Spring Children’s Preview
80 PUBLISHERS WEEKLY FEBRUARY 2, 2026
Walker Books Australia Neville’s Great Escape by Sean E. Avery (Mar. 4, $18.99, ISBN 978-1-76160-254-2) is a companion story to Frank’s Red Hat , starring a penguin who was eaten by a whale. Ages 4–7. Diary of a Marine Biologist by Anita Thomas and Sarah Wilkins (Feb. 3, $19.99, ISBN 978- 1-76160-253-5) follows the adventures of a marine biologist for a week as she studies vari- ous sea creatures. Ages 7–11. Down the Plot Hole by Annaleise Byrd (May 5, $18.99, ISBN 978-1-76160-255-9). In this follow-up to Losing the Plot , two boys whose fairy tale friends are in danger of being sucked into oblivion by plot holes dive back into the Grimm world to warn them. Ages 8–12. How to Be Normal by Ange Crawford (Apr. 7, $19.99, ISBN 978-1-76160-256-6). A girl struggles to break free from the confines of her father’s tightly controlled world, but new friends give her a chance to discover who she really is. Ages 13 and up. Wattpad The Blind Date Agreement by Jessica Cunsolo (Apr. 21, $12.99 paper, ISBN 978-1- 998341-47-4). When single Carina’s fifth- wheel status makes things awkward, she agrees to let her two best friends set her up on a series of increasingly bad blind dates. Ages 13–17. Welbeck The Junior Soccer Encyclopedia by Emily Stead (Mar. 10, $14.95, ISBN 978-1-80453- 925-5). Photos illustrate this roundup of information on this sport’s legendary players, iconic stadiums, and top tournaments. Ages 5–7. What on Earth! America as It Happened: A Moment-by- Moment Journey Through Time, from Prehistory to the Present Day (Feb. 3, $30, ISBN 978-1-80466-167-3). Developed in collaboration with the Washington Post , this compendium features QR codes linking to the paper’s podcasts and archival resources, a timeline, and newspaper-style articles. Ages 10–14. Series Factopia! picks up Cute Factopia! Follow the Trail of 200 Super-Sweet Facts by Kate
ages up to 2. Phonics Story Collections releases Phonics Fun: Mole in a Hole and Other Stories by Russell Punter and Lesley Sims, illus. by David Semple (June 2, $15.99, ISBN 978-1-83605-436-8), ages 3–5. Who’s on the Farm Today? by Alice Beecham, illus. by Federica Iossa (Mar. 3, $8.99 board book, ISBN 978-1-83605-316-3), joins Who’s in ... Today? , ages 3–5. Wind-Up issues Wind-Up Tractor by Sarah Hull, illus. by Marco Bonatti (July 7, $29.99 board book, ISBN 978-1- 83605-372-9), ages 3–8. And Beginners adds four titles, including Beginners Octopuses by James MacLaine, illus. by Wazza Pink (Mar. 3, $5.99 paper, ISBN 978-1-83605-329-3), ages 4–6; and Volcanoes by Stephanie Turnbull, illus. by Andy Tudor (Mar. 3, $5.99 paper, ISBN 978-1-83605-328-6), ages 4–7. Big Books picks up Big Book of Big Tractors by Lisa Jane Gillespie, illus. by Mike Byrne (Feb. 3, $15.99, ISBN 978-1-83605-295-1), ages 4–6. Can You Spot? offers Can You Spot? on the Farm by Kirsteen Robson, illus. by Gareth Lucas (Mar. 3, $6.99 paper, ISBN 978- 1-83605-319-4), ages 4–7. Sports Books scores Soccer Skills , illus. by Fran Bueno (May 5, $15.99, ISBN 978-1-83605-381- 1), ages 6–9. Illustrated Story Collections presents Illustrated Spooky Stories by Sam Baer et al., illus. by Lia Visirin (June 30, $19.99, ISBN 978-1-83605-400-9), ages 7–9. See Inside greets See Inside the Paranormal by Andy Prentice and Alex Frith, illus. by Mark Borgions (June 30, $15.99 board book, ISBN 978-1-83605-401-6), ages 7–9. And How It Works turns on Water by Micaela Tapsell, illus. by Kaley McKean (Apr. 7, $15.99 board book, ISBN 978-1-83605-340-8), ages 7–10. Vault Comics Travis Muñoz and the Fire of the Aztecs by Mark O. Stack, illus. by Anne Marcano (Apr. 28, $19.99 paper, ISBN 978-1-63849-124- 8), launches a graphic novel fantasy series inspired by Aztec mythology and Mexican lore that meshes baseball, friendship, sun gods, and snakemen. Ages 10 and up. My Best Friend Is an Eldritch Horror by Actus, illus. by Blacklapiz and Soranokami (Mar. 31, $19.99 paper, ISBN 978-1-63849- 319-8). This fantasy about an aspiring young mage and his cosmic creature is now available as a graphic novel. Ages 13 and up.
on a high-stakes game show on which the line between reality and reality TV blur. Ages 14 and up. The Pigeon Won’t Say the ABCs! by Mo Willems Workshop (Feb. 17, $9.99 board book, ISBN 978-1-4549-9964-5). The Pigeon’s reasons for not saying the ABCs range from “absolutely no way” to “zero chance.” Ages up to 3. It’s My Bird-Day! by Mo Willems (Mar. 31, $18.99, ISBN 978-1-4549-9962-1). In this birthday story, the Pigeon shares his special day. Ages 3–5. Series Elephant and Piggie Like Reading! pres- ents The Monster and Puppet Show! by Mo Willems and Kate Micucci (Feb. 24, $10.99, ISBN 978-1-4549-5147-6), ages 4–8. Catty Corner returns in Catty Corner Hits the Road by Julie Murphy, illus. by Eve Farb (Feb. 24, $6.99 paper, ISBN 978-1-4549-5652- 5), ages 6–8. And Bad Badger is back in Bad Badger: A Family Story by Maryrose Wood, illus. by Giulia Ghigini (May 5, $9.99 paper, ISBN 978-1-4549-5349-4), ages 8–12. Univ. of Minnesota Northwoods Lullaby by Mary Casanova, illus. by Jordan Sundberg (Apr. 28, $17.95, ISBN 978-1-5179-1561-2). A child and their caregiver take an evening walk through the northwoods, observing loons, deer, bears, and other wildlife. Ages 4–8. The Blue House I Loved by Kao Kalia Yang, illus. by Jen Shin (Feb. 10, $17.95, ISBN 978- 1-5179-0797-6). A Hmong girl recounts her family’s early years as refugees living in their first, cherished American home—her aunt and uncle’s cramped duplex in St. Paul, Minn. Ages 5–10. Where Is My Sister? by Shannon Gibney, illus. by Huy Voun Lee (May 19, $18.95, ISBN 978-1-5179-1145-4). After her mother returns from the hospital without the baby she was expecting, a girl tries to understand the loss of her sister and where her spirit might be. Ages 5–10.
Usborne Series
That’s Not My... gains That’s Not My Princess by Fiona Watt, illus. by Rachel Wells (July 7, $10.99 board book, ISBN 978-1-83605-403-0),
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