Kids Summer Reads at the NLPLUnpublished

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Join a child captain and parent first mate as they embark on a wild high seas adventure...all without leaving the living room! This imaginative romp of a picture book is filled with glorious illustrations from a beloved Caldecott Medalist and New York Times bestselling creator.

Learn about the southernmost community of Nunavut in this educational picture book. Did you know that Sanikiluaq, Nunavut is named after a great hunter and leader? Or that it is the most southern community in Nunavut? You can even see wildlife like polar bears, eider ducks, foxes, and more...

In the middle of the ice, a young Black hockey player finds joy in his talent and confidence in the cheers of his family, his coach, and the other players. Their support gives him the power to face down those who see him as a threat and to focus on the thrill of the game. Young people of...

We are all connected. Whether it is with your family, the mossy earth beneath your feet, the warm guidance of your ancestors, you belong in connection with all around you. Along the backdrop of Haida Gwaii's breathtaking landscapes, Indigenous storyteller, Ḵung Jaadee, invites you to...

Pura Belpre Author Honor Award ** Four starred reviews!** A powerful and expertly told novel in verse, by an award-winning poet, about a twelve-year-old Dominican American swimmer who is diagnosed with Juvenile Arthritis. Aniana del Mar belongs in the water...

"A charming magical adventure." -- Lily LaMotte, author of Measuring Up A mermaid, a firebird, and a witch become entangled with the mysterious and powerful Witch Queen, who may hold the key to each of their past in this epic middle grade fantasy by debut author Vivian Zhou. ...

From New York Times bestselling author Carole Lindstrom and illustrator Bridget George comes a must-read companion to the powerful, award-winning picture book We Are Water Protectors. Telling the story of reall-ife water protectors, Autumn Peltier, Water Warrior celebrates...

An illustrated first guide to cute axolotls from expert Dr. Jessica LaMae Whited, featuring illustrations by Bethany Lord. You might know that axolotls are some of the most adorable animals around, but there's so much more to learn about these incredible creatures from Mexico!...

Selected for the 2026 Little Maverick Graphic Novel Reading List A Best Graphic Novels for Children 2025 ALA Selection "Perfect for fans of the visual style and humor of Ben Clanton's Narwhal and Jelly, and also a useful introduction to marine...

"Little ones with big dreams of their own will be inspired by Bella's persistence....Bradley's appended note encouraging them to follow their passions, no matter how far-fetched."--Kirkus Reviews For hippos, becoming big is...

Julia is dismayed to learn that Coach Marissa has to leave the Vipers swim team for an urgent family matter. Coach Nathan, their new temporary coach, is strict and humorless. He doesn't even let them have Splash Time! And it's not just Julia who's upset - two of her teammates have even quit the team...

Two children from different backgrounds show that friendship has no language in this epic bilingual story about being lost and finding a friend who understands. I'm lost. Soy naufrago. A boy and a girl lost at sea run into each other on an...

A celebration of nature, curiosity, discovery and mindfulness! Daisy has built a sandcastle on the beach. After she and Scout go for a walk along the shore, when they get back, she notices her sandcastle has disappeared. Where could it have gone? Join Scout and Daisy as they find...

Chip, the little penguin, tries to get out of swim lessons in this hilarious Level Two I Can Read Comic by Maddie Frost. Chip is starting swim school and he really isn't looking forward to it. Join Chip as he navigates this first-time experience with imagination and...

A heartwarming introduction to reading for kids ages three and up about how even solitary beings need people too, from Jean-François Sénéchal and Pascale Bonenfant Anyone can make it on their own--just ask Colette! She's a solitary bee who enjoys her own company more than...

Plunge beneath the waves to find an alien world of bizarre creatures who explain for themselves how they've adapted to life in the deep dark sea. Did you know that there are animals that are completely transparent? That some tube worms live for 1,000 years? That the Pigbutt Worm...

Deep, deep down, at the very bottom of the ocean, lies a secret world. Through lyrical narration, this spare-text STEM picture book takes readers on a journey to a place very few humans have ever been--the Mariana Trench. The imagined voyage debunks scary myths about this mysterious place with...

Embark on a prehistoric journey with this picture book series teaching children incredible facts about dinosaurs. Introducing A Dinosaur's Day: Spinosaurus Makes a Splash - a storytime adventure that teaches kids aged 3-6 exciting dinosaur facts. Packed with...

NATIONAL BESTSELLER * An absurdly laugh-out-loud funny picture book about the villainy of fish, illustrated by National Book Award-winning creator Dan Santat "A ribald and uproarious warning to those unschooled in fishy goings-on." --Kirkus, starred review ONE OF...

Shark fans will quickly become shark experts with this informative, inventive and entertaining take on an animal book! Do you know all there is to know about sharks? They're all giant, cold-blooded creatures that enjoy eating humans, right? Well, this book is here to show you...

Explore the wonderful world beneath the waves in this fun, non-fiction graphic novel packed with fun facts and engaging characters. Learn about waves, tides, and currents, which keep our oceans moving continuously in this comic book for children aged 6-8. Filled with...

A humorous and clever picture book about the importance of sharing big feelings with someone you trust. Fish and Crab are best friends, always there for each other. When it's time for bed, Crab is ready to go to sleep, but Fish is still wide awake, wondering: What...

This lyrical adventure follows the bluefin tuna, puffin, sea turtle, and Atlantic salmon through their life cycle. Each of these special species has a characteristic called natal homing. They're born, leave home to eat and mate, and then return to precisely where they were born to start their own...

For fans of Small Spaces, Doll Bones, and Mary Downing Hahn, a truly chilling (and historically inspired) ghost story from the award-winning author of The Forgotten Girl. Celeste knows she should be excited to spend two weeks at her grandparents' lake house with her...

An empowering story from #1 New York Times bestseller and Newbery medalist Linda Sue Park starring a young snorkeling enthusiast who draws inspiration for fighting climate change from interacting with her pesty little brother. A Green Earth Book Award Honor Book Inspired...

Discover the largest group of freshwater lakes in the world and their importance to the geography and environment around them. DK Super Planet The Great Lakes is part of the new DK Super Planet series for children aged 5-7 to learn all about life on and around the...

An instant New York Times bestseller! "A meditative, charming delight." --School Library Journal (starred review) An unlikely team of talkative plants, a curious spider, and a grumpy goldfish use their newfound magical abilities to defend their...

This joyful and soothing book about ocean sounds for kids 3-7 will transport readers to the seaside. When a child visits the ocean with his little brother, he whispers to him, "The ocean has lots to say, if you listen." Together, they hear wondrous things, like the rumble...

A seemingly normal day at the clinic turns strange when a magical creature begins making wild prophecies, when he usually just predicts the weather and helps find lost household items! Meanwhile, a mysterious magic in the water makes river creatures, both magical and normal, behave in odd ways....

A stunningly beautiful picture book from a critically acclaimed artist that follows a family who lives in a house by the sea as water levels start to rise. A BOOKPAGE AND HORN BOOK BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR In this gorgeous, wordless story, a family makes...

***THREE STARRED REVIEWS*** A New York Public Library Best Book for Kids  A Chicago Public Library Kids Best of the Best Book Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Books of the Year List - STEM & Outstanding Merit <...

A playful tale about homonyms and the power of perspective Told through the repetition of two sounds, this delightful pirate adventure is also a clever lesson on homonyms: words that sound the same, or are spelled the same, but have different meanings. A swashbuckling tabby and...

What do you know about the sinking of the Titanic? What if you lived in a different time and place? What would you wear? What would you eat? How would your daily life be different? Scholastic's If You Lived... series answers all of kids' most important questions about events...

It's all about insand outs! While a person sleeps inside, a cat climbs outof the open window. Next, a child sits on the swings outside in an empty school playground, but they get picked up and are inside their parent's truck, happy and warm. As this nearly wordless picture book...

Beginning with 1 proud polar bear standing tall and ending with 10 bears waving goodbye, this delightful counting book shows polar bears in all their forms: slippery and fast, crafty and cool, hungry and proud. Tanya has created a story meant to be read aloud, incorporating simple Inuktitut words...

A slow-moving jellyfish finds his groove transporting deep sea tourists in this story about the power of community Slowpoke the jellyfish bus loves his job transporting fellow sea creatures, but he struggles to keep up with demands for faster travel. After he's called into headquarters and...

Middle grade historical fiction inspired by the real 18th-century shipwreck off Halifax Harbour, and the local boy who risked his life to save those on board. It's 1797. Joe has lived with Gram ever since the crusty old midwife found him on her doorstep thirteen years ago. He must...

A 2026 Charlotte Huck Award Honor Book A 2026 Children's Africana Book Awards Best Picture Book Winner A Bank Street College Best Book of the Year for 2026 ★ "A wonderful story to show how it is possible to overcome our fears of doing something...

Mum and Grannie rush about and pack our things ... but I don't want to leave our island home! The girl in this story is immigrating with her family from Jamaica to Canada. On this last day before they leave, she chews one last sugar cane stalk, and inhales the sweet smell of roast corn one...

A girl in India discovers an ancient step well in this companion book to the creators' much-loved Out of the Way! Out of the Way! When a girl discovers a slab of stone on a weedy patch of land, she calls to her friends, "Look! Look!" The children clear away the weeds and garbage and find...

★ "Visually dynamic layouts use detailed cartoon illustrations while also weaving in high quality photos and maps that will keep readers engaged. Thorough and timely...will make excellent additions to any library collection." -- Booklist, starred review From where we live to what we...

A young Indigenous water protector named Minnow goes on an underwater journey; learning from our ocean-living relatives. When she returns to the surface, she gathers her community to help make a change.This story is told in lyrical rhyme and helps children gain a better respect for Indigenous water...

In this bilingual book, an Anishinaabe child explores the story of a precious mnoomin seed and the circle of life mnoomin sustains. Written in Anishinaabemowin and English, the story opens at harvest time. A child holds a mnoomin seed and imagines all the life that made a single seed...

* A Stonewall Award Honor Book * ALA Notable Book * Bank Street Best Book of the Year * Perfect for fans of Rebecca Stead, Natalie Lloyd, and Jasmine Warga, this beautiful novel in verse explores one girl's struggle to regain her magic after a hurricane forces her to move away from her...

Leap into this stunning exploration of frogs and toads from around the world! A companion to My Book of Butterflies and My Book of Birds. When Geraldo Valério was growing up in Brazil, he learned that the tiny creatures he saw swimming in a puddle by the river weren't fish, but tadpoles...

"The most lovable duo since Frog and Toad." --Dav Pilkey, bestselling creator of Dog Man and Captain Underpants The funny and adorable New York Times bestselling kids graphic novel series starring happy-go-lucky, waffle-loving Narwhal and somewhat cynical sidekick,...

A determined, fashion-forward fish sets an example in staying true to your wildest wishes Fish wishes for pants. But Octopus is quick to point out that Fish can'twear pants ... because fish don't have legs. When Fish runs through a long list of different wishes--fuzzy bunny slippers, a...

Vera and Beaker make a new friend when they meet a mantis shrimp, in this series perfect for beginning readers! Pick a book. Grow a Reader! This series is part of Scholastic's early reader line, Acorn, aimed at children who are learning to read. With easy-to-read text, a short-story...

Nibi is determined to bring clean water to her community. Nibi is the Anishinabemowin word for water. In Nibi's Water Song, Nibi is an Indigenous girl on the search for clean water to drink. Though she is faced with repeated obstacles, Nibi's joyful and determined energy becomes a catalyst for...

The second book in Isabelle Picard's bestselling coming-of-age series about Innu twins, Leon and Eloise. Leon and Eloise are 13-year-old twins from Matimekush, an Innu community in Northern Quebec. The entire Mckenzie family has moved to Wendake, near Quebec City. Leaving Matimekush,...

Heloise likes a lot of things: sledding, giving rocks to her friends, and eating fish popsicles. She does NOT like certain things, like crowds, close-talkers and huddles. The problem is, huddles are a big part of being a penguin. Everyone gathers together to keep warm and stay safe from...

An unexpected animal companion helps a girl with cystic fibrosis learn to write her own story in this captivating novel in verse by award-winning author and disabled activist Cindy Baldwin. Penny Rooney has cystic fibrosis, which means she has to do breathing treatments to help her lungs...

A lyrical dip into the noisy, magical world of a vernal pool "This book literally has everything you would want in a science and nature title for younger readers ... Beautiful from tip to tail and back again." --Betsy Bird, A Fuse 8 Production In this vibrant and poetic...

In this whimsical picture book, a misunderstood girl with overwhelming emotions creates an origami boat and journeys to sea where she can feel free. Fans of Where the Wild Things Are will adore this fantastical tale of big feelings and boundless imagination. A BULLETIN OF...

A breathtaking picture book featuring a Korean girl and her haenyeo (free diving) grandmother about intergenerational bonds, finding courage in the face of fear, and connecting with our natural world. Dayeon wants to be a haenyeo just like Grandma. The haenyeo dive off the coast...

"Young readers will be captivated." --The Washington Post From the creators of the gorgeous bestseller The Night Gardener comes a stunning new picture book about a young boy who sets sail to find a place his grandfather told him about...the spot where the ocean...

The newest book in the Little Explorers series takes young readers from the seashore to the ocean floor, finding fascinating plants and animals and solving ocean mysteries along the way. Let's meet some of the amazing sea life that calls the ocean home. What creatures...

From Meika Hashimoto, author of The Trail, comes an action-packed adventure about doing what it takes to survive--and realizing you can't do it alone. Amos and Marlo have always been best friends. From hiking trips to backyard camp-outs, from playing soccer at the park to sitting...

Calling all comics-loving campers! Return to the wilderness with nervous bear Frank and excitable raccoon Ricky as they dive deeper into the long-lost (and supernatural) secrets of Camp Jay Bird. Frank is in big trouble. Sure, meeting Ricky made Camp Jay Bird less lonely...but...

Portraits of Indigenous children and their communities from around the world in a stunning presentation emphasizing community and a connection to the land and the environment We are all one. We all inhabit the same planet, and we all have a common human origin. This is the...

On a hot day, people come from all over the city to spend the day at the pool in this joyful picture book that's a love song to summer, the city, community, and staying cool! Today is a pool day in the city! The sun is shining, so what are you waiting for? Friends and family....

Reimagining a classic nursery rhyme, Over in the Mangroves is an enchanting and multilayered picture book about the interconnected animals of the Sundarbans Mangrove Forest. Over in the mangroves by the river in the sun, slinks a fierce mama tiger and her little tiger one.<...

A funny new fable about artistic creation and chasing fame, imagined by award-winning author Caroline Adderson, and inspired by one of Japan's most famous haikus, "The Old Pond." Bashō, a 17th-century poet on an evening walk, stops to rest next to a murky old pond. Here, readers may...

Ten-year-old Robbie finds himself raising a wild mallardduckling that has become separated from her family, and the summer holds oneadventure after another, To give Wild One the will to live, Robbie introduces her tothe bright and bold domestic duckling, Peeper. Taking care of two...

On his first day at his new school, Puffin is thrilled when Penguin is assigned to be his buddy - Penguin's the coolest kid in the school! But Puffin quickly learns that the coolest kid is also the busiest kid, especially with Penguin starring as King Midas in the school play. Puffin realises he's...

One of the Globe and Mail's 10 Best Children's Books of 2025 "If you want a picture book that speaks to what is going on in the world right now, Ra! Ta! Ma! Cue! is the title you want to consider."--Betsy Bird, Fuse #8, School Library Journal "Innovation that deserves a...

In this retelling of an Inuit traditional story from the Western Arctic, a doll made by a poor old woman who is cast aside by her camp magically comes to life.The boy, with the beak of a raven from the materials the doll was crafted from, lives and is raised as the old woman's son. When he is...

"Eye-catching images help kids master time and colors....Useful and attractive introductions to several important concepts." --Kirkus Reviews I spent the day On the dock And who zoomed up At six o'clock? A purple speedboat. A day on the...

2019 Silver Birch Non-fiction Honour Book "This is an important book but we don't have time for its young readers to replace those in power. So read this book and then give grown-ups hell and demand something be done. It's your future that's at stake." -- David Suzuki<...

River flowing, where's it going? In the launch of her first board-book series, an award-winning nonfiction author brings the youngest explorers close to nature's wonders in action. Water springs from the ground, creeks gurgle downhill, snow and rain make streams bigger,...

An uplifting novel in verse about an immigrant girl adjusting to life in the US through her love of nature, music, and poetry, by the award-winning author of The Bridge Home When Geetha and her mom move from India to Rhode Island after her parents' divorce, they leave...

"Alary and Blinick offer a child-friendly look at the connection between people and the sea around us, pointing out the importance of water in our world....An appealing package that conveys an important message."--Kirkus Reviews<...

"All aboard our little boat! We'll sail all night. Let's see where we float!" Full speed ahead as two siblings sail off for dreamland! Before these two can settle down under the covers, they cruise off onto the Arctic Ocean to bid goodnight to narwhals and guillemots, minkes...

The Sisters Ever After series concludes with a captivating Little Mermaid retelling about a younger sister who journeys from the sea to the human world to save the sister who risked everything for love. Daria grew up in Serema, an underwater city where merfolk and humans...

This lyrical, stunningly illustrated book explores the sea wolf-an apex marine mammal evolved from the gray wolf-as it navigates the coastline, eats seafood, and lives its extraordinary, unusual life. Sea Wolves- Keepers of the Rainforest is the astonishing story of a wolf...

When Maren and her younger sister visit lonely Aunt Pearl, they long to play in the sea but their aunt keeps them too busy until the dog accidentally gets out and a chase ensues. The girls are splashed by magical waves that turn their skin to scales, and they swim -- until they begin to worry...

This second book in the chapter book series about a young Indian American girl who loves science and has a big imagination introduces readers to an incredible sea creature--perfect for fans of The Magic School Bus and Over the Moon! Sejal and her brother, Abu, are...

An Indie Bestseller! A laugh-out-loud picture book from bestselling comics creator Kate Beaton about a brave shark girl bent on revenge after a greedy fishing captain messes with her waters - perfect for fans of We Don't Eat Our Classmates. ...

An entertaining and inspiring early reader celebrating the dynamic woman behind Hope for Wildlife, featuring full colour illustrations. A charitable organization based in Seaforth, Nova Scotia, Hope for Wildlife has been rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing wildlife since 1997,...

Let's go! Experience the magic of skating on wild ice. Two children wake up to hear the lake singing, then the wind begins wailing ... or is it a wolf? They bundle up and venture out into the cold, carrying their skates. On the snow-covered shore, they spot tracks made by fox, deer, hare,...

One summer day, Lauren and her little brother, James, go on a trip to the land with their Moshom (grandfather). After they've arrived, the children decide to fish for dinner while Moshom naps. They are in their canoe in the middle of the lake when the water around them begins to swirl and crash....

