Here we round up new and forthcoming children’s titles including the story of a hungry monster, a spooky series launch, and a book about a picture-perfect pencil.
Hangry by Drew Brockington. Little, Brown, $17.99; ISBN 978-0-316-55932-4. A Godzilla-esque monster arrives in the big city, determined to experience a hot dog that its City Food Guide says is tops, but the joint proves to be closed for vacation. The monster, consumed by the titular mix of hunger and anger, balloons in size and wreaks havoc in the streets.
A Small Zombie Problem by K.G. Campbell. Knopf, $16.99; ISBN 978-0-553-53955-4. Campbell (Flora & Ulysses) leaps assuredly into middle grade fiction in this, well, spirited series opener featuring a cast of eccentric characters.
Linus the Little Yellow Pencil by Scott Magoon. Disney-Hyperion, $16.99; ISBN 978-136800627-9. In this picture book, Linus the pencil yearns to compete in the family art show with all the other office implements.
Where I End and You Begin by Preston Norton. Disney-Hyperion, $17.99; ISBN 978-1-4847-9835-5. Norton (Neanderthal Opens the Door to the Universe) incorporates Freaky Friday–style body switching in this novel to explore the inner conflicts of two enemies crushing on each other’s best friends.
Bilal Cooks Daal by Aisha Saeed, illus. by Anoosha Syed. Salaam Reads, $17.99; ISBN 978-1-5344-1810-3. Saeed, a founder of We Need Diverse Books, offers a relatable picture book about trying new foods and introducing friends to family traditions.
Birthday on Mars! by Sara Schonfeld, illus. by Andrew J. Ross. Penguin Workshop, $8.99; ISBN 978-1-5247-9122-3. “My name is Curiosity, and I live on Mars” begins this picture book narrated by the NASA rover.
All the Greys on Greene Street by Laura Tucker, illus. by Kelly Murphy. Viking, $16.99; ISBN 978-0-451-47953-2. It’s spring 1981, and Ollie, 12, is trying her best to keep her sculptor mother’s latest depressive episode a secret, while her art-restorer father has run away to France. The book earned a starred review from PW.
The Haunted by Danielle Vega. Razorbill, $17.99; ISBN 978-0-451-48146-7. This supernatural YA novel by Vega (the Merciless series) follows high school student Hendricks, who moves with her parents from Pennsylvania to a small New York town, where she senses a sinister presence in rambling old Steele House—the infamous site of a murder-suicide.
Hold Hands by Sara Varon. First Second, $17.99; ISBN 978-1-59643-588-9. In this picture book, Varon (New Shoes) celebrates the simple gesture of holding hands with a cast of wide-eyed animals whose four-fingered paws are just right for clasping.
For more children’s and YA titles on sale throughout the month of June, check out PW’s full On-Sale Calendar.
