Black Joy: Love Yourself, Love Your Culture written by Charnaie Gordon, illustrated by Lhaiza Morena - ADVISABLE

Black Joy: Love Yourself, Love Your Culture written by Charnaie Gordon, illustrated by Lhaiza Morena. PICTURE BOOK. becker&mayer!kids (The Quarto Group), 2025. $19. 9780760394397

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (4-6) - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: SOME

Jaden is a young Black boy who wants to paint a mural in his neighborhood to celebrate different kinds of love he sees around him in his family, school, and community. He works with lots of different people to come together and paint the mural in honor of Black Love Day, an African-centered alternative to Valentine's Day on February 13th.

I will say the title is a little misleading as the majority of the book focuses on different types of love in Jaden’s Black community, rather than joy. However, he does have the idea to paint the love mural as a way to bring joy in everyone’s lives, so it kind of comes together in the end. I was excited to see a picture book with a broad range of Black characters and the positive and affirming message of the book.

Kiera, ELA teacher, #bookswithbeddes

The Girl Who Tested the Waters written by Patricia Daniele, illustrated by Junyi Wu - ADVISABLE

The Girl Who Tested the Waters written by Patricia Daniele, illustrated by Junyi Wu. PICTURE BOOK. MIT Kids Press (MIT Press), 2025. $19. 9781536230055

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (4-6), MS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: SOME

Discover the pioneering environmental scientist, Ellen Swallow, who was the first woman to study and graduate at MIT in this informational picture book about her life and work. Decades ahead of her time, Ellen worked tirelessly as a water analyst and an advocate for women's education.

Even though I enjoyed reading about Ellen Swallow’s work as a water ecology scientist and found her life’s story fascinating, I do think it’s one that will only appeal to a small number of students. This isn’t one that they will be picking up as they are browsing the shelves and passing along to their friends. However, I’m always a fan of women’s history and new or unsung heroes to celebrate, so I do recommend this as a great addition to your picture book library.

Kiera, ELA teacher, #bookswithbeddes

The Baby Who Stayed Awake Forever written and illustrated by Sandra Salsbury - ADVISABLE

The Baby Who Stayed Awake Forever written and illustrated by Sandra Salsbury. PICTURE BOOK. Random House Children's Books (Penguin Random House), 2025. $19. 9780593805879

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: SEVERAL

Follow one very tired family with one very wide-awake baby over the course of a night when the baby decides to stay awake forever. With equal parts humor and sympathy, the author perfectly captures those early sleepless nights with new babies.

I picked this book because I have some friends that are currently in this stage of life, and wanted to get a peek inside their world. Even though I don’t have kids, I still enjoyed the story and I particularly loved the illustrations. I think this will be a hit for anyone with young kids, and could be used as a way to introduce older siblings to the changes that new babies bring to a family. It could find traction in an elementary library, but I see it as more a family library kind of book.

Kiera, ELA teacher, #bookswithbeddes

You're a Poet written by Sean Taylor, illustrated by Sam Usher - ADVISABLE

You're a Poet written by Sean Taylor, illustrated by Sam Usher. PICTURE BOOK. Candlewick Press, 2025. $19. 9781536239331

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL (4-6) ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: SEVERAL

Our friend Piglet, sometimes with his BFF Squirrel, goes on five different adventures to explore five different ways to write a poem. Each vignette is followed by instructions on how the reader can try writing a similar poem, along with writing tips from the author.

I was quite charmed by this picture book that makes writing poetry more approachable for younger students. I think this could be used as a mentor text for a poetry unit for elementary, middle, and even high school students. The illustrations are also sweet, perfectly capturing the innocence of childhood and childlike wonder at the world around them.

Kiera, ELA teacher, #bookswithbeddes

Happy Together written and illustrated by Chloe Douglass - ADVISABLE

Happy Together written and illustrated by Chloe Douglass. PICTURE BOOK. Magination Press, 2025. $19. 9781433845154

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: SEVERAL

Fox and his friends are at a big music festival where his favorite band is playing. He wants to be as cool as the Bad Apples band. However, when a musical mixup exposes the Bad Apples as lip syncing frauds, Fox realizes he is happiest when he is playing with his friends.

This is part of a series of books that the American Psychological Association publishes as a way to help young children navigate tricky social situations and cope with emotional upheavals. As someone who didn’t read the other ones in the series, I was a little lost, but I did think it was a good overall message for young students. The illustrations are simple and engaging, and young students will enjoy both the story and the moral lesson.

Kiera, ELA teacher, #bookswithbeddes

If You Run Out of Words by Felicia Sala - OPTIONAL

If You Run Out of Words by Felicia Sala. PICTURE BOOK Abrams Amulet, 2024. $19. 9781419766886 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

A child asks their father what would happen if he ran out of words? He goes into an elaborate description including elves, pirates, shrinking himself, because nothing can stop his love. 