With humour and a touch of poetry, this picture book features a sailor named Lalo, and Rosa, a goldfish, dealing with the pollution caused by plastic water bottles.Lalo wants to find a safe and clean place for his fish friend, but everywhere they go has been invaded by plastic water bottles.

Dive into the most mysterious waters around the world (if you dare) in Spooky Lakes, an illustrated nonfiction book from TikTok star and educator Geo Rutherford Some of Earth's strangest--and creepiest--wonders lie deep below the surface. There's Lake Natron, a...

Key Selling Points Fourteen-year-old Charlotte is determined to use her new drone to prove the existence of an elusive lake monster. This story explores family dynamics and intergenerational relationships, as well as themes of conservation, responsibility and doing the right...

Journey into a land of magic and powerful girls in this feminist graphic novel retelling of three Indonesian folktales. "Brimming with spirit, this is a book all about connection and empowerment. Angkasa's gorgeous rendering and vivid storytelling will pull you right in."--Tillie...

A Junior Library Guild Selection Discover the tiny, fascinating world of sunken-ship reefs in this latest book in an illuminating nonfiction picture book series that explores how even the smallest habitats play big roles in nature. Long ago, a grand...

In the fourth book of a Shark School series spin-off, young hammerhead shark Harvey Hammer meets his all-time favorite comic book creator! What could be more amazing than meeting the creator of your all-time favorite comic book in the entire ocean? Nothing as far as Harvey Hammer...

"This sweet early reader comic can be read simply as an enjoyable story, or it can be a catalyst for discussion with younger readers about their sense of self." -School Library Journal Surf's up! Another fin-tastic graphic novel adventure awaits with your favorite shark...

An extraordinary tale of unity and friendship from the award-winning, internationally-bestselling author of The House With Chicken Legs The Island of Morovia is shaped like a broken heart. The humans live on one side of the island, and the alkonosts -- the bird-people -- live...

"An affirming and introspective look at how differences are natural and vital in creating a thriving community." --Booklist, starred review Explore a forest with a curious classroom in this breathtaking new picture book by the author of the beloved More Than Words...

Tove and her family go to the island with no address every summer. After checking to make sure that everything in the cabin is exactly as it should be, young Tove sets off on an adventure. She finds some interesting salvage on the beach, she visits the grotto and she offers to babysit her strange...

'Dramatic, atmospheric and incredibly touching, this story is Gold's best yet' Daily Mail, Best Books for Christmas A Waterstones Best Children's Book of the Year Journey to the heart of the jungle in this unforgettable adventure from the bestselling author of The Last Bear....

We all love rain--until we are ready for some sun! This joyful ode to rain for kids 2 to 6 explores a child's many emotions when it comes to wet weather. In this charming picture book, a young child's conversation with the rain poetically captures the ever-shifting...

On a visit to the ocean, a curious little girl goes searching for a seashell and meets a new eight-armed friend While at the ocean, a curious young girl goes searching for a seashell and finds an octopus friend instead. The encounter turns into an afternoon full of play and discovery. From...

Perfect for curious kids ages 4-8, parents, and educators seeking fun and educational reads! Did you know that fish grunt, shellfish crackle, and some sea creatures even burp and boop to communicate? Dive into a fascinating underwater adventure as one little shellfish guides...

Dive into various ocean habitats to find what should go in and what should stay out in this nonfiction board book sure to make a splash with curious young minds! Soaring manta rays wave hello. Schools of fish, clams, and grazing turtles. A puffer fish...

"Gentle, inspiring, and important... for parents looking to quell children's fears, support their dreams, and allow them room to grow." - Kirkus Reviews "When we went to a beach, my tummy felt tight.but it still felt wrong inside. Definitely... possibly... Perhaps I'd...

Zeke and his friends have 'spring fever' and are excited about the temperature rising, but Zeke's Mood Meter starts to wobble when he notices cracks in the river ice. If the ice melts too quickly, it could turn into a flood! When Zeke's favourite meteorologist, Freeze Jones, invites him to join his...