The Tiny Thing by Ellen Tarlow and Lauren Stringer - ADVISABLE

The Tiny Thing by Ellen Tarlow and Lauren Stringer. PICTURE BOOK. Beach Lane Books  (Simon & Schuster), 2026. $20. 9781534498136

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

When shy Mole is out walking one day, he sees a tiny thing  - a dandelion seed.  He brings it to his burrow and immediately sets out to make it feel at home.  Mole, who had never been noticed by the squirrels or included by the birds, finds an imaginary friend in the tiny thing. 

He tells the tiny thing stories, and when spring comes, he brings the tiny thing out into the sun.  The tiny thing helps him feel brave.  Will he finally make new friends?

The Tiny Thing is a cheerful tale of growth reminding us that even the tiniest of encouragement is all that's needed to branch out and make new friends.  I enjoyed Stringer's heartwarming and expressive 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

Sound Explorers Space Adventure by Anna Claybourne and Teo Georgiev - ESSENTIAL

Sound Explorers Space Adventure by Anna Claybourne and Teo Georgiev. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Quarto Publishing, 2026. $20. 9781805702757

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

You cannot hear sounds in space because there is no air for the sound waves to travel. Sometimes, sound from space can be collected due to some atmosphere or air in an astronaut's helmet. Other space sounds are created from data from telescopes or space probes which computers interpret into sound. This is known as sonification. You can hear the sounds of the following space bodies: shooting stars, satellites, whistlers, zapping of space rocks, solar sun bursts,  comets, Saturn's aurora, asteroids, and pulsars. 

This battery operated book comes with sound dots that emit the sounds in space. These sounds bring space to life. The information pages that accompany the sounds are informative and astounding. The  bright illustrations depict the galaxy clearly so young children can understand. All ages will enjoy reading and learning from this book.

MOMMAC

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 

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 

Moon Sailors by Naomi Woodward and Rachel Gregg - ESSENTIAL

Moon Sailors by Naomi Woodward and Rachel Gregg. PICTURE BOOK.Blue Dot Kids Press, 2026. $19. 9798989858859

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

A boy and girl set sail with their bed sheets as sails. They sail into dreamland where they encounter our beautiful world and its creatures. They make a wish and sore through the skies. The sea gently rocks them to sleep.

Woodward describes the childlike wonder we all feel as we explore the wonders of nature. Her words are finely crafted using metaphor and simile. Her verb use captures our attention. This is a deliciously illustrated book about wonder.

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

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