Something Good, written and illustrated by Kenneth Kraegel. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2025. $23.99 ages 3 and up

 

"Finally it left. I made it out of the hole, 
but now I smelled like a hairy mastodon. 

And, oh great, it looked like it
was going to rain. Blah. 

I started to run. 
The last thing I needed was to get soaked."

We were lucky enough to meet Judith Viorst's Alexander (of the horrible, no good, very bad day) when our kids were quite young. We read that book together time and again. It remains on my 'keepers' shelf. Meeting the young narrator in this book about wanting something good took me right back to those days of being awed by Alexander's day. 

Life is tough for her, starting with waking to find a chicken on her head, and many others waiting for their turn. Worms in the cereal she has already tasted only makes things worse; and mud-filled boots needed for an outdoor venture. When her friend Zoe looks away without acknowledging her presence, she falls into a hole. 

From her vantage point at the bottom of the hole, she watches as a mastodon takes a nap right on top. Mastodon? Where did it come from? Getting out of the hole leaves her smelling pretty bad and worried about a coming rainstorm. Wait! She trips on a wrapped gift with a big bow! Looking inside reveals a pair of socks. Meh ... nothing good at all. Rain falls directly on her body and nowhere else leaves her cold, and thankful for those socks. 

What happens next is a child's dream!

"Holy moly, 
it was SOMETHING GOOD!"

It's news she can share with Zoe, and share she does. It isn't long until they can pay the goodness forward. Ken Kraegel's watercolor, gouache and ink images fill the pages with angst, humor, and kindness. I love it! 

OASIS, by Guojing. Henry Holt and Company, Macmillan. Raincoast, 2025. $19.99 ages 10 and up

 

"Sis!

What is it? 

Is it a human? 

No, I think it is a robot 
or something like that. 

A robot? 

Don't touch it!"

Life for young siblings, JieJie and DiDi, is lonely and bleak in the desert as they wait for phone calls from their mother. She is working in Oasis City, always hoping to earn enough to have her children join her there. As the days pass, they eat the tasteless rations provided, gather water, roam the desert, and do their best to keep themselves safe from relentless sandstorms. They want to be brave for their worried mother who had to leave them behind. 

Oasis City produces mountains of trash. Picking through that trash and knowing it is dangerous holds a fascination for younger brother Didi. While searching one day, they find a broken robot and take it home with them. JieJie, who has worked with her mother on various projects, is adept enough to get it working.

"Thanks for using the OASIS AI service. 
We make your life perfect. 

She can talk.

System restart. 
Body damaged.
Self-repairing. 

The system has been 
successfully repaired. 
Please state your wish." 

Because it is DiDi's birthday, the wish is his. He wants a mom. The very reliable robot takes on a maternal role. and makes life better for the children when they need her the most. When their mother cannot reach them at the designated time, she risks everything by abandoning her job and returning home. A confrontation occurs when she learns what has happened. Robot mom is damaged; the children are frightened and upset; their mom works to repair the robot who has cared for the children and loved them while she could not be with them. With understanding and ingenuity, can the two mothers find a way to a better life together? 

Guojing, as she has done in her other books, works wonders with relatable characters who are filled with love and hope. The children are the focus. The family they have may be atypical; their bonds are clear and hopeful. Her illustrations are spectacular, allowing readers to envisage this dystopian world while also creating warmth through tiny glimpses of color and expression-filled faces. Her dedication honors the  children who are 'left behind' when their parents are forced to find work elsewhere. Brilliant! 

Elsa's Chessboard, written by Jenny Andrus and illustrated by Julie Downing. Neal Porter Books, Holiday House. Penguin Random House, 2025. $25.99 ages 5 and up

"Elsa got a job at a dress factory 
sewing hems and buttons. The 
employees spoke many different 
languages. Elsa understood just 
a few words.

She felt shy until, one day, she 
noticed some men playing 
chess at lunch. The next 
morning, she brought her 
chessboard to work."

I was not expecting this to be a picture book biography; indeed, it is! It is told by Elsa's granddaughter, and is shared with love as a tribute to a woman who faced adversity in her lifetime. 

Elsa was born to play chess. As a young girl, she watched endlessly as her brothers played game after game in the town square. Elsa and her family lived in Vienna in the early 20th century. Two of her brothers refused to play chess with her, citing her age and the fact that she was a girl. The third showed kindness by teaching her to play, and occasionally losing to her. Chess was on her mind at every turn. For her tenth birthday, her brothers gifted her a chessboard and finally agreed to play a game with her. 

Through the years, Elsa carried her chessboard wherever she went: to the library where she met her future husband, to the park when they enjoyed picnics and chess together, and even to the opera. After they married, they continued to play chess every chance they got. When Europe became a war zone in the 1930s, their Jewish ancestry forced them to flee and begin a new life in San Francisco. So many people, all speaking different languages made it difficult to make new friends in the dress factory where Elsa found work. Chess became a way to meet people and show her skills. 

"At the chessboard, they all spoke the same language, 
the language of chess."

Following her husband's death, Elsa moved in with her daughter and family. It wasn't until her unpacking was complete that Elsa realized she did not have her chessboard. As Oma cared for her granddaughters, they played many favorite games. But they never played chess. As she aged, memories of happy times reminded her of the game she loved ... and missed dearly. A visit with her great-grandson unearthed the box that held her beloved chessboard, and provided a perfect opportunity to share her love of the game with someone new.  

What a moving historical accounting of one person's life and love for chess. Watercolor and ink artwork bring Elsa, her family and friends to full life. An author's note, resources for further learning, and archival family photos bring this fine book to an end. 

Molly, Olive, and Dexter: You Can't Catch Me! Written and illustrated by Catherine Rayner. Candlewick Press. Penguin Random House. 2025. $23.99 ages 3 and up

"BUMP!

"Got you!" Molly says with a laugh, 
and off she whizzes again. 

Now Dexter is all dizzy, 
and he can't seem to catch
either of his friends."

This is the third in a series of books about three exceptional friends: Molly the hare, Dexter the fox, and Olive the owl. They live in an oak tree at the edge of a meadow, and spend most days together. Dexter loves to chase his friends and always wants the others to play. 

Before Olive has a chance to think about a new game, Dexter has touched her wing while telling her she is it. Molly is keen, and heads off at a clip. Too soon, Olive swoops down and tags Molly. It causes them all to giggle with glee. Now, Dexter is off. When Molly gets too close, he veers out of her way and heads away in another direction. He's quite sure he can't be caught. 

Molly is super quick and is soon chasing Dexter around and around a tree ... until BUMP! She runs right into him, and races off with a chuckle. It's impossible for Dexter to catch either of his friends, leaving Dexter tuckered out and wondering what he can do to finish the game as a winner. He disappears to the consternation of both Molly and Olive. Should they be worried about him? Is he sad that he is losing? When Dexter jumps out of his hiding place to tag both of his friends, they compliment him on his wise ways. Dexter is proud, but willing to admit that he thinks they are all winners. Isn't that the truth? 

The setting for this friendship story is beautifully rendered in mixed media to show the fields and stonework that are part of their meadow playground. Full of cozy warmth and the comfort of good friends ensures it is a book that will be read again and again. 

                                                                                       

A Summer Without Anna, written by Kate Jenks Landry and illustrated by Risa Hugo. Kids Can Press, 2025. $23.99 ages 4 and up

"The summer stretches on and on. 
Pop and I are up with the birds each morning.
While Pop cooks breakfast, I photograph 
the water. Sometimes it's full of windy ruffles.
Other times it's flat and still as glass."

It is evident from the onset of this family story that the child narrator is troubled by what is happening. Readers quickly learn that she is going to be staying with her grandparents for as long as it takes for her older sister to recover. As her parents leave, they hand her a box with a note inside ... and a camera. Anna hopes that Junie will find Edmund this summer and take his picture. 

Junie has stayed with her grandparents before, but not on her own. As Nan and Pop work to make her comfortable, it is easy to feel the sadness she is feeling. She would rather be with her big sister. Early the first morning, she is off with her camera to find Edmund, an ancient turtle who has been the subject of their searching for 'as long as I can remember'. Nature offers many other opportunities for picture taking. 

Days pass slowly with Nan and Pop, even though they keep her busy. Each night provides a chance for Junie to speak to Mom, Dad, and Anna. One night, they call to say Anna will be home tomorrow. That plan falls through, and sends Junie down to the lake with her camera and her sadness. One morning on the fishing boat, Junie finally sees Edmund. She chooses not to take his picture. That very night, Anna calls to say she is home, and they will see Junie tomorrow. An album, depicting her long summer of waiting, is a welcome gift for her big sister. 

Digitally edited artwork, created in gouache, colored pencil and soft pastel, offer readers a close look a Junie's worry and sadness as the summer passes. Junie's s time with her grandparents is full of warmth and support; while her concern for her sister is unmistakeable. How happy they are to be together again.  

Chickenpox, by Remy Lai. Henry HOlt and Company, Macmillan. Raincoast, 2025. $19.99 ages 9 and up

 

"Are you moving to the room upstairs? 
But it's for guests! 

It's MY room now.

No visitors are allowed into this
maximum security prison, so 
Mama has no reason to not let 
me use the guest room until 
quarantine ends.

Abby, come and - 

GET OUT OF MY ROOM!"

In 1994 Indonesia, Abby is struggling with fairly typical issues with her middle grade friends. She is anxious that their reaction to her family chaos will affect how they see her. As the oldest sibling in a family of five children, Abby is often angry with the behaviors of her younger brothers and sisters. The family always seems to be in a state of disarray and mischief. When they are exposed to chickenpox after a visit with one of those school friends, life only gets worse. 

As they must spend all of their time together, trying to deal with the many symptoms, Abby feels even more put upon to be the 'big sister' and help out. She makes an interesting transformation as the days pass; she learns to be more patient and a better role model for the littler ones, to count on them to help with issues that arise, and to be an even better friend that she was prior to the many events that fill her ten days of quarantine. 

Ms. Lai's art is filled with feeling and humor as the seemingly endless days pass, challenging all to find an easier way to peace while together. She presents a strong setting, adding details that firmly place the story in a particular time period. Abby is funny, kind when she needs to be, often impulsive, and full of love for her family even when that does not seem to be the case. The artwork grabs attention at every turn. Readers who are older siblings will see themselves in similar situations.                                                                                       

            

                                         

Octavio and His Glasses, written and illustrated by Marc Gonzalez Rossell. Translation by Susan Ouriou. Kids Can Press, 2025. $23.99 ages 3 and up

 

"Now, with the just dim glow
from his lamp ... 

... he can experience things 
in the dark that he couldn't 
before."

A pointer lands on the capital E at the top of the eye chart. Readers who have visited an optometrist will recognize the test being administered. A turn of the page, and they learn that a young boy named Octavio has been struggling with his sight for some time. Today is the day that will change. 

The many options shown for new glasses are quickly rejected for a pair that are round, big, and rimmed in black. What a difference for Octavio! He can see things from great distances (including an alien speaking an alien language), and things close up (an ant on the ground in front of him). He sees things he has never seen before ... and it's all so clear. 

That's in the light. What will it be like when it's dark? His bedroom lamp helps him see what he has never seen. They are the good and bad in a world that is brand new to him ... in the countless stories he is now able to read. Even when he takes off his glasses and turns off the light, he uses his awakened imagination to discover so much more. What power is unleashed through story! 

Emotions are conveyed in his eyes, letting readers know how he is feeling before having the glasses and once he is wearing them. Young readers are sure to want to read this book on repeat, paying careful attention to all that is shown on its pages. 

But Where Do Sea Turtles Live? Written and illustrated by Elina Ellis. Kids Can Press, 2025. $21.99 ages 4 and up

"I know! 
Sea turtles could live in KELP FORESTS!
These are even big enough for sea lions 
and gray whales.

NO WAY!
It is too tangly here. Sea turtles must 
live in ESTUARIES! Look at all the 
different spots to chill."

In her third field guide, Alex and her friends, who are the first members of the Curious Explorers Club, are keen to find out all they can about sea turtles. They board their barely-big-enough-to-hold-them-all boat and head out to sea on the lookout for those turtles. Surprise! It just happens that Alex is an expert of sea turtles and, once again, willing to share all she has learned.

Her friends have questions; Alex is willing to share her journal full of facts with them. They decide they would prefer to explore and learn on their own. Make it a real adventure! They are off to make their own discoveries. A rock pool? When they still can't see any there, Alex opens her well-researched journal to give aid. A full spread from her journal offers some excellent information, as well as a short description of seven different species. 

Continuing their search and learning more as they go, readers will gain knowledge about rock pools, estuaries, and coral reefs. What do turtles like to eat? Another page in Alex's journal offers what they need to know. As they reach a beach, they find tiny sea turtles hatching and heading toward the sea. A journal spread that discusses Hatchling Chronicles offers data about birth and beyond, explains the nesting season, the eventual birth of the hatchlings, and the many dangers they face in their rush to water.

"Only 1 in 1000 will survive to adulthood."

While the friends continue guessing where turtles live, Alex provides a map of the world's oceans that shows which sea turtle lives where. Back matter includes a step-by-step guide for starting a curious explorers club, and a list of useful resources.

Growing Green: A First Book of Gardening. Illustrated by Daniela Sosa. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2025. $24.99 ages 7 and up

 

"If you don't have much space, a great 
way to grow tomatoes is in a hanging 
basket. You can grow them from seed 
or buy plants from your local garden 
center in late spring/early summer."

While sharing the information about trying to grow tomatoes in a basket, a list of needs is provided: a hanging basket, a liner, compost, tumbling cherry tomato plants, and plant food. Now the gardener is ready to try a hand for a successful harvest. Information is provided as well for season, harvest time and environment for optimal growth. The facing page offers a step-by-step method for preparing the basket, adding and arranging the plants, and providing the care those plants will need before the crop is ready to harvest. 

As well as that, there is a Did You Know? feature: 'Tomato plants were first grown for food by the Aztecs in the Americas. Now, every year in August, 20,000 people gather in the Spanish town of Bunol for an epic tomato-throwing festival. More than 110 tons/100 metric tons of overripe tomatoes are thrown in the streets!'

The tomato is but one of the fruits and vegetables included in this informative and helpful guide to growing your own garden. Other suggestions include strawberries in rain boots, green beans, new potatoes, carrots, sweet corn, pumpkins, avocado pits, celery bottoms, radishes, cressheads, a herb garden, leafy greens, nasturtiums and sunflowers. As you can see from the list, there is no doubt that kids will be keen to try something they are interested in having for their own gardening experience.

The format remains the same throughout and proves to be a welcome guide for interested teachers, parents and their children. The Did You Know? boxes add interest and the illustrations are helpful as the learning begins and continues. If you are considering trying a hand at gardening with your family, this book provides needed information that will make the process easier. The tough part is waiting patiently while the growing happens, before plants can be harvested for delicious consumption. 

                                                                                             

If you would like more information about Earth Day, go to earthday.org to find ways that you can help with initiatives for a healthier planet. 
                                                                                

Let's Be Bees! Written and illustrated by Shawn Harris. Neal Porter Books, Holiday House. Penguin Random House. 2025. $25.99 ages 2 and up

"I'll be wind. I'll WAIL.

You be rain. You PATTER. 

I'll be waves. I'll CRASH!

You be lightning. You THUNDER!

I so wish I had a toddler in the house; if so, I could read this book out loud without feeling ridiculous. So, I will continue to feel that way for the not being able to read this book in my head. It's far too enjoyable for that. 

It opens with an adult reading this very book to a little one sitting at his side. They begin with buzzing as happens when reading about bees! A loud BUZZ has bees popping up through their collars in happy surprise. Turn the page, and they are birds. Not just birds; chitty, chatty birds that love to CHIRP!

I hope you can feel the fun as they rustle like trees, and make all the sounds of a passing storm. Or when they adapt the peaceful quiet of a snow-filled wonderland. It engenders a big surprise. Concluding spreads encourage echoing the sounds that animals make. In the end, the little one and other listeners are asked to make the sounds of Earth ... all together and all at once! 

The ending is a lovely surprise, and will be a delight to all those listening in. 

 

Bright crayon illustrations grace the endpapers and every other spread in this wondrous readaloud for little ones. It encourages mimicry, noisemaking, and joining with an adult in a fun-filled exploration of imagination and sound. Comical crayon illustrations set the tone for a boisterous game of pretend and its noisy cacophony. Is it possible to make a realistic sound for every creature and image found on the captivating endpapers. Once started, where will the fun end? 

HOME, written by Matt de la Pena and illustrated by Loren Long. G.P. Putnam's Sons. Penguin Random House. 2025. $26.99 ages 4 and up

 

"But a day may come
when you learn how a home
can be lost. 

Hurricane rains flood your streets. 
Or a thick black smoke blankets the sky. 
Or Papa's garment factory closes down."

My friend Don and I (and others) find ourselves talking about books that need to be shared out loud with middle grade readers. Too often, they are left to read on their own when they reach middle grades, because many can. We think it's a myth that those young people will not enjoy hearing stories read by others. We have planned and presented literature workshops for teachers and parents for many years; from our experience, they are as invested in the stories as we are when we read them aloud. It is no different for most students, no matter their age. Oh, to be a student in a high school class where teachers read important books to them.

While most picture books are earmarked by publishers for 4-8 year olds, I think they often miss the mark. There is a treasure trove of books available that are often more keenly appreciated and understood by an older audience. That doesn't mean that a younger audience won't enjoy them. Such is the case with this new book book from collaborators de la Pena and Long. 

Following Love (2018), the two consider the meaning of home, and its many circumstances. Please take the time to read it with older listeners, and experience the deep thinking and meaningful conversations it prompts. There are so many possibilities for what home is. In its pages, readers will observe the gentle quiet of a bedtime read, a chance to watch a grandparent fish, the fun of indoor play while an airplane flies past the window, and even the world outside speeding past with its noise and activity. 

"On the way to school each morning
you peer into the busy construction site 
where workers steer tractors and pound steel stakes."

The touching scenes and their stories are skillfully created to encourage both thought and memory, and to allow the reader to step into the shoes of another as they cope with events beyond their control. In the end, there is a reminder that no matter what happens love will be there to offer the support and meaning found in the word home. 

Loren Long's full spread of a child's gaze upon the earth that is her home is extraordinary and unforgettable. 
                                                                            

Behold the Chameleon! Written by Suzanne Slade and illustrated by Thomas Gonzalez. Peachtree, Penguin Random House. 2025. $25.99 ages 8 and up

 

"As a chameleon sleeps, its skin color lightens. 
Scientists believe this occurs because the chameleon's 
pigment cells (which affect skin color) relax as it rests. 
Desert chameleons sleep in burrows beneath the hot 
sand. Tree-dwelling chameleons sleep in areas where 
they normally feed by clutching branches with their 
claws and tails about 1 to 12 feet (0.3 to 3.6 meters)
above the ground."

On a spring day in April when a bold, blue sky makes everything glow and even hints at shades of green in surrounding trees, I am reminded of the brilliance of the artwork created in pastel, colored pencils and airbrush by Thomas Gonzelez for his newest collaboration with Suzanne Slade. The realism of the illustrations that accompany the research information provided by the prolific Ms. Slade is truly mesmerizing. 

Each spread places descriptive words for a variety of chameleons on the verso, and a detailed, revealing paragraph concerning the species on the recto. Readers learn that there are over 220 different chameleons, that most live in Africa and Madagascar, and that their habitats include mountains, savannas, deserts, and rainforests. We see that they are remarkable creatures of beauty when considering the diversity in their coloring. 

Verbs used accentuate their many capabilities as they find food, shelter, and safety: stalking, snatching, dining, clinging, changing, and shining. The text is perfectly paired with wondrous images that allow readers a close look. There is a lot to learn here for those kids who are keen to know more about the natural world.  

"A chameleon's natural coloring already matches 
its habitat. A chameleon may change color to 
control its body temperature (darker colors absorb
more heat from sunlight) or communicate feelings.
For example, a calm chameleon may turn green."

For those who don't get all they need from these opening spreads, they will want to carefully read the back matter provided. Two pages of additional information are there, along with acknowledgements, a selected bibliography, and three Internet sites for further learning. 

This is a companion book to Behold the Octopus!, and Behold the Hummingbird!
                                                                               

Anything, written by Rebecca Stead and illustrated by Gracey Zhang. Chronicle Books, Raincoast. 2025. $24.99 ages 4 and up

"We unpacked books and cups and plates. 
I made a secret wish that apartment 3B didn't 
smell like paint. 
Paint is not my favorite smell. 

                           Nothing happened."

Rebecca Stead's first picture book! I could not wait to read it. But wait I did. Now that I have read it again and again, I want to share it with you.

The chocolate cake is a birthday gift for their new apartment. No candles on the cake as they have just moved in, except the one for good luck. Daddy offers a wish for anything. There can be wishes for very hard things, but Daddy doesn't seem concerned. Blowing the candle out comes with a question about how many anythings are reasonable. Daddy suggests three. 

The first is a wish for a rainbow in the child's room. Done! When asked about a second, she decides to save it. The new playground nearby sports a very tall, and intimidating, slide. She makes a secret wish for a smaller one. Wish unfulfilled. The two buy plants for their apartment, and return home to unpack more of their belongings. A secret wish for no paint smell also fails. 

Dinner time brings a wish for the second anything ... a huge slice of her favorite pizza. Though not totally happy with eating it in Aprartment 3B, she is content. There is no decision made yet for the third anything. After dinner, they play hide-and-seek before Daddy asks again about the third anything. Finally, she wishes that today not be Thursday, and bath day. She doesn't like the tub. 

Daddy stood up straight. 
"I have an important announcement," he said. 
Today is not Thursday!"

I gave him a hug."

There are so many misses about their old apartment. The secret wish next time is to have never moved at all. It is unspoken before she falls asleep. Waking to unfamiliar sounds in the night, she expresses the wish for one more anything ...to go home. 

Daddies can be so ingenious. He invites her to board the train that is his back, and guides her in a big circle around their new home. The trip is extensive and appreciated. They talk on and on about what is important as Daddy continues to carry her around and around the apartment. When she is almost asleep, he agrees that they are finally home after a very, very long journey. The morning brings added comfort. 

Using ballpoint pen and gouache with exceptional skill and a gorgeous color palette, Gracey Zhang captures fully the emotions that are felt and shared here as the two make their adjustment from one home to another. 

Two remarkable storytellers 'pen' a story that will resonate with readers and live long in memory. 

My Friend May, written and illustrated by Julie Flett. Greystone Kids, 2025. $23.95 ages 4 and up

"The next day, May still had not come home. 
Margaux wondered, 

was she alone? 

was she hurt? 

was she hungry?"

Margaux met her kitten May when she was six years old. They did their growing together. Readers learn a lot about May through observations of their time spent at home. Mostly, May stays home. She rarely leaves; if she does, she is back in time for dinner. There came a day when that didn't happen. May was late getting home. Margaux searched and called for her. May did not respond. It was time for a careful search, and the family helped. Worry set in as May's time away grew more prolonged. 

Following the failed search, Margaux helped her auntie finish packing for her move to the city. All the while, she was thinking and worrying about May and about her aunt's leaving. So much to miss. Another day dawned without any sign of May. The worries grew. While Margaux worried, her auntie was unpacking boxes in her new home. 

Margaux had no news to share when Nitosis called at the end of her long unpacking day. Imagine her surprise when she heard a quiet meow coming from the bathroom. In one of those packed boxes, guess who she found! It didn't take long to get May packed with a soft blanket in a warm crate for the journey back home. 

There is little drama in this quiet and tender storytelling. Yet, all of the emotion is real and faultlessly shown in Julie Flett's signature artwork. I appreciate that she ends her story thinking of her readers as she always does. 

"Do you have a story to tell? 

Your turn!"

Back matter includes an author's note that speaks to her love for cats, and to the real story that inspired her book. There is also a list of Cree words with a pronunciation guide, a list concerning kinship from the Cree Literacy Network, and a list of words that describe relatives.  Truly lovely!                                                                               

Home Is A Wish, written and illustrated by Julia Kuo. Roaring Brook Press, Macmillan. Raincoast. 2025. $24.99 ages 4 and up

 

"We leave sounds, smells, 
feelings, words, and memories 
behind. 

How can any other place feel 
like home?" 

A young girl, her mother and grandmother live together, and spend their days happily. There are times when they are away from each other; they always come back home. When the decision is made to move to another country, there is uncertainty about whether they will return. So much to leave behind them. 

Aboard the plane, the girl watches as everything she knows grows smaller and smaller. It is her feeling that home now becomes a wish. Their arrival is met with trepidation and uncertainty. Will she ever feel at home in this new place? 

"I'm told how to dress, move, and 
speak, even though I already know
how to dress, move, and speak. 

Amah says, "It'll get better soon, 
bao bei.""

In time, life changes and fills her with a new understanding for what makes a home. 

Julia Kuo tells her story with grace and simplicity, while also creating digital images in pinks and blues that provide warmth and acceptance. The illustration showing the child paddling a canoe between her old home and her new one is particularly poignant and uplifting. This is a story that will soothe the hearts of others experiencing similar change. 
                                                                                 

The Interpreter, written by Olivia Abtahi and illustrated by Monica Arnaldo. Koklia, Penguin Random House. 2025. $24.99 ages 6 and up

"Cecilia had been working overtime. 

She was so tired. 

Her friends wanted her to play outside
with them, but there was so much

left to do."

It's been ten days since we met Laila and learned her story of helping her Chinese parents navigate life in a new country. Today, I want you to meet Cecilia. She is center of attention on the title page, sitting at a desk while pouring coffee, chewing on toast, and having a serious look at a piece of paper in her other hand. A family photo holds pride of place on her desk. 

Readers quickly learn that Cecilia has two jobs that keep her busy at every turn ... she is the interpreter for her Spanish-speaking family with the doctor about their sick baby, at the DMV, at the bank and when the car needs an oil change. Her older brother helped at one time, but he is away at college and is no longer always available. 

Her other job is being a soccer-playing elementary school student. Too often, one job is confused with the other. There is even a Persian connection between child interpreters for their respective parents. It all feels like too much, and Cecilia is having difficulty coping. When a teacher asks how she is doing at parent-teacher conferences, Cecilia lets it all out. Showing her parents just how hard she has been working results in needed change. Getting some help from her aunt and her brother makes all the difference, allowing Cecilia to do both jobs.

Cecilia's story encourages readers to look with empathy at how helping immigrant parents can often be overwhelming for their children. She loves that she can help, but also wants to be a kid. Kids who are navigating similar circumstances will appreciate seeing themselves in the pages of this book. In watercolor and pencil-crayon artwork, Ms. Arnaldo invites readers to have a clear and lightly humorous look at Cecilia's days. Using orange word bubbles for Spanish, blue for English, and pink for Farsi in one encounter with another immigrant family is helpful for full understanding. The tense double-page outburst clears the air, and leads to the changes needed. Cecilia's double life is cleverly shown in the attire worn as she navigates her roles, and the resulting confusion at times. Front and back endpapers are wonderful, as is the book's cover beneath the dust jacket. 

Mighty: The Story of an Oak Tree Ecosystem, written and illustrated by Henry Cole. Peachtree, Penguin Random House. 2025. $24.99 ages 6 and up

 

"A year passes. 

The seedling becomes a sapling, 
its stems slender branches. 

After a decade, the sapling has 
grown taller and is now a tree ... "

What a wonder this book is! It begins with a blue jay, and an acorn. In an attempt to evade capture by a hawk, the jay drops the acorn. A tree's life begins. Of course, the acorn's landing spot is relevant to its germination. With all necessary needs met, the seedling develops on the forest floor. Within days, the oak begins a long process to full growth.

Years pass before it is considered a tree. Through those years, it continues to grow. It becomes home to many animals, birds, and insects. Its acorns are food for forest creatures; its fallen leaves enrich the earth; it provides shelter through long cold winters; it offers shade and protection for humans; and it continues to distribute its seeds into the ecosystem. 

Many years have passed before a family builds its home nearby, using wood from many of the area's trees. Then, there is another house, and another, and many more. 

"What began as an acorn is now a mighty tree, 
and a special part of a small town. 

It is still home for wildlife. 
But it is also a place for children, for couples, for families. 
It is a place for celebrations. 

The tree is home." 

While the story of the oak's development over many years, and its impact on the environment is evident and informative, the illustrations are absolutely remarkable. Using Macron pens on Bristol paper, Henry Cole has created full spreads that will have readers returning again and again to its pages to fully appreciate all they see there. Hidden creatures and dense, detailed images demand close observation at every turn. 

Back matter includes notes on building an ecosystem, and an illustration describing habitat layers within the forest environment. The inside of the dust jacket offers a careful look at the fully-grown oak tree and its resulting food web. 

https://youtu.be/XhJckiVTObk

Brave, written and illustrated by Weshoyut Alvitre. Kokila, Penguin Random House. 2025. $24.99 ages 6 and up

 

"My dad is so proud to teach us our 
traditional ways: to let our hair grow 
long, to stand up for what we believe 
in, and to be brave. 

But when I get teased at school, my 
mom is the one who has to speak with
the teachers about our traditions. 
My dad becomes so angry about it, 
he loses his words."

A braid is at the heart of this story. A young Indigenous boy starts out unhappy about the daily horror of having his hair braided by his mother. The tugging and the knots hurt. He endures the hurt because the braid holds such importance for him; it gives him strength. He badly wants hair like his father who explains the cultural traditions of his people. 

The boy finds himself admiring the dancers at powwows, and longs for the day when he can be like them. Starting school with his braid is not easy; he is taunted and teased by others. His determination helps him stay strong and brave in the face of their mistreatment. Sometimes, it makes him hurt and angry. That behavior leads to his father sharing stories from his younger days, and the fact that he was forced to have his hair cut. It wasn't until he was older that he wore a braid again; he had to teach himself to be brave always. 

"Be the bravest person 
you can be. Your ancestors'
strength is inside you."

His father's stories also include remembrances of his ancestors, and the rules they were forced to follow. Their stories are sad, full of fear and acceptance for things they could not change. The boy's father honors a promise he made when his son was born: to never cut his hair unless it was the boy's decision. 

""You are the newest brave one in the generations 
of brave men and women who have tried their best 
to stand up for the things they believe in," he tells me."

The author's memorable images are created using gouache, watercolor, and ink. The rich colors and careful depictions of traditional life, both past and present, connect the boy to his history and encourage readers to think deeply. 

Scamp, written and illustrated by Anden Wilder. Little, Brown and Company. Hachette. 2025. $24.99 ages 3 and up

 

"After breakfast, Scamp and Hector roamed, 

romped, 

and sharpened their claws. 

The vacuum cleaner didn't stand a chance."

Scamp, a pink-rompered toddler, likes to think that two cats live in her house. One is her feline companion, Hector, and the other is herself. They spend their time together, doing cat things. They groom themselves, snuggle, touch noses, and make purring sounds. They are content. 

Scamp is taken aback on the day that she first stands in her crib. Her view of her world is instantly changed with all that she can see from that vantage point. Once the discovery is made, she reverts to all of the usual household adventures with Hector. From the top of the coffee table, Hector leans over to rub noses with his pal, who suddenly stands tall again! Then, it's using a spoon, and enjoying a bath ... what is happening? Neither is keen on the changes. 

One day, while Scamp sleeps contentedly in Hector's bed, Hector is enticed by an open door to explore the outside world. Rain causes extreme stress for both. Scamp can see from the window what is happening and knows cats hate getting wet. She has no way of helping him. Until she realizes that she does! It's a happy reunion, to be sure. 

Using gouache, watercolor and colored pencils, Ms. Wilder adds humor and warmth at every turn. Plenty of white space with accompanying cool blue backgrounds place the two characters front and center at all times. The final spread is sure to elicit an aww or two. Love the endpapers! 

Orson and the World's Loudest Library, written by Laura Gehl and illustrated by Stephanie Roth Sisson. Astra Young Readers, Penguin Random House. 2025. $24.99 ages 4 and up

"At first, the quiet makes Orson feel better. 
Now he can read his book. 

Except ... 

... instead of focusing on the page, 
Orson's eyes are drawn to the window. 
Nobody is making noise ... but nobody 
is reading either."

Orson needs all of his favorite places to have books. Those rooms in the house include his bedroom, the kitchen, and his playroom. Anyone who loves books as he does will completely understand. As well as the place, Orson also loves the quiet. 

Since the Grand Reopening at the public library, there has been an alarming change. It is always filled with people ... and noise! That is not music to Orson's ears. Parents are reading with their kids, the librarian is reading to a small group, couples are reading together, books are being exchanged, and some kids are reading out loud to themselves. It's too much for a small bookworm to handle! 

When he asks Ms. Lana to control the noise, she offers ideas for Orson to get involved in the various activities that are bothering him. Maybe he could read to the child who is making words with alphabet letters, or sit and share the comic that a little girl is reading. Orson wants the talking shushed. If Ms. Lana won't do it, then Orson will do it himself. His shushing works. He loves the quiet that envelops the library. It doesn't take him long to notice that now there is no happy laughter, no animated conversation, and NO reading. 

"It's time to
un-shush the library!"

In The Desert, written by David Elliott and illustrated by Gordy Wright. Candllewick Books, Penguin Random House. 2025. $24.99 ages 6 and up

"THE SAND CAT 

She looks as if
she might just be 
the family pet, 

that is to say, 

mild, domestic. 

Yet like her 
roaring cousins

to the south, 

she is - 

in her small way - 

majestic."

I have long been a fan of David Elliott's work. His eight other books about animals and where they live were always a part of the poetry workshops I did in schools, in an effort to have children give poetry a try. Those books were mentor texts to help them see how focusing on one habitat and doing research to investigate its inhabitants gave them a starting point for thinking about their writing.

His new book honors the Sahara Desert and its native dwellers. The first of fifteen poems is about the desert itself. Fourteen different creatures follow on double-page spreads that offer a clear look at each, and the environment that is their home. The language is, as always, expressive and often ingenious. At times, the author speaks directly to the featured creature. At other times, he offers an apt description. 

Gordy Wright's digitally finished gouache and acrylic images bring the Saharan landscape to full life as background to his realistic, often aggressive, desert denizens. There are times when they appear to be looking directly at the reader, offering both intimidation and charm. That depends on the creature depicted. The Painted Dog's steely stare sparks alarm, while the gentle gaze of the Sand Cat oozes grace.

Back matter offers very useful further information in Notes About the Sahara Desert and the Animals. The Sahara Desert is not nearly as desolate and forbidding as one might have come to believe. 

"The Dung Beetle: Dung beetles make their living by forming balls of the waste of other animals and rolling them back to their nest. Maybe that seems kind of gross. But think aobut this before you dis these tiny workers: they navigate the desert by the Milky Way, enabling them to find a straight line back home. Like GPS, but way cooler."

If this post has whet your appetite for more by this outstanding poet, you can check out In the Woods, At the Pond, On the Farm, In the Wild, In the Sea, At the Poles, On the Wing, and In the Past.                                                                                      

 

Afloat! Written by Kirli Saunders and illustrated by Freya Blackwood. Levine Querido, Chronicle. Raincoast. 2025. $25.99 ages 6 and up

"Walk a little further with me. 
We are here to collect the vines. 

Here to find the rushes, 
to fuse the fibers. 

Sit beneath the stringybark with me. 
We are here to soak and split."

Australian writer, Kirli Saunders, invites young readers to accompany an elder and child as she introduces the values of traditional knowledge. The text speaks of yarning, a practice that refers to storytelling as much as it is concerned with the fibre arts. 

These female elders pass down their understanding and knowledge concerning the environment. As they walk together, the two meet community members and take careful note of what is happening around them. They also continue to collect vines and rushes needed for the yarning. Yarning is what the community does to bring people together and to pass along knowledge about rising sea levels, cultural displacement and climate change. Weaving Indigenous knowledge into the fabric of their days and lives, the community works together to create a better world. 

Freya Blackwood has been illustrating books for children for more that twenty years. The warmth she brings to her visual storytelling is evident on every spread, as she follows the woman and child along the water and past an everchanging landscape. Scenes of garbage dumped in the water, crumbling foundations, and a community of the homeless eventually become background to the growing knowledge and interest in making life better. The people bond through their art and create textiles woven together into an uplifting image that promises a brighter future.  

"We are here to fly,
here to shape this world together."
                                                                                    

Night Light, written and illustrated by Michael Emberley. Holiday House, Penguin Random House. 2025. $20.49 ages 3 and up

 

"How is that?

Too bright!

You're right. 
Here. 

Better?"

The main characters are clad in pajamas, and wearing bright noses and hats with pointy ears to match the pjs. They are preparing for bed by looking for books to read together. (I love that the last one chosen is Go Away, Big Green Monster, written by Michael's father Ed in 1993 and one of my all time favorites to read to kids). 

Once settled in bed, the reading begins. All too soon, a blackout makes it impossible to continue. What will they do? A flashlight makes a difference for mere moments as its batteries are dying and the light is fading. A long ladder will work for climbing out into the sky to capture as many stars as possible. Whoa! Now it's too bright. Sunglasses help with the shine, and the reading continues until the last book is read. 

While settling in for sleep, the little one hears sobbing coming from outside his window. It's the moon lamenting the darkness created when the stars disappeared. What to do? Easy peasy ... gather them up and send them back to the sky. Wait! Now, it's too dark inside again. Taking the one star left in the bag, two pillows and blankets, Papa implements the perfect plan. 

Using minimal text and artwork filled with warmth and charm, Michael Emberley has created another winner for emerging readers. What an adventure! If this sounds like a book you would like to share with your favorite beginning reader and want more like it, check the library for I Did It! (Holiday House, 2022) and Let's Go! (Holiday House, 2024).

Poo-Dunit? A Forest Floor Mystery, written by Katelyn Aronson and illustrated by Stephanie Laberis. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2022. $11.99 ages 3 and up

 

"OH, POOOOORCUPIIIIINE ... 

"Not mine," he said. 
"You've got it wrong. 
My poo is short! 
This poo is long. 

Ask Fox.""

Need I say it? Readers are going to love this book. It's easy to tell from the mouse's face on the front cover that its morning has not started well. What is that smell? It turns out that it is a BIG pile of poo. Mouse wants to know who the culprit is that left it so close to his burrow. 

Eager to solve the mystery, Mouse turns first to Squirrel. Squirrel is appalled and blames skunk. Skunk explains that its poo is thin, while this pile of poo is very thick. The questioning continues with Porcupine, Fox, Coyote, and Deer, who is quick to state it is much too messy to belong to her. Mouse is irate and determined to discover who left that poo at his door. 

There are some clues - must be big, hairy, and eat seeds and berries. Oh dear, it's Bear. Bear is happy to admit it. 

"A poo that no one can outdo! 

A poo that no one can out-poo!" 

Has Mouse found the offender? Apparently, not! Can you guess? 
Mouse is quite resourceful. Next spring brings a more pleasant odor. 

Back matter offers a game concerning whose poo is whose, and a brief explanation for the value of poo in the grand scheme of things.   
                                                                          

My friend Don and I have launched a new adventure. We have been presenting Great Books For Great Kids workshops for teachers and others for more than twenty years. We recently decided to give podcasting a try. Episode One is launched! You can find it here: 

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-1-lets-get-started/id1806751468?i=1000702261476

Good Golden Sun, written and illustrated by Brendan Wenzel. Little, Brown and Company. Hachette, 2025. $25.99 ages 4 and up

 

"Good golden sun, 
          does your belly ever ache? 

All the world is 
filled with sweetness. 

Would you like a little taste? 

Good golden sun, 
          tell me, how'd you get so big?"

The shadowed darkness of the opening endpaper hints at the sun's rise. Turn to the title page and a flower bud responds to the sun's light. The flower opens, the shadows begin to fade, and the sun pokes higher in the sky. A narrative voice welcomes the sunlight, asking where it has been. The text continues in a series of questions concerning every day events happening on earth. 

As a bee takes flight from darkness to light, it lands on the opened flower, taking its collected pollen back to the beehive where it is met by other bee friends. The narrator wonders if the sun is lonely on its own in the sky.  From flower to bee, from bee to hive, from the hive's honey to bear, its role is important in the earth's life. It doesn't stop at the bear. That bear is bitten by a mosquito that flies away to be eaten by a bird. The bird drops an egg just in time for a mouse's meal. So it goes, from morning till night, with the sun providing the energy and warmth needed at every moment along the way.  

The cut paper, watercolor, acrylic, colored pencil and crayon artwork is digitally created, and stunning. The sun's path is a constant as it bathes each and every creature it encounters in a warm glow that is sure to delight readers. Brilliantly detailed art, as we have come to expect from Mr. Wenzel, fills each spread with a glow as the sun moves across the sky. 

"Good golden sun, 
            there is nothing more to ask.
Every day's the same - 
            you stay silent as you pass."
                                                                                     

If You Were Here, written by Kathy Stinson and illustrated by Maya McKibbin. Greystone Kids, 2025. $23.95 ages 4 and up

 

"If you were here, we would smell
the damp mushrooms and moss 
deep inside these woods,

see the pine trees like towers so high, 
and hear whispers in the needles on the ground."

The child who narrates this book seeks solace in natural surroundings as a loss is mourned. We don't know who is missing; we do know they are keenly missed. All the sights and smells remind the child of what another day would be like if they could just be together again. 

Wandering through a green and sunny meadow into the darkness of the deep forest and then out onto the seashore where all senses are fully engaged by the smell of the ocean, the sight of items washed up by a storm, the feel of sunshine on cool skin as it pokes through cloudy skies, and the sound of waves washing over seashore pebbles, are moments the two would savor together.

The final double-page spread shows the joys found in the wander through nature ... a lovely collection of child-like colorful and heartfelt images of the two together doing what they loved to do. Readers are left to consider and decide what may have happened to the loved one. Did they move away? Why are they no longer where the child is? This heartfelt story leaves space for open discussion of grief and loss, while also considering the peace found in nature. 

Gorgeous digital images of the Pacific Northwest environment where the artist lives accompany this quiet story of love and loss. The details are truly lovely, and offer perspective shifts that are sure to hold attention and offer opportunity for further conversation. 
                                                                                            

Little Bird Laila, written by Kelly Yang and illustrated by Xindi Yan.Dial Books for Young Readers, Penguin Random House. 2025. $24.99 ages 4 and up

 

"Mama and Baba want to take English classes, 
but they cost too much money. 

(People say America is free, but it's actually 
really expensive.)

I wish there was a way. One night, as I'm 
watching my neighbor's TV, an idea comes 
to me. 

Maybe I can be their teacher."

Laila is the daughter of Chinese immigrants who don't speak or read English. Laila is with them whenever they face new and often challenging situations. Opening a bank account, filling in forms (which are not always done perfectly), and protecting them from the taunts of neighbors. It isn't fun to have others make fun of them. 

Laila knows how clever and capable her parents are, how kind their actions are at every turn, and how funny they really are. They can't afford to take lessons in English. Laila makes it her work to teach them. It is not easy for Laila as she is learning very difficult language lessons herself. 

"C'mon, out with it! 
Don't beat around the bush!

This is getting out of hand! 

You really missed the boat on that one!"

It's a lot to understand and share with her parents. There are many obstacles. Laila is persistent even though it is tough going. They share jokes in both languages and improve day by day. Mama and Baba make their daughter proud. At the first parent-teacher conference, they are able to communicate and explain that it is due to Laila's teaching. 

Warm art, created digitally, shares the emotional journey when learning a new language Expressions are clear as the three show persistence and patience navigating their new reality. Young readers will be interested to see the speech bubbles that show both Chinese and English words. This is Kelly Yang's debut picture book, and shows promise for what comes next. 

Head Full of Clouds, written by Joanne Schwartz and illustrated by Afsaneh Sanei. tundra, Penguin Random House. 2025. $24.99 ages 5 and up

"Hop over the lines in the sidewalk. 
Where the concrete is cracked, weeds push through, 
   spreading along the seam like a tiny forest, 
         roots winding down, down into the earth below."

Do you sometimes wake up in the morning with just a hint of a dream you were dreaming still in your head? The young girl in this story can't quite remember what she was dreaming about. The first illustration makes that abundantly clear for readers. While having breakfast with her bunny friend, she feels a bit foggy. 

As she wanders outside, last night's rain remains in ocean-like puddles that support all types of marine life. Once the brain fog has cleared and she is bent on exploring her natural surroundings, she settles in to some regular routines that still seem slightly surreal. 

Her senses are fully alert as she wanders free. Filling the bird feeder results in a wide variety of creatures hidden nearby; biting into an apple offers a taste worth writing about in a poem; the cracked lines in the sidewalk make a home for a multitude of tiny blossoms; pigeons leave and return to a rooftop in a flurry of purple and green; a busker fills the air with music from his violin; and the old maple tree in the end of the park offers safe haven for a girl seeking shady comfort. 

She is not done yet. She still has time to watch a boy and his dog, to roll down a hill, and to watch a line of ants as they carry food to their home colony. What wonder for the senses is found in this magical, natural world. Only then does she remember a whiff od her morning dream ... a secret from the ocean. That reminder is forgotten when she hears a friend's voice that causes her to run forward into the real world for hugs and a happy reunion. 

Ms. Sanei's exceptional images, created in acrylic gouache and color pencil, then finished digitally, beautifully strengthen the measured words chosen to provide the sights and sounds of nature. The changing perpectives invite close attention, and the chosen colors add depth and surprise.  

The world is an astounding place! 
                                                                             

  

My friend Don and I have been presenting workshops about great books for kids for many years, and we made the decision recently to give podcasting a try in an effort to share with listeners some of our experiences in reading with and to kids in our classrooms and libraries. 

 

Here's the link. We hope you enjoy listening. 

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2467382?client_source=large_player&iframe=true&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.buzzsprout.com%2F2467382%2Fpodcast%2Fembed

Plight of the Pelican: How Science Saved a Species, written by Jessica Stremer and illustrated by Gordy Wright. Holiday House, Penguin Random House. 2025. $26.99 ages 7 and up

 

"To try and help pelicans survive, 
scientists removed some from the wild, 
placed them in zoos, 
and fed them food free of DDT. 

Fragile eggs were warmed away from parents
so shells wouldn't 

      crack     and    break." 

In a new release from the books for a better earth series, readers learn about the scientists who work diligently to solve mysteries in the natural world. This research was concerned with dwindling numbers of brown pelicans. In the 1950s, there was worry that fewer pelican chicks were being born, and it was noted that it was also happening with bald eagles, raptors, and other birds of prey. 

Focusing on the pelicans, scientists set to work to try to understand what was causing the loss. The first clue was that the eggshells were not strong enough to hold the weight of the parents who were sitting on them. How could that be? Making connections led to the fact that DDT was being found in water and soil ... and in the animals pelicans ate. It was in every part of the food web. 

Taking some pelicans into captivity to provide them with food free of the pesticide, and to incubate fragile eggs, the scientists pleaded that the spraying be stopped. Although she is not mentioned, the work of Rachel Carson was the catalyst needed to bring awareness and change. It took people protesting and government action. The pelican population improved over the next thirty-seven years, until they were no longer in danger of extinction. 

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the many other plants and animals that are at risk today. 

"Pollinators dwindle as food sources disappear. 

Songbirds struggle to find a suitable spot to hatch their young. 

Marine life gobble garbage. 

Yet there is hope." 

The work that helped the pelican can continue to fight against climate change and habitat loss. It takes constant work and concerned citizens to speak out and work toward change. 

This tribute to the hard-working scientists who worked diligently to solve a mystery is written in clear and compassionate language, and is accompanied by appealing gouache and acrylic illustrations sure to engage young readers. Backmatter is very useful, and includes the effects of DDT, where to learn more about the brown pelican, a glossary, a bibliography, and an index. 

How To Pee Your Pants * the Right Way, written and illustrated by Rachel Michelle Wilson. Feiwel and Friends, Raincoast. 2024. $24.99 ages 4 and up

 

"If the adults make you sit on a bubble-wrapped chair
while you wait for clean clothes, try not to take it
personally. They've probably forgotten what it's
like to pee their pants.

They'll remember in a couple of years."

Oh, so funny! Can't wait to read it to kids. There is absolutely no judging this tiny, bespectacled bird for the accident described here. It can, and does, happen to many. It could be at school, at home in bed, or really anywhere. There are many reasons that it might happen to you. 

Trying to avoid it involves persistence, contortions, and inevitability. Knowing what to do when it happens requires advance consideration. What do you do if? Book research might be the answer; try books titled Go with the Flow, Urine Control, Pee Prepared, The #1 Rule, and this book as well. 

The distractions offered are priceless, the cover-ups endless and the calls for help inventive. The school office staff is obviously prepared for such events, where sitting to wait on a bubble-wrapped chair is the ultimate punishment. The fact that a second chair is fully prepared for someone else provides a touch of comfort. 

The final spreads provide grand advice: 

"Be the friend you wish you had ... 
... when you peed your pants. 

I am laughing out loud! 

,,, and thinking how an empathetic response in other situations can make things much better. 

Don't miss the endpapers, and be sure to allow time for taking a close look at every spread. Color choices are perfect, and the changing perspectives move the action from concern to acceptance with honesty and compassion.