We Could Be Magic, written by Marissa Meyer with art by Joelle Murray. Feiwel and Friends, Macmillan. Raincoast, 2025. $23.99 ages 12 and up

 

"Are you sure we can do this? I mean, 
I've read a lot of those "Secrets of 
Sommerland" books, and I don't 
remember anything about a secret 
passage by the Mystic Manor ... 

My theory is that it isn't in those books 
because it's not technically supposed to 
be a secret. Winda Sommers had intended
for this to be a part of the attraction all 
along. She just didn't realize how long 
the lines would be and how that would 
keep people from straying off the usual 
path."

Tabitha has loved Summerland for as long as she can remember. She believes in its magic; its promise of true love, especially important after being so shocked when her parents divorce. She is thrilled when she is able to work in the summer program for high school students. It surprises her to learn that others working there do not share her feelings. They often complain about the guests they must deal with, and with some of the demands of their jobs. 

Tabi is especially interested in being one of the actors. A meeting with Princess Madeline as a child left a lasting impression and it has been a dream to follow in those princess footsteps. That dream is dashed with her assignment to work the nacho stand. Her audition for a princess is met with the cruel realization that not one of the princes or princesses in the park is 'fat'. While coming to terms with her disappointment, she does her best to hold onto the magic Summerland has always had for her. \

The colorful artwork will be appreciated by graphic novel fans as they are emotional and empathetic to Tabi's early insecurity that leads to acceptance of who she is and how she deals with the disappointment. Marissa Meyer is a great storyteller and it shines through here. Themes concerning body image and facing bullying are handled deftly and will leave readers admiring both Tabi and those strong friends who support her unconditionally. She is valued and she knows it. 

Dawn, written and illustrated by Marc Martin. Candlewick Studio, Penguin Random House. 2025. $24.99 ages 4 and up

 

"dragonfly

cicada

bee

beetle"

As this new year dawns, I want to share this stunning book with you. 

Life on a lake as the sun slowly rises brings great beauty to readers. Both flora and fauna awaken to the early morning light. Marc Martin opens our eyes on pages that exhibit these stirrings while using the sparest text to focus attention. Artwork created in watercolor, pencil and digital collage feel real enough to touch and will encourage quiet contemplation lest we disturb what is happening. A spider web glistens with dew drops, and a deer drinks daintily from the lake's cool water before becoming aware of our presence and darting away. The chosen words are sound (the deer lifts its head to stare at the source), spring, (only hindquarters are visible) and still (quiet ripples on the water's surface). 

I cannot do the book justice with my words. It is a must-see. Perfect word choice, portraits that bring life to birds, butterflies, beetles, trees, leaves, flowers and a very hungry frog in search of a meal (wait, watch, flick, miss). Brilliant and always engaging. Marc Martin's incredible artistry is evident at every turn of the page. When you have finished reading it for the first time, you will want to go back again and again to be sure you have missed nothing.                                                                        

Outside In and Inside Out: a story about Arnold Lobel. Written and illustrated by Emmy Kastner. Viking, Penguin Random House. 2025. $24.99 ages 5 and up

 

"He listened. 
He watched everything. 
And Arnold read a lot. 

It was a downhill sprint to the library. 
Then back home, uphill, with five new 
books that were his for two weeks. 

What were his favorite stories?
The ones that made him laugh."

A most inventive beginning line for a picture book biography starts not with a birth date, but with 'a boy and a pair of wet socks'. Promising readers that they may find within its pages a bit of a different take on sharing a famous author's life. That pair of wet socks led to a severe illness for the young boy, and hospitalization for many months.

Following his recovery, Arnold entertained his classmates with his stories and the worlds he imagined through his art while in recovery. Impressed in the beginning, the children soon tired of those stories and Arnold became an outsider, which can be a very hard thing to be. He did like watching and listening, and reading a lot of books. They provided inspiration for the young boy that led to a fairly absurd collection of items as an adult. He loved those silly things; still, he was determined to live out his hopes and dreams through his writing. He lived life as he wanted to live it, with a wife named Anita, also an artist. Working in the business world was not fulfilling. He quit. 

"With brushes, his paints, and a pen, 
Arnold Lobel set out to find his way
as a professional daydreamer."

The works he created for himself, his own children, and the many children who loved them, were not always easy for him. They were stories of himself and his life and the observations made every day. Then came Frog and Toad, award-winning, perpetually loved, and truthful in their interpretation of true friendship. 

"In his books, 
the inside came out
and the outside came in." 

In later years when Arnold was terminally ill, he made the decision to spend his final days making 'his very last book in a very clever way'. Look for The Turnaround Wind at your public library or a used book store. 

In a letter to her readers, Emmy Kastner makes clear her admiration of and love for Arnold Lobel, the storyteller, the artist, the family man, and writer who showed us his world from both the outside in and the inside out. It is one of my favorite books of 2025, and a spectacular picture book biography. 

P.S. Check back and find Arnold's signature easter eggs hidden on every page. 
                                                                                   

A Place Just For Me, written by Loredana Baldinucci and illustrated by Melinda Berti. Translation by Monica Meneghetti. Greystone Kids, 2025. $24.95 ages 4 and up

 

"Yes! Here he is, at the front door. 
He's the smallest mouse of them all. 
His name is Silver. And today he's upset. 
There isn't a single spot in the burrow that's quiet 
enough for him to do nothing at all. 
And if you can't do at least a little bit of nothing, 
how can you ever know what you really want to do?"

The Mouse Family house at the foot of an old elm tree is a very busy place. Every single family member has something special they love to do. Silver can't find a quiet place, just for himself. To that end, he leaves home on a quest to find one. Along the way, he meets neighbors who are willing to let him stay with them for a while. 

Mole is first to agree. It's a great place for quiet and doing nothing; the problem is it is too dark. Moving on to Rabbit's warren, Silver is welcomed warmly and finds another lovely, quiet spot. There is no place to be still; the rabbit home brims with action. It's time to move forward again, with hopes of finding exactly what he is looking for. Bear's den is very noisy, and quite small. Squirrel's nest is filled to the brim with acorns leaving nowhere to sit and relax. A nest won't work, and living with a wolf doesn't seem a good option. Silver is tired by the end of the day, and the dark of night will soon be his companion. What is that sound? Is it Mom? Yes, it is. She wants him to come home where a surprise awaits. What a surprise it is! 

The colored pencil artwork provides warm and detailed settings at every turn. Whether Silver is outdoors or visiting his friends' homes, readers get a clear and most enjoyable look at his world. The cross-sections of the various homes are extremely appealing. Young readers will want to take time to carefully observe what is happening on each spread, and may invent stories to embellish the book's text. Finding a place in a busy world is especially important for the quiet introvert that Silver is.                                                                                    

The Wandering Feather, written by Lisa Frenette and illustrated by August Swinson. Owlkids, 2025. $22.95 ages 4 and up

 

"When the wind quiets, 
the feather drifts down,
landing on a woman's hat
decorated with three shiny 
peacock feathers. 

It would be fun to live with
such colorful friends,
the feather thinks. 
Could this be my 
new home?

Before the feather has time 
to settle, the woman spots 
it, plucks if from her hat, and
tosses it over her shoulder."

When a red-tailed hawk drops a feather in a quick dive to make a mouse its breakfast, a long and impressive journey begins. As it lands, the feather is concerned that it has lost its home; the rest of the book details that many intriguing actions that lead to a very fine ending. 

First, a squirrel makes it a part of her nest. The feather likes the feeling it gets from the quiet and serenity of this new home. With the heat from a rising sun, it becomes much too hot. Luckily a wind picks it from the nest and sends it on its way again. As the wind dies, it lands on a lady's hat alongside some beautiful peacock feathers. The lady is unimpressed, sending it on its way pretty quickly. 

From place to place, and one adventure to the next, the feather continues its wandering. At each stop, it expresses its feelings about where it lands, and the understanding that it has not yet found a permanent place to call home. A stroke of good luck puts it in the path of a young girl whose beach search for a third feather for her dreamcatcher is exactly the home it has been seeking. 

An author's note helps readers understand the cultural value of the dreamcatcher. August Swinson's artwork is full of motion and meaning as the feather floats from place to place. This book provides a lasting memory for finding a home that is just right. 

Hazel The Handful, written by Jamie Michalak and illustrated by Matt Myers. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2025. $23.99 ages 4 and up

"Now Bea takes pictures of me and 
the baby. They are not sensational. 

At bedtime, I curl up by Bea's side. 

"Good night, Hazel." she whispers. 
Does Bea still love me?"

It's not easy for everyone in the household to adjust to the arrival of a new member. In this case, it is Hazel, a tiny dog whose run of the house is evident as she takes readers on a grand tour. As she points out her many comforts, the back drop shows what is happening with her owners while our visit takes place: a very pregnant woman is painting walls blue, a man struggles to assemble a crib, a baby buggy is described as 'my ride', and a toy box is full to the brim. 

The after-school arrival of Hazel's 'girl' Bea is a source of great excitement. Mom is quick to describe Bea as a 'handful'; Bea is not the only one! Hazel goes on to describe a pretty terrific day spent with Bea and family. The two are inseparable. By 8:30 p.m. they are both tucked in bed and ready to enjoy a refreshing sleep. Lately, things have changed. A new baby puts a wrench in the relationships Hazel has enjoyed with every member of the family. There are now unfamiliar noises, abominable smells, and constant attention given to that baby. In the house and on walks outside, Hazel takes a back seat when it comes to most every single thing that happens. T

The baby is soon part of everything they do. Trouble follows. While trying to insert herself as a member of the family during a photoshoot, Hazel creates chaos. Feeling guilty, she hides herself under her blanket in the baby's room. It isn't long until she hears the worry in Bea's voice when she cannot be found. Realizing that she is loved and missed, Hazel reappears to great joy. Even the baby begins to take note of her presence. Maybe, there is a solution to acceptance of this new reality. Hazel is willing to try. 

A fun story that is likely familiar to many readers. Change can be challenging. Working through the feelings takes time. Matt Myers' watercolor and ink illustrations add a further dimension by providing the 'rest of the story' in colorful backdrops to the text. His use of white space and always-changing perspectives create emotional impact for all family members and let readers in on the full story. It's a fine read aloud and is a perfect gift for any family in the midst of such change.                                                                          

Sparrow, written by Mary Tebo and illustrated by E. B. Lewis. Astra Young Readers, Penguin Random House. 2015. $24.99 ages 5 and up

 

"Her belly full, 
Sparrow flies to the high perch
so she can see far and wide. 
She needs something else. 
She doesn't know what it is, 
but she knows that it is something special."

Sparrow lives in a dusty crack in a stone wall where every morning at dawn she hears singing and bells ringing. Today, something tells her that change is coming and she must prepare for it. Not knowing what is about to happen, while knowing that she needs something, she flies out to familiar territory. She flies past the bakery and the food stand where she finds the sustenance she needs. With food in her belly, she lands on a high perch where she can see the city below her. 

She still needs something special; she does not yet know just what it is. She notices many things but none of them strike a chord with her. Only when she returns to her crack in the wall does she notice 'something small and fluttery, and bright'. Suddenly, she knows exactly what is needed. She takes those tiny things and places them tightly into her nest, softening it for the chaange. When the nest is ready, so is Sparrow. Just in time, she lays her first egg. Now, she can rest, relax and protect. Though she knows little about it, she does know it offers what she so badly needs ... hope. 

Don't we all? 

In an author's note Ms. Tebo explains the storied history of the Western Wall and its meaning for many. Visitors from all parts of the world leave wishes and prayers in its cracks. The prayers left there are written in hopes for a better world for all. In Latin spero means "I hope". In a further note, she adds a family story of a visit to Jerusalem and what the family found there. 

E. B. Lewis's familiar watercolor artwork is fabulous and brings the city to life for young readers.