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    The Children's Book Review

    Best New Picture Books | July 2017

    Bianca SchulzeBy Bianca Schulze6 Mins Read Ages 0-3 Ages 4-8 Best Kids Stories Book Lists Picture Books
    Stay A Girl a Dog a Bucket List Best New Picture Books July 2017
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    The Children’s Book Review | July 21, 2017

    7 New Release Picture Books

    We have 7 of the best new picture books for you to read your way through. Included in this round-up of picture books is a a uniquely spellbinding book that readers will return to again and again, a clever and poignant picture book by award-winning artist Antoinette Portis, a story that reminds readers of all ages that time with our loved ones is the most precious gift of all, and a companion picture book to Chris Colfer’s #1 New York Times bestselling Land of Stories series. Our selection of best new picture books will give you plenty of outstanding reading material! Which one are you going to read first?


    Mama Lion Wins the RaceMama Lion Wins the Race

    Written and Illustrated by Jon J. Muth

    Publisher’s Synopsis: Start your engines: The race is on! And Mama Lion and Tigey are off — with their cool goggles and snazzy sports car!

    Racing teams gather from far and wide for this madcap race. But who will take home the big trophy? Will it be the playful Flying Pandinis? The mischievous Knitted Monkey crew? Or will Mama Lion and Tigey speed past the finish line in first place?

    While everyone hopes to win, it’s the journey itself — filled with joy, beauty, fun, and friendships — that is the best prize of all.

    With cars inspired by the early days of Italian motor racing, and characters based on his children’s beloved toy animals, Jon J Muth has created a uniquely spellbinding book that readers will return to again and again.

    Order a Copy Now: Indiebound | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

    Ages 3-5 | Publisher: Scholastic Press | July 25, 2017 | ISBN-13: 978-0545852821


    now by antoinette portisNow

    Written and Illustrated by Antoinette Portis

    Publisher’s Synopsis: This is my favorite cloud. . .because it’s the one I am watching.
    This is my favorite tree. . .because it’s the one where I’m swinging.
    This is my favorite tooth. . .because it’s the one that is missing.

    Follow a little girl as she takes you on a tour through all of her favorite things, from the holes she digs to the hugs she gives in Now, a clever and poignant picture book by award-winning artist Antoinette Portis.

    Order a Copy Now: Indiebound | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

    Ages 3-6 | Publisher: Roaring Brook Press | July 11, 2017 | ISBN-13: 978-1626721371


    Stay- A Girl, a Dog, a Bucket ListStay: A Girl, a Dog, a Bucket List

    Written by Kate Klise

    Illustrated by M. Sarah Klise

    Publisher’s Synopsis: Eli the dog has been with Astrid since her parents brought her home from the hospital as a baby. Now Astrid is getting older, and so is Eli. Before he slows down too much, Astrid wants to make fun memories with him. So she makes a bucket list for Eli, which includes experiences such as eating with him in a restaurant, and taking him down a slide at the playground.

    But in the end, what is most important to Eli is the time he spends with Astrid, whom he loves dearly. Sisters Kate and M. Sarah Klise have created a story that reminds readers of all ages that time with our loved ones is the most precious gift of all.

    Order a Copy Now: Indiebound | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

    Ages 3-5 | Publisher: Feiwel & Friends | July 18, 2017 | ISBN-13: 978-1250107145


    The Scariest Book EverThe Scariest Book Ever

    Written and Illustrated by Bob Shea

    Publisher’s Synopsis: Reader beware! This is the scariest book ever! Or so claims its melodramatic ghost narrator. You can go ahead and turn the page, but don’t expect him to come with you. Anything might pop out of that black hole in the middle of the forest. What do you mean it’s just a bunny? Well, it’s probably a bunny with big fangs. Watch out, it’s–picking pumpkins with its friends, you say? Actually, despite the ghost’s scare-mongering, none of the animal characters in the illustrations seem scary at all. . . . What’s up with that? Many delights, such as surprises after the page turn, an alarmist narrator, and punch lines to anticipate make this book a scream for both kids and parents.

    Order a Copy Now: Indiebound | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

    Ages 4-7 | Publisher: Disney-Hyperion | July 18, 2017 | ISBN-13: 978-1484730461


    Someone Like MeSomeone Like Me

    Written by Patricia MacLachlan

    Illustrated by Chris Sheban

    Publisher’s Synopsis: If you were a little girl
    who listened to stories
    over and over and over;
    and who read books
    every night,
    every day,
    even as her mother led her across the street,
    You might be me,
    a writer.

    Follow a little girl in acclaimed writer Patricia MacLachlan’s semi-autobiographical picture book, Someone Like Me. Filled with gorgeous and thoughtful illustrations by Chris Sheban, learn what it might take to grow up to become a writer.

    Order a Copy Now: Indiebound | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

    Ages 4-8 | Publisher: Roaring Brook Press | July 3, 2017 | ISBN-13: 978-1626723344


    Hello Goodbye DogHello Goodbye Dog

    Written by Maria Gianferrari

    Illustrated by Patrice Barton

    Publisher’s Synopsis: For Zara’s dog, Moose, nothing is more important than being with his favorite girl. So when Zara has to go to school, WHOOSH, Moose escapes and rushes to her side.

    Hello, Moose!

    Unfortunately, dogs aren’t allowed at school and Moose has to go back home.

    Goodbye, Moose.

    But Moose can’t be held back for long. Through a series of escalating escapes, this loyal dog always finds her way back to Zara, and with a little bit of training and one great idea, the two friends find a way to be together all day long.

    Order a Copy Now: Indiebound | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

    Ages 4-8 | Publisher: Roaring Brook Press | July 25, 2017 | ISBN-13: 978-1626721777


    Trollbella Throws a Party- A Tale from the Land of StoriesTrollbella Throws a Party

    Written by Chris Colfer

    Illustrated by Brandon Dorman

    Publisher’s Synopsis: Celebrate Queen Trollbella’s birthday in this companion picture book to Chris Colfer’s #1 New York Times bestselling Land of Stories series.

    It’s Queen Trollbella’s birthday and she’s throwing herself an epic celebration. She has everything a troll girl would want: musicians, magical creatures, carnival rides, a gigantic cake, and more. So why isn’t she having any fun?

    Trollbella knows something is missing. When she meets a goblin boy sneaking into her party, Trollbella decides to share her party, and she discovers that a happy kingdom and learning to give back is the best gift she could’ve ever received.
    This enchanted tale about the importance and the joy of sharing will be a must-have for Land of Stories fans, younger siblings, and new readers alike.

    Order a Copy Now: Indiebound | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

    Ages 5-8 | Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers | July 11, 2017 | ISBN-13: 978-0316383400


    *Header image illustration from Stay: A Girl, a Dig, a Bucket List, written by Kate Klise and illustrated by M. Sarah Klise (Feiwel & Friends 2017)

    For more of the best new picture books for kids, follow along with our articles tagged with New Books for Kids, Picture Books, Books for Ages 0-3, and Books for Ages 4-8.

    What to Read Next:

    1. Best New Picture Books | June 2017
    2. The Best Picture Books of 2017
    3. Best New Picture Books | September 2016
    4. Best New Picture Books | January 2017

    *Disclosure: Please note that this post may contain affiliate links that share some commission. Rest assured that these will not affect the cost of any products and services promoted here. Our team always provides their authentic opinion in all content published on this site.

    Antoinette Portis Best Books for Kids Best Kids Books of 2017 Best New Kids Books Bob Shea Brandon Dorman Chris Colfer Chris Sheban Disney-Hyperion Feiwel & Friends Jon J Muth Kate Klise Little Brown Books for Young Readers Maria Gianferrari Patricia Maclachlan Picture Books Roaring Brook Press Scholastic Press
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    Bianca Schulze
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    Bianca Schulze is the founder of The Children’s Book Review. She is a reader, reviewer, mother and children’s book lover. She also has a decade’s worth of experience working with children in the great outdoors. Combined with her love of books and experience as a children’s specialist bookseller, the goal is to share her passion for children’s literature to grow readers. Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, she now lives with her husband and three children near Boulder, Colorado.

    6 Comments

    1. Linda Baie on July 26, 2017 8:33 am

      I’ve heard of some of these and will find them. Love the idea of “Now”.

      Reply
      • Bianca Schulze on July 27, 2017 7:06 pm

        And the cover is beautiful, right?

        Reply
    2. Maria Gianferrari on July 27, 2017 11:51 am

      So thrilled to see my book, Hello Goodbye Dog, featured here!! Thank you!!

      Reply
      • Bianca Schulze on July 27, 2017 7:07 pm

        A pleasure, Maria!

        Reply
    3. Kayla Lund on August 13, 2017 7:17 pm

      Is there an error in the description of “Someone Like Me?” It seems like the publisher’s synopsis doesn’t match this title. If it is an error, can you tell me what the title is of the book that was described in the synopsis?

      Reply
      • Bianca Schulze on August 14, 2017 2:12 pm

        Thank you so much for pointing that out. Here is the correct synopsis:

        If you were a little girl
        who listened to stories
        over and over and over;
        and who read books
        every night,
        every day,
        even as her mother led her across the street,
        You might be me,
        a writer.

        Follow a little girl in acclaimed writer Patricia MacLachlan’s semi-autobiographical picture book, Someone Like Me. Filled with gorgeous and thoughtful illustrations by Chris Sheban, learn what it might take to grow up to become a writer.

        Reply
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