Sheep Shape by Adele Tariel and Iksana Bula - ADVISABLE

Sheep Shape by Adele Tariel and Iksana Bula. PICTURE BOOK. Magination Press, 2026. $19. 9781433848704

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

APPEALS TO: SOME

Shearing day is tomorrow. Chip does not like to have his soft wool sheared, so he plans an escape. Many of the other sheep tell him it is a bad idea because there are wolves in the forest. Chip runs anyway. He finds a safe place to sleep and beds down. Day by day, Chip’s wool grows and he is happy and content….until.

While the story is simplistic and could have rhymed, the author fashioned a story that allows parents to ask questions about Chip’s decisions. Bula created bright, fun illustrations. At the end of the book, Bonnie Zucker, PsyD, counsels parents on how to have discussions about the book with children.

MOMMACC 

Pig Dreams by Margarita del Marzo and Guridi - ADVISABLE

Pig Dreams by Margarita del Marzo and Guridi. PICTURE BOOK. NubeOcho, 2025. $18. 9788410406629

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

Pigs wonder about many things. Some pigs wondered why sheep were the ones allowed to put Johnny to sleep every night. THe pigs will do crafty thing sin order to realize their dream.

Mazo created a cute, funny story about pig angst. The emotions of the pigs are gleefully illustrated on their faces and those of the sheep. Children and adults alike will laugh at these antics.

MOMMAC 

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 and Schuster), 2026. $20. 9781665990769

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

Old MacDonald called the police to come and investigate a disturbance on his farm.  MacDonald shows officer Busby the faces painted on his cabbages, the duck's corn dumped in the lake, pizza delivered to the goats, mustaches painted on the cows, hats on the chickens, and more.  Who could be doing all of this to the animals on his farm and why?

The Case of Old MacDonald and His Farm is an enjoyably silly whodunit mystery.   I especially loved Teague's outstanding humorous illustrations.

PGPowers

Zip Zap Wickety Wack: A Story About Sharing by Matthew Diffee - ESSENTIAL

Zip Zap Wickety Wack: A Story About Sharing by Matthew Diffee. PICTURE BOOK.  Neal Porter Books (Holiday House), 2025. $19. 978082345871

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

There seems to be a dilemma between sheep and goat.  Since they both say "baa", which animal really gets to say it. With the help of the other barnyard animals and an unusual visit from a space alien in a flying saucer, sheep and goat decide they can share "baa".

Students will eat this up with its humor and word play. This would make a fun read aloud since it has easier text and bigger illustrations.   

Alissa Loves Books

A Scrub in the Tub by Jan Thomas - ESSENTIAL

A Scrub in the Tub by Jan Thomas. PICTURE BOOK. Beach Lane (Simon), 2025. $18. 9781665972963

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

Rabbit and Weasel are trying to convince Pig that he needs to take a bath, but Pig is not interested.

Thomas has another silly, short book for us. Her whole cast of characters is so much fun to follow. There are at least a dozen books now. And this one would be great for a small one who doesn’t want to take a bath.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS