A Blue Kind of Day by Rachel Tomlinson and Tori-Jay Mordey

A moving picture book debut about depression, sensory awareness, and the power of listening, from psychologist and author of Teaching Kids to be Kind. Coen is having a sniffling, sighing, sobbing kind of day. His family thinks they know how to cheer him up. His dad wants to go outside and play, Mom tells her funniest joke, and his little sister shares her favorite teddy. Nothing helps. But one by one, they get quiet and begin to listen. After some time, space, and reassurance, Coen is able to show them what he needs. With poignant text and stunning illustrations, A Blue Kind of Day explores how depression might feel in the body and shows us how to support the people we love with patience, care, and empathy.

Abdul’s Story by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow and Tiffany Rose

A little boy who loves storytelling but struggles with writing learns that it’s okay to make mistakes in this charming and encouraging picture book from the author of Mommy’s Khimar. Abdul loves to tell stories. But writing them down is hard. His letters refuse to stay straight and face the right way. And despite all his attempts, his papers often wind up with more eraser smudges than actual words. Abdul decides his stories just aren’t meant to be written down…until a special visitor comes to class and shows Abdul that even the best writers–and superheroes–make mistakes.

My Parents Won’t Stop Talking by Emma Hunsinger and Tillie Walden

A young girl and her family embark on what is sure to be an amazing trip to the local park . . . until her parents are waylaid by the friendly couple who live next door. Minutes turn into lifetimes as the girl falls into a frustrated, impatient downward spiral. Will her parents ever stop talking?! This is a clever, irreverent take on a universal childhood dilemma, written and illustrated by two stars in the comics world.

My Must-Have Mom by Maudie Smith and Jen Khatun

Jake’s mom is not like most moms. Say there’s a dumpster in the street, most moms will pass right by without a second glance. Not Jake’s mom. “Look at this, Jake!” she’ll shout. “We must have this! We must have this, too! And we simply must have this!” That’s Jake’s mom for you. She’s a must-have mom. Soon Jake begins to worry that his mom will want to change him too. Should he be this way? Or that way? Or another way altogether? A heartwarming story about the unbreakable bond between a mother and her son, and a little boy who learns that he is perfect just the way he is.

What I Think About When I Think About Swimming by Eleanor Levenson and Katie O’Hagan

What do goldfish think about as they swim around and around in their bowls? This book introduces readers to the inner thoughts of a goldfish, who thinks about many things, from growing old to climate change. But he also spends a lot of time thinking about one important thing…food! Readers will delight in colorful illustrations and accessible yet poignant text. This book introduces skills of self-awareness and empathy, with a splash of goldfish humor.