Bob Is The Biggest, Strongest, And Smartest, written by Jean Reidy and illustrated by Amy Jindra Hodgson. Rocky Pond Books, Penguin Random House. 2026. $24.99 ages 4 and up

 

"No one questioned Bob. As a matter of fact, 
no one could. Because Bob did all the talking. 

Until the day Bill came along. 
Bill wasn't big. He hardly looked strong, 
and ... "

Bob is very sure of himself; he is 'the biggest, strongest, and smartest bear in the whole wide world'. He is very happy to share that news with everyone he meets, repeatedly. No one really gets much of a chance to talk as Bob is continually holding court with his many attributes. 

When Bill comes along, he is full of questions for everyone he meets. He wants to know what they are doing, and offers compliments for their many accomplishments. At first, Bob is not impressed at all. He does notice that when Bill shows interest, the woodland animals are happy to talk with him. They even ask questions of their own. 

No one seems to notice, as Bob does, that Bill is 'small and slight'. Instead, Bill wantes to know more about them. Everyone seems delighted to be getting to know him. Bob is quite perturbed by those who are no longer interested in what he has to say. When Bill shows an interest in what Bob has to say about his physical training and then asks a further question, Bob realizes he is feeling quite happy with their conversation. 

"Bob found that they 
were quite different
in some ways, 

and quite alike 
in more." 

Pretty cool, indeed ... and a great way to mentor another toward a change in perspective. Isn't that what friends do for each other? 

Where Are You, Eddie? Written by Michael Rosen and illustrated by Gill Smith. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2026. $24.99 ages 5 and up

 

"When I got home, Meg was taking a nap.
I stood in the kitchen making a sandwich. 
I could hear Eddie saying, "The first bite
is with the eye, Dad." 

Meg looked up and said, "Do you know
where Eddie is?"
I thought about it.
I said, "Eddie hasn't gone, has he?"
He's here, isn't he?"

This companion book to Michael Rosen's Sad Book (2005) continues the story of losing his son Eddie. As a tall, grey-haired man walks into the kitchen, then stands silently there, he wonders where Eddie is, and if he is somewhere nearby. As the cat Meg walks toward him he speaks to her, asking the question that haunts him. 

"Eddie's not coming back, is he, Meg?"

Meg gently reminds him that it isn't the end; rather, it is the beginning. She suggests he always look for Eddie. Though he won't be as he was, he will still be there. The man's daily travels carry many strong memories of Eddie and the wonderful times they spent together. He meets people who knew Eddie and they also share thoughts of their time with him, and what was so special about him. Returning home, he tells Meg what he has learned on his day out. 

While Eddie is no longer here, he lives in the memories of all who knew and loved him, including Meg. This book is a look at the grieving process through a first-person voice, accompanied by mixed-media artwork that is emotional and bittersweet, yet hopeful. Memories are powerful reminders of those we have loved and lost. Michael Rosen's own experience is shared honestly with readers in hopes they will find some solace as they adapt to a life that is markedly different, but ultimately filled with moments of joy. 

Planting Hope, written by Frederick Joseph and illustrated by Paul Kellam. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2026. $24.99 ages 4 and up

"One day, Henry's mom didn't go with 
him to the garden. His dad said she 
wasn't feeling well. 

One day became two days. Two days became 
a week. As time continued to pass, the garden
that was once full of life and joy became
filled with plants that were droopy, weak
and sad."

You had to love plants if you were part of Henry's family. Everyone loves plants and they really love to garden. On any day, you will find all three of them outside taking care of their yard. Henry has a terrible time encouraging his tiny plant to grow. His mom is always encouraging him to keep trying. His neighbor tells a story of how his mom planted an entire orchard to help feed the hungry. His mom is like a huge tree that envelops everyone in her community. 

Henry watches his mom every day and does his best to follow in her footsteps; his plant does not grow and he is running out of patience. There comes a day when his mom does not come into the garden. She is not feeling well. She does not get better and soon the garden begins to show the sadness felt by all. What can they do? Neighbors try to help, but no one has much spirit without Henry's mother. 

Henry explains to his neighbor that he is doing his best. She offers an idea. She takes Henry into his mom's orchard and tells him that no one believed the orchard would grow because of the bad soil. She planted it anyway. Henry remembers the hope his mom always mentions, and its importance to what really happens. He will have to show his plants at home that he has hope for them. What wonder awaits! 

Henry's hope helps their garden ... and his mom. Although she is still sick, she lets Henry know she believes in him, just as he believes in his mom getting better. 

Colourful illustrations that change as Henry's mood changes offer context for the strong feelings felt and build on the hope this story inspires. 

""People and seeds have a lot in common," 
she would say. "If you want them to grow
strong, nourishment and sunlight aren't 
enough - they also need hope.""

Odder, written by Katherine Applegate, with illustrations by Charles Santoso. Feiwel and Friends, Macmillan. Raincoast. 2022. $12.99 ages 8 and up

"Nobody has her moves.

She doesn’t just swim to the bottom,

she dive-bombs.

She doesn’t just somersault,

she triple-doughnuts.

She doesn’t just ride the waves,

she makes them."

If you are not a Katherine Applegate fan yet, you will be when you read any of her books. She has all the 'chops': incredible writing, a poetic mindset for telling her remarkable stories, and a love for research that invites young readers to listen and learn. 

This story is about a young otter who lives near Monterey Bay on the California Coast. There are three distinct parts to her story. The first, called The Queen of Play, describes her early life in poetry that introduces the dangers the ocean holds for young marine life. In this case, it is a shark that signals upcoming action. Odder goes out further than is safe, and refuses to heed warnings from her friend Kairi when she is attacked and must find her way to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Her story then slips back to learning about being an otter pup three years earlier. Following the death of her mother, she is taken in by aquarium staff and taught all she needs to know by the staff to survive in the ocean once again. And finally, in part three, the staff realizes her injuries will keep her from returning to her natural habitat. Instead, she is encouraged to become a surrogate for another motherless otter pup.

To say, Ms. Applegate is knowledgeable about otters and the ocean is an understatement. Basing her story on work being done at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, her appealing and heartwarming tale is filled with scientific learning, and presented in language that astounds. 

"A keystone that's called, 
and without it everything falls, 
like a tower of blocks or 
a house of cards. 

It's the same 
with keystone species - 
beavers, wolves, 
prairie dogs, bees,
desert tortoises, sea otters -
they are nature's glue, 
holding habitats together. 

Without otters,
sea urchins, purple as a bruise, 
gobble kelp forests
until the ocean floor
becomes a barren wasteland. 
When enough sea otters
eat enough sea urchins, though, 
all is well, and 
the arch endures."

Tender art done by Mr. Santoso in black-and-white adds context and warmth. This is a brilliant novel for kids who love animals, is accessible for young readers, and has been read by my ten-year-old granddaughter five times in recent months. Obviously, she loves it! 

Back matter includes a glossary; an author’s note about Monterey Bay Aquarium and the real-life stories on which Odder’s is based; and a selected bibliography.

Bring on Wombat Waiting. 

The Great Escape, written and illustrated by Deborah Marcero. G.P. Putnam's Sons, Penguin Random House. 2026. $26.99 ages

 

"Evie found a wand, some solid frozen ground, 
a deep snowdrift, and some magic words.

Snowcus pocus! Blizzard lizzard! Open snowflake! 

and she was gone."

Evie is a big sister who believes in magic. She wishes she could use it to effectively rid herself of her three siblings: Wolfie, Bunny, and Teddy. They are appropriately named for the animal pyjamas they are wearing. To find a quiet space for herself, Evie retreats to the cold of a winter landscape. Not to be outdone, her siblings happily follow. This scenario calls for magic. To Evie's surprise, when she jumps into the snowbank, the text requires the reader to follow until the book tips upside down. Evie enters an underground world filled with sea creatures and galaxies of light. Her sibs are right behind her. 

As her world changes so dramatically, so does the brilliant artwork created by Ms. Marcero. The graphic panels that showed her life at home with her family are replaced with scenes meant to take the breath way. Her siblings ride seahorses, Evie rides off on the back of a dolphin. The pursuit quickly changes when Evie feels the presence of something dangerous. Quickly, she goes into protection mode and hides her siblings. 

"Evie couldn't bear the thought of her siblings getting hurt. 
So she scooped back, zigged high, zagged low, and dipped
and zipped everyone one into a hiding place."

It is Teddy who understands that the whale is in need of help to free her baby from a constellation-shaped fishing net. Helping to quickly untangle the baby earns them a ride home from a very grateful mother. The world (and the book) rights itself, and three tired children race toward the warmth of hearth and home; Evie follows. 

It's almost impossible to describe the beauty found in the magical world the children visit. Ms. Marcero uses actual images taken from the James Webb Space Telescope to enhance the awesome world she creates for their adventure. Her watercolor and ink art, finished digitally, is luminous and full of movement, and charm. 

Enchanting, and certainly worthy of repeated readings. Bravo!                                                                               

The Littlest Elephant: A One and Only Ruby Story, written by Katherine Applegate and illustrated by Lita Judge. Harper, 2026. $24.99 ages 4 and up

"When you're the littlest elephant, the 
others teach you how to play and what 
to eat and when to sleep. 
But they also teach you what to fear. 

I learned that some humans like 
tusks more than they like elephants."

Ruby is the littlest elephant in the sanctuary where she lives with her loving family. She likes being an elephant; she is not so keen on tusks. All who love her are making preparations for her Tuskday, a time to celebrate growing up and to think back on her past. Ruby has many sad memories to recall; at the same time, her herd loves her dearly and help her realize that growing up is not meant to be scary. They remind her that remembering bad times often helps to really appreciate the good ones. 

For the first time, younger readers have a chance to meet Ruby in a wonderfully illustrated picture book. They may know her from The One and Only Ivan (2012) which is a much longer story. Here Ruby tells her own story in a shorter version, which allows for discussion. Ruby's fears are based on memories and the fact that she is growing up. Ms. Judge's images are remarkable as she captures the emotions, the scenes of elephant life, and the light that Ruby comes to appreciate following hard times. There is a lot to see and learn from taking a very close look at each spread. 

Bob and Ivan remain her pals as they, too, have a home at the sanctuary. It's just lovely for fans of the novel series to see them again. Sad memories or happy ones, being surrounded with love from her friends and every member of her herd helps Ruby recognize that 'the darkness reminds us to love the light', a sentiment shared with her by her Aunt Akello, the oldest and wisest of all her aunts. 

It's beautifully written story with truly outstanding artwork that evokes admiration for a little elephant who learns all she can from those who love her. 

Bing's Cherries, words by Livia Blackburne and art by Julia Kuo. Alfred A. Knopf, Penguin Random House. 2026. $24.99 ages 6 and up

 

"According to Daddy, there's a lot 
about Ah Bing we don't know. But 
we know that he was Chinese like
us, and that he was an orchard man
from long ago. We wouldn't have 
our cherry tree were it not for him. 

At night, after I've washed 
the cherry juice from my hands,
I imagine Ah Bing's life."

I did not know anything about Ah Bing, for whom a certain type of cherry is named. One of the reasons I like picture book biographies so much has to do with all that I learn from reading them. This immigrant story about the Bing cherry has a father telling his daughter that they have good reason to be thankful to Ah Bing for the cherry tree in their backyard. Its bounty makes both very happy. He goes on to tell her there is a lot that is not known about Ah Bing; they do know he was Chinese. He was also an orchard man who played an important role in developing cherry trees that people so enjoy. 

In bed that night, the girl tries to imagine Ah Bing's life. He had to sail from China. Unlike many Chinese people, he was very tall, allowing him to wade ashore in San Francisco Bay. He may then have traveled north to find work where he was quickly hired because of his great height. The girl's imaginings create a kind and very helpful man who did what he could to offer assistance to people, birds and animals. His songs kept the trees happy and growing. He was a leader of men, who worked hard to keep the orchards healthy and producing. 

Ah Bing dearly missed the family he left behind in China. He was a good friend and liked by many; still, there were people who didn't like his look and felt threatened by him. Ah Bing did his best to protect himself and his team of workers. Some of the trees grew taller and sweeter due to his care. Those trees were named for him. After many years Ah Bing returned to his family, taking the tree seeds with him and planting them at his home. Today, the girl and her father reap the benefits of his hard work so long ago. At least, that's the story she believes. 

A well-written origin story, made more dramatic with digital artistic scenes that are filled with depth and clear perspective in terms of Ah Bing's size, work ethic, sadness about being so far away from family, and his humanity. 

In author and illustrator notes, the creators share their interest in American folklore, their Chinese culture, and how they made Ah Bing's story come alive for readers. Further information includes what is known about Ah Bing, further reading and a sweet recipe to try.