Carlotta's Special Dress by Carlotta Walls LaNier with Lisa Frazier Page, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton

Carlotta's Special Dress: How a Walk to School Changed Civil Rights History by Carlotta Walls LaNier with Lisa Frazier Page, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton. BIOGRAPHY, PICTURE BOOK Little, Brown, 2026. $19. 9780316572545 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

It's 1957 and Carlotta is one of the "Little Rick 9." She and other Black high school students would be the first integrated into Central High School. Her Uncle had given her mother money for Carlotta to buy a new dress, and she was excited to go wearing the beautiful store bought dress. But, that first day of school was not to be. Angry crowds and soon the National Guard prevented Carlotta and her classmates from going to school. 

An interesting twist on the story of Central High school. I like that it made it personal, giving not just a face but a story to one of the students. I loved the illustrations, and the amount of text was just right. Includes an author’s note (Carlotta is the author) and so we learn a bit more to her story. Also includes a timeline and captioned photographs - yes, one is of Carlotta in The Dress. 

Carlotta is Black. 

Lisa Librarian 

A Family of Readers by Rob Sanders, illustrated by Gabbie Benda - ADVISABLE

A Family of Readers by Rob Sanders, illustrated by Gabbie Benda. PICTURE BOOK Charlesbridge/Imagine, 2026. $18. 9781623546472 

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

The public library can be a busy place, so from the moment the family arrives there's always something going on. Old men reading the newspaper, women in a book club, cooks and mechanics discussing their latest project, even a group of actors who have come to put on a show for pre-schoolers. The family finds a quiet place just perfect for them. 

Told in verse, I found this story delightful. It's just like my local library with so much going on no matter when you arrive. I love how all the things somehow floated back to the family and their needs. I'm not sure kids will love this as much as I do but for a librarian, this was a perfect read. Buying a copy for myself and a couple of friends, too. The family was white, but the library was full of a mix of cultures and races. 

Lisa Librarian 

Sound Explorers Space Adventure by Anna Claybourne and Teo Georgiev - ESSENTIAL

Sound Explorers Space Adventure by Anna Claybourne and Teo Georgiev. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Quarto Publishing, 2026. $20. 9781805702757

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

You cannot hear sounds in space because there is no air for the sound waves to travel. Sometimes, sound from space can be collected due to some atmosphere or air in an astronaut's helmet. Other space sounds are created from data from telescopes or space probes which computers interpret into sound. This is known as sonification. You can hear the sounds of the following space bodies: shooting stars, satellites, whistlers, zapping of space rocks, solar sun bursts,  comets, Saturn's aurora, asteroids, and pulsars. 

This battery operated book comes with sound dots that emit the sounds in space. These sounds bring space to life. The information pages that accompany the sounds are informative and astounding. The  bright illustrations depict the galaxy clearly so young children can understand. All ages will enjoy reading and learning from this book.

MOMMAC

Snowfall by Park Sun-jung - ADVISABLE

Snowfall by Park Sun-jung. PICTURE BOOK. Floris Books, 2026. $19. 9781835750049

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Little snowflakes are drifting to earth.

The anthropomorphized snowflakes in this wordless picture book are so sweet. Together with the evening colors, I felt the sleepiness that could come with slowly looking over each page. Probably more for home use than school use, however.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Indigo Irvine by Rhiannon Archard - OPTIONAL

Indigo Irvine by Rhiannon Archard. PICTURE BOOK. Tate Publishing, 2025. $17. 9781849769617

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Indigo Irvine loves her artistic mum. Through her paintings, Indigo's mum brings light, color, and excitement into their lives. But not every day is easy. Some days there is not enough food to eat, the heat is turned off, or her mum cannot find the energy to get out of bed. Even during these difficult times, Indigo and her mum face challenges together as a team, relying on love, resilience, and laughter to carry them through. 

I loved Archard's bright, bold, and engaging illustrations, which bring warmth and energy to the story. However, I struggled with some of the messages presented in the book. The story seems to normalize situations that are concerning, such as the family having their utilities shut off and Indigo being left to care for herself when her mother is unable to get out of bed for days. While the book highlights the love between mother and daughter and their resilience in difficult circumstances, I felt it glossed over the seriousness of the challenges Indigo faces.

Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian https://www.kingsenglish.com/item/CVbOt1jz_0sKO_Yc9Ikk2Q

Piet Finds a Home by Carina Wohlleben, Peter Wohlleben and Rachel Qiuqi - OPTIONAL

Piet Finds a Home by Carina Wohlleben, Peter Wohlleben and Rachel Qiuqi. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Greystone Kids, 2026. $20. 9781778400292

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

APPEALS TO: SOME

Piet is a squirrel looking for a new place to sleep. Peter, his human neighbor, helps him find a nice beech tree and teaches him all about the tree. Piet learns new things about the tree through summer, fall, winter, and then spring. Piet learns that trees sleep, sweat, drink water, and get hungry just like he does.

The Wohllebens mix of fiction and nonfiction with tree facts on most pages. I liked learning more about trees, and I would have liked if there was a reference for where to learn more. It would be a good science teaching tool for teachers.

Peter is white.

Rachel, elementary school librarian 

Home Away from Home by Nazneen Akbari and Rashin Kheiriyeh - ADVISABLE

Home Away from Home by Nazneen Akbari and Rashin Kheiriyeh. PICTURE BOOK. Barefoot Books, 2026. $18. 9798888598962

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Nuha isn't sure she wants to spend the summer with her grandmother (Jadda) in Oman, but Mama assures her it will be a home away from home. When Nuha forgets her doll, she feels even worse. Oman is nothing like home. When Jadda suggests they go to the souk (market) to find a new doll, Nuha still isn't sure. Jadda helps Nuha discover the wonderful sights, smells, and tastes of the souk, and as she connects with her grandmother, her surroundings start to feel more like home.

This is a sweet story about connecting with family and culture. I loved the illustrations and descriptions of Oman. This book would make a great addition to any library.

Nuha and her family are from Oman.

Rachel, elementary school librarian 

Brave New Ballet by Robyn McGrath and Alexander Mostov - OPTIONAL

Brave New Ballet: The Story of the Les Ballets Trockadero De Monte Carlo by Robyn McGrath and Alexander Mostov. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Penguin Workshop, 2026. $19. 9798217049370

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo was an all-male ballet company founded in New York City in the 1970s by a group of dancers who wanted the freedom to perform on their own terms. They worked tirelessly to perfect their technique while also bringing humor and satire to their choreography. Although they were not taken seriously at first, their talent, dedication, and artistry eventually won over audiences around the world.

This was an interesting look at a piece of dance history I was previously unfamiliar with, and I enjoyed learning about the company's unique contributions to the world of ballet. I also enjoyed the illustrations.

Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian 

Time to Leave Laverne! by Lana Button and Yang Ling Kang - ADVISABLE

Time to Leave Laverne! by Lana Button and Yang Ling Kang. PICTURE BOOK. Owlkids Books, 2026. $23. 9781771476577

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

APPEALS TO: SOME

Laverne has big emotions. She loves going to the library, the park, and friends' houses, but when it is time to leave, a thunderstorm seems to roll in, and Laverne struggles to control her feelings. Her parents try to give her tools to help her cope, but it is not until she begins playing pretend with her beloved stuffies that she learns how to use those strategies for herself. Through practice and patience, Laverne gradually learns to prepare for the emotional storms that arise throughout her day. It is not easy, but little by little, she is learning how to weather them.

Button teaches children practical tools for managing emotions that can sometimes feel overwhelming. Through Laverne's experiences, young readers learn strategies for recognizing big feelings and working through them in healthy ways.

Laverne is white.

Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian 

Bela and Lily by Natasha Khan Kazi - OPTIONAL

Bela and Lily by Natasha Khan Kazi. PICTURE BOOK Kokila, 2025. $19. 9780593858912

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

After arriving in the United States from Bangladesh, Bela meets Lily at the park. Unlike the other children, Lily does not laugh when Bela struggles to find the right words in English. Together they play, laugh, and discover ways to communicate beyond language. But when an argument threatens their friendship, Bela wonders if she can find a way to make things right.

Kazi explores friendship, empathy, and the challenges of navigating a new culture and language.

Bela is Bengali and Lily is white

A. Snow, Librarian 

Brave New Ballet by Robyn McGrath and Alexander Mostov - OPTIONAL

Brave New Ballet: The Story of the Les Ballets Trockadero De Monte Carlo by Robyn McGrath and Alexander Mostov. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Penguin Workshop, 2026. $19. 9798217049370

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo was an all-male ballet company founded in New York City in the 1970s by a group of dancers who wanted the freedom to perform on their own terms. They worked tirelessly to perfect their technique while also bringing humor and satire to their choreography. Although they were not taken seriously at first, their talent, dedication, and artistry eventually won over audiences around the world.

This was an interesting look at a piece of dance history I was previously unfamiliar with, and I enjoyed learning about the company's unique contributions to the world of ballet. I also enjoyed the illustrations.

Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian 

Cowboys at the Ballet by Claire Wrenn Bobrow and Ilaria Urbinati - ADVISABLE

Cowboys at the Ballet: The Story of Choreographer Agnes de Mille by Claire Wrenn Bobrow and Ilaria Urbinati. BIOGRAPHY PICTURE BOOK. Atheneum Books for Young Readers (Simon), 2026. $20 9781665957878

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Agnes de Mille grew up in Hollywood. Her uncle was Cecil B. de Mille. Agnes loved ballet as an art form. She worked hard to learn to dance. She liked to create unique dances. When World War I struck, America turned from traditional music and dance to art that showed the American spirit. This became the groundwork for Agnes to produce some of the many beloved dances on stage and screen.

Bobrow, with the creative help of Urbinati, told the life story of Agnes de Mille with beauty and care. Bobrwo used transition words at each page turn to move the story along. The author shares a short biography that includes more information at the end of the book. Adults, as well as children, will enjoy reading this book.

MOMMAC 

The Outermost Mouse by Lauren Wolk and Kristen Adam - ADVISABLE

The Outermost Mouse by Lauren Wolk and Kristen Adam. PICTURE BOOK. Dutton Children's Books (Penguin), 2026. $19. 9780593407776

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

An old man lived in a house at the tip of the beach and so did Mouse. Mouse could see that the sea grew closer to the house with each passing year. She worried that the house would be swallowed by the sea. She tried many things to keep the water at bay. But, one night the storm came anyway.

Wolk tells the true story of a beach house belonging to a naturalist through the eyes of a mouse. The author’s note at the end of the book tells about the man, Henry Beston, and his house. This exquisitely illustrated book speaks of conservation and love of home. Adults and children alike will enjoy reading this book.

MOMMAC

The Dance of Courage by Misty Copeland and Setor Fiadzigbey - ESSENTIAL

The Dance of Courage (Bunheads, Act 2 )by Misty Copeland and Setor Fiadzigbey. PICTURE BOOK.Nancy Paulsen Books (Penguin), 2025. $19. 9780399547683

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

Misty and Cat are friends who love the art of ballet. One day when Misty was visiting Cat, Cat told her how she wanted their next performance to be the ballet, Don Quixote and how Don Quixote searches far and wide for his love, Dulcinea. The next day at ballet rehearsal, Cat suggests that the company perform it.

Misty Copeland, as an expert on ballet, wrote a touching story about two friends who lift and care for each other. Copeland, as the first black American to be promoted to principal dancer at American Ballet Theatre, can understand the need for inclusion and kindness in team situations, which she shares so well in this sweetly illustrated story. Misty is a black American and Cat is Hispanic.

MOMMAC 

Houdini's Library by Barb Rosenstock and Mar Delmar - ESSENTIAL

Houdini's Library by Barb Rosenstock and Mar Delmar. NON-FICTION, BIOGRAPHY PICTURE BOOK. Alfred A. Knopf (Random), 2026. $19. 9780593570135

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Did you ever wonder where Harry Houdini learned how to be a magician? It was through reading books! Houdini's Library is the story of Harry's life, how he started out in a poor family of a Jewish rabbi. Houdini worked many jobs before finding a book about magic. That book changed his life.

Houdini's Library is a very intriguing story that teaches how important books are. Harry was actually and avid reader and book collector. The illustrations are beautifully painted and some of them look like postcards or photos. Houdini's Library would be a great read aloud and would hopefully help to promote the biography section in the library. Harry and his family are Jewish.

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian 

Upside-Down Iftar by Maysa Odeh and Nadine Issa - ADVISABLE

Upside-Down Iftar by Maysa Odeh and Nadine Issa. PICTURE BOOK. Henry Holt and Co. (Macmillan), 2026. $19. 9781250365552

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Malak is too young to fast during Ramadan, so she asks her grandmother to help her make something special for the rest of the family. They decide on makloubeh, a rice, meat, and vegetable dish. Everyone likes a different gathering of ingredients. Malak wants to make something to please everyone, but also to be true to herself.

More a story about grandmother and granddaughter enjoy cooking together, than a look at Remadan. It is a very sweet look, however. Students who celebrate Ramadan will love thai representation. And this would easily be a part of a holiday unit - especially one that includes food!

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

The Dream by Gideon Sterer and Nick Henderson - OPTIONAL

The Dream by Gideon Sterer and Nick Henderson. PICTURE BOOK. Clarion Books (Harper), 2025. $14. 9780063357990

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

An elementary aged girl is supposedly moving to a new home. On her way she passes factories, pollution and landfills. She is disheartened by how humans treat the earth. That night the girl dreams that she meets a wolf that feels the same way. By working together, can they make a difference?

This is a wordless picture book that evokes strong emotions. Most pictures are very moody and muted. The Dream has beautiful illustrations and an important message but would work better with grades 4-6 or perhaps middle school. Would be a good read aloud for Earth Day but I don't know that individual students would want to check it out.

The girl is presumably white.

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian https://www.kingsenglish.com/item/UhelvOrckPncvaDzqr4dmw

The Girl Who Was Too Big for the Page by Geena Davis - ADVISABLE

The Girl Who Was Too Big for the Page by Geena Davis. PICTURE BOOK. Philomel Books (Penguin), 2025. $19. 9780593463963

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

APPEALS TO: SOME

Follow Sheila, who at the beginning of the book is just a baby and still crawling. As each year passes, Sheila gets one year older. She goes on adventures with her family- so big that they don't fit on the pages in the book. But after one summer, Sheila comes back to school and she is a lot taller than her friends. Her head doesn't even fit on the page! At first, Sheila is upset that she is so different from her friends. Sheila realizes that she doesn't need to change herself, she will always fit somewhere in the world.

I liked the idea of this plot, but it didn't draw me in. The theme of being yourself and that it's ok to be different is great. My 7 year old daughter thought it was a fun story, but not one she would want to reread.

Reviewer: A. Criswell, English Language Arts teacher 

Diary of a Bee by Stepanka Sekaninova and Linh Dao - OPTIONAL

Diary of a Bee by Stepanka Sekaninova and Linh Dao. Translated by Mark Worthington. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. B4U Publishing for Albatros, 2025. $17. 9788000074467

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

APPEALS TO: SOME

The 37-day life of Matilda, a worker bee, is spent feeding larva, collecting pollen, cleaning and protecting the hive, and doing other worker bee tasks. Matilda explains how a hive works including the different bees and their jobs. I appreciated the cute illustrations and that the text was geared toward a young audience. 

That said, I didn't love all the ways the bees were anthropomorphized. In one instance, Matilda's drone friend, Thomas is excited for his ""wedding flight."" He is described as the youngest bee who is flying off with a group of drones to mate with the queen. Matilda hopes he will come back, because the bees that mate with the queen will die. Thomas does come back and is disappointed because he couldn't finish his task. Kids probably won't read too much into this, but as an adult, it seemed a bit odd to give a bee characteristics of a young boy and use that bee to teach how drones mate with the queen.

Rachel, elementary school librarian 

Katherine Johnson by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara and Jemma Skidmore - ADVISABLE

Katherine Johnson by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara and Jemma Skidmore. NON-FICTION BIOGRAPHY PICTURE BOOK. Frances Lincoln (Quarto), 2025. $16. 9781836001775

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Kathrine loves learning and has always had a talent for math. She graduated high school at 14 and was the first Black woman at her university. Katherine Johnson led a team of mathematicians at NASA and helped send people into space. Kathrine's story is one of following your dreams and never giving up.

I loved the illustrations and simple text of this biographical picture book. This would make a great addition to any school, classroom, or public library.

Rachel, elementary school librarian