It Won't Be Forever written by John Dougherty, illustrated by Thomas Docherty - ADVISABLE

It Won't Be Forever written by John Dougherty, illustrated by Thomas Docherty.  PICTURE BOOK. Frances Lincoln Children’s Books (The Quarto Group), 2026.  $19.  9780711296657

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: SEVERAL

A fox cub named Vixie has separation anxiety from her father when he tells her he has to go away for a while. She finds out that she is capable of surviving, even while missing her father.

The story is a gentle lesson addressing separation anxiety during a temporary absence. It’s not as weighty as a book about grief might be, but I think it still has a proper place in classroom libraries as young minds learn how to navigate complex emotions.

Kiera, ELA teacher, #bookswithbeddes

School Spirits by Charlotte Gunnufson and Rebecca Crane - NO

School Spirits by Charlotte Gunnufson and Rebecca Crane. PICTURE BOOK. Atheneum (Simon), 2026. $20. 9781665964517

BUYING ADVISORY: NOT RECOMMENDED

On the first day of school you worry about a lot of things, but not that school is haunted.  When you find proof what should you do?  Gather your friends and train the ghosts to be respectful and helpful.

I just don’t understand this book at all. Someone please explain. I don't know why you would worry that your school is haunted on a perfectly ordinary day, nor do I then understand how you and your friends are going to train the ghosts to keep things clean and play with all of the kids.  The rhyming text, trying to make everything feel light and cherry doesn’t help either.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Calm Your Roar Like a Dinosaur by Colleen Patterson and Brenda S. Miles, illustrated by John Joseph - ESSENTIAL

Calm Your Roar Like a Dinosaur by Colleen Patterson and Brenda S. Miles, illustrated by John Joseph.  PICTURE BOOK. Magination Press, 2025.  $19.  9781433844652

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: MANY

A young triceratops is frustrated and furious, so their fellow dinosaurs show them how to relax every part of themselves to “calm the roar” and find their center once again.

I really loved this book. It teaches young readers how to self-regulate using the Progressive Muscle Relaxation technique to tighten & relax different parts of the body, helping them to calm down and de-stress. The brightly colored dinosaurs teaching the young triceratops were so well-drawn, and made the point perfectly. I think it would be a great book for any counselor’s or school’s wellness center library shelf. Super cute story and message.

Kiera, ELA teacher, #bookswithbeddes

  

The Haunted Goldfish (Night Frights) by Joe McGee and Teo Skaffa - ADVISABLE

The Haunted Goldfish (Night Frights) by Joe McGee and Teo Skaffa. EARLY READER Level 3. Simon, 2026. $19 (hc), $6 (pb). 9781665984928

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

When Victor’s goldfish Doris dies, he gives her a watery farewell flush.  That night, however, the toilet bowl runs over and floods the house.  Victor knows that Doris has come back to haunt him, but his parents do not believe.

If you have young students who like creepy things, they will enjoy the Night Frights series. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Could That Be a Witch? by Hannah Eliot and Saoirse Lou - OPTIONAL

Could That Be a Witch? by Hannah Eliot and Saoirse Lou. BOARD BOOK. Simon and Schuster, 2026. $9. 9798347106868

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

The children are getting ready for Halloween and looking for a witch. Each time tey think they’ve spotted her, it turns out to be something else.

If you want a light Halloween peek-thru book for little ones, here is a simple one.  The witch is not supposed to be scary. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Fancy Dogs by Tini Malina - ADVISABLE

Fancy Dogs by Tini Malina (translated from German by Tammi Reichel), PICTURE BOOK North South, October 2026. $20. 9780735846272 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

A list of things that make dogs fancy, like getting groomed, wearing costumes, and having a schedule. Also, they play in the mud and chew shoes and do cute things too. 

First, a shout-out to the translator; the rhymes are clever and make sense! Large and simple illustrations will appeal to the young reader. As a dog lover, I could relate to many of the fancies, like when they soft-bark and try to get food they shouldn't eat. I think it's cute. 

Lisa Librarian 

Sing the 50 United States by Dr. Seuss - ESSENTIAL

Sing the 50 United States by Dr. Seuss. PICTURE BOOK Random House, 2026. $20. 9798217228560 

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

The Cat in the Hat, along with a couple of little cats, is putting together a map puzzle of the United States and making up a song along the way. 

What? A new book by Dr. Seuss??? Yep. The manuscript was discovered in several boxes in San Diego's Geisel Library just in time for the 250th. A fun read - no tune (yet), but all the states are there, and it's very Dr. Seuss, with fun plays on words and cute illustrated interactions with the other characters and the puzzle pieces. A must-buy - who knows if we'll ever find another unpublished manuscript of his again. 

Lisa Librarian 

Uh-Oh, Hugo! by Jonathan Stutzman and Jay Fleck - ADVISABLE

Uh-Oh, Hugo! by Jonathan Stutzman and Jay Fleck. PICTURE  BOOK. Flamingo (Penguin), 2026. $19. 9798217039203

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Hugo is up for a busy day. Lots of sniffing and running and sticky mess by the end of the day. 

I don’t know why this is not a board book.  With its simple text and bold pictures, it is perfect for that format. For kids with dogs or without dogs, it is a simple look at a silly dog’s silly day.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

This is Not a Christmas Book by Jory John and Pierre Collet-Derby - ESSENTIAL

This is Not a Christmas Book by Jory John and Pierre Collet-Derby. PICTURE BOOK. Farrar Straus Giroux (Macmillan), SEPTEMBER 2026. $20. 9780374394011

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

The lizard is trying to educate the reader about rocks, but what is that elf doing there? And those reindeer!

I love the lizard’s commitment to his rocks - and that Collet-Derby is as accurate as they can be in their depiction. Of course it devolves into a Christmas book, but based on community and celebration, not just about receiving gifts.  

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The Dumped Truck by Daniel Bernstrom and Marcelo Verdad - ESSENTIAL

The Dumped Truck by Daniel Bernstrom and Marcelo Verdad. PICTURE BOOK. Harper, 2026. 9780063373624

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

Dump Truck works around Toyville and is very helpful, but he is also stinky, dirty, and makes other messes as he works. When the other toys band together to change the rules, they don’t realize the smelly consequences of their choices.

So super cute! I love Dump Truck and the consequences of the other toys’ short-sighted rule making.  It is even a good lesson for many adults (lawmakers).

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Twigs and Stones by Joy Cowley and Gavin Bishop - ADVISABLE

Twigs and Stones by Joy Cowley and Gavin Bishop. PICTURE BOOK Gecko Press (Lerner), 2025. $19. 9798765668238 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

Snake and Lizard are friends who live together - they share a hole under a rock. When Lizard wants to write their names in sticks above their hole, Snake keeps asking why, which is irritating. Snake doesn't help; Lizard does all the work, but Snake is pleased. But when the wind blows down the letters of Snake's name, and in his rush to put them back, Lizard makes a mistake, their friendship might be ruined for good. 

A humorous story about surviving a friendship fight. The illustrations were cute and practical - Snake would have a hard time helping with poor vision and no arms, but she still manages to get back at Lizard. An interesting conversation starter about dealing with problems in a friendship. 

Lisa Librarian  

Born Inside a Nest so Small by Iza Trapani - ADVISABLE

Born Inside a Nest so Small: Conversation with a Hummingbird by Iza Trapani. NON-FICTION, PICTURE BOOK Charlesbridge/Imagine, 2025. $18 9781623545840 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

A child watches a hummingbird while reading, um, this book, and comments on each page poetically. He tells the hummingbird about itself as he reads the information. A bit surreal, but I don't think a K-3 reader will notice. It's a sort of poetry/non-fiction hybrid. The rhymes are clever and make for a fun read; the information is worthwhile and perfect for a young reader without telling too much about the hummingbirds. However, the information text is in a lighter-colored font, while the poems are in black, I'm afraid the actual info may get skipped. 

The child appears white 

Lisa Librarian