2023 Debut Picture Book Authors

It’s my favorite time of the year when my TBR list grows exponentially with all the amazing new books being published this year. For the past few years, I’ve made it a goal of mine to share debut authors’ and illustrators’ works. It is extremely difficult to get published and even more difficult to get your book into the hands of readers without a HUGE marketing push. That marketing push isn’t often an option for debut authors as publishing houses will spend more money on titles they know will do well. So, it’s often up to the authors to promote their work through social media, reach out to local bookstores and libraries, and talk to everyone they know about their book.

Today, I’m going to share a few of the debut picture book authors that are publishing books this year. I’ve tried to provide the most accurate information possible, but publication dates change sporadically, so don’t hold these dates to be firm. Also, it’s hard to track down debut authors, so if you know of any other debut picture book authors for 2023, add their titles to the comments below so we can share the love!

2023 Debut Author Posts

• Picture Books
• Middle Grade (January – June)
• Middle Grade (July – December)
• YA (January – April)
• YA (May – July)
• YA (August – December)

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2023 Debut Picture Book Authors

• Basketball Dreams
  by Chris Paul, illustrated by Courtney Lovett
  Publication date: January 10, 2023
• A Young Kimolistas
  by Agatha Rodi, illustrated by Mateya Arkova
  Publication date: January 15, 2023
• Missing Violet
  by Kelly Swemba, illustrated by Fabiana Faiallo
  Publication date: January 31, 2023
• Finding Papa
  by Angela Pham Krans, illustrated by Thi Bui
  Publication date: February 7, 2023
• Jack the Library Cat
  by Marietta Apollonio
  Publication date: March 8, 2023
• Dear Star Baby
  by Malcolm Newsome, illustrated by Kamala Nair
  Publication date: April 4, 2023
• I Am a Force
  by Maria Marianayagam, illustrated by Skylar White
  Publication date: May 2, 2023
• Reggie: Kid Penguin
  by Jen de Oliveira
  Publication date: June 6, 2023
• Where Wildflowers Grow
  by Hà Dinh, illustrated by Bao Luu
  Publication date: June 13, 2023
• Molly’s Tuxedo
  by Vicki Johnson, illustrated by Gillian Reid
  Publication date: June 27, 2023
• A Stone Is a Story
  by Leslie Barnard Booth, illustrated by Mare Martin
  Publication date: August 29, 2023
• Giraffe Is Too Tall for This Book
  by DK Ryland
  October 17, 2023
• Waiting for Tomorrow
  by Susan Yoon, illustrated by Julie Kwon
  Publication date: October 24, 2023
• A GIft for Nai Nai
  by Kim-Hoa Ung
  Publication date: December 5, 2023
• Monster Above the Bed
  by Kailei Pew, illustrated by Steph Lew
  Publication date: TBD
• Tokyo Night Parade
  by J.P. Takahashi, illustrated by Minako Tomigahara
  Publication date: TBD