A sweet story, especially fun at bedtime. The illustrations are whimsical and colorful. 

Lisa Librarian

All the Books by Hayley Rocco and John Rocco - ESSENTIAL

All the Books by Hayley Rocco and John Rocco. PICTURE BOOK Little, Brown, 2024. $19. 9780316512749 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Piper is a chipmunk who loves reading and loves books. In fact, she loves her books so much she carries all of the with her, all the time. Then, she discovers a library, and meets a librarian who shows her how she can have all the books - a few at a time. 

I was enthralled! Rocco's illustrations are so cute, and the story is marvelous. I loved the other animal characters and Piper's response when one wants to borrow her book. And the library - it's one of those with stories (like multiple levels of books) I want to work there! 

Lisa Librarian

In-Between Places by Alex Killian, illustrated by Grady McFerrin - ESSENTIAL

In-Between Places by Alex Killian, illustrated by Grady McFerrin. PICTURE BOOK. Chronicle Books, 2025. $18. 9781452172798

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), HS – ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: SEVERAL

Life is full of in-between places and that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes there is a lot of beauty, magic, and imagination between the known and unknown. What might you find in the in-between places of your life?

On one hand, this is a beautifully illustrated picture book, perfect for K-3 students. On the other hand, it is also a meaningful message for older kids, especially those on the cusp of major change like high school seniors. I thought this picture book would be a perfect companion text for Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken” poem.

Kiera, ELA teacher, #bookswithbeddes 

Stalactite & Stalagmite written and illustrated by Drew Beckmeyer - ADVISABLE

Stalactite & Stalagmite written and illustrated by Drew Beckmeyer. PICTURE BOOK. Atheneum Books for Young Readers (Penguin Random House), 2024. $19. 9780593406014

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) – ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: SEVERAL

Stalactite and stalagmite are two friends in a cave that slowly grow closer together over millions of years. They interact with a handful of creatures of the millenia. What happens when they finally meet together?

What a fun concept to introduce children to geology! I loved the back-and-forth between Stalactite and Stalagmite. There are also so many fun gems hidden in the illustrations, like the timeline at the bottom of each page. It could be a fun introduction to poems in two voices unit or used in an elementary science class.

Kiera, ELA teacher, #bookswithbeddes

Baba's Peach Tree by Marie Tang and Kim - ADVISABLE

Baba's Peach Tree by Marie Tang, illustrated by Seo Kim. PICTURE BOOK. Random House Studio, 2024. $20. 9780593565070

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Tao Hua and her father, Baba, find good fortune by nourishing a young peach tree behind their old stone house in rural China. Baba called the tree a blessing, like good shoes, hot rice, and books. They sold the peaches. Every time Tao ate a peach, she planted the seed in the backyard.  Baba worked hard to provide for their family, but soon the peach tree stopped blooming, and they had to move to the city for a new job.  When Baba was very old, they came back to their old stone house and found a wonderful surprise.

Baba's Peach Tree is a story about the dreams and sacrifices people make as they journey through life.  I thought the illustrations were beautifully done, and the story showed the love a father and daughter had for each other.

PGPowers

Everyone Loves Career Day but Zia by Jenny Liao and Dream Chen - ADVISABLE

Everyone Loves Career Day but Zia by Jenny Liao, illustrated by Dream Chen. PICTURE BOOK. Alfred A. Knopf (Random), 2024. $19. 9780593425459

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Career day at school is coming, but Zia's mom is a seamstress, and is too busy at work to come to school.  Zia's mother also can't speak English very well.  Zia's mother brings her home a beautiful sparkly dress that she made at work.  Zia is still sad until she gets creative and thinks of a special plan to show the class her mother and what she does for work.

Liao's story highlights the struggles Chinese immigrant families have when immigrating to the United states.  I enjoyed learning to feel pride and gratitude for the sacrifices their parents make for them to have a better life.  Chen's illustrations sweetly and colorfully bring this story to life.

PGPowers

The Not-So-Sleepy Little Panda by David Walker - ADVISABLE

The Not-So-Sleepy Little Panda by David Walker. PICTURE BOOK. Atheneum (Simon), 2025. $20. 9781665943857

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

All day, little Panda played with her friends. When the day was over, it was time for bed, but Panda wouldn't go.  Her parents tried many things to get her to sleep including drinks, singing, and stories until they finally realized the real reason she wouldn't go to sleep.

Walker tells a charming cozy rhyming story about a sweet little panda who has trouble falling asleep.  I loved Walker's soft, adorable illustrations.

PGPowers