Whirby by Molly Harris and Jacob Souva - ESSENTIAL

Whirby by Molly Harris and Jacob Souva. PICTURE BOOK. HarperCollins Children's Books, 2026. $12. 9780063385474

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

Whirby is a young robot that loves competing in bot battles.  On the night before an important battle, Whirby is so excited that he practices all night instead of climbing into his charging base.  

Whirby is a great intro  into talking to kids about bedtime routines and the importance of sleep.  The story is told in an engaging way with very colorful pictures.  Whirby would make a great read aloud.  The students could compare their bedtime routine to Whirby's.  (Like going to bed instead of plugging into a charging base)

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian

Frank and Bert by Chris Naylor-Ballesteros - ADVISABLE

Frank and Bert : The One Where Bert Plays Soccer (Frank and Bert #4) by Chris Naylor-Ballesteros. PICTURE BOOK. Nosy Crow, 2025. $19. 9798887772288

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

Frank the fox and Bert the bear love soccer.  Bert mostly has trouble playing; his ball always lands in the wrong place. Frank hopes he can help Bert.

Frank and Bert are up to their humorous antics in "The one where Bert Plays Soccer," celebrating friendship and heart.  I love Naylor's simple quirky illustrations.

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William Shakespeare by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara and Andrea Stegmaier - ADVISABLE

William Shakespeare by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara and Andrea Stegmaier. NON-FICTION BIOGRAPHY PICTURE BOOK. Frances Lincoln Children's Books (Quarto), 2026. $16. 9781805701675

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

William Shakespeare from the Little People, Big Dreams series tells the journey of the famous playwright and poet.  It covers Shakespeare's life, from his childhood to his rise as a celebrated writer.  

William Shakespeare is a perfect simple overview for young children with interesting illustrations to help them visualize the time period.  I liked the extra facts, and biographical timeline in the back-matter.

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Oprah Winfrey by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara and Sera Latterell - ADVISABLE

 

Oprah Winfrey by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara and Sera Latterell. NON-FICTION, BIOGRAPHY PICTURE BOOK. Frances Lincoln Children's Books (Quarto), 2026. $16. 9781836007500

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

Oprah Winfrey, Little People, Big Dreams, chronicles her journey from poverty to becoming a global icon.  It highlights Oprah's early life in Mississippi and Tennessee, her determination in landing a television news job at nineteen, and her groundbreaking television show.

Oprah Winfrey is inspiring for young readers, and focuses on empathy, ambition, and the power of dreaming big.  I liked the extra facts and timeline in the back matter. 

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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), 2026. $18. 9781665958394

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

What happens when you make a mistake but you are afraid to make it right?  A boy and his elephant are playing when the elephant knocks over the boy's tower of blocks.  The elephant thinks of how to get out of it before saying he is sorry.  Will the boy forgive him?

How to Say You're Sorry is a great book about explaining what it feels like to make a mistake.  I like how Calmenson goes through the different feelings we experience when we feel sorry.  The text rhymes and there are only a few sentences per page.  

The boy is presumably white.

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian

Maya's World by Andrea Pippins - ADVISABLE

Maya's World by Andrea Pippins. PICTURE BOOK. Random House Studio, 2026. $19. 9780593814994

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

Maya's class is asked to draw something inspired by nature.  Maya loves to draw, and spends all evening drawing, painting, and gluing.  When her classmates don’t quite understand her vision, it is a great way to talk about the different ways we all see the world.

Maya's World is a colorful, vibrant story that celebrates self-expression and imagination.  Readers are encouraged to explore their creativity and share their ideas with confidence.

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The Wildest Thing by Emily Winfield Martin - ADVISABLE

The Wildest Thing by Emily Winfield Martin. PICTURE BOOK. Random House, 2026. $20. 9798217023981

BUYING ADVISORY:  EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

Eleanor loved the outdoors and wild things in her own quiet way, but there was something wild in her waiting to come out.  One morning the outside came in.  She became noisy, free, and wilder than she was supposed to be. 

Martin beautifully expresses a timeless message about little ones unleashing their inner "wild" and encouraging their budding imagination and unique individuality.  Martin's illustrations are sweet and beautiful.

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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. 

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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