July New Releases: 9 Exciting Children’s Books

This summer is an exciting one for kidlit new releases because so much fantastic stuff is being published soon that creating a list of only nine felt like an impossible task. But here I am, persevering to bring you info on just a tiny fraction of July’s new releases. I tried to capture a range of cool titles: stories about ghosts and FOMO, a soccer team, historical figures, and a tech club. There are books for your surrealism-loving kiddo and an upcoming biographical title if your little human is a history nut. I’m especially enthused to read the latest releases by a number of well-loved authors and illustrators, like Sophie Blackall, Phoebe Wahl, Oliver Jeffers, and Kobi Yamada.

Many of you will likely have children participating in summer reading challenges, and these books will entice your kids to pick up a book on a sunny summer afternoon. And if I may put on my children’s librarian (metaphorical) hat for a moment, remember that keeping your kids reading books when there are lots of other things to do sends a strong message that reading isn’t only for quiet, rainy and snowy days but that it can be a fun activity in itself.

Picture Books

A Day Off School by Oliver Jeffers

A new Oliver Jeffers book is always an exciting time in my life. In his latest, a young child named Herbie wakes up with sniffles and stays home from school. Normally, that would be the dream, but no, Herbie has school-related FOMO and wonders about all the wonderful things he’s potentially missing. While school FOMO is not a thing I‘ve ever experienced, I’m sure some kids genuinely feel it.

Leroy Has Something to Say by Emily Rosenthal and My Phuong Thai

Leroy is a lonely ghost who keeps scaring off families even though he really just wants a friend. Then a new family moves into his house and he meets their daughter, Tara, who is nonverbal and uses a tablet to talk. Luckily, she isn’t afraid of him. Ultimately, it’s a sweet story about friendship that features a disabled main character and represents different ways of communicating.

Mysterious Things by Andy J. Pizza and Sophie Miller

In this follow-up to the duo’s delightful Invisible Things, children are introduced to concepts like dreams, dark matter, chaos, curiosity, and rumours. The most mysterious things in the universe are represented through playful art, and the book will encourage interest in science, math, and vocabulary.

Story Rug by Sophie Blackall and Phoebe Wahl (July 14)

Here’s an exciting team-up of two of children’s literature’s coziest creators! A class of schoolchildren is learning to braid hair, shoelaces, and eventually rags. They work together to braid the rags into a rag rug for their teacher, creating a spot where they can gather together and read and listen to stories. The book also comes with instructions for readers to make their own rag rug.

Where do Possibilities Live? by Kobi Yamada and Juan Pablo Neira Zúñiga (July 21)

The uplifting text provides an inspiring dip into a little girl’s imagination. Gorgeous illustrations are hand-painted with oils, providing glimpses into whimsical moments like forest animals at a feast, a travelling musician escaping into a blanket tent, and an adventure on the high seas.

Middle Grade

Cabin Head and Tree Head: Feeling Good! By Scott Campbell (July 14)

If there are two things that middle grade kids seem to love, it’s graphic novels and absurdity, and ta-da, this is both! These vignettes are about Cabin Head and Tree Head, best buds living in a surreal universe where everyone has something on their head, you know, like you do. This is the second book about their wacky existence, following Cabin Head and Tree Head.

Sama Crushes the Code by Samaira Mehta, Brin Stevens and Jenny Alvarado (July 14)

Written by Samaira Mehta, a 17-year-old tech entrepreneur, the story follows a girl named Sama as she begins middle school and wonders if she should join Tech Club. It combines a story about fitting in with coding information, specifically vocabulary and examples.

Offside by Christina Diaz Gonzalez and Mari Costa (July 7)

A middle school soccer team has become co-ed, but its team captain is not supportive. He wants to get rid of the two girls on the team, Nicky and Fabiola. The tension causes the team to splinter into two factions. Will they eventually be able to come together and do the right thing? Not only will already sporty kids be into this, but it could be a draw for kids who’re getting into soccer because of the World Cup.

Non-Fiction

A Taxi for Everyone: How Roy Velásquez Fought for Equality by Debbie Zapata and Laura Sandoval Herrera (July 21)

This tells the true story of Roy Velásquez, who fought to combat racism in 1920s Austin. After seeing the “White Riders Only” signs in taxicab windows and being discriminated against by taxi companies, Roy got his own license. He also worked as an activist to make long-lasting changes.

Since this list of July drops isn’t remotely exhaustive, I recommend a trip to your fave library or indie book shop asap. Plus, if you are wondering about other recent children’s book releases, June had some delightful options, too.