Little Fir Tree illustrated by Yu-Hsuan Huang and Little Witch Cat illustrated by Emily Dove - ADVISABLE

Little Witch Cat illustrated by Emily Dove. FINGER PUPPET BOARD BOOK. Chronicle, 2024. $8. 9781797228105

Little Fir Tree illustrated by Yu-Hsuan Huang. FINGER PUPPET BOARD BOOK. Chronicle, 2024. $8. 9781797228099

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Little Witch Cat is getting ready to celebrate Halloween with her friends.

Chronicle has a wide variety of finger puppet books - more than 50 of them.  I‘m going to go through them to choose the ones that speak to me.  The verse on each spread is short, but the story makes sense.  The finger puppet is the star of the reading, of course. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Not Just the Driver by Sara Holly Ackerman and Robert Neubecker. - OPTIONAL

Not Just the Driver by Sara Holly Ackerman, illustrated by Robert Neubecker. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Beach Lane Books (Simon), 2024. $19. 9781665936378

BUYING ADVISORY:  EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Who keeps the buses, subways, and planes running smoothly? It's not just the bus drivers, subways operators, and pilots. It takes a whole crew to keep the transit system safe, repaired, managed, and improving. 

On one spread, the author asks, with a pair of rhyming couplets, who keeps a specific type of vehicle going, and then on the next spread, the author answers with a trio of couplets that introduce other members of the team, such as mechanics, signal maintainers, and air traffic controllers. The colorful, digital illustrations show several examples of each featured vehicle, including multiple passengers, followed by a scene with the other team members. I can imagine young vehicle enthusiasts pouring over the illustrations (each spread contains lots to notice, count, and compare) while enjoying the engaging rhyming rhythm of the text. They will also learn many vehicle-related vocabulary words. However, I don't think they'll be able to access the text on their own, and they may prefer a vehicle book with photographs. The illustration style of this book reminds me of non-fiction books by Gail Gibbons.

P.K.Foster, MLS, Elementary School Librarian

Poppy’s Family Patterns by Lauren Semmer - OPTIONAL

Poppy’s Family Patterns by Lauren Semmer. PICTURE BOOK. Crown BYR (Random House), 2024. $19. 9780593710609

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

While Poppy is playing with her Bunny stuffy, the bunny's dress rips. Afraid she’ll have to throw away the dress, her mom leads Poppy to a box of fabric scraps. They spend time naming different patterns and reminiscing about the scraps’ origins. The paisley scrap came from grandpa’s tie, for example, and a chevron scrap came from auntie’s scarf. Then mom takes out her measuring tape and sewing machine and creates a new, multi-patterned dress for both Poppy and her stuffy.

The author includes familiar fabric patterns ((stripes, polka dots, camouflage) and less familiar ones (shibori, toile de Jouy, ankara) both through the story and on the Pattern Library at the end. Fabric arts are not often the subject of a picture book and I learned some new terminology myself. Readers will encounter familiar fabric patterns ((stripes, polka dots, camouflage) and less familiar ones (shibori, toile de Jouy, ankara) both through the story and in the Pattern Library at the end.

P.K. Foster, MLS, elementary school teacher-librarian

Poppy and her mom are Black

Adela’s Mariachi Band by Denise Vega and Erika Rodriguez Medina - ADVISABLE

 

Adela’s Mariachi Band by Denise Vega, illustrated by Erika Rodriguez Medina. PICTURE BOOK. Charlesbridge, 2024. $18. 9781623544447 (English) ; 9781623544454 (Spanish)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

Adela loves her family’s mariachi band—the music, dancing, clapping, shouting (“los gritos”). She happily shouts right back, until she remembers the one fact about it that she doesn’t love—she’s not in it. As she tries each element of the performance for herself, she cannot blow or pluck or swirl as her family members can and worries it will take too long to be good enough. She wants to be part of the band now. As she listens and sighs through yet another performance without her, she watches her tia rush to the front before the last song finishes and is struck with an idea. Los gritos! Adela finds a way to contribute right now to something she loves even while realizing it will take time to develop the skills needed to participate in other ways.

The illustrator does a good job depicting Adela’s big feelings on the page through her facial expressions and body postures. The reader will also learn about the different elements of a mariachi band and will relate to Adela’s experience of trying but failing to replicate the sounds and movements of her family members who are the musicians and dancers. An author’s note includes more details about the instruments and costumes. She also mentions how her grandfather and uncle were members of a mariachi group in Utah.

P.K. Foster, MLS, elementary school teacher-librarian

Clack, Clack, Smack! A Cherokee Stickball Story by Traci Sorell, illustrated by Joseph Erb - ADVISABLE

Clack, Clack, Smack! A Cherokee Stickball Story by Traci Sorell, illustrated by Joseph Erb. PICTURE BOOK. Charlesbridge, 2024. $18. 9781623541934

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

With stylized illustrations and Tsalagi (Cherokee) dialogue throughout, Sorell tells a common sports story about an uncommon sport. Vann is bigger and slower than his teammates. While his team is getting water during a timeout, Vann remembers his missed shot in the previous game, which they lost, and reenters the game worried. After he misses another shot and the other team ties the game, Vann has the ball again when he remembers the coach telling them they must work together. He passes the ball to his friend Jesse who scores and wins the game.

Sorrel’s story depicts a ceremonial version of stickball where boys play girls who follow a different set of rules, such as not having sticks but being allowed to use their hands to catch, carry, and shoot the ball, and to block or stop opponents. The author also includes another endnote about the Tsalagi language and efforts being made to keep it alive. Readers not familiar with the Cherokee nation will get a valuable glimpse into another culture though I wish the story was more compelling. Only after reading the About Stickball endnote do I realize that 1) the team in red (as opposed to Vann’s team in blue) are all girls, and 2) the red team does not have any sticks.

P.K. Foster, MLS, elementary school teacher-librarian

Squawk of Spanish by Gabriella Aldeman, illustrated by Romina Galotta - OPTIONAL

Squawk of Spanish by Gabriella Aldeman, illustrated by Romina Galotta. PICTURE BOOK. Charlesbridge, 2024. $18. 9781623543921 (English) ; 9781623544171 (Spanish)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Max shares how he can’t roll his Rs when trying to speak Spanish so he doesn’t even like to try. His ridiculing cousins don’t help. Every Sunday he and his abuela, who doesn’t speak English, cook together with the help of Lorito, a squawking, bilingual parrot who knows all the recipes and encourages Max to try. “Tú sí puedes!” When it is time to cook tres leches for the county fair, Lorito is not around to help, so Max steps up and helps his grandma in Spanish.

Alderman and Galotta  depict the language barrier that often exists (and portrayed in many picture books) between the generations of recent immigrant families. This book does not stand out from the crowd either through the power of the story nor the quality of the illustrations but would be a solid addition if your collection needs a story like this. The endnotes include an author’s note about his son who struggles with Spanish though the author is bilingual, a glossary of several Spanish words used in the story, and a recipe for arroz con leche.

P.K. Foster, MLS, elementary school teacher-librarian

Tate’s Wild Rescue by Jenny Turnbull, illustrated by Izzy Burton - ADVISABLE

Tate’s Wild Rescue by Jenny Turnbull, illustrated by Izzy Burton. PICTURE BOOK. Crown BYR (Random House), 2024. $19. 9780593569078

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Tate loves animals—especially wild ones. When she starts worrying about them, out in the cold possibly lonely, scared, or hungry, she decides to rescue one. She writes a letter to Lion offering a warm home, bath, and best friend (herself). She adds a P.S. about how he won’t have to hunt because she’ll feed him with a bowl of food fit for a king. Lion replies by declining the invitation for very specific reasons, starting with how no more hunting sounds terrible! So begins Tate’s tenacious efforts to convince a wild animal to live with her, writing a new P.S. to appeal specifically to each animal but which each animal has sound reasons for refusing. After many rejections, she begins noticing the pure joy wild animals display in their natural habitats and among their own kind. Just as she gives up on her idea, she receives an unsolicited letter from exactly the animal BFF she’s been looking for.

The proffer and rejection of her hospitality for specific reasons by each animal teaches young readers several animal facts as well as showing them how to dismiss an unfeasible suggestion with clear reasoning. Teachers could use this story to teach either this important critical-thinking skill or letter-writing skills. The illustrations amp up the engagement for independent readers in a couple ways. Observant readers will notice a picture clue about what animal Tate is writing to next, which is not clearly revealed through the words until you turn the page. They can also find her ultimate animal companion on each spread.

Tate is portrayed as a dark-skinned, tooth-gapped girl with big eyes and wavy hair cropped above her shoulders.

P.K. Foster, MLS, elementary school teacher-librarian

Cooking with the Sneetches by Astrid Holm and Erik Doescher - OPTIONAL

Cooking with the Sneetches by Astrid Holm, illustrated by Erik Doescher. EARLY READER (LEVEL 1) Random House, 2024. $6 (pb). 9780593706237

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO:SEVERAL

What do Sneetches do on beaches? After swimming and playing all day, they do what they like most—they have a Sneetch Beach Hot Dog Roast. This story features the Seuss characters Sneetches enjoying a day on the beach, culminating with a bonfire and roasting hot dog and marshmallows, all told in classic Seuss-like rhymes. 

