April Picks for Elementary Education

By Tina Parmar | March 31 2026 | Children'sElementary Education

Explore our April picks for grades pre-k-6th featuring picture books, chapter books, middle grade and leveled readers. These selections are perfect for classrooms, supporting reading development and engaging every student.  Additionally, these books have been carefully curated to cater to diverse interests and learning styles. Whether it’s a tale of adventure or a lesson in empathy, our picks are sure to inspire and delight young minds.

Here is the complete April Pick list.

Also, don’t miss these new title collections you may have missed. It is a perfect way to find new classroom additions your students will love!

Themes

Poetry

Educator Favorites

Authors & Illustrators

Oliver Jeffers

Chris Grabenstein 

Ryan T. Higgins

 

9781368104197
Lilibet has lots of friends—it’s just that they are all imaginary! Can she build the perfect real-life friend? With a relatable neurodivergent main character and a message of friendship and acceptance, this funny and heartfelt picture book is perfect for 3-7 year olds.
$18.99 US
Apr 07, 2026
FOC Mar 09, 2026
Hardcover
40 Pages
Disney Hyperion
World

9798217141395
Follow this fantastic fox as he outwits the farmers to prepare a feast for his family!
$5.99 US
Apr 07, 2026
Paperback
32 Pages
Penguin Young Readers
US, Canada, Open Mkt

9781963183429
Support Your Toddler’s Speech Development Through Imitation, Interactive Play, and Learning Shapes
$14.99 US
Apr 07, 2026
Board Book
38 Pages
Paige Tate & Co
World

9780593649800
Discover where creatures go when the sun goes down in this interactive and rhythmic bedtime read for sleepy animal lovers by an award-winning creator!
$18.99 US
Apr 07, 2026
Hardcover
40 Pages
Knopf Books for Young Readers
World

9798217227846
Choose your guardian. Choose your destiny. A new epic fantasy from the #1 bestselling author of the Fablehaven and Beyonders series.
$12.00 US
Apr 14, 2026
Paperback
528 Pages
Labyrinth Road
US, Canada, Open Mkt
Export Edition

9798217115488
Join a proud young pet owner in this heartwarming Step 1 Phonics Reader! Discover all the amazing things her pet rat can do, but most importantly, how much they love each other. Perfect for children who know the alphabet and are excited to start decoding letter sounds.
$5.99 US
Apr 14, 2026
Paperback
32 Pages
Random House Books for Young Readers
World

9781101994627
A sound-inspired scavenger hunt and fast-paced mystery about family and friendships lost and found.
$17.99 US
Apr 21, 2026
Hardcover
224 Pages
Dutton Books for Young Readers
US, Canada, Open Mkt

9798217051748
From two–time GRAMMY® Award–winning musician Laufey comes a bewitching picture book about overcoming mistakes and believing in oneself.
$18.99 US
Apr 21, 2026
Hardcover
32 Pages
Penguin Workshop
US, Canada, Open Mkt

9780593649657
Discover how one grumpy bird and one optimistic worm become friends in this start to a sweet, giggle-inducing early reader series from Geisel award-winning creator Greg Pizzoli.
$7.99 US
Apr 28, 2026
Paperback
72 Pages
Knopf Books for Young Readers
World

9780593180006
In the second book of this epic fantasy series, eleven year old Amy's malfunctioning paintbrush accidentally paints a portal to a mythical world! Amy must undergo a Trial to prove her worth as the guardian of the magic paintbrush before it loses its power.“Gorgeous and gripping, The Magic Paintbrush swoops readers off on rip-roaring fantasy adventure…”  Soman Chainani, author of THE SCHOOL FOR GOOD AND EVIL series
$8.99 US
Apr 28, 2026
Paperback
240 Pages
Yearling
World

9798217141760
Let’s have a tea party with The Very Hungry Caterpillar!
$10.99 US
Apr 28, 2026
Board Book
14 Pages
World of Eric Carle
World

9780593691946
The second adventure in the #1 New York Times bestselling Chronicles of Whetherwhy series from acclaimed author Anna James. Perfect for fans of Skandar and the Unicorn Thief, Impossible Creatures, and Dragonborn!
$9.99 US
Apr 28, 2026
Paperback
272 Pages
Flamingo Books
US, Opn Mkt (no CAN)

9780593813072
Everyone's favorite fourth grader, Gracie Wei, is back for her third chapter book adventure, mustering up the courage to brave the haunted house with her friends and prove that she’s all grownup—for fans of Ivy and Bean and Dory Fantasmagory.
$6.99 US
Apr 28, 2026
Paperback
96 Pages
Knopf Books for Young Readers
World