Time to Leave, Laverne! Written by Lana Button and illustrated by Yong Ling Kang. Owlkids, 2026. $22.95 ages 4 and up

 

"Mom and Dad showed Laverne lots of things
that helped them with their own sad, and mad, 
and disappointed feelings. 

At home, she could master them all. 
         But when she was out ... 

nothing seemed to 
calm Laverne's thunderstorms."

The red endpapers offer a clue to some of the emotions shared in this book about a very young girl who has not yet learned to control her temper tantrums. Readers will quickly learn that Laverne can be a ray of sunshine when she arrives at the library for storytime. She greets all with a smile, and joins right in. She is attentive, happy to be there, and responsive to the experience. The scene changes dramatically when she is told that the time has come to leave. 

Mom and Dad do their best to help stem the outburst, reminding Laverne that throwing things is unacceptable, while deep breathing might give her a chance to calm down. Laverne hears nothing because of the noise she is making. At home, where life is comfortable and she has her stuffies to soothe her, she settles. A trip to the park has the same outcome when time's up; also, in a restaurant or at a birthday party. Laverne rages uncontrollably. 

Her parents offer outlets, those things they try when they are upset. To no avail. It is exhausting for all. When a rainstorm keeps them home, Laverne uses her time to imagine various scenarios where she and her stuffies brave a number of storms. It gives her an idea to share with her interested and attentive parents - it's a solution that works most of the time. 

Ms. Kang fills her appealing spreads with many details and frequent changes in perspective. Readers will feel the emotions felt by Laverne as she deals with the joys and sorrows of everyday visits to common destinations. Moving from full-page spreads to panels and close-up facial expressions holds attention at every turn of the page and offers a chance for discussion between reader and listener. Bravo, Laverne!
                                                                               

Leo and Ralph, by Peter Carnavas.Groundwood, 2026. $16.99 ages 8 and up

 

"As they drove home, he made sure not to 
imagine anything. No UFOs, no aliens
bouncing on rooftops, no clouds above the
town. And when he went to bed that night, 
he spied nothing strange or exciting in the 
sky. Just a crowd of ordinary stars."

There is so much to love about Leo's story. He is a young boy whose lack of understanding for the world around him causes worry for his parents. Leo finds it very difficult to make a friend. His interest in outer space, aliens, and bugs (among other things) alienate him from his  kindergarten classmates. So when Ralph, a yellow horned alien from Ralphora (one of Jupiter's moons), shows up at his window one might, life changes for the little boy. This imaginary friend provides warmth, understanding, and comfort that allows Leo freedom from the worry of meeting and making other friends. 

The two are inseparable; they talk for hours, design new alien games, talk backwards, and hide under the stairs at recess time. Leo's parents and sister are patient, allowing a wide berth for their son as he adjusts to this new friendship and relies on Ralph for social understanding and companionship. As Leo is about to enter Year 4 at school, his mother accepts a position at a small country school that means a move, and an agreement that it is time for Leo to say goodbye to his imaginary friend in hopes that he is now old enough to make connections at this new school. 

It is a terrifying time for Leo. Ralph promises he will find Leo again if he is unable to make a new friend in his first week. Leo counts on that. Ralph secretly returns. Slowly but surely (and with Ralph's advice and guidance), Leo begins to make friends with Gus, another loner like himself. Building that friendship with warmth and caution fills the heart with wonder and admiration, and leads to changes in life that shine with hope for the days to come. 

Please read it, and then share it with someone you love. Better yet, read it together. It's so worth it! 

The Inquisitive Raven, written by Richard Wagamese and illustrated by Bridget George. D&M Kids, 2025. $24.95 ages 8 and up

"But if he could hold his wings motionless
in the sky and hang suspended above them 
all perhaps the other animals of the forest
would respect him. If he could soar like 
Migizi maybe they would regard him like
her. Surely there couldn't be all that much 
of a trick to it. After all, they were both
birds with wings and feathers. Surely with
a little pluck and practice a raven could 
soar like an eagle. So Rueben began to 
learn to soar."

This is the second book in the Storybook Collection by Richard Wagamese. It is a beautiful book, with stunning illustrations by Bridget George, that further introduces younger readers to his Ojibwe storytelling prowess. 

Rueben is a most inquisitive and engaging character who is considered nosy by many of his forest friends. Always amazed by the world around him, he is keen to learn about the wonders of that world.  
There are many stories from others about his curiosity and his ways of offering uncalled-for advice. Grampa Raven is encouraging in his support of Rueben and willing to answer questions he might have. When Rueben sees Migizi, an eagle with a wondrous ability to soar, his grandfather tells him that Migizi has many gifts.

Now, all Rueben wants to do is learn to soar. He dedicates his time, his patience, and his endless persistence to that end. After many tries and much practice, Rueben is ready to show the others what he can do. His attempt goes awry, and he plummets to the ground. Concerned that the others will not see his accomplishment with the same respect they have for Migizi, he needs his grandfather's reassurance that he has many of his own gifts. Rueben does not see them.                                                                             

"Migizi does. When she soars she sees the world. Her keen eye catches everything. She knows how 
powerful wonder and curiosity are. She knows how great a thing it is to be part of a community, and to take the time to investigate the things and the beings around you. She knows how special it is to be able to celebrate knowledge and to be willing to share it. She sees you do all of that and she carries deep respect for you."

Wise old grandfather ... so proud and respectful of his grandson and all he has accomplished. With a light heart, Rueben soon flies off to continue his studies of the world around him, always discovering something new. 

Thanks to Richard Wagamese and his wise storytelling, readers learn that they must look at themselves to see what they do best. 
                                                                                     

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