Little Red and Big, Bad Fred by Ashley Belote - ESSENTIAL

Little Red and Big, Bad Fred by Ashley Belote. PICTURE BOOK. Random House, 2025. $19. 9780593902431

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

Little Red loves his encounters in every season with Fred, the fluffy kitty that lives in the forest. Little Red thinks that Fred is the best. When Fred gets hurt one day, Red brings Fred to his Great Grandfather who informs Red that Fred is a DOG! Even better!

As you know the story of Little Red Riding Hood, you know Fred is really a wolf. Watching the two interact is pure gold. Belote has a perfect combination of text and illustrations creating a cohesive whole.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

Five Little Penguins by Lily Murray and Holly Surplice - ADVISABLE

Five Little Penguins by Lily Murray and Holly Surplice. Lift-the-Flap BOARD BOOK. Templar (Candlewick), 2025. $10. 9781536246766

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

In the traditional countdown pattern, five little penguins are playing, but each time fewer penguins return. Will Mama be able to find them all?

Definitely one to read together - at least until little fingers learn to handle the pages with care. But so sweet. I love me a cute board book.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

The Christmas Sweater by Jan Brett - OPTIONAL

The Christmas Sweater by Jan Brett. PICTURE BOOK. Putnam (Penguin), 2025. $20. 9780593533918

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Ari the pug does not like his new, over-decorated, Christmas sweater. A curious magpie helps him with that. Thankfully, the boy and pug are able to follow the remnants back to safety.

For someone who wants to add an old-fashioned feeling book to their Christmas book stash. Brett’s detailed style lends itself to study each page. 

 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

Every Space Between by Naseem Hrab and John Martz - OPTIONAL

Every Space Between by Naseem Hrab and John Martz. PICTURE BOOK. Groundwood, MARCH 2026. $20. 9781773067100

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Hrab explores the spaces between - that anticipatory space that stretches from the beginning to the end of a motion. This is a rare book that I wish it had been wordless. Usually Hrab is so on point with her work - this time I felt the words were too explanatory - told me the point - instead letting me discover the point. When I went back and only looked at the pictures, I had a better experience.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

Unicorn Post by Emmy Yarlett - ADVISABLE

Unicorn Post by Emmy Yarlett. PICTURE BOOK. Candlewick, 2025. $18. 9781536246469

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

When a unicorn lands on her doorstep, the little girl works very hard to help it find a good home, taking it to places like a farm and a circus. Once they find what might be the perfect home, is it really perfect if they can’t be together?

Bartlett gives us delightful extra touches in her whimsical book perfect for unicorn lovers.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

Go, Go, Dodo! by Huw Lewis Jones and Fred Blunt - ADVISABLE

Go, Go, Dodo! by Huw Lewis Jones and Fred Blunt. PICTURE BOOK. Tiger Tales, 2025. $19. 9781664300736

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Dodo is taking a pleasant stroll through the jungle - or is it? 

Dodo’s obliviousness reminds me of Sanderson’s Most Boring Book Ever. The fun is in the illustrations.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

Welcome to the Cactus Hotel by Brenda Z. Guiberson and Megan Lloyd - ADVISABLE

Welcome to the Cactus Hotel by Brenda Z. Guiberson, illustrated by Megan Lloyd. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, 2024. $9. 9781250889270

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

Let's meet the guests at the Cactus Hotel. A gila woodpecker, cactus bees, elf owls and red- tailed hawks are only a few animals that make cactus their home. Welcome to the Cactus Hotel tells us how the cactus helps so many animals in the desert! I found this non-fiction book to be very intriguing. It was a good way to teach students about animals that live in the desert. The illustrations are realistic and text is very minimal on each page. Would make a good read aloud!

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian 

Nelly: The Very Different Bird by Alex Macdonald - ESSENTIAL

Nelly: The Very Different Bird by Alex Macdonald. PICTURE BOOK. Frances Lincoln (Quarto), 2025. $19. 9781836000761

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

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Nelly may not be able to fly, but with planning, practice, and determination, she can learn to do things in different ways. 

I had no idea I was going to love Nelly and Macdonald’s simple story so much. Nelly is a wonderful capsule-shaped little bird that I want to own and hug! Her grit shines through. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

Hank Meets Frank by Maudie Powell-Tuck and Duncan Beedie - ADVISABLE

Hank Meets Frank by Maudie Powell-Tuck and Duncan Beedie. PICTURE BOOK. TIger Tales, 2025. $19. 9781664300729 

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Cousin Frank is coming over and Hank is not very happy. Powell-Tuck adds a nice bit of fourth-wall-breaking along the way as the narrator tries to get the two birds to be nice to each other. 

Hank’s third book is as cute - maybe cuter - as the others. 

 Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

Fluffy McWhiskers Cruchazaur Kaboom by Stephen W. Martin and Dan Tavis - ESSENTIAL

Fluffy McWhiskers Cruchazaur Kaboom. Explosions by Stephen W. Martin and cuteness by Dan Tavis. PICTURE BOOK. McElderry Books (Simon), 2025. $20. 9781665956123 

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

APPEALS TO: MANY 

The Cruchazaur is so hungry that it is eating everything in the city. Only Fluffy and Potato and their cuteness explosion are going to be able to save the day! 

I may have missed the first Fluffy McWhiskers book, but I am sold! I can't wait to share this with so many little friends. Tavis includes so many little details in the illustrations - I could spend extra time just enjoying each page. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

A Crocodile Should Never Skip Breakfast by Colleen Larmour - ESSENTIAL

A Crocodile Should Never Skip Breakfast by Colleen Larmour. PICTURE BOOK. Kids Can Press, 2024. $11. 9781525308345

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

Crocodile is having a rough morning. He got up late and doesn't have time for breakfast before he leaves for work. Croc's job is to ferry animals over the river on his back. As the morning wears on, Crocodile gets hungrier and hungrier. His passengers start to look tasty. Will they make it over the river without getting eaten?

A Crocodile Should Never Skip Breakfast is hilarious! The plot is funny and the illustrations are bright and eye-catching. It is even more funny because the narrator and the crocodile talk to each other. Would be an excellent read aloud!

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian 

Shuri Takes Control by Terrance Crawford and Dave Bardin - OPTIONAL

Shuri Takes Control (Marvel After-School Heroes) by Terrance Crawford, illustrated by Dave Bardin. CHAPTER BOOK. Simon, 2025. $18 (HC); $6 (PB). 9781665963770

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Shuri heads to the Stark Center to hang with Miles Morales and Gwen Stacy, but the Ringmaster has taken over their minds. Can Shuri evade the villain and save her friends?

A nice choice for 2nd, 3rd graders who are becoming independent readers, especially in paperback.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS