12 New Books for Growing Readers, August 2024
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These are new books for growing readers that are releasing around now, August 2024. You’ll find a few early readers as well as chapter books, too. So, if you’re looking for a new book or ten for your home or classroom library, you might find a good one on this list.
New Books for Growing Readers
Towed by Toad written and illustrated by Jashar Awan 
EARLY READER / PICTURE BOOK, ages 5 – 7
I’m in love with this darling picture book, perfect for new readers, that is filled with charming illustrations, simple text, and the important message of asking for help. Toad loves helping his friends like Catie Cat, Davey Dog, and Stanley Snout when they crash their cars. But when Toad’s tow truck breaks down, he realizes that everyone needs help sometimes–even a helper like him. How sweet is that?
Best Buddies Rain is Wet! (Acorn) written by Vicky Fang, illustrated by Luisa Leal
EARLY READER, ages 5 – 7
Dog and Cat best friends, Sniff and Scratch, spend the rainy day outside and inside. They play in the rain, get scared of popping balloons and thunder, and hide, but they always do everything together. Sweet and appropriate for first grade readers.
Inside Scouts Help the Kind Lion (Acorn) written by Mitali Banerjee Ruths, illustrated by Francesca Mahaney
EARLY READER, ages 5 – 7
You will adore this super creative Acorn early reader series about siblings who shrink to fix problems INSIDE THE BODY! How cool is that? In this first book, the siblings need to help a lion’s heart. With dialogue bubbles, short sentences, and repetition, this is a great choice for your beginning readers.
Owl and Penguin Here and There written and illustrated by Vikram Madan
EARLY READER, ages 6 – 7
I love these sweet friendship stories with darling illustrations of an owl and a penguin who are best friends. They make pizza, make snow creatures, and have a picnic adventure with opposite words. Charming.
Wallace and Grace Owl-O-Ween Mystery written by Heather Alexander, illustrated by Laura Zarrin
BEGINNING CHAPTER BOOK, ages 6 – 9
With darling full-color illustrations, this early chapter book series continues with a gentle Halloween-themed mystery: the owl detectives must solve the mystery of copycat costumes. They investigate by interviewing everyone, following clues, and finally, making a deduction!
Cosmic Creatures The Runaway Rumblebear written by Tom Huddleston
BEGINNING CHAPTER BOOK, ages 6 – 9
In this second book of the series about a group of settlers on a new planet, their crops are going missing. Charlie and her robot friend soon discover the culprits — cute little creatures she calls Rumblebears after the rumbling sound they make. Charlie will have to use all her powers of persuasion when the mayor wants to hurt the rumblebears for their thievery. She figures out why their stealing and asks her community to listen to her solution.
Stella & Marigold written by Annie Barrows, illustrated by Sophie Blackall
BEGINNING CHAPTER BOOK, ages 7 – 9
I’m a sucker for a sweet sibling story like this one. Stella is the big seven-year-old sister and Marigold is the little four-year-old sister. Sometimes, Marigold makes up stories (lies), and always Stella makes her feel better with a story. Sometimes, Marigold on purpose accidentally gets lost, and always Stella tells her a story to help her feel better. And sometimes, Stella gets sick and gets to use the sick blanket. And Marigold wants to sleep under the sick blanket, too. So she eats eggs, which always make her sick. These sisters are close, loving, and charming. I’d say it’s about a high 2nd or 3rd-grade reading level.
The Spout Fairies Forever Fairies Lulu Flutters written by Maddy Mara
BEGINNING CHAPTER BOOK, ages 7 – 9
Four fairies hatch from flowers and become best friends who work together. While fairies have been written about A LOT, this will likely still appeal to many readers. First in a new series.
Diary of a Minecraft Wolf: Player Attack written by Winston Wolf
BEGINNING CHAPTER BOOK, ages 7 – 9
This is a cute and funny Minecraft story from the perspective of Winston (a wolf) who isn’t doing well in his guard training but doesn’t realize it. Therein lies the humor. Winston gets left behind on a big mission. But then, he meets a human player who he “tames” and names names Brian. But guess who saves the day in the end? Winston and Brian! By defeating the villainous baby turtles!
The Story of Gumluck and the Dragon Eggs (Book 2) written and illustrated by Adam Rex
BEGINNING CHAPTER BOOK, ages 7 – 9
Get ready to giggle because (almost) everyone is confused in this silly story! You already know that Gumluck, the wizard, gets confused easily. But when our raven narrator lays her eggs in a dragon’s nest on accident, the dragon is SURE that the eggs belong to her and will be dragons. That leads to Gumluck and the dragon thinking that Helvetica the crow is a dragon. More silliness ensues with a contest, a contageous yawn, and unexpected dragon-egg thieves. A delightful second book.
Peach and Plum Double Trouble written and illustrated by Tim McCanna
BEGINNING CHAPTER BOOK, ages 6 – 9
Like the first two books, this third book gives us funny rhyming stories about Peach and Plum’s friendship adventures. From babysitting the twins to playing in a band to a haunted house, these are darling stories showing good friends who are always up for anything. Highly recommended.
Disaster Squad #1: Wildfire Rescue (Scholastic Branches) written bey Rekha S. Rajan, illustrated by Courtney Lovett
BEGINNING CHAPTER BOOK, ages 7 – 9
Most chapter books for the 7 to 8 year old ages are about things like friendship, family, and animals, those kinds of topics. So books about disasters that are very real could be upsetting to some children.
The book begins with the Jackson family in their RV helping a farm and its animals during a wind storm. Then, they’re called to the scene of several California fires. While the parents to other things to help, the kids are right in the thick of the wildfire site where they rescue a bear, deal with smoke with homemade masks, help the evacuees with food, and get water for the deer, but then they also get evacuated. The kids are always looking for ways to help out and care about animals and the environment.
