Clara and the Man with Books in HIs Window, written by Maria Teresa Andruetto and illustrated by MarinaTrach. Translated by Elisa Amado. Aldana Libros. Greystone Kids. 2025. $24.95 ages 5 and up

"The man leaves the money outside the door,
under the mat. 

He never goes out. 

He always stays inside." 

Opening scenes show dwellings, horses, trees. A reader's attention is drawn to the house with the red roof, where a woman is doing laundry while a young child runs toward her. As the mother scrubs, the child plays nearby in the dirt with a stick. Once done, the laundry is piled in a basket and the child is sent to deliver it to the man in the big house. Her mother's instructions ensure the child is mindful of the task at hand. 

She knows the money will be under the mat when she gets there. While she is at the step, the man reaches around the curtain and talks to her from inside the house. He asks her name, while she asks why he stays inside. He says he will tell her another time, then asks if she can read. Home she goes. When she returns another day, there is a book under the mat along with the money he owes. 

So, it goes. The child delivers the laundry, and returns home reading her newest book. One day she is invited inside. The man wonders what book is the one she likes best. From his massive bookcase, he chooses another book for the child. Now, as they spend time together, the man is open to answering the questions she asks. 

"When I was young, I had a love, a young man who worked in the garden. 
Sometimes we would walk down to the stream together. 
In those days I wasn't afraid of the light ... 
but he went away, and I didn't have the courage to go with him." 

The child wants to know about courage. His explanation sets her on a path to having courage for herself. Clara is on her way home again when she hears him calling. She has forgotten her book, and he follows her outside to give it to her. What courage! What a blessing is true friendship! 

Beautifully told, in few words so carefully chosen. The artwork enhances the telling at every turn. With color on some spreads and only outlines on others, it captures the feelings of both characters at different times in their lives. It is a true story about the author's mother and the laundry work she did for a reclusive man named Juan. How wonderful it is that we have such meaningful books to share with our children.                                                                                     

     

What's Scarier Than Thunder? Written by Ben Falcone and illustrated by Kevin Cornell. G.P. Putnam's Sons, Penguin Random House. 2025. $24.99 ages 4 and up

 

"Claire laughed so hard her mom
came into her room. 

"What's all this giggling about? 
Shouldn't you be sleeping by now?"

"I'm glad you're here, honey. Claire
thinks thunder is the scariest thing 
around. Can you believe that?"

"Oh, wow. Thunder doesn't bother 
me now that I've see some truly scary 
things. But I probably shouldn't tell 
you about them."

Claire couldn't help herself. 
She was too curious!"

As an adult, I am not always comfortable in thunderstorms. Maybe, it's being alone and watching the endless flashes of light, or the booming crashes that precede them. It is the way Claire feels when a frightful storm keeps her from sleep. Luckily, her dad is there to do his best to distract from her fear. 

He tells her about his worry in a storm when he was younger. Claire is surprised to learn that. Dad goes on to share the many things that he thinks are far scarier than thunder. He regales her with silly rhymes that don't seem that scary to his daughter. As Dad offers varied scenarios, Claire uses her imagination to picture what he is describing. Each gets sillier and sillier. 

"Oh, really? What about 
the witch in the woods
who tried to sell her baked goods 
to a goblin named Art who 

           just 

               loved 

                   to ... 

... sneeze!"

The laughter is so loud, Claire's mother comes to check on them. It takes no time for Mom to get involved with some of her own upsetting times. The fun continues with scene after scene; Claire joins in the fun that involves zombies, squids, dragons, and clowns ... right back to the beginning with a scorpion named Finn. Finally, Claire is exhausted by all the action and succumbs to her need for slumber. 

The riotous text and imaginative artwork work together like a dream. The energy is awesome and the distractions from the storm's noise is exactly what Claire needs to find comfort in a soft pillow and cozy blanket.                                                                                       

Nellie's Big Splash, written and illustatred by Cori Doerrfeld. Dial Books for Young Readers, Penguin Random House. 2025. $24.99 ages 3 and up

 

"So even though Nellie wanted to go into the 
sea with all the other turtles ... 

... she hid instead. 

Maybe when she was ready to come out, 
things would feel easier."

Cori Doerrfeld is brilliantly adept at creating stories for children that deal with social and emotional learning. Knowing that she has two school-age children, it's easy to understand how she is able to tap into the way children think and react. She creates books that bring empathy and love to the forefront, offering visual stories that tug at the heartstrings and show characters at their most vulnerable. That is the case with her new book about a tiny baby turtle named Nellie. 

The opening endpapers show one egg left to hatch as many new sea turtles make their way to the ocean waters. Nellie is that last hatchling, and is feeling sooo small. It looks like a long way to go to get to the water, and Nellie is not sure she can make it all the way. The waves are huge and very intimidating for someone so tiny. She goes in the opposite direction as they crash on shore in front of her, choosing to hide herself in a nearby shell and wait for a better time. Even smaller waves prove scary. 

A marauding seagull makes things ever more difficult. Avoiding capture, Nellie meets a creature who might prove helpful; but that seal loves the waves and the excitement of leaping into those very waves. With no help to be found, Nellie's fear grows. In desperation, she climbs to the highest point on the beach. The waves can't reach her there. Still, she feels cold, lonely, and wants to be with her turtle family. Can she make the decision needed to be with them? The lure of the ocean itself and her inner courage prove that she can take a leap of faith and find her way home. Huzzah!

Signature digital art introduces another empathetic and excpressive character. The changing perspectives offer readers a real feel for the dilemma facing Nellie, and the beauty of her environment once she faces her fear.                                                                                           

Otis & Peanut Find a Way, written by Naseem Hrab and illustrated by Kelly Collier. Owlkids, 2025. $22,95 ages 6 and up

 

"What if we practice going
on a trip? 

Practice going somewhere 
without going anywhere? 

Yes, we can practice going 
nowhere! 
I haven't visited there in 
a while." 

If you been reading this blog for some time, you will know that I have a special place in my heart for Otis and Peanut. They have the kind of friendship any one of us would want to maintain and nurture. They share the ups and downs of life, and do so with kindness and attention to the other's feelings at all times. 

There are three stories in their new book: The Trip, The Stone and The Visit. In the first, Otis leaves his house for a walk along the road. Closing his eyes, he tries to imagine taking a trip. Peanut stops him, asking what Otis is doing. When Otis responds, Peanut explains that he loves trips and being away. Perhaps he could help his uncertain friend with a plan. Otis has a lot of questions, and Peanut has the answers. In the end, they decide to practice taking a trip to see how it goes. There is a lot to consider. After a tiring practice and a lot of what-ifs, they decide to put the trip off to another time. 

In The Stone, the two find that looking for perfect stones reminds them of their friend Pearl and their many memories of time spent together. Otis realizes he is begining to forget some of the important things he loved about Pearl. Peanut listens carefully to his words and tries to help Otis understand that over time it is important to let go of a perfect stone, in the same way that he will let go of some of his memories of his dear friend. 

Finally, in The Visit, Otis and Peanut are hurrying to the train station to meet Marion, Otis's sister. They will only have twenty-two minutes together; Otis does not want to miss a moment. Arriving ahead of time, Otis shares an agenda he has made for the visit. Together, he and Peanut make some important changes. The agenda blows away on the wind before Marion arrives. What will they do now? Time passes quickly and too soon it's time for Marion to board the train that will take her home. Her gift to Otis and Peanut is quite a surprise and encourages even more practice about trip-taking. Otis's discovery about himself is heartwarming and empowering. Bravo, friends! 

Words with Wings and Magic Things, written by Matthew Burgess and illustrated by Doug Salati. tundra, Penguin Random House. 2025, $26.99 ages 8 and up

 

"Living with Lions

When they purr, 
pet their fur. 

When they snore,
close the door. 

When they wake, 
take a cake. 

When they scream
serve ice cream. 

When they roar, 
give them more. 

And if they bite, 
nighty night."

There are many poems here for readers to appreciate; in fact, there are 49 of them. Their range will appeal to children of all ages - and their caregivers. Seven portals offer an invitation for readers to experience each one of them: Welcome, Wonders, Wild, Wheee!, Whoops and Whallops, Windows, and finally, Whispers and Well Wishes. 

Step through the Wonders portal with these words: 'To reach the place of things unseen, /words can be your trampoline.' On the pages that follow, readers will find poems that describe a kaleidoscope, a hammock song, the fairies, midnight firelight, the treasures of deepest sleep, feeling the colors, and rhyme of the chrysalis. Wonders, indeed! 

 The wordplay is notable, taking daily places, events, people and things from what is often routine to something quite extraordinary. Doug Salati's digitally colored pencil and gouache illustrations add to the joy found in the reading. Their combined talents make this a very appealing read for kids on their own, or with friends. Each portal has a die-cut invitation to move to the following page, while the artwork  provides a scenario for the poetic couplet that introduces the next group of poems. Action then turns to a double-page impression of what's to come. It is an extremely effective way to engage and entertain readers. 

There is much to savor in the words, and even more as artwork is carefully considered to make connections from one to the other. This team knows kids, and what will make them laugh, and think. Let readers choose their own favorites to share as a classroom performance, or with a friend. It takes me back to when I was sharing poetry with my kids at home and at school, using books by Shel Silverstein, Jack Prelutsky, Dennis Lee, and others.                                                                                         

What Makes a Bird? Written by Megan Pomper and illustrated by Maia Hoekstra. Owlkids, 2025. $22.95 ages 5 and up

 

"Does laying eggs make a bird? 

And if it hatches from an egg, 
is that why it's a bird? 

A snake might disagree. 

Or a platypus.

Or a fish, 
a lizard, 
a turtle."

Who knew how difficult it could be to define a bird? Megan Pomper did. Her gorgeous debut picture book invites readers and listeners to think seriously on the titular question. The child narrator, garbed in green and blue-jay blue, and equipped with a backpack and binoculars, is clearly very interested in knowing what makes a bird.

Is it feathers? Is it a beak? If so, can they all be different? Wait! An octopus has a beak. Does that make it a bird, too? How about wings? Birds have wings; bees also have wings. It must be that birds lay eggs. Hmmm! What about flying? Of course, birds fly. Except for penguins, emus, ostriches, kiwis, and penguins. 

"And what if a bird that can fly 
breaks a wing? If it can't fly anymore, 
does it stop being a bird?"

What does make a bird? So many things to consider. The boy even wonders, if he closes his eyes, would what he sees be the same as what another sees when they think about birds? Might he see a bird that has not yet been discovered? In the end, he decides that it doesn't really matter what makes a bird. 

The questions are thoughtful and remarkable in their ability to encourage readers to consider the essence of a bird. I would love to be with kids, or in a classroom, to see how much further a conversation could lead if considering ourselves as humans. Ultimately, who decides that? 

 Maia Hoekstra's energetic illustrations swirl with movement and perspective changes to show a variety of birds and their surroundings. They hold the reader's attention and offer opportunities for refreshing discussion. Back matter provides thumbnail sketches and the name of each of the bird species pictured, and includes an invitation for readers to name three imaginary birds. 

Mrs. Nobody, written by Y. S. Lee and illustrated by Marie Lafrance. Groundwood, 2025. $21.99 ages 5 and up

"Mrs. Nobody shrieks so loudly that Alice's skin
buzzes. Mrs. Nobody slams the front door so hard
that the whole house shivers. 

Then it is quiet."

Alice loves Mrs. Nobody. The things her friend does make Alice happy: writing on walls, eating toothpaste, making confetti out of what she found in a wallet. This imaginary friend helps Alice be brave in the middle of the night, and even teaches her to climb the highest trees. There is nothing that is out of bounds for Mrs. Nobody. 

One afternoon, Mrs. Nobody decides it's time to play Puppy again. Alice complains that she was Puppy all morning, and it should not be her turn. Mrs. Nobody pays no attention to what Alice wants. In fact, she becomes very angry and storms off. At bedtime, Alice is lonely and finds it hard to sleep. But, she does. 

Morning dawns and with it, Mrs. Nobody returns. Alice has missed her. When Mrs. Nobody demands that Alice be Puppy again, Alice asserts herself to say she no longer wants to play that game. Silence descends. Mrs. Nobody loses it, telling Alice she will soon be gone for good. Remembering that she was brave in the night, Alice takes a stand and says No. She reminds her friend that she, too, has good ideas. Off they go to eat ice cream for breakfast, and think of other things they can do together. 

Words and art work well together, offering young readers a chance to see emotions in the textured illustrations and a way for kids to learn to stand up for themselves when needed.