Something Sweet: A Sitting Shiva Story by Leslea Newman and Sarita Rich - ADVISABLE

Something Sweet: A Sitting Shiva Story by Leslea Newman, illustrated by Sarita Rich. PICTURE BOOK. Charlesbridge, 2026. $19. 9781623545710

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Lizzie's mom makes brownies, and they take them over to her friend Joshua's family because their grandpa has just passed away.  Joshua's family is having a sitting shiva where people come to offer the bereaved family comfort.  Lizzie tries to cheer up her friend by offering him brownies and putting her arm around him.  But what is the thing that works the best?

Something Sweet teaches readers about the Jewish custom of sitting shiva after a loved one passes away.  Newman tenderly captures the feelings of grief, remembrance, and how to support a friend.  Rich's illustrations are expressive, tender,  and beautiful.

PGPowers

Spin To Survive the Pharaoh's Curse by Emily Hawkins, illustrated by R. Fresson - ADVISABLE

Spin To Survive the Pharaoh's Curse by Emily Hawkins, illustrated by R. Fresson. PICTURE BOOK. Quarto Publishing, 2025, $30. 9781836003069

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

It is the year 1160 BCE.  Pharaoh Rameses is dead, his tomb and treasures are safely hidden in the Valley of the Kings.  You have come to live with your uncle in Egypt as his apprentice.  He leaves you a task to discover who stole the map that shows where Pharaoh Ramses  tomb is, and to stop the robbers.  In this game of chance, you will choose how to solve the mystery.  Make your choice and spin your Survival Spinner to survive.  Will you have success or disaster?

Hawkins has created a clever story that is also a game for young ancient history lovers.  I enjoyed playing the game as I read along.

PGPowers

Children of the Throne by Joseph Coelho, illustrated by Richard Johnson - OPTIONAL

Children of the Throne by Joseph Coelho, illustrated by Richard Johnson. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Frances Lincoln Children's Books (Quarto), 2025. $19. 9780711289543

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Three children go into the forest called by a tree-grown man.  He tells the children about the new dangers to nature and how they need to be the ones to make a change and restore the world.  The summer is too hot.  He shows the children how to conjure rain and look after the forest, finding a sort-term solution.  How can they protect the forest for future generations?

Children of the Throne is a poetic story about climate change and using the next generations to make better choices, but it lacked interest.  Johnson's illustrations are very beautiful.

PGPowers

How To Hatch: A Gosling's Guide to Breaking Free by Sarah Holly Ackerman, illustrated by Galia Bernstein - ADVISABLE

How To Hatch:  A Gosling's Guide to Breaking Free by Sarah Holly Ackerman, illustrated by Galia Bernstein. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK.  Alfred A. Knopf (Random House), 2026. $19 9780593811061

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

How to Hatch helps the reader discover how a gosling hatches into the world, step by step.  Ackerman's humorous "how to" text is delightful to read.  

I liked the way it takes the reader through every step of the hatching process, and has a glossary at the back.  The illustrations are detailed and fun.

PGPowers

My Body Can by Laura Gehl, illustrated by Alexandra Colombo - ADVISABLE

My Body Can by Laura Gehl, illustrated by Alexandra Colombo. PICTURE BOOK Apples and Honey Press (Behrman House) 2025. $20. 9781681156859 

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

A child can do a lot of things with their bodies, dancing and spinning, and climbing and throwing and so much more. 

There is a lot to love about My Body Can. I love the disability representation, so many different types of kids, all of whom are perfectly capable of doing things independently. The illustrations are wonderful, and some of the activities are set up to coincide with the Jewish Holidays, so a child will recognize Rosh Hashanah, Sukkot, Hanukkah and several others. (Those are the ones I noticed right away.) A fun book about all the things we can do - includes an extra things to find list. I'm sure a child will spend extra time in the pages of My Body Can. The children and the holidays are Jewish. 

Lisa Librarian

Every Peach is a Story by David Mas Masumoto and Nikiko Masumoto and Lauren Tamaki - OPTIONAL

Every Peach is a Story by David Mas Masumoto and Nikiko Masumoto, illustrated by Lauren Tamaki. PICTURE BOOK Abrams Amulet, 2025. $19. 9781949480290 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

A young child spends the peach season with her grandfather, waiting for the peaches to ripen. The grandfather tells her, "Every Peach is a Story," and compares the growing peach to the growing story of their family since emigrating from Japan in the 1800s. 

This is a sweet story. I loved the passage of time and the wisdom of the grandfather. There are some illustrations that aren't intuitive (like drawings of the internment camps) and the child will need to be sure to read the author's note to learn the relevance. It reminds me of all the things my parents and grandparents didn't tell me - were they waiting for me to ask? The family is Japanese American 

Lisa Librarian 

I Like Hoops by Juwanda G. Ford and Jada Jeni Bennett - ADVISABLE

I Like Hoops by Juwanda G. Ford and Jada Jeni Bennett. EARLY READER Holiday House, 2025 $16. 9780823459582 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

I Like Hoops is a play-by-play of the last 5 minutes of a basketball game. The narrator struggles to keep the ball (missing a throw, a shot, slipping), but her team is keeping the score about even. Who will win? 

A level one reader, most illustrations contain fewer than 3 words each. Many are only one. For a reader who likes basketball, this will be a lot of fun. The characters are illustrated as a mix of races and genders. 

Lisa Librarian 

Raven's Ribbons by Tasha Spillett and Daniel Ramirez - OPTIONAL

Raven's Ribbons by Tasha Spillett, illustrated by Daniel Ramirez. PICTURE BOOK Little, Brown, 2025. $19. 9780316422161 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

Raven dances the round dance with his grandmother, and he loves the beautiful ribbon skirts, but when he wants Grandmother to make him one, she admits that she has never seen a boy wear a ribbon skirt. 

I loved this story! I loved the imagery of the dances, I loved the illustrations, and I loved Raven! A definite pick for your library if you have Indigenous children, especially if they identify as two-spirit. Raven and his Grandmother are Ojibwe 

Lisa Librarian  

The Book of Candles: Eight Poems for Hanukkah by Laurel Snyder and Leanne Hatch - OPTIONAL

The Book of Candles: Eight Poems for Hanukkah by Laurel Snyder, illustrated by Leanne Hatch. PICTURE BOOK Clarion, 2025. $20. 9780063278141 

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

APPEALS TO: SOME 

Each night of Hanukkah, a candle is lit. In addition to a poem for the lighting of each candle, there is a thought for every night as well. These thoughts are nice explanations of the traditions throughout the 8 days, and things to remember during the time the candles are lit (like we shouldn't work, but wait and rest and let them burn). 

I liked this so much, I learned many things about the Hanukkah candles, and I really loved the thoughts. The illustrations are sweet and peaceful and represent the family doing many things, then settling down for the special candles. What a great addition to your holiday section this will make. The family is Jewish. 

Lisa Librarian  

Attack Bunnies by Laura Gehl and Julia Patton - ADVISABLE

Attack Bunnies by Laura Gehl and Julia Patton. PICTURE BOOK. Beaming Books, 2026. $18. 9781506492254

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Carrot Cake and Pufftail have trained hard to protect the animals of the forest. When Renard Fox moves in, however, they are not sure they are up to the task. It may be that some careful listening may be what they need.

The attack bunnies are pretty cute and I really liked the lesson that the bunnies learned about making assumptions. All around cuteness. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

No More Gnomes by Beth Mills - ADVISABLE

No More Gnomes by Beth Mills. PICTURE BOOK. Carolrhoda (Lerner), 2025. $19. 9798765643457

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Herbert, the dog, used to be the cutest thing in Ms. Goat’s garden, until Ms. Goat bought her first gnome. ANd then her next gnome - and more. Herbert tries a few ways to get along with the gnomes, and finally has the ultimate great idea. He’s not sure if Ms. Goat will be happy with him. 

Mills could do for gnomes what Pennywise did to clowns. They do feel a bit menacing.  But kids like being a little scared in a safe space, so I think they will be delighted. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Tulip’s Mess by Anden Wilder - ADVISABLE

Tulip’s Mess by Anden Wilder. PICTURE BOOK. Knopf (Random House), 2025. $19. 9780593704769

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Careless with her things, Tulip’s little mess grows into something so big that Tulip can’t ignore it any more. In order to reclaim something precious to her, she will have to tackle it piece by piece.

For us oldies, the story line reminds me a bit of Mrs. PiggleWiggle, without the kindly old lady. A nice simple object lesson wrapped in a digestible story. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS