It’s Almost Time For Thanksgiving! by Maisha Oso and Tom Knight - NO

It’s Almost Time For Thanksgiving! by Maisha Oso and Tom Knight. PICTURE BOOK. McElderry (Simon), 2026. $11. 9798347108015

BUYING ADVISORY: NOT RECOMMENDED

Follow a boy as he packs up Halloween and gets ready for the next holiday.

I did not like the rhyming scheme of the text and from there it just went downhill. One page talks about going to pick out your turkey - showing live turkeys - which any savvy kid knows has to be killed and plucked.  And the twist of confusing one holiday for another didn’t help matters. I already feel bad for Thanksgiving because it doesn’t have many fun picture books and it is usually overlooked in the run from Halloween to Christmas.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Where Do They Sleep? by Adam Thompson and Erica Harrison - OPTIONAL

Where Do They Sleep? by Adam Thompson and Erica Harrison. BOARD BOOK. Messy Press (Abrams), 2026. $11. 9781067098537

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Thompson gives us many different words for “sleep” in his board book.

I like the variety of colors for each page and the extensive vocabulary. I think little ones will enjoy looking at the different animals. Otherwise, it is a tame board book.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Tony Rex’s Seven Stomps to Success by Alex Latimer - ESSENTIAL

Tony Rex’s Seven Stomps to Success by Alex Latimer. PICTURE BOOK. Random House, 2026. $19. 9798217124312

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

Tony is not only a dinosaur, he is also a life coach.  And he has seven tips for being a better person.  Or maybe they are seven tips to help him catch you and eat you.  You be the judge.

Good advice and hilarity.  I would love to debate with a class the merits of each tip.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom ABC Touch and Trace by Bill Martin Jr. and Daniel Roode. - ADVISABLE

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom ABC Touch and Trace by Bill Martin Jr. and Daniel Roode. BOARD BOOK. Simon, 2026. 9798347107551

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Each page has one alphabet letter in a tactile tracing form, both upper and lower case. The page also has an illustration (F is for fox) and a flap to lift with a surprise extension.

I really love the traceable letters! Because there are so many pages, the flaps are lighter than normally expected, so keep an eye on little hands.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Hello Baby Bear by Ekaterina Trukhan - ADVISABLE

Hello Baby Bear by Ekaterina Trukhan. BOARD BOOK. Nosy Crow, 2026. $10. 9798887772585

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

Count the five types of baby animals as you reveal them on each page.

I like the variety of forest creatures here. I wish the author had used both sides of the pull tabs, though.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Do You Know the Dark? by Roz MacLean - ADVISABLE

Do You Know the Dark? by Roz MacLean. PICTURE BOOK. Henry Holt (Macmillan), 2026. $19. 9781250392206

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

MacLean celebrates the creatures and happenings in the dark of the night and in the dark places of our world. 

The dreamy, moody illustrations are worth exploring on their own in their dark inspired color palette. More a celebration of the dark and its wonders. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Down in the Blue Ocean by Gianumberto Accinetti and Giulia Zaffaroni - ADVISABLE

Down in the Blue Ocean by Gianumberto Accinetti and Giulia Zaffaroni (translated by Nanette McGuiness). NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Orca, 2026. $30. 9781459843318

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

Accinetti, supported by Zaffaroni, takes us from the surface of the ocean down to its deepest depths, meeting a few of the animals that inhabit each zone along the way. 

The text is advanced enough that it works best for older students. Even though it looks like a picture book, it is rich in information about the different oceanic spheres.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Have Yourself a Cheesy Little Christmas by Jory John and Pete Oswald - OPTIONAL

Have Yourself a Cheesy Little Christmas by Jory John and Pete Oswald. PICTURE BOOK. Harper, 2025. $16. 9780063437869

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Christmas can never be too big or too much for Cheese. The more the better as far as he is concerned. After a washing machine mishap, however, the party is moved over to Wedge’s house, where it is much different from what Cheese had in mind. Can he enjoy himself anyways? 

Whew! There is a lot of book here.  Cheese’s energy is quite over the top and fills a lot of the story. In fact, even after Wedge’s party, Cheese doesn’t seem to get the point. While cute, Cheese's ultimate behavior contradicts the point. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Beginning Middle and End by Jen Burgerman - ESSENTIAL

Beginning Middle and End by Jen Burgerman. PICTURE BOOK. Boxer Books (Union Square), 2026. $19. 9781454713234

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

WHen Beginning and Middle start arguing about which part of the book is most important, a disgruntled End walks out on them. Now the two others are left to contemplate a book without an End.

Watching and listening to Beginning and Middle argue and then panic is hilarious! Burgerman anthropomorphizes them skillfully. The illustrations feel just right. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

ABCD…Earth! An Alphabet Book by Stacy McAnulty and Joey Chou - OPTIONAL

ABCD…Earth! An Alphabet Book by Stacy McAnulty and Joey Chou. BOARD BOOK. Odd Dot (Macmillan), 2026. $13. 9781250388049

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

McAnulty and Chou team up to bring us an ABC board book all about things important to Earth.

Most pages have 3 or 4 letters on them - understandable in the board book format. Cute, but not a lot to dig into. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Tractors on the Go! by Michelle Robinson and Jez Tuya - ADVISABLE

Tractors on the Go! by Michelle Robinson and Jez Tuya. PICTURE BOOK. Henry Holt (Macmillan), 2026. $18. 9781250427342

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Meet all sorts of tractors and farming equipment. 

The illustrations are fun to look at - tractors and doggy drivers are a sure hit.  I know my grandson will like looking at every page. The words are highly expressive - those with honed drama skills will enjoy it a lot. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Spooky Scouts by Kimberly Shrack - ADVISABLE

Spooky Scouts by Kimberly Shrack. PICTURE BOOK. McElderry (Simon), 2026. $20. 9798347101184

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Luna, a wolf and the other Spooky Scouts are ready for their big campout. But tonight is a full moon and Luna is worried that her embarrassing secret will be exposed. 

Okay, I really did love the book a lot.  The other Spooky Scouts are great about accepting Luna and sharing their own secrets. BUT if Luna is a werewolf, shouldn’t she be human most of the time and then turn into a wolf during the full moon?  I don’t see that being wolfish most of the time would make you a good candidate for the Spooky Scouts. But I can accept the logical fallacy and enjoy the book for what it is. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS