Lot of good-looking books coming out here in the next three months. Here are ten that caught my eye.

Picture Books

The Town of Turtle by Michelle Cuevas, illustrated by Catia Chien

HMH | April 10 | Grades K-2

Funny and sweet. That’s what I’m expecting with this story about a lonely turtle who ends up creating an entire civilization on the top of his shell. Look for the illustrations to get some attention as well (can I make an early New York Times Best Illustrated prediction?).

Ocean Meets Sky by The Fan Bros.

Simon & Schuster | May 15 | Grades K-3

The Bros. Fan are back after that great book they did a couple years back that my students (and I) really liked. This one is about a boy who sets sail to find a secret place his grandfather told him about.

Julian is a Mermaid by Jessica Love

Candlewick Press | May 22 | Grades K-3

When Julian spots three mermaids on the train, he’s transfixed. When he gets home, it’s mermaid time. But what will his Abuela think? This is a debut that’s already been getting a lot of attention (hello Publishers Weekly starred review) with it’s loving take on identity.

Early Readers

Fox & Chick: The Party and Other Stories by Sergio Ruzzier

Chronicle Books | April 17 | Grades K-3

Who’s excited by the prospect of a Sergio Ruzzier early reader? I’m not sure is that’s what they’re calling this new series, but I’m calling an early reader, and I can’t wait to read it.

Chapter Books

Polly Diamond and the Magic Book (Book 1) by Alice Kuipers, illustrated by Diana Toledano

Chronicle Books | May 1 | Grades 1-4

A girl finds a magic book that turns the things she writes into real life. I’m in. Consider me looking forward to this new series.

Middle Grade

Two Dogs in a Trench Coat Go To School (Book 1) by Julie Falatko, illustrated by Colin Jack

Scholastic | May 29 | Grades 3-6

You had me at “two dogs in a trench coat”. Julie Falatko heads to illustrated middle grade territory with a book that I think might warm kids’ slapstick loving hearts.

Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed

Nancy Paulsen Books (Penguin) | May 8 | Grades 5 and Up

I’ve been hearing a ton of positive buzz emanating from this book about a Pakistani girl who finds herself in indentured servitude.

Nonfiction

Adventures to School: Real-Life Journeys of Students Around the World by Miranda Paul and Baptiste Paul, illustrated by Isabel Muñoz

little bee books (Simon & Schuster) | May 1 | Grades K-3

There aren’t a ton of books that I look at and think “I’ve never seen anything like this before” – this is on of them. Stories of how kids get to school in different parts of the globe. This is a cool idea for a book.

Graphic Novels

Smash 2: Fearless by Chris A. Bolton, illustrated by Kyle Bolton

Candlewick Press | May 8 | Grades 3-7

I was really excited when I saw this. Smash 1 was a great unlikely kid superhero story. But after a while, I wasn’t sure if we’d ever see part two. Good to see part two is coming.

Be Prepared by Vera Brosgol

First Second (Macmillan) | April 24 | Grades 4-7

Fresh off her Caldecott Honor for Leave Me Alone! (man, am I happy about that book getting Caldecott love), Vera Brosgol brings us a middle grade graphic novel about the topic that truly will never stop giving: summer camp.