29 Ridiculously Wonderful New Books To Read With Kids

Picture books guaranteed to make both children and adults excited for story time.

Jenny Chang / BuzzFeed

1. Vegetables in Underwear by Jared Chapman

Abrams Appleseed

Vegetables on their own = sometimes cute. Vegetables with faces = very cute. Vegetables wearing underwear = completely and utterly adorable.

What kind of reader is it for? Anyone who wants to "celebrate the universal joy of undies" (AKA every single kid in the world--underwear is always good for a laugh).

Release Date: Out now.

Buy here.

2. In the Butterfly Garden by Philippe Ug

Prestel

A vibrant pop-up book that follows a caterpillar's journey to becoming a butterfly.

What kind of reader is it for? Children that spend a lot of time watching bugs mosey around in the garden.

Release Date: Out now.

Buy here.

3. Bigfoot is Missing! by J. Patrick Lewis and Kenn Nesbitt, illustrated by Minalima

Chronicle Books

An introduction to cryptozoology (the study of animals whose existence has not been proven) featuring Bigfoot, Lizard Man of Scape Ore Swamp, Chupacabra, Mothman, and more.

What kind of reader is it for? Children who want to believe (but who are way too young to watch The X-Files).

Release Date: Out now.

Buy here.

4. Snow White and the 77 Dwarfs by Davide Cali, illustrated by Raphaëlle Barbanègre

Tundra Books

In the classic version of the fairy tale, Snow White had her work cut out for her cleaning up after seven dwarves, but seventy-seven? That's a whole other barrel of poisoned apples!

What kind of reader is it for? Kids who like stories that are as silly as they are colorful.

Release Date: Out now.

Buy here.

5. Edmund Unravels by Andrew Kolb

Nancy Paulsen Books

This story about an adventurous ball of yarn is so cute that you'll find yourself wandering around a craft store, futilely wishing that some wool would start to talk to you.

What kind of reader is it for? Anyone who likes to "unroll" a bit and explore the world around them before returning home to their family and friends.

Release Date: Out now.

Buy here.

6. Farewell Floppy by Benjamin Chaud

Chronicle Books

Benjamin thinks that he's ready to say goodbye to his beloved stuffed rabbit (Floppy), but after he leaves him out in the woods he realizes that maybe he isn't too grown up to play with his giant-eared bunny after all.

What kind of reader is it for? Someone who may need to hear that it's okay to still love one of their favorite toys from early-childhood.

Release Date: Out now.

Buy here.

7. Rhymoceros by Janik Coat

Abrams Appleseed

A rhyming board book (by the author of Hippopposites) with page after page of fun rhinoceros illustrations (including some with texture).

What kind of reader is it for? A very young one who needs a great introduction to the world of words that sound alike.

Release Date: Out now.

Buy here.

8. Home by Carson Ellis

Candlewick

Wildwood, The Composer Is Dead, Stagecoach Sal: Carson Ellis has gorgeously illustrated many books, but this is the first one that she's written as well (and it's completely wonderful).

What kind of reader is it for? Anyone who wants to take a gander at the many types of dwellings humans (and animals) cozy up in.

Release Date: Out now.

Buy here.

9. The Queen's Shadow: A Story About How Animals See by Cybèle Young

Kids Can Press

Someone has stolen the Queen's shadow--the horror! As you read this whodunit, you'll solve a mystery and learn how a variety of different animals see the world (from sharks to dragonflies to goats).

What kind of reader is it for? Aspiring sleuths and wannabe zoologists.

Release Date: Out now.

Buy here.

10. Snail, Where Are You? by Tomi Ungerer

Phaidon

Like Where's Waldo...only easier (it's for younger children) and much, much cuter (because you're looking for a snail, not a strange dude in a striped shirt).

What kind of reader is it for? Hawk-eyed kiddos.

Release Date: Out now.

Buy here.

11. Rosario's Fig Tree by Charis Wahl, illustrated by Luc Melanson

Groundwood Books

A little girl lives next door to a man named Rosario and he's a magician! Only he works his magic with plants, not rabbits or top hats.

What kind of reader is it for? Anyone who wants to learn about the wizardry of gardening.

Release Date: Out now.

Buy here.

12. It's Only Stanley by Jon Agee

Dial

The Wimbledon family tends to hear puzzling noises coming from other rooms in the house while they try to sleep at night? Who is it? What is it? Oh, it's just the dog; it's only Stanley.

What kind of reader is it for? Anyone who's wondered what a pet gets up to after the humans head off to bed.

Release Date: Out now.

Buy here.

13. I Had a Favorite Hat by Boni Ashburn, illustrated by Robyn Ng

Abrams

A mother tells her stylish young daughter that her favorite hat isn't appropriate to wear year-round, but with a few additions...yes: it'll soon be perfect for each and every occasion.

What kind of reader is it for? Crafty boys and girls with a penchant for headwear.

Release Date: Out now.

Buy here.

14. Her Idea by Rilla Alexander

Flying Eye Books

Sozi has so many ideas: ideas heaped on ideas piled on ideas loaded on ideas. But what will she do with them all? How will she see them through? That is the question.

What kind of reader is it for? Anyone (young and old) who needs a little help getting to "the end".

Release Date: Out now.

Buy here.

15. In Mary's Garden by Tina and Carson Kugler

HMH Books for Young Readers

An homage to Mary Nohl (an artist who used concrete and found objects to create one of the most unique gardens in the world--all in her front yard).

What kind of reader is it for? Anyone whose favorite part of the school day is art class.

Release Date: Out Now

Buy here.

16. The Skunk by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Patrick McDonnell

Roaring Brook Press

Pepé Le Pew, Pepé Le Schmew: if you have to be stalked by a skunk, you want it to be the red-nosed one from this absurd (-ly glorious) story.

What kind of reader is it for? Kids who will be positively delighted to watch someone get more and more vexed by the skunk creeping around behind him like a shadow (so... most kids).

Release Date: Out now.

Buy here.

17. Leopardpox! by Orna Landau, illustrated by Omer Hoffmann

Clarion

You've probably heard of the chickenpox, but what about leopardpox? Yes, that's a much rarer affliction and you can learn allllllllllllllllllll about in this delightful book.

What kind of reader is it for? Someone who's stuck in bed with a pesky cold.

Release Date: Out now.

Buy here.

18. Random Body Parts by Leslie Bulion, illustration by Mike Lowery

Peachtree

Poetry = great. Learning about parts of the body = great. Learning about parts of the body using poetry (or more specifically: "riddles in verse") = the best.

What kind of reader is it for? Anyone who appreciates a rhyme or who wonders what's going on inside their bod.

Release Date: Out now.

Buy here.

19. Just Itzy by Lana Krumwiede, illustrated by Greg Pizzoli

Candlewick

Itzy is a spider who just wants everyone to stop calling him "bitzy," but how? Well, by catching his own lunch! Due to a series of pesky intrusions, his quest is far easier said than done.

What kind of reader is it for? Children who are more than a little tired of being told that they're "too small."

Release Date: Out Now

Buy here.

20. Special Delivery by Philip C. Stead, illustrated by Matthew Cordell

Roaring Brook Press

Sadie has a gift for her aunt: isn't she thoughtful! What did she get her? Well...that would be an elephant. An enormous, trunk-tastic elephant. How on earth is she going to deliver it?

What kind of reader is it for? Anyone ready to follow Sadie along on her comic pachyderm-delivery adventures.

Release Date: Out now.

Buy here.

21. Lou Caribou by Marie-Sabine Roger, illustrated by Nathalie Choux

Gestalten

A sweet, simple story about a week in the life of a young antlered fellow who spends his weekdays with his mother before packing up his trusty suitcase and heading off through the forest to spend the weekend at his dad's.

What kind of reader is it for? Children who have parents that live apart (just like the charming caribou).

Release Date: Out Now

Buy here.

22. Poppy Pickle by Emma Yarlett

Templar

Poppy's imagination just isn't satisfied with being all bottled up in her head, and one day it actually comes to life.

What kind of reader is it for? Little girls (and boys) who--like Poppy--have imagination to spare.

Release date: May 1st

Preorder here.

23. Interstellar Cinderella by Deborah Underwood, illustrated by Meg Hunt

Chronicle Books

In this refreshing retelling of Cinderella, our title character spends her days dreaming of repairing rockets instead of going to a ball.

What kind of reader is it for? To put it in not-so-kid-friendly language: someone who would enjoy a more badass version of a traditional fairy tale.

Release Date: May 5th

Preorder here.

24. Little Red and the Very Hungry Lion by Alex T. Smith

Scholastic

Here's another retelling of a classic fairy tale: in this case, Little Red (sans hood) is venturing through the savannah instead of the forest, and her foe is a toothy lion rather than a wolf.

What kind of reader is it for? Kids with gumption (just like Red).

Release date: May 7th

Preorder here.

25. Daddy's Sandwich by Pip Jones, illustrated by Laura Hughes

Faber Children's Books

A little girl wants to make her father a sandwich, but her thoughtful gesture takes a turn for the unappetizing when she begins to add *all* of his favorite things--whether they're edible or not.

What kind of reader is it for? Someone who likes to read books with his or her father.

Release Date: May 7th

Preorder here.

26. This Is My Rock by David Lucas

Flying Eye Books

A goat claims a rock as his own and--by golly--he will NOT let anyone else up onto that craggy precipice. No sir. No way.

What kind of reader is it for? Someone who may need to learn how to be a wee bit less stubborn; someone who may or may not be known for their sharing ability.

Release Date: May 12th

Preorder here.

27. Rude Cakes by Rowboat Watkins

Chronicle Books

You know that cakes can be sweet and you know that cakes can be pretty...but did you know they can be incredibly uncouth? It's true! Sometimes they're just baked that way.

What kind of reader is it for? Someone who--more often than not--forgets to say please and thank you and/or someone who has a major sweet tooth.

Release Date: June 2nd

Preorder here.

28. Pig and Pug by Lynne Berry, illustrated by Gemma Correll

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Their names both begin with the letter P, they're both prone to snorting: what else do pigs and pugs have in common? Can they be friends?

What kind of reader is it for? An animal lover who will enjoy watching this petite pair quarrel.

Release Date: June 2nd

Preorder here.

29. The Blue Whale by Jenni Desmond

Enchanted Lion

Add this beautifully illustrated nonfiction picture book to your collection to learn all about one of earth's biggest mammals.

What kind of reader is it for? The boy or girl who has ceaselessly been begging you to go on a whale watching trip.

Release Date: June 9th

Preorder here.