The Children’s Book Review | May 1, 2014
Hot New Releases & Popular Kids Stories
Check out some of the best new release and popular kids books. All of the books listed this month just happen to fit into the “popular book series” category. Many readers will be excited to get their hands on the latest books featuring their favorite characters, while others will be happily introduced for the first time. For picture book fans there’s a new Charlie the Ranch Dog book from Ree Drummond, and Tad Hills has the bestselling duo Duck & Goose featuring in a book perfect for some pre-summer reading. Middle Graders have more from The 39 Clues and How to Train Your Dragon series, while teens can indulge in Kami Garcia’s Dangerous Creatures.
By Ree Drummond
Publisher’s synopsis: Ree Drummond, The Pioneer Woman and #1 New York Times bestselling author of Charlie the Ranch Dog, and her lovable hound are back in Charlie and the New Baby. With expressive illustrations by Diane deGroat, a new delicious recipe from Ree Drummond, and the hilarious antics of Charlie, this picture book is a surefire hit!
There’s nothing that makes Charlie’s soul rejoice more than naps and bacon. But when his daily routine of eating and sleeping is interrupted by a new baby calf, Abigail, Charlie is not happy! Things go from bad to worse when Charlie sees everyone rubbing Abigail’s belly—instead of his; feeding her—instead of him; and tucking Abigail in at the end of the day—in Charlie’s bed. Will Charlie be able to adjust to the new addition?
Ages 4-8 | Publisher: HarperCollins | April 29, 2014 | ISBN-13: 978-0062297501
By Tad Hills
Publisher’s synopsis: In this delightful follow-up to the New York Times bestselling Duck & Goose and Duck, Duck, Goose, Duck wants to go on an adventure. Goose doesn’t. He doesn’t see the point. After all, why would they go anywhere when they’re happy right where they are? But then Goose sees the ocean and loves it. Who doesn’t? Well, Duck, for one!
Ages 3-7 | Publisher: Schwartz & Wade | April 8, 2014 | ISBN-13: 978-0385372350
By Natalie Standiford
Publisher’s synopsis: Life or Death
The clock has run out for thirteen-year-old Dan Cahill. As head of the most powerful family the world has ever known, he and his older sister, Amy, have been in the crosshairs for too long. Dan and Amy have always managed to stay a step ahead of their enemies, but it was only a matter of time until luck failed them.
Now Dan is hopelessly trapped and nothing can save him. Nothing except unleashing an evil into the world even worse than the enemies closing in. As Dan hovers between life and death, Amy has a terrifying decision to make. Just how far is she willing to go to save her little brother?
Ages 8-12 | Publisher: Scholastic | April 29, 2014 | ISBN-13: 978-0545521451
Publisher’s synopsis: This guide is a must-have for fans of the New York Times bestselling How to Train Your Dragon series that inspired the hit move and TV show. This gift book features all of the dragon species from the series plus brand-new ones created just for this book, with color illustrations of each and every one!
Ages 8-12 | Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers | May 20, 2014 | ISBN-13: 978-0316244107
By Kami Garcia
Publisher’s synopsis: From the world of Beautiful Creatures–a dangerous new tale of love and magic.
Ridley Duchannes is nobody’s heroine. She’s a Dark Caster, a Siren. She can make you do things. Anything. You can’t trust her, or yourself when she’s around. And she’ll be the first to tell you to stay away-especially if you’re going to do something as stupid as fall in love with her.
Lucky for Ridley, her wannabe rocker boyfriend, Wesley “Link” Lincoln, never listens to anyone. Link doesn’t care if Rid’s no good for him, and he takes her along when he leaves small-town Gatlin to follow his rock-star dream. He teams up with a ragtag group of Dark Casters, and when the band scores a gig at a hot Underground club, it looks like all of Link’s dreams are about to come true.
But New York City is a dangerous place for both Casters and Mortals, and soon Ridley realizes that Link’s bandmates are keeping secrets. With bad-boy club owner Lennox Gates on her heels, Rid is determined to find out the truth. What she discovers is worse than she could have imagined: Link has a price on his head that no Caster or Mortal can ever pay. With their lives on the line, what’s a Siren to do?
Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl, the #1 New York Times bestselling coauthors of the Beautiful Creatures novels, are back to cast another magical spell. Their signature blend of mystery, suspense, and romance, with a healthy dose of wit and danger, will pull fans in and leave them begging for more.
Ages 12 and up | Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers | May 20, 2014 | ISBN-13: 978-0316370318
We hope you find something that piques your interest from our list of best new kids books and popular kids stories! Which series is the most exciting to you? Ree Drummond’s Charlie the Ranch Dog, Tad Hills’ bestselling duo Duck & Goose, The 39 Clues, How to Train Your Dragon, or Kami Garcia’s Beautiful Creatures series? For more popular kids stories and recent releases, visit: Best New Kids Stories | April 2014.