Introducing Sandwina: The Strongest Woman in the World! Written by Vicki Conrad and illustrated by Jeremy Holmes. Calkins Creek, Astra. Penguin Random House. 2024. $24.99 ages 8 and up

 

"When a skinny acrobat named Max stepped 
into the ring, Katie knocked him flat on his back
before he knew what hit him. He looked up, saw
Katie, and all he could say was, "Marry me."
Katie carried him out of the ring and married 
him two years later. Max and Katie, a perfect 
pair, with a brand-new act."

Middle graders will be very interested to meet Katie Brumbach, who came to be known as Sandwina in her professional life. Her story reads like a circus show; the digital mixed-media artwork lives up to the sense of wonder that is often associated with high performance. 

Katie was born in Germany to a family of performers, showing great strength and a penchant for performing at a very young age. She was tireless in her pursuit of fame and a place in the Ringling Big Top Circus. In the meantime, she fascinated audiences with her impressive ability and remarkable feats. She was also appreciated for her femininity at a time when women were not expected to look as she did. 

Her marriage to Max Heyman led to endless touring; eventually they named themselves the Sandwinas. They performed throughout the United States and were finnally seen by John Ringling in Paris. Impressed by her beauty and her strength, he made her p the main attraction of his circus show. As a devoted mother to two sons, Theodore and Alfred, she continued to work at a variety of venues until settling down to open a family restaurant in Queens, New York. 

Backmatter includes archival photos, an author's note, a look at her family life, short notes about other strong women who were circus performers when Katie was, a timeline of her life's events, a selected bibliography, and an illustrator's note. Jeremy Holmes' images are a perfect match to the text, placing Katie in the spotlight at every turn. The chosen colors, the circus-like fonts, the banners and posters are all reflective of the life and times of this amazing woman. 

The One About the Blackbird, written by Melanie Florence and illustrated by Matt James. tundra, Penguin Random House. 2025. $24.99 ages 4 and up

 

"The first thing Jack heard when he woke
up the next morning was his grandfather
strumming his guitar and playing Jack's 
favorite song - the one about the blackbird.
"Can you teach me that?" Jack asked, 
rubbing his eyes and settling down beside 
his grandfather, watching as his fingers 
danced across the guitar strings."

Jack's life has been filled with music. His grandfather, a music aficionado and guitarist, has made sure of that. His grandfather never missed a chance to play yet another record that filled the rooms with glorious sound. His extensive record collection and his ability to play various instruments was wondrous. Jack especially liked it when he played his guitar ... his favorite song on the guitar was 'the one about the blackbird'. Jack wanted to be just like his grandfather, and told him so. 

Worried that his grandfather would think he was too young to learn, Jack was surprised at his awareness of Jack's love for and need to play music. Jack wanted to be taught to play the blackbird song. Before that could happen, his grandfather explained that they would make a slow start. It did not go well; the guitar was much bigger than expected and made noises Jack had never heard. It did not get easier despite his grandfather's encouragement. Jack wanted to give up. 

""If it was easy, everyone would do it,"
his grandfather said kindly. "Keep trying.""

With hard work and patience, Jack got better. They worked day after day. As time passed, Jack got bigger and the guitar got smaller. The time came for Jack to move away from his grandfather and make his way in the world, playing his music for large crowds. When he was homesick, he listened to his grandfather's records. 

During one visit, his grandfather admired Jack's guitar. Jack reminded that it once belonged to him. The tables turned and Jack thought he would now teach his grandfather to play again. Finding it difficult to remember, his grandfather handed the guitar back and asked Jack to play 'the one about the blackbird' for him. 

Matt James' mixed-media artwork is as outstanding as ever. His characters, the setting, and the nostalgic feeling he gives to the flow of Ms. Florence's warm words makes for a real connection between generations and over time. 

How To Hatch: A Gosling's Guide to Breaking Free, written by Sara Holly Ackerman and illustrated by Galia Bernstein. Alfred A.Knopf, Penguin Random House. 2026. $26.99 ages 3 and up

 

"Step Two: PIP!

You're going to bust right through the shell. 
But lets's get a few things straight. 

You can't shatter a shell with 
webbed feet. And your knobby knees
are not nearly sharp enough. 

Your rump? Ridiculous!
That won't get you anywhere. 

Your mighty pipping muscle and your 
trusty egg tooth will get you out."

The text box that holds space on the recto side of this spread provides the following factual information for readers:

Inside the Shell 

The air in the air cell won't last forever. 
The gosling embryo needs air from 
outside the shell to live. The pipping 
muscle and the egg tooth go back to work. 
The beak strikes the shell until it makes a 
light crack or a small hole. 

Using a second-person voice to encourage the embryo of a brand-new gosling to make its way into the world is a brilliant choice for helping young readers understand just exactly how this incredible process works. Then, choosing to include sidebars on every spread as explanation for what is clearly happening at each stage makes it even more brilliant ... and compelling, accessible, and highly entertaining, while also very informative. 

Younger readers will appreciate the language that includes well-chosen descriptive words and verbs to encourage the gosling to do its hard work. The informative explanations for the true science of this life cycle will be appreciated by older listeners who want the facts. Both are sure to be satisfied with the direction the narrative takes from Step One (BREATHE!) through to Step Six (FLOP!). 

"Don't fret about the soggy down, but beware
of chills. Find a toasty spot, and before you 
know it, you'll be as dry as a dandelion puff."

Kids will be captivated from the front endpapers to the back ones. Galia Bernstein's digital images put the geese at the center of attention throughout the telling, offering plenty of white space on every page. If you are at all claustrophobic, you will be cheering from the initial sight of the gosling as it is all tucked up inside its shell. Watching it move, grow, and instinctively know exactly what it needs to do to exit its shell is fascinating. Watching it 'healthy, happy, hatched' offers real satisfaction. Now part of the gaggle, it closely follows its mother and siblings to the lake for a first swim.

A glossary of words for birds follows, as does an author's note for the grown-ups who will share this book, and a list of selected resources. Beautiful! It's sure to be a favorite.                                                                                  

My Subway Runs, written by James Gladstone and illustrated by Pierre Pratt. Groundwood Books, 2026. $21.99 ages 4 and up

 

"I see no tree roots growing down here, or worms
wriggling in wet dirt. 

But there's a grey puddle from the water drips above. 

My subway runs fast, pushing wind through the 
station, blowing wild all the passengers' hair."

Having never travelled by subway, I cannot imagine the sights, sounds, and wind that might take my breath away. Thanks to James Gladstone and Pierre Pratt, I have a more distinct idea for the excitement and mayhem felt through the eyes of a young child as he and his mother move into the underground where they become part of it all. 

There is a large crowd of people using the subway as a means of transportation on this day. The boy begins to make his many discoveries as they reach the platform where they will wait for their train to arrive. There is a lot going on around them. Once seated, they watch others rush and push to hop on. The doors slide shut and they are on their way. 

It's dark in the tunnel. There are many new sounds and loud screeches which are unpleasant music to the child's ears. The people come from all walks of life, and spend their time on the train doing a variety of things, including reading, chatting, and even sleeping. It is very exciting, especially when they come out of the tunnel and onto a bridge that seems to take them into the sky. They soon arrive at Union Station where his mom spends time searching for a job at one of the restaurants; then it's time to make the return trip! Once home, the child acknowledges that the subway continues to run day and night. The sights, the sounds, and the awareness of the constant movement makes for an exciting adventure - one that is sure to be taken again.  

Pierre Pratt's artwork allows readers a clear look at the people encountered in this trip across the city. Detailed depictions of a diverse population, the energy of their journey, and the quick motion of the trip itself offer a clear look at subway travel for those of us who have not had the opportunity to experience it for ourselves.                                                                                       

Suuban's First Day: a first day of herding story. Written by Shugri Salh and illustrated by Alaba Onajin. Roaring Brook Press, Macmillan. Raincoast, 2026. $25.99 ages 3 and up

 

"One full moon passed.  
             And another. 

Suuban was getting tired of waiting. 
"When will my front teeth fall out, Ayeeyo?"

"When you hear the frogs sing out from 
the pond," Ayeeyo replied. 

Suuban knew that the frogs returned only 
when enough rain fell. Suuban saw not a 
wisp of cloud in the sky and smelled no 
hint of rain in the air."

In this story based on the author's Somalian childhood, readers meet Suuban and her ayeeyo (grandmother) as they live a nomadic life. Suuban loves the animals the two care for every day. In early morning, Suuban is happy to go out and release the goats, sheep, and baby camels from their pens and help with feeding them. 

Her dream is to be able to care for the animals on her own. Ayeeyo explains that she must wait until she loses her two front teeth before that will happen. Four full moons is a long time to wait for the young girl. Her help with the animals every day is fine; she wants to do more. Tired of waiting for what seems an interminable time, Suuban frequently asks her grandmother for other signs. 

When she loses her first tooth, she is sure it's time. Ayeeyo tells her she must wait to lose both teeth. Impatient, Suuban takes her fate into her own hands, challenging a head-butting little goat to an encounter. It works! That very day, Suuban is given careful instructions before taking the animals under her wing and heading for the large termite mound her grandmother describes. 

Always on the lookout, Suuban proves capable and brave on her own. Herding the animals into the shade, she takes time to be sure that all forty are safe. Knowing they are, she can take time to appreciate her natural surroundings. A fox is no match for Suuban; she sends him off with well-thrown rocks. Only as evening shadows set in does Suuban know it is time to return to the compound and her grandmother. They share the day's adventure before she has another question for Ayeeyo.

""When can I take the camel to fetch water by myself?"

"When you are as tall as my shoulder," her ayeeyo said."

Digital artwork is welcome, offering a setting that enhances the storytelling and allows young readers to note the nomadic lifestyle of Suuban and her ayeeyo. They are both colorful and detailed, sharing the emotions that Suuban shows with patience and an eagerness to be of more help. An author's note places the story in Somalia and speaks to children of her life there, and the admiration she holds for her grandmother and the lessons she learned from her. 
                                                                                   

What a Waste: 9 Ways to Fight Climate Change, written by Karen Tam Wu and illustrated by Bithi Sutradhar. Orca Book Publishers, 2025. $19.95 ages 9 and up

"What YOU Can Do

Buy less stuff, It's that simple. Making 
new goods requires energy. 

Try repairing something that's broken 
before replacing it. 

Consider buying things secondhand."

In her introduction, the author speaks to the fear and helplessness that many people -young and old- feel while facing the threat of climate change. She is determined to help readers and their parents learn about the innovations and changes being made around the world that are sure to impact thinking, and offer reasons to feel optimistic about what can be done when we take action. 

The book is divided into three sections: Protecting the Land, Protecting Forests, and Protecting Water. Each offers three actions that can be taken to impact change. Each is presented in clear text, and accompanied by helpful information boxes. The waste we create is astounding; with education and a determined effort to make changes, the world can be a safer place. 

All around the world, researchers and others are finding ways to transform food waste, plants, and creatures of the sea to improve on our ability to fight climate change. In each section, there are            personal suggestion boxes (what you can do) that will inspire readers to do what they can to help. Some are simple changes; others require effort and persistence.

"Of the estimated 100 billion items of clothing produced annually each year, 65 percent end up in the landfill within 12 months. Just 1 percent of recycled clothing is turned into new clothing. 

*Reduce the amount of new clothing you buy.
* Buy secondhand clothes.
*Organize a clothing swap with your friends."

So much is happening that offers inspiration to reuse, repurpose, and make a difference. Even one significant change in the way we live can have a huge impact. That is the premise for this book written for a middle grade audience, and worthy of finding a place on a classroom or school library shelf.     

Butt or Face: Ador-A-Butts, by Kari Lavelle. Sourcebooks, Raincoast. 2026. $22.50 ages 5 and up

 

"Did you recognize the FACE of the sloth?

They can rotate their head 270 degrees,
allowing them to see almost 360 degrees 
around them. Their facial features make
them appear as if they're always smiling - 
even when stressed or anxious. Talk 
about smiling for the camera!"

In this fourth edition of the BUTT or FACE series, readers will meet animals that may be familiar to them - or not. There were some new species for me including the pink fairy armadillo, the pygmy seahorse, the desert rain frog, and the leaf sheep sea slug. This funny game asks the reader to guess whether they are looking at the front or the back of each featured animal. They will be eager to do it up right, and it's interesting to realize how difficult it can be to know for sure. 

The question about the cropped natural photo that asks whether it is a butt or face is not easy to answer. Careful consideration is required and a willingness to make a mistake is helpful. A turn of the page reveals the full photograph and the answer is shared. That page also includes a short descriptive paragraph, and two Face the Facts information boxes. 

One of those boxes adds the following information to the above description for the sloth: 

"As the slowest moving animals on earth, sloths take their 
own sweet time - for everything! It takes them thirty days
to digest a leaf. About once a week, they slowly climb 
down their tree to the forest floor to poop. What a re-leaf!"

The fun facts, telling photographs, and opportunity to play a guessing game make this a welcome and anticipated series for kids who like to learn as much as they can about the animals of the world.