Happy book birthday to these new releases by SCBWI members! These books include independently- 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!
CHAPTER BOOKS | GRAPHIC NOVELS | MIDDLE GRADE | NONFICTION | PICTURE BOOKS | YOUNG ADULT
CHAPTER BOOKS
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The Wish Library: Snow Day in May
by Christine Evans, illustrated by Patrick Corrigan
In the Wish Library, all wishes are possible. Just be careful what you choose to check out.
Release Date: March 1, 2021
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The Wish Library: Principal for a Day
by Christine Evans, illustrated by Patrick Corrigan
In the Wish Library, all wishes are possible. Just be careful what you choose to check out.
Release Date: March 1, 2021
GRAPHIC NOVEL
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Unicorn and Yeti: Fair and Square
by Heather Ayris Burnell
Unicorn and Yeti build a forest out of shapes. They paint sparkly snowflakes. They share a yummy pie. And they see the best in each other!
Release Date: March 2, 2021
MIDDLE GRADE
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The Adventures of Cleaver and Whizjam on the Isle of Oogle
by Mary Bonnett, illustrated by Emily Thomsen
Cleaver Wheaton must free a world and its people from a magical tyrant. An enduring fantasy adventure on what it takes to be a hero.
Release Date: March 1, 2021
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Captain Dom’s Treasure, part of the Definitely Dominguita series
by Terry Catasús Jennings, illustrated by Fátima Anaya
Dominguita Melendez finds a map – a real map. She and her friends have to be the first to return the treasure to its rightful owner.
Release Date: March 2, 2021
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The Dreaded Cliff
by Terry Nichols, illustrated by Odessa Sawyer
A lost packrat faces fur-raising challenges in her quest to get home to confront an invader of the ancestral packrat birthplace in the dreaded cliff.
Release Date: March 2, 2021
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Thrill Seekers: 15 Remarkable Women in Extreme Sports
by Ann McCallum Staats
Who are the women in extreme sports? This diverse collection introduces readers to change-makers who opt for life of risk – but one of astonishing rewards.
Release Date: March 2, 2021
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Trouble with a Tiny T
by Merriam Sarcia Saunders
A boy with ADHD finds magic and impulsively conjures a tiny T.rex, a live plastic green army and a six-inch Thor, all battling in his room.
Release Date: March 2, 2021
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Improbable
by Jennifer Antonik
This would be the year Gen learns that life is an open book waiting to be written, or is it that life is a stage?
Release Date: March 10, 2021
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June Almeida, Virus Detective! The Woman Who Discovered the First Human Coronavirus
by Suzanne Slide, illustrated by Elisa Paganelli
The inspiring story of how June Almeida, a brilliant science student who left school at age 16, went on to discover the first human coronavirus.
Release Date: March 15, 2021
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The Stars in April
by Peggy Wirgau
The Stars in April is based on the true story of a twelve-year-old Titanic survivor.
Release Date: March 27, 2021
NONFICTION
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Let Liberty Rise! How America’s Schoolchildren Helped Save the Statue of Liberty
by Chana Stiefel, illustrated by Chuck Groenink
Find out how America’s schoolchildren contributed their pennies to help build one of America’s most cherished icons, the Statue of Liberty.
Release Date: March 2, 2021
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ODD BODS: The World’s Unusual Animals
by Julie Murphy
Discover some of the world’s most unusual creatures whose unique features help them to survive and thrive. Millbrook Press (Lerner Publishing Group)
Release Date: March 2, 2021
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Planet Ocean
by Patricia Newman, photographed by Annie Crawley
Planet Ocean shows us how to stop thinking of ourselves as separate from the ocean and how to take better care of this precious resource.
Release Date: March 2, 2021
PICTURE BOOKS
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Anxious Annie
by Tiffany Saunders, illustrated by Anita Easterwood
Anxious Annie is about a girl who struggles with being anxious. The school counselor helps Annie and she inspires her to become a school counselor.
Release Date: March 1, 2021
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Knuckles, Grandma Bea: A story of Love, Loss, & Connection
by Sherri Levitt Cadmus, illustrated by Caiti Chase Massey
When Julie’s beloved babysitter, Grandma Be a, becomes ill, their “knuckles” custom helps them say goodbye. Memorable, endearinng, and full of valuable life lessons.
Release Date: March 1, 2021
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My Bird, Bertie
by Amelia McInerney, illustrated by Shane McG.
The contented couple find that two’s company and three’s a crowd when giggling Gertie gets on board… then Jiggy-wiggle Jack and silly billy Tilly too!
Release Date: March 1, 2021
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When the Waterhole Dries Up
by Kaye Baillie, illustrated by Max Hamilton
It’s bath time in the outback. So many bubbles and so many… ANIMALS! Will this boy ever get clean? A rollicking tale about togetherness and fun.
Release Date: March 1, 2021
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Sierra and Star
by Cherise Arthur, illustrated by Marian Gorin
Sierra is a little girl who loves ponies more than anything in the world. She dreams of one day having her own pony. On her 8th birthday, she is surprised by her parents to find the most beautiful red pony on her front lawn. Sierra names her new pony Star and their adventures begin.
Release Date: March 1, 2021
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Elsie Comes to Visit
by Candice Burrows, illustrated by Judith Papillon
This fun-filled book is a wonderful selection for kids who are visiting the beautiful islands of The Bahamas for the first time.
Release Date: March 2, 2021
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Mission: CONTROL! A Big Feelings Adventure!
by Nan Arkwright, illustrated by Joe Bauman
Through a big Feelings Adventure into outer space, can a young boy manage his intergalactic tantrum and return to Earth ready to solve his problem?
