What’s New in Early Readers & Chapter Books, June 2025
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Ready for what’s new in early readers and chapter books? You’ll find new titles and some not-to-be-missed sequels, including books in the the Pumpkin & Beetle, Orris and Timble, Lone Wolf and Sky & Ty series!
New Early Readers and Chapter Books for Ages 6 – 9
Lone Wolf Goes to the Library written by Kiah Thomas, illustrated by K-Fai Steele
FUNNY EARLY READER
Lone Wolf loves his library books but when he must return his book or be banned from ever checking out one again. To his horror, he must brave the busy library filled with noisy and snotty children. How will he avoid the chaos, kids, and snot to return his book? This is yet another hilarious story of our grumpy hero’s ingenuity in his efforts to avoid people. SO RELATABLE! (Also, I love a character like this who has NO arc!)
Lone Wolf on Vacation written by Kiah Thomas, illustrated by K-Fai Steele
FUNNY EARLY READER
Wolf’s dream vacation involves sights, fresh air, and being alone in a new place with NO one he knows. He even takes the bus at night (which doesn’t go as quietly as he hopes.) After reaching his hotel, Lone Wolf is recognized in the elevator, there’s someone in his room, and a bossy boy invites him for a swim at the pool. It’s not working for Lone Wolf AT ALL and he has had enough. Where will he find the vacation of his dreams? (Introverts will applaud at his solution!)
Sky & Ty Dinomite! written and illustrated by Steve Breen
FRIENDSHIP EARLY READER
It’s the Wild West with a silly dinosaur named Ty and a helpful girl named Sky. In this book of stories, Ty dressed up in western attire, including tight jeans. Cowgirl-hat-wearing Sky is blown away by the wind. They help a chicken named Vinny to fly. And they find gold but it’s the stories that are pure gold!
Squid in Pants written and illustrated by Kaz Windness
SILLY EARLY READER
Kaz’s illustrations are so fun, perfectly matching this silly rhyming story about a stylish squid who wants to wear clothes. With a little help from his ocean friends, he finds the perfect style!
Green Jolene and the Neighborhood Swap written by Wendy Mass, illustrated by Billy Yong
REALISTIC CHAPTER BOOK
I’d put this illustrated environmental chapter book at about 3rd grade or 4th grade reading level. It’s a well-written story about a determined girl named Jolene who wants to help people reuse, recycle, and renew and not contribute to landfills. She organizes a neighborhood swap that she hopes will help encourage people to reuse.
I Am Not Okay written and illustrated by David DeGrand
FUNNY GRAPHIC NOVEL CHAPTER BOOK
Fluffy Nugget appoints himself responsible for cheering up every animal in the forest which he does with his Goodbye, Grumpy Grumps song and the other animals’ participation. Today, there are a lot of animals who need his intervention so his breakfast keeps getting interrupted. This leads to a breakdown and tantrum. What will the other animals do when their leader has the grumps? Invent a new song, of course. Expressive and silly.
Orris and Timble Lost and Found (Book 2) written by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Carmen Mok
FRIENDSHIP CHAPTER BOOK
Timble, the owl, disappears for days and his friend, Orris, the mouse, feels hurt and rejected. When Timble eventually returns, Orris must decide to stay mad or to make the “noble choice” and talk to his friend, who he learns was lost. This is as sweet as the first book with captivating illustrations.
Mad Scientist Mom written and illustrated by Jarrett Lerner
SCI-FI/TIME TRAVEL CHAPTER BOOK
I love stories like this where the kid is the voice of reason advising the adult who is the mad scientist mom. Their washing machine is broken and the mom’s solution is not to fix the washer but to go back in time. Of course, the plan does not work and the boy and his mom travel back 60 million years! Hilarious fun!
Pumpkin and Beetle Two Vampire Cats (Book 2) written and illustrated by Jannie Ho
FRIENDSHIP CHAPTER BOOK GRAPHIC NOVEL
Our cute main characters want to earn enough money to buy a comic they want to read. So they decide to carve crabapple which they’ll use in muffins and sell them. But no one wants to buy the burnt muffins. Will they find a way to get the new comic book? Halloween-themed but not at all scary, this is a darling comic series for growing readers.
