Axolotl-Ella: A Sort-of Cinderella Story, written by Kate Messner and illustrated by Lian Cho. Ten Speed Young Readers, Penguin Random House. 2026. $26.99 ages 5 and up

"Axolotl-Ella sighed. She loved her gray-green skin
and her feathery gills. She could breathe through
them both, and if that wasn't useful, what was?

But if she needed to fancy herself up for the festival, 
that's what she'd do. Axolotl-Ella was nothing but 
practical. That's the second thing you should know
about her."

Axolotl-Ella is not one for planning small; she is determined to find a way to go the King's Festival and meet the Prince. There are obstacles: green skin, dull gills, and looking a little like a toad. Her stepsisters are not encouraging. Luckily, she is pretty happy with who she is, and knows just what to do to be fancy enough for the upcoming festival. 

Returning to the water where she was born, she stirs up the magic that her mother had told her was there. She sings a song of transformation, and is fully ready to make her way to the festivities ... minus uncomfortable-looking shoes. She impresses every one that first night, including the Prince. While dancing, the Prince talks only about himself and learns nothing about Axolotl-Ella. Back to the water, and back to the celebration, still without shoes, the Prince meets her at the door. Again, they dance and the Prince talks and talks about himself. There is still no time to ask her question. 

On the final night, she leaves another pair of difficult shoes behind and hurries to meet the Prince. This time she presses to ask her question; the Prince talks non-stop. At midnight, she must flee. Trying to restrain her, the Prince pops her arm off. (It is what happens with all axolotls, the narrator explains.) The Prince is distraught, and vows to find her. 

After many enquiries, he finally finds Ella while floating in the reeds. She doesn't need the arm he holds; she has already grown a new one. She does have a question. That question is a huge surprise to the Prince; as is her promise to help him grow a new heart. With the Prince's help, Axolotl-Ella is able to live a fulfilled life ... finally! 

Inventive and accompanied by detailed, colorful watercolor and ink illustrations, Ms. Messner pens a story based on her love of fairy tales and her scientific fascination with the axolotls of Mexico. In her author's note she includes further information about them, as well a list of books to read more.  

The River of Caregiving, written by Jocelyn Chung and illustrated by Sarah Gonzales. Nancy Paulsen Books, Penguin Random House. 2026. $24.99 ages 4 and up

 

"Caregiving flows through Mama 
as she helps A-ma shower
and get dressed. 

Just as it did
when A-ma used to help Mama 
when she was a little girl." 

Jocelyn Chung dedicates this book to her mother: 

For my mom,
who gave decades to caregiving with 
joy, resilience, patience, and sacrifice. 
May you receive abundant care for yourself
as freely as you've gifted it to others.

This warm, gracious book clearly expresses how that caregiving has shaped the author's life. A young narrator and her a-ma are on their way to a family picnic as A-ma explains the family cares for each other in a fluid and continuous way - just as a river flows. Each generation tends to the next as past generations have cared for them.

The capacity to be there for each other is strong. A-gong meets his granddaughter after school with a smile and a snack; his granddaughter brings the snack and smile as she attends a doctor's appointment with her grandfather to hold his hand and translate the doctor's instructions for him. Each loving scene is filled with familiar Taiwanese foods, settings, memories, and comparisons from one family member to the next. The encounters are filled with compassion and respect.There are so many ways to include all family members in thoughts and actions. It might be to laugh; it might be to cry. Whatever the circumstance, the family is together. 

"No matter how often our lives change course, 
one thing is for sure: I will always be a part of 
this never-ending river of love and care."

Full of joy, and accompanied by loving digital images created using watercolor, gouache and colored pencils, this tribute honors love of family from one generation to the next, ever and always. It is heartwarming, and a special read. 

The Little Stone Buddha, written and illustrated by Grace Lin. Little, Brown and Company. Hachette. 2026. $24.99 ages 6 and up

 

"Now the little stone buddha could 
see more than the sky. He saw all the 
people and cars moving fast, the tall 
brick buildings, the crushed cans and
dirty boxes all around him. But his 
smile still stayed."

On the opening endpaper, a man pedals a bicycle carrying a load of belongings through a drab neighborhood, when a little stone buddha falls from the pile and lands near a collection of garbage. People pass by, going hither and yon, never noticing the tiny buddha lying there. He listens to the beat of people's feet, the traffic noise, always smiling though he sees nothing. 

A small girl, walking with her mother, does notice him. She whispers hello; at her mother's bidding to not touch the dirty garbage, she sets the buddha on a discarded box and suggests that someone should clean up the place. From his perch, he can now see all around him. Despite the gloominess of his surroundings, he continues to smile. A man notices that smile, and stoops to take some of the discarded empty cans away with him. 

Things look a little better. The buddha continues smiling. His smile encourages young men carrying throw-aways to a dump further down the street to keep going. A dog is discouraged from 'doing his business' where the little guy is living. The dog's owner leaves some flowers and promises a vase for them ... tomorrow. More and more people take time to stop and to make his life better. Days pass; garbage is removed; flowers are planted; a shelter is built, and gifts are offered. 

"All for the little stone buddha ... 
who continued to smile." 

Grace Lin's compelling gouache illustrations begin in the dim confines of a dilapidated neighborhood where garbage collects in open spaces, and lends an air of misery to the buddha's new home. As neighbors stop to pick up garbage and work to change the space, new and vibrant colors invites close observation and feelings of goodwill and generosity. In the end, it becomes a haven appreciated by all who live in the community. 

An author's note (complete with colorful photographs) tells readers that this book was inspired by two things: a book Ms. Lin loved as a child - The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton.  The other is the true story of the Oakland Buddha (found at the traffic median of East 19th Street and 11th Avenue in Oakland, California). 

Note: The final endpaper shows the amazing transformation of the initial space, following the many acts of kindness shown by members of the neighborhood.                                                                                   

                                                                                    

Open: Every Seed Has Its Moment. Written by Robert Agis and illustrated by Sarah Jacoby. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2026. $26.99 ages 3 and up

 

"Every seed has a purpose. 
And every seed is different. 

Some are big, 
and some are small. 

Some are smooth, 
and some are 
very rough."

Two voices - the narrator and the seed - invite young readers to take note of a seed's life cycle. It is helped to live its best life with help from rain, soil and sun. Every seed has its moment to grow and flourish; the time has come for this tiny one. It is surrounded by many different types of seeds, and each one is special. 

They will grow on their own, as this little one will do. It takes the time it takes; each one uses the soil, the sun and the water to be what they are meant to be. The seed questions what it happening, while the narrator answers all queries with a promise that the seed will soon learn what it needs to know. Growing is hard work, but worth it. 

Watercolor and pastel artwork, finished digitally, provides clear and quiet context as pages turn. Full of hope, the text describes what is happening underground as growth is anticipated. At the top of the pages, readers can see how the gardeners are working to bring their garden to life. When the flower breaks through the surface, there is great delight from both gardener and plant. The flower now knows what it is meant to do. Its beauty is evident, along with each and every other plant that has grown in the same garden. 

This is a lovely early introduction to a plant's life cycle. Fun to read when you are talking about spring, or gardens. 

King of the Castle, written by Heather Smith and illustrated by Andrea Armstrong. Kids Can Press, 2026. $21.99 ages 4 and up

 

"Eventually, he stops needing the ladder. 

He launches himself into his bunk in two 
seconds flat. 

I know this because I timed him on the 
stopwatch he no longer uses. 

On Saturdays, he goes out with his friends.

I stay home and read comics for free. 

One day, he tells me he's going away
to summer camp."

Every bedtime finds two brothers settling in for the night in their bunkbeds; the older is 'the king' on top and reminds his younger brother endlessly of that superiority. There are issues, of course, our young narrator explains. The day often ends with teasing before sleep. He knows, however, that his older brother is always there. When he is alone, he climbs the bed's ladder and notices that his brother's 'keep out' box has jujubes in it even though there is a NO FOOD IN THE BEDROOM rule. If he tells, he will be found out. He says nothing. 

Their routines are fixed. The older brother is forever in charge; the younger one not always thrilled with the rules he must live by. Time passes and things begin to change. The older brother is now spending more time with his friends, and soon he is off for a week at summer camp. 

"He says, "In seven days, I'll 
have a new bunk bed." 

I wonder if he'll get a new rascal."

The day for camp arrives; the worry grows stronger. Nights are frightening, as night noises are louder and hard to pinpoint. Days are endless without his brother's presence. When mom sends him outside, he reluctantly goes to the park where other kids invite him to play. He is gone all day. That night, as he checks out the top bunk once again, he finds a note of warning to stay out of the shoebox. Who obeys such a thing? Inside he finds his favorite, gummy bears!

Sibling relationships can be complicated. Heather Smith shows her readers that in this touching story. Andrea Armstrong's digital art is emotional and expressive in multiple scenes as the two live life together - and apart. It's sure to inspire conversations with both younger and older siblings concerning their memories and experiences. 

Watermelon Pool, written and illustrated by Bonsoir Lune. Translated brom the Korean by Frances Cha. Dial Books for Young Readers, Penguin Random House. 2026. $26.99 ages

 

"Everyone stomps together and the clear, 
crimson watermelon juice starts to pool.

When the hot sun is 
about to get even hotter."

Who knew the joys to be found in the watery depths of a watermelon pool? Who even knew there was such a thing? A ripening watermelon suddenly cracks open to reveal its bright flesh and plentiful seeds. A man places his ladder against the watermelon rind and climbs up and up, until he is standing at the edge and ready to test the 'waters'. First, he discards a few seeds before settling into a 'nice and cool' spot on the watermelon's surface. 

Along come other community members looking for a cool spot. There is some concern that last year's watermelon had too many seeds, and wasn't easy to use for swimming.  The row of prospective swimmers grows longer as they go. Numerous young swimmers are eager to get up the ladder or vine to make their way to the top. With crunching feet, they walk about on the lookout for a perfect spot.

The arrivals ramp up, and soon they are having the best effect: 

"Everyone stomps together and the clear, 
crimson watermelon juice starts to pool." 

As more and more people arrive, so does the cloud seller show up with his cloud parasols and his rain cloud showers. The sun has become very hot and swimmers are in need of such protection. He does a great business. A full page spread then shows the enjoyment swimmers are feeling as they find their own just-right and refreshing spot. It isn't long until Grandpa is invited to provide a big slide. It is set up to make a path from one half of the watermelon to the other. Grandma takes her turn first. Before long, the sun is setting and it's time to return home. This first watermelon pool closes for the season! 

No worry, there is always next year! 

This is exactly the kind of book that powers kids' imaginations and lets their thoughts run free. Onomatopoeia adds sensory delights as feet splash through the cool flesh, and a grandma 'wooshes' down the slide with great glee. What a glorious summer adventure! 

Read it once; read it twice to see what you missed the first time. You will be surprised.                                                                                 

Confessions of a Mango, by Kate Lumsden and Nate Pieplow. Little, Brown and Company, Hachette. 2026. $23.99 ages 8 and up

 

"One hundred and seventy people have liked 
my post. That's almost half the school. Nearly 
forty have commented, and a few sent me 
private messages. The profiles are all vague, 
with obviously fake names and pictures. The 
only person I know for sure is Thea. I recognize
the cartoon teddy bear with the crooked smile."

Twins Ruby and Bryce are in sixth grade, and attending a new school. Benton Academy is touted as being for 'the smartest kids in the district'. Ruby would rather be in her old school, with her old friends, and without her brother. Bryce is an over-achiever when it concerns robots, and has difficulty making new friends. Ruby is quick to meet people, and afraid to tell anyone that she has dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia for fear they will think her unsuitable for the prestigious school. She does not like the pressure put on her to prove herself.  The school provides accommodations for her learning differences. Still, she worries about the consequences of any noticeably poor performance. The twins are in the same school, to meet the needs of their parents' jobs and schedules. Ruby knows Bryce should be there. 

As she becomes more desperate about her academic work, she learns about a social media space where contributors are anonymous. She creates an account called 'confessions of a mango' to share her feelings about the school and the fact that she is afraid she cannot meet expectations held for her. To her surprise, others admit to feeling the same way. Some share their feelings about the challenges they are facing. The school begins to change. Ruby is not the only mango! Though some challenges are brought by overanxious parents and the school administration, Ruby hangs in and perseveres, believing that she has done nothing wrong and is, in fact, helping students have a voice. 

Ruby is a very likable character who is perceptive and thoughtful. She is a good friend, sister and student. Her learning difficulties are shared with empathy and show who she is. Her intelligence and bravery help to make needed changes. Valuing differences is so very important in middle years, and Ruby is a sincere role model for those wanting things to be different.