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All Ages

The Best Children’s and YA Books of April

by the Brightly Editors

best-kids-books-april

April showers bring May flowers — and lots of fantastic new books! These are the best, boldest, and brightest books coming out this month. Whether you’re looking for sweet bedtime stories for your preschooler or the hottest must-have releases for your tween or teen, we have you covered.

Picture Books

I’d Like to Be the Window for a Wise Old Dog

I’d Like to Be the Window for a Wise Old Dog

by Philip C. Stead

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Get ready for another heartfelt picture book from the bestselling author of A Sick Day for Amos McGee and The Purloining of Prince Oleomargarine. This gorgeous book encourages children to explore their imaginations and ask unusual questions. It’s the perfect addition to your bedtime reading stack.

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Show the World!

Show the World!

by Angela Dalton, illustrated by Daria Peoples

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Spring is an excellent time of year for children to try out a new form of creativity. This book helps kids see the many formats self-expression can take and encourages them to find one that resonates with them.

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Counting to Bananas

Counting to Bananas

by Carrie Tillotson, illustrated by Estrela Lourenço

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I hope your funny bone is ready for the workout it will get with this goofy picture book. Kids and parents will laugh aloud as they count fruit and animals — and avoid a banana who keeps interrupting the story. If you love books with quirky humor like The Monster at the End of This Book, you will adore this one.

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The Velveteen Rabbit: 100th Anniversary Edition

The Velveteen Rabbit: 100th Anniversary Edition

by Margery Williams, illustrated by Erin Stead

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Celebrate the 100th anniversary of the timeless classic with this special edition illustrated by the Caldecott Medal-winning artist Erin Stead. Readers of all ages adore this book about an old toy rabbit who gets a new beginning. The familiar story and beautiful illustrations make this collectible hardcover edition a must-have.

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Princess Charming

Princess Charming

by Zibby Owens, illustrated by Holly Hatam

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Princess Charming feels like she’s average at everything. Even though she experiments with activities and interests, she can’t find an area where she excels. With some help from a visiting celebrity, she learns that persistence and a positive attitude will help her reach her dreams. This book is an excellent tool for introducing young readers to resilience.

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Always with You, Always with Me

Always with You, Always with Me

by Kelly Rowland and Jessica McKay, illustrated by Fanny Liem

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Working parents everywhere will fall in love with this sweet story about a mom who creates a connection with her child, even when they’re apart. It’s a heartfelt book from Grammy Award-winning artist Kelly Rowland that pairs perfectly with long-time favorites like Love You Forever by Robert Munsch and That’s Me Loving You by Amy Krouse Rosenthal.

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Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Scout Is Not a Band Kid

Scout Is Not a Band Kid

by Jade Armstrong

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Fans of Raina Telgemeier won’t want to miss this contemporary graphic novel about a girl who joins her school band. Scout wants to meet her favorite author, and going on her school’s band trip is her ticket to making that dream come true. But she can’t play an instrument, and she can’t read music. Kids will adore this humorous and heart-filled story about a girl trying to fake it until she makes it.

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What Is Juneteenth?

What Is Juneteenth?

by Kirsti Jewel and Who HQ, illustrated by Manuel Gutierrez

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Juneteenth has become widely celebrated in the United States in recent years. This fantastic book from the popular What Was? series introduces young readers to the important holiday and explains its history and why we celebrate it.

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Different Kinds of Fruit

Different Kinds of Fruit

by Kyle Lukoff

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Big questions and challenging answers collide in this heartfelt novel from the Newbery Honor-winning author of Too Bright to See. When Bailey arrives at her school, sixth-grader Annabelle is thrilled to have a new friend (and a new crush). But not everyone accepts Bailey, and Annabelle must learn what she believes and how to stand up for herself and her friend.

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The Last Kids on Earth: Quint and Dirk’s Hero Quest

The Last Kids on Earth: Quint and Dirk’s Hero Quest

by Max Brallier, illustrated by Douglas Holgate

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Don’t miss the newest action-packed adventure in The Last Kids on Earth series! Best friends Quint and Dirk head into the unknown for an epic quest that will challenge their skills, friendship, and sense of humor. Even though this novel is technically a spin-off of the original series, it fits into the overall timeline and contains essential information for the next book.

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Pride: An Inspirational History of the LGBTQ+ Movement

Pride: An Inspirational History of the LGBTQ+ Movement

by Stella Caldwell, foreword by Layton Williams

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Take a walk through the decades and celebrate some of the most influential people and exciting events in LGBTQ+ history. Full-color photos, illustrations, and fun facts make this book a must-have for anyone in the LGBTQ+ community and those who love and support it.

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Jennifer Chan Is Not Alone

Jennifer Chan Is Not Alone

by Tae Keller

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Middle school, conformity, and alien abductions combine into an unforgettable and unputdownable novel for kids. When Mallory’s quirky new neighbor Jennifer disappears, she thinks aliens might be responsible. But as she digs through Jennifer’s journals, looking for clues, she realizes the truth is simpler and more complicated than she expected.

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Winnie Zeng Unleashes a Legend

Winnie Zeng Unleashes a Legend

by Katie Zeng

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Readers who can’t get enough of mythology-inspired fantasy novels will want to get their hands on this book. Winnie uses her grandmother’s cookbook to make mooncakes for a school bake sale. But they contain more than just flour and honey — they release evil spirits into the world. Adventure-loving readers of all ages will love this fast-paced magical story.

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YA

Hotel Magnifique

Hotel Magnifique

by Emily J. Taylor

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Caraval meets “Hotel California” in this imaginative and breathtaking YA fantasy novel. The Hotel Magnifique appears in town, and Jani and her younger sister Zosa jump at the chance to join the staff. The girls expect adventure, glamor, and celebrity sightings — but they don’t know that once you check in to the hotel, you can never check out.

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The Matchbreakers Summer

The Matchbreakers Summer

by Annie Rains

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Plots, shenanigans, and romance combine into a swoony summer rom-com that will steal your heart! Paisley’s mom is getting married and shutting down the summer camp they run together. She teams up with Hayden, a boy working at the camp, and they hatch a scheme to break up her mom and her fiancé. With both teens focused on destroying a relationship, neither one expects to fall in love.

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BookTok Bestsellers Boxed Set

BookTok Bestsellers Boxed Set

by E. Lockhart, Namina Forna, Erin A. Craig, and Holly Jackson

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An all-in-one collection of some of the hottest YA books on BookTok? Yes, please! Readers everywhere are obsessing over these YA novels, and now, they’re available in a special four-book boxed set that fantasy and thriller lovers need. The collection features runaway reader favorites When We Were Liars, The Gilded Ones, A House of Salt and Sorrows, and A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder.

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Year on Fire

Year on Fire

by Julie Buxbaum

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Friendship drama, messy romance, and secrets collide during fire season in the latest novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Tell Me Three Things and What to Say Next. Five teens flirt, fight, and fall in love — and someone sets the high school bathroom on fire. This coming-of-age novel gives readers a glimpse into the beautiful and tumultuous teen years and the challenges they bring.

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Flirting with Fate

Flirting with Fate

by J. C. Cervantes

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When Nana passes away, her magical blessing misses Ava (its intended target) and lands on a cute boy instead. Now, Nana’s spirit can’t cross over, and Ava must somehow get the blessing back and set Nana free. YA readers who enjoy their rom-coms with a side of magic will adore this swoon-worthy novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Storm Runner.

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Harley Quinn: Reckoning

Harley Quinn: Reckoning

by Rachael Allen

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Everyone’s favorite female villain gets her own origin story in this new DC Icons series book. Looking to get revenge after being sexually harassed at her psych lab internship, Harleen Quinzel joins a notorious girl gang. There, she finds romance and excitement as they wreak havoc everywhere they go — until a gang member turns up dead. This book is a must-read for DC enthusiasts and Harley Quinn fans!

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