March 10, 2026
Upcoming books for young readers.
The best way to encourage kids to read is to give them really great books. Read This Next! Kids is a list of books for young readers coming out this month and next that Southern indie booksellers can’t wait to share with kids (and their parents!).
Read This Next! Kids March/April
The Unlikely Tale of Chase and Finnegan by Jasmine Warga
A delightful tale of rescue dog Finnegan and cheetah cub Chase. When the zookeeper needs a friend for the cheetah cub she’s training, Finnegan accompanies her to the zoo, finding friendship in an unlikely place. This is a story of soaring hope and kindness.
– Rae Ann, Parnassus Books in Nashville, Tennessee
Judgy Bunny and the Terrible Beach by Scott Rothman, Linzie Hunter (Illus.)
Judgy Bunny will steal your heart with her cuteness, even though she’s very, VERY grouchy. Adorable, relatable, with bright, fun illustrations that are sure to turn any sour mood around. Perfect for a read-aloud!
– Amanda, Pearl’s Books in Fayetteville, Arkansas
Such a cute story about a child learning how to become a “big kid” and the importance of not losing their shoe. I loved how the book gently teaches kids how to tie their shoelaces in a fun, simple way.
– Erika, Righton Books in St Simons Island, Georgia
Gunnar the Viking’s Great Pizza Adventure by Diego Vaisberg
A cute story about a conqueror who is missing something and finds his missing piece when he tries a slice of pizza! The illustrations are hilarious: the snake with the knife, the pizza disaster, the wave of tomato sauce and Viking boat on an actual wave scene is amazing.
– Kait, The Haunted Book Shop in Mobile, Alabama
Shrinking Violet by Laurel Snyder, LeUyen Pham (Illus.)
Gorgeous, and a helpful context for young readers about anxiety and worry. How do we do big things when we feel small? How do we shore ourselves up when the occasion demands it? Snyder, as always, provides gentle, reflective solutions to hard questions.
– Amelia, Long Story Books in Atlanta, Georgia
Ramin Abbas Has MAJOR Questions by Ahmad Saber
Ramin is a Pakistani-Canadian boy who just wants to get through his senior year at his Muslim high school without anyone finding out that he’s gay. Ramin’s sincerity, questions, and earnest attempts to find a path that honored all parts of himself captured my heart.
– Fisher, Carmichael’s Bookstore in Louisville, Kentucky
Featuring reviews of:
- Whidbey by T Kira Madden, reviewed by Kandi, WordsWorth Books in Little Rock, Arkansas
- The Loon Counters, reviewed by Nancy, Bookmiser in Marietta, Georgia
- The Beginning Comes After the End by Rebecca Solnit, reviewed by Megan, The Underground Bookshop in Carrollton, Georgia
- Red Rising Sons of Ares Omnibus by Pierce Brown, reviewed by Erika, Righton Books in St Simons Island, Georgia
- Bartleby by Matt Phelan, reviewed by Kimberly, The Country Bookshop in Southern Pines, North Carolina
- Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates, reviewed by Nichole, Bodacious Bookstore and Cafe in Pensacola, Florida
- The Lions’ Run by Sara Pennypacker, reviewed by Susan , M. Judson Booksellers in Greenville, South Carolina
- Bookseller Buzz: 200 Monas by Jan Saenz, reviewed by Anna, The Underground Bookshop, Carrollton, Georgia; Zack, Novel., Memphis, Tennessee; Kate, Plaid Elephant Books, Danville, Kentucky; Annastasia, The Bottom, Knoxville, Tennessee