The Case of Old MacDonald and His Farm by Mark Teague - ADVISABLE

The Case of Old MacDonald and His Farm by Mark Teague. PICTURE BOOK. Beach Lane Books  (Simon and Schuster), 2026. $20. 9781665990769

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

Old MacDonald called the police to come and investigate a disturbance on his farm.  MacDonald shows officer Busby the faces painted on his cabbages, the duck's corn dumped in the lake, pizza delivered to the goats, mustaches painted on the cows, hats on the chickens, and more.  Who could be doing all of this to the animals on his farm and why?

The Case of Old MacDonald and His Farm is an enjoyably silly whodunit mystery.   I especially loved Teague's outstanding humorous illustrations.

PGPowers

Who’s Making that Big Stink? by Darrin Lunde and Erica J. Chen - OPTIONAL

Who’s Making that Big Stink? by Darrin Lunde and Erica J. Chen. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Charlesbridge, JUNE 2026. $18. 9781623546250

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

COme along and meet several flora or fauna and read about the big stinks they bring to the world.

Chen’s illustrations are a real draw for avid picture book gazers. The non-fiction information on each page, though, is short, so i don’t think it will an older reader’s attention as an information source.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

I Used to be a Dinosaur by Casey Lyall and Laurie Keller - ESSENTIAL

I Used to be a Dinosaur by Casey Lyall and Laurie Keller. PICTURE BOOK. Greenwillow (Harper), JUNE 2026. $20. 9780062890313

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

The chicken is discontented with its chicken life, reminiscing the days when they were dinosaurs. Chicken decides that though they are no longer a dino in fact, they can still be a dino at heart.

Lyall includes a little back matter to explain the evolution from dinosaur to chicken, too. I thoroughly enjoyed this twist on the “You are Awesome” style of picture book.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

That Bird Can Draw! by Ged Adamson - ADVISABLE

That Bird Can Draw! by Ged Adamson. PICTURE BOOK. Nosy Crow, 2026. $19. 9798887772363

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS, HS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: SEVERAL

Our nameless protagonist sees herself as a great artist, but that self-image is tested when her grandfather gets a new bird named Vera with some serious artistic skill. As a result, the young granddaughter considers hanging up her artist’s cap forever, until Vera the bird shows her that there is more than enough room in the world for all kinds of artists.

I adored this picture book about an artist who finds herself in competition with a talented bird. I thought the different artistic styles represented were fun, e.g. sculpture, paper art, mosaic, pencil, etc. I could see it being used in an art class as a read-aloud. I also loved the overall message that everyone can be an artist.

Kiera, ELA teacher, #bookswithbeddes

 

The Great Gathering Place by Naomi McIlwrait and Onedove - ADVISABLE

The Great Gathering Place by Naomi McIlwrait and Onedove. PICTURE BOOK. Kids Can Press, 2026. $20. 9781525310102

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

A modern day indigenous Cree family invites the reader to travel along the river to a special place on the shore, where we'll meet and visit with people for hours and days, talking about good things and bad, rejoicing in our good fortune and celebrating our achievements.  We'll speak to our ancestors, and build a fire and feast.  How can we protect these wonderful gathering places?

The Great Gathering Place introduces the reader to Indigenous concepts and teachings.  I enjoyed the sacred, colorful illustrations.

PGPowers

The Lost Board by Alice Feagan - ADVISABLE

The Lost Board by Alice Feagan. PICTURE BOOK. Viking (Penguin), JUNE 2026. $19. 9798217040827

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Generations of her family learned to ride the waves on that surfboard, but Lana loses it one day to an unlucky wave.  Instead of scorn from her family, she finds love and understanding and learns how to let go. Meanwhile, the surfboard is only beginning its new journey.

For being from Colorado, Feagan does a great job of evoking the islands through her story and illustrations. She creates a harmony between Lana finding forgiveness from her family and the journey and uses the old surfboard experiences. While great for any ocean edge library, I think landlocked kids will also enjoy.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Monkeypig by Huw Aaron - ADVISABLE

Monkeypig by Huw Aaron. PICTURE BOOK. Viking (Penguin), JUNE 2026. $19. 9798217039159

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Molly may be a pig, but she lives in the trees in the jungle doing all of the monkey things in all of the money ways. Then Norman the head monkey calls an important monkey gathering. Will Pig be exposed as a monkey imposter?

Aaron’s pig and monkeys are a fun nonsense book.  While there might be a “lesson” within, I only wanted to enjoy the silly pig and the monkeys that welcomed it in.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Goldfinches by Mary Oliver and Melissa Sweet - ADVISABLE

Goldfinches written by Mary Oliver, illustrated by Melissa Sweet. PICTURE BOOK. Viking (Penguin Random House), 2026. $19. 9780593692417

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS, HS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: SOME

Award-winning poet Mary Oliver’s beautiful poem Goldfinches is brought to life with the stunning mixed-media artwork of Melissa Sweet.

The cover caught my eye initially, because of that gorgeous pink color. I was pleased to see Mary Oliver’s work at the heart of this picture book. I think it’s a great way to help students learn to access poetry, by pairing it with illustrations. I loved the artwork - the illustrations are vibrant, but also mimic the format of a nature journal, which is perfect for the poem’s topic. I loved the poem too. Like all of Mary Oliver’s work, it’s simple, yet meaningful. I could see this being used at every level (elementary, middle, & high school) to teach poetry in a different way. However, I do think it’s a book that adults will like more than kids.

Kiera, ELA teacher, #bookswithbeddes

 

Little Owl’s Opposites by Divya Srinivasan - ADVISABLE

Little Owl’s Opposites ittle Owl’s Opposites by Divya Srinivasan. BOARD BOOK. Viking (Penguin), JUNE 2026. $8. 9780593691168

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

As Little Owl flies through the forest looking for Raccoon, he sees many animals who are displaying different kinds of opposites.

I enjoyed the little story, but Srinivasan’s illustrations are so clear that she could have also chosen to only have the opposites on each page. I need some Little Owl merch, he is so cute! 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

I Will Not Walk to School by Naseem Hrab and Kelly Collier. - ADVISABLE

I Will Not Walk to School by Naseem Hrab and Kelly Collier. PICTURE BOOK. Kids Can Press, 2026. $20. 9781525314391

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Monster is not interested in walking to school today - even with the promise of pepperoni pineapple pizza pancake Breakfast Day.  Reluctantly he starts on his way, finding excuses and methods to avoid going any faster. 

Monster will appeal to any student who wants to sleep in rather than go to school today. He is very silly, a bit sarcastic, and Collier’s illustrations give him just the right atmosphere.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

A Feel Better Book for Little Sleepers by Holly Brochmann and Shirley Ng-Benitez - ADVISABLE

A Feel Better Book for Little Sleepers by Holly Brochmann, illustrated by Shirley Ng-Benitez. PICTURE BOOK. Magination Press, 2026. $19. 9781433848629

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

It's time for a young girl to go to bed.  Her Father asks her to grab a blanket, a stuffed toy, and then snuggle in tight for a bedtime story. The father soothes his child and talks about how day changes into night. He then tells her how sleep is so good for her, and that while she is sleeping, her body is growing.  He tells her many other things that her body does while she sleeps.  How does someone fall asleep?

A Feel Better Book For Little Sleepers is intended to teach kids about the importance of sleep, and presents simple, concrete strategies that support falling asleep, staying asleep, and feeling secure at bedtime.

PGPowers

Disco Dave written by Jody Jensen Shaffer and Yana Kozak - ADVISABLE

Disco Dave written by Jody Jensen Shaffer, illustrated by Yana Kozak. PICTURE BOOK. Magination Press, 2026. $19. 9781433848582

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: SEVERAL

Dave the Walrus loves disco, but he cannot dance. It’s a disaster every time he tries! He even takes some dance lessons to no avail. He decides he is going to quit disco forever. However, when the disco club’s jockey unexpectedly quits, Dave steps up and spins some sweet tunes for his friends, making sure disco doesn’t die.

I thought this was a sweet story about trying new things and failing, but still being OK in the end. There is a helpful reader’s note at the end from a psychologist specializing in treating anxiety & OCD with discussion points on how to talk to kids who struggle with not getting things right the first time they try something. Overall, I thought it was a cute story with a positive message presented in a low-stakes way. I recommend it for elementary school libraries or for counselors who might work with kids who deal with these anxieties a lot.

Kiera, ELA teacher, #bookswithbeddes