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.

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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.  

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All I Want To Do Is Swim by Marilyn Singer and Luisa Uribe - ADVISABLE

All I Want To Do Is Swim by Marilyn Singer, illustrated by Luisa Uribe. PICTURE BOOK. Rise (Penguin Random House), 2026. $19. 9780593752395

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

A young girl has taken swimming lessons, but the teachers did not make it very fun.  On the dock at a summer cabin, she dips her toe in the water wondering if she wants to go in the water.  She sees a turtle dive and some fish go swishing by.  She wonders if she could swim like them?  She decides to try.  She copies a duck and floats.  She thinks of other animals and tries to copy them.  Has swimming become more fun?  What has she discovered?

Singer gives us  a clever story to help kids try new skills and develop more confidence while swimming.  Uribe's illustrations beautifully express the exhilaration and relaxation of enjoying the water.

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Just One Oak by Maria Gianferrari and Diana Sudyka - ADVISABLE

Just One Oak by Maria Gianferrari, illustrated by Diana Sudyka. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Beach Lane Books (Simon),  2026. $20. 9781665961042

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

An oak tree is so much more than meets the eye.  From tiny fungi to mighty mammals, this amazing tree contains a whole world.  Learn about how insects, birds, bears, squirrels, Owls, deer, foxes and many more creatures are drawn to the rich and healthy environment an oak creates.

Gianferrari comprehensively and simply teaches the reader about all the amazing ways an oak supports the animals and plants around it.  Each page is a delight with beautiful illustrations and fun interesting facts.

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Van Gogh's Dog by Georgia Larson and Grace Helmer - ADVISABLE

Van Gogh's Dog by Georgia Larson, illustrated by Grace Helmer. PICTURE BOOK. Random House Studio, 2024. $20. 9798217024025

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

Vincent Van Gogh is an artist with nothing to paint.  While he is outside trying to think of something to paint,  a little dog comes up and steals his paintbrush.  Vincent runs after the little dog to get back his paintbrush.  He chases the dog through a sunflower field,  an evening cafe,  a beautiful night with twinkling stars, and even goes out in a rowboat and notices the swirls and ripples of the water.  How will this adventure end, and will Vincent finally have something to paint?

Van Gogh's Dog is a fun way to introduce young readers to his iconic art.  Although the playful story is obviously not true, it helps the reader see the sights that could have inspired Van Gogh's beautiful paintings.  Helmer's illustrations are fun and expressive.

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My Sister Goose by Alyssa Satin Capucilli and Hyewon Yum - ADVISABLE

My Sister Goose by Alyssa Satin Capucilli, illustrated by Hyewon Yum. PICTURE BOOK. Hippo Park (Astra), 2026. $19. 9781662640995

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

Miranda has a younger sister named Graciela but everyone calls her Goose.  When goose gets dressed, Miranda never knows what to expect.  One morning Goose dresses in her swimming suit for school. Miranda tells her that she could wear clothes over her swimming suit.  Miranda continues to help Goose with better choices for the playground and other activities.  Is it alright to wear a ballet tutu in the snow?

My Sister, Goose is warm and funny and teaches gentle wisdom and kindness for those who dress effervescently.  Yum's illustrations are very cute.

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Lawn-Mowing Day! by Breanna Carzoo - OPTIONAL

Lawn-Mowing Day! by Breanna Carzoo. BOARD BOOK Simon and Schuster, 2026. $8 9781665973472 

BUYING ADVISORY: PRE-K - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

The grass is long, so it's lawn mowing day for three little animals. 

Not much of a story. Little ones might like the patterns in the grass, but I don't know how engaging mowing the lawn is to toddlers. The art is bright, but the animals are boxy-shaped. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Mary Morland in the Time of Dinosaur Discovery by Jane Kurtz and Giselle Potter - ADVISABLE

Mary Morland in the Time of Dinosaur Discovery by Jane Kurtz and Giselle Potter. BIOGRAPHY, PICTURE BOOK Beach Lane (Simon), 2026. $20 9781665955546 

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

When Mary was young, instead of being a proper little girl, she liked to play outside and explore, and she drew pictures of what she found in a journal. As a teen, she corresponded with a French scientist sending him specimens. She loved fossils and minerals. Mary was very good at drawing, and drew fossils for book illustrations, helping her husband who wrote the books. Although not credited at the time, she is part of the dinosaur discovery story. 

The story addresses the reader with questions like "wouldn't you?" and "did she" - not sure I like that, but it moves the story along and builds anticipation, I guess. Includes an author's note, sources, and resources. I enjoyed learning about Mary Moreland and finding another Victorian female scientist. The illustrations are colorful and reflect the time period. Mary is English 

Lisa Librarian No https://www.kingsenglish.com/item/uhkEB3h562sL-W0GagWBlw

No, I'm a Shark by Mike Henson and Ava Gomez - ADVISABLE

No, I'm a Shark by Mike Henson, illustrated by Ava Gomez. PICTURE BOOK. Happy Yak, 2026. $19. 9781836001997

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

A grown-up asks a young boy what he wants to be when he grows up.  He puts on his shark puppet and says that he wants to be a shark.  The adult tries to give him other ideas such as a firefighter, a nurse,  a teacher, or a builder, but each time the boy yells that he wants to be a shark.  When the adult suggests fish for dinner, the boy reconsiders and chooses a surprising new future occupation.

No, I'm a Shark! is fun, humorous, and imaginative.  I liked the sensible verses/silly dynamic between adult and child. It did seem a little cold when calling what looked like a mom "my grown-up".  Gomez's quirky, colorful illustrations added more silly fun.

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