Great New Kids' Books for Summer 2020

Chances are your kids will need even more books than usual to read during this unusual summer. We've put together a list of some of the best-reviewed new children's books of 2020 that are certain to keep your kids occupied until school starts again in the fall. (But who knows what that will look like?)

We've included links, where available, to the books on MARINet so you can hold it for curbside pickup at your local Marin library as well as Amazon.

Books for Babies & Toddlers

• Antiracist Baby (Ibram X Kendi). Take your first steps with Antiracist Baby! Or rather, follow Antiracist Baby's nine easy steps for building a more equitable world. MARINet | Amazon
• Tiny T. Rex and the Very Dark Dark (Jonathan Stutzman). The adorable and indomitable Tiny T. Rex from the critically acclaimed Tiny T. Rex and The Impossible Hug is back in a tale about friendship and overcoming your fears. MARINet | Amazon
• Bedtime for Sweet Creatures (Nikki Grimes). A beloved and very sleepy little boy resists his mother's efforts to put him to bed. MARINet | Amazon

Books for Preschool–Second Grade

• Cannonball (Sacha Cotter). A summer tale about family, overcoming fears, and the importance of being oneself, all in the pursuit of performing the perfect cannonball. Amazon
• From the Stars in the Sky to the Fish in the Sea (Kai Cheng Thom). A magical gender variant child brings transformation and change to the world around them thanks to their mother's enduring love. MARINet | Amazon
• Lift (Minh Lê). From the award-winning and bestselling creators of Drawn Together comes the fantastic tale of a magical elevator that will lift your spirits — and press all the right buttons! MARINet | Amazon
• Nonsense! The Curious Story of Edward Gorey (Lori Mortensen). Profiles the education and eccentric brilliance of writer and artist Edward Gorey, discussing the creative process that led to more than 100 children's books and inspired a generation of creators, from Lemony Snicket to Tim Burton. MARINet | Amazon

Books for Third–Fifth Grade

• When Stars Are Scattered (Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohammed). Heartbreak and hope exist together in this remarkable graphic novel about growing up in a refugee camp, as told by a Somali refugee to the Newbery Honor-winning creator of Roller Girl. MARINet | Amazon
• Orphan Eleven (Gennifer Cholodenko). Four orphans have escaped from the Home for Friendless Children. One is Lucy, who used to talk and sing. No one knows why she doesn't speak anymore; silence is her protection. MARINet | Amazon
•  We Could Be Heroes (Margaret Finnegan). Shiloh meets Raymie Nightingale in this funny and heartwarming debut novel about a ten-year-old that finds himself in a whole mess of trouble when his new friend Maisie recruits him to save the dog next door. MARINet | Amazon

•  All-American Muslim Girl (Nadine Jolie Courtney). All-American Muslim Girl is a relevant, relatable story of being caught between two worlds, and the struggles and hard-won joys of finding your place. MARINet | Amazon