Perla and the Pirate written by Isabel Allende, illustrated by Sandy Rodriguez - ADVISABLE

Perla and the Pirate written by Isabel Allende, illustrated by Sandy Rodriguez. PICTURE BOOK. Beach Lane Books (Simon & Schuster), 2025. $20. 9781665961028

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Perla the dog and her boy, Nico have a new neighbor, the Pirate! He is really a teenager in a rock band, but he wears a Pirate t-shirt. One day, Nico gets lost walking home from school, and it’s up to Perla, the Pirate, and Nico’s older sister, Liz, to find Nico again.

This is the second in the Perla series, and for the most part, it’s okay if you haven’t read the first book. I will say that I had forgotten who Liz was at the beginning, but then I figured it out. My biggest complaint (and this was also the case with the first book) was the magical elements that were sort of sprinkled through the book. The magic can easily be explained as the result of a child’s imagination, but for an adult, the lack of a logical magical framework is a little infuriating. All in all, a cute story about a boy and his dog, and how the dog is the hero at the end of the day.

Kiera, ELA teacher, #bookswithbeddes

Our Prehistoric Planet by Sue Lowell Gallion and Lisk Feng - ADVISABLE

Our Prehistoric Planet: Dinosaurs and Other Creatures of the Past by Sue Lowell Gallion, illustrated by Lisk Feng. BOARD BOOK. Phaidon Press, 2026. $20. 9781837290390

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Our Prehistoric Planet is such a fun and unique book! The accordion-fold format is unlike any other.  When fully opened, magnets connect and create a globe shape that can be placed on the desk or floor.  Gallion explores famous dinosaurs as well as early sea life, soaring pterosaurs, and the eventual rise of mammals.  

The artwork is vibrant and inviting.  The colors are modern and make the ancient world come to life. Gallion turns a science lesson into an adventure.  Each time a child unfolds this board book, there will be an "aha" moment where they realize just how big and ancient our world really is.  Our Prehistoric Planet: Dinosaurs and Other Creatures of the Past will be a perfect addition to any unit on dinosaurs. 

S. Lewis

What About an Elephant? A Fact-Filled Savannah Adventure by Deborah Kerbel and Dawn Lo - ADVISABLE

What About an Elephant? A Fact-Filled Savannah Adventure by Deborah Kerbel, illustrated by Dawn Lo. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Owlkids Books, 2025. $19. 9781771476188

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

A young girl takes us on safari to see elephants.  She reminds us that we will want to bring a camera and a water bottle.  We observe an elephant eating, and then jumping in a  watering hole. The young girl also jumps in and they play hide and seek. We learn much about elephants including how they keep cool, how they love to play and swim, how much they weigh, how much they poop, and many other interesting facts.

Kerbel takes us on an informal delightful wildlife adventure through the eyes of a young girl with fun-to-read sidebars of fascinating facts about elephants.  I enjoyed the warm, colorful illustrations of the playful savanna expedition. 

PGPowers

World's Best Mom by Isabel Otter, illustrated by Lynn Giunta - ESSENTIAL

World's Best Mom by Isabel Otter, illustrated by Lynn Giunta. BOARD BOOK. Penguin Young Readers Group, 2026. $13. 9798217143207

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

This amazing pop-up book is a soft, rhythmic tribute to the quiet moments that build a relationship between Mom and child. Unlike books that focus on grand adventures, Otter focuses on the intimacy of the everyday. It highlights patience, creativity, and the invisible work of making a home feel like a sanctuary.

World’s Best Mom reminds all moms that motherhood doesn’t demand perfection. This book celebrates the mom who is best simply because she is there—the one who listens to the long stories, fixes the scraped knees, and offers the safest lap in the world. It’s a poignant reminder that while we often worry about doing enough for our children, to them, our ordinary presence is their entire world. Colors are bright and bold with fun pop-up illustrations that will excite little ones and parents alike. 

S. Lewis

World's Best Dad by Isabel Otter, illustrated by Lynn Giunta - ESSENTIAL

World's Best Dad by Isabel Otter, illustrated by Lynn Giunta. BOARD BOOK. Penguin Young Readers Group, 2026. $13. 9798217143238

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

World's Best Dad follows a series of relatable, small-scale moments that define a father-child relationship. From the fixing of broken toys to the bravery required to check for monsters under the bed, Otter captures the multifaceted role of a modern dad. The illustrations are detailed and fun. 

World’s Best Dad feels like a long-overdue thank you for the subtle magic of fatherhood. It reminds us that being the best isn't about being perfect or heroic in a grand sense; it’s about the consistency of showing up. It’s a beautifully tender mirror for any father trying his best.

S. Lewis

The Language of Birds by Jon-Eric Lappano, illustrated by Zach Manbeck - ADVISABLE

Language of Birds by Jon-Eric Lappano, illustrated by Zach Manbeck. PICTURE BOOK. Random House Studio, 2025. $19. 9780593806654

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Mira had always loved birds since she was very young.  She could mimic their sounds and behaviors.  Mira had a special gift with birds, but she was anxious and confused when dealing with people.  She was mostly left alone by the kids at school.  One day a new boy named Jad arrived at school.  He was different too.  He connected with trees like Mira did with birds.  At recess, Jad made trees with chalk on the pavement.  Mira wanted to say hello, but her words scattered away.  Can Mira find a way to be friends with Jad?

The Language of Birds gently explores connection, and finding friendship in unexpected ways.  I liked Manbeck's fresh, modern vintage illustrations.

PGPowers

A Family of Readers by Rob Sanders and Gabbie Benda- OPTIONAL

A Family of Readers by Rob Sanders, illustrated by Gabbie Benda. PICTURE BOOK. Charlesbridge, 2026. $18. 9781623546472

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

One sunny day at the local library, a family of readers rushed in the front door to read, enjoy, search, and explore.  In the library, a group of older men were reading the news, while other kinds of bookworms were reading in nooks.

A Family of Readers embraces libraries as powerful, welcoming spaces for learning and community.  Unfortunately,  it was a little boring, even though they tried to have things happening in the library that wouldn't really happen such as breadmaking.  Benda's illustrations were cute. There is an illustration of a boy dressing like a girl throughout the book.

PGPowers

Reach In! by Hervé Tullet - ESSENTIAL

Reach In! by Hervé Tullet. BOARD BOOK. Chronicle Books, 2026. $19. 9781797237817

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

True to its title, the book encourages children to literally poke their fingers, hands, and even their faces into the pages. It breaks the don't touch rule of traditional literature. Tullet introduces children to the power of a simple dot or a wiggly line. He proves that you don't need a complex plot to tell a story; sometimes, the story is simply the relationship between a blue circle and a yellow hole.

Reach In! is the ultimate antidote to screen time. It provides that same instant, high-contrast feedback that a tablet does, but it requires the child to use their fine motor skills and spatial awareness to make the magic happen. It’s not a book that says, "Sit still and listen"; it’s a book that says, "Come and help me finish this!" It makes the reader the most important part of the experience.

S. Lewis

If You Went to the Bottom of the Ocean by Brook McIntyre and Gordy Wright - ADVISABLE

If You Went to the Bottom of the Ocean by Brook McIntyre, illustrated by Gordy Wright. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Chronicle Books, 2026. $20. 9781797226514

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Take a dive to the bottom of the ocean in a submarine.  What creatures would you see as you descend lower and lower?  What can live at the very bottom of the ocean?  Learn these things and more by reading If You Went to the Bottom of the Ocean.

McIntyre cleverly teaches students about ocean creatures.  She takes you along as the submarine dives lower and lower.  Wright’s illustrations are fairly realistic but very interesting.  The text is not overly long on each page.  Most pages also have an I Spy portion that students would enjoy.  Would make a fun read aloud!

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian

The House That Floated by Goujing - ADVISABLE

The House That Floated by Goujing. PICTURE BOOK. Random House, 2025. $19. 9780593709054

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

On a cliff overlooking the sea sits a little red house where a family lives and grows.  The family spends their days exploring the ocean, saving dolphins caught in nets, and carving fish out of wood.  One day the ocean rises, and huge storm waves lap at the house.  What can the family do to save their home?

The House That Floated is an interesting wordless picture book with themes of love, resilience, and adaptation to environmental change.  The illustrations are soft, expressive, and beautiful.

PGPowers

Let's Play Baseball!: A Touch-and-Feel Book by Jo Parker, illustrated by Ahra Kwon - ADVISABLE

Let's Play Baseball!: A Touch-and-Feel Book by Jo Parker, illustrated by Ahra Kwon. BOARD BOOK. Penguin Young Readers Group, 2026. $10. 9798217049127

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

What happens at a baseball game? This sturdy, interactive board book will take you through the excitement of the crowd, the action on the field, and the love of the game.  Readers can run their fingers over the raised red stitching of a baseball, feel the smooth, cool wood of the bat, and tough the rough, pebbled surface of a fielder's glove.  

The sensory actions help toddlers connect words to physical objects.  Kwon’s illustrations are bright and intentionally simple.  This is a great first sports book.  By letting kids touch the game, the book turns a complex professional sport into something intimate and manageable. This is the perfect gift for any baseball loving family. 

S. Lewis

The Cloud That Stuck by Karen Krossing and Dorothy Leung - ADVISABLE

The Cloud That Stuck by Karen Krossing, illustrated by Dorothy Leung. PICTURE BOOK. Charlesbridge, 2026. $18. 9781623545727

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

One blustery day, the wind blows a cloud over Tansy's head, blocking the sun.  She does everything she can think of to get rid of it, but it stays. Her dad, best friend, and teacher try to help, but it won't budge.  Then the cloud begins to rain on Tansy and she forgets what sunshine feels like.  She finally decides to put on rainboots and carry an umbrella.  She looks for things like flowers that need rain.  What if the raincloud never goes away?

The Cloud That Stuck uses Tansy's persistent cloud as a metaphor for mental health challenges. Krossing's text encourages readers to find ways to live with problems rather than to get rid of them,  highlighting self-acceptance.  Leung's gentle illustrations show the light and dark emotions of mental issues.

PGPowers