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

The Sustainable School: A Journey Through Time and Energy. Written by Erica Fyvie and illustrated by Scot Ritchie. Kids Can Press, 2025. $19.99 ages 9 and up

"The woodstove keeps our class very warm in the winter.
At lunchtime, we can buy a hot lunch for a penny, but 
most of us bring our own lunch in a metal pail. Sometimes
we bring a carrot or potato to school and the midday 
helpers cook a stew in the school kitchen for us to share."

Many surprises await those middle graders who read this book about Birch Elementary and its sixth- grade class that is learning about sustainability. A sudden halt in the construction happening outside their classroom windows leads to them being offered a time capsule from 1900 that the workers have unearthed. The sixth graders from that year had buried it to be found 100 years later. As they examine its contents, they read letters that describe their school at that time. 

Mr. Maron organizes the class into four different teams to consider what life was like then and might be like in coming years. They will work together to create a science fair project, the final assignment for the school year. Each team is given a topic to research by reading letters from the past before looking to the future to investigate and imagine coming changes to electricity, plumbing, buildings, and transportation. The book's structure then follows the teams as they consider what they are reading from the past and considering questions and ideas for the future. 

Time capsule information boxes discuss The Global Seed Vault (Future Fair), The Terracotta Warriors (Electricity), The Wreck of the Titanic (Plumbing), Voyager Golden Records (Buildings) and Scott's Hut (Transportation). Double page spreads for each begin with a focus question, followed a prediction concerning the future, the good news from today, the challenges ahead and a concluding statement. Finally, Mr. Maron's class of 2025 produce their own time capsule for the class of 2125.

Highly informative and sure to intrigue those who read it, this book will have middle grade students keen on thinking about the future and what it holds, based on the learning they do in their classroom. Cartoon style artwork is very appealing. Sepia tones show what life was like in the past, offering today's readers a chance to take a careful look at the differences and similarities from one time to the other. In the end, the students are introduced, instructions are given for creating a 'your very own time capsule', a glossary, a list of resources and an index are added.  

It's an excellent mentor text for any classroom interested in a project concerning energy and a greener and more sustainable future.                                                                                             

Galaxy Mapper: The Luminous Discoveries of Astrophysicist Helene Courtois. Writtten by Allie Summers and illustrated by Sian James. mit Kids Press, Candlewick, Penguin Random House. 2025. $24.99 ages 9 and up

 

"On a road trip in Canada, Helene and her friends drove
to the end of the map just to see what was there. They
found aurora borealis - the northern lights - splashing
like colorful ocean waves across the sky. Why are the 
waves sometimes green and other times red and violet? 

Helene observed. 
           Helene questioned. 
                     Helene had ideas. 

And, in the evenings, the moon was waiting for her."

This is another excellent picture book biography that has helped me learn about something brand new to me. I had no idea I even wanted to know; it does help me see and understand how someone born with an inquisitive scientific brain is born with the curiosity needed to learn how to map galaxies. 

Born in France in a town surrounded by the Alps and having a teacher she adored, Helene Courtois was eager to explore the fields and forests that were part of her home with Miss Colette who encouraged observation, questions, and ideas. Her parents were equally interested in nature and encouraged their young daughter to use a trail map while exploring her mountain surroundings. 

Later in life, Helene and her friends travelled in Canada, using a new kind of map provided by her parents: a road map. More observations, more questions, and a continued interest in what lay beyond the moon, she moved on to university which offered a chance to study medicine. Her upbringing and earlier experiences led her switch her studies to astrophysics. The lone woman in most of her classes, she willed herself to follow in the footsteps of other successful female scientists. 

Continuing to learn as she always had, Helene found a new, undying love for the galaxies she was able to see through her first professional telescope. Her fate was sealed. She turned her attention to mapping galaxies and other structures in the universe. Her experiences filled her with wonder, and her studies led to numerous discoveries. Leading a team of cosmologists, she traveled the world learning more and more. Together, they discovered a supercluster (which includes the Milky Way) that they named Laniakea in honor of those who had come before them. Helene had finally discovered what was beyond the moon; a question she had been asking since her childhood. 

A timeline of her life, a glossary of galactic terms, a list of other fiercely intelligent women in astronomy, instructions for a good location to build a professional telescope, and a selected bibliography complete the book.                                                                            

     

Victor and the Giant, written and illustrated by Rafael Yockteng. Translated by Elisa Amado. Aldana Libros, Greystone Kids. 2025. $24.95 ages 4 and up

 

"He jumped on him, but he didn't wake up.

He punched him, but he didn't wake up. 

He begged the creature desperately, 
but the giant still didn't wake up. 

Victor didn't know what else to do. He 
was so tired he sat on the monster's 
enormous nose. 

He could see its huge eyes, an infinite 
forehead, massive eyebrows, wild hair ... 

Nose hairs!"

A close look at the quiet arrival of another day in the peaceful city offers no warning for what is about to happen. As Victor's mother rushes out the door on her way to work, he enjoys breakfast with a cup of hot chocolate. The peace is disrupted when the earth begins to shake. A terrible noise arises before everything becomes eerily quiet. 

It takes one look out the window for Victor to see the total destruction of his city. Buildings, streets, tress, birds, animals ... all have disappeared. His building is the only one still standing. Now, the only thing visible to him is a colossal giant, sound asleep across the mountainside. Victor determines to check it out. The destruction is even more evident as he wanders outside. 

Encountering the giant up close, he tries to wake him. Nothing works, until Victor notices the giant's nose hairs. Using all of his strength, he pulls one out which awakens and terrifies the monster. Victor matches that scream with one of his own. Now that he has the giant's attention, Victor can ask the questions he wants to ask. Turns out the giant was hungry and has no realization that eating everyone and everything in sight is hardly the proper way to handle that hunger. Victor explains. 

After making a plea for understanding, Victor bursts into tears. He misses his mother; the giant wants to help. The solution to the entire problem is a lovely surprise for readers who watch closely as things are returned to what they had been, and reunites mother and son. Will the city be able to help when the giant's hunger rears its ugly head the next time? One can only hope. 

Pencil drawings assembled digitally bring full life to every spread and command attention at every turn. Observant readers will be highly entertained by the tale itself and especially the accompanying scenes created to enhance its power. Perspective holds sway on every spread and will delight young readers with Victor's ability to manage the giant despite the huge difference in their presence on the page.                                                                              

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!