Even if young readers are not familiar with Sneetches, the setting and rhythm of this story will delight them.

P.K. Foster, MLS, elementary school teacher-librarian

Dodo Dodgeball by Heidi E. Y. Stemple and Eva Byrne - OPTIONAL

Dodo Dodgeball by Heidi E. Y. Stemple, illustrated by Eva Byrne. EARLY READER (LEVEL1). Simon Spotlight, 2024. $18. 9781665952095

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO:SEVERAL

Gym class is starting and Coach divides the students—ducklings and dodos—into two teams for a game of dodgeball. A new student—a chick—enters the gym and prefers to read a book in the corner. After warming up, the balls start flying. As dodos dodge and ducklings duck, Chick gathers up pieces of a bench, chair, and trophy shelf broken during the game and creates a box library out of them. At the end of class, Chick presents each student and Coach with a book of their own from the box library.

Told in rhymes and illustrated with cute, colorful cartoony pictures, sometimes featuring speech bubbles, this story has some logical conundrums. Why would Coach let a new student sit out of that day’s activity? How does Chick build a box library so quickly with no visible tools, and where do all the books inside the box come from? On the other hand, the illustrations are delightful!

P.K. Foster, MLS, elementary school teacher-librarian

Nat the Cat Has a Snack by Jarrett Lerner - ESSENTIAL

Nat the Cat Has a Snack by Jarrett Lerner. EARLY READER (Pre-Level 1). Simon Spotlight, 2024. $18. 9781665957090

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

APPEALS TO:MANY

Told with just a few words in large print on each page, alternating between an unseen narrator on the one hand and dialogue in speech bubbles on the other, Nat the Cat builds a snack for himself but then Pat the Rat shows up and wants Nat to share.

The initial reluctance to share will feel familiar to young readers, while the resolution will surprise and delight them. The simplicity of the text in such a clever, entertaining story is a rare combination and I would snatch this one up (as well as the other Nat the Cat stories) for my earliest readers.

P.K. Foster, MLS, elementary school teacher-librarian

Animal Superpowers! by Amy Cherrix and Frann Preston-Gannon - ADVISABLE

Animal Superpowers! by Amy Cherrix, illustrated by Frann Preston-Gannon. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Beach Lane Books (Simon), 2024. $19. 9781534456273

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

Special adaptations of ten animals are presented on two spreads each and illustrated with art that was created with acrylic paint and ink and then manipulated and collaged digitally. Some of the adaptations are more commonly known, such as a barn owl’s supersensitive hearing, a dog’s sense of smell, and an electric eel’s electrical charge. Some are less so, such as a pea-sized jellyfish that can regenerate into several new jellyfish after being wounded, a shrimp that can kill its prey with a very speedy and very loud bubble, and an opossum that has anti-venom in its veins that protects it from snake attacks.

Teachers and readers will enjoy the fun facts, for sure, but the pictures may be somewhat less engaging. They are not crisp enough to stand in well as a substitute for photographs and not bold enough to imbue the book with comic-book energy. Back matter includes information about how each of the featured animals will be affected by human activities and selected sources.

P.K. Foster, MLS, elementary school teacher-librarian

Goodnight, Broom by Deb Anderson and Ma Pe - ADVISABLE

Goodnight, Broom by Deb Anderson, illustrated by Ma Pe. BOARD BOOK. Grosset & Dunlap (Penguin), 2025. $9 (original in board book). 9780593753644

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

The little witch is getting ready for bed.

I admit I am not a fan of the original version.  This version absolutely delights my Halloween-loving heart. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Bus! Stop! by James Yang - ADVISABLE

Bus! Stop! by James Yang. BOARD BOOK. Viking (Penguin), 2025 (board book version). $9. 9780593694718

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

The boy has missed his bus.  As other buses come by, he sees that they are for other passengers and he hopes that a bus that will help him will finally come by.

While the cover bus looks pretty “normal”, the buses are a delightful mix of whimsy.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Alphabedtime by Susanna Leonard Hill and Betsy Snyder - OPTIONAL

Alphabedtime by Susanna Leonard Hill, illustrated by Betsy Snyder. BOARD BOOK. Nancy Paulsen (Penguin), 2025 (board book version). $9. 9780593859308

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

The Alpha family are eating dinner and then getting ready for bed. 

Hill and Snyder pack a lot onto the pages of a small board book. I do like that it gives you four times to run through the alphabet.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Dinosaurs: Up Close and Incredible by Eric Huang, illustrated by Facundo Aguirre - ESSENTIAL

Dinosaurs: Up Close and Incredible by Eric Huang, illustrated by Facundo Aguirre. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Wide Eyed (Quarto), 2025. $ 17. 9780711284968

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

Meet several dinosaurs from different periods as you explore the pages with your magnifying glass. Each two-page spread has a pretend exploration going on with interesting and sometimes funny scenes. The side matter has specific scenes for the reader to find, with added information. I would suggest if you are putting this out for students that you find a way to anchor the magnifying glass to the book, though. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Banana, Banana, Banana! by Sarah Finan - ESSENTIAL

Banana, Banana, Banana! by Sarah Finan. BOARD BOOK. Post Wave (Chronicle), 2025. $9. 9798895090275

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

Finan gives us a wonderful ode to the banana. You might have to memorize the rhyming text so that you can sing it out exuberantly as a song. Some of the pages have cut outs which are a lot of fun to peep through. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Tiny T. Rex and the First-Day Oopsies by Jonathan Stutzman and Jay Fleck - ADVISABLE

Tiny T. Rex and the First-Day Oopsies by Jonathan Stutzman, illustrated by Jay Fleck. PICTURE BOOK. Chronicle Books, 2025. $17. 9781797233208

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Tiny T. Rex is ready for school - or is he?  Along the way that first day he makes several “oopsies”, but his teacher helps him see how much he has also learned.

A comforting book for those who think that making a mistake is absolutely the worst thing that could happen.  Parents and teachers and friends all need to work together to help everyone remember that mistakes are important because that is also how we learn. Tiny T. Rex now has 6 books. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Cousins in The Time of Magic by Emma Otheguy, illustrated by Poly Bernatene - ESSENTIAL

Cousins in The Time of Magic by Emma Otheguy, illustrated by Poly Bernatene. 202 pages. CHAPTER BOOK. Atheneum BYR (Simon), 2025. $18.

Content: PG (slavery, war, racism mentioned)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Jorge, Camila, and Siggy spend Monday afternoons with their Tia Xia. Together they embark on a time traveling adventure. In 1862, the United States was fighting the Civil War and Mexico was fighting off an invasion by France. The cousins must avoid capture, fight the bad guys, and save their aunt before finding their own way back home.

For those readers who have only ever had a vague understanding about what Cinco de Mayo actually celebrates, for children who identify as Latino but are struggling to understand their heritage, or for lovers of historical fiction, this book is eye and heart opening.

The family is Latino with varying skin shades and hair textures.

J. Smith, Teacher Librarian 

Dinosaurs (minitouch) illustrations by Mini Magique Studio - OPTIONAL

 

Dinosaurs (minitouch) illustrations by Mini Magique Studio. BOARD BOOK. Happy Yak (Quarto), 2025. $10. 9781836002918

BUYING ADVISORY: PRE-K - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Meet ten dinosaurs in this cute, simple touch and feel book. Six of the textures are fun to touch - the other four are smooth.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Pancakes! (Cook in a Book) illustrated by Lotta Nieminen - ADVISABLE

Pancakes! (Cook in a Book) illustrated by Lotta Nieminen. INTERACTIVE BOARD BOOK. Pahidon, 2025. $15. 9780714872834

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

It's time to make pancakes!  Don’t trust your young one in the kitchen - that’s ok.  You can make pancakes with your imagination and with this book.

Nieminen now has six interactive cookbooks, including pizza and cake. And if you want, you could follow the recipe and cook pancakes IRL, too.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The Elephant’s Birthday (Mouse and Spoon) by Cynthia Rylant - OPTIONAL

The Elephant’s Birthday (Mouse and Spoon) by Cynthia Rylant. EARLY READER (Level 2), Simon Spotlight, 2025. $19 (hc), $6 (pb). 9781665962155

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

The Mouse and Spoon bakery has a huge order for Elephant’s birthday party.  The Mice will all have to work together in order to get all the cakes baked in time. 

Mice bakers are very cute. Rylant has three books in the Mice and Spoon series now. It is a cute early Reader option.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Suki Cat: Farmer by Grace Habib - ADVISABLE

Suki Cat: Farmer by Grace Habib. BOARD BOOK. Nosy Crow, 2025. $10. 9798887771342

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Suki is ready for a day on the farm. Join her as she helps the cows and fixes things.

Suki has a variety of adventures to choose from.  The books have sturdy tabs that are fun to push and pull. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Popo the Xolo by Paloma Angelina Lopez, illustrated by Abraham Matias. - OPTIONAL

Popo the Xolo by Paloma Angelina Lopez, illustrated by Abraham Matias. PICTURE BOOK. Charlesbridge, 2025. $18. 9781623544577

Also available in Spanish, translated by Carlos E. Calvo, 9781623544584

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Nana loves living with her extended family and she loves her little dog, Popo. One day Nana and Popo head out on a journey.

