Gigantic by Rob Biddulph - ESSENTIAL

 

Gigantic by Rob Biddulph. PICTURE BOOK. Doubleday (Random House), 2026. $19. 9780593518960

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

Gigantic may yet be a tiny whale, but when his big brother, Titan, is in trouble, Gigantic pulls out all the stops, and his friends, to save him.

Biddulph’s rhyming text gives the story a rhythm evocative of the sea and adds an urgency to Titan’s danger. A great reminder to “biggers” that those smaller in stature are as important. I love the color palette of the illustrations so much.

Lovely endpapers, too. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

My Abuela is a Bruja by Mayra Cuevas and Lorena Alvarez Gomez - ADVISABLE

My Abuela is a Bruja by Mayra Cuevas, illustrated by Lorena Alvarez Gomez. PICTURE BOOK Knopf (Random House), 2025. $19. 9780593480632 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

The girl's abuela is an island bruja, a garden bruja, a dancing bruja, a kitchen bruja, and a flan bruja. There is magic in everything she does. 

This is one of those picture books where the illustrations tell so much more than the text alone. Lots of Spanish words mixed in; includes a glossary, and there is also an edition in Spanish. The illustrations are wonderful - I especially loved the illustration of the girl interacting with her ancestors, because they are all a part of her own magic. Back matter includes an author's note as well as recipes for Flan and Sofrito. A wonderful picture book. The characters are Puerto Rican 

Lisa Librarian 

Underwearwolf by Gideon Sterer and Charles Santoso - ADVISABLE

The Underwearwolf by Gideon Sterer and Charles Santoso. PICTURE BOOK. Simon and Schuster, 2026. $20. 9781665955584

Content: PG (“butt naked” mentioned, main character is naked at one point, but no private parts are shown)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Against all advice, a little slips on the underwear he was gifted during a full moon and becomes a werewolf, running wildly through his town all night long.

The idea that your underwear can turn you into a monster is hilarious and I loved watching his antics throughout the night. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Under One Roof by Miranda Paul & Baptiste Paul and Christopher Silas Neal - OPTIONAL

Under One Roof by Miranda Paul & Baptiste Paul, illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal. PICTURE BOOK.  Clarion Books (Harper), 2026. $16. 9780358576594

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

APPEALS TO: SOME

Bedtime is a time that is the same and yet very different for everyone.  Under One Roof represents a diverse group of children and their families as they get ready for bed.  Some are missing a loved one because they have passed away or are serving their country far away.  Others have lost their homes to wars or natural disasters.  Home truly is where your family is!

With rhyming text and soft, muted illustrations,  Under One Roof would be good for a bedtime story.  I don't think it is the type of book that would hold the attention of a class for a read aloud. 

Many different ethnicities and different types of families are represented.

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian

Piet Finds a Home by Carina Wohlleben and Rachel Qiuqi - ADVISABLE

Piet Finds a Home by Carina Wohlleben, illustrated by Rachel Qiuqi. PICTURE BOOK. Greystone Kids, 2026. $25. 9781778400292

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

Piet the squirrel sees Peter the forester and hops over to tell him that his home in the old pine tree is really prickly.  Peter tells Piet that he will find him a new home.  Peter suggests the enormous beach tree at the edge of the yard.  Piet discovers many wonderful and surprising things about the tree as he lives in it through the seasons. He feels his tree is more than a home. 

Piet Finds a Home is a charming story with educational facts about nature.  I liked the sidebars detailing even more facts about trees.  Qiuqi's illustrations are adorable.

PGPowers

Love ABC by Jannie Ho - OPTIONAL

Love ABC by Jannie Ho. BOARD BOOK Candlewick, 2025. $8 9781536246698 

BUYING ADVISORY: PRE-K - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

A child's alphabet book centered around love, with words like gift, invitation, poem, and friend. There are colorful, simple and large illustrations that pair well with the letter and word. The pictures are engaging and would appeal to young children. 

Michelle in the Middle

Hello, Sleep! by Yak Happy and Ania Simeone - ADVISABLE

Hello, Sleep! by Yak Happy and Ania Simeone. BOARD BOOK Quarto, 2026. $11 978183600900-9  

BUYING ADVISORY: PRE-K - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

A bedtime book where you turn the wheel to get ready for bed. This is a cute, well thought out book with nice illustrations. 

The wheel turning is what makes it super fun. Turning the wheel will change what toys the child puts away, the color of their blanket, what book they read and let the reader squirt water in the tub. Great interactive book to get your child excited about bedtime, and could be a nice part of that routine. No race is specified, but the child is drawn with white skin and brown hair. 

Michelle in the Middle

The Cedar Mother by Hetxw'ms Gyetxw (Brett D. Husun) and Natasha Donovan - OPTIONAL

The Cedar Mother by Hetxw'ms Gyetxw (Brett D. Husun), illustrated by Natasha Donovan. (The Mothers of Xsan) NON-FICTION, PICTURE BOOK Highwater Press. 2026. $20 9781774921586 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

The cedar tree life cycle, told from the perspective of a storyteller from the Gitxan Nation in the Northwest Interior of British Columbia, Canada. Interwoven into the pertinent facts, are the culture and respect for nature of the Gitxan people. 

I liked how the deep connection between all living things is represented through science and culture, where the sockeye salmon also nourishes the cedar. The culture is represented through words and the art, which complement each other nicely. A good resource for learning to respect nature and indigenous culture. 

Michelle in the Middle 

The Perfect Match A Soccer Cinderella Story by Chris Becker and Dan Taylor - ESSENTIAL

The Perfect Match: A Soccer Cinderella Story written by Chris Becker, illustrated by Dan Taylor. PICTURE BOOK. Nosy Crow, 2026. $19. 9798887772707

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: MANY

Leo wants to go to Prince Ollie’s Royal Soccer Match, but his mean older brothers make him stay home and do chores. However, Leo’s Hairy Squadfather comes in to save the day and send him off to the match with some magical help. Will Prince Ollie find the owner of the silver cleat after the magic has disappeared at the end of the game?

This is an adorable retelling of the Cinderella fairytale, but with a fun soccer twist! It's bedtime and Jack requests his favorite bedtime story - the tale of Leo, Prince Ollie, and the Royal Soccer Match. I think this would be an excellent addition to the folklore and fairytale shelf and would be so much fun to use in a unit comparing fairytale retellings. The pictures are so fun, and the story is clever and engaging. I think kids will really love the familiar story, but have fun pointing out the unique elements of this version, plus everyone loves soccer.

Kiera, ELA teacher, #bookswithbeddes

The Story of Gold: A Glittering History of the World edited by John Haywood, illustrated by Meel Tamphanon

The Story of Gold: A Glittering History of the World edited by John Haywood, illustrated by Meel Tamphanon. PICTURE BOOK. Thames & Hudson, 2025. $22. 9780500653852

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: SEVERAL

Discover the origins of gold, one of the most coveted and rare of Earth’s precious minerals from the heart of star collisions to the earth’s crust where it has been mined, minted, and fought over for thousands of years. Check out dozens of historical and archeological examples from around the world of how humans have used gold through the ages.

I picked up this picture book because the golden cover caught my eye. I'm like a raven, any shiny object has my immediate attention. The actual text was fine. It’s a highly detailed exploration of gold and its historical significance over time. It just goes to show that there really is a picture book for everything! My main issue is the disorganized structure, which causes the information to jump between different times and places, with gold being the only unifying topic. The book would be much easier to follow if the publisher reorganized the content—perhaps historically, by how gold was used, or by location. Currently, each chapter feels like a standalone "mini-lesson," making the entire book feel disconnected despite its continuous focus on gold.

Kiera, ELA teacher, #bookswithbeddes

Ritu in the Sun by Moniza Hossain and Merce Lopez - ADVISABLE

Ritu in the Sun by Moniza Hossain, illustrated by Merce Lopez. PICTURE BOOK. Crown Books (Random House), 2026. $19. 9780593806692

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Ritu loves the sun.  She loves it in the morning when it slants in through the window, and in the afternoon when it makes the pool sparkle.  She loves the sun when it lights up the sky with splashes of orange and pink.  But Nani is worried the sun will darken Ritu's skin.  As Ritu talks with her Nani, she finds out that Nani used to feel lonely while she stayed in the house and watched the others play.  Ritu loves playing in the sun. Will her Nani ever understand?

Hossain celebrates how light and love can make us see things anew -- including colorism.  Lopez's illustrations are expressive and beautiful.

A South Asian family is depicted.

PGPowers

Sheep and Goat Climb the World by A.C. Paolini and Monica Arnaldo - ADVISABLE

Sheep and Goat Climb the World by A.C. Paolini, illustrated by Monica Arnaldo. PICTURE BOOK. Alfred A. Knopf (Random House), 2026. $19. 9780593815083

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

A sheep and a goat saw each other and immediately started a rivalry.  First they started jumping on smaller things trying to out do each other.  Pretty soon cars and houses weren't high enough.  Soon they were competing to climb the highest landmarks in the world.  Their global adventure culminates on the top of the tallest mountain.  They both become scared when neither of them can find a way down.  Can two rivals learn to co-operate?

Paolini has authored  a fun way to teach competition, teamwork and friendship.  Arnaldo's illustration's are cute and animated with humor.  I like the large fold out pages.  

PGPowers