Marian's Big Dig, written by Laura Bontje and illustrated by Scot Ritchie. Groundwood, 2026. $22.99 ages 4 and up

 

"Mom held Marian's discovery up to the light.
"I'm not sure about that, sweetie."
Marian's mom knew a lot about rocks. But 
Marian knew a lot about determination. She 
needed to talk to a fossil expert."

Scot Ritchie always does a commendable job of bringing a sense of discovery to the books he has been tasked to illustrate. Case in point: the endpapers will have interested readers immediately considering the child protagonist and her sustained interest in dinosaurs and discovery. The opening illustration shows her pushing a wheelbarrow filled to the brim with a large tarped object. Her companion cat is riding shotgun. Only now, on the title page, are we witness to further evidence that Marian is intrigued by dinosaurs. 

Marian's mother is a collector of rocks, and has passed her passion on to her daughter who curates her own collection. She has one spot on her shelf for the 'best one of all'. At recess one day, she makes an unexpected discovery. It is a tiny fossil, and it is in a big boulder which she can not move, no matter how hard she tries. Right beside that boulder, she finds something even better ... a dinosaur tooth! Or is it? Marian's mother is not so sure; so, Marian searches for a fossil expert. 

She starts with a letter to Wendy Sloboda, asking her advice about the rock she has found. Wendy responds saying she can not be sure about it until she actually sees it. Marian is not willing to send it to Wendy. Thus begins her search for more fossils, starting in her own backyard. When she finds what she is looking for, her parents lend their support to a further search. Trying to piece together every found object is quite the task. Her tiny rock becomes part of a much larger 'dinosaur'. I wish you could see it. 

""What's it called?" someone asked.
Marian gazed up at the marvelous creature. |
Her dinosaur stared proudly back. 
"I was thinking ... Marianodon."
It really was her best discovery yet."

She doesn't stop there. 

Final pages discuss what a fossil is, and lists real-life kid scientists who have been adding to scientific discovery since 1811: Mary Anning, Ruth Mason, Wendy Sloboda, Diego Suarez, Lily Wilder, Julian Caners. Along with a list for further reading, those names will be enough to have interested readers do a deep dive into learning more about dinosaurs and other fossils. 

Bompa's Intertidal Adventure, written by David Suzuki and Sarika Cullis-Suzuki with Tanya Lloyd Kyi. Illustrations by Qin Leng. Greystone Kids, 2026. $24.95 ages 4 qnd up

"It doesn't stay a secret for long. Kaoru
can't wait. "We're going to the intertidal 
zone!"

By the time they park their bikes, they're 
out of breath. But Nakina tugs at Bompa's 
sleeves.

"Why are we in such a hurry?" he pants. 

"Did you forget? Nakina asks. "Low tide 
is RIGHT NOW!"

It's the last day of summer and twins Nakina and Kaoru are patiently waiting for an adventure with their Bompa. Their grandfather is a scientist and they love to learn from him. Finally, Bompa arrives on his new e-bike, and the three are off to explore another special place. On this final day, they have made the plan; so far, it's been a secret. 

They are taking Bompa to the intertidal zone, and they are pumped to show him low tide! They are walking on the bottom of the ocean, after all. They know they will find interesting things; maybe they will have to stay longer with their grandfather to study them. First up is a snail shell, which suddenly moves on. It turns out that the shell is inhabited by a hermit crab. It has adapted to find itself a new home. 

Bompa explains that adaptation happens when animals 'grow and change over time, so they perfectly suit their environments'. The three are soon off again; this time they find a tide pool where limpets and sculpins, and even a plainfin midshipman hides. There is so much to learn. Luckily, the children are equipped with a magnifying glass, a notebook, and a keen curiosity for exploration. Bompa's explanations for what they are seeing provide the answers they need as they continue their exploration. 

Bompa helps them understand the impact of climate change that comes with loss of habitat and pollution. Kaoru listens intently and suggests that the twins might be able to inspire change when they return to school. As much as the twins have changed up until now, Bompa says they will continue to make a difference throughout their lifetime. It is a very encouraging end to their final expedition with Bompa.  

This is the second book in the Nature Adventures with Bompa series, featuring David Suzuki and his grandchildren. Back matter includes a list of ways people can protect the intertidal zone, a Shoreline Search and Find puzzle using illustrations from the story, further Intertidal Facts, and a close-up look at a baby crab, limpets, a sculpin, and a holdfast seaweed.                                                             

                                                                                        

We Used to Be Friends, written by Marcy Campbell and illustrated by Aimee Sicuro. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2026. $24.99 ages 4 and up

 

"Sometimes when I feel this way, I make 
myself even sadder. It's like my brain wants
to pile up every sad thing on top of each 
other at once. 

It reminds me of when I have a mosquito bite,
and Dad says to quit scratching, but I can't. 

It feels good. 

Until it doesn't."

Losing a friend for whatever reason, or reasons, is never easy. Yet, it happens. The two girls whose story is told here, were best friends for a long time. They had fights sometimes; then made up, or forgot to be mad at each other. When the fighting got really bad, the friendship ended. It happens. 

It's hard to get over the mad the narrator feels; and she's also sad. Once, they had fun together. Now, she plays with other kids, and avoids looking for her friend when she passes her house. Her dad tries to reassure her when he says that friendships occasionally end. Now, the two choose different activities, while still seeing each other at school. 

"I don't know if we will be 
best friends again. 

Or sometimes friends.

Or not friends at all."

I would love to be there for the conversations that this book inspires. It offers a different take on friendships, and how they work or don't. For those kids who have experienced the loss of a friend under similar circumstances, this book allows them to think more deeply about what happened and to talk about their feelings. Shifting emotions are captured in mixed-media art that explores the changes friendship can bring. It may make some kids feel less alone.                                                                                            

The Brunch Shift, written by Adrienne Thurman and illustrated by Mags Deroma. Random House Studio, Penguin Random House. 2026. $24.99 ages 4 and up

"When it's finally time for Mama's break, 
I'm ready for one, too. 
Mama scans the hall ... 
Checks behind her back ... 
"The coast is clear," she whispers.
"We've got to catch these art 
thieves before they strike again."
I nod. "Everything could be a clue.""

Saturdays begin just as the sun is coming up. Our young narrator and her mother wait for the bus that will take them to the restaurant where her mother works the brunch shift. Mama can't afford to miss the work. The wait for the bus is worth it when Mama offers a daring mission. They must protect a dragon from a smelly prince! 

Once their mission is complete, they are off to Mama's work and a very busy day. Mr. Wong doesn't mind the girl's presence so long as she is not in the way. All day, she pretends to be invisible. When Mr. Wong makes sure she gets a stack of pancakes; when she and her mama take a break to track art thieves; or when Mr. Wong calls Mama back to her work, the child's day is long. Each and every task is made easier with her mama's imaginary adventures. At last, it's time to close the diner and head for home. 

A race worthy of an Olympic medal gets them to their bus on time. Two transfers, some rocket fuel for energy, and an expressed wish to have a Saturday like other kids results in one more special surprise from Mama's bag of tricks. Ms. DeRoma's mixed-media images offer fantasy and reality as the two spend their Saturday together. Using light and color to let readers know just how long the day is - from sunrise to sunset - she also inspires empathy for those who work long hours to make life better for their children. 
                                                                                 

Bathtime for Snow Monkeys, written by Maggie Tokuda-Hall and illustrated by Yas Imamura. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2026. $26.99 ages 4 and up

 

"Little red faces
Peer out from brown, furry heads
Huddled together. 

They come to relax.
For clean fur and toasty soaks.
To be close to friends."

There was a time when I worked in elementary schools doing poetry workshops in classrooms. It was an opportunity to have kids experience the scope of poetry being published for them, and for them to try their hand at writing their own ideas in a variety of ways. One time, while talking with a grade four teacher, I did my best to divest her of the idea that the easiest kind of poetry for her students to try was haiku. In fact, in my mind then and still today, haiku is not easy at all. Traditionally, it is a poetic form with strict rules: 5-7-5 syllables per line, three lines, a distinct focus on nature, serenity, and brief moments. That is a lot to ask of a 9 or 10-year-old. That is not to say one shouldn't introduce children to the form; to expect them to replicate it is asking too much, I think. Others may disagree. 

Whenever I think back to that day, I am reminded of the brilliance of haiku and how it can focus attention on meaningful language. That is all to say: sharing this incredible book about a troop of nihonzaru (Japanese macaques) from the snowy Nagano mountains in Japan is a truly worthy pursuit. I would not have wanted to miss it. A hot spring is the ultimate location for a calm and quiet soak. Enveloped in the steam that rises around them, the monkeys are content ... until one tiny monkey splashes and wants to play. The others cannot wait for the little one to settle again, and leave them all to their grooming. 

"Come, baby monkey, 
Time to be mindful and hush. 
Enjoy the stillness."

Ms. Imamura's illustrations, created with gouache and pastel crayons, are textured and colored to enhance mood and setting. The warm glow of the mountains as the monkeys make their way to the steamy pool; then cool blues as the snow falls and they settle into its peace and warmth. Art provides a perfect setting for this ode to all being together. 

It is a soothing magical world, and a unique introduction to haiku. 
                                                                                          

I Am Indigenous, written by Anne Tenning, with art by numerous artists. Orca Book Publishers, 2026. $21.95 ages 5 and up

"I am connected to my 

Tribe, Nation, 

Community, Homeland, 

Traditional Territory, 

reserve or reservation. 

And though we come from different lands, 
I have Indigenous relatives all over the 
world! We are all unique, but we also have
so much in common."

In this poem written for Indigenous children by Anne Tenning, the author wants her readers to know that their Indigenous identity is worthy of celebration. Though the text is concise, it proves very appealing to the children meant to hear its strong message. Each child belongs and is invited to share in the pride deserving of their cultural experiences. 

It reassures children their value is honored, no matter their heritage, their language, their families, or their own experiences. Pages of text and art face each other; a new Indigenous illustrator brings their unique talent to the interpretation of the poem's verses. Ms.Tenning's inspiration came from young Indigenous students who shared their reluctance to identify themselves because they lacked confidence in what they did and did not know about their history and culture. 

The 13 Indigenous artists whose works are a brilliant addition to the positive and inspiring words are each mentioned in back matter with a photograph, a clear description of the artist themselves, and a personal statement concerning their art for this project. What diversity they represent in the people they are and the works they have created! 

"I know a lot about who I am, 
And there is much I still want to learn. 

What I do know is

I belong. 

I matter. 

I am loved. 

I am unique."                                                                                          

Stubby, written by Sydra Mallery and illustrated by John Hare. Greenwillow Books, Harper. 2026. $25.99 ages 6 and up

 

"Thankfully, the sparkly unicorn nail polish 
hands of Barbara Ann Brown chose me.

She threw the ten of us into her cart, along 
with two notebooks, one purple folder, and
an eraser shaped like a pig. 

On the first day of school, Barbara Ann 
put on her new outfit. The other pencils,
the pig, and I danced around in her 
pencil box."

Stubby the pencil tells his own story in this autobiography that begins in a forest. Stubby starts as a giant cedar tree there. He is home to birds and bugs; helps feed bunnies and mice; provides midnight snacks for passing foxes; and even feeds a mama bear and her cubs when they are hungry. It is a fulfilling life. That life takes a big turn when huge machines arrive and go to the work of felling the forest trees. 

Every step of the process is explained. Once completely ready for transport to the timber yard, Stubby is off. Further preparation is required there before he can be hauled to the next factory. Upon arrival, many machines and a conveyor belt complete the work that turn Stubby into a pencil. Boxed with nine friends, his journey continues to a store selling back to school supplies. There he stands waiting to be picked up. Finally, he is chosen by Barbara Ann Brown and taken with her to the first day of school. 

His life in the classroom is fraught with endless change. From one desk to another, one task to the next, the days pass in all the ways pencils are used and abused in their lifetime. Once relegated to the Sharp Pencils bucket, Stubby moves from one person to the next, constantly sharpened until he fears for his future.

Everything changes when he is chosen by 'you' and becomes the pencil he knows he was meant to be. 

John Hare's artwork is created with hand-drawn pencil that is digitally colored, and uses panels to great effect while allowing readers to witness the full life that transforms tree to pencil. The target audience will find much to hold their attention as they pore over this life story so effectively documented as both information and adventure.