Publisher Preview (Fall 2026): Lantana, Little Island, nubeOcho, and Pajama Press

Why stop now? There are still so many small publishers out there to consider. Today we continue our focus on small pubs and their Fall 2026 wares. My kids may be in school, but by gum autumn isn’t quite here yet…

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Funcles by Yashika Mody, ill. Adriena Fong

ISBN: 9781836290506

Publication Date: November 3, 2026

Okay, this sounds a little strange, but I’ll stand by it. Fun aunt picture books abound, but fun uncle books? They’re there, sure, but to a far lesser agree. I never thought I’d live to see the day when we could talk fun aunt vs. fun uncle books, but there’s a lot of stuff going on in 2026 that I couldn’t have predicted even 5 years ago, so let’s go with it. The name of the game with this book? Chosen family. When a classroom assignment asks for a family tree, one child knows he’ll need more than just one sheet since he has a gazillion uncles! But technically? Those guys he calls “uncle” aren’t blood relations. Even so, they’re family in their own separate ways. A cute idea about extended family that I’ve not seen presented this way before.

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Flyaway Boy by Jane De Suza, illustrated by Richa Bhembre

ISBN: 9781836290575

Publication Date: September 1, 2026

As neurodivergence takes more of a center stage in parents’ lives in the 21st century, so too do books for kids featuring neurodivergent characters. Still… look at what’s on offer to your average child reader. Most of these books are picture books. Children’s literature is no monolith, so it’s really good to see an early chapter book featuring a main character like Kabir. He’s the kind of kid who’s been labeled as “too different” at school, while at home he’s misunderstood. He can’t seem to fit into the “normal” world. As such, the book focuses on the the way he learns and interacts with people and what they, in turn, learn about him.

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Let’s Play Soccer! by Gordon D’Arcy and Paul Howard & illustrated by Ashwin Chacko

ISBN: 9781912417469

Publication Date: September 1, 2026

Lord knows, I have no clue why the creators of this series opted to begin the series with “Let’s Play Rugby” when the obvious choice “Let’s Play Soccer!” was staring them in the face. Par-TICK-ularly in a World Cup year.

So, yes, this book isn’t being released until after the World Cup, but it’s not as if soccer won’t be around for quite a while. Also, has anyone else noticed how America publishers completely fell down on the job when it came to new soccer books in 2026? Invariably, time and again, it was the European publishers that picked up the slack. Not always (there are a few exceptions) but as a general rule it’s weird that our pubs didn’t see it coming.

This title is a heart-pumping interactive picture book that puts young readers in the shoes of a soccer player competing for the championship cup, while also teaching the kids the basic skills of the game along the way. Think of it as a highly interactive title with a different call to action on each page. Sometimes it’ll ask you to kick your foot to start the game. Sometimes it’ll tell you to come up with your own goal dance. Bonus: It features both girls and boys playing the sport together, which is great. Very inclusive.

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The Blackout by Luis Amavisca, ill. Francesc Rovira

ISBNs: English ISBN: 9791388132001

Spanish ISBN: 9781387834982

Publication Date: October 6, 2026

If you can count on the publisher nubeOcho for anything, it’s to produce bilingual English/Spanish books on the day of publication. Too often are Spanish editions of titles, which were originally published in English, delayed by months, and sometimes even years. Not so with nubeOcho.

This latest release focuses on a blackout that happened in Spain (which is a bit novel since it usually feels like every blackout picture book released in American is about NYC). The family in this book lives in an apartment building. When it becomes known that an older woman on the top floor has a gas stove, everyone combines their food and she cooks a meal for them all. This allows for a wonderful moment of community. Consider pairing this alongside John Rocco’s 2011 title Blackout.

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I Am a Growl by Kari-Lynn Winters

ISBN: 9781772783803

Publication Date: August 14, 2026

Those who know me know that I’m a bit of a sucker for photography in children’s books. And when that photography appears in board book form? Fugettaboutit. I’m there. Instant success. This particular title was born to be used in an interactive storytime. Essentially, you get to make different sounds with your child readers, alongside images of kids in facepaint. Turn the page and voila! The photograph of an actual animal that would make that noise. I tell you, it’s a great combination. And best of all? The book apparently contains facepainting tips!!

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Listening for Tigers by Michelle Kadarusman

ISBN: 9781772783780

Publication Date: October 13, 2026

2026 is clearly the year of the Tasmanian Tiger (and if you read You Are Now Old Enough to Hear This then you’ll understand what I mean when I say that). In this tale, Louisa is a brilliant violinist who is spending summer vacation far from the city and with her new friends in Tasmania. When she learns that a de-extinction group has heard rumors of a Tasmanian Tiger, she desperately wants to protect the mysterious creature from the group itself. It’s an interesting twist on environmental tales, and one that I’m legitimately looking forward to reading myself.

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And that’s all for today! Thanks to Ellen Myrick and the good folks at Publisher Spotlight for allowing me to showcase some of their upcoming titles. Enjoy, folks!

Filed under: Publisher Previews