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

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 

Better Than A Touchdown by Jalen Hurts and Nneka Myers - ESSENTIAL

Better Than A Touchdown by Jalen Hurts and Nneka Myers. PICTURE BOOK. Flamingo Books (Penguin), 2026. $20. 9798217040308

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

Jalen, a young boy, is so excited to start school this year because he will get to try out for the football team. Unfortunately, he quickly learns that football has been canceled for the year because the garden club is growing vegetables where the football team would play. Jalen is devastated and asks teachers and mentors how they deal with disappointment. He gets a lot of good advice along the way. One that really stuck with him is, "ten percent of life is what happens to you, and ninety percent is how you respond." Jamal and his friends team up with the garden club to see if they can enjoy both football and gardening.

I liked this book because it gives kids a lot of good ideas and strategies on how to deal with disappointment. It was a little text heavy on some pages, but my 7 year old daughter enjoyed it. The illustrations were cute and the story flowed well. All of the main characters are African American.

Reviewer: A. Criswell, English Language Arts teacher 

Little Bird Laila by Kelly Yang and Xindi Yan - ESSENTIAL

Little Bird Laila by Kelly Yang and Xindi Yan. PICTURE BOOK. Dial Books (Penguin), 2025. $19. 9780593407110

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Laila, a young Chinese girl, wishes her friends could realize how cool her parents are. Her parents don't have enough money to pay for English classes and they are struggling to understand this new language. Laila is not only learning English herself, but she is also busy translating for her parents. She decides to teach them English and along the way learns more Chinese from them. Learning a new language can be hard, but as a family they have fun while doing so.

I liked this book because it shows how children might feel if they are torn between speaking two different languages. This book addressed why the word "ballet" is so difficult to pronounce to non-native English speakers. It also showed how idioms can be so confusing. It showed that all cultures are important and should be valued.

Reviewer: A. Criswell, English Language Arts teacher 

Planets (Time for Kids) by Sarah Jospitre - ESSENTIAL

Planets (Time for Kids) by Sarah Jospitre. 32 pages. EARLY READER NON FICTION. Penguin Young Readers, 2025. $17. 

Content: G 

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

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Did you know that there is a crater on Mars named after Dr. Seuss? Time for Kids: Planets is a short informational leveled text, level 3, that will engage young readers. The text walks you through the planets, in order, in our solar system. It explains how the planets got their names, fun facts, and even gives size comparisons and analogies to help the reader understand scale. The illustrations compliment the facts making for a short, interesting read. 

I liked this book because the facts for each planet are interesting and updated. The text is challenging for Level 3, transitional readers. The illustrations were beautiful and brought the text to life. It left you wanting to learn more about the solar system. Informational text about planets.

 Reviewer: A. Criswell, English Language Arts teacher 

Gingerbread Yeti by Dan Gemeinhart and Hugo L. Cuellar. - ESSENTIAL

Gingerbread Yeti by Dan Gemeinhart and Hugo L. Cuellar. PICTURE BOOK. Henry Holt (Macmillan), SEPTEMBER 2026. $19. 9781250356765

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

Ella the Elf is cooking up a giant gingerbread man for the elves to enjoy on Christmas Eve, but a mistaken extra ingredient turns him into an abominable yeti instead.  How will they be able to save Christmas? 

Gemeinhart uses the rhythm pattern of “The Night Before Christmas”, which is a little easier to read out loud than most rhyming picture book text. The story is so adorable from beginning to end. Gemeinhart even includes a gingerbread man recipe.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The Whale’s Tale and the Otter’s Side of the Story By Kate Messner and Brian Biggs - ESSENTIAL

The Whale’s Tale and the Otter’s Side of the Story by Kate Messner and Brian Biggs. PICTURE BOOK. Clarion Books (Harper), 2026. $20.

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

A charming book from elementary-school favorite Messner that is read from front to back to give the whale’s argument about why whales are better than otters, and then read back to front to give the otter’s rebuttal to the whale, using the same arguments in reverse.

Messner cleverly shows how an argument can be pro or con when words are rearranged and the book is a great example of character perspective and would be a fun springboard to either an animal study unit or to use as an example of author bias, depending on the age group. Biggs’ bold and playful illustrations add humor and whimsy to the arguments as the animals debate over which one is actually the best, and the book is a great read aloud for grades 2 and up. Back matter contains actual otter and whale facts.

Reviewer: Heather Robinson, Elementary School Librarian

From Bam to Burp by Melissa Stewart, illustrated by Marta Alvarez Miguens - ESSENTIAL

From Bam to Burp by Melissa Stewart, illustrated by Marta Alvarez Miguens. NON-FICTION, PICTURE BOOK Charlesbridge/Imagine, 2025. $18. 9781623544461 

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

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Carbon atoms have been around for millions of years, originally stored deep inside the earth and bursting through the crust during volcano activity. Carbon is part of gasses in the air, is used in photosynthesis, is part of the air we breathe and the sugars we eat, it's a cycle that plays many parts in our natural processes. 

