Fred Rex, written and illustrated by Joaquin Camp. Kids Can Press, 2026. $21.99 ages 5 and up

"Elvira had a good point. Fred Rex had
spent so much time roaring, he hadn't 
considered what else he might like to
do. It was time to try new things. He 
discovered he enjoyed dancing and 
meeting new people. 

And catching up with old friends."

Fred is a T-Rex whose mission in life is to frighten as many as he can. It is his calling, and he takes it seriously. He's following in his family's footsteps. His education at the School of Fear holds him in good stead for going out on his own to practice all he has learned. He enters the real world with anticipation for hearing plenty of screaming and causing much mayhem. 

None of his lessons are working; Fred is ignored by all. Meeting Elvira and telling his story, he is amenable to following her best advice. She suggests he find other ways to enjoy life. Fred soon realizes that he likes to dance and to meet new people. To his great surprise, he discovers a passion for the opera that leads to trying his hand at singing. 

Not wanting to disappoint his parents, Fred regales them with exactly what they want to hear from Fred Rex the Terrible. Soon, they call to let him know they are planning a visit to see him in action. What will Fred do? He turns to Elvira for further advice. She shares her plan with the cityfolk, who agree to cower in fear when Fred appears. Imagine everyone's surprise once Fred breaks out in song, evoking much admiration from all who hear him. 

Mixed-media illustrations are very appealing for those who love stories about dinosaurs. They will admire Fred's size, strength, and talents as he discovers for himself who he wants to be and what he wants to do with his life.

Duel, by Shawn Harris. Neal Porter Books, Holiday House. Penguin Random House, 2026. $27.99 ages 4 and up

"Then, from each castle came a crowd 
to cheer and hiss and jeer; to hip and 
hoop and woot. 

They sissed and boomed and bah'd, 
and they bibble-babble-booed.
(Legend also has it that they jibble-
jabbled, too.)"

Two castles on a hill, ruled by two queens who share that hill. Neither like the circumstances and decide that a duel shall determine the true ruler of the hill. Only their bravest knights will do battle. The knights prepare. Silk-clad steeds will carry them to victory. A noisy crowd gathers to shout their encouragement. Trumpets call for the duel to begin. Racing forward, they urge their trusty horses toward a loud and dangerous meeting. One knight wins for his queen. What she does as a result of that triumph is the stuff of fairy tales. 

That tells the tale in a nutshell. Yet, you have no idea until you actually have the book in your hands for the true brilliance of the telling. Shawn Harris has taken an art project idea from his kindergarten teacher to show each and every spread in mirror image, reflecting on the dilemma that begins with two queens and two castles on one hill. Using thick tempera and acrylic paints, the artist creates these images with precision and perfection. The strong colors and his ability to pair the tension of the reading with the action on the page ends with a final impressive "CLASH! CLANG! BANG! THUD." Just exactly what readers want from a duel. 

The ingenious solution following the win is a delight. There will be no end to the reading this book on repeat. This is exactly the book I would have read first with no illustrations shown, before reading it once more while showing the incredible artwork. Be sure you have paper and paints ready for students of any age to try their hands at blot painting themselves. Endpaper 'butterfly paintings' provide a clear and enticing invitation. 
                                                                                         

The New Girl: First Crush, written and illustrated by Cassandra Calin. Scholastic. 2026. $20.99 ages

"SLAM!

Are you hurt?

Quick! Help me up
before Julien sees. 

Nice to see you, 
everyone! Ca Va, Lia?

Julien! 
A-Allo ...  

I saw you fall. 
Are you okay?"

In this second The New Girl graphic novel, Lia is more comfortable in her new Montreal home. She has a loyal group of friends and her first year of learning French is helping her become fluent in a new language. She knows she must pass the class before she can move forward. Her life changes as she faces new challenges. 

She has a crush on Julien, who seems to return the feelings. Self-doubt has her worrying about the prettiest girl in her class who also seeks Julien's attention. When her friend Wan Yin comes out to her, Lia promises to keep her secret before accidently telling their friends. Wan Yin is angry and hurt, and breaks ties with her. Lia's mother is concerned about Lia's unusually severe period pain; the doctor declares it normal and suggests pain relievers. It is no solution to a real problem. Her workload at school is heavy, leaving Lia to worry about her grades and her future. 

Fans and new readers will appreciate Ms. Calin's digital artwork with its bold lines and emotional expressions. Lia and her friends are all learning through their experiences, despite making mistakes along the way. The story told is realistic and compelling, offering readers characters who support each other at school and at home. Lia is a great lead character who retains ties with her best friend in Romania, and turns to her to share what is happening in her life while also seeking advice when needed. There is drama, as would be expected; there is also an honest and ongoing attempt to find true and lasting friendships. Lia learns, with help from her family and friends, to believe in who she is and what she can accomplish with determination and understanding. 

Go, Crow, by Tjitske Kamphus. Random House Studio, Penguin Random House. 2026. $26.99 ages 3 and up

 

"Dawn breaks. 

A crow waits. 

The wind blows. 

Away she goes!"

Crow's day begins as the glow of sunrise colors the dark sky. Glow is the first presented word, and from there each turn of the page adds a new rhyming word that describes a day's adventure in this crow's life. The sun rises; the crow also rises up through the clouds when daylight suggests she 'go'. 

Through blowing winds, she makes her way over treetops to a farm where a variety of crops are grown. Her bird's-eye view encourages her to take it slow and take a careful look at all she can see alongside a tilled field. The lower she gets, the more aware she is of the farmer sowing seeds in furrowed rows. Keen eyesight offers a chance to land and pluck seeds from one of those rows, while the farmer gives chase. The crow has 'no' business stealing from that farmer's field. 

Into the sky she again goes and flies back the way she came ... straight to the tree that she left earlier in the day. What an eye-opening surprise readers experience as three tiny heads pop up with gaping beaks, eagerly awaiting their mother's return. Darkness finds the family tucked in, fed, and ready for a good night's sleep. Their day is done. 

Word choice and a willingness to bring a brilliant idea to her audience makes this a book to be savored each time it is read. Accompanied by splendid digital art which offers fluid lines and a bold setting, listeners will delight in scenes that capture attention through careful observation. 

What a treasure!                                                                                       

young cat, old cat, by Jillian Tamaki. Groundwood, 2026. $23.99 ages 3 and up

"playful cat

growing cat

nice cat 

naughty cat"

What an ingenious book Jillian Tamaki has created to tell the story of a cat's life, and its owner's love through the years. Using perfectly chosen adjectives to accompany her tale that begins with a tiny kitten, alone at a shelter, finding the small child there with her mother to find a new pet. Nose to nose, the child asks, 'be my cat?' The choice is made, the family travels home with a mewling cat in the car and all supplies needed to provide for it. Once home, the two begin a lifetime of being together through the years. 

Every spread chronicles the growth and love the two share; the child matures as the kitten does. Short phrases trace their life from adoption to the heartbreak of old age and the death of a beloved pet. The art is compelling and remarkable, using color choice to indicate playfulness, growth, old age, and  grief. Young readers are sure to respond to the cat while dreaming of all the things she thinks she can do, and of the aging process that takes the kitten from early exuberance to wobbly oldtimer. Final spreads show the girl waving goodbye as the car moves through a celestial world before a new shelter kitten is welcomed with great happiness. What a gorgeous and heartfelt story this is! 

I here share with you a note about the art journey Ms. Tamaki took to bring her story to full life. 

"The art for this book was created entirely by hand over the course of eighteen months. The fabric is both new and thrifted materials (in some cases, bedsheets) stretched on wooden frames. The paint is acrylic ink, embellished with crewel wool embroidery. Crewelwork was developed in England and is typically used for decorative furnishings; the Bayeux Tapestry is the oldest known example of the craft. The art was lit and photographed in the artist's studio in September 2025.".  

What a gift to all cat lovers who will read and share this book!                                                                                     

Blanket Saves the Day, written by Sara Cassidy and illustrated by Brady Sato. Orca, 2026. $21.95 ages 3 and up

"Josie's blanket is magical. 

It can transform into anything 
she wants: a dinosaur, a pond 
of fish and even a witch's hat!"

Josie's blanket is her constant companion. The two go everywhere together. It's a boat when she and her dad play on the slide; a fox when she needs a friend; a pond when she and her mom go fishing at the park; a kite on a windy day; a witch's hat when she is playing. They share popcorn while watching a movie, brush their teeth together, and snuggle up at bedtime. 

When Josie's parents leave her in Grandma's care while they are away from home, she hugs it tight. One night at bedtime, Grandma notices some spilled jelly on the blanket. While Josie sleeps, her helpful grandmother sprays it, mends it, and gives it a wash. To Josie's horror in the morning, the blanket is completely transformed. It looks nothing like the blanket she so loves. It puts her in a very bad mood. While out for a walk together, Josie flings the blanket away from her stroller to land on a nearby fence. 

Following illustrations show Josie at the park without her blanket. What a dreary day! Nothing feels right without it. Wanting to distract her granddaughter, Grandma sends her on an errand to the mailbox. Mission accomplished, Josie finds herself confused about where she is. To her great delight, she spots her blanket, ties it on and make her way back home. Mom and Dad return to find her fast asleep, and hugging a new blanket bunny created by her resourceful grandmother! All's well that ends well. 

Boogy & Tee and Twinkle & Hew, written by Kathy Stinson and illustrated by Mark Hoffman. Groundwood, 2026. $23.99 ages 3 and upp

 

"Hew's boat fell apart, breaking more than one heart.

     The two wept like never before.

They held each other, said, "Love you, my brother."

     Would they every get back to shore,

          To shore?

Would they every get back to shore?" 

Acknowledging that this book was inspired by Edward Lear’s The Owl and the Pussy-Cat, and dedicating it to 'young people working to calm the seas and build strong boats', Kathy Stinson's new book tells the story of two pairs of characters aboard two very different types of boat. 

Boogy and Tea are out to sea on a luxurious yacht for a day of enjoyment, leaving a note behind suggesting their neighbors cut their grass while they are gone. Twinkle and Hew are on an old, small fishing boat, leaving a note to tell visitors they have gone to sea because their icebox is empty. Two very different reasons to be there when a storm blows up, and causes great worry for all. Will the fishermen survive? Those on board the yacht are barely aware of the bad weather and totally unconcerned for their safety. 

The fishing boat breaks apart; the yacht runs aground when Boogy is more concerned about looking at the stars as his next property than steering the boat. Noticing Twinkle and Hew clinging to the only board left of their boat, Tee brings them on board, and learns that Twinkle's boat mending skills are just what they need. The four can now sail the seas together. 

Mark Hoffman's collaged painted papers and colored pencil illustrations are filled with colors that are stormy and bold, in keeping with the adventure described in telling rhymes that echo Edward Lear's nonsense tale of an owl and a pussycat who also went to sea. Fun to read, and spotlighting both greed and kindness, it's a picture book that touches on important issues.                                                    

Stop saying that we are all in the same boat.
We’re all in the same storm.
But we’re not all in the same boat.   
                    - Greta Thunberg