The Library in the Woods by Calvin Alexander Ramsey and R Gregory Christie - OPTIONAL

The Library in the Woods by Calvin Alexander Ramsey and R Gregory Christie. PICTURE BOOK NON-FICTION Carolrhoda (Lerner), 2025. $20. 9781541599123 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME 

When the crops are destroyed again, Junior's family moves from the country to the city, where his dad can get a more stable job. But things are different. Junior has to wear shoes and watch for traffic and make new friends. His friends introduce him to the Library in the Woods. In the 1950s in Mississippi, black kids couldn't get library cards, so this community made a special library just for them. Junior was amazed! 

A nice author's note gives the reader more information, including the fact that Junior is the author's brother. A lovely tribute to the African American Library in Roxboro, Mississippi. I liked how Junior was more interested in reading than playing with friends, and how he helped bring literacy to his family. A nice selection for a reader looking for something different about Civil Rights. The characters are African American 

Lisa Librarian 

The Day My Brother Became a Tree by Xin Li. - ADVISABLE

The Day My Brother Became a Tree by Xin Li. PICTURE BOOK. Little, Brown and Company, 2026. $19. 9780316492379

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

Owen loved trees. He named all the trees in the yard.  He kept them watered, told them stories, sang them songs and introduced them to all his friends.  One day his parents told him that his family was moving and that they couldn't move the trees. Owen said that he wouldn't move. The next day, Owen dressed up like a tree, holding branches in each hand.  He wouldn't move and started to put down roots.  What can Owen's family do to help him?

I loved LI's humorous tale about moving to a new home.  Li celebrates compassion, imagination, nature, and sibling love with her story.  Li's creative and stunning illustrations are so enjoyable.

PGPowers

Monster Maker: The Strange Creatures of Mark Nagata by Debbi Michiko Florence and Inko Ai Takita - OPTIONAL

Monster Maker: The Strange Creatures of Mark Nagata by Debbi Michiko Florence, illustrated by Inko Ai Takita. BIOGRAPHY, PICTURE BOOK Reycraft, 2025. $11 9781478890645 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

When 9yo Mark received a box of Japanese monster toys from his relatives in Japan, his perception of action figures changed. He watched Ultraman with friends on TV and drew lots and lots of pictures. As an adult, he made his own job, and started a toy company with his own original action figures. 

For kids who are collectors or who love action figures, particularly those familiar with kaiju, this is a great introduction to the creator. I hope the Japanese American National Museum has copies of this book on hand. Includes a nice author's note. Mark is Japanese American. 

Lisa Librarian

King of the Dump by Tim Wynne-Jones and Scot Ritchie - ADVISABLE

King of the Dump by Tim Wynne-Jones, illustrated by Scot Ritchie. PICTURE BOOK. Groundwood Books, 2025. $20. 9781773067483

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Teddy is excited to go to the dump with his dad.  But he is not excited about giving away his toddler ride-along doggie.  Even though Teddy is too tall, he dearly loves this toy.  After learning about recycling plastics, glass, mixed paper and scrap metal, Teddy and his dad visit the "As Is" store where Teddy trades in his ride-along toy for a new treasure! Who knew recycling could be so much fun? 

With adorable illustrations, children and parents will enjoy this journey of recycling and learning to let go of things we've either outgrown or no longer need.  This is a fun book that teaches all (readers and children alike) about the importance of recycling.  I loved the illustrations, especially Teddy's facial expressions.  The large two page illustration of the Waste Management Center could be a fun "search and find" game for parents and children.  The colors are bright and inviting.  This book could be used in any classroom to teach a unit on recycling. 

The "Waste Management Center" two page layout is filled with a variety of ethnic backgrounds and the illustrator did a great job representing each child who might read this book. 

S. Lewis

The Quilt of Our Memories by Desiree Acevedo and Victor Jaubert. - ADVISABLE

The Quilt of Our Memories by Desiree Acevedo illustrated by Victor Jaubert. PICTURE BOOK. Cuento de Luz, 2025. $20. 9788410438033 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

A beautiful quilt is created as generation after generation, each and every woman in this family creates a quilt block representative of different members of the family. Whether a block with beautiful tomatoes from an aunt's garden, or a paint palette representing great-aunt Lola's amazing landscapes on canvas, all the quilt blocks tell a specific and special story. The final quilt block completed represents what family means to the seamstress. There is one block left unfinished for future quilters to complete. 

This sweet book can be used in a classroom on a unit on family traditions, sewing appliqué style, and career choices with gender diversity. The bright, bold colors on each page draw the reader into this sweet story. I loved that the typical female tradition was carried on by surprise posterity. The illustrations are very detailed and will lend to many hours of conversation and perhaps spark childhood stories from one generation to the next. Although sewing/quilting tends to be completed by women, the surprise ending lends to gender diversity. 

S. Lewis

The Biggest Smallest Thing by Sara de Waal and Ana Stretcu - ADVISABLE

The Biggest Smallest Thing by Sara de Waal, illustrated by Ana Stretcu. PICTURE BOOK. Annick Press, 2025. $19. 9781773219455

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: SOME

The story centers on our budding scientist Mo who desperately wants to win the Scintillating Science Symposium. After all, he has the best ideas! Follow along as Mo explores different ways to answer this question and explore the science evident in all his classmate’s entries.

I loved the diversity and representation in the picture book. For example, Mo is Black, his teacher, Ms. Rawlingfort wears a hijab, and the classroom has all kinds of ethnicities and abilities represented. The illustrations are also so fun and charming. They perfectly capture the creativity and chaos present in elementary classrooms. I predict the younger readers won't appreciate the alliteration (or even know what Scintillating is supposed to mean) but I do think they will identify with the different students in Mo's class and enjoy the STEAM based story.

Kiera, ELA teacher, #bookswithbeddes 

The Story Orchestra: The Planets: Musical Puzzle: Press the note to hear Holst's music by Kaddo - ADVISABLE

The Story Orchestra: The Planets: Musical Puzzle: Press the note to hear Holst's music by Kaddo PICTURE BOOK. Kaddo, 2025. $23 9781836006275 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - GIFT - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

This box contains a full puzzle image on a poster as a reference, puzzle pieces, and press the notes buttons that play Holst's music scores. 

Children will thrill as they piece together the jigsaw puzzle showing a brother and sister speeding through The Planets on an out—of—this—world adventure. As they put the shaped pieces into place, they can press the musical notes to hear the vivid sound of an orchestra playing from Holst's original score.
 This musical jigsaw puzzle is the perfect gift to introduce children to classical music. This is a fun way to help students and children learn or review The Planets. The colors are bright and bold. The addition of the musical buttons will thrill little fingers and help makielearning fun. The puzzle pieces are made of heavy construction material that will last many years.

S. Lewis

Sawyer's Big Idea by Kimberly Hatch and Sayani Mukherjee - ADVISABLE

Sawyer's Big Idea written by Kimberly Hatch, illustrated by Sayani Mukherjee. PICTURE BOOK. Magination Press, 2025. $19. 9781433845598

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: SOME

Sawyer wakes up with a brilliant idea, but as he starts working on it, he gets another idea, and another, and another! Before he knows it, his day has flown by and he hasn't done ANYTHING!

An affirming story for anyone who just can't get things done, this picture book helps young readers reframe their attention spans as something to be celebrated rather than derided. There is additional content in the back to help parents and caregivers connect and reflect on their own experiences and big ideas.

Kiera, ELA teacher, #bookswithbeddes 

Gracie Feeds the Birds by Jane Yolen, Peter Tacy, and Frances Ives. - OPTIONAL

Gracie Feeds the Birds by Jane Yolen aand Peter Tacy, illustrated by Frances Ives. PICTURE BOOK Magination Press, 2026. $19. 9781433845659

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

Gracie feeds the birds and thanks each one. The squirrel is unhappy that he has to wait his turn, and not thankful at all. 

I had to think about the message of the book - I guess it's about doing nice things and not expecting thanks. Magination books are usually addressing a more obvious issue - like depression, poverty, standing up to gun violence, dealing with teasing, or a parent with addiction. Gracie Feeds the Birds was much more subtle. Also, Magination Press usually includes online parent/teacher resources; none are provided for this title. As useful as these books usually are (I often run them to our social worker or school psychologist) Jane Yolen's latest is a fine bedtime story. The illustrations are good, and I like learning about all the birds - it just does not deliver the impact I'm used to. Gracie defaults white. 

Lisa Librarian

Light: The Extraordinary Energy That Illuminates Our World by Dr. Jess Wade and Ana Sanelippo - ADVISABLE

Light: The Extraordinary Energy That Illuminates Our World written by Dr. Jess Wade, illustrated by Ana Sanelippo. PICTURE BOOK. Candlewick Press, 2025. $19. 9781536243635

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: SOME

Discover all the amazing complexities of light with this detailed text by physicist & STEM communicator Dr. Jess Wade and colorful illustrations by Ana Sanfelippo.

A delightful exploration of the science of light for any and all budding scientists. The author does a really good job of explaining how light works and how it affects almost every aspect of our world, while still being approachable for young audiences. I loved the main character and her dog on each page, it was a nice visual cue to look for when the topic would change.

Kiera, ELA teacher, #bookswithbeddes

Crocodiles Everywhere by Esteli Meza - ADVISABLE

Crocodiles Everywhere by Esteli Meza. PICTURE BOOK. Rocky Pond Books (Penguin), 2025. $19. 9780593859148

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

A young girl misses best friend, who has moved to another city.  She started seeing two crocodiles staying with her wherever she went.  There was a gray crocodile who would weep for hours, and a loud crocodile who would break things and create chaos.  Nobody else could see them.  When they follow her to her family's beach vacation, the girl decides she needs to talk to them. What will she say to them to get them to stop following her?

Crocodiles Everywhere is a compassionate text to visualize children' s sometimes irrational emotions.  I liked how the crocodiles represented sadness and anger.  Meza's geometric shapes and earth-toned illustrations complemented the story well.

PGPowers

Dad and His Crew Power Through! by Sherri Duskey Rinker and AG Ford - OPTIONAL

Dad and His Crew Power Through! by Sherri Duskey Rinker and AG Ford. PICTURE BOOK. Chronicle Books, 2026. $13. 9781797238500

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

As the sun rises, a Giant wheel loader rumbles awake to the noise of the little skid steers. The wise patient dad teaches his little ones how to dig, lift, carry, and climb.  He also teaches them that it is important to play.  

Dad and His Crew Power Through! is very wordy, especially for toddlers, but the concept of fathers teaching their children to work as a family is nice.  Ford's illustrations are cute.

PGPowers