The Most Exciting Picture Books Being Published in Fall 2022
by Dena McMurdie
Fall is my favorite time of year. I love everything about it — cooler temperatures, changing leaves, pumpkin spice lattes, and new books to read! Whether picture books are hilarious or heartfelt, reading them with my kids is the best. And with all the fantastic new titles hitting bookstore shelves this season, I can’t wait to snuggle up with my youngest child and devour them. Here are the most exciting picture books coming your way this fall.
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I Have a Superpower
Available from:NBA superstar and role model Stephen Curry delivers an uplifting, encouraging picture book for kids with big dreams. He shows readers they don’t have to fit into a traditional mold to excel at something. Success comes from believing in yourself and working hard to reach your goals.
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The Crayons Trick or Treat
Available from:Get into the spirit of Halloween when you go trick-or-treating with the Crayons! In this hilarious seasonal story, Purple Crayon shows the other crayons what to do (and not do). Kids who love The Day the Crayons Quit will also want to read this book.
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Black-Eyed Peas and Hoghead Cheese
Available from:Join a young girl and her grandmother as they cook traditional soul food for a New Year’s Day celebration. As they make the meal, the grandmother tells her granddaughter stories about their family history and how they came to America.
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Misty the Cloud: Friends Through Rain or Shine
Available from:The Misty the Cloud picture book series combines social-emotional learning with weather concepts to create a unique reading experience for children. In this book, Misty and her cloud friends must learn to compromise, share, and get along with a group of sunbeams that crash their party.
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Welcome to the Big Kids Club
Available from:Excellent advice for soon-to-be big siblings gets delivered with humor and heart in this picture book from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of She Persisted. Kids will learn what to expect when their new sibling arrives and how to help out. It’s a must-have for any growing family!
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Finding My Dance
Available from:In this empowering picture book, readers learn all about professional Indigenous dancer Ria Thundercloud and her incredible dance journey. Ria has always loved to dance, and while she learned many styles–jazz, ballet, tap–her favorite is the expressiveness of Indigenous dance. Learning these traditional moves helped bring her closer to her Native American heritage, and now she shares that pride with you!
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Not All Sheep Are Boring!
Available from:Add some giggles to your bedtime routine with this hilarious picture book from Saturday Night Live actor and comedian Bobby Moynihan. After reading about these wild and wacky woolies, you’ll never look at counting sheep the same way again.
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I am Batman
Available from:Introduce your child to Batman’s origin story with this fictionalized superhero biography. From losing his parents as a child to using his fortune and influence to fight crime, this book takes readers through Bruce Wayne’s life with photos, facts, and stories.
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The Little Book of Joy
Available from:His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu share their childhood stories in this stunning picture book. Through their experiences, readers learn that they can find joy within themselves even in troubled times. When shared with others, it can change the world. Gorgeous artwork and an empowering message make this book a must-have.
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Busy Betty
Available from:Kids and adults love this exuberant new picture book character from Reese Witherspoon! Betty is a little girl bursting with enthusiasm and joy. In this story, she tries to give her dog a bath, but that’s not a simple job. It will take some creativity and the help of a friend to finish the task.
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Calling the Wind
Available from:Losing a loved one and dealing with grief is challenging and often confusing for children. In this book, readers see a Japanese family mourning after a beloved relative dies. They struggle with their overwhelming grief until they find a unique way to process their feelings and find comfort.
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Meanwhile Back on Earth...
Available from:I can’t wait to share Oliver Jeffers’s newest picture book with my children. We loved his bestselling books Here We Are and What We’ll Build, and this story is just as special. Journey through time and space, and watch the world and universe change over the centuries. It’s a brief overview of the world’s history told with humor and insight.
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Hanukkah, Here I Come!
Available from:Get into the spirit of Hanukkah with this celebratory picture book from the author of Kindergarten, Here I Come! Short, bouncy poems take readers through this significant holiday’s preparations, food, and festivities.
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The Return of the Christmas Witch
Available from:If you loved The Legend of the Christmas Witch, add this sequel to your child's reading stack. When Kristtörn escapes her prison, she vows to get revenge and regain control of Christmas. This holiday story combines magic, adventure, and friendship to create a spellbinding tale that readers will want to read on repeat. At 58 pages, this book is longer than a typical picture book, making it excellent for kids ages 5-8.
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Namaste Is a Greeting
Available from:This picture book uses gorgeous artwork and simple text to introduce young readers to Indian culture. A young girl spends the day with her mother in the city, enjoying the sights, sounds, and smells. She notices how people greet each other and show kindness to one another. When they return home, she uses what she learned to perform her own act of kindness.
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Green Is for Christmas
Available from:This fall, we’re not getting just one but two new books in the Crayons series. Green Crayon announces he is the official Christmas color in this holiday-themed story. But the other colors in the box disagree and set out to prove him wrong.
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This Book Is Not a Present
Available from:From actor Max Greenfield (New Girl) comes the hilarious companion to I Don’t Want to Read This Book. Like its predecessor, this book is dedicated to reluctant readers everywhere—kids who dread receiving a book as a gift. Readers of all ages will enjoy the laugh-out-loud humor and energetic illustrations.
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The Lights That Dance in the Night
Available from:Introduce your child to the magic and wonder of the northern lights with this beautifully illustrated picture book from the creator of The Tree That’s Meant to Be. The lights dance across the sky, bringing joy and wonder to the people and animals in the Arctic. It’s an excellent story for kids who enjoy learning about nature, animals, and space.
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All Through the Night: Important Jobs That Get Done at Night
Available from:Kids are always curious about the jobs that grown-ups have, and this book offers a unique look at nighttime jobs. From cleaning crews to doctors, it celebrates the work and people who keep things running after everyone else has gone to sleep.
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One and Everything
Available from:This poignant tale is an ode to preserving cultures and stories from around the world. It’s about a story that becomes so self-important that it believes it is superior to all other stories and consumes them. The author used ancient scripts like Egyptian hieroglyphics and cuneiform to create the illustrations.
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Polar Bear
Available from:This informative picture book teaches young readers about a magnificent, endangered animal, the polar bear. Learn about its habitat, diet, and how to help these beautiful animals survive. If you enjoy this book, pick up the award-winning companion book, Honeybee.
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