HELP! I'M BEING EATEN BY A BEAR! (A True Story Except for the Parts I Made Up) Written by Neil Sharpson and illustrated by Dan Santat. Dial Books for Young Readers, Penguin Random House. 2026. $27.99 ages 4 and up

 

"The Bear decided to run too.
You see, what the pamphlet didn't tell me
was that you should never run from a 
bear.

Because the bear will chase you, forever."

Neil Sharpson's Don't Trust Fish was one of my favorite books from 2025. I read it numerous times to others, and would still be willing to share it again and again. His collaboration with Caldecott Medalist Dan Santat for this second book is sure to be another hit with kids. 

FANCY TRAVELING PANTS turn out to be a gift that just keeps on giving when they encourage their new owner to take a trip from Ireland to Alaska. The bright orange cargo pants are constructed to help in many ways with his travels. Bright enough to be seen should he get lost, with lots of pockets, and a leg that converts to a life vest; not to mention they are water resistant. What more can one ask? 

The traveler knows something about Alaska: mountains, trees, bears, lovely people, and more bears. Feeling quite pompous about his bear knowledge, he tries to refuse the offer of a pamphlet meant to help should he encounter a bear. To his amazement, it is minutes before exactly that happens. He bumps head on into a huge bear. Taking out his pamphlet, he finds it has much information about them, but nothing helpful in the moment. 

It takes no time to surmise that he is in the bear's territory (the pamphlet said so) and that his best bet would be to appear confident. He is not, and determines to make fun of the bear. Then contrite about his teasing, he seeks what the bear wants. An accomplished artist, the bear draws a picture of it making a meal of the man. YIKES! Off the man runs at high speed, only later learning one should NEVER run from a bear. The bear is persistent and patient and doesn't know how to give up the chase! Once caught, the bear does exactly as it has promised. 

A stroke of great good luck has a tiny snowflake landing on the bear's head. This arrival of winter puts the bear into a deep sleep with the man inside, and caught there by his FANCY TRAVELING PANTS. At the hospital, the pants could not be saved, leaving the man to spend endless days there. To use his time wisely, he devises a new pamphlet which needs an accomplished artist to finish it. Need I say more? 

""In fact, it might work better as a picture book," she said.  
                                        What's that?" I asked. 
"It's a book where you write very little and an artist does most 
                                   of the real work," she said. 

                    "Hmmmm ... " I said. 

"You'll need someone who's very good at drawing
      and who knows the whole story," she said." 

Imagine their surprise to hear a knock at the door! 

Filled with jokes and wordplay that will have listeners in stitches, Mr. Sharpson has created another book that will be a favorite with many. As happened in their first book together, Dan Santat adds his own brand of quirky humor to each spread. Filled with energy and an absurdity that enhances Mr. Sharpson's comic timing and wit, he uses pencil, watercolor and Photoshop to add hilarious detail and further meaning to the constant action. Please be sure to take a careful look at the endpapers. 

                                                                              

Whale Song, written by Nicola Davies and illustrated by Britta Teckentrup. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2026. $26.99 ages 4 and up

"The sounds shiver through the water, 
through the timbers of our boat, 
so we can feel them tingle in our bare feet on the deck
and hear them when we lay our heads against the hull. 

Sounds so strange, they seem to come
from out in space, among the stars,
not from here on Earth."

I always look forward to new books by zoologist and very talented writer Nicola Davies. Along with my own kids and those I encouraged to read her books, I have learned so much from her. She is a brilliant researcher and keen to share what she learns with others, especially children. When I read that she had a new book about humpback whales and their songs, I was intrigued. 

Readers are advised to listen carefully right from the start. In the deep blue of the ocean, a humpback is singing. Ms. Davies explains that the whale is a hundred feet below the surface, and moves the air it breathes through 'spaces in his throat' to create the high and low sounds of its song. The patterns of the sounds are clear and are the makings of that song. Once done, he begins again. 

"He's stringing sounds together to make patterns, 
like threading colored beads onto a string. 

A whoop and then a snort,
Another whoop and another snort.

A growl, then six short chirps. 
He makes pattern after pattern, 
creating one long song."

He sings the song again and again, until he must come to the surface to breathe. Many other humpbacks are doing the same; it is breeding season. The males' songs are part of the noisy celebration. Researchers don't know what those songs mean. They can only surmise the reasons for the constant singing that takes place. They do know they sing the same song! They have learned it from each other, and often add a small difference which changes the song 'bit by bit' until it is new. Throughout the ocean, other groups of humpbacks are singing their own very different songs. They spread out from one place to another, at times altering the songs sung there. 

Who else hears its beauty? And where? 

Ms. Davies, as fans will know, writes with wonder and devotion to her subject. The language chosen to tell her story is rich with meaning and filled with genuine awe. Britta Teckentrup uses the beads of a necklace analogy to pull readers into the depths of the ocean habitat as the songs are strung together. The collaged forms of the humpbacks are placed on constantly changing textures and shades of ocean life. They give young readers a close and comforting spotlight on a much-loved denizen of the deep. 

An appended note adds further valuable facts about whale song. 
                                                                                        

More Us, written by Elizabeth Withey and illustrated by Ellen Rooney. Orca Book Publishers, 2026. $21.95 ages 4 and up

"Before bed, I ask Mom, "Why couldn't Uncle 
Gray live with us before?"
She says he wasn't ready.
"Is he ready now?" I ask. 
Mom says she isn't sure. But he wants to try. 
And so do we."

In this follow-up to The One with the Scraggly Beard, Uncle Gray has come to live with our boy narrator and his mother. Uncle Gray is her brother, a man who has been living on the streets. The boy is initially surprised that Uncle Gray has no belongings but the backpack he carries. On his first night, Uncle Gray is allowed to have dinner in the bathtub. Why is it such a special moment? 

Deep inside, he knows ... it's been many years since Uncle Gray lived in a house. Through those years, the two have searched for signs of him: his bike or his long hair. They saw him once camping near a city road. It was winter; he and his friends had a small campfire set up in a tent to keep warm. He was always happy to see them. 

When the boy's mom talks about having Uncle Gray come to live with them, he likes the idea. He knows they have room. 

""Are you sure you wouldn't 
rather it be just us?" she said. 

"It's still us," I said. "It's 
just ... more us.""

Mom and Uncle Gray seem happy to be together. They have lots of stories to share from their childhood. The boy wonders if he will want to stay, and hopes he is ready to do that. Together, they will try. 

An author's note shares that this is a story of her family, and the need to be with the ones you love. It is dedicated to her beloved brother. Ellen Rooney's soft digital artwork provides a feeling of warmth and welcome for Uncle Gray, while also showing the plight of unhoused people in the community. 
                                                                                      

Desert Flowers, written by Jairo Buitrago and illustrated by Manuel Monroy. Translated by Elisa Amado. Greystone Kids, 2026. $25.95 ages 4 and up

 

"In the middle of nowhere there is a table. 
On it are party hats and lemonade. 
It's Grandmother's birthday. 

The girls and the grandmother are happy."

Leave it to nature to make a family celebration even better. The story starts with two girls, a caregiver grandmother and a house in the desert with a dog and a horse. There is no other person visible to readers but the two girls, the old woman, a table, some hats and lemonade. Don't miss the tent, the pillow, an iguana and two birds. Happiness reigns for all. 

The children worry that Grandmother is alone in the world, but for them. She tells them about a friend and offers to take them to meet him. As they travel, other animals of the desert are evident. Their destination is a huge cactus, whose arms welcome them. Grandmother shares knowledge of its heart: an owl.  A snake and a red bird find a home there as well. She feels blessed by the allure of the setting. 

The girls walk out into the desert with concern for their grandmother as they have no present to give. Right before their eyes, the desert blooms with gorgeous flowers for making sturdy crowns, a perfect gift of love for her. As darkness falls, they make their way home with hearts full after a day of gentle celebration. 

What a gift this book is! The narrator offers peace and tranquility in the telling, while the artist uses acrylic on linen cloth to display the full beauty of the desert landscape. Words and images are a brilliant match. Readers will be hard pressed not to see the desert in an entirely different light after reading this exceptional book.     

"Who knows whether, maybe, you have loved this moment. 
More than a story of a grandmother, a cactus, an owl, a
little table in the middle of nowhere ... and two girls, 
it's a story of how happy I felt when I met them."                                                                         

Farm Shark, written by Bill Canterbury and illustrated by Maddie Frost. Doubleday Books for Young Readers. Penguin Random House, 2026. $24.99 ages 3 and up

"Pig and Cow did not want to be dessert. 

Farm Shark, we'd love to stay,
but all of a sudden we have vacation 
plans. 

A very LONG vacation! 

We have to leave RIGHT NOW!

There's NO WAY you can stop us!"

What a surprise for every farm animal when a delivery truck stops to leave a new friend! A shark? A book-reading cow learns it is not a typical shark; rather, it is a FARM SHARK! It seems friendly until Sheep suddenly disappears into the shark's stomach. As more farm animals show up, the shark exhibits a penchant for extra food. Too soon, the chickens join the sheep in Stomachville. When Goat appears to be up next, he does his best to avoid the inconvenience with gifts and admiration. That doesn't work. 

Shark's appetite is unsatisfied; Pig and Cow are off at a run. Not fast enough, Pig is soon the newest resident in the shark's stomach. Cow is frantic and the only animal left when the farmer arrives to see what is going on. Farmer Jolene appears unconcerned, and well-equipped to employ her knowledge concerning farm sharks. Tickling is the shark's undoing. The animals are expelled, the farm returns to its peaceful status, as the farmer provides a stern warning to Farm Shark about eating her animals. Guess how needs help from the reader now! 

It's a book filled with humor in both visuals and dialogue. Listeners will belly laugh at the antics. It's  perfect for a story time read. Be sure to share it with a straight face to up the reactions from your listeners.  
                                                                                     

On Fridays, written by Winsome Bingham and illustrated by Jason Griffin. Neal Porter Books, Holiday House. Penguin Random House, 2026. $26.99 ages

"Miss Neely stands next to Momma. She's 
one of my favorites. She always push my 
shoulder back and says, "Stand up straight,
Jamar. Don't slouch." Or "Pull your pants
up, No sagging." Or "You know, we will 
all be happy if you just give your best." 

She meets me at the door 
with chewy-gooey cookies." 

I think it's very important for those sharing this book with children to read the opening notes from both author and artist; it was an eye-opening experience prior to reading the book myself. Thanks to both for sharing their heartfelt reasons for the story told here. 

When school ends on Friday, Jamar rides the bus to his mother's workplace. The ride there is joyful; it's the weekend, the bus is noisy, and the ride bumpy. It takes no time to see the brick building ahead. His therapist mother loves the people in her care, and reminds Jamar of that whenever she has the chance. Miss Neely meets him at the door, cookies in hand and an invitation to visit her garden where he is encouraged to plant his own tulip. 

Once back inside, he hears Mr. Dillon's cane tapping in the hallway. They do a little dance, have a short chat before Jamar is aware of the guitar music coming from Mr. Riff's room. He is invited in for a listen. Before he knows it, Mama is announcing their departure. Taking the tulip with him, he waves goodbye to all of his friends. At bedtime he lets his Momma know that he wants to work where she does, taking care of people who are like family, when he grows up. 

Too soon, Momma wakens him to let him know of an emergency at her work. He is worried, as is his mother. His friends are there to greet him. Not Miss Neely. The three move out to the garden, where he is told that Miss Neely 'is gone to another home'. It's hard for Jamar to understand what has happened; his friends explain that she didn't have time for a goodbye. They promise to help him take care of Miss Neely's garden. As he and his mother prepare to attend the memorial, Jamar explains that he doesn't want to say goodbye because she didn't say goodbye to him. His mother tells him that people don't always know when they will 'move on.'

"And when we're almost out the door, 
she says, "That's why you give everyone
their flowers while you're with them. 
Because you never know when they 
will be moving on.""

This child's-eye view of a caring community and loss is given context in vivid artwork that resonates with warmth and emotion on every spread.                                                                                  

                                                                                     

The Path, written by Pamela Paul and illustrated by Qin Leng. G.P. Putnam's Sons, Penguin Random House. 2026. $27.99 ages 4 and up

 

"Ooh, looks like a 
barred owl up there. 

And a heron! 
I just need to get 
a better look. 

Okay, good, and let's just stay
quiet now. Staaaaying quiet. 

Argh! Not quiet."

A park path holds interest for a diverse group of people and animals; they walk, bike, roller skate, exercise their dogs, ride scooters, watch birds, run, and enjoy conversation as they go. Children playing together are interrupted by a cyclist who, in turn, faces a problem caused by zig-zagging roller skaters. One roller skater is bothered by the number of dogs being walked on long leashes, who scare a little girl out for a walk with her grandpa. The dogs are bothered by kids on scooters passing them by. A birdwatcher seeking quiet to enjoy a close look at both an owl and a heron is interrupted by the loud cries of a baby fighting sleep. A young couple having a personal conversation are almost swept aside by a runner intent on making her best time, and the runner is held back by a child determined to ride a bike on her own. 

That child comes to a sudden stop while looking up. Only then does everyone along the path take time to follow her lead and look to the sky, where a 'fast and beautiful black cloud' sweeps past. The birdwatcher describes it. 

"Yes! It's called a murmuration. The birds fly together 
so they can take care of one another." 

The elegance of their flight and their reason for gathering is felt by all who are watching. As those using the path return to the business of their day, they do it with an enlightened sense of community and kindness. The runner encourages the little girl learning to ride her bike; the birdwatcher offers help for the baby and others interested in seeing what he sees; the dog that scared the little girl has found new focus for his barking while she is encouraged to get to know the other dogs being walked; and the two kids at the start of the story find a side path that provides further enjoyment for all. 

Told entirely in thought bubbles and dialogue, and accompanied by signature artwork created using brush and ink, markers, and watercolor by the remarkable Qin Leng, all who read this book will be engaged and entertained by a community that celebrates diversity and kindness. The power of nature has the most marvelous effect on all who travel the path and then stop in wonder to relish the glory of seeing a murmuration and understanding its reason for being. 

Readers will pay rapt attention to the people, the setting, and the nonstop action; then, wait until they veer toward the side path where they see everyone all over again: squirrels, heron and owl included. 

This book is pure delight!