Singing Justice Singing Peaceby Monica Brown and Molly Mendoza - ADVISABLE

Singing Justice Singing Peace: The Story of Joan Baez by Monica Brown and Molly Mendoza. BIOGRAPHY, PICTURE BOOK Beach Lane (Simon), 2026. $20. 978665926607 

 BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS, HS - ADVISABLE 

 APPEALS TO: SOME 

 Joan Baez knew she wanted to make the world a better place, even when she was young. When her father joined a peace organization, they moved to Iraq, and Joan saw children who were starving and learned that even in California, where she lived, there were starving children. She carried the world on her shoulders and wanted to change things. When she was given a ukulele, she began to sing, discovered folk music, and became an icon, not just for her music, but for her support of justice and peace. 

 Many more illustrations than text, and I love how illustrator Mendoza has represented the music Baez creates. Includes an author's note, which doesn't just repeat the text; it's got more, juicier info about her bravery, some of the times she went to jail, and things that happened while supporting the Civil Rights Movement. A great read, even for a high school class. Joan is Mexican/Scottish/American 

 Lisa Librarian 

When Brian Met Terry by Russell Kane and Erica Salcedo - OPTIONAL

When Brian Met Terry by Russell Kane and Erica Salcedo. PICTURE BOOK. Words & Pictures (Quarto), 2026. $19. 9781836006534

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

APPEALS TO: SOME

The Kane family has one very relaxed cat and one very high-maintenance cat, Terry. When they adopt a chihuahua, Brian, Terry is very put out and has a really hard time adjusting to the new situation.

I hope Terry never realizes that Brian got top billing in the title! While Terry’s dramatics are kind of funny, it is really just one family’s pet story - not helpful when trying to introduce new pets to each other.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Puggle Snuggles by Mo O’Hara and Loretta Schauer - ESSENTIAL

Puggle Snuggles by Mo O’Hara and Loretta Schauer. PICTURE BOOK. Happy Yak (Quarto), 2026. $19. 9781836007326

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

During the day all of the diurnal baby animals are busy, but the platypus baby (a puggle) is sleeping away the light.  Once night arrives, however, the puggle is wide awake and not alone in its antics as the nocturnal babies start to play.

O’Hara teaches us all kinds of baby animal names and treats us to pages of bright illustrations and funny scenes. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The Dog who was (almost) perfect by Jack Kurland - ADVISABLE

The Dog who was (almost) perfect by Jack Kurland. PICTURE BOOK. Frances Lincoln (Quarto), 2026. $19. 9781836007753

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Doris the dog’s life is absolutely perfect until the day she chews a hole in her owner, Bill’s, favorite slippers.  She runs away in shame, but some other dogs help her understand that while it may be a mistake, it isn’t the end of everything.

A cute way to look at owning up to your mistakes and they aren’t, mostly, life ending.  Say you’re sorry and move on.  The little twist on the last page kind of undermines the message, but kids will find it  funny.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

My Busy Tool Box! by Design Eye - OPTIONAL

My Busy Tool Box! by Design Eye (Quarto), 2026. BOARD BOOK. $13. 9781805704935

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Play with a few simple construction motions in this brightly colored interactive board book. While I have seen other similar board books with more motions, like Bizzy Bear’s Big Building Book, I have never heard such a great sawing sound and motion! If you love board books, for that alone I would add it to my collection.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Ed Sheeran (Little People, Big Dreams) by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara and Mariajo Ilustrajo - OPTIONAL

Ed Sheeran (Little People, Big Dreams) by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara and Mariajo Ilustrajo. PICTURE BOOK BIOGRAPHY. Frances Lincoln (Quarto), 2026. $16. 9781805703433

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Get a simple, yet insightful look into the life and rise of Ed Sheeran, musician extraordinaire. 

The Little People series books are short, but they do a great job of distilling a life.  And they are so varied in their topics - they cover people that would never have received a kid’s level biography. Pick and choose your favorites.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Carlotta's Special Dress by Carlotta Walls LaNier with Lisa Frazier Page, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton

Carlotta's Special Dress: How a Walk to School Changed Civil Rights History by Carlotta Walls LaNier with Lisa Frazier Page, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton. BIOGRAPHY, PICTURE BOOK Little, Brown, 2026. $19. 9780316572545 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

It's 1957 and Carlotta is one of the "Little Rick 9." She and other Black high school students would be the first integrated into Central High School. Her Uncle had given her mother money for Carlotta to buy a new dress, and she was excited to go wearing the beautiful store bought dress. But, that first day of school was not to be. Angry crowds and soon the National Guard prevented Carlotta and her classmates from going to school. 

An interesting twist on the story of Central High school. I like that it made it personal, giving not just a face but a story to one of the students. I loved the illustrations, and the amount of text was just right. Includes an author’s note (Carlotta is the author) and so we learn a bit more to her story. Also includes a timeline and captioned photographs - yes, one is of Carlotta in The Dress. 

Carlotta is Black. 

Lisa Librarian 

Farm (Ask Me About) by Rebecca Atkinson and Susie Hammer - OPTIONAL

Farm (Ask Me About) by Rebecca Atkinson and Susie Hammer. Happy Yak (Quarto), 2026. $13. 9781836009986

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Using a slider on the side, the reader answers a simple question on each page about what the animals are doing around the farm.

The pictures are vibrant and the animals are adorable. It's that slider on the side that worries me the most. I can see my 2yo grandson tearing that off first thing. Board books that you have to guard from little hands are lass desirable for me. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Dad by Christian Robinson - ESSENTIAL

Dad by Christian Robinson. PICTURE BOOK Balzer/Bray (HarperCollins), 2026. $20. 9781250397041 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Animal dads interact with their young. Human fathers do too. 

What a sweet book about fathers. An appendix describes the fathering skills of the different animals. The illustrations are beautiful. I loved when it shifted to human children and their dads. Easy read for an early reader. Not only informative but poignant. The human dads and kids are mixed races. 

Lisa Librarian 

Little Hare Finds a Gift by Oleksandr Shatokhin - OPTIONAL

Little Hare Finds a Gift by Oleksandr Shatokhin. BOARD BOOK. Red Comet Press, 2026. $9. 9781636552071

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Little Hare was sleeping soundly when she was awakened by a giant present falling on her house. She stumbles onto Santa Claus who needs some help cleaning up the spilled presents.

Sweet, but not compelling. This is a board book reprint of the original picture book from 2023.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Suki Cat: Firefighter by Grace Holub - ADVISABLE

Suki Cat: Firefighter by Grace Holub. BOARD BOOK. Nosy Crow, 2026. $10. 9798887772431

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Suki cat is off to fight fires today. Help her drive the engine, slide down the pole and other things on her journey.

5 sliders and tabs will withstand a lot of abuse. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

A Family of Readers by Rob Sanders, illustrated by Gabbie Benda - ADVISABLE

A Family of Readers by Rob Sanders, illustrated by Gabbie Benda. PICTURE BOOK Charlesbridge/Imagine, 2026. $18. 9781623546472 

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

The public library can be a busy place, so from the moment the family arrives there's always something going on. Old men reading the newspaper, women in a book club, cooks and mechanics discussing their latest project, even a group of actors who have come to put on a show for pre-schoolers. The family finds a quiet place just perfect for them. 

Told in verse, I found this story delightful. It's just like my local library with so much going on no matter when you arrive. I love how all the things somehow floated back to the family and their needs. I'm not sure kids will love this as much as I do but for a librarian, this was a perfect read. Buying a copy for myself and a couple of friends, too. The family was white, but the library was full of a mix of cultures and races. 

Lisa Librarian