Discover New Children's Books - A Round Up of Our Favorite New Releases for Fall 2022
* I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of these books from The Good Book Company, Tommy Nelson, and Zonderkidz or an a e-copy from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts are my own and I was not required to write a positive review. This blog post includes affiliate links. View my affiliate disclosure here.
Hello friends! Can you believe fall is already upon us? The latter half of this year is already flying by! We jumped back into regularly homeschooling this fall at a preschool level and have been so very busy already. I hope this post finds you enjoying the beginning of the autumn season as much as we are. We have spent a great deal of time outdoors over the last week or two and it’s been so very soul-filling and refreshing!
I’m here today to share some brand new children’s book releases with you from our favorite publishers. Below, I’ve highlighted some details about each book for you at a quick glimpse and written a brief review in hopes that help you make choices about which books you’d like to add to your own child’s library!
Keep scrolling down…
Wherever You Go, I Want You To Know
A Board Book for Toddlers
By Melissa B Kruger, illustrated by Isobel Lundie
Published by The GoodBook Company
Age 0+
With just a few words per page, engaging illustrations, and robust board-book format, this charming rhyming book is ideal for toddlers.
Kids love to dream about what they might do when they grow up: jobs they might have, places they might go to, people they might meet. And parents and caregivers love to encourage and support them.
But for Christian parents, their greatest aspiration for their children, their dream of all dreams, is that whatever their kids do and wherever they go, they will love and follow Jesus.
As children embark on life’s journey with all their potential and aspirations, express to them your biggest dream with this beautiful illustrated rhyming children’s book.
As well as teaching children about the only thing that really matters in life, this book also reminds parents that telling their kids about Jesus is more important than anything else.
My Thoughts:
My daughter (4) loves this little book! The board book, being a smaller size, is perfect for little hands to carry and as a result, she is often bringing it to me and asking me to read it to her. The words are soft, gentle and rhyming with a powerful message - “Whatever you do, wherever you go, I have a BIG DREAM I want you to know…I pray you’ll love Jesus with all of your heart, whatever you do. That’s the right place to start. He died for your sin. He makes all things new. You can trust in His words, they’re faithful and true.”
What an encouragement to a little one’s heart and no better words could be spoken to a child. I know this is my own dream for my daughter and this faith-filled message is strong. This sweet little book wonders at all the things a child could grow up to do, then reminds them to keep Christ at the center of their life and reminds the child that their loved one is cheering them on. The illustrations are imaginative and fun and the quality is sturdy. A definite recommendation from our family!
Note: This book is also available in a hardback storybook version for ages 4+.
Fanny Crosby
The Girl Who Couldn't See But Helped The World To Sing
Written by Laura Wickham, Illustrated by Jess Rose
Published by The GoodBook Company
Age 4+
Baby Frances—or Fanny, as everyone called her—was only six weeks old when she became blind. “What a pity you can’t see,” people often said. “The first thing my eyes will ever see will be the face of Jesus in heaven,” she’d reply. And this filled her with joy.
Not only was Fanny a happy girl, always looking for reasons to be thankful, she was also blessed with extraordinary musical ability.
Follow her inspirational story to discover how she wrote some of the world’s most famous hymns, such as To God Be the Glory and Blessed Assurance.
This beautifully illustrated children's biography of Fanny Crosby (1820-1915) is part of the Do Great Things For God series which shows how God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. It will enthuse young children about the great things they can do for God.
My Thoughts:
Parents and caregivers with girls - please add this beautiful new release to your collection! I absolutely adore the Do Great Things for God series. This is a wonderful starter biography set for young children featuring women of faith!
We love the Betty Greene and Gladys Aylward books from this series, reading them at least once a week, sometimes more. So when Fanny Crosby became available, I was excited to add her story to our collection. These stories inspire both boys and girls alike with women who simply stepped out in faith and followed God’s call for their lives, becoming incredible influences for the Gospel and pillars of the Christian faith.
Fanny Crosby was an incredible woman whose hymns are still beloved favorites of many generations. This book tells the story of her life and offers children a look into how she became a hymn writer. It is inspiring, sweet and offers beautiful illustrations. It shows children how much Fanny loved Jesus and never allowed her blindness to hinder her or steal her joy. I love that this storybook is easy for my 4 year old to understand and also encourages her to pursue a life after Jesus and allow Him to use her in big and mighty ways, just like He did for Fanny Crosby. Hands down, a must have for a little girl’s library and very useful for homeschooling families and school/church libraries too!
You can read my review of the other books in this series here.
Literary Critters: William Shakesbear’s Journey for Inspiration
By Sophie Corrigan
Published by Zonderkidz
Ages 4 - 8
Literary Critters is a truly unique picture book, introducing young readers to classic literary figures and encouraging them to use their imaginations. As William Shakesbear visits his fellow Literary Critter Guild members, he’s greeted with lots of advice from his author friends and has some adventures along the way.
This playful story promotes literacy and storytelling as quirky playwright William Shakesbear sets off to find some inspiration for his new play. Along the way, Will asks his Literary Critter friends about what inspires them to write—including Mole Dahl, Crane Austen, Beatrix Trotter, Edgar Talon Crow, Yak Kerouac, C.S. Shrewis, Langston Mews, and more. He also invites young readers to become part of the Literary Critters Guild and continue growing in their love for all things reading, writing, and books.
My Thoughts:
Oh, this brand new children’s book is a delight! It is so very clever and unique!
As a literary lover, I laughed at the adorable names for each critter and their advice to William Shakesbear who’s on a journey to find inspiration for the next play he wants to write. As he makes his way through the story, he encounters various friends who offer him wise advice on where to seek inspiration, each with a funny little quip. My daughter (4) did not understand the connections between the characters and the authors who inspired them, but she did enjoy the story. It’s a more lengthy story than she’s used to, but the beautifully colored illustrations and animal characters captured her attention on each new page.
The story is encouraging, imaginative and inspirational. Another fun recommendation that older children will enjoy, making connections between the characters and beloved authors in literary history. This is the perfect addition to a child’s library for National Literacy Month!
Let’s Learn About the Forest
A Seek-and-Find Story through God’s Creation
Written by Katelyn Van Kooten, Illustrated by Lee Holland
Published by Zonderkidz
Ages: 0 - 4
Little ones will have fun using their powers of detection in this seek-and-find board book as they search, match, and learn while helping Mama Chipmunk locate adorable animals and items throughout the forest. Each richly illustrated spread includes interesting facts on God’s woodland creatures that help toddlers discover more about the world around them, providing a fun opportunity to spend time reading and exploring together with your child or an educational way to keep a young one busy as they look for and find objects alone.
Mama Chipmunk is traveling through the forest, and she needs your child’s help to find food and the animals around her—including her adventurous baby! Let's Learn About the Forest is a colorful and playful search-and-find activity board book that encourages toddlers and preschoolers to explore the forest and see where all the baby animals are hiding—from the owlet nestled on a tree branch to the fawn curled up and hiding in the grass.
My Thoughts:
My daughter (4) and I loved this adorable book! Forest animals are some of our very favorites and this sweet little board book offers not only a cute story about a chipmunk family gathering food and discovering other forest animals, but also an interactive seek and find and fun little facts about each animal throughout the pages. It is easy to understand and the illustrations are just darling.
The seek and find feature is quite simple. At my daughter’s age, she breezed through finding the items listed but still enjoyed the little facts and story. There is also a tender, faith-based element that notates God’s design for some of the animals and mentions thanking God for the food that Mama and little Chipmunk are about to enjoy. In short, a wonderful book geared towards toddlers and preschool-age children that we definitely recommend!
Age: 2-5
God’s Creation: Help Tell the Story, presented in the same style as Press Here, offers an exciting way for children to experience God’s creation of the world as they interact with the words and illustrations, follow along with easy-to-understand directions, and watch the story of God’s creation unfold.
This interactive picture book not only engages and keeps kids’ attention, but also helps them internalize and commit the story to memory. Bold, conceptual art by artist Joanne Liu leaves room for little ones’ imaginations to expand the story and begin to understand the greatness of God and his creation.
My Thoughts:
Following the seven days of creation, this book is a super fun, interactive retelling of the work God did on each day. Encouraging children to complete various simple tasks (tap here, shake the book, blow the stars across the sky, etc.), this short, easy to understand book was really enjoyable! The illustrations are reminiscent of a child’s fingerpainting and this would be a great book to pair with teaching about creation, an art lesson, or to serve as a catalyst for a child to create their own creation inspired art. I loved this little book! Geared best towards toddlers and preschool-age children.
God, I Feel Sad
Bringing Big Emotions to a Bigger God
by Michelle Nietert; Tama Fortner
Published by Zonderkidz
Ages: 3 - 8
Kids have big feelings, but none of their feelings are too big for God. In this picture book from licensed?counselor?Michelle Nietert and Tama Fortner, young readers will explore what it means to feel their sadness and discover how to manage their emotions in a healthy way.
Sad is a feeling that can be hard, but if we listen to it, we can learn things about ourselves. In God, I Feel Sad, kids discover that it’s okay to be sad and that God is in all things, including sadness. With simple, accessible text, sad becomes an emotion that kids don’t need to avoid and instead something they can use to grow closer to God. The bright, emotive art by Nomar Perez will draw kids in, and a note in the back provides tips and techniques parents and caregivers can use to help young children process their feelings in a beneficial way.
God, I Feel Sad is perfect for:
Helping young kids develop positive ways to manage and name their feelings
Children dealing with changing emotions, new experiences, or loss
Family read-aloud time
Supporting good communication and mental health habits at an early age
God, I Feel Sad teaches kids ages 4 to 8 how to:
Identify the feeling of sadness
See signs of sadness in others
Recognize things that can make them feel sad
Embrace sadness without letting it overwhelm them
Talk to God about their feelings
My Thoughts:
As a parent of a highly sensitive child, we have read many books about emotions and feelings but this book is the first one that addresses a big feeling from a Christian worldview and my mama heart couldn’t be happier.
This book expresses every sentiment I wish to say to my daughter, such as God made you to experience feelings, it is ok to have feelings of sadness or disappointment and offers insight on how those emotions might come about, feel and look. The book is easy to understand even at the youngest ages and offers children hope and encouragement on how that feeling might come and go or stay plus gives practical advice on how to address the sadness including prayer.
One quote reads, “ Yes, sadness happens for a reason. But God doesn’t want you to feel sad forever. That’s why He offers you hope too. Hope is God’s promise to help you find your happy again… With each message of hope, God is saying, ‘I’m here with you and it’s going to be okay.’”
At the back of the book, there is a Dear Parent section that offers additional practical, useful advice to parents on helping young children identify and process their emotions.
I truly love this little book for the skills it helps to build and feel it will be a valuable addition to our bookshelf. A definite recommendation from our family to yours!
P.S. This would make a great addition to a preschool classroom or church library!
I’m Going to Have a Good Day!
Daily Affirmations with Scarlett
by Tiania Haneline with Scarlett Gray, Illustrated by Stephanie Dehennin
Published by Zonderkidz
Ages: 4 - 8
I am beautiful. I am kind. I am loved.
In this uplifting picture book, young readers will discover how they can use daily affirmations to remind them of who they are and what makes them special. Join TikTok sensation Scarlett Gray and Tiania Haneline as they repeat exuberant affirmations that empower Scarlett throughout the day and inspire those around her to create their own uplifting self-talk.
Every morning as her mom brushes her hair, Scarlett recites her daily affirmations. Those powerful words travel with her throughout her day, helping her replace negative thoughts with positive ones and live out the truth that she is beautiful, strong, brave, kind, and worthy of love. This fun-filled and inspiring kids’ book also includes a list of uplifting and child-friendly statements your child can use to create their own daily affirmation routine. With fun illustrations from Stephanie Dehennin that make the story come alive, you and your young reader will discover how much words matter in your own lives.
My Thoughts:
This adorable book is perfect for little girls! It is so cute and has a strong message. Before my daughter was born, I had seen a video on the internet about affirmations and saying them daily with your children. By the time my daughter was speaking, I taught each evening before bed to say a handful, including the ones in this book! This sweet story is told by a little girl and addresses a range of emotions a girl might feel and why, like sadness or grouchiness or fear. She remembers the affirmations she reviews each day with her Mama and they encourage her to make good choices and overcome. What an inspiration to other little girls, like mine! The illustrations are vivid, adorable and colorful. The words are short, sweet and easy to understand.
The book also depicts a multi-racial family making this a great book for adoptive families like ours and other kinds of blended families. The faith element to the book is very light, with only a reminder that Mama loves her little girl and God does too. It also offers some additional affirmations and encourages young girls to assert themselves and believe in themselves. How empowering! A definite recommendation that would make a great gift to the little girl in your life!
BUSTER'S TRIP TO VICTORY LANE
Written by Dale Earnhardt Jr., Illustrated by Ela Smietanka
Published by Tommy Nelson
Age: 4 - 8
NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr. teaches children to face their fears as they follow Buster--a rescued race car who navigates new challenges and learns to never give up!
Sometimes kids need a little inspiration to make it to the finish line! In Buster's Trip to Victory Lane, Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s flair for originality, humor, and fun shines through as Buster the race car teaches kids to face their fears. When Coach Chomp rescues Buster from a failed racing team, Buster has to figure out how to race with new teammates, learn to keep going even after he makes mistakes, and try with all his might to make it to the finish line before all the other cars!
My Thoughts:
This little story is fantastic! My daughter (4) who loves all things race cars has asked me to read this book every day since it arrived. Buster is a race car who’s recently joined a new team and he’s having a hard time adjusting. He is messing up and making mistakes, accidentally causing damage and worrying about learning new things, losing and if his new teammates will like him.
With vibrant, eye-catching illustrations that are really fun, Buster learns advice from his team that it’s ok to be nervous and make mistakes and the best thing we can do is learn from them. He’s also offered the wise advice that the best way to get your mind off your own worries to help someone else with theirs! I found this book to be highly engaging, fun and encouraging with fantastic morals and lessons in overcoming fear and mistakes and coming together as a team. Plus, I loved all the little details in the book like the names of the cars and racers, the comradery, racing dictionary and “meet the team” pages. I believe both boys and girls will enjoy this book.
Note: While this story has a strong moral, it is not faith-based and does not contain any Biblical references.
My Advent Nativity
A PRESS-OUT-AND-PLAY BOOK
Written by Tama Fortner, Illustrated by Keith Allen
Published by Tommy Nelson
Explore the real meaning of Advent and Christmas with your kids as they hear, learn, engage, and play with My Advent Nativity Press-Out-and-Play Book. This Advent activity for families presents people, animals, and stable features that actually press out of the book and is built into a three-dimensional scene.
Counting down to Christmas with Advent calendars has become a popular tradition among families. In this board book, parents and children can read the short, easy-to-understand story of the first Christmas and learn how, just like Mary and Joseph were waiting for Jesus to come, we too can prepare our hearts in anticipation and celebration of the nativity of Jesus.
My Thoughts:
We are so excited to use this book at Christmas! This incredibly sturdy board book is Biblically accurate and offers a 25 day countdown to Christmas (Advent) in a fun and interactive way. It begins with Gabriel’s appearance to Mary and follows through Jesus’ birth, the arrival of shepherds and then ends with the visit from the wise men and fulfillment of God’s promise. This is excellent for mature toddlers and preschoolers. Each page offers a character you can press out, assembling into a stand (also a pop out of the book) to arrange a nativity scene. The illustrations are adorable and there are sweet animals and people alike. The nativity pieces are sturdy for their purpose but will not likely hold up to child’s play. As a result, my intention is to use this as a special “quality time” surprise each day. I do love that after each piece is popped out, there is a matching image behind it so once the nativity scene has been completed, you could still read the book over and over again, year after year.
