Gather ’round, everyone. It’s time to wish these new releases by SCBWI members a very happy book birthday. These books include self- and traditionally-published work by authors and illustrators from around the world. Support your peers, check out these books, and happy reading!
To submit your new release to Happy Book Birthday, read our guidelines here. Deadline to submit for May’s Happy Book Birthday is April 24, 2020.
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Ralf, the Sleepless Calf
by author-illustrator Mireille van Yperen
Ralf is a happy calf in the daytime. Together with his friends, he happily hops around in the meadow. Until the sun goes down and all his friends go to sleep. He hears rustling in the bushes, he sees shadows everywhere. How can he ever go to sleep? Would his new friend Vinny the Fox know the solution? Available in English and Dutch.
Release Date: 3/21/2020
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For Spacious Skies, Katharine Lee Bates and the Inspiration for “America the Beautiful”
by Nancy Churnin, illustrated by Olga Baumert
Poet, professor, and suffragette Katharine Lee Bates wrote “America the Beautiful” to help a divided nation unite as a family from sea to shining sea.
Released April 1, 2020
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Jemaine the Traveling Goat
by Cheri Jones, illustrated by Bob Fuller
Explore Glacier National Park with Jemaine and his newly adopted family. Along the way, learn fun facts about Jemaine’s home, and its inhabitants.
Release Date: 4/1/2020
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Longneedle
by Anne Marshall Runyon
LONGNEEDLE tells the life story of a longleaf pine in the longleaf pine savannas of the North Carolina Outer Coastal Plain. The remarkable, fire dependent tree persists through three hundred years of North Carolina history from 1696 to 1996, when hurricane Fran brings its tale to an end. LONGNEEDLE is a story of survival and celebration as it explains the connections between species in a unique and beautiful southeastern American forest.
Release Date: 4/1/2020
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Misadventures of a Magician’s Son series
by Laurie Smollett Kutscera
MISADVENTURES OF A MAGICIAN’S SON tells the story of Alexander Finn’s personal journey dealing with the death of his father, a celebrated magician, and the extraordinary gift he left behind.
Release Date: 4/1/2020
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Ribbit Rabbit Robot
by Victoria Mackinlay, illustrated by Sofya Karmazina
When a friendly frog, a greedy rabbit and a robot with a short fuse find a magic lamp, chaos follows and friendship is found.
Release Date: 4/1/2020
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The Kingdom of Tides
by Will Wescott
What happens when you combine Hindu philosophy, Marie Kondo, and creativity? Life insights for the young and the young at heart!
Release Date: 4/1/2020
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Down Under the Pier
by Nell Cross Beckerman, illustrated by Rachell Sumpter
There’s lots of fun to be had up on the pier—the Ferris wheel, cotton candy, the carousel—but it’s down under the pier, at low tide, where the real magic can be found.
Released April 7, 2020
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Rumble, Rumble, Grumble, Grumble: Sounds from the Sky
by Jennifer Shand, illustrated by Barbara Vagnozzi
Can you guess what is making that sound? With onomatopoeia, alliteration and a little rhyme, learn the different sounds from the sky!
Release Date: 4/7/2020
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Someday We Will
by Pam Webb, illustrated by Wendy Leach
Captures the excitement of an upcoming visit, as grandparents anticipate all the joyful activities they will share with their grandchildren.
Release Date: 4/7/2020
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Exquisite: The Poetry and Life of Gwendolyn Brooks
by Suzanne Slade, illustrated by Cozbi A. Cabrera
A picture-book biography of celebrated poet Gwendolyn Brooks, who wrote inspired poetry at a very young age and later won the Pulitzer Prize.
Release Date: 4/7/2020
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The Secrets of Santa’s Trackers
by Bridget Greene, illustrated by Nadia Gorsky
With rhymes, humor and interactive adventures, THE SECRETS OF SANTA’S TRACKERS reminds children to make good choices, even when they think no one is watching.
Release Date: 4/7/2020
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ABC: What Kind of Nurse Can You Be?
by Cherice Byrd, illustrated by Kofi Johnson
ABC: WHAT KIND OF NURSE CAN YOU BE? is devoted to educating young readers on the several career paths in the field of nursing from A-Z.
Released April 12, 2020
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Jiemba and Friends
by Scott Ziemer, illustrated by Mariah Ziemer
Discover how friends can be made even in the most unlikely of places with Jiemba and his friends on an Outback adventure.
Released April 13, 2020
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Dreaming, Dreaming in the Night
by author-illustrator Bethany Stahl
Tuck your little one into bed with DREAMING, DREAMING IN THE NIGHT, a beautifully illustrated rhythm and rhyme story that instills peaceful dream visualizations.
Release Date: 4/14/2020
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Accordionly: Abuelo and Opa Make Music
by Michael Genhart, illustrated by Priscilla Burris
A boy brings the two cultures of his family together through the music of the accordion with the help of his two grandfathers.
Released April 21, 2020
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Wherever I Go
by Mary Wagley Copp, illustrated by Munir D. Mohammed
Abia’s been in the refugee camp over seven years. Papa says, “We need a forever home.” Until then, Abia will be a queen.
Release Date: 4/21/2020
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Earth Takes a Break
by Emily House
Earth feels unwell so she goes to the doctor. What the doctor prescribes seems impossible to Earth until she wakes the next day to surprising change!
Released April 24, 2020
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Cat Dog Dog: The Story of a Blended Family
by Nelly Buchet, illustrated by Andrea Zuill
Dog lives alone with her dad. Cat and a different Dog live with their mom. And they’re about to become one big happy family…whether they like it or not! A Junior Library Guild and 2020 Indie Next List selection; Kurkis and Bulletin starred reviews.
Released April 28, 2020
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Devil Springs
by Faydra Stratton
Seventeen-year-old Mesa Crane is sick of being bullied into fake piety by the Devil Springs small-town, conservative mayor, but defying her is nearly impossible since Mayor Avis Kneller is also mesa’s grandmother.
Release Date: 4/28/2020
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The Fantastical Exploits of Gwendolyn Gray
by B.A. Williamson
Gwendolyn Gray must face down new world-eating monsters, faceless gentlemen, and manic fairies as she struggles with her magic, bipolar disorder and finding her friends.
Release Date: 4/28/2020