Here we round up new and forthcoming children’s titles, including an early reader about a trio of animal friends, a picture book highlighting the value of collaboration, a graphic novel series starter about a group of superhero pets, and more.

The Beginning by Kate DiCamillo, illus. by Carmen Mok. Candlewick, $16.99; ISBN 978-1-5362-2279-1. This early reader trilogy chronicles the unlikely blossoming friendship between a cynical rat and a curious, naive owl.

Built to Last by Minh Lê, illus. by Dan Santat. Knopf, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-593-56917-7. When two kids bump into each other, their individually built block towers go tumbling. But rather than turn on each other, the two become avid construction collaborators.

eXpets by Mark Tatulli. Atheneum/Dlouhy, $14.99; ISBN 978-1-66591-487-1. When Bosco the dog discovers he has special abilities during a home invasion, giant robots recruit him to join the eXpets, superheroes who work together.

I’ll Be Waiting for You by Mariko Turk. Little, Brown, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-3167-0344-4. After the sudden death of her best friend, Japanese American Natalie Nakada tackles her internship at the allegedly haunted Harlow Hotel, where she questions if extraordinary occurrences are signs from the afterlife. The YA book received a starred review from PW.

Not Like Other Girls by Meredith Adamo. Bloomsbury, $19.99; ISBN 978-1-5476-1400-4. After stolen private photos of her are leaked to her classmates, Jo-Lynn Kirby investigates the disappearance of her former friend, leading to revelations of her own about a night she doesn’t want to remember. The YA book received a starred review from PW.

Playing for Keeps by Jennifer Dugan. Putnam, $19.99; ISBN 978-0-593-69686-6. Referee Ivy and pitcher June use their shared history of grief as a jumping-off point for a relationship based on mutual understanding, but their parents’ opinions, the athletic code of ethics they live by, and the pressure they place on themselves soon have them questioning what they want.

Puggleton Park #1 by Deanna Kizis, illus. by Hannah Peck. Penguin Workshop, $16.99; ISBN 978-0-593-66125-3; $6.99 paper ISBN 978-0-5936-6124-6. After chasing a squirrel who stole a tart, spoiled Pug Penelope gets lost in the vast park and needs help finding her way back home.

Too Many Villains! by Max Brallier and Joshua Pruett, illus. by Jay Cooper and Douglas Holgate. Viking, $14.99; ISBN 978-0-593-52679-8. In the second Last Comics on Earth graphic novel, Jack, June, Quint, and Dirk discover the mastermind behind every villain’s plan and try to stop their largest scheme yet.

The Vanishing Station by Ana Ellickson. Amulet, $19.99; ISBN 978-1-4197-6422-6. After receiving an ominous invitation to the wealthiest part of the city, 18-year-old Ruby Santos discovers her family’s connection to an organized group that controls the enchanted portals on San Francisco’s BART line and must enter the seedy underground to clear her father’s debts.

You’ll Always Be My Chickadee by Kate Hosford, illus. by Sarah Gonzales. Chronicle, $17.99; ISBN 978-1-79721-437-5. In a snuggly picture book that unfolds over the course of a day spent outdoors, Hosford captures the adoring relationship between a caregiver and child. The picture book received a starred review from PW.

For more children’s and YA titles on sale throughout the month of April, check out PW’s full On-Sale Calendar.