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 written by Dr. Jess Wade, illustrated by 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, illustrated by 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

When Twilight Comes by Marcie Flinchum Atkins and Michelle Morin - ADVISABLE

When Twilight Comes by Marcie Flinchum Atkins, illustrated by Michelle Morin. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Chronicle Books, 2026. $20. 9781797216799

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

When Twilight Comes takes the reader on a walk through the special moments between day and night.  The reader learns about crepuscular creatures -- familiar animals and plants that are most active at dawn or dusk such as skunks, white-tailed deer, fireflies, morning glories and more.

When Twilight Comes is a lyrical description of the secrets and surprises that unfold only in the twilight.  The backmatter includes a Glossary and more information and facts on crepuscular Critters and Flowers. I enjoyed the lushly illustrated pages.

PGPowers

Owl's Fall Feast Fiasco by Kristen Remenar, illustrated by Matt Faulkner - ADVISABLE

Owl's Fall Feast Fiasco by Kristen Remenar, illustrated by Matt Faulkner. PICTURE BOOK. Charlesbridge, 2025, $18. 9781623543716

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

Owl is hosting his annual Fall Feast, and he is excited that the international star Platypus has accepted the invitation to play his didgeridoo.  But what do you feed Platypus who is part reptile, part bird and part mammal?  As Owl asks all the animals in the forest, he finds out that they don't eat the food he prepares for them.  Groundhog is lactose intolerant, Hare is allergic to carrots, and Sparrow is a vegetarian.  What can he do to make this the best feast for everyone?

Owl's Fall Feast Fiasco uses humor and tenderness to teach readers to accept others for who they are.  I enjoyed the interesting and detailed illustrations that have a graphic novel vibe.

PGPowers

Don’t Splash Grandpa! by Julie Gonzalez and Srinidhi Srinivasan - ADVISABLE

Don’t Splash Grandpa! by Julie Gonzalez, illustrated by Srinidhi Srinivasan. PICTURE BOOK. Sourcebooks, APRIL 2026. $15. 9781464225192

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Celebrate a day at the pool with lots of friends and toys, races and sky-high squirts.  But wherever you, please don’t splash Grandpa.  Why?  You’ll see!

Gonzalez has a super fun celebration of summer pool time play.  The rhyming text adds to the fun - not a distraction.  Plus listeners will love shouting out “Don’t Splash Grandpa” whenever needed. Srinivasan’s illustrations include wide expanses of blue and splashes, with a wide diversity of kids. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Found You! by Jane Godwin and Sylvia Morris - ADVISABLE

Found You! by Jane Godwin, illustrated by Sylvia Morris. PICTURE BOOK. Charlesbridge, 2025. $18. 9781623546182

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

Some kids decide to play hide-and-seek.  Archie runs fast to find the best hiding spot.  Archie hears Winnie find Alex.  Then they find Sam.  Archie  stays quiet so that they won't find him, but soon he can't hear them and thinks they have stopped looking.  Should he call out?  Are they still playing the game?

Found You!  is very relatable for those who have ever had an anxious moment playing hide-and-seek. It also teaches young children how to play the game.  Morris' creative and well done illustrations capture the fun.

PGPowers

A Stickler’s Valentine by Lane Smith - ADVISABLE

 

A Stickler’s Valentine by Lane Smith. PICTURE BOOK. Random House, 2026. $19. 9798217025350

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

Valentine's Day has arrived and Stickler is out delivering sticks to his various friends to show them Valentine's love.  None of them seem to want his stick, however. Stickler is capable of learning and he has a fun surprise new skill to show us.

Stickler is such an odd, adorable character.  I love this new skill that he showed and that he learns something important about the giving of Valentines. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Rivers by Simon Chapman, illustrated by Qu Lan. - OPTIONAL

Rivers by Simon Chapman, illustrated by Qu Lan. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Big Picture Books (Candlewick), 2025. $20. 9781536241136

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Rivers is a detailed and colorful look at rivers around the world. The illustrations are gorgeous to the eye - the information is almost too much to absorb. As a teacher, I am unsure how to use this in my classroom.  I want it, though, because it is so beautiful.  

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The Angel and the Mermaid by Becky Cameron - OPTIONAL

The Angel and the Mermaid by Becky Cameron. PICTURE BOOK. Frances Lincoln (Quarto), 2025. $19. 9781836005230

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Twins babies are born, one has wings and the other has a mermaid tail. The pair exists alone near the sea, so that they can play together and enjoy their own element. One day, however, a contest causes a rift between the pair. and only a dangerous storm may be able to bring them back together again.

As lovely as the illustrations are, and they are very lovely, depicting the differences between the siblings as angel versus mermaid, add a fantastical element that doesn’t allow readers to see themselves within the lesson. I would buy the book just so that I can look at it, but I’d look for another book to help siblings or even best friends to get over a quarrel. Try Rita and Ralph’s Rotten Day by Carmen Agra Deedy, for example. (https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/2020/01/rita-ralphs-rotten-day-by-carmen-agra.html?spref=pi)

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

No Cheese, Please! by Nishani Reed and Maria Neradova - ADVISABLE

No Cheese, Please! by Nishani Reed, illustrated by Maria Neradova. PICTURE BOOK. Nosy Crow, 2025. $19. 9798887772080

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Mouse is having his friends over to celebrate his birthday. What they didn’t know, however, is that Mouse has a dairy allergy - no milk, butter, or even cheese for him. His friends feel bad that all of the treats they brought ass full of dairy, but they have a plan.

While it is a bit odd that Mouse’s closest friends didn’t know about his dairy allergy, the sentiment and solution are still very sweet. Neradova’s illustrations bring just the right touch of forest-based whimsy. I like the dairy-free chocolate cake recipe included, too.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS