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Newly Illustrated Classics
Need a House? Call Ms. Mouse!
By George Mendoza
Illustrated by Doris Susan Smith
Available on June 13, 2023, by NYR Children’s Collection
From the Publisher:
George Mendoza’s Need a House? Call Ms. Mouse! is as inspiring today as when it was first published in 1981, and Doris Susan Smith’s illustrations of this hard-working female protagonist and her fantastical designs and architectural marvels will captivate young readers.
The Truth About Max
By Alice and Martin Provensen
Available on July 11, 2023, by Enchanted Lion Books
I am so excited about this one! I have The Provensen Book of Fairytales and I cherish it! The Truth about Max has never been published before and is based on a cat that frequented several of their other stories.
Treasure Island
By Robert Louis Stevenson, Adapted by Chris Tait
Illustrated by Karl James Mountford
Available on June 20, 2023, by Union Street Kids
The Three Musketeers
By Alexandre Dumas, Adapted by Oliver Ho
Illustrated by Karl James Mountford
Available on August 8, 2023, by Union Street Kids
From the Publisher:
Fight for justice with swashbuckling soldiers in this abridged retelling of The Three Musketeers!
From Me:
I am excited about this version from Classic Starts because my son loves this story and we have read this version of The Three Musketeers several times. Now that he is older, this would be a great one to hand him! Oddly, I cannot find this one, or the Alice below, on Amazon, but I’ll update as soon as I do.
Alice in Wonderland & Through the Looking Glass
By Lewis Carroll, Adapted by Eva Mason
Illustrated by Karl James Mountford
Available on August 8, 2023, by Union Street Kids
From the Publisher:
This abridged retelling is the perfect way to introduce young readers to the grinning Cheshire Cat, Tweedledee, Tweedledum, and the Jabberwocky.
The Little Mermaid
By Hans Christian Anderson
Illustrated by Benjamin Lacombe
Available on August 29, 2023, by Cernnunos
I am so pleased they are publishing this in English! (Benjamin Lacombe’s illustrations are typically in found in Spanish, German and French versions of classics)
This may have a lean towards an older audience as some of the illustration appear geared for the older child or adult, so check it out to make sure its the version for you. I have a blog post on the illustrators of The Little Mermaid that you can check out.
1001 Nights
By Anonymous
Illustrated by Kay Nielsen
Available on June 29, 2023, by Taschen
*Author’s note: So I discovered through an Instagram friend that a similar version has already been published, so this is not new after all! However, I am leaving it here in case a reader is relying on it being here to find it!
Kay Nielsen’s work is a masterpiece of 20th century art, but due to the effects of WWI, his illustrations for 1001 Nights initially went unpublished. They were later discovered after Nielsen died, yet still have only been published once in the 1970’s. Now Taschen will be publishing this beautiful volume illustrated in his rich and dainty finery, and I cannot wait!
Do note that illustrations might be better suited for an older audience.
New in Classic Spin-offs
Luna and the Treasure of Tlaloc
By Joe Todd-Stanton
Available on June 6, 2023, by Flying Eye Books
Venturing into Aztec mythology, this is the fifth title in the Brownstone’s Mythical Collection. We love these bright, beautifully colored graphic novels featuring different members of the Brownstone family, each of whom head out into the world on their separate adventures in mythology.
Bruce and the Legend of Soggy Hollow
By Ryan T. Higgins
Available on July 11, 2023, by Disney Hyperion
New in Poetry
Theme in Yellow
a classic ode to autumn by Carl Sandburg
Illustrated by Tatyana Feeney
Available on August 1, 2023, by Cameron Kids
Smoke at the Pentagon
poems to remember
By Jacqueline Jules
Illustrated by Eszter Anna Racz
Available on August 1, 2023, by Bushel and Peck Books
From the Publisher:
Author Jacqueline Jules, who was a school librarian in Arlington, Virginia on 9/11, tells the story of that day through a tapestry of poems. These poems tell the stories of young people from all aspects of the Arlington and Pentagon communities and are composites drawn from personal experiences with students and friends residing in Northern Virginia at the time of the attack.
New in History and Biography
The Queen of Chess
How Judit Polgar Changed the Game
Written by Laurie Wallmark
Illustrated by Stevie Lewis
Available on July 25, 2023, by Little Bee Books
Moving the Millers’ Minnie Moore Mine Mansion
A True Story
Written by LDave Eggers
Illustrated by Julia Sarda
Available on June 6, 2023, by Candlewick Press
Thomas Girtin
The Forgotten Painter
by Oscar Zarate
Available on June 20, 2023, by SelfMadeHero
New in Non-Fiction
Before Colors
Where Pigments and Dyes Come From
Written by Annette Bay Pimentel
Illustrated by Madison Safer
Available on June 6, 2023, by Abrams Books for Young Readers
From the Publisher:
In this oversized nonfiction picture book, readers will encounter artists as they source and process materials, transforming the most unexpected things into vibrant pigments and dyes. The sidebars offer much more to discover, including extensive lists of specific shades, short bios of colorful characters, and more.
Over the Rainbow
The Science, Magic and Meaning of Rainbows
Written by Rachael Davis
Illustrated by Wenjia Tang
Available on June 6, 2023, by Flying Eye Books
From the Publisher:
There’s nothing better than a rainbow appearing after a storm, but have you ever wondered why they appear and what makes them so colorful? Rainbows have fascinated us for centuries and there’s so much to learn from them. From inspiring different mythology, literature, television and culture to becoming a symbol of hope, acceptance and pride, find out more about these natural wonders in this beautifully illustrated and fascinating guide.
The Great Barrier Reef
Earth’s Incredible Places Series
Written by Helen Scales
Illustrated by Lisk Feng
Available on June 7, 2023, by Flying Eye Books
From the Publisher:
Learn all about how the reef came to be, its place in the world, and perhaps most importantly, what we can all do to help ensure that The Great Barrier Reef will be around for countless future generations to discover!
This newest installment in The Earth’s Incredible Places Series is incredible.
National Monuments of the USA
Written by Cameron Walker
Illustrated by Chris Turnham
Available on June 13, 2023, by Wide Eyed Editions
After years of reading the other book in their series: National Parks of the U.S.A, I could not be more excited about this one! I adore Chris Turnham’s artwork.
A Vaccine Is Like A Memory
Written by Rajani LaRocca, MD
Illustrated by Kathleen Marcotte
Available on June 20, 2023, by Little Bee Books
Please Don’t Bite Me
Insects that Buzz, Bite and Sting
Written by Nazzy Pakpour
Illustrated by Owen Davey
Available on July 4, 2023, by Flying Eye Books
From the Publisher:
Everyone has been bitten by a mosquito, stung by a wasp or had something itchy hiding in their hair. But how much do you actually know about these annoying insects? Ever wondered how mosquitoes find you? Or how wasps can build nests up to 16 feet wide? Or how fleas can jump 150 times their own height?
These questions and more are answered in this book that explores the lives of some of the most irritating buzzing, biting and stinging insects. Teaching readers that perhaps these pesky insects might not be so bad after all.
The Big Book of Mysteries
Written by Tom Adams
Illustrated by Yas Imamura
Available on July 4, 2023, by Nosy Crow
The Handbook of Forgotten Skills
Written by Elaine Batiste and Natalie Crowley
Illustrated by Chris Duriez
Available on August 1, 2023, by Magic Cat
From the Publisher:
Each chapter includes clear, illustrated step-by-step instructions as well as information about the history of that skill. For example, did you know that lemonade is credited with helping fight the plague in Paris? Or that paper airplanes became popular during World War II because traditional toys weren’t available?
From Me:
This is one I am definitely getting. I have been hoping for just such a book, and the illustrations are beautiful!
Picture Books of Note
The Search for the Giant Arctic Jellyfish
By Chloe Savage
Available on June 6, 2023, by Candlewick
The Pumpernickel Daffodil
By Galla Bernstein
Available on June 20, 2023, by Abrams Books for Young Readers
From the Publisher:
Wodehouse Chili Pepper Pumpernickel the Third has an important family: His mother is the famous Mathilda Lily-Rose Daffodil, and his father is the celebrated Wodehouse Chili Pepper Pumpernickel the Second. It’s a family of champions, blue-ribbon winners, and Bests in Show galore, and all of them agree that one day, he will be the best of them all! After all, he IS a Pumpernickel-Daffodil . . .
From Me:
We just read Lad: A Dog by Albert Payson Terhune and loved the chapters on dog shows, so it could be why I’m loving this one. However, when I saw that he was named after the great P.G. Wodehouse, I knew this one was going on my list!
The Skull
By Jon Klassen
Available on July 11, 2023, by Candlewick
From the Publisher:
Jon Klassen’s signature wry humor takes a turn for the ghostly in this thrilling retelling of a traditional Tyrolean folktale. . .
From Me:
I loved Jon Klassen’s illustration in The Three Billy Goats Gruff. Looking forward to this retelling, which has wonderful spooky vibes!
Grandmothers Galore!
By Judith Henderson and Ellen Yeomans
Illustrated by Rashin Kheiriyeh
Available on August 8, 2023, by Abrams Books for Young Readers
From the Publisher:
When a mysterious yellow envelope arrives at Hollyhock House, it causes quite the hubbub. It’s addressed simply to “the greatest grandmother in the world.” The trouble is, there are a lot of grandmothers, great-grandmothers, and even a great-great-grandmother living at Hollyhock House. So who is the best grandmother?
From Me:
Okay this one looks absolutely delightful! And out in time for Grandparents Day too!
Grandpa and the Kingfisher
By Anna Wilson
Illustrated by Sarah Massini
Available on August 15, 2023, by Nosy Crow
From the Publisher:
Over the course of a year, a young child and their dog watch kingfishers by the river with Grandpa. As spring turns to summer and autumn to winter, the kingfishers raise a family, while Grandpa teaches his grandchild about the power of nature and the circle of life.
From Me:
This book is stunning! Also just in time for Grandparents day!