Happy Book Birthday: September New Releases

Time to turn a new page with these book birthdays! Check out these spectacular September releases!

New in Board Books

Good Night, Belly Button by Lucie Brunellière

• Interest Level: PreK

Each page turn of this novelty board book lifts the covers higher—good night toes, little knees, belly button, nose—until the baby is tucked up fast asleep under the book-blanket.

New Picture Books

Bear’s Big Idea by Sandra Nickel and illustrated by Il Sung Na

• Interest Level: PreK – Grade 2

Fish always has a great idea for what to do! When it’s Bear’s turn to think of something, she doesn’t know where to start. A sweet story of friendship, ingenuity, and a surprisingly epic adventure!

“A winning tale of friendship and creativity unleashed.” — Kirkus Reviews

“Young readers will enjoy the dilemma and recognize the anxiety of choosing just what to do each day. This gently humorous story would be a good addition to libraries needing animal and friendship stories.” — School Library Journal

Rats to the Rescue: The Unlikely Heroes Making Cambodia Safe by Scott Riley and Sambat Meas, illustrated by Huy Voun Lee

• Interest Level: Grade 1 – Grade 4

Heroes come in all shapes, sizes, and species! Discover how human deminers are working with specially trained HeroRATs to locate land mines and make Cambodia safe for everyone.

“With Lee’s painted scenes (switching to photos in the back matter) to illustrate, the authors describe in detail how both the people and the rats are trained, how Malen and her colleagues bond with their animals, and how they carefully and systematically stake out and sweep suspected minefields.” — Booklist

“An unusual subject, sensitively handled.” — Kirkus Reviews

“A very interesting and compelling story that most young readers will be unaware of, and many will find fascinating.” — School Library Journal

A Rainy Dragon Day by Julie Völk

• Interest Level: PreK – Grade 2

In this atmospheric picture book, a rainy day indoors turns into a fantastical journey to dragonland when Fred the elegant dragon arrives in need of a bathroom.

“Beautifully illustrated in a way that doesn’t just invoke dreary rainy afternoons, with water stains and colors that blend together at the edges but will also remind readers of a kind of comfortable lethargy that can cover a town or neighborhood on drizzly days.” — Booklist

“A unique bedtime story—before the nightly bathroom visit.” — Kirkus Reviews

The Remarkables: The Most Incredible Children I’ve Met — So Far! by Clotilde Perrin

• Interest Level: Grade 1 – Grade 5

Picture book and comics combine in this imaginative encyclopedia of 40 imaginary children with superpowers. An electric child, a flying child, a stone child, a cake child—each spread celebrates uniqueness and individuality. What superpower would you wish for?

★ “The author makes the introductions in this tongue-in-cheek, wild ride of a picture book about remarkable children—some of them fantastical, others closer to reality than you think.” — starred, Foreword Reviews

After exploring the imaginative world of The Remarkables: The Most Incredible Children I’ve Met — So Far! by Clotilde Perrin, check out a special event with Just Imagine, where the book and author will be featured, along with other inspiring reads and creative ideas to celebrate the magic of storytelling.

Perfect Match: The Story of Althea Gibson and Angela Buxton by Lori Dubbin and illustrated by Amanda Quartey

• Interest Level: Grade 1 – Grade 5

Two women, one in the U.S and one in the UK, face discrimination in the tennis world. Friends and teammates, they knew that in order to win, they would have to draw on their strengths together. And they did.

“Quartey’s painted scenes as well as the photos at the end capture the two in vigorous action and posing arm in arm.” —Booklist

“Dubbin’s well-cho­sen details, com­bined with Aman­da Quartey’s expres­sive illus­tra­tions, make Per­fect Match an upbeat sto­ry of inter­ra­cial friend­ship and triumph.” – Jewish Book Council

Baila the Klopper by Jennifer Tzivia MacLeod and illustrated by Shirley Waisman

• Interest Level: PreK – Grade 2

Baila klops (Yiddish for “bangs”) on all the village doors every morning, but one day, Eliezer the blacksmith, and his neighbors, just don’t want to get up. Can Baila make sure everyone gets to synagogue on time?

Rebecca’s Prayer for President Lincoln by Jane Yolen and illustrated by Laura Barella

• Interest Level: Grade 1 – Grade 5

When news breaks that President Lincoln has been shot, everyone at Rebecca’s synagogue starts to sing the Kaddish, the Jewish prayer for the dead, mourning the President as one of their own. Based on a true story.

“Highlights an intriguing aspect of Jewish American history through a child’s eyes.”—Kirkus Reviews

“A must-read. . . Straightforward and thought-provoking, readers will understand the historical events easily. Reviewer Rating: 5″ — Children’s Literature

New in Spanish

Una niña como yo (A Girl Like Me) by Angela Johnson and illustrated by Nina Crews

• Interest Level: Grade K – Grade 4

Empower your readers to embrace their individuality, reject societal limitations, and follow their dreams. In this inspiring picture book, poet Angela Johnson and illustrator Nina Crews celebrate girls of color. Now in Spanish.

New in Paperback

This Last Adventure by Ryan Dalton

• Interest Level: Grade 5 – Grade 8

When Archie’s beloved grandpa is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, Archie tries to slow the progression of his grandpa’s memory loss through shared role-playing fantasies. But he has to face the reality of what he’s losing.

New in Middle Grade

The Pinchers and the Dog Chase by Anders Sparring and illustrated by Per Gustavsson

• Interest Level: Grade 1 – Grade 4

In this slapstick illustrated crime adventure, the honest Theo Pincher—who doesn’t fit in to his family of criminals—finds a clever way to save the family dog, Sherlock, from the nasty new police officer.

“Whether they prefer outlaws or identify with the good guys, readers will eagerly be turning pages.” — Kirkus Reviews

New Graphic Novels

The Case of the Forest Fingers: Book 1 by Chi-hyeon Ahn and illustrated by Gyung-hyo Kang

• Interest Level: Grade 4 – Grade 6

Strange fingers have appeared in the forest outside of school! Is it zombies? Only the Mystery Science Detectives can solve this case, and they’ll do it using the power of science!

“Slightly spooky and brimming with action, this mystery is definitely a crowd-pleaser.” — Kirkus Reviews

“The first in this comic book series is motivated equally by mystery and STEM, making it an attractive formula for curious readers.” — School Library Journal

The Wolf in Underpants and the Hazelnut-Cracker by Wilfrid Lupano and illustrated by Mayana Itoïz

• Interest Level: Grade 2 – Grade 5

A strange toy comes to life and leads the Wolf to a forbidden forest, a most frightening place! He’ll have to overcome a thousand dangers, including the willies! (Yes, wolves get the willies, too.)

New Young Adult Fiction

They Thought They Buried Us by NoNieqa Ramos

• Interest Level: Grade 9 – Grade 12

Horror movie fan Yuiza gets a scholarship to a prestigious boarding school that isn’t what it seems. Yuiza must uncover the school’s sinister secrets and try to get out alive.

“Fans of horror movies in particular will appreciate this creepy story that centers survival for queer, BIPOC characters in the face of white supremacy.” — Booklist

“NoNieqa Ramos crafts a mesmerizing, razor-sharp horror story, spinning an intricate web of secrets, betrayals, biting humor and exacting truth. They Thought They Buried Us will challenge readers and devour hearts.” — Alexandra Villasante, author of The Grief Keeper

New Nonfiction

We Shall Not Be Denied: A Timeline of Voting Rights and Suppression in America by Cayla Bellanger DeGroat and Cicely Lewis

• Interest Level: Grade 4 – Grade 8

Voting is a powerful right. Throughout history, Americans from underrepresented groups have fought, suffered, and even died for the right to vote, yet challenges still remain. Learn how to make a difference, even if you are not old enough to vote.

★ “The authors have successfully written a thought-provoking, informative book, providing ample information without overwhelming readers with huge blocks of text. Delightfully to the point and packed with information, this book would serve as a great starting point for students who are doing research.” — starred, Booklist

“A smart and succinct work, a straightforward guide to the history of voting rights in the U.S.” — Publishers Weekly

“A succinct and approachable exploration of voting rights and suppression in the United States . . . A strong choice for American history and civics curriculum.” — School Library Journal

Good Game: A Sesame Street ® Guide to Being a Good Sport by Charlotte Reed

• Interest Level: PreK – Grade 2

Join Elmo, Big Bird, Abby Cadabby, and their friends from Sesame Street and learn what it means to be a good sport!

“A winner for young sports and games enthusiasts.” — Booklist

Defending Nature: How the US Military Protects Threatened and Endangered Species by Sneed B. Collard III

• Interest Level: Grade 4 – Grade 8

On Eglin Air Force Base, scientists and soldiers work together to protect endangered red-cockaded woodpeckers, gopher tortoises, and reticulated flatwoods salamanders. Discover the challenges endangered species face and how the military works to protect them.

★ “Essential, and eye-opening, reading for serious students of wildlife conservation.”—starred, Kirkus Reviews

“With an original subject, an engaging text, and a color photo on nearly every page, this book offers an intriguing look at conservation on military bases.” — Booklist

Starlight Symphony by Buffy Silverman

• Interest Level: PreK – Grade 3

Nature is full of music. Listen in as a wood thrush, a cricket, a woodpecker, and many other animals perform a symphony under the stars. Rhyming verse and eye-catching photos will draw in animal lovers and music lovers alike!

★ “The clever concept of comparing the natural world to an orchestra works beautifully, offering both an introduction to animal communication and a range of musical instruments. . . A pleasing and playful performance with something for everyone to applaud.”—starred, Booklist

★ “Whether a bedtime story for the very young or a nature text for early elementary schoolers, this title has broad appeal and utility. Perfectly pitched for its audience.” — starred, Kirkus Reviews

Healthy Living Library

Beyond Distraction: Understanding ADHD by Amy Farrar and Tabitha Moriarty

Not Just a Bad Day: Understanding Depression by Wendy Moragne and Tabitha Moriarty