When Brian Met Terry by Russell Kane and Erica Salcedo - OPTIONAL

When Brian Met Terry by Russell Kane and Erica Salcedo. PICTURE BOOK. Words & Pictures (Quarto), 2026. $19. 9781836006534

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

APPEALS TO: SOME

The Kane family has one very relaxed cat and one very high-maintenance cat, Terry. When they adopt a chihuahua, Brian, Terry is very put out and has a really hard time adjusting to the new situation.

I hope Terry never realizes that Brian got top billing in the title! While Terry’s dramatics are kind of funny, it is really just one family’s pet story - not helpful when trying to introduce new pets to each other.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

My Busy Tool Box! by Design Eye - OPTIONAL

My Busy Tool Box! by Design Eye (Quarto), 2026. BOARD BOOK. $13. 9781805704935

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Play with a few simple construction motions in this brightly colored interactive board book. While I have seen other similar board books with more motions, like Bizzy Bear’s Big Building Book, I have never heard such a great sawing sound and motion! If you love board books, for that alone I would add it to my collection.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Carlotta's Special Dress by Carlotta Walls LaNier with Lisa Frazier Page, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton

Carlotta's Special Dress: How a Walk to School Changed Civil Rights History by Carlotta Walls LaNier with Lisa Frazier Page, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton. BIOGRAPHY, PICTURE BOOK Little, Brown, 2026. $19. 9780316572545 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

It's 1957 and Carlotta is one of the "Little Rick 9." She and other Black high school students would be the first integrated into Central High School. Her Uncle had given her mother money for Carlotta to buy a new dress, and she was excited to go wearing the beautiful store bought dress. But, that first day of school was not to be. Angry crowds and soon the National Guard prevented Carlotta and her classmates from going to school. 

An interesting twist on the story of Central High school. I like that it made it personal, giving not just a face but a story to one of the students. I loved the illustrations, and the amount of text was just right. Includes an author’s note (Carlotta is the author) and so we learn a bit more to her story. Also includes a timeline and captioned photographs - yes, one is of Carlotta in The Dress. 

Carlotta is Black. 

Lisa Librarian 

Farm (Ask Me About) by Rebecca Atkinson and Susie Hammer - OPTIONAL

Farm (Ask Me About) by Rebecca Atkinson and Susie Hammer. Happy Yak (Quarto), 2026. $13. 9781836009986

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Using a slider on the side, the reader answers a simple question on each page about what the animals are doing around the farm.

The pictures are vibrant and the animals are adorable. It's that slider on the side that worries me the most. I can see my 2yo grandson tearing that off first thing. Board books that you have to guard from little hands are lass desirable for me. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Little Hare Finds a Gift by Oleksandr Shatokhin - OPTIONAL

Little Hare Finds a Gift by Oleksandr Shatokhin. BOARD BOOK. Red Comet Press, 2026. $9. 9781636552071

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Little Hare was sleeping soundly when she was awakened by a giant present falling on her house. She stumbles onto Santa Claus who needs some help cleaning up the spilled presents.

Sweet, but not compelling. This is a board book reprint of the original picture book from 2023.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

How to Scare a Mouse and a Bear by Ross Collins - OPTIONAL

How to Scare a Mouse and a Bear by Ross Collins. PICTURE BOOK. Nosy Crow, 2026. $19. 9798887771731

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Mouse and Bear are trying to scare each other for Halloween. 

This time I didn’t find the rhyming really helping the scary factor of the book.  It was too sing-songy and cheerful. The illustrations are still spot on.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

What a Small Cat Needs by Natalia Shaloshvili, translated from Russian by Lena Traer - optIONAL

What a Small Cat Needs by Natalia Shaloshvili, translated from Russian by Lena Traer. PICTURE BOOK Enchanted Lion, 2026. $18. 9781592704774 

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

APPEALS TO: SOME 

There are a lot of things a small cat needs - eyes and ears and a tail and the ability to catch food and a place to live, but there is so much more than just those basics. 

What a sweet story - not a conflict resolution so much as a long description of a sweet cat and how it gets by. Maybe not for everyone, there's not a lot of story to it. 

Lisa Librarian

Haircut Day with Dad by Monica Mikai - ADVISABLE

Haircut Day with Dad by Monica Mikai. PICTURE BOOK. Crown Books (Random House), 2026. $19. 9798217027545

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

A young boy is so excited to go to the barber shop with his father.  It is a special time for the two of them to bond and take care of themselves.  As they wait their turn, the boy takes in the sights and sounds of the barber shop. The father tells the boy that barbers are magic because they create a new you.

Haircut Day with Dad encompasses the joy of fathers and sons spending time together.  It shows that it doesn't matter what you do, the important part is being together. Mikai turns a mundane event into a special and exciting one.  Haircut Day with Dad is a celebration of black culture and love between a father and a son. Miaki also wrote a book about mothers and daughters called Wash Day with Mama.

The boy and his dad are black.

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian

On Our Bikes by Dan Saks and Joao Fazenda - OPTIONAL

On Our Bikes by Dan Saks and Joao Fazenda. PICTURE BOOK. Rise X (Penguin Workshop), 2026. $19. 9798217142798

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

APPEALS TO: SOME

A community finds joy in riding bicycles, from young kids on big wheels to adults pulling trailers. The book is a colorful celebration of the outdoors, fresh air, caring for the earth, and building relationships. Young kids gain independence and confidence and learn to navigate their neighborhood alongside family and friends. Ultimately, the book captures the magic of a childhood day spent outside with friends, biking adventures, and the plan to repeat it all the next day.

The rhyming prose would be a fun read-aloud for younger kids with short rhyming verses and vibrant illustrations. I like the throwback to a time when kids would take off with neighborhood friends on bicycles and not come home until dinnertime. The nostalgia for a simpler time when neighbors all knew each other brings to mind a community bike bus where adults and kids all ride together just for the joy of it. The book's viewpoint is pretty young, which is the only reason why I didn't rate it higher, but it is a fun and joyous book. A diverse community is portrayed, all coming together for a shared ride.

Heather Robinson 

From the Fields to the Fight by Angela Quezada Padron and Sol Salinas - ADVISABLE

From the Fields to the Fight: How Jessica Govea Thorbourne Organized for Justice by Angela Quezada Padron and Sol Salinas. BIOGRAPHY PICTURE BOOK. Atheneum Books for Young Readers (SImon), 2026. $20. 9781665946704

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

Starting as a young child, Jessica Govea Thorbourne worked alongside her family as a migrant farm worker. She saw how unfair conditions were. There were no bathrooms, they worked long hours and also ingested pesticides that were meant to kill bugs but were harmful to humans. Jessica met Cesar Chavez, an activist for farm workers. Jessica's parents decided to join him in fighting for justice for migrant workers. Jessica learned how to help the migrant's cause and dedicated her life to it. Can one girl make a difference?

Padron gives us the compelling story about one girl's resilience. Jessica saw something in the world that she wanted to change and fought to change it. With just a few sentences per page and vibrant and emotional illustrations by Salinas, From the Fields to the Fight would make a great read aloud.

Jessica and her family are Hispanic.

Tracie, Elementary School Librarian 

A River Running Through You by Amy-Jane Beer and Elin Manon - OPTIONAL

A River Running Through You by Amy-Jane Beer and Elin Manon. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Magic Cat Publishing, 2026. $19. 9781917366915

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Have you ever wondered where water comes from or where it might be going? This book takes readers on a journey that is part science and part reflection, following water as it moves from oceans to rivers, clouds to rain, and through its ever changing cycle.

Manon's illustrations are beautiful and complement Beer's text. The prose encouraged me to think more deeply about water and its importance as one of Earth's most valuable resources. This is a thoughtful, contemplative book that invites reflection and discussion, while also conveying a clear environmental message.

Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian 

Indigo Irvine by Rhiannon Archard - OPTIONAL

Indigo Irvine by Rhiannon Archard. PICTURE BOOK. Tate Publishing, 2025. $17. 9781849769617

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Indigo Irvine loves her artistic mum. Through her paintings, Indigo's mum brings light, color, and excitement into their lives. But not every day is easy. Some days there is not enough food to eat, the heat is turned off, or her mum cannot find the energy to get out of bed. Even during these difficult times, Indigo and her mum face challenges together as a team, relying on love, resilience, and laughter to carry them through. 

I loved Archard's bright, bold, and engaging illustrations, which bring warmth and energy to the story. However, I struggled with some of the messages presented in the book. The story seems to normalize situations that are concerning, such as the family having their utilities shut off and Indigo being left to care for herself when her mother is unable to get out of bed for days. While the book highlights the love between mother and daughter and their resilience in difficult circumstances, I felt it glossed over the seriousness of the challenges Indigo faces.

Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian https://www.kingsenglish.com/item/CVbOt1jz_0sKO_Yc9Ikk2Q

Piet Finds a Home by Carina Wohlleben, Peter Wohlleben and Rachel Qiuqi - OPTIONAL

Piet Finds a Home by Carina Wohlleben, Peter Wohlleben and Rachel Qiuqi. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Greystone Kids, 2026. $20. 9781778400292

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

APPEALS TO: SOME

Piet is a squirrel looking for a new place to sleep. Peter, his human neighbor, helps him find a nice beech tree and teaches him all about the tree. Piet learns new things about the tree through summer, fall, winter, and then spring. Piet learns that trees sleep, sweat, drink water, and get hungry just like he does.

The Wohllebens mix of fiction and nonfiction with tree facts on most pages. I liked learning more about trees, and I would have liked if there was a reference for where to learn more. It would be a good science teaching tool for teachers.

Peter is white.

Rachel, elementary school librarian 

Nisha Knows Best by Maryann Jacob Macias and Maithili Joshi - OPTIONAL

Nisha Knows Best by Maryann Jacob Macias and Maithili Joshi. PICTURE BOOK. Dial Books for Young Readers (Penguin), 2026. $20. 9781984815552

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Nisha has a big family, and they love to give hugs. Nisha loves her ammamma and appappa, but when they arrived from India after a long absence, she suddenly felt very shy. It was just too scary to hug them. Nisha's mom assured her that there are lots of ways to show love. So instead, Nisha shares one of her paintings with them.

A sweet story about a little girl figuring out how she best likes to show love. She learns that there are many ways to show love, and she can do what feels best for her. The illustrations are fun, bright, and vibrant.

Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian 

The Biker Girls by Shehzil Malik - OPTIONAL

The Biker Girls by Shehzil Malik. PICTURE BOOK. Nancy Paulsen Books (Penguin), 2025. $19. 9780593324912

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Every week, Sophie and Maya meet at the park to ride their bikes. One day, they invite their new neighbor, Zoey, to join them. Although Zoey has never ridden a bike before, she is eager to learn. With Sophie and Maya’s encouragement and help, she quickly gains confidence, and the three friends spend hours riding together in the park. Once they feel ready for a bigger adventure, they take a ride through the city. The girls notice the streets are crowded and that many people stare at them, unaccustomed to seeing girls riding bikes. Determined to change that, they start a bike club so more girls from their school can experience the joy and freedom of cycling.

I was a little confused by the book’s suggestion that girls do not usually ride bikes, as the story does not provide much geographical or cultural context until the author’s note at the end. The illustrations are bright, bold, and energetic, with a comic book–inspired style. I think the characters are from Pakistan

Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian 

Time to Leave Laverne! by Lana Button and Yang Ling Kang - ADVISABLE

Time to Leave Laverne! by Lana Button and Yang Ling Kang. PICTURE BOOK. Owlkids Books, 2026. $23. 9781771476577

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

APPEALS TO: SOME

Laverne has big emotions. She loves going to the library, the park, and friends' houses, but when it is time to leave, a thunderstorm seems to roll in, and Laverne struggles to control her feelings. Her parents try to give her tools to help her cope, but it is not until she begins playing pretend with her beloved stuffies that she learns how to use those strategies for herself. Through practice and patience, Laverne gradually learns to prepare for the emotional storms that arise throughout her day. It is not easy, but little by little, she is learning how to weather them.

Button teaches children practical tools for managing emotions that can sometimes feel overwhelming. Through Laverne's experiences, young readers learn strategies for recognizing big feelings and working through them in healthy ways.

Laverne is white.

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 

Sheep Shape by Adele Tariel and Iksana Bula - ADVISABLE

Sheep Shape by Adele Tariel and Iksana Bula. PICTURE BOOK. Magination Press, 2026. $19. 9781433848704

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

APPEALS TO: SOME

Shearing day is tomorrow. Chip does not like to have his soft wool sheared, so he plans an escape. Many of the other sheep tell him it is a bad idea because there are wolves in the forest. Chip runs anyway. He finds a safe place to sleep and beds down. Day by day, Chip’s wool grows and he is happy and content….until.

While the story is simplistic and could have rhymed, the author fashioned a story that allows parents to ask questions about Chip’s decisions. Bula created bright, fun illustrations. At the end of the book, Bonnie Zucker, PsyD, counsels parents on how to have discussions about the book with children.

MOMMACC 

Brave New Ballet by Robyn McGrath and Alexander Mostov - OPTIONAL

Brave New Ballet: The Story of the Les Ballets Trockadero De Monte Carlo by Robyn McGrath and Alexander Mostov. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Penguin Workshop, 2026. $19. 9798217049370

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo was an all-male ballet company founded in New York City in the 1970s by a group of dancers who wanted the freedom to perform on their own terms. They worked tirelessly to perfect their technique while also bringing humor and satire to their choreography. Although they were not taken seriously at first, their talent, dedication, and artistry eventually won over audiences around the world.

This was an interesting look at a piece of dance history I was previously unfamiliar with, and I enjoyed learning about the company's unique contributions to the world of ballet. I also enjoyed the illustrations.

Reviewer: 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