8 New Elementary Picture Books for Ages 6 – 9, September 2025

Emmie Builds Something New written and illustrated by Marjorie Crosby-Fairall
FRIENDSHIP
Darling! When an unwelcome cat arrives in the attic, the inventor, problem-solving mouse who lives there, makes and implements plans to try to get rid of the cat. But after many efforts, Emmie makes a surprising discovery–the cat isn’t scary after all! The detailed illustrations are so much fun to look at!

Before I Lived Here written by Stacy S. Jensen, illustrated by Victo Ngai
HISTORY OF LAND
If you like stunning, frameable artwork, you will LOVE the art in this gorgeous book. A boy looks out of his window and thinks of the land before. From two years ago, when construction workers were building the houses, to 1862 homesteaders living on stolen land, to 66 million years ago when dinosaurs roamed, to 1 billion years ago when mountains burst through the Earth. A beautiful reflection on a land’s history.

Zombie and Brain are Friends written by Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic, illustrated by Laan Cham
ZOMBIES
You’ll love the cheeky humor in this friendship story about a zombie family who grow grass-fed BRAINS. When the young Zeb finds a tiny, cute brain, he wants it for a pet, even though his parents say brains are not pets. When he finally convinces his family, he takes great care of his new pet until…he sees his dad about to eat his pet brain! What can Zeb do but run away? The perfect combination of humor and heart!

The Yellow Road written and illustrated by Sven Nordqvist
FANTASTICAL ADVENTURE
This is the story of a boy named Sam who wakes up in a strange place far from home. He meets small creatures who take him to a wise woman who says he should take the yellow road home. His journey takes him through a fantastical adventure past giants and castles, up mountains, through dark woods with trolls, sailing the sea, and more. Will he ever get home? Enchanting illustrations!

The Mushroom of Doom! written by Becky Davies, illustrated by Thomas Elliott
HUMOR
A funny, voicey villain-origin story about…REVENGE! This angry baddie mushroom explains how he became the “Mushroom of Doom”. It all started on pizza night when he wasn’t chosen, and his life went downhill from there. Even his mushroom army doesn’t last! He will take over the world if it’s the last thing he does…

Seven Skies All at Once written by Ted Kooser, illustrated by Matt Myers
WEATHER
Lovely, poetic writing personifies different areas of sky and their changing weather in this layered STEM story with captivating artwork. “And after it stopped, the skies left behind a green laundry basket with a handle that looked like a rainbow.“

No Bad Parts written by Richard Swartz, illustrated by?
SEL
I LOVE Internal Family Systems therapy, it’s been the best for healing from trauma, so I was curious to read the founder’s new IFS picture book. Unfortunately, I found it to be a bit too didactic with a mix of adult and kid language that I didn’t love. Also, too wordy. I do love the art, though. And I love the idea of it–but this doesn’t work for a picture book.

Aggie and the Ghost written and illustrated by Matthew Forsythe
TOLERANCE
This isn’t your typical enemies-to-friends story. Nope. Instead, it’s an enemies (a naughty ghost and a kid named Aggie) who learn to tolerate each other on occasion. Isn’t that refreshing? Gorgeous illustrations from the creator of Pokko and the Drum.