with her parents’ unhappy divorce and the coming end to eighth grade, and all the changes that accompany it, Tara finds peace in the fantasy book she’s writing.

This fun alphabet book follows a kid and their parents and their dog to the Pride parade. When the dog gets loose, a chase begins to reunite pet with family.

This gorgeously illustrated picture book follows Sarah Gerhardt, the first woman to surf the legendary Mavericks, making her way in a male-dominated sport.

The Franklin Brothers (Franklin Brothers Investigation) put their heads together to steal a lollipop from the kitchen cupboard. But all their plans prove useless when they realize Secret Angel Girl (their sister) has her own designs on the lollipop.

In this first book in a new chapter book series Jo Jo lives on the fictional Pembina Ojibwe reservation, worrying about her cat Mimi’s upcoming vaccinations and why her best friend isn’t sitting with her at lunch anymore.

Ibram X. Kendi’s Stamped From the Beginning has a kids’ version. If you’ve been looking for a more accessible way to begin conversations surrounding racism and antiracism, this may be a good place to start.

This middle grade book is an emotional coming of age about two boys in Nova Scotia leaning on each other as they struggle through seventh grade. Brian’s already socially anxious when his father leaves home and his mom’s suicide attempt leaves him to care for his younger brother, but when he meets Ezra, he also finds a friend.

This moving and emotional middle grade follows two kids coping with the same tragedy. Cora’s mourning her sister’s death in a school shooting, and Quinn looks for a way to cope with her brother’s horrific actions. The girls come together when Cora thinks she’s found a way to fix everything: a worm hole that would allow them to travel back in time and stop the shooting.

In this fun picture book, Fred wanders through his parents’ closet in search of the perfect ensemble. He tries out his dad’s clothes but doesn’t like them so much, so he moves on to his mom’s clothes and gets to dabble in her makeup and jewelry with some help from his parents.

One of my favorite picture book series, featuring the grumpy bear Bruce, has a new book this month! In this one, Bruce’s housemates wish that Bruce was more fun, and they’re shocked when their wish appears to come true. But it’s not Bruce after all, but his fun cousin Kevin.

This charming picture book biography of Julián and Joaquin Castro takes readers back to the beginning, where they were shaped by their grandmother and mother to become advocates for the betterment of their community.

This sweet picture book follows a Sikh father and daughter in a fun celebration of their hair. In accordance with tradition, both wear it long, and sometimes they’ll even wear it in the same bun and become hair twins.

This fun middle grade novel features a sweet, witchy fantasy about two sisters who cast a spell that goes horribly awry. While Hattie is turning 13 and soon to be initiated into their clan, meaning magic of her own, Riley’s adopted and nonmagical and so not allowed to participate. But when Hattie performs a spell to share her magic with Riley, it goes wrong and puts their entire community, and Hattie, in danger.

This middle grade novel follows Junie, a middle schooler dealing with racism in her suburban town. Coping with depression, Junie finds a therapist she likes, and when she’s given a school assignment to interview an elder, her talks with her grandfather about his childhood during the Korean War give Junie new perspective and courage.

From the author of the adorable Prince and Knight is this followup, which returns to the titular couple following their fairytale wedding. But their happily ever after is short-lived, as the kingdom soon comes under threat from a mysterious blight and the couple goes off to take on the Shadow King.

In this rhyming bedtime picture book, a father leaves the daddy responsibilities to his son because he’s too tired.

Hudson and Tallulah are neighbors and rivals, but as the two go on an adventure through their neighborhood together, bickering all the way, they find they might have one or two things they might enjoy about each other.

This followup to Ways to Grow Sunshine, finds Ryan and her family preparing for the arrival of a new baby. And Ryan heads off to church camp, where she has to figure out how to share the attentions of her best friend.

In this historical middle-grade set in the 1920s, Mrytle, a maid, and Lady Sylvia, become friends when they team up to make a wardrobe for one of Sylvia’s friends, embarking on expedition that will require her to pose as a man to escape society’s expectations for its young women.

In this beautiful watercolor and pencil picture book, parents wake up their children for a mysterious nighttime walk. As they move to their destination, traversing beautifully-rendered, blue-hued landscapes, you’ll be eager to see where this family finally ends up.

This fun and colorful picture book introduces 21 first cousins, all varied in personality, appearance, and ambitions. This is a nice book for showing the variations that can exist among people in one family.

In this inspiring picture book, Penelope confides in his family that he’s a boy, even though his family still thinks he’s a girl. Encouraged by his family to be himself, Penelope enters a karate tournament.

Twelve-year-old Jolina has recently moved to the small island of Isla Pag-Ibig and is struggling with a girl at school who mistreats her. Finding solace in her dog and her grandpa’s magic lessons, Jolina’s able to ignore it until things come to a head, and she brews a powerful friendship potion that works perfectly. Now Jolina and Claudine are friends for real, but magic always comes with a price.

In this haunting middle grade book set in the summer before middle school, Bug’s best friend Moira insists it’s time they learn what clothes to wear and what makeup to buy. But Bug, mourning the death of Uncle Roderick, doesn’t see anything particularly interesting in Moira’s plans or learning how to be more of a girl. Then there’s also the matter of the ghost now haunting Bug.

In this sweet picture book, Amira eagerly anticipates Eid only to realize that Eid celebrations will mean missing picture day.

This lovely picture book combines whimsy and education with sprawling nature scenes and lyrical writing.

In this picture book, originally published in Venezuela, the idyllic existence of a family of hens is interrupted by the arrival of a family of capybaras. The hens allow the capybaras to stay only if they follow the rules and don’t interact with them very much, a rule derailed when a young capybara and a chick become friends.

This wild and funny graphic novel follows the Astro Mouse and his crew. Accompanied by a wrestler potato, a light bulb, and a living turd named Caca, they embark on a series of perilous and hilarious adventures.

Cece lives in a small town that, during a certain set of months, comes under threat from desert-wandering spirits known as criatura. When Cece’s older sister is taken by one of them, Cece ventures into the desert on a secret mission to confront the criatura and get her sister back.

In this beautiful picture book, Anita watches dragons fly above but has never feared them. Until the day arises when Anita and her family will have to be transported via dragon to a new land far away from the home she knows and loves.

This beautiful baby book tells the story of an expectant mother and the sacred bundle she begins to fashion to prepare for her baby’s birth.

This fun and playful picture book takes an amusing and loving spin on Yo Mama jokes as a mother and daughter pair embark upon adventures together.

In this uplifting and hopeful followup to the first Merci Suárez book, Merci’s in seventh grade and contending with the challenges of her family and the approaching Valentine’s Day dance.

Aspiring theater actress Monica Garcia finally gets her chance on a Broadway stage. But despite her excitement to move to NYC with her abuela, Monica’s hopes are dashed when she realizes she won’t be in a starring role, and that the theater putting on the play is failing. And also that it’s haunted, and it’s up to Mandy and her new friends to solve the mystery and save the theater.

This inventive retelling of Sleeping Beauty is about two sisters. Briony, and her doomed older sister Rosalin, set with a horrible curse meant to befall her on her sixteenth birthday. But when Rosalin’s birthday arrives, Briony awakens to learn that she’s the only one who can save her sister and the kingdom.