Reach In! by Hervé Tullet - ESSENTIAL

Reach In! by Hervé Tullet. BOARD BOOK. Chronicle Books, 2026. $19. 9781797237817

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

True to its title, the book encourages children to literally poke their fingers, hands, and even their faces into the pages. It breaks the don't touch rule of traditional literature. Tullet introduces children to the power of a simple dot or a wiggly line. He proves that you don't need a complex plot to tell a story; sometimes, the story is simply the relationship between a blue circle and a yellow hole.

Reach In! is the ultimate antidote to screen time. It provides that same instant, high-contrast feedback that a tablet does, but it requires the child to use their fine motor skills and spatial awareness to make the magic happen. It’s not a book that says, "Sit still and listen"; it’s a book that says, "Come and help me finish this!" It makes the reader the most important part of the experience.

S. Lewis

If You Went to the Bottom of the Ocean by Brook McIntyre and Gordy Wright - ADVISABLE

If You Went to the Bottom of the Ocean by Brook McIntyre, illustrated by Gordy Wright. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Chronicle Books, 2026. $20. 9781797226514

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Take a dive to the bottom of the ocean in a submarine.  What creatures would you see as you descend lower and lower?  What can live at the very bottom of the ocean?  Learn these things and more by reading If You Went to the Bottom of the Ocean.

McIntyre cleverly teaches students about ocean creatures.  She takes you along as the submarine dives lower and lower.  Wright’s illustrations are fairly realistic but very interesting.  The text is not overly long on each page.  Most pages also have an I Spy portion that students would enjoy.  Would make a fun read aloud!

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian

The House That Floated by Goujing - ADVISABLE

The House That Floated by Goujing. PICTURE BOOK. Random House, 2025. $19. 9780593709054

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

On a cliff overlooking the sea sits a little red house where a family lives and grows.  The family spends their days exploring the ocean, saving dolphins caught in nets, and carving fish out of wood.  One day the ocean rises, and huge storm waves lap at the house.  What can the family do to save their home?

The House That Floated is an interesting wordless picture book with themes of love, resilience, and adaptation to environmental change.  The illustrations are soft, expressive, and beautiful.

PGPowers

Let's Play Baseball!: A Touch-and-Feel Book by Jo Parker, illustrated by Ahra Kwon - ADVISABLE

Let's Play Baseball!: A Touch-and-Feel Book by Jo Parker, illustrated by Ahra Kwon. BOARD BOOK. Penguin Young Readers Group, 2026. $10. 9798217049127

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

What happens at a baseball game? This sturdy, interactive board book will take you through the excitement of the crowd, the action on the field, and the love of the game.  Readers can run their fingers over the raised red stitching of a baseball, feel the smooth, cool wood of the bat, and tough the rough, pebbled surface of a fielder's glove.  

The sensory actions help toddlers connect words to physical objects.  Kwon’s illustrations are bright and intentionally simple.  This is a great first sports book.  By letting kids touch the game, the book turns a complex professional sport into something intimate and manageable. This is the perfect gift for any baseball loving family. 

S. Lewis

The Cloud That Stuck by Karen Krossing and Dorothy Leung - ADVISABLE

The Cloud That Stuck by Karen Krossing, illustrated by Dorothy Leung. PICTURE BOOK. Charlesbridge, 2026. $18. 9781623545727

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

One blustery day, the wind blows a cloud over Tansy's head, blocking the sun.  She does everything she can think of to get rid of it, but it stays. Her dad, best friend, and teacher try to help, but it won't budge.  Then the cloud begins to rain on Tansy and she forgets what sunshine feels like.  She finally decides to put on rainboots and carry an umbrella.  She looks for things like flowers that need rain.  What if the raincloud never goes away?

The Cloud That Stuck uses Tansy's persistent cloud as a metaphor for mental health challenges. Krossing's text encourages readers to find ways to live with problems rather than to get rid of them,  highlighting self-acceptance.  Leung's gentle illustrations show the light and dark emotions of mental issues.

PGPowers

The Future Book by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Shawn Harris - ADVISABLE

The Future Book by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Shawn Harris. PICTURE BOOK. Alfred A. Knopf (Random House), 2026. $20. 9798217033171

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

Lots of things are different in the future.  The sun is called the moon, and the moon is called the sun.  Bananas are called apples.  A cow is called a mooing life form.  The lowest number is one bazillion.  The world of tomorrow is full of unexpected words, strange social customs, and mind-blowing colors.  Can you envision the future?

The Future Book is filled with funny, visionary, and ridiculous social customs of the future.  I also liked the colorful, creative illustrations. 

PGPowers