Here at the Writing Barn, we are always counting down the days to new books being released by our friends who have taught or taken classes with us. In January, we shared a list of a few of our favorites coming out this year, and since then, we’ve already added MANY more. Check out some of these forthcoming books by our incredibly talented WB family.
Stuck! The Story of La Brea Tar Pits by Joyce Uglow
Stuck! The Story of La Brea Tar Pits by Joyce Uglow is a story about the La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles, California and the millions of fossils and species that collected in them. Little science lovers will explore this compelling, non-fiction story through lyrical lines and entrancing illustrations that may captivate even the least interested nature focused kiddo. This book fell onto shelves on March 4th and is ready to get stuck on your bookshelves this spring!
Join us tomorrow on Saturday (3/8) for the FREE Book Launch Event!
Ripening Time by Patrice Gopo
Food and family entwine in this meaningful and poetic telling of waiting for the rewarding moment that plantains are finally ripe enough to throw them into the frying pan and pass the plate around for everyone to enjoy. Patrice Gopo shows the importance of patience for the good things in life in Ripening Time where delicious foods and everlasting memories can connect generations. This book will be ready to pick up on April 22nd, 2025 and is available for pre-order today.
Hedgehog Whodunit: The Carousel Caper by Heather Preusser
Hedgehog Whodunit: The Carousel Caper is the second volume of the series by Heather Preusser following the mysterious adventures of Hitch the problem-solving hedgehog and Vinnie the food-loving rat. This merry-go-round mischief begins when an unknown prankster takes the wooden cheetah of the City Zoo’s carousel. If Hitch and Vinnie don’t solve this case whose to say they wont keep taking more animals? Will chaos spread throughout the entire zoo? Solve the puzzle with this detective duo on July 8th also available for preorder.
Abuelita’s Song by Gloria Amescua
As a young boy he always requested his mother to sing his favorite song, “La canción del corazón” and as time went on, once he became a father he would sing it to his daughters. Written by Gloria Amescua, Abuelita’s Song takes place when Abuelita decides to pay a visit and the girls plan a special surprise of performing her loving lullaby. Music and family build a bridge for generations to stay intertwined and remembered. This sweet picture book is available for pre-order and will be released on May 20th, 2025.
Batter Up for the First Day of School! by Bethany Hegedus
Batter Up for the First Day of School! written by WB Founder Bethany Hegedus follows a pair of Twins for their first day of school at Grand Slams Elementary School. With punny prose and lively baseball terms, this picture book makes the perfect gift to encourage young students who are stepping up the plate for their first day of school and get them eager for every day after that. Slide these books onto your bookshelves after they’re released on May 13th or preorder it today.
Kaho’owale: A True Story of an Island and Her People by Kamalani Hurley
Birthed from a volcanic eruption, the island of Kaho’olawe was able to flourish with animals that lived near her land and sea. As the years passed, Kaho’olawe became home to Polynesian voyagers who raised their families and lived in harmony with the island. That is until an invasive species of goats began to devastate the ecosystem and the decades that fell behind brought World War II and suffering for not only the natives but the Island herself. Discover how important it was for the activists who did everything they could to claim the Kaho’olawe back for her people and her wildlife. This inspirational tale written by Kamalani Hurley has already waded onto bookshelves this past month on February 4th, and is ready to make waves for kiddos interested in learning the history of Kaho’olawe.
So Many Books by Sue Fliess and Ann Marie Stephens
This rhythmically written story, So Many Books, by Sue Fliess and Ann Marie Stephens is set to pique the interest of reading books anywhere, everywhere, with anyone or on your own. Explore the different ways and settings you can relax and get lost in a book with this delightfully illustrated title meant to get little ones in the mindset that a book of any subject can help the time fly by wherever they may be. Look forward to flipping through these pages on April 10th, 2025, available for pre-order today.
Add these books to your must-read list for the Spring time and share some of your favorites with us. Creativity never stops for writers, and new books releases are not only an accomplishment for our WB family and friends, but the encouragement that after a persistent rainfall of rejection is the rewarding rainbow of approval.
About the Author
Ciera De Los Santos has had a fascination with the written word since she learned about the remarkable world of Greek mythology and other fairy tales alike from across the globe. With a goal to travel the world, she’s returning to school to be able to teach and connect with people on a global scale. After working over six years in customer service, and learning skills that she’ll cherish forever, she’s excited to put them to use towards her new objective of being a personal/virtual assistant and social media manager. Ciera also enjoys occult novels, self help books, and other activities such as crocheting and cooking meals that remind her of her family.