Puggle Snuggles by Mo O’Hara and Loretta Schauer - ESSENTIAL

Puggle Snuggles by Mo O’Hara and Loretta Schauer. PICTURE BOOK. Happy Yak (Quarto), 2026. $19. 9781836007326

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

During the day all of the diurnal baby animals are busy, but the platypus baby (a puggle) is sleeping away the light.  Once night arrives, however, the puggle is wide awake and not alone in its antics as the nocturnal babies start to play.

O’Hara teaches us all kinds of baby animal names and treats us to pages of bright illustrations and funny scenes. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Awe! by Chana Stiefel and Susan Gal - ESSENTIAL

Awe! by Chana Stiefel and Susan Gal. PICTURE BOOK. Scholastic Press, 2026. $20. 9781546150350

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

Whether they are exploring nature, helping a friend, building a community, or just being in their backyard, wonder is everywhere, and this book explores all the ways we can feel awe in our lives, and more importantly, that it is essential to seek out those moments. Stiefel uses amazing artwork and rhyming verse to teach kids how "awe" feels.

Gal has gorgeously illustrated it, portraying natural wonders like the Grand Canyon and the Northern Lights, but it also suggests that we can find awe in small quiet moments too. This book is joyful to read and each time I look at the artwork I see new things. This book would be a lovely read-aloud, encouraging kids to put down their screens and look for the awe-inspiring moments around them. Multiple ethnicities are portrayed as well as kids with disabilities and people in all shapes and sizes.

Heather Robinson 

My Subway Runs by James Gladstone and Pierre Pratt - ADVISABLE

My Subway Runs by James Gladstone and Pierre Pratt. PICTURE BOOK. Groundwood Books, 2026. $20. 9781773067544

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

A boy journeys on a subway into the city so his mom can look for a job. Told from a child's perspective, we experience everything he does, from descending to the platform, feeling the wind as the subway rushes by, even noticing a homeless man that the adults pretend not to notice. The colorful illustrations move the story along, immersing us in the experience as the boy holds his mother's hand, safe, but with a child's curiosity in the world around him.

I love this book for Pratt's charming illustrations and the immersive experience that many children may not have if they don't live in a big city. The celebration of public transit calls to mind "Last Stop on Market Street" in using the child's perspective to experience the world around us and a commonplace ride to many adults becomes a fascinating journey. The boy and his mother present white, but as a subway in a big city, many ethnicities are present.

Heather Robinson 

Fly Away Home by Betty Quan and Akin Duzakin - ESSENTIAL

Fly Away Home by Betty Quan and Akin Duzakin. PICTURE BOOK. Groundwood Books, 2026. $20. 9781773069623

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

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Told through nursery-rhyme-esque language, Little Bird and her family migrate to find a new nest. Other birds, turtles, and other animals are also migrating to find safety as a girl and her family also search for a new home. While the animals are the main focus of the pages, we see people in the background, fleeing their homes, crowded into small boats, rushing through a burned-out village, looking for a safe new place. It ends on a hopeful note, both for the birds and the little girl. 

With the world in upheaval and millions of people displaced every year, this book provides an entry point for those conversations with young children. The author uses collective nouns like a "charm of goldfinches", a "flamboyance of flamingoes" and a "gift of robins" which adds to the whimsical quality of the action in the foreground. Each page shows a different species and their journey, while there is always help along the way. The illustrations are beautiful and enhance the lyrical quality of the verses. The focus of the book is on the animals and the ethnicity of the people is ambiguous, although they appear pale-skinned. 

Heather Robinson 

Some Days I'm the Wind by Rebecca Garden Levington and Dinara Mirtalipova - ESSENTIAL

Some Days I'm the Wind by Rebecca Garden Levington and Dinara Mirtalipova. PICTURE BOOK. Barefoot Books, 2025. $18. 9798888596623

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

Some days a girl is like the wind when it’s blustery and then some days she is like the wind when it is breezy. Some days the girl is like the sun, the sea, the clouds, the rain, a tree, the snow, etc. in all its variety. It’s important to explore our emotions and know it is fine to share those feelings with others.

What a fantastic way, through metaphor, rhythm, and design to help children understand how they are feeling. The rhythm and alliterations make this a delicious read for all ages. Mirtalipova aptly catches the emotions felt by the little girl. Adorable! There is a QR code for a read along on the back cover.

The girl in the story appears Polynesian.

MOMMAC 

Pig Dreams by Margarita del Marzo and Guridi - ADVISABLE

Pig Dreams by Margarita del Marzo and Guridi. PICTURE BOOK. NubeOcho, 2025. $18. 9788410406629

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

Pigs wonder about many things. Some pigs wondered why sheep were the ones allowed to put Johnny to sleep every night. THe pigs will do crafty thing sin order to realize their dream.

Mazo created a cute, funny story about pig angst. The emotions of the pigs are gleefully illustrated on their faces and those of the sheep. Children and adults alike will laugh at these antics.

MOMMAC 

The Worried Book by Howard Pearlstein and James Munro - ESSENTIAL

The Worried Book by Howard Pearlstein and James Munro. PICTURE BOOK. Red Comet Press, 2025. $17. 9781636551982

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

This book wants to be read, but then it worries that you won't like it. Or, what if you use it as a coloring book, or what it gets lost? The book realizes that everyone worries, and maybe instead of worrying about everything that could go wrong, it could try thinking of what could go right.

Like The Shy Book, the Worried Book teaches an important lesson of resilience. It normalizes being worried and offers realistic advice for what to do when worries start to get out of control. Cute illustrations with minimal colors support a text that flows well. The background characters are illustrated with various ethnicities and abilities.

Rachel, elementary school librarian 

Welcome to the Nighttime Train by Louise Fitzgerald and Margarita Kukhtina - ESSENTIAL

Welcome to the Nighttime Train by Louise Fitzgerald and Margarita Kukhtina. PICTURE BOOK. Nosy Crow Inc., 2025. $18. 9798887772059

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

The Nighttime train is here to pick up children at bedtime. The first stop is Pajamaville. The second stop is Toothbrush Town. Then, on to Library Land, and the train finishes at Starlight Skies in their own beds. 

Fitzgerald creates a joy filled book about going to bed. She uses Onomatopoeia and Alliteration to enrich and create flow of the story. The illustrations are cute animals that look like stuffed toys that could represent any child. A read aloud audio book is attached with a QR code on the back cover. The speech of the performer carries on at a good pace, with clear wording, but feels a little monotonous compared to the excitement of the storyline. The one part of the read aloud that was irritating happened when the reader finished the sentence on another page after a ""turn the page"" bell had rung. " Any child could see themselves in this book.

MOMMAC 

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 

Sign Your ABCs with Sesame Street by Nicole Gabor and Emily Harris - ESSENTIAL

Sign Your ABCs with Sesame Street by Nicole Gabor and Emily Harris. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Lerner, 2026. $10 (pb). 9798765684658

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

American Sign Language is a visible way to communicate. Each letter of the alphabet has a hand shape. There are also hand shapes for words. The book continues with sesame street characters signing the alphabet and sharing about themselves. Then, children are prompted to sign their name. Gabor created a book that Sesame Street fans will love. All the favorite characters get to take part in teaching sign language. One cute technique used is having the characters talk about themselves as they blend the word on the next page into their chat.

MOMMAC 

Llama llama Graduation Day by Anna Dewdney and JT Morrow - ESSENTIAL

Llama Llama Graduation Day by Anna Dewdney and JT Morrow. PICTURE BOOK. Viking Books (Penguin), 2026. $19. 9780593353233

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

It is graduation day, and everyone is excited! Everyone, except Llama llama. As the teacher lines up students for one last picture, Llama llama starts to feel sick. Llama starts thinking about all of the parts of school that he will miss. No more morning meetings or seeing his friends. But, his teacher reminds him of all of the skills that he has learned at school this year. Llama can do and accomplish anything. Just wait until next year! My daughter and I liked this book because of the familiar characters.

This Llama llama book reads like the rest of Dewdney's books. The plot is easy to follow and it addresses a lot of common fears that young students might face at the end of a school year.

Reviewer: A. Criswell, English Language teacher 

The Shy Book by Howard Pearlstein and James Munro - ESSENTIAL

The Shy Book by Howard Pearlstein and James Munro. PICTURE BOOK. Red Comet Press, 2026. $17. 9781636551883

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

This book happens to be very shy. It is worried that the reader will think that the book is silly, or even boring. The book then realizes that a good strategy to start conversations is to ask others questions about themselves. This story has an important theme of perseverance, and that it is ok to be shy.

I liked Pearlstein’s story because it addressed a lot of common reasons why kids might be shy. He normalizes the fears, reactions, and gives solutions as well. Munro’s illustrations were cute and the text was engaging.

Reviewer: A. Criswell, English Language Arts teacher 

Sammy and Sunny's First Day of School by Nina LaCour and Elizabeth Lilly - ESSENTIAL

Sammy and Sunny's First Day of School by Nina LaCour and Elizabeth Lilly. PICTURE BOOK. Rocky Pond Books (Penguin), 2025. $19. 9780593695753

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

Sammy and Sunny are both starting their first day of school. Sammy was starting Kindergarten, and Sunny, her dog, was starting his first day at doggie training school. At first, they were both a bit nervous, but once they met their teachers and friends, they started to relax and enjoy the day. Once the first day was over, Sammy and Sunny realized that they actually had pretty similar days. The only thing that is next, is their second day at school with a funny twist.

My daughter and I liked this book because of the humor. It compared and contrasted what Sammy and Sunny were learning on their first day of school. The ending was silly and the pictures were cute.

Reviewer: A. Criswell, English Language Arts teacher 

It's Swing Time by Abi Bi - ESSENTIAL

It's Swing Time by Abi Bi. PICTURE BOOK. Frances Lincoln Children's Books (Quarto), 2026. $19. 9781836008743

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

What types of swings do you think ladybug would prefer? As you read this story, you get to see animals on all different types of swings. Pandas sit on friendship swings, monkeys swing on banana swings, and snakes make their own swings. Ladybug makes friends wherever it goes. Read to the end to see the best swing of all.

I liked this book because it was a simple, sweet, story with lots of different animals. The book is designed to be read by turning the book vertically. The illustrations were beautiful and the book was very engaging.

Reviewer: A. Criswell, English Language Arts teacher 

When the Sun Goes Down: A Bedtime Book by Greg Pizzoli - ESSENTIAL

When the Sun Goes Down: A Bedtime Book by Greg Pizzoli. PICTURE BOOK. Knopf Books for Young Readers (Random House), 2026. $19. 9780593649800

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

Have you ever wondered where animals go when the sun goes down? This story follows a little girl as she asks butterflies, leaves, ants, and many other creatures where they go at bedtime. At last, she wonders where kids go when the sun goes down. This book is written in a repetitive style that will appeal to young readers.

I liked this book because it addresses questions that kids might ask before bedtime. It is predictable and easy to read. The illustrations are cute. This would be a great bedtime book for young children.

Reviewer: A. Criswell, English Language Arts teacher

Something Good by Kenneth Kraegel. - ADVISABLE

Something Good by Kenneth Kraegel. PICTURE BOOK. Candlewick Press, 2025. $18. 9781536229448

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

Nothing good is happening. She wakes up with a chicken on her head, finds worms in her cereal, and the terrible day just keeps coming. Then a pair of magical socks just might turn her day into something good.

I loved the ridiculous, terrible things that kept happening. The text was delightful and the illustrations were fun; there were hidden smiley and frowny faces in the grass. The character learns to share the good she finds and be kind. 

The main character has light skin and dark hair, her friend is Black

Rachel, elementary school librarian 

The Bats on the Bus by Alison Jackson and Scott Magoon - ESSENTIAL

The Bats on the Bus by Alison Jackson and Scott Magoon. PICTURE BOOK. Little Brown, JULY 2026. $19. 9780316584180

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

Meet a variety of Halloween creatures and monsters as they all take a ride on the bus.

Yes!  Jackson and Magoon give us a worthy follow-up to the traditional “The Wheels on the Bus”. I had so much fun reading.  You’ll be surprised by how many creatures there are - way more verses than you can remember of the original.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Whirby by Molly Harris and Jacob Souva - ESSENTIAL

Whirby by Molly Harris and Jacob Souva. PICTURE BOOK. HarperCollins Children's Books, 2026. $12. 9780063385474

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

Whirby is a young robot that loves competing in bot battles.  On the night before an important battle, Whirby is so excited that he practices all night instead of climbing into his charging base.  

Whirby is a great intro  into talking to kids about bedtime routines and the importance of sleep.  The story is told in an engaging way with very colorful pictures.  Whirby would make a great read aloud.  The students could compare their bedtime routine to Whirby's.  (Like going to bed instead of plugging into a charging base)

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian

Where Is Bear? by Leslea Newman and Valeri Gorbachev - ADVISABLE

Where Is Bear? by Leslea Newman and Valeri Gorbachev. BOARD BOOK. Clarion Books (Harper Collins), 2026. $10. 9780063492035

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

All the animals in the forest play hide-and- seek.  Bunny counts while everyone else hides.   Soon she has found all the animals except bear.  How could the biggest animal be so hard to find?

Where is Bear? is a cute rhythmic tale with charming storybook illustrations by Gorbachev.  Children will be eager to join in this playful search for the missing Bear.

PGPowers

Goodnight Already! by Jory John and Benji Davies - ESSENTIAL

Goodnight Already! by Jory John and Benji Davies. PICTURE BOOK. HarperCollins, 2025. $13. 9780063464995

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

As Bear is desperately trying to get to sleep, Goose is wide awake and looking for fun.

The miscommunication between the two neighbors is pretty funny. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS