The Mother Tree, written by Sybil Rosen and illustrated by Nancy Carpenter. anne schwartz books, Penguin Random House. 2026. $24.99 ages 4 and up

"At sunset they walk through what's left of the woods.
Raw stumps lie amid heaps of bent and broken smaller 
trees. Sadie doesn't have words to describe how forlorn
and ruined everything looks. 
The nearer they get to the mother tree, the more scared 
Sadie feels. Will her beech still be there?" 

I have mentioned in previous posts that many published books for children today speak to them about the importance of our natural surroundings. A good many highlight trees, and what we are learning about their place in the health of our planet. 

In her book, Sybil Rosen introduces readers to Sadie and her mother who love to spend time walking in the forest that surrounds their home. They know these trees as friends who provide shade, homes for birds, and beauty at every turn. Sadie knows that trees and humans help each other when it comes to breathing. Sadie works in her notebook to note all they see on their daily walks. They often end up at Sadie's favorite tree: a two-hundred-year-old beech with a branch that offers a place for rest whenever the two stop to visit. 

Her mother answers Sadie's questions and shares new learning about how so much happens in the roots beneath their feet. When they notice that many of the trees have been marked with a red circle, Sadie is confused. She learns from her mother that the marked trees are destined to be cut down and sent to a lumber mill. Sadie is very upset when the loggers make their presence known by a terrible racket. As they get closer, Sadie shares her real concerns about her beech tree with Momma. 

Her mother wonders what Sadie would say to loggers if she could talk to them. Taking up her pencil, Sadie writes a heartfelt note. 

"Please do not cut down our mother tree.
The new forest will need her and we 
need the oxygen. 
Thank you very much.

Sadie"

After a long wait and a lot more cutting, Sadie and her mother return to the beech to find the loggers listened to one small child's voice. It's a start.  

The charcoal, watercolor and digital artwork is emotional in scope while showing Sadie's feelings about all that is happening to her beloved trees, and very helpful while sharing Momma's teachings about the nature of trees and that a mother tree plays a role of great importance. A note from the author provides more details for readers and some of the actions they can take to protect our forests.                                                                                      

A Day Off School, written by Oliver Jeffers with illustrations by Kevin Waldron and Oliver Jeffers. Harper Collins, 2026. $24.99 ages 5 and up

 

"He went back to 
thinking about school
to cheer himself up. 

But ... 

what if something really good 
happened there today? 

Like an EXTRA playtime? 

or a DOG loose in the CORRIDORS?"

When Herbie woke one morning with the sniffles, his parents suggested he should stay home. What great good luck for him. A day with no school, ALL TO HIMSELF! There is so much he can do; he was soon out of bed and busy with building a fort, playing SPACE BLASTERS, and racing his cars on a long and winding track. His enthusiasm remained strong all morning. When his dad checked in on him, Herbie was surprised to learn it wasn't even lunchtime. He had done everything he wanted to do. 

He didn't want to think about school, but he did. He began to wonder what he was missing. There wasn't anything else he wanted to do until his sister Daisy came home. That set him to imagining what was happening at school in his absence. Was there birthday cake for one of his classmates? Had pirates invaded? Did a monster take the teachers? 

This would be a perfect time to stop reading and see what listeners might add to the growing list of what-ifs. Think of the fun they would have in thinking creatively about other such ideas. 

When Daisy arrived home, Herbie wanted to know what he missed. Daisy was non-committal. As she climbed the stairs to her room, Herbie was sure he could see a space helmet in her backpack. It made him long to return to school the following day. 

What happened then will have readers laughing out loud!

Illustrations by this inventive team fill every spread with images and movement that will hold attention and that respect the imagination of children. While Herbie is not as enamored of being by himself as he thought he might be, the artists provide plenty for readers to focus on as the day progresses and Herbie's imagination runs wild. 

When Bryn's Ear Went Quiet, written by Nancy Hundal and illustrated by Ellen Rooney. Owlkids, 2026. $22.95 ages 5 and up

 

"Waiting, waiting. Then another nurse came, and 
it was time to go. 

He wheeled my bed down the center of the hall like
a plane on a runway. Mom held one hand. Dad held
the other. We taxied down more halls and turned 
many corners until we came to a halt in front of 
two wide doors."

Bryn was able to hear everything when she was 4; at 6, she suffered a number of ear infections that left her deaf in her right ear. A hearing aid helped; but it didn't solve all of her problems with hearing her mom's lullabies or wearing a helmet for skating. Another option was explained to Bryn by her parents. She could have an operation to implant a cochlear ear. It wouldn't be perfect, but it would help her hear with her right ear again. 

Nancy Hundal offers this lead up to Bryn's decision to have the cochlear implant. From then on, with gentle yet precise text, she explains for her readers the experiences that Bryn undergoes from talking with doctor, to the trip to the hospital and the preparation needed to be ready for surgery. Once in the OR, readers learn the procedures from arrival to recovery. After a long rest, Bryn is released to go home with her parents. One month later, her implant is turned on and Bryn can hear sounds in her right ear once more. 

This realistic explanation, accompanied by softly colored illustrations, has a calm and reassuring tone to explain hospital routines and provide relevant information for any family facing surgery for a child. First person narration allows for Bryn's thinking about the procedure, and reflects her feelings and questions. While it is a story about hearing loss, children experiencing other surgical procedures will find comfort in the information shared. 

Creatures of the Coral Reef, written by Martin Jenkins and illustrated by Jason Cockcroft. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2026. $26.99 ages 5 and up

"Everywhere you look, there's 
something darting about: 
brightly colored fish, crabs, 
and shrimps with bony claws, 
knobbly-looking octopuses, 
curly seashells ... 

Sometimes a jelly fish, 
a graceful sea turtle, 
or even ... 

       a shark."

Martin Jenkins begins his new book by asking his readers to imagine themselves as a butterflyfish, graced with a 'pointy nose, a flat body, and a stubby little tail'. Then, he questions where they might be found. Offering clues, he leads them to learn a lot about their habitat. He includes their surroundings and also the many forms of life that surround them. 

He then tells them they are in a coral reef, and goes on to provide clear information about the tiny animals called coral polyps and their many distinguishing features. He explains how a coral reef forrms over thousands of years to become home to many marine animals, including the butterfly fish. A butterfly fish lives with its mate in the reef where all of its needs are satisfied; in fact, its favorite food is coral polyps! No worry about devouring the entire reef; it continues to grow slowly. 

Until it doesn't! Coral bleaching is happening to coral reefs around the world. When conditions change in the reef, the coral polyps rid themselves of what lives inside them; they stop growing and turn white. Recovery may take place, if organisms return to the corals. If not, the corals will die. The causes for coral bleaching are described clearly and without alarm; these facts are there to inform readers about the changing climate and its effects on the beautiful reefs. 

If the reefs don't survive, life for the butterflyfish will become tough. There is hope from scientists working to help the reefs survive, or by encouraging the growth of corals in other areas. They won't give up even though there are only few of them working to make the changes needed. 

"They know what amazing places coral reefs are, 
and they're working as hard as they can to make
sure they don't disappear." 

Bravo! 

Accessible information is provided in a most effective way, while the realistic digital art takes readers into the ocean realm where these magnificent creatures thrive, survive, and feed a plethora of other marine animals. Two pages of back matter offer timely data on the reefs, climate change, and the help we can give to make a difference. 
                                                                                

hello, ocean! written and illustrated by corinna luyken. rocky pond books, Penguin Random House, 2026. $24.99 ages 3 and up

"hello ... flip-flop?
hello ... fork and sock 

hello, board and cord and straw

hello, plastic sack
hello, rope and wrap

hello, lid and glove 
and lure and jug

and tub ... " 

A front endpaper allows a close look at an early morning sunrise, and the sandy shore of an expansive ocean. As the little girl runs toward it, arms open in delight, readers will recognize the pure joy she is feeling being there. With each turn of the page, she is happy to see hello to everything she sees in front of her. As she steps out of her flip-flops to plant her toes in the sand, she is followed by her parents.

She shouts 'hello' to the wind, the fog, and to the joy she is feeling as she skips forward, pail in hand and hair out of control. As she moves on, she takes note of everything she encounters: razor clam, sand dollar, log, kelp, and foam. She frolics there until she is stopped in her tracks with the discovery of beach glass. Or is it? Her parents think it's a moonstone. Perfect for her pocket as she moves forward to savor every other special thing about being at the beach. 

After a long leap, she is sad to take note of all the garbage that is in front of her. With help from her parents, she sorts and gathers all they find. Hauling a long coil of rope, she is distracted by what she sees in the sky above her head. Again she is responsive to the delights of her surroundings - the birds, the sand, the clouds, the warmth of the breeze, and the chance to build sand castles. As the sun sets, the three are content to bask in its beauty together. 

What a lovely reminder of the ocean and the joy it brings. The careful construction of a story with a repeated 'hello' throughout is a perfect invitation for young children to chime in on those words. Ms. Luyken addresses the problem of garbage on the beach by having the family do some cleaning up, without fanfare or complaint. It also celebrates what can be done to celebrate this most remarkable place. 

Using acryla gouache, ink, and pencil, with brayers, sponges, brushes, plastic netting, and monoprinting techniques, she fills the spreads with movement and emotion. The change from sunrise to sunset is stunning. This picture book is a special readaloud that only hints at protecting natural spaces and treating the earth with the care it deserves, and offers a chance for quiet discussion. 

                                                                                         

 

Lulu Didn't Want a Dog, written and illustrated by Laurel Molk. Random House Studio, Penguin Random House. 2026. $24.99 ages

 

"Obviously, Gus adored her, but Lulu didn't
want a dog. She especially didn't want a big, 
bouncy dog who wanted to play. 

Lulu liked things the way they were
before Gus, thank you very much.

But Lulu decided to give Gus 
a chance." 

Having just visited with my friend Elaine and her cat Boots, I know what a contented cat looks like. Lulu is a lot like Boots when we meet her. The two don't look at all the same, but they each love their  seat at the big window. Lulu also loves everything else about her life: hiding spot, toys, being alone through the day, and having a comfortable lap to enjoy in the evenings. 

Lulu is more than surprised when she hears her owner announces a rescue dog to keep her company. She is perplexed, and decisive about the news. She does NOT want company. Lulu works hard to calm her concerns; the dog arrives anyway. Gus is loud and rambunctious, leaving slobber everywhere. The owner encourages Lulu to give Gus a chance. She reluctantly agrees. 

She gives him one chance, then another, and another. She never changes her mind about the dog. Despite her feelings about him, Gun continues to follow Lulu wherever she goes. Then, comes the day when Lulu finds herself alone on a tree branch wanting to play with her bird friends. Gus is not content to sit around and wait for her, He digs under a fence and stands below her howling. What a nuisance! Or is he? In fact, it's Gus to the rescue when Lulu needs him most. What a hero! 

Ms. Molk's watercolor and pen-and-ink artwork is filled with expression and humor, entertaining readers with a story of expected behaviors from both cat and dog. Lulu's point of view is top of mind, while Gus bounds and bounces his merry way into her heart, despite her many misgivings. Please don't miss the enlightening and funny endpapers, or forget to remove the dust jacket. What a fine book for reading aloud in an early years classroom, although older readers will also appreciate the drama and the humor. 

The Secret World of Seahorses, written by Nicola Davies and illustrated by Lou Baker-Smith. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2026. $26.99 ages 5 and up

 

"There are a lot of different kinds 
of seahorses. 

Some are knobbly. 

Some are spiky.

Most are small enough 
to fit in your hand.

And some are no bigger than 
the end of your little finger - 
so tiny that humans have only 
just noticed them." 

A secret world, indeed. Seahorses are not often seen, as they are very different from any other fish. Their ability to cling to coral and to change their color to avoid predators is quite remarkable. Only their eyes move as they search for food while also looking out for danger in their vicinity. They can be quick when needed, snapping up shrimp in mere seconds. Generally, they move about slowly and keep to themselves. 

Ms. Davies describes various kinds of seahorses; I had no idea. Not being able to see them has a lot to do with their habits. Unfortunately, the most notable reason has more to do with overfishing.

"An estimated 76 million are caught every year and turned into key rings and 
lucky charms or used to make teas and tonics." 

Their scarcity has to do with loss of habitat, poisoned by pollution and encroaching human activity. While letting readers know about the problems faced by these beautiful creatures, Ms. Davies lets them know that there are hopeful things happening as well. In Malaysia, Cambodia and England, efforts are being undertaken to offer protection and keep their environment safe. Any successful effort is sure to improve the ecosystem where seahorses play an important role. That news gives hope that more people will have a chance to 'see' a seahorse at some future time. 

In closing, she provides a lovely look at the mating dance that ends with the males carrying the eggs. He will do so for two weeks before giving birth to many new sea foals who will be there in the ocean, even if we can't see them. 

The text is informative and accessible for a young audience. Ms. Baker-Smith’s mixed-media artwork is full of color and movement, allowing readers to observe these delicate fish on a background of ocean blue. The coral reefs and seagrass meadows are very appealing and provide perfect opportunities for camouflage. Back matter on climate change and ways for families to help improve environmental concerns bring the book to an end.