Taking Turns with Turtles: A Rescue Story, written by Shari Becker and illustrated by Brittany Lane. Groundwood, 2026. $21.99 ages 3 and up

 

"Turtle waste and hatched eggshells help
nourish new beach plants as they grow. 

Turtles have been caring for the earth's dunes
for millions of years. 
Now it is my turn to care for the turtles."

Written in first-person narrative, the text in this pleasing and encouraging book about rescue missions looks to those who make a difference in caring for the turtles that have given so much to help the environment through millions of years. 

The first narrator is a child who wakes on a cold and wintry morning to join her parents in a search for cold-stunned turtles that have washed up on the sand and cannot move. They provide cover to try to warm it up and go on to look for more. As they go, the child thinks about how turtles have always worked to keep the oceans clean and available for other animals to call home. Now, she is caring for those turtles. 

The story moves on the person who transports the lost turtle to a warm place where it can rest, be measured and then taken to a vet clinic where it will get the care it needs. The vet does all needed to bring the turtle back to health and also speaks to visitors about the importance of turtles in the world's ecosystems. Moving on to rehab, the turtle is provided with sustenance before releasing it back to the ocean. A volunteer pilot is next in the circle of caregivers. He fills his climate-controlled plane with boxed turtles and flies them to warmer waters where volunteers are ready to accomplish the final leg of their journey. 

"The waves tickle my feet and hug my ankles. 
When the water finally kisses my knees, 
Mom places the turtle in the water. 

She lets go."

Watercolor artwork by Brittany Lane is beautiful and provides a perfect setting for each stage of this rescue mission. Each new narration begins with 'one morning when', and every one of the helpers recognizes that, after all that turtles have done to help the environment, 'now it is my turn' to help the turtles.  

Back matter offers an author's note, facts about sea turtles, a migration map, and the role readers can play in helping should they encounter a cold-stunned turtle. A final page provides rescue statistics, resources, and a list for further reading. 

North for the Winter, written and illustrated by Bobby Podesta. First Second, Roaring Brook Press, Macmillan. Raincoast, 2025. $31.99 ages 8 and up

"Come on. We can ask the person who lives 
there if they've seen anything strange in the 
woods. 

Like a flying reindeer? 

I was thinking we could start with something
a bit more vague.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK"

You may want to wait until the fall to purchase this Christmas adventure. Certainly, fans of middle grade graphic novels with be interested in reading about a young girl who is traveling with her father to a new home in Colorado. When her father is distracted by a flat tire and needs to change it, Virginia wanders into the nearby woods where she sees a reindeer and then watches it fly away, leaving behind a luminous compass. 

Their move is precipitated by the death of her mother. The two going to live with Aunt Frances in hopes that it will the change they need. Virginia soon meets Benny who lives in the same apartment building and they spend time together. While they are together, Virginia shares what she saw in the woods with him, knowing he will keep her secret. As she might have hoped, Benny is quick to agree that they 'are in this together'. They will search for the reindeer. 

Theirs is an adventure with magical moments that have many twists and turns, as the two find the reindeer, learn that is lost, and meet up with some helpful mall elves, members of the Continental Air Defense Center that tracks suspicious flying objects, and a hunter who is intent on capturing Donner. The two hope that they will find a way to get the reindeer back to Santa in time to help with his deliveries on Christmas Eve, when it's all hands on deck to get the night's work done. 

The story pacing is fast, the artwork is appealing and full of action and expression, and the storyline easy to follow. There is danger and great excitement as the two deal with the difficulties inherent in a search for a magical being. There is comfort found in new friendships, and ultimate triumph in assuring a successful Christmas Eve run for Santa and all of his reindeer.  

You Are the Land, written and illustrated by Steph Littlebird. Nancy Paulsen Books, Penguin Random House. 2026. $24.99 ages 6 and up

"When I could walk, my mom sang to me:

You are the mountains, the hills are your relatives, 
and Earth is our Mother.

My mom is like a valley. Her love protects me
like an evergreen canopy. She teaches me
to be gentle like a warm spring day." 

In a foreword, Steph Littlebird gives readers information about her people and their culture. She explains what it means to be a "place keeper" for the earth. She hopes that her book will encourage all who read it to become more in tune with nature and their role in keeping it safe. 

The narrator is a child who introduces family members, starting with her grandmother and her song concerning Indigenous traditions and connections to nature. She compares her grandmother to a flower. As she grows older, her grandfather compares her to water and teaches her to have courage. Once walking, her mom sings songs about the hills and mountains and about Mother Earth. Her dad compares her to the sky and calls her a shooting star. His warmth encourages her to dream big and shine like the sun. All these lessons allow her to teach her little sister by listening to her questions and loving her fiercely. 

Her first powwow continues the lessons. 

"You are the land, a part of all creation."

This is an affirming story of family connections and shared learning about the natural world. Its poetic tone and detailed artwork are filled with images of nature and Indigenous wisdom. 

A Friend for Lucy, written and illustrated by Jen - Ai Elena Molineaux. Levine Querido, Chronicle. Raincoast, 2025. $26.99 ages 5 and up

 

"Ana was so happy Leah could see her, and 
Leah to meet her, they spent the rest of the 
afternoon playing together in the park. 

And as the day came to an end, the two 
girls sat down to chat."

Ana is worried about her sister, Lucy. It's obvious that Lucy has become reclusive in her old age; she lives a quiet life in her home with no visitors. She spends her days reading, eating banana bread on her own, and watching television without company. Lucy's sadness is very evident. What can Ana do to make a difference? It would certainly be easier if Ana weren't a ghost. 

Ana makes the decision to find a friend for her sister. As she floats above the park searching, she realizes that none of the people she sees there can see her. When she is about to give up, another young girl named Leah speaks to her. They can see each other. They play together in the park for the rest of the day. As the afternoon comes to an end, Ana mentions her sister Lucy who lives in the same apartment block as Leah's family. 

Leah agrees to visit with Lucy the next day, with her mother's permission. Lucy is surprised to have a visitor, but invites Leah into her home for a piece of freshly-baked cake. As Ana quietly watches the two enjoy their tea time, the two spend the afternoon playing cards, doing a puppet show, and building a fort where they can read together. For the final book to share, Leah chooses a family photo album that awaken long forgotten memories to tug at Lucy's heart. Ana no longer fears for her aging sister, knowing Lucy is happy with her memories and her lovely new friend. 

The graphic-novel format for telling this story is very effective. The use of sepia tones, except for Ana's luminous ghostly appearance, give the story a vintage feel. Endpapers at the back of the book are filled with new photographs that give readers a sense of how life has changed for Lucy after meeting with Leah and finding a new lease on life.  A lovely story of family, friendship and community.
                                                                                  

Rock Paper Incisors, written by Amy Timberlake and illustrated by Jon Klassen. Harper, 2025. $19.99 ages 9 and up

 

"Emotions raked through him – startling and sharp,
mixed up, bristling, overwhelming. There was a rush
of caring, only more enfolding, more protective. He
found he couldn’t stand the thought of the rats
 experiencing one more moment of hardship . . . 
 Badger longed for the rats’ joy and laughter,
and for each of them to have good, productive work
every day of their rat lives."

In this third episode from the fairly quirky lives of Skunk and Badger, their world is turned upside down with the arrival of two baby rats. How will they deal with Zephyr and Zeno with no prior knowledge of their needs and wants? There is much to learn about rats if they are to do a commendable job of housing and parenting them through the coming winter. 

It's remarkably easy in the early days, as the tiny rats are malleable to the needs of Skunk and Badger's lifestyle. Badger needs time to work on his first piece for the Rock Hound Weekly, while Skunk needs time to manage all household business. As the rats grow and revert to their true natures, they fill days with constant chaos: ziplines, scavenger hunts that take effort and time to clear up, and even barrel racing. Badger is succumbing to the stress of not getting his work completed when Skunk asks for help from their chicken friends. Badger accidentally goes into hibernation and completely misses his deadline. What will happen next? 

Fans of the first two books will enjoy the new adventures. It would be advisable for new readers to start with the previous titles. The friendship between the two main characters remains at the heart of the stories and makes for memorable storytelling, accompanied by Jon Klassens' witty illustrations. 

When I Redraw the World, words by Audrey Vernick and pictures by Heather Fox. Random House Studio, Penguin Random House. 2026. $24.99 ages 4 and up

 

"Some clouds will be close to the 
ground so you can feel what it's 
like to walk through them.

Fruit will grow at the bottom 
of trees so everyone can reach it."

This is just the kind of book I would love to share in classrooms, and then let listeners help to develop a list of all the things they would like to do to make their world a better place. It also seems a perfect pursuit for each of us right now. 

The child, with crayon in hand, imagines a world where there is no hunger, or homelessness, only safety and love. That's definitely most important to her. Once that is accomplished, she is full of ideas for what else would happen in her redrawn world. Favorite smells and sounds would be available to all by pressing a button; none needed for sights as her redrawing will assure amazement. The memories evoked with be many. 

She moves on to animals, the ocean, and nature, including the seasons. A sudden thought concerns dogs, a particular favorite of hers. All things considered, her world will be a much better place. I agree, and so will young listeners. In the end, her final change will speak to the hearts of readers everywhere.

"(Just one more thing, though: 
When you turn the last page 
of a book you love, a new book
- just as good or better - will 
appear.)

The colorful artwork is busy with fun and inventive details. Kids will want to go back and check them out once the reading is done. The more they look, they more imaginative they will become concerning building their own new worlds. What would your new world look like? 

The Midnight Panther, written and illustrated by Poonam Mistry. Candlewick Studio, Penguin Random House. 2024. $24.99 ages 3 and up

 

"Across the earth
under the trees
lay feathers of all
shapes and sizes. 
Panther placed them
one by one around his head.

"Now I can blaze as bright as the sun, 
just like Lion," he said."

The story itself is not new; Panther is the smallest cat, and quite sure there is nothing special about him at all. He prowls through the rainforest, enjoying the beauty found in its environs. At the end of each day, Panther retreats to the tall trees and reveals that he won't climb too high. He feels alone up there.

He simply needs to look around him at those cats who share his space to see just how unworthy he is of any attention. Tiger brags about the stripes that make him feel bold; Lion admits his mane makes him blaze like the sun; Leopard boasts about his dazzling spots. Panther lacks confidence concerning any of the attributes that make the big cats so exceptional. 

Thinking these thoughts leads him on a mission to be more like them. With each attempt at similarity, Panther falls short. As night falls and Panther prepares to retreat to the trees, he is fascinated by the large and glowing moon in the night sky. As he climbs closer, he forgets his fear and continues reaching even higher. Encouraged by Moon's voice, he gets ever closer.

" ... Moon said, "I see beauty in you, little one. What a 
special gift you have to be the color of the night."

Only at night does the moon shine so brightly and the stars fill the sky with their brilliant light. It is then that Panther realizes his beauty also shines brightest at night. Listeners are sure to find satisfaction in this tale. It is told with drama, while also feeling soothing in the telling. I cannot begin to describe the inspiration readers and potential artists will feel when they allow themselves to pore over the incredibly intricate and colorful illustrations. They are filled with natural surroundings and ensure panther's darkness is evident throughout the day.