A Doctor at Heart by Joan Schoettler and Steffi Walthall - ADVISABLE

A Doctor at Heart by Joan Schoettler and Steffi Walthall. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Beach Lane Books (Simon), 2026. $20. 9781481476669

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

The inspiring true story of Vivien Thomas, a scientist and teacher who overcame poverty and racial injustice to pursue his dream of working in medicine. From a young age, Vivien wanted to become a doctor, but financial hardship and discrimination created many obstacles. Even so, he persevered and devoted himself to learning and discovery. Through determination, skill, and innovation, Vivien made groundbreaking contributions to the field of heart surgery and helped save countless lives.

An interesting book, told in an approachable, age appropriate manner, about a person who showed resilience, intelligence, and the power of never giving up on what you love. Great illustrations. Vivien Thomas is Black.

Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian

Justice Ketanji : The Story of US Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson by Denise Lewis Patrick and Kim Holt - ADVISABLE

Justice Ketanji : The Story of US Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson by Denise Lewis Patrick and Kim Holt. NON-FICTION BIOGRAPHY PICTURE BOOK. Orchard Books (Scholastic), 2023. $19. 9781338885293

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

Ketanji Brown Jackson grew up with the mantra, you can be anything; you can do anything. She carried that perseverance through her life as she applied for and attended Harvard, graduated from Harvard Law, became a US district judge, and eventually became the first Black woman to be a US Supreme Court Justice. 

I liked that the text was written on an elementary level and outlined her life and accomplishments without being overly complex. While it would probably not circulate a lot in a library, it would be a good addition to a picture book biography collection. Justice Ketanji, her family, and many of her friends are Black

Rachel, Elementary school librarian

Gingerbread Yeti by Dan Gemeinhart and Hugo L. Cuellar. - ESSENTIAL

Gingerbread Yeti by Dan Gemeinhart and Hugo L. Cuellar. PICTURE BOOK. Henry Holt (Macmillan), SEPTEMBER 2026. $19. 9781250356765

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

Ella the Elf is cooking up a giant gingerbread man for the elves to enjoy on Christmas Eve, but a mistaken extra ingredient turns him into an abominable yeti instead.  How will they be able to save Christmas? 

Gemeinhart uses the rhythm pattern of “The Night Before Christmas”, which is a little easier to read out loud than most rhyming picture book text. The story is so adorable from beginning to end. Gemeinhart even includes a gingerbread man recipe.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Hummingbird's Big Trip by G. Brian Karas - ADVISABLE

Hummingbird's Big Trip by G. Brian Karas. PICTURE BOOK. Random House Studio, 2026. $19. 9780593902608

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

Hummingbird loves summertime, but as the days get shorter and the nights get longer, he starts to worry about the big trip when hummingbirds leave the cold north for the warm south.  He couldn't eat, so he took a nap.  Then he was really hungry, but he couldn't stop thinking about all those days ahead travelling by himself.  How will he ever find his winter home?

Karas combines relatable anxiety with subtle science facts about migration, and encourages young readers to build self-confidence.  Karas' illustrations are cute and quirky.

PGPowers

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