Here we round up new and forthcoming children’s titles including a graphic novel series opener starring hair-themed superheroes, a middle grade tale about an inventor who’s adopted by a baker, a YA fantasy sequel that finds three friends isolated, and more.
A Bad Buzz Day (The Snips #1) by Raúl the Third, colors by Elaine Bay and Eleonora Bruni, lettering by Rob Leigh. Little, Brown Ink, $14.99; ISBN 978-0-316-52868-9. A new duo in hair-obsessed Scissors City determines to break the record for most haircuts given in a day.
Bridget Vanderpuff and the Baked Escape by Martin Stewart, illus. by David Habben. Penguin Workshop, $9.99 paper; ISBN 978-0-593-75408-5. Nine-year-old inventor Bridget Baxter is adopted by a kind baker named Mr. Vanderpuff, and discovers a locked door that hides a secret, which Bridget determines to unlock.
Carving Shadows into Gold by Brigid Kemmerer. Bloomsbury, $20.99; ISBN 978-1-5476-1010-5. In the sequel to Forging Silver into Stars, trio Tycho, Callyn, and Jax navigate a deadly bargain, newfound enemies, and palace politics as they learn to wield their magic.
The Doomsday Vault (Everwhen School of Time Travel (and Other Odd Sciences) #1) by Thomas Wheeler. Simon & Schuster, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-5344-8845-8. Bertie is awarded a scholarship to the Everwhen School of Time Travel and Other Odd Sciences, where he and his new friends contend with all manner of otherworldly oddities, scientific shenanigans, and extraordinary experiments.
Dragon Dreams by Roni Schotter, illus. by Khoa Le. Astra, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-66260-206-1. After a day of bickering, a dragon-led dream-time outing offers nighttime tranquility to two human siblings and others.
Girls to the Front: 40 Asian American Women Who Blazed a Trail by Niña Mata. HarperCollins, $19.99; ISBN 978-0-06-321628-0. Mata makes her authorial debut in this illuminating illustrated anthology that highlights the lives and achievements of 40 women of the Asian American diaspora. The middle grade book received a starred review from PW.
I Am Not Jessica Chen by Ann Liang. HarperCollins, $19.99; ISBN 978-1-335-52312-9. A Chinese American high school senior who wants to be more like her perfect popular cousin gets more than she wished for in this haunting speculative novel.
Many Things at Once by Veera Hiranandani, illus. by Nadia Alam. Random House Studio, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-5936-4390-7. A child learns to embrace the different cultures and heritages of her family.
Meticulous Jones and the Skull Tattoo (Inkbound #1) by Philippa Leathley, illus. by Brie Schmida. Clarion, $19.99; ISBN 978-0-06-337651-9. After Metty uncovers her magical destiny, she moves with her aunt to London, where she investigates her father’s disappearance. The middle grade book received a starred review from PW.
On the Wings of La Noche by Vanessa L. Torres. Knopf, $19.99; ISBN 978-0-59342-617-3. Noche’s role as a Lechuza, who shepherds the souls of the dead into the beyond, grows complicated when her girlfriend suddenly dies and Noche struggles to let her go. The YA book received a starred review from PW.
A Pocket Full of Rocks by Kristin Mahoney, illus. by E.B. Goodale. Knopf, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-593-42854-2. A child discovers how finding and keeping new rocks helps them find comfort. The picture book received a starred review from PW.
The Scorpion Queen by Mina Fears. Flatiron, $19.99; ISBN 978-1-250-39235-0. After being disowned by her family and forced to separate from her lover, Amie is sent to work for the princess of the empire and discovers a secret society with plans for a rebellion.
True Gretch: Young Readers Edition: Lessons for Anyone Who Wants to Make a Difference by Gretchen Whitmer. Atheneum, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-665-98376-1. This YA edition of Whitmer’s adult memoir highlights the Michigan governor’s childhood and harrowing challenges in her career.
The Vanished Ones by Chad Lucas. Amulet, $17.99; ISBN 978-1-4197-6684-8. One orphaned tween’s restrictive religious upbringing triggers an existential epiphany in this contemplative adventure.
To Walk the Sky: How Iroquois Steelworkers Helped Build Towering Cities by Patricia Morris Buckley, illus. by E.B. Lewis. Heartdrum, $19.99; ISBN 978-0-0630-4697-9. This picture book honors the contributions of Iroquois steelworkers, known as “skywalkers” for their ability to balance atop narrow beams in construction sites. The picture book received a starred review from PW.
For more children’s and YA titles on sale throughout the month of January, check out PW’s full On-Sale Calendar.
