Fall 2026 Indie Press Children's Books
Independent publishers are releasing six notable children's and YA titles in Fall 2026, exploring themes of home and family.
Six notable children's books from independent presses are scheduled for release in Fall 2026. All explore themes of home and family, featuring fantastical picture books, topical reads for older audiences, and intense YA debuts.
Marilyn Singer's picture book The Very Unusual Pumpkin, illustrated by Maya Shliefer, arrives from Hippo Park in September for ages 4-8. In it, a girl named Lulu finds her grandmother's storytelling lackluster and intervenes to collaboratively create a better tale. Hippo Park editorial director Jill Davis said she was drawn to Singer's narrative voice and the book's loving but honest family dynamic, which was inspired by Singer's desire to write about a "grandma who wasn't so great." Publishers Weekly's review called it a "charismatic story-within-a-story."
Picture Books on Belonging
Joaquín Camp's The Returnus, translated by Inese Silva, is due from Berbay Publishing in October for ages 3-7. The story follows four ancient statues that escape from a museum and search for a way back to their homeland. Berbay publishing director Alexandra Yatomi-Clarke acquired the book, calling it "fresh and different." She said the tale works on multiple levels, touching on debates about returning cultural artifacts and broader themes of home and belonging relevant to immigration discussions.
Graphic Novels and Series
Chanté Timothy's graphic novel Robot Takeover is the second volume in the Supa Nova trilogy, coming from Nosy Crow in September for ages 7-10. The story sees young Black scientist Nova building a robot to do her chores, only for it to go rogue. Nosy Crow executive editor Jennifer B. Greene described the book as kid-friendly and full of laughs, noting it exposes readers to STEM concepts while exploring friendship and sibling relationships.
Author-illustrator Shaun Tan's graphic novel Hometown is his first work of fiction since 2020, publishing with Levine Querido in September for ages 10-14. Publisher Arthur Levine, Tan's longtime editor, called it almost a companion to their 2007 book The Arrival. This story involves a girl in an adopted family who is urged by a creature from the sky to leave for another planet. Publishers Weekly gave it a starred review, calling it a "visually stunning allegory" about home and identity.
Young Adult Debuts
Venezuelan author Alex Mírez's Lies and Secrets, translated by Deluxe Spain, is the first book in the Perfect Liars contemporary romance duology. Wattpad Books will publish it in September for ages 13-17. Wattpad senior editor Fiona Simpson pitched it as "Gossip Girl meets dark academia," following a girl named Jude who infiltrates the world of three wealthy brothers at a university. Simpson noted a massive plot twist and an unreliable narrator. A screen adaptation of the series will begin streaming on Prime Video in November.
Ellie Owens's debut novel Cave Jumpers launches Entangled's new Mischief imprint in January for ages 13 and up. It is the first volume in a fantasy duology with a 250,000-copy first print run. Set in an underwater world, it features an elite order called Jumpers who keep monsters at bay. Mischief editorial director Madison Pelletier said the book fits a niche for readers transitioning from series like Percy Jackson. Editor Lydia Sharp described it as action-forward with a morally gray heroine. After initial concerns from the author's agent about Entangled's unconventional editorial process, Pelletier persisted, and the author later agreed it was the perfect home for the story.
