Incredibly Fast and Not at All Fun by Tadgh Bentley - ESSENTIAL

Incredibly Fast and Not at All Fun by Tadgh Bentley. PICTURE BOOK. Atheneum (Simon), 2026. $20. 9781665971409

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

When Bear invents a quick way to get from his home to his beehives, he doesn’t realize that all of the other forest creatures would want to ride it again and again and again. Bear needs to come up with a plan to make his creation less appealing. 

I love Bear’s cluelessness when it comes to the popularity of his invention. Especially as he adds more to it to discourage riders, which just encourages more animals to ride. Beware - young ones will want to ride a roller coaster afterwards!

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

I Need Space by Molly Harris and Jon Corby - ESSENTIAL

I Need Space by Molly Harris and Jon Corby. PICTURE BOOK. McElderry (Simon), 2026. $20. 9781665980579

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

Rocco isa  rocket that loves all of the different ways he can play in space.  Except, when other space things get pushy and greedy and noisy, sometimes he needs to take off to the edges where nothing else is, so that he can relax and refresh and feel more like himself again.

Lovely way to teach about needing a place and time to regroup without being preachy.  The back matter is a nice mix of space facts and giving yourself space facts. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Whack a Moley by Bethan Clarke and Anders Frang - ESSENTIAL

Whack a Moley by Bethan Clarke and Anders Frang. PICTURE BOOK. Kane Miller, 2026. $16. 9781684646425

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

Goat is ready to play a game, but when Mole suggests Tiddlywinks, Goat suggests Whack a Moley, which begins a hilarious back and forth between the two friends. Goat thinks this is very funny until Mole turns the table and makes Goat the object of the game. 

Whack a Moley is packed with rhymes and plays-on-words. The humor of the word play is delightful, as is the stealthy moral of treating others as we would like to be treated ourselves. The illustrations are bright and add visual whimsy to the dialogue.

Janae S., Reading Teacher

Lifesize Ocean Animals by Sophy Henn - ESSENTIAL

Lifesize Ocean Animals by Sophy Henn. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Kane Miller, 2026. $19. 9781684646449

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO:  MANY

Lifesize Ocean Animals is the newest addition to the Lifesize animal books by Sophy Renn. It is a larger than average picture book and comes with a fold out page to fit a giant spider crab. Kids will love this book! Containing hand drawn pictures and fascinating facts about creatures from the deep, I believe this will be a very popular book.

Lifesize Ocean Animals is a wonderful introduction for children to the world of sea creatures. The illustrations are drawn but contain attention to details. The readers will love comparing themselves to the size of the animals.

Janae S., Reading Teacher

Spells to Cast on Your Parents by Pete Holmes - ESSENTIAL

Spells to Cast on Your Parents by Pete Holmes. PICTURE BOOK. Doubleday Books for Young Readers (Penguin Random House), 2026. $19. 9798217119035.

BUYING ADVISORY: PreK, EL (K-2) – ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: MANY

This is a book of spells, guarded by a little black dragon named Jesse. However, only a wizard is allowed to read it! Young readers will cast spells on their parents and crazy things will happen with each turn of the page. Be careful!

I loved this book and I think young readers will especially love having this book read to them. There is silliness and joy and magic in this story that celebrates the very act of reading aloud.

Kiera, ELA teacher, #bookswithbeddes  

Merpig by Katie Kordesh - ESSENTIAL

Merpig by Katie Kordesh. PICTURE BOOK. Penguin Young Readers Group (Penguin Random House), 2026. $19. 9780593620502.

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL (4-6) – ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: SEVERAL

Marlon the Merpig is a STAR! He loves the spotlight and the spotlight loves him. Except his teacher doesn’t give him the lead in this year’s production, he got a background role instead. Can Marlon get his ego in time to see the opportunities to help his classmates shine instead?

I think this could be a great read-aloud and community builder text for elementary classrooms. And honestly, even some drama classes at the secondary level could benefit from it too. If you have a little diva in your life, this is the perfect book to show them how to share the spotlight every now and then.

Kiera, ELA teacher, #bookswithbeddes 

I Am NOT Grumpy! by Caroline L. Perry and Sydney Hanson - ESSENTIAL

I Am NOT Grumpy! by Caroline L. Perry and Sydney Hanson. PICTURE BOOK. Simon & Schuster, 2026. $20. 9781665984195

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

Rain frog has a bad case of resting frog face. He doesn’t mean to look perpetually grumpy - its just a quirk of nature. Or maybe he does have a reason to be grumpy after all?

What a great companion for Perry and Hanson’s previous I Am NOT Happy. 

A ready-made mini lesson on not judging anything (or anyone) by what you think you’re seeing on the outside.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The Year the Corgis Saved Christmas by Sherri L. Smith and Nidhi Chanani - ESSENTIAL

The Year the Corgis Saved Christmas by Sherri L. Smith and Nidhi Chanani. PICTURE BOOK. Simon and Schuster, 2026. $20. 9781665925266

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

The year the reindeer go on strike, one brave corgi wants to step in and help.  But their queen has lost her heart to help ever since her human passed away.  Three brave corgis sneak out to help Santa anyways.  but if they poop out halfway around the world, will any one (or pup) be able to step in and save them? 

I wasn’t prepared for how cute Smith’s latest book truly is. I like that sometimes it rhymes, but most of the time it doesn’t. The corgis are adorable.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Owl Capone by Christy Ewers and Rob Sayegh Jr - ESSENTIAL

Owl Capone by Christy Ewers and Rob Sayegh Jr. PICTURE BOOK. Penguin Young Readers Group (Penguin Random House), 2026. $19. 9798217042326.

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL (4-6), MS, HS – ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: MANY

Owl Capone has one of the biggest hearts, and one of the most popular restaurants, in the Windy Forest. However he is unexpectedly betrayed when one of his closest friends, Gus the Rat, opens a rival restaurant. Can Owl win back the hearts (and stomachs) of his customers?

If you had told me there was a picture book about Owl Capone (actually Al Capone), I wouldn't have believed that they could make a gangster story appropriate enough for young children, but by golly, they did it. Older kids and adults reading this are totally going to see all the Godfather/gangster references, but a younger reader is just going to love the animals in clothes eating (not-so) vegetarian wraps. I loved the word play, even if I was mildly horrified by the alluded demise of Gus the Rat, but that is La Famiglia for you.

Kiera, ELA teacher, #bookswithbeddes 

What’s That Noise? by Charlie Higson and Nadia Shireen - ESSENTIAL

What’s That Noise? by Charlie Higson and Nadia Shireen. PICTURE BOOK. Beach Lane (Simon), 2026. $20. 9798347108466

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Bob wants to play a prank, so he gets himself a box and starts making noise.  But when people pass by he stays oh so quiet.  And then he brings in more things to make more noise to trick more passers by. 

Bob is just like a toddler who thinks that no one can see them hiding when they’ve covered their eyes with their hands.  So funny.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Sabrina Sue: The Epic Adventure by Priscilla Burris - ESSENTIAL

Sabrina Sue: The Epic Adventure by Priscilla Burris. PICTURE BOOK. Simon Spotlight, 2026. $20. 9798347103287

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

As a chicken on a farm, every day was a pleasure for Sabrina Sue. In the past she has always gone on solo adventures, but this time all of her farm friends want to go too. 

Sabrina Sue has moved from early reader books to a picture book! Her adventure with her friends is a roller coaster of adventure, fright, and fun!

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Kitty vs Christmas by Martha Freeman and Eda Kaban - ESSENTIAL

Kitty vs Christmas by Martha Freeman and Eda Kaban. PICTURE BOOK. Disney, 2026. $19. 9781368119221

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

Kitty has never liked Christmas, but this year he is REALLY trying.  Unfortunately his family doesn’t seem to appreciate his efforts. When he finds out that he doesn't even get one Christmas cookie AND his favorite toy mouse disappears, kitty has had ENOUGH and he decides to wreck Christmas for everyone.

Having a kitty myself, I love his little disgruntled face! And the surprise visit from Santa, who has problems of his own, was so sweet. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The Inactivity Book by Kyo Maclear and Tracy Subisak - ESSENTIAL

The Inactivity Book by Kyo Maclear and Tracy Subisak. PICTURE BOOK. Random House, 2026. $19. 9780593181980

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

Maclear gives us many different, and highly original ways to be still when you are in need of some slow time. 

