Spring Children’s Preview
FEBRUARY 2, 2026 PUBLISHERS WEEKLY 55
All We Hunger For by Anna Mercier (June 23, $22.99, ISBN 978-1-250-41668-1). After a teen sneaks into a magical baking contest, she is pulled into an aristocrat’s world and a nefar- ious plan as rebellion brews. Ages 14 and up. Black River by Ruby Jean Cottle (June 9, $20.99, ISBN 978-1-250-45173-6). When Daisy realizes she is turning into something she can’t control, she enlists a schoolmate to help decipher the strange happenings in town. Ages 14 and up. Queen of Faces (deluxe ed.) by Petra Lord (Feb. 3, $22.99, ISBN 978-1-250-36297-1) is a keepsake edition of this dark academia fantasy about a girl at a cutthroat magical academy who faces a dire choice. Ages 14 and up. Series Broken Citadel wraps up with The Beasts We Raise by D.L. Taylor (Feb. 24, $19.99, ISBN 978-1-250-33170-0), ages 14 and up. Let’s Meet welcomes Let’s Meet... Steph! (July 21, $16.99, ISBN 978-0-7534-8170-7), ages 3–5; and Let’s Meet... Ariana by Claire Baker, illus. by Mariana Avila Lagunes (July 21, $16.99, ISBN 978-0-7534-8184-4); and Let’s Meet... Olivia (July 21, $16.99, ISBN 978-0- 7534-8171-4), ages 5–7. Macmillan/Odd Dot A Believer’s Guide to Unicorns by Jenni Desmond (May 5, $18.99, ISBN 978-1-250- 42456-3). This picture book blending fantas- tical storytelling with science takes kids on a sky-gazing adventure to imagine the secret lives of unicorns. Ages 3–6. Series Our Universe journeys to Venus! Fierce and Fabulous by Stacy McAnulty, illus. by Stevie Lewis (Feb. 3, $18.99, ISBN 978-1-250- 33447-3), ages 4–8. Macmillan/Roaring Brook Better Pets by Leigh Bardugo, illus. by Liz Climo (June 2, $19.99, ISBN 978-1-250- 89912-5), is a pun-filled picture book about finding the perfect pet. Ages 3–6. Macmillan/Kingfisher Series
tale about the power of imagination, a pet cat dreams of all the wild things it can be. Ages 3–6. Sashimi by Dan Santat (Apr. 14, $19.99, ISBN 978-1-250-35999-5) opens a graphic novel series about a fish boy who pretends to be a student—and stays afloat with the help of a new friend and the class goldfish. Ages 6–10. This Must Be the Place by Kelly Quindlen (June 9, $20.99, ISBN 978-1-250-91106-3). After inheriting a gay bar from her great- uncle, Louisa is determined to keep it open for the vibrant community it serves. Ages 12 and up. The Bloody and the Damned by Becca Coffindaffer (Apr. 7, $20.99, ISBN 978-1- 250-34467-0). An assassin with outlawed magical abilities will do anything to get their kidnapped sisters back in this dystopic fan- tasy. Ages 14 and up. Kingdom of Waves by Melissa de la Cruz (June 16, $20.99, ISBN 978-1-250-36167-7) launches a fantasy duology about two bands of thieves whose worlds and hearts collide when they go after the same treasure. Ages 14 and up. Series Bad Kitty Graphic Novels offers Bad Kitty Gets a Job by Nick Bruel (May 5, $14.99, ISBN 978-1-250-38545-1), ages 7–10. And Storm Weaver continues with Tides of Fortune by Lauryn Hamilton Murray (June 2, $21.99, ISBN 978-1-250-34817-3), ages 14 and up. Macmillan/Wednesday Flirting with Murder by Amanda Sellet (Apr. 21, $14 paper, ISBN 978-1-250-36019- 9). Two rival teens work together to solve a murder at their respective grandparents’ retirement community. Ages 12 and up. Checking You Out by Jennifer Chen (June 23, $14 paper, ISBN 978-1-250-39612-9). In this romance about being true to yourself, Lizzie and Dylan fall in love via letters left in their favorite library books. Ages 13 and up. Deathly Fates by Tesia Tsai (Apr. 14, $20, ISBN 978-1-250-37892-7). A priestess paid to guide the deceased uncovers dark secrets
when she helps a prince purify evil spirits to bring him back to life. Ages 13 and up. Every Exquisite Thing by Laura Steven (June 2, $15 paper, ISBN 978-1-250-34679- 7). An aspiring star agrees to have her portrait drawn by an artist who promises immortal beauty, but it may come with a deadly cost. Ages 13 and up. The Fall of Iris Henley by Jennifer Graham (Feb. 24, $14 paper, ISBN 978-1-250-32383- 5). After being accused of committing a murder, Iris searches for the real culprit in order to clear her name. Ages 13 and up. Heart’s Gambit by J.D. Myall (Feb. 3, $21, ISBN 978-1-250-36540-8). In this series debut, competitors from two time-traveling Black families face off in a deadly magical duel and find themselves falling in love. Ages 13 and up. In Time with You by Kristin Dwyer (Mar. 24, $13 paper, ISBN 978-1-250-35513-3). After her boyfriend dies, a teen travels back in time, saves her first love’s life, and falls for his best friend. Ages 13 and up. Nightshades: Her Sharp Embrace by Kate Koenig (June 9, $20, ISBN 978-1-250-32124- 4) introduces a duology starring magical outlaws whose glamorous facades conceal the terror they strike into the hearts of the rich and powerful as they steal from the corrupt. Ages 13 and up. Rani Deshpande Takes the Wheel by Arushi Avachat (May 19, $14 paper, ISBN 978-1-250-89590-5). Rani’s plans for the summer before college didn’t include falling in love—but she’s forced to spend time with a family friend who’s a former crush. Ages 13 and up. The River She Became by Emily Varga (June 30, $21, ISBN 978-1-250-87869-4). A young researcher who hunts for an ancient fae relic to restore magic to her world learns to trust her own powers—and her heart. Ages 13 and up. Seconds to Spare by Rachel Reiss (May 12, $20, ISBN 978-1-250-36616-0). A girl stuck in a time loop where her plane is about to crash teams up with a boy to save everyone on board. Ages 13 and up.
The Rare Bird by Elisha Cooper (Feb. 24, $18.99, ISBN 978-1-250-36439-5). In this
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