The Best Children’s & YA Books of April
by the Brightly Editors
It’s an April shower — of books! Whether you are looking for bright new picture books to read with your kids and grandkids or exciting adventures for your tween or teen, this month has many promising options. So, get comfy and keep scrolling. Here are the best children’s and YA books of the month.
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Picture Books
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Ahoy!
Available from:Set sail with these two mateys for the adventure of a lifetime! A child and parent duo use the couch, a broom, and a lot of imagination to set off across the high seas. This adorable book from a bestselling and award-winning creator celebrates the power and fun found in pretend play.
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Piper Chen Sings
Available from:Piper loves singing, so when she gets the chance to perform a solo in front of the entire school, she doesn’t hesitate to say yes. But as the big day approaches, Piper’s nerves get the best of her. With some encouragement from her Nai Nai, Piper finds the courage to channel her nerves and deliver a solid performance.
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Gaga Mistake Day
Available from:This joyful book about the special bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter is a delight to read. When Gaga visits, the day is full of silly “mistakes” that put the girl and her grandmother in stitches. This charming story makes an excellent addition to storytime with a grandparent.
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Mango Memories
Available from:Nostalgia, tradition, and family take center stage in this delectable picture book. A girl and her family pick ripe mangoes from their tree, but the girl struggles to get her hands on the fruit. She tries everything her family members suggest, but the mangoes sit stubbornly out of reach. It takes creativity and determination for the girl to succeed and create her own “mango memory.”
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Little Cat, Big Dreams (The Garfield Movie)
Available from:If you’re planning to take your child to see The Garfield Movie (in theaters May 24, 2024), then you’ll want to read this Little Golden Book. It retells the story from the big screen, delighting fans of all ages who adore the lasagna-loving cat and his shenanigans.
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The Spice Box
Available from:Food-loving kids will enjoy this heartwarming story about a young boy connecting with his heritage through traditional dishes. When his grandmother comes to visit, the boy helps his dad cook curry using the spices from an heirloom spice box that holds memories from generations of ancestors. Beautiful, warm illustrations create a feast for the eyes in this drool-worthy story.
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The Truth About the Couch
Available from:From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Dragons Love Tacos comes a hilarious new picture book full of zany humor. A fox spills the tea about couches, and they’re not the innocent pieces of furniture they appear to be. With conspiracy theories and misunderstandings galore, this rib-tickling book will be an instant hit with young readers and the young at heart.
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Olivette Is You
Available from:Actor, author, and musician Nico Tortorella shares a valuable message with children in this sweet picture book. He encourages children to dream big, reach for the stars, and remember they can be anything and everything they want. Beautiful illustrations bring the heartfelt message to life.
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Chapter Books & Middle Grade
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Monkey King and the World of Myths: The Monster and the Maze
Available from:Send your kid on an epic adventure through Greek mythology with this funny and action-packed graphic novel. This is the first book in a series about Sun Wukong (the Monkey King), who is tasked with saving the world from a mysterious evil force. It’s perfect for Percy Jackson and graphic novel fans!
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Who Is Taylor Swift?
Available from:If your kids (or you) are a dedicated Swiftie, this Who HQ biography is a must-have! Readers will learn about the iconic musician, how she broke into the country music industry, reinvented herself and her music multiple times, and became a worldwide sensation.
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Isabel in Bloom
Available from:Isabel moves from the Philippines to the US to live with her mother for the first time in many years. Starting over in a new country brings many challenges, but as Isabel joins school clubs and makes friends, San Francisco gradually starts to feel like home. This heartfelt novel in verse explores one immigrant girl’s experience as she adjusts to life in the US.
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The Night War
Available from:The two-time Newbery honoree author of The War That Saved My Life and Fighting Words brings young readers a new adventure set during World War II in France. A young Jewish girl named Miriam avoids capture in Paris and finds refuge in a village near the Chateau de Chenonceau. She pretends to be Catholic to evade detection but eventually must choose between helping others like her or fleeing to safety.
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Blood City Rollers
Available from:Roller derbies and undead kids collide in the best way possible in this spooky-cute graphic novel. Mina is an ice skater with Olympic ambitions until she gets recruited (a.k.a. kidnapped) by a group of vampires who need a human on their roller derby team. Before long, Mina gets caught up in learning the game’s rules, being part of a team, and managing her first crush.
(On sale: 4/9/2024)Also available from: -
Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All
Available from:As a self-proclaimed sock detective, Magnolia tasks herself with returning every lone sock at her parents’ laundromat to its rightful owner. With a new friend in tow, she sets out to do just that — with surprising results. This early chapter book is perfect for kids ages 7-11 who want a light mystery with plenty of humor and heart.
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The Last Comics on Earth: Too Many Villains!
Available from:Readers everywhere love this spin-off from the bestselling The Last Kids on Earth series. It is the second installment in the series about a group of friends who create their own issues of their favorite comic, casting themselves into the story. Humor, action, and friendship fill the pages of this wildly popular graphic novel series.
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Dr. Seuss Graphic Novel: Cat Out of Water
Available from:Growing readers and newly independent readers will love seeing familiar characters in this early graphic novel. Two siblings’ ordinary day turns upside down when the Cat in the Hat, Thing 1, and Thing 2 come for a visit. But after a day of fun and adventure, can the kids clean everything up before their parents get home?
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YA
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Hearts Still Beating
Available from:Monsters and romance in a post-apocalyptic world? Sign me up! Mara was infected with a virus that turned her into a monster before the world ended. Now that a cure is available, she is being rehabilitated into society. She reunites with Rory, the girl she used to love. As the girls grow together again, the world around them shifts and threatens everything they care about.
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The Reappearance of Rachel Price
Available from:Get ready for another nail-biting thriller from the multimillion-copy bestselling author of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder series. Bel’s mother has been missing for 16 years and mysteriously reappears when a true crime film crew starts making a documentary about her. Bel doesn’t trust her mother’s explanation for her disappearance and digs into the evidence — only to find the truth makes her blood run cold.
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Every Time You Hear That Song
Available from:Country music, an epic scavenger hunt, and first love combine in this YA novel. It’s told from a split point of view between an aspiring journalist writing about her favorite country music legend and the musician herself. This gorgeous novel is perfect for country music enthusiasts and fans of The Amazing Race.
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Wide Awake Now
Available from:Bestselling author David Levithan revisits one of his earlier works, Wide Awake, in a new novel exploring the current political climate in America. However, instead of setting the story against a fictional election, this book centers on the actual political issues of 2024. Teens with a strong interest in politics and social issues will appreciate this book.
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