Every year I write a most anticipated books of the year post but usually the list runs out around this time because publishers don't ...

Exciting Upcoming Picture Book Releases Autumn 2020

Monday, August 24, 2020 BookBairn 1 Comments

 


Every year I write a most anticipated books of the year post but usually the list runs out around this time because publishers don't release information until later in the year for books released in Autumn and winter so I put together a list at the beginning on the summer with exciting summer releases and I had so much fun researching and writing it I thought I would do one for autumn too! This list is not exhaustive - it couldn't be as there are 100s of new releases - and I will no doubt have missed something out that I am really excited about but I've done my utmost to find books that I'm most excited to read this autumn. Here they are:

Oi Aardvark by Kes Grey & Jim Field (3 Sept)



A lot of people will be familiar with the fantastic Oi series by Kes Grey and Jim Field as they are laugh out loud funny an kids adore them! We have all six books (including the mini World Book Day edition) from the series and without a doubt I'm excited to see what they do next. I've also read Quick Quack Quentin by the same pairing which features an aardvark so I wonder if it will play on the same themes in that. Let Frog, Dog and Cat guide you through the alphabet from Aardvark to Zebra in this hilarious new picture book from the creators of Oi Frog! With a special fold-out surprise!
(Note I have been invited to take part in a social media tour of this book so will receive a review copy in the near future.)

The Great Realisation by Tomos Roberts & Nomoco  (3 Sept)



I may have mostly chosen this one based on that stunning cover art! I mean just look at it! But after a little research and watching Tomos Roberts' poem online I think this is a particularly poignant book that will mark out this moment in time and I want to remember it. A message of hope and resilience is something we should take going forward and we also should remember to look back and value what we held dear.

We now call it The Great Realisation

and, yes, since then there have been many.
But that’s the story of how it started . . .
and why hindsight’s 2020.


You Matter by Christian Robinson (3 Sept)



I have heard a lot of wonderful things about this book from US based bloggers and reviewers! I have long-admired Christian Robinson's artwork but I must confess I haven't hugely loved the picture books I've read of his so far but this one is different because for the first time he has both illustrated and written the book so I feel excited to see what it's like and the theme sounds right up my picture book street. In this bright and beautiful picture book, many different perspectives around the world are deftly and empathetically explored – from a pair of bird-watchers to the pigeons they’re feeding, from the hugest dinosaur to the tiniest fly. Young readers will be drawn into the luminous illustrations inviting them to engage with the world in a new way and see how everyone is connected and that everyone matters.

Eco Baby: Oceans/Recycling by Lorna Freytag (3 Sept)

       

I have been lucky enough to be sent advanced review copies of these so whilst they are not new for me I am still really excited to share them! This is a new series of bold board books to introduce the very youngest children to environmental issues. With simple and high-contrast illustrations that babies will love but also with information about the threats to the ocean and how we can reuse and recycle items, these books show that it is never too soon for children to start caring about the planet.      

An Amazing Animal Atlas of Scotland by Anders Frang (10 Sept)


In my previous post of exciting upcoming releases I share another Scottish animals book aimed at very young readers but now I'm excited about this one aimed at older readers too! Meet the amazing animals of Scotland in this beautiful book, packed full of fun facts, vibrant illustrations and maps showing where to spot these wonderful creatures. Young conservationists will love exploring Scotland's distinct habitats -- sea and coast, mountains and forests, rivers and lochs, and grasslands -- and learning about the incredible creatures that live there. These unique wild spaces are the ideal home for endangered creatures -- some of which only live in Scotland. I just know the bairns and I are going to love this. They both adore looking through encyclopaedias and anthologies and tend to be the books that they pick up themselves to read. So what could be more perfect than a Scottish animal book?!

Seasons by Hannah Pang & Clover Robin (1 Oct)


I adore Clover Robin's artwork. There is literally nothing that would mean I wasn't excited about her newest book. So I'm excited about this one! Watch six breathtaking landscapes from around the world transform in front of your eyes, in this beautifully illustrated book. With simple facts about the wildlife and plants that change through every season, this is the perfect book for all nature lovers.

What We'll Build by Oliver Jeffers (6 Oct)


Oliver Jeffers can do no wrong when it comes to picture books. They are thoughtful, poignant, fun for kids and hold a deeper meaning that help us raise empathetic children. Picture book perfection. So a new book from him is very very exciting. And I've seen him read it on his social media so I can't wait to get my hands on this one. A father and daughter set about laying the foundations for their life together. Using their own special tools, they get to work; building memories to cherish, a home to keep them safe and love to keep them warm.

The Story Orchestra: Carnival of the Animals by Katy Flint & Jessica Courtney Tickle (6 Oct)



We love the Story Orchestra series and I buy the new book for BookBairn every year! These versions are utterly delightful and really capture the magic of the tale. They are a dream to read.  And they have a little more magic between their pages. Each page has a unique button that when pressed plays a short excerpt of music from the ballets (and now the Carnival of the Animals suite). BookBairn just loves this! And it really does sweep you away into the story. Such a brilliant way to introduce children to classical music too. One day, two brothers discover a magical animal kingdom behind their bookcase. They are greeted by the royal lion with his shaggy mane; ask for directions from an old lonely tortoise; take a ride on some lumbering elephants; topple a skeleton of dinosaur bones; and swim among a school of shimmering fish. If only they could take them all home.

Big Ideas for Little Philosophers Box Set by Duane Armitage, Maureen McQuerry & Robin Rosenthal  (6 Oct)


 

How adorable do these look? And intelligent too!! I love the illustrations and am completely sold on the concept so can't wait to see them in the bookshop in real life (they are available individually too but I love a box set don't you?!). This box set features four board books on prominent philosophers and their main teachings: Imagination with René Descartes, Equality with Simone de Beauvoir, Happiness with Aristotle, and Truth with Socrates. Through bold illustrations and relatable scenes, these concepts are explored in an accessible way for kids that allows them to connect these big ideas to their lives.


When doing my research, there really were so many great books being released in the next couple of months but I had to narrow it down somehow! I hope you agree I picked some good ones. (I have no doubt missed some off my list in error too!)


Happy Reading!
Kim, BookBairn and The Wee Page Turner xxx


*Release dates are for UK release provided by publisher but may be subject to changes.


Sections in italics from Amazon description.

1 comment:

  1. Fantastic books. Fantastic artwork. It’s a talent I don’t have and i am always in awe of those who do. #jealous.

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