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                                                                      

Bad Badger: A Family Story, written by Maryrose Wood and illustrated by Giulia Ghigini. Union Square Kids, Hachette. $12.99 ages 8 and up

 

"The skies were clear, the seas were calm. 
Some bait for the fish - leftover sausage 
would do - perhaps a sketchbook for 
doodling in case the fishing was slow, 

and he would be off. 

O, happy badger! Alone and paddling
and at peace while Gully minded the 
chicks. 

"Seagull things and badger things," he
sang to himself, fastening his sun hat 
beneath his muzzle."

I first met Septimus, a badger, and his seagull friend Gully last year, when I was anticipating reading it to Chelsea during her summer visit. Recently, Chelsea, her mom and I were all reading this sequel at the same time; they at home in British Columbia and me here in Manitoba. It turns out that we each enjoyed it as much as the first one, and are very happy to have had the opportunity to read this one as well. 

When we left them in the first book, the two were preparing for the arrival of three chicks. Now, the four birds are living with Septimus in his cottage by the sea. Gully and Septimus are doing their best to parent the three hatchlings, who prove to be loud, messy and not at all in tune with the opera music loved by Septimus, their adoptive father. Despite some misgivings, Badger is doing his best to provide care and understanding. Exhausted but loving, the two are capable of sharing their duties; the little ones are thriving. 

When an unexpected group of forest badgers show up for a surprise visit, things change. These badgers are smelly and loud, with a need to learn about Badger's family and his love of village life. Once they become accustomed to being together, the forest badgers prove to be adept helpers and life settles down. Gully's growing worry over her offspring's lack of interest in flying leads to the realization that badgers and seagulls have different goals in life. The chicks want to be independent, but fear it as well. They are happy burrowing underground and eating worms with their new friends, while ignoring their mother's fear that they will not learn to fly. Can Septimus find a way to inspire in them a willingness to try it? 

Their story allows for a look at family dynamics not unlike most. With humor and heart, Maryrose Wood brings readers back into their lives with a follow-up book that clearly presents a chaotic, loving family who can count on each other and their friends for all they need. It is a wonderful family readaloud. 

Your Horse, written and illustrated by Jon Klassen. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2026. $12.99 ages 2 and up

 

"But do you know

what else horses do? 

They keep secrets. 

They are really 

good at it."

Earlier this year, Jon Klassen added Your Truck to his series called Your Things. In recent reading about upcoming books, he will add Your Rock in January 2027. We are highly anticipating the arrival of a new baby in our family come April 2027. I have begun to put together a book basket filled with board books for that little one. Many will be copies of some of Mr. Klassen's most recent publications. 

In this book, an unseen narrator gifts a young reader with 'your horse'. It is brown, but could be other colors as well. As all horses can, this horse walks, runs, and jumps. Perhaps its most endearing trait is that it will keep a secret. Horses are good at doing that. Apparently, any secret can be shared with the horse, and it can be fully trusted keep it. 

The narrator even offers the reader a chance to check it out. 

"If you have a secret 

to tell your horse, 

turn the page 

and do it then."

A turn of the page offers a closer look at a serious and silent horse making absolutely no sound at all. Again assured that the horse will never tell, the book closes with said horse feeling the pull of a good night's sleep and sinking into slumber in the advancing darkness. No secret shared! 

I love the peaceful feel of the world created in this truly wonderful series. Other books include Your Farm, Your Forest, and Your Island. Each book's minimalist feel and familiar objects are wonderful to share with our youngest readers. There is a comfort that comes from reading each book one time, and then again. Bedtime ends every book, after showing the wonder to be found in 'your things'. Life is safe, full of comfort, and discussion is encouraged. 

Two Jon Klassen board books in the past week; how lucky are we? 
                                                                                    

The GREAT Frog, written and illustrated by Katie Palazzola. Neal Porter Books, Holiday House. Penguin Random House, 3036. $24.99 ages 4 and up

""Is there a Great Oak Tree to look after 
the acorns?" Peedie asked.

"Sure. Maybe," said Kit. 

"There should be a looker-after for 
everything little," Peedie declared. 

Kit nodded, and they made an
acorn pile."

In her debut picture book for young readers, Ms. Palazzola introduces Kit and Peedie, siblings who spend plenty of time in nature. In his first encounter with frog eggs, Peedie wonders why they gather in blobs. Kit has the right advice; to keep little kids with sticks like Peedie's from poking them. Peedie would like to be a protector. Kit explains the Great Frog does that job. 

The Great Frog? Kit continues providing needed information for her brother who wonders how long it will take for the eggs to become frogs. Patience is the first order of business, Kit explains. One will become the next Great Frog, riding a horse named Tarnation and wielding a lasso to catch shooting stars. Every question from her brother is answered with a heavy dose of imagination and entertainment. A moon castle, a big telescope, a fountain are needed to protect so many little ones. 

Do they know who the next Great Frog will be? Only the Great Frog knows, he is told. Even after Kit admits that she was not telling the truth about the Great Frog and that she just wanted to tell Peedie a story he would like, Peedie proves he has learned an important lesson from his sister. 

Everyone can be a looker-after, just like the Great Frog: those who care about each other, the earth and its many blessings, and even themselves ... and that's a good thing!

Finding Lost, written by Holly Goldberg Sloan. Rocky Pond Books, Penguin Random House. 2025. $24.50 ages 9 and up

"As Geno and I walk to get our strawberry
cheesecake Blizzards, the wind hits the road
signs, and they make a rattling noise. Cars go

by on the road and I wonder about the people 
inside. Where are they going and what kind of
lives do they have? How many of them like 
pasta salad called rotini with green olives and 
red peppers and chunks of smelly cheese? 
How many of the people listen to thrash metal
music from a band called Tankard? Have any 
of them ever seen dolphins in the Siuslaw?
How many lost a parent when they were a kid?"

It's been more than two years since Cordy's dad died in a boating accident while he was out making a living on his fishing boat. Her mom quit nursing school to support herself and her two children. They live in the boathouse of a rich family, whose main house her mom takes care of while they live somewhere else for most of the year. It is a dreary life in a wet and often dreary small town in the Pacific northwest. It's been a lot of change for a young girl to handle. 

When a small, unkempt, and hungry dog follows her home from school one day, Cordy hopes they will not find the dog's owner. Lost, appropriately name for his circumstance, fits right in with the whole family in no time at all. It is only great good luck, with some needed research and help from her younger brother Geno, that brings Cordy and Lost to a free vet clinic one day. She has learned that Lost's terrible breath may be a sign of poor health. Dr. Mazari proves to be just what the family needs. Lost has many infected teeth, and it will take a great deal of money to have them pulled. 

Cordy's mom and Taj (the vet) discuss ways the family might handle the financial difficulties. Their meeting at the clinic leads to more visits and changes in the family dynamic which bothers Cordy. She isn't sure about Dr. Mazari, or about the way her mother is becoming close to him. Through some obstacles, the family perseveres and the changes that finding Lost brings make for fine storytelling. 

The Oregon setting is a vital part of this warm family story. Readers have their senses awakened through being a part of the natural world that Cordy loves. All characters are valid and worth knowing. They care for each other as they all adapt to meaningful changes in their lives. Realistic and truthful when dealing with the grief and struggles following her father's death, Cordy is a character whose first-person voice  and expressions will have readers cheering her on, and hoping for the best. 

It is a warm and memorable read. 

The House With Nobody In It, written and illustrated by Jon Klassen. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2026. $19.99 ages 3 and up

 

"This room has a table. 
And there is a clock 
on the wall. 

Let's go into the next room."

I don't often post board books to my blog; that is, unless they are written by Jon Klassen. He continues to amaze with his thoughtful and inspired writing. In this new book, he invites readers inside to explore a house with no residents. The door is open and there is no sign of anyone as the tour begins. The first room has a chair, the second has a table and a clock. Do you notice the interior is getting darker as the exploration continues? 

In the room with a stool and a lamp, a ghostly shape also appears. The walls have changed from warm yellow, to cool blue, to forest green. Moving on, with the ghostly figure appearing at the door of the next room, there is only a bed in an even darker green room. One more door leads to a room with boots only, and the last door offers a chance to move outside into a moonlit evening. 

Repeating the first few lines again at the end adds to the eerie feelings explored. 

"There is nobody 
in this house. 
There used to be somebody. 
But there is nobody 
now." 

Die-cuts, an unmentioned, though evident, resident, and diminishing color in the visited rooms deepens the mystery, and proves that Jon Klassen knows how to tell a ghost story for even our youngest readers. 

Don't miss it! 

Phoenix, written by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley. Dial Books for Young Readers, Penguin Random House. 2026. $24.99 ages 9 and up

 

"After a bit more discussion, but not much, 
Miss Chelsea and Harper's mom agreed to 
table the conversation. It meant they'd wait
to decide about Harper keeping Phoenix - 
though how long they would wait, Harper
didn't know. At least it gave her time to 
show how hard she could work, and how 
excellent Phoenix could be once he'd
gotten healthy again. As long as he got 
healthy quickly enough."

What an admirable start to a new series this is! Harper has just been hit by a BOMB. She learns through middle school gossip about her father's affair with her best friend's mother. Now, her parents are divorcing and her mother has decided that the two of them will move to a new place for a new start. Their move from urban Knoxville to the small rural town of Sommer Springs is a shocker. Their new home is a tiny house, cramped for the two of them and very unappealing to Harper. It is located close to a riding barn, owned by Miss Chelsea who is renting them their new accommodation. Harper cares about none of it. 

When a starved and terribly neglected horse is dropped at the stable from a kill truck, life changes for both horse and girl. Harper names him Phoenix, and determines to do all it takes to bring the horse back to good health. She does not know that she needs rescuing as much as Phoenix does. Her mother and Miss Chelsea don't want her to get her hopes up as Phoenix is very sick. It's too late for that advice. Harper works around the barn, takes lessons, learns what she needs to know to care for Phoenix as best she can. As Harper deals with the pain of betrayal and divorce, she helps her horse deal with mistreatment and his own pain. 

There's an admirable cast of characters: Miss Chelsea, the barn owner; Dante and Night, both riders at the stable and classmates of Harper; Emma, a young rider with great confidence, Harper's mother and eventually her father, and her former best friend, Cat. So much is broken; only time can help mend the hurts.  Real and relatable, the story is compelling and a powerful introduction to a brand-new series. It will find many fans beyond those who love stories about horses. 

Who's Making That Big STINK?, written by Darrin Lunde and illustrated by Eric J. Chen. Charlesbridge, Penguin Random House. 2026. $21.99 ages 6 and up

 

"MMMM ... 

Who's making that big STINK?!

It smells like buttered popcorn?

A binturong.

Binturongs give off a strong 
popcorn smell. They produce
the same chemicals that give 
popcorn its pleasant smell. 

Not every animal with a 
strong odor smells bad."

This is just the kind of book that kids love to read. It provides well-researched facts that can be quite unexpected, and even elicit some giggles. After reading it, interested kids have surprising (and somewhat gross) conversation starters to share with anyone who will listen. 

The text describes 13 different plant and animal species whose aromas cause a stir. The format is easy to follow: a reaction to the smell, a question about who is responsible for it, an apt description of the smell itself, and a short and revealing answer to the original repeated question. The skunk and stinkbird may be familiar to readers; the sea hare and bombardier beetle may not be. The variety makes for new learning for the many who will read this with a few ewws of their own.  

In follow-up quick facts, Mr. Lunde addresses the scents of beavers, spadefoot toads, ring-tailed lemurs, hippos, grey kangaroos, hyenas, and even humans whose 'pungent odor' tends to attract mosquitoes. Erica Chen's digital illustrations are colorful, placed in accurate settings, close-up and very expressive. Kids will love the swirling funky smells that each creature emits.
                                                                                     

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