How is it 2023 already?! Well, I’m certainly glad that it is a new month and a new year, because there are some amazing books that were released this month. Actually, I think this is my largest collection of new books to date! Check out these new books from January 2023.
I’m sharing all of these books on video as well! Check out the New Books for January 2023 on my Youtube channel.
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New Books January 2023
The Kindest Red by Ibtihaj Muhammad
The sequel to the acclaimed New York Times bestseller The Proudest Blue shows the power of friendship and kindness.
It’s picture day and Faizah can’t wait to wear her special red dress with matching hair ribbons, passed down from her mother and sister. Faizah’s teacher starts the day by asking her students to imagine the kind of world they want, inspiring Faizah and her friends to spend the day helping one another in ways large and small.
But when it’s time for sibling pictures, Faizah realizes that she and her older sister, Asiya, don’t match like her classmates do with their siblings. With help from her classmates inspired by Asiya’s hijab, Faizah finds that acts of kindness can come back to you in unexpected ways.
Noticing by Kobi Yamada
This is a story about noticing the little things, the grand big things, the imaginary, and sometimes, hidden things. It is about embracing what’s possible. And that the incredible is everywhere, and in everything–waiting to be known, discovered, recognized. Noticing encourages readers of all ages to slow down and look at the world with their hearts–to use their imagination to expand their vision.
Very Good Hats by Emma Straub
Some people think hats are fancy things you can buy at a dressy store, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. In this book, acorns and raspberries are snug hats for your fingers, and an empty pudding cup is a good hat for a stuffed bear. Pajama pants make dangly hats, books can be dramatic hats, and bubbles make very fine hats as well (if temporary). Readers will be delighted to discover that anything can be a hat if you believe it is. Hats are everywhere you look!
An American Story by Kwame Alexander
From the fireside tales in an African village, through the unspeakable passage across the Atlantic, to the backbreaking work in the fields of the South, this is a story of a people’s struggle and strength, horror and hope. This is the story of American slavery, a story that needs to be told and understood by all of us. A testament to the resilience of the African American community, this book honors what has been and envisions what is to be.
That Flag by Tameka Fryer Brown
Bianca is Keira’s best friend. At school, they are inseparable. But Keira questions their friendship when she learns more about the meaning of the Confederate flag hanging from Bianca’s front porch. Will the two friends be able to overlook their distinct understandings of the flag? Or will they reckon with the flag’s effect on yesterday and today?
In That Flag, Tameka Fryer Brown and Nikkolas Smith graciously tackle the issues of racism, the value of friendship, and the importance of understanding history so that we move forward together in a thought-provoking, stirring, yet ultimately tender tale.
Groundhog Gets It Wrong by Jessica Townes
Groundhog is shocked and a bit ashamed when he discovers that he doesn’t have innate weather-predicting gifts—especially when his mis-forecast ruins the spring carnival.
First he tries fixing his mistake, but when shoveling up the snow and hosing it away turns out to cause more problems, he realizes that the only way to truly fix his mistake might just be to literally learn his meteorological lessons.
We are Here by Tami Charles
We Are Here is a poignant story about Black and brown heritage and community. Full of assurance, tenderness, and triumph, this much-anticipated follow-up to the New York Times bestselling picture book All Because You Matter offers an equally inspirational and arresting ode to all of the Black women and men throughout history who have made momentous contributions from the beginning of time.
All the Beating Hearts by Julie Fogliano
At the start of a day brimming with possibilities, a gentle narrator whimsically explores everything the day might bring, from work to play, and all the sweet moments in between, like watching clouds and seeing something grow. In the moment when day inevitably turns to night, we are reminded that “we are all just hearts beating in the darkness.”
This quiet space serves as a reminder of our shared existence, the very core of what brings us together. As a new dawn continues the cycle, that truth is a strong and steady pulse beneath the rhythm of another busy morning.
Dim Sum, Here We Come! by Maple Lam
Dim Sum, Here We Come! is about a Chinese American girl and her younger sister as they attend their weekly dim sum family gathering. A celebration of the traditional Chinese customs passed on from generation to generation: togetherness, love, family—and FOOD!
We’re Not Weird by Michael Garland
Meet nature’s most extraordinary looking creatures. But they aren’t weird! Birds with blue feet, fish that walk, unicorns in the sea, and more! Learn how these animals’ quirks help them survive. Perfect for budding naturalists who are always ready to share a cool (or gross) animal fact.
The Green Piano by Roberta Flack
This autobiographical picture book by the multiple Grammy Award-winning singer Roberta Flack recounts her childhood in a home surrounded by music and love: it all started with a beat-up piano that her father found in a junkyard, repaired, and painted green.
Beneath by Cori Doerrfeld
Finn is in a horrible mood and doesn’t want to talk about it. After some persuading, though, they agree to go for a hike with Grandpa. Throughout their forest walk, they see many different things: big, strong trees with networks of roots growing underneath, still water with schools of fish swimming below, and an expectant bird with eggs nestled under her.
It’s when the pair pass fellow hikers that Finn realizes that people, just like the elements of nature, are more than they appear. Grandpa explains that sometimes beneath a person who seems like they won’t understand what you’re feeling, is someone feeling the exact same way.
Chloe’s Lunar New Year by Lily LaMotte
It’s almost Lunar New Year, and Chloe can’t wait to celebrate! But first, Chloe and her family must prepare for the new year. They buy new shoes, lay out good-luck oranges in a bowl, decorate the red envelope, and make a crispy turnip cake. Everyone comes together to cook a fantastic feast, saving a plate for A-má, of course. Chloe enjoys the festive celebration and yummy food, but most of all, she loves spending time with her family.
I shared this book in my Lunar New Year collection, but it’s another one of the great new books from January 2023!
Oona in the Arctic by Kelly DiPucchio
Oona is on a mission! A baby beluga whale has lost her way from her family and needs help getting back to her icy arctic home! But Oona and her best friend Otto have never traveled from their warm ocean waters before. Will old ship maps and a compass be enough to lead them through the dangerous storms ahead?
Oona may be a little mermaid, but she is determined to see this big adventure through! With a bit of bravery and help from some new friends, they’ll do all they can to reunite this baby whale with her pod once more.
Platanos Go with Everything by Lissette Norman
Paletero Man meets Fry Bread in this vibrant and cheerful ode to plátanos, the star of Dominican cuisine. Plátanos are Yesenia’s favorite food. They can be sweet and sugary, or salty and savory. And they’re a part of almost every meal her Dominican family makes. Stop by her apartment and find out why Plátanos Go with Everything—especially love!
Today is a Me Day by EV Starkey
A young girl unapologetically decides to focus all her energy on the things that make her the happiest. She knows the world is calling for her, but she decides to make today a “me” day, focusing all her energies on a list of things that make her happy. And, oh what a list it is! She’ll pack the day lunching with her teddy bear, brewing wild teas, and even working on her warrior pose.
Which one of these new books from January 2023 are you going to read aloud in your class first? Let me know!
Looking for more read alouds? Check out My Favorite Books of 2023!
Free Picture Book List
Looking for more books to read aloud with your students? Grab this FREE list of books to teach Social Emotional Learning skills! SEL skills are more important than ever before. This book list of social emotional learning topics will make it so much easier to teach these skills to your students. The titles are split up by SEL skill and competency. This will make it easy for you to teach just one at a time!
Save this Book List
Be sure to save this pin to your favorite read alouds board on Pinterest! You’ll be able to come back to this book list when you are ready to read them aloud with your students.
