Family Feast! by Carole Boston Weatherford and Frank Morrison - ADVISABLE

Family Feast! by Carole Boston Weatherford and Frank Morrison. PICTURE BOOK. Crown Books (Random House), 2025. $19. 9780593898291

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Pops and Big Ma start cooking early for the big family feast. Relatives travel from miles away to gather together. Once everyone arrives, aunts, uncles, and cousins all pitch in to help prepare the meal. Family favorites fill the table, and the kitchen buzzes with activity. There is plenty of chaos, laughter, and love as everyone comes together to share a delicious meal and enjoy each other's company.

The fun chaos of a family holiday meal is beautifully depicted in this story. The illustrations are especially wonderful, filled with bold colors, expressive characters, and a sense of constant movement that brings the bustling family gathering to life.

The characters are Black.

Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian

Lolly on the Ice by Sarah S Brannen - ADVISABLE

Lolly on the Ice by Sarah S Brannen. PICTURE BOOK. Random House, 2025. $19. 9780593711811

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Lolly loves to ice skate. When it is just her and her dad on the ice, she can glide, spin, and skate with confidence. But as soon as other people are watching, she freezes and can barely move. Hoping to help her overcome her fears, her dad encourages her to audition for the local ice skating show. The audition does not go well, and Lolly is cast as a snowman whose job is to stand perfectly still. Although she dreams of being part of the snowflake team, she knows performing in front of an audience is too scary. But when one of the snowflakes is injured, Lolly has a chance to step into the spotlight. Can she find the courage to take her place on the ice?

A sweet story about overcoming fears and being brave even when it is scary. Fun illustrations.

Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian

The Deepest Blue by Shauntay Grant and Daniel Minter - ADVISABLE

The Deepest Blue by Shauntay Grant and Daniel Minter. PICTURE BOOK. Quill Tree Books (Harper), 2026. $16. 9780063251380

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

APPEALS TO: SOME

A young black girl goes scuba diving with her family.  As they dive deeper, they find a sunken slave ship.  The girl wonders about the history of the wreck.  She also thinks about her ancestors and how she is connected to them.

The Deepest Blue has the most beautiful illustrations.  It is meant to be read vertically.  The text is written in verse and is limited to a few sentences per page.  The Deepest Blue is more about the feeling the illustrations invoke than about a plot.  It is a tribute to black heritage and history. The girl and her family are black.

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian

The River of Caregiving by Jocelyn Chung and Sarah Gonzales - OPTIONAL

The River of Caregiving by Jocelyn Chung and Sarah Gonzales. PICTURE BOOK. Nancy Paulsen Books, 2026. $19. 9780593533604

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

A young girl discovers the many ways caregiving flows through her family. She helps her grandfather just as he has always helped her. Her mother cares for her grandmother, just as her grandmother once cared for her. Through these everyday acts of kindness, the child begins to see how love and caregiving connect generations. Like a river, this cycle of care runs through her life, linking her to her ancestors and the generations yet to come.

I loved the message of how multigenerational families love and support one another through every stage of life. The story beautifully highlights the ways care and kindness flow between generations, creating strong family bonds. I also really enjoyed the illustrations, which are warm and engaging. However, I am not sure how much the tone and style of the storytelling will appeal to the intended 3–7-year-old audience. The themes are meaningful, but the reflective narrative may be better suited to upper elementary readers who can more fully appreciate its message. The family is Taiwanese.

Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian

Kente for Jojo by Bernard Mensah and Elizabeth Zunon - ADVISABLE

Kente for Jojo by Bernard Mensah and Elizabeth Zunon. PICTURE BOOK. Alfred A Knopf (Random), 2025. $19. 9780593567128

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO:  SOME

A young boy accompanies his family to the weavers to choose a Kente cloth for his baby brother, Jojo. As he learns about the meanings behind the different patterns and colors, he carefully selects a design he thinks is perfect for his brother. The boy then helps weave the cloth, creating a special gift that celebrates family, tradition, and the rich cultural heritage of Ghana.

I liked the collage-style illustrations, which added warmth and texture to the story. I also enjoyed learning about Kente cloth and its cultural significance. The history, traditions, and importance of Kente are presented in an approachable manner. The additional information at the back of the book provides additional information about Kente cloth. The family is Ghanaian

Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian

A Song for Two Homes by Dr. Michael Datcher and Charly Palmer - ADVISABLE

A Song for Two Homes by Dr. Michael Datcher and Charly Palmer. PICTURE BOOK. Random House Studio, 2025. $19. 9780593429365

BUYING ADVISORY: APPEALS TO: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

Auset feels split in two after her parents' divorce. As she adjusts to living in two homes, she struggles to make sense of the many emotions that come with such a big change. She finds comfort in the music of Sweet Honey and Bob Marley, the listening ear of her beloved stuffed dolphin, and the love and support of both of her parents.

Children experiencing divorce will likely relate to Auset's as she works through feelings of sadness, confusion, and joy while discovering the strength to navigate difficult days. The story is written in free verse. The illustrations are excellent.

The family is Black. 

Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian

Is This a Plum? by Dan and Finn Ojari. - ESSSENTIAL

Is This a Plum? by Dan and Finn Ojari. PICTURE BOOK. Random House Book for Young Readers, 2026. $18. 9798217223138

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

A peek through a picture book with call and response rhyming that pairs words like spoon/moon, house/mouse, and pear/bear with cute accompanying illustrations. 

This book is based on the author's eight-year-old son's original idea and drawings. The result is cute, unexpected, creative, and fun. This would be a good read-aloud book.

Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian

Hugo's Hair by James Alfie - OPTIONAL

Hugo's Hair by James Alfie. PICTURE BOOK. Harper Collins, 2026. $20. 9780063432338

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

APPEALS TO: SOME

Hugo is a monster that is trying to find himself.  He is bald.  Throughout the book, Hugo imagines different hairstyles and wonders if they will help him fit in.  Will Hugo find the right hairstyle or will he decide it is ok to just be himself?

Hugo's Hair has bright and colorful pictures.  The story is told through rhyme with a sentence or two per page.   Even though this book is cute, it does not have much of a plot.  However, it does contain a great message about loving who you are.

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian

But I'm a Pumpkin: A Summerween Story by Kat Choppy and Heidi Moreno - ADVISABLE

But I'm a Pumpkin: A Summerween Story by Kat Choppy and Heidi Moreno.PICTURE BOOK. Alfred A Knopf (Random House), 2026. $19. 9798217122509

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

A little girl plants seeds in the spring and visits them every day, telling them that one day they will become jack-o'-lanterns. She watches them grow from tiny sprouts into pumpkins. But one little pumpkin is different. While the others grow big and orange, he just keeps getting greener. Then, one summer day, he is picked too soon. What if he isn't a pumpkin at all?

Choppy  offers a delightful twist on Halloween traditions. Why wait until October when you can celebrate "Summerween" with a watermelon jack-o'-lantern? The illustrations are bright and cheerful.

Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian

The Baby Who Only Said No by Sandra Salsbury - ADVISABLE

The Baby Who Only Said No by Sandra Salsbury. PICTURE BOOK. Doubleday Books for Young Readers (Random House), 2026. $19. 9798217119257

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Baby knows only one word—"No!" As she learns to talk, she also leaves a trail of chaos in her wake. Share? No. Get dressed? No. Eat breakfast? No. Every request is met with the same determined response. But when she is asked if she would like a kiss, it may be time to learn a new word.

Parents, and older siblings will easily recognize this stage of toddlerhood as little ones begin to discover both language and independence. The story captures the humor, frustration, and sweetness of a child determined to do things her own way.

Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian

Unicorns in Uniforms by Beth Ferry and A.N. Kang - ADVISABLE

Unicorns in Uniforms by Beth Ferry and A.N. Kang. PICTURE BOOK. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2026. $20. 9781665975421

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Can unicorns be hairdressers? Firefighters?  What about bakers?  In Unicorns in Uniforms, unicorns do it all.  Can the unicorns work together to save their village from a dragon?  

Unicorns in Uniforms, with its eye-catching cover, will intrigue students who love unicorns.  The text rhymes and is limited to a few sentences per page.  The illustrations are adorable with lots of details.  Working together is the theme that is emphasized in Unicorns in Uniforms.  

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian

Think Big: Secrets of Bees by Ben Hoare and Nina Chakrabarti. - ADVISABLE

Think Big:  Secrets of Bees by Ben Hoare and Nina Chakrabarti. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Nosy Crow, 2025. $20. 9798887772738

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

Secrets of Bees dives into the hive to uncover the intriguing and hidden lives of bees.  Learn through beautiful, fun illustrations and text about how bees have incredible super powers, how they pollinate plants, how they communicate, and how without bees, the world would be a very different place.

Secrets of Bees is intriguing and contains interesting new facts found in short paragraphs under clever, engaging illustrations. It is mostly for older children, but younger children will enjoy the pictures.

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