Spring is almost here and publishing is popping with tons of wonderful new childrens’ books to read! With spring vacation just around the corner, it’s a great time to get out your TBR list and add these titles. Because everyone spends school vacation reading, right?
Below you’ll find a tearjerker about the unusual friendship between two furry creatures; the partnership between nemeses for a greater good; the story of the making of a classic; a biography of a legendary editor of childrens’ books; a boy who finds unusual mysteries in his late grandfather’s home; a girl who decides she wants to be a cat; a dog with seasonal allergies; and lots more!
So get ready to check out these great books! And if you can’t wait until vacation to read them, you can always play hooky. (I’ll write you a note.) (Also, can you help me open this Capri Sun?)
New Children’s Chapter Books
The Unlikely Tale of Chase and Finnegan by Jasmine Warga (Balzer + Bray, March 3)
Get the tissues ready! Let’s kick things off with this heart-squeezing story of a rescue dog and an orphaned cheetah cub who form a strong bond, inspired by true stories of unusual animal friendships
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No Way Never Sisters by Chantel Acevedo, Natalia Sylvester (Aladdin, March 10)
Melisa Flores and Roxy Romero are school nemeses, but they’ll have to figure out how to work together when they learn that their parents are going to be married and decide to split them up. But even though Melisa and Roxy don’t want to be sisters, they find themselves becoming friends.
Olivia Gray Will Not Fade Away by Ciera Burch (Margaret K. McElderry Books, March 17)
When the stresses of dating, social media, and fitting in start to overwhelm Olivia, she literally begins to disappear. Struggling to decide where she fits in, Olivia might find her way back to herself with the understanding and help of the only people who can now see her, the new librarian and a kid named Jules.
Red River Rose by Carole Lindstrom (Bloomsbury Children’s Books, March 17)
This new historical novel from award-winning author Carole Lindstrom is about the Northwest Resistance of 1885. When Rose learns that the government plans to force the Métis people off the prairies where they have resided for generations, she is determined to help defend their land.
Books Good Enough for You: The Storied Life of Ursula Nordstrom, Editor of Extraordinary Children’s Books by Nancy Hudgins (Abrams Books for Young Readers, March 24)
This is a timely biography of legendary editor Ursula Nordstrom, who helped bring new and daring books of her time to publication, like Charlotte’s Web and Where the Wild Things Are, and which were often banned or censored.
You Are Now Old Enough to Hear This by Aaron Starmer (Penguin Workshop, March 24)
In this speculative novel, a 12-year-old helps clean out his grandfather’s house after he dies, and finds all kinds of unusual and mysterious things that have him wondering about his family history.
All That Chandni Knows by Khushboo Patel (G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, March 31)
Twelve-year-old Chandni thinks everything in life is perfect. Her parents are doctors, and she’s certain she’s going to get a spot in India’s most prestigious boarding school. But then a terrible secret disrupts her world and forces Chandni to focus on what is most important and let go of what she cannot control.
New Children’s Picture Books
Loops by Jashar Awan (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, March 3)
This delightful story helps kids learn confidence, as its young hero learns to tie the laces of his first pair of “big kid” sneakers.
I Really Want to Be a Cat by Helen Hancocks (Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, March 3)
In this adorable novel, a pink-haired girl talks about all the ways it would be great to be a cat…except one. (Also, same.)
Goldfinches by Mary Oliver and illustrated by Melissa Sweet (Viking Books for Young Readers, March 3)
Pulitzer Prize–winning poet Mary Oliver’s words are brought to life in a picture book for the first time, with gorgeous illustrations.
Is This . . . Spring? by Helen Yoon (Candlewick, March 3)
Helen Yoon’s A Pinecone! was my favorite picture book of 2024, so I can’t wait to get my hands on what is sure to be another wonderful adventure. This time it’s about a dog frolicking outside in the flowers…which make him sneeze.
Songbird in the Light by Billy Porter with Chris Clarkson and illustrated by Charly Palmer (Abrams Books for Young Readers, March 17)
Multi-talented, multi-award-winning Billy Porter has written an inspiring story about finding the unique voice inside yourself and how to share it.
How a Bear Became a Book: The Collaboration That Created Winnie-the-Pooh by Annette Bay Pimentel and illustrated by Faith Pray (Henry Holt and Co. (BYR), March 31)
And in honor of the 100th anniversary of Winnie-the-Pooh this year, check out the story of how silly old bear and his friends came to be.
Bonus New Children’s Books Out March 2026
Because I can’t stop recommending at just 13 books, there’s also Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom by Claudia Mills, Queso, Just in Time by Ernesto Cisneros, Clementine H. Hopeful Is Not a Hero by Noah Corey, and Hafsa’s Way by Aisha Saeed.
And be sure to look for the picture books How to Read a Very Serious Book by Mireille Messier and illustrated by Kelly Collier, The Selfish Sister by David Sedaris and illustrated by Bob Staake, and Her Muddy Majesty of Muck by Beatrice Alemagna.
You can catch up with last month’s new kid lit here, and check out The Kids Are All Right archives for all things children’s lit.
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