Black Hands: Builders of Our Nation by Carole Boston Weatherford and R. Gregory Christie - ADVISABLE

Black Hands: Builders of Our Nation by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Crown Books (Random), 2026. $20. 9798217031856

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Black Hands commemorates the innumerable ways the African American community has shaped the foundation of the United States.  Learn how African Americans have contributed to the nation's culture, politics, economy and landscape.  Learn about their contributions to building the White House, birthing jazz, and landing a man on the moon,  pushing for social justice and more.

Black Hands is a wonderful reminder of how African Americans have helped shape our great nation, and their remarkable progress even in the face of adversity.

PGPowers

Miles Ahead by Ninh Le and Lynnor Bontigao - ADVISABLE

Miles Ahead by Ninh Le, illustrated by Lynnor Bontigao. PICTURE BOOK. Alfred A. Knopf (Random), 2026. $19. 9780593569207

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

A young boy is so excited for a family road trip to visit a new baby cousin.  He and his dog Miles get ready by packing his backpack with everything he can think of.  He also wonders to his sister what baby present the family is bringing.  In the chaos of packing the car, the present for the new baby goes missing.  The family searches the house.  They find their old baby things, but not the present.  What can they bring to the new baby instead?

Miles Ahead is adorably humorous and filled with playful, detailed illustrations.  I liked the clever ending and the discovery of what makes a gift truly special.

An Asian family is depicted in the illustrations.

PGPowers

Mama Won't Mind by Kathleen Bahr and Ramona Kaulitzki - ESSENTIAL

Mama Won't Mind by Kathleen Bahr, illustrated by Ramona Kaulitzki. PICTURE BOOK. Random House Children's Books, 2026. $20. 9798217024728

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

A young raccoon named Henry picks a sunflower for his mother’s birthday, but along the way, he keeps sharing pieces of it with others, believing, “Mama won’t mind.” In the end, he is left with nothing to give his Mama for her birthday.  Using his imagination and creativity, Henry ends up creating a stunning, on-of-a-king gift that his Mama absolutely adores! 

The story is simple yet touching.  The illustrations are bright, bold and inviting.  The story is easy to understand, making it a great read for young children, especially ages 3–7. The illustrations (by Ramona Kaulitzki) also add warmth and charm, helping bring the story to life. This would be a perfect gift for Mother’s Day. 

S. Lewis

No Way, Wash Day by Adrienne Thurman, illustrated by Kaylani Juanita. - ADVISABLE

No Way, Wash Day by Adrienne Thurman, illustrated by Kaylani Juanita. PICTURE BOOK. Harper Collins, 2026. $16. 9780063290051

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

APPEALS TO: SOME

Nina Belle loves everything about her hair-except wash day.  She tries everything she can to get out of it.  Nina Belle covers her hair and even finds different hiding places.  When Mama finds her, she explains that wash day represents love and time spent together as mother and daughter.

No Way, Wash Day is a sweet book about doing things you may not want to do.  It is also about seeing things in a different way.  The text is minimal and the illustrations are eye-catching and colorful.  This book is one that children will either relate to or will help them learn about someone who may not look like them.

Nina Belle and her family are black.

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian

Where Do Race Cars Sleep at Night? by Brianna Caplan Sayres, illustrated by Christian Slade - ADVISABLE

Where Do Race Cars Sleep at Night? by Brianna Caplan Sayres, illustrated by Christian Slade. PICTURE BOOK. Random House, 2026. $13. 9780593898031

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Race cars, hot rods, stock cars, sprint cars,  sports cars, and many more speedy vehicles are getting ready for bed in their own special way.  Some take a last victory lap.  Some get tucked in by their parent pit crew.  Does every fast car have a night time routine?

"Where Do Race Cars Sleep at Night? is a great bedtime book for children who love fast cars.

Slade's illustrations are cute and colorful.

PGPowers

I'm Busy by Michael Ian Black, illustrated by Debbie Ridpath Ohi - OPTIONAL

I'm Busy by Michael Ian Black, illustrated by Debbie Ridpath Ohi. PICTURE BOOK. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2026. $20. 9781665915243

BUYING ADVISORY:  EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

A young girl's schedule is very busy.  She has so many important things to do like karate, trumpet lessons, Spanish and coding lessons.  Will she ever have time to play with Flamingo and Potato?  She tries to learn to find balance in her life.

The message of this book about finding balance in life is an important lesson for kids.  Even though the illustrations are bright and engaging, I found the plot to be a little strange.  The girl's best friends are a flamingo and a potato.  The text is interesting though because it is written in a certain color for each character.  The young girl is presumably white.

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian

Go Bananas! by A. B. Peele, illustrated by Lala Watkins - ESSENTIAL

Go Bananas! by A. B. Peele, illustrated by Lala Watkins. PICTURE BOOK. Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers, 2026 $20. 9781665953566

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

Have you ever fallen? Have you ever taken a tumble? Feeling confused? Or bruised? Just call out to our friends, your banana friends!

Go Bananas is a must have for every parent and teacher who has little ones needing a “shout out” of love and fun in their young lives. The wording and illustrations of this picture book are spot on.  As a teacher and a parent, I imagine this book will be read and loved by many.  With bold colors and perfect facial expressions, Watkins is superb! A.B. Peele writes the perfect children’s book that is fun and interactive.  This book can be used in a unit on emotions and on motion/ physical exercise. 

S. Lewis

The Case of Old MacDonald and His Farm by Mark Teague - ADVISABLE

The Case of Old MacDonald and His Farm by Mark Teague. PICTURE BOOK. Beach Lane Books (Simon), 2026. $20. 9781665990769

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

There is a gang about the farm! They are called The Skunk Gang and they are creating havoc on Old MacDonald’s Farm! Cows now have mustaches, horses have stripes, chickens have hats! Officer Busby from Animal Control is concerned until she realizes what day it is, April 1st! Just wait to see what happens on the 4th of July! The Skunk Gang is already starting to plan.

This a fun side story to the beloved “Old MacDonald Has a Farm”. The illustrations are detailed and very colorful. The farmer’s expressions are life-like and funny.  The addition to the Skunk Gang weaved into this story is a fun and unexpected twist. Officer Busby is black. 

S. Lewis

Our Islands by Yuval Zommer - ADVISABLE

Our Islands by Yuval Zommer. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK.  Thames & Hudson, 2025. $20. 9780500653685

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

Our Islands takes young readers on a journey to unique islands around the world.  Readers will explore each island's location, formation, special plants, animals, extreme environment, and highlights any natural marvel.

Our Islands fuels the reader's natural curiosity with colorful, creative illustrations, and fun fact vignettes.  I liked the illustrated world map showing the location of these fascinating islands.

PGPowers

Millie and the Midnight Hedgehog by Bernadette Watts -- ADVISABLE

Millie and the Midnight Hedgehog by Bernadette Watts. PICTURE BOOK. North South, 2025. $20. 9780735846043

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Millie's parents care a lot about the planet.  Most of the time they are too busy for anything fun or enjoyable, so Millie passes lonely hours admiring Mrs. Periwinkle's wonderful garden.  One day, she gives Millie three potted plants.  As they grow, so does Millie's joy.  One night a storm threatens to knock the pots over.  When Millie goes out to check on them, she meets a hedgehog who gives her valuable advice about how she can show the earth she cares.

Watts weaves a modern environmental fairytale about connecting to nature and discovering joy and hope in plants and animals.  I enjoyed Watt's expressive storybook illustrations.

PGPowers

Buzz! Boom! Bang! The Book of Sounds by Benjamin Gottwald - ADVISABLE

Buzz! Boom! Bang!  The Book of Sounds by Benjamin Gottwald. PICTURE BOOK. North South, 2025. $22. 9780735846036

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

APPEALS TO:   MANY

Can you bang, boom, caw, crash, buzz, blub, pitter-patter, pffffft, whoosh, yawn, moo, or roar?  Then this read aloud book is for you!  just look at the picture and say whatever noise you think the picture is making.  

Buzz! Boom! Bang! is a fun and silly, interactive, wordless picture book where readers make sounds based on the colorful illustrations, encouraging creativity and imagination through onomatopoeia.

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Who Are You? by Claire Keane - ADVISABLE

Who Are You? by Claire Keane. PICTURE BOOK. Random House Studio, 2026. $19 9798217029136

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

A young girl and her basset hound explore nature asking the question, "Who are you?"  As the young girl wanders, she finds her identity through her experiences.  She is the rock beneath her and the clouds above her.  She is the grass and the butterfly.  She is the howling wind and the raindrops.  In her thoughtful wanderings she gets lost and frightened.  What does she realize when she finds her way home?

Keane gives us a thoughtful simplistic story about how every moment, both good and challenging, shapes who we become. I  liked Keane's loose style of illustration.

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