A Pond, A Poet and Three Pests, written by Caroline Adderson and illustrated by Lauren Tamaki. Groundwood Books, 2025. $21.99 ages 8 and up

 

"A lily growing in the water noticed 
the curious behavior of the carp, 
then the poet,
a calm presence on the bank. 

A flower lives only one season, unless 
he's the subject of a poem."

Those who have read and shared the works of 17th-century Japanese poet Basho will know his haiku about a pond and a frog. One night, while out walking, Basho found a place full of peace where he could sit calmly and think. It didn't take long for the pond dwellers to recognize their quiet visitor. 

A golden carp surfaces and recognizes Basho as 'the most famous poet in the land'. Wishing to be noticed as a subject for his next haiku, the carp seeks attention for her golden scales and her shameless ability to flutter her grandiose tail. Basho's eyes remain closed in contemplation. Next is a water lily whose life lasts through only one season. He is determined to have Basho smell the enticing perfume that radiates into the air as his petals unfurl. A Basho poem would result in the fame that has eluded him. Calling loudly to the poet, he sees that Basho's nose is unmoved by the scent. The final inhabitant is a mosquito whose penchant for blood lands her very close to the poet's ear. She has stories to tell if only Basho will listen. There is no reaction. 

Peace returns and Basho remains contemplative. A frog, who has been watching the drama unfold from the nearby bank, decides that he will not let it spoil his midnight swim. He leaps. Basho's eyes open wide - 

"Old pond - 
Frog jumps in. 
           Splash!

               Matsuo Basho (1644 - 1694)"

In a following note, Ms. Adderson describes haiku and adds further material about the poet, his life and his teaching. She ends with an invitation for readers to try their hand at sitting alone in nature and responding to what their senses are telling them. The natural setting of the pond environment is beautifully captured by Lauren Tamaki using acrylic ink in colors that are predominantly green and blue. Close-ups of the poet reflect his ability to thoroughly concentrate until his creative energy is sparked, leaving him wide-eyed and fully focused on new work. 
                                                                                  

Daisy Rewilds, written by Margaret McNamara and illustrated by Kerascoet. Penguin Random House, 2025. $24.99 ages 4 and up

"In June, Daisy attracted a lot of attention, 
especially among the pollinators. Hummingbirds
thrummed by her bee balm. Bees buzzed about 
her harebells. Monarchs feasted on her blazing 
stars. 
"Should we introduce more worms?" asked 
Auntie Betsy. 
"I'm good," said Daisy."

Daisy has been interested in the natural world and conservation forever. It is said she composted her own baby food when she was but one year old. Later, she liked to sleep on a bed of leaves and was constantly experimenting with plants and foods to grow new and wonderful things. 

Spring brought a new kind of experiment. Daisy decided to skip her bath and see what happened. Her body began to grow plants behind her ears, on her toes, and around her ankles. Nobody but Daisy paid any attention, until her mom asked and Daisy explained she was rewilding. Daisy loved what she was doing; her mother was worried about what the neighbors might think. 

Aunt Betsy approved and agreed to homeschool her niece. Daisy loved it all. As Daisy grew more and more like the plants she so loved, Aunt Betsy encouraged her and recognized the vegetables that Daisy was now growing on her person. Summer brought pollinators, who buzzed around and feasted on her plants. Birds were next. The warmth of August had her drooping, but she was not ready to put a stop to the growth. 

Finally in September, the neighbors expressed awe at all that Daisy had done in her own yard. Many wished the entire community could look similar. Daisy is now satisfied she made the difference she wanted to make in calling attention to what everyone had been missing. She picked herself up, and began the work of replanting and rewilding the many creatures now flourishing in her yard to the surrounding neighborhood. 

""Daisy!" said Pa. "You rewilded!"
"How did you do it?" asked the neighbors. 
"I encouraged sustainable biodiversity and ecosystem
health," said Daisy. 
"What on earth does that mean?" asked a little kid. 
"I helped the land heal," replied Daisy,
"by leaving it alone.""

This is a captivating story about a young girl with a big heart and a love of all things natural. Ink and watercolor are used to create a gorgeous  backdrop for the storytelling. Filled with details and wonder, they will have your readers checking out every spread to see what they might discover there. 

Daisy's magic may not be possible. What can you do with what you know and have to make your neighborhood a healed place?  

The Richest Cow in the World, written and illustrated by Barroux. Kids Can Press, 2025. $21.99 ages 4 and up

 

"And with the money you make, 
you could buy more trees. 
Pear trees, plum trees!
You could harvest more fruit,
and make more pies and even jam to sell."

