Louisa Learns to Write: Louisa May Alcott Creates Little Women by Kate Hannigan and Sofia Moore - ADVISABLE

Louisa Learns to Write:  Louisa May Alcott Creates Little Women by Kate Hannigan and Sofia Moore. NON-FICTION, BIOGRAPHY PICTURE BOOK. Calkins Creek (Astra Books for Young Readers), 2026. $20. 9781629794563

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Louisa May Alcott was always exploring, playing, dreaming, and creating - the very actions that would one day make her a writer. She treasured her "Imagination Book" given to her by her mother.  Louisa and her family went through hard times, but they persevered.  She worked many odd jobs, and hoped that one day she would make enough money through her writing to help her family.  When the opportunity came, she drew from her own family experience to write her first novel Little Women.

Louisa Learns to Write is a beautiful, heartfelt tale biography that will inspire creativity and spark interest in learning to write.

PGPowers

The Visit by Nuria Figueras and Anna Font - ADVISABLE

The Visit by Nuria Figueras and Anna Font. PICTURE BOOK. Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2026. $19. 9780802856555

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

When her mother leaves the den, Little Fox expects to spend the next few hours by herself.  But then she hears a knock at the door.  The visitor's name is silence.  Silence is so big and strange.  Is silence bad, or can silence teach her something good and be her friend?

The Visit is a tender story about making friends with silence, and learning about mindfulness, self-regulation and alone time.  Font's artwork is gorgeous.

PGPowers

Science The High-Flying, Deep Diving Adventures of Kathy Sullivan by Diane Stanley and Jessie Hartland - ADVISABLE

The High-Flying, Deep Diving Adventures of Kathy Sullivan by Diane Stanley and Jessie Hartland. NON-FICTION, BIOGRAPHY PICTURE BOOK. Simon and Schuster, 2025. $20. 9781665926409

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Growing up, Kathy Sullivan loved to look at maps and National Geographics and wonder about distant places.  When she was six years old and saw Sputnik in the sky, she knew space would be the most amazing adventure of all.  Kathy became the first American woman to walk in space. Kathy also became the first woman to travel to the Mariana Trench, the lowest known point on Earth.  Kathy never forgot the maps she loved as a child and followed her curiosity to the highest reaches and most sunken depths.

Stanley captures the curious, adventurous, brave spirit of Kathy Sullivan and touts her many accomplishments.  The juvenile illustrations are engaging and delightful.

PGPowers

The Fantastic Floating Mr. Finnegan by Rebecca Gugger and Simon Rothlisberger. - ADVISABLE

The Fantastic Floating Mr. Finnegan by Rebecca Gugger and Simon Rothlisberger. PICTURE BOOK. North South, 2026. $20. 9780735846319

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

When Finnegan was born, he could float .  He gleefully floats his way through childhood, until questions and concerns from friends and neighbors eventually weigh him down.  Then one day a little girl floats by him.  Mr. Finnegan remembers how he used to float, but now he can no longer float.  Can Mr. Finnegan learn to float again?

The Fantastic Floating Mr. Finnegan is about overcoming boundaries set by others and ourselves.  I like Rothlisberger's delightful quirky illustrations.

PGPowers

Otis Knows (How to be a Bear) by Liz Garton Scanlon and Martha Brockenbrough and Stephanie Laberis - ADVISABLE

Otis Knows (How to be a Bear) by Liz Garton Scanlon and Martha Brockenbrough, illustrated by Stephanie Laberis. PICTURE BOOK Beach Lane (Simon), 2026. $20. 9781665970815 

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

All the bears in Alaska have been hibernating all winter, but now it's spring! Everyone is up, even the mamas and the babies. But not Otis. Otis will wake up in his own time. He knows how to be a bear, but he's older and wiser and knows just how and when he should come out of hibernation. 

A cute book based on a real bear. I love the authors note - they talk about the real Otis, and what hibernation is, but also, Fat Bear Week! If you are streaming the bears fishing and digging and playing and such, introduce it to your class with this delightful picture book. It's not just about fat bears. 

Lisa Librarian 

Carrots Make Me Suspicious by Robin Mitchell Cranfield - ADVISABLE

Carrots Make Me Suspicious by Robin Mitchell Cranfield. PICTURE BOOK Greystone, 2026. $25. 9781778403187 

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

This bunny is a selective eater. He won’t even try carrots - too noisy, too crunchy. He prefers quiet food like yogurt and bananas. But when he’s curious, his mother suggests a different method than tasting. So the bunny starts an investigation. 

There is a lot to love about this book. I loved how the parents encouraged him and answered questions but didn’t force the bunny to try a carrot until he was ready and on his own terms. I love that his investigation reveals a lot of different facts about carrots, and I came away with two recipes. 

Lisa Librarian 

Spooky Pookie by Sandra Boynton. - ADVISABLE

Spooky Pookie by Sandra Boynton. LARGE-SIZED BOARD BOOK. Boynton Bookworks (Simon and Schuster), 2026. $13. 9798347115785

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Pookie is trying to choose a costume to wear for Halloween.

My one year old granddaughter loves her Spooky Pookie board book - I know she’s going to love the bigger size for this 11th anniversary. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Monsters are the Worst! by Alex Willan - ADVISABLE

Monsters are the Worst! by Alex Willan. PICTURE BOOK. Simon 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Gilbert Goblin has a monster problem - one that followed him home from the forest.

I think Gilbert is going soft!I could tell the whole time that he really loved that monster! Gilbert is such a great unreliable narrator. Willan has taken him through seven adventures now.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Poo Pile on the Prairie by Amy Hevron - ESSENTIAL

Poo Pile on the Prairie by Amy Hevron. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Beach Lane (Simon), 2026. $20. 9781665935029

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Even something as small as a pile of bison scat can support an ecosystem necessary to the health of the prairie.

The Tiny Habits are so well written. Hevron makes each one a small bite that teaches a lot. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

My Dear Sea by André Carrilho - ADVISABLE

My Dear Sea written and illustrated by André Carrilho. PICTURE BOOK. Blue Dot Kids Press, 2025. $19.  9798989858835

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: SEVERAL

On a visit to the beach, our first-person narrator shares their experiences and respect for the sea. From playing games on the beach, to exploring tide pools and the fisherman’s wharf, the reader gets to see the many facets of the ocean and why it is so important.

This is a love letter to the sea and young readers are going to love getting lost in all of the illustrations. I thought the illustrations were so interesting & unusual. The book is a translation of a Portuguese-language text, so some of the phrasing is a little odd. But overall, it will speak to all your kids that want to become marine biologists some day (which is way more than you think it is).

Kiera, ELA teacher, #bookswithbeddes

To Knit a Ghost by Z.B. Asterplume and Heather Brockman Lee - ADVISABLE

To Knit a Ghost by Z.B. Asterplume and Heather Brockman Lee. PICTURE BOOK Random House, 2026. $19. 9798217025671 

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

There is so much for the little witch to do before she can knit a ghost. First, her supplies and a cup of tea, a comfy chair, and some stretching - be sure to feed the cat and feed herself. At last, she can knit a ghost! But are the real ghosts helping or hindering? 

I loved this! Illustrator Brockman Lee has incorporated photographs of yard and knitting, and everything is accurate. The details in the illustrations are clever and worth looking for - her knitting instruction book says it includes a potion for getting cat hair out - I need that! 10yo AJ read it too and was thoroughly delighted; the cat added to the funny illustrations. Includes basic instructions on how to cast on and how to knit. When I finish this review, I'm grabbing my needles and finding some yarn and knitting a ghost for myself. 

Lisa Librarian 

It Won't Be Forever by John Dougherty and Thomas Docherty - ADVISABLE

It Won't Be Forever written by John Dougherty, illustrated by Thomas Docherty.  PICTURE BOOK. Frances Lincoln Children’s Books (The Quarto Group), 2026.  $19.  9780711296657

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: SEVERAL

A fox cub named Vixie has separation anxiety from her father when he tells her he has to go away for a while. She finds out that she is capable of surviving, even while missing her father.

The story is a gentle lesson addressing separation anxiety during a temporary absence. It’s not as weighty as a book about grief might be, but I think it still has a proper place in classroom libraries as young minds learn how to navigate complex emotions.

Kiera, ELA teacher, #bookswithbeddes

Fancy Dogs by Tini Malina - ADVISABLE

Fancy Dogs by Tini Malina (translated from German by Tammi Reichel), PICTURE BOOK North South, October 2026. $20. 9780735846272 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

A list of things that make dogs fancy, like getting groomed, wearing costumes, and having a schedule. Also, they play in the mud and chew shoes and do cute things too. 

First, a shout-out to the translator; the rhymes are clever and make sense! Large and simple illustrations will appeal to the young reader. As a dog lover, I could relate to many of the fancies, like when they soft-bark and try to get food they shouldn't eat. I think it's cute. 

Lisa Librarian 

Sing the 50 United States by Dr. Seuss - ESSENTIAL

Sing the 50 United States by Dr. Seuss. PICTURE BOOK Random House, 2026. $20. 9798217228560 

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

The Cat in the Hat, along with a couple of little cats, is putting together a map puzzle of the United States and making up a song along the way. 

What? A new book by Dr. Seuss??? Yep. The manuscript was discovered in several boxes in San Diego's Geisel Library just in time for the 250th. A fun read - no tune (yet), but all the states are there, and it's very Dr. Seuss, with fun plays on words and cute illustrated interactions with the other characters and the puzzle pieces. A must-buy - who knows if we'll ever find another unpublished manuscript of his again. 

Lisa Librarian 

Uh-Oh, Hugo! by Jonathan Stutzman and Jay Fleck - ADVISABLE

Uh-Oh, Hugo! by Jonathan Stutzman and Jay Fleck. PICTURE  BOOK. Flamingo (Penguin), 2026. $19. 9798217039203

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Hugo is up for a busy day. Lots of sniffing and running and sticky mess by the end of the day. 

I don’t know why this is not a board book.  With its simple text and bold pictures, it is perfect for that format. For kids with dogs or without dogs, it is a simple look at a silly dog’s silly day.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

I Guess I’ll Go Eat Worms by Linda Liu - ADVISABLE

I Guess I’ll Go Eat Worms by Linda Liu. PICTURE BOOKS. Henry Holt (Macmillan), 2026. $19. 9781250359506

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Separately a sheep and a duck are bemoaning that no one likes them so they are going to eat worms - because, why not? What will happen when the two lonely animals meet?

Any adult is going to try to sing this book to the classic Worm song. Sorry to say - It won’t work. Despite that flaw, the illustrations and the story are fun for kids.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

Don’t Leave by Kristen Tracy and Fecerico Fabiani - ADVISABLE

Don’t Leave by Kristen Tracy and Fecerico Fabiani. PICTURE BOOK. Farrar Straus Giroux (Mamillan), OCTOBER 2026. $19. 9780374393403

BUYING ADVISORY:Pre- K - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Wild Princess knows that something is up. When she smuggles herself into a suitcase, she finds herself at a donation center, instead of with her people on vacation like she thought.

If only cats could read and understand the cat lesson here. Regardless, it is super cute.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

Beware the Sock Monkeys!! by Jonathan Stutzman and Heather Fox - ADVISABLE

Beware the Sock Monkeys!! by Jonathan Stutzman and Heather Fox. PICTURE BOOK. Balzer + Bray (Harper), SEPTEMBER 2006. $19. 9781250414380

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

The kids can’t finish getting ready because the sock monkeys have stolen most of their socks. Dad is not fooled - he knows that the kids are just making excuses - or are they???

I believe in sock monkeys too. How else can you explain disappearing socks? Fox provides colorful, fun illustrations for Stutzman’s silly story.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

The Dog who was (almost) perfect by Jack Kurland - ADVISABLE

The Dog who was (almost) perfect by Jack Kurland. PICTURE BOOK. Frances Lincoln (Quarto), 2026. $19. 9781836007753

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

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Doris the dog’s life is absolutely perfect until the day she chews a hole in her owner, Bill’s, favorite slippers.  She runs away in shame, but some other dogs help her understand that while it may be a mistake, it isn’t the end of everything.

A cute way to look at owning up to your mistakes and they aren’t, mostly, life ending.  Say you’re sorry and move on.  The little twist on the last page kind of undermines the message, but kids will find it  funny.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Ed Sheeran (Little People, Big Dreams) by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara and Mariajo Ilustrajo - OPTIONAL

Ed Sheeran (Little People, Big Dreams) by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara and Mariajo Ilustrajo. PICTURE BOOK BIOGRAPHY. Frances Lincoln (Quarto), 2026. $16. 9781805703433

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Get a simple, yet insightful look into the life and rise of Ed Sheeran, musician extraordinaire. 

The Little People series books are short, but they do a great job of distilling a life.  And they are so varied in their topics - they cover people that would never have received a kid’s level biography. Pick and choose your favorites.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS