The Peanut Man, written by Carmen Agra Deedy and illustrated by Raul Colon. Peachtree, Penguin Random House. 2025. $25.99 ages 4 and up

"He wore a jaunty hat. His face, as wrinkled
as old tobacco leaves, spread into a toothless
smile.

"Coqui!" he called. 
He knew everyone by name.
And we all knew el manisero,
the Peanut Man. 

Now it was time 
to play our game."

In Old Havana, a peanut man walks the street singing his song for his customers. A young girl rushes to her bedroom window to listen and to smell the mani (peanuts). She is full of excitement as she calls down to Emilio; his pleasure is equally evident. The two are ready to play their game. Coqui sticks her thumbs in her ears, sticks out her tongue, and makes a silly sound before Emilio apes her actions. They love that game, playing it every night. 

When her mother tells her at bedtime one evening that the family is leaving Cuba for the United States, Coqui is confused. Told it is dangerous for her father to speak his truths, the girl wonders if they will ever return. There is no answer for that question. As soon as she hears Emilio on the street beneath her window, she tells him what is happening. He explains that it is a land of 'plenty, liberty ... and beisbol.'

That sparks excitement for a young girl who loves baseball; still, tears flood her face as she must say farewell to her dear friend. It is a long and complicated journey to their new home. The family settles in and makes a new life in Decatur, Georgia. Coqui is always homesick, except for baseball. She and her Papi listen to the games with great anticipation. A birthday surprise results in two tickets to see Hammerin' Hank Aaron with her Papi! On a warm September afternoon, they set out together. 

She doesn't like the stadium smells and wants to go back home to listen. Her father encourages her to persevere, and not miss all the excitement of the game. When she hears the cry of a peanut vendor, Coqui knows it is not Emilio. A warm bag of peanuts in her hands leaves her awash with memory, and leads to a conversation with the peanut man, Big Dee. She gives in to the impulse to teach Big Dee the game she shared with Emilio; Big Dee responds in kind. A warm feeling of home washes over Coqui for the first time since the family moved away from Cuba. 

Lovingly told and illustrated, this family story of immigration and finding a new home is both memorable, and uplifting. Ms. Deedy explains in a poignant afterword how a story she told in her daughter's high school led to her sharing it with another family and their guests. To her great surprise one person in attendance was Henry Aaron. His interest in her and in her story was an amazing encounter, as you might guess! 
                                                                                        

And They Walk On, written by Kevin Maillard and illustrated by Rafael Lopez. Roaring Brook Press, Macmillan. Raincoast, 2025. $25.99 ages 5 and up

 

"Their things are still here
as if they just stepped out: 

jacket by the door,

hair in the brush,

starlight mints by the bed, 

shoes on the floor."

The child whose voice tells this story is confused. His concern is about death and grief. He ponders where loved ones go when they walk on - out of the life he has known with them. There are many places they once loved: the market, the garden, the lake to fish, their other favorite. When they get where they are going, how will they let him know? He knows he will wait because there are things he needs to share. He wants to tell about activities that fill his days, the new accomplishments he has made, the weather. He assumes that walking on is a long journey that might tire them out and lead them back home. 

As he watches his family pack up his grandmother's house, he notes that everything is just as she left it. Spending time in each room, he can feel the love that memories hold for him. He smells the household smells, sees the ordinary sights, touches those things that are so familiar, hears common kitchen sounds and travels back in his memory to times spent with his grandmother. 

"When they walk on , 
          they stay with us 
                    like the glimmer of a distant star."

Everything they have been will always be a part of those they leave behind; those left will always walk on together in their honor. 

This is an exquisite explanation of grief, sure to assuage hearts that are dealing with the death of a loved one. Rafael Lopez captures the essence of cultural traditions using acrylic, watercolor, and colored pencils assembled digitally to bring beauty, warmth and understanding. He blends the Seminole connections of the author with his own Mexican influences in his spectacular images. Careful observation will result in welcome discoveries. 

Back matter is a valuable addition, including explanatory notes from both creators, and a recipe for Kevin's Grape Dumplings. 

"Maybe they're just running late
and they will call me
from their special place."                                                                                           

The Quiet Hunt: A Poem for Young Foragers, written by Jean E. Pendziwol and illustrated by Risa Hugo. Groudwood Books, 2026. $21.99 ages

"Our ancestors wandered, 
tools in hand - 
         sticks for digging,
         knives for trimming, 
         baskets and slings and 
         bags made of skins -
gathering roots and leaves, 
mushrooms and berries, 
fruits, flowers,
nuts and seeds. 

I read this lovely book when it arrived in the mail, and then I read it again. This morning as I prepare to tell you about it, I have just finished reading it one more time. Each read brings new thoughts and feelings for its message to young children. 

Pairing her graceful words with the elegant colored pencils and watercolor artwork of Risa Hugo, Ms. Pendziwol tells her readers the story of how humans have always been able to forage for food that nourishes. She begins in ancient times when all food came from the wild. She explains how humans spend their time in nature wandering in search of what would sustain them: meat, birds, fish. 

She then describes 'the quiet hunt' which took the people into forests and fields, rivers and creeks, and under the earth to find what else they were looking for: roots and leaves, mushrooms and berries, fruits and seeds. What they foraged had many uses and kept hunger away. Their knowledge of what was safe for consumption was passed from one generation to the next. 

As they hunted, those looking for food left offerings to the wild for the bounty provided. Being in the wild to do their collecting provided them with sustenance for their souls. Today, things are quite different. Those who continue to quietly hunt are steeped in the knowledge passed along to them from those in the know; the people who advise on what is good and safe. The sounds and beauty felt outside on the quiet hunt continue to feed souls. What a celebration of our connection with nature.                                                                               

The Moving Book, written and illustrated by Lisa Brown. Neal Porter Books, Holiday House. Penguin Random House. 2025. $25.99 ages 3 aand up$

 

"Grandpa lived far away, but Nana and Poppa 
were near. 

When Grandpa visited, we all went to a restaurant
where the food came on little carts. 

We could take the bus with Mom and Dad downtown
to visit the museum - the one with the dinosaur. You 
were so afraid. 

We didn't live there very long."

In my long life, I have lived in 7 different places all in the same city; three before 5, three in the early years of our marriage, and the last 53 years in the house I still call home. I hope to be here for the rest of my life. I have fond memories of each one of those moves and the changes they brought to my life.

This story's family has many moves under their belts. The older brother is narrator and is explaining to his little sister that, even if she doesn't remember all of those moves, he does. As he shares his memories of their homes, he also describes the surroundings. A move into a big apartment building with three elevators was perfect for trick-o-treating, a dim sum restaurant was close by, and public transportation took them downtown to the museum where there were dinosaurs. Moving into one of the homes offered new experiences. They each had their own bedroom, and there was a yard to play in with neighborhood children. 

The upcoming move means they will be living with Grandpa. 

"Mom says that we will probably 
stay in this home for a long time, 
but you never know. 

                       It's okay ... 

                            we are good at moving."

In a story filled with charm and humor, Ms. Brown shows in her mixed-media and expressive artwork a different reality at times than the memory being shared. At every turn, readers are treated to scenarios that invite careful looks. It's refreshing to see the variety of homes they inhabit as the years pass, while ending on a hopeful note that this might be their last move. If not, they have experiences that prove being together, no matter where, is home. 

As she did in The Airport Book (Roaring Brook, 2016) and The Hospital Book (Holiday House, 2023), the author uses the same family to tell her story. Imagine having all three together as a reading experience for your family! What a fun trip to the library that would be. What might you discover? 

A Cure for the Hiccups, written by Jennifer E. Smith and illustrated by Brandon James Scott. Random House Studio, Penguin Random House, 2025. $24.99 ages 4 and up

 

"But she is not very good at being patient.
Her grandmother is always telling her to
slow down. To stop. To sit and listen to the
rustle and hum of the trees. To close her 
eyes and feel the warmth of the sun on her 
face. 

To pause. 

To wait. 

To be."

How many people think they have a cure for the hiccups? Max could certainly use a sure-fire trick as she has been hiccupping for far too long. She has given many traditional suggestions a try; nothing is working. Her grandmother offers her best advice. She suggests time and patience. While Max is very good at many different pursuits, patience is not her strong suit. 

Max has much too much to get done. Still, the hiccups she is experiencing are always on her mind. She thinks constantly of all the scenarios that might follow her over a lifetime of hiccupping. All of her worries result in constant imagined scenes that will be the consequences of her predicament. 

"One day, when she becomes president, her hiccups 
will be heard around the world. People will hand her 
glasses of water everywhere she goes. None of it will 
help."

When she finally sits quietly to think on all that she is worrying about, things change. She hears the soft wind, feels the warmth of the sun, takes a deep breath ... takes a pause and waits. When her grandmother asks how she is doing, Max complains that she will never be the same. A second simple question has Max taking a careful assessment of her condition. What? The hiccups are GONE, and will stay that way until the next time. With her new knowledge, she is able to advise her little brother on handling his own hiccups. 

Kids listening to Max's story will giggle as Max goes down the rabbit hole that leads to every imagined scene in her future with the hiccups she cannot control. The digital artwork is full of fun and imagination and is sure to entertain readers. The advice given to slow down and breathe works wonders for each one of us.                                                                                    

While We Wait, written and illustrated by Bee Johnson. Henry Holt and Company, Macmillan. Raincoast. 2025. $24.99 ages 4 and up

"Summer market. 
Row of stalls. 
Pickles. Peaches. 
Overalls. 

Bucket drummer
          makes a beat. 
While we wait,
          we move our feet."

Remember those days when you had errands to run and you needed to take your young children with you? I don't think mine appreciated it anymore than I did. But, that's parenting. Dad has left a 'to do' list for Mom and the kids while he is away. The kids know there will be a lot of waiting. 

Before they leave the house, they need to be sure to take with them all they will need. While they are doing that, Mom is busy looking for a bag that appears to be lost. The waiting results in a raucous game of tag, and they are off. Their first stop is the market; their mother shops while the girls are entertained by a drummer and a dog. It's a perfect time to practice their dance moves. 

The post office is next. The line is long and slow. A woman in front of them is busy trying to control an unruly toddler, offering the girls a chance to distract with a flower and funny faces. Once they are on their way again, their mother stops to visit with a friend while the girls keep her dog company. A nearby shop attracts attention with its many miscellaneous marvels; it's the perfect place to find the dress that is on their list. 

Finally, it's time to stop for lunch ... another long wait. They are hangry and fall apart. Leaving the diner as the skies open forces them to snuggle up under an awning where they wait until they can cross the street, splashing and stomping as they go. Energy expended, it's time to take a break and read a book at home while Mom prepares soup for supper. After eating, with the 'to do' list done, the girls settle in for the night; Mom falls asleep before finishing her tea. 

The detailed, colorful illustrations offer plenty to see as the story is read. They enhance the rhythmic storytelling with images that offer hints about the children, their family life and the place they call home. Even while completing their errands, and spending a lot of their time waiting, kids can find happy moments that distract from the drudgery. This is a great reminder of that.                                                                            

                                    

https://youtu.be/W1YlZWE3hFc?si=asCiJr7Vd0wOpno5

Bear and Bird: The Secret and Other Stories, by Jarvis. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2025. $23.50 ages 3 and up

 

"The Secret

It might not surprise you to learn that 
Bear was terrible at keeping secrets. 
Like when he told everybody the 
secret ingredient in Mouse's cheese 
pie (extra cheese).
Or the time when he told everybody 
about Rabbit getting stuck in the toilet. 
And when he told everybody the 
reason why Bird doesn't fly. Well, 
Bird did not like that at all.
Once Bear knew a secret, he found 
it impossible to keep it."

This sixth book of short stories from Jarvis about two best friends is just as warm and amusing as each of the first five. I have loved them all, and am delighted when I get a chance to share them with young readers. While they may not always agree on issues that arise, the two friends do want the other to be happy. It may take time, but they find a way to sort out their troubles, and that leads back to acceptance and understanding. 

The four short stories in this newest book have to do with a list, lasagna, a secret, and a tree. When Bird learns that Bear has nicknames for his other friends, but has not chosen one for Bird, she is upset. In response, Bird decides to write her own list in a letter to Bear, calling him a bunch of rude names meant to be hurtful. She is ready to deliver it when Rabbit scoots by and takes Bird's shopping list to the market. You might be able to guess what happens next with the two lists. The mix-up is enough to make any young reader giggle. When Bird apologizes for her response to her friend, Bear's reasoning for not giving Bird a nickname is heartwarming. 

The following stories deal with likes and dislikes, the importance of keeping secrets most of the time, and how a game of hide-and-seek ends up having friends realize just how happy they are to be together. These tales of friendship are always thoughtful, kind, and charming, despite mix-ups and misunderstandings. 

All six books in this series are perfect for young readers yearning for independence in their reading lives. You can't go wrong adding them to your library shelves.