These new and upcoming children’s book releases celebrate family, community, and country. Avid readers will cherish the worthwhile values that come with these stories and look forward to new adventures, new ideas, and hopes for spring.
Happy New Year!
Feb. 17 marks the start of the Year of the Horse according to the Chinese calendar. Festivities abound as different parts of the world ring in the lunar new year.
‘Welcoming the Lunar New Year: Festivals of the World’
By Lara Lee and Natelle Quek
The night before the new lunar year is a busy, busy time! As Ren’s family prepares peanut cookies and Grandpa puts money in red envelopes, Ren accidentally rips the dragon costume that will be used in that evening’s parade. Ren and his mom must go shopping to find materials to fix the costume. As they meet each shopkeeper, they learn about other cultures’ lunar new year traditions. Will the costume be ready in time for the parade?
Told in narrative form, Ren’s story is a fun way to learn about this popular holiday. Hands-on activities—a peanut cookie recipe and dragon puppet instructions—can be found at the end of the book. An entertaining family read.
Candlewick, 32 pages, Jan. 27, 2026
Spring Dreaming
Looking forward to spring? Using one’s imagination can help make the slow days of winter go a little faster.
‘Bored’
By Felicita Sala
There’s nothing worse than to have a child stuck at home declare, “I’m bored.” In this book, little Rita is just that. She‘s so bored out of her mind that she imagines what it would be like for a group of bored people to gather together on Bored Island. And just like that, she’s busy!
The book itself will keep boredom at arm’s length as young readers imitate her silly facial expressions and body contortions. Despite the title, this book will actually put a big smile on many a little one’s face. A great book for preschoolers.
Neal Porter Books, 48 pages, Jan. 6, 2025
By Jenny Bloomfield
A girl throws a red bouncy ball on the beach, signaling for her dog to fetch it. As it goes after the ball, more dogs follow. Soon, a whole pack of dogs is on the chase! As the ball travels through the city, it’s followed by a determined (and growing) group of canines.
Preschoolers will love this merry chase through the city, and even though it’s still too cold to be outdoors, this book will get the minds and pulses racing. You’ll wish for the warmer days ahead.
Frances Lincoln Children’s Books, 34 pages, Feb. 3, 2026
‘Treasure Thieves on the High Seas: Pirates, Privateers, and Plunder’
By Roxie Munro
Dead men may tell no tales but the pirates and privateers in this new nonfiction picture book have a lot of captivating stories to tell. From the many exploits of the popular Sir Francis Drake, who privateered for England’s queen, to the circumstances that led to Capt. Kidd’s “pirate” life, this book is chock-full of information for any reader fascinated by this life of adventure. No pirate book would be complete without the looming presence of Blackbeard.
Great for read-alouds (get those pirate voices ready) and independent readers. They will sink into the facts and the accompanying colorful maps and illustrations.
Holiday House, 48 pages, Feb. 24, 2026
Be Uplifted
Inspirational stories of new life and real people are the perfect antidote to the winter doldrums.
By Dierdre Sullivan and Jessica Love
This heartfelt picture book shows a mother’s anticipation for the birth of her wee one. The mother expresses her love for her baby, whether it’s a pea-sized living being in her womb or the size of a watermelon.
It’s a great reminder of the miracle of life, and that no matter what “produce” size the baby gets to be, there is much love through all the stages of being. This is an endearing book for mothers-to-be or for mothers who want to help a child welcome a new sibling.
Candlewick, 32 pages, March 17, 2026
‘Extraordinary Women of Faith: 31 Trailblazers Who Loved God and Changed the World’
By Margaret McAllister and Summer Macon
Mothers, artists, scientists, writers, and athletes. The gamut of faith-filled women who served country and God can be found in the pages of this new collective biography. In meeting Florence Nightingale, Harriet Tubman, and Corrie Ten Boom, readers will be inspired by how they lived for the greater good.
Jane Austen, St. Hildegard of Bingen, and Wilma Rudolph used their talents to bring joy to others. This book captures more than 30 women from all walks of life, from all corners of the globe, who bring light and life to those around them. Great for read-alouds to younger children and independent readers 8 years old and up.
Zonderkidz, 48 pages, Jan. 13, 2026
‘Honor Flight: Celebrating America’s Veterans’
By Jeff Gottesfeld and Matt Tavares
The Honor Flight Network flies in veterans from all over America—for free—to visit the many different war memorials that dot the green spaces of the nation’s capital. In this beautiful, realistically illustrated picture book, readers will travel along with a veteran who makes his journey from his home to Washington. As the veteran returns home, he’s reminded why he served. This is also a reminder for readers to never forget the sacrifices soldiers made to preserve our freedom. There won’t be a dry eye in the room after reading this book. Perfect for the whole family.
Candlewick, 40 pages, March 3, 2026
What arts and culture topics would you like us to cover? Please email ideas or feedback to features@epochtimes.nyc
