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

In This Classroom by Andrew Hacket and Arthur Lin - ADVISABLE

In This Classroom by Andrew Hacket and Arthur Lin. PICTURE BOOK. Red Comet Press, 2026. $19. 9781636551814

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

APPEALS TO: SOME

In this classroom there is room for everyone. We will fail, succeed together, learn, push ourselves, and so much more! 

This is a great book for classroom teachers to read to their students. The back matter has suggestions on how to use the book and create a classroom community. The colorful blob students and teacher complement the one or two lines of text on each page. 

Rachel, Elementary school librarian

When We Find Her by M. Farci Pena and Andre Ceolin - OPTIONAL

When We Find Her by M. Farci Pena and Andre Ceolin. PICTURE BOOK. Viking (Penguin), 2025. $19. 9780593624098

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

APPEALS TO: SOME

Lila is visiting Abuelo Carlos. The visit isn't the same without Abuela Ana, and they both miss her. To help remember her grandma, Abuelo Carlos helps Lila recreate Abuela Ana's famous sancocho soup. They go to the market to get the ingredients and struggle to make out Abuela's handwriting on the recipe.  

This is a sweet book about losing a loved one. Most of the Spanish words in the text are understandable from context. The back includes a recipe for sancocho. 

Lila and her grandparents are Latino. 

Rachel, elementary school librarian

Owl by Myself by Pete Oswald. - ADVISABLE

 

Owl by Myself by Pete Oswald. PICTURE BOOK. Random House Studio, 2026. $19. 9780593303603

 BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

Owl wakes up with a big idea for the day: to do everything “owl” by himself.  He cleans his room. (Don't look in that corner)  He brushes his teeth. ( Oops, the toothpaste is all over the place)  He  does many other things himself with many messes and misshaps.  When he's at school he realizes that playing catch isn't fun by himself.  What else does he need someone to help him with?

Owl by Himself is the perfect blend of humor and warmth, and filled with visual gags that will make readers laugh.  I liked the spare text, and the adorable illustrations.

PGPowers

The House That Love Built by Jesssica Meserve. - ADVISABLE

The House That Love Built by Jesssica Meserve. PICTURE BOOK. Tiger Tales, 2026. $19. 9781664300958

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) -ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

One day, a terrible storm rips through the forest, destroying everything in its path.  Nests have been blown away, trees are broken and burrows are flooded.  The animals are all soggy and sad.  First the beetles begin to help rebuild. Then other animals join in the small steps to rebuild their home.  Beaver builds a dam, but then the raging waters start to wash it away.  Will the water ruin what they've started?

The House that Love built is an inspiring story of hope, community, and working together.  Readers will realize that small steps with everyone’s help make a big difference.  I loved the expressive illustrations.

PGPowers

Fourteen Ways of Looking at Jellyfish by Carole Boston Weatherford and Bagram Ibatoulline - ADVISABLE

Fourteen Ways of Looking at Jellyfish by Carole Boston Weatherford and Bagram Ibatoulline. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Candlewick Press, 2026. $20. 9781536235074

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

Fourteen Ways of Looking at Jellyfish celebrates these extraordinary marine animals which have no brains, hearts, or lungs and are 95 percent water, yet mesmerize us with their graceful movements and translucent bodies. Learn about jellyfish that glow in otherworldly light.  Learn about jellyfish with deadly venom, and other amazing abilities.

Weatherford brings poetry and playfulness to natural science as she shares her fascination with jellyfish.  I loved Ibatoulline's illustrations that blend shimmering bioluminescence to stylish folklore and myth and portray the mysterious jellyfish.

PGPowers

The Tiny Thing by Ellen Tarlow and Lauren Stringer - ADVISABLE

The Tiny Thing by Ellen Tarlow and Lauren Stringer. PICTURE BOOK. Beach Lane Books  (Simon & Schuster), 2026. $20. 9781534498136

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

When shy Mole is out walking one day, he sees a tiny thing  - a dandelion seed.  He brings it to his burrow and immediately sets out to make it feel at home.  Mole, who had never been noticed by the squirrels or included by the birds, finds an imaginary friend in the tiny thing. 

He tells the tiny thing stories, and when spring comes, he brings the tiny thing out into the sun.  The tiny thing helps him feel brave.  Will he finally make new friends?

The Tiny Thing is a cheerful tale of growth reminding us that even the tiniest of encouragement is all that's needed to branch out and make new friends.  I enjoyed Stringer's heartwarming and expressive illustrations.

PGPowers