The Outermost Mouse, written by Lauren Wolk and illustrated by Kristen Adam. Dutton, Penguin Random House. 2026. $24.99 ages 8 and up

 

"The Outermost Mouse was in love with her life.

The wind was her pantry, full of seeds and fresh
rainwater. Above, more blue than most any mouse
could want. Below, the beach as warm and soft as 
her mother.

And the house itself, like a huge nest she had made 
her own. She loved its jam-jar posies, and lanterns 
full of gold, and the clock that tick-tocked her to 
sleep at night."

The tip of a beach is shared by a cottage, an old man and a mouse. The Outermost Mouse loves her life there, and everything about it ... both outside and inside. As the sea grows closer each and every day, Mouse worries. She shares those worries with the gulls, the fish, a fox, and the Outermost House where she finds shelter. No one seems concerned with her news; the mouse remains very troubled. Hoping to stop the advancing water, she carries load after load of material to build a defense against it. 

The barricade is insignificant against the waves that wash ashore. She needs to do more. The following day she gathers all manner of exceptional materials and built it as high as she can. The same result has the mouse putting all building materials back where she found them. What might happen next, she wonders. 

It doens't take long to find out; in the face of a coming storm, the old man packs up his things and leaves his home behind him. He leaves much for the mouse to use and enjoy. As the storm makes its presence known, she looks at her treasures and realizes she can not save them. Is she too small to survive on her own? 

Filled with strong emotions and illustrated with exquisite watercolor images that capture both mood and setting, this story is sure to capture the hearts of those who are able to empathize with a brave, yet tiny, adventurer who braves tough situations and makes the best of them. 

"The cottage in this book is not exactly like the real one. And my storm is not exactly like the one that buried Cape Cod in snow when I was eighteen years old. But my mouse is exactly as I imagined her to be: small but smart and brave and strong, with a song worth singing and a world worth saving. Just like children everywhere.
                                                                       - Lauren Wolk
                                                                               

                                                                                

Ama'sPurse, written by Charlotte Cheng and illustrated by Xindi Yan. Rocky Pond Books, Penguin Random House. 2026. $26.99 ages 4 and up

 

"Then Ama's purse unfolds
with a snap of its clasp. 
Out comes her compact, 
round and silver. 

Out comes her lipstick, red and bold. 
She peeks into the mirror
and checks her laugh-lined face."

The family is in the car, ready for a day trip together to destination unknown. Our girl narrator and her Ama are in the back seat, Ama's purse on the seat between them. It isn't long until Ama opens her purse to some magical memories the two share as they roll along. Once out of the city, they stop at a fresh fruit stand. Ama pays and they are off again. 

As the car swerves, the child experiences a touch of motion sickness. Ama has just what she needs to take her grandchild's mind off the feeling. They continue on as Ama's purse offers up a necklace, bracelet, and the opportunity for counting. A rest stop provides an chance to get out and enjoy fresh air and beautiful scenery. Oh, and a feast of snacks for a rumbling stomach. A stop in town for gas means another chance to get out of the car. Ama stumbles, drops her purse, and her many treasures pop out. Quick thinking and solid work by the child return all to where they belong. 

Their arrival at the ocean suggests a quiet rest. Ama's photo album holds wonderful family moments; so much to talk about. Finally, they reach the beach, get out of the car, and enjoy time together in one of their favorite places. 

"Then we make a brand-new memory in sparkling splashes."
                                                                          

Mother Boo: Poems from Spookytown, written by Vicki VanSickle and illustrated by Jennica Lounsbury. tundra, Penguin Random House. 2026. $24.99 ages 4 and up

 

"Ugga bugga baby
smells like garbage in the sun, 
smother her with kisses
on her ugga bugga tum. 

My ugga bugga baby
is as perfect as can be, 
together we're the picture 
of a perfect family."

Thinking ahead to October and Halloween, looking for a new book to add to your collection? You might want to consider Mother Boo. A touch of spooky and poetry that makes Halloween a part of every day of the year, this collection of verse welcomes readers to Spookytown and voices poems that are sweet and wide-ranging. 

Mother Boo is the ghostly figure who watches over all those living in Spookytown, taking care of them always and even saving them when the event warrants such action. She will be there whenever someone cries "Boo-hoo!", and on the many other occasions when her help is needed ... happy or sad. A poem about flying witches explains that it is their cat's tails that carry the magic that makes the flying happen. There is also a countdown to Halloween, a description of the variety in moons from month to month throughout the year, a werewolf dance that may seem quite spooky until Mama returns with a warm hug. 

The poetry is presented in many styles which is worthy of respect from all who share this book. The digital art was created with colored pencils and Photoshop, and matches the fall setting in orange, black, green, gold and white. It's great fun at Halloween; but suits the interest of many at any time of the year. 
                                                                                          

A Good Hide, written by Karina Iceberg and illustrated by Natasha Donovan. Heartdrum, Harper. 2026. $24.99 ages 7 and up

"Hang it over the smoke
and fan the flames fast!

Build the fire high and higher, 
letting smoke tan each side. 

Now, call down the rain!
Ask for a hard hail, too."

This story from Alaska concerns what happens after a successful autumn moose hunt, when the community works together to completely change the hide of said moose into high quality leather. Auntie leads with a message of thanks; it is followed by many helping hands getting to the hard work of scraping the hide. The hide is then soaked and stretched to wring out the water. The work continues to further soften it.  

Once everyone has peed on it, it is given another stretch before letting it get wet in the rain. The brain is used to make 'brain goo' before building a pit fire. Once the brain goo has been worked into the hide to make is soft and smooth, it is smoke tanned over the fire. Once more, rain (and even hail) help to make it even softer. Stretch it once more, and it is ready to be pinned. 

"At last, pin it to the beams.
Pull it tight until it gleams.
Hold it up to the sky - 
the wind will help it dry."

Now, what? 

This informational picture book offers up some surprises for listeners, as well as a clear look at one of the many traditions of the people of Alaska. Digital images of many community members working together to produce something that will benefit all is captivating and contributes to fully understanding the multi-step process.  

An author's note is appended. 

EVERYTHING you need to know ABOUT LIFE you can learn from a DOG, written by Bruce Littlefield and illustrated by Maribel Lechuga. Nancy Paulsen Books, Penguin Random House. 2026. $26.99 ages 3 and up

 

"Play nice.

It's fun to play with friendly dogs! Mean ones?
Not so much. Dogs know that getting along is 
where it's at. 
And being kind to others is tail-waggingly 
wonderful." 

Dogs have a lot to teach us. That is exactly what they do in this book that will attract the attention of many young learners who have a special love for dogs. A dog narrator quickly gets to the lessons that dogs have to teach us. We are to sit and stay while he offers up a series of lessons to help we humans what it is dogs want us to know. 

Each one begins with an opening statement about behavior, and ends with a short paragraph of explanation concerning the whys for that way of living life. The lessons concern attitude, style, patience, loyalty, getting along, eating good food, learning new tricks, being content and relaxed, being confident, getting enough exercise, taking a walk in the outdoors, being curious about the world, and being grateful for what you have. 

These suggestions are accompanied by digital artwork that shine with movement and character. It is sure to capture attention and provide scenes that will encourage all readers to take time to come to a full stop and take a close look at all that is happening on the fascinating spreads. Kids will also be interested in naming known dog breeds, and have questions about those they don't recognize. Simple, thoughtful lessons, great hair, and a celebration of living with joy.

School for Woodland Creatures, written and illustrated by Lauren Castillo. Alfred A. Knopf, Penguin Random House. 2026. $24.99 ages 7 and up

 

"Hedgehog stayed up late thinking about 
Annika Mae and her new friends. She 
wanted to be happy for her, and yet she 
couldn't help feeling left out. But soon 
she would be in school, too. And that 
could be fun ... 

She was going to have to embrace 
this change, whether she wanted to 
or not." 

It's Annika Mae's first day of school and her birthday. Her woodland friends meet her in the Friend Fort before she must catch the bus. Once she is gone, the friends make a plan to have their own school since they can't go with her. It's a pretty exciting idea. Each will teach what they know best to the others. Upon arrival home after her first day, the friends are eager to know about her day. She tells them she has two new friends, Julia and Jessie. Hedgehog is worried that things are changing, and she must come to terms with that. 

The following day, Hedgehog spends time worrying about what she will be able to teach the others. She makes visits to each of them to see what they are planning to do. Still, she lacks any idea for what she will teach with confidence. As school begins the next day, Owl takes the role of teaching compound words with artistic help from Hedgehog. There are a few distractions; in the end, it is a successful lesson and Beaver offers the next lesson.  As the others continue to teach, Hedgehog persists in worrying. She knows she loves art which is never perfect. Is she good enough at it to teach a lesson? 

Seeing a light on in the Friend Fort one evening, Hedgehog enters to find Annika Mae crying about what happened at school. Her story about her woodland friends made the other students laugh when one of the boys said her friends were not people, so they could not be real friends. Mole and Hedgehog offer support and Mole leaves Annika Mae thinking about a piece of advice: BEING TRUE TO YOURSELF IS ALL THAT MATTERS.

Hedgehog takes that lesson to heart and spends the rest of the evening preparing for the next day's teaching. She tells her friends about her worries, and not knowing what she might teach. They all praise her artistic ability, letting her know that she is a great artist. The lesson is a success, only made better when Annika Mae arrives home to add a finishing touch. 

This is an inspiring addition to a very successful and appreciated series: well-developed characters, engaging art at every turn, and minor clashes that are realistic and add real personality to the telling. 

Everything is better when you are doing what you love. 

Marie's Magic Eggs: How Marie Procai Kept the Ukranian Art of Pysanky Alive, written by Sandra Neil Wallace and illustrated by Evan Turk. Calkins Creek, Astra. Penguin Random House. 2026. $25.99 ages 8 and up

 

"She grasped the kistka the way Baba 
had taught her and, with its warm beeswax
flowing like ink, Marie sketched a story, a 
wish, a prayer, a gift. 

Symbols of swirling, golden wheat.
Blue flowers for beauty.
Rays of sunshine, streaming bright. 
Roosters clucking at the sky.

After each design, Marie dipped 
the egg in different colors. Ruby 
red and brilliant black were her 
favorites. Then, just like Baba, 
Marie stitched a cloth with embroidery
to wrap the eggs."  

Marie's early life was spent in Ukraine, where she painted eggs for Easter with her baba; pysanky is an old and important cultural tradition. When Russia invaded her country, Marie and her family were forced to flee to America, leaving Baba behind them. On her own, and on her way to live with a brother in Canada, the train stopped and Marie got off in Minneapolis. Searching for other Ukrainians, she was pointed to a home where she found her favorite cousin from back home. Fate had brought her to the right place! 

Marie worked hard, learning English and living in a Ukrainian community of immigrants who were much like her. Her desire to make pysanky in the spring led to the discovery that there was no one else making her beloved eggs. Marie took up the task herself. 

"Holding a hen's fresh egg, Marie sketched a story, a wish, a prayer, a gift. 
Birds for protection and wishes to come true. 
Golden wheat for enough to eat. 
Rays of sun to shine on her new life in America. 
Cradling the pysanka in her hands felt like holding a 
piece of her homeland and giving Baba a hug."

Russia was destroying Ukrainian culture after WWI and pysanky disappeared as if it had never been. Marie worked hard to keep the art alive and thriving. When Marie met and married Tony Procai, a fine baker, Tony recognized her love for pysanky and designed a kistka to enhance her talent. Soon, she was teaching her children the art. The death of her son in WWII found Marie and her daughters working to create eggs to encourage strength for those fighting. 

Following the end of the war, many Ukrainian immigrants made their way to a new life in America. Marie and Tony welcomed all who came to their door. Marie and her daughter opened a gift shop for Ukrainian products in their living room; the two also invented the first pysanky kits and mailed them to people wanting to make their own. The business flourished, and moved. Now, their gift shop was supplying pysanky kits around the world. Making pysanky was no longer confined to Easter, it was every day work.

"For the legend goes that as long as pysanky are decorated, 
there will be good in the world."

An intriguing biography of a remarkable artist (1897-1994), with eye-catching and equally inspiring mixed-media artwork done in the national colors of Ukraine, this book concludes with extensive and informative connections to the author's heritage, Marie's family life and work, archival photos, and also includes a pronunciation guide, the art and legend of pysanka, a guide to creating pysanky, a playlist for listening while working, and a list of museums where you can see the beauty of the eggs firsthand.                                                                              

Sockflea: A Stuffie in the Wild, written by Laura Dockrill and illustrated by Eve Byrne. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2026. $24.99 ages 3 and up

 

""WHY DIDN'T YOU MAKE ME 
BRING MY STUFFIES?"

My grown-up flicks on the flashlight, 
is a little bit annoyed, unzips a bag, 
huffs and puffs about, and then ... 

     magic happens ... "

Our young elephant narrator can't believe her great good luck. The family is going camping! So many wonderful experiences to share: campfire songs, roasted marshmallows, sleeping under a starry sky. A parental suggestion to bring a stuffie is met with the assurance that none is needed. What follows is a summary of all of the favorites she will leave behind. Her parents are worried about bedtime; she is not. 
She's 5, after all. The first day is filled with adventure and discovery. As day fades to night, worries begin to mount. Her parents are right there to reassure her, offering the warmth of hugs. Nothing helps to assuage the need for her stuffies. Her rant about leaving them behind is one often heard by parents, I am sure. 

Out of desperation comes ingenuity and invention when the parents fashion a pair of socks into an alternative charmer, aptly named Sockflea. The initial suspicions concerning its ability to soothe are soon outweighed by the need for comfort. Learning that her other stuffies have sent the very cute Sockflea to keep her company while camping leads to acceptance. Sockflea is a welcome addition to the camping adventures, offering fun and comfort for the rest of the trip. Once home with her stuffies, she can accept that Sockflea was some kind of magic and has disappeared until ... 

I will leave you to appreciate the surprise ending!

So funny and entirely typical of family drama, this is a book that will resonate with many young children and their parents. Eve Byrne's engaging digital art is filled with emotional expressions, movement, and great amusement. Be prepared to read it again and again ... it is a great deal of fun for both reader and listener.