My Subway Runs, written by James Gladstone and illustrated by Pierre Pratt. Groundwood Books, 2026. $21.99 ages 4 and up

 

"I see no tree roots growing down here, or worms
wriggling in wet dirt. 

But there's a grey puddle from the water drips above. 

My subway runs fast, pushing wind through the 
station, blowing wild all the passengers' hair."

Having never travelled by subway, I cannot imagine the sights, sounds, and wind that might take my breath away. Thanks to James Gladstone and Pierre Pratt, I have a more distinct idea for the excitement and mayhem felt through the eyes of a young child as he and his mother move into the underground where they become part of it all. 

There is a large crowd of people using the subway as a means of transportation on this day. The boy begins to make his many discoveries as they reach the platform where they will wait for their train to arrive. There is a lot going on around them. Once seated, they watch others rush and push to hop on. The doors slide shut and they are on their way. 

It's dark in the tunnel. There are many new sounds and loud screeches which are unpleasant music to the child's ears. The people come from all walks of life, and spend their time on the train doing a variety of things, including reading, chatting, and even sleeping. It is very exciting, especially when they come out of the tunnel and onto a bridge that seems to take them into the sky. They soon arrive at Union Station where his mom spends time searching for a job at one of the restaurants; then it's time to make the return trip! Once home, the child acknowledges that the subway continues to run day and night. The sights, the sounds, and the awareness of the constant movement makes for an exciting adventure - one that is sure to be taken again.  

Pierre Pratt's artwork allows readers a clear look at the people encountered in this trip across the city. Detailed depictions of a diverse population, the energy of their journey, and the quick motion of the trip itself offer a clear look at subway travel for those of us who have not had the opportunity to experience it for ourselves.                                                                                       

Suuban's First Day: a first day of herding story. Written by Shugri Salh and illustrated by Alaba Onajin. Roaring Brook Press, Macmillan. Raincoast, 2026. $25.99 ages 3 and up

 

"One full moon passed.  
             And another. 

Suuban was getting tired of waiting. 
"When will my front teeth fall out, Ayeeyo?"

"When you hear the frogs sing out from 
the pond," Ayeeyo replied. 

Suuban knew that the frogs returned only 
when enough rain fell. Suuban saw not a 
wisp of cloud in the sky and smelled no 
hint of rain in the air."

In this story based on the author's Somalian childhood, readers meet Suuban and her ayeeyo (grandmother) as they live a nomadic life. Suuban loves the animals the two care for every day. In early morning, Suuban is happy to go out and release the goats, sheep, and baby camels from their pens and help with feeding them. 

Her dream is to be able to care for the animals on her own. Ayeeyo explains that she must wait until she loses her two front teeth before that will happen. Four full moons is a long time to wait for the young girl. Her help with the animals every day is fine; she wants to do more. Tired of waiting for what seems an interminable time, Suuban frequently asks her grandmother for other signs. 

When she loses her first tooth, she is sure it's time. Ayeeyo tells her she must wait to lose both teeth. Impatient, Suuban takes her fate into her own hands, challenging a head-butting little goat to an encounter. It works! That very day, Suuban is given careful instructions before taking the animals under her wing and heading for the large termite mound her grandmother describes. 

Always on the lookout, Suuban proves capable and brave on her own. Herding the animals into the shade, she takes time to be sure that all forty are safe. Knowing they are, she can take time to appreciate her natural surroundings. A fox is no match for Suuban; she sends him off with well-thrown rocks. Only as evening shadows set in does Suuban know it is time to return to the compound and her grandmother. They share the day's adventure before she has another question for Ayeeyo.

""When can I take the camel to fetch water by myself?"

"When you are as tall as my shoulder," her ayeeyo said."

Digital artwork is welcome, offering a setting that enhances the storytelling and allows young readers to note the nomadic lifestyle of Suuban and her ayeeyo. They are both colorful and detailed, sharing the emotions that Suuban shows with patience and an eagerness to be of more help. An author's note places the story in Somalia and speaks to children of her life there, and the admiration she holds for her grandmother and the lessons she learned from her. 
                                                                                   

What a Waste: 9 Ways to Fight Climate Change, written by Karen Tam Wu and illustrated by Bithi Sutradhar. Orca Book Publishers, 2025. $19.95 ages 9 and up

"What YOU Can Do

Buy less stuff, It's that simple. Making 
new goods requires energy. 

Try repairing something that's broken 
before replacing it. 

Consider buying things secondhand."

In her introduction, the author speaks to the fear and helplessness that many people -young and old- feel while facing the threat of climate change. She is determined to help readers and their parents learn about the innovations and changes being made around the world that are sure to impact thinking, and offer reasons to feel optimistic about what can be done when we take action. 

The book is divided into three sections: Protecting the Land, Protecting Forests, and Protecting Water. Each offers three actions that can be taken to impact change. Each is presented in clear text, and accompanied by helpful information boxes. The waste we create is astounding; with education and a determined effort to make changes, the world can be a safer place. 

All around the world, researchers and others are finding ways to transform food waste, plants, and creatures of the sea to improve on our ability to fight climate change. In each section, there are            personal suggestion boxes (what you can do) that will inspire readers to do what they can to help. Some are simple changes; others require effort and persistence.

"Of the estimated 100 billion items of clothing produced annually each year, 65 percent end up in the landfill within 12 months. Just 1 percent of recycled clothing is turned into new clothing. 

*Reduce the amount of new clothing you buy.
* Buy secondhand clothes.
*Organize a clothing swap with your friends."

So much is happening that offers inspiration to reuse, repurpose, and make a difference. Even one significant change in the way we live can have a huge impact. That is the premise for this book written for a middle grade audience, and worthy of finding a place on a classroom or school library shelf.     

Butt or Face: Ador-A-Butts, by Kari Lavelle. Sourcebooks, Raincoast. 2026. $22.50 ages 5 and up

 

"Did you recognize the FACE of the sloth?

They can rotate their head 270 degrees,
allowing them to see almost 360 degrees 
around them. Their facial features make
them appear as if they're always smiling - 
even when stressed or anxious. Talk 
about smiling for the camera!"

In this fourth edition of the BUTT or FACE series, readers will meet animals that may be familiar to them - or not. There were some new species for me including the pink fairy armadillo, the pygmy seahorse, the desert rain frog, and the leaf sheep sea slug. This funny game asks the reader to guess whether they are looking at the front or the back of each featured animal. They will be eager to do it up right, and it's interesting to realize how difficult it can be to know for sure. 

The question about the cropped natural photo that asks whether it is a butt or face is not easy to answer. Careful consideration is required and a willingness to make a mistake is helpful. A turn of the page reveals the full photograph and the answer is shared. That page also includes a short descriptive paragraph, and two Face the Facts information boxes. 

One of those boxes adds the following information to the above description for the sloth: 

"As the slowest moving animals on earth, sloths take their 
own sweet time - for everything! It takes them thirty days
to digest a leaf. About once a week, they slowly climb 
down their tree to the forest floor to poop. What a re-leaf!"

The fun facts, telling photographs, and opportunity to play a guessing game make this a welcome and anticipated series for kids who like to learn as much as they can about the animals of the world. 

Balloon, written by Bruce Handy and illustrated by Julie Kwon. Chronicle Books, Raincoast. 2025. $25.99 ages 3 and up

 

"Balloon! 

Balloon ...

Balloon?"

There is only one word of text repeated as needed throughout this very captivating picture book. That word is Balloon. Other text is completely unnecessary, until the final few spreads. 

A visit to the park with his mother has a young boy delightedly displaying a bright orange balloon as he scurries along the path ... and right into a flock of pigeons. The birds scatter scaring a squirrel, the mother and the little boy. The end result is the loss of his brand-new balloon. They watch helplessly as it drifts off above the park's trees and out of sight. 

The balloon seller offers another. The child is not interested. An orange ice cream bar does not provide enticement either. The two walk on. As he watches a family set up for a picnic, he thinks he can see the balloon behind the blanket they are settling. No, it's a frisbee belonging to their dog. As they pass a group of people listening to music in the park, he is once again intrigued by a round orange shape that turns out to be a knit cap belonging to the saxophone player. And so it goes. As young children follow the events of the story, they will note other orange objects, none of which are the child's balloon. They will be sure to keep their eyes on that orange squirrel that continues to travel the path with them. 

A full page spread captures full attention with the child's head and wide eyes staring straight out at the reader! A turn of the page filled with glorious orange objects is a wonderful surprise, while also showing the child tugging at his mom's hand to pull her forward. What's next? 

You will be moved! It's an absolutely perfect ending, full of heart and wonder. 

Julie Kwon's winning illustrations are created using pen and ink before coloring them digitally. They offer so much context to the story told. Don't miss the author's note; it is also filled with joy. 

A Friend is a friend is a friend, written by Sara O'Leary and illustrated by Qin Leng. Groundwood, 2026. $21.99 ages 4 and up

 

""I have lots of friends here, but 
my best friend is my grandpa." 

"He and I like to sit around and talk
about the old days. I listen to his stories
about when he was small, and he listens 
to mine.""

This companion to the first two books in the Who We Are series is a terrific finale to the trilogy. Starting with family, moving to kids and ending with friends, the three books together are a welcome addition to all family book shelves. 

There are so many ways to make new friends when you attend summer camp. The young girl who is the focus of our attention looks a tad apprehensive as she wonders just how to do that. As she watches the many kids assembled, she wonders if any will show an interest in her. She moves from one place to another and there is always someone willing to offer ideas. The first tells her that her two new friends are together because they share the same birthday. Another explains that she has lots of friends at camp; then mentions that her grandpa remains the best of the bunch. 

Two new friends don't even speak the same language and it doesn't matter a bit. Others are friends because they like the same things: climbing, Godzilla, cheese, some colors. Going into the forest with someone who shares your fear of the unknown is the perfect opportunity for exploring together. Some friends are old ones; some are brand new. 

"We've been friends a long time. We were friends even 
before we were born, because our moms were friends 
when they were kids."

"And we'll still be friends when we are really, really old. 
Like thirty-seven."

"And if we have kids, then our kids will be friends.""

For all the witty conversation, readers will be excited to pore over the detailed ink, marker, and watercolor images created by Ms. Leng. The camp setting is perfect for the talk that takes place as the child wanders the camping area. Humor in the text is accompanied by lively humor and action on every spread. 

There is much to love here; you won't read it just one time. Kids will be wishing for summer camp to be just around the corner.                                                                              

It's A Mitig! Written and illustrated by Bridget George. D&M Kids. 2026. $14.95 ages 1 and up

 

"This bark-covered giant grows 
tall and thick, 
covered in branches, 
it's a mitig!

What animal's toothy 
and plays with a stick? 

It swims in the river, 
it's called an amik."

This book, written in English with Ojibwe vocabulary, has just recently been published as a board book. Dedicated to her son Noah, Ms. George wanted him to have books that help him learn his native language, just as his mother was learning that same language. 

There is much to see on its pages and simple words to learn from start to finish. The rhyming couplets concentrate on nature and start with the sunrise. Ojibwe words are larger and written in bold font, allowing readers sharing this book with little ones to give emphasis to the new language being learned. The details in the artwork provide context for understanding. 

As the day moves forward, listeners will learn new words for sun, fish, porcupine, snake, bird, squirrel, tree, beaver, river, bee, acorn, and moon. Artwork is colorful and encourages discussion as the pages are turned. There is much to like about this book for little ones. It is my understanding that the original publication (D&M, 2020) ended with a pronunciation page that acted a bit like a dictionary for the new words shared. I don't think that is needed in this board book edition. 

I do hope you will enjoy hearing Bridget read her book in the attached video. 

https://youtu.be/D5T6Xu21J2E?si=qCP2qFYwp54zLIVH