South with the Seabirds: Follow Four Scientists to the Edge of the World by Jess McGeachin - ADVISABLE

South with the Seabirds: Follow Four Scientists to the Edge of the World by Jess McGeachin. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Orca Book Publishers, 2026. $22. 9781459834859

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

In 1954, Hope Black, Mary Gilham, Susan Ingham, and Isobel Bennet were the first female scientists to join an Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition. These scientists each observed different species such as penguins, Southern elephant seals, and seabirds. Their research is still in use today.  

McGeachin celebrates four pioneering women scientists, and encourages others to make observations around them.  I liked their field-note-style watercolor illustrations. 

PGPowers

The Thing Lou Couldn't Do by Ashley Spires - ADVISABLE

The Thing Lou Couldn't Do by Ashley Spires. PICTURE BOOK. Kids Can Press, 2017. $20. 9781771387279

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

Lou and her friends decide to play pirates.  One of the kids wants to use a tree as the pirate ship.  Lou has never climbed a tree before, and she's sure she can't do it.  She comes up with reasons for not joining them.  Finally she tells herself she doesn't want to climb the tree.

The Thing Lou Couldn't Do is a fun story about facing fears, and the idea that trying is what matters even if you fail.  Spires' illustrations are expressive, quirky, and delightful.

PGPowers

Where They Gather by Teresa Rodrigues and Jamiel Law - ADVISABLE

Where They Gather by Teresa Rodrigues and Jamiel Law. PICTURE BOOK. Atheneum Books For Young Readers (Simon), 2026. $20. 9781665957816

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

A black family builds their own home after the abolition of slavery.  They plant a pecan tree seed.  Their family roots and dreams take hold, and so does the pecan tree.  But hate and oppression burn down their house and branches of the pecan tree are broken.  Can they weather historical challenges and keep their family growing strong?

Where They Gather is a story of hope and resilience through generations.  I liked Law’s bold artwork, and the pecan tree as the central symbol of their growth and endurance.

PGPowers

The Whale's Tale and the Otter's Side of the Story by Kate Messner and Brian Biggs - ADVISABLE

The Whale's Tale and the Otter's Side of the Story by Kate Messner and Brian Biggs. PICTURE BOOK. Clarion Books (Harper), 2026. $18. 9780063372627

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

Reading the story one way tells you that whales are the best.  Read it either way around, however, and you are convinced that otters are the best. Which animal do you think is better?

The Whale's Tale and the Otter's Side of the Story is a clever, interactive tale that explores perspective by using the exact same text to tell two entirely different stories depending on which direction you read it.  Biggs' illustrations are expressive and humorous.

PGPowers

When We Go Home by Heather Beaumont and Natali de Mello - ADVISABLE

When We Go Home by Heather Beaumont and Natali de Mello. PICTURE BOOK. Kids Can Press, 2026. $20. 9781525312519

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Dad and Mom are excited to go back home to their Caribbean island to see everyone. The two young children say that it's not their home.  The family flies to the Island, and there are lots of people who look like them, but will the young children feel like this is their home too?

When We Go Home is a touching and warmhearted story that explores what it means to belong to two cultures.  I enjoyed the rich, vibrant art by Natali de Mello.

PGPowers

Rocket Beams, Lunar Dreams by Chiara Colombi and Scott Magoon - ADVISABLE

Rocket Beams, Lunar Dreams by Chiara Colombi and Scott Magoon. BOARD BOOK. Viking (Penguin), 2025. $9. 9798217042081

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

Rocket gets to go to the moon today. When Rocket realizes that she won’t actually be walking on the moon, though, she is very disappointed. Can Rocket get over her disappointment and help Lander learn how to fly down to the moon?

Rocket Beams, Lunar Dreams is a cute story exploring friendship, overcoming fears, and managing disappointment. 

Magoon's illustrations are fun and engaging.

PGPowers

Wee Unicorn by Meg McLaren - ADVISABLE

Wee Unicorn by Meg McLaren. PICTURE BOOK. Charlesbridge Publishing, 2025. $18. 9781623544935

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

Wee Unicorn feels like she doesn’t fit in. She is loud, small, and can’t do magic. But one day she meets a monster living in the loch who is misunderstood too. Together, they discover that being different is not something to hide.

A cute story with a great message and fun, bright illustrations.

A. Snow, Librarian

Where Is Bear? by Leslea Newman and Valeri Gorbachev - ADVISABLE

Where Is Bear? by Leslea Newman and Valeri Gorbachev. BOARD BOOK. Clarion Books (Harper Collins), 2026. $10. 9780063492035

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

All the animals in the forest play hide-and- seek.  Bunny counts while everyone else hides.   Soon she has found all the animals except bear.  How could the biggest animal be so hard to find?

Where is Bear? is a cute rhythmic tale with charming storybook illustrations by Gorbachev.  Children will be eager to join in this playful search for the missing Bear.

PGPowers

Safari Train by Christopher Robbins and Susanna Covelli - ADVISABLE

Safari Train by Christopher Robbins and Susanna Covelli. BOARD BOOK. Familius (Abrams), 2026. $15. 9798893960594

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Count the jungle animals as you trundle through the forest on the safari truck. 

The train stretches out into a stand-up toy. Just think if the wheels actually rolled.  but still a lot of fun.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Sloths Love Parties by Rory H. Mather and Binny Talib - ADVISABLE

Sloths Love Parties by Rory H. Mather and Binny Talib. PICTURE BOOK. Affirm Press, 2026. $18. 9781922863560

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

Sloths are known for loving sleep, but have you ever wondered why they are so sleepy? Marty the sloth tells us that it is because sloths love to party.  Sloths celebrate everything they can think of and each day of the week.  They party all night long dressed up all fancy with food and games.  In the morning, can you think of another party they start? 

Sloths Love Parties is a joyous, humorous story.  Talib's vibrant illustrations are full of colorful fun and jungle party antics.

PGPowers

How to Say You're Sorry by Stephanie Calmenson and Shannon McNeill - ADVISABLE

How to Say You're Sorry by Stephanie Calmenson and Shannon McNeill. PICTURE BOOK. Beach Lane Books ( Simon & Schuster ), 2026. $20. 9781665958394

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

A cute, big, grey elephant knocks over his friend's blocks.  What do you do when something you've done really upsets someone? Do you blame it on someone else?  Do You hide or run away?  Or can you be brave and stay where you are and say I'm sorry.  Will the other person forgive you?

How to Say You're Sorry is very relatable and sparks conversations about apologies and patience.  I enjoyed McNeill's soft, mixed media illustrations.

PGPowers

Show Your Colors by Smriti Prasadam-Halls and Edward Underwood - ADVISABLE

Show Your Colors by Smriti Prasadam-Halls and Edward Underwood. BOARD BOOK. Candlewick, 2023. $10. 9781536228465 

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

As you meet a wide variety of animals, each of them has a colorful body part to show off.

I really enjoyed how Prasadam-Halls rhymed the color with the animals’ first names. And Underwood’s illustrations are the right flash of fun and bright.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS