Duck Delivers by Tom Tinn-Disbury - ADVISABLE

Duck Delivers by Tom Tinn-Disbury. PICTURE BOOK. Random House Studio, 2025. $19. 9798217122448

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Duck liked to stay at home collecting socks.  He didn't like adventures because he struggled to pay attention. His grandfather encouraged him to get out on an adventure by giving him a lucky compass. Duck applied for a job with HQ delivery service. Will grandfather's lucky charm pay off?

Tinn-Disbury's animation background came in handy as he created such adorable illustrations for this book. The expressions on Duck's face cause the reader to smile. The book will help children who are unsure of themselves to see that they can try new things even when fearful.

MOMMAC

Exca-Gator! by Brooke Hartman and Michael Slack - ESSENTIAL

Exca-Gator! by Brooke Hartman and Michael Slack. PICTURE BOOK. Flamingo Books (Penguin), 2026. $19. 9780593693339

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

Gator comes to the work project site with his excavator. His friends are ready to work, too. Gator is so excited, he steps in and does most of the work. When he steps in to do a job better suited for his friend who works the crane, the project is in peril. Gator learns a lesson.

This story in rhyme tells a powerful story about learning to work as a team. Vocabulary words associated with building increase a child's verbal skills. The adorable illustrations help to clearly describe the various verbs and nouns.

MOMMAC

Serafina Makes Waves by Matthew Burgess and Robin Rosenthal - ESSENTIAL

Serafina Makes Waves by Matthew Burgess and Robin Rosenthal. PICTURE BOOK. Dial Books for Young Readers (Penguin), 2026. $17. 9780593699638

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

Have you ever heard that cats can't stand water? This is especially true for Serafina, a kitten whose parents have signed her up for swimming lessons. She does everything she can to avoid the water.  Will Serafina learn to love the water?

I absolutely loved this book!  The narrator talks directly to the reader which makes it even more engaging.  The text is very funny and overly dramatic.  The pictures are adorable and are filled with details that lend to the story.  Would make an awesome read aloud!

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian

A Doctor at Heart by Joan Schoettler and Steffi Walthall - ADVISABLE

A Doctor at Heart by Joan Schoettler and Steffi Walthall. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Beach Lane Books (Simon), 2026. $20. 9781481476669

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

The inspiring true story of Vivien Thomas, a scientist and teacher who overcame poverty and racial injustice to pursue his dream of working in medicine. From a young age, Vivien wanted to become a doctor, but financial hardship and discrimination created many obstacles. Even so, he persevered and devoted himself to learning and discovery. Through determination, skill, and innovation, Vivien made groundbreaking contributions to the field of heart surgery and helped save countless lives.

An interesting book, told in an approachable, age appropriate manner, about a person who showed resilience, intelligence, and the power of never giving up on what you love. Great illustrations. Vivien Thomas is Black.

Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian

Justice Ketanji : The Story of US Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson by Denise Lewis Patrick and Kim Holt - ADVISABLE

Justice Ketanji : The Story of US Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson by Denise Lewis Patrick and Kim Holt. NON-FICTION BIOGRAPHY PICTURE BOOK. Orchard Books (Scholastic), 2023. $19. 9781338885293

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

Ketanji Brown Jackson grew up with the mantra, you can be anything; you can do anything. She carried that perseverance through her life as she applied for and attended Harvard, graduated from Harvard Law, became a US district judge, and eventually became the first Black woman to be a US Supreme Court Justice. 

I liked that the text was written on an elementary level and outlined her life and accomplishments without being overly complex. While it would probably not circulate a lot in a library, it would be a good addition to a picture book biography collection. Justice Ketanji, her family, and many of her friends are Black

Rachel, Elementary school librarian

Gingerbread Yeti by Dan Gemeinhart and Hugo L. Cuellar. - ESSENTIAL

Gingerbread Yeti by Dan Gemeinhart and Hugo L. Cuellar. PICTURE BOOK. Henry Holt (Macmillan), SEPTEMBER 2026. $19. 9781250356765

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

Ella the Elf is cooking up a giant gingerbread man for the elves to enjoy on Christmas Eve, but a mistaken extra ingredient turns him into an abominable yeti instead.  How will they be able to save Christmas? 

Gemeinhart uses the rhythm pattern of “The Night Before Christmas”, which is a little easier to read out loud than most rhyming picture book text. The story is so adorable from beginning to end. Gemeinhart even includes a gingerbread man recipe.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Hummingbird's Big Trip by G. Brian Karas - ADVISABLE

Hummingbird's Big Trip by G. Brian Karas. PICTURE BOOK. Random House Studio, 2026. $19. 9780593902608

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

Hummingbird loves summertime, but as the days get shorter and the nights get longer, he starts to worry about the big trip when hummingbirds leave the cold north for the warm south.  He couldn't eat, so he took a nap.  Then he was really hungry, but he couldn't stop thinking about all those days ahead travelling by himself.  How will he ever find his winter home?

Karas combines relatable anxiety with subtle science facts about migration, and encourages young readers to build self-confidence.  Karas' illustrations are cute and quirky.

PGPowers

Coco and Stephen Together Forever by Beth Stern and Joanie Stone - ADVISABLE

Coco and Stephen Together Forever by Beth Stern and Joanie Stone. PICTURE BOOK. Random House Studio, 2026. $20. 9798217123544

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

Coco was the sweetest kitten.  One day he fell and injured his leg.  His owners surrendered him to a shelter because he was too much work.  Stephen is a bunny who was abandoned in the forest.  All they both want is a forever home.  Beth finds Stephen in the forest and introduces him to Coco in her foster room.  Will they ever find friendship and a forever home?

Coco and Stephen Together Forever is based on a true story that is filled with hope and heart.  I enjoyed Stone's expressive and vintage illustrations.

PGPowers

Time to Go, Larry! by Alison Hawkins - ADVISABLE

Time to Go, Larry! by Alison Hawkins. PICTURE BOOK. Orchard Books (Scholastic), 2023. $19. 9781338795196

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Larry is so snuggly and comfy in his bed; why would he ever get up? But now, Larry has a delicious breakfast waiting for him and decides he'll change his mind and get up. Breakfast is so delicious, why would he ever leave? Now there is fun to be had outside with his friends. Larry changes his mind again and has a wonderful day swimming and playing outside. So wonderful, in fact, that Larry decides he will play outside all night. Will Larry change his mind again? 

Larry's predicaments are all too relatable for kids and adults alike. The illustrations are colorful and playful. Kids will like Larry's interjection to the question, "Guess what?" (He responds, "Chicken butt!") Larry is a bear, his friends are animals.

Rachel, elementary school librarian

Please Don’t Scare the Ghost by Carrie Williford and Allysa Adams - OPTIONAL

Please Don’t Scare the Ghost by Carrie Williford and Allysa Adams. PICTURE BOOK. Flamingo (Penguin), JULY 2026. $14. 9780593693650

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

While out trick-or-treating with a ghost, be forewarned.  Every unfamiliar creature, every unfamiliar sound or movement, will scare your ghost. So be very careful.

Williford’s story felt passive - a whole lot of telling instead of showing and a long list of cautions without a great payoff of fun or excitement. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Lucie and the Wind by Gregoire Laforce and Yvan Duque - ADVISABLE

Lucie and the Wind by Gregoire Laforce and  Yvan Duque. PICTURE BOOK. Milky Way (Abrams), 2026. $20. 9781990252426

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

APPEALS TO: SOME

A girl named Lucy loves to collect little treasures that she finds on her walks. She places items like small sticks, flowers, and anything that catches her fancy in mason jars that she stores at home. She carries her backpack wherever she goes to help carry her treasures. One day on her walk, Lucy hears a voice from above. As she converses, she learns that she is talking to the wind. She really wants to put it in a jar, but the wind convinces Lucy to follow it instead. As Lucy goes on an adventure, she gets to know the wind and learns that not everything special will fit into jars.

The story had a good overall theme, however the plot wasn't very engaging. I loved the illustrations that accompanied the text. They helped drive the text and move the plot forward. This could be used to teach personification and theme.

Reviewer: A. Criswell, English Language Arts teacher

When the Sun Goes Down: A Bedtime Book by Greg Pizzoli - ESSENTIAL

When the Sun Goes Down: A Bedtime Book by Greg Pizzoli. PICTURE BOOK. Knopf Books for Young Readers (Random House), 2026. $19. 9780593649800

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

Have you ever wondered where animals go when the sun goes down? This story follows a little girl as she asks butterflies, leaves, ants, and many other creatures where they go at bedtime. At last, she wonders where kids go when the sun goes down. This book is written in a repetitive style that will appeal to young readers.

I liked this book because it addresses questions that kids might ask before bedtime. It is predictable and easy to read. The illustrations are cute. This would be a great bedtime book for young children.

Reviewer: A. Criswell, English Language Arts teacher