Children's New Books | December 2024

Some of our favorite new and exciting titles to hit library shelves in December.
Updated November 8, 2024
Drag items up and down to your preferred order then select the "Save Order" button.
Little Bunny
Horacek, Petr
Paper Book
Renowned illustrator Petr Horácek brings his luminous art to an interactive, peek-through woodland adventure for the youngest of readers. Little Bunny in the woods, what can you see? There's a big friendly bear smiling straight at me. Who will...
The classic Czech illustrator has a new series of peek through board books featuring baby animals, including bunnies and chicks. (Board Book Age 0-2)
I Love You, Baby (a Little Languages Series Board Book for Toddlers)
Little Bee Books
Paper Book
This adorable, photo-filled board book will teach toddlers how to say "I love you" in fifteen of the world's most spoken languages. Te amo! Ich liebe dich! Nakupenda! Say "I love you" in fifteen different languages as babies all over the world play and enjoy their day.

Perfect for Valentine's Day, this book teaches readers to say "I Love You" in over a dozen languages. The photos of baby faces are a nice bonus...babies love looking at pictures of other babies! (Board Book Age 0-2)

Emilio Sloth's modern manners
Ahdieh, Renée
Paper Book
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Wrath and the Dawn comes a debut picture book about friendship, manners, and one very punctual sloth. Emilio Sloth may not be the fastest of animals, but he is always punctual for his friends. After all, it is the...

A fictional story about proper behavior that gently pokes fun at the old-fashioned tone of most manners guides. (Picture Book Age 4-8)

Sally's snow day
Larsen, Andrew
Paper Book
★"The narrative is upbeat and provides opportunities for counting and talking about dressing to go outside. This combination of cheerful drawings and omniscient narrative, plus joyful dogs, will appeal to young readers. The book works for both story time or independent reading. A strong...

SALLY\'S BACK!!! Every time I see a new Sally book featuring one of the cutest picture book dogs of all time, I make a very high-pitched squeal of delight. (Picture Book Age 4-8)

A mischief of mice
Matheson, Christie
Paper Book
Join the animals and follow the clues in this rollicking, rhyming, nature-inspired whodunit story full of fun collective nouns! A mischief of mice has gone missing on a blustery fall day. Now a scurry of squirrels is scared, while a band of coyotes howls nearby. Did an unkindness of ravens...

A fall mystery story from the author of Tap the Magic Tree and many other nature-based interactive books. (Picture Book Age 4-8)

A Sea of Gold: A Ukrainian Family's Story Through the Generations
Polacco, Patricia
Paper Book
"A visually stunning testimony to resilience and renewal." --Publishers Weekly "An empathetic, heartbreaking look at how warfare can tear families apart--and how traditions still endure." --Kirkus Reviews Beloved and bestselling storyteller Patricia...

GOAT Patricia Polacco's newest book, inspired by her Ukrainian heritage. (Picture Book Age 4-8)

The top spot
Weber, Frank
Paper Book
For fans of MR. TIGER GOES WILD and I WANT MY HAT BACK, author-illustrator Frank Weber presents style, stunning illustrations, and sly humor in THE TOP SPOT, which explores themes of happiness and the why of competing in the rat race called life. A little ibex is...

A story about the limits of competitiveness with strong Jon Klassen vibes. I'm excited. (Picture Book Age 4-8)

Lefty
Willems, Mo
Paper Book
#1 New York Times bestselling, award-winning author Mo Willems and Caldecott Medal winner and National Book Award winner Dan Santat join hands in this innovative picture book about lefties (and righties)! Did you know, there was a time when people could...

A new Mo Willems, illustrated by Caldecott medalist Dan Santat! (Picture Book Age 4-8)

Sabrina Sue Loves Mountains
Burris, Priscilla/ Burris, Priscilla (ILT)
In this sixth Level 1 Ready-to-Read story about a spunky chicken from the illustrator of the Heidi Heckelbeck series, Sabrina Sue climbs a mountain! Sabrina Sue loves mountains. Her farm home is too flat--she dreams of peaks and thrilling cliffs. So she sets off for the hike of a...

Sabrina Sue\'s newest adventure takes her on a high-intensity hike, perfect for nature loving families in our mountainous state. (Early Reader Level 2)

Bunny hop
Hwang, Sarah
Paper Book
Follow a curious bunny's adventures in the kitchen in this sweet and playful Pre-Level 1 Ready-to-Read. Bunny hop! Bunny munch! Bunny chomp! Bunny crunch! What will Bunny eat?

A simple, easy-to-read story for beginning readers featuring a ridiculously cute pink bunny. (Early Reader Level 1)

Wait a Minotaur
Ebbeler, Jeffrey
When his new school hallways start to feel like a labyrinth, how will Gus the minotaur and his human pal Nick stay calm and find their way to the correct classroom? Find out in this action-packed early reader from comics artist Jeffrey Ebbeler. It's Nick's first day at a new...
A new early graphic novel in Jeffrey Ebbeler\'s loosely connected series about mythical creatures. (Early Graphic Novel Level 2)
Eloise the Flame Dragon (Dragon Girls #16)
Mara, Maddy
Paper Book
We are Dragon Girls -- hear us roar! Three friends, Eloise, Ash, and Maya, have just discovered that they share an amazing gift. They can transform into powerful Fire Dragons when they travel to the Magic Forest. Once there, Eloise learns that she is the mighty Flame Dragon....

A new Dragon Girls! (Bridging Fiction Grades 2-4)

Emily's cupcake magic!
Simon, Coco
Paper Book
Katie Brown's stepsister starts at a new school and discovers her own way to bake in this first book in the Cupcake Diaries: The New Batch chapter book series, the little sister series to the bestselling Cupcake Diaries. Includes black and white illustrations throughout and eye-catching glitter...

A Cupcake Diaries spinoff for younger readers. A great choice for fans of the graphic novel reboot who aren\'t quite ready for chapter books, too! (Bridging Fiction Grades 2-4)

Haunting of the ghost dragon
West, Tracey
Paper Book
In the latest action-packed installment of this New York Times bestselling series, Drake and Worm encounter a mysterious Ghost Dragon! Pick a book. Grow a Reader! This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line, Branches, aimed at newly independent readers....

New Dragon Masters! (Bridging Fiction Grades 2-4)

Unraveled
Messenger, Shannon
Paper Book
The past and present unravel into staggering truths in this can't-miss installment of the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling Keeper of the Lost Cities series told entirely from Keefe's point of view. Please be careful. Please be happy. And PLEASE forget all...

A new Keeper of the Lost Cities! While they\'re not as well known as Percy Jackson or Wings of Fire, these books are checked out just as often. (Young Teen Fiction Grades 5-7)

Kids Comics: Frozen -- Daring Rescues
Cook, Katie
Paper Book
Will Anna and Elsa win the annual Krumkake Run, or take a different path? And on his own after a day of ice harvesting, can Kristoff save a young reindeer in need - and give it the perfect name? Join in the fun with these tales of courage and adventure in Arendelle!

Disney\'s newest comics launch includes some Frozen themed graphic novels for newly independent readers. (Bridging Graphic Novel Grades 2-4)

Dog Man 13 : Big Jim Begins
Pilkey, Dav/ Pilkey, Dav (ILT)
Paper Book
In DOG MAN: BIG JIM BEGINS, discover the origin of our beloved characters from the Dog Man series as they join forces to stop the Space Cuties from destroying the city. Will the past predict the future for Dog Man and his friends? Will goodness and bravery prevail? Can anything happen if you...

New Dog Man! (Children\'s Graphic Novel Grades 3-5)

Taylor Swift - wildest dreams, a biography
Wainer, Erica
Paper Book
A dazzling must-have picture book biography for the rabid Taylor Swift lover. Features illustrations of the pop icon, from childhood to fearless stardom, and the story of how she broke out to share her sparkle with the rest of the world. Since the release of her self-titled...

Our Taylor Swift biography collection continues to grow! (Children\\\'s Nonfiction Ages 4-8)


Super Magic Boy: I Am a Space Tiger: (A Graphic Novel)
Rosello, Jarod
Paper Book
Zip, zap, and zoom through space with Hugo and his best friend Dino on their adventure to find the best mom present ever! An out-of-this-world graphic novel chapter book series filled to the brim with friendship and zany adventures! Oh no! Today is Mami's birthday and Hugo forgot...

A new series for younger readers from the author of Red Panda and Moon Boy. (Bridging Graphic Novel Grades 2-4)

Puppet
Almond, David
Paper Book
Writing in the tradition of Pinocchio, Hans Christian Anderson Award winner David Almond brings his ineffable touch to a warm and wistful story that shows anything is possible with imagination and trust. "You're a mystery, aren't you, Puppet? But isn't everything a...

A modern classic from a world-renowned author. A great choice for fans of Pinocchio and Kate Dicamillo\'s The Puppets of Spelhorst. (Children\'s Fiction Grades 3-5)

Beti and the little round house
Atinuke
Paper Book
From beloved storyteller Atinuke comes an enchanting new collection of stories featuring an endearing new character. Beti lives in a little round house in the green woods under the mountains with Mam, Tad, baby Jac, and her very own tiny goat named Naughty. Beti loves the little...

Nigerian-born author Atinuke writes the loveliest, warmest books for young readers that feel like classics despite the contemporary setting. Instead of her usual African settings, this one takes place in a roundhouse inspired by the one she raised her young children in while living in Wales as an adult. (Children\\\'s Fiction Grades 3-5)

History As It Happened : A Map-by-map Guide
Dorling Kindersley Ltd. (COR)
Paper Book
Dive back in time to discover the unbelievable stories of the past through an exciting new map-view of world history. Explore more than 200 vibrant maps showing the history of every continent in this gripping new view of world history for children aged 9-12. ...

A map-based guide to world history, perfect for history buffs and homeschool families. (Children\'s Nonfiction Ages 9-12)

All the best dogs
Jenkins, Emily
Paper Book
For anyone who loves a dog--and anyone who loves a laugh, comes this sensitive (and silly!) story about growing up and mending fences. An enduring message of friends, community, and the joy of pets. Ask anyone who has a dog and they'll tell you that their dog is the best<...

Interconnected stories set in a dog park from the author of Toys Go Out. (Children\'s Fiction Grades 3-5)

Swimming with Spies
Lucyk-Berger, Chrystyna
Paper Book
As war escalates between the Russians and Ukrainians in the port city of Sevastopol, can one girl and a pod of dolphins prove that communication is the greatest weapon of all? It's February of 2014 in the seaport city of Sevastopol in Crimea. Sofiya Oleksandrivna only wants two...

A tween-friendly thriller set in Sevastopol, Ukraine during the 2014 Crimean conflict. A great choice for older kids looking for Ukrainian settings and recent Ukrainian history. (Children\'s Fiction Grades 3-5)

Mendel the mess-up : a graphc novel
LaBan, Terry
Cursed from birth, Mendel Schlotz is the unluckiest kid in his village. He's also the only one who can save it. Ask anyone--twelve-year-old Mendel can't do anything right. When he tries to herd goats, they get out. When he tries to chop wood, he breaks the ax. It's...

Fiddler on the Roof meets How Mirka Got Her Sword in this new graphic novel from Terry LaBan. (Children\'s Graphic Novel Grades 3-5)

The mystery of Mystic Mountain
Fox, Janet S.
Paper Book
A girl tackles a summer filled with mystery, treasure, and learning to be her true self in this middle grade adventure that's a modern-day Holes set on a dusty dude ranch in Montana. Becca Soloway's perfect summer goes up in smoke when her mom flees a looming divorce by...
This mystery set on a dude ranch is a great choice for kids who love Westerns or are looking for books with relatable rural settings. (Young Teen Fiction Grades 5-7)
Escaping Peril
Sutherland, Tui T.
Paper Book
  The graphic novel adaptations of the #1 New York Times bestselling Wings of Fireseries continue to set the world on fire! Peril has been loyal to Queen Scarlet, who used her fatalfirescales to kill countless dragons in the SkyWing arena. Now, Peril is loyal to...

New Wings of Fire graphic novel! (Young Teen Graphic Novel Grades 5-7)

The Firelight Apprentice
Paulsen, Bree.
Paper Book
The bestselling author-illustrator of Garlic and the Vampire, Bree Paulsen, brings her fantastical storytelling and warm, sparkling artwork to this story that celebrates the bond between sisters. In a city powered by magic and still recovering from a bloody war, Ada is...

A dystopian fantasy for middle schoolers from the author of the delightfully quirky Garlic and the Vampire. (Young Teen Graphic Novel Grades 5-7)

Dog Trouble
Varner, Kristin.
Paper Book
From the author of Horse Trouble comes a graphic novel perfect for fans of PAWS and Allergic! Ash is a good kid at heart. But his grades are slipping, and when he gets caught vandalizing an old building, it's the last straw. It's decided: Ash will spend some time...

A dog walking business helped a troubled teen find his way. (Young Teen Graphic Novel Grades 5-7)

The Dragon Atlas: Legendary Dragons of the World
Claybourne, Anna
Paper Book
Travel the globe to discover the facts behind this fierce creature of myth and legend. See them in their natural habitats, lurking in the swamps of West Africa or guarding their treasure in a cave-dwelling in Europe. Read exciting tales of dragons good and bad, including the story of the dragon...

If you haven\'t noticed, dragons are a very popular topic in children\'s fiction right now! This nonfiction book provides a guide to dragons from folklore around the world. (Children\'s Nonfiction Ages 9-12)

Hilda and Twig: Hide from the Rain
Pearson, Luke
Paper Book
A brand-new adventure featuring our favourite blue-haired heroine Hilda, and her trusty deerfox companion Twig. Hilda and Twig would never let a bit of rain get in the way of an adventure, but it's different when your forest exploration is interrupted by a BIG storm.

After taking a break from writing Hilda graphic novels, Luke Pearson is back with a prequel for younger readers starring Hilda and Twig. (Children\'s Graphic Novel Grades 3-6)

Priceless facts about money
Hobson, Mellody
Paper Book
As Oprah says on OprahDaily.com, "Financial expert Mellody Hobson wrote this children's book to encourage financial literacy, but I bet, like me, many adults will learn fun facts about money--such as where the word greenbacks came from." An instant New York Times...

A finance expert uses facts about money to teach kids about basic financial literacy. (Children\'s Nonfiction Ages 9-12)

The Ultimate Book of Would You Rather Questions: 1001 Family-Friendly Challenges for Kids, Teens and Adults
McLeod, Kimberly
Spark Imagination and Conversation with 1,001 Wild, Silly & Thought-Provoking Decisions Get ready for hours of fun pondering impossible choices with this ultimate collection of knee-slapping, exciting and thought-provoking questions. There are no wrong answers, so you can debate mind-boggling...

A fun list of ideas for the popular sleepover game, also great for road trips and snow days! (Children\'s Nonfiction Ages 9-12)

Vietnamese Folktales for Children : Stories of Adventure and Wonder in Vietnamese and English
Nguyen, Hop Thi
Paper Book
**Creative Child Magazine 2024 Book of the Year! - Bilingual Story Books for Kids** The timeless charm and wisdom of Vietnamese folktales in parallel English and Vietnamese versions! These ten delightful stories bring Vietnam's rich culture and...

Since Vietnamese is the 5th most common language in OC schools, this bilingual English/Vietnamese book of Vietnamese folktales was a great find! (Children\'s Nonfiction Ages 9-12)

The house without lights
Faruqi, Reem
Paper Book
In this heartwarming holiday picture book, House misses being decorated for the winter holidays . . . but is delighted to be lit up for Eid instead. After seeing all of its neighbors' twinkling lights for the winter holidays, House hopes to shine too. When Huda and her family...

A sweet story about Eid that ties in other festivals of light, from Diwali to Lunar New Year, in which we decorate our houses at night. (Holiday Book Ages 4-8)

How to Catch a Groundhog
Walstead, Alice/ Gillette, Emma (ILT)/ Elkerton, Andy (ILT)
Paper Book
A new holiday adventure in the NYT and USA Today bestselling How to Catch series perfect to celebrate Groundhog's Day! The How to Catch kids are playing outside when they accidentally wake the groundhog living in the park. When the Groundhog runs away, the kids realize...

A Groundhog Day-theme entry in the popular How to Catch a... series. (Holiday Book Ages 4-8)

(Be Smart About) Screen Time!: Stay Grounded, Set Boundaries, and Keep Safe Online (Be Smart About, 3)
Brian, Rachel.
Paper Book
Introduce kids to online safety with this must-have book for any kid who gets tablet, phone, or computer time!  Buy this book if you're looking for: ★ A fun, accessible, kid-friendly guide to safe, healthy, and productive screen time 

A fun, interactive guide to setting healthy screen time boundaries with elementary school age kids. (Parenting Ages 9-12)


Library staff! You can create and contribute to lists. Contact your catalog administrator or log in here.