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

 

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

Because the bear will chase you, forever."

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

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

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

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

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

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

                    "Hmmmm ... " I said. 

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

Imagine their surprise to hear a knock at the door! 

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

                                                                              

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Who else hears its beauty? And where? 

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

An appended note adds further valuable facts about whale song. 
                                                                                        

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

The girls and the grandmother are happy."

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Pig and Cow did not want to be dessert. 

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

A very LONG vacation! 

We have to leave RIGHT NOW!

There's NO WAY you can stop us!"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

                                                                                     

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

 

"Ooh, looks like a 
barred owl up there. 

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

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

Argh! Not quiet."

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

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

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

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

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

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

This book is pure delight! 
                                                                                      

Mac and Croc, written and illustrated by Jami Gigot. Kids Can Press, 2026. $16.99 ages 4 and up

 

"Hello, down there. 
Are you okay?

I'm tangled in the rope. 

Croc can help. Right, Croc? 

My hero!" 

This graphic novel for early readers features two friends. One is gregarious and outgoing; the other is quiet and reserved. When Mac leaves his lighthouse to walk to Croc's house, his mind is on convincing his friend to go on an adventure. Croc is not interested. Despite Mac's pleas, Croc is happy where he is. For every thought Mac has about the fun they might have, Croc has a rejoinder. Could they play chess rather than take on a dragon? Mac would rather bet on the results of a win. They agree. 

Croc is perturbed by Mac's newfound prowess at his favorite game. True to his word, Croc makes extensive preparations for their adventure at sea. When they find themselves lost, Croc's very active imagination results in foolish outcomes. Mac remains hopeful; Croc is doubtful and longs for home. Each of the following parts of their story begins with the pair facing difficulties. Croc remains skeptical and grumbly. Mac tries his best to keep them on track. 

Meeting a mermaid in need of assistance, facing a shark, and calling on a giant octopus for aid will have readers rooting for their success in finding the treasure, then making their way home. It takes a whale migration (Croc's reading has prepared him) to lead them straight home. Arriving at Croc's house, the tide has turned and the need for adventure has found a new fan!  

An excellent use of panels and told entirely in dialogue, this is an adventure that moves very quickly, introduces appealing new friends and humorous escapades, and has elements of courage, adaptation, and persistence. It's a charmer. 

Emilia Wishing, written by Belen Medina and illustrated by Magdalena Mora. Random House Studio, Penguin Random House. 2026. $24.99 ages 4 and up

 

"She waits month after month
until her mother has enough 
to pay, 

imagining wearing her 
new clothes just like the 
other girls."

Emilia is filled with wishes, mostly concerning material things. Sugar cereal would be a treat compared to the toasted tortillas she has each morning. She would love to live in a new house, have a new car rather than their old truck, and even a bed of her own. Alas! It is not to be. 

When her mother takes her to a thrift store to find new clothes for school, Emilia wishes they were at the 'fancy mall' on the other side of town. They carefully search the rows of clothing; Emilia is excited to model what they find. Her mother 'whittles down' their purchase to what she can afford. Taking them to the layaway desk hurts Emilia's heart; nothing goes home with the family. 

The wait until her mama has the money to pay is endless. Each day as they wait, Emilia watches her mother work, work, work from morning until night to buy what the family needs. Poor mama, always tired. When the wait is finally over, the family piles into the truck once more. Mama can make the final payment; she beams with a happiness Emilia has never noticed. Finally, her mama can spin and dance in the one beautiful blue dress she has chosen for herself.  

Ms. Mora's artwork that blends pencil, charcoal, watercolor and ink is rich in color and gratitude. Emotions are evident and enhanced by the colors chosen to portray family life, as well as the different life imagined. This celebration of a hardworking mother's love for her children and their needs is powerful; it is also a hard look at poverty and its heartache.                                                                                 

Mountainous, written and illustrated by Julia Kuo. Greystone Kids, 2026. $24.95 ages 4 and up

 

"But mountains move 
and change, just like you. 

What if you could be like a
mountain, just for a moment? 

Mountains may appear still, but they are
constantly moving in big and small ways.
Over the years, all mountains will rise and then fall."

In this second book in Ms. Kuo's I Am Nature series, she explores the beauty and majesty of mountains which may seem always still to observers. In describing them, she uses her accompanying illustrations to show a child growing up. At first, as mother and child ride a train, they view a mountain in the distance which appears to be standing still. In additional scientific text, mountains are described for readers as 'the tops of our world as we know it'. 

A turn of the page shows a growing child who moves and changes, just as mountains are also moving in 'big and small ways'. Using parallel text to capture the child's growth, while also asking readers to imagine themselves as the mountains displayed in stunning digital illustrations from page to page, offers a chance to learn the science of the mountains as they change in many of the same ways children do.

"Or wiggle and shake
with groans and shouts!

Some mountains sit on the edges of tectonic
plates, or pieces of the earth's crust. These plates 
can shift and bump against each other, causing 
earthquakes of all sizes.'"

This book is a clear and careful look at mountains from around the world. In backmatter, the author charts 13 of them that include Mount Everest, the Matterhorn, Mount Fuji, and Mount Saint Helens. Their heights are shown at the left edge of the spread, and a note is added to explain many have more than one name, reflecting their Indigenous and colonial histories. Thumbnail sketches of each mountain mentioned encourage readers to go back on a search to find them in the book's pages.

I shall certainly look forward to the third book in this admirable series. 

Night Treasure, written by Allison Wortche and illustrated by Alison Farrell. Alfred A. Knopf, Penguin Random House. 2026. $24.99 ages 3 and up

 

"Now
outside Quinn's window
it was night
and the rain was gone. 
When Daddy came in for a bedtime hug, 
Quinn said, Tomorrow we'll go on a 
treasure hunt. 

Daddy peeked out the window and said, 
How about 
now?"

A rainy day ruined Quinn's plans for being outside. While Daddy was busy at his work, she spent the day inside pretending to be on a treasure hunt. It did little to distract her as the treasures were few and the house too familiar. As night fell, the rain stopped. Clad in his pajamas, Daddy offered a bedtime hug, and Quinn shared a wish for tomorrow. 

Rather than wait, Daddy suggested they head out into the dark, moonlit night. Still in their pajamas, the two put on their boots and warm jackets and set off. Warm light from nearby houses and streetlights helped to light their way in the dark. Everything seemed so much bigger as they explored dark corners and imagined the many animals in the woods they passed. They trudged on with treasure in mind. Quinn led the way past bushes, fences, old walls, berries and pine cones. They hurried forward until they came to the tall oak tree. Thanks to the rain, Quinn and Daddy found the treasure they were seeking ... wet ground covered with hundreds of acorns. 

"It felt like no one else had ever
been awake so late
    wandered so far
            made such a discovery
                         (especially in pj's)." 

Retracing their steps, they returned home, pockets filled with treasure and hearts full from being on a nighttime adventure with someone you love. 

Frog Face, written and illustrated by Blythe Russon. Ten Speed Young Readers, Penguin Random House. 2026. $26.99 ages 4 and up

 

"The thing was, Frog just had a frowny face.
It'd been that way since she was an itty, bitty 
little egg. There was nothing she could do 
about it. 

"I am not grouchy," said Frog. 
And she set off again."

How delighted she is when Frog awakens one morning. It's a rainy day, she's home and happy, and she has all that she needs. Or does she? When she finds her cupboard empty and herself in need of snacks, she heads out on a search, all the while hoping that she will not encounter any of her neighbors as she goes. Instead, she peeks out to see a plethora of them right outside her door. Not to be deterred, Frog pops out. 

Thus begins her encounters with many. Butterfly is concerned with Frog's long face. This happens too often. Comments are regularly made about the way Frog's face looks. Naturally frowny, Frog tries to reassure the others that she is happy and content. Every creature feels the need to comment on what they see when they look at her: long face, no smile, a need to cheer up, have some fun, relax, let loose. When she has had ENOUGH, Frog splashes into a nearby pond in frustration. 

A rotten mood settles over Frog, leaving her with no appetite for the food she out to find. Sugarbird stops to see how Frog is doing; Frog lets the bird have it. Sugarbird explains her concern for her friend, and Frog apologizes. A silly joke breaks the ice and sends the two into fits of laughter, then leads to a shared snack and a heartfelt compliment. 

""By the way, Frog ... 

I love your face exactly the way it is." 

Isn't that what true friends do? 

Amusing artwork puts emphasis on every emotion felt. The weather changes, the facial expressions of each creature with an opinion, and the dramatic movement across the pages will hold interest as the story is read, and then read again. 

Marian's Big Dig, written by Laura Bontje and illustrated by Scot Ritchie. Groundwood, 2026. $22.99 ages 4 and up

 

"Mom held Marian's discovery up to the light.
"I'm not sure about that, sweetie."
Marian's mom knew a lot about rocks. But 
Marian knew a lot about determination. She 
needed to talk to a fossil expert."

Scot Ritchie always does a commendable job of bringing a sense of discovery to the books he has been tasked to illustrate. Case in point: the endpapers will have interested readers immediately considering the child protagonist and her sustained interest in dinosaurs and discovery. The opening illustration shows her pushing a wheelbarrow filled to the brim with a large tarped object. Her companion cat is riding shotgun. Only now, on the title page, are we witness to further evidence that Marian is intrigued by dinosaurs. 

Marian's mother is a collector of rocks, and has passed her passion on to her daughter who curates her own collection. She has one spot on her shelf for the 'best one of all'. At recess one day, she makes an unexpected discovery. It is a tiny fossil, and it is in a big boulder which she can not move, no matter how hard she tries. Right beside that boulder, she finds something even better ... a dinosaur tooth! Or is it? Marian's mother is not so sure; so, Marian searches for a fossil expert. 

She starts with a letter to Wendy Sloboda, asking her advice about the rock she has found. Wendy responds saying she can not be sure about it until she actually sees it. Marian is not willing to send it to Wendy. Thus begins her search for more fossils, starting in her own backyard. When she finds what she is looking for, her parents lend their support to a further search. Trying to piece together every found object is quite the task. Her tiny rock becomes part of a much larger 'dinosaur'. I wish you could see it. 

""What's it called?" someone asked.
Marian gazed up at the marvelous creature. |
Her dinosaur stared proudly back. 
"I was thinking ... Marianodon."
It really was her best discovery yet."

She doesn't stop there. 

Final pages discuss what a fossil is, and lists real-life kid scientists who have been adding to scientific discovery since 1811: Mary Anning, Ruth Mason, Wendy Sloboda, Diego Suarez, Lily Wilder, Julian Caners. Along with a list for further reading, those names will be enough to have interested readers do a deep dive into learning more about dinosaurs and other fossils. 

Bompa's Intertidal Adventure, written by David Suzuki and Sarika Cullis-Suzuki with Tanya Lloyd Kyi. Illustrations by Qin Leng. Greystone Kids, 2026. $24.95 ages 4 qnd up

"It doesn't stay a secret for long. Kaoru
can't wait. "We're going to the intertidal 
zone!"

By the time they park their bikes, they're 
out of breath. But Nakina tugs at Bompa's 
sleeves.

"Why are we in such a hurry?" he pants. 

"Did you forget? Nakina asks. "Low tide 
is RIGHT NOW!"

It's the last day of summer and twins Nakina and Kaoru are patiently waiting for an adventure with their Bompa. Their grandfather is a scientist and they love to learn from him. Finally, Bompa arrives on his new e-bike, and the three are off to explore another special place. On this final day, they have made the plan; so far, it's been a secret. 

They are taking Bompa to the intertidal zone, and they are pumped to show him low tide! They are walking on the bottom of the ocean, after all. They know they will find interesting things; maybe they will have to stay longer with their grandfather to study them. First up is a snail shell, which suddenly moves on. It turns out that the shell is inhabited by a hermit crab. It has adapted to find itself a new home. 

Bompa explains that adaptation happens when animals 'grow and change over time, so they perfectly suit their environments'. The three are soon off again; this time they find a tide pool where limpets and sculpins, and even a plainfin midshipman hides. There is so much to learn. Luckily, the children are equipped with a magnifying glass, a notebook, and a keen curiosity for exploration. Bompa's explanations for what they are seeing provide the answers they need as they continue their exploration. 

