Cousins in The Time of Magic by Emma Otheguy, illustrated by Poly Bernatene - ESSENTIAL

Cousins in The Time of Magic by Emma Otheguy, illustrated by Poly Bernatene. 202 pages. CHAPTER BOOK. Atheneum BYR (Simon), 2025. $18.

Content: PG (slavery, war, racism mentioned)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Jorge, Camila, and Siggy spend Monday afternoons with their Tia Xia. Together they embark on a time traveling adventure. In 1862, the United States was fighting the Civil War and Mexico was fighting off an invasion by France. The cousins must avoid capture, fight the bad guys, and save their aunt before finding their own way back home.

For those readers who have only ever had a vague understanding about what Cinco de Mayo actually celebrates, for children who identify as Latino but are struggling to understand their heritage, or for lovers of historical fiction, this book is eye and heart opening.

The family is Latino with varying skin shades and hair textures.

J. Smith, Teacher Librarian 

Dinosaurs (minitouch) illustrations by Mini Magique Studio - OPTIONAL

 

Dinosaurs (minitouch) illustrations by Mini Magique Studio. BOARD BOOK. Happy Yak (Quarto), 2025. $10. 9781836002918

BUYING ADVISORY: PRE-K - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Meet ten dinosaurs in this cute, simple touch and feel book. Six of the textures are fun to touch - the other four are smooth.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Pancakes! (Cook in a Book) illustrated by Lotta Nieminen - ADVISABLE

Pancakes! (Cook in a Book) illustrated by Lotta Nieminen. INTERACTIVE BOARD BOOK. Pahidon, 2025. $15. 9780714872834

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

It's time to make pancakes!  Don’t trust your young one in the kitchen - that’s ok.  You can make pancakes with your imagination and with this book.

Nieminen now has six interactive cookbooks, including pizza and cake. And if you want, you could follow the recipe and cook pancakes IRL, too.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The Elephant’s Birthday (Mouse and Spoon) by Cynthia Rylant - OPTIONAL

The Elephant’s Birthday (Mouse and Spoon) by Cynthia Rylant. EARLY READER (Level 2), Simon Spotlight, 2025. $19 (hc), $6 (pb). 9781665962155

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

The Mouse and Spoon bakery has a huge order for Elephant’s birthday party.  The Mice will all have to work together in order to get all the cakes baked in time. 

Mice bakers are very cute. Rylant has three books in the Mice and Spoon series now. It is a cute early Reader option.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Suki Cat: Farmer by Grace Habib - ADVISABLE

Suki Cat: Farmer by Grace Habib. BOARD BOOK. Nosy Crow, 2025. $10. 9798887771342

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Suki is ready for a day on the farm. Join her as she helps the cows and fixes things.

Suki has a variety of adventures to choose from.  The books have sturdy tabs that are fun to push and pull. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Popo the Xolo by Paloma Angelina Lopez, illustrated by Abraham Matias. - OPTIONAL

Popo the Xolo by Paloma Angelina Lopez, illustrated by Abraham Matias. PICTURE BOOK. Charlesbridge, 2025. $18. 9781623544577

Also available in Spanish, translated by Carlos E. Calvo, 9781623544584

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Nana loves living with her extended family and she loves her little dog, Popo. One day Nana and Popo head out on a journey.

Lopez and Matias take us through an emotional journey through the nine levels of Mictlan, the Indigenous Mexican journey to the afterlife. I don’t know how much elementary talks about death traditions, which is the only reason I didn’t rate this as more necessary. It seems like a beautiful tradition.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Weird and Wonderful You by Zaila Avant-Garde, art by Kah Yangni - ADVISABLE

Weird and Wonderful You by Zaila Avant-Garde, art by Kah Yangni. PICTURE BOOK. Doubleday (Random House), 2025. $19. 9780593568965

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

APPEALS TO: SOME

Avant-Grade and Yangni have an explosion of color and words celebrating those who are called “weird” by those who don’t understand. While I don't usually like the plethora of “feel good" picture books out, I do love Yangni’s exuberant artwork. The pages also have quotes from colorful characters from throughout history. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Wanda Hears the Stars by Amy S. Hanson with Wanda Diaz Merced and Rocio Arreola Mendoza - ADVISABLE

Wanda Hears the Stars: A blind astronomer listens to the Universe by Amy S. Hanson with Wanda Diaz Merced, illustrated by Rocio Arreola Mendoza. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Charlesbridge, 2025. $19. 9781623544874

Also available in Spanish, Translated by Gabriela Carrion. 9781623544881

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Wanda’s childhood in Puerto Rico fostered her love for nature and of the stars. She followed her dream into college, but when she lost her sight from complications of her diabetes, she thought her dream might be over. Luckily she was surrounded by supportive friends who not only helped her learn how to navigate her new world, but they also helped her find a new way for her to pursue her dreams of the stars - hearing the universe in a whole new way.

Wanda’s story hits so many buttons - conquering challenges, global majority, female, current science - so many reasons to introduce her to students on so many levels. SHow all of your teachers.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

 

Flat Cat: The Class Pet by Tara Lazar, illustrated by Pete Oswald - ADVISABLE

Flat Cat: The Class Pet by Tara Lazar, illustrated by Pete Oswald. PICTURE BOOK. Flamingo Press (Penguin), 2025. $19. 9780593404607

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Flat Cat loves his flat existence.  One day a fresh breeze blows him away, where he ends up hitching a ride to school - a place full of all kinds of unfamiliar smells, sights, and sounds. 

I don’t know if Flat Cat will replace Flat Stanley, but I think he has a good chance at it. I’d like more Flat Cat stories.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Little Bunny, Fall is Here! by Deborah Marcero - ADVISABLE

Little Bunny, Fall is Here! by Deborah Marcero. BOARD BOOK. Putnam’s (Penguin), 2025. $9. 9780593698990

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

After dinner, Little Bunny is ready for a story, but everyone around him seems to be too busy.  As he and Mouse travel through the forest, they find a story of different kind.

Most of the book is natural sentences, but when the pair find their story it turns to a lovely rhyme. Bunny also has a spring season board book.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Bob Marley by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara and Subi Bosa. - ADVISABLE

Bob Marley (Little People, Big Dreams) by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara, illustrations by Subi Bosa. PICTURE BOOK BIOGRAPHY. Frances Lincoln (Quarto), 2025. $16. 9781836007173

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Bob Marley grew up very poor in Jamaica, a bit of an outcast because his father was white. His love for music and for Rastafarian religion helped him create music beloved by people all over the world.

The Little People Big Dreams series has such interesting people in its catalog.  A teacher could choose a group of people to have in their classroom library and use them for a simple biography unit or to support different units of study.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Beatrice Looks for Home by Ron Grady. - ADVISABLE

Beatrice Looks for Home by Ron Grady. PICTURE BOOK. Nancy Paulsen (Penguin), 2025. $19. 9780593696354

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Beatrice loves her life with her Gram, her Papa, and her Dad.  When Papa gets a new job, however, Gram doesn’t move with them to the new city.  Beatrice is not sure that this new place will ever feel like home. But Gram sends Beatrice something to spark her creativity.

Moving - even in the middle of the school year - is common for students. Grady gives us a nice way to share the complexity of those feelings with all of your students and help all develop some empathy.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS