Stubby, written by Sydra Mallery and illustrated by John Hare. Greenwillow Books, Harper. 2026. $25.99 ages 6 and up

 

"Thankfully, the sparkly unicorn nail polish 
hands of Barbara Ann Brown chose me.

She threw the ten of us into her cart, along 
with two notebooks, one purple folder, and
an eraser shaped like a pig. 

On the first day of school, Barbara Ann 
put on her new outfit. The other pencils,
the pig, and I danced around in her 
pencil box."

Stubby the pencil tells his own story in this autobiography that begins in a forest. Stubby starts as a giant cedar tree there. He is home to birds and bugs; helps feed bunnies and mice; provides midnight snacks for passing foxes; and even feeds a mama bear and her cubs when they are hungry. It is a fulfilling life. That life takes a big turn when huge machines arrive and go to the work of felling the forest trees. 

Every step of the process is explained. Once completely ready for transport to the timber yard, Stubby is off. Further preparation is required there before he can be hauled to the next factory. Upon arrival, many machines and a conveyor belt complete the work that turn Stubby into a pencil. Boxed with nine friends, his journey continues to a store selling back to school supplies. There he stands waiting to be picked up. Finally, he is chosen by Barbara Ann Brown and taken with her to the first day of school. 

His life in the classroom is fraught with endless change. From one desk to another, one task to the next, the days pass in all the ways pencils are used and abused in their lifetime. Once relegated to the Sharp Pencils bucket, Stubby moves from one person to the next, constantly sharpened until he fears for his future.

Everything changes when he is chosen by 'you' and becomes the pencil he knows he was meant to be. 

John Hare's artwork is created with hand-drawn pencil that is digitally colored, and uses panels to great effect while allowing readers to witness the full life that transforms tree to pencil. The target audience will find much to hold their attention as they pore over this life story so effectively documented as both information and adventure.                                                                                     

                                                                                        

Landing in a New Pond, written by Marisa Ramel and illustrated by Jennifer Doehring. Charlesbridge, Penguin Random House. 2026. $21.99 ages 4 and up

 

"One day Mama holds my hand and says, 
"Soon the ducks will move, like we did.
They'll fly south for the winter to stay warm."

Then who will I play with?

The ducks can't leave. I make a plan. 
If I feed them enough, they won't go."

Moving requires resilience and patience; for this young boy and his family, it is quite a sad time. What makes him happy are the forty-one friends he now has. They are very different from the friends he left behind; they quack, waddle, and nibble on grasses. He's a good friend. He feeds them, offers extra for those who are hurt, and checks on them carefully every time the family visits the pond. His little sister is not helpful. 

There is not much he doesn't do to ensure the birds are healthy and happy. His sister wants to help, but she is pretty little to be responsible. All in all, it is a happy situation and life is good. When his mother explains that the ducks will soon need to fly south to a warmer place, the boy is consumed with the need to have them stay. Gathering plenty of food, he is hopeful. His mother's warning falls on deaf ears. With the sudden onset of freezing winter weather, the boy rushes to the park. He's too late. Sadness washes over him.  

""Moving is hard." Mama says softly. 
"For ducks, 
for kids, 
even for grown-ups.""

With the realization that his ducks are still together, he looks to his sister to help him pass the long days of winter. They pretend to be ducks, act like his old friends did, and wait together for spring when they will see the ducks again. 

An author's note explains that her story is based on the family's move from New York City to Colorado during COVID, and parallels their experiences. She adds a further note ... the dos and don'ts for feeding ducks in your neighborhood. Detailed digital drawings capture emotions, setting, and seasonal changes.
                                                                                         

Time Is Wild: The Life Cycles of Animals and YOU. Written by Erin Silver and illustrated by Samantha Dixon. Orca Book Publishers, 2026. $21.95 ages 6 and up

"A mother elephant gives birth every five 
years, to one baby at a time. Most moms 
have up to five babies in their lifetime. 

Elephant babies drink their mother's milk
for about two years. They suck their own 
trunks, just like a human baby might suck 
its thumb."

Orca continues to do a tremendous job of publishing nonfiction books that have real appeal to a wide range of readers. This very engaging and informative one compares animals and humans, by detailing the passage of time concerning stages of life. Each two-page spread explores differences and habits based on these topics: pregnancy, sleeping, breastfeeding, learning to walk, eating, bathing, pooping, dressing/undressing, losing teeth, moving, growing up, leaving home, and finally, dying. 

The design is concise and familiar. The verso (left) side introduces one animal in an enlightening paragraph. The recto (right) side offers THAT'S WILD! bulleted facts that feature additional material sure to surprise readers. At the edge of the recto side there is a comparison chart for the topic that includes the featured animal, a human, and two others. Illustrations are colorful, contextual, and pleasing. There is much to learn as readers consider the passage of time and the changes that happen. The book provides an invitation for readers to think about how the lives of animals compare to their own. 

New learning has me wanting to share with you some interesting facts. I will keep it to this list: a baby giraffe is born feet first and drops 5 feet to the ground at birth; alligators can go up to 3 years without eating; cats spend 13-16 hours a day sleeping; geese poop every 12 minutes; a peregrine falcon can spot small prey from up to 2 miles away; anacondas never stop growing; and one ocean quahog named Ming lived to be 507 years old! There is so much more for readers to share, and they will love passing new knowledge along to others. 

A useful glossary is appended. 
                                                                                  

STEVE, into the great unknown. Written and illustrated by Kelly Collier. Kids Can Press, 2026. $18.99 ages 4 and up

 

"OMG!
OMG!
OMG! 

Deep breaths. Don't panic, 
Bob. After all, you packed
some emergency supplies 
just in case. 

Okay. I've got some trail 
mix. A flashlight. First aid
kit. Field Guide. Walkie-
talkies ... 

C'mon, Bob. 
Surely you are overreacting."

Young fans will be thrilled to welcome Steve back! This terrific graphic novel starring Steve the Horse is much beloved by early readers wanting their own series of books to enjoy, while also tickling their funny bone. In this fourth book, Steve is tired of the incessant boredom. No matter what his friend Bob suggests to alleviate the ennui, Steve has a reason for not making any change. After doing his best to help, Bob heads off to read The Adventures of Bluebird.  

The title sparks an idea in Steve, who is now determined to seek his own adventure; he's ready to find a new land. Bob is very concerned about Steve's inexperience and lack of planning for this exciting new endeavor. Although Steve is raring to go, Bob takes time to prepare for their upcoming excursion. Once needed supplies have been gathered, Bob is ready and full of enthusiasm. Steve is showing signs of reluctance as the walk is long, before finally finding a place to stop for the night. 

Bob asks Steve to unpack the provisions Steve has been carrying all day; only then does he learn that Steve has abandoned the heavy pack 'hours ago'. All of their food and water is gone! Bob is furious that Steve is so nonchalant about the whole thing. As rain pours down, Bob is pleased to have carried an emergency tent - only meant for one. As he watches Steve whimper and cry, he finally invites him in for some shelter and an earnest conversation. Bob leaves Steve in charge of their campsite as he searches for a shortcut home. 

What are the odds that Steve will follow Bob's instructions? Final spreads are filled with the gentle humor we have come to expect from this exceptional series. What a pair of friends Bob and Steve prove, once again, to be. 

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.