15 New Picture Books, June 2025

Fireworks written by matthew Burgess, illustrated by Catia Chien
SLICE OF LIFE
This is a day-in-the-life story of urban kids who play, walk, eat, and end the day by watching fireworks with illustrations that are captivating. Teachers, you’ll want to use this book as a mentor text for word choice, details that matter, and memoir writing.

Kente for Jojo written by Bernard Mensah, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon
AFRICAN CULTURE
Vibrant collage illustrations fill this sweet story about a family who takes the big brother to pick out a kente cloth for the new baby, Jojo. The weaver lets the brother help and even though he makes a mistake, the kente turns out okay because kentes are about love.

More or Less written by Alison Hughes, illustrated by Oge Mora
GENEROSITY & SIMPLICITY
You’ll love Oge Mora’s cut paper art that tells the story of a child’s generosity when he realizes he has things he can share with others by donating and inspiring others to donate, also. The text is primarily the words “more” and “less” so let the pictures do the talking!

The Wild Robot on The Island written and illustrated by Peter Brown
Gorgeous art makes this an enticing adaptation of the first Wild Robot middle grade book.

What Coco Can Do written by Maribeth Boeltz, illustrated by Stephanie Labeirs
DOGS
Meet Coco, an expert a cuddle dog. Then meet other dogs like Luna, a companion dog to a cheetah, Pepper, a working dog on a ranch, Lucky, a scent dog, and so on. This book is a loving tribute to all kinds of dogs, each with unique gifts.

M is for Mango written by Atinuke, illustrated by Angela Brooksbank
ALLITERATIVE M ADVENTURE IN AFRICA
In this day-in-the-life story, the monkeys steal baby’s mango and cause mayhem and mischief. But don’t worry, baby Mo gets his sweet mango snack in the end. I love Angela’s artwork, the adorable and determined baby, and the big, bold text size.

Put Your Shoes On written and illustrated by Polly Dunbar
IMAGINATION
In this celebration of imagination, Josh’s mom asks him to put his shoes– once, twice, multiple times. But Josh is too busy daydreaming to put on his shoes until…his mom breaks through his daydreams as a shouting monster mom. Yikes! Then she apologizes (love that) and they leave the house for a birthday party. Cute.

The Bear Out There written and illustrated by Jess Hannigan
4TH WALL
When you knock on the door, the little girl warns us that there IS A BEAR OUT THERE. She shares three reasons that she knows there’s a bear and draws a very (not) realistic picture. We are quaking in our boots by this point in the story and then, the worst happens! The bear arrives…HOME. Apparently it’s actually the bear’s house. The bear offers us tea with honey but gets quite irked at the ridiculous drawing.

Bear and the Three Goldilocks written by Patrick Horne, illustrated by Dan Yaccarino
CAMPING FAIRY TALE
In this reversal story, the three Goldilocks are camping when a bear arrives at their campsite and tries the food, plays their instruments, and tries to find the most comfortable chair and tent. The Goldilocks family try to scare the bear away but it only brings Mama and Papa Bear who invite the humans over for porrage. Only the humans don’t speak bear so they skedaddle. A funny twist on a familiar fairy tale.

Don’t Lose Mr. Cuddles (Life Lessons from Chip the Dog) written by Dev Petty, illustrated by Mike Boldt
FUNNY
Narrated by our favorite dog, Chip, he explains the importance of having someone who understands you– like his very own Mr. Cuddles! Chip recounts how he got Mr. Cuddles, give you tips about the bone fairy, and NOT losing your beloved Mr. Cuddles like the Persons who are always losing everything. You’ll laugh through this funny and heartwarming story.

Zebra and Yak The Backwards Alphabet Book written and illustrated by Paul Friedrich
ALPHABET HUMOR
This book starts with Z is for Zebra which confuses poor Zebra! Zebra usually waits for xylophone so he goes in search of Apple. Yak and Walrus discuss if the alphabet now starts with Z and they pass a snake, turtle, queen, pumpkin) by the middle of the alphabet, it’s a Yak and Zebra (mis)adventure as they encounter all sorts of fun things like ice cream and hula hoops until finally they reach A…and a hilarious ending with a twist.

My Left and Right Book written by Siirsel Tas, illustrated by Gokce Akgul
INTERACTIVE
This is a darling book that teaches left and right while asking readers to practice throughout the story of a girl and a bear searching for camp. Whether you’re reading about the worm on the left and the bird on the right or putting your left hand on the left page, or your right knee on the right page, you’ll laugh your way through this educational story.

Island Storm written by Brian Floca, illustrated by Sydney Smith
STORM / SEQUENCE
With five sense details and an emphasis on setting, the siblings race across the town to the shore as the storm increases in intensity until BOOM! They run all the way home. Beautiful illustrations match the lovely language.

What If We written by Eugenia Yoh, illustrated by Vivienne Chang
IMAGINATION
Everywhere the brother Max goes, he imagines there’s somewhere better. “What if I…” he thinks, imagining riding a koi fish, living in a house made of fruits, until…his little sister Mimi says, “What if WE?” She includes herself in the what ifs. This is a charming story filled with imagination and the reminder of the playmates right in front of us.

Wait ‘Til You’re Older written by Maria Marianayagam, illustrated by Irina Avgustinovich
GROWING UP / SIBLINGS / TIME
Reha doesn’t want to wait until she’s older to play with her brother’s things so she decides to invent a time machine, then a worm hole, then a rocket, but after all her hard work, she still is in the present. Her activities look so fun, her brother wants to play with her and by staying in the present, the future arrives after hours of play. Younger siblings will relate to the challenges of sibling play and being okay with the moment you’re in.