Dogtown, written by Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko. Illustrated by Wallace West. Feiwel and Friends, Macmillan. Raincoast. 2024. $11.99 ages 8 and up .

 

"No one would miss me. Dogtown was a pretty
big place and I was always moving around. 
Mouse nodded. He didn't look happy about
the plan, but he agreed. 
Metal Head just sat there, watching. When 
I told him we were coming along, his tail 
began to wag, something I had not seen 
before."

This book, now conveniently published in paperback, came highly recommended by my younger granddaughter who loved it. You know kids and dogs! Chance is the narrator of this story about her life in a dog shelter named Dogtown. There are challenges to endure and frequent wishes for the home life she once had. She does her best to make life as good as it can be, always aware that any dog in the shelter can be added to The List (the next one to go as they have been there too long). 

She's a perfect guide for readers as she introduces other shelter dogs, and one tiny, friendly mouse. Chance is seen as Management's lucky charm, and given free rein to wander the facility without being placed in a cage. That allows her to leave some of her kibble for Mouse and her family, to prevent starvation. Life is acceptable. Metal Head, an e-dog, bonds with Quinn when the boy comes to Dogtown to read with the dogs there. Chance's opinion of Metal Head as heartless and unfeeling begins to change as she watches the two read together. Metal Head's desire to break out and find its way back home lead to the two (and friend Mouse) making their escape when the opportunity presents itself. 

Before they make their break, Chance shares her story of how she lost her leg, her mistreatment by a dogsitter when her family was away, and her arrival at the shelter. Turns out both are hoping for that belonging place that once had been theirs. The story turns from life in the shelter to a series of adventures as they help Metal Head attempt to return to his past life. 

Chance’s narrative offers flashbacks, vignettes about fellow shelter pets, and keen observation. There is laughter and opportunity to think seriously about some of the predicaments. Wallace West creates emotional and energetic grayscale artwork to enhance the story ... dogs for kids to fall in love with and care about. Back matter offers advice on helping out with shelter dogs. 

Coming soon is my review of a second book in the Dogtown series. Those who become big fans of the two will be happy to know there is a new one in the works for publication in September! 

 "Your heart is a muscle…It grows stronger the more you use it." 

https://youtu.be/-6RdO7TIyPY?si=AFlP6MXghFRFYazG

10 Shocking Facts About Capybaras, written and illustrated by Melanie Watt. Scholastic, 2026. $19.99 ages 4 and up

 

"FACT 6:

Capybaras can all asleep 
in the water. 

ZZZzzzz            ZZZzzz

We're clever!
Only our noses 
    stick out!"

Did you know that the capybara is the biggest rodent in the world? If you did, you might want to know even more than that. Melanie Watt shares 10 things you may or may not have known. Each one is of interest to those readers who want to know more about these cutie pies. Some of what is learned will be a surprise ... or a shock! 

They really are quite big; their presence is much more imposing than their cousins, the guinea pig. In fact, they can weight up to 174 pounds. The second thing to know about them is that their teeth never stop growing; they make good use of that fact by chewing all day to help keep teeth at a normal length. They need to live near water; that is why their scientific name means 'water hog'. 

The list goes on covering all ten facts on double-page spreads with cartoon-like illustrations that offer context for the information provided. They are cute and chill communicators, until the fact is shared that they eat plants and grass that are hard to digest. At this point, the capybara narrator does its best to avoid the final shocking bit of info. Final numbered and unexpected extra facts add a dose of humor that will have young readers guffawing at the animal's reticence to share anything else. 

They do not eat pizza; they cannot order pizza; they do not talk on the phone to place an order for pizza; their webbed feet prevent them from texting. There is only one reason for the capybara not wanting readers to know what they do eat to help their digestion. An inquisitive monkey finds a nonfiction book that exposes the truth. 

This final discovery is truly shocking ... and now we all know! 

Gifts from the Garbage Truck: A True Story About the Things We (Don't) Throw Away. Written by Andrew Larsen. Foreword by Nelson Molina. Pictures by Oriol Vidal. sourcebooks, Raincoast. $2024. $25.99 ages 6 and up

 

"On Christmas morning, Nelson had a gift
for each of his siblings. 

Each gift had been found and fixed.

Each had a story. 

Each was special in its own way."

As happens so often when I find a new picture book biography, I learn about a person new to me. It is always a lovely surprise to discover how they have made a difference in the world. Meeting Nelson Molina fills me with love and appreciation for the work he has done and the lives he has touched with that work. 

Nelson introduces himself in the forward to this wonderful picture book about a man who grew up with very little and learned the importance of the little things the family did have. His mother's wise guidance taught him not to discard anything that could be used again. Taking that lesson to heart in his job as a sanitation worker in The Barrio in New York City for 34 years, Nelson spent much of his time working on creating a museum called Treasures in the Trash; it houses forty-five thousand items he found in the garbage, all cleaned, repaired, and arranged for visitors to see. There is, indeed, beauty in what many consider useless junk. He asks readers to look for 'the value in everything'.  

Andrew Larsen shares Nelson's remarkable story from his early years as a collector. He found wood scraps on his way to school, took them home and his mother taught him to make birdhouses - expert advice from a true recycler. Nelson collected stamps, and displayed them in ways that interested others: by color, theme, faraway places. Anything he found that could be rescued, he rescued it. He knew there would be someone out there who would love and appreciate it. 

When he grew up, he became a trash collector in the neighborhood he loved. It was hard work. There were times when his interest was piqued by one of the bags he was collecting. Upon inspection, he always found something that could be saved. That led to his decision to begin to make a display at work for others to see. Every item was special to Nelson and he found a place for each. 

As the display grew, it told the story of the neighborhood and the people who lived there. Close to the Museum of Modern Art, it is seen today by thousands of people from around the world when they visit New York City. 

"It's an invitation to think differently
about the things we throw away. 

It's Nelson Molina's gift to us all." 

Two final pages are given to the 4 RS, upcycling, ways to use what many consider throwaways, and photos of Nelson and his museum of treasures. 

Another hero discovered thanks to Andrew Larsen. I love it! Don't miss it.                                                                                      

https://youtu.be/2OIeptFMiCY?si=w6Ssgo19uRM6xfn_

Two Artists, Grandad and Me, written and illustrated by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow. Doubleday Books for Young Readers, Penguin Random House. 2026. $24.99 ages 5 and up

 

"Grandad's world is watercolor. 
Bright globs squeezed onto a tray. 
The colors have funny, magical names, 

like Cadmium Red (perfect for Little Red's riding hood).

Ultramarine Blue (like the juice from crushed 
blueberries).

and Winsor Violet ("It gives other layers depth,"
he says)."

Jazz notes filter through the house as a young girl visits her grandad. He is painting and the sounds of the jazz he loves provide inspiration for his work. All spaces in his studio reflect his passion for the art he creates. Upon seeing his granddaughter, he shares a special gift. 

"He flashes me a sunshine smile."

As he works, she spends time with characters from her Grandad's stories: a lion and a mouse, a little red hen, three foolish goats. What delight is found in poring over the pages while she also enjoys the music that is a part of the experience. They talk about colors while Grandad offers artistic advice and then watches as she tries, then tries again. Always patient, he explains that things have not always gone well for him either. 

After gifting her a sketchbook, she needs guidance for choosing what to draw. The two draw together what they can see in front of them - he assures it is the work of an artist, something she has never been called before today. 

"I like the sound of it.

             I have so many stories to tell.'

After her grandad hangs one of her works next to his on the wall, they make their way upstairs, memories and music dancing in their heads. 

One cannot help but admire the artistic talent passed from one generation to the next in the Pinkney family. Sharing this book brings readers into the 'world of watercolor' that was Jerry Pinkney's and learning about his patience in tutoring Charnelle is an absolute blessing. Her mixed-media art is filled with her own artistic view of the world that was theirs and is now hers. 

In an afterword, she describes memories from her childhood and includes archival photos from the family album. This is a lovely tribute to a much-loved grandparent. Serious work, indeed.                                                                                           

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DT-kuFIDSuS/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Planting Sunshine, written by Andree Poulin and illustrated by Enzo. Groundwood Books, 2026. $19.99 ages 10 and up

"Theo falls silent. 
He realizes 
there's nothing
            he can do 
              to stop the war. 

Powerlessness 
towers over him 
            a tall wall 
               of bricks
blocking every path forward. 

He realizes 
          the hardest part
              is knowing 
there's nothing 
         you can do."
           

 "Do wars begin because too many people can’t say ‘I’m sorry?"

For kids who can watch what is going on around the world on their television sets, there is a rising concern for what is happening to others. Theo knows that the likelihood of a war where he lives is minimal; the toll wars are taking around the world make no sense to him. He cannot understand the root cause for the many deaths and the total devastation in those countries. 

He asks his father why there are wars; he can give no satisfactory answer to Theo's question. It doesn't seem to make a difference to his friends at school. Mrs. Lena his neighbor shares his worries as war rages in her homeland. The longer the war goes on, the more Theo feels anger and great sadness. Meeting Lily and seeing what she is doing to protest war gives him some peace. This is such an honest look at one very sensitive young man who has to finally come to terms with the fact that he can do nothing to stop any war.; no one he knows can do that. 

A hopeful ending for Theo has him working with his dad and Lily to sell Mrs. Lena's delicious perogies to raise funds for the survivors. This small difference helps to assuage his anxiety. This novel in verse is so eloquent in its storytelling, giving Theo a voice when the reality of war makes no sense to him. The writing shows middle grade readers how war is hurting so many, due only to hate and horror. Illustrations by Enzo are compelling in their honesty as well, showing war in reality as well as the war fought in Theo's imagination. 

"I know these sunflowers
these marked stones
these perogies 
        won't silence the cannons. 
               But they're a way 
                       a small way 
               to start building 
                            peace,"
     

Valuable back matter discusses war, its causes and the rules not followed, how it affects children, and offers thoughts on how to build peace. 

If This Were the World, written by Stephen Barr and illustrated by AG Ford. Neal Porter Books, Holiday House, Penguin Random House. 2026. $24.99 ages 4 and up

 

"Then they played even harder. 
The world was tough. 
The world was fast. 
The world was fun for everyone. 

Until one of the kids from the 
next grade walked up. 

I want your dodgeball."

It's the 138th day of school, and the recess bell rang once more. To their dismay, the children in Ms. Lee's class realised that they had played every single playground game they knew. What would they do now? For every suggestion made, someone reminded them that it had already been part of another recess on another day. All the while, they are on the equipment, in the sandbox, or hanging upside down. 

It only takes one child to get others thinking outside the box and coming up with ideas that no one had earlier considered. This time it was Omeed and he held up an orange. He had a question about it: 

"What if THIS ... 

                were the world?"

Everyone stood still and quiet as they considered what he had just said. Right there and then, a new game began. Ideas were eagerly shared, opinions offered, until sharing it left them without that world. Perhaps, they needed something bigger. What about a dodgeball? When a bigger kid wanted it, they needed to find something easier to share. 

A sudden turn to the vertical offers a very large tree to be the new world. Now, that had plenty of possibilities, until a branch broke and sent many crashing to the ground. Time to find something better for their play; the ideas came fast and furious. None were acceptable. 

"Is there anything else we can use?

Something big.

Something easy to share. 

Something we won't forget about."

Nabiha thought carefully and came up with the perfect solution ... one that worked for everyone!                                                                                  

A Snow Day for Amos McGee, written by Philip C. Stead and illustrated for Erin E. Stead. Roaring Brook Press, Macmillan. Raincoast, 2025. $27.99 ages 4 and up

 

"Amos put on his warm coat, warm hat, 
scarf and mittens. 
He pulled on his great big waterproof
boots ... 

and stepped outside into the crisp, 
chilly air, 

Amos waited for the number five bus."

With a fairly significant storm in our forecast, I got thinking about Amos McGee and how much I have missed him. We met him first in A Sick Day for Amos McGee (Roaring Brook, 2010), and then again in Amos McGee Misses the Bus (Roaring Book, 2021). We learned what a kind and caring zookeeper he was to the animals in his care, and how much they returned the love he showered upon them. In this new book, we come to understand how he loves snow! Every morning as winter approached, he eagerly awaited news that snow was on its way. 

Tired after days of wind and rain, Amos was appreciative of the news one early morning. He bundled up, heading for the number five bus that would take him to the zoo. (Observant readers will take notice of the two bunnies standing at his side.) As Amos worked on his knitting, other animals accompanied him in the warm comfort of the bus. Once they reached their destination, they all followed along as he made his way to the zoo's gate where he put a newly-knitted scarf on a monkey's neck. 

Making his rounds and checking on his many friends, Amos assured they were given what they needed to keep them warm on this first snowy day of the season: a pom-pom hat for the elephant, an afghan for the tortoise, thick socks for a penguin, a new scarf for the rhinoceros, and a colorful sweater for the owl. 

""I am so glad I finished my knitting in time," said Amos. 
The animals felt well prepared for the coming weather."

As Amos tended to his many chores, the animals waited in anticipation of the coming event. The clouds rolled in ... and then were gone. Finally, in the middle of the night, the snow fell. In the morning, the ground was covered with a lovely white blanket. It was for the animals to get to work and make a path to Amos's house, where they could enjoy all the many splendid joys of this new and most welcome season. After a long and tiring day, and before going inside for steamy hot chocolate, they took to a nearby hill for a sledding adventure together.  

Oh, please! Let's read it again!                                                                                

https://youtu.be/Ggv2KAGEYRk?si=IG5-u8VrMdNQQDdg