Publisher Spotlight Spring/Summer 2026 Preview (Part Five): Pajama Press, Post Wave, Tiger Tales, and Walker Books

It’s, at long last, our final publisher preview coming to us via Ellen Myrick and Publisher Spotlight. You can read parts one and two and three and four as well, if you’ve a notion. I’ve certainly no objections. In the meantime, let’s dig into some seriously neat books!

The Setback by Lynn Leitch

ISBN: 9781772783629

Publication Date: February 24, 2026

Sports books are growing increasingly intriguing to me these days. Maybe it’s the fact that I have a son that’s a huge soccer and baseball fan/player. He sort of reminds me of the kid in this book. Why? Because he’s he kind who does all the sports. He and his best friend have been the stars of their teams for years. But that’s before puberty comes and hits his friend over the head with a growth spurt, leaving our hero behind. With additional discussions of type 1 diabetes and other issues, this book isn’t afraid to go there. Feels like a lot of kids will be able to relate to this topic.

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Pasta, Pasta, Pasta! by Sarah Finan

ISBN: 9798895090404

Publication Date: February 17, 2026

For those of you charmed by last year’s die-cut laden board book title, Banana Banana Banana, I have good news. A different (but still yellow) title has come to join it on your toddler’s shelves. And like its predecessor, this book features a fun text and die-cuts that are somehow both creative and satisfying.

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Jacomini by Rébecca Dautremer

ISBN: 9798895090428

Publication Date: March 3, 2026

Do any of you happen to remember that incredibly original (and difficult to pigeonhole) picture book adjacent title Jacominus from 2025? A reminder:

If that cover is ringing any bells for you, you’re going to get a HUGE kick out of this next book. Alternatively, if you’ve never seen that cover a day of your life, you’re in for a treat. Our hero Jackominus is back, only this time in a board book. Told with a simple text, it’s sweet and fun, but you know why I particularly love it? Check out that knitting! Accurate within an inch of its life, it is!

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The Tiger Child by Michelle Beech

ISBN: 9798895090572 ​

Publication Date: April 21, 2026

Surely I can’t be the first person to look at this title and immediately think of that David LaRochelle classic It’s a Tiger, can I? Of course, this storyline is distinctly different. Where in that book the child is running away from a tiger, here a nervous, introverted child follows a sly tail and makes friends with a tiger instead.

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Mabel and Merryglow: The Spark created by Anne Montel​, written by Loïc Clement, illustrated by Julien Arnal, and ​translated by Charis Ainslie

ISBN: 9798895090732 ​

Publication Date: May 5, 2026

Armelle the turtle (and isn’t that just about the best turtle name you ever did hear?) fears the dark of night. Fortunately, she’s about to make a friend that helps her with her phobias. This is most definitely a graphic novel, and one with rather cinematic illustrations. Really gorgeous art imbues this touching tale.

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This Is What a Slug Does by Aniek Bartels

ISBN: 9798895090695 ​

Publication Date: June 2, 2026

I kind of love this. If you have ever wondered how a slug sees without eyes or why it leaves behind that slimy trail, this takes a deep dive into the surprisingly weird world of slugs – complete with fascinating facts and one truly creepy head-regrowing trick. Thought they may initially seems like a simple life form, they’re more complicated than we thought. Lots of great nonfiction info inside and, of course, slime.

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Brilliant Sun, Luminous Moon by Anges Monod-Gayraud & illustrated by Elin Manon

ISBN: 9798895090510 ​

Publication Date: June 16, 2026

I’m sorry, but they’re producing an entire book of origin myths from around the world??? TAKE MY MONEY!! Seriously, though, this is huge. What you’ll find is this beautifully illustrated book that works in two parts. One side is dark, but flip it over and the other is bright, meeting in the middle in a perfect eclipse. Just counting the days until I can see this firsthand for myself (and my lists).

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Carnival Queen by Donette Williams-Henry & illustrated by Amélie-Anne Calmo

ISBN: 9781664300606

Publication Date: January 6, 2026

Folks are always asking me about gaps in our picture book collections. Here’s one that I hadn’t considered before: Not many books about Carnival aren’t about Mardi Gras (or occasionally Rio). How is that fair? In this story, Carly excitedly gets ready for Carnival, but is upset when her dress rips. That is, until the other mas bands help. Also cool? There is a really nice range of body types and sizes in this book. Worth discovering.

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Don’t Do It Doug! by Maudie Powell-Tuck & illustrated by Duncan Beedie

ISBN: 9781664300798 ​

Publication Date: February 10, 2026

It probably won’t surprise you to hear that this title comes from the same team that did those Hank Goes Honk books. The name of the game with this title? Self-regulation! And what better comic foil to use than this cheery little hamster with very little impulse control. I feel Doug. After a read of this book, you will too.

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Marcie and Giraffe by Kim Gregory

ISBN: 9781664300897

Publication Date: March 10, 2026

A title that falls squarely into that space where you can find books like No, David. Which is to say, Kim Gregory is an accomplished artist who can also draw like a child when she wants to. In this story we meet Marcie. Marcie loves art and to paint, but then Giraffe comes along and does a picture that is WAY better than Marcie’s. Needless to say, she is not happy with that. I love the image here of her little mad self. Best of all, it contains great lines like, “I’m feeling very fierce and scribbly”. I feel like that will be somebody’s family phrase someday.

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Frankenkitty by Maudie Powell-Tuck & illustrated by Mini Grey​

ISBN: 9781664300972

Publication Date: July 7, 2026

Oh, my stars and garters, could it be? Do we have a BRAND NEW MINI GREY title on our hands??? We do? Huzzah! Of course, she’s illustrating someone else’s text, but I’ll take it! Told by disembodied body parts. in this story a mad scientist creates a frankenkitty. The book sports some particularly Addams Family vibes. Hand to those little kids in search of something “scary” (but not really).

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Neville’s Great Escape by Sean E. Avery

ISBN: 9781761602542 ​

Publication Date: March 4, 2026

When last we saw our hero, he was in the process of being eaten by a whale. So do any of you happen to remember the rather charming picture book Frank’s Red Hat? It looked a little something like this:

This book chooses to continue to follow Neville’s adventures post-devourement. Loneliness is staved off pretty early by making a friend inside the (nicely furnished) whale. Were you hoping for a picture book to sport “A Dr. Strangelove” moment? Your prayers have been answered!

That’s it! Thanks once more to Ellen Myrick and Publisher Spotlight for passing these along. It’s definitely turning into a fine publishing season in 2026.

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