It’s time for more books! I get so excited every month when new picture books come out and this month, there are quite a few! Check out these new May picture books that were released in 2024.
I’m sharing all of these books on video as well! Check out the New Books May 2024 on my Youtube channel.
This post contains affiliate links. Read my full disclosure here.
New May Books 2024
Behind My Doors: The Story of the World’s Oldest Library by Hena Khan
Come learn about the oldest operating library in existence that was originally founded by a Muslim woman in 859!
Merhaba! Welcome! Meet Al-Qarawiyyin Library–the oldest library in the world. You’ll find special reading rooms where young and old gathered to discuss, debate, and discover the world. And, most important, the collection of books that hold knowledge more valuable than any jewels! Open its doors, unlock its story, and discover an adventure that only a library can share.
The Color of Love by Poppy Harlow
If love were a color, what color would it be?
Everyone in Ms. Clementine’s class has a different answer, but Grace doesn’t know which color to choose. Love could be blue like her favorite pair of shoes or yellow like the daffodils that grow in her neighborhood. As Grace and her classmates share what love looks like to them, they learn that it comes in many forms. created a warmhearted tale that encourages young readers to celebrate the many meanings of love.
The Curious Why by Angela DiTerlizzi
The Curious Why will help you to see that you’re only bored if you choose to be!
If it’s one of those days, never fear: Your new friend the Curious Why will show you that there’s always something new to discover about the world around you! Do you want to know where the dinosaurs went? How crayons are made? Or what makes a bee sting? This story will open young minds to a remarkable world of possibilities, and remind readers that it’s much easier than they think to have fun. All they need is a little curiosity!
Dear You, Dream Big! by Baptiste Paul
Perhaps you want to become an artist, or a scientist, or maybe even president. Even when– especially when–the path is hard, it’s important to dream big.
Dear You, Dream Big encourages today’s Black youth to reject those who wish to silence them, exclude them, and reject their talents with one powerful refrain.
Good Night, Good Beach by Joy Cowley
A picture book that shares the wonder of a family summer at the beach―skin sticky with salt, sandy feet, waves hush-hushing and a shell under the pillow.
Summer holidays by the sea have a rhythm all their own. This story takes us straight to the end of a long hot day with beach treasures under the pillow and the salty smell of the sea.
Your House is Not Just a House by Idris Goodwin
A rhyming read-aloud that empowers kids to embrace their imagination. One rainy day, a kid opens their closet to discover a teleportation chamber. In the adventure of make-believe that follows, we are invited to see our homes as more than places to live—they are vessels for creativity and joy.
Joyful Song: A Naming Story by Leslea Newman
What a happy day! Zachary’s baby sister will have her naming ceremony. He’s so excited he can barely contain it. On the walk from their home, they meet neighbor after neighbor who want to know the baby’s name. But – not yet! – his mothers tell him.
The tradition is to have a great reveal at the ceremony. So they invite each neighbor to come along. A colorful, diverse parade blooms along the route, until…At last it’s time, and Zachary gets to reveal his sister’s name…What is it? A truly joyful moment for everyone.
Leo and the Pink Marker by Mariyka Foster
Leo LOVES doodling away with his pink marker, but coloring inside the lines isn’t any fun. So when Mom and Mama aren’t looking, he finds an opportunity to liven up the dusty, gray scrapyard. A splash of pink would look great on that crunched-up convertible, and that magnet crane…and the family cat. Uh-oh! Leo got carried away. Will his moms be upset?
Let’s Go! by Julie Flett
Every day, a little boy watches kids pass by on skateboards, and dreams of joining them. One day, his mother brings a surprise: her old skateboard, just for him! haw êkwa! Let’s go!
Together, they practice on the sidewalk, at the park, in Auntie’s yard—everywhere. But when it comes time to try the skatepark, the skateboarders crash down like a waterfall. Can he find the confidence to join them?
Let’s Go! includes:
- A glossary of Cree words featured in the book, and a Cree refrain (haw êkwa!) repeated throughout
- A note to the reader from Julie Flett about her inspiration for the story
This fun and touching story is a tribute to family, friendship, and perseverance.
Oddbird’s Chosen Family by Derek Desierto
Oddbird has always been on his own. And he’s managed pretty well. But that’s changing – now, he wishes for a family.
When Oddbird’s friends plan a big surprise for him, he realizes he’s surrounded by those who accept and care for him. All families don’t look the same, and sometimes the families we choose are where we belong.
The Perfect Place by Matt de la Pena
Lucas goes to the perfect school in the perfect neighborhood. But life at home is not so perfect. His dad’s old work truck stalls in front of the school. The electricity is out when he gets home, and he doesn’t even have time to show his mom his report (on which he received a perfect score) before she rushes off to her night job.
That night, Lucas dreams of a strange light, which he follows down the fire escape, into the alleyway, clear out of his neighborhood, all the way to the place where the perfect people live. Everything there is more beautiful than he could have imagined. But is it possible things aren’t as perfect as they seem?
The Rainbow Parade by Emily Neilson
One day in June, Mommy, Mama, and Emily take the train into the city to watch the Rainbow Parade. The three of them love how all the people in the street are so loud, proud, and colorful, but when Mama suggests they join the parade, Emily feels nervous. Standing on the sidewalk is one thing, but walking in the parade? Surely that takes something special.
If You Spot a Shell by Aimee Sicuro
This cheery picture book captures the excitement of summer and encourages children to see their collected seashells in an entirely new way.
A warm summer breeze and the gentle waves of the ocean wash ashore many different types of shells. In this story a girl collects shells and thinks of all the magnificent things they can be turned into with a little creativity. She imagines one shell as a swimming cap for diving into the crashing waves, another as a magical kaleidoscope, one as a rocket ship to take her way up high and another as a submarine for exploring the wonders of the world below. The girl draws inspiration from the unique beauty of each and every shell.
The Sun Never Hurries by Roxane Turcotte
Papa Jo loves to slow down and savor his day, but the excitable young Charlie may need some convincing…
Charlie’s grandfather, Papa Jo, uses an hourglass to remind himself that every moment is precious. When Charlie asks Papa Jo what his hourglass is for, she doesn’t really understand his answer. To teach Charlie the importance of taking her time and savoring her day, the pair spend their day at a leisurely pace, transforming every ordinary day into a wonderful time.
This Table by Alex Killian
This moving picture book traces a table and its transformation: from a seed to a tree to a treasured object in a home. Strong and stable through the years, the table becomes a space for being together: for birthday parties and science projects, and meals big and small. This Table will inspire conversations about the everyday, ordinary objects in our lives, and their role in creating lifelong memories.
Touch the Sky by Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic
Vern longs to be one of the kids who swoop until their toes touch the sky. He heads to the swings and desperately tries to pump his legs, but he just can’t get it. A chance encounter with precocious (and hilarious) Gretchen gives him just what he needs to know, and he finally learns to soar.
A story for every child on the cusp of learning something new who just needs an extra push to get there.
We Need Everyone by Michael Redhead Champagne
What is your gift? How can you use your gift to help others?
We Need Everyone empowers children to identify their gifts and use them to overcome challenges, achieve goals, and strengthen communities. Inspiring and uplifting, this interactive picture book celebrates diverse cultures, perspectives, and abilities through playful illustrations. Perfect for reading aloud.
Which of these new May books 2024 will you grab first? Your students are sure to love all of them! And, if you are looking for more new books, check out these lists:
Listen on the Podcast
Get a FREE 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 these New May Books 2024
Be sure to save this pin to your favorite read alouds board on Pinterest! You’ll be able to come back to these new books when you are ready to read them aloud with your students.
