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 

When Tad Kicked Vlad written by Julian Gough, illustrated by Ross Collins - ADVISABLE

When Tad Kicked Vlad written by Julian Gough, illustrated by Ross Collins.  PICTURE BOOK. Faber & Faber Limited, 2026.  $19.  9780571380237

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: MANY

Birthday boy Tad gets upset and kicks his best friend Vlad, which sets off a chain reaction of the "kick that goes around the world". When the kick comes back to Tad at his next birthday, he escalates things with a fart to the face...setting off another chain reaction. At his next birthday, Tad has to decide if he going to escalate things further (what's worse than a fart??), or is he going to break the cycle?

I thought this was a very funny story about consequences and how our actions impact other people. Obviously it is super hyperbolic, but young readers will enjoy the humorous illustrations, and at the same time, hopefully think about how to react in moments of anger and how to channel those feelings into more positive behaviors. Some teachers might be worried about the physical violence depicted - there are a lot of kicks and farts on page - but I think most kids would like it. 

Kiera, ELA teacher, #bookswithbeddes 

Giggling Ghosts by Fiz Osborne and Tim Budgen - OPTIONAL

Giggling Ghosts by Fiz Osborne and Tim Budgen. PICTURE BOOK. Simon and Schuster, 2026. $13. 

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

The little ghosts are rested and ready to head out for a night of haunting. They can’t help giggling every time they scare something. 

A little annoying, but also the ghosts are so dang cute, I couldn’t help liking it.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

It Won't Be Forever written by John Dougherty, illustrated by 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

School Spirits by Charlotte Gunnufson and Rebecca Crane - NO

School Spirits by Charlotte Gunnufson and Rebecca Crane. PICTURE BOOK. Atheneum (Simon), 2026. $20. 9781665964517

BUYING ADVISORY: NOT RECOMMENDED

On the first day of school you worry about a lot of things, but not that school is haunted.  When you find proof what should you do?  Gather your friends and train the ghosts to be respectful and helpful.

I just don’t understand this book at all. Someone please explain. I don't know why you would worry that your school is haunted on a perfectly ordinary day, nor do I then understand how you and your friends are going to train the ghosts to keep things clean and play with all of the kids.  The rhyming text, trying to make everything feel light and cherry doesn’t help either.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Calm Your Roar Like a Dinosaur by Colleen Patterson and Brenda S. Miles, illustrated by John Joseph - ESSENTIAL

Calm Your Roar Like a Dinosaur by Colleen Patterson and Brenda S. Miles, illustrated by John Joseph.  PICTURE BOOK. Magination Press, 2025.  $19.  9781433844652

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: MANY

A young triceratops is frustrated and furious, so their fellow dinosaurs show them how to relax every part of themselves to “calm the roar” and find their center once again.

I really loved this book. It teaches young readers how to self-regulate using the Progressive Muscle Relaxation technique to tighten & relax different parts of the body, helping them to calm down and de-stress. The brightly colored dinosaurs teaching the young triceratops were so well-drawn, and made the point perfectly. I think it would be a great book for any counselor’s or school’s wellness center library shelf. Super cute story and message.

Kiera, ELA teacher, #bookswithbeddes

  

The Haunted Goldfish (Night Frights) by Joe McGee and Teo Skaffa - ADVISABLE

The Haunted Goldfish (Night Frights) by Joe McGee and Teo Skaffa. EARLY READER Level 3. Simon, 2026. $19 (hc), $6 (pb). 9781665984928

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

When Victor’s goldfish Doris dies, he gives her a watery farewell flush.  That night, however, the toilet bowl runs over and floods the house.  Victor knows that Doris has come back to haunt him, but his parents do not believe.

If you have young students who like creepy things, they will enjoy the Night Frights series. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Could That Be a Witch? by Hannah Eliot and Saoirse Lou - OPTIONAL

Could That Be a Witch? by Hannah Eliot and Saoirse Lou. BOARD BOOK. Simon and Schuster, 2026. $9. 9798347106868

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

The children are getting ready for Halloween and looking for a witch. Each time tey think they’ve spotted her, it turns out to be something else.

If you want a light Halloween peek-thru book for little ones, here is a simple one.  The witch is not supposed to be scary. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

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

This is Not a Christmas Book by Jory John and Pierre Collet-Derby - ESSENTIAL

This is Not a Christmas Book by Jory John and Pierre Collet-Derby. PICTURE BOOK. Farrar Straus Giroux (Macmillan), SEPTEMBER 2026. $20. 9780374394011

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

The lizard is trying to educate the reader about rocks, but what is that elf doing there? And those reindeer!

I love the lizard’s commitment to his rocks - and that Collet-Derby is as accurate as they can be in their depiction. Of course it devolves into a Christmas book, but based on community and celebration, not just about receiving gifts.  

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS