Matisse Magician of Color, written and illustrated by Derek Desierto. Feiwel and Friends, Macmillan. Raincoast. 2025. $25.99 ages 4 and up

 

"And that's how Henri started painting from 
his heart. Color took on new meanings for him. 
Green was no longer only for grass; blue was 
not just for sky. 

Henri used color to express his emotions!"

This brief, yet quietly brilliant, homage to Henri Matisse is sure to please young readers. In language that begs to be read aloud, Mr. Desierto introduces him as a young boy living in northern France in a pastoral setting. While young, he was able to channel his creative talent into art that allowed escape from his rural surroundings. His father was not pleased. Henri was meant to aspire to an important role in the business world; it was the future laid out for oldest sons at the time. 

Henri followed the rules, studying law as was expected of him. He was not happy. Illness occasioned a visit from his mother, who brought him art supplies that changed the course of his life. Studying art made him very happy. Misunderstood as an artist in early days, he soon won favor within the arts community. He followed that passion for most of his adult life. 

When severe illness struck for a second time, Henri was confined to bed and a wheelchair. Painting became too much for him. Bedridden many days, he turned to cutting shapes from colorful papers. Now, his drawing was done with scissors; what magic resulted. His studio became a haven for his friends and a delightful place for a visit. When he became well enough to care for himself, he thanked his dutiful caregiver with the most splendid gift using living color. 

A heartfelt author's note explains the impact that Henri Matisse has had in his life - a testament to 'his relentless spirit and extraordinary vision'.
                                                                           

Supersquads, written by Heather Lang and Jamie Harper and illustrated by Jamie Harper. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2025. ages 5 and up

 

"When two species embrace their differences
and partner up, they're better together. This is 
called mutualism. 

Ostriches and zebras have each other's backs. 
The ostrich's keen eyesight combined with the 
zebra's excellent sense of smell and hearing 
creates a strong defense against hungry 
predators. What a team! 

A welcome addition to the Animal Heroes series, readers will find much to share here. All animals, described in humorous and informative text, help one another. No matter the circumstance, animals have found ways to use their specific abilities when working with other animals for protection, assistance, and providing care. They work together as friends, families and even larger communities. 

The examples are carefully chosen and their successes are shared in sections that include communication, leadership, organization, diversity, and unity Each describes animals which fit neatly into the chosen categories. Chickadees use variety in calls to warn of approaching predators; one meerkat stands guard while others search for food; a sea anemone uses its stinging tentacles to protect a hermit crab; and thousands of starlings fly in tight formations to challenge predators from taking any one of them as lunch. The entries are succinct and accessible for young readers. The accompanying artwork adds humor and engaging animation to hold attention while providing the most interesting tidbits concerning animal behaviors.  

In final pages, the supersquads form teams as they make their way around an oval sports track with a suggestion for readers to think about their own squads and what makes them super. Back matter includes thumbnail sketches of the animals included, with their personal superpower and a short description of each. Finally, lists are provided for other books for children, online and audiovisual resources and the authors' websites. Ingenious! 
                                                                              

All ARound a Year, written and illustrated by Mariana Ruiz Johnson. Greystone Kids, 2025. $24.95 ages 4 and up

 

"One day, you'll pass through a whirlpool of 
wind and leaves. It's AUTUMN. 

You'll know that the trees are saying goodbye 
to their coats of orange and yellow. 

You might have caught a cold. Or a cough, 
and your nose might feel like a leaky faucet. 

Then your body will need to rest."

This book about the seasons begins at the beginning ... in January, when reading under a blanket is the perfect way to spend a day. As readers meet the mouse family, they will notice that many of winter events happen for them just as they happen with humans. Fog on the windows, warm drinks, a cozy fire, and a wish to spend more time than usual in bed. There are outdoor things that make winter fun as well. 

As the snow melts and sidewalks clear, children and adults can be found outside walking, flying kites, cleaning yards, or sitting on a park bench. Windows are left open, sneezing becomes a daily experience for some, and there are fewer clothes to wear. The move from spring to summer is subtle. Mosquitoes, sunscreen, iced lemonade, and being close to water brings relief and endless enjoyment. Picnics and parties last into longer nights and ice cream is the dessert of choice. 

Too soon, a chill is in the air and children are encouraged to dress in layers, stay inside where it is warm, and play with games and toys they haven't touched for ages. Autumn, with its falling leaves, Halloween, fall festivals and warm baths, follows the heat of summer as it always does. The holidays are celebrated and another year comes to an end with promise for the new year. A new baby is on the way, and so much more. 

"When this story ends, it will begin again.
That's how it works."

There is a lot to look at with every turn of the page. Little ones love to share their thoughts and observations; they will want to return to the story time and again.  

How To Say Goodbye in Cuban, written by Daniel Miyares. Anne Schwartz Books, Penguin Random House. 2025. $29.99 ages 10 and up

"Tomorrow turned into next week.
And next week into next month. 

Math was still tedious, but I discovered
that I liked to draw - 

and wasn't half bad at it, either. My teacher
said I had a good "visual memory". I think 
that meant I could hold pictures in my 
head and put them down on paper later." 

Daniel Miyares looks back into his family's history to describe how his father's life is changed immeasurably by the Cuban Revolution. In 1956 Carlos is 12 and living near Matanzas, Cuba in the peaceful countryside. His family lives on the same street as his aunt and his grandparents. He is living a fairly boring life there. It won't be long until Fidel Castro and a small band of exiles return to their homeland in an attempt to overthrow Batista. 

Although boring for a young boy, the family lives a life that is filled with affection. When his father wins the lottery, the family moves to the city where he can build a woodshop and make furniture for others. It is a big change for Carlos, whose love of nature and being outdoors is now non-existent. Called names at school for coming from the country is only a small problem once Castro comes to power. Filled with fear as his father's business is taken over by government forces and neighbors turn on neighbors, rumors fuel the worries of his family. When his father disappears, the family holds onto hope that things will get better. Many months later Papi returns home to tell them he has been making plans to take them to America and safety. 

Full of suspense and a family's resilience, this story is told brilliantly in words and graphic images that offer a clear look at the beauty of the Cuban setting, while also allowing readers to feel the fear, uncertainty, and pain that change can bring. Using single page entries to between segments of Carlo's story maintains the awareness of government upheaval as it affects the people living in Cuba at that time. 

Rudy's Lullaby, written and illustrated by Alexandra Boiger. Philomel, Penguin Random House. 2025. $24.99 ages 3 and up

 

"Rudy decided to take them out on a boat ride. 
The chicks were chirping and laughing. 
They were having a really good time. 

But Rudy wasn't quite ready to feel happy. 
He felt more like taking a nap. 
Didn't the chicks need one, too?"

Rudy and his best friend Bruno love the peaceful forest life they are living. Their home at the base of a protective and tall tree is just perfect for both. On the day Mama Charlie locates her Lullaby School to the tree above them, that serene life makes a huge change in Rudy's idyllic life. Bruno is OK with it. Rudy cannot believe the noise the numerous birds generate, disturbing his sleep and his abillty to think clearly. 

An invitation delivered to Mama Charlie causes surprise and a large measure of glee when it is revealed the school is going to perform in a Lullaby Concert. Unfortunately, she will not be able to take her five little chicks with her. Bruno offers to take care of the chicks while Mama is away. Taking on the role of nanny is going to last seven days. Bruno loves playing with them; Rudy chooses to watch. 

Feeling left out and unhappy leads Rudy to offer some support. To provide time to give Bruno a needed rest, Rudy takes the chicks on a boat ride. While caring for five, Alice is lost. Rudy comes up with the perfect plan for finding her again. The rest of that day is filled with fun, as is the rest of the time until Mama Charlie and the chorus return. It's a lovely new relationship ... until another surprise visitor shows up! 

The very lively watercolor, gouache and colored pencil illustrations create a setting that is full of whimsy and caregiving. Young readers will find much to like while they are listening.  

Maggie Lou Meets Her Match, written by Arnolda Dufour Bowes and illustrated by Karlene Harvey. Groundwood, 2025. $14.99 ages 9 and up

 

"I flip the reins over Win'cis's head and jump on
his back. We gallop around the pine tree, and I 
lead him back to Mikey. Kicking my leg over, I 
dismount with such precision that I even surprise
myself. 
It's been a long, painful couple of weeks riding this 
stubborn little horse, and I'm excited that I figured 
a few things out." 

It was a real pleasure to revisit Maggie Lou and her proud and happy Metis family in this book. As in the first book, Maggie Lou, Firefox, there are three stories here. Uncle Bobby has met Bonnie; a woman Maggie Lou loves. She does, however, find it much more difficult to warm up to Rosie, Bonnie's daughter. The two have little in common except their need to fight and bicker about almost everything. Kohkom is not impressed and relates a story about identical twin sister stars, Piyak and Niso. The two sisters were always at odds, until they realized if they worked together rather than against each other, they could be better and burn brighter. It is a lesson Maggie Lou and Rosie take to heart. 

In the second part of the book, Maggie Lou is able to admit that she would like to be more like Rosie who is a skilled rider and rodeo contender. It takes time, patience, and a lot of new learning for Maggie Lou to realize she and Rosie can never be the same. Still, she is willing to do what it takes to be better than she was when they met. She also some endures very embarrassing and difficult moments to get there. In the end, she allows that she will never be as good as Rosie is; she still can make her mark. 

Finally, Maggie learns something about her family she did not previously know. They were once champions in the Otipim'sowak Race. That Metis Day race was ten kilometres with six people taking part. Wanting to follow in their footsteps, Maggie enters the junior division with Rosie on her team. The training is intense, not without complications. Eventually, family comes first and the team learns they can do anything they put their minds to, as long as they are doing it together. 

 Fans of the first book will be happy to visit this funny, happy, skilled family again. They are supportive of one another, using humor and memories to keep the action moving forward. Their adventures are quite epic and provide for a most enjoyable read. Chapter-break illustrations add to the fun.  

Burst Your Bubble! Outsmart the Algorithms and See What You're Missing. Written by Joyce Grant and illustrated by Jan Dolby. Owlkids, 2025. ages 9 and up

 

"BLUE SPACE HELMETS

 Find a buddy or a family member you're 
connected to on social media. Have them 
think of a product that's really unusual 
and specific, like "blue space helmets". 
Ask them to watch a few videos about 
space helmets and search for "blue 
space helmets" in their search engine. 
  Wait ten minutes and then type the 
word "blue" into your search engine.
Did space helmets come up? Are they 
coming up on your friend's phone now? 
And maybe other things about space, 
or perhaps bicycle helmets?
  Your phone wasn't listening to you -
but an algorithm did take note of what
your friend was interested in."

I think that this is a book kids should read with their parents. There is much to learn in its pages about how information bubbles work. I am certainly happy to have learned what I did while reading it. It immediately engages its target audience with the way algorithms frame what we see online. The author also does her best, in accessible and real-world text, to help understand how better choices can be made. The interactive opportunities for moving from one place to another make the learning both enjoyable and informative. It works a bit like a choose-your-adventure-book that many will have experienced. 

The challenges are useful for parents and teachers to help young readers navigate just what happens when search topics are chosen. These lead to much of what the user will be guided toward in future searches. The illustrations are brightly colored and cartoon-like. Their design is crucial to adding meaning to the text in a playful and understated way. 

For those adults who haven't thought much about their own online presence, it provides the proof that whatever you might click on, or search out, will determine much of what you see in future searches. Too soon what is seen has a much narrower focus and you see less and less of other topics and interests. That's the bubble children find themselves in. It keeps them from having access to other different points of view, other people, and even limits their experiences on the internet. 

We don't want our kids or ourselves to see only one side of any story. It's important to learn ways to break out of those bubbles and find other ways to inform ourselves. There are ways to be smart about getting beyond our own small bubbles and expanding thought, knowledge, and the importance of being well-informed. As a beginning, this book will definitely help with that. 

 A table of contents, glossary, index, and bibliography are included.