A Not-So-Scary Story by Barney Saltzberg - ESSENTIAL

A Not-So-Scary Story by Barney Saltzberg. PICTURE BOOK. Hippo Park (Astra), 2026. $19. 9781662640858

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

The little mouse wakes up in the middle of the night and can’t go back to sleep.  The older mouse starts to tell a story, but any time the little mouse thinks it might turn scary, it interrupts with a nicer version.  WHen the little mouse confesses that it doesn’t like to be scared, the older mouse talks about the thrill it feels when things are a bit scary.

I loved that I could see what the young mouse was trying to do by redirecting the story and that the older mouse helps alleviate its fears, without being didactic. Don’t even tell kids about the “lesson”.  They will understand, no problem. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Boo! from the Very Hungry Caterpillar - OPTIONAL

Boo! from the Very Hungry Caterpillar. BOARD BOOK. Penguin, 2026. $9. 9798217144969

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

This story-bereft board book is mildly Halloween adjacent. While the illustrations feel within the Eric Carle style, I need more than a couple of pages of Boo! to make this worthwhile.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Cristiano Rinaldo by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara and Joao Fazenda - ADVISABLE

Cristiano Rinaldo by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara and Joao Fazenda. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK BIOGRAPHY. Fences Lincoln (Quarto), 2026. $16. 9781805701712

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Meet Cristiano Rinaldo, soccer superstar.

Young fans of soccer and rinaldo in particular will enjoy this short, but well-written, beginning biography.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The Hockey Song by Stompin' Tom Connors and Gary Clement - OPTIONAL

The Hockey Song by Stompin' Tom Connors, illustrated by Gary Clement. BOARD BOOK Greystone, 2026 $10 9781778403736 

BUYING ADVISORY: PRE-K - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

This is a song about hockey in board book format. 

The song and pictures are delightful. This is a must-read for future hockey fans. I'm not sure it would appeal to everyone, but it capitalizes on the joy that is hockey. It may make new fans of the game. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Pookie and Bean! by Sandra Boynton - OPTIONAL

Pookie and Bean! by Sandra Boynton. BOARD BOOK Simon and Schuster, 2026 $8 9798347111329 

BUYING ADVISORY: PRE-K - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Pookie and Bean are the best of friends and love to play together. They even sing songs about each other. 

If you love Sandra Boynton, you won't be disappointed. I wasn't crazy about the Pookie and Bean song, but I am not the target audience. It's a fun board book for toddlers. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Rafi and Rita by Jarvis and Judge - ESSENTIAL

 

Rafi and Rita by Jarvis and Judge. PICTURE BOOK. Candlewick, 2026. $19. 9781536251685

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

Twin giraffes Rafi and Rita are teasing each other about which of them is the tallest.

The twins’ bickering is charming.  I had a great time reading this aloud to our Resource kids.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

https://www.kingsenglish.com/item/fDcyhWd7_aiy_ohHqY2FsQ

It's Not My Cookie by Kael Tudor and Ben Sanders - ADVISABLE

It's Not My Cookie by Kael Tudor and Ben Sanders. PICTURE BOOK. Scholastic Press, 2026. $9. 9798260517741

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

APPEALS TO: SOME

Bear finds a delicious looking chocolate chip cookie and wonders who it belongs to.   He feels sorry for the cookie and is very tempted to eat it himself.  Will he give in to temptation or will he do the right thing and find the owner?

It's Not My Cookie has a funny but fairly predictable plot.  It teaches a good lesson about not taking things that don't belong to us.  The expressions on the animal's faces are hilarious and the illustrations are eye-catching but don't have a lot of detail.  Definitely a good book for preschool-1st graders!

Tracie, Elementary School Librarians

Farm Shark by Bill Canterbury and Maddie Frost - ADVISABLE

Farm Shark by Bill Canterbury, illustrated by Maddie Frost. PICTURE BOOK Doubleday (Random), 2026 $19 9780593900789 

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

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Farmer Jolene gets a Farm Shark. The other animals are wary, especially after Farm Shark begins eating them. Farmer Jolene has the solution though! 

The story is delightful, and the art is the perfect fit. The animals are just the right blend of cartoon fun. Kids will enjoy finding out what happens to the farm animals and helping Farmer Jolene. This is an amusing read kids will enjoy. 

Michelle in the Middle 

A is for...A Rabbit's Tale by Jackie Hosking and Lucinda Gifford - ADVISABLE

A is for...A Rabbit's Tale by Jackie Hosking, illustrated by Lucinda Gifford. PICTURE BOOK Walker Books Australia Walker (Candlewick), 2026. $20 9781761603549 

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

An alphabet book all about owning a rabbit. 

This alphabet book stands out because it tells a story while going through the alphabet. It's a fun way of showing the alphabet sounds. Warning, young readers may want to get a pet after reading this book. The two main characters have varied skin tones. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Chasing the Moon by Susan Hayes and Anna Stead. - ADVISABLE

Chasing the Moon by Susan Hayes and Anna Stead. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Wide Eyed Editions (Quarto Publishing), 2026. $30. 9781805700197

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

Chasing the Moon is a captivating Journey through the Moon's mysteries and magic.  The reader will learn about our connection with the moon through historical legends and ideas. Learn about the phases of the moon and how it affects the Earth's tides, plants, and animals.

Chasing the Moon explores the Moon through beautiful illustrations and stories.  It's a spellbinding treat for anyone obsessed with all things celestial and lunar.

PGPowers

Old MacSanta Had a Farm by Katrina Charman and Georgie Birkett - ADVISABLE

Old MacSanta Had a Farm by Katrina Charman and Georgie Birkett. PICTURE BOOK. Nosy Crow, 2026. $15. 9798887772998

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Santa’s farm is busy getting ready for Christmas delivery and everyone is on hand to help.

A sweet remake of the Old MacDonald classic.  The illustrations are a delight to explore, while the new words are fairly simple in nature. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Scritch! Scratch! by Teri Sloat and Zuzana Cupova - ADVISABLE

Scritch! Scratch! by Teri Sloat, illustrated by Zuzana Cupova. PICTURE BOOK Random House, 2026 $15 9798217031146 

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

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Scritch! Scratch! There is a witch in the pumpkin patch! Three children are trying to fool a witch. 

The book is done in gray tones and a splash or orange, which is just right for a children's fright level. Rhyming makes the text pop, and it's just the right amount of scary fun for Halloween. The children are drawn white. 

Michelle in the Middle