Melissa Stewart tells a great story, and Marta Alvarez Miguens' illustrations are perfect. This could be a boring topic but presented this way, it's not. I love how the possibility of us having a carbon atom inside us that was also inside a dinosaur exists. Who wouldn't want that to be part of this cool process - and it happens just by eating something with carbon atoms. 

Lisa Librarian

Piece Out by Alex Willan - ESSENTIAL

Piece Out by Alex Willan. PICTURE BOOK Astra, 2025 $19. 9781662620935 

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

APPEALS TO: MANY 

When a playing piece gets left out of the box on game night, they decide to find their way back on their own, avoiding perils like the dog, escaping from the fish tank, even climbing the curtain and ending up for a time in a place they'd only heard about. No one wants to be a missing piece. 

Oh, so cute and funny, I loved the map of the house with the funny names for things - the stove was called the hot lands, the sink, the wetlands. Every illustration was worth paying extra attention to, and the story was delightful. This will certainly be read over and over again. 

Lisa Librarian

Forty the Fortune Teller by Drew Daywalt and Kevin Cornell. - ESSENTIAL

Forty the Fortune Teller by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Kevin Cornell. PICTURE BOOK Philomel (Penguin), 2026. $19. 9780593691465 

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

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Forty is one of those paper fortune tellers where you spell out a color and then pick a number and get your fortune. Unfortunately, Forty was dropped on the playground before ever getting to deliver even one fortune. Then, she meets a chip and they find a bolt that needs to be replaced in the playground slide - but all sorts of things stand in their way, the first one being a squirrel. When Forty tells his fortune, he is swept away by it. Maybe she's more powerful than she thinks! 

Drew Daywalt is such a great storyteller, and this story is funny and clever. I love Cornell's illustrations. I'm so excited to recommend this to the kids who love the "Crayons Quit" books. This would be so fun to read just before teaching a class on how to make the Fortune Tellers (instructions provided). 

Lisa Librarian  

Venus! Fierce and Fabulous by Stacy McAnulty and Stevie Lewis - ESSENTIAL

Venus! Fierce and Fabulous by Stacy McAnulty and Stevie Lewis. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Odd Dot (Macmillan), 2026. $19. 9781250334473

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

McAnulty brings her characteristic wit to teaching us all about Venus in the newest book in her “stellar” series. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Prince Among Slaves by N.H. Senzai and Anna Rich - ESSENTIAL

Prince Among Slaves by N.H. Senzai, illustrated by Anna Rich. BIOGRAPHY PICTURE BOOK.  Nancy Paulson Books (Penguin), 2025. $20. 9781984816986 

Content: PG (mention of slavery practices, including whipping and death)

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Abdulrahman, meaning "servant of God", grew up as the prince of the Fulbe people in Fouta Djallon in Africa. His community followed Mohammed and the Quran. As prince, his father sent him away to school at the University of Sankore at the age of 12. He came home and learned to be a warrior. His tribe befriended an Irish man and he learned to speak English.  He was captured and became one of the millions of slaves sold in America. He worked tirelessly to return to Africa with his family. 

What a joy to learn about this Muslim man and his return to Africa! The miracle of meeting the befriended Irishman in America and his helping the prince astounds me. Senzai tells this story with passion for her people. The illustrations keep the reader riveted to the story. 

MOMMAC

The Invisible Parade by Leigh Bardugo and John Picacio - ESSENTIAL

The Invisible Parade by Leigh Bardugo, illustrated by John Picacio. PICTURE BOOK Little, Brown, 2025. $20. 9780316295703 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Cala is not looking forward to the party on Dia de los Muertos. She misses her grandfather terribly and doesn't want to go to the cemetery. Once there, she loses sight of her family, and instead, meets a ghost on horseback - the ghost has a terrible cold. Cala offers her mother to make him some soup, but as they are looking for her, they meet a skeleton on a horse of bones who is hungry, and he is invited along. Will Cala find her family or continue to be delayed by these spirits of the dead? It seems Cala has some lessons to learn from them. 

Leigh Bardugo writes an amazing story, but oh the illustrations! Wow! Cala (and the reader) are taken to a fiery magical experience, including a ride with Death himself. I loved the lessons about being sick and poor and caring for others, and how she can keep her grandfather's memory alive in a better way. Highly recommended! The family is Hispanic. 

Lisa Librarian Yes 

Hurricane by Jason Chin - ESSENTIAL

Hurricane by Jason Chin. NON-FICTION, PICTURE BOOK Neal Porter (Holiday House), 2025. $20. 9780823458493 

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Jason Chin tracks a hurricane from off the coast of Africa to north of the Caribbean islands toward the United States, Through the perspective of a community and family on Cape Hatteras. We see how the National Hurricane Center forecasts the hurricane and predicts its track. We fly with Hurricane Hunters - Pilots who fly specially equipped weather planes right in to the storm. We also see how the residents of Cape Hatteras are preparing to weather the storm, and evacuate if necessary. 

I loved how the scientific information was side-by-side with the activities of the community. What a fun way to read non-fiction, it made the science so applicable. I love how many of the illustrations of the community involve phone calls from neighbors checking on each other. A great non-fiction book about Hurricanes - both the process and the impact. Includes some interesting back matter on hurricanes, including further reading and sources. 

Lisa Librarian

Where the Deer Slip Through by Katey Howes and Beth Krommes - ESSENTIAL

Where the Deer Slip Through by Katey Howes, illustrated by Beth Krommes. PICTURE BOOK. Beach Lane Books (Simon), 2025. $20. 9781665918275

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Where the Deer Slips Through immediately immerses the reader with it's beautiful and captivating illustrations.  Beginning with a small hedge surrounding the forest, Howes cumulatively and creatively showcases the day to day activities of all the wildlife that live there. 

The text is sprinkled with verbs and descriptive text that when combined with the illustrations make this a perfect package.  Definitely Caldecott worthy. The illustrations were absolutely breathtaking.  I can't wait to share this with young readers. There is so much detail on each page that they will want to take the time to explore at their own pace.  

Alissa Loves Books

Adora-a-Butts! (Butt or Face? #4) by Mari Lavelle - ESSENTIAL

Adora-a-Butts! (Butt or Face? #4) by Mari Lavelle. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Sourcebooks, 2026. $14. 9781464233067

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

Ready for the fourth book of the Butt or Face series? Now that my middle school students have discovered it, they can’t get enough. Humorous and highly educational. If you don’t know the format, each page has a close up of either the face or the butt of some kind of creature.  Turn the page to find out which part you are looking at, the kind of animal it is, and then some interesting tidbits about it. Simple, fun, and lots to learn.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Little Red and Big, Bad Fred by Ashley Belote - ESSENTIAL

Little Red and Big, Bad Fred by Ashley Belote. PICTURE BOOK. Random House, 2025. $19. 9780593902431

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

Little Red loves his encounters in every season with Fred, the fluffy kitty that lives in the forest. Little Red thinks that Fred is the best. When Fred gets hurt one day, Red brings Fred to his Great Grandfather who informs Red that Fred is a DOG! Even better!

As you know the story of Little Red Riding Hood, you know Fred is really a wolf. Watching the two interact is pure gold. Belote has a perfect combination of text and illustrations creating a cohesive whole.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

Santa Needs a New Butt! by Dawn McMillan and Ross Kinnaird - ESSENTIAL

Santa Needs a New Butt! by Dawn McMillan, illustrated by Ross Kinnaird. PICTURE BOOK. Dover Publications, 2025. $9. 9780486855141

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

Poor Santa has squished and lopsided butt problems from sitting in his sleigh too long.  Everyone jumps into action to try and help,  but Grandma ends up saving the day with the perfect solution for Santa's derriere.

McMillan is back at it with another one of her butt books. The illustrations are colorful and bold.  I was glad to see they are large enough for a room full of students to enjoy and the rhyming story is short enough to hold the youngest readers' attention.  The repeated use of the word "butt" will surely garnish plenty of giggles.  I look forward to sharing this book as a read-a-loud.

Alissa Loves Books

Small World: Meet 30 of Earth's Tiniest Creatures by Nick Crumpton and Rosie Dore - ESSENTIAL

Small World: Meet 30 of Earth's Tiniest Creatures by Nick Crumpton, illustrated by Rosie Dore, 95 pages. NON-FICTION. Quarto Publishing, 2025. $30. 9780711288577

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

The tiniest of creatures, as all animals, strive to find food and escape capture. They are found in all types of animal groups such as birds, fish, amphibians, invertebrates, mammals, and reptiles. Most of the tiny creatures use supremely defined ways of thwarting their enemies from camouflage, to body transformation, to poison, to bioluminescence, and to symbiotic relations. Some of these amazing creatures measure less than an inch.

Crumpton shares incredible information concerning tiny creatures. Dore's illustrations are lifelike and beautiful. Each new page is full of surprise and delight for biology lovers of all ages. At the end of each section, Dore illustrates on one page the comparison of the actual size of these creatures. This is a must read if just for the Illustrations. 

MOMMAC