Welcome to our monthly roundup of newly released picture books! As teachers, we’re always on the lookout for fresh titles to engage our students and enhance our classroom libraries. This month brings an exciting collection of stories that span friendship challenges, cultural celebrations, emotional intelligence, and scientific discoveries. Whether you’re looking for books to support your curriculum or simply wanting to share the joy of reading with your students, there’s something here for every classroom need.
New May Books 2025
Noah and His Wagon by Jerry Ruff
This heartwarming story follows Paloma, who’s feeling lonely after her best friend moves away. During a neighborhood walk with her dog Bucket and sitter Jasmine, she meets Noah and his cat Mitzvah, who introduces her to so many new neighbors that Paloma can’t help but feel less lonely. It’s a perfect book for addressing the common classroom experience of friends moving away and the process of making new connections.
Bannock in a Hammock by Masiana Kelly
Written by Inuk/Dene writer Masiana Kelly, this sweet rhyming book explores bannock, a popular food tradition with Inuit and other Indigenous peoples. The story celebrates this delicious food in playful ways and even includes a bannock recipe for classroom extensions. This book offers a wonderful opportunity to introduce students to Indigenous food traditions while enjoying a fun, accessible rhyming text.
Bear Feels Sad by Karma Wilson
In this new addition to the beloved Bear series, Bear is feeling lonely because all his friends are busy, and nothing seems to cheer him up—not even building a fort. When he discovers a beautiful field of flowers, he gets the idea to gather gifts for his friends, turning his day around. This book provides a gentle way to discuss managing feelings of loneliness and sadness while showcasing positive problem-solving strategies.
Circus of Shadows by Lidia Brankovic
From the author-illustrator of “The Grand Hotel of Feelings” comes this fantastical adventure about Lika, who never gave much thought to her shadow until it starts acting strangely and eventually whisks her away to a curious land of shadows. Through this journey, Lika must look deep inside herself to find her way back home in a story that beautifully explores self-acceptance. The book offers a powerful metaphor for acknowledging and embracing the parts of ourselves we tend to hide.
Goodbye Spring, Hello Summer by Kenard Pak
This gorgeous seasonal transition book follows a young girl as she roams through grassy plains and shady forests, greeting all the signs of the coming summer. Through conversations with everything from rolling hills to chickadees, she bids farewell to spring and welcomes the liveliness of summer. The book provides a wonderful opportunity to help children notice and appreciate the natural changes happening around them.
Hurricane by Jason Chin
Caldecott and Sibert Medalist Jason Chin charts the thrilling saga of an island community preparing for a category three hurricane in this powerful non-fiction picture book. The narrative alternates between striking maps charting the hurricane’s progress and daily life on the island as families prepare by boarding up windows and stocking survival kits. Chin’s stunning illustrations and scientifically accurate content make this complex topic accessible for young readers.
Me and Lavender by Melody C. Peugh
This delightful story follows Ella and her elephant friend Lavender, who are supposed to stay tidy for an afternoon tea party—quite a challenge for playful youngsters! Their quiet activities quickly escalate to exciting ones, ending in a magnificent mud-pie mess. The book celebrates the joy of pretending and reminds readers of the Christopher Robin and Pooh relationship, perfect for discussions about imagination and friendship.
Piet Cools Off by Peter Wohlleben
The bestselling author of “The Hidden Life of Trees” partners with his daughter in this educational story about Piet the squirrel, who needs to find a way to cool down on a very hot day. As he explores the woods, he meets animals using various cooling techniques, teaching readers about temperature regulation and forest ecosystems. The book includes informative sidebars about the importance of forests and engaging backmatter that explores how animals cool down around the world.
Sea in My Cells by Laura Alary
This ode to water explores its journey from the sea to our glasses and ultimately to our cells, breaking big ideas into child-sized pieces. Andrea Blinick’s illustrations take readers from the kitchen to the ocean to the clouds and back again, making the water cycle accessible for young readers. The book beautifully helps children understand the connections between natural systems and their everyday lives.
So Many Years: A Juneteenth Story by Anne Wynter
With lyrical text from Anne Wynter and radiant artwork from Jerome Pumphrey, this poetic picture book explains the history behind Juneteenth celebrations. The book acknowledges the history of slavery in the US while celebrating the astonishing Black resilience that has led to an enduring legacy of Black joy. It’s an important addition to classroom libraries for helping children understand historical events and cultural celebrations in age-appropriate ways.
The Gathering Table by Antwan Eady
From the author of “Nigel and the Moon” comes this joyful picture book about a Southern family that gathers around a special table for year-round celebrations, highlighting the importance of family, community, and coming together. The story beautifully shows how Gullah Geechee culture contributes to a family’s love, reminding us of the importance of building community one gathering at a time. This book celebrates the significance of cultural traditions and family gatherings in a warm, inviting way.
The Traveling Taco by Mia Wenjen
This fascinating exploration takes readers on a journey through the history of kids’ favorite foods from around the world, revealing their surprising origins. Using rhyming text, the book shows how many beloved dishes are actually “food immigrants”—from Al Pastor Tacos that traveled from Lebanon to Mexico, to pasta arriving in Italy long before Marco Polo visited China. Though noted as containing “interesting facts,” this book would make an engaging read aloud for units on cultural exchange, food traditions, or geography.
The Vase with the Golden Cracks by Fran Nuno
Set in a remote part of Japan, this story follows a precious tradition passed down from father to son, where a vase is filled with magical words each day. When the vase breaks, the art of Kintsugi teaches the protagonist the importance of learning and second chances by using golden threads to repair the cracks. This beautiful book incorporates the Japanese tradition of Kintsugi as a powerful metaphor for how our challenges and setbacks can make us stronger.
Where are you Bronte? By Tomie dePaola
This touching story about love, loss, and remembrance after losing a beloved pet is the final completed book written by beloved creator Tomie dePaola, with art by Barbara McClintock. DePaola tells the emotional and personal story of overcoming grief after losing his dog, Brönte, providing a gentle way to discuss loss with young readers. The book’s message that loved ones remain in our hearts offers comfort to anyone who has experienced loss.
You Be Teacher by Karla Clark
This humorous and tender story follows an exhausted teacher who’s simply too tired to be Teacher today after teaching the seasons, getting splattered with paint, and bandaging a student’s boo-boo—all before noon! She playfully tries to convince her students to fill her shoes for the day so she can take a much-needed break. While noted as “more for teachers than kids,” this book would make a wonderful gift for educators and a fun end-of-year read that acknowledges all that teachers do.
Everything’s Wrong! By Jory John
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of “The Bad Seed” comes this hilarious tale of best friends Jeff and Anders, who start the day with the best intentions but soon face a series of irritating incidents from power outages to missing socks. Their epic journey tests their fortitude and friendship as they try to salvage their disastrous day together. This read-aloud, laugh-out-loud picture book is perfect for discussions about resilience, problem-solving, and the importance of friendship during challenging times.
Wish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
This uplifting picture book celebrates neurodiversity through the story of Oliver, whose brain is a “volcano of ideas”—always bubbling with questions—making it hard for him to focus at school. With the help of a supportive friend, Oliver learns that great minds don’t think alike, and a brain that blazes with curiosity and imagination is a glorious thing. Featuring characters from Hunt’s bestselling novel “Fish in a Tree,” this book celebrates out-of-box thinking and the importance of being proud of the things that set us apart.
These sixteen new picture books offer a wealth of opportunities to engage your students with diverse stories, important concepts, and beautiful illustrations. From celebrating cultural traditions to exploring scientific concepts, from addressing emotional challenges to simply enjoying the magic of imagination, there’s truly something for every classroom need. Remember that incorporating picture books across your curriculum not only supports literacy development but also helps students make meaningful connections to the content you’re teaching. Which of these new releases are you most excited to share with your students?
