The Outermost Mouse by Lauren Wolk and Kristen Adam - ADVISABLE

The Outermost Mouse by Lauren Wolk and Kristen Adam. PICTURE BOOK. Dutton Children's Books (Penguin), 2026. $19. 9780593407776

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

An old man lived in a house at the tip of the beach and so did Mouse. Mouse could see that the sea grew closer to the house with each passing year. She worried that the house would be swallowed by the sea. She tried many things to keep the water at bay. But, one night the storm came anyway.

Wolk tells the true story of a beach house belonging to a naturalist through the eyes of a mouse. The author’s note at the end of the book tells about the man, Henry Beston, and his house. This exquisitely illustrated book speaks of conservation and love of home. Adults and children alike will enjoy reading this book.

MOMMAC

The Dance of Courage by Misty Copeland and Setor Fiadzigbey - ESSENTIAL

The Dance of Courage (Bunheads, Act 2 )by Misty Copeland and Setor Fiadzigbey. PICTURE BOOK.Nancy Paulsen Books (Penguin), 2025. $19. 9780399547683

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

Misty and Cat are friends who love the art of ballet. One day when Misty was visiting Cat, Cat told her how she wanted their next performance to be the ballet, Don Quixote and how Don Quixote searches far and wide for his love, Dulcinea. The next day at ballet rehearsal, Cat suggests that the company perform it.

Misty Copeland, as an expert on ballet, wrote a touching story about two friends who lift and care for each other. Copeland, as the first black American to be promoted to principal dancer at American Ballet Theatre, can understand the need for inclusion and kindness in team situations, which she shares so well in this sweetly illustrated story. Misty is a black American and Cat is Hispanic.

MOMMAC 

We Always Had Wings by Jess X. Snow - ESSENTIAL

We Always Had Wings by Jess X. Snow. PICTURE BOOK Penguin Random House, 2025. $19. 9780593428511

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

APPEALS TO: SOME

Snow and her mother are flying back to China to visit her grandmother in China. Snow is afraid as she watches the only home she has known disappear in the clouds. Her mother tells her a story that helps calm her fears.

Snow tells the story of her childhood when she is able to go back to China to visit her grandmother. But, the story has deeper meaning about immigration, refugees, and the longing for home. The beautiful illustrations send the imagination flying.

MOMMAC 

Pig Dreams by Margarita del Marzo and Guridi - ADVISABLE

Pig Dreams by Margarita del Marzo and Guridi. PICTURE BOOK. NubeOcho, 2025. $18. 9788410406629

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

Pigs wonder about many things. Some pigs wondered why sheep were the ones allowed to put Johnny to sleep every night. THe pigs will do crafty thing sin order to realize their dream.

Mazo created a cute, funny story about pig angst. The emotions of the pigs are gleefully illustrated on their faces and those of the sheep. Children and adults alike will laugh at these antics.

MOMMAC 

Love That Baby Hair by Alliah L. Agostini and Sawyer Cloud - ADVISABLE

Love That Baby Hair by Alliah L. Agostini and Sawyer Cloud. PICTURE BOOK. Charlesbridge Publishing, 2026. $18. 9781623546687

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Babies can have no hair. They can have bald spots. Some baby hair is straight while others are curly. Hair comes in many colors. All this depends on your parents genes. The timing of the first haircut is determined by culture and family tradition.

A young child will love this fast paced book. The words have rhythm and repetition. The illustrations of all kinds of babies and hair types keep a reader turning the pages. Every skin color and many races appears to be represented in this book.

MOMMAC 

The Worried Book by Howard Pearlstein and James Munro - ESSENTIAL

The Worried Book by Howard Pearlstein and James Munro. PICTURE BOOK. Red Comet Press, 2025. $17. 9781636551982

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

This book wants to be read, but then it worries that you won't like it. Or, what if you use it as a coloring book, or what it gets lost? The book realizes that everyone worries, and maybe instead of worrying about everything that could go wrong, it could try thinking of what could go right.

Like The Shy Book, the Worried Book teaches an important lesson of resilience. It normalizes being worried and offers realistic advice for what to do when worries start to get out of control. Cute illustrations with minimal colors support a text that flows well. The background characters are illustrated with various ethnicities and abilities.

Rachel, elementary school librarian 

Gotta Go! by Frank Vita - OPTIONAL

Gotta Go! by Frank Vita. PICTURE BOOK. TOON Books, 2023. $19. 9781662665073

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

APPEALS TO: SOME

Owen is going to see Grampa for a day at the park. His mom asked him if he had to pee before they left, but he has to go now! Owen makes it to Grampa's bathroom just in time. At the park Grampa teaches Owen some silly dances that help him when he has to pee.

This book was not for me, but kids who love potty-talk will enjoy it. The illustrations are mostly black, white, and shades of yellow. The text is speech bubbles, which I normally enjoy, but some of the pages were hard to follow the order of the panels. The main characters are white; background characters are multi-racial.

Rachel, Elementary school librarian 

Prince Bedhead by Taye Diggs, Shannon Stoeke, and Paul Kellam - OPTIONAL

Prince Bedhead by Taye Diggs, Shannon Stoeke, and Paul Kellam. PICTURE BOOK. Feiwel and Friends (Macmillan), 2026. $19. 9781250831309

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

The prince of Gladly has wild hair. His dad is unhappy that he can’t keep his crown on his head, so the boy goes to a friend to help him.

While I am a fan of the sentiment of the story, I am not a fan of the sing-songy text. The illustrations are bright and fun, but I also don’t understand how the crown design that the prince settles on is such a revelation to the kingdom. It just doesn’t make sense.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

Houdini's Library by Barb Rosenstock and Mar Delmar - ESSENTIAL

Houdini's Library by Barb Rosenstock and Mar Delmar. NON-FICTION, BIOGRAPHY PICTURE BOOK. Alfred A. Knopf (Random), 2026. $19. 9780593570135

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Did you ever wonder where Harry Houdini learned how to be a magician? It was through reading books! Houdini's Library is the story of Harry's life, how he started out in a poor family of a Jewish rabbi. Houdini worked many jobs before finding a book about magic. That book changed his life.

Houdini's Library is a very intriguing story that teaches how important books are. Harry was actually and avid reader and book collector. The illustrations are beautifully painted and some of them look like postcards or photos. Houdini's Library would be a great read aloud and would hopefully help to promote the biography section in the library. Harry and his family are Jewish.

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian 

Worm on the Job by Maureen Fergus and Paul Hammond - ADVISABLE

Worm on the Job by Maureen Fergus and Paul Hammond. PICTURE BOOK. Kids Can Press, 2026. $20. 9781525313165

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Worm has read every book in the library, so he sets out to find a new job. Though the manager of the convention center doesn’t think Worm can do it, he gives Worm an overnight trial. Maybe Worm will have a chance to prove himself.

Lots of silliness here. You have to suspend your belief and take Worm as the capable figure he sees himself.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

Upside-Down Iftar by Maysa Odeh and Nadine Issa - ADVISABLE

Upside-Down Iftar by Maysa Odeh and Nadine Issa. PICTURE BOOK. Henry Holt and Co. (Macmillan), 2026. $19. 9781250365552

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Malak is too young to fast during Ramadan, so she asks her grandmother to help her make something special for the rest of the family. They decide on makloubeh, a rice, meat, and vegetable dish. Everyone likes a different gathering of ingredients. Malak wants to make something to please everyone, but also to be true to herself.

More a story about grandmother and granddaughter enjoy cooking together, than a look at Remadan. It is a very sweet look, however. Students who celebrate Ramadan will love thai representation. And this would easily be a part of a holiday unit - especially one that includes food!

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

Leave Me Alone! by Dr Becky Kennedy and Joanie Stone - ADVISABLE

Leave Me Alone! A Good Inside Story About Deeply Feeling Kids by Dr Becky Kennedy and Joanie Stone. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Feiwel and Friends (Macmillan), 2026. $20. 9781250413116

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

When Pia trips and ruins the game she was playing with her older brother, her feelings explode and her sad becomes mad instead. Her mother takes her upstairs and sits with Pia as she finally works through her hard feelings.

The title and cover of the book are heavy handed, but the story itself is sweet and nickel written.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS