CAT NAP, written and illustrated by Brian Lies. Greenwillow Books, Harper. 2025. $24.99 ages 3 and up

"No mouse here. Kitten is confused. 

"Are you stuck?" Kitten asks. 
The tortoise blinks. 
"We're all bound by something." 

Kitten nips the string. 
"Now you're not." 
"Arigato." The tortoise nods. "Thank you."

Tortoise slips into a rip, 
and Kitten is alone." 

A wee and sleepy kitten basks in fading sunlight on the back of a sofa. Other details of this opening spread reveal a poster for an exhibit of EGYPTIAN ANTIQUITIES to be shown at the METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART from May 18 - June 24, 2006. A book about the art of the world lies open on the sofa seat where a young reader left it. 

A soft scritch awakens the kitten to the sight of a tiny mouse nearby. The chase is on, with the kitten leaping through the poster's edge. The mouse skitters away with the kitten in hot pursuit, much to the delight of close-at-hand rats. Off they all go at a run, destroying the equilibrium of the Egyptian background scene. Along the way, Kitten meets up with displayed artifacts that come to life wanting to play or help. Kitten has no time to stop as the chase moves forward. 

When Kitten stops to help a bound turtle, he loses sight of the mouse. Kitten realizes at that moment he is lost. Poor thing; scared and alone until he hears a friendly voice. A kind monk offers instruction, reminding Kitten to listen to a familiar sound. That sound leads him on a welcome return to where he began his fabulous journey. 

"And like a whisper of wind, Kitten is home -
back in the shadow-filled room." 

Breathtaking! This engaging and truly unique journey invites young readers to explore a fascinating museum of art that spans time and history. So much is included in a distinctly original style by master artist Brian Lies. In back matter, Mr. Lies includes information about how each of the illustrations was created. He explains the challenge of making each piece of art look like the original ones. His list of media used is extensive as are the techniques (both time-tested and brand new) that brought this wonderful book to publication for young readers. He encourages readers to find their own path to making things that they love. That happens with desire, and with practice for exploring their own ideas over time. There are also notes on the original artworks featured in the book.
                                                                                  

Cow and Sow, written by Matthew Farina and illustrated by Doug Salati. tundra, Penguin Random House. 2026. $26.99 ages 3 and up

 

"Twirling turned into spinning. 

Hops grew into jumps.

Steps whirled into footwork. 

Unsteadiness gave way to flair. 

Days of skating passed at Shallow Pond. 

Before long, everyone had invented a 
special trick or two of their own."

Winter seems endless to Cow and Sow, who spend long days playing board games inside their home. Boring, and unproductive is how they feel about what is happening. Their interest has waned, and they are hungry for adventure. One chilly, cloudy afternoon, they go for a walk that leads them to the frozen pond at the edge of town. As Cow bends down to taste some winter wheat, she falls and lands on the ice. In trying to help, Sow loses her balance as well. 

They have never been on ice, and find its slippery surface quite enjoyable. Holding on to each other, they are able to stay upright while making their way across the pond. In quick time, they are can skim the surface without help, until they have to find a way to stop. The fallen snow offers a soft landing. The following day, their friends are happy to join in the merriment. Cow and Sow provide all needed instruction. With time to improve, the animals begin to find their own moves. Each is spending the days developing tricks while finding joy in this new adventure. 

When Sow is ready to show her new and very impressive move, she holds sway with the crowd. Cow is not as easily impressed. She refuses to let Sow take credit for the jump that was first hers. A real kerfuffle ensues. Before long, the arguing is louder than the sound of the ice cracking beneath them. Cow plunges into the cold water, and a rescue is quickly organized by Sow. Luckily, Cow is saved and the entire crew builds a fire at the edge of the pond in celebration. 

The disagreement is solved when the two finally consent to a favorable name for their signature move. Sure to be make readers giggle, I will leave it to you to make the discovery for yourself. 

The storytelling is filled with charm, and a great deal of fun for readers. The artwork, drawn in pencil and gouache and colored digitally, oozes emotion at every turn while also giving readers a close and careful look at a friendship that is meaningful and only slightly confrontational. Kids are going to love it. 
                                                                                     

The Girl Who Loves Trees, written by Nancy Cooper and illustrated by Hawlii Pichette. Owlkids, 2026. $22.95 ages 4 and up

 

"By now, the sun is high in the sky. 
I look way up and see the turkey 
vultures circling. And I hear 
chickadees chirping as they flit 
from tree to tree. 
"Cheeseburger! Cheeseburger!
Cheeseburger!" calls Grampa." 

A visit with her grandfather on the reserve, and a chance to spend time together in nature makes for a very exciting weekend for a young girl. Their time together begins with a dinner of baked beans, Grampa's favorite. After a good night's sleep, the two welcome a new day with tobacco, and their grateful thanks. After Grampa, it's his granddaughter's turn to say her prayer of gratitude. 

"Meegwetch, Creator, for giving me my grampa and my 
family. And thank you for all the trees." 

They hold the tobacco for a moment, and then place it on the ground near a tree. The young one loves all trees and thinks of herself as 'a tree protector'. They return home with a task in mind; to prepare for a community feast. They will offer cedar to the drummers, causing the girl to worry. Grampa assures her that she need not worry. As they share knowledge of cedar trees, they head off to the forest for a visit to Grampa's cabin. The girl is pleased to let him know what she knows about the trees she so loves. 

Their time together is shared in clear language that offers young readers a chance to understand the connections the two have to the natural world that surrounds them and offers them peace. They note the trees, the birds, and the stream that are all integral parts of the forest. Grampa shares stories from his childhood to help his granddaughter understand why the trees are so important to their people. As she helps cut cedar branches for the celebration, she again offers her gift of thanks. 

Final pages hold an explanation for the learning that has taken place, and the connections made between humans and nature. Albert Dumont is described as the inspiration for Ms. Cooper's depiction of Grampa, and offers reasons why. There is also a short list of words to know as the story is read: Creator, Meegwetch, Nokomis and Tree Spirit. 

Scritch Scratch: An Itchy Witchy Halloween Tale, written by Teri Sloat and illustrated by Zuzana Cupova. Random House, Penguin Random House. 2026. $20.99 ages 4 and up

 

"The steps are creaking
on the porch. 
The doorknob's rattling 
back and forth! 

She's out there
mumbling up her spell. 
Her cauldron's bubbling - 
what a smell!"

I rarely post holiday books. The only reason I can give is that budgets are tight and the need to be sure you are getting the best books for the money is paramount. In that case, it might be better spent on books that reach beyond one day a year. That being said, when a book like Scritch Scratch comes along, you don't want kids to miss the joy inherent in the telling.

Three terrified kids hear a sound they do not recognize, and worry that it is the witch who makes her home in the pumpkin patch. Inside they run, lock the door and hope that her spell comes nowhere near them. The sound happens again, and they are sure they see the witch's shadow 'swooping past'. Her doings are scary and unexpected, of course. 

"She's catching snails
and slugs to use
to cast a spell on 
me and you - "

By choosing perfect hiding places and waiting in silence, they avoid a confrontation. Soon enough, they see her shape on the face of the moon and their worry dissipates. No scritch! No scratch! They are safe. Or are they? 

Black ink and watercolor art offers a witch whose presence grows with the imaginings expressed by the terrified three. The only color (brilliant orange), beyond the contrast of light and shadow, is shown in the moon, the children's hair and cheeks, a lit match, spider legs, the witch's eye and the background for a tense scene inside the house. It definitely ups the drama. I love the rhyming storytelling that has all the 'feels' for Halloween. What a terrific read aloud it is! 

The Hockey Song, by Stompin' Tom Connors and pictures by Gary Clement. Greystone Kids, 2026. $14.95 ages 4 and up

"SECOND PERIOD! 

Where the players dash, 
with skates aflash, 
the home team 
trails behind. 

But they grab the puck, 
and go bursting up, 
and they're down across 
the line."

This book was originally published in 2016 as a hardcover. I did not see it then, and I again am grateful to Sydney for sending it to me in this board book format. It is inspired by our Canadian love for hockey, and written by Stompin' Tom Connors. It is routinely heard when crowds gather to watch a hockey game played anywhere in Canada. 

Gary Clement says that his "intention in illustrating this book was to basically ignore the references to professional hockey and instead focus on the game as a true, all-inclusive and very Canadian community activity". That he does, in spades. The game starts with two players on an outside city rink ... a father and son? In no time at all, two more players join, then two more, and on it goes until there are 11, with two waiting outside the boards. Spectators continue to arrive, waiting for a chance to join the contest. 

First period is done; second period is called. All the while, the words of the song play on pages filled with action and great enjoyment. In one spread, as all players race toward readers, the excitement and energy grow until a perspective change shows what the game looks like from above. When tied, a host of players face each other as play then moves into the third period. It's the last game in the playoffs! One final flick of the wrist and the game is won - just before every single player, young and old, men and women, girls and boys, finds a place together on the rink's surface for a final photo! 

“Oh! The good ol’ hockey game,
is the best game you can name.” 

There is so much to see and appreciate as readers pore over the pages that show a community coming together over the love of a national pastime. 

Once you listen to this, you will not be able to get it out of your head. 

https://youtu.be/v8zeB7b1uFY?si=Tcyf9o2YWpvi7IbC       

                                                                                 

                    

carrots make me suspicious, written and illustrated by Robin Mitchell Cranfield. Greystone Kids, 2026. $24.95 ages 3 and up

"My father likes to eat carrots sliced into
thick rings with a sprinkle of salt. He pops
them into his mouth: pop pop pop. 

My mother prefers carrots sliced 
into sticks. She dips them in dips:
dip dab dip. 

But I don't and I won't dip dab
dip or pop pop pop. 

That is just not my style."

I am indebted to Sydney at Greystone Kids for sending along a box of books that I am very excited to share with you. First up in this one about a rabbit who does not eat carrots for a mix of valid (to him) reasons. 

His parents encourage him to eat them because they are good for him, and they are sweet and crunchy. Rabbit likes quiet foods, and cannot be convinced to give them a try. He would rather eat the yummy dip than the carrots for dipping. When a party has nothing but carrots for food, he would rather be at home. While he may, at times, be curious about them, he keeps those feelings inside. He would rather know what they are like before ever trying them. His mother suggests an investigation. A notebook is provided for careful observation. Carrots are orange; do they taste like an orange? No, and not all carrots are orange. They are triangles; but not all carrots are triangular. 

It's time for further research. Rabbit learns something about gardening (and rosemary) from a neighbor. He discovers they are a root, but do not taste like root beer. Needing more data, he checks out a library book about carrots and learns a great deal concerning preparation, shape, and even finds some appealing recipes. One is for cinnamon carrot soup which is a big hit. Just don't suggest lettuce for dessert. 

"Lettuce makes me suspicious." 

Brilliant! 

The text captures a child's feelings about trying something new. The artwork is childlike, and perfectly matches the rabbit's narration. The color palette is dominated by orange images, in keeping with the rabbit's full attention to this unfamiliar taste. The parents show great respect and understanding for their child's reticence, encouraging without pushing, and offering ways to explore learning more. 

Who Knows the Way to Mr. Grimly's Classroom? Written by Chris Priestley and illustrated by Mariachiara Di Giorgio. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2026. $26.99 ages 6 and up

 

"But Grace did not see anyone along the way.
It just got darker and darker and more and 
more cobwebby. 

"This school is so big," said Grace, 
and her voice echoed down the corridor:
"So ... so ... so ... big ... big ... big ... "

Just then, a wooden door creaked open and
a pale figure stepped slowly forward. 

Grace gasped."

This is another truly exceptional book to read to your kids at home, or for a classroom read. Grace loves to volunteer for any task suggested by her teacher, Miss Flytrap. Asked to return a book to Mr. Grimly, Miss Flytrap wants reassurance that Grace does know the way. Grace is sure! Or is she? 

It's Grace's first week at her new school; a school that is decidedly stranger than her last. Grace does not know the way, and she has no idea who Mr. Grimly is. Having this information sets up listeners for an eerie walk through the school, always on the lookout for surprises along the way. Prepared to ask for help, Grace begins her journey. 

There is no one in the hallways. Finally, a door opens revealing Miss Endpaper, the librarian. She is happy to give instructions which Grace is not sure are all that helpful. Miss Endpaper is back to her work before Grace moves on. Now concerned that she will fail her assignment, Grace worries aloud, only to be heard by a woman in the shadows. Mrs. Nightshade, the head teacher, offers a more complicated answer to her query. 

Outside Grace goes and across the playground to an extremely high tower. The steps are steep and Grace, once again, worries aloud about finding Mr. Grimly's classroom. A bat offers help, and a zip line is marked by a finger pointing the way. Grace lands in a kitchen filled with delectable sights and smells. Mrs. Macaroon, the school cook, gives her final instructions. 

"You're almost there.
You just have to go through that door, 
down three flights of stairs, 
up two more flights of stairs, 
turn left, 
turn right, 
then left again, 
and there you are."

Finally meeting Mr. Grimly, Grace is faced with another dilemma. Her response to it is absolutely perfect!

Though lengthy, this is a book of wonder that I would first read without benefit of illustrations. It is told with a suspenseful tone, and hints of both mystery and humor. I would love to hear what listeners think once done, after asking what they have imagined throughout the reading. And then ... read it again with the breathtaking watercolor, gouache, and colored pencil artwork of Mariachiara Di Giorgio. Her meticulous images use light and shadow with perfection as Grace makes her increasingly complicated and daring journey in search of Mr. Grimly and his classroom.