My Subway Runs by James Gladstone and Pierre Pratt - ADVISABLE

My Subway Runs by James Gladstone and Pierre Pratt. PICTURE BOOK. Groundwood Books, 2026. $20. 9781773067544

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

A boy journeys on a subway into the city so his mom can look for a job. Told from a child's perspective, we experience everything he does, from descending to the platform, feeling the wind as the subway rushes by, even noticing a homeless man that the adults pretend not to notice. The colorful illustrations move the story along, immersing us in the experience as the boy holds his mother's hand, safe, but with a child's curiosity in the world around him.

I love this book for Pratt's charming illustrations and the immersive experience that many children may not have if they don't live in a big city. The celebration of public transit calls to mind "Last Stop on Market Street" in using the child's perspective to experience the world around us and a commonplace ride to many adults becomes a fascinating journey. The boy and his mother present white, but as a subway in a big city, many ethnicities are present.

Heather Robinson 

Fly Away Home by Betty Quan and Akin Duzakin - ESSENTIAL

Fly Away Home by Betty Quan and Akin Duzakin. PICTURE BOOK. Groundwood Books, 2026. $20. 9781773069623

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

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Told through nursery-rhyme-esque language, Little Bird and her family migrate to find a new nest. Other birds, turtles, and other animals are also migrating to find safety as a girl and her family also search for a new home. While the animals are the main focus of the pages, we see people in the background, fleeing their homes, crowded into small boats, rushing through a burned-out village, looking for a safe new place. It ends on a hopeful note, both for the birds and the little girl. 

With the world in upheaval and millions of people displaced every year, this book provides an entry point for those conversations with young children. The author uses collective nouns like a "charm of goldfinches", a "flamboyance of flamingoes" and a "gift of robins" which adds to the whimsical quality of the action in the foreground. Each page shows a different species and their journey, while there is always help along the way. The illustrations are beautiful and enhance the lyrical quality of the verses. The focus of the book is on the animals and the ethnicity of the people is ambiguous, although they appear pale-skinned. 

Heather Robinson 

From the Fields to the Fight by Angela Quezada Padron and Sol Salinas - ADVISABLE

From the Fields to the Fight: How Jessica Govea Thorbourne Organized for Justice by Angela Quezada Padron and Sol Salinas. BIOGRAPHY PICTURE BOOK. Atheneum Books for Young Readers (SImon), 2026. $20. 9781665946704

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

Starting as a young child, Jessica Govea Thorbourne worked alongside her family as a migrant farm worker. She saw how unfair conditions were. There were no bathrooms, they worked long hours and also ingested pesticides that were meant to kill bugs but were harmful to humans. Jessica met Cesar Chavez, an activist for farm workers. Jessica's parents decided to join him in fighting for justice for migrant workers. Jessica learned how to help the migrant's cause and dedicated her life to it. Can one girl make a difference?

Padron gives us the compelling story about one girl's resilience. Jessica saw something in the world that she wanted to change and fought to change it. With just a few sentences per page and vibrant and emotional illustrations by Salinas, From the Fields to the Fight would make a great read aloud.

Jessica and her family are Hispanic.

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian 

A River Running Through You by Amy-Jane Beer and Elin Manon - OPTIONAL

A River Running Through You by Amy-Jane Beer and Elin Manon. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Magic Cat Publishing, 2026. $19. 9781917366915

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Have you ever wondered where water comes from or where it might be going? This book takes readers on a journey that is part science and part reflection, following water as it moves from oceans to rivers, clouds to rain, and through its ever changing cycle.

Manon's illustrations are beautiful and complement Beer's text. The prose encouraged me to think more deeply about water and its importance as one of Earth's most valuable resources. This is a thoughtful, contemplative book that invites reflection and discussion, while also conveying a clear environmental message.

Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian 

Indigo Irvine by Rhiannon Archard - OPTIONAL

Indigo Irvine by Rhiannon Archard. PICTURE BOOK. Tate Publishing, 2025. $17. 9781849769617

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Indigo Irvine loves her artistic mum. Through her paintings, Indigo's mum brings light, color, and excitement into their lives. But not every day is easy. Some days there is not enough food to eat, the heat is turned off, or her mum cannot find the energy to get out of bed. Even during these difficult times, Indigo and her mum face challenges together as a team, relying on love, resilience, and laughter to carry them through. 

I loved Archard's bright, bold, and engaging illustrations, which bring warmth and energy to the story. However, I struggled with some of the messages presented in the book. The story seems to normalize situations that are concerning, such as the family having their utilities shut off and Indigo being left to care for herself when her mother is unable to get out of bed for days. While the book highlights the love between mother and daughter and their resilience in difficult circumstances, I felt it glossed over the seriousness of the challenges Indigo faces.

Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian https://www.kingsenglish.com/item/CVbOt1jz_0sKO_Yc9Ikk2Q

The Tour at School! by Katie Clapham and Nadia Shireen - ADVISABLE

The Tour at School! by Katie Clapham and Nadia Shireen. PICTURE BOOK. Candlewick Press, 2025. $19. 9781536242980

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Being the tour guide for a new student at school is a very important job. You have to be excited and show them everything around the school. It's important to have an emergency meet up place in case you get separated. It's even more important to remember what it feels like to be new and not know anyone or anything. Then maybe at the end of the tour, you can stop being a tour guide and just be friends.

This is a fun book to remember what it is like to be the new kid in school and to build empathy. Shireen's illustrations are bright and playful and illustrate the characters with a variety of skin tones and hair colors.

Rachel, Elementary School librarian 

Piet Finds a Home by Carina Wohlleben, Peter Wohlleben and Rachel Qiuqi - OPTIONAL

Piet Finds a Home by Carina Wohlleben, Peter Wohlleben and Rachel Qiuqi. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Greystone Kids, 2026. $20. 9781778400292

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

APPEALS TO: SOME

Piet is a squirrel looking for a new place to sleep. Peter, his human neighbor, helps him find a nice beech tree and teaches him all about the tree. Piet learns new things about the tree through summer, fall, winter, and then spring. Piet learns that trees sleep, sweat, drink water, and get hungry just like he does.

The Wohllebens mix of fiction and nonfiction with tree facts on most pages. I liked learning more about trees, and I would have liked if there was a reference for where to learn more. It would be a good science teaching tool for teachers.

Peter is white.

Rachel, elementary school librarian 

Home Away from Home by Nazneen Akbari and Rashin Kheiriyeh - ADVISABLE

Home Away from Home by Nazneen Akbari and Rashin Kheiriyeh. PICTURE BOOK. Barefoot Books, 2026. $18. 9798888598962

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Nuha isn't sure she wants to spend the summer with her grandmother (Jadda) in Oman, but Mama assures her it will be a home away from home. When Nuha forgets her doll, she feels even worse. Oman is nothing like home. When Jadda suggests they go to the souk (market) to find a new doll, Nuha still isn't sure. Jadda helps Nuha discover the wonderful sights, smells, and tastes of the souk, and as she connects with her grandmother, her surroundings start to feel more like home.

This is a sweet story about connecting with family and culture. I loved the illustrations and descriptions of Oman. This book would make a great addition to any library.

Nuha and her family are from Oman.

Rachel, elementary school librarian 

Nisha Knows Best by Maryann Jacob Macias and Maithili Joshi - OPTIONAL

Nisha Knows Best by Maryann Jacob Macias and Maithili Joshi. PICTURE BOOK. Dial Books for Young Readers (Penguin), 2026. $20. 9781984815552

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Nisha has a big family, and they love to give hugs. Nisha loves her ammamma and appappa, but when they arrived from India after a long absence, she suddenly felt very shy. It was just too scary to hug them. Nisha's mom assured her that there are lots of ways to show love. So instead, Nisha shares one of her paintings with them.

A sweet story about a little girl figuring out how she best likes to show love. She learns that there are many ways to show love, and she can do what feels best for her. The illustrations are fun, bright, and vibrant.

Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian 

Sparkles for Sunny by Sylvia Chen and Thai My Phuong - ADVISABLE

Sparkles for Sunny: A Lunar New Year Story by Sylvia Chen and Thai My Phuong. PICTURE BOOK. Flamingo Books (Penguin), 2025. $19. 9780593694626

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

With Lunar New Year right around the corner, Sunny would like nothing more than a new qipao to wear to the parade that is all her own. But that is not the Lao family way. The Lao family never wastes anything. So once again, Sunny is stuck wearing her sister's hand-me-downs. Can Sunny find a way to make her outfit all her own and still honor her family?

A sweet story about the youngest sister of three who would like nothing more than to stand out. I really loved the illustrations.

Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian 

Brave New Ballet by Robyn McGrath and Alexander Mostov - OPTIONAL

Brave New Ballet: The Story of the Les Ballets Trockadero De Monte Carlo by Robyn McGrath and Alexander Mostov. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Penguin Workshop, 2026. $19. 9798217049370

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo was an all-male ballet company founded in New York City in the 1970s by a group of dancers who wanted the freedom to perform on their own terms. They worked tirelessly to perfect their technique while also bringing humor and satire to their choreography. Although they were not taken seriously at first, their talent, dedication, and artistry eventually won over audiences around the world.

This was an interesting look at a piece of dance history I was previously unfamiliar with, and I enjoyed learning about the company's unique contributions to the world of ballet. I also enjoyed the illustrations.

Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian 

I Got You: A Brother's Promise by Derrick Barnes and Shamar Knight-Justice - ADVISABLE

I Got You: A Brother's Promise by Derrick Barnes and Shamar Knight-Justice. PICTURE BOOK. Nancy Paulsen Books (Penguin), 2025. $19. 9780593111451

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Rasheed thinks he has the best big brother in the world. Anthony teaches him about both the big things and the little things in life—how to ride a bike, make mud pies, and soar through the air from the swings. He comforts Rasheed during storms and is always there when he needs him. But one day, Rasheed is heartbroken when Anthony goes bike riding with his friends and leaves him behind. Later, Anthony reassures Rasheed that even as he grows older and spends more time with friends, he will always be his big brother and will always be there for him.

A sweet story about the love and bond between brothers. Anthony patiently teaches, encourages, and cares for Rasheed, showing him what it means to be a loving big brother. When the family learns that a new baby brother is on the way, Rasheed realizes he is ready to follow Anthony's example and become a caring big brother himself. A celebration of family relationships. I also liked the collage style illustrations.

Anthony and Rasheed are Black

Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian