Happy Friendsgiving by Marcie Colleen and Laura Sandoval Herrera - ADVISABLE

Happy Friendsgiving by Marcie Colleen and Laura Sandoval Herrera.  PICTURE BOOK. Random House Children’s Books (Penguin Random House), 2025.  $19.  9780593649923

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: SEVERAL

You are invited to participate in the feast of friends, otherwise known as Friendsgiving. There are many delicious scenes and just as many delicious words to describe the friends and inclusive communities that are the heart of this story.

I think this would be a good addition to your classroom library of Thanksgiving traditions as it’s just another way to celebrate the holiday. I loved all the vignettes of different groups celebrating together with food and good feelings. It’s a nice reminder that your chosen family can be just as important as the people you are related to by blood.

Kiera, ELA teacher, #bookswithbeddes

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

  

It’s Almost Time For Thanksgiving! by Maisha Oso and Tom Knight - NO

It’s Almost Time For Thanksgiving! by Maisha Oso and Tom Knight. PICTURE BOOK. McElderry (Simon), 2026. $11. 9798347108015

BUYING ADVISORY: NOT RECOMMENDED

Follow a boy as he packs up Halloween and gets ready for the next holiday.

I did not like the rhyming scheme of the text and from there it just went downhill. One page talks about going to pick out your turkey - showing live turkeys - which any savvy kid knows has to be killed and plucked.  And the twist of confusing one holiday for another didn’t help matters. I already feel bad for Thanksgiving because it doesn’t have many fun picture books and it is usually overlooked in the run from Halloween to Christmas.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Sparkles for Sunny by Sylvia Chen and Thai My Phuong - ADVISABLE

Sparkles for Sunny: A Lunar New Year Story by Sylvia Chen and Thai My Phuong. PICTURE BOOK. Flamingo Books (Penguin), 2025. $19. 9780593694626

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

With Lunar New Year right around the corner, Sunny would like nothing more than a new qipao to wear to the parade that is all her own. But that is not the Lao family way. The Lao family never wastes anything. So once again, Sunny is stuck wearing her sister's hand-me-downs. Can Sunny find a way to make her outfit all her own and still honor her family?

A sweet story about the youngest sister of three who would like nothing more than to stand out. I really loved the illustrations.

Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian 

The Day of the Dead / El Dia De Los Muertos by Bob Barner, Teresa Mlawer (Translator)- OPTIONAL

The Day of the Dead / El Dia De Los Muertos by Bob Barner, translated by Teresa Mlawer. BOARD BOOK.  Holiday House, 2011. $8.  9780823423811

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW

The Day of the Dead is a Mexican holiday celebrated throughout Mexico, in particular the Central and South regions, and by people of Mexican heritage elsewhere.  In this sweet board book, Bob Barner uses rhyme to explain the details of this celebration.  Teresa Mlawer translated each page into Spanish.  From “making tacos, empanadas, mole and treats” to the smelling of “incense that burns smoky and sweet we learn about each individual part of this yearly event.  

The Day of the Dead certainly has a place in  in bilingual homes.  The illustrations are fun.  The colors represent the feel of each event.  Focusing on a cultural celebration helps keep the reader excited and interested. 

Reviewer: SL