New and Upcoming Children’s Books from Chronicle Kids

I have always been a fan of Chronicle Books because they truly publish books that make wonderful gifts, are unique, and stand out from the rest. When I have had the opportunity to check out their children’s books I was thrilled and I’ve truly loved every single one of them.

A few weeks ago, I came home to two huge boxes sitting on our counter. I couldn’t imagine what was in them and was shocked when I opened them and kept pulling book after book out of the boxes. Since there were so many, I’m giving these books their own spotlight post. Be sure to watch for the full reviews over the next few months!

All the books in this post are from Chronicle Books and their publishing partner, Twirl. The Twirl books come from Paris’s Editions Tourbillon whose books offer early learning principles, developmentally sound content, innovative formats, and of course, fun! You’ll see some of their excellent books below.

If you purchase any of these books from the Chronicle Books Website, you can get an offer for 20% off your order by sharing your email address.

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BOARD BOOKS

BABY YETI

Finger Puppet Book

By: Victoria Ying

Published: September 28, 2021

Publisher: Chronicle Kids

Fiction

I can’t even tell you how adorable these finger puppet books are. There are over 25 of them and I want every single one and there isn’t even a baby in our house. These are perfect for gift-giving, have a great price point, and every baby and toddler will love them.

Newborns will love snuggling up with Baby Yeti! Baby Yeti builds a snow fort, goes sledding, and explores his snowy mountain world with his friends in this heartwarming story. Featuring a plush finger puppet that peeks into each lovingly illustrated page, this entry in the bestselling finger puppet series offers parents and children a fun, interactive way to play and read as they build a lifelong love of books together.

BABY T. REX

Finger Puppet Book

By: Victoria Ying

Published: September 28, 2021

Publisher: Chronicle Kids

Fiction

Newborns will love snuggling up with Baby T. Rex! Baby T. Rex learns to stomp, roar, and explore her world before drifting off to bedtime with her loving family. Featuring a plush finger puppet that peeks into each lovingly illustrated page, this entry in the bestselling finger puppet series offers parents and children a fun, interactive way to play and read as they build a lifelong love of books together.

TINY T. REX AND THE TRICKS OF TREATING

By: Jonathan Stutzman

Illustrated by: Jay Fleck

Published: September 7, 2021

Publisher: Chronicle Kids

Fiction

Perfect for celebrating Halloween, get this one now!

Tiny and Pointy love Halloween and they are eager to share their tips and tricks so that readers can have a perfect treat-filled Halloween! A heartwarming story, Tiny T. Rex and the Tricks of Treating reminds each of us that the sweetest Halloween treat has nothing to do with eating candy after all.

THIS BOOK CAN DO ANYTHING

By: Tristan Mory

Published: September 14, 2021

Publisher: Twirl

Fiction

This book was originally published in France and reminds kids they can do anything if they put their mind to it.

Bring on the silly . . . and a surprise! Prepare to be amazed by the wonderful, funny antics of . . . a book! Not just any book, but a book that can do anything—well, almost anything. Children will cheer as they turn the pages of this highly amusing book and see all the things that it can do, then laugh out loud when they lift up its hat to reveal a delightful surprise.

GANESHA’S SWEET TOOTH

By: Sanjay Patel and Emily Haynes

Published: August 17, 2021 (board book release)

Publisher: Chronicle Kids

Fiction

It appears this is maybe a Hindu tale which I know very little about. But, I can tell you the illustrations are amazing and the story features an adorable pink elephant.

The bold, bright colors of India leap right off the page in this fresh and funny picture book retelling (with a twist) of how Ganesha came to help write the epic poem of Hindu literature, the Mahabharata. Ganesha is just like any other kid, except that he has the head of an elephant and rides around on a magical mouse. And he loves sweets, especially the traditional dessert laddoo. But when Ganesha insists on biting into a super jumbo jawbreaker laddoo, his tusk breaks off! Ganesha is terribly upset, but with the help of the wise poet Vyasa, and his friend Mr. Mouse, he learns that what seems broken can actually be quite useful after all. With vibrant, graphic illustrations, expressive characters, and offbeat humor, this is a wonderfully inventive rendition of a classic tale.

HIDE-AND-SEEK PEEKABOO

Beginning Baby

By: Nicola Slater

Published: September 14, 2021

Publisher: Chronicle Kids

Fiction

Peekaboo plus lift-the-flap features are always a hit with babies and toddlers.

In Hide-and-Seek Peekaboo, play a game of hide-and-seek with the Beginning Baby friends! There are so many places to hide: behind the door, under the pillow, under the blankie. Lift the flaps and see if you can guess who’s hiding where!

ACTIVE ABC

By: Nicola Slater

Publisher: September 14, 2021

Publisher: Chronicle Kids

Non-Fiction

Another interactive book that features cut-out design letters that your child can trace along with learning words that start with that letter.

In Active ABC, baby can trace the upper and lower case die-cut letters of the alphabet as they learn the verbs that begin with each letter. The Beginning Baby animal friends provide helpful visual cues to the meaning of each word while also giving caregivers plenty of opportunities to talk about socializing with other children.

LET’S BE SAFE

Pull and Play Books

By: Alice Le Hénand

Illustrated by: Theirry Bedouet

Published: October 5, 2021

Publisher: Twirl

Fiction

This book was also originally published in France. It uses interactive pull-and-play features to teach kids about being safe. Such a great way to explain safety in a way toddlers will remember.

Little Kangaroo and her friends feel ready to do things by themselves. Little Croc wants to go down the steps. Little Cat wants to get out of her high chair. But do they know the safe way to do things?

A CUB STORY

By: Kristen Tracy

Illustrated by: Alison Farrell

Published: September 28, 2021

Publisher: Chronicle Kids

Fiction

Your child can watch a bear grow up over the course of a year in this sweet story.

Timeless and nostalgic, quirky and fresh, lightly educational and wholly heartfelt, this autobiography of a bear cub will delight all cuddlers and snugglers.

See the world through a bear cub’s eyes in this charming book about finding your place in the world. Little cub measures himself up to the other animals in the forest. Compared to a rabbit, he is big. Compared to a chipmunk, he is HUGE. Compared to his mother, he is still a little cub.

The first in a series of board books pairs Kristen Tracy’s timeless and nostalgic text with Alison Farrell’s sweet, endearing art for an adorable treatment of everyone’s favorite topic: baby animals!

MR. LION’S NEW HAIR

By: Britta Teckentrup

Published: August 24, 2021

Publisher: Twirl

Fiction

I’m already a huge fan of Britta Teckentrup and this book is so silly. Every page features a new hairstyle for Mr. Lion and kids will love it.

A hilarious hair adventure about always being true to yourself: Oh no! Mr. Lion is having a bit of trouble with his mane. Luckily, his friend Monkey is around to help. But what hairdo is right for Mr. Lion? Should he wear braids… or dye his hair red? Try pigtails…or add a tiara?

CIRCLE UNDER BERRY

By: Carter Higgins

Published: September 14, 2021

Publisher: Chronicle Kids

Non-Fiction

This is a board book on the outside with thick paper pages on the inside. This book teaches colors, shapes, patterns, over/under, animals, and so much more. I also have another book by Carter Higgins, a chapter book titled AUDREY L & AUDREY W, featured below.

With an elegant and simple approach, this thought-provoking concept book shows young readers that everything in the world can be seen from infinite perspectives.

Each page compares colors, shapes, and objects in relation to each other. A triangle that is over a square is also under a circle. A circle that is pink also might be a flower.

The artful, playful combinations of simple concepts and Higgins’s rhythmic writing and expert arrangement of objects on the page make this book a perfect read-aloud, capable of entertaining, educating, and challenging readers in equal measure.

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INTERACTIVE BOOKS AND PUZZLES

MERCURY

100 Piece Puzzle

Featuring Photography from the Archives of NASA

Published: August 31, 2021

Publisher: Chronicle

POLAR ANIMALS

By: Sandra Laboucarie

Illustrated by: da-fanny

Published: August 24, 2021

Publisher: Twirl

Non-Fiction

This book is full of pull tabs, fold-out pages, lift-the-flaps, spin tabs, and more. Interactive learning = Fun learning.

Discover animals in the Arctic and Antarctica: Turn a page to reveal a big pop-up of polar bears on an ice sheet, rotate a wheel to see penguins dive into cold waters, and open the big flaps to see how the animals change during the summer months.

THE ULTIMATE BOOK OF ANIMALS

By: Anne Sophie Baumann

Illustrated by:Éléanore Della Malva

Published: August 31, 2021

Publisher: Twirl

Non-Fiction

This oversized, interactive book also features pop-ups, pull tabs, lift-the-flaps, and more to keep learning fun.

Discover the exciting world of animals! Creatures of land, sea, and air—including elephants, spiders, snakes, falcons, and whales—fill the pages of this interactive book, providing a comprehensive overview of how animals grow, see, hear, move, and more! Best of all, lots of flaps, pop-ups, pull-tabs, and rotating wheels bring these animals to life. Readers will find out how the structure of an animal’s body determines how it moves, discover their seeing and hearing abilities, and explore the special features of various animals that help them adapt and survive.

THE POP-UP GUIDE: VEHICLES

By: Maud Poulain

Illustrated by: Charline Picard

Published: September 7, 2021

Publisher: Twirl

Non-Fiction

Every page is a pop-up and features all kids on vehicles from construction to the city to emergency vehicles to the tractors in the fields. I can’t wait to read this one with our great-nephew!

Which vehicles work on construction sites? What types of vessels travel across oceans? Which ones take us up in the air? Children can find out the answers to these questions and more in this accessible and interactive guide. The multilayered 3-D scenes leap off every page, allowing young readers to explore the world of vehicles in a unique way.

MAGNETOLOGY: ANIMALS

By: Maud Poulain

Illustrated by: Camille Tisserand

Published: September 7, 2021

Publisher: Twirl

Non-Fiction

An excellent book for quiet time or travel (even though it is an oversized book), the magnets make this book a new read every time they open it.

From penguins and elephants to sloths and clownfish, the possibilities are endless: Little ones will enjoy using this exciting book to create their own animal habitats. And when playtime is over, the magnetic pieces can be neatly stored away in the book’s handy front pocket!

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PICTURE BOOKS

MY CHRISTMAS WISH FOR YOU

By: Lisa Swerling and Ralph Lazar

Published: October 5, 2021

Publisher: Chronicle Kids

Fiction

“So many millions of wishes come true! Here are a handful that I wish for you…” An excellent choice to add to your Christmas book collection.

From the bestselling creators of Happiness Is . . . comes a touching celebration of the holiday spirit, from spreading Christmas cheer to spending sweet moments together with the ones you love. Featuring an affirming rhyming text and charming illustrations with bright pops of Pantone colors, this merry and bright celebration of the holiday season makes a wonderful gift, reminding readers of what Christmas is truly about: togetherness, the spirit of giving, and spreading goodwill with heaps of heart.

BARKUS THE MOST FUN

By: Patricia MacLachlan

Illustrated by: Marc Boutavant

Published: September 21, 2021

Publisher: Chronicle Kids

Fiction

This is the third in the Barkus the Dog series and is quite adorable. See the rest of the books, HERE.

The lovable dog Barkus and his lucky young owner romp through the pages of this colorful and heartwarming book that’s just right for emerging readers and fans of series like Henry and Mudge and Juana and Lucas.

CHARLIE & MOUSE LOST AND FOUND

Book 5

By: Laurel Snyder

Illustrated by: Emily Hughes

Published: August 24, 2021

Publisher: Chronicles Kids

Fiction

This series offers a picture book for kids that still want the pictures in the story but are ready to start reading chapters. The chapters are short but help them make that transition to more words. See the whole series, HERE.

Charlie and Mouse are finding surprises in all sorts of unexpected places. After Mouse’s beloved blanket is lost and then found, they find a lost dog (and eventually her owner), seek out some ice cream, and discover a new puppy friend to take home at last.

EVERY LITTLE KINDNESS

By: Marta Bartolj

Published: October 12, 2021

Publisher: Chronicle Kids

Fiction

I love wordless picture books because it allows kids to come up with their own stories every time they read it. But, what is for sure in this story is that one act of kindness can lead to all kinds of possibilities.

When one act of kindness sparks another, anything is possible! As a girl searches for her lost dog, a simple act of generosity ripples into a wave of good deeds. In the course of a single day, each considerate action weaves lives together and transforms a neighborhood for the better.

This wordless story, told in beautiful illustrations reminiscent of a graphic novel, demonstrates how every little kindness, shared from person to person, can turn a collection of strangers into a community, and—even though we might not always see it—make the world a more vibrant and compassionate place to be.

HE CAME WITH THE COUCH

By: David Slonim

Published: September 7, 2021 (paperback release)

Publisher: Chronicle Kids

Fiction

The illustrations in this book remind me of the NO DAVID books. This silly story features a family trying to find a couch and finally finding one with a little something extra along with it.

Sophie’s family has found the perfect couch, but it comes with something extra, and getting rid of that extra something is impossible. In the end, though, who would want to?

This zany tale of upholsterosis (a chronic state of couch-potato-ness) is sure to tickle the funny bones of young readers—and not-so-young-readers too! 

INSIDE CAT

By: Brendan Wenzel

Published: October 12, 2021

Publisher: Chronicle Kids

Fiction

We have an inside cat at our house and she loves to run from window to window watching a squirrel or a bunny or even, sometimes another cat. The illustrations in this one are also very unique.

Told in rhyming text, Inside Cat views the world through many windows, watching the birds, squirrels, and people go by–but when the door opens it discovers a whole new view.

THE FOX AND THE FOREST FIRE

By: Danny Popovici

Published: August 24, 2021

Publisher: Chronicle Kids

Fiction

This book is so timely and handles the fear and realities of families dealing with the dangers of forest fires. If you know someone who has been living near the wildfires, I highly recommend this one.

After moving from the city, one boy discovers his new home in the woods isn’t so bad—there is friendship in the midst of the forest. But when he spots a fire on the horizon that soon engulfs everything he’s come to know—the bugs, the plants, the fox who keeps him company—he is forced to flee. When his newfound comfort goes up in smoke, how can he ever feel at home again?

In a forest fire, so much can change in an instant. But both fox and boy learn that there are some things fire cannot burn. With time, the forest will regrow, the animals will return to their home, and so will the boy and his mom.

As we all search for tools for understanding the destruction of forest fires, this touching story shows that hope, friendship, and resilience shine the brightest.

OVER AND UNDER THE CANYON

By: Kate Messner

Illustrated by: Christopher Silas Neal

Published: September 7, 2021

Publisher: Chronicle Kids

Fiction

Learn about all those animals who live in and around or depend on the desert canyon, both in the sun and in the shade. This is part of the Over and Under series. See the rest, HERE.

Over and Under the Canyon takes young readers on a thrilling tour of a desert canyon ecosystem. Over the canyon, the sun scalds the air, baking desert mud to stone. But under the shade of the cliffs hides another world, where bighorn sheep bound from rock to rock on the hillside, roadrunners make their nests in sturdy cacti, and banded geckos tuck themselves into the shelter of the sand. Discover the wonders concealed in the curves of the canyon, the magic of a desert wildflower bloom, and all the unexpected creatures that bring the desert to life.

FARM LULLABY

By: Karen Jameson

Illustrated by: Wednesday Kirwan

Published: October 5, 2021

Publisher: Chronicle Kids

Fiction

You know I love all kinds of farm books, but especially bedtime farm books. My favorites are always the sheep.

“Baa-a-bye lullaby

Woolly lambs curl up close by

Fluffy, puffy, cloud-soft heads

Snuggling into straw-topped beds”

From the largest horse to the smallest mouse, every animal on the farm has a sweet, sleepy bedtime ritual. Curl up like a soft lamb, snuggle like a warm chick, and settle in like a cozy calf, letting this soothing farm lullaby lull even restless little dreamers into a deep and peaceful sleep.

This dreamy bedtime book pairs gentle rhymes with charming illustrations of the sleeping rituals of favorite farm animals. A great gift for any occasion, this lovely animal lullaby makes the perfect addition to any nursery, bedroom, or cozy reading nook.

MR. WATSON’S CHICKENS

By: Jarrett Dapier

Illustrated by: Andrea Tsurumi

Published: October 5, 2021

Publisher: Chronicle Kids

Fiction

If sheep are my favorite farm animal, then chickens are my second favorite. I love chicken stories because they are almost always full of silly adventures. This one also incorporates counting along with reading.

Mr. Watson has 456 chickens in the sink, on the bed, in the bread box. When his partner, Mr. Nelson, threatens to leave, Mr. Watson takes his chickens to town to sell only for them to escape! Young readers will follow Mr. Watson all around town as he gathers up his chickens. But, when they’re all rounded up, does he have the heart to sell them? Does a different fate await these chickens?

SLEUTH & SOLVE: SPOOKY

Decode Mind-Twisting Mysteries Inspired by Classic Creepy Characters

By: Víctor Escandell

Published: August 24, 2021

Publisher: Chronicle Kids

Non-Fiction

For older kids that like to solve logic puzzles, this would be fun to get for the Halloween season. Note: this isn’t for easily scared or sensitive kids.

How does one boy discover the lair of Frankenstein’s monster? What is the identity of the werewolf who torments an isolated village? And how do two sisters escape the vengeful Loch Ness Monster?

Welcome to the world of Sleuth & Solve: Spooky, where creepy clues are hidden in every detail and clever twists put your wits to the test. These mind-bending mini-mysteries inspired by classic creepy characters feature familiar fiends as well as terrifying new tales of ghosts, witches, and more! Solving this suite of spooky puzzles takes keen observation, strong logic, and lots of creative thinking. Play solo or with friends, collecting points as you crack each compelling case, decode the solution using a clever cryptograph, and reveal whose sleuthing skills reign supreme!

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Chapter Books

AUDREY L & AUDREY W

Best Friends-ish

By: Carter Higgins

Illustrated by: Jennifer K. Mann

Published: October 5, 2021

Publisher: Chronicle Kids

Fiction

A great book for kicking off the school year. Audrey L is a second grader and can’t wait to get the year started…until Audrey Waters shows up. This is perfect for early chapter book readers due to the short chapters and illustrations throughout.

Over the course of a week in school, this bighearted, true-to-life chapter book will resonate with any young reader who’s ever felt overlooked, second-best, or defined according to someone else. The first in a series, Best Friends-Ish provides a fresh take on the joys and traumas of elementary school drama.

More than anything, second-grader Audrey wants to be the best at something. It always feels like she’s not-quite-enough—not smart enough, not fast enough, not funny enough.

When her beloved Miss Fincastle announces that a new girl, another AUDREY, is joining the class, Audrey suddenly becomes Audrey L., which makes her feel worse than ever.

But is the new Audrey all bad? Might the two Audreys have more in common than just their name? And if the girls become friends, how will Audrey ever figure out how to be her best self—if she can’t even be the best Audrey?

Visually dynamic and narratively unique, this chapter book series is perfect for fans of the Ivy + Bean, Deckawoo Drive, and The Penderwicks series.

ASTRO-NUTS MISSION THREE

The Perfect Planet

Astro-nuts #3

By: Jon Scieszka

Illustrated by: Steven Weinberg

Published: September 21, 2021

Publisher: Chronicle Kids

Fiction/Graphic Novel

Science fiction, graphic novel, and minimal text help engage those reluctant readers. This is a series that will show kids that reading doesn’t have to be boring. Check out the first two books in the series, HERE.

This series is The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy meets The Bad Guys in a funny, visually daring adventure series for reluctant readers, teachers, and librarians alike.

This hilarious, visually groundbreaking read is the conclusion to a major series by children’s literature legend Jon Scieszka.

The book follows a final mission, where AstroWolf, LaserShark, SmartHawk, and StinkBug must find a planet fit for human life after we’ve finally made Earth unlivable.

Time is up for our friends the AstroNuts. In fact, time is up for you, too. If they don’t succeed on this mission, Earth is doomed! So when the team finds out they’re being sent to a place called “the perfect planet,” their mission sounds way too easy. Unfortunately, the second they land, they realize they’ll be dealing with the most dangerous species of all time . . . humans. Huh? Where in the universe is this supposedly perfect place? And how will the Nuts manage to convince the humans to risk death . . . for the sake of their lives?!

DEATH & SPARKLES

By: Rob Justus

Published: September 28, 2021

Publisher: Chronicle Kids

Fiction/Graphic Novel

A hilarious and unlikely friendship between Sparkles the Last Unicorn and Death. Graphic novel format make for even more fun reading.

Being Death is a lonely job, especially when everything you touch instantly dies (not to mention the paperwork), but being Sparkles the Last Unicorn is not much fun either, since everyone just wants to take selfies with you or use you to sell stuff. But when Death and Sparkles meet between life and, well, death, it’s the beginning of a friendship that just might change the world.

THE OTHER HALF OF HAPPY

By: Rebecca Balcárcel

Published: September 14, 2021 (paperback release)

Publisher: Chronicle Kids

Fiction

Chosen as a Pura Belpré Honor Book, this book features Quijana, a half-Guatemalan, a half-American seventh-grader at the start of the school year. There are family dynamics, a friend crush, and it is a sweet coming-of-age story.

12-year-old Quijana likes to say that she used to be Pangaea. Unsplit. Not half white or half Latina. But that was before her Guatemalan cousins moved to town and before her dad asked her to speak some Spanish. Now her continents are splitting apart. Let’s face it, when you’re named after Spain’s most famous loser, Don Quixote, you might make a secret escape plan. Join Quijana as she earns to make a tortilla, comes of age in the Guatemalan-American hyphen, and discovers her missing half.

NOT A UNICORN

By: Dana Middleton

Published: September 21, 2021

Publisher: Chronicle Kids

Fiction

A thirteen-year-old girl with a unicorn horn in her head makes for an interesting and extraordinary life. This one is full of magic, adventure, and friendship.

Jewel’s your average eighth-grader. Awkward relationship with a cute boy, ex-BFFs with a popular girl, mom issues at home. You’ve read it all before. Except for one thing: Jewel has a unicorn horn on her head.

(Okay, and one other thing, but it’s just too weird to mention here!)

Jewel tries to stay invisible at school, looking forward to the day when she can finally leave her small town behind, making art with her fellow weirdos, and obsessively reading graphic novels with her best friends. But when she’s selected to represent her school at the regional French speaking competition, she decides she’s had enough of the shy life. The horn needs to come off.

What happens when you have the ability to become the girl you’ve always wanted to be? When you don’t know your true self, how do you know your true friends? What happens when everything in your life—your biggest struggle, your greatest joy, and your dearest friends—all combine in one calamitous adventure?

With a sparkle of magic, a treasure trove of true determination, and help from all her friends both real and invisible, Jewel just might survive this year with her heart—and her head—intact.

BEN Y AND THE GHOST IN THE MACHINE

The Kids Under the Stairs #2

By: K.A. Holt

Published: September 28, 2021

Publisher: Chronicle Kids

Fiction

Ben Y has had it with school, bullies, rules, and being called “Benita”. She is struggling with the loss of her older brother and she copes by visiting an online chatroom. This friendship story is told in verse and highlights that it’s okay to just be yourself. The first in the series is BENBEE AND THE TEACHER GRIEFER.

School and life have become much more difficult since Ben Y’s older brother died, especially since the indefinable Ace seems determined to seek her out without clarifying what kind of relationship she wants; mostly Ben Y tries to cope with her situation by going to the chatroom and obsessively typing messages to her brother who is no longer there–but when she starts getting messages from the ghost in the machine (apparently) she finds that her deepest secrets are suddenly exposed. 

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Thanks to Chronicle Books for sending these books to me. The above links are affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase through these links, I may receive a small commission without having to pay a cent more for your purchase.