By Cori Doerrfeld 

When Nellie, the sea turtle, hatches, she knows she must follow her siblings to the sea but finds the crashing waves terrifying. Readers will root for Nellie as she summons her courage to dive in and discover the beauty of the ocean beyond the waves. 

IPC Learning Goal: Resilient, Adaptable, Enquiry, Communicator

by Neil Sharpson, illustrated by Dan Santat

A paranoid narrator comically questions the possibly nefarious nature of fish, painting them as the outlaws of the animal kingdom. This laugh-out-loud tale will have readers seeing fish in a whole new and utterly ridiculous light. This is o-FISH-ially one of the favorite picture books of the year so far. 

IPC Learning Goal: Enquiry, Thoughtful, Respectful, Communicator

by Maile Meloy, illustrated by Felicita Sala 

Unhappy with his recent confinement in an aquarium, a clever octopus plans his daring escape back into the wild. With just the right amount of drama for little ones, this entertaining read will have children clamoring to know more about these brilliant creatures. 

IPC Learning Goal: Resilient, Thinker, Adaptable

by Zadie Smith and Nick Laird, illustrated by Magenta Fox 

A judo-obsessed guinea pig named Maud explores the great outdoors in this delightful tale. Faced with a new experience, Maud boldly ventures into the elements and makes a new hedgehog friend. 

IPC Learning Goal: Adaptable, Respectful, Resilient

by Kallie George, illustrated by Devon Holzwarth 

Readers are whisked away to the beach in this upbeat tale about a young girl who makes culinary creations from sand. The bubbly rhymes are a joy to read aloud, and the eye-catching illustrations of sandy sweets skillfully capture the carefree charm of a beach day. 

IPC Learning Goal: Resilient, Collaborator, Communicator

by Charlotte Cheng, illustrated by Vivian Mineker 

This fascinating biography of a Taiwanese ice-pop entrepreneur is as cool as it gets! Determined to beat the heat, the author’s grandfather used the delicious fruits from Taiwan to create a refreshing frozen concoction that he shared with an entire nation and beyond. 

IPC Learning Goal: Ethical, Resilient, Thinker

by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers 

Duncan’s beloved crayons have disappeared again, but through a series of amusing letters, he discovers they are exploring his house and making unlikely friends in the process. Full of charming artwork and quirky characters, this is an engaging new adventure for this endearing series. 

IPC Learning Goal: Empathetic, Communicator, Collaborator

by Melissa Cristina Márquez, illustrated by Devin Elle Kurtz 

Join Melissa, a young girl from Puerto Rico who loves the sea, as she discovers the magic of the underwater world and its inhabitants. Just as Melissa is about to leave the water, she meets a wise and friendly crab who teaches her the importance of preserving the ocean's treasures. This exciting tale is perfect to read on a sunny day and will leave readers with a newfound appreciation for the beauty and wonder of the sea. 

IPC Learning Goal: Enquiry, Ethical, Resilient

by Kelly Corrigan and Claire Corrigan Lichty, illustrated by George Sweetland 

With her days packed to the brim with activities, Marianne struggles to find time for her true passion: creating! Determined to invent, she hatches a secret plan to skip her dreaded soccer game. When it backfires, she learns the value of honesty and speaking up for what she truly wants. This is an excellent choice for young makers learning to find their voice. 

IPC Learning Goal:Thinker, Resilient, Adaptable, Communicator

by Laura Lavoie, illustrated by Teresa Martínez 

Rollicking rhymes share the high-spirited story of two feuding food trucks in this funny beach read. When a goose moves in on a duck’s taco turf, the feuding fowls learn an essential lesson in collaboration versus conflict. 

IPC Learning Goal: Collaborator Communicator, Respectful