With You in Spirit: A Qing Ming Story, written by Jenny Liao and illustrated by Lenny Wen. Alfred A. Knopf, Penguin Random House. 2026. $24.99 ages 4 and up

 

"There are new stories I can't wait 
to share with Yeh Yeh. 

"Oswald learned how to bake!"

"Mama's art is famous!"

"Baba's garden is growing!"

"And I'm starring in the school play!""

The arrival of April means a family visit to Yeh Yeh's grave for Qing Ming, Pure Brightness Festival, also known in China as Tomb Sweeping Day. It is the opportunity for family to honor and remember those who have died. On the way, our young narrator has difficulty bringing to mind memories of things the she and her grandfather did together. When she closes her eyes, she can see Yeh Yeh's face and his smile; she can't hear his laughter anymore. She can hear his voice helping her with painting their names; she can't remember how he held her hand to help her make the proper brushstrokes. 

She and her parents take care of the gravesite and place Yeh Yeh's favorite foods on his tombstone. They stop to picnic on those favorite foods, and share memories and ideas for what they would like to share with him if he were with them. Baba burns joss paper as offerings to Yeh Yeh, while the little one adds drawings of a bike, a calligraphy brush and ink stick to the fire that represent her memories. 

This is a loving celebration that shows the deep respect of family members for Yeh Yeh and his lasting legacy to his granddaughter. Slightly glowing images, created in gouache, colored pencils and a brush pen, evoke memories of Yeh Yeh throughout the reading. It is a reminder that loved ones who have passed on have never really left us; our memories and love keep them forever in our hearts. 

An author's note and a useful glossary are appended.                                                                                  

Becca & Bubbe's Bucket List, written by Laura Gehl and illustrated by Sarah Lynn Baker. Rocky Pond Books, Penguin Random House. 2026. $24.99 ages 4 and up

"As Becca and Bubbe worked through the 
summer bucket list, everyone got in on the 
fun. 

Giant water balloon battle. 

Lemonade for tzedakah.

Sleepover under the stars.

And after lunch every day, when Bubbe
went to yoga class, Becca and her friends
worked on a special surprise."

Ms. Gehl's newest book begins with a glossary of Yiddish and Hebrew words that are included in her story about a grandmother/granddaughter team who spend the summer together. Readers will appreciate the list, if the language is new to them. 

Summer begins with a trip to the ice cream store and a chance to consider the many ice cream treats on its menu. With a wish to, one day, order the Trash Can Sundae (said to feed 20 people), Bubbe suggests that Becca put it on her bucket list. Becca is not sure what that means. Bubbe explains the concept of making a list of things you might want to do at some point in your life.  Once they are home again, Becca gets busy creating her list; the difference is that hers will be for the summer. 

Soon she has six specific items recorded. Bubbe reports that she has done most of the things she wanted to do in her life. One wish is left: to be a model in fine clothes walking the runway. The two get right to the work of fulfilling Becca's list. Each day, while Bubbe is at yoga, Becca and her friends work to make a special surprise for Bubbe. The days roll by. 

A glitch in the plan for Bubbe's surprise results in additional friends coming to the rescue! As summer winds down, Bubbe and Becca sit down at lunch to talk their lists. Becca's list is almost covered; they simply cannot forget about Bubbe's one wish. Bubbe is definitely star of the fashion show that Becca and her friends have planned for Bubbe's special day. 

In the words of Marilyn Monroe: We Are All of Us Stars, and We Deserve to Twinkle. 

Eureka, written by Victoria Chang. Farrar Straus Giroux, Macmillan. Raincoast, 2006. $25.99 ages 10 and up

 

"I used to stand on top 
of Telegraph Hill and look 
down on the wharf
at the great ships
that went back and forth, 
but I never thought 
I would be on one, 
sailing in the wrong direction
away from home,
away from San Francisco, 
away from Ma Ma and Ba Ba."

Mei Mei lives with her parents and loves her life in San Francisco. The year is 1884. As an immigrant, Mei Mei cannot attend a public school; rather, she goes to Chinese school in a church basement. As well as school, Mei Mei helps her father run the family store. She loves playing with her best friend Hua Hua, while also spending a great deal of time with Ma Ma who is housebound because of her "little lotus feet", which have been tightly bound since Ma Ma was a child. 

As San Francisco becomes more dangerous for the Chinese; brokers who provided passage for Mei Mei's family from China threaten to take Mei Mei as further payment. Her parents are frightened and decide to send Mei Mei to her aunt in Eureka, which is far away from the danger. They want her to be safe and to go to a public school there, as has been promised. What happens cannot be further from the truth. Upon arrival, her aunt puts her to work in the Bobbit family home, and takes most of her pay. 

Mei works with Mrs. Yu in the kitchen; the two become friends. Sara Bobbit is the kind daughter, in an unkind and wealthy family, who offers to teach Mei Mei and another servant named Tom how to speak and read English. When racial unrest rears its ugly head in Eureka, Mrs. Yu, Mei Mei and Tom are forced to leave and find their way back to San Francisco. Their journey is not without complications; but it is a success.  

This verse novel is narrated by Mei Mei, and wrought with many emotions: joy, fear, disappointment, sadness, love, longing, and hope. It is authentic and brave, and readers will find people to champion as they read. 

Back matter offers an author's note that illustrates the plight of many Chinese immigrants as they tried to build a new and better life for themselves, and a list of interesting facts about Chinese life in America. 

The Side Pickle, written by Sarah Howden and illustrated by Sabina Hahn. tundra, Peguin Random House. 2026. $24.99 ages 4 and up

  h

"A curious earthworm had a harder 
question. "Why are we here?"

"I used to think I was meant to be a 
tasty snack. But now I am here, 
talking with you. Purposes can 
change." 

Day after day, the pickle sat there, 
shriveling in the sun. (It was a dry 
summer.)"

When a pickle lands next to a dry cleaners and speaks about his dilemma, resident animals have questions. As they gather, the pickle offers thoughts for them concerning his ability to communicate and why what he has to say is important. A bird asks why he considers himself so wise. Apparently, the pickle just knows it to be true. They continue to ask, and the pickle continues to provide clear answers. When a mouse asks about hunger, the pickle explains he is meant to feed not to be fed. 

A passing earthworm has a more philosophical question, wondering 'why we are here'. The pickle responds that, at one time, he was a snack and now he is talking with those who have enquiries about him. Seems the purpose in life can change. The question about his path to being where he is surprises with this answer. 

""I used to live underwater," began the pickle. "In a salty brine like the sea, 
but with more garlic. Then I was served beside a hot dog to a person ... who
hated pickles."

The summer days are warm and the pickle shrivels. A question about choice concerning his fate, leads to the answer that being eaten by a dog would be fine. His animal friends prepare to fulfill his wish, and call for a dog. Just when his fate seems set, another surprise adventure begins. 

Kids who hear this story will feel concern for the pickle and its dilemma, while the adults reading it may look at it differently. All in all, it is a fun read with humor and empathy clearly shared in illustrations created using black graphite pencil, watercolor and pickle brine. 

What are your big questions? 

The Outermost Mouse, written by Lauren Wolk and illustrated by Kristen Adam. Dutton, Penguin Random House. 2026. $24.99 ages 8 and up

 

"The Outermost Mouse was in love with her life.

The wind was her pantry, full of seeds and fresh
rainwater. Above, more blue than most any mouse
could want. Below, the beach as warm and soft as 
her mother.

And the house itself, like a huge nest she had made 
her own. She loved its jam-jar posies, and lanterns 
full of gold, and the clock that tick-tocked her to 
sleep at night."

The tip of a beach is shared by a cottage, an old man and a mouse. The Outermost Mouse loves her life there, and everything about it ... both outside and inside. As the sea grows closer each and every day, Mouse worries. She shares those worries with the gulls, the fish, a fox, and the Outermost House where she finds shelter. No one seems concerned with her news; the mouse remains very troubled. Hoping to stop the advancing water, she carries load after load of material to build a defense against it. 

The barricade is insignificant against the waves that wash ashore. She needs to do more. The following day she gathers all manner of exceptional materials and built it as high as she can. The same result has the mouse putting all building materials back where she found them. What might happen next, she wonders. 

It doens't take long to find out; in the face of a coming storm, the old man packs up his things and leaves his home behind him. He leaves much for the mouse to use and enjoy. As the storm makes its presence known, she looks at her treasures and realizes she can not save them. Is she too small to survive on her own? 

Filled with strong emotions and illustrated with exquisite watercolor images that capture both mood and setting, this story is sure to capture the hearts of those who are able to empathize with a brave, yet tiny, adventurer who braves tough situations and makes the best of them. 

"The cottage in this book is not exactly like the real one. And my storm is not exactly like the one that buried Cape Cod in snow when I was eighteen years old. But my mouse is exactly as I imagined her to be: small but smart and brave and strong, with a song worth singing and a world worth saving. Just like children everywhere.
                                                                       - Lauren Wolk
                                                                               

                                                                                

Ama'sPurse, written by Charlotte Cheng and illustrated by Xindi Yan. Rocky Pond Books, Penguin Random House. 2026. $26.99 ages 4 and up

 

"Then Ama's purse unfolds
with a snap of its clasp. 
Out comes her compact, 
round and silver. 

Out comes her lipstick, red and bold. 
She peeks into the mirror
and checks her laugh-lined face."

The family is in the car, ready for a day trip together to destination unknown. Our girl narrator and her Ama are in the back seat, Ama's purse on the seat between them. It isn't long until Ama opens her purse to some magical memories the two share as they roll along. Once out of the city, they stop at a fresh fruit stand. Ama pays and they are off again. 

As the car swerves, the child experiences a touch of motion sickness. Ama has just what she needs to take her grandchild's mind off the feeling. They continue on as Ama's purse offers up a necklace, bracelet, and the opportunity for counting. A rest stop provides an chance to get out and enjoy fresh air and beautiful scenery. Oh, and a feast of snacks for a rumbling stomach. A stop in town for gas means another chance to get out of the car. Ama stumbles, drops her purse, and her many treasures pop out. Quick thinking and solid work by the child return all to where they belong. 

Their arrival at the ocean suggests a quiet rest. Ama's photo album holds wonderful family moments; so much to talk about. Finally, they reach the beach, get out of the car, and enjoy time together in one of their favorite places. 

"Then we make a brand-new memory in sparkling splashes."
                                                                          

Mother Boo: Poems from Spookytown, written by Vicki VanSickle and illustrated by Jennica Lounsbury. tundra, Penguin Random House. 2026. $24.99 ages 4 and up

 

"Ugga bugga baby
smells like garbage in the sun, 
smother her with kisses
on her ugga bugga tum. 

My ugga bugga baby
is as perfect as can be, 
together we're the picture 
of a perfect family."

Thinking ahead to October and Halloween, looking for a new book to add to your collection? You might want to consider Mother Boo. A touch of spooky and poetry that makes Halloween a part of every day of the year, this collection of verse welcomes readers to Spookytown and voices poems that are sweet and wide-ranging. 

Mother Boo is the ghostly figure who watches over all those living in Spookytown, taking care of them always and even saving them when the event warrants such action. She will be there whenever someone cries "Boo-hoo!", and on the many other occasions when her help is needed ... happy or sad. A poem about flying witches explains that it is their cat's tails that carry the magic that makes the flying happen. There is also a countdown to Halloween, a description of the variety in moons from month to month throughout the year, a werewolf dance that may seem quite spooky until Mama returns with a warm hug. 

The poetry is presented in many styles which is worthy of respect from all who share this book. The digital art was created with colored pencils and Photoshop, and matches the fall setting in orange, black, green, gold and white. It's great fun at Halloween; but suits the interest of many at any time of the year.