Llama Llama a Gift for Mama by Anna Dewdney and JT Morrow - ESSENTIAL

Llama Llama a Gift for Mama by Anna Dewdney and JT Morrow. PICTURE BOOK. Viking Books (Penguin), 2025. $16. 9780593353264

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

Christmas is coming and Llama llama wants to get the perfect gift for his mom. He makes her a fancy ornament, but then accidentally drops and breaks it. What is Llama llama going to do now? His Grandmas said that spending time with her would be the best gift, but Llama llama isn't convinced. After repeatedly asking his mom what she would like, he begins to think it is hopeless. Llama llama learns that not all gifts are things that can be unwrapped and Christmas is saved.

My daughter and I enjoyed this book because of the familiar characters. It taught a good lesson that not all gifts are the same. We liked how to show that spending time with a loved one can be the best gift of all.

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

Please Don’t Scare the Ghost by Carrie Williford and Allysa Adams - OPTIONAL

Please Don’t Scare the Ghost by Carrie Williford and Allysa Adams. PICTURE BOOK. Flamingo (Penguin), JULY 2026. $14. 9780593693650

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

While out trick-or-treating with a ghost, be forewarned.  Every unfamiliar creature, every unfamiliar sound or movement, will scare your ghost. So be very careful.

Williford’s story felt passive - a whole lot of telling instead of showing and a long list of cautions without a great payoff of fun or excitement. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Flowers For Mama by Deborah Freedman - ADVISABLE

Flowers For Mama by Deborah Freedman. PICTURE BOOK. Viking (Penguin), 2026. $19. 9780593695494

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

Four young kittens try to think up something special to give to Mama on her special day.  They realize that Mama loves flowers.  They couldn't find any flowers, so they decided to be creative and make flowers.  Oleander planted a seed in dirt and a can.  Tulip drew flowers with orange chalk.  Others found bits and scraps to make yellow sunflowers and pink tulips.  Blossom made up a song.  Will Mama like their gift?

Flowers for Mama encourages creativity, and is a heartwarming story of patience and love.

Freedman's illustrations are very charming.

PGPowers

Gwei: The Hungry Ghost by Emeline Lee and Basia Tran - ADVISABLE

Gwei: The Hungry Ghost by Emeline Lee, illustrated by Basia Tran. PICTURE BOOK. Kokila (Penguin), 2026. $19. 9798217002795

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

As a hungry ghost, Gwei is supposed to eat the offerings left by the Chinese people in his graveyard, but Gwei craves so much more. When Ghost Festival Month arrives, Gwei wanders out into the market place, where he gorges himself on the many food offerings. It isn’t until Gwei finds a little ghost who is also hungry and shares food together that he finds his appetite actually feeling satisfied.

The back matter has information about hungry ghosts and other types of ghosts from Chinese culture. I like that the glossary not only has the Chinese name for foods, but also the kanji. Lee gives us a nicely subtle message about the value of sharing.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The Book of Candles: Eight Poems for Hanukkah by Laurel Snyder and Leanne Hatch - OPTIONAL

The Book of Candles: Eight Poems for Hanukkah by Laurel Snyder, illustrated by Leanne Hatch. PICTURE BOOK Clarion, 2025. $20. 9780063278141 

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

APPEALS TO: SOME 

Each night of Hanukkah, a candle is lit. In addition to a poem for the lighting of each candle, there is a thought for every night as well. These thoughts are nice explanations of the traditions throughout the 8 days, and things to remember during the time the candles are lit (like we shouldn't work, but wait and rest and let them burn). 

I liked this so much, I learned many things about the Hanukkah candles, and I really loved the thoughts. The illustrations are sweet and peaceful and represent the family doing many things, then settling down for the special candles. What a great addition to your holiday section this will make. The family is Jewish. 

Lisa Librarian  

White Sunday: A Celebration for Samoan Kids by Litea Fuata and Myo Yim - OPTIONAL

White Sunday: A Celebration for Samoan Kids by Litea Fuata and Myo Yim. PICTURE BOOK Bright Light, Hardie Publishing, 2025. $19. 9781761214097 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

On White Sunday, all the children dress in white and put on a program for the whole church. Bubba is very proud of herself, and she receives a bunch of ulas (candy necklaces) because she did so well. When she goes home, she plays hide and seek with her cousins. She chooses a hiding place that is difficult to get out of, and her cousins can't hear her call for help. 

I liked this - White Sunday - a special Samoan tradition. Full of Samoan words, most explained in context, this story will be special for a Samoan child, while other children, not part of the culture, will relate to the hide and seek game. The illustrations are fun, and Bubba is adorable. The characters are Samoan 

Lisa Librarian 

Bunny in Disguise by Cynthia Platt and Josh Cleland - OPTIONAL

Bunny in Disguise by Cynthia Platt and  Josh Cleland. PICTURE BOOK. Harper, 2026. $13. 9780063483033

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

The Easter Bunny has lost its way to the Egg Hunt. The children must help him arrive on time to hide the eggs and save the day.

Cleland’s illustrations are a lot of fun to pore over. The iambic octameter rhyming text is a bear to read out loud, though. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

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 

A Vaisakhi to Remember by Simran Jeet Singh and Japneet Kaur - OPTIONAL

A Vaisakhi to Remember by Simran Jeet Singh, illustrated by Japneet Kaur PICTURE BOOK Kokila (Penguin), 2025. $19. 9780593859087 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

A young girl loves the day her village in India celebrates Vaisakhi. Farmers celebrate the harvest, there's music and dancing and food. She loves sitting with her grandma and hearing her tell all about her family. But when the family moves away, to another country, and a big city, she worries that Vaisakhi will never be the same. 

Definitely for a child familiar with this celebration and culture. Although an author's note gives a short description as well as identifying the names mentioned in the story and a few Punjabi phrases, it would be best loved by someone who knows Vaisakhi, rather than someone wanting to learn about it. While the illustrations were beautiful, they were very busy, giving the impression that this is a very crowded event. I found it difficult at times to find the part of the illustration that the text was telling about. The characters are Sikh. 

Lisa Librarian 

Winter Is Wonderful by Emma Dodd - OPTIONAL

Winter Is Wonderful by Emma Dodd. PICTURE BOOK. Candlewick Press, 2025. $18 9781536243956 

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

A sweet fox family enjoys the magic of winter together. 

With altering pages adding foil in the illustrations, this picture book is unique and fun. The words are simple and the sentiment of being together to celebrate the holidays makes this a fun gift idea. "Winter is special in every way- a time for family, sharing and play." I loved the introduction of foil on alternating pages. Little ones will love this unique, bright addition to their reading library. The story was simple yet didn't really draw us in. The rhyming wasn't as easy to read as I hoped. It's a fun book but just didn't reach the "mark" for me. 

S. Lewis

A Stickler’s Valentine by Lane Smith - ADVISABLE

 

A Stickler’s Valentine by Lane Smith. PICTURE BOOK. Random House, 2026. $19. 9798217025350

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

Valentine's Day has arrived and Stickler is out delivering sticks to his various friends to show them Valentine's love.  None of them seem to want his stick, however. Stickler is capable of learning and he has a fun surprise new skill to show us.

Stickler is such an odd, adorable character.  I love this new skill that he showed and that he learns something important about the giving of Valentines. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Valentines are the Worst! by Alex Willan - OPTIONAL

Valentines are the Worst! by Alex Willan. PICTURE BOOK. Simon, 2025. $20. 9781665962612

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

The goblin is ready to tell you all of the things that make him not like Valentine's Day. 

Willan goes in a slightly different direction from his other books this time. (SPOILERS) You would think that Gilbert would become friends with a Cupid, but he vaguely realizes that he loves his friends. It didn't work quite as well for me as the other books in the series. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The Dia de Los Muertos Story by Andrea Jauregui De La Torre and Laura Gonzalez - ADVISABLE

The Dia de Los Muertos Story :  Celebrating the Never-Ending Bonds of Family by Andrea Jauregui De La Torre illustrated by Laura Gonzalez. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Becker & Mayer! Kids (Quarto), 2025. $19. 9781577155010

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

The Dia de los Muertos Story explains the Mexican holiday Day of the Dead.  We learn about  the origins, honoring ancestors, building ofrendas (altars) with sugar skulls, papel picado,  and marigolds.  We learn about celebrating life and memory through family traditions, and that people only truly pass away when forgotten.

DeLaTorre depicts the rich history and joyful spirit of Day of the Dead making it accessible and meaningful for kids. Gonzalez's illustrations beautifully grasp the warm connection and colors of the holiday.

