Coco and Stephen Together Forever by Beth Stern and Joanie Stone - ADVISABLE

Coco and Stephen Together Forever by Beth Stern and Joanie Stone. PICTURE BOOK. Random House Studio, 2026. $20. 9798217123544

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

Coco was the sweetest kitten.  One day he fell and injured his leg.  His owners surrendered him to a shelter because he was too much work.  Stephen is a bunny who was abandoned in the forest.  All they both want is a forever home.  Beth finds Stephen in the forest and introduces him to Coco in her foster room.  Will they ever find friendship and a forever home?

Coco and Stephen Together Forever is based on a true story that is filled with hope and heart.  I enjoyed Stone's expressive and vintage illustrations.

PGPowers

Time to Go, Larry! by Alison Hawkins - ADVISABLE

Time to Go, Larry! by Alison Hawkins. PICTURE BOOK. Orchard Books (Scholastic), 2023. $19. 9781338795196

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Larry is so snuggly and comfy in his bed; why would he ever get up? But now, Larry has a delicious breakfast waiting for him and decides he'll change his mind and get up. Breakfast is so delicious, why would he ever leave? Now there is fun to be had outside with his friends. Larry changes his mind again and has a wonderful day swimming and playing outside. So wonderful, in fact, that Larry decides he will play outside all night. Will Larry change his mind again? 

Larry's predicaments are all too relatable for kids and adults alike. The illustrations are colorful and playful. Kids will like Larry's interjection to the question, "Guess what?" (He responds, "Chicken butt!") Larry is a bear, his friends are animals.

Rachel, elementary school librarian

Please Don’t Scare the Ghost by Carrie Williford and Allysa Adams - OPTIONAL

Please Don’t Scare the Ghost by Carrie Williford and Allysa Adams. PICTURE BOOK. Flamingo (Penguin), JULY 2026. $14. 9780593693650

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

While out trick-or-treating with a ghost, be forewarned.  Every unfamiliar creature, every unfamiliar sound or movement, will scare your ghost. So be very careful.

Williford’s story felt passive - a whole lot of telling instead of showing and a long list of cautions without a great payoff of fun or excitement. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Lucie and the Wind by Gregoire Laforce and Yvan Duque - ADVISABLE

Lucie and the Wind by Gregoire Laforce and  Yvan Duque. PICTURE BOOK. Milky Way (Abrams), 2026. $20. 9781990252426

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

APPEALS TO: SOME

A girl named Lucy loves to collect little treasures that she finds on her walks. She places items like small sticks, flowers, and anything that catches her fancy in mason jars that she stores at home. She carries her backpack wherever she goes to help carry her treasures. One day on her walk, Lucy hears a voice from above. As she converses, she learns that she is talking to the wind. She really wants to put it in a jar, but the wind convinces Lucy to follow it instead. As Lucy goes on an adventure, she gets to know the wind and learns that not everything special will fit into jars.

The story had a good overall theme, however the plot wasn't very engaging. I loved the illustrations that accompanied the text. They helped drive the text and move the plot forward. This could be used to teach personification and theme.

Reviewer: A. Criswell, English Language Arts teacher

When the Sun Goes Down: A Bedtime Book by Greg Pizzoli - ESSENTIAL

When the Sun Goes Down: A Bedtime Book by Greg Pizzoli. PICTURE BOOK. Knopf Books for Young Readers (Random House), 2026. $19. 9780593649800

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

Have you ever wondered where animals go when the sun goes down? This story follows a little girl as she asks butterflies, leaves, ants, and many other creatures where they go at bedtime. At last, she wonders where kids go when the sun goes down. This book is written in a repetitive style that will appeal to young readers.

I liked this book because it addresses questions that kids might ask before bedtime. It is predictable and easy to read. The illustrations are cute. This would be a great bedtime book for young children.

Reviewer: A. Criswell, English Language Arts teacher

Butterfly Wings : A hopeful story about climate anxiety by Samuel Larochelle and Eve Patenaude - OPTIONAL

Butterfly Wings : A hopeful story about climate anxiety by Samuel Larochelle and Eve Patenaude. PICTURE BOOK. Greystone Books, 2023. $20. 9781778400827

Florent's anxiety could be upsetting for some readers.

BUYING ADVISORY: ADULTS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Florent has always been a sensitive, happy child. Then one night, he overhears his moms talking about having another baby and their worries that it could be irresponsible because of climate change. Florent internalizes his worries, and tries to put on a happy face for his moms. He starts having terrifying nightmares, and one morning, decides to stop speaking altogether.

At 104 pages, this is not a short picture book. It is for a very specific audience. I would not buy this for a library, but it could be a good SEL tool for adults and professionals. I loved how the illustrations depicted Florent's anxiety. 

This book was originally published in French in Canada. 

Florent and his moms are white. 

Rachel, elementary school librarian

Halloween Trampoline by Scott Rothman and Rob Justus - OPTIONAL

Halloween Trampoline by Scott Rothman and Rob Justus. PICTURE BOOK. Viking (Penguin), JULY 2026. 

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

The creatures are jumping on their trampoline like they do every Halloween.

Rothman’s work will appeal for its sheer silliness and inanity. He comes up with many words that rhyme (usually) with Halloween. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The Whale’s Tale and the Otter’s Side of the Story By Kate Messner and Brian Biggs - ESSENTIAL

The Whale’s Tale and the Otter’s Side of the Story by Kate Messner and Brian Biggs. PICTURE BOOK. Clarion Books (Harper), 2026. $20.

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

A charming book from elementary-school favorite Messner that is read from front to back to give the whale’s argument about why whales are better than otters, and then read back to front to give the otter’s rebuttal to the whale, using the same arguments in reverse.

Messner cleverly shows how an argument can be pro or con when words are rearranged and the book is a great example of character perspective and would be a fun springboard to either an animal study unit or to use as an example of author bias, depending on the age group. Biggs’ bold and playful illustrations add humor and whimsy to the arguments as the animals debate over which one is actually the best, and the book is a great read aloud for grades 2 and up. Back matter contains actual otter and whale facts.

Reviewer: Heather Robinson, Elementary School Librarian

Rock Star: How Ursula Marvin Mapped Moon Rocks and Meteorites by Sandra Neil Wallace and Nancy Carpenter. - OPTIONAL

Rock Star: How Ursula Marvin Mapped Moon Rocks and Meteorites by Sandra Neil Wallace and Nancy Carpenter. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2025. $20. 9781534493339

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

From a young age, Ursula Marvin was an explorer at heart. She never planned to become a scientist, but everything changed when she examined rocks under a microscope in college. Fascinated by what she saw, she fell in love with geology. When a professor refused to allow her to major in geology because she was a woman, Ursula did not give up. Instead, she transferred to another school and continued pursuing her passion. Through determination, courage, and perseverance, she overcame barriers, became one of the first women to conduct groundbreaking geological research in Antarctica, and made important discoveries that advanced our understanding of meteorites and Earth's history. Her story is an inspiring example of following one's dreams despite obstacles.

I loved the illustrations, and the subject matter was interesting. Ursula Marvin's story as a pioneering woman geologist who broke barriers and made important discoveries was both inspiring and engaging. However, the writing felt a little clunky at times, and there was often too much text on each page for a picture book. I also found it difficult to place the story in its historical context, as I did not know when it was taking place until I read the back matter. Despite these issues, I appreciated learning about an important scientist whose contributions are not widely known. Ursula Marvin is white.

Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian

The Playdate by Uje Brandelius (translated by Nichola Smalley) and Clara Dackenberg - OPTIONAL

The Playdate by Uje Brandelius (translated by Nichola Smalley) and Clara Dackenberg. PICTURE BOOK. Lantana Publishing Ltd., 2025. $19. 9781836290148

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

APPEALS TO: SOME

A young girl is excited to go with her mom to play at her friend Henry's house. She and her mom ride multiple buses and the subway to get to Henry's big house. The girl loves spending the day playing with her friend, and discovers Henry has a coveted robot toy she has always wanted. 

Though not mentioned in the text, the illustrations show the mom cleaning Henry's house. The text is the girl's stream of consciousness and does not have any resolution. I liked the illustrations which reminded me of Sophie Blackall's style. This book would be good to discuss what the author included in the text and what they chose to exclude. 

Originally published in Swedish. 

The characters appear to be white. 

Rachel, Elementary school librarian

I Love You, Boo! by J.D. Forester and Charlotte Love - OPTIONAL

I Love You, Boo! by J.D. Forester and Charlotte Love. BOARD BOOK. Penguin, JULY 2026. $10. 9798217141050

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Forester supplies the puns and Love gives us the googly-eyed treats in photo form to enjoy a line-up of Halloween candy possibilities. The pair give us a little bit of a love litany along with the puns.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

 

Something Good by Kenneth Kraegel. - ADVISABLE

Something Good by Kenneth Kraegel. PICTURE BOOK. Candlewick Press, 2025. $18. 9781536229448

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

Nothing good is happening. She wakes up with a chicken on her head, finds worms in her cereal, and the terrible day just keeps coming. Then a pair of magical socks just might turn her day into something good.

I loved the ridiculous, terrible things that kept happening. The text was delightful and the illustrations were fun; there were hidden smiley and frowny faces in the grass. The character learns to share the good she finds and be kind. 

The main character has light skin and dark hair, her friend is Black

Rachel, elementary school librarian