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

Gigantic by Rob Biddulph - ESSENTIAL

 

Gigantic by Rob Biddulph. PICTURE BOOK. Doubleday (Random House), 2026. $19. 9780593518960

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

Gigantic may yet be a tiny whale, but when his big brother, Titan, is in trouble, Gigantic pulls out all the stops, and his friends, to save him.

Biddulph’s rhyming text gives the story a rhythm evocative of the sea and adds an urgency to Titan’s danger. A great reminder to “biggers” that those smaller in stature are as important. I love the color palette of the illustrations so much.

Lovely endpapers, too. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

My Abuela is a Bruja by Mayra Cuevas and Lorena Alvarez Gomez - ADVISABLE

My Abuela is a Bruja by Mayra Cuevas, illustrated by Lorena Alvarez Gomez. PICTURE BOOK Knopf (Random House), 2025. $19. 9780593480632 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

The girl's abuela is an island bruja, a garden bruja, a dancing bruja, a kitchen bruja, and a flan bruja. There is magic in everything she does. 

This is one of those picture books where the illustrations tell so much more than the text alone. Lots of Spanish words mixed in; includes a glossary, and there is also an edition in Spanish. The illustrations are wonderful - I especially loved the illustration of the girl interacting with her ancestors, because they are all a part of her own magic. Back matter includes an author's note as well as recipes for Flan and Sofrito. A wonderful picture book. The characters are Puerto Rican 

Lisa Librarian 

Underwearwolf by Gideon Sterer and Charles Santoso - ADVISABLE

The Underwearwolf by Gideon Sterer and Charles Santoso. PICTURE BOOK. Simon and Schuster, 2026. $20. 9781665955584

Content: PG (“butt naked” mentioned, main character is naked at one point, but no private parts are shown)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Against all advice, a little slips on the underwear he was gifted during a full moon and becomes a werewolf, running wildly through his town all night long.

The idea that your underwear can turn you into a monster is hilarious and I loved watching his antics throughout the night. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Under One Roof by Miranda Paul & Baptiste Paul and Christopher Silas Neal - OPTIONAL

Under One Roof by Miranda Paul & Baptiste Paul, illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal. PICTURE BOOK.  Clarion Books (Harper), 2026. $16. 9780358576594

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

APPEALS TO: SOME

Bedtime is a time that is the same and yet very different for everyone.  Under One Roof represents a diverse group of children and their families as they get ready for bed.  Some are missing a loved one because they have passed away or are serving their country far away.  Others have lost their homes to wars or natural disasters.  Home truly is where your family is!

With rhyming text and soft, muted illustrations,  Under One Roof would be good for a bedtime story.  I don't think it is the type of book that would hold the attention of a class for a read aloud. 

Many different ethnicities and different types of families are represented.

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian