12 Must-Read November Children’s Book Releases

A new Questioneers picture book! Ada Twist, Scientist is currently my daughter’s favorite book, so we’ve collected all the books in the Questioneers series, and I plan to give a print version of this one to her for her birthday! This newest addition to the series has dyslexia representation, something nearly impossible to find in picture books. Aaron Slater dreams of writing his own books, but words swim in his vision, and he has trouble both writing and reading them. But Aaron realizes there are other ways to tell a story and that, while his dreams may have to shift in approach, he can still be a storyteller. Told in Beaty’s signature rhyme, this fantastic read-aloud is a must for Questioneer readers.

Frankie is having a birthday garden party. Everything is ready and perfect, everything except her outfit. Her mom and siblings try to help her find the perfect outfit, but the dresses feel wrong, and she wants something really special. So she draws her dream outfit, a spectacular suit, and gives it to her mom. On the day of the party, she awakens to the best gift of all — the suit of her dreams. This is such a fun read-aloud that celebrates gender nonconformity. The illustrations are in vibrant yellows, oranges, and blue, and it would make a perfect read before a child’s birthday.

Jory John and Pete Oswald have teamed up again for a new, standalone picture book in the Food Group series (The Bad Seed is the first). This cookie doesn’t feel so smart. She doesn’t make good grades at school, and she never raises her hands to answer questions because she can’t think of answers fast enough. Cookie feels so much school anxiety every day. However, when the teacher gives the students the freedom to chose their own assignment, Cookie discovers something they feel confident in doing. There is so much pressure for kids to “perform” well in school at young ages now, and to get perfect grades, making this a much-needed book for both kids and parents. It’s also a fun story, and, as always, the illustrations are adorable.

This celebration of the natural world has the kind of gorgeous illustrations I wish I could frame and hang on the wall. The lush illustrations pair perfectly with the simple, rhythmic text: “Investigate insects, / some glow and shine, / Inspect spiderwebs / and their lovely design.” Laden’s text addresses a young child exploring the outdoors with universal sentiments, while Castrillon’s verdant illustrations wrap and twirl around the child. This would make a perfect holiday present for young nature-lovers.

A little girl walks to a Japanese bath house with her aunties and grandmother in this beautiful, intergenerational celebration of Japanese culture. Once at the bath house, the family goes through their bath-time rituals until it’s finally time to soak in the warm water. With body-positive prose and illustrations, the family bathes together until it’s time to walk the quiet, dark streets and return home. Author Kyo Maclear based this quiet yet joyful story on her own childhood visits to Japan. Gracey Zhang’s warm illustrations are the perfect accompaniment for this sweet story.

Cousins Tricia Elam Walker and Ekua Holmes grew up in the same Boston neighborhood and teamed up to create this beautiful tribute to that neighborhood. According to the people who live on Dream Street, it’s the best street in the world, and, as the prose makes clear, the people are what makes the street so great. Each page spread examines the dreams and daily lives of each person that lives on the street, from Azaria’s prowess at Double Dutch to Ms. Sarah’s whispered stories. Award-winning illustrator Ekua Holmes’s collage illustrations are vibrant, warm, and jubilant.

Charles R. Smith Jr.’s rhythmic prose tells the story of famed musician Jimi Hendrix’s life, from his poor childhood to time in the military to playing at Woodstock. Through it all, music defined Jimi’s life and his aspirations. Edel Rodriguez’s intense and vivid illustrations bring Hendrix’s musical style to life, as does Smith’s ambitious prose. This unique, compelling picture book biography is sure to be up for some awards next year.

Nikole Hannah-Jones won a Pulitzer Prize for her essay with The New York Times’s 1619 Project, which commemorated the 400th anniversary of the beginning of slavery in the United States. She teams up with Newbery and Coretta Scott King Award–winning author Renée Watson in this series of powerful poems that chronicle the history of slavery in the U.S. It opens with a teacher assigning a family tree project to a young, Black narrator. He at first feels shame, but when his family tells him the proud origins of his history, his shame is transformed into empowerment. From their West African ancestors to the first Black enslaved child born in the U.S. to Civil Rights and contemporary activists, this picture book tackles a broad history of the Black experience with beauty and lyricism. The poems are accompanied by stunning paintings by illustrator Nikkolas Smith.

Twelve-year-old Xavier, AKA Moonie, isn’t the prime candidate for the elite Scepter League, a boys’ club for only the most confident kids. He wears braces, stutters, and prefers to play the Switch than talk to other people his age. His parents have recently been incarcerated, and he’s living with his great aunt Kat. When his great uncle sends him a letter of encouragement along with some snazzy new socks, Moonie decides to be brave and step out of his comfort zone. He decides to apply for the Scepter League, but first, he needs to prove his confidence. Charming and powerful, I loved how Moonie’s disability doesn’t define the novel.

This anthology collects 20 Middle Eastern fairytales author Rodaan Al Galidi heard during his childhood in Iraq. Many of these tales involve animals, such as “The Partridge and the Turtles” and “The Lion and the Bull.” Some are funny, some have clear morals, all are entertaining. Geertje Aalders’s papercut illustrations are gorgeous and plentiful. It would make a beautiful holiday gift for children who love folktales. Though it’s long, it’s also appropriate for elementary-aged children.

I adore Wendy Xu’s Mooncakes, so when I heard she had a new graphic novel coming out, I had to read it. Tidesong is a delightful middle grade graphic novel about a family of witches who can control water. Sophie longs to attend the Royal Magic Academy, so she spends the summer with her great aunt and cousin, hoping they’ll be able to help her with her magic. Instead, her great aunt gives her piles of chores, and Sophie feels constantly demeaned and ridiculed by her. Filled with anxiety and the desire to prove herself, she accidentally transforms a water dragon, Lir, into a human. With her family admiring Lir and condemning Sophie’s actions, Sophie struggles with trying to help Lir while also trying to prove she’s good enough for the academy.

Portico Reeves isn’t a normal kid; he’s the greatest superhero you’ve never ever heard of — Stuntboy! His superpower is keeping other superheroes safe, like his parents and friends. He lives in a castle (though some call it an apartment building) and takes his superhero duties very seriously. However, attacks of The Frets (AKA anxiety) often leave him paralyzed, and in the meantime, he faces his biggest challenge yet: getting his parents to stop fighting. Raúl the Third’s expressive illustrations give an old-school comic book feel to this middle grade graphic novel and pair perfectly with powerhouse writer Jason Reynolds’ simultaneously goofy and heartwarming story.