July 2021 New Book Releases

Summer is underway, and you may be wondering what books will keep kids engaged over the next month.   Here are some books that we can’t wait to read and are getting attention for the month of July. 

Note: Stories of a Colorful World (SOCW) book lists feature books that star Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and Asian characters by authors of those same diverse groups.  This post contains affiliate links.  If you buy from our links, at no additional cost to you, we get a small commission.

My Dog Romeo by Ziggy Marley, Ag Jatkowska (Release Date: 7/27)

Just like his dad’s famous songs turned children’s books, Ziggy Marley is trying his hand as an author.  This book follows a boy and his dog, Romeo, as they enjoy music and play. (Ages 0-7)

Being You: A First Conversation about Gender by Megan Madison,  Jessica Ralli, Passchier (Release date: 7/20)

This book provides parents with a tool to spark difficult conversations around gender, including discrimination and prejudice, at an early age.  It provides parents with the language and an age-appropriate way to answer questions from our young, inquisitive readers. (Ages 2-5)

My Voice is a Trumpet by Jimmie Allen, Cathy Ann Johnson (Release date: 7/13)

Kids of any age can use their voices to effect change.   This book inspires and encourages kids to use their voices-big and small, for good. (Ages 3-7)

Sing with Me: The Story of Selena Quintanilla by Diana López, Teresa Martinez (Release date: 7/13)

Selena was a rising superstar.  This book follows her life as a young girl, singing with her family to becoming Queen of Tejano music. (Ages 4-8)

My Body Is a Rainbow: The Color of My Feelings by Mallika Chopra, Izzy Burton (Release date: 7/20)

Adapted from wellness expert Mallika Chopra’s middle-grade book, this book helps young kids identify their big emotions through colors and helps provide strategies to cool down and manage stress. (Ages 4-8)

Kalamata’s Kitchen by Sarah Thomas, Jo Kosmides Edwards (Release date: 7/20)

Kalamata is nervous about her first day of school.  As she tries to muster the courage, she and her pet alligator, Al Dente, transport themselves to a magical land full of food and flavor.  She learns some important lessons along the way. (Ages 4-8)

The Colors We Share by Angélica Dass  (Release date: 7/13)

Artist Angélica Dass pushes readers to question the construct of race and shows that skin color is much more complex than the basic labels that we use.  Through her use of beautiful portraits of people from across the globe, she invites kids to reimagine how we see others and ourselves.  (Ages 5-8)

Pickle Party!: Waffles and Mochi by Frank Berrios, Sarah Rebar (Release date: 7/13)

Inspired by the Netflix show, this early reader takes us on an adventure with Waffles and Mochi.  They run into trouble when they try to get their friend Kennedy pickles for her birthday.  Join them as they learn all about how pickles are made. (Ages 4-7)

Kiki Kallira Breaks a Kingdom by Sangu Mandanna (Release date: 7/6)

This action-packed book comes to life when worry-wort Kiki Kallira falls into the mythical world that she’s created with her drawings.  She must learn to harness her inner courage to save both the real and mythical world from the destruction of an evil god.   (Ages 8-12)

Forever This Summer by Leslie C. Youngblood (Release date 7/6)

This is the second book in the Love Like Sky series. In this story, Georgie is struggling to carve out her independence.  When she has to travel from her home in Atlanta with her family to take care of Aunt Vie, who is suffering from Alzheimer’s, in Bogalusa, LA, she is less than thrilled.  She wants to help out at Vie’s diner, but she gets saddled with house chores because she’s too young.  When she connects with Markie, who is in foster care since her mom abandoned her as an infant, she tries to find a way to both help Markie find her mom and help aunt Vie.  Her plan uncovers something unexpected. (Ages 8-12)

Maya and the Robot by Eve L. Ewing, Christine Almeda (Release date 7/13)

Maya is struggling with fifth grade because her best friends, MJ and Jada, are in a different class this year.  She’s feeling left out and alone, particularly because she’s not feeling liked by her teachers and another classmate is bullying her.  When she finds a robot (Ralph) that Mr. Mac’s son built, she brings it home and studies Christopher’s notes to bring it to life, opening a whole new world for her.   (Ages 8-12) 

What are some books that are favorites for the summer months?  Drop a comment below.  

You can find these and hundreds of other titles in our Bookshop collections.  We are constantly updating our selections.  Let us know what titles excite you.