24 PUBLISHERS WEEKLY FEBRUARY 2, 2026
CHILDREN’S BOOKS FOR
Cowgirl Dreaming by R.J. Owens, illus. by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow (May 5, $18.99, ISBN 978-1-949480-57-3). In this story inspired by Oakland, Calif.’s annual Black Cowboy Parade, a girl realizes her dream of riding her pony in the celebrated event. Ages 4–8. Current Gone! Stars Shine Brighter in a Blackout by Neesa Bally, illus. by Geeta Ladi (June 9, $18.99, ISBN 978-1-4197-7369-3). A blackout turns into a Trinidadian neigh- borhood-wide sleepover in this picture book about family, community, and the fun of unplugging from technology. Ages 4–8. Not Another Unicorn Story by Christine Roussey (Apr. 21, $18.99, ISBN 978-1-4197- 8309-8). Once enemies, a unicorn and a chaos-creating gnome become unlikely pals. Ages 4–8. Our Cities Depend on Us: Rethinking Our Urban Areas to Fight Climate Change by Victoria Tentler-Krylov (Mar. 3, $19.99, ISBN 978-1-4197-5669-6). This picture book about sustainability and green building shows how cities worldwide are combating climate change. Ages 4–8. Songbird in the Light by Billy Porter and Chris Clarkson, illus. by Charly Palmer (Mar. 17, $19.99, ISBN 978-1-4197-4583-6). A shy boy who is mocked by his classmates embraces his singing talent and learns to share it with the world, in this debut by the Broadway actor. Ages 4–8. Tajín and the Twelve Thunders: A Pre- Columbian Myth by Magaly Morales (June 2, $18.99, ISBN 978-1-4197-6885-9). In this retelling of a Mexican folktale, a mischievous boy tricks the thunder gods in order to create the first hurricanes. Ages 4–8. Three Pieces of Broken Glass by Emily Barth Isler, illus. by Vesper Stamper (Apr. 14, $19.99, ISBN 978-1-4197-7872-8). In this story about seeing the world in a hopeful light, even when it’s broken, a girl and her great-grandmother explore Jewish traditions, painful history, and elements of their reli- gious identity and philosophy. Ages 4–8.
Compiled by Sally Lodge and Shannon Maughan
Abrams The Animals Speak: The Lakota Way (Wamákashkaŋ’iya: Lakhól Wichóh’aŋ Kiŋ) by S.D. Nelson, trans. by Dakota Goodhouse (Mar. 17, $18.99, ISBN 978-1- 4197-6444-8), explains the Lakota concept that “we are all related” (Mitákuye Owás’i) and how humans can learn from our animal relatives. Ages 4–8. Baba Palooza by A.D. Ghani, illus. by Nadia Alam (Apr. 7, $18.99, ISBN 978-1-4197- 7715-8). Spotlighting a Pakistani American Muslim family, this father-daughter tale celebrates hardworking parents and immi- grants everywhere. Ages 4–8. But Art Is Awful! by Cassi McCreight, illus. by Xindi Yan (May 19, $19.99, ISBN 978-1- 4197-7947-3). Visiting an art museum with his mother, a curmudgeonly boy discovers that maybe he does like art after all. Ages 4–8.
FOR ADDITIONAL LISTINGS OF SPRING 2026 CHILDREN’S BOOKS, AS WELL AS OUR EXCLUSIVE SNEAK PREVIEW OF PUBLISHERS’ FALL 2026 OFFERINGS, VISIT PUBLISHERSWEEKLY.COM/SPRING2026KIDS.
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