May 6-May 12 is Children’s Book Week – a celebration of children’s literature and the joy of reading since 1919. The theme for this year’s Children’s Book Week is No Rules, Just Read, which is one mantra even a rule follower like me can get behind. Another one: read local! Here are 20 kid’s books by Austin area authors to add to your shelf this children’s book week, including those participating in next weekend’s Greater Austin Book Festival at the Austin Central Library.
Butt or Face, Vol. 2: Revenge of the Butts (2024)
by Kari Lavelle 
The brand-new irreverent yet educational sequel that asks the age-old question – is it a butt or a face? The axolotl is a favorite in our house.
The King Penguin (2023)
by Vanessa Roeder
It’s all fun and games bossing your subjects around until they try to eat you! Go see Vanessa, complete in penguin suit, read The King Penguin at the Greater Austin Book Festival next Saturday at 10:30.
B is for Boy Bands (2022)
by Ali Tierney 
It’s gonna be MAY, and this picture book by Austin Moms’ own editor, Ali Tierney is here to help you talk to your kids about the Tiger Beat posters in your childhood bedroom.
Baking With Mi Abuelita (2023)
by Julissa Mora
This step 2 early reader celebrates the tradition of baking tres leches cake with grandparents. See Julissa read Baking With Mi Abuelita at the Greater Austin Book Festival next Saturday at 11.
Ginger Mancino, Kid Comedian (2022)
by Wendi Aarons 
From the author who gave the world An Open Letter to Mr. James Thatcher, Brand Manager, Procter & Gamble in McSweeney’s, this middle grade novel follows Ginger as she uses humor to survive the horrors of middle school.
W is for Weird: An Austin Alphabet (2017)
by Lori Otto Samocha
This alphabetical guide to Austin explores all the things that make our city great. Go see Lori Otto Samocha read from W is for Weird at Greater Austin Book Festival on Saturday at 11:30.
REPRESENT! Vol. 1: 30 true stories of trailblazers, artists, athletes, and adventurers with disabilities (2024)
by Rosalie & Hunter Mastaler 
Meet 30 people with disabilities and read their stories of pursuing their dreams, doing what they love, and representing their communities.
Jerry Changed the Game!: How Engineer Jerry Lawson Revolutionized Video Games Forever (2023)
by Don Tate
This children’s biography explores the life of Jerry Lawson, the Black engineer who founded VideoSoft, Inc. and paved the way for the future of video games. See Don read from Jerry Changed The Game at Greater Austin Book Festival on Saturday at noon.
Mr. Thatcher’s House (2022)
by Kristin Wauson 
My kids love Mr. Thatcher’s House, the debut picture book by author and illustrator Kristin Wauson. The familiar cast of characters that come knocking on Mr. Thatcher’s door will keep your kids asking you to read this one over and over.
Lou (2022)
by Breanna Carzoo
This unlikely hero is more than a urinal for dogs, and he’s out to prove it! See Breanna read from Lou at the Greater Austin Book Festival on Saturday at 12:30.
Miss Quinces (2022)
by Kat Fajardo 
This graphic novel by Honduran-Colombian middle grade author Kat Fajardo playfully captures the angst of young adults caught between two cultures. (I’m with them – I’d rather stay home and read manga than go put on a fluffy dress for family, too.)
The Ghosts of Rancho Espanto (2023)
by Adrianna Cuevas
This spooky middle grade novel by Cuban-American Adrianna Cuevas has it all: video games, ghosts, and slushees. Come see Adrianna read from The Ghosts of Rancho Espanto at the Greater Austin Book Festival on Saturday at 1.
Little Owl’s Love (2022)
by Divya Srinivasan 
The fourth book in the Little Owl picture book series explores all the things in nature that Little Owl loves. My kids are waiting for the Little Owl stuffy to add to their stuffed animal zoo.
Animals in Surprising Shades: Poems About Earth’s Colorful Creatures (2023)
by Susan Johnston Taylor
This book of poems for kids who love both verse and science features beautiful illustrations and facts about the animal kingdom. See Susan read from Animals in Surprising Shades at the Greater Austin Book Festival on Saturday at 1:30.
Little Butterfly (2016)
by Laura Logan
This wordless picture book for the youngest Austinites is perfect for butterfly migration season, and includes an author’s note with facts about the butterfly lifecycle and migration.
Fridge-opolis (2022)
by Melissa Coffey 
This debut picture book is a perfectly silly introduction to the serious topic of food waste. See Melissa read from Fridge-opolis at the Greater Austin Book Festival on Saturday at 2.
Lolo’s Light (2022)
by Liz Garton Scanlon
This middle grade novel from prolific local children’s author Liz Garton Scanlon stars a young babysitter navigating unbelievable grief and all the emotions that go along with it. It’s an honest and emotional introduction to grief and loss.
Friends Beyond Measure (2023)
by Lalena Fisher 
Friends Beyond Measure explores the world of infographics, including maps, diagrams, charts, timelines, and so much more! See Lalena read from Friends Beyond Measure at the Greater Austin Book Festival on Saturday at 2:30.
The Pied Piper of Austin (2009)
by Salima Alikhan 
A hyperlocal take by author-illustrator Salima Alikhan on the childhood classic The Pied Piper of Hamlin, this picture book sees the piper dispatched to take care of Austin’s bat problem.
Last One Alive Gets the Cookie! (2018)
by Brian Anderson
The latest addition to the Dog Eat Doug children’s comic book series, Last One Alive Gets the Cookie! features a baby boy (Doug) and his dog (Sophie) in a cookie jar caper.
