Gus Upstairs by Carey Sookocheff - ADVISABLE

Gus Upstairs by Carey Sookocheff. PICTURE BOOK. Owlkids Books, 2026. $19. 9781771476867

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

The challenges of living in close quarters and the importance of communication, compromise, and understanding are explored in this book. Ms. Wilson treasures the quiet she needs to practice her piano, while upstairs, the Lam family's new dog struggles with being left alone and reacts to the music by barking. Can the neighbors work together to find a solution that meets everyone's needs?

The story offers a gentle lesson in empathy, problem-solving, and being considerate of others. I enjoyed the analogous colored illustrations.

Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian 

Bela and Lily by Natasha Khan Kazi - OPTIONAL

Bela and Lily by Natasha Khan Kazi. PICTURE BOOK Kokila, 2025. $19. 9780593858912

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

After arriving in the United States from Bangladesh, Bela meets Lily at the park. Unlike the other children, Lily does not laugh when Bela struggles to find the right words in English. Together they play, laugh, and discover ways to communicate beyond language. But when an argument threatens their friendship, Bela wonders if she can find a way to make things right.

Kazi explores friendship, empathy, and the challenges of navigating a new culture and language.

Bela is Bengali and Lily is white

A. Snow, Librarian 

The Sweater by Larissa Theule and Teagan White - ADVISABLE

The Sweater: A Story of Community by Larissa Theule and Teagan White. PICTURE BOOK. Viking (Penguin), 2026. $19. 9780593528945

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

APPEALS TO: SOME

In autumn, Holly the raccoon set of on a hike. She noticed a little bird that looked lost. She noticed that he found a home in a hole in a tree. She felt the little bird needed some care. Holly went around the forest asking all the neighbors to contribute to a welcome gift for the new bird. The little bird rejoiced in the gifts. Then, winter set in and all the animals had to stay inside by themselves. What would bring them comfort?

Theule created a beautiful story of care and community through forest animals. The artful illustrations designed by White only add to the telling. While a simple story, it was told sweetly.

MOMMAC 

Billy and the Hole by Jessica Goecke - ADVISABLE

Billy and the Hole by Jessica Goecke. PICTURE BOOK. Flamingo Books (Penguin), AUGUST 2026. $19. 9780593695234

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

Billy goes to sit by his favorite tree with his best stuffed friend Cosmo.  Billy tossed in his apple to see how deep the hole was, then he heard a cold hard voice that said it preferred red apples. Billy picked some red apples from a neighbor's tree and threw them in.  As the hole asks Billy for more things, Billy will have to decide if he will comply.

Billy and the Hole is a darkly humorous story about a toxic friendship, and that people should set boundaries and overcome peer pressure.  Gooecke's illustrations are darkly beautiful.

PGPowers

Rocket Beams, Lunar Dreams by Chiara Colombi and Scott Magoon - ADVISABLE

Rocket Beams, Lunar Dreams by Chiara Colombi and Scott Magoon. BOARD BOOK. Viking (Penguin), 2025. $9. 9798217042081

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

Rocket gets to go to the moon today. When Rocket realizes that she won’t actually be walking on the moon, though, she is very disappointed. Can Rocket get over her disappointment and help Lander learn how to fly down to the moon?

Rocket Beams, Lunar Dreams is a cute story exploring friendship, overcoming fears, and managing disappointment. 

Magoon's illustrations are fun and engaging.

PGPowers

Little Ghost's Summerween by Maggie Edkins Willis - ADVISABLE

Little Ghost's Summerween by Maggie Edkins Willis. PICTURE BOOK. Beach Lane Books  (Simon & Schuster), 2026. $20. 9781665985147

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

Little ghost gets an invitation to a birthday party.  He loves Halloween parties, but has never been to a birthday party.  Anya talks him into going.  He liked the birthday part of the party, but he wasn't good at any of the games.  Little ghost decides to have his own birthday party, but it is summer, and he only likes bats, black cats, and candy corn.  Halloween and summer just don't mix.  He finally gives up on the birthday idea.  But then Anya surprises him.

Little Ghost's Summerween is a warm and funny exploration of identity, friendship, and problem solving skills.  Willis' illustrations are expressive and charming.

PGPowers

Too Many Toucans by Paula Bowles - ADVISABLE

Too Many Toucans by Paula Bowles. PICTURE BOOK. Magination Press, 2026. $19. 9781433848544

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Toco, the toucan is searching for a home.  He finds a beautiful tree and draws up plans for a treehouse.  As he starts building, more and more toucans arrive to help.  The new toucans don't look at Toco's plans or listen to his ideas.  Will Toco ever get the treehouse that he wanted?

Readers get an intriguing story and learn valuable lessons with this book.  Too Many Toucans teaches the great lesson of standing up for what you want.  There are even tips in the back to teach children assertiveness and respectful disagreement.  With its combination of bright pictures and interesting text, Too Many Toucans would make a great read aloud!

Trace, Elementary School Librarian

Buttfish by Pauline Pinson and Magali Le Huche - ADVISABLE

Buttfish by Pauline Pinson and Magali Le Huche. PICTURE BOOK. Kids Can Press, 2026. $20. 9781525314124

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Buttfish doesn’t like being constantly told his face looks like a butt. Looking for new friends, he heads to the depths of the ocean where he meets a new friend, Steve, who looks like a cheese.  Maybe together the pair can be more than their looks.

Buttfish doesn’t look like a human-type butt, so don’t worry that you might offend through the illustrations - but if you read this aloud, you have to be comfortable with saying “butt” a lot. Pinson has really given us a story about seeing yourself differently from the roles others will try to force us into - and about being a good friend.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Sheep and Goat Climb the World by A.C. Paolini and Monica Arnaldo - ADVISABLE

Sheep and Goat Climb the World by A.C. Paolini, illustrated by Monica Arnaldo. PICTURE BOOK. Alfred A. Knopf (Random House), 2026. $19. 9780593815083

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

A sheep and a goat saw each other and immediately started a rivalry.  First they started jumping on smaller things trying to out do each other.  Pretty soon cars and houses weren't high enough.  Soon they were competing to climb the highest landmarks in the world.  Their global adventure culminates on the top of the tallest mountain.  They both become scared when neither of them can find a way down.  Can two rivals learn to co-operate?

Paolini has authored  a fun way to teach competition, teamwork and friendship.  Arnaldo's illustration's are cute and animated with humor.  I like the large fold out pages.  

PGPowers

I'm Busy by Michael Ian Black and Debbie Ridpath Ohi - OPTIONAL

I'm Busy by Michael Ian Black, illustrated by Debbie Ridpath Ohi. PICTURE BOOK. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2026. $20. 9781665915243

BUYING ADVISORY:  EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

A young girl's schedule is very busy.  She has so many important things to do like karate, trumpet lessons, Spanish and coding lessons.  Will she ever have time to play with Flamingo and Potato?  She tries to learn to find balance in her life.

The message of this book about finding balance in life is an important lesson for kids.  Even though the illustrations are bright and engaging, I found the plot to be a little strange.  The girl's best friends are a flamingo and a potato.  The text is interesting though because it is written in a certain color for each character.  The young girl is presumably white.

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian

Take Me Out To the Ballgame by Jack Norworth and Gary Clement - ESSENTIAL

Take Me Out To the Ballgame by Jack Norworth, illustrated by Gary Clement. PICTURE BOOK.  Greystone Books Ltd., 2026. $20. 9781778403248

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

APPEALS TO: MANY

A boy wants his father to put down his work and take him to the baseball game. The boy begins to sing the song, Take Me Out to the Ballgame while imagining himself in the game. By the end of the song, both are singing.

This visual rendition of the American pastime song will delight all baseball fans. The joyful intro of the boy begging his father to go will put a smile on your face. Clement adds some historical notes at the end about the songwriter and the song. 

There are persons of color in the illustrations.

MOMMAC

Attack Bunnies by Laura Gehl and Julia Patton - ADVISABLE

Attack Bunnies by Laura Gehl and Julia Patton. PICTURE BOOK. Beaming Books, 2026. $18. 9781506492254

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Carrot Cake and Pufftail have trained hard to protect the animals of the forest. When Renard Fox moves in, however, they are not sure they are up to the task. It may be that some careful listening may be what they need.

The attack bunnies are pretty cute and I really liked the lesson that the bunnies learned about making assumptions. All around cuteness. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Just Right by Torrey Maldonado and Teresa Martinez - ADVISABLE

Just Right by Torrey Maldonado, illustrated by Teresa Martinez. PICTURE BOOK. Nancy Paulsen Books (Penguin), 2026. $19. 9780593624968

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Toby looks for a gift for his dad and his uncle.  He chooses a pair of socks for each. Toby is sad when his dad opens the present and doesn't care.  His uncle, on the other hand, is excited to see Toby and says that the socks are just a wonderful bonus.  Toby loves to hang out with his uncle who helps him feel "just right".  What are the things his uncle does to help Toby feel that way?

Just Right is a heartwarming story that celebrates loving caregivers and the impact they have on children's lives.  Martinez uses cute colorful artwork to capture the concepts.

PGPowers

Fierce Aunties! by Laurel Goodluck and Steph Littlebird - ADVISABLE

Fierce Aunties! by Laurel Goodluck, illustrated by Steph Littlebird. PICTURE BOOK Simon and Schuster, 2025. $20. 9781665948968 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Fierce Aunties - they are women you can look up to, who know you and want the best for you. Sometimes you are related to them but you don't have to be. They cheer on your successes, they teach about your life and culture, and they really listen. 

I loved this book. It made me think about all the strong women in my life who were there for me. What a great reflection. And a child reading this story can recognize these women, too. I'm sure we all have them (and take them for granted). Set within Indigenous culture, the illustrations often reflect those women, but women of other races and cultures are also represented. 

Lisa Librarian 

Bartleby by Matt Phelan - ADVISABLE

Bartleby by Matt Phelan. PICTURE BOOK. Macmillan Children's, 2026. $19. 9780374393557

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

Young polar bear Bartleby repeatedly says, "I prefer not to," when asked to join group activities at school and with other kids at recess.  One activity finally interests him and he finds a way to participate on his own terms.  Will this make it easier for him to join in other activities?

Bartleby teaches a gentle lesson about acceptance and being yourself.  I like Phelan's cute characters and signature sketchy, watercolor style.

PGPowers

Owl's Fall Feast Fiasco by Kristen Remenar and Matt Faulkner - ADVISABLE

Owl's Fall Feast Fiasco by Kristen Remenar, illustrated by Matt Faulkner. PICTURE BOOK. Charlesbridge, 2025, $18. 9781623543716

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: MANY

Owl is hosting his annual Fall Feast, and he is excited that the international star Platypus has accepted the invitation to play his didgeridoo.  But what do you feed Platypus who is part reptile, part bird and part mammal?  As Owl asks all the animals in the forest, he finds out that they don't eat the food he prepares for them.  Groundhog is lactose intolerant, Hare is allergic to carrots, and Sparrow is a vegetarian.  What can he do to make this the best feast for everyone?

Owl's Fall Feast Fiasco uses humor and tenderness to teach readers to accept others for who they are.  I enjoyed the interesting and detailed illustrations that have a graphic novel vibe.

PGPowers

Sticky Hermana by Ana Siqueira and Olivia de Castro - OPTIONAL

Sticky Hermana by Ana Siqueira, illustrated by Olivia de Castro. PICTURE BOOK. Charlesbridge, 2025. $18. 9781623545796

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Claudia has a sister that she thinks is just plain sticky.  Her sister is ALWAYS around even when Claudia wants time with her friends and her own personal time.  Frustration gets the best of Claudia and she decides to tell a white lie to her sister after they invite her to tag along to Claudia's soccer tournament.  Claudia ends up getting herself into a literal sticky situation and there is a somewhat silly consequence. 

Sticky Hermana is a fun story that many sisters will be able to relate to.  I had a laugh at the funny surprise ending that I think children will enjoy and realize there are consequences to actions. This would be a good book to hand to English Language learners who are trying to identify with books since it includes  a lot of Spanish words. Mom and Sisters are Hispanic. 

Alissa Loves Books

Amor by Matt De La Pena - ESSENTIAL

Amor by Matt De La Pena, illustrated by Loren Long, translated by Teresa Mlawer. PICTURE BOOK. G. P. Putnam’s Sons (Penguin), 2018. $18. 9780525518808

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL.

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

This is the Spanish language version of the popular book, Love. It reads like a poem on the all the ways someone call feel and experience love in the city. Each spread has one detailed painting-like illustration capturing the tough moments and the beautiful ones. It leaves the reader with the final message that wherever you go on your path, you will be buoyed up by love. 

This is a great choice for Spanish speaking readers, since the poetic nature of the book would best be experienced and most accessible in a native language. The gorgeous illustrations depict a variety of ethnicities and abilities in a way that does’t feel like it is trying too hard to be inclusive, it just naturally is. 

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

The Remember Balloons by Jessie Oliveros - ESSENTIAL

The Remember Balloons by Jessie Oliveros, illustrated by Dana Wulfekotte.  PICTURE BOOK.  Simon, 2018. $18.  9781481489157

BUYING RECOMMENDATION: EL (K-3), EL - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

James and Grandpa have always loved sharing their remember balloons.  When Grandpa starts letting go of his balloons, however, James is sad, especially when it’s one that they shared.  

What a tender way to teach children about memory loss and old age.  I love the idea that we share balloons of common memories and that even if the other person forgets, our version of the book is still in our own hands.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Stick by Irene Dickson - ADVISABLE

Stick by Irene Dickson. PICTURE BOOK. Nosy Crow (Candlewick) . 2018. $15.00. 9781536200164

BUYING ADVISORY: PRE-K – ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

This is a very wholesome and simple story about a boy and his dog. They find a stick and use it for a wide variety of purposes, like tossing it, drawing with it, and stirring with it. Eventually it helps them both make a friend. Features large incredibly colorful and bright summer day illustrations.

This is a fun book to read with pre-k and help them to brainstorm uses for everyday objects. Its very simple and easy to understand. One use that was left out was swordfighting –honestly that would be one that little kids would think of, which makes this book very sweet and sedate, no parent would object to this book being in a school library or classroom. The illustrations are fantastic and quite large –easy to share with a group for a read-aloud.

Reviewer: Stephanie MLS & Author.