Mega: The Most Enormous Animals Ever by Jules Howard and Gavin Scott. - ADVISABLE

Mega:  The Most Enormous Animals Ever by Jules Howard, illustrated by Gavin Scott. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Nosy Crow, 2025. $30. 9798887772004

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

Mega: The Most Enormous Animals Ever explores Earth's largest creatures, both extinct and living, with a focus on megafauna like mammoths, whales, and giant birds.  There are detailed illustrations and facts that cover animal evolution, extinction, and conservation.  The dust jacket unfolds into a large poster of a mammoth.

Howard's text and facts are very captivating.  I especially loved the astonishing illustrations on each page.

PGPowers

You Can Say Hi With Only A Smile by Merriam Sarcia Saunders and Tracy Nishimura Bishop - ADVISABLE

You Can Say Hi With Only A Smile by Merriam Sarcia Saunders, illustrated by Tracy Nishimura Bishop. PICTURE BOOK. Magination Press, 2026. $19. 9781433845574

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Some people use words to greet you.  Others say hi with only a smile.  Some people use a nod while others use sign language.  Some kids use a tablet to talk for them.  Mothers may give you a hug.  How do you like to say hi?

You Can Say Hi With Only A Smile encourages kids to embrace different communication styles with empathy and confidence.  I liked the cute, sunny feel of the illustrations.

PGPowers

Consider the Birds by Jennifer Grant, illustrated by Julianna Swaney - OPTIONAL

Consider the Birds by Jennifer Grant, illustrated by Julianna Swaney. PICTURE BOOK. Eerdmans Books For Young Readers, 2025. $19. 9780802855626

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

On a spring day at the birdfeeder, one hungry loud blue jay, two morning doves, three black-capped chickadees and more grab a quick bite.  Some try to keep the food for themselves.  Consider the birds of the air.  If God loves them, and feeds them, does he love and take care of you too?

Consider the Birds is a gentle lyrical story that helps children discover the wonders of nature and the love of God.  Swaney's illustrations are soft, simple, and endearing.

PGPowers

Mama's Special Wonton Soup by Wai Mei Wong, illustrated by Xin Yue Zhu - ADVISABLE

Mama's Special Wonton Soup by Wai Mei Wong, illustrated by Xin Yue Zhu. PICTURE BOOK. Lantana Publishing, 2025. $19. 9781836290186

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

A young Chinese girl leaves her mama's house to buy meat for wonton soup. On the way to the market, she passes many villagers going about their business.  She greets them all with "Zao an".  Most of them give her something to eat to put in her basket.  She thanks them, and continues to the market.  When she finally makes it home, they have more food than she and her mama can eat.  Then the young girl thinks of a wonderful idea.

Mama's Special Wonton Soup is a charming story about sharing with each other.  I enjoyed the peaceful rural life portrayed, and the restful color pallet of the storytelling illustrations.

PGPowers

What Medicine Can Do by Gabrielle Balkan, art by Alberto Lot - ADVISABLE

What Medicine Can Do by Gabrielle Balkan, art by Alberto Lot. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Penguin, 2025. $20. 9798217051243

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Some of the animal children have different reasons why they need to see the doctor and take medicine.

Balkan does a very clear job of explaining different reasons we need the doctor, how the doctor interacts with us, and the usefulness of taking the right medicine. The book is a bit lengthy, but I liked the careful explanations and thoroughness of it. I could see reading it out loud a little at a time.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Boys Don't Fry by Kimberly Lee, illustrated by Charlene Chua - OPTIONAL

Boys Don't Fry by Kimberly Lee, illustrated by Charlene Chua. PICTURE BOOK. Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, 2023. $19. 9780374389857

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

It is the eve of Lunar New Year, all of Jin's relatives have gathered to celebrate at his house.  His mother, grandmother and aunties are all cooking a big feast.  Jin would love to learn to cook.  Will they let him help?

Boys Don't Fry is a sweet story with very colorful pictures.  I love the message that everyone should be able to enjoy cooking!  This book also mentioned several dishes from Peranakan Chinese culture which I have never heard of before.

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian

I’m Thankful for My Body by Lindsay Sagar. - OPTIONAL

I’m Thankful for My Body by Lindsay Sagar. BOARD BOOK. Kane Miller, 2023. $9. 9781684645596

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

The little children are thankful for all of the different parts of their bodies and ways that they can use them. I wish, however, that the body part on each page were more prominent so that little ones would learn by sight the name of each part.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

BB Interactive, BB Go, Go, Go Boat (Baby on Board) by Sebastian Braun - OPTIONAL

Go, Go, Go Boat (Baby on Board) by Sebastian Braun. BOARD BOOK. Templar Books, 2025. $10. 9781536241211

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Join the boat and the babies on a trip across the water. 

Very sturdy and a bit of fun. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

https://www.kingsenglish.com/item/fDcyhWd7_ajEfqHgkcO_RQ

Ada, Look at my Teeth by Daishu Ma - ADVISABLE

Ada, Look at my Teeth by Daishu Ma. BOARD BOOK. Candlewick, 2024. $8. 9781536235470

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Ada and her tiger look at their teeth and at the teeth of many other animals. I like that the end of the book encourages little ones to brush their teeth to keep their smiles bright.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

I’m Thankful for Animals by Lindsey Sagar - ADVISABLE

I’m Thankful for Animals by Lindsey Sagar. BOARD BOOK. Kane Miller, 2023. $9. 9781684645619

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

The children in Sagar’s book are a delightful variety of types and abilities. And they are grateful for a fun array of animals for very unique reasons. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Don’t Wake Up the Tiger by Britta Teckentrup - OPTIONAL

Don’t Wake Up the Tiger by Britta Teckentrup. BOARD BOOK. Nosy Crow, 2025. $9. 9781536241440

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

The animals are very nervous.  They need to set up for a big celebration, but Tiger is sleeping right in the way. Can they safely cross over, or will they waken the beast?

The ending twist is very cute. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS