The Baby Who Only Said No by Sandra Salsbury - ADVISABLE

The Baby Who Only Said No by Sandra Salsbury. PICTURE BOOK. Doubleday Books for Young Readers (Random House), 2026. $19. 9798217119257

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Baby knows only one word—"No!" As she learns to talk, she also leaves a trail of chaos in her wake. Share? No. Get dressed? No. Eat breakfast? No. Every request is met with the same determined response. But when she is asked if she would like a kiss, it may be time to learn a new word.

Parents, and older siblings will easily recognize this stage of toddlerhood as little ones begin to discover both language and independence. The story captures the humor, frustration, and sweetness of a child determined to do things her own way.

Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian

Unicorns in Uniforms by Beth Ferry and A.N. Kang - ADVISABLE

Unicorns in Uniforms by Beth Ferry and A.N. Kang. PICTURE BOOK. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2026. $20. 9781665975421

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Can unicorns be hairdressers? Firefighters?  What about bakers?  In Unicorns in Uniforms, unicorns do it all.  Can the unicorns work together to save their village from a dragon?  

Unicorns in Uniforms, with its eye-catching cover, will intrigue students who love unicorns.  The text rhymes and is limited to a few sentences per page.  The illustrations are adorable with lots of details.  Working together is the theme that is emphasized in Unicorns in Uniforms.  

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian

Think Big: Secrets of Bees by Ben Hoare and Nina Chakrabarti. - ADVISABLE

Think Big:  Secrets of Bees by Ben Hoare and Nina Chakrabarti. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Nosy Crow, 2025. $20. 9798887772738

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

Secrets of Bees dives into the hive to uncover the intriguing and hidden lives of bees.  Learn through beautiful, fun illustrations and text about how bees have incredible super powers, how they pollinate plants, how they communicate, and how without bees, the world would be a very different place.

Secrets of Bees is intriguing and contains interesting new facts found in short paragraphs under clever, engaging illustrations. It is mostly for older children, but younger children will enjoy the pictures.

PGPowers

Louisa Learns to Write: Louisa May Alcott Creates Little Women by Kate Hannigan and Sofia Moore - ADVISABLE

Louisa Learns to Write:  Louisa May Alcott Creates Little Women by Kate Hannigan and Sofia Moore. NON-FICTION, BIOGRAPHY PICTURE BOOK. Calkins Creek (Astra Books for Young Readers), 2026. $20. 9781629794563

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Louisa May Alcott was always exploring, playing, dreaming, and creating - the very actions that would one day make her a writer. She treasured her "Imagination Book" given to her by her mother.  Louisa and her family went through hard times, but they persevered.  She worked many odd jobs, and hoped that one day she would make enough money through her writing to help her family.  When the opportunity came, she drew from her own family experience to write her first novel Little Women.

Louisa Learns to Write is a beautiful, heartfelt tale biography that will inspire creativity and spark interest in learning to write.

PGPowers

The Visit by Nuria Figueras and Anna Font - ADVISABLE

The Visit by Nuria Figueras and Anna Font. PICTURE BOOK. Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2026. $19. 9780802856555

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

When her mother leaves the den, Little Fox expects to spend the next few hours by herself.  But then she hears a knock at the door.  The visitor's name is silence.  Silence is so big and strange.  Is silence bad, or can silence teach her something good and be her friend?

The Visit is a tender story about making friends with silence, and learning about mindfulness, self-regulation and alone time.  Font's artwork is gorgeous.

PGPowers

Science The High-Flying, Deep Diving Adventures of Kathy Sullivan by Diane Stanley and Jessie Hartland - ADVISABLE

The High-Flying, Deep Diving Adventures of Kathy Sullivan by Diane Stanley and Jessie Hartland. NON-FICTION, BIOGRAPHY PICTURE BOOK. Simon and Schuster, 2025. $20. 9781665926409

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Growing up, Kathy Sullivan loved to look at maps and National Geographics and wonder about distant places.  When she was six years old and saw Sputnik in the sky, she knew space would be the most amazing adventure of all.  Kathy became the first American woman to walk in space. Kathy also became the first woman to travel to the Mariana Trench, the lowest known point on Earth.  Kathy never forgot the maps she loved as a child and followed her curiosity to the highest reaches and most sunken depths.

Stanley captures the curious, adventurous, brave spirit of Kathy Sullivan and touts her many accomplishments.  The juvenile illustrations are engaging and delightful.

PGPowers

All Together Now: Create 50 Moments of Family Joy by Hannah Dove and Gemma Koomen - ADVISABLE

All Together Now:  Create 50 Moments of Family Joy by Hannah Dove and Gemma Koomen. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Quarto Publishing, 2025. $20. 9780711295209

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

What do families need to have fun and make memoirs?  Each other! and this book that will help you discover 50 fun activities you can do at home or in the backyard or in your local area.  Each one encourages families to be in the present, enjoy quality time together, practice new skills, and create treasured family memories.

All Together Now helps families get new, fun, and  creative ideas to do together for free or with minimal resources. I enjoyed the sweetly illustrated activities.

PGPowers

The Star Tree by Luosha Liu - ADVISABLE

The Star Tree by Luosha Liu. PICTURE BOOK. Post Wave Children's Books, 2026. $19. 9798895090954

BUYING ADVISORY:  EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

In the heart of the forest stands an ancient tree that Ellie loves more than anything.  One night, a comet passes overhead and the tree erupts into shimmering stars that seem to take over the forest and bother all the animals.  The animals want to chop down the tree to stop the stars.  But Ellie loves the tree and tries to find a way to get rid of the stars.  Can Ellie and her friends solve the starry problem?

The Star Tree is an interesting comic book tale of friendship and teamwork that will enchant young readers. I enjoyed the cute characters and illustrations.

PGPowers

Let's Rumble! : A Rough-and-Tumble Book of Play by Rachel G. Payne and Jose Pimienta - ADVISABLE

Let's Rumble! : A Rough-and-Tumble Book of Play by Rachel G. Payne and Jose Pimienta. PICTURE BOOK. Rise x Penguin Workshop, 2025. $19. 9780593750698

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

APPEALS TO:  SEVERAL

Two kids decide it's time to rumble in their living room! They roughhouse and use their imaginations, making sure to stop when someone says the safe word. When a third kid joins the fun, she gets to learn the rumble rules too. "The text is exclusively speech bubbles; the illustrations are colorful and engaging. Tips and information on how to roughhouse and its benefits are included after the story. 

The kids have olive skin and dark hair. The youngest boy is illustrated with hearing aids.

Rachel, Elementary library specialist

Emily Saw a Door by Mel Rosenberg and Orit Magia - ADVISABLE

Emily Saw a Door by Mel Rosenberg and Orit Magia. PICTURE BOOK. Random House Studio, 2026. $19. 9798217024056

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

APPEALS TO: SOME

Emily is on the hunt for a door that she can go through. The first door she tries is only for very blue people. The next door is for liars, and Emily doesn't want to go in there. Emily encounters door after door that won't let her in or aren't right for her. Will Emily ever find somewhere just right for her? 

A very cute story with a good message about belonging and creating space for yourself and others. I liked that Emily and the doors are illustrated with bright colors on a white background. 

Emily is white. 

Rachel, Elementary library specialist

The Magical Orchestra by Lauren Crisp and Ella Hobbis - ADVISABLE

The Magical Orchestra by Lauren Crisp and Ella Hobbis. PICTURE BOOK. Tiger Tales, 2025. $20. 9781664300934

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

Hare and Rabbit are playing in the forest when suddenly, Hare says, "Shhh-listen! Can you hear something?"  Rabbit also wonders what the sounds are.  The two friends follow the musical sounds and happen upon an orchestra made up of different animals of the forest.  The musicians are warming up for a very special performance.  How can Hare and Rabbit participate?

The Magical Orchestra helps children explore the magic of the classical orchestra with a beautifully illustrated story complete with 20 sound buttons throughout.  I like the on/off switch to preserve the battery life.

PGPowers

It's My Body! : A Book About Body Positivity by Elise Gravel - ESSENTIAL

It's My Body! : A Book About Body Positivity by Elise Gravel. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Chronicle Books, 2026. $19. 9781797239712

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

There are all kinds of bodies. They have different shapes, abilities, and colors. Your body is your best friend and needs to be treated with kindness. Every body needs to be respected too! 

I love Gravel's adorable illustrations! This is an important book about diversity, consent, body-positivity, and kindness. Kids, teens, and adults will benefit from this relatable book.

Rachel, elementary school librarian