The Best New Kids’ & YA Books To Read Right Now
by the Brightly Editors
April always feels like a breath of fresh air. The temperatures warm up, the days get longer, and beautiful new books arrive in bookstores. Whether you’re looking for something for your teenager to read on spring break or want fresh and funny books for children, you’ll find plenty of options this month. Here are the best and most exciting new books for kids and teens publishing in April.
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Picture Books
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Richard Scarry’s Best Mommy Ever
Buy from:Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and it’s never too early to start planning. This adorable picture book from beloved creator Richard Scarry is the perfect gift for the big day. Written as a love letter from a child to their parent, it features words of praise for moms everywhere.
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My Dad and the Fart That Shook the World
Buy from:Eddie’s dad’s fart is so explosive, it blows the door off its hinges. Desperate to stop the fart from doing further damage, Eddie and his dad hop in a helicopter and chase the green gas cloud around the world. This hilarious picture book is perfect for kids (and adults) who love a good laugh.
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See You Laterv
Buy from:Gary the alligator leaves his swamp behind and helps himself to the luxurious home of a nearby human. Unfortunately, Gary’s expectations are vastly different from the reality of being a reptile in a human’s house. Dark humor, delightful details, and a cautionary lesson about the perils of looking for greener grass will have kids asking to read this book on repeat.
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Even Steven
Buy from:Steven loves to share and to make everything even. But sometimes, things can’t be split in half or made fair. This gently humorous book about sharing shows kids that when you stop worrying about making everything even, you can focus on having fun.
(On sale: 4/14/2026)
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Mr. Chow’s Night Market
Buy from:Mr. Chow is a night owl and dreads waking up early to open his store. As it turns out, his store prefers late hours, too. So, when the opportunity arises, Mr. Chow turns his morning market into a night market. Filled with whimsy and charm, this story delivers a delightful myth about the first Taiwanese night market. Night owls everywhere will love this story!
(On sale: 4/14/2026)
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Billie Builds a RoboCorn
Buy from:Billie can fix any problem she comes across, so when she moves away from her best friend, she decides to build a new one. Together with her new bestie, RoboCorn, Billie is ready to take on the world. Energetic illustrations, a loveable character, and plenty of humor make this picture book a must-have!
(On sale: 4/14/2026)
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Mei Mei the Bunny
Buy from:This gorgeous picture book by musician Laufey captures the courage it takes to step onstage in front of an audience. Mei Mei is a bunny who dreams of performing, but when her stage fright gets the best of her during a recital, she must find a way to keep going. It’s a story about preparation, resilience, and small acts of bravery.
(On sale: 4/21/2026)
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Can You Grow a Striped Banana?
Buy from:A little girl is in for a disappointment when her mother confesses that she can’t grow a striped banana. While there are many things the mother can’t do, she will always love her daughter. This sweet book gently highlights the endearing love between parents and children, despite the silly and sometimes outrageous requests children make.
(On sale: 4/21/2026)
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Christian’s Soccer Superpowers
Buy from:From the U.S. Men's Soccer star Christian Pulisic comes a story about self-confidence and determination. Young Christian can’t wait to join the soccer team, but when he steps onto the field for the first time, he feels intimidated by the size and skill level of the other players. Although he messes up and thinks about quitting the team, his dad gives him some advice that helps Christian find the willpower to keep going.
(On sale: 4/28/2026)
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Chapter Books & Middle Grade
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Last Day Pool Party
Buy from:Kids who enjoy realistic fiction will love this graphic novel from the creator of the Okay Witch series. A group of eighth-grade students is celebrating the end of the school year with a pool party. But what should be a day of fun turns into a day of drama as six students’ conflicting interests collide. Mean girls, introverts, and best friend breakups make this pool party an unforgettable event.
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Forbidden Mountain
Buy from:If your young reader has been looking for an epic fantasy novel they can get lost in, the wait is over! From the author of the bestselling Fablehaven series and Beyonders series comes a new book filled with magic and adventure on every page. Evil spirits, criminals, hidden threats, and missing friends combine in this unputdownable fantasy novel.
(On sale: 4/14/2026)
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Found Sound
Buy from:While on summer vacation with his family, Felix finds a mysterious box containing an audio recorder, headphones, and a list of time codes. Unsure of what it means, he enlists the help of his neighbor, and the two kids embark on a musical scavenger hunt that takes them all over town. Music, adventure, and a puzzle make this novel a fun escapade for any young reader.
(On sale: 4/21/2026)
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The Ghost in Cabin 13: A Graphic Novel
Buy from:Leah feels nervous about her first sleepaway camp. But her worries about mean girls, bugs, and being away from family soon take a back seat when a ghost haunts her cabin and possesses her doll. This spooky graphic novel is perfect for young readers looking for a hair-raising read!
(On sale: 4/21/2026)
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Alex Wise vs. the Gods of the Apocalypse
Buy from:Young fantasy lovers will eagerly dive back into the world of Alex Wise in this third installment in the series. Alex and his friend Loren have become stranded in a mysterious realm and must navigate war, pirates, and evil technology to get home again. Kids who love action and adventure will love this series!
(On sale: 4/28/2026)
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Chronicles of Whetherwhy: The Season of Flames
Buy from:Fans of Impossible Creatures will love this second installment in the Chronicles of Whetherwhy series. When Elio discovers that the queen will do anything to take something valuable from him, he leaves the magical circus where he works and goes in search of a way to thwart her. Friendship and magic make this a must-read adventure for young readers!
(On sale: 4/28/2026)
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The Last Comics on Earth: Across the Doodleverse
Buy from:Graphic novel lovers won’t want to miss the fourth and final installment in The Last Comics on Earth series. Join the unconventional superheroes one last time as they tackle an army of animated sketches, a new villain, and a wasteland to save the world.
(On sale: 4/28/2026)
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YA
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The Faraway Inn
Buy from:What starts as a summer project helping fix up her aunt’s run-down inn in Vermont takes an unexpected turn when Calisa discovers the building, and its guests, have a secret. With the help of the cute groundskeeper’s son, Calisa sets out to unravel the inn’s mystery. This charming and magical novel is the perfect introduction to the cozy fantasy genre.
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The Escape Game
Buy from:Reality TV, an escape game, and murder combine in this unputdownable YA thriller. When one of the former cast members of a reality game show turns up dead, the new season’s contestants look into her murder. But they soon realize that they are playing for more than a cash prize; they’re playing for their lives.
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Someday Perfect
Buy from:Raised in a Christian family, Meg begins to question the strict expectations of her religion when she meets and falls in love with Danny at summer camp. The further she falls for Danny, the more she questions her faith. This graphic novel gently handles a topic that many teens face but find few resources for: a faith crisis.
(On sale: 4/21/2026)
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Gods and Comics
Buy from:To escape from the grief and pressure she faces in real life, Grace starts a webcomic based on the Korean myths her grandmother used to tell her. But when the comic goes viral, and the real god from the myth walks off the page and into her life, Grace must find a way to get him back home before his sworn enemy destroys the mortal realm. High school, romance, and Korean gods collide in this contemporary YA fantasy.
(On sale: 4/21/2026)
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