Watermelon Pool, written and illustrated by Bonsoir Lune. Translated brom the Korean by Frances Cha. Dial Books for Young Readers, Penguin Random House. 2026. $26.99 ages

 

"Everyone stomps together and the clear, 
crimson watermelon juice starts to pool.

When the hot sun is 
about to get even hotter."

Who knew the joys to be found in the watery depths of a watermelon pool? Who even knew there was such a thing? A ripening watermelon suddenly cracks open to reveal its bright flesh and plentiful seeds. A man places his ladder against the watermelon rind and climbs up and up, until he is standing at the edge and ready to test the 'waters'. First, he discards a few seeds before settling into a 'nice and cool' spot on the watermelon's surface. 

Along come other community members looking for a cool spot. There is some concern that last year's watermelon had too many seeds, and wasn't easy to use for swimming.  The row of prospective swimmers grows longer as they go. Numerous young swimmers are eager to get up the ladder or vine to make their way to the top. With crunching feet, they walk about on the lookout for a perfect spot.

The arrivals ramp up, and soon they are having the best effect: 

"Everyone stomps together and the clear, 
crimson watermelon juice starts to pool." 

As more and more people arrive, so does the cloud seller show up with his cloud parasols and his rain cloud showers. The sun has become very hot and swimmers are in need of such protection. He does a great business. A full page spread then shows the enjoyment swimmers are feeling as they find their own just-right and refreshing spot. It isn't long until Grandpa is invited to provide a big slide. It is set up to make a path from one half of the watermelon to the other. Grandma takes her turn first. Before long, the sun is setting and it's time to return home. This first watermelon pool closes for the season! 

No worry, there is always next year! 

This is exactly the kind of book that powers kids' imaginations and lets their thoughts run free. Onomatopoeia adds sensory delights as feet splash through the cool flesh, and a grandma 'wooshes' down the slide with great glee. What a glorious summer adventure! 

Read it once; read it twice to see what you missed the first time. You will be surprised.                                                                                 

Confessions of a Mango, by Kate Lumsden and Nate Pieplow. Little, Brown and Company, Hachette. 2026. $23.99 ages 8 and up

 

"One hundred and seventy people have liked 
my post. That's almost half the school. Nearly 
forty have commented, and a few sent me 
private messages. The profiles are all vague, 
with obviously fake names and pictures. The 
only person I know for sure is Thea. I recognize
the cartoon teddy bear with the crooked smile."

Twins Ruby and Bryce are in sixth grade, and attending a new school. Benton Academy is touted as being for 'the smartest kids in the district'. Ruby would rather be in her old school, with her old friends, and without her brother. Bryce is an over-achiever when it concerns robots, and has difficulty making new friends. Ruby is quick to meet people, and afraid to tell anyone that she has dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia for fear they will think her unsuitable for the prestigious school. She does not like the pressure put on her to prove herself.  The school provides accommodations for her learning differences. Still, she worries about the consequences of any noticeably poor performance. The twins are in the same school, to meet the needs of their parents' jobs and schedules. Ruby knows Bryce should be there. 

As she becomes more desperate about her academic work, she learns about a social media space where contributors are anonymous. She creates an account called 'confessions of a mango' to share her feelings about the school and the fact that she is afraid she cannot meet expectations held for her. To her surprise, others admit to feeling the same way. Some share their feelings about the challenges they are facing. The school begins to change. Ruby is not the only mango! Though some challenges are brought by overanxious parents and the school administration, Ruby hangs in and perseveres, believing that she has done nothing wrong and is, in fact, helping students have a voice. 

Ruby is a very likable character who is perceptive and thoughtful. She is a good friend, sister and student. Her learning difficulties are shared with empathy and show who she is. Her intelligence and bravery help to make needed changes. Valuing differences is so very important in middle years, and Ruby is a sincere role model for those wanting things to be different. 

Make Believe: On Telling Stories to Children, written by Mac Barnett. Little, Brown and Company, Hachette. 2026. $26.00

 

"The children's writer must have the same talents
that all writers, in varying amounts, possess - control
of language, a sense of rhythm and pace, appreciation 
of beauty, a knack for character, a strong point of view - 
and, on top of all that, the ability to connect with kids. 
It's this last skill that's most mysterious. We know what
makes a writer good, but what makes someone good at 
writing for children?

All the great children's writers I've met have had either
a direct line to their own childhood or a deep sympathy
with actual kids. Some have both."

This essay collection celebrates children and all the smarts they bring to the books they hear and read. Mac Barnett wants children to see books that speak to who they are, not who or what they should be. He doesn't see books that are written from an adult perspective as important to the reading lives of children; rather, he wants their books to fuel their imaginations and offer fantastic stories that entertain and require thinking on their part. He loves and honors their genius, and wants them to have books that give their lives meaning. 

He suggests that there are good books for bad children, and bad books for good children. Only by sharing them, and listening to the children as you do, do adults learn about their reasoning and the joy that books bring. Great books should contribute to their social development. This book reads like a welcome conversation between friends, and offers plenty of opportunities to take the time to stop to think carefully about what he is saying. Panning didactic literature as having value only to "the adults who buy them and who find themselves flattered, and their rules reinforced, in the books’ pages.” I positively agree with that sentiment, having read hundreds of books to children and watched their reactions to some bad books. Their enthusiasm is non-existent and the brave ones will ask: 'is that really a book!?' Assuring them that it looks like a book, they are quite certain it doesn't talk like a book. Astute, indeed. 

“Since the invention of the printing press, children’s books have been a battleground between those who want to tell kids what to do and those who want to tell them stories.” 

Mac Barnett is a storyteller. His personal anecdotes here prove that. His goal, through these essays, is to convince those who read this important and significant book to grace kids with joy in their reading. I love it! 

What was your favorite book as a child? Why do you remember it so vividly? 

Together for Mama, written by Pooja Makhijani and illustrated by Nadia Alam. Rocky Pond Books, Penguin Random House. 2026. $24.99 ages 5 amd up

 

"In the car, Baby Maya cried. Mama's 
eyes were red. Asha looked out the window.

At home, Mama hugged Papa. 
Asha wrapped her arms around them.
"I can't do this," Mama whispered."

In a very sensitive look at postpartum depression, an older sister welcomes home a new baby. Asha loves this new baby and the joy she brings. She spends a great deal of time with Maya and knows how to be a very loving caregiver to her sister. While helping where she can, she also recognizes that Mama is sad. 

In small illustrated scenes, readers can see that Mama is often alone and avoiding contact with her family. Nothing seems to make her happy. One day she forgets to get Asha from school; only then can she ask for help. Papa knows what he must do. 

"Dadi and Noni arrived the next morning."

The two grandmothers know exactly what to do, encouraging everyone to find happy and relaxing things to do for themselves. They hold Maya, and answer Asha's questions about Mama and her unhappiness. So much has changed since the baby, and Asha is worried Mama won't ever feel better. With everyone's help, life begins to change. As days pass, life becomes better. It takes time, but Mama starts to feel as she once did. 

This is a delicate portrayal of the toll postpartum depression can take on a whole family, while also being compassionate and understanding in its treatment. 

Monkeypig, written and illustrated by Huw Aaron. Viking, Penguin Random House. 2026. $24.99 ages 3 and up

 

"There is an IMPOSTER among us
pretending to be a monkey!
We must find out WHO the fake 
monkey is and banish them from 
our tribe forever."

It is really hard for little ones to believe that the monkeys she lives with do not realize that Molly is a pig. It is pretty evident when they turn to the opening spread. She bears no resemblance to the rest of the troop. So, we know from the beginning that there is a problem. Molly knows; no one else does. 

Leave it to Norman, the very bossy and officious simian, to call a meeting. He takes it upon himself to let the troop know there is an IMPOSTER among them. Pretending to be a fellow monkey is an affront and the deceiver must be removed. The rest of the troop cannot believe it to be true. Each and every one of them turn an astonished face toward Norman, who has devised a set of tests to flush out the phony. 

It starts with eating a banana. Poor Molly is terrified of being found out. She has missed breakfast and is frantically hungry. Unable to wait any longer, she pounces upon the pile of waiting bananas and eats them all. The next test is about communication and the sounds monkeys make. The noise Molly makes gets her a second X on Norman's scoreboard. The final test is swinging on a branch from one tree to another. Can you imagine? 

Listeners are sure to be hooting as the action moves forward at an alarming speed, and with crazy results. The monkeys, who are now covered in banana slop, sticks and leaves, await Norman's big reveal. Before he can tell them who the imposter is, the tide turns and the results provide a fitting end to this smart and hilarious picture book. 

Carefully poring over these energetic and very appealing spreads offers up plenty of reasons for chuckles. The piercing eyes, changing expressions and silly antics are priceless and are certain to call for repeated readings. Molly is a hoot!  
                                                                                         

Sweet, Sweet Memory, written by Jacqueline Woodson and illustrated ty Tonya Engel. Nancy Paulsen Books, Penguin Random House. 2026. $24.99 ages 6 and up

 

"What will you remember?
Grandma wants to know.

I smile, leaning against her 
shoulder. Grandpa said to 
listen to things.
Listen to the way life goes 
on and on."

There was a time when finding a book to share with children concerning grieving and death was not an easy task. Today, we have a lovely abundance of excellent books that broach the subject for young listeners and offer a place to begin a conversation with those children dealing with the loss of a loved one. 

A young girl lets readers know that her grandma has made her a 'white dress with angel sleeves'. Once dressed, she goes out to the porch to do her own hair as Grandma is busy. It's summer and there is much to see as she sits and remembers her grandfather's teachings about growth and the changes it brings. As the family gathers and guests arrive to pay respects to Grandpa, she wants to share a story about him. She cannot get the words out. Only tears. Grandma encourages, but Sarah cannot bring herself to share a memory. 

As Sarah listens to what others are saying, she realizes that that their stories are the same. Grandpa told each of them that 'everything and everyone goes on and on'. It is true. Their visitors leave with hugs, kisses, and warm wishes; Sarah and Grandma wave goodbye. Together, the two sit on the porch in the darkness to talk about Grandpa. The sadness of loss remains. Watching as his garden grows and is then harvested keeps Grandpa in Sarah's heart through memories of times spent together. 

This lovely, soft and warm story is told with eloquence, reminding us to think of our lost loved ones through memories of special times. Tonya Engel's images were created using acrylic underpainting, and completed using oils. They offer a look back at Grandpa and his teachings, his garden and at life without him.  It is a lovely celebration of a life well lived.                                                                                            

Puffins, written by Maria Gianferrari and illustrated by Maris Wicks. Raoring Brook Press, Mackids, Raincoast, 2026. $27.99 ages 5 and up

"Puffling peeps 
         and eats

and grows, 
        shedding its down 

for a sleek cape of gray. 

PEEP

But she's still very hungry. 

The action begins before the title page; an adult puffin circles in the air as it approaches a rocky shore where it lands with a bit of a bump on the ledge. It is the book's introduction to Maine's Eastern Egg Rock Island and a look at the shoreline as nesting season begins for this summer's puffin population. They are not the only seabirds, but they are abundant. 

It is a very noisy place and keeps them safe from land predators. Puffin mates meet, bill, and rub their beaks together. They have been here before. Inside 'a tent of boulders', the male makes the nest comfortable enough for the female to lay her first and only egg. Keeping that nest safe is the male's main responsibility, as both parents keep watch over the egg during its incubation. 

When that egg hatches, the puffling is ravenous! As Father Puffin broods, Mother Puffin flies off in search of food. She has all the features needed to dive deep, and fill her beak with the butterfish that are there to be captured. Unfortunately, the butterfish are too big for the puffling to swallow. 

"Warming waters have made butterfish
more plentiful than white hake

and herring, 

typical puffin prey.

It's still time to eat!"

The mother stays, and the father is off to gather sand lance for feeding their young. Without any warning, a herring gull swoops down to steal those fish from his beak. Father is undeterred, and heads back underwater to find herrings to satisfy his very hungry young one. As the puffling continues to grow, the parents often face danger as they do their best to keep it flourishing. 

The puffling becomes a Little Puffin, ready to fledge. She now faces her own dangers as she journeys to the rocky ledge, and looks out over a moonlit ocean. Little Puffin is now on her own to grow into an adult puffin, living only at sea for years. She has everything she needs to thrive, including a raft of puffins all in the same place as she is ... until it is time to return to where her life began, find a mate, and start the cycle all over again. 

The information provided is very accessible to a young audience because of its strong and appealing illustrations, and its storybook feel. It is a most welcome and engaging way to pass along many carefully researched facts. Back matter includes further facts about puffins and an explanation of the research the author and illustrator did to make this wonderful book a reality. They also offer suggestions for learning more and helping out. 

For a special surprise, remove the dust jacket to uncover a wonderful surprise on the case wrap!