Welcome to the Read Aloud Classroom, where we’re making picture books work for you even with a packed schedule. Hi, I’m Sarah, an educator who believes in the power of read alouds to transform your teaching without adding to our already full plates. Each week I’ll share practical strategies to help you plan meaningful lessons, quickly teach with confidence and use picture books to make learning come alive across your entire curriculum. Whether you’re trying to fit read alouds into your busy day or looking to make them more impactful, you’re in the right place. Let’s discover just how powerful picture books can be.
Hey there, amazing teachers! It’s the first Thursday of the month, which means it’s time for one of my favorite episodes – sharing all the incredible new picture books that just hit the shelves. I don’t know about you, but there’s something so exciting about discovering fresh books that might just become your students’ new favorites.
I’ve been diving into this month’s releases, and let me tell you – we’ve got some real gems here. From poetry that’ll have your kids giggling to stories that tackle big emotions with just the right touch, these books are going to give you so many opportunities to create those magical read aloud moments we all live for.
So grab your coffee, get comfortable, and let’s explore these new treasures together. I’ll share what makes each one special and give you some ideas for how they might work in your classroom.
Poetry That Brings Joy
Let’s start with “Blue Jelly & Strawberries: Poems to Tickle Your Tastebuds” by Attie Lime. Can we just talk about that title for a second? I mean, it practically begs you to pick it up! This is Attie Lime’s debut collection, and it’s bringing such a fresh perspective to children’s poetry.
What I love about this one is how it finds humor in those everyday moments we all experience – like struggling with a push-pull door or the pure joy of splashing in puddles with rain boots. And the food poems? They’re delightfully unexpected. Picture this: a pancake that becomes a “cancake” or beans that turn magical. Your students are going to eat this up – pun totally intended!
The variety here is wonderful too. You’ve got straight poems, shape poems, all kinds of styles to explore with your kids. This would be perfect for a poetry unit, but honestly, these are the kind of poems you could sprinkle throughout your day just to bring some lightness and laughter to your classroom.
Friendship and Growing Up
Next up, we have “Norman and the Smell of Adventure” by Ryan T. Higgins. If you’ve read “Norman Didn’t Do It!” you already know Ryan’s signature humor, and this sequel doesn’t disappoint.
Norman is a porcupine whose best friend is… wait for it… a tree named Mildred. I know, right? But it works! They have their daily routines, their favorite activities, and honestly, their friendship is so sweet. But then Norman wants to try something new one morning, and Mildred has other plans. So what does Norman do? He storms off on his own adventure.
This one hits on something so real for our students – that tension between wanting independence and needing our friends. It’s perfect for those classroom discussions about friendship, working through disagreements, and understanding that sometimes we need space but that doesn’t mean our friendships are over. Your kids will connect with this one on such a deep level.
Science Made Magical
Here’s one that’s going to spark so much curiosity: “A Universe Big & Small: A Story About Carl Sagan” by James Yang. You know how we’re always looking for ways to get our students asking bigger questions? This book is going to do exactly that.
Carl Sagan was all about wonder and curiosity – from the tiniest atoms to the vastness of space. James Yang, who won a Geisel Award, takes us on this fantastic journey through the cosmos that’s inspired by Sagan’s life and work. What I love is how it shows kids that asking questions – both big and small ones – is how we learn about our world and our place in it.
This would be incredible for a science unit, obviously, but it’s also perfect for those moments when you want to encourage that natural curiosity your students have. It’s the kind of book that makes kids want to look up at the stars and wonder.
Halloween Fun (But Make It Educational!)
Speaking of timely reads, we’ve got some fantastic Halloween books that go way beyond just spooky fun.
“Evelyn Witch Gets a Pet” by Beth Ferry is absolutely adorable. Evelyn has everything a witch needs – messy hair, bubbling potions, perfectly carved pumpkins – but she’s missing something important: a pet! The problem? All she can afford is a mystery egg.
What happens next is this wonderful journey of patience and problem-solving as Evelyn tries everything to get her egg to hatch, including a trip to the library for some serious spell research. Your students will be rooting for Evelyn the whole time, and it’s a perfect opportunity to talk about patience, problem-solving, and even research skills!
Then there’s “Chicka Chicka Tricka Treat” by Julien Chung – a Halloween companion to the beloved “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom.” The letters are back, and this time they’re in costume, sneaking up that coconut tree for some Halloween mischief. When a witch swoops in and sends them tumbling down, is their Halloween ruined? Your kids are going to love this twist on a classic, and it’s perfect for letter recognition and that familiar rhythm they already know and love.
For something with more cultural depth, check out “It’s Almost Time for…Halloween!” by Maisha Oso. This one has that “How to Catch a Monster” meets “The Night Before” vibe that kids absolutely love. It follows all the excitement building up to Halloween – decorating, costume-making, pumpkin carving – but with this fun element where not everyone can read the signs that Halloween is coming. Your students will catch on before the characters do, which always makes for great interactive reading!
Cultural Celebrations
“This Moment is Special: A Día de Muertos Story” by John Parra is just beautiful. It follows a boy through a single day as he prepares for Day of the Dead celebrations, and each moment reminds him of family and those who have gone before.
What struck me about this one is how it shows that all moments – big and small – are special. It’s not just about the celebration itself, but about the love, family connections, and memories that make each day meaningful. This would be perfect for discussions about family traditions, cultural celebrations, or even just mindfulness and appreciating the present moment.
Building Confidence
“I Got You” by Derrick Barnes is one of those books that just fills your heart. It’s all about brotherhood and that special relationship between siblings. Rasheed looks up to his big brother Anthony, who’s been his hero from day one – teaching him about worms and mud pies, how to fly on a swing, and all those important big-boy skills like buttoning shirts and riding bikes.
But here’s what makes this book special: Anthony also teaches Rasheed that sometimes he needs his own space with his friends, and that’s okay. At first, Rasheed feels left out, but Anthony reassures him that love doesn’t change even when they’re apart. And when they find out they’re both going to be big brothers soon, Rasheed knows exactly what kind of big brother he wants to be.
This book is perfect for talking about family relationships, growing up, and understanding that love stays constant even when circumstances change.
Back to School Nerves
If you’re still dealing with some first-day jitters in your classroom, “Tiny T-Rex and the First Day Oopsies” by Jonathan Stutzman might be just what you need. This is the fourth book in the series, and Tiny T-Rex thinks he’s perfectly prepared for his big new school – giant backpack, good-luck bowtie, the works!
But of course, even the best-prepared dinosaur meets some “oopsies” along the way. What I love about this one is the message that school isn’t about being perfectly prepared – it’s about trying new things and learning as you go. Your students will see themselves in Tiny T-Rex, and it’s a gentle reminder that making mistakes is just part of learning.
Mindfulness for Kids
“The Marvelous Now” by Angela DiTerlizzi is the third book in the series that includes “The Magical Yet” and “The Curious Why.” This one focuses on mindfulness and staying present when big feelings hit.
You know those moments – missed the bus, flubbed a test, got overwhelmed in a crowd? This book gives kids tools to calm their racing minds and stay in the moment. The verse is accessible and rhythmic, and the illustrations are colorful and joyful. It’s such a practical tool for helping your students learn to regulate their emotions and reset when they need to.
Animal Adventures
“The Mixed-Up Owl” by Marzena Sowa tackles a question that might resonate with some of your students who feel a little different. Owl can’t figure out why he can’t fall asleep at night when all the other forest animals are sleeping. So he sets out on a quest to find answers.
He asks the squirrels, the rabbits, even a bear, but they’re all too sleepy at night and too busy during the day to help. But Owl is determined to figure out what’s up, and the answer might surprise him – and your students! It’s a sweet story about self-discovery and understanding that being different isn’t something to fix; it’s something to understand and embrace.
Creative Storytelling
“Pencil’s Best Story Ever” by Carly Gledhill is going to be such a hit for interactive read alouds. Pencil has written what he thinks is the best story ever and can’t wait to share it with you. But when his characters – Peanut, Jelly, and Bear – refuse to stick to the script, chaos unfolds in the most delightful way.
This is a story-within-a-story that gets more hilariously chaotic as it goes. It’s perfect for multiple readings because kids will catch new details each time. Plus, it’s a wonderful celebration of creativity, resilience, and the beautiful messiness that comes with the creative process.
First Day Comfort
And finally, “Sammy and Sunny’s First Day of School” by Nina LaCour – which is just adorable. It’s Sammy’s first day of kindergarten and Sunny’s first day of puppy school. They’re both nervous, but they end up having great times making friends, playing, napping, and learning new things.
That afternoon, they tell Mom all about their day – Sammy with words and Sunny in his own special doggy way. It’s funny and reassuring for kids who might be dealing with first-day nerves, and the parallel between kid school and puppy school is just delightful.
Okay, friends, that’s our roundup of this month’s new releases! I’m honestly excited about every single one of these books. They’re giving us so many opportunities – from sparking scientific curiosity to building emotional intelligence, from celebrating cultural traditions to just bringing pure joy into our classrooms.
Remember, you don’t have to rush out and get every single one of these right away. Pick one or two that really speak to you or that align with what you’re teaching right now. Sometimes the best read aloud is the one you’re genuinely excited to share with your students.
I’d love to hear which of these caught your attention! Come find me on Instagram @thecolorfulapple and let me know which one you’re adding to your wishlist, or if you’ve already gotten your hands on any of these, tell me how they went over with your students.
Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss our monthly new book episodes, and I’ll see you next week with more practical strategies to make your read alouds shine.
Thanks for joining me today in the Read Aloud Classroom. If you found value in this episode, I’d be grateful if you’d subscribe and leave a positive five-star review. This helps spread the word to other teachers just like you. Come connect with me on Instagram @thecolorfulapple and find all the links and resources mentioned today at thecolorfulapple.com. I can’t wait to see you next week in the Read Aloud Classroom.
