The Green Kingdom
by Corneila Funke (April 1, 2025)
The author of the national bestselling Inkheart series is back with this middle grade novel about a 12 year old named Caspia who is forced to spend the summer in Brooklyn with her parents. She’s miserable in the big city! Until she finds a mysterious bundle of letters hidden away years ago by a blind girl. Each letter contains one “green” riddle leading Caspia to a different plant - along the way she finds a lot of joy. Comparable to Kate DiCamillo and for readers ages 8-12.
How to Talk to Your Succulent
by Zoe Persico (April 1, 2025)
I’m highly anticipating this graphic novel about how plants can help people who are grieving. When 11 year old Adra’s mother passes away, her dad decides to move them across the continent to Michigan. He also brings along all of Adra’s mother’s houseplants. Adra can’t understand why he would do that, or what it might take to keep them alive, but once she discovers a succulent she calls Perle, some weird sort of magic is unlocked. You’ll love all the similarities Persico draws between taking care of a plant and taking care of oneself.
If You Happen to Have a Dinosaur
by Linda Bailey (In paperback April 29, 2025)
This was a 2014 release that needs to be back in your life! The paperback is FINALLY coming out this spring so it’s a great time to hype it up. This is the perfect picture book for any of your dino-loving kids. So many great ways having a dinosaur would come in handy!
The Watering Can
by Julien Baer (March 11, 2025)
This fun picture book is about a young girl who finds a watering can in a donation bin and brings it home. Turns out the watering can has the ability to makes things bigger! Perfect for plant lovers and kids who like magic plus a great moral about recycling things.
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Follow more of Elizabeth's recs on her instagram, @litpicksbooks! If you’re looking for your next summer read or need expertise on gifts for kids… she’s your gal.
