A Salwar Kameez for Ambika, written by Arti Pandey and illustrated by Avneet Sandhu. Owlkids, 2026. $22.95 ages 4 and up

"Ambika felt like she was floating on a 
sea of colors. 
There was a green cloth checkered 
with multicolored thread. 
Another was a shimmering blue. 
A pale yellow one had bits of glass
threaded into the pattern."

If you have seen any photographs from Indian weddings, you will remember the glorious colors worn by those in attendance. It is Ambika's first visit to her mother's homeland; with that comes the excitement for having her first salwar kameez designed to wear to her cousin's wedding. She and her mother visit the best shop in Lucknow where they meet a kind and very helpful shopkeeper who will help them choose the fabric. 

After consideration, Ambika chooses a brilliant red with threads of gold embroidered into it. The next stop on their quest for the perfect salwar kameez is with the darzi, Shakeel. Opening his notebook, he asks a number of questions about style. With a look through a photo folder, Ambika is able to choose the style she finds will be perfect for dancing. She informs the darzi, who then takes measurements and tells mother and daughter it will be ready in a week. 

They don't have a week! There are only three days until the wedding. Shakeel promises to do his best to have it ready. There is much to do in preparation for the wedding, taking Ambika's mind off the waiting. When a package arrives on the day before the wedding, Ambika is thrilled. In fact, she finds it so beautiful, she thinks she might need one for every day of the week!

Readers who have worn a salwar kameez will appreciate seeing the beauty of the color choices and the many styles available. Those who have no knowledge of the traditional clothing will welcome Ms. Sandhu's depiction of the crowded bazaar, the fabric shop, the design work of the darzi, and the evident joy at a wedding celebration. Ambika's face is filled with all the emotions of this first memorable experience. 

Luz Sees The Light and Luz Makes a Splash, written and illustrated by Claudia Davila. Kids Can Press. Revised editions, 2026. $12.99 ages 8 and up

 

"What's with the weird groceries? 
Where are our avocadoes and pineapples?

And no frozen fish fingers? 

Those cost too much now. Probably because 
they're imported from far away.

With fuel prices so high, it's cheaper to buy 
local stuff." 

The life Luz leads in the first book, with video games, trips to the mall, and using the microwave to zap her food quickly, depends on electricity and fossil fuels. She is aware that changes are happening that are a concern; she doesn't like it. Numerous power failures, and her mom's feelings about the price of things (including the sneakers she is saving for) helps Luz see that her community needs to make changes. With help from the new kid Robert, Anika and others in the neighborhood, she begins the task of turning an old empty lot into a tidy garden and playground for all. Her energy and enthusiasm are contagious and inspires the community to get on board to help with the transformation. 

Ms. Davila's graphic novel presentation of her message is effective for her target audience. The fact that this revised edition delivers a message not unlike what was happening in 2011 (when the first edition was published), when it comes to climate change and efforts to help stem it, is concerning. With likeable characters, a lesson on composting, and a lead character with endless energy, it might just inspire kids to do what they can where they live to make reasonable changes. 

"A-ha!

That's where my gray water filtration 
system comes in. 

Tap water is good for drinking, cooking, 
bathing, washing ... 

After it's used once, 
it's called gray water. 

But it can be used again!"

In the second book, a heat wave and lingering drought have Luz turning to activism once more. It feels very real for me these days as we have been suffering through a record-breaking heat dome and the threat of both grass and forest fires. The community garden inspired by Luz and her neighborhood is dying. Not only that, a new plant is depleting ground water while Spring Pond outside town is nothing but mud are causing big problems. Having taken on a tough task previously, the townsfolk work together in a campaign to set up rain barrels and other receptacles to save and filter graywater. Perfect fare for building neighborhood spirit and prompting thinking about going green and how it might be done. 

The graphic novel format is sure to prove popular with kids interested in thinking about what is happening to the earth, due to climate change and thoughtless destruction around the world. The two books are a viable and useful way to inspire conversation, and the belief that small actions can have an impact. 

Just Right, written by Torrey Maldonado and illustrated by Teresa Martinez. Nancy Paulsen Books, Penguin Random House. 2026. $24.99 ages 4 and up

 

"Uncle flies me away 
from all the things that 
don't feel right ... 

until I land in an office chair where 
I once taped a sign with my name on it. 
TOBY'S CHAIR.
Uncle never moved that."

Toby and his mom are shopping for gifts for his father and his uncle. As he searches the sock display, he finds it easy to find the right pair for his uncle, and not so easy to choose a pair for his dad. His dad is 'hard to please'. While wrapping his father's birthday present, he hopes he will acknowledge it with love. When that doesn't happen, his mom suggests that he take the socks he got for his uncle down to his garage. 

Despite some of the not right things he sees on the way through his neighborhood (broken glass, a long- neglected playground project), Toby is thrilled to see everyone at EL TIO AUTO REPAIR, especially Uncle. The feeling is mutual. Uncle scoops Toby up, deposits him in his own chair while Toby takes time to notice the many reminders of days he spent with Uncle. Uncle loves the socks! Really???

"'Come here, little man." He hugs me off my feet.
"Your just made my day. Best gift ever." 

"But you don't even know if they fit," I say.

Uncle smiles. "It's from YOU. You the gift. 
You more than enough. These socks? They extra.""

Talk about feeling JUST RIGHT. 

Teresa Martinez matches every feeling felt by Toby at every turn. It's easy for young readers to see when things don't feel right, and then the enthusiasm and love felt when they do! It's so important for kids to see themselves valued and her digital artwork is testament to that. 

In an interview with Publishers Weekly, Torrey Maldanado had this to say about his first picture book:  

The story comes straight from my own childhood. Toby’s dad is my dad. I called him my “summa time dad”—sometimes he was there. And like Toby, the boy in the book, I had people who were there for me, and who saw me as family. So many people say, “Hey, nephew” to me ...  I think about what Maya Angelou said, “Be a rainbow in somebody’s cloud,” and I want to remember the rainbows of my life. 

... There’s so much goodness around us, and we need to preserve it. I hope that Just Right will spark conversations on how we need to be there for each other—and take action, too. I’d like my readers, and all of us, to ask ourselves every day, “What can I do to make someone feel just right?” and then do it!

Bitter Tea and Rock Candy, written and illustrated by Yan Gu. Henry Holt and Company, Macmillan. Raincoast. 2025. $25.99 ages 4 and up

"The first day, Mimi pretended to drink 
the tea, but instead she spat it down the sink. 

The second day, Mimi pretended to drink 
the tea, but instead she gave it to Ali under
the table."

Waipo is pleased to share her favorite tea with her favorite granddaughter; she knows it will be good for her. Mimi is not at all sure about even trying it. It looks and smells awful. Waipo insists that the traditional Chinese tea has been passed down through generations and has important cooling powers. 

When Mimi gives it a try, the tea is too hot and much too bitter to be consumed. Still, Waipo insists on her finishing it. Every time Mimi tries it, she determines never to drink it again. She finds ways to get rid of it. When Mimi is caught, her grandmother is very angry. Mimi cannot help herself; she tells Waipo exactly what she thinks of the tea. 

The next morning, she finds Waipo working in the kitchen with herbs and flowers. Waipo is making tea AGAIN. When the tea has steeped, she pours it into two bowls. Once cooled, Waipo suggested a piece of rock candy to help with the bitterness. She shares her memory of a time when she didn't like the taste of the liangcha, and her waipo did the same for her. While the tea still looks the same and smells awful, Mimi also sees the love and care that Waipo gives to creating a new tradition with her beloved granddaughter.

Lovely, and sweet! 

Main Street: A Community Story about Redlining. Written by Britt Hawkins and Tiffany Jewwll and illustrated by David Wilkerson. Kokila, Penguin Random House. 2026. $24.99 ages 7 and up

"Mama cleaned houses, 
and Papa got a weekend job.
We became members of a co-op,
Hamer's Building and Loans, 
and others shared with us. 
They taught us how to save and 
help each other. And our 
thrift manager approved our
application for a loan. That's 
how we got our home."

I don't know nearly enough about some things, and I'm always impressed and happy to learn something new from a book for kids. So, when I started reading this book, I knew very little about how redlining impacts community. Alison's birthday party is coming to an end, when Olivia (who has really enjoyed the party atmosphere) invites the other kids in attendance to come to the annual block party on her street. Alison's response is a huge surprise when she tells Olivia she can't be there because her mom says Main Street isn't safe. 

"My stomach aches. 
My face is hot. 
My eyes fill with water.

I can't wait to leave."

She cries as she tells her mama what Alison said about Main Street where they live. Mama doesn't have a response. The ride home makes clear to Olivia the differences as they move from Alison's neighborhood to her own. Ms. Effie is outside when they get home. Olivia needs a chat. As she expresses her sadness over what Alison said, Ms. Effie relates a story from her childhood when she heard the same thing. 

The bank wouldn't lend her family money for a house, citing the thought that Main Street was not a good neighborhood. Her family knew it was perfect for them, and still is for many reasons. Neighbors on Main Street help each other, and work together to provide the money needed for a new home. Ms. Effie also worried about what people were saying. To help Olivia understand, she goes inside to get a map, and brings it back outside to help her explain just exactly how redlining was used to separate 'Black, Brown, and Jewish people' from others by calling where they lived 'hazardous' places. 

People began to believe it to be true. Though others abandoned those who lived on Main Street, friends and neighbors did not abandon each other. Olivia feels better after their talk, and realizes that Main Street is a wonderful place to be. Off the two go to join their neighbors for the 62nd Annual Block Party - a time of happy celebration. 

An author's note adds further information about redlining, including the fact that it was outlawed in 1968, but such feelings still exist and the effects of it continue to be felt in many such communities. A list of ways to care within neighborhoods is appended. Historically accurate and easy to understand, with digital art that mirrors the tone and welcoming nature of the Main Street community, this is an ode to the human spirit. 
                                                                                         

Our Home, Our Only Home, written by Marion Dane Bauer and illustrated by Sophie Diao. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2026. $24.99 ages 6 and up

 

"For all our knowing, though, 
we barely noticed our new fuel 
filling the sky 
with gases. 
Or the fertilizers and pesticides
washing from our fields 
into streams, 
into rivers, 
into oceans. 
We forgot 
as we cut down forests." 

Ms. Bauer uses a mix of poetry and science to bring ecological awareness to her readers; together she posits they can help to save this planet that is our home. She begins by reminding those who share her book that ours is the only planet that can sustain life. Over billions of years, it has changed, then changed again in the most amazing ways to move through periods of extinction. Yet, it survives. 

It took all that time before humans appeared, with a brain that tamed fire - for heat, for protection, for cooking the food that made us healthier in every way that mattered. Because of fire, people lived. Too soon, humans also discovered coal, oil, and gas which led to the development of machines that used those fossil fuels. The effects of those inventions and the ways in which they were used has brought us to a crisis on our planet. We didn't see what they were doing to our home and our environment. 

"Our lives had never been better, 
never been easier." 

It has not taken nearly as many years to get to where we are now. In fact, much has changed in the last few decades - rapid change that has never been seen before now. Her approach in the second half of the book is to suggest actions that can be taken and to talk about those who inspire others to make a difference. They may be teenagers, or those who have worked tirelessly throughout their lives to help us understand just exactly what is happening, and what changes will help. It's important to think beyond the human perspective and consider what it means to put the Earth first and do what's best to be sure every life is protected. 

Stunning digital illustrations ensure that readers are made aware of the emergency that is climate change and also begin to understand that we all can play a part with hope, action, and letting others know how to help turn things around for all. 

"Begin by being grateful."

Forty The Fortune Teller, written by Drew Daywalt and illustrated by Kevin Cornell. Philomel, Penguin Random House. 2026. $24.99 ages

"Basketball was so distracted 
with his nasty poo-poo foot 
that Forty and Chip were able 
to escape and continue toward 
the slide. 

Just then, it started to rain. 
Forty and Chip were in 
danger of getting soggy. 

Desperate and willing to try 
anything, Forty looked up 
at the dark gray rain cloud 
overhead."

Chelsea loves to make fortune tellers ... the subject of this new book from Drew Daywalt and Kevin Cornell. The endpapers get readers right down to business by providing step-by-step instructions on how to make a fortune teller from start to finish. Making one (or more) is sure to take up time on an 'I don't know what to do' summer day. At the end of the book, Mr. Cornell includes instructions for making your own Chip as well, and maybe a gum wad, or a basketball,

This is story is written about one particular fortune teller named Forty, and her friend Chip. Forty and Chip are two casualties of playground activities. Forty is dropped as the child who made her rushes into school when the bell rings. Chip is but one potato chip left from a throwaway bag, with a bite taken out of his head.

A search for other casualties leads them to discover a red bolt needed to ensure safety for the slide ladder. They have to get that slide fixed before someone gets hurt at recess. As they make their way across the playground to get to work, a huge squirrel scoops up Chip as a snack. A distraction is needed! Forty bamboozles the squirrel with a very funny fortune, and its hilarious result. From there, the two are on to new adventures with a basketball and a raincloud, before the kids are released for play and someone gets hurt. Who knew that gumwads attached to the underside of the slide would keep Forty and Chip from being on their slide? Maybe another fortune will work? 

You will have to read the ending to see what happens next! I will let you know what Chelsea thinks when I read it to her in July!