Lopez and Matias take us through an emotional journey through the nine levels of Mictlan, the Indigenous Mexican journey to the afterlife. I don’t know how much elementary talks about death traditions, which is the only reason I didn’t rate this as more necessary. It seems like a beautiful tradition.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Weird and Wonderful You by Zaila Avant-Garde, art by Kah Yangni - ADVISABLE

Weird and Wonderful You by Zaila Avant-Garde, art by Kah Yangni. PICTURE BOOK. Doubleday (Random House), 2025. $19. 9780593568965

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

APPEALS TO: SOME

Avant-Grade and Yangni have an explosion of color and words celebrating those who are called “weird” by those who don’t understand. While I don't usually like the plethora of “feel good" picture books out, I do love Yangni’s exuberant artwork. The pages also have quotes from colorful characters from throughout history. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Wanda Hears the Stars by Amy S. Hanson with Wanda Diaz Merced and Rocio Arreola Mendoza - ADVISABLE

Wanda Hears the Stars: A blind astronomer listens to the Universe by Amy S. Hanson with Wanda Diaz Merced, illustrated by Rocio Arreola Mendoza. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Charlesbridge, 2025. $19. 9781623544874

Also available in Spanish, Translated by Gabriela Carrion. 9781623544881

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Wanda’s childhood in Puerto Rico fostered her love for nature and of the stars. She followed her dream into college, but when she lost her sight from complications of her diabetes, she thought her dream might be over. Luckily she was surrounded by supportive friends who not only helped her learn how to navigate her new world, but they also helped her find a new way for her to pursue her dreams of the stars - hearing the universe in a whole new way.

Wanda’s story hits so many buttons - conquering challenges, global majority, female, current science - so many reasons to introduce her to students on so many levels. SHow all of your teachers.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

 

Flat Cat: The Class Pet by Tara Lazar, illustrated by Pete Oswald - ADVISABLE

Flat Cat: The Class Pet by Tara Lazar, illustrated by Pete Oswald. PICTURE BOOK. Flamingo Press (Penguin), 2025. $19. 9780593404607

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Flat Cat loves his flat existence.  One day a fresh breeze blows him away, where he ends up hitching a ride to school - a place full of all kinds of unfamiliar smells, sights, and sounds. 

I don’t know if Flat Cat will replace Flat Stanley, but I think he has a good chance at it. I’d like more Flat Cat stories.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Little Bunny, Fall is Here! by Deborah Marcero - ADVISABLE

Little Bunny, Fall is Here! by Deborah Marcero. BOARD BOOK. Putnam’s (Penguin), 2025. $9. 9780593698990

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

After dinner, Little Bunny is ready for a story, but everyone around him seems to be too busy.  As he and Mouse travel through the forest, they find a story of different kind.

Most of the book is natural sentences, but when the pair find their story it turns to a lovely rhyme. Bunny also has a spring season board book.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Bob Marley by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara and Subi Bosa. - ADVISABLE

Bob Marley (Little People, Big Dreams) by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara, illustrations by Subi Bosa. PICTURE BOOK BIOGRAPHY. Frances Lincoln (Quarto), 2025. $16. 9781836007173

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Bob Marley grew up very poor in Jamaica, a bit of an outcast because his father was white. His love for music and for Rastafarian religion helped him create music beloved by people all over the world.

The Little People Big Dreams series has such interesting people in its catalog.  A teacher could choose a group of people to have in their classroom library and use them for a simple biography unit or to support different units of study.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Beatrice Looks for Home by Ron Grady. - ADVISABLE

Beatrice Looks for Home by Ron Grady. PICTURE BOOK. Nancy Paulsen (Penguin), 2025. $19. 9780593696354

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Beatrice loves her life with her Gram, her Papa, and her Dad.  When Papa gets a new job, however, Gram doesn’t move with them to the new city.  Beatrice is not sure that this new place will ever feel like home. But Gram sends Beatrice something to spark her creativity.

Moving - even in the middle of the school year - is common for students. Grady gives us a nice way to share the complexity of those feelings with all of your students and help all develop some empathy.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Luna and the Case of the Missing Mooncakes by Natasha Yim and Violet Kim - OPTIONAL

Luna and the Case of the Missing Mooncakes by Natasha Yim, illustrated by Violet Kim. PICTURE BOOK. Charlesbridge, 2025. $17. 9781623544669

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Luna and Mina are excited for Lunar New Year, but when one of the mooncakes goes missing, they are on the case to find the culprit. As they find clues they eliminate suspects using logic and deduction.

I liked how Luna and Mina used logic to make their deductions.  I did not like Luna’s superior attitude, but that goes with the age. I do wish that the girls’ deductions had lead to them the final answer, though - using the power of deduction would have had more power then. The Story-Telling Math series now has 12 diverse titles. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Little Monster by Rhiannon Fielding and Chris Chatterton - ADVISABLE

Little Monster (Ten Minutes to Bed) by Rhiannon Fielding and Chris Chatterton. BOARD BOOK. Ladybird (Penguin), 2025. $10. 9780241735114

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K  - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

It may be only ten minutes until bedtime, but Little Monster has other plans besides settling  between the covers!

So cute!  Fielding and Chatterton have several other books in this series, with characters like a dinosaur and unicorn - you can choose the one that would appeal most to your little one.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The Secret Life of Clouds and Other Wonderful Weather Forms by Moira Butterfield and Vivian Mineker. - ESSENTIAL

The Secret Life of Clouds and Other Wonderful Weather Forms by Moira Butterfield and Vivian Mineker. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Happy Yak (Quarto), 2025. $20. 9781836001140

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

Butterfield and Mineker, with the help of Casper the Cloud, brings us a lovely book about all sorts of weather.  Each weather piece is simply explained, but in good detail for young scientists. Great for reference, or for parts of a longer weather unit. This is the 6th book in their non-fiction nature series.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Emmie Builds Something New by Marjorie Crosby-Fairall - ADVISABLE

Emmie Builds Something New by Marjorie Crosby-Fairall. PICTURE BOOK. Red Comet Press, 2025. $25. 9781636551395

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Emmie, a little mouse,  has made a great life for herself in the attic.  When the cat arrives, however, she is scared. She decides to create bigger and bigger monsters to scare the cat away. How big will she have to go?

Crosby celebrates ingenuity and finding new friends with her charming book. Emmie’s Rube-Goldberg-esque contraptions are quite fun to inspect. I would break out all of the building materials afterwards.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

How the Forest Feels by Wendi Silvano and Mirka Hokkanen - ADVISABLE

How the Forest Feels: Sensory Play Nature’s Way by Wendi Silvano and Mirka Hokkanen. PICTURE BOOK. Holiday House, 2025. $20. 9780823456406

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

APPEALS TO: SOME

A child and their grandfather head into the woods to enjoy a walk together,

After enjoying the pictures and the sentiments, your readers will want to head out for a walk. While I am not a fan of the rhyming couplets as text, I can see how it would be a fun way to have students write couplets of their own about what they saw after their walk.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Daisy Rewilds by Margaret McNamara and Kerscoet - OPTIONAL

Daisy Rewilds by Margaret McNamara and Kerscoet. PICTURE BOOK. Random House, 2025. $19. 9780593125670

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Daisy has loved nature since the day she was born. One day she decides to let nature runs its course with her as its canvas. As Daisy homeschools through the seasons, her bounty of vegetation and flowers ignites the curiosity of her neighborhood, leading Daisy to the rest of her plan.

McNamara and Kerscoet create a festival for the eyes. Little kids love to work in dirt and plant things - they will love the illustrations, even if the story leaves them a bit confused. The back matter has a little blurb about what rewilding is. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Ablaze by Jessica Lawson and Sarah Gonzalez - ADVISABLE

Ablaze: the story of America’s first female smokejumper by Jessica Lawson, illustrated by Sarah Gonzalez. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Penguin, 2025. $19. 9780593463659

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Deanne loved nature and she saw the devastation caused by wildfires each season. She wanted to help save her beloved trees, so she joined the Forest Service and worked every job in the service, except for smokejumper. She is determined to conquer each obstacle placed in her way so that she can fully protect the forests she loves.

Another good picture book about a woman willing to work to earn a job  that would easily restrict her from entry. Also a nice look at the hard-working people who protect the forest with their brave actions.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

A Rainy Dragon Day by Julie Volk - OPTIONAL

A Rainy Dragon Day by Julie Volk. PICTURE BOOK. Gecko Press, 2024. $11. 9781776575848

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

A girl looks forward to a comfy day indoors when she discovers that it is raining.  She settles down to read when her doorbell rings.  A dragon is at the door and he needs to use the bathroom.  The girl's bathroom is too small.  Where do dragons go to the bathroom anyway?

This book has a very strange plot but the watercolor pictures are very beautiful.  I was put off by pictures of the girl in the story sitting on the toilet and the dragon urinating.  I did not enjoy this book but I know that children who enjoy potty humor might. 

The girl is presumably white.

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian

Feelings are like Farts by Christopher, PsyD Willard, Tara Wosiski and Toshiki Nakamura - OPTIONAL

Feelings are like Farts by Christopher, PsyD Willard, and Tara Wosiski, illustrated by Toshiki Nakamura.  PICTURE BOOK Henry Holt (Macmillan), 2025. $19. 9781250903075 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Feelings and Farts have a lot in common. Everyone has them, they can come unexpectedly, make you laugh, be troublesome, and it's not healthy to hold them in. 

Children seem to love books about farts (and feelings too, I suppose). Toshiki Nakamura's illustrations give just the right balance - is this child farting or having a feeling? Unfortunately, it doesn't tell the reader what to do about any of them - farts or feelings, other than talking to someone. I think its intention is to just to be silly. The characters are multiple races and genders. 

Lisa Librarian 

The Friendship Train by Debbie Levy and Boris Kulikov - OPTIONAL

The Friendship Train: A True Story of Helping and Healing after World War II by Debbie Levy, illustrated by Boris Kulikov. NON-FICTION, PICTURE BOOK Bloomsbury, 2025. $20. 9781547608027 

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

APPEALS TO: SOME 

Right after WWII, the people of Europe were feeling the effects of hunger. Farms had been destroyed, and the cold weather was setting in, no time to grow food for the winter. A journalist named Drew Pearson challenged Americans all across the country to help. He organized a "Friendship Train" starting in California and heading across the country to gather food to send to Europe. It was much more successful than he expected. 

The Friendship train is an inspirational story, I loved the illustrations of children helping however they can. Includes an extensive author's note - apparently, Pearson wasn't demonstrating his generosity, he had an ulterior motive, he was pro-Democracy and anti Communism and was demonstrating that the US system was better. This is not addressed at all in the text, so the story itself isn't political. Includes a bibliography, sources and some websites to learn more about the Friendship train. 

Lisa Librarian 

An Elephant in our City by Friederike Dammermann - ADVISABLE

An Elephant in our City by Friederike Dammermann.  PICTURE BOOK Clavis, 2025. $20. 9798890631459 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

When an elephant suddenly arrives in the street outside Ben's house, his parents imagine all the reasons it might have come to the city. To swim, see a show, do some shopping? What if it sneezes? Ben is not concerned, he knows why it's there. 

What a darling story! I loved the silly illustrations which sometimes included photography. So much fun to think about what I would do if an elephant came to my street. Translated from Dutch, I found it whimsical. I would love to see more from this author/illustrator 

Lisa Librarian 

Our Solar System by Stacy McAnulty and Stevie Lewis - ESSENTIAL

Our Solar System: A Stellar Neighborhood by Stacy McAnulty, illustrated by Stevie Lewis. NON-FICTION, PICTURE BOOK Henry Holt (Macmillan), 2025 $19. 9781250813473 

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

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Comet, who claims to be both author and illustrator, takes us on a tour of the Solar System, including the sun, the planets and even tells the reader about asteroids, comets and even an oort cloud. 

I hope your library includes all of McAnulty's books about the planets, including purchasing this one - a culmination of all the friendly planets, with bits of cool information about each one. Funny, clever, informational, everything we want in a book about the Solar System. I learned things I didn't know! Stevie Lewis is also the illustrator, so everything matches and complements. Well done! 

Lisa Librarian  

The Jade Bracelet by Hà Dinh and Yong Ling Kang - OPTIONAL

The Jade Bracelet by Hà Dinh and Yong Ling Kang. PICTURE BOOK Penguin, 2025. $19. 9780593711781 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

Tiên receives a special gift for her birthday. It's a beautiful jade bracelt that belonger to her late grandmother. Tiên appreciates it, but it's not like the bracelets her friends wear at school, so she is embarrassed and tries to hide it. When she tells her mother she doesn't want the bracelet, her mother has an idea. 

I loved the connection to culture and family history, especially if the bracelet actually belonged to her grandmother, however, I didn't understand how she had a change of heart, other than seeing the other bracelet as a possibility. I'm sure this can happen and it probably does, but it leaves the resolution without a plot point. The child is Vietnamese.

Lisa Librarian

The Endless Sea by Chi Thai and Linh Dao - OPTIONAL

The Endless Sea by Chi Thai, illustrated by Linh Dao. PICTURE BOOK NON-FICTION Candlewick, 2025. $19. 978153623960 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

When a young girl's family is displaced by war and poverty, they sell their belongings to escape and try for a new life somewhere else. The journey is unbelievable dangerous, and only the very lucky are successful. 

This is a heart wrenching story - a memoir of the author who escaped Viet Nam with her family. The author's note at the end identify how many refugees there are today. Definitely a good choice for a class introduction to refugees, or for someone looking at the aftermath of conflict/war. The characters are Vietnamese 

Lisa Librarian 

Trouble Dog by Carol A Foote, illustrated by Larry Day - ADVISABLE

Trouble Dog: From Shelter Dog to Conservation Hero by Carol A Foote, illustrated by Larry Day. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK Eerdmans, 2025. $19. 9780802855817 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Tucker is one of those dogs who has so much energy he's hard to control. He keeps getting returned to the shelter. Until Laura find him. He is just what he is looking for. His energy and love to play and tireless energy makes him perfect for her conservation projects. Tucker can be trained to find things by scent. 

Kids love books about dogs, especially dogs like Tucker who start out of hand and end up a hero. A great author's note at the end, showing the dogs Tucker is based on, how conservation dogs are trained, the kind of animals they help find, and what jobs other working dogs do. Includes a bibliography for even more info. 

Lisa Librarian 

Janie Writes a Play: Jane Yolen's First Great Story by Heidi E. Y. Stemple and Madelyn Goodnight - ADVISABLE

Janie Writes a Play: Jane Yolen's First Great Story by Heidi E. Y. Stemple, illustrated by Madelyn Goodnight BIOGRAPHY PICTURE BOOK Charlesbridge/Imagine, 2025. $19. 9781623543273 

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

APPEALS TO: SOME 

Young Jane Yolen was a writer even when she was still a little girl. She and her brother would interview people in their apartment elevator and turn it in to a newspaper they charged residents 5 cents for. When Jane anticipates the upcoming class play, she is so disappointed to find it less than exciting. No rising plot or big moment. So she spends the evening writing her own play for the class to perform. 

Jane Yolen is a really big deal. She wrote so many books - over 400) and has helped so many authors. I just don't know how relevant she is with today's picture book audience. I think this will be snatched up by adults - particularly librarians. However, as a story about a little girl who loves literature and sees the value in a plot, it's a fine story, so is still an advisable purchase. Jane Yolen is white. 

Lisa Librarian 

A Star Shines Through by Anna Desnitskaya - OPTIONAL

A Star Shines Through by Anna Desnitskaya. PICTURE BOOK. Eerdmans, 2024. $11. 9780802856319 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

A girl walks home from music lessons and sees a cardboard star glowing in her apartment window. The star's warm light welcomes her home. Soon after, her family has to flee because of war. Everything is different, the food, the language, where they live. Will Anna ever get used to her new home? 

A Star Shines Through is a poignant story that cleverly uses few words and detailed illustrations to show the difficult situation of people displaced by war. I like that the pictures compare her old life and her new life. This is a true story about a family that had to leave their home country of Russia after they invaded Ukraine. The main characters are white.

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian

What Can a Mess Make by Bee Johnson - ADVISABLE

What Can a Mess Make by Bee Johnson. PICTURE BOOK. Henry Holt & Company (Macmillan), 2024. $19. 9781250900241 

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

APPEALS TO: SOME 

This is a sweet, rhyming story of two girls making mess after mess, with lovely results and consequences. The text is fairly simple so young ones can read along or predict rhyming words, and the illustrations are colorfully detailed and beautiful. With examples of art, music, inventing, cooking, crafting, creating, and general play, this would be a fun read aloud before settling in for some maker space fun in an elementary library or classroom, or before getting crafty at home with kiddos.

Reviewer: Angie Campbell - EL Librarian

Trains & Trainers by Sarah Musa and Rania Hasan - OPTIONAL

Trains & Trainers by Sarah Musa illustrated by Rania Hasan. PICTURE BOOK. Kube Publishing, Ltd, 2024. $11. 9780860379034 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

Malik and his older brother Badr enjoy many of the same things, but squabble and clash like siblings do. Badr has autism and Malik sometimes considers that a struggle and challenge for their family, and even says some regretful things about Badr. Mama helps the boys work through their differences and emotions, and ultimately Malik is reminded of what a blessing his brother is. 

This may be a relatable story for families or classrooms with differently abled members. It shows reasonable emotion and reaction to Badr's behaviors, and shows a parent guiding her children through the emotion and challenges. There are 10 discussion questions at the end of the book that could be helpful in talking with children about the story and about autism in general, although several are yes/no questions and don't really encourage much dialogue. This book was published by The Islamic Foundation and includes both illustration and text referencing some aspects of Islam.

Reviewer: Angie Campbell - EL Librarian

Don't Trust Fish by Neil Sharpson, illustrated by Dan Santat - ADVISABLE

Don't Trust Fish by Neil Sharpson, illustrated by Dan Santat. PICTURE BOOK Dial (Penguin), 2025. $19. 9780593616673 

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

There are a lot of different kinds of animals: mammals, birds, and snakes for example. And fish. Don't trust fish, they are sneaky, they don't follow rules, and they hide in the water where they are probably talking about us. 

Dan Santat's illustrations are hilarious! Sharpton's serious(ish) text along with the fun illustrations makes this a book kids will read and re-read. Looking forward to sharing Don't Trust Fish with my Marine Biology teacher. 

Lisa Librarian