Archibald and the Furry Dinosaurs by Suzanne Lang and Max Lang. - OPTIONAL

Archibald and the Furry Dinosaurs by Suzanne Lang and Max Lang. PICTURE BOOK. Random House, 2025. $19. 9780593811962

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Archibald was the only dinosaur without fur. As he searches high and low for his fur, he makes some friends and manages to avoid different dangers. When his hair refuses to come back with him, Archibald is going to have to figure out how to live without it.

Maybe kids will realize that the story isn’t about any real dinosaurs or any real time period.  From what I’ve heard about kids who like dinos, however, is that they like to learn all about them.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Cassini’s Mission by Kate Venit, illustrated by Julia Blattman - ESSENTIAL

Cassini’s Mission by Kate Venit, illustrated by Julia Blattman. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. MIT Kids Press, 2025. $19. 9781536232325

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS, HS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

When the Cassini spacecraft was sent towards Saturn to explore the tiny moon Enceladus, the scientists thought they had packed it with every needed tool.  As the team had more questions to answer and challenges for Cassini, the little spacecraft responded beautifully, until they discovered the one question Cassini couldn’t answer - is there life on Enceladus.

I love this look at space missions and scientists finding out their hypotheses were incorrect and then changing their trajectory both literally and figuratively. Excellent for all levels of science teachers. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Please Look After This Cat by Kasia Antczak and Kasia Fryza, translated by Agnes Monod-Gayraud. - ESSENTIAL

Please Look After This Cat by Kasia Antczak and Kasia Fryza, translated by Agnes Monod-Gayraud. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Post Wave, 2025. $19. 9798895090268

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

Antczak and Fryza give a simple, practical book about how to raise your house cat. 

I love the simple, but well-researched information that the authors bring to their book. An excellent resource for first-time, young cat parents.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The Echo People by SD Youngwolf, illustrated by Shonto Begay - ADVISABLE

The Echo People by SD Youngwolf, illustrated by Shonto Begay. PICTURE BOOK. Lee and Low, 2025. $20. 9781643790848

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

A Native American grandfather is introducing his grandchildren to the Echo People.  While the grandson finds the Echo People irritating, the granddaughter had an uplifting experience. Grandfather explains to them about getting back what you put out into the world.

A lovely lesson in a story.  While a couple of pages are quite wordy, I thoroughly enjoyed watching the message sneak up on me. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Across the Ice: How We Saved the Ojibwe Horse by Darcy Whitecrow, Heather O’Connor and Natasha Donovan - ADVISABLE

Across the Ice: How We Saved the Ojibwe Horse by Darcy Whitecrow and Heather O’Connor, illustrated by Natasha Donovan. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Candlewick, 2025. $19. 9781536229455

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

The Ojibwe of Lac La Croix First Nation had a special relationship with the wild ponies of their area.  As white people settled the land, however, the large herds were reduced to a final four ponies. In order to save them, the Ojibwe helped round them up in 1977 and smuggled them across a frozen lake to a ranch in the United States.  Today the herd has grown to almost 200.

A lovely look at the cycle of almost destroying and then saving a species. Great for a science lesson about man’s effect on nature, saving endangered species, etc. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Don’t Do It Doug! by Maudie Powell-Tuck and Duncan Beedie - ADVISABLE

Don’t Do It Doug! by Maudie Powell-Tuck and Duncan Beedie. PICTURE BOOK. Tiger Tales, 2026. $19. 9781664300798

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Doug, a hamster, has never seen a button he wouldn’t press, a lever he wouldn’t pull -- you get the idea. His friends hope to curb his frenetic energy by giving him some thrilling, but safe (?) activities. Can Doug learn?

Powell-Tuck creates a fun book, but the final illustration negates the whole possibility of this being also a subtle lesson. An adult would have to do a lot of discussion to turn this into a useful exercise. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Rock and Roll by Ruby Amy Thompson - ESSENTIAL

Rock and Roll by Ruby Amy Thompson. PICTURE BOOK. Tiger Tales, 2026. $19. 9781664300927

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

While the differences between a rock and a roll are pretty obvious, could they also have similarities?

Thompson gives us a quick, yet profound look at the idea of compare and contrast. I am very impressed and will be showing this to lots of secondary teachers. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Mousestache Moosestache by Rowboat Watkins. - OPtIONAL

Mousestache Moosestache by Rowboat Watkins. PICTURE BOOK. Chronicle Books, 2026. $19 9781797233918

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

APPEALS TO: SOME

Mustaches are everywhere!  They are found on different types of animals, on mountains, fruit, buildings, and anything else you can imagine.  Is there anything in this book that does not have a mustache on it?

I did not enjoy this book because it does not have a plot.  The author basically added stache to different words and drew mustaches on all kinds of things.  Even though the illustrations are cute, I don't know that this book will hold a child's interest.

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian

Something Sweet: A Sitting Shiva Story by Leslea Newman and Sarita Rich - ADVISABLE

Something Sweet: A Sitting Shiva Story by Leslea Newman, illustrated by Sarita Rich. PICTURE BOOK. Charlesbridge, 2026. $19. 9781623545710

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Lizzie's mom makes brownies, and they take them over to her friend Joshua's family because their grandpa has just passed away.  Joshua's family is having a sitting shiva where people come to offer the bereaved family comfort.  Lizzie tries to cheer up her friend by offering him brownies and putting her arm around him.  But what is the thing that works the best?

Something Sweet teaches readers about the Jewish custom of sitting shiva after a loved one passes away.  Newman tenderly captures the feelings of grief, remembrance, and how to support a friend.  Rich's illustrations are expressive, tender,  and beautiful.

PGPowers

Spin To Survive the Pharaoh's Curse by Emily Hawkins, illustrated by R. Fresson - ADVISABLE

Spin To Survive the Pharaoh's Curse by Emily Hawkins, illustrated by R. Fresson. PICTURE BOOK. Quarto Publishing, 2025, $30. 9781836003069

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

It is the year 1160 BCE.  Pharaoh Rameses is dead, his tomb and treasures are safely hidden in the Valley of the Kings.  You have come to live with your uncle in Egypt as his apprentice.  He leaves you a task to discover who stole the map that shows where Pharaoh Ramses  tomb is, and to stop the robbers.  In this game of chance, you will choose how to solve the mystery.  Make your choice and spin your Survival Spinner to survive.  Will you have success or disaster?

Hawkins has created a clever story that is also a game for young ancient history lovers.  I enjoyed playing the game as I read along.

PGPowers

Children of the Throne by Joseph Coelho, illustrated by Richard Johnson - OPTIONAL

Children of the Throne by Joseph Coelho, illustrated by Richard Johnson. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Frances Lincoln Children's Books (Quarto), 2025. $19. 9780711289543

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Three children go into the forest called by a tree-grown man.  He tells the children about the new dangers to nature and how they need to be the ones to make a change and restore the world.  The summer is too hot.  He shows the children how to conjure rain and look after the forest, finding a sort-term solution.  How can they protect the forest for future generations?

Children of the Throne is a poetic story about climate change and using the next generations to make better choices, but it lacked interest.  Johnson's illustrations are very beautiful.

PGPowers

How To Hatch: A Gosling's Guide to Breaking Free by Sarah Holly Ackerman, illustrated by Galia Bernstein - ADVISABLE

How To Hatch:  A Gosling's Guide to Breaking Free by Sarah Holly Ackerman, illustrated by Galia Bernstein. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK.  Alfred A. Knopf (Random House), 2026. $19 9780593811061

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

How to Hatch helps the reader discover how a gosling hatches into the world, step by step.  Ackerman's humorous "how to" text is delightful to read.  

I liked the way it takes the reader through every step of the hatching process, and has a glossary at the back.  The illustrations are detailed and fun.

PGPowers