Our Ancestors' Kitchen, written by Willie Poll and illustrated by Shaikara David. Annick Press, 2025. $23.99 ages 6 and up

 

"In the minoomin, I can see our ancestors out 
on the water. Our relations look happy, strong,
and well fed. 

The wild rice is healthy too - 
I can see it so clearly in abundance, 
a time when it grew row after row. 

It makes me hopeful that the minoomin 
will be strong again one day."

Working with her grandmother to help make her grandfather's favorite foods, the young narrator reminds readers that memories are taught through meals eaten. The kitchen is a wonderful place to begin with minoomin (wild rice). It goes in the water, and the steam that rises shows the setting change to a time past when her ancestors harvested it in abundance. 

Returning her attention to the present, she smells the moose meat she and her grandfather brought home to be shared with their community. Grandma is ready to make candy with maple syrup (zhiiwaagamizigan), also collected with Grandpa in the winter. Yum! It is a favorite. Next up for cooking are the sunchokes (Jerusalem artichokes) which were harvested and stored through the winter. In her language the sunchokes are called "ashkibwaa". Grandma is very proud of her granddaughter learning their language.

Blueberries are last and remind the little one of so many aunties gathering them into large baskets. She enjoys her first taste. The table is prepared for the family, and a plate is offered to their ancestors. 

"We laugh, we eat, and we share 
our stories. Our ancestors will 
say goodbye and drift back to 
the spirit world. 

This used to make me sad, 
but I know I can visit them 
through the stories in our food."

Shaikara David’s appealing artwork takes the cooking experience from the kitchen, to the forest, and then back again. An author’s note on traditional harvesting practices is appended with a recipe for Nuwish; soapberry ice cream.                                                                                         

Meet Frederick Banting, written by Elizabeth MacLeod and illustrated by Mike Deas. Scholastic Canada, 2025. $18.99 ages9 and up

"Fred trained to become a surgeon. 
That's a doctor who can perform 
operations. Fred trained at the Hospital 
for Sick Children in Toronto. 

There Fred saw many children who were
sick or dying. He wanted so badly to help
them, especially the kids who had diabetes
like his friend Jennie."

The book opens on the day that Dr. Fred Banting was about to inject his first patient with the newest form of insulin. He had been working for months, with one aim in mind: to find a cure for diabetes, a disease that had killed his friend when both were very young. Fred was determined to make a difference for people all over the world who were living with diabetes. Could he save this scared little girl? It was his fervent hope. 

Ms. MacLeod then looks back at Fred's early life on an Ontario farm. Much younger than his siblings, Fred turned to caring for the animals and learning to observe and diagnose problems that arose with them. His father provided constant support and encouragement. Fred's school friend, Jennie, loved animals just as he did. They spent a lot of time together. Jennie's health began to fail, and soon she was not able to attend school or play with Fred. Jennie had diabetes. It broke Fred's heart when she died. 

After school, Fred headed to university without really knowing what he wanted to study. In his second year, he chose medicine. After graduation, Fred travelled to Britain to care for WWI soldiers who had been wounded in action. While there, Fred's arm was shattered by a bomb and he came close to losing it. Luckily, he was able to care for himself. After the war, he returned to Canada where he began teaching. It was the beginning of his education about diabetes and its causes.

Biochemist John Macleod, a professor at the U of T, offered Fred a lab and an assistant to do the serious work of finding a way to help the many people with diabetes. They worked diligently to develop the insulin that they believed to the be the answer. It worked on a young teen named Leonard Thompson, and the rest is part of our history. For the rest of his life, Fred worked to make the world a better place, and he also spent time painting with his friend A.Y. Jackson. A plane crash near Gander, Newfoundland took his life in 1941; his legacy lives on in the millions of people who have benefitted from his hard work. 

A  timeline of his life and archival photos bring the book to an end.  

Elizabeth MacLeod and Mike Deas have done a remarkable job of bringing important Canadians to the forefront in their series called Scholastic Canada Biography. This is the 14th book in this exemplary series. 
                                                                               

Above, Below, and Long Ago: Animals, Plants and Fossils in Hidden Places. Written by Michael Bright and illustrated by Jonathan Emmerson. Orca, 2025. $26.95 ages 9 and up

"Throughout the summer in northern 
countries, swallows are seen where there 
are plenty of flying insects - their main 
food - which they catch while flying. In 
the autumn, however, the birds leave."

Aristotle thought that swallows hibernated. Naturalists even believed that they actually hibernated underwater, in ponds and lakes. In December 1912, after being fitted with an identity ring, that bird was found in South Africa and scientists finally realized that the swallows migrated. 

In the ABOVE section of the book, readers will learn about the following: Atlantic Puffin, Snow Leopard, Spanish Mountain Flower, Rocky Mountain Goat, Yellow-Rumped Leaf-Eared Mouse, Peregrine Falcon, Yellow-Footed Rock Wallaby and Barn Swallow. In double page spreads, information is provided for these plants and animals that can be very hard to see unless you like climbing rocks. Short paragraphs are accompanied by exceptional linocut prints that show each in clear detail. I thought I recognized a few, but others were brand new to me. 

Moving on to BELOW, where plants and animals live out of sight of prying eyes, Michael Bright wants his audience to know about the Olm, the Basking Shark, the White-Nest Swiftlets, the Mole, the Western Underground Orchid, the Brown Rat, the Common Eel, and the Mariana Snailfish. While I was sure I knew a few, I was surprised to learn much more than I had known prior to reading this book. Did you know the star-nosed mole is the fastest-eating mammal on earth? Or that the eel changes color as it ages ... to yellow and then later to silver? I love learning new things. 

As if that wasn't enough, Mr. Bright finishes with LONG AGO, about which I knew very little. In this section, readers will meet the Ammonite, the Megalodon, the Jurassic Oyster, the Trilobite, the Coelacanth, the Horseshoe Crab, the Ginkgo Tree, and the Tuatara. I did think I knew something about the Horseshoe Crab. Wrong!

"First appearing about 450 million years ago, horseshoe crabs are included as living fossils, but they are not crabs - they're more closely related to spiders." 

Back matter includes a world map, and places each included subject on it with a description of its location. Following the map, there is a glossary, a very interesting description for the making of the illustrations by Jonathan Emmerson, and finally, a useful index.

"Imagine a great white shark that’s almost twice as long as a bus, with jaws that could swallow a fully grown person whole, and teeth as big as your hand ..." 

What can it be?                                                                               

Go, Sloth, Go! Written by Gabrielle Prendergast and illustrated by Sophie Benmouyal. Orca, 2025. $21.95 ages 2 and up

 

"Oh, 
        sloth, 
                  oh!

Your toe, 
       sloth, 
             your toe."

Sloths are meant to be in trees unless they need to go to the bathroom, once a week or so. That is exactly where we meet the story's main character. Moving slowly, while encountering other denizens of its forest home, the sloth is content. Little does she know that her life is about to become an unexpected adventure. It's all due to a high wind that blows her right out of the tree and deposits her on the road below. Luckily, a passing truck driver is able to avoid an accident. 

However, the sloth has suffered an injury in the fall. A sharp cut on her foot radiates pain and discomfort. It's straight to the vet, and some tests to discover the seriousness of the injury. A few stitches, a practised finger flex, and the sloth is good to go. Transported by the driver back to a wooden dock, where a tethered canoe helps make a quick return to her forest home.   

The text is perfect for little ones showing an interest in a book's language. Three-word rhyming refrains capture the actions, while the digital artwork tells the full story through full page spreads that show facial expression in every detail of the adventure. 

An author's note reminds that, as humans encroach on sloth habitat, drivers must be ever-vigilant when passing nearby. Little ones will enjoy the tale, and will soon be mimicking the telling.                                                                                      

You're A Poet: Ways to Start Writing Poems. Written by Sean Taylor and illustrated by Sam Usher. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2024. $24.99 ages 8 and up

 

"As loud as a stomping monster!
As loud as a truck in a tunnel! 
As loud as a tiger roaring! 
As loud as a wild wind whirling! 

As quiet as a baby breathing. 
As quiet as an apple on a branch. 
As quiet as a feather falling onto the sand. 
As quiet as the moon rising in the night."

Squirrel and Piglet are on vacation at the beach on two separate days when the weather is very different.  Their first day is windy, wild and noisy; their second is still, peaceful and quiet. Tired, they lay on their beach towel, and remember their words from the two days. After repeating them, Piglet suggests that they have created a poem. Indeed, they have. 

Following the telling of that story, Sean Taylor has a suggestion for emerging poets. He explains for them what a comparing poem is, and offers suggestions about writing one for themselves. Perhaps they might think of comparing bright/dark or light/heavy. 

In other chapters, Mr. Taylor uses warm and entertaining stories about Piglet, his family and friends to  present opportunities for thinking about poetry and how it works. Following the story, a kind of poem is described: a puddle poem, a making-a-person-out-of-something poem, an if-I-was poem, and finally, an I-would-give-you poem. Add to each a two-page spread labelled Writing Secrets meant to inspire young poets to use their senses, add details that are surprising, write with a partner, daydream before writing, and take time to give it your best. 

As a huge fan of Sam Usher's work, his watercolor and ink artwork does not disappoint. His characters hold such appeal, and fully match the joy and encouragement Sean Taylor offers for taking time to give poetry a go. If you are one of those people who is wary of poetry, this book is a tremendous asset. What a truly original and creative way to get kids, their parents and teachers thinking about writing poetry based on experiences and ideas! 
                                                                                    

Cranky, Crabby Crow (Saves the World), written and illustrated by Corey R. Tabor. Greenwillow Books, Harper. 2025. $24.99 ages 4 and up

 

"Crow waits at his spot
on the wire. 
Alone. 

When suddenly ... 

RING - RING
RING - RING"

Crow is sitting on a telephone wire when Squirrel comes along to share some good news. Crow shows no interest; Squirrel scurries away. Hummingbird is interested in playing games. No response, but one loud "KAW!" The same happens with Rat and then Bat. Cat has been watching, and lets Crow know he's putting himself in a bad place ignoring his friends. Crow treats Cat in exactly the same way as the others. 

Still alone, Crow finally receives the message he has been expecting. Asked if he has cleared the area and offering a positive response, Crow can finally begin his mission. Descending on an elevator inside the telephone pole, he reaches his secret lair and finds what he needs to spring into action. He dons the spacesuit, climbs aboard a waiting rocket ship, and zooms toward a gigantic meteor headed straight for Earth. Crow's training bodes well for the task at hand: to dash the meteor into small pieces before it reaches the Earth's atmosphere. Success! Only then does Crow invite his fine friends to join him on the wire: he has a spectacular surprise for them. 

Readers will be delighted to find a secret code on the final spread, which is sure to help them decipher a message found on the endpapers. It's a hit! 

Feelings Are Like Farts, written by Christopher Willard and Tara Wosiski and illustrated by Toshiki Nakamura. Henry Holt and Company, Macmillan. Raincoast. 2025. $24.99 ages 4 and up

"You might want to blame them on 
someone else, but that's not cool. 

They can make you laugh with friends, 
but they can be troublesome, too. 

It you take a few deep breaths to get 
things settled, they might pass."

You may have never considered just how closely feelings resemble farts. If that is so, you need to read this book. I know Chelsea is going to love it. I also know that it will lead to discussions concerning the truth of the statement that compares the two. 'Feelings are a lot like farts.'

The authors remind readers that the two are a part of our lives. There are times when they stick around for a while, but not too often. With each page turn, there are reminders about the countless ways that they are the same. They can sneak up on you, making your embarrassment evident whether it is a feeling or a fart. They might happen anytime, with a warning or not. 

Each scenario offers a touch of humor, while also providing understanding for the fact that both can be a bother. With family, it's not often too big a deal. With friends, it might be a bit of a problem. The appealing and emotional artwork, done mainly in gray scale, shows expressive faces and scenes where feelings and reactions are evident. Occasional use of color adds depth to the emotions felt. 

In the end, readers are reminded that:

"It isn't the first and it won't be the last - just like 
your farts, your feelings will pass!" 

Funny, yet so true ... "                                                                                   

You're On Your Way! Written and illustrated by Melanie Watt. Little, Brown and Company. Hachette, 2025. $20.99 ages 5 and up

 

"Do you know how much FUN 
we'd have together? 

More FUN than playing
in the park ... 

More FUN than movie night ... 

More FUN than a birthday party ...

More FUN than popping 
bubble wrap!"

If you met Bunny in You're Finally Here (Kids Can Press, 2011), you are likely to welcome this exuberant, friendly bunny back today. He wants to be part of the readers' celebrations; there are a multitude of reasons. Wait! What is being celebrated? It is never entirely clear, but the rabbit knows that having him along can only make it much better. No matter where you are going, it's always more enjoyable with a companion. Don't you agree? 

As he describes a myriad of events that can only be improved  when shared, readers won't be able to contain their giggles. These comic interruptions to the good wishes for being on the way forward are a constant reminder the Bunny is available for the adventure. It's his way of letting the reader know they will be missed.  

Ever-changing perspectives, a dramatic tone, and speech bubbles bring attention at every turn to the way the bunny is feeling for the change about to happen. It's great fun and will be much appreciated for its premise, making it a great gift for the end of the school year, graduation or other such celebrations. Having your biggest fan along for the ride may not be the worst thing to happen. Should a child decide to take Bunny along, they may find themselves surprised by the list of amenities needed to have it work. It turns out it is a touch too much! 

The Tufted Puffins of Triangle Island, written by Deborah Hodge and illustrated by Karen Reczuch. Groundwood, 2025. $21.99 ages 6 and up

 

"A cool ocean is vital for the puffins - if the water is 
too warm, there is less food for the hungry birds, and 
fewer chicks are able to develop and thrive. 
       The parents carry the fish they catch back to the 
burrow, holding them crosswise in their beaks - up
to twenty small fish at a time." 

In this new book, Deborah Hodge invites readers to join her on a visit to a remote place off Vancouver Island where thousands of tufted puffins return to land after a long winter at sea. It is on Triangle Island that they will lay their eggs and prepare for the arrival of new life. The island itself is an Ecological Reserve, which means it is closed to the public in order to protect the birds there and their habitat. The surrounding ocean is a Marine Wildlife Area that restricts anything that might harm the creatures there. 

It is a secluded spot with no humans or land predators. It protects more than a million seabirds, including the 50,000 Tufted Puffins that return each year. The island is bustling with their arrival. The birds find their mates (same one each year) and clean out their same burrow or dig a new one, before building their nest at the back. One egg is laid, protected by both parents under their brood patch for the warmth needed. 

It takes six weeks before a tiny bird breaks through the shell and lets its parents know that food is necessary. Plentiful fish are at the ready for capture, so long as the ocean remains cool. The chick consumes everything provided, and grows quickly. Six weeks later, it is independent and gone! Other young puffins do the same. When summer comes to a close, all puffins fly to the cold waters of the North Pacific Ocean. The island is deserted, and will be until the following spring. I was amazed to learn that the young puffins stay out on the open ocean for two or three years. Once they are ready to lay their own eggs, they will return to the place they were born. And the cycle begins once more. 

Back matter offers thumbnail sketches of other birds that make their home on Triangle Island. Also included is further information about the island itself, a list for further exploration, and acknowledgements to those who helped with bringing the book to publication. 

This is an excellent addition to the Wild by Nature series which explores the unique links between ecologically sensitive species and habitats, and encourages the preservation of the world's wild places.                                                                                 

 

One Day: A True Story of Survival in the Holocaust. Written by Michael Rosen and illustrated by Benjamin Phillips. Candlewick Studio. Penguin Random House, 2025. $24.99 ages 8 and up

"We were in this camp for two months, breaking stones.
I was just skin and bone. 

Get through one day and then on to the next.
One day at a time. One day after another.

Then we were transferred to a camp at Drancy.
This was a new housing complex that been turned into
a prison camp for Jews." 

When Michael Rosen discovered that his father's uncle and aunt were on the same convoy as Eugene and Oscar Handschuh, he was inspired to tell their true story of survival. In first person narrative, he introduces the father and son who, as Hungarian Jews, were living in Paris and working in the Resistance against the Nazis. 

They had done all they could to protect themselves with false papers. While trying to get new ones, they were discovered and their lives changed. It was December 28, 1942. They were interrogated, treated poorly, and forced into a work camp. They lived their lives from then on one day at a time, never knowing what might happen next. Next, they were sent to a prison camp and worried so much about being deported that they hatched a plan to dig themselves out. When the entrance to the tunnel was discovered, the Nazis gathered needed information from one of the men who worked on it. 

Names were named, and deportation became the punishment. Eugene and Oscar were placed on Convoy 62 with twelve hundred other Jews. They knew nothing about the Holocaust, only that something bad was happening. They had prepared to find a way out, carrying hidden tools with them. Nineteen prisoners escaped, including the father and son. Two made it to Paris, while the father found a place to hide at a farm close by. When safe, he was taken to Paris where he was reunited with his son. Never had hugs been so tight. Still, they didn't know that the train was headed to Auschwitz, or what would happen there. Eugene and his father Oscar survived, Michael Rosen's relatives did not. 

The book ends with hope for father and son. Never does it fail to remember the horror of what happened to so many others. 

"What happened to the twelve hundred people on that train? 
 There were nineteen of us who jumped
on that one day. 

The rest went to Auschwitz. 
Only twenty-nine came back. 

And that's a true story."

Somber colors, created using ink, charcoal and pencil, echo the real sadness for those who endured the horrors of the Holocaust. The repeated "one day" is a reminder to all of the uncertainty of life and the need to be brave and resilient. It introduces the topic to a younger audience in a way that is both solemn and safe, yet informative about a terrible time in the world's history.  It should be shared, then read again to understand the truth of what happened to so many. Much is left unsaid, as it should be for this audience; yet, it balances truth, hope and despair in the most sensitive way. 

                                                                                       

https://youtu.be/gYWMiov0BHM?si=qv1Zb86zGP0u2mH3

The Friendship Blanket, written by Leonarda Carranza and illustrated by Erika Rodriguez Medina. North Winds Press, Scholastic. 2025. $19.99 ages 4 and up

 

"At recess the boy and his friend walk up to 
me. I hold my breath. He comes close to me 
and points at my braids. 

"I told you she's weird," he says to his friend. 
They laugh and whisper and laugh." 

It's very hard for Aurelia to leave her Abuelita behind as she and her mami prepare for their move to Canada. Her grandmother gifts her a colorful blanket to take with her to remind her of her old home. Aurelia is happy with her new room, and her mom's agreement to paint the walls like a sunset. Sleep does not come easily as the young girl has her mind on the next day, and her new school. What will it be like to have so many new friends? 

Her first impression of the school is a good one. It's bigger, and her teacher offers a desk beside a boy Aurelia hopes will be a friend. Unfortunately, that is not to be. He makes fun of her braids at recess, leaving Aurelia sad and anxious for recess to be over. After school, her mami promises a surprise. Home they race to paint her bedroom walls with all the colors of the 'sunsets back home'. If only Abuelita could see it, too. 

That night, Aurelia shares her worries as her mother soothes her to sleep. Recess the following day is another endless time of being alone. That night, while wrapped in her blanket, she dreams of her grandmother's love. With a yearning for friendship, Aurelia takes the feeling left from her dream to school. Once again, no one plays with her. At home, her mother offers comfort, and the simple truth that making friends is not always easy. Poor Aurelia! 

After another dream that offers family support to keep trying, Aurelia begins to notice that others are also lonely, as she is. When she notices another child alone at recess, Aurelia offers to share her blanket. It's the perfect way to begin a new friendship, one that helps make Aurelia feel more comfortable in her new home. 
                                                                                 

How to Make a Bedtime, written by Meg McKinlay and illustrated by Karen Blair. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2024. $24.99 ages up to 3

 

"Now you're rosily warm 
     and deliciously dry.
But you can't go to bed yet. 
I think you know why."

Front endpapers show a wee child and a pajama-clad brown bear, playing beneath a blanket tent ... fully content and peaceful. Turn to the title page, and the child is boarding the bear's broad back for a cozy ride up the stairs while showing his readiness for what's to come next. 

The first part of making a bedtime is a warm, soapy bath, a quick rubdown with a soft towel before donning nighttime attire. Ready to climb into bed? Not quite yet. Where's Teddy? Why, he's right there on the pillow and under the covers the two will share. 

No good night yet ... a soft lullaby, a warm hug, and the time has come. Eyes drooping, but first a story! Which one shall it be? 

"When the final page turns, 
     when the telling is past, 
     when our story is over,
         it's bedtime at last." 

As the child snuggles down to sleep, the bear leaves with the promise to back in the same place tomorrow to do it all over again. Back in the shared blanket tent, the bear finally closes his own eyes having done his level best to send the little off to dreamland. 

Calmly reassuring, this is sure to be a favorite for nights to come. Deservedly so! 
                                                                                

The Gathering Table, written by Antwan Eady and illustrated by London Ladd. Alfred A. Knopf, Penguin Random House. 2025. $24.99 ages 4 and up

 

"Fireworks ignite, 
illuminating the sky. 
We gather round the table
where all things new are celebrated. 

New year. 
New dreams.
New life."

A young boy introduces readers to something very special to him. It's a table where all family traditions happen. He is always prepared for time at that table. His family gathers under a Spanish moss covered tree to celebrate his grandparents and the family they have built. Each time they are together, they celebrate love of family. The table serves as a place for all to come together throughout the year for food, fireworks, and family events. 

The child's observances are shared in text that is reverent and amusing as he describes the 'slobbery love' as his grandparents share a kiss, the hope that comes from his daddy changing his baby sister to make things smell much better, and the joy felt when his two uncles can finally get married. 

"Spanish moss, 
swaying to and fro, 
dances in the wind. 
My uncles, 
swaying to and fro, 
dance in each other's arms." 

The table shines with pride as cake is shared, and laughter too. In summer, it is covered in newspapers and piled high with familiar food for everyone to share. On another day, the tree provides shelter, the family exudes love, and their table of freedom allows family and friends to gather to celebrate Juneteenth.  

Mixed-media artwork pictures the warmth and joy as family dedicates best moments to the connections made that hold great importance to all.  An author's note explains that it is the table of his childhood and his lifetime. Many lessons were learned from those who shared it. What wonderful memories! 
                                                                                        

The Couch in the Yard, words by Kate Hoefler and illustrations by Dena Seiferling. Neal Porter Books, Holiday House. Penguin Random House, 2025. $25.99 ages ages 4 and up

 

"This is the car that sputters and runs
as they load up the couch, still warm from the sun ... 
... to go on a trip that they take every night
with their dog in the back and their couch tied tight."

Oh, I love this book! Always a city kid, I rarely had the chance to immerse myself in the wonders of the outdoors where nighttime brought deep darkness. Reading it evokes memories of family visits with relatives who lived in rural Saskatchewan, and the many treasures that found space in yards and fields nearby. A dentist's chair, an old tractor, abandoned cars and other implements provided endless games during our visits. 

In this house in the hills, the family's yard sports a rusted old car up a rutted road and beneath the trees. Near the house is a couch, just sitting in that yard. Put the two together and you have an adventure waiting to happen. There are people there who know just what to do to get that car started, to get the sofa loaded on the car's roof, and to set off on a nightly trip along gravelly roads up the mountains and down, where abandoned cars litter a field. Once there, imagination has free rein to fly them over and above the field of cars into the beauty of a moonlit night where stars shine and the warm glow offers peaceful wonder. 

Their adventure ends and they return home - 

"where a car and a couch aren't thrown away -
where they fly in the night and sleep in the day."

A walk back to the house under the moonlit sky is filled with family love, and a readiness to head out again tomorrow. The cumulative rhyming text and atmospheric digital illustrations put readers in a place of beauty and serenity, where the family finds joy in being together in the wonders of the world that is theirs. 

King of the Dump, written by Tim Wynne-Jones and illustrated by Scot Ritchie. Groundwood, 2025. $21.99 ages 3 and up

 

"GRRRRRR

Got to make it small as can be. 

Squish! Squash! 

Why? 

Because there's soooo much!"

Teddy and his dad are busy at work when we see them for the first time. Carrying paper, recyclables, glass containers and even a ride-on toy, they are on a mission to get it all in the back of the car. On their way, Teddy wonders if he might keep the toy. Dad reminds him that he is too tall to ride it anymore. Their arrival at the waste management center is a revelation for the little boy.

As they begin to unload what they have brought, Teddy notices a plastic jug put in with the tins. The two retrieve it; Teddy tosses it into the proper place. As they prepare to leave their paper waste, Teddy runs around picking up what has blown outside the big bin. Machine noise captures his attention, and he watches the many machines at work compacting the mountains of trash. There is a lot! 

As a bin fills up with cardboard, a garbage truck comes along to transport it to another depot where it will be recycled to make new boxes. Finally, Teddy's toy is carefully carried from the car to an 'as is' shop for those who might use it. It's placed along with other salvageable items. As he hugs his toy goodbye, the shop lady places a gold crown on Teddy's head. Looks pretty good there. Just before they leave, a family with a toddler comes in. Guess what will work perfectly for them? 

This is a terrific look at all that happens in a waste management facility. Scot Ritchie's signature artwork, drawn in pencil and ink, is detailed and very appealing for all young children wondering what happens to those things we are ready to recycle. It's a great look!                                                                                  

The House on the Canal: The Story of the House That Hid Anne Frank, written by Thomas Harding and illustrated by Britta Teckentrup. Candlewick Studio, Penguin Random House. 2025. $25.99 ages 8 and up

 

"Not long after, a tall man in a fine suit rented 
the house on the canal for his business. Downstairs,
they mixed and packed herbs and spices. The air 
was filled with the scent of faraway lands. 

Some days, the tall man was visited by a young 
girl with a sweet smile. She had a sparkle in her
eye and a pen and notebook in her pocket. 

She was his daughter."

This book is a life story ... of a house. An archival picture following the title page lets readers know that the house sits in the middle of Amsterdam, next to a canal. It is nearly four hundred years old today, and has evolved from one to many different things over the course of its life. It is an 'extraordinary' building, we are told.

It began as marshland, supporting cows, herons, field mice and even a flock of seagulls. After many years, it was chosen for building a sturdy canal, and humans worked the land on either side. Soon, a stonemason felt it to be the perfect place to build his family home ... strong and sturdy as could be. Other houses quickly surrounded it, then a church. It was lived in by a large family before it began to deteriorate. Purchased by a wealthy merchant, it was soon returned to its former glory and provided a warm and inviting place for entertaining. 

After thirty years, the owners moved and once again, the house suffered from neglect. It began a new life as a barn for horses, spiders, mice and bats. Following that, other families lived in the house on the canal; one planted a chestnut tree in the garden. After a devastating fire, a new family made its presence known with songs and laughter. The threat of war and the arrival of trucks and tanks sent people running in fear. The house returned to emptiness. 

When the man on the cover rented the house, he could not have known how it would impact the life of his family and friends. With the arrival of the Nazis, Amsterdam became unsafe for all Jewish people. His family and four others hid in top floors of the annex, in hopes they would evade the police ... endless days of terror helped by friends who brought food and other necessities. The young girl's diary reflected all that happened while they were in hiding. 

The family was eventually found by the soldiers and taken away. Two women took the diary they found there, and kept it safe. The arrival of new soldiers brought cries of welcome and a chance for the father to return to the house ... "tired and alone". The diary was returned to him. 

' ... he read with a 
crack in his heart and tears in his eyes. 
And shared with his family. 

Then his friends. 

And then with the world."

The house again fell into disrepair. Finally, led by the father, the community worked to bring it back to a place that today stands for people to learn about the young girl, her diary, and the hope it held while it protected those she loved. 

Choosing not to name the young girl with the sweet smile until it unfolds following the text, Thomas Harding uses eloquent words to amplify the emotional impact of the house and its story. Britta Teckentrup uses mixed media to bring full impact to the house and its changes over the course of many years, all the while ensuring that readers are fully aware of the evolution of the house, where is sits on the canal, and its place in history. Back matter more fully describes the canal, the builder, the woman and twelve children who made it a happy home, the wealthy merchant, various businesses, the ironmonger, Anne Frank, and The Anne Frank House that stands today. 
                                                                                  

Papa Doesn't Do Anything, written by Jimmy Fallon and illustrated by Miguel Ordonez. Feiwel and Friends, Macmillan. Raincoast, 2025. $23.99 ages 3 and up

 

"Some PAPAs are artists, 
    some fought in a war. 

Some PAPAs even work 
   at the general store."

Tagging PAPA with the suggestion that he doesn't do anything might hit a little too close to home for me these days. As I grow older and have less to do, I find myself sitting in my easy chair with my books and crosswords more often than I used to do. 

This papa's grandson is pretty sure his papa spends every season watching television from his easy chair. It takes no time for Papa to set him straight. In fact, Papa does many things like cooking, mowing, and crossword puzzles. As well as that, because of his height, he can reach up and even lift his grandson above his head. 

Little ones will want to share what their papas do that is similar or different from what this papa does. The list seems endless once Papa gets started. He looks back to what he did when he was younger, and offers stories about some of his feats. Of course, there are papas who do things that he doesn't do, but that does not change the fact that there are (and were) quite a number that make him feel proud. 

While it may look like Papa doesn't do much, he wants his grandson to know that there isn't anything he would not do for him. Happy Father's Day, to all papas, dads, and caregivers who make the days better. 

This is the last book in a series that included DADA, MAMA, BABY, and NANA.

Thank You, Teacher! Written and illustrated by Supriya Kelkar. Farrar Straus Giroux, Macmillan. Raincoast, 2025. $24.99 ages 4 and up

"We got to celebrate together - 
our backgrounds and holidays. 

We have a lot of differences,
but we're connected, always."

School years begin and end in rapid succession, it seems. As another year comes to a close, it's time to reflect on some of the ways that teachers have helped their students during the school year. The opening memory is of the first day of school, showing a tentative child approaching her new teacher with a smile and wave. It's time to get the new year started. 

As the pages turn, days are spent in scenarios that happen in most classrooms throughout the year: storytime, reading and writing, celebrations, Halloween hangovers, outdoor activities, speaking in front of classmates, art and music classes. The list goes on, and reactions to what is happening on days spent together are shared in colorful, detailed mixed-media collages that will have listeners remembering their own days at school. The text is telling, and often compares scenes of varied feelings. 

"There've been days that were sweet.
And days that were too sweet. 

Days when we felt brave. 
And days with cold feet."

All the while the teachers were there doing their best to make a difference for their students. By creating a caring community together, students felt welcome, heard, and a part of something pretty special. This tribute to those who transform the lives of the kids in their classrooms is a lovely readaloud as the days wind down, and will encourage listeners to consider some of their favorite times of the past year.                                                                               

Tig, written by Heather Smith. tundra, Penguin Random House. 2024. $23.99 ages 10 and up

 

"I gave Eddy dirty looks all the time. If there 
was a category in the Guinness World Records 
for the Meanest Look of All Time, my face 
would be next to it. If there was a record for 
the Scaredest Person of All Time, I'd hold 
that too. Because you can have a mean face
and be scared all at the same time. 

Eddy smelled like spring before it's fully 
sprung, when the snow has melted and 
the earth smells damp and rotten. 

Manny smelled like spring when summer 
was on its way and everything smells fresh 
and good. 
I'm glad I didn't punch Manny in the eye."

I waited a while until I read this brilliant book again. It is not something that I do often. My TBR pile keeps getting taller rather than shorter. When I finished it the first time, I sat and did my best to take it all in. I have such love for Tig and her story. She has lived a life of insecurity and abuse and has recently been abandoned by her alcoholic mother. Her imaginary brother Peter has been her rock since she was 6 years old and first suffered at the hands of her mother's boyfriend, who bullied Tig regularly. Peter has been there to provide solace and support when she needed it most. For four months, she has lived alone and done her best to survive with Peter at her side. 

Tig's new home with her Uncle Scoot and his partner Manny should be just what she needs. Peter does his best to help her adapt, to control her anger, and to face the worry that it will never last. Scott and Manny do their very best to provide comfort and safety for Tig as she rages and does all she can to hurt them. They adopt a dog named Guten Morgen to provide her with comfort and unconditional love. With new friends and the will to be a cheese-rolling champion, she begins to feel a sense of community - something she has never felt in her lifetime.

Tig's narration is authentic, filled with sadness and a yearning for better times. It's hard for her to give over to the idea that Scott and Manny will provide the love and permanence that she so badly needs.  It takes a great deal of patience, unconditional love, and full understanding of Tig's reluctance to trust. Heartbreaking to read, yet beautifully written. The characters are real, and so memorable. Not an easy read, but worth the tears!

T Is For Terry: An ABC of Courage, written by Denise Dias and illustrated by Noemie Gionet Landry. North Winds Press, Scholastic. 2025. $18.99 ages 5 and up

                                   

"Nn is for notebook.

Every day was an adventure. 
Terry wrote about his 
thoughts and progress in 
a notebook. He wanted to 
remember everything."

It's been 45 years since Terry Fox began his Marathon of Hope to raise money for cancer research. This book will be published on July 28, Terry's birthday. Terry's legacy lives on in the Terry Fox Foundation and the many yearly runs still undertaken in his honor. 

Many young people today don't know his story. This book sets out to change that, telling the story of Terry's life from his adventurous and happy childhood spent with his siblings to the energy and passion he brought to making a difference for those dealing with cancer. 

Terry loved sports, especially basketball and he worked hard at getting better all the time. When he was diagnosed with cancer at 18 and lost part of his right leg, he spent time with other people who were suffering as he was. He made his decision right then to run across Canada in hopes of drawing attention to the need for more research and learning. He worked hard to gain strength and relearn how to walk and run. 

Terry's friends were great supporters of his dream. Doug decided to travel with him through long days. They started at the Atlantic Ocean in St. John's Newfoundland and spent every day meeting people along the way, keeping in touch with his family, and running close to a marathon every single day (42 kilometres or 26 miles). It took no time until crowds gathered to cheer him on, and make their donations to his Marathon of Hope. He ran for 5,373 kilometres. No matter how tired he was, he knew that millions were watching and wishing him well. 

As the team reached Thunder Bay, Terry had to stop his run due to further illness. His cancer had returned. People from around the world, who had watched his run, made the decision to run for Terry to carry on with his dream, and that has not changed. Many runs in his honor are organized every year. Before Terry died, he had achieved his dream of raising $1 for every Canadian. Since then, the Terry Fox Run has raised more than $850 million to help bring hope and healing to so many.  

Royalties from the sale of this book will be donated to the Terry Fox Foundation to continue the work he started so long ago. Terry's legacy lives on.  

https://youtu.be/70WbeqNOJQs

Steve: A Rare Egg, written and illustrated by Kelly Collier. Kids Can Press, 2025. $18.99 ages 6 and up

"And just think how happy Eggbob's parents 
will be when they come back to find he's 
already hatched. 

Oh,
brother. 

Hang on, Eggbob!
Uncle Steve is 
here to help!

Groan"

Star of two picture books and an earlier graphic novel, Steve is back to entertain readers with his exuberant personality and scientific discovery. A romp in the park has him singing a favorite song about himself when he glances to his right and spots a piece of cake lying atop a garbage bin. The cake is soon consumed; Steve turns his full attention to a red balloon in his path. 

Up pops his gopher friend to warn him of unknown danger. Steve knows that fabulous things cannot be dangerous. Bob Raccoon wants a say about the discovery, hoping to help identify the thing. Steve needs no help with naming it. Happily, he introduces The THINGAMABOB! Call it what you want, his friends want to know exactly what it is. They notice that it is oval, then smooth. Steve is sure it is an egg, even though his friends see no real resemblance. It's red and bouncy. What kind of egg can that be? 

Steve's suggestion is that it is rare. It must be a THINGAMABOB HORSE EGG! Finding its parents becomes a necessity. Since Steve must babysit, his friends take on the task of hanging posters and helping with caregiving as well. The requirements for putting Eggbob to sleep are many, and ridiculous. But they finally work. Kids will be giggling at the antics at every turn. 

While Bob Raccoon wants to rely on scientific and careful observation of the facts, Steve decides that Eggbob is about to hatch. Can it be? Does Steve know best, or will Eggbob prove to be a scientific experiment gone bad? 

Fans will appreciate the humor and silliness of the story, and encourage other readers to check it out. 

Don;'t Cause Trouble, written and illustrated by Arree Chung.Henry Holt and Company, Macmillan. Raincoast. 2025. $19.99 ages9 and up

 

"I'm tired of shopping at the thrift store.
I'm tired of not fitting in. And we don't 
have enough money. 

Never steal. You ask Ma-ma, Ba-ba for 
money.

But, Mom. We can't afford it! You and
Dad don't even have enough to send to 
Uncle ... or to give to the church. 

Plus, I'm making my own money."

Ming is looking for a fresh start in middle school. That is until his mother gives him the usual 'bowl' haircut that he hates. The clothes he wears come from a thrift shop (preferably 50% off). His immigrant parents are Chinese-speaking, and have great difficulty understanding why their son wants to be like all the other kids. His dad expects Ming to get grades that will assure his attendance at Stanford; both parents want him not to cause any trouble. 

Their dreams for their son are far different from what Ming wants for himself. When he is placed in an ESL class, while speaking perfect English, he is thankful that it should get him a great grade. Ming loves to draw more than anything else, and he is anxious to play basketball wearing brand new Air Elevates. Those shoes he will have to earn on his own. 

The realization that Ming should not be in ESL leads to his transfer to Honors English and new friends, Vikrum and Marcus. Finally, he has someone to be with him in times that don't necessarily meet his parents' expectations for staying out of trouble. Through basketball problems, Halloween hijinks, and a crush, the three are there for each other. A real test of their friendship comes when someone steals Ming's shoe money. Ming convinces his friends to support in a crazy shoplifting scheme. Might it be the end of their friendship? There is a lot for Ming to learn about his family and friends, and about being himself.   

Arree Chung writes about his own life in a graphic novel that touches on many issues familiar to middles schoolers. The artwork adds depth and emotion to every part of his life, showing those moments and characters that are sure to engage readers and perhaps provide a mirror to their own lives. 

An added bonus for those readers wanting to draw their own stories, Mr. Chung includes endnotes about writing and making the art for a graphic novel.

Under Anna's Umbrella, written by Amanda Driscoll and illustrated by Luisa Uribe. Roccky Pond Books, Penguin Random House. 2025. $$24.99 ages 4 and up

 

"At home, Anna's umbrella worried her family. 
"I miss seeing your beautiful eyes," said her 
mother. "It looks weird," said her brother. 

But Anna could not let it go. 
Under her umbrella, Anna felt angry."

The book opens with a mother and her children at the scene of a funeral. It is raining; every person in attendance is holding an umbrella. Anna's is red which makes her the focus of the reader's attention. It is protecting Anna on that day, and she promises herself not to go nowhere without it. 

She keeps her word, wearing it to a ball game, in dance class, and at the movie theater. It keeps her safe. At home, it remains over her head. Her mother and brother show concern. Anna doesn't care. While holding a family photo when alone in her bedroom, she allows that the umbrella would not be needed if 'you were still here'. 

Under her umbrella, Anna feels angry, safe, sad, and the subject of unwanted attention when she is at school. Anna will not put it away. Sent to the back of the room where she will not be a distraction, Anna adds loneliness to what she is feeling. Then one day, while walking home from school in a storm, she notices a soaking wet boy. She invites him to join her under her umbrella. Henry accepts. In their escape from the pouring rain, the two talk. It is hard for Anna to show Henry all that she wants to show him. The umbrella is a problem for that. Soon, they are out from under the umbrella to float a boat, and catch raindrops on their tongues.  Feeling happier than she has in a long time, Anna walks home with the umbrella hooked to her backpack. 

It is likely that Anna has lost a parent; that is never revealed. It does not lessen the pain of her loss or leave readers with confusion about the grief she is feeling. Handling the sadness is done in a way that makes sense to the person experiencing it. A new friend helps Anna see a path forward. 

Soft digital illustrations make Anna's emotions clear, and encourage readers to feel empathy for her sadness. By spending time with a new friend and letting go of the umbrella that has been protecting her, she is able to let some light back into her days. 

How to Talk to Your Succulent, by Zoe Persico. tundra, Penguin Random House. 2025. $18.99 ages 8 and up

"You know what? We're going to make something
delicious. And I can't do it without my little sous-chef.

Are we making what I think we're making? 
How did you know baked ziti is my favorite? 

How could I not? You inhaled my baked ziti the last 
time you visited. 
Your mom knew you'd crave it again, so I did what 
all grandmas do best and taught her my recipe. 

Amazing! We can do baked ziti nights again!"

In a graphic novel that is focused on a young girl's grief, readers meet Adara. Following the recent death of her mother, she and her father make the move to live with her grandmother from California to the 'middle-of-nowhere'. Everything has changed for Adara, and for her father who has a tough time dealing with his feelings about their loss and his resulting inability to talk to his daughter about it. 

Adara's mother loved plants. In hopes of helping her deal with her grief, her father surprises Adara with a trip to a nearby greenhouse where, to Adara's surprise, a lovely purple succulent becomes a friend. The fact that Adara can talk to this plant is startling, but also heartwarming as Adara's mom also talked to plants! Adara is excited to share this news with her father, who dismisses it by telling her that plants may not talk to humans but they certainly communicate. Adara names her plant (a Perle von Nurnberg) Perle and takes her home. That relationship blossoms as does a new friendship with Winnie at school. Winnie is a good and accepting friend who cares about Adara, while also knowing what Winnie herself needs. Scenes between Adara and her grandmother offer some relief as do the conversations with Perle. 

Worthy characters and warm illustrations are rich and telling, offering help with understanding how difficult it can be to be heard while also learning to listen. The deeply felt pain that overwhelms Adara and Perle is shown in panels that are awash in thorns. Adara's father works to make changes to help his daughter; the pain both feel is palpable. A hopeful ending allows readers a way forward from the engulfing sadness. 

Back matter is sure to be appreciated. 

Lulu is a Rhinoceros, written by Jason Flom with Allison Flom and illustrated by Sophie Corrigan. Greystone Kids, 2025. $23.95 ages 4 and up

 

"No, I'm a -

That's my HORN! 
      I NEED that!

That's enough!
I've had it with pigeons!
I've had it with dogs! 

I'VE HAD IT WITH EVERYONE!"

Lulu has a very strong resemblance to my granddog Percy. Same color, same bulldog figure, same attitude toward who he thought he was rather than what he was. He let every vacuum he ever met know that he was the most dangerous enemy that machine ever wanted to know. He let animals on tv know that he was not in the least afraid of them. In reality, he was the sweetest 'little man' you could imagine. 
So, seeing Lulu on the front cover of the book brought back memories of Percy and his take on life as he lived it. 

Lulu is quite sure that she only looks like a bulldog. In fact, inside she is quite sure she is a rhinoceros. She admits that she doesn't have thick grey skin, or a tail that 'whips and twirls', or a rhino HORN. When she introduces herself to all other dogs as a rhinoceros, they prove sceptical. It becomes Lulu's lot in life to find a horn that will convince them she is telling the truth.   

Kids will hoot at the attempts made to fashion a reasonable horn for the poor pup. She starts with an ice cream cone ... that leads to brain freeze. An errant sock is too floppy, and stinky. A traffic cone causes a temporary loss of sight. A banana peel proves hilarious to all animals in the park. It does, however, spark interest with a pigeon who runs off with it. Lulu follows the thief straight into the zoo, and the rhino enclosure. OOPS! A chance encounter with a tickbird whose ability to distinguish a bulldog from a rhino is suspect; that bird really needs a rhino. It's the beginning of a fine symbiotic relationship.  

This is the first picture book in a new series. Keep an eye out for LULU MAKES THE BAND. A new family musical based on Lulu is set to premiere on Apple TV+ on Friday, May 30th. Be sure to check it out. 

And She Was Loved: Toni Morrison's Life in Stories, written by Andrea Davis Pinkney and illustrated by Daniel Minter. Little, Brown and Company, Hachette. 2025. $24.99 ages 9 and up

 

"And she was loved ... 

With your college degree in hand,
here comes a golden seed, planted in your ready palm. 
Toni Morrison, sign here, you're hired.
They know you're smart when they let you in
but have no idea how you will build empires."

The remarkable poetry written to introduce middle grade readers to the iconic Toni Morrison is testament to the marvelous talent of another great writer - Andrea Davis Pinkney. Ms. Pinkney has chosen to tell this life story from first chalk writings on the sidewalk where dreams were shared. Born in Lorain, Ohio and named Chloe Ardelia, and living in a rickety old house filled with words and song, Chloe knew great love. 

Words were her friends at school, at home, and on the street. Because she was born to read, she helped her brothers learn. Happy childhood led to university life where she made her presence known, and changed her name to Toni. An historically black university, Howard provided an education that allowed students to think widely and offered an education that led to her working with new writers, while writing quietly and privately on her own stories. 

"You manage a scribbled story 
about a Black girl wishing for sapphire eyes. 
With her tale, your own writing bursts fully alive." 

Toni Morrison's writing and storytelling continues to have great meaning for the world's readers. The Pulitzer and Nobel Prize winner is here honored for the power of her words, and the love she inspired. She was, indeed, loved and continues to be through her life's work. 

"Toni Morrison, you do not shy back.
You - mother of spiritual mythology.
You - deliver the ticket. Finally. A front-row seat to Black-is-truly-beautiful."

In back matter, Ms. Pinkney includes a note about how this poem came to be, and Daniel Minter offers an artist's note on his process for the meaningful artwork. Following that, a paragraph speaks of Toni Morrison's many accomplishments and a timeline for her life from her birth in 1931 until her death in 2019 is shared. Lists of selected works and sources consulted for the writing are appended. 
                                                                                   

Nibi Nigomon: Nibi's Water Song, written by Sunshine Quem Tenasco and illustrated by Chief Lady Bird.Translated by Tina Nottaway. Scholastic, 2025. $8.99 ages 5 and up

"No problem. Thirsty, thirsty Nibi went back 
to the house with the green roof and knocked 
and knocked and knocked ... and knocked some
more. Nobody opened the door this time. 

Kan-nigotisanon. Nibi pagonadim, kigiye koki
migwam kak ka osawanik ogidabik. Ki papowage ...
kawin awik ogi cebadosin."

Do you remember the last time you had no water to drink following a water shutoff? I surely do. Until that happens, we tend not to think much about our dependence on water for daily living. Can you just go the kitchen tap and get a glass of water anytime you feel thirsty? I suspect that your answer is an affirmative one. 

That is not the case for Nibi and her community. When Nibi comes inside for a drink of water to quench her thirst, she is distressed to learn there is no clean water. There is no clean water next door, or down by the river. Everywhere she looks, the water is brown and undrinkable. Perhaps there will be clear, clean water in the next town. Knocking on the door of a big, shiny house, she asks for water. The lady living there offers a bottle and sends Nibi away. 

That water is soon gone; Nibi returns to the same house for more. This time there is no answer to her knocking. The same happens at every house she visits in town. So, Nibi makes a sign that says Water Is Life. She holds it aloft as she dances and begs for the water she needs. Her friends at home want to help. They dance for water with her; some of the townspeople come outside in support of Nibi's need. By working together, attention is finally given to the plight of those who don't have clean water to drink, proving one small voice can bring change when heard. Bravo, Nibi. 

Originally published in 2019, this book is being re-released as a dual language publication. Six years later, it would be wonderful to think that Nibi's song was the beginning of changes for many communities that still have no clean water. Chief Lady Bird has created colorful, appealing illustrations to help young readers with understanding the dilemma shared here. Nibi's story offers a chance for discussion and understanding about a lack of water in Indigenous communities. 

Notes from the author, illustrator, and translator are placed before the book's text. A Let's Talk about Clean Water brings the book to a close. 

"This needs to change. You can be part of the solution. 
If you think everyone should have clean tap water, tell 
your friends, tell your family, tell your teachers - tell 
everyone, just like Nibi."

Wheetle: A Little Wagon with a Big Heart, written and illustrated by Cindy Derby. Roaring Brook Press, Macmillan. Raincoast. 2025.$24.99 ages 4 and up

 

"On Thursday, he carried fourteen 
logs, six dandelions, and a worm for 
the emerald ash borer. 

On Friday, he carried fifty-two bushy 
ferns and one large boulder for five 
very full ladybugs and their chatty 
friend Todd."

Wheetle is a little red wagon determined to do everything he can to make the days better for everyone he calls a friend. Before he leaves home in the morning, he prepares himself with a smile and a check of the calendar. It's telling him that his favorite morning of the year is quickly approaching. 

Then, he's out the door, ready to do what he can do for those in need. The tasks range from offering rides, carrying all manner of things across a rickety bridge, up a hill and down that same hill. He never refuses a request. Being a wagon has determined his life's work, it seems. 

All is well until his back tire begins to wear down. Each day following Wheedle continues with helping the beetles, the marmorated stink bug, the emerald ash borer and a load of ladybugs, wheel squeaking all the while. After all the hard work, a very tired wee wagon settles in for the sleep needed to welcome the day he has been anticipating. 

The next day begins with high hopes for the early morning journey. A call for help has him carrying three mud pies to the bog for a cicada. The tire squeaks louder, the road seems bumpier and finally the tire is done with trying. A flat means Wheetle is going to miss his most favorite thing. At exactly the right moment, friends and neighbors hoist him up and carry Wheetle along the path he continuously follows for them to the brilliance of the early morning sunrise!  

Willing to remain helpful, he continues his daily work ... while taking the occasional day for himself. 

Cindy Derby's text is charming in the details shared, especially when it comes to the cargo Wheetle carries. Her mixed media artwork is quirky and appealing, showing the emotions felt by the tiny wagon as he plies his trade for so many others.  

The Urban Owls: How Flaco and Friends Made the City Their Home, written by Christian Cooper and illustrated by Kristen Adam. Little, Brown and Company. Hachette, 2025. $24.99 ages 6 and up

 

"Some people worried that he might not survive.
But Flaco surprised everyone - he could do just fine
on his own. He used his great big owl eyes to see in 
light much too dim for you and me. 
So Flaco worked the night shift, like most owls do 
(and like some people do too). In the dark he caught 
prey, and he slept during the day."

Christian Cooper knows about birds; he proves that here in his first picture book, aimed at encouraging young children to appreciate and understand more and more about nature. To that end, he introduces his audience to a group of birds that would not necessarily capture the attention of New York City residents.

First up is Flaco, a huge owl who chose to leave the home he had known in the Central Park Zoo and see what he had been missing. After all, his life at the zoo had been spent without room to really fly and with little to do with his time. When he finally found freedom, he made the best of it. Suddenly, his world was filled with lights, noise, traffic, and unbelievably tall buildings. There was worry for his safety; Flaco proved there was no need. He did what owls do ... in a very unusual setting. 

"And even though his family was from very far away - a place 
called Eurasia, near Africa - Flaco became a New Yorker. 
And that's the way it is with a lot of people too."

Barry the Barred Owl is next to be described. She, like many others birds, found a home in Central Park.
Because of the availability of food, Barry outlived any expectations for how long she might stay. People loved to watch her. Geraldine the Great Horned Owl was another denizen of Central Park, despite foot trouble that made it hard for her to find the food she needed. It did not stop her! When a snowy owl made her presence known, she was the first to be seen in more than a hundred years. She didn't stay long, but people loved to take her photo. Rocky the Saw-whet Owl found comfort in the branches of a tall tree where no one really noticed her. Life was good until her tree was cut down and moved to Rockefeller Center at Christmas time. Poor wee owl! 

It turns out that owls can live most anywhere. In back matter, Mr. Cooper provides further facts about each of the featured owls, a Did You Know? list, suggestions for finding owls by using books and the senses, how to protect them, a list for further reading, and selected sources that were used for research to write this book. Kristen Adam's digital artwork was created using Procreate. Her realistic images of the owls presented and the NYC setting do much to bring this story to life. The close-ups are quite arresting.