Release Date: March 2, 2021
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Not So Fast, Max: A Rosh Hashanah Visit with Grandma
by Annette Schottenfeld, illustrated by Jennifer Kirkham
Max and Emily’s spunky, Israeli grandma visits for Rosh Hashanah. Max hurries to make caramel apples, but Savta has some surprises up her sleeve first.
Release Date: March 2, 2021
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The I Did That Cat
by P. L. Rainey, illustrated by Zachary Noland
The I Did That Catis a short, fun, engaging way to teach young children to tell the truth and take responsibility for their actions.
Release Date: March 2, 2021
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The Stuff Between the Stars: How Vera Rubin Discovered Most of the Universe
by Sandra Nickel
Vera Rubin who made huge discoveries about the mysteries of the night sky and changed the way we look at the universe.
Release Date: March 2, 2021
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We Listen to Our Bodies
by Lydia Bowers, illustrated by Isabel Muñoz
We Listen to Our Bodies, first in a series on consent, helps children build emotional self-awareness by listening to the physical cues of their bodies.
Release Date: March 2, 2021
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If You Give a Girl a Bike
by Hayley Diep, illustrated by Braden Hallett
If you give a girl a bike, she will ride and ride and ride. She may also ask for a skateboard, climbing shoes, and a surfboard! Follow these adventurous girls as they learn new sports.
Release Date: March 8, 2021
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I Like the Rain; the Snow; the Sun; the Wind
(picture book series)
by Sarah Nelson, illustrated by Rachel Oldfield
Lyrical, rhyming text and playful, hand-painted illustrations celebrate our dynamic weather and the joys of outdoor play. Includes educational STEM endmatter.
Release Date: March 8, 2021
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Jayden’s Impossible Garden
by Mélina Mangal, illustrated by Ken Daley
Jayden wants his mother to see the beauty of nature in the city. When he joins forces with an elderly neighbor, who knows what will happen? Winner of the first annual African American Voices in Children’s Literature writing contest, sponsored by Strive Publishing and Free Spirit Publishing.
Release Date: March 9, 2021
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Love Tails
by author-illustrator Rob Sayegh Jr.
A silly and sweet picture book featuring a variety of dog breeds and dog tails.
Release Date: March 9, 2021
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Too Shy to Say Hi
by Shannon Anderson, illustrated by Hiroe Nakata
Shelli is a sweet girl who is dealing with social anxiety but takes small, brave steps to overcome her fears.
Release Date: March 9, 2021
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A Teacher Like You
by Frank Murphy and Barbara Dan, illustrated by Kayla Harren
Teachers have the power to change the life of a child with every new school day. This is a wonderful celebration of all the ways teachers help their students bloom.
Release Date: March 15, 2021
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OCEAN SOUP: A Recipe for You, Me, and a Cleaner Sea
by Meeg Pincus, illustrated by Lucy Semple
This rhyming picture book shows kids the recipe behind how “Ocean Soup” was made over many years – and the recipe for cleaning it up!
Release Date: March 15, 2021
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The Earth; The Moon; The Sun; The Stars
(picture book series)
by Laura Perdew, illustrated by Shululu
Travel the universe with two wise-cracking aliens! This series explores the earth, moon, stars, and sun – their origins, history, and how they affect human life.
Release Date: March 15, 2021
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I’m a Hare, So There!
by Julie Rowan-Zoch
”This clever rumination on the differences between commonly mixed-up animals is a sneakily educational read aloud.” –BCCB
Release Date: March 16, 2021
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The Night is Deep and Wide
by Gillian See, illustrated by Sue Todd
Rich imagery, gentle rhythm and soothing repetition will lull your little one to sleep as the tulips close for the night, one by one.
Release Date: March 16, 2021
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What Do You Call Your Grandma?
by Ashleigh Barton, illustrated by Martina Heiduczek
What Do You Call Your Grandma? is a love letter to grandmothers and families from every corner of the globe.
Release Date: March 17, 2021
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Dog Band
by Regan W. H. Macaulay, illustrated by Wei Lu
An assortment of animal friends help band members Alfie, Tubby, Ollie, and Raxl figure out what sort of music Dog Band should play.
Release Date: March 23, 2021
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A Plan for the People: Nelson Mandela’s Hope for His Nation
by Lindsey McDivitt, illustrated by Charly Palmer
This stirring picture book biography explores Nelson Mandela’s long fight for racial justice in apartheid-era South Africa – through 27 prison years and decades of struggle.
Release Date: March 30, 2021
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Clarinet and Trumpet
by Melanie Ellsworth, illustrated by John Herzog
When Clarinet and Trumpet’s friendship falls flat, the woodwinds and brass face off. As the fight crescendos, can community and music save the day?
Release Date: March 30, 2021
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The Book of Untold Stories: Fourteen Prompts to Spark the Imagination
by Sherri Maret, illustrated by Thomas Hilley
Do you like to create stories? Then grab paper and a pen and let your imagination soar! Illustration prompts will help you get started.
Release Date: March 30, 2021
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Watercress
by Andrea Wang, illustrated by Jason Chin
Gathering watercress by the side of the road brings a girl closer to her family’s Chinese heritage.
Release Date: March 30, 2021
YOUNG ADULT
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American Betiya
by Anuradha D. Rajurkar
American Betiya is the story of a young artist grappling with first love, family boundaries, and the complications of a cross-cultural relationship.
Release Date: March 9, 2021
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Spoken
by Melanie Weiss
Spoken is a heartfelt coming-of-age story that captures how the honesty of performance poetry binds together a diverse group of high school students.
Release Date: March 13, 2021
To submit your new release to Happy Book Birthday, read our guidelines here. Deadline to submit for April’s Happy Book Birthday is Monday, March 29, 2021. Visit here for more promotional opportunities.