May’s Best New Picture Books

The Thank You Book, by Mo Willems
Introverted Gerald is a worrier, while affable Piggie is carefree. Gerald and Piggie are best friends, but their approach to life couldn’t be more different. In this charming conclusion to Willems’ bestselling Elephant & Piggie series, Piggie is thanking EVERYONE, but Gerald is afraid that his brash pal is going to forget someone very important along the way.

What Do You Do With a Problem?, by Kobi Yamad
If you’ve every had a problem and chosen to ignore it, chances are it hasn’t gone away. Instead, it’s gotten bigger—and likely more persistent. This follow-up to What Do You Do With an Idea? shows us, quite simply, the life cycle of a problem. Readers of all ages are reminded that a challenge makes us more courageous, and when we are encouraged to confront our predicament head-on, we often find that it’s less daunting than we originally perceived it to be.

Extremely Cute Animals Operating Heavy Machinery, by David Gordon
Whoever said you can’t be cute and crank up a crane never met Karen, an otherwise benign creature sporting an adorable tutu. Indeed, when Skyler starts bullying her at the sandbox, she responds with no less than a bulldozer, blowtorch, forklift, and helicopter. The endearing story about overcoming bullies—and offering forgiveness—will be a hit with readers of all ages.

Our Great Big Backyard, by Laura Bush and Jenna Bush Hager
Released in conjunction with the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service, Our Great Big Backyard showcases the wild natural beauty of our fascinating country. It’s an expansive story that starts with Jane, who dreams of a screen-filled summer—and gets a road-trip with the family instead. From jutting rocks to gator-filled swamps, Jane gets a taste of every sort of outdoors, and somewhere along the way—she starts to enjoy herself. Quench your wanderlust with this early summer treat!

If You Ever Want to Bring a Piano to the Beach, Don’t!, by Elise Parsley
Just as she was determined to bring a giant reptile to show-and-tell in If You Ever Want to Bring an Alligator to School, Don’t!, willful Magnolia has her own ideas about what to bring on a beach vacation in her latest tale. As the title suggests, Magnolia wants to stuff more than a sand shovel and a Frisbee in her suitcase—she wants to pack her upright piano! Hilarious and engaging from start—this will quickly become a bedtime favorite!

Thunder Boy, Jr., by Sherman Alexie and Yuyi Morales
According to Native American tradition, as the first son of Big Thunder, Thunder Boy, Jr. was born into his name. But that doesn’t mean he likes it. In this touching father-son tale, Thunder Boy explores his options, and in a simple yet profound journey of a thousand names, finally settles on the perfect one. With a little help from Dad, of course. Cuddle up with this instant classic tonight!

Three Magic Balloons, by Julianna Margulies, Paul Margulies, and Grant Schaffer
Instead of spending money on themselves after a day at the zoo, three generous sisters decide to buy food for the animals they’ve enjoyed all day. In exchange for their selfless acts, a vendor gives them each a magic balloon to affix to their bedposts. Just as they hoped, their dreams are enchanted, and they visit far-off kingdoms and encounter mystical creatures. Magical balloons are the feature here, but there’s a lot of heart in this story too.

Go, Pete, Go!, by James Dean
It’s a beautiful afternoon, and Pete the Cat can’t wait to ride his bicycle and turn the handle on his shiny little bell. So when Turtle shows up in his magnificent new car, the race is on! In this very special retelling of The Tortoise and the Hare, there’s an important lesson to be learned, and you and your little readers will have a groovy time getting to it!