Consider the Birds by Jennifer Grant, illustrated by Julianna Swaney - OPTIONAL

Consider the Birds by Jennifer Grant, illustrated by Julianna Swaney. PICTURE BOOK. Eerdmans Books For Young Readers, 2025. $19. 9780802855626

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

On a spring day at the birdfeeder, one hungry loud blue jay, two morning doves, three black-capped chickadees and more grab a quick bite.  Some try to keep the food for themselves.  Consider the birds of the air.  If God loves them, and feeds them, does he love and take care of you too?

Consider the Birds is a gentle lyrical story that helps children discover the wonders of nature and the love of God.  Swaney's illustrations are soft, simple, and endearing.

PGPowers

Mama's Special Wonton Soup by Wai Mei Wong, illustrated by Xin Yue Zhu - ADVISABLE

Mama's Special Wonton Soup by Wai Mei Wong, illustrated by Xin Yue Zhu. PICTURE BOOK. Lantana Publishing, 2025. $19. 9781836290186

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

A young Chinese girl leaves her mama's house to buy meat for wonton soup. On the way to the market, she passes many villagers going about their business.  She greets them all with "Zao an".  Most of them give her something to eat to put in her basket.  She thanks them, and continues to the market.  When she finally makes it home, they have more food than she and her mama can eat.  Then the young girl thinks of a wonderful idea.

Mama's Special Wonton Soup is a charming story about sharing with each other.  I enjoyed the peaceful rural life portrayed, and the restful color pallet of the storytelling illustrations.

PGPowers

What Medicine Can Do by Gabrielle Balkan, art by Alberto Lot - ADVISABLE

What Medicine Can Do by Gabrielle Balkan, art by Alberto Lot. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Penguin, 2025. $20. 9798217051243

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Some of the animal children have different reasons why they need to see the doctor and take medicine.

Balkan does a very clear job of explaining different reasons we need the doctor, how the doctor interacts with us, and the usefulness of taking the right medicine. The book is a bit lengthy, but I liked the careful explanations and thoroughness of it. I could see reading it out loud a little at a time.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Boys Don't Fry by Kimberly Lee, illustrated by Charlene Chua - OPTIONAL

Boys Don't Fry by Kimberly Lee, illustrated by Charlene Chua. PICTURE BOOK. Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, 2023. $19. 9780374389857

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

It is the eve of Lunar New Year, all of Jin's relatives have gathered to celebrate at his house.  His mother, grandmother and aunties are all cooking a big feast.  Jin would love to learn to cook.  Will they let him help?

Boys Don't Fry is a sweet story with very colorful pictures.  I love the message that everyone should be able to enjoy cooking!  This book also mentioned several dishes from Peranakan Chinese culture which I have never heard of before.

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian

I’m Thankful for My Body by Lindsay Sagar. - OPTIONAL

I’m Thankful for My Body by Lindsay Sagar. BOARD BOOK. Kane Miller, 2023. $9. 9781684645596

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

The little children are thankful for all of the different parts of their bodies and ways that they can use them. I wish, however, that the body part on each page were more prominent so that little ones would learn by sight the name of each part.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

BB Interactive, BB Go, Go, Go Boat (Baby on Board) by Sebastian Braun - OPTIONAL

Go, Go, Go Boat (Baby on Board) by Sebastian Braun. BOARD BOOK. Templar Books, 2025. $10. 9781536241211

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Join the boat and the babies on a trip across the water. 

Very sturdy and a bit of fun. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

https://www.kingsenglish.com/item/fDcyhWd7_ajEfqHgkcO_RQ

Ada, Look at my Teeth by Daishu Ma - ADVISABLE

Ada, Look at my Teeth by Daishu Ma. BOARD BOOK. Candlewick, 2024. $8. 9781536235470

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Ada and her tiger look at their teeth and at the teeth of many other animals. I like that the end of the book encourages little ones to brush their teeth to keep their smiles bright.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

I’m Thankful for Animals by Lindsey Sagar - ADVISABLE

I’m Thankful for Animals by Lindsey Sagar. BOARD BOOK. Kane Miller, 2023. $9. 9781684645619

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

The children in Sagar’s book are a delightful variety of types and abilities. And they are grateful for a fun array of animals for very unique reasons. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Don’t Wake Up the Tiger by Britta Teckentrup - OPTIONAL

Don’t Wake Up the Tiger by Britta Teckentrup. BOARD BOOK. Nosy Crow, 2025. $9. 9781536241440

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

The animals are very nervous.  They need to set up for a big celebration, but Tiger is sleeping right in the way. Can they safely cross over, or will they waken the beast?

The ending twist is very cute. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Santa Yeti by Matthew Luhn, illustrated by Luke Flowers. Kane Miller - OPTIONAL

Santa Yeti by Matthew Luhn, illustrated by Luke Flowers. Kane Miller, 2023. $16. 9781684646036

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Frank the yeti dreams of warmer temperatures than his chilly home. He sneaks a ride on Santa’s sleigh and almost ruins Christmas. 

I don’t understand why the book is written in rhyme.  I found it distracting. The Yeti is a cute character and the story line is solid, otherwise.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Leah’s Star: a nativity story by Margaret Bateson-Hill and Karin Littlewood - OPTIONAL

Leah’s Star: a nativity story by Margaret Bateson-Hill and Karin Littlewood. PICTURE BOOK. Kane Miller, 2021. $13. 9781684642243

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Leah’s father owns an inn and stable in Bethlehem. When the pregnant woman needs a place to rest, she convinces her father to let them stay in the stable. There Leah witnesses the Christmas miracle of the birth of Jesus.

Bateson-Hill condenses the entire Christmas story into one night - shepherds, wise men, and fleeing to Egypt included. While it makes for succinct story-telling, it is also misleading. I don’t see Leah replacing the Little Drummer Boy any time soon, though the illustrations are a dreamy touch. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Santa Needs a New Butt! by Dawn McMillan and Ross Kinnaird - ESSENTIAL

Santa Needs a New Butt! by Dawn McMillan, illustrated by Ross Kinnaird. PICTURE BOOK. Dover Publications, 2025. $9. 9780486855141

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

Poor Santa has squished and lopsided butt problems from sitting in his sleigh too long.  Everyone jumps into action to try and help,  but Grandma ends up saving the day with the perfect solution for Santa's derriere.

McMillan is back at it with another one of her butt books. The illustrations are colorful and bold.  I was glad to see they are large enough for a room full of students to enjoy and the rhyming story is short enough to hold the youngest readers' attention.  The repeated use of the word "butt" will surely garnish plenty of giggles.  I look forward to sharing this book as a read-a-loud.

Alissa Loves Books