young cat, old cat, by Jillian Tamaki. Groundwood, 2026. $23.99 ages 3 and up

"playful cat

growing cat

nice cat 

naughty cat"

What an ingenious book Jillian Tamaki has created to tell the story of a cat's life, and its owner's love through the years. Using perfectly chosen adjectives to accompany her tale that begins with a tiny kitten, alone at a shelter, finding the small child there with her mother to find a new pet. Nose to nose, the child asks, 'be my cat?' The choice is made, the family travels home with a mewling cat in the car and all supplies needed to provide for it. Once home, the two begin a lifetime of being together through the years. 

Every spread chronicles the growth and love the two share; the child matures as the kitten does. Short phrases trace their life from adoption to the heartbreak of old age and the death of a beloved pet. The art is compelling and remarkable, using color choice to indicate playfulness, growth, old age, and  grief. Young readers are sure to respond to the cat while dreaming of all the things she thinks she can do, and of the aging process that takes the kitten from early exuberance to wobbly oldtimer. Final spreads show the girl waving goodbye as the car moves through a celestial world before a new shelter kitten is welcomed with great happiness. What a gorgeous and heartfelt story this is! 

I here share with you a note about the art journey Ms. Tamaki took to bring her story to full life. 

"The art for this book was created entirely by hand over the course of eighteen months. The fabric is both new and thrifted materials (in some cases, bedsheets) stretched on wooden frames. The paint is acrylic ink, embellished with crewel wool embroidery. Crewelwork was developed in England and is typically used for decorative furnishings; the Bayeux Tapestry is the oldest known example of the craft. The art was lit and photographed in the artist's studio in September 2025.".  

What a gift to all cat lovers who will read and share this book!                                                                                     

Another Tongue, written and illustrated by Yevgenia Nayberg. Neal Porter Books, Holiday House. Penguin Random House, 2026. $24.99 ages 4 and up

 

"Different countries
have different mother tongues.

When you come to a new country,
you may not understand its language
at first. 

Your ears may get tired of listening 
to the new language."

Countless people who emigrate from their home countries to a country where the language is different have much to learn before they can communicate effectively with those who live there. In this new and playful look at language learning, Yevgenia Nayberg takes on the task of helping preschoolers and adults alike begin to understand the ins and outs of learning a second language. 

In simple text, sporting eye-catching artwork, she explains that the mother tongue is the first language learned. The words you hear as a baby, and the words used to make sense of the world around you. Often, those words can be difficult and will need to be heard again and again. Despite the complexity and long list of words needed to communicate, the language becomes your own. Mother tongues are different, according to where you live. 

Moving to a new country where another language is spoken is hard. There is no understanding of what is being said; ears get tired of listening to unfamiliar words. Some words may seem familiar, while others have never been heard. With context, the task is easier; seeing a chicken and being told it's a chicken imprints on your brain. 

It does take time and patience to continue learning. Speaking with others will begin to change. Soon, you will be bilingual ... what a feat! 

An author's note is of great interest as readers learn just how difficult it was for Yevgenia to understand, then speak English following emigration. Even for her today, it has its obstacles. Just wait for the conversation when the reading is done! 

Whale, That Was Unexpected, written by Casey Lyall and illustrated by Kathryn Durst. tundra, Penguin Random House. 2026. $24.99 ages 4 and up

"Well, how about that.

There was only one 
thing for Maude to do:

throw a goodbye party."

Maude and her trusty canine companion Claude climb aboard her appropriately named 'trusty little boat' head out to sea every morning. Well prepared and sure she has seen all there is to see, they have a big surprise in store. Readers know it at the first turn of the page when a dark whale shape covers the bottom half of the full spread. As bad luck would have it, the whale opens its humongous jaw and swallows their boating vessel and its occupants in one large gulp. Maude and Claude make the decision to stay plenty cool in the face of disaster, and begin to make a plan for a farewell party. 

"Farewell Maude. 

                   Farewell Claude." 

Maybe not fancy enough. They check with their audience to ensure the eulogy to them is worthy of their long, adventurous lives. The tone changes as all three (including the boat) are honored, and end up sharing the belly with all manner of sea life. Each one swallowed must be added to the list of farewells, including a goat in a boat. That happens just before the whale whooooshes in yet another mouthful ... seal and puffin. 

Their farewell chant is finally ready to be sung for the final time. Everyone joins in. Their fate seems sealed as they sit sedately in their boat in the belly of the whale. An emergency flare is lit to decorate the last sandwich, causing the whale to SNEEZE, and sending the boat back to sea. As Maude, Claude and their new friend Goat head for home, readers are left to wonder what tomorrow may bring. Fortunately, they are left with a clue! 

A mix of gouache, charcoal and digital media ensure the enjoyment for this story is lifted to new levels. The images provide an engaging backdrop for the deadpan comedy of Maude and Claude as they deal with the salty pickle they find themselves in. Readers and listeners will giggle at the repetition and the dialogue that makes them a part of every scene.  It's a tale left to read again next year when my family returns. They have named it a 'keeper', and for many good reasons.     
                                                                                       

         

Fiddlhead Forest, written and illustrated by Jana Curll. Greystone Kids, 2026. $18.95 ages 8 and up

 

"Millipedes are among the earliest 
known land animals. There were
millipedes before dinosaurs! 

They are super burrowers. 

They are mostly harmless and 
will often curl into a coil if 
threatened."

The eternal question about a tree falling in the forest gets a new lease on life when the author explains how the flora and fauna in the forest ecosystem come to the rescue. A new graphic novel in the Little Habitats series features a fern narrator who promises to keep the tree from becoming a log. Fern wants to see the forest get back to normal where trees stand tall. To that end, she will enlist the help of other creatures of the forest to help the tree stand again. 

The titles of each of the eight chapters make evident the use of wordplay in describing the efforts considered to ensure her promise is kept. Despite the ideas presented by Millipede and Slug and help from Moth, Lichen and Mushroom, there appears there is little to be done to ensure that tree will rise from the forest floor to its former glory. 

Information concerning the particular traits of each member of the forest community is infused with clever wordplay while also offering a clear look at each one. Ultimately, not one of the described forest inhabitants has what it takes to move the huge tree trunk. Only then does Fern recognize that the tree can now take on a very important new role in the ecosystem as a nurse log. The benefits of nurse logs in the forest cannot be overstated. It will provide nutrients, shelter, forest growth, and a surface for plants and even new trees to grow and flourish. 

"I guess we FERN-ally figured it out.

It was a LOG time coming." 

Combining fact and fiction (faction), Jana Curll will have her readers chuckling time and again with her storytelling. Not only does she share facts in an informational text, she also entertains with her word choice while doing so. What a way to learn something brand new! 

The Future Book, written by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Shawn Harris. Alfred A. Knopf, Penguin Random House. 2026. $26.99 ages 4 and up

"In the future, lots of people are named

CHARLIE CHEESE FACE

There's an interesting reason why, 
but we don't have time for that story.
I have too many other things to tell 
you about the future."

Mac Barnett and Shawn Harris have done their best, in this new book, to ensure their audience is attentive to the ridiculous changes in language the future may bring. They are also set on inspiring laughter at every turn of the page. It begins quite innocently, letting readers know things will be very different in years to come. 

For instance, the sun will be called the moon, and the moon the sun. Morning will be called night, and night morning. The first sign that things are changing even more dramatically comes when readers are told bananas will be called apples, and there will be no longer be any apples. No explanation ... it's time to move on to the next change (see above). The changes become more absurd by the minute as readers eagerly continue page-turning. 

Cows and cats have new names; dogs remain dogs. Numbers have even been changed with knowledge that everyone will become accustomed to it. Reactions to common occurrences and phrases are impossible to explain. Even a new color is announced. 

"BLORANGE

Blorange is a very famous word
in the future because there are 
no words that rhyme with it!"

Can you hear listeners response when they hear that? On the narrator goes, introducing the supermarket (silly word) as being called the 'bolly bolly hoo hoo'. This is followed up by an uproarious two-page dialogue between two characters who manage to use most of the new language so carefully presented in preceeding pages. 

Why not get kids together to create their own short story using what they have learned about conversation in 'the future'?  The sky's the limit when taking this premise to a logical conclusion in the imagination, since we don't know what the future holds for us.

Shawn Harris' ink and acrylic (and boldly colored) illustrations match the absurdity of the text in every way. There is joy, and considerable humor, as he interprets the text for full impact in a book that is entertaining enough to spur repeated readings. 
                                                                                     

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.                                                                                     

Dropbear, written and illustrated by Philip Bunting. Charlesbridge, Penguin Random House. 2025. $21.99 ages 4 and up

 

"They say ... 

"Dropbear is mean." 

"Dropbear is rude." 

"Dropbear smells like 
stinky old food.""

It is always enlightening to see what busybodies can make one believe. Dropbear's story begins with the narrator (who is nowhere in sight) offering advice for what to look at in the old gum tree. There is a beware sign in plain sight. I wonder who put it there. 

Readers are advised to look up into the tree. There is nothing to see there, unless a much closer look is taken. Oh, there it is ... 'gray hair' 'grim stare'. Why, it's DROPBEAR! 'They have much to say about him, including about his manners and how he smells. If the reader wants to know more, the narrator is willing to add even more frightening details. 

Luckily, there is someone to tell the animals gathered that gossips love to tell lies and talk, talk, talk. Their fear comes from not knowing the truth. So, they dream up crazy ideas and pass them along to ramp up that fear. Animals passing the gum tree tread softly and quickly pass. A tiny bird who has seen no proof wants to know the truth. She stands firm at the bottom of the gum tree until Dropbear does, indeed, drop down and proves there is absolutely no need for fear. All he really wants is a hug. 

A note from the author states: 

"Did you know? 

A legend in Australia, the dropbear is the evil, fanged relative of the koala. But sightings and sneak attacks - all the jabber - are nothing but jokes! That's right. Dropbear is indeed a mythical creature. Australians are great pranksters, especially on tourists!"

https://youtu.be/hJEKCxrvtNQ?si=1gWLD9xXYJxa4mqU

Five Little Friends: A Collection of Finger Rhymes. Written by Sean Taylor and illustrated by Fiona Woodcock. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2025. $25.99 ages 2 and up

 

"I Can Tie My Laces

I can tie my laces. 
This is the way I know. 

First you make a knot.
Then you tie the bow. 

I think I've done it right. 
And I'm feeling rather clever, 

until I realize ...
I've tied my shoes together!"

If you are a parent or caregiver interested in getting little ones moving about and finding inspiration from the world around them, this is the book for you. There are 35 strong and telling rhymes here that look to the everyday experiences that inspire young children to play with language, create dramatic scenes, and engage in fully from one page to the next. 

Beginning with friends sharing fun in a variety of ways and places, the first verse encourages counting to 5, movement, and a wish to go back to the beginning and say it all again. As the verses are shared, little ones will find favorites that they will soon be repeating on their own. Comparing size in fingers, baking a cake, watching soap bubbles float and pop, Sean Taylor moves from humor to delight as he encourages his readers to think and react. 

"The Wind

Here comes the wind. 
The trees swish and sway. 

Hold onto your hat! 
Or it will blow away! 

Great gusts of wind
whirl their way on through.

Hold onto your pants! 
Or you might lose them, too!"

Accompanying these witty and full-of-movement rhymes are Fiona Woodcock's brilliant mixed media images that provide pointers and hints for the kinds of actions to be taken. The subjects are far-reaching and offer plentiful opportunities to stop and talk. What a truly exceptional gift for a new baby, a happy toddler, or a kindergarten classroom! 

We need more books like this ...                                                                                   

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

 

"Living with Lions

When they purr, 
pet their fur. 

When they snore,
close the door. 

When they wake, 
take a cake. 

When they scream
serve ice cream. 

When they roar, 
give them more. 

And if they bite, 
nighty night."

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

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

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

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

How to Staycation Like a Snail, written by Naseem Hrab and illustrated by Kelly Collier. Owlkids, 2024. $21.95 ages 6 and up

Then they smell the smells, 
listen for the sounds, 
and take in the sights. 

Snail and Stump are having so much fun that 
things start to get really adventurous."

Those who met Snail in How To Party Like A Snail, are sure to be happy to meet up with him again. He remains an observer rather than a participant. He admits that he is an explorer who loves quiet adventures: he reads the odd map, hikes occasional slime trails, and finds wonder right where he lives. 

His first vacation with boisterous friends does nothing for him; he much prefers the company of his best friend, Stump. When asked to join them on their next exciting venture, Snail is adamant that home is where he chooses to stay. Of course, Stump has no choice. Perhaps they can have an adventure right where they are. 

"Stump, do you want to go on an
adventure right here? 

I hear that here is the new there!"

So, it is decided. While the other animals are off kicking up their heels on their trip, Snail and Stump enjoy their staycation every bit as much as the others. They get great enjoyment from the sounds, sights, smells that surround them; soon, they are having a splendid time together. 

Just when they begin to think they might have seen all there is to see, they are surprised by the arrival of small fleet of parachute seeds who are looking for someone to show them around. Snail and Stump are having so much fun with these new friends. When the seeds realize that the time for their adventure is coming to an end, they make the decision to stay put. How cool will that be? 

The cartoon art is full of expression, the dialogue will have listeners hooting with delight, and the chance to see their neighborhood through new eyes make it a great readaloud. Having a group of children read the separate parts for each of the characters will only add to the fun of reading it again. 

Wombat, written and illustrated by Philip Bunting. Charlesbridge, Penguin Random House. 2020. $21.99 ages 3 and up

 

"Acrobat.

Chit -
              chat. 

Winkbat. 
Stinkbat. 
Plumbat. 
Numbat." 

Here's a bit of fun for little ones! With digital cut-paper artwork, Philip Bunting fills the book's pages with a charming short and stocky brown animal who provides laughs for the littlest readers. The puns are evident and engaging, starting with 'wombat' and moving on to 'twobats' before adding 'threebats'. Kids will be particularly interested in the creatures' playful demeanor as shown often throughout the reading. 

The images are placed on backgrounds that shift from one color to another, and offer a great deal of fun for the reader. Clever rhymes, changing perspectives, and pages that introduce numbers, shapes, colors, even emotions and directions guarantee avid interest and requests to hear it again. Soon, those children ready for some independence in reading will be trying on their own to repeat what they see and have heard.   

The final three spreads share a story of love and family, when two wombats fall in like, then love, and finally create a new family. 

"Thisbat. 
Thatbat. 
Madeanotherwombat." 

Awwwww!

Dog vs. Strawberry, story by Nelly Buchet and art by Andrea Zuill. Random House Studio, 2024. $24.99 ages 5 and up

 

"No surprise to see such a big turnout today. 

Listen to that crowd ... 
Can I get a D? An O? A G?
Give it up for our reigning 
champion: the one and only 

DOOOGGG!!!"

If you were lucky enough to read Cat Dog Dog by this talented team, you heard the story of a blended family where a woman with a cat and a dog, and a man with a dog came together to create a new family. The transition was awfully funny! 

The book begins with a bowl of fruit. and the offer of a strawberry treat for a dog lying quietly on the floor near the sofa. Dog is interested immediately, and the greatest race of all time is imagined! It's Dog against the red fruit ... 

The stuffed animals are lined up and READY! Dog is keen, and being touted as champion from one half of the captive audience. The berry is clearly in favor with the audience on her side of the room. GO is the signal and Dog is off at a quick pace. Strawberry is completely unconcerned with the action. 

Dog spins around the room, showing excitement and energy for the race, even chomping on his own tail to prove his worth. Strawberry remains quiet and fully focused. Dog continues on, proving his mettle and outdoing Strawberry with every new move. Oh, dear! Dog appears to be tiring. Finding a comfy spot, she goes right to sleep. 

In the meantime, a wind blows a plant over ... one leaf lands on the cool red fruit. When Dog wakens, Strawberry is missing from action. There must be something Dog can do to win the race! Tearing off again, she is soon jumping over and landing on a chair with a loud FLUMP!  The leaf blows off, Dog sees that Strawberry is in the lead. Strawberry is going to win! Then, NOT! 

Dog declares herself the winner, of course! Read as if it is an actual race, with drama and excitement at every turn, this will be shared time and again. Well-read children will be able to compare its tone and action to the tale of the tortoise and the hare. What fun! 

As she has done in numerous other titles, Andrea Zuill brings her quirky sense of fun in ink and digitally colored artwork to the tale. She gives readers a real sense for the silliness of the dog and her antics as she speeds from place to place, always sure she is running the race of her life. 

The Book That Almost Rhymed, written by Omar Abed and illustrated by Hatem Aly. Dial Books, Penguin Random House. 2024. $24.99 ages 4 and up

"Right ... 

But they had lost the treasure map. 
They searched for any trace or scrap. 
At last they knew just where to look, 
and found it folded in a - 

HIS POCKET! 

Of course." 

My granddaughters arrived today, and I can hardly wait to read this book to them. It's going to be so much fun! The digital illustrations are very appealing, the characters likeable and funny, and the rhyming text is just right for us. I'm quite sure we will read it more than one time. There will be giggles and guffaws! 

Every rhyme engages, then surprises. Here's the premise: 

"The other day I wrote this book.
You won't believe how long it took. 
It rhymed, and I was super proud. 
It sounded great when read out loud. 

But then my sister came along, 
and now the story sounds all wro -

BETTER!"

You get the picture, don't you? The writer is very proud to share what he considers his best work until his sister wreaks havoc for each one of his impeccable rhymes. No matter his sister's interjections, he moves forward and does his best to remain patient with her adaptations. As the rhymes are read, listeners will be able to anticipate what comes next - only to be surprised each time by the little girl's take on it all.  

It's a story of knights and glory, a search for treasure that takes them to space and back, a clash with a pirate ship, and an impromptu dance celebration. Leaving the pirates behind to continue their search for treasure, they are met by a 'mighty monster'; it's the final straw for the writer over his sister's messing with his book's story. While reaming her out over her actions, he makes a grand discovery. She knew it all along! 

The knight is left in a sticky spot; can the two solve that plot twist together? What do you think? 

Full of imaginative wordplay, humor, adventure, unpredictability, and collaboration, it's a joy to read. In the words of a Peter Reynolds' quote from my office bulletin board, this is 'wisdom dipped in words and art'. That is what great children's books are!                                                                                    

The Truth About the Couch, written by Adam Rubin and illustrated by Liniers. G.P. Putnam's Sons, Penguin Random House. 2024. $26.99 ages 5 and up

 

"Hang on a second - 
couches don't grow 
on a farm. 

Sure they do! 
Farmers plant very tiny 
little couch seeds. 

Where do you think we get 
the term couch potato?"

A dapper fox is our host for this close look at the many different sofas in use in the world. Whether it is a daybed, a chesterfield, a pullout, a futon, or a 'lip couch', we use them for one reason or another. They are many sizes, colors, shapes, and their uses are often unique.  

When it comes to pillow sliding, an explanation is needed. As the fox prepares to demonstrate, an opossum with a tape gun is quick to bleep the drawing in an effort to prevent an accident that might result from a sofa being used for such a dangerous pursuit. The fox demands to know if the possum is part of the furniture police; the opossum does not understand. 

The fox explains: 

"They're a secret elite enforcement squadron. 
They ride dinosaurs and lasso runaway 
couches with barbed wire." 

With an attentive audience, the fox goes on and on about his truth concerning the couch. Opossum is not impressed with the untruths being shared; the fox cannot help but exaggerate his opinions. Fox tries again ... and fails. Opossum will not be fooled. His tape gun gets a workout, trying to dispel the nonsense Fox is spouting. 

The dramatic arrival of the furniture police manages to change the narrative for the Opossum who finally succumbs to the drivel he is being fed by Fox with his crazy assertions. This is an illustrated book that works for young readers for its absurdity and entertainment. Older readers (and their adults) are sure to see the satire concerning conspiracy theories and their effects. Linier's artwork matches the humor while creating the many scenarios brought to the Opossum's attention by a shifty and convincing Fox. 

Bros, written by Carole Boston Weatherford and illustrated by Reggie Brown. Candlewick Books, Penguin Random House. 2024. $23.99 ages 4 and up

 

"We pretend. 

We defend. 

Bros dare. 

We care,"

Warm evenings are here, and much longer days. Perfect for kids to get outside and play to their heart's content. I love listening to the joy and seeing the action as they find things to do together in the park across the street. 

I was delighted to see this new book from Ms. Weatherford about five young Black boys who find each other in the park and manage to spend their entire day together. The first comes with his dog, and heads straight into the summer morning light that shimmers throughout the park, where another is already playing on a geodesic climbing structure. 

As we get closer, we can see that a third is present with an empty wagon. While the dog chases a squirrel, two boys climb on board and the third hangs on for dear life at the back of the wagon as it races downhill and dumps them in the grass. Next up is painting. using cardboard, and an idea for redesigning the wagon as a time machine, equipped with a flux drive. 

Decked out in a superhero cape, one tumbles down the hill, and ends up in tears. The others console, and then welcome two more players. A camera captures their smiles and their styles!  Then each, carrying a defensive weapon, harbors grandiose ideas of combat before settling to pet a snail, and do some needed gardening. Next stop is the library and some quality reading time.   

"We go, 

We play. 

We pray. 

Showtime! 
Bros shine." 

After a quick pick-up basketball game, their day comes to an end. They leave knowing they'll be back.  The sparse, rhyming text is perfect for telling about an engaging day without need of an extra word. The digital artwork is infused with color and energy, showing a happy group who find joy and excitement in being together all day long. 
                                                                               

Built to Last, written by Minh Le and illustrated by Dan Santat. Alfred A. Knopf, Penguin Random House. 2024. $24.99 ages 3 and up

 "Working hand in hand, we built things
we never could have dreamt up on our own.

Yet somehow ... "

With a BANG and a BUMP, two young boys become inadvertent friends. It starts with a mistake while building two separate structures. When they fall, the two find that building together has much happier results. Those results are beyond their wildest dreams!

No matter what they manage to build, all fall down or are destroyed. Accompanied by laughter on their part, they continue to erect more and more elaborate creations. The downside is that the disasters can be quite disastrous time after time. 

There are trainwrecks, catastrophes, and various other failures. No matter ... they do not give up, always emerging from their difficulties with a new idea and the determination to begin once more. 

"With each new beginning, 
we knew that our next build 
was going to be 

the 
BEST 
ONE
YET." 

They have no doubts. As they learn from the mistakes they are making, they continue to dream even bigger. They imagine their final build being something that will 'stand the test of time'. After multiple tries and equally as many failures, they admit that they should stop what they were doing and move forward with something brand new. 

In fact, perhaps they should go to work on their own! That decision does not sit well with either one. After a falling-out and their resulting sadness, they finally recognize what it is they have that was 'built to last'.

This team of exceptional collaborators seem the ideal artists to create this story of friendship and imagination. Kids will be taken with the fantastic worlds their creative spirits bring to the page, showing how their real world compares to the one they imagine. It is a book that brings fun and enjoyment to the sharing and opportunity for pausing to take in all the details, and to discuss the happiness thar arises when friends work together. 

Keep Up, Duck! Written by Rachel Bates and illustrated by Ivan Bates. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2024. $23.99 ages 3 and up

"But soon, young Puck, with downy wings
and tiny feet, was falling far behind. 

"Keep up, Duck!" quacked Mama Duck, 
then she turned and swam on her way. 

Puck looked at 
all the beautiful boats 
and wondered what to do. 
How could he catch up?" 

I would so love to read this book to the kindergarten kids I once taught! It is full of fun, repetitive text, and charming artwork. 

Mamma Duck has seven ducklings and they are very much enjoying a swim on a sunny day. Mamma is in the lead, and Puck is at the end of the line. When they reach the boating lake, they are surrounded by boats of all types. The boats splash and splosh, while Puck falls behind the others. Mamma encourages him to catch up, and moves on. Puck wonders how he can use the boats to help him. 

"Then, with a ... 

Hop! 

Hop! 

Hop! 

Plop! 

He joined the ducks again!"

As they swim past the path filled with scooters and bikes, and the flower beds where people walk their dogs, Puck continues to fall behind ... and Mamma encourages him to catch up as the family moves forward toward the lily pond. By now accustomed to finding his own solution for moving forward quickly, Puck hitches a ride with an energetic pup and is launched into the lily pond. For the first time, Puck is in the lead! He welcomes his family  with a rousing rendition of Mamma's advice: 

"Keep up, Mamma! Keep up, ducks! 
You're falling far behind!"

Watercolor and colored pencil artwork attracts attention from first to last pages. Readers will appreciate  Puck's decidedly different look, with touches of brown on both head and wings. It looks very much as if he likes muddy banks and some mischief. His ability to find ways to catch up to the rest will elicit some giggles and admiration for his ingenuity. Being smaller doesn't mean that he ends up last. 

The repetitive pattern of the text and the many sound effects will have listeners helping with the reading, and perhaps soon trying to read it independently.                                                                               

The Wonderful Wisdom of Ants, written and illustrated by Philip Bunting. Crown Books, Penguin Random House. 2020. $25.99 ages 5 and up

"Just as we live in groups (like families, schools, or
cities), ants exist as part of their colony. They rely
on other ants to gather food, build the nest, and
raise the next generation of baby ants. In turn,
each little ant does its best for those around it, 
rather than for itself."

It's finally spring, and there are ants ... and more ants. Just as Mr. Bunting shows readers on the first spread of this terrific book about said annoyances. He is quick to share that there are 10 quadrillion ants!  That's 10, followed by 9 zeros ... no, a page turn shows it is 10, followed by 15 zeros, and they all inhabit our planet! 

"If you weighed all those ants, 
they would weigh the same as 
all the humans in the world.

Roughly."

With each new page, readers learn more and more about ants: what they love and do not love, that they live in colonies started by 'one queen-to-be', the mating ritual, and the laying of many tiny eggs which eventually hatch to become a new colony. A cross-section allows a clear look at one colony and its many inhabitants. The ants' jobs are immediately categorized into five groups. each having an important role to play in the success of the colony. The comparison to humans affords young readers a way of connecting with the ants. 

This engaging information continues from page to page, offering a very clear, and often humorous, guide for those kids who love knowing all they can about the world and its creatures. Wordplay is abundant and holds attention throughout. Readers will be impressed by the expressive illustrations, done mainly by changing the  look in an ant's eyes.  

Great graphic illustrations, humor in the telling, and a chance to learn about the many incredible characteristics of these tiny creatures make this an exceptional read. There is much to learn from ants when we share this book, including: 

"Leave the Earth 
in better shape
than it was when 
you got here."                                                                            

Go and Get with Rex, written by David LaRochelle and illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House, 2024. $23.99 ages 3 and up

"Great! When I count to three, 

GO and GET 

something that begins with the letter 

                      F!

One ... two ... three! 

ZIP! ZAP! ZOOM!

Back already? That was fast!
Let's see what you found."

That is the premise for this terrific new book by a veteran pair of collaborators. Jack, Jill and Rex (a dog) are taxed with finding something that starts with a given letter of the alphabet. Jack and Jill follow the rules to the 'letter'; Rex, who has a grand love for ducks, is always able to explain why a duck is his go-to answer for each letter provided.

The game continues. Kids will absolutely love the search results. With each new letter, the resulting text becomes wordier and more descriptive. 

"a MOUSE! 
And the way she's making a meal of
that Muenster, she must be hungry!
Mouse does indeed begin with the 
letter M!"

The surprise ending is perfect. Asked to find something that begins with D is certain to lead readers to expect that Rex is sure to return with a duck. Rex, as with every other search, has a perfect explanation (WOOF! WOOF! WOOF!) for the choice he makes. The final spread is a culmination for this apt lesson in the sounds that letters make. 

Mike Wohnoutka's artwork is familiar and exactly right for bringing meaning to the text and providing all that young readers need to make this experience the best it can be. 

When you are looking for books that insert phonics into learning to read in a meaningful way, this is exactly what your kids need. It holds their attention, it is full of energy and enjoyment, it is creative, and it will definitely encourage them to take what they have learned here and try it for themselves.  
                                                                             

Narwhal's Sweet Tooth, written and illustrated by Ben Clanton. tundra, Penguin Random House. 2024. $16.99 ages 4 and up

"Huh, I guess not everyone 
shows how they feel in the
same way, Narwhal.
Maybe you just don't 
frown when you're down? 
But then, what do you do?

I'm not 
sure ... "

If you have a fan in your home or classroom, I'm sure they have been waiting with bated breath for this ninth book in the Narwhal and Jelly graphic novel series. 

A strange feeling in his tusk has Narwhal wondering how it looks to his friend Jelly. Jelly's astonished face is enough to get Narwhal thinking how the crack that is there might have happened. Could it have been fencing lessons with a swordfish, or ring toss with an octopus, or using it as a flagpole? Finally, Narwhal mentions the snacks: peanut butter cookies, cakes, ice cream, brownies? All sweet stuff. It turns out that Narwhal has been using his tusk as a snack saver. 

What is that, you ask. Why, it's a place to stack snacks and then leave them for eating when ready. Jelly observes just thinking about all those snacks affords a toothache. Something needs to be done about the state of Narwhal's tusk. And all that snacking.  Shark is well versed in dental hygiene. Of course! Think of all those teeth she has to take care of every day.

The four stories told are full of fun and friendship. Part of the telling involves Jelly and Crab wanting Narwhal, who does nothing but smile, to know it is all right to frown sometimes. If feeling upset about something, he can allow for a bad day sometimes. Narwhal asserts that his mood is mostly a happy one. He makes those around him feel the same way. 

Fun for fans and a worthwhile addition to a very popular series.