A Shelf Full of Words: 19 Reads for the Young & Young at Heart

What’s better than having a shelf full of books? Filling it with even more books! (Disclaimer: This may sometimes also require getting more shelves.) We have some great new releases for the young and young at heart this month to grace your home libraries. Happy browsing!

PICTURE BOOKSRecommended by Rachel Ins and OutsElizabeth Withey, Salini Perera

A surprisingly clever picture book with very few words! Ins and Outs is a tale of opposites shown through page-turning puzzles & pictures.

Recommended by Jake Nellie’s Big SplashCori Doerrfeld

Nellie, a sea turtle, has just hatched. But while her siblings head for the sea, Nellie is scared of the waves and heads the other way. She climbs higher and higher, but the waves only follow her up. Finally, Nellie sees the ocean beyond the waves and finds the courage to be brave. Nellie’s Big Splash is yet another excellent picture book from Cori Doerrfeld, and tells a powerful tale of facing your fears head on.

Recommended by Michelle Hope in a JarDeborah Marcero

Llewellyn is very good at collecting his hopes and dreams in jars. But what happens when things don’t go your way? Llewellyn learns how to collect new dreams, let old ones go, and the excitement of watching your dreams come true.

Recommended by Rae Ann So Tortoise DugEmmy Kastner

When their burrow floods, Tortoise digs a new one for herself and her best friend, Mouse. When Mouse disappears, new friends show up looking for a home. The reveal of Mouse’s journey and the delightfully detailed illustrations make this a wonderful book about friendship and community.

Recommended by Shop Dog Roxy Hazel the HandfulJamie Michalak, Matt Myers

As a shop dog, I am the center of attention. This book deals with a new baby (almost as challenging as a new puppy in my opinion) through a dog’s point-of-view. Eventually, Hazel shares her favorite toy, Chuck the Pig, with the new baby. Not sure I would do the same. A great way to have conversations about the arrival of a new baby which is NOT something I want to face.

Recommended by Cheryl A Chest Full of WordsRebecca Gugger, Simon Röthlisberger

A boy finds a mysterious trunk in the forest that is loaded with words that activate when released. A hedgehog becomes fluorescent! What a creative way to introduce vocabulary with anticipation. There is also a QR code at the back for additional downloadable activities.

Recommended by Katie Robinson’s New ThingJulia Mills

Robinson the raccoon LOVES to collect things. Something every parent of a small child can relate to. But Robinson meets Rosie the Snail and she is seriously unimpressed with his collection. So she shows him her own collection of bubbles in a stream, stars in the northern lights and slowly Robinson learns that the best collections aren’t always made up of things but moments you can hold onto with friends.

Also loved by Austin!

Recommended by Rae Ann EchoAdam Rex

Everyone agrees with Junior, including the mysterious voice from across the valley. When a new girl moves in next door, she doesn’t believe Junior is right all the time. He runs to the valley to meet his echo and realizes constant validation may not be the best in the humorous picture book.

Recommended by Michelle The Baby Who Stayed Awake ForeverSandra Salsbury

A hilarious story of a baby who is determined to stay awake FOREVER, and their tired family (and neighbor) who are just trying to rest. Who needs to sleep when you can have a dance party at 1 AM?

Recommended by Austin Monty and the MushroomsDev Petty, Jared Chapman

The delightful pictures in this book had me laughing all on their own. The story of Monty and his noisy neighbors is simply delightful and the lessons in being considerate of those around you is always valuable.

Recommended by Rachel Charley Mouse Cleans HouseKaterina Gorelik

A cottage core dream of pink whimsy & details galore! Charley Mouse Cleans House has picturesque scenes with search-and-find & counting games hidden throughout.

Recommended by Cheryl Off They Run!Katie Cotton, Rob Hodgson

This is a clever board book. A tiger chases a monkey so you have to turn the book around and around to follow the chase. Delightful!

INDEPENDENT READERSRecommended by Rae Ann A Day at the BeachGary D. Schmidt, Ron Koertge

A Day at the Beach covers a single day at the beach featuring kids encountering friends and strangers for a moment throughout the day.

Recommended by Chelsea Rebellion 1776Laurie Halse Anderson

One of my most anticipated books of 2025! Rebellion 1776 is a tale of an epidemic in the midst of a rebellion, told through the eyes of Elsbeth, a thirteen-year-old whose father has disappeared during the Revolution. This is historical fiction at its best, drawing readers in with compelling details of life in 1776 while making timely connections to today’s world.

YOUNG ADULTRecommended by Lindsay Run Away With MeBrian Selznick

Look, whatever Brian Selznick does, I’m here for it–and his first YA novel is no exception! I loved watching Danny and Angelo’s story unfold as they discover the city of Rome, stories hidden across art history, and their love for one another.

Recommended by Katie Camila Núñez’s Year of DisastersMiriam Zoila Pérez

An ominous tarot reading, her parents’ shaky marriage, and a recent heartbreak have left Camilla reeling. A summer trip to Miami to visit her family may just be the getaway she needs. Perez’s debut doesn’t shy away from hard conversations about anxiety, queer identity, body shaming, and so many other issues young people face, all explored with the thoughtful lens of a writer who understands just how tender these topics are.

Recommended by Michelle Sunrise on the ReapingSuzanne Collins

It’s the 50th Hunger Games, and Haymitch has everything to lose: his family, his girl, and his life. When double the amount of tributes are reaped for the second Quarter Quell, are the odds ever in his favor? Sunrise on the Reaping is where the past meets the future, and where resistance takes root.

Also loved by Tara!

Recommended by Tara Say a Little PrayerJenna Voris

When Riley is ordered to attend a week-long church camp, she turns it into a challenge. Can she commit all 7 deadly sins in 7 days? We watch Riley spend those days grappling with the beliefs she was taught growing up and catching feelings for the pastor’s daughter.

CLASSICS & BACKLISTRecommended by Chelsea We All PlayJulie Flett

This is my two-year-old’s favorite bedtime book right now. The book focuses on the connection between animals and children, both who love to play! At the end, as the animals fall asleep, so do the children. Featuring dual-language elements with English and Cree and beautiful illustrations, We All Play belongs on the bedside of every infant and toddler you know.

Sprout Book Club: April Selection Nellie’s Big SplashCori Doerrfeld

The April 2025 Sprout Book Club selection is Nellie’s Big Splash by Cori Doerrfeld. When sea turtle Nellie hatches among her siblings on the beach, she’s very happy. When it’s time to dive into the ocean and swim, she’s afraid. She soon realizes when she looks past the scary waves, there’s a whole new world waiting for her.

Early praise for the book:

“In this sweet story, scary things may remain scary, but pushing past them yields enormous rewards.” —Kirkus

Sprout Book Club is the book subscription box for picture book lovers. Every month members will receive a first edition picture book.  Set up a subscription for yourself or buy a gift membership for your favorite picture book lover for 3, 6, or 12 months. 

Spark Book Club: April Selection Rebellion 1776Laurie Halse Anderson

The April 2025 Spark Book Club selection is Rebellion 1776 by Laurie Halse Anderson. In the spring of 1776, Elspeth Culpepper’s father disappears in the middle of the rebellion as smallpox sweeps through Boston. Elspeth’s immunity to the disease allows her to provide medical aid as controversy over the smallpox vaccine simmers in the community. She continues to search for her father as her world erupts in chaos in this historical adventure by award-winning author, Laurie Halse Anderson.

Early Sparks for the novel:

Told through Elsbeth’s clever, feminist, often-humorous perspective, this original and timely story immerses readers in her observations on an epidemic and vaccination, early American politics and society, and the meaning of family. Engrossing, entertaining, and heartfelt.  – Kirkus

Spark Book Club is the first editions club for middle grade readers.  Every month members will receive a first edition middle grade novel — plus a letter written by the author especially for club members. Makes a great gift for the independent reader! Sign ups are available for 3, 6, or 12 months.

ParnassusNext: April Selection Run Away With MeBrian Selznick

The April 2025 ParnassusNext selection is Run Away With Me by Brian Selznick. In his debut YA novel, author/illustrator Selznick tells the story of two boys who fall in love one summer in Rome. American Danny spends his summer in Rome while his mother works at a museum dedicated to the preservation of books. As he explores Rome, he meets a boy named Angelo, who knows every hidden gem of the city. Brian Selznick’s illustrations pair perfectly with the text to tell this story of the history of Rome and a blossoming relationship.

Early praise for the novel:

“Intricate and wondrous.” – Kirkus, starred review

EVENT ALERT: Please join us for an in-store event with Brian Selznick on Friday, April 11th at 6:30 pm. Click here to buy tickets! (ParnassusNext members — use the code that was emailed to you to redeem your free ticket!)

ParnassusNext is the book subscription box for YA lovers. Every member of ParnassusNext receives a first edition hardcover of each month’s selected book, signed by the author. There is no membership fee to join — and no line to stand in for the autograph. Not only will you have one of the best YA books of the month when it comes out, you’ll have it straight from the author’s hands, with an original, authentic signature! Set up a subscription for yourself or buy a gift membership for your favorite YA reader for 3, 6, or 12 months.