Bompa helps them understand the impact of climate change that comes with loss of habitat and pollution. Kaoru listens intently and suggests that the twins might be able to inspire change when they return to school. As much as the twins have changed up until now, Bompa says they will continue to make a difference throughout their lifetime. It is a very encouraging end to their final expedition with Bompa.  

This is the second book in the Nature Adventures with Bompa series, featuring David Suzuki and his grandchildren. Back matter includes a list of ways people can protect the intertidal zone, a Shoreline Search and Find puzzle using illustrations from the story, further Intertidal Facts, and a close-up look at a baby crab, limpets, a sculpin, and a holdfast seaweed.                                                             

                                                                                        

We Used to Be Friends, written by Marcy Campbell and illustrated by Aimee Sicuro. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2026. $24.99 ages 4 and up

 

"Sometimes when I feel this way, I make 
myself even sadder. It's like my brain wants
to pile up every sad thing on top of each 
other at once. 

It reminds me of when I have a mosquito bite,
and Dad says to quit scratching, but I can't. 

It feels good. 

Until it doesn't."

Losing a friend for whatever reason, or reasons, is never easy. Yet, it happens. The two girls whose story is told here, were best friends for a long time. They had fights sometimes; then made up, or forgot to be mad at each other. When the fighting got really bad, the friendship ended. It happens. 

It's hard to get over the mad the narrator feels; and she's also sad. Once, they had fun together. Now, she plays with other kids, and avoids looking for her friend when she passes her house. Her dad tries to reassure her when he says that friendships occasionally end. Now, the two choose different activities, while still seeing each other at school. 

"I don't know if we will be 
best friends again. 

Or sometimes friends.

Or not friends at all."

I would love to be there for the conversations that this book inspires. It offers a different take on friendships, and how they work or don't. For those kids who have experienced the loss of a friend under similar circumstances, this book allows them to think more deeply about what happened and to talk about their feelings. Shifting emotions are captured in mixed-media art that explores the changes friendship can bring. It may make some kids feel less alone.                                                                                            

The Brunch Shift, written by Adrienne Thurman and illustrated by Mags Deroma. Random House Studio, Penguin Random House. 2026. $24.99 ages 4 and up

"When it's finally time for Mama's break, 
I'm ready for one, too. 
Mama scans the hall ... 
Checks behind her back ... 
"The coast is clear," she whispers.
"We've got to catch these art 
thieves before they strike again."
I nod. "Everything could be a clue.""

Saturdays begin just as the sun is coming up. Our young narrator and her mother wait for the bus that will take them to the restaurant where her mother works the brunch shift. Mama can't afford to miss the work. The wait for the bus is worth it when Mama offers a daring mission. They must protect a dragon from a smelly prince! 

Once their mission is complete, they are off to Mama's work and a very busy day. Mr. Wong doesn't mind the girl's presence so long as she is not in the way. All day, she pretends to be invisible. When Mr. Wong makes sure she gets a stack of pancakes; when she and her mama take a break to track art thieves; or when Mr. Wong calls Mama back to her work, the child's day is long. Each and every task is made easier with her mama's imaginary adventures. At last, it's time to close the diner and head for home. 

A race worthy of an Olympic medal gets them to their bus on time. Two transfers, some rocket fuel for energy, and an expressed wish to have a Saturday like other kids results in one more special surprise from Mama's bag of tricks. Ms. DeRoma's mixed-media images offer fantasy and reality as the two spend their Saturday together. Using light and color to let readers know just how long the day is - from sunrise to sunset - she also inspires empathy for those who work long hours to make life better for their children. 
                                                                                 

Bathtime for Snow Monkeys, written by Maggie Tokuda-Hall and illustrated by Yas Imamura. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2026. $26.99 ages 4 and up

 

"Little red faces
Peer out from brown, furry heads
Huddled together. 

They come to relax.
For clean fur and toasty soaks.
To be close to friends."

There was a time when I worked in elementary schools doing poetry workshops in classrooms. It was an opportunity to have kids experience the scope of poetry being published for them, and for them to try their hand at writing their own ideas in a variety of ways. One time, while talking with a grade four teacher, I did my best to divest her of the idea that the easiest kind of poetry for her students to try was haiku. In fact, in my mind then and still today, haiku is not easy at all. Traditionally, it is a poetic form with strict rules: 5-7-5 syllables per line, three lines, a distinct focus on nature, serenity, and brief moments. That is a lot to ask of a 9 or 10-year-old. That is not to say one shouldn't introduce children to the form; to expect them to replicate it is asking too much, I think. Others may disagree. 

Whenever I think back to that day, I am reminded of the brilliance of haiku and how it can focus attention on meaningful language. That is all to say: sharing this incredible book about a troop of nihonzaru (Japanese macaques) from the snowy Nagano mountains in Japan is a truly worthy pursuit. I would not have wanted to miss it. A hot spring is the ultimate location for a calm and quiet soak. Enveloped in the steam that rises around them, the monkeys are content ... until one tiny monkey splashes and wants to play. The others cannot wait for the little one to settle again, and leave them all to their grooming. 

"Come, baby monkey, 
Time to be mindful and hush. 
Enjoy the stillness."

Ms. Imamura's illustrations, created with gouache and pastel crayons, are textured and colored to enhance mood and setting. The warm glow of the mountains as the monkeys make their way to the steamy pool; then cool blues as the snow falls and they settle into its peace and warmth. Art provides a perfect setting for this ode to all being together. 

It is a soothing magical world, and a unique introduction to haiku. 
                                                                                          

I Am Indigenous, written by Anne Tenning, with art by numerous artists. Orca Book Publishers, 2026. $21.95 ages 5 and up

"I am connected to my 

Tribe, Nation, 

Community, Homeland, 

Traditional Territory, 

reserve or reservation. 

And though we come from different lands, 
I have Indigenous relatives all over the 
world! We are all unique, but we also have
so much in common."

In this poem written for Indigenous children by Anne Tenning, the author wants her readers to know that their Indigenous identity is worthy of celebration. Though the text is concise, it proves very appealing to the children meant to hear its strong message. Each child belongs and is invited to share in the pride deserving of their cultural experiences. 

It reassures children their value is honored, no matter their heritage, their language, their families, or their own experiences. Pages of text and art face each other; a new Indigenous illustrator brings their unique talent to the interpretation of the poem's verses. Ms.Tenning's inspiration came from young Indigenous students who shared their reluctance to identify themselves because they lacked confidence in what they did and did not know about their history and culture. 

The 13 Indigenous artists whose works are a brilliant addition to the positive and inspiring words are each mentioned in back matter with a photograph, a clear description of the artist themselves, and a personal statement concerning their art for this project. What diversity they represent in the people they are and the works they have created! 

"I know a lot about who I am, 
And there is much I still want to learn. 

What I do know is

I belong. 

I matter. 

I am loved. 

I am unique."                                                                                          

Stubby, written by Sydra Mallery and illustrated by John Hare. Greenwillow Books, Harper. 2026. $25.99 ages 6 and up

 

"Thankfully, the sparkly unicorn nail polish 
hands of Barbara Ann Brown chose me.

She threw the ten of us into her cart, along 
with two notebooks, one purple folder, and
an eraser shaped like a pig. 

On the first day of school, Barbara Ann 
put on her new outfit. The other pencils,
the pig, and I danced around in her 
pencil box."

Stubby the pencil tells his own story in this autobiography that begins in a forest. Stubby starts as a giant cedar tree there. He is home to birds and bugs; helps feed bunnies and mice; provides midnight snacks for passing foxes; and even feeds a mama bear and her cubs when they are hungry. It is a fulfilling life. That life takes a big turn when huge machines arrive and go to the work of felling the forest trees. 

Every step of the process is explained. Once completely ready for transport to the timber yard, Stubby is off. Further preparation is required there before he can be hauled to the next factory. Upon arrival, many machines and a conveyor belt complete the work that turn Stubby into a pencil. Boxed with nine friends, his