Rock Star: How Ursula Marvin Mapped Moon Rocks and Meteorites by Sandra Neil Wallace and Nancy Carpenter - OPTIONAL

Rock Star: How Ursula Marvin Mapped Moon Rocks and Meteorites by Sandra Neil Wallace, illustrated by Nancy Carpenter. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Simon and Schuster, 2025. $20. 9781534493339

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

In the 1940’s men told Ursula Marvin that she was not allowed to study geology, so she went somewhere else for her education. In the 1970’s Ursual was the first woman to trek to Antarctica, joining a team searching for meteorites from all over outer space. While a broken leg cut her trip short, she still built her career on identifying and examining meteorites. 

Could be an addition to any curriculum that talks about meteorites.  However, it is text heavy and a bit dry. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Cesar's Cerulean Surprise by Jenny Lacika and Laura Sandoval Herrera - ADVISABLE

Cesar's Cerulean Surprise by Jenny Lacika, illustrated by Laura Sandoval Herrera. PICTURE BOOK. Charlesbridge, 2025. $18. 9781623544393

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

A young Hispanic boy named Cesar wants to borrow his little sister Gabi's brand-new cerulean crayon. She doesn't know what color that is, though, and she won’t let him show her by touching her crayons. As he tries to explain what crayon it is, they begin a game of many questions which is very frustrating to Cesar. Will Cesar ever get to use the cerulean crayon?

Cesar's Cerulean Surprise definitely  has a surprise ending.  I enjoyed the playful exploration of logic making this a storytelling math book.  Herrera uses bright, fun, crayon colors and illustrations to bring this story to life. The story uses some Spanish words such as Abuela, montanas, and cielo.

PGPowers

Isabel's Birthday Surprise by Debbie Zapata, illustrated by Gabriella Galves - ADVISABLE

Isabel's Birthday Surprise by Debbie Zapata, illustrated by Gabriella Galves. PICTURE BOOK. Magination Press, 2026. $19. 9781433847509

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO:SEVERAL

Today is Isabel’s birthday. Isabel tells her mother her birthday wish of a big cake, a big pinata and a big party with all her friends.  Her mother tells her that this year they can only afford a small fiesta.  Her mother sends her to school with a boiled egg for lunch.  When she cracks it, it is the raw egg that was saved for her cake.  Isabel is sad and knows there will not be a cake and that she will not get her wish. Is there anything that can save Isabel's birthday?

Isabel's Birthday Surprise is for anyone who's ever had big expectations that didn't go as planned. This heartwarming story reminds readers of the small things that really make life special.  I liked Galvez's colorful, interesting, and expressive illustrations. Some Spanish words are used throughout the story.

PGPowers

Virginia Woolf by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara and Audrey Day. - ADVISABLE

Virginia Woolf by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara, illustrated by Audrey Day. Little People Big Dreams #132 NON-FICTION, BIOGRAPHY PICTURE BOOK. Frances Lincoln Children's Books (Quarto), 2025. $20. 9781836007210

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Little Virginia loved writing and at nine years old, she started a newspaper about her family which delighted relatives. In her teens, she lost her mother, father and half sister.  Virginia was very sad for a long time and stopped writing.  Virginia and her other siblings moved to a different house in London for a fresh start.  They started the Bloomsbury group of thinkers and artists.  Virginia began writing again and was known for her inventive way of capturing character's thoughts and feelings.

Vegara captures the extraordinary life of literary giant and feminist icon Virginia Woolf simply enough for young children to understand.  Illustrations are descriptive and adequate.

This book mentions one of her books, Orlando, about a boy who grew up to be a girl.

PGPowers

Catching Kindness by Kara M. Mitchell - ADVISABLE

Catching Kindness by Kara M. Mitchell. PICTURE BOOK. Imagination Press, 2025. $19. 9781433847844

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

A young child feels sad when the car shopping cart at the grocery store is already taken.  He feels grumpy and notices that lots of other shoppers are grumpy too.  When the other boy gets out of the car cart and gives it to him, he feels happy and tries to be kind to the other shoppers.  Will his gesture of kindness spark a chain reaction?

Catching Kindness will help children recognize how kindness can show up in small, everyday ways, and encourages empathy.  Mitchell's illustrations are cute and engaging. Many ethnicities are represented.

PGPowers

When Winter Comes by Ekaterina Trukhan - ADVISABLE

When Winter Comes by Ekaterina Trukhan. PICTURE BOOK. Nosy Crow, 2025. $13. 9798887771779

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

When winter comes everything is white.  A young girl puts on her mittens and runs outside to play.  She catches a snowflake, follows animal tracks, feeds birds, builds a snowman and many other winter activities.  Inside her house the young girl's family has other wonderful winter activities.

When Winter Comes celebrates the magical activities of winter from a child's perspective. Simple, beautiful, graphic illustrations focus on snow and nature.

PGPowers

If You Went To The Bottom Of The Ocean by Brooke McIntyre and Gordy Wright - ADVISABLE

If You Went To The Bottom Of The Ocean by Brooke McIntyre, illustrated by Gordy Wright. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Chronicle Books, 2026. $20. 9781797226514

BUYING ADVISORY:  EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

Come along on a submarine mission that takes you past reefs, beyond the shore sea floor, down through the sunlight layer, the twilight layer, the midnight zone, and all the way seven miles down to the bottom of the ocean.  Along the way, learn about many types of fish at each depth, and the mysterious sea life that dwells in the deepest depths.  Find out how interconnected the ocean's ecosystems are.

McIntyre has created a thrilling adventure for children to explore the depths of the ocean and the sea life that dwells there.  Wright beautifully captures the sea with gouache and watercolor illustrations.  I liked the fold-out poster and backmatter with even more scientific facts.

PGPowers

Teacher Jitters by Julie Danneberg, illustrated by Judy Love - ADVISABLE

Teacher Jitters by Julie Danneberg, illustrated by Judy Love. PICTURE BOOK. Charlesbridge, 2025. $18. 9781623544348

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Mrs. Hartwell announces to the class that she won't be at school tomorrow.  She tells her class that she is taking a class for teachers and that she is nervous.  The class tells her that they get nervous too.  The class talks about some of the things Mrs. Hartwell should do when she feels anxious.  The students decide to write encouraging notes for their teacher to read if she gets nervous. 

Teacher Jitters is great for helping both children and adults learn to prepare for anxieties and how to self regulate.  Love's illustrations are well done and expressive.

PGPowers

Dinosaurs in Trucks Because Hey, Why Not? by Sandra Boynton - OPTIONAL

Dinosaurs in Trucks Because Hey, Why Not? by Sandra Boynton. BOARD BOOK. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. 2024. $4. 9780316574662

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Dinosaurs and trucks, what a great combination!  If dinos had trucks, which ones would they like best?  Maybe Stegosaurus would like a tow truck?  Or Brontosaurus would drive a delivery truck?  Read this book to find out!

Dinosaurs in Trucks Because Hey, Why Not? will appeal to preschoolers that love both dinosaurs and trucks.  This is a board book with very bright primary colors.  The text is shown in several different colors.  

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian

Dive-The Story of Breathing Underwater by Chris Gall - ADVISABLE

Dive-The Story of Breathing Underwater by Chris Gall. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, 2024. $18. 9781250823953

BUYING ADVISORY:  EL - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Have you ever wondered what happens to your body as you dive?  Or who were the first people to try diving?  What about who invented the system that divers use now?  Find these answers and more in Dive-The Story of Breathing Underwater. 

Dive-The Story of Breathing Underwater tells the history of diving through text and realistic illustrations.  My favorite part was the use of actual experiments that students could try at home that explain the concepts talked about in this book.  Dive is also a nominee for the 2026 Utah Beehive Book Award.

Many ethnicities are represented in this book.

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian

I'm not Scary...I'm just a Dinosaur! by Ben Lerwill and Erica Salcedo - ADVISABLE

I'm not Scary...I'm just a Dinosaur! by Ben Lerwill, illustrated by Erica Salcedo. PICTURE BOOK. NON-FICTION Quarto, 2025. $19 97818360025 $12 

BUYING ADVISORY: PRE-K - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

For anyone who thinks dinosaurs are totally scary, this book will show that dinosaurs developed unique ways to survive and thrive. 

The art is bright and colorful and just right for young children. In addition to the informational text, which is easily understood, there are actions and questions for young listeners to answer or act out, which makes this interactive. Great introduction to dinosaurs for small fry. 

Michelle in the Middle

Nunu and the Sea by Isabella Kung - OPTIONAL

Nunu and the Sea by Isabella Kung. PICTURE BOOK Knopf (Random House), 2025. $19 9780593812723  

PRE-K, EL (K-3)- OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Nunu is a little girl with big emotions: emotions so big she feels like she has to navigate their uncharted waters before she can find her way back home. 

The art is beautiful. Though the story is simple, its message that we can build and create again even when things go wrong is a good reminder for anyone struggling with overwhelming emotions. 

Nunu is Chinese. 

Michelle in the Middle