Picture books

By Tasha Spillett-Sumner, illustrated by Michaela Goade | Little, Brown, $18.99, ages 4-8, in stores April 6.

Inniniwak (Cree) and Trinidadian writer Tasha Spillett-Sumner draws on her Native heritage to tell a loving story of a mother and infant. “I loved you before I met you,” she says. As the baby grows inside of her, the mother gathers significant objects — a feather, a pebble, a quilt — to give to her child.

In January, Michaela Goade, who is Tlingit, became the first Native artist to win the prestigious Caldecott Medal. Her dreamy watercolor and mixed media illustrations for this book swirl and sparkle with violet and blue swooshes and recurring patterns of stars.

By Joyce Sidman, illustrated by Miren Asiain Lora

Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, $18.99, ages 5-9

Joyce Sidman’s keen eye for the natural world informs her many books of poetry. Her latest, “Hello, Earth!,” is framed as a conversation between a curious person and the planet itself, and it explores the mind-boggling concept that our solid Earth is actually one tiny rock hurtling through space.

The poet’s poems — coupled with artist Miren Asiain Lora’s stark but lovely watercolor and acrylic paintings — emphasize the tininess of humans in comparison to the vastness of space. Text at the end of the book gets less poetic, more science-y, with facts, suggested projects and other resources. This book will fill you with awe.

By Ludwig Bemelmans

Thames and Hudson, $18.95, ages 3 and up

Ludwig Bemelmans is best known for his Paris-set “Madeline” books, but “Sunshine,” first published in 1950, is his ode to New York City. Mr. Sunshine is very picky about who can rent his apartment — he wants someone quiet, with no pets and who will pay rent on time. Miss Moore seems a perfect tenant — until it turns out she runs a music school.

The illustrations will be familiar to “Madeline” lovers, as will Bemelmans’ rhythmic rhyme.

By Meg Medina, illustrated by Sonia Sánchez

Candlewick Press, $17.99, ages 5-7

Evelyn Del Rey is Daniela’s best friend, “my mejor amiga,” she says. They play every day, their apartments are mirror images of each other, and their fertile imaginations grow even wilder when they are together. But Evelyn is moving away. In this ebullient celebration of friendship, the girls waste no time — they throw themselves into playing every last second, until it’s time to part.

Newbery medalist Meg Medina tells a story full of love and strength, and Sonia Sánchez’s vivid digital illustrations are fused with flat-out joy.

By Kelly Bennett, illustrated by Noah Z. Jones

Candlewick Press, $16.99, ages 4-8

Norman, the goldfish from “Not Norman,” is back, and the boy who owns him wants the world to know how special Norman is. Together, they work out a routine for the annual Pet-O-Rama, with synchronized movements, a tuba and Norman’s famous singing. But at a crucial moment, the goldfish is stricken with stage fright.

This charming story by Kelly Bennett, with bright primary-color illustrations by Noah Z. Jones, celebrates teamwork and friendship.

By Margaret Sturton

Andersen Press, $17.99,

ages 4-9, April 6

Cat wants to plant a garden, but her sister Puss won’t help. “I just want to play!” says Puss. But when the time comes to harvest the vegetables and make a fine meal, will Cat share? Author and illustrator Margaret Sturton uses fresh, spring-like colors in her digital collages and packs each page with wonderful details to bring the joys of gardening — and sisterhood — to life.

By Gustavo Roldan, translated from Spanish by Robert Croll

Archipelago Books, $22, ages 3 and up, May 4

Juan Hormiga has two supreme talents: napping, and retelling his grandfather’s early adventures. And then one day, Juan Hormiga decides to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps. But after he leaves, a torrential rainstorm washes Juan away — or does it?

This fable, written and illustrated by Argentine author Gustavo Roldan, is a homage to storytelling and the power of myth.

By Alexandria Giardino and Anna and Elena Balbusso

Creative Editions, 18.99, ages 6 and up

To most of the children in the playground, the tree stump was just that — an old, dead stump. It had once been a “tall tree with apples to eat, branches to swing from and a trunk to climb.” But no one gives it a second glance until a young girl comes by. As she rests on the stump, she begins to imagine the vibrant life the tree once had. “I see you,” she whispers. And under the little girl’s attention, it turns out the stump isn’t dead at all.

Alexandria Giardino’s story celebrates the importance of friendship and of recognizing the overlooked. Anna and Elena Balbusso’s illustrations are lively, but tinged with sepia, as if from long ago.

By Kao Kalia Yang, illustrated by Billy Thao

University of Minnesota Press, $16.95, ages 5 and up, April 13

“Yang Warriors” is a breathtaking book, all the more impressive because the story it tells is true. In the Ban Vinai Refugee Camp in Thailand, where thousands of Hmong families lived following the Vietnam War — and where author Kao Kalia Yang was born — a band of children work to become warriors. They meditate. They practice martial arts. They prepare physically and mentally for battle. And then one morning they slip out of the camp to forage for greens for their hungry families. The children suffer the consequences of their illegal act, but for that day, thanks to them, their families have enough to eat.

“Before lunch they had been naughty children, playing a game,” Yang writes, “but after that meal all of us saw that they were brave and powerful.”

The cheerful graphite pencil and digital illustrations by Hmong artist Billy Thao depict the children as tiny and fierce against a backdrop of barbed wire and distant mountains. His illustrations keep this inspiring story about courage from feeling dark.

By Marsha Diane Arnold and Susan Reagan

Creative Editions, $18.99, ages 6 and up

Little Fox emerges from his den into a night as bright as day. Traffic lights, streetlights, city lights blot out the dark. Birds can’t see the stars to migrate. Frogs wait for dark before singing — but dark doesn’t come. Newly hatched turtle babies head the wrong direction, unable to find the ocean in the blinding light.

This simple story is a gentle reminder that dark is as beautiful and as important as light. An author’s note urges readers to remember Dark Sky Week, which takes place each April.