The Shy Book by Howard Pearlstein and James Munro - ESSENTIAL

The Shy Book by Howard Pearlstein and James Munro. PICTURE BOOK. Red Comet Press, 2026. $17. 9781636551883

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

This book happens to be very shy. It is worried that the reader will think that the book is silly, or even boring. The book then realizes that a good strategy to start conversations is to ask others questions about themselves. This story has an important theme of perseverance, and that it is ok to be shy.

I liked Pearlstein’s story because it addressed a lot of common reasons why kids might be shy. He normalizes the fears, reactions, and gives solutions as well. Munro’s illustrations were cute and the text was engaging.

Reviewer: A. Criswell, English Language Arts teacher 

Stronger Than by Nikki Grimes & Stacy Wells and E.B. Lewis - ADVISABLE

Stronger Than by Nikki Grimes & Stacy Wells and E.B. Lewis. PICTURE BOOK. Harper Collins, 2026. $14. 9780063264755

Content: PG (The Tulsa Race Massacre and the Trail of Tears are mentioned)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

Dante is an 8yo Afro-Indigenous boy who loves Choctaw Stickball but is plagued with nightmares. His mother comforts him after a nightmare and then tells Dante about his amazing ancestors. People from his heritage are both Native and Black American. They suffered through The Trail of Tears and The Tulsa Race Massacre. Will knowing his ancestor's stories help Dante with his nightmares?

Stronger Than would be a good read aloud to introduce two difficult times in American history. There are several paragraphs of text on each page. The watercolor illustrations look like beautiful paintings but are fairly serious in nature. It would be best suited for older grades in elementary.

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian 

Better Than A Touchdown by Jalen Hurts and Nneka Myers - ESSENTIAL

Better Than A Touchdown by Jalen Hurts and Nneka Myers. PICTURE BOOK. Flamingo Books (Penguin), 2026. $20. 9798217040308

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

Jalen, a young boy, is so excited to start school this year because he will get to try out for the football team. Unfortunately, he quickly learns that football has been canceled for the year because the garden club is growing vegetables where the football team would play. Jalen is devastated and asks teachers and mentors how they deal with disappointment. He gets a lot of good advice along the way. One that really stuck with him is, "ten percent of life is what happens to you, and ninety percent is how you respond." Jamal and his friends team up with the garden club to see if they can enjoy both football and gardening.

I liked this book because it gives kids a lot of good ideas and strategies on how to deal with disappointment. It was a little text heavy on some pages, but my 7 year old daughter enjoyed it. The illustrations were cute and the story flowed well. All of the main characters are African American.

Reviewer: A. Criswell, English Language Arts teacher 

Sammy and Sunny's First Day of School by Nina LaCour and Elizabeth Lilly - ESSENTIAL

Sammy and Sunny's First Day of School by Nina LaCour and Elizabeth Lilly. PICTURE BOOK. Rocky Pond Books (Penguin), 2025. $19. 9780593695753

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

Sammy and Sunny are both starting their first day of school. Sammy was starting Kindergarten, and Sunny, her dog, was starting his first day at doggie training school. At first, they were both a bit nervous, but once they met their teachers and friends, they started to relax and enjoy the day. Once the first day was over, Sammy and Sunny realized that they actually had pretty similar days. The only thing that is next, is their second day at school with a funny twist.

My daughter and I liked this book because of the humor. It compared and contrasted what Sammy and Sunny were learning on their first day of school. The ending was silly and the pictures were cute.

Reviewer: A. Criswell, English Language Arts teacher 

Little Bird Laila by Kelly Yang and Xindi Yan - ESSENTIAL

Little Bird Laila by Kelly Yang and Xindi Yan. PICTURE BOOK. Dial Books (Penguin), 2025. $19. 9780593407110

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Laila, a young Chinese girl, wishes her friends could realize how cool her parents are. Her parents don't have enough money to pay for English classes and they are struggling to understand this new language. Laila is not only learning English herself, but she is also busy translating for her parents. She decides to teach them English and along the way learns more Chinese from them. Learning a new language can be hard, but as a family they have fun while doing so.

I liked this book because it shows how children might feel if they are torn between speaking two different languages. This book addressed why the word "ballet" is so difficult to pronounce to non-native English speakers. It also showed how idioms can be so confusing. It showed that all cultures are important and should be valued.

Reviewer: A. Criswell, English Language Arts teacher 

Planets (Time for Kids) by Sarah Jospitre - ESSENTIAL

Planets (Time for Kids) by Sarah Jospitre. 32 pages. EARLY READER NON FICTION. Penguin Young Readers, 2025. $17. 

Content: G 

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

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Did you know that there is a crater on Mars named after Dr. Seuss? Time for Kids: Planets is a short informational leveled text, level 3, that will engage young readers. The text walks you through the planets, in order, in our solar system. It explains how the planets got their names, fun facts, and even gives size comparisons and analogies to help the reader understand scale. The illustrations compliment the facts making for a short, interesting read. 

I liked this book because the facts for each planet are interesting and updated. The text is challenging for Level 3, transitional readers. The illustrations were beautiful and brought the text to life. It left you wanting to learn more about the solar system. Informational text about planets.

 Reviewer: A. Criswell, English Language Arts teacher 

It's Swing Time by Abi Bi - ESSENTIAL

It's Swing Time by Abi Bi. PICTURE BOOK. Frances Lincoln Children's Books (Quarto), 2026. $19. 9781836008743

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

What types of swings do you think ladybug would prefer? As you read this story, you get to see animals on all different types of swings. Pandas sit on friendship swings, monkeys swing on banana swings, and snakes make their own swings. Ladybug makes friends wherever it goes. Read to the end to see the best swing of all.

I liked this book because it was a simple, sweet, story with lots of different animals. The book is designed to be read by turning the book vertically. The illustrations were beautiful and the book was very engaging.

Reviewer: A. Criswell, English Language Arts teacher 

Twinkle, Twinkle Little Sheepy by Lucy Ruth Cummins and Pete Oswald - ADVISABLE

Twinkle, Twinkle Little Sheepy by Lucy Ruth Cummins and Pete Oswald. BOARD BOOK. Flamingo Books (Penguin), 2026. $10. 9798217041008

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Little sheep does not want to go to bed. He/she tries many ways to stay awake. Mom and dad are trying ways to get him/her to go to sleep. 

This cute board book uses the song, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, to tell the story of a typical child not wanting to go to bed. The Playful illustrations help tell the story. The sheep in the story could be a girl or boy, so both can see themselves in the book. 

The child could be either a girl or boy. 

MOMMAC

Pizza and Taco Go Viral by Stephen Shaskan - OPTIONAL

Pizza and Taco Go Viral by Stephen Shaskan. PICTURE BOOK. RH Graphic (Random House), 2026. $15. 9780593814543

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Pizza and Taco want to create a STEWTUBE video. They brainstorm ideas that might work.  They try video game videos. They try pet videos. They don't like how they turn out. Then, they decide to do a friend dance video. 

Shaskan takes the easy way out and creates a graphic story that leaves me feeling flat. While there are many ways to encourage creativity in children, the illustrations and story do not excite. Children who already like the characters will probably enjoy the book. 

MOMMAC

Duck Delivers by Tom Tinn-Disbury - ADVISABLE

Duck Delivers by Tom Tinn-Disbury. PICTURE BOOK. Random House Studio, 2025. $19. 9798217122448

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Duck liked to stay at home collecting socks.  He didn't like adventures because he struggled to pay attention. His grandfather encouraged him to get out on an adventure by giving him a lucky compass. Duck applied for a job with HQ delivery service. Will grandfather's lucky charm pay off?

Tinn-Disbury's animation background came in handy as he created such adorable illustrations for this book. The expressions on Duck's face cause the reader to smile. The book will help children who are unsure of themselves to see that they can try new things even when fearful.

MOMMAC

Exca-Gator! by Brooke Hartman and Michael Slack - ESSENTIAL

Exca-Gator! by Brooke Hartman and Michael Slack. PICTURE BOOK. Flamingo Books (Penguin), 2026. $19. 9780593693339

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

Gator comes to the work project site with his excavator. His friends are ready to work, too. Gator is so excited, he steps in and does most of the work. When he steps in to do a job better suited for his friend who works the crane, the project is in peril. Gator learns a lesson.

This story in rhyme tells a powerful story about learning to work as a team. Vocabulary words associated with building increase a child's verbal skills. The adorable illustrations help to clearly describe the various verbs and nouns.

MOMMAC

Serafina Makes Waves by Matthew Burgess and Robin Rosenthal - ESSENTIAL

Serafina Makes Waves by Matthew Burgess and Robin Rosenthal. PICTURE BOOK. Dial Books for Young Readers (Penguin), 2026. $17. 9780593699638

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

Have you ever heard that cats can't stand water? This is especially true for Serafina, a kitten whose parents have signed her up for swimming lessons. She does everything she can to avoid the water.  Will Serafina learn to love the water?

I absolutely loved this book!  The narrator talks directly to the reader which makes it even more engaging.  The text is very funny and overly dramatic.  The pictures are adorable and are filled with details that lend to the story.  Would make an awesome read aloud!

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian