Spring Children’s Preview
60 PUBLISHERS WEEKLY FEBRUARY 2, 2026
Midnight Island by Lylian, illus. by Nicolas Grebil (July 28, $14.99, ISBN 978-1-5458- 2727-7). Four children wake up on a deserted island where they find an automaton who, every night at midnight, gives them a mission to complete. Ages 10–14. Xanar and Mr. Tuxedo by Sean Ryan, illus. by Giulia Giacomino (July 7, $19.99, ISBN 978-1-5458-2708-6). When a villain threatens every universe, only two unlikely best friends can stop him with the power of courage, trust, and joy. Ages 10–14. Series Amelia Shadows by Matthew Dow Smith, featuring an aspiring dark magician, her talk- ing cat, and lots of ghosts, begins with Amelia Shadows and the New Head Ghost (Apr. 7, $17.99, ISBN 978-1-5458-2458-0), ages 7–12. Secret S.T.E.A.M. Society , following a group of students who join an exchange student from another planet to learn about the world, blasts off with Horses by Trevor Mueller, illus. by Gabriel Mayorga (Feb. 10, $19.99, ISBN 978-1-5458-2331-6); Science of Music by Mueller, illus. by Christian Colbert (Apr. 21, $14.99 paper, ISBN 978-1-5458-2376-7); an d Spaceflight by Paul Kupperberg, illus. by Bill Walko (June 2, $14.99, ISBN 978-1-5458- 2667-6), ages 7–12. Speed Racer Adventures by Franco, introducing young versions of the characters from the classic animated TV program, revs up with Vol. 1 ( Apr. 28, $17.99, ISBN 978-1-5458-2378-1), ages 7–12. Tamia by David Braña, illus. by Pahito, focused on a human girl entering a fantastical world, debuts with Tamia and the Memories of the Dragon (Feb. 3, $17.99, ISBN 978-1-5458- 2324-8), ages 7–12. Archipelago by Martin and Xabi Etxeberria, illus. by Alex San Vicente Sanvi, the story of a young woman fighting for her life and family against pirates and political unrest on a climate ravaged Earth, kicks off with Vol. 1 (June 16, $19.99, ISBN 978-1-5458-2675-1), ages 10–14. And Stone of Shiro by Sue Ruffle, illus. by Stefano Spaziani, set in a magic world in danger of being annihilated, ramps up with The Fall of Shiro (June 30, $17.99, ISBN 978-1-5458- 2683-6), ages 10–14. Peachtree You’re Still Pretty New Here by Mariyka Foster (May 12, $18.99, ISBN 978-1-68263- 836-1) showcases parents and their babies learning new things together. Ages 3–6.
Allie and the 100 Percent Perfect, Frustration-Free Day! by Megan Wagner Lloyd, illus. by Ellie Snowdon (July 28, $18.99, ISBN 978-1-68263-730-2). Allie the alpaca learns that some days can feel just about perfect, regardless of what happens. Ages 4–8. The Little Red Steamer by Nick Maland (Feb. 3, $18.99, ISBN 978-1-68263-809-5). An island community unites to offer sup- port and new opportunities to a displaced family and rescue their beloved steamboat. Ages 4–8. Making Plans for Nigel Binty by Shawn K. Stout (Feb. 3, $17.99, ISBN 978-1-68263-588- 9) explores what happens when two sixth graders overwhelmed by major life changes cross paths as new classmates at school. Ages 8–12. The Sweet Spot by Elaine Vickers (May 5, $18.99, ISBN 978-1-68263-774-6). Twelve- year-old Trip’s summer plans to win the Little League championship are interrupted when his father unexpectedly deploys overseas just before the season starts. Ages 8–12. Series Dog Days by Dori Hillestad Butler, illus. by Genevieve Kote, a King & Kayla spinoff in which Hazel works at her family’s doggy daycare business, debuts with Hazel Helps Out (Apr. 7, $12.99, ISBN 978-1-68263-723-4), ages 6–9. Peachtree/Peachtree Teen Between Sun and Shadow by Laura Genn (May 5, $19.99, ISBN 978-1-68263-818-7). An heiress and a mutant form an unexpected bond on a tidally locked planet in this queer YA romance. Ages 14 and up. The Free Verse Society by Delali Adjoa (Mar. 10, $19.99, ISBN 978-1-68263-840-8). Two teens connect through their high school poetry club, where the power of the writ- ten word tears down the walls they’ve built around their hearts. Ages 14 and up. The Hyacinth Labyrinth by Jamie Pacton (June 2, $19.99, ISBN 978-1-68263-819-4). Unmagical Fae princess Hyacinth hopes that if she learns about her father, who disap- peared 15 years ago, she can finally discover more about herself. Ages 14 and up.
In the Country I Love by Alaa Al-Barkawi (May 26, $19.99, ISBN 978-1-68263-810- 1). Two Iraqi American best friends—a struggling teen father and the community’s golden boy—confront dark truths about their families in the wake of a devastating crime in this YA debut. Ages 14 and up. The Lustrous Dark by Loretta Chefchaouni (May 19, $19.99, ISBN 978-1-68263-837-8). In this fantasy inspired by a Moroccan folk- tale, young midwife’s apprentice Shay rises up to take back the power that’s been stolen from women. Ages 14 and up. Peachtree/Quinlin Beatrix and Her Friends by Anne Lambelet (May 26, $19.99, ISBN 978-1-68263-779- 1) recounts the life of Peter Rabbit creator Beatrix Potter with a focus on the joy she found in animals and nature. Ages 4–8. Beatrice and the Nightingale by Patricia Newman, illus. by Isabelle Follath (Feb. 10, $19.99, ISBN 978-1-68263-727-2), tells the story of the first live radio broadcast of a nightingale accompanying the young cellist Beatrice Harrison in 1924. Ages 8–12. Nature’s Remarkable Partners: Wild Poems for Two Voices by Leslie Bulion, illus. by Robert Meganck (Mar. 10, $19.99, ISBN 978- 1-68263-780-7). Poems for two voices offer young readers a peek at an intriguing array of symbiotic partnerships in nature. Ages 8–12. Penguin Workshop Mei Mei the Bunny by Laufey, illus. by Lauren O’Hara (Apr. 21, $18.99, ISBN 979-8- 217-05174-8). When Mei Mei gets butterflies in her stomach at her recital and plays the wrong note in front of everyone, will she be able to find the melody to make it right? Ages 3–7. Piggy by Ann Hood, illus. by Anna Quaranta (June 9, $18.99, ISBN 979-8-217- 05105-2), spotlights a beloved stuffed pig, his human companion, and their friendship. Ages 4–8. Super Unicorn Princess by Mike Hartigan (July 14, $13.99 paper, ISBN 979-8-217- 24449-2), starring a pink-tutu-clad girl who turns into a superhero and stops villains in her community, launches a graphic novel series of the same name. Ages 7–10.
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