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We’re in the last month of 2025. It has been an exciting year for children’s and young adult books by Black authors. Congratulations to all the authors and illustrators who released books this year, received literary recognition, nominations, and awards for creating stories for young readers and teens. Take a look at New Releases to recap all the books from 2025. Now, it’s time to look ahead at what’s coming in 2026. Here’s a preview of 32 fiction picture books releasing in the first four months of 2026.
Clicking on the book links will direct you to a different site. BCBA may earn a small percentage on purchases.
Donette Williams-Harry | Amélie-Anne Calmo | Tiger Tales | January 6, 2026
Brittany J. Thurman | Derick Brooks | Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) | January 13, 2026
Kenan Thompson | Bryan Tucker | Tony Neal | Feiwel & Friends | January 13, 2026
Monica Mikai | Crown BYR | January 13, 2026
5. Just Right
Torrey Maldonado | Teresa Martinez | Penguin/Nancy Paulsen | January 20, 2026
Amber McBride | Violeta Encarnación | HarperCollins | January 20, 2026
Adrienne Thurman | Kaylani Juanita | HarperCollins | January 20, 2026
Jacqueline Woodson | Monica Mikai | Nancy Paulsen Books | January 20, 2026
Jacqueline Woodson | Tonya Engel | Nancy Paulsen Books | January 20, 2026
Alicia D. Williams | Anna Cunha | Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books | February 3, 2026
11. A Bear, a Man, and a Donut Van
Daniel Bernstrom | Brandon James Scott | Hippo Park | February 3, 2026
12. Maya’s World
Andrea Pippins | Random House Studio | February 17, 2026
Terry Crews | Tanisha Cherislin | Little, Brown BYR | February 24, 2026
Teresa Rodrigues | Jamiel Law | Atheneum BYR | February 24, 2026
Corinne Bailey Rae | Gillian Eilidh O’Mara| Rocky Pond Books| March 3, 2026
16. Maya’s Big Question (Ambitious Girl, Bk. 3)
Meena Harris | Marissa Valdez | Little, Brown BYR | March 3, 2026
17. The Other Side of the Garden
Sili Recio | Elena Djome Lawrence | Brianna McCarthy | Millner /Simon & Schuster | March 3, 2026
18. Planting Hope
Frederick Joseph | Paul Kellam | Candlewick | March 3, 2026
Jalen Hurts| Nneka Myers | Flamingo Books | March 10, 2026
20. Ramadan Rain
Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow | Aliaa Betawi | Random House Studio | March 10, 2026
Candice Iloh | Bea Jackson | Atheneum BYR | March 17, 2026
Billy Porter | Chris Clarkson | Charly Palmer | Abrams BYR | March 17, 2026
23. The Big Green: A Story About the Great Green Wall of Africa
Ken Wilson-Max | Candlewick | March 17, 2026
24. Hazel’s Best Day: A Story of Community, Accessibility, and Pride in Being Yourself
Adiba Nelson | DeAnn Wiley | Feiwel & Friends | March 24, 2026
25. Pecosita’s Freckly Freckle Face
Aliya King Neil | Shane Paul Neil | Eric Velasquez | S&S/Denene Millner | March 31, 2026
26. The Toy Plane
Cherise Harris | S&S/Denene Millner | March 31, 2026
27. Auntie’s Baby
Breanna J. McDaniel | Savanna Durr | Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) | April 7, 2026
28. Getting Ready for Second Grade: A First Day of School Book
Vera Ahiyya | Debby Rahmalia | Random House BYR | April 7, 2026
29. At the Cookout
Nadia Fisher | G.P. Putnam’s Sons BYR | April 7, 2026
30. Sparrow Loves Reptiles (Sparrow Loves Animals, Bk. 2)
Murry Burgess | Tamisha Anthony | Christy Ottaviano/Little Brown | April 14, 2026
31. Walk the Walk
R.J. Owens | Reggie Brown | Bloomsbury Children’s Books | April 14, 2026
Kiara Valdez | Richy Sánchez Ayala | Viking | April 28, 2026
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