Jason Reynolds writes books that big kids love. His stories include Ghost and Long Way Down.
On October 27, Publishers Weekly shared the news. Reynolds has a picture book on the way. It is called Dig.
A dad, a son, and a shovel
In the book, a dad and his son dig holes together. They dig in the sand. They dig in the snow.
As the pages turn, the years pass. The son grows up. The dad grows older. The digging stays theirs.
“Every time they put that shovel in the ground, there's something there for them. And even if there's not, at least they're together.”
He tried for years
Reynolds said he gave his publisher 20 to 30 picture book ideas over the years. None of them quite worked. Then came Dig, and it clicked.
Funny thing: Dig was the first picture book he ever sold. His book There Was a Party for Langston came out first, in 2023.
Pictures with a story of their own
The artist is Taeeun Yoo. She made the pictures with a paper-cut printing method, then added pencil lines by hand.
The sketching alone took about a year. She said the story made her think about time with her own dad.
When can you read it?
The book comes from Atheneum, part of Simon & Schuster. It comes out on May 4, 2027.
That is a long wait. Put it on your library wish list now, and read There Was a Party for Langston while you wait.
Source: Publishers Weekly, “First Look: S&S Lands New Picture Book from Jason Reynolds and Taeeun Yoo” (Oct. 27, 2026).
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