Forty the Fortune Teller by Drew Daywalt and Kevin Cornell. - ESSENTIAL

Forty the Fortune Teller by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Kevin Cornell. PICTURE BOOK Philomel (Penguin), 2026. $19. 9780593691465 

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

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Forty is one of those paper fortune tellers where you spell out a color and then pick a number and get your fortune. Unfortunately, Forty was dropped on the playground before ever getting to deliver even one fortune. Then, she meets a chip and they find a bolt that needs to be replaced in the playground slide - but all sorts of things stand in their way, the first one being a squirrel. When Forty tells his fortune, he is swept away by it. Maybe she's more powerful than she thinks! 

Drew Daywalt is such a great storyteller, and this story is funny and clever. I love Cornell's illustrations. I'm so excited to recommend this to the kids who love the "Crayons Quit" books. This would be so fun to read just before teaching a class on how to make the Fortune Tellers (instructions provided). 

Lisa Librarian  

Now You Know Your ABCs (or do you..?) by Caspar Salmon and Matt Hunt - ADVISABLE

Now You Know Your ABCs (or do you..?) by Caspar Salmon and Matt Hunt. PICTURE BOOK. Nosy Crow, 2026. $19. 9798887772240

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

As you innocently read your ABC book, on D you are confronted by a Dangerous Wolf!  Can you make it through the rest of the alphabet without getting eaten?

I like how Salmon makes the wolf there, lurking, but not actively being dangerous - just upping the scare factor.  Parts are silly (being stuck in France, a purple-haired witch saving the day) and it will be fun to read and amaze over together.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

This Was Not the Plan by Jane Chapman - ADVISABLE

This Was Not the Plan by Jane Chapman. Tiger Tales, 2026. $19. 9781664300781

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Spike, a bear, and Roscoe, a rabbit, are ready to head off on their camping trip. Spike feels each setback greatly, while Roscoe always finds another way to see everything with a positive attitude. Together the two find a happy balance to enjoy their adventure. 

I loved the misadventures and Roscoe’s redirects. Chapman has illustrated many beloved books and she’s done a great job with her own title. While a little longer (not much), the story hangs very well together, keeping up the reader’s interest along the way. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Where do Stories Live? by Meenal Patel - OPTIONAL

Where do Stories Live? by Meenal Patel. PICTURE BOOK. Kokila (Penguin Random House), 2026. $19. 9798217003198

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: FEW

Join two sisters, Avni & Isha, as they find different stories to add to a journal. They ask each other where do stories live? In the nature around us? In the people in our homes? Or in our books, pictures, and dreams? Maybe stories exist in all of these places.

A quiet book for quiet reflective children, this picture book is definitely one that adults are going to like more than kids. The muted color palette also doesn’t draw the reader in, but it does fit the contemplative tone of the story, so there are trade-offs. I liked the Indian elements in the background of the story, they were fun to pick out on each page.

Kiera, ELA teacher, #bookswithbeddes 

The Storm Cloud by Frances Stickley and Emily Hamilton - ADVISABLE

The Storm Cloud by Frances Stickley and Emily Hamilton. PICTURE BOOK. Post Wave, 2026. $19. 9798895090480

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

APPEALS TO: SOME

Bear is having a bad day. His friends try to cheer him up, but he wants to be alone - mostly because he is afraid his bad day will ruin their day too. Squirrel knows that something isn’t right, and he takes the time to show Bear that he is there to support him, and that not everything about a rain cloud is bad. 

Stickley handles interacting with a friend who is sad or depressed in a deft way that will teach many people, including adults, that there are better ways to help and support. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Because of a Shoe by Julie Fogliano and Marla Frazee - ADVISABLE

Because of a Shoe by Julie Fogliano and Marla Frazee. PICTURE BOOK Knopf (Random House), 2026. $20. 9780593707401

BUYING ADVISORY:  EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

A small child refuses to put on their shoes, is determined to do their whole life from the floor and never wear shoes, ever. Their mother is frustrated and angry and threatens to throw the favorite shoes into the dump, but . . . 

This is a delightful story about how a child's behavior and a parent's response don't change their loving relationship. Mara Frazee's illustrations are on point - I love how the bright colors change to grays during the worst moments and then back to color again. A delightful bedtime story or a great wind-down after time out or an argument. The characters are white 

Lisa Librarian 

Neville’s Great Escape by Sean E. Avery - ADVISABLE

Neville’s Great Escape by Sean E. Avery. PICTURE BOOK. Walker Books, 2026. $19. 9781761602542

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

When Neville gets swallowed by the giant whale, he could sit back and wait to be eaten.  Neville, however, has other plans - Escape!

A companion to Frank’s Red Hat. Avery gives us another penguin adventure - this time reminding us to not give up and to look at things a different way.  Avery adds a bit more snark to Neville's character and to his seal sidekick (however unwilling), which I enjoyed. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Christian's Soccer Superpowers written by Christian Pulisic and Marta Kissi - ADVISABLE

Christian's Soccer Superpowers written by Christian Pulisic, illustrated by Marta Kissi. PICTURE BOOK. Penguin Young Readers Group (Penguin Random House), 2026. $19. 9798217041893

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: SEVERAL

Christian Pulisic is one of the standout stars on the U.S. men’s national soccer team, but before he became a soccer star, he was just a little kid scared to join his first soccer team. His family helps him discover that his soccer superpower doesn’t lie in how big or strong he is, but rather in his focus, determination, and confidence that he brings to the field.

The only reason I know who Christian Pulisic is because I have several soccer diehards in my circle, so I picked this up for them. I don’t know what I was expecting, but I was sort of charmed by this soccer story. I think it’s hard for people who are outstanding in their fields to write a story for the average person, but Christian did a good job! I think your soccer aficionados are going to love this story, and (dare I say it) even your non-sporty types will also like it.

Kiera, ELA teacher, #bookswithbeddes

 

A Flea for Justice by Valerie Bolling and Temika Grooms - ADVISABLE

A Flea for Justice: Marian Wright Edelman Stands Up for Change by Valerie Bolling, illustrated by Temika Grooms. BIOGRAPHY, PICTURE BOOK Charlesbridge/Imagine, 2025. $18. 9781623545826 

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

APPEALS TO: SOME 

Marian was only 4 years old when she first experienced a Jim Crow law. She didn't understand why she couldn't drink from any fountain. Her role model, Sojourner Truth had compared herself to a flea and said she'd make a man keep scratching, so Marian decided she would be a flea, too. She changed the signs on fountains every chance she got. She wanted to stop Racial injustice. As she got older she participated in the restaurant sit-ins, became a lawyer in Mississippi and marched with Dr. Martin Luther King. She continued being a Flea for justice throughout her life. 

Marvelous illustrations with quotes incorporated. I loved this story, I had no idea she started the Children's Defense Fund, among other things. A nice addition to my picture book biographies. Marian was black. 

Lisa Librarian

Just For Today by Charlotte Agell and Ana Ramirez Gonzalez - OPTIONAL

Just For Today by Charlotte Agell and Ana Ramirez Gonzalez. PICTURE BOOK. Scholastic Press, JULY 2026. $20. 9781546181323

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Elba, a hippopotamus, has been worrying a lot and not sleeping well, so her friend, Norris, a crocodile, tries to help her have a more relaxing day.  Things don’t quite go as planned, however, and Elba is the one helping Norris to find a peaceful place. 

A sweet book that might help with managing anxiety a little. Though, how can a hippo not swim? The illustrations are lovely and add to the calm feeling Agell is trying to convey.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

When Auggie Learned to Play Chess by Meredith Rusu and Stephen Costanza - ESSENTIAL

When Auggie Learned to Play Chess by Meredith Rusu, illustrated by Stephen Costanza. PICTURE BOOK. Random House Children's Books (Penguin Random House), 2025. $19. 9780593710814

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: MANY

Auggie and his father have moved away from the seaside to the cornfields, and everything is awful. He has no one to play with at recess or to sit next to at lunch. One day, he discovers his grandfather’s old chess set and his father begins to teach him how to play. As he learns the game, he also learns other lessons about his new life, gaining confidence & skills to make the most of this new situation.

I adored this picture book about poor lonely Auggie and his father teaching him chess. The illustrations were so fun, especially when he got so wrapped up in chess that he started imagining his classmates as different game pieces. This is a sweet story of a father and son, and a wonderful coming-of-age as Auggie adjusts to life in a new place.

Kiera, ELA teacher, #bookswithbeddes

Rumplestiltskin retold by Mac Barnett and Carson Ellis - OPTIONAL

Rumplestiltskin retold by Mac Barnett and Carson Ellis. PICTURE BOOK. Orchard (Scholastic), 2026. $20. 9781338673852

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

APPEALS TO: SOME

Barnett adds a bit of a modern feel to the classic tale and shortens it a bit, but refrains from completely modernizing it. He does change the detail of how Rumplestilskin’s name is discovered, perhaps to give the Queen character some power? I didn’t feel as if the power of the story changed - not enough for me to buy another copy of the story, unless I need a new one for some reason.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS