The Wildest Thing, written and illustrated by Emily Winfield Martin. Randon House, Penguin Random House. 22026. $26.99 ages 4 and up

 

"But she wanted to be noisy! 
She wanted to be free. 
She wanted to be wilder
than she was supposed to be.

So she 
fluttered ... 

... and she ran
and made her own kind of tracks.

Readers are immediately informed that Eleanor loves wild things. In fact, she surrounds herself with them. Inside, Eleanor believes she is one of them. The wildness is just waiting to come out. After being called inside one night at bedtime, she dreamed of 'things with fur and fin'. That dream was all she needed to release the Wild. 

Her bedroom and other rooms in the house welcomed rabbits, squirrels, green plants, and a bit of chaos. She had her breakfast on a brown bear sofa, and quietly made her house a wild place for a new day. She lived in joy in the wild running, and leaving drawings wherever she went. She hid from others and howled with a wolf. 

When she had a snack, she shared with the wild animals that gravitated toward her table and chose to be in her space. She did all of the things she had always wanted to do, rather than being composed and quiet. She came right 'out of her shell'. She gloried in the activities ... until she fell. Only then did everything grow quiet once more. After such a glorious day all she wanted was a bath and bed. 

"Then in the place between awake 
and dreams not yet begun, 
she heard a voice that loved her say, 
"Good night, my wild one.""

Every detail on the book's spreads celebrates the wildness that Eleanor covets. Her world brims with verdant green and constant motion. After the beauty and spirit of a day spent in wildness, she is content to return to the safety of love and a good night's rest; ever-changed and full of confidence.
                                                                                      

Navigating Night, written by Julie Leung and illustrated by Angie Kang. anne schwartz books, Penguin Random House. 2026. $24.99 ages 7 and up

 

"A girl appears next to the man. 
She looks about my age. 
Her eyes are full of questions. 

I put the soda on the ground. 
When she gives me a little wave,
I look away. 
I wish the night would hide my face."

A young girl and her Baba are tasked with delivering takeout food from their Chinese restaurant to customers who have placed orders with them. It is a dark and rainy night. She is hungry, but the deliveries are most important. Her father drives, she navigates with a map and a notebook containing their destinations. She is ever helpful; with each delivery, the child helps her father with translation. Praise for being a good kid does not make her feel better. She would rather just be normal. 

While they go from house to house, she is aware that other families are home and together. She tells Baba that she does not want to go on deliveries anymore. Her baba asks for the next stop. The darkness outside and inside the car, inspires Baba to tell a story from his childhood when neighbors turned on one another and forced his family to flee to a safer and better life.

Although Baba was the youngest in his family, he knew that he could adapt and find his way in a new home. As they travel from house to house, he continues to share his memories. A delivery to a new customer has them lost, driving back and forth while worrying that the food is getting cold. They finally see an angry woman standing beside a mailbox that cannot be read. No wonder they had difficulty finding it.  

Baba continues to share his memories about the early days in a new home, and the difficulties he faced when he didn't understand the language.

"Before I had you,
I would get so lost, he says."

As the rain outside the van windows subsides and the moon rises into a less cloudy sky, the two finish their deliveries. The child guides them back to the restaurant where the family waits to share dinner together.

This moving family story is brilliantly told; the artwork, created using gouache, crayon, colored pencil, and pastel, offers a perfect backdrop for the emotions, memories, and shared deliveries the two make throughout the evening. Poignant and telling notes from both author and illustrator about its origins are much appreciated.  
                                                                                 

The Bear Fairy, written by Paul Coccia and illustrated by Fred Blunt. tundra, Penguin Random House. 2026 #24.99 ages 4 and up

 

"The next day, Spencer and the Bear Fairy
got ready to go back to the park. 

Can you go a bit faster? Mariah will have 
gone home by the time we get there."

What do you imagine a fairy looks like? If you have read about such magical beings, you are likely to have an idea about what to expect should your attempt to catch one works. That is certainly what Spencer is hoping when he sets out to trap a fairy in his backyard. 

Spencer's friend Mariah is quite sure his plan will not work; she thinks fairies are meant for 'beautiful little girls like me'. Spencer is unconvinced and continues with his quest. As she wanders off, Mariah leaves a potato chip bag on the lawn. While waiting for his catch, Spencer takes time for a short snooze. Imagine his surprise when he wakes to find the leftover chips sparkling with fairy dust. And a bear fairy to boot who loves potato chips! Appetite sated for the moment the fairy soon departs. Spencer chases the fairy down, wanting to show Mariah. The fairy agrees to hang at the park with Spencer, despite the lack of potato chips. They also spend time at Spencer's home where the fairy finds a secret stash. A bear fairy is not the best kind of guest to have: always hungry for chips, messy, snores, and sleeptalks. 

The challenge to prove Mariah wrong is met with pushback. Mariah names everything that fairies are that the bear fairy is not. Spencer cannot hold back his temper, and lets his friend know just how he feels about his bear fairy. To Spencer, this fairy is perfect.  Off they go with chips and ice cream in hand to spend happy times together. The final spread shows Mariah setting a fairy trap of her own, using a bag of chips as bair. 

There is a lot to like for young readers here: wordplay, cartoon-like art, expressive characters, lots of movement, and the argument about how real fairies should look. It's a funny book to read aloud, with a side of chips.                                                                                     

A Salmon Story: Protecting the Future, written by Willie Poll and illustrated by Chantelle Trainor-Matties. Owlkids, 2026. $22.95 ages 5 and up

"Their world gets bigger, and so do they ... 

The salmon are now called smelts. They've grown 
a lot but are still young and haven't reached full 
strength. At this point, they emerge into an estuary, 
a body of water where the stream's fresh water mixes
with the ocean's salt water."

Narration for this life cycle story, that also touches on the threats that salmon face as they make their way from hatching to final spawning, is clear and rhythmically shared in the voice of one salmon. It is third generation, and explains its purpose in this world and how when its life ends, it will watch from the spirit world the life cycle continue for thousands of years forward. 

Poetic text offers the tale of a salmon hatching beneath a waterfall, strong and ready to make its way in life. Newborns sustain themselves by consuming their nourishing yolk sac before heading out into the river. From alevin (newborns) to fry, they make their way toward the sea looking for food to sustain them. On this first part of the journey they smolt, and their scales turn to silver as they move from freshwater toward the sea's saltwater environment. 

At the same time, they become prey for animals like seals and eagles. In this estuary, they feed in preparation for a long journey. They also come upon large nets with trapped fish inside them. A fish farm is something new to the salmon, and they are not prepared for anything that blocks their travel.

"Human activity has changed salmon habitats and interfered 
with their long-established routes. One of the most harmful of these
activities is open-net pen fish farms - enclosures in the water where 
fish are kept and eventually sold to markets and restaurants."

Even if the salmon are not trapped there, they are exposed to the sea lice and viruses that are abundant near these fish farms. Healthy fish become sick; the salmon population lessens; orcas and bears that depend on salmon can no longer rely on the abundant food they once provided. Salmon carcasses, which once enriched the soil, have also diminished. 

Willie Poll, a Metis author and educator, has written an effective and informative book. Her poetic text is accompanied on each spread by further text in a smaller font that adds context and worthwhile facts. It is a call to readers and listeners to consider the threats faced by a keystone species and how it impacts nature and humans. Ms. Trainor-Matties accompanies the text with Northwest Coastal designs that show the salmon and wildlife found there. 

In final pages, there is a note from knowledgekeeper Lakal't (Tanina Williams) who speaks to the need to care for the salmon for future generations. Alongside her note is a list of words from her Lil'wat nation, words that she and members of her nation want to preserve and increase. Finally, a glossary offers an explanation for words used in the book's text.  

Love Finds a Way, written and illustrated by Vern Kousky. Roaring Brook Press, Macmillan. Raincoast, 2025. $25.99 ages 4 and up

"So after the first day, 
Oscar rewarded him 
with a friendly scratch. 

After the second day ... 
he gave Brutus a tasty treat. 

Then, after the third day ... 
Oscar played a fun game of catch with Brutus ... 

who wished it would never end."

Readers learn quickly that Oscar, a bespectacled yellow bird, is afraid of love and wants no part of it. He thinks he can feel it in the forest, but is determined to do whatever he can to keep it at bay. After many attempts at avoidance, Oscar decides that his only real protection will come from 'a ferocious guard dog'. Kids will chuckle at the dog's small size, and the lessons Oscar needs to teach Brutus. 

As Brutus learns the ropes, Oscar is quick to respond with special attention and pride in the work the dog is doing. The always attentive and caring squirrels are gone, leaving Oscar and Brutus to enjoy time together. Oscar finally feels safe from the worry of love finding him. All is just as Oscar wants it ... until the day Brutus does not return home. Oscar searches everywhere. There is no one to protect Oscar from love! 

Leave it to the ever-attentive squirrels to offer advice about Brutus, and new learning for Oscar about the real power of love. 

The Rare Bird, written and illustrated by Elisha Cooper. Roaring Brook Press, Macmillan. Raincoast, 2026. $25.99 ages 3 and up

"When the day opened up and he was left 
on his own, the Rare Bird explored the corners
of his forest home. 

He caught a worm,

                               and another. 

He found bugs and hid them 
among the flowers for later. 

Flitted here

               flitted there."

Have you ever considered what cats might imagine when left to their own devices? I have not; luckily for those who see and share this book, Elisha Cooper has done exactly that. In fact, his cat shows a decided interest in a book about marine life on the title page! That is not the only reading matter to spark interest. Birds and trees also capture attention. 

A decision is made. A flight through the forest and over the trees is front of mind. In the reality of this cat's existence, readers can see that his experience in the forest is matched by quite normal household actions: swinging on the draperies, checking out slippers, rolling in a blanket, splashing in the shower, and using the toilet for a bath and a drink. Flying across that whole world brings great joy. 

A rock the cat lands on is the dog, the song sung has everyone paying attention, food is eaten, a quick bath is taken in a basin, and a nest made in a cardboard box. All that hard work leads to the need for a rest. The cat considers previous stories heard in thinking about the world outside, and settles by the window to sleep and dream. What wonder in a dream of being a small white bird that follows two bluebirds as they settle in a nest together. Upon waking, the cat stretches its wings and continues with the day. In the evening, the cat settles in with a reader and the dog to hear amazing tales of other animals of the world. 

"And he became an elephant. 

A small and sleepy elephant, lying on top of a patient hippopotamus.
As they lay there together, the Extraordinary Elephant closed his eyes
and listened, dreaming about his wild home, 

which he could explore tomorrow."

I share a love for dual narratives with young children, who hear the story being told while it shows a totally different story in signature watercolor images from the very talented Mr. Cooper. The book begs for careful consideration of every image and spread, and will be requested for reading multiple times. Well deserved, to be sure.                                                                                              

                                                                                    

The Story Hunter, written and illustrated by Barbara Reid. North Winds Press, Scholastic Canada. 2026. $22.99 ages 3 and up

"There is an opening. A mouth. 
What can we find in the dark? 

Grandmother shares her light.
My lamp shivers. 

We are swallowed!"

I have missed seeing Barbara Reid's wonderful work. So, I was thrilled to receive this new book in the mail last week. Not only because of the incredible illustrations; it is a story for the hearts of anyone who loves to tell stories or read them to children. 

The inspiration for the telling is a visit that Barbara made to see the cave art in the Vezere Valley in France. She lets readers know what a thrill it was to view the art in person. Seeing those ancient drawings, including a child's handprint, allowed to her think about the art that the children of today make at school and at home. It reminded her that they are not that different than those who came before them. It led her to imagine her own cave and use it to shape this family story of hunters and gatherers. 

It is a story from long ago, and is narrated by a young child whose community follows the animals that provide what they need for a good life. They stop when the animals stop. Working together, they do what it takes to set up camp and make a meal for all. As they pack up to move on, they follow Grandmother. She knows where to find the stories they seek. As they move into a deep cave, they carry fire to light the darkness of the interior. Finding the images they seek is reason for celebration. 

"Grandmother stops. "Look."

ANIMALS! Deer, Bison, horses!

They turn; they look. The animals play in our light."

The visitors examine the stories drawn on the cave walls. The child feels a special affinity to a shy mammoth. Together, they all make their marks on the walls, then sing and dance the stories they want to tell. Mammoth joins in. They exit the cave. 

"I am a story hunter. I carry stories."

Barbara Reid's art makes it clear that the world itself is more important that those who inhabit it. The natural world is wide blue skies, vast horizons and starry nights, while the intimacy and darkness of the cave sparks visitors to find inspiration in the stories already there and to leave their own mark for those who come after them.                                                                                              

Angelica and the Bear Prince, written and illustrated by Trung Le Nguyen. RH Graphic, Penguin Random House. 2025. $24.50 ages 12 and up

 

"Well, you look nice. 
Doing anything special?

No! Not at all. 
Just taking a day to myself, 
gonna explore the festival.

Cool! I'll come with you.

No, I wanna walk around 
by myself, take some alone time. 
Maybe later. 

Oh. Well, I'll be around if 
you need me. Have fun. 

Wait, you seem a little 
bummed. What's wrong?"

Angelica (whose nickname is Jelly) is beyond enthusiastic to begin an internship at her local Log House Theater. She saw her first production of the Bear Prince at a young age, and looks forward to playing a role in what happens in the new one. She is particularly interested in the masked actor who plays the Bear Prince. The two begin, via DM, communicating with each other and their relationship grows. 

Mr. Nguyen is adept at managing the present time with flashbacks to a time in Jelly's early childhood when she first saw the Bear Prince story. Her family is dealing with persistent grief at the loss of Jelly's beloved grandmother; this grief has an impact on Jelly and the story being told. Jelly wants to prove that she is capable of everything expected of her, while also managing the new relationship with a growing interest in someone she doesn't really know. 

Each scene is created to expand on the characters the author introduces to his readers. They are all unique and likable as they deal with the reality of their circumstances. From an initial note of thanks to Per, the conversations become more open and sensitive to the feelings of the other. The emotions are realistically presented and their mutual respect allows for a healthy back-and-forth. Energetic artwork conveys the tone of the full story while providing many expressive and lovely details to make the storytelling even better. The frames used to show flashbacks, memories and past experiences allow readers the connections they need for the storytelling. 

This is a terrific heartfelt tale with memorable characters that gives a nod to the folktale tradition, and explores meaningful issues of community, grief, family, and friendship. I'm saving it for Sicily to read when she is here this summer. 

More Than A Million, written and illustrated by Grace Farris. Bloomsbury Children"s Books, Raincoast. 2026. $24.99 ages 3 and up

"Love you more than a million 
blueberries on the floor

Love you more than just one more
goodbye at the school door

Love you more than 365 lunch box notes

Love you more than a truly astounding 
number of fevers and sore throats"

I have long forgotten how many times I heard 'MOM' when the kids were young. My daughter lives in the midst of it whenever their kids are home from school or bike rides or being with friends. Anyone with kids at home will know what I mean.

Front matter begins with a worry from a pajamaed child while mom is trying to sleep: 'Mommm. I had a bad dream. I dreamed you didn't love me.' Oh, dear. That statement provides the impetus for every page that follows. Each one offers one more way that parents love their children. Each shared assurance begins with the words ... Love you more than ... 

In rhyming couplets, the child is reminded of the many ways that parents prove their love. There are no conditions that will change that. The experiences are those often shared in families: writing on the wall, illness, spills, art accidents, lost clothing, loud noises, constant questions. Who hasn't been there? Parents will understand the frustrations, while children may not even acknowledge the problem. They only want to remember how much they are loved. 

Illustrations are created digitally, filled with variety in the adults involved, and add context and interest for young readers. Funny at times, and mostly heartwarming, this is a book that will be read again and again. 

Into the Wilderness, written by Haven Iverson and illustrated by August Zhang. Roaring Brook Press, Macmillan. Raincoast, 2026. $25.99 ages 4 and up

"With my finger, I trace where we've come from 
and where we want to go. 

I study the land: long valleys
and the peaks of the Rockies like jagged teeth. 

I take a deep breath and focus,  
turning the map so that it lines up with what I see ...

Eventually, I find the way." 

With parents following behind, our young narrator leads the way to a large alpine lake they love. In earlier pages, readers learn that the three have been making yearly trips into the wilderness together, sharing the mountains, forests, ridges and rivers that are there for them to enjoy. Their story starts when the child is much smaller and in Mom's backpack. Leaving the car in a parking lot each year, they spend their days carrying the wonder of the wilderness with them. Each year the child takes more responsibility for carrying what is needed.

Once they arrive at the lake, they pitch their tent. The parents settle in for a nap while the child enjoys time spent on a nearby rock, thinking about never feeling alone there. There is so much to see, to hear, to smell, and to admire about being right where they are. 

"In the wilderness, I feel a part of it all. 
I can leave my feelings of lonely behind." 

Once home, the memories of the journey sustain until the three return the following year. The beauty in the world is a truly amazing thing, and to be celebrated. Descriptive language at the wonder of the environment, and extraordinary digtal illustrations complement each other at every turn of the page. If this book doesn't make you ache to get out there and enjoy nature, I will be surprised. Hopefully, it won't be long. Get that backpack ready! 

Back matter is useful and explanatory, including facts, history, ideas for protecting the wilderness and ways to be a good steward while there.                                                                                   

The Old Sleigh, by Jarrett and Jerome Pumphrey. Norton Young Readers. Penguin Random House, 2025. $24.99 ages 3 and up

 

"Through sleet. 
Through wind. 
Through darkest night. 

The old sleigh gave warmth. 
The old sleigh gave light." 

In this good-natured and very gentle book by the Pumphrey brothers, readers are fully engaged in a tale of character, community, and kindness. Whenever snow falls, and every year for a long time, a boy and his father go about the business of using their horse and sleigh to deliver firewood to their neighbors. At the onset, the village is small, the sleigh is old but worthy and gives all that it can to the job. No matter the weather or time of day, the two are out and about making sure that their neighbors are warm and have firelight through the darkest nights. It benefits everyone. 

The town gets bigger, their work continues ... until one day. The loads have become heavier, and the sleigh breaks down. Something must be done. In a series of wordless pages, readers are aware of the work being done by both father and son to assure future deliveries. A new sled, pulled by the boy, takes the place of the old to deliver its precious packages to those who need and appreciate it.  It also provides entertainment for the boy and his friends. 

When the old sleigh is refashioned to give its all again, the boy is old enough to do the driving to the houses in the now small city, for community members old and new. The sleigh keeps to its hard work as both characters and community grow and change, yet also remain the same.  

Few words are needed, and the artwork is a signature of this very talented pair of artists. Repetition in text is brilliant and happens in just the right places. Perfect for sharing at bedtime on still long winter nights, its cozy warmth will be much appreciated.                                                                                      

Taking Turns with Turtles: A Rescue Story, written by Shari Becker and illustrated by Brittany Lane. Groundwood, 2026. $21.99 ages 3 and up

 

"Turtle waste and hatched eggshells help
nourish new beach plants as they grow. 

Turtles have been caring for the earth's dunes
for millions of years. 
Now it is my turn to care for the turtles."

Written in first-person narrative, the text in this pleasing and encouraging book about rescue missions looks to those who make a difference in caring for the turtles that have given so much to help the environment through millions of years. 

The first narrator is a child who wakes on a cold and wintry morning to join her parents in a search for cold-stunned turtles that have washed up on the sand and cannot move. They provide cover to try to warm it up and go on to look for more. As they go, the child thinks about how turtles have always worked to keep the oceans clean and available for other animals to call home. Now, she is caring for those turtles. 

The story moves on the person who transports the lost turtle to a warm place where it can rest, be measured and then taken to a vet clinic where it will get the care it needs. The vet does all needed to bring the turtle back to health and also speaks to visitors about the importance of turtles in the world's ecosystems. Moving on to rehab, the turtle is provided with sustenance before releasing it back to the ocean. A volunteer pilot is next in the circle of caregivers. He fills his climate-controlled plane with boxed turtles and flies them to warmer waters where volunteers are ready to accomplish the final leg of their journey. 

"The waves tickle my feet and hug my ankles. 
When the water finally kisses my knees, 
Mom places the turtle in the water. 

She lets go."

Watercolor artwork by Brittany Lane is beautiful and provides a perfect setting for each stage of this rescue mission. Each new narration begins with 'one morning when', and every one of the helpers recognizes that, after all that turtles have done to help the environment, 'now it is my turn' to help the turtles.  

Back matter offers an author's note, facts about sea turtles, a migration map, and the role readers can play in helping should they encounter a cold-stunned turtle. A final page provides rescue statistics, resources, and a list for further reading. 

North for the Winter, written and illustrated by Bobby Podesta. First Second, Roaring Brook Press, Macmillan. Raincoast, 2025. $31.99 ages 8 and up

"Come on. We can ask the person who lives 
there if they've seen anything strange in the 
woods. 

Like a flying reindeer? 

I was thinking we could start with something
a bit more vague.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK"

You may want to wait until the fall to purchase this Christmas adventure. Certainly, fans of middle grade graphic novels with be interested in reading about a young girl who is traveling with her father to a new home in Colorado. When her father is distracted by a flat tire and needs to change it, Virginia wanders into the nearby woods where she sees a reindeer and then watches it fly away, leaving behind a luminous compass. 

Their move is precipitated by the death of her mother. The two going to live with Aunt Frances in hopes that it will the change they need. Virginia soon meets Benny who lives in the same apartment building and they spend time together. While they are together, Virginia shares what she saw in the woods with him, knowing he will keep her secret. As she might have hoped, Benny is quick to agree that they 'are in this together'. They will search for the reindeer. 

Theirs is an adventure with magical moments that have many twists and turns, as the two find the reindeer, learn that is lost, and meet up with some helpful mall elves, members of the Continental Air Defense Center that tracks suspicious flying objects, and a hunter who is intent on capturing Donner. The two hope that they will find a way to get the reindeer back to Santa in time to help with his deliveries on Christmas Eve, when it's all hands on deck to get the night's work done. 

The story pacing is fast, the artwork is appealing and full of action and expression, and the storyline easy to follow. There is danger and great excitement as the two deal with the difficulties inherent in a search for a magical being. There is comfort found in new friendships, and ultimate triumph in assuring a successful Christmas Eve run for Santa and all of his reindeer.  

You Are the Land, written and illustrated by Steph Littlebird. Nancy Paulsen Books, Penguin Random House. 2026. $24.99 ages 6 and up

"When I could walk, my mom sang to me:

You are the mountains, the hills are your relatives, 
and Earth is our Mother.

My mom is like a valley. Her love protects me
like an evergreen canopy. She teaches me
to be gentle like a warm spring day." 

In a foreword, Steph Littlebird gives readers information about her people and their culture. She explains what it means to be a "place keeper" for the earth. She hopes that her book will encourage all who read it to become more in tune with nature and their role in keeping it safe. 

The narrator is a child who introduces family members, starting with her grandmother and her song concerning Indigenous traditions and connections to nature. She compares her grandmother to a flower. As she grows older, her grandfather compares her to water and teaches her to have courage. Once walking, her mom sings songs about the hills and mountains and about Mother Earth. Her dad compares her to the sky and calls her a shooting star. His warmth encourages her to dream big and shine like the sun. All these lessons allow her to teach her little sister by listening to her questions and loving her fiercely. 

Her first powwow continues the lessons. 

"You are the land, a part of all creation."

This is an affirming story of family connections and shared learning about the natural world. Its poetic tone and detailed artwork are filled with images of nature and Indigenous wisdom. 

A Friend for Lucy, written and illustrated by Jen - Ai Elena Molineaux. Levine Querido, Chronicle. Raincoast, 2025. $26.99 ages 5 and up

 

"Ana was so happy Leah could see her, and 
Leah to meet her, they spent the rest of the 
afternoon playing together in the park. 

And as the day came to an end, the two 
girls sat down to chat."

Ana is worried about her sister, Lucy. It's obvious that Lucy has become reclusive in her old age; she lives a quiet life in her home with no visitors. She spends her days reading, eating banana bread on her own, and watching television without company. Lucy's sadness is very evident. What can Ana do to make a difference? It would certainly be easier if Ana weren't a ghost. 

Ana makes the decision to find a friend for her sister. As she floats above the park searching, she realizes that none of the people she sees there can see her. When she is about to give up, another young girl named Leah speaks to her. They can see each other. They play together in the park for the rest of the day. As the afternoon comes to an end, Ana mentions her sister Lucy who lives in the same apartment block as Leah's family. 

Leah agrees to visit with Lucy the next day, with her mother's permission. Lucy is surprised to have a visitor, but invites Leah into her home for a piece of freshly-baked cake. As Ana quietly watches the two enjoy their tea time, the two spend the afternoon playing cards, doing a puppet show, and building a fort where they can read together. For the final book to share, Leah chooses a family photo album that awaken long forgotten memories to tug at Lucy's heart. Ana no longer fears for her aging sister, knowing Lucy is happy with her memories and her lovely new friend. 

The graphic-novel format for telling this story is very effective. The use of sepia tones, except for Ana's luminous ghostly appearance, give the story a vintage feel. Endpapers at the back of the book are filled with new photographs that give readers a sense of how life has changed for Lucy after meeting with Leah and finding a new lease on life.  A lovely story of family, friendship and community.
                                                                                  

Rock Paper Incisors, written by Amy Timberlake and illustrated by Jon Klassen. Harper, 2025. $19.99 ages 9 and up

 

"Emotions raked through him – startling and sharp,
mixed up, bristling, overwhelming. There was a rush
of caring, only more enfolding, more protective. He
found he couldn’t stand the thought of the rats
 experiencing one more moment of hardship . . . 
 Badger longed for the rats’ joy and laughter,
and for each of them to have good, productive work
every day of their rat lives."

In this third episode from the fairly quirky lives of Skunk and Badger, their world is turned upside down with the arrival of two baby rats. How will they deal with Zephyr and Zeno with no prior knowledge of their needs and wants? There is much to learn about rats if they are to do a commendable job of housing and parenting them through the coming winter. 

It's remarkably easy in the early days, as the tiny rats are malleable to the needs of Skunk and Badger's lifestyle. Badger needs time to work on his first piece for the Rock Hound Weekly, while Skunk needs time to manage all household business. As the rats grow and revert to their true natures, they fill days with constant chaos: ziplines, scavenger hunts that take effort and time to clear up, and even barrel racing. Badger is succumbing to the stress of not getting his work completed when Skunk asks for help from their chicken friends. Badger accidentally goes into hibernation and completely misses his deadline. What will happen next? 

Fans of the first two books will enjoy the new adventures. It would be advisable for new readers to start with the previous titles. The friendship between the two main characters remains at the heart of the stories and makes for memorable storytelling, accompanied by Jon Klassens' witty illustrations. 

When I Redraw the World, words by Audrey Vernick and pictures by Heather Fox. Random House Studio, Penguin Random House. 2026. $24.99 ages 4 and up

 

"Some clouds will be close to the 
ground so you can feel what it's 
like to walk through them.

Fruit will grow at the bottom 
of trees so everyone can reach it."

This is just the kind of book I would love to share in classrooms, and then let listeners help to develop a list of all the things they would like to do to make their world a better place. It also seems a perfect pursuit for each of us right now. 

The child, with crayon in hand, imagines a world where there is no hunger, or homelessness, only safety and love. That's definitely most important to her. Once that is accomplished, she is full of ideas for what else would happen in her redrawn world. Favorite smells and sounds would be available to all by pressing a button; none needed for sights as her redrawing will assure amazement. The memories evoked with be many. 

She moves on to animals, the ocean, and nature, including the seasons. A sudden thought concerns dogs, a particular favorite of hers. All things considered, her world will be a much better place. I agree, and so will young listeners. In the end, her final change will speak to the hearts of readers everywhere.

"(Just one more thing, though: 
When you turn the last page 
of a book you love, a new book
- just as good or better - will 
appear.)

The colorful artwork is busy with fun and inventive details. Kids will want to go back and check them out once the reading is done. The more they look, they more imaginative they will become concerning building their own new worlds. What would your new world look like? 

The Midnight Panther, written and illustrated by Poonam Mistry. Candlewick Studio, Penguin Random House. 2024. $24.99 ages 3 and up

 

"Across the earth
under the trees
lay feathers of all
shapes and sizes. 
Panther placed them
one by one around his head.

"Now I can blaze as bright as the sun, 
just like Lion," he said."

The story itself is not new; Panther is the smallest cat, and quite sure there is nothing special about him at all. He prowls through the rainforest, enjoying the beauty found in its environs. At the end of each day, Panther retreats to the tall trees and reveals that he won't climb too high. He feels alone up there.

He simply needs to look around him at those cats who share his space to see just how unworthy he is of any attention. Tiger brags about the stripes that make him feel bold; Lion admits his mane makes him blaze like the sun; Leopard boasts about his dazzling spots. Panther lacks confidence concerning any of the attributes that make the big cats so exceptional. 

Thinking these thoughts leads him on a mission to be more like them. With each attempt at similarity, Panther falls short. As night falls and Panther prepares to retreat to the trees, he is fascinated by the large and glowing moon in the night sky. As he climbs closer, he forgets his fear and continues reaching even higher. Encouraged by Moon's voice, he gets ever closer.

" ... Moon said, "I see beauty in you, little one. What a 
special gift you have to be the color of the night."

Only at night does the moon shine so brightly and the stars fill the sky with their brilliant light. It is then that Panther realizes his beauty also shines brightest at night. Listeners are sure to find satisfaction in this tale. It is told with drama, while also feeling soothing in the telling. I cannot begin to describe the inspiration readers and potential artists will feel when they allow themselves to pore over the incredibly intricate and colorful illustrations. They are filled with natural surroundings and ensure panther's darkness is evident throughout the day.                                                                                      

Bored, written and illustrated by Felicita Sala. Neal Porter Books, Holiday House. Penguin Random House, 2026.$24.99 ages 4 and up

 

"After a while, she started to wonder 
how many other bored people there were, 
out there in the world. 

She imagined that she and all the other 
bored people were invited onto a bus
that would take them to a special place, 
a non-boring place just for bored people."

Reading this book took me back to a memory of a kindergarten mother complaining to her son's principal that he wasn't much enjoying school because he was bored. With tongue in cheek, and quiet decorum, the principal suggested that many children who complained of boredom were often found to be quite boring. How true! 

The little girl who is the object of the reader's attention here shows just how she is feeling on the title page. With arms wrapped around a pillow, lying on the floor, and exhibiiting a totally disinterested face, one can almost imagine the complaining that is going on inside. Nothing interests Rita. Even her hunger has dissipated in the face of her boredom. That rarely happens. 

There are many ways to try to alleviate the ennui she is feeling. Erratic movements, complaining out loud, doing her best to surprise herself - nothing works. Her brother is unimpressed. There are many different options she tries, all encouraging readers to think of some of their own solutions. She soon tires herself out, leaving her to contemplate others who share those same feelings. Using her imagination, she thinks about how they might handle being bored. What an adventure they embark upon. In fact, it leads them to landing on Bored Island, where they remain disinterested in their new location. Or do they?

Very soon, that disinterest leads to trying new things: building with driftwood, starting a band, yodeling with a startling result, digging a deep hole, and even discovering new galaxies. Who knew? A surprise ending is just what the doctor might order for anyone experiencing boredom in the same way Rita does. 

Ms. Sala's artwork, created with watercolor, gouache, colored pencils and oil pastels, is filled with expressive characters (particularly Rita), plenty of action that holds attention while examining the many personalities, and many fine details. 

Perfect for sharing with the child full of apathetic drama. 

The Night of the Hedgehog, written by Tanya Rosie and illustrated by Chuck Groenink. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House, 2025. $24.99 ages 3 and up

THE HEDGEHOG was gone when we hurried back.
No snuffling, no shuffling, just tiny grass tracks.
"Don't worry," said Papa. "Come and wait on my knee."
And we heard an owl hoot in a faraway tree."

It was Papa who saw it first. Quietly, he woke his daughter to share the news - it was not their first such experience. They tiptoed together in their bare feet into the back garden while everyone else was sleeping. As they carefully searched for telltale signs, they noticed slimy trails left by snails and quiet bunnies cuddled in their straw beds. Papa reminded that they were looking for a spine. 

A shiny being cautiously crept from beneath nearby plants, snuffling and shuffling as hedgehogs are wont to do. Together they whispered so as not to cause worry for the hedgehog before going inside to fill a pan with water. Once back in the garden, they could no longer see it. Papa urged patience. Back out it came; this time it was not alone. The mama was followed by three thirsty babies. Once they had their fill of water, they followed their mother to a 'hog hole', carefully constructed by father and daughter to provide safe passage for the hedgehogs to roam the neighborhood. Back in bed the two are left to imagine the hedgehogs making their way along a path of their own choosing. 

What a heartwarming memory for child and parent to share in days to come! Careful rhyming text is beautifully accompanied by the soft blues of the nigthttime garden, with moon and stars in full view. Close observation reveals Mr. Groenink's attention to details that are sure to delight young readers.  

"Papa lifted me high,
 and we were simply content
to be in that place
where the hogs came and went."                                                                                     

Green Cities: How Green Infrastructure Helps Urban Centers Thrive, written by Sheila Boudreau and illustrated by Katy Dockrill. Owlbooks, 2026. $22.95 ages 9 and up

 

"STORMWATER PONDS

These urban ponds help to clean stormwater
by giving it a place to sit for long enough that 
the heavier dirt and pollutants can settle to 
the bottom. Many years later, workers remove
the polluted soil to keep it from reentering the 
urban water system. When stormwater ponds
are also designed to be similar to natural 
wetlands, with shallow slopes and biodiverse
plants, they also enhance biodiversity and 
become a source of drinking water and a 
habitat for wildlife." 

Where cities were built, nature once was. This book is sure to find favor with families and in classrooms where there is a hunger for information that helps fight climate change by offering a look at how cities around the world are making the changes needed to create greener spaces and invite nature back. 

An introduction shares the need for changing gray infrastructure (paved roads, bridges and underground sewers) to include green infrastructure (living things, green roofs, permeable pavement) if we want cities to be more livable and to assure a better future in terms of combatting climate change. Four follow-up chapters talk about cities as they are, looking at nature first, using green infrastructure to improve where we live. and inspiration for a cleaner future. 

At a time when more than half of the world's population lives in cities, it's important to think clearly about the way new spaces are designed to accommodate and improve life for all who live there. The author offers many viable ideas, while presenting examples of work being done around the world to assure nature is considered at all times. She provides an historical perspective for the rise of urban environments and what has happened as more and more people affect the production of greenhouse gases and what is being done to counteract that.

Information boxes, thoughtful quotes, and detailed, easy to digest text are accessible for middle grade students and beyond. Solutions are presented on fully illustrated bits pages which are sure to garner discussion. Ms. Dockrill's artwork ups the understanding for the solutions presented. In her conclusion, Ms. Boudreau introduces the 'green team' - those experts who work together to look at a way toward a better future for all. She presents ideas to help her audience take a part in helping to make changes, and ends with a quote from Dr, Jane Goodall:

"Each one of us matters, has a role to play, and makes 
a difference. Each one of us must take responsibility 
for our own lives, and above all, show respect and love 
for living things around us, especially each other."

Inspiring and informative, this is a worthwhile purchase for school and classroom libraries. 
                                                                                      

Mouse and His Dog, written by Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko. Illustrated by Wallace West. Feiwel and Friends, Macmillan. Raincoast, 2024. $12.99 ages 8 and up

 

"I'm an expert at hiding. All mice are, so there 
was no way she'd spotted me. But the fact that 
she'd ask about me was terrifying. 
And thrilling. 
I didn't want to be seen, and yet I was surprised 
how good it felt to be recognized."

Chelsea was right! The Dogtown books are great. It took me no time at all to get back to reading after I had finished the first one. Because things can change so rapidly in dog shelters - and Mouse lost his first best friend Chance to his forever family - he finds a new, and unlikely, pal to champion for adoption. Buster is a force to be reckoned with, beloved when first met and unable to control his actions wherever he is. He is often returned to Dogtown for the mischief he attracts. 

Mouse knows Buster has a good heart. He feels the same about Stewie, a huge dog whose owner drops him off with the warning that he is mean. It is untrue and Mouse knows it. Last, but not least, there is Smokey, another robot dog. Smokey's problem is having a smoke alarm he cannot control. Imagine the distress that can cause. How on earth will a tiny Mouse find the perfect home for his three 'unadoptable' friends?

Short chapters, plenty of action, appealing characters, terrific descriptions, and a familiarity that comes with reading the first book and loving it, augers well for any interested reader to move forward to the next as Chelsea did. She already has her eye on Book 3, due for release in September.