Ready for nap time? Get this out for your little friends and read to them as they drift off to sleep. Make sure you pause frequently to allow them time to imagine the imaginings that Maclear invokes. Or sit quietly together in a gib pile and admire Suisak’s evocative illustrations. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Jeff O'Lantern by Charlie Greenwald and Jalke van Antwerpen - ESSENTIAL

Jeff O'Lantern by Charlie Greenwald and Jalke van Antwerpen.  PICTURE BOOK. Magination Press (American Psychological Association), 2026.  $20.  9781433848469

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS – ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: SEVERAL

Everyone knows Jack O’Lantern. He has the scariest face and he is the best at spooking the trick-o-treaters in line. But Jack has a younger brother, Jeff O’Lantern. Jeff has a friendly smile and kind eyes. Does he have to live up to Jack’s scary reputation, or can he find his own path this Halloween?

A sweet story about individuality and self-acceptance from the American Psychological Association, Jeff O’Lantern is flat-out adorable. It’s basically a Pixar short film in picture book format. The illustrations are colorful and eye-catching, and kids are going to eat this up during the spooky season.

Kiera, ELA teacher, #bookswithbeddes

  

Dragon Dog by Suzanne Lang and Max Lang - ESSENTIAL

Dragon Dog by Suzanne Lang and Max Lang. PICTURE BOOK. RandomHouse, 2026. $19. 9798217223718

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

Dragon Dog may have been created as a mistake, but he is the fiercest beast in the forest. But Dandelion the sheep can only see his fluffiness and the fierceness doesn’t bother her at all. When Dandelion’s flock is threatened, its Dragon Dog to the rescue.

Dragon Dog really is so fluffy that it is hard to take him seriously as being fierce - even though he proves time and again. But all I want is a fluffy dog/dragon stuffie just like him.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Tony Rex’s Seven Stomps to Success by Alex Latimer - ESSENTIAL

Tony Rex’s Seven Stomps to Success by Alex Latimer. PICTURE BOOK. Random House, 2026. $19. 9798217124312

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

Tony is not only a dinosaur, he is also a life coach.  And he has seven tips for being a better person.  Or maybe they are seven tips to help him catch you and eat you.  You be the judge.

Good advice and hilarity.  I would love to debate with a class the merits of each tip.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Beginning Middle and End by Jen Burgerman - ESSENTIAL

Beginning Middle and End by Jen Burgerman. PICTURE BOOK. Boxer Books (Union Square), 2026. $19. 9781454713234

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

WHen Beginning and Middle start arguing about which part of the book is most important, a disgruntled End walks out on them. Now the two others are left to contemplate a book without an End.

Watching and listening to Beginning and Middle argue and then panic is hilarious! Burgerman anthropomorphizes them skillfully. The illustrations feel just right. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

A Not-So-Scary Story by Barney Saltzberg - ESSENTIAL

A Not-So-Scary Story by Barney Saltzberg. PICTURE BOOK. Hippo Park (Astra), 2026. $19. 9781662640858

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

The little mouse wakes up in the middle of the night and can’t go back to sleep.  The older mouse starts to tell a story, but any time the little mouse thinks it might turn scary, it interrupts with a nicer version.  WHen the little mouse confesses that it doesn’t like to be scared, the older mouse talks about the thrill it feels when things are a bit scary.

I loved that I could see what the young mouse was trying to do by redirecting the story and that the older mouse helps alleviate its fears, without being didactic. Don’t even tell kids about the “lesson”.  They will understand, no problem. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Rafi and Rita by Jarvis and Judge - ESSENTIAL

 

Rafi and Rita by Jarvis and Judge. PICTURE BOOK. Candlewick, 2026. $19. 9781536251685

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

Twin giraffes Rafi and Rita are teasing each other about which of them is the tallest.

The twins’ bickering is charming.  I had a great time reading this aloud to our Resource kids.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

https://www.kingsenglish.com/item/fDcyhWd7_aiy_ohHqY2FsQ

Here a Creak, There a Shriek! by Kelly Conroy and Nikolas Ilic. - ESSENTIAL

Here a Creak, There a Shriek! by Kelly Conroy and Nikolas Ilic. PICTURE BOOK. Tiger Tales, 2026. $19. 9781664300965

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

The children are headed to the barn on Old MacSpooky’s Farm.  Before they can celebrate, they have several obstacles to bypass.

So much fun!  The author took care to match the words and rhymes to the original song  I will have to work on a spookier voice, however, when I read this one aloud.  My absolute new favorite Halloween remake!

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS