Cute Animals That Could Kill You Dead, written by Brooke Hartman and illustrated by Maria Garcia. sourcebooks, Raincoast. 2025. $22.99 ages 8 and up

"When hedgehogs are threatened, they curl 
up in a tight, prickly ball with as many as 
SIX THOUSAND QUILLS.  That's a lot of 
pokes! Hedgehogs will sometimes add extra
protection by munching on toxic plants, then 
licking that toxin onto their spines to add 
even more ouch to any possible predators."

Again, you will know the kids who are going to devour the facts presented in this book about the cutest animals ... and some of the most dangerous. Their adaptations have allowed them to keep themselves safe from predators. Their cartoon-like images capture attention right from the start. Open the book to the front endpapers and have a look at the adorable, friendly faces of the creatures soon to be introduced. If you dare, you can check out the back endpapers ...  or wait until you have read all about them. 

You are warned off on the opening page. 

"So lace up your running-away shoes and prepare to turn your squee 
into screams as we reveal the lethal-yet-lovable side of cute creatures
that could kill you dead (or at least knock your socks off)!"

The design for the rest of the book is consistent. The critter is introduced on the first page, along with an information box that presents the scientific name, size, habitat, favorite food, and its conservation status. It also provides a level for aww-dorable and aaah!-some in a range from 1-10. The second page allows readers to learn more about the ways in which it protects itself, and its own unique strengths. 

Seventeen animals are included; some will be familiar, while others may not be. The text is accessible for upper elementary and middle grade students, who will find punny humor in the descriptions and new learning along the way. I was surprised at what I was learning as I read. These animals may project cuteness, but they are also a danger to others.They can be very vicious as they go about the business of their days in the wild. 

We are not talking about lions, tigers, and rhinos here. Some display such appeal, it's hard to imagine what some of them can do. Most pose no danger to humans, unless provoked. They do have an instinct for lethal behavior when required. The details are fascinating and will entertain, while offering readers a chance at learning something new they can bring to dinner table conversation when warranted. 

This is for my granddaughters who have a fascination with the fennec fox: 

"Fennec foxes can jump TWO FEET (0.6 meters) high from a 
standing position and leap a distance of FOUR FEET (1.2 meters).
That's a lot of pounce per ounce!" 

Jellyfish Scientist: Maude Delap and Her Mesmerizing Medusas. Written by Michelle Cusolito and illustrated by Ellen Rooney. Charlesbridge, Penguin Random House. 2025. $22.99 ages 8 and up

 

"June 27, 1899
        Day 7 

Most people wouldn't enjoy staring at a jar of 
tiny larvae, but Maude studies them every day.
Some have attached to the jar! Will they become 
adults?

The year is 1899. The place is Ireland's rugged coast. Maude Delap is out for a row, collecting scientific specimens. Without any training in science (at the time she was expected to spend her life as a wife and mother), she has learned enough to be an expert about the marine life of the North Atlantic Ocean where she lives. 

On this particular day, Maude captures a compass jellyfish. Little is known about them, and no one has ever kept one alive through its entire life cycle. Maude wants to change that. Her lab (the Department) has a distinct marine odor. There, she conducts her work when she has nothing else of importance to be doing for her family. 

It is great good luck that Maude discovers tiny specks in the water. Larvae, called planulae, hold Maude's attention day after day. As she carefully watches, they become polyps while Maude sketches their changes. Through it all, she collects fresh seawater to keep their environment viable for growth and development. It is hard work. She learns about their preferred diet, and continues to keep them alive by rowing through the blustery winter and in freezing water. 

Nearly nine months later, they begin to change shape again. 

"She watches as one polyp shivers and wiggles. 
Its tentacles shrink and the tube turns pink. Five 
rings form like belts cinched too tight around the 
animal's body. The rings separate into a stack of 
lacy-looking layers."

They pump and pop! until a tiny jellyfish releases itself from the stack and pushes off. It happens again and again. Will Maude be able to keep them alive? Watching the biggest ephyra (adult jellyfish) eat all the smaller ones, Maude is astonished to be left with only one after all the work. After starting her diary and sketches on June 22, 1899 and watching the jellyfish grow from planulae to medusa, she continues to change the water daily and collect the kinds of jellyfish the medusa will eat. 

On July 8, 1900, the medusa has reached its full adult form; Maude is the first scientist to raise a jellyfish in captivity. She is not done yet. Next up - a blue jellyfish. The work begins once more. 

Back matter includes further facts about jellyfish, a short report on Maude's life and work, notes from both author and illustrator, a list of places for further learning and acknowledgements of those who helped with the research. 

The KIte Collector, written and illustrated by Zoey Abbott. Kids Can Press, 2025. $23.99 ages 4 and up

"So, as soon as he had earned enough money
from walking dogs, watering plants and sweeping 
porches, he marched off to the shops and found a 
jaunty pirate's kite. 

He ran home and gave it to his sister."

James is a very busy young man. He earns money by doing jobs that others need doing. He does it all to use the money to add to his kite collection. Those kites are very personal to James. Every new kite he buys becomes the latest addition to a very personal and magnificent group he hangs carefully in his closet. With each job he does he is able to go the shops and choose a new kite. In his closet, they are beautiful, tidy, safe, just right. 

James has a baby sister GG, who is learning to walk and to get into mischief. A tentacle of the purple octopus kite that James so loves is very intriguing to GG. She likes the way it moves, and wants to hold it. James lets anger get the best of him, and yells at her for touching it. It makes GG sad to hear those words aimed at her. 

Feeling terrible for hurting his baby sister's feelings, James offers a new kite as an apology. GG loves her pirate kite. She invites it for tea, keeps it close at all times. Once older, she wants to fly it. James is aghast. He warns her that it might get tangled or torn. Poor GG. It's happening all over again - James is angry with her. 

It takes time and careful thought for James to reconsider his loud warnings. In the morning, he explains what might happen to GG's kite. It does not change her mind. James shows her how to hold the kite and make it fly. He can not watch. Hearing the sound of the kite in the wind forces him to open his eyes and watch as the kite flies free. Unfortunately, it does not come away from its first flight unscathed.  The next time James earns enough money to go to the shops, he has a new use for the money. He buys, tape, glue and string. You will know why. 

Zoey Abbott tells her story with emotion, using multimedia illustrations to keep her audience tuned in on the relationship between a brother and sister as they manage to find a compromise.                                            

Umami, written and illustrated by Jacob Grant. Viking, Penguin Random House. 2025. $24.99 ages 4 and up

 

"There were so many new things to eat
and not a cold fish in sight.

Umami would eat it all. 
"Get ready, belly. We have work to do."

The work was good. 

Umami ate salty foods full of flavor. Each bite made her
mouth water and made her thirsty for water all at once."

If you have young children whose diet is limited by what they are willing to try, you will empathize with Umami. Along with the rest of her penguin village, all she ever eats are cold fish. She is tired of it; even her birthday cake is a cold fish with a celebratory candle stuck in it. Umami is ready for adventure - and new food. 

The first few days at sea are rough. When her nose finally senses new and delightful smells, Umami disembarks and sets out to find something new. She tries salty, sour, bitter, sweet and finally her namesake foods. 

"Umami foods were meaty and savory
and also too easy to gobble up.

But spicy foods had more than taste. 
Spice had punch. Spice had power.

Spice was adventure."

Exhilarated by her travels and eager to share the new tastes she loves, she heads home. Unsure about how she will be received, she pushes on and provides a feast for all. No cold fish anywhere. The other penguins are doubtful. Hunger provides the motivation to give the new foods a try. Umami can barely contain her worry and curiosity; everyone is so quiet. They eat every bite with gusto and praise for Umami's provisions. They all want MORE. Unfortunately, every scrap of food Umami has brought back with her  is gone. 

Hopefully her adventure has provided inspiration for what is to come next. What might you do with cold fish? Engaging oil pastel monoprint and colored pencil images hold attention and fill Umami with a sense of adventure as she explores new tastes and then returns to her village to share what she has learned. 

I wonder if any of the foods prepared by Umami will hold interest for your picky eater. 

Papilio, by Ben Clanton, Corey R. Tabor and Andy Chou Musser. Viking, Penguin Random House. 2025. $26.99 ages 3 and up

"She bursts out of her egg. 
Hello, world! thinks Papilio. 
Her tummy replies ... 

gurgle!"

"Tucked inside her cozy chrysalis, 
Papilio dissolves and turns into goo. 
Growing up sure is weird sometimes,
thinks Papilio." 

"I thought being a butterfly 
would be easy. 

But my wings feel big and 
strange." 

Three very creative friends collaborate to bring the story of the black swallowtail butterfly's life cycle to young readers. Each of the stages is presented by a different artist, starting with Ben Clanton. His part begins with the egg that is Papilio, and her transformation to caterpillar. As she chews through the leaf she has been clinging to, she suddenly finds herself dropping onto the ground below. It is not an easy descent and results in her rumbling tummy being interested in a brilliant red fruit she cannot reach. A wee mouse comes to her rescue, allowing a taste of that strawberry. 

With her belly full, she morphs into a chrysalis - and Corey R. Tabor takes the reins of the story. Warm and cozy, and attached to a tree branch, she becomes 'caterpillar soup', a second stage in the butterfly's growth cycle. A curious bird decides to make her its next meal. Inside the comfort of her chrysalis, she can hear birds' noise and is sent flying through the air. That mouse is back to save her once again, tying her to a branch so she can continue to wait and make the change needed. 

Patience helps; she finally emerges to the deft touch of Andy Chou Musser, the artist is charge of her transition to adult butterfly. What wonder awaits as her wings dry.  Assorted winged creatures aren't much help in explaining what is happening. There are dangers to avoid; her confidence takes a hit. When she is ready to fly, she cannot find any food. Guess who's back with the perfect solution? What a lovely friend! 

Each section exhibits a very personal touch while also keeping to the cohesiveness required to tell only one part of a life cycle. Their stories flow seamlessly from one section to the next. Their target audience will delight in the storytelling and learn cool scientific facts in the most charming way. In closing, 'a flutter of facts' is provided, as well as an author's note concerning the origin of the book. Then, each phase is described in personal notes from its creator. There is a final note about the collaboration itself and how it brought their initial idea to book form.  

Don't miss the butterfly's thank you to its dear mouse friend!

                                                                                         

Ruthie Rose's BIG IDEA, words by John Schu and illustrations by Holly Hatam. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2025. $23.99 ages 4 and up

 

"An idea she cannot wait to share with ... 

Ms. Alexandria, 
           a book-talking, 
                   idea-loving librarian. 

Together, they'll find the perfect space to put
Ruthie Rose's idea in place." 

Ruthie Rose begins her day with an idea in her head she can barely wait to share. She knows the people at school she needs to see as soon as she gets there. The librarian is first, and agrees to find the perfect place for Ruthie Rose's fascinating idea. Next, she talks with the art teacher, who supplies 'paper, paints, and plenty of pizzazz' for making that space inviting and exciting for all. Her own teacher loves ideas, and she helps Ruthie Rose list all the materials needed in the new space to make sure the idea thrives. Finally, it's up to her friends who love poetry and reading as much as she does to gather students throughout the school to visit The Poetry Place. They will soon learn it is a destination for POETS, POETRY, and POSSIBILITIES! What more can one small girl ask? 

Digital images burst with bold color and movement as the idea fires up great excitement. Filled with lines from poems, it follows Ruthie Rose from the onset of the project to the culmination. Wherever she goes, it sparks interest and community. A final scene from the Poetry Place shows readers and writers busy and productive, with bookshelves lining the walls, tables, chairs and comfy spots for working, and a Poetree for displaying student work. What fun! 
                                                                                     

YOU ARE HOME, written by Bex Tobin Fine and illustrated by Andres Landazabal. Chronicle, Raincoast. 2025. $23.99 ages 4 and up

 

"And, as you open a book, 
chairs pulled up together, 
flipping pages in perfect harmony - 
first their turn, then yours - home 
seems closer with every word you read."

As the book opens, a family that includes a child and a grandmother share space in an inviting house. The page turns; that house goes up in smoke and the family is displaced. The second child lives in a camper home on a green space that allows for picnic dinners, birdwatching, and brilliant nighttime skies. The third child is helping his mother unpack boxes from a truck bed, while checking out the apartment that will be their new home. Uncertainty about the new space is top of mind for both. 

All three meet at school. They find a new kind of home with found friends and shared activities. No matter the past, the present, or future - all can be shared when you know what others call home. With time spent together learning about each other, a new kind of peace is created. This one is filled with adventure, excitement, new experiences, and most of all, kindness and connection. It lives wherever you are, built on memories of where you are now. 

"Home is ... a memory. 
Home is ... a dream. 

Home is right here, right now."

Settings captured in watercolor and gouache are filled with details that offer opportunity for careful observation and discussion. Peaceful and engaging, it makes for a lovely read aloud.