The Best New Children's Books Coming Out Summer 2018

Ages 3-5

The wonders of the great wide outdoors are at the heart of this beautifully illustrated children’s book and joyous celebration of adventures in nature. (June 5)

To buy: $17.99, amazon.com, indiebound.org

Ages 3-6

Geraldine the giraffe moves to a new town and makes a new friend in this cheery book about the importance of being yourself. (June 26)

To buy: $17.99, amazon.com, indiebound.org

Ages 3-7

A puppy and his dad think about their ancestors and imagine what the future holds in this quirky book about family and growing up. (May 29)

To buy: $17.99, amazon.com, indiebound.org

Ages 4-8

Young Finn builds a boat and embarks on a journey on the high seas in this beautiful, adventure-filled book by brothers Terry and Eric Fan. (May 15)

To buy: $17.99, amazon.com, indiebound.org

Ages 4-8

In Kirsten Hall’s lovely new book, young readers learn about honeybees and follow along as a honeybee goes about its day, flitting from flower to flower. (May 8)

To buy: $17.99, amazon.com, indiebound.org

Ages 5-9

The latest installment in Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen’s clever Shape Trilogy explores the world of Square, Circle, and Triangle, three shapes exploring art, perspective, and wonder. (May 8)

To buy: $15.99, amazon.com, indiebound.org

Ages 6-9

Author and illustrator Britta Teckentrup’s new book is filled with pages upon pages of gorgeous illustrations and teaches readers of all ages about birds and their fascinating feathers. (June 5)

To buy: $16.99, amazon.com, indiebound.org

Ages 8-11

A friendship between a child named Maggie and a dragon named Grisha is at the heart of this transportive, adventure-filled book about magic, connection, and shared history. (June 26)

To buy: $16.99, amazon.com, indiebound.org

Ages 8-11

12-year-old Bicycle sets out to bike across the country in this charming adventure story, which was partly inspired by author Christina Uss’ own long-distance cycling experiences. (June 5)

To buy: $16.99, amazon.com, indiebound.org

Ages 8-12

Middle-grade readers will be enthralled by Samantha M. Clark’s new book, a story about a boy stranded on a stretch of isolated beach who must face his fears in order to return home. (June 26)

To buy: $17.99, amazon.com, indiebound.org

Ages 8-12

The final installment of the beloved series by National Book Award-winning author Jeanne Birdsall, which covers 9 years in the lives of the Penderwick siblings, is a charming story about family and friendship. (May 15)

To buy: $16.99, amazon.com, indiebound.org

Ages 9-12

Venture to space alongside Jamie Drake, a young boy whose father is in orbit on the International Space Station, and who, when he receives an unexpected signal on his phone, sets out to investigate the unknown. (June 26)

To buy: $16.99, amazon.com, indiebound.org

Ages 10 and up

Set in 1966, this new book follows Trudy Mixer, a young girl living in Rhode Island, as she sets out to make a dream come true. That dream? Seeing The Beatles in concert in Boston. (June 26)

To buy: $16.99, amazon.com, indiebound.org

Ages 10-14

Set in a Polish Village on the eve of the Great War, The Button War follows 12-year-old Patryk and his friends as they navigate the changing city and participate in a daring game that involves stealing military buttons. (June 12)

To buy: $16.99, amazon.com, indiebound.org

Ages 12 and up

From the author of When Dimple Met Rishi comes this winning story about Twinkle Mehra, an aspiring filmmaker navigating friendship, love, and acceptance. (May 22)

To buy: $18.99, amazon.com, indiebound.org

Ages 13 and up

In author Adib Khorram’s wonderful debut novel, high school sophomore Darius takes his first trip to Iran to visit his father and, in the process, finds a friend in his new neighbor Sohrab. (August 28)

To buy: $17.99, amazon.com, indiebound.org

Ages 14-17

Life changes when sixteen-year-old Noah Oakman is hypnotized and, in the process, gains new perspective in this exciting new book by the author of Mosquitoland. (May 22)

To buy: $18.99, amazon.com, indiebound.org

Ages 14 and up

A social media star retreats from the limelight and embarks on a journey to hike the John Muir Trail, along the way finding challenge, friendship, and a newfound sense of self. (August 7)

To buy: $17.99, amazon.com, indiebound.org

Ages 14-18

Seventeen-year-old Dessa Rhodes dreams of attending art school but finds herself in a state of constant travel alongside her family and their RV caravan. When an internship opportunity arises, she is faced with a difficult choice. (June 26)

To buy: $18.99, amazon.com, indiebound.org