21 Beautiful New Picture Books, August 2024
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August is a time of transition as kids head back to school and we anticipate the fall season. This August’s new picture books feel like a breath of goodness and beauty, perfect for this transition time.
In other words, you are going to LOVE these books!
New Picture Books, August 2024
Squawk of Spanish written by Gabriella Aldeman, illustrated by Romina Galotta 
LANGUAGE LEARNING / PERFECTIONISM
In this tenderhearted, relatable story about learning a new language, Max feels embarrassed speaking Spanish because he can’t roll his rs or pronounce the Spanish words right. When cooking with Abuela and her parrot Lorito, Abuela and Lorito tell Max that he can do it. Then, one day, when Lorito isn’t there, Max tries to say the recipe’s words in Spanish, just like Lorito usually does. He learns that he can do it — even if it’s not perfect! This is a great story about trying your best which is better than not trying or attempting perfection.
The Dictionary Story written and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers and Sam Winston
STORY
Artfully illustrated (with illustrations that might appeal more to adults than children) with cursive typeface (which certainly is either better for European kids who learn cursive first or adults,) this book is about a dictionary who wants to bring her words to life and create a story of her own. As you might predict, the words take on a life of their own, separate from the Dictionary’s intention. Soon, it is chaos and silliness with ghosts scaring clouds and moons, soaps on tornadoes, and queens holding rulers. The illustrations are muted earthy colors with pops of color.
Thank You written and illustrated by Jarvis
GRATITUDE
A child narrates the child’s gratitude to the sun, the clouds, the colors green and blue and the toothbrush and bath, and so many things. And when the child runs out of things to thank, they thank everything all over again. This is a sweet reminder of gratitude with marvelous collage illustrations.
The Ofrenda That We Built written by Jolene Gutierrez and Shaian Gutierrez, illustrated by Gabby Zapata
CUMULATIVE / DAY OF THE DEAD
If you like cumulative stories, you’ll love this beautiful story of a family’s Dia de los Muertos traditions. The family starts with an ofrenda (altar), then adds embroidered cloth, cut paper, candles, copal, bells, marigold petals, tamales, sweet bread, and more. All to remember and honor their beloved abuelo. The illustrations are BEYOND AMAZING, so full of life and love and colors. The illustrations are BEYOND AMAZING, so full of life and love and colors. I love everything about this book!
The Boy and the Elephant written and illustrated by Freya Blackwood
WORDLESS / FRIENDSHIP
What if you befriended a tree? And then builders come to cut it down? This boy loves his tree, his elephant. So, he saves it. He tugs, he pulls, he directs…and a magical possibility occurs. Gorgeous watercolor artwork will mesmerize and delight readers with this sweet message of environmentalism and friendship.
Who’s in Charge? written by Stephanie Allain & Jenny Klion, illustrated by Marissa Valdez
BODY AUTONOMY
From your nose to your toes, your lips to your eyes, YOU are in charge of all the parts of your body. The book asks about who is in charge of your giggle and wiggle and voice and choice? You’ll read over and over that “I am!” in charge. Hooray! I love this anthem for body autonomy and agency. This is a powerful book with fabulous illustrations is a must-own, must-read for children of all ages.
Más. ¡Menos! written and illustrated by Rhode Montijo
SPANISH WORDS / DAY OF THE DEAD
Neon colors pop off the page in this new Día de los Muertos Skeletown book about the Spanish words more and less. Which is less and which is more when it’s fall leaves or yarn for a sweater? Watch what happens when the dog gets ahold of the yarn and drags it through town with the skeleton kids running after it. Playful fun!
Tiny Jenny Little Fairy Big Trouble written and illustrated by Briony May Smith
FAIRY STORY
Tiny Jenny hatches out of a wren egg, but she’s not a bird; she’s a teeny tiny…fairy. She doesn’t have wings, but she does have the mischievousness of a fairy. Her antics cause her to search out other fairies. That’s when she learns that the fairies are mean and thoughtless. Tiny Jenny realizes what’s important– and makes a brave decision. The earthy artwork and tiny characters will enchant readers.
We Are Definitely Human written and illustrated by X Fang
KINDNESS
When the big-eyed aliens crash land their spaceship at Mr. Li’s, they tell him that they are “definitely human”, making me laugh out loud. Also, that they are from…Europe…and that their…um, car…broke down. Mr. Li who is a kind human invites them to stay the night and drives them to a store for parts. Then, other kind humans help the visitors fix their car which turns into a fun party with dancing and food and dogs. When the visitors leave back for “Europe”, they’ll always remember kind humans and what the kind human did to help others in need. The alien’s visit reminds us to be our best human selves –> KIND. A must-own, must-read and must-discuss with children. (And many adults.)
The Most Perfect Persimmon written and illustrated by Hannah Chung
GRANDPARENT / KOREAN HERITAGE
Joo is excited for her grandmother’s visit. She wants to give Grandma a perfect persimmon so she waters and checks on the persimmon tree. When they’re ready to pick, Grandma still hasn’t arrived. Then, the fruit gets less perfect and more wrinkly. By the time Grandma arrives, Joo feels sad that the persimmon isn’t perfect anymore. But, Grandma likes it just the way it is. I love the adorable illustrations and the sweet, relatable story that will introduce readers to this orange-colored fruit.
The River is My Ocean written by Rio Cortez, illustrated by Ashleigh Corrin
SLICE OF LIFE
Mentor text alert! The writing in this beautiful story is filled with the girl’s emotions and musings. The little girl loves the Hudson River and narrates why she loves it and loves her neighborhood. This book would also make a great writing prompt or story frame for a slice-of-life story.
On the Small Hill Where the Girls Take Off Their Shoes written by Jairo Buitrago, illustrated by Linda Wolfsgruber
I love this book so much. It’s gentle, it’s peaceful, it’s filled with meaning, and it’s beautiful in every way — lyricism, illustrations, imagery, and simplicity. It’s your favorite poem turned into a book. Since I usually think about reading books with children, I imagine this book would be amazing in the classroom to prompt kids to consider what they would put in their own story of the history of the world. Then, have them write their own similar history of the world!
I Am Wriggly written by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Robert Starling
PRESCHOOL HUMOR
We still need books for the under five crowd, and this one will delight your toddlers and preschoolers. It’s about, you guessed it, a wriggly bunny who maybe like some kids you know, can not sit still…wiggly, giggly, wriggly, until…they get too tired and flop down.
Over and Under the Wetland written by Kate Messner, illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal
ECOSYSTEMS
For all of us who adore this series, join me in the excitement of discovering this next book in the series with gorgeous illustrations and sensory language that transport us to the Everglades. Grandmother and grandchild talk about what’s down below — the wild, wet world of frogs, water snakes, alligators, and swamp lilys — and what’s above, the barred owl, the cypress trunk with plants growing on its arms, an anhinga, and so much more.
On a Mushroom Day written by Chris Baker, illustrated by Alexandra Finkeldey
MUSHROOM GATHERING / SENSORY DETAILS
This immersive picture book transports us with all our five senses into a second-person walk in the woods. You walk through the forest, your feet springing on the wet dirt. You hear birds calling and mosquitos buzzing. You smell apricots or maple syrup. You see the mushrooms everywhere, red and blue, hiding under leaves or springing from a tree like a lion’s mane. As this book introduces more mushrooms, readers will experience their wonderful variety until finally after a long day, you might just taste one. Back matter explains more about each kind of mushroom and facts about fungi.
America’s Dreaming written by Bob McKinnon, illustrated by Thai My Phuong
NEW SCHOOL / FAMOUS BIOGRAPHIES
In a story about seeing each child as an individual and books as inspirational friends, America’s struggles to speak during the first day at school. Her kind teacher notices she likes to read about real people so he shows her the Welcome Wagon filled with relatable biographies. America reads about people like Surjourner, who spoke up for other people’s rights, Martin, who had big dreams, and Emma, who wrote a poem about opportunity. When America goes to school the next day, she brings the inspiration of her book friends and shares her dreams with the class.
The First Week of School written and illustrated by Drew Breckmeyer
SCHOOL
I’m getting Richard Scary vibes in the sense that this story is not told in a typical narrative story structure but a read-around-the-page-to-see-what’s happening kind of way. From Monday’s Show and Tell to Recess to Friday’s Class Party, this is the story of the first week of school, when a spaceship arrives at the school and NOBODY notices. Also, Nobody is the name of the alien which is a funny play on words. Nobody finds a desk, Nobody hides from the janitor, Nobody likes the STEM lab, and Nobody waves goodbye on Friday. Nobody remembers what happened. Bwahahaha! LOVE!!!!
This Book Is Not For You! written by Howard Pearlstein, illustrated by Susanna Covelli
SILLY / META
The narrator (whose mustache scares me) tells readers all about the book and everything it isn’t. But, of course, the joke which has been done before, is that the illustrations show the exact opposite thing the narrator says of what isn’t in the book. This includes illustrations of someone picking their nose and eating the boogers, holidays, ninas, and aliens. He finishes by explaining that this book is for his dog…to eat.
The Good Game written by Arihhonni David
FOLKTALE
The cover says this book is an early reader. It’s not unless you count short sentences as early readers. (I don’t– I look at the words, specifically the phonics rules used.) However, this is a great picture book folktale about the origin of the bat and flying squirrel. When the bigger animals played a ball game, the smaller animals wanted to play but were denied. The small animals figured out at good plan — and their solution helped them win the game, too!
Clack Clack! Smack! A Cherokee Stickball Story written by Traci Sorrell, illustrated by Joseph Erb
CHEROKEE STICKBALL GAME
Venn isn’t very good at stickball. He realizes that he doesn’t need to be the best and if he passes the ball, it will help his team win. Kids will use inference to understand the Cherokee words and can also look up the words in the back matter pages, which have the words and more information on stickball.
That’s Not Fair written and illustrated by Shinsuke Yoshitake
FUNNY
A little kid complains to her dad about how unfair adults treat kids. RELATABLE, no? The dad explains the reasons…and they are very silly! Bath time is because of the Bath Monsters and she gets in trouble because she’s royalty and if you don’t get sweets, they appear bigger in your dreams. The ending is silly perfect — about how kids are unfair, too.
