Can Mud Be That?! by Sandra Markle and Alexandra Colombo - ADVISABLE

Can Mud Be That?! by Sandra Markle and Alexandra Colombo. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Charlesbridge, 2026. $18. 9781623546380

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

Can Mud Be That?! explores how eleven different animals use mud in surprising ways using fun questions and answers.  Swallowtail butterflies drink it as a mineral-rich "slushie", elephants use it as sunscreen, hippos use it as a cooling pool and many more.

Can Mud Be That?! reads like a fun engaging story with cool facts on every page.  The back matter covers human uses for mud.  Colombo's illustrations are humorous and creative.

PGPowers

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

The Umbrella by Sylvia Walker. - ADVISABLE

The Umbrella by Sylvia Walker.  PICTURE BOOK. Simon & Shuster, 2026. $20. 9781665984157

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

Zora is soaring high on her favorite swing when it begins to rain.  Zora notices an umbrella under a bench at the park.  A young boy asks her if he can join her.  Then two more kids want to join as well.  Zora includes more and more kids with the umbrella magically getting bigger each time.  All of a sudden the umbrella blows away in the wind.  Will Zora and her new friends be able to find it?

The Umbrella is a cute, magical story about the value of friendship, and working together.  I liked Walker's illustrations and colorful and expressive illustrations.

The young boys and girls of this book are of many ethnicities.

PGPowers

Bitsy Bat, Snow Star by Kaz Windness. - ADVISABLE

Bitsy Bat, Snow Star by Kaz Windness. PICTURE BOOK. Beach Lane Books  (Simon and Schuster), 2026. $20. 9781665963664

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

Bitsy Bat wakes up to see her first-ever snowfall.  She's excited to go to school and try out wintry activities with her friends.  She doesn't like being cold and wet, but she tries out making snow angels, sledding, and making snowmen.  She pretends to have fun until a snowball fight pushes her over the edge.  She retreats inside worried that her friends won't like her anymore.  Inside the school a surprise awaits her.  Enzo Owl and Mo are inside too. Will she get the courage to be honest with her friends outside?

Bitsy Bat, Snow Star is a cute story told from an autistic perspective, and celebrates emotional honesty and how individual differences make everyone shine.  I love the adorable, expressive illustrations.

PGPowers

The Dino Book illustrated by Denis Angelov. - ADVISABLE

The Dino Book illustrated by Denis Angelov. BOARD BOOK. Tiger Tales, 2026. $13. 9781664352155

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

Learn lots of different concepts with dinosaurs as you push, pull, flip, slide your way through.

The flaps are thinner, so make sure you keep an eye on the very handsy kids (like my grandson).  But I love the wide variety within and the expressive, colorful dino illustrations.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

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

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

Pookie and Bean! by Sandra Boynton - OPTIONAL

Pookie and Bean! by Sandra Boynton. BOARD BOOK Simon and Schuster, 2026 $8 9798347111329 

BUYING ADVISORY: PRE-K - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Pookie and Bean are the best of friends and love to play together. They even sing songs about each other. 

If you love Sandra Boynton, you won't be disappointed. I wasn't crazy about the Pookie and Bean song, but I am not the target audience. It's a fun board book for toddlers. 

Michelle in the Middle 

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

Farm Shark by Bill Canterbury and Maddie Frost - ADVISABLE

Farm Shark by Bill Canterbury, illustrated by Maddie Frost. PICTURE BOOK Doubleday (Random), 2026 $19 9780593900789 

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

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Farmer Jolene gets a Farm Shark. The other animals are wary, especially after Farm Shark begins eating them. Farmer Jolene has the solution though! 

The story is delightful, and the art is the perfect fit. The animals are just the right blend of cartoon fun. Kids will enjoy finding out what happens to the farm animals and helping Farmer Jolene. This is an amusing read kids will enjoy. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Scritch! Scratch! by Teri Sloat and Zuzana Cupova - ADVISABLE

Scritch! Scratch! by Teri Sloat, illustrated by Zuzana Cupova. PICTURE BOOK Random House, 2026 $15 9798217031146 

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

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Scritch! Scratch! There is a witch in the pumpkin patch! Three children are trying to fool a witch. 

The book is done in gray tones and a splash or orange, which is just right for a children's fright level. Rhyming makes the text pop, and it's just the right amount of scary fun for Halloween. The children are drawn white. 

Michelle in the Middle 

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

Peek-a-Boo Halloween by Selina Wood and Damien Barlow - ESSENTIAL

Peek-a-Boo Halloween by Selina Wood and Damien Barlow. BOARD BOOK. Tiger Tales, 2026. $10. 9781664352094

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

Pull the tabs and find a goal and the picture with some counting to do for each page of the board book. Both sides of each tab are put to use, plus the pages have some see-thru elements. A fun one to pair read.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Is This a Plum? by Dan and Finn Ojari - ESSSENTIAL

Is This a Plum? by Dan and Finn Ojari. PICTURE BOOK. Random House Book for Young Readers, 2026. $18. 9798217223138

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

A peek through a picture book with call and response rhyming that pairs words like spoon/moon, house/mouse, and pear/bear with cute accompanying illustrations. 

This book is based on the author's eight-year-old son's original idea and drawings. The result is cute, unexpected, creative, and fun. This would be a good read-aloud book.

Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian

Owl by Myself by Pete Oswald. - ADVISABLE

 

Owl by Myself by Pete Oswald. PICTURE BOOK. Random House Studio, 2026. $19. 9780593303603

 BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

Owl wakes up with a big idea for the day: to do everything “owl” by himself.  He cleans his room. (Don't look in that corner)  He brushes his teeth. ( Oops, the toothpaste is all over the place)  He  does many other things himself with many messes and misshaps.  When he's at school he realizes that playing catch isn't fun by himself.  What else does he need someone to help him with?

Owl by Himself is the perfect blend of humor and warmth, and filled with visual gags that will make readers laugh.  I liked the spare text, and the adorable illustrations.

PGPowers

The Dumped Truck by Daniel Bernstrom and Marcelo Verdad - ESSENTIAL

The Dumped Truck by Daniel Bernstrom and Marcelo Verdad. PICTURE BOOK. Harper, 2026. 9780063373624

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

Dump Truck works around Toyville and is very helpful, but he is also stinky, dirty, and makes other messes as he works. When the other toys band together to change the rules, they don’t realize the smelly consequences of their choices.

So super cute! I love Dump Truck and the consequences of the other toys’ short-sighted rule making.  It is even a good lesson for many adults (lawmakers).

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

I Think We’re Upside Down! by Marcus Cutler - ESSENTIAL

I Think We’re Upside Down! by Marcus Cutler. PICTURE BOOK. Putnam’s (Penguin), 2026. $19. 9798217113552

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

The cat and bunny are opening a package, but there seems to be something wrong - they are upside down. They enlist the help of the reader to make things right.

Interactive books are so much fun! Kids will have a great time helping the friends set everything right.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

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