Cow is fully relaxed under an apple tree, enjoying the shade, the sound of the wind, and the clouds in the sky. Pig arrives with a question; he wonders if the apples belong to Cow. When told they do, Pig has a suggestion. Why not pick all those apples instead of wasting time just lying there? Should Cow do that, imagine the number of pies to be baked, or applesauce to be made for that matter. 

The enterprise will grow though the sale of T-shirts, baseball caps, pens ... even key chains. All that money! Why, then Cow can buy more trees of all kinds, each leading to more of everything. Success with these enterprises is sure to lead to the purchase of more land, even more trees, and work for others. Whoa! Wait a minute! Soon, there will be a need for a factory to get all the work done more efficiently. 

"After that, you could 
open more factories. 
Grow your farm in all directions:
north, south, east and west. 
Expand into other regions, 
maybe other countries."

With proper marketing, Cow would soon be a STAR! and move to New York to oversee the vast empire built from one apple tree. Cow has listened patiently and finally asks what might be next. Pig assures that the best is yet to come. Cow could sell everything, be the richest cow in the world, and retire to a little island in the ocean. Is there more? Pig entices with a 'peaceful spot to nap in the shade and watch the clouds float across the sky'. 

And the story ends as it began. What wonder? 

What does it take to make us happy and content? This is a book that would be fun for little ones, and hold deeper meaning for older readers that would initiate talk about both money and contentment. 

Pretty Ugly, written by David Sedaris and illustrated by Ian Falconer. Astra, Toon. Penguin Random House. 2024. $24.99 ages 7 and up

 

"And you'd better be 
careful, or one day your
face will stick like that. 

Says who?"

Anna Van Ogre is, for all intents and purposes, a very good daughter. With her two front teeth, the wart on her nose, and pointed ears, she is exactly what any ogre parent would want in their child. She loves stomping on flowers, throwing dirt through the front door, and talking with her mouth full of the nails she devours. It is a proud family, including Grandma. 

There is one small problem. Anna loves to make awful faces. They are faces a human might love; they do not fit the mold in a family of ogres. There is a worry that one day a face she makes will stick. How on earth will the family deal with such a thing? Then, it happens. 

"Mom. Dad ... Grandma ... 
Somebody ... I think 
I need help!" 

Indeed, she does. Anna is now a perfect replica of a kewpie doll ... bright eyes, long eyelashes, rosy, chubby cheeks, and kissable lips! A visit to the doctor offers no solution. While the family remains loving and kind, Anna sees herself as a 'monster'. She can't help it! Her grandma reminds that 'real beauty is on the inside'. All the other ogres agree with Anna's perception of herself. In response, she moves to the woodshed, saying she will never leave it. However, she does spend time thinking about what Grandma said about beauty. 

Anna takes that advice to heart, and leaves readers with one whale of a surprise ending! 

Oh, what a book! I can hardly wait to share this with someone. I LOVE it! And so will most kids!!!                                                                                           

The North Wind and the Sun, by Philip Stead. Neal Porter Books, Holiday House. Penguin Random House, 2023. $24.99 ages 4 and up

"The three sisters huddled 
together. 

They closed their eyes, and 
in the North Wind's howl 
they heard only - 

"Lies," said the first. 

"Spitefulness," said the second. 

"Mockery," said the third."

This absolutely glowing retelling of Aesop's fable about the conflict between the North Wind and the Sun will be thoroughly enjoyed by those who have already heard it, and by those who are brand new to its lesson. 

Three aging sisters and their black dog can hear the coming of a new season, and make the decision to get outside for a walk before it is too cold to do so. They dress in patchwork coats of yellow, blue, and red (with striped socks to match). A vertical view at the page turn for the next page shows them leaving their house in bright sunshine. The Sun is very pleased to see them there.

A quick turn to the opposite side shows the North Wind is not in any way enamored of their patchwork coats or the ability they have to protect the sisters. He laughs to think about it. The sisters watch as birds depart for warmer climes, in hopes of avoiding the chilly air that is sure to come. 

The Sun is impressed with the North Wind's bravado; but, doesn't want him to forget that she is also strong. So, begins a contest between the two. The wind does what the wind is capable of doing. The sisters stand their ground. The North Wind continues to roar at anything and everyone in his path. The sisters feel only pity for his loneliness and rage. They continue to hold tightly to their coats. 

Once the wind has exhausted himself, the Sun decides what she does best. She radiates her warmth upon the earth, awakening flora and fauna, and old women and old men around the world. And the sisters?

"The three sisters shed their coats. They sat down upon them, and listened to the hum of life all 
around. Memories began to unspool like brightly colored thread."

Thanking the sun for its kindness, they head back home to mend their coats and prepare for the coming winter.  

Fans will recognize Mr. Stead's colored pencils and printing techniques ... so beautifully created to tell this story of two feuding and starkly disparate entities. The elegance of his word choice, combined with the stellar illustrations ensure that this is a book to be shared countless times. It is a 'keeper'.                                                                                      

The Mouse Who Carried A House On His Back, written by Jonathan Stutzman and illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2022. $24.99 ages 4 and up

 

"But the cat was mistaken. 
Vincent's house was much larger than it appeared. 

There was even room for a hungry cat. 

Clouds billowed in the west, and in blew a family 
of hedgehogs - one by one by one by one by one - 
each wet and tousled by a mighty storm."

It is certainly understood when readers catch their first glimpse of Vincent, the mouse carrying a house on his back, that there is little room inside that abode. After a long trek, Vincent finds the place he wants to be. Nothing special about it; it speaks to Vincent with the grass, the path, the hill, and the endless sky. He settles his house in an appropriate spot. 

Soon, an extremely tired bullfrog appears on the path. Vincent invites him in to rest. The bullfrog guffaws, assuming the house is much too small to provide him shelter. To his surprise, Vincent's house offers both space and comfort. The same thing happens with a hungry cat, a family of hedgehogs, and a multitude of other forest creatures. Vincent's house grows in relation to the number of its occupants. 

At dinner one night, a cold, tired, lost bear knocks at the door. Vincent remains kind and accommodating as the rest of the residents express shock and worry over the bear's intentions. Vincent will not be deterred; the bear expresses concern that the house is much too small for a bear its size. Vincent assures him that all will be well. There is definitely room! 

Following an overnight storm, morning brings sunlight and the departure of Vincent's many guests. Vincent's house is empty once again. He picks it up and carries it on his back until he finds the next place he needs to be.  

Warm and cozy artwork is as inviting as Vincent is. His house is a place of comfort, shown in the many fine details drawn by Ms. Arsenault. The dark rainy night creates a fearful atmosphere for those who want nothing to do with a bear. Generosity is at the heart of Vincent's welcome and the bear soon becomes another house guest. As the house grows, Ms. Arsenault creates additions to the original, until an open gatefold allows readers to see the many changes that need to be made to accommodate all. 

What an extraordinary and hospitable home it turns out to be. 

The Tale of the Mandarin Duck: A Modern Fable, story by Bette Midler, photographs by Michiko Kakutani, and illustrations by Joana Avillez. Penguin Random House. 2021. $24.99 ages 4 and up

 

"In a very short time, 
people were not the same. 

All of them were bent over 
the small screen in their hand. 
It was as if nothing else existed. 

Then one day, something happened
that changed many people in the city. 

        Maybe forever."

In her retelling of this tale, Bette Midler introduces New York City, its inhabitants, and the arrival of the cell phone. As we can all attest, it made a huge difference in everyday lives. 

"And most important, it was a camera, and you could 
photograph anything and everything - especially 
yourself. Everybody really liked that. 
It wasn't long until everyone in the city had one."

With the arrival of the phone, people stopped paying attention to each other, and what was going on around them. One bird changed that! It was 2018. The community looked up from their phones when a mandarin duck landed in Central Park. Why such a response to its arrival? Well, the mandarin duck is native to East Asia. No one living in New York had seen one. As happens in the days of the cell phone, everyone wanted a chance to take its picture. The park filled with interested and intrigued birdwatchers. 

One day a small child stood on a rock, and explained that she was not going to use a camera to 'see' the duck. She was going to look at it with her 'own two eyes'. When she put her phone down, so did the rest. They fell in love with the beautiful bird they were seeing with their own eyes. What a truly remarkable event. People began talking to each other about what they were seeing, and about other engaging topics. Their habits changed, and they liked it. When the duck disappeared, the people chose to continue with their new habits. They liked this new world they were seeing. 

A combination of a well-told fable, stunning photographs and grayscale images of the people of New York at their various undertakings make for a most enjoyable read. Michiko Kakutani's end note adds further information about the 'duck' and its stay in New York. Facing that page, she provides a number of thumbnail images.