PGPowers

Pride by Eric Huang and Amy Phelps - OPTIONAL

Pride by Eric Huang and Amy Phelps, 48 pages. NON FICTION PICTURE BOOK. words&pictures (Quarto), 2025. $15. 9781836000877

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Young Brian, along with his friends and family, are preparing for a Pride month celebration and parade. The friends are deciding what to wear at the parade and Brian is not quite sure what to wear during the parade. Brian's school and teachers develop lessons and activities and present historical features of the Pride celebration including the lives of famous LGBTQIA+ people. While his friends make decisions about their parade wear Brian is slow to figure out his. Finally, he decides on an outfit that will be perfect. 

The endnotes give facts about the Stonewall Uprising, activities, history of Pride and Pride flag, and a quiz." I liked the age-appropriate approach to Pride and the history of Pride. I like the portrayal of diverse families and a community working together to celebrate all people within a community. The characters reflect a wide diversity of ethnicities, gender fluidity, and family relationships. Something the book tries to do is not categorize the characters.

Bryant Baird, Certified Teacher Librarian

The First Snow by Marie Stumpford, Radek Maly and Marie Stumpford - ESSENTIAL

The First Snow by Marie Stumpford & Radek Maly, illustrated by Marie Stumpford. PICTURE BOOK.  Albatross Media Group, 2024. $18. 9788000070759

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

Remember how magical it is to wake up to the first snow of winter?  How the world looks completely different?  Stefan and Agnes wake up to the first snow and have many adventures in the winter wonderland that is their back yard.

The First Snow captures the excitement and beauty of the first snow of the year.  The plot is unpredictable as Stefan and Agnes use their imaginations to have fun in the snow.  Stumpford uses soft, soothing pastel colors to create a magical winter land.  The cover is textured and covered in glitter. This would be a great read aloud!

Stefan and Agnes cue white.

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian

Elmore and the Big Christmas Rescue by Dev Petty and Mike Boldt - ADVISABLE

Elmore and the Big Christmas Rescue by Dev Petty and Mike Boldt. PICTURE BOOK. Doubleday (Random House), 2025. $19. 9780593518052

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Elmore the Moose is back!  This time Santa has a cold and he has put Elmore in charge of getting the reindeer fit, the elves fed, and the toys all made for the big night. Here’s to an Elmore kind of Christmas! 

You might remember Elmore from his first stint as one of Santa’s reindeer. He gives us a bangup job as Santa himself this time around.  I like his heart-felt letters asking Santa for guidance. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Let’s Get Spooky by Stepnaka Sekaninova and Lukas Figer - OPTIONAL

Let’s Get Spooky by Stepnaka Sekaninova and Lukas Figer. PICTURE BOOK. Albatross Books, 2025. $17. 9788000074498 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Take a tour through haunted spaces in this Eye Spy like book. Six scenes wait for your sharp eyes to find what the narrator has pointed out, plus you can explore other items amongst the illustrations. Before each scene is a little bit of information - not enough to make this into a non-fiction book, however. The pages are extra thick for some reason - they could have been regular thickness with more pages, but at least this way they will stand up to some hard use. 

 Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

Hanukkah by Leslea Newman and Rotem Teplow - ADVISABLE

Hanukkah by Leslea Newman, illustrated by Rotem Teplow. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Words and Pictures (Quarto), 2025. $15. 9780711287228 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

Lior and his family are getting ready to celebrate Hanukkah. Family and friends join them over the eight days. 

Such a well crafted book about Hanukkah.  Newman does a great job of showing the holiday in a narrative version of a non-fiction book. The back matter includes crafts and food. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

Cupig Saves Christmas by Claire Tatterfield and Rob Sayegh Jr. - ADVISABLE

Cupig Saves Christmas by Claire Tatterfield and Rob Sayegh Jr. PICTURE BOOK. Flamingo Books (Penguin), 2025. $15. 9780593693452 

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

APPEALS TO: SOME 

Santa needs Cupig help - he is very sick and someone needs to deliver the presents. Never mind that Cupig was his fourth choice. Cupig is eager to help, but as it sets out, it does something not quite right at each house. 

Cupig’s antics at each house will amuse the children. I found the illustrator’s choice of Cupig’s heart studded underwear to be interesting - but if they have read the first book, children will be used to it. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS