Happy book birthday to these new releases by SCBWI members! These books include self- and traditionally-published books in every genre by authors and illustrators from around the world. Support your peers, bookstores, and quality children’s lit, and scroll through to see which books are being released this month. Happy reading!
PICTURE BOOKS | MIDDLE GRADE | YOUNG ADULT
PICTURE BOOKS
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A Special Day: The Day Eid Met Christmas
by Mahmoud Elzein
Do you believe in magic, that of kindness and love? One year, Christmas and Eid fell on the same day. On that day two girls, Eva and Aya, met. Find out how their magical friendship and acts of kindness spread the spirit of giving.
Release Date: December 1, 2020
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Do Not Disturb! Meditating…
by Adijah and Atiya Brabham, illustrated by Patrick Girouard
Nia and Nori are back! In this cheerful picture book, the sisters explore mindfulness techniques to manage their emotions. They take readers into their lives, sharing their happy thoughts.
Join Nia and Nori on their journey to mindfulness as they become in tune with their mind, body, and breath.
Release Date: December 1, 2020
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Hug, Hug Baby Bug
by Stephanie “Ani” Moody, illustrated by Lorraine Dey
Simple rhymes and rhythms take readers on a stroll through a fantasy forest as twilight sings its lullaby and precious ones are snuggled and cuddled — enchanted by the colorful illustrations and the magic of hugs.
Release Date: December 1, 2020
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John Paige and the Hornets
by Aunt Ginny
Eight year old Sunshine and her brother, John Paige, learn a valuable lesson when they choose not to follow Mrs. Henderson’s advice.
Release Date: December 1, 2020
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MINKA and the Discovery of YOU
by author-illustrator Donna White
Illustrated hardcover book depicting the adventures of MINKA, a little girl on a cupboard drifting through space, as she tries to convince her people that they are not alone!
Release Date: December 1, 2020
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Picture Day Pandemonium
by Michele Knowlton-Thorne, illustrated by Karlie Ritchey
It’s Picture Day and Ava is ready. Fabulous hair… check. Cute clothes…. check. Static electricity- OH NO. Ava must convince her friends to become ecstatic about static to create an epic class photo.
Release Date: December 1, 2020
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Plants Fight Back
by Lisa J. Amstutz, illustrated by Rebecca Evans
How do you survive when danger is near and you are rooted in the ground? Plants use their defenses and fight back!
Release Date: December 1, 2020
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Porcupine Cupid
by Jason June, illustrated by Lori Richmond
Porcupine plans to bring his animal friends together on Valentine’s Day in this humorous, heartwarming and queer-inclusive tale where everyone gets a happily ever after.
Release Date: December 1, 2020
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Sabir’s Paradise
by Dr. Amal Alaboud, illustrated by Nour Altouba
This bilingual picture book follows the story of the little camel, Sabir, who got lost in a sandstorm in the middle of the desert and his exciting journey to the Paradise oasis.
Release Date: December 1, 2020
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You Are Never Alone (An Invisible String Lullaby)
by Patrice Karst, illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff
This new original board book inspired by the bestselling phenomenon The Invisible String, which has sold half a million copies to date, celebrates the everlasting bonds between parents and newborns.
Release Date: December 1, 2020
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Let’s Make a Rainbow: A Yoga Story for Kids
by Susan E. Rose, illustrated by Timna Green
On a rainy day, you can use yoga and your imagination to make the sun shine, so when it rains, make a rainbow!
Release Date: December 8, 2020
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Parker the Purple Penguin
by Marybeth Wishart, illustrated by Marianella Aguirre
Parker is treated poorly just because of his different color coat. What can Parker do to be accepted? What lesson will the other penguins learn?
Release Date: December 8, 2020
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Sincerely, Emerson: A Girl, Her Letter, and the Helpers All Around Us
by Emerson Weber, illustrated by Jaclyn Sinquett
One tiny act of kindness can have a huge impact. And in this heartwarming, hopeful, absolutely true story, a simple letter does just that.
Release Date: December 8, 2020
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Healthy, Healthy. Love, Love, Love.
by Violet Lemay
Self-care basics for toddlers: stay healthy (wash hands, cough into a triangle, etc), and be extra kind to yourself when you do get sick.
Release Date: December 15, 2020
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Spin a Circle!
by Raven Howell, illustrated by Ann Pilicer
In lively verse, preschoolers and elementary-aged children alike are inspired to tumble, stretch, dash, skip, stack, skitter, and glide.
Release Date: December 22, 2020
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WOW It’s a Cow
by Sharon Villapiano, illustrated by Laura Cimador Gowdy
What happens when a cow decides to leave her home at the farm? The funniest series of twists and turns imaginable. WOW It’s a Cow is a hilarious children’s book, based on a true story.
Release Date: December 2020
MIDDLE GRADE
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Calling Cobber
by Sheri Sinykin
Eleven-year-old Cobber grapples with loss on many levels ahead of his dreaded talent show performance and friend’s bar mitzvah. Can he hold everything together?
Release Date: December 1, 2020
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Girl Giant and the Monkey King
by Van Hoang, illustrated by Phung Nguyen Quang and Huynh Kim Lien
Eleven-year-old Thom Ngho makes a deal with the legendary Monkey King but discovers that dealing with the trickster god is more trouble than it’s worth.
Release Date: December 1, 2020
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Layla’s Sugarland Winter
by Faygie Holt
When Layla’s cousin is accused of stealing raffle tickets during their vacation, Layla is determined to uncover Sugarland Hotel’s secrets.
Release Date: December 1, 2020
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Snowy Joy
by Sade Fadipe, illustrated by Shedrach Ayalomeh
A multicultural, winter story about family, separation, festivals, and empathy for 9-12-year-olds. 72-page middle grade book, illustrated in vibrant colors.
Release Date: December 3, 2020
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The Girl Who Became a Warrior
by L.B. Anne
The Girl Who Became a Warrior, the fourth book in L.B. Anne’s Christian science fiction series, is a story of bravery, self-discovery, and a fight against evil.
Release Date: December 10, 2020
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The Dilemma of the Lazy Lions
by Dori Marx, illustrated by Larry Esenerwa
Chapter book mystery for curious readers. The Cook kids think like animals and work with local friends to protect our environment, one destination at a time.
Release Date: December 13, 2020
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Super Problems: A Magic Pen Adventure
by Jason R. Lady
A sixth grader draws himself and his friends as superheroes. It turns out the pen he used is magical, and everything he draws becomes real!
Release Date: December 17, 2020
YOUNG ADULT
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Clover
by Nicole Kilpatrick
After Clover loses her luck on her eighteenth birthday, she travels to the Faerie Realm with a mysterious leprechaun and dives headfirst into an adventure of a lifetime.
Release Date: December 1, 2020
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Day One
by Kelly deVos
In the sequel to Day Zero, stepsisters Jinx and MacKenna must put aside their enmity to rescue their little brother and save the world.
Release Date: December 1, 2020
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Nina Kosterina: A Young Communist in Stalinist Russia
by Jennifer Phillips
A biography of teenager Nina Kosterina, who perished fighting Germany’s WWII invasion. Her published diary opened a window into the tumultuous birth of Russian Communism.
Release Date: December 1, 2020
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