Thank you so much for joining YABC as we team up with Penguin Random House to welcome in the upcoming school year with a fantastic giveaway!
Check out the books being offered and enter this amazing giveaway below.
Axl the Axolotl is Not a Frog
Title: Axl the Axolotl is Not a Frog
Author: Benj Pasek, Justin Paul and John Paul Brammer
Illustrator: Vanessa Morales
Publisher: Flamingo Books
Release Date: 4/14/2026
Introducing Axl the Axolotl!
On the first day of school, Axl the Axolotl finds where he belongs in this charming story about learning to love the things that make you different.
It was the first day of school in Flower Bed Lake, and every little creature knew exactly where to go. Everyone, that is, except Axl. The fish, lizards, and frogs all headed to their own schools to learn how to glub glub and ribbit, but there was only one of Axl. Will he ever find where he belongs?
From EGOT-winning songwriters Benj Pasek & Justin Paul, the songwriters behind The Greatest Showman and Dear Evan Hansen, and author JP Brammer comes a story of a brave and curious axolotl who is determined to find where he belongs. Brought to life by Vanessa Morales, this is a funny and affirming story about loving the things that make you unique and that finding the place you belong might look different than you expected. Complete with fascinating, kid-friendly facts about axolotls!
A Day Off School
Title: A Day Off School
Author: Oliver Jeffers
Illustrator: Kevin Waldron
Publisher: Philomel Books
Release Date: 7/7/2026
A hilarious picture book from the mind of #1 New York Times bestselling creator Oliver Jeffers, about what incredible things you might miss if you take the day off school . . .
A whole day off school! ALL TO HIMSELF!!
When Herbie has the sniffles, he stays home from school. It’s exciting to have time to play Space Blasters and watch cartoons. But by lunchtime, he wonders what fun he might be missing at school. What if there’s an extra playtime, a dog on the loose . . . or even A PIRATE INVASION?
A hilarious, action-packed story from globally bestselling picture book creator Oliver Jeffers and award-winning illustrator Kevin Waldron.
All the Ways We Learn
Title: All the Ways We Learn
Author: Chloe Ito Ward
Illustrator: Yaroslava Apollonova
Publisher: Rise x Penguin Workshop
Release Date: 7/7/2026
An empowering picture book celebrating the many ways kids learn best.
Not every child learns by sitting still and staying quiet. Some kids learn by jumping and tapping their feet. Others by building, drawing, or making a joyful mess. However they learn, all kids deserve to feel proud of and confident in themselves! This book celebrates the many brilliant and beautiful ways kids take in the world, helping them feel seen, supported, and loved.
Created by a neurodivergent author and illustrator team, with back matter to learn more about neurodivergence and simple accommodations, this is an essential reminder that there’s no one right way to learn.
Better Than a Touchdown
Title: Better Than a Touchdown
Author: Jalen Hurts
Illustrator: Nneka Myers
Publisher: Flamingo Books
Release Date: 3/10/2026
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts comes an empowering story about friendship, the power of teamwork, and achieving goals together.
Jalen is so excited for the new school year because this is the year he’ll finally get to try out for the football team! But when he arrives at school, he learns the unthinkable—that the football team has been cut. He and his friends are devastated. But Jalen isn’t ready to give up, and with some advice from some friends, maybe—just maybe—they can save the day.
Better than a Touchdown is a love letter to the power of community, being there for one another, and how a piece of good advice can change the course of a day. Told with Jalen’s signature wisdom and gorgeous art by Nneka Myers, Better than a Touchdown carries a message we can all learn from: that by working together, there’s nothing we can’t accomplish.
~ Giveaway Details ~
Use the Rafflepress Form below to enter
* Be sure to include a complete mailing address for the second entry question to qualify to win*
Two (2) winners will receive a copy of each book in the Penguin Random House Back To School Giveaway ~ US ONLY!
