Bathtime for Snow Monkeys, written by Maggie Tokuda-Hall and illustrated by Yas Imamura. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2026. $26.99 ages 4 and up

 

"Little red faces
Peer out from brown, furry heads
Huddled together. 

They come to relax.
For clean fur and toasty soaks.
To be close to friends."

There was a time when I worked in elementary schools doing poetry workshops in classrooms. It was an opportunity to have kids experience the scope of poetry being published for them, and for them to try their hand at writing their own ideas in a variety of ways. One time, while talking with a grade four teacher, I did my best to divest her of the idea that the easiest kind of poetry for her students to try was haiku. In fact, in my mind then and still today, haiku is not easy at all. Traditionally, it is a poetic form with strict rules: 5-7-5 syllables per line, three lines, a distinct focus on nature, serenity, and brief moments. That is a lot to ask of a 9 or 10-year-old. That is not to say one shouldn't introduce children to the form; to expect them to replicate it is asking too much, I think. Others may disagree. 

Whenever I think back to that day, I am reminded of the brilliance of haiku and how it can focus attention on meaningful language. That is all to say: sharing this incredible book about a troop of nihonzaru (Japanese macaques) from the snowy Nagano mountains in Japan is a truly worthy pursuit. I would not have wanted to miss it. A hot spring is the ultimate location for a calm and quiet soak. Enveloped in the steam that rises around them, the monkeys are content ... until one tiny monkey splashes and wants to play. The others cannot wait for the little one to settle again, and leave them all to their grooming. 

"Come, baby monkey, 
Time to be mindful and hush. 
Enjoy the stillness."

Ms. Imamura's illustrations, created with gouache and pastel crayons, are textured and colored to enhance mood and setting. The warm glow of the mountains as the monkeys make their way to the steamy pool; then cool blues as the snow falls and they settle into its peace and warmth. Art provides a perfect setting for this ode to all being together. 

It is a soothing magical world, and a unique introduction to haiku. 
                                                                                          

I Am Indigenous, written by Anne Tenning, with art by numerous artists. Orca Book Publishers, 2026. $21.95 ages 5 and up

"I am connected to my 

Tribe, Nation, 

Community, Homeland, 

Traditional Territory, 

reserve or reservation. 

And though we come from different lands, 
I have Indigenous relatives all over the 
world! We are all unique, but we also have
so much in common."

In this poem written for Indigenous children by Anne Tenning, the author wants her readers to know that their Indigenous identity is worthy of celebration. Though the text is concise, it proves very appealing to the children meant to hear its strong message. Each child belongs and is invited to share in the pride deserving of their cultural experiences. 

It reassures children their value is honored, no matter their heritage, their language, their families, or their own experiences. Pages of text and art face each other; a new Indigenous illustrator brings their unique talent to the interpretation of the poem's verses. Ms.Tenning's inspiration came from young Indigenous students who shared their reluctance to identify themselves because they lacked confidence in what they did and did not know about their history and culture. 

The 13 Indigenous artists whose works are a brilliant addition to the positive and inspiring words are each mentioned in back matter with a photograph, a clear description of the artist themselves, and a personal statement concerning their art for this project. What diversity they represent in the people they are and the works they have created! 

"I know a lot about who I am, 
And there is much I still want to learn. 

What I do know is

I belong. 

I matter. 

I am loved. 

I am unique."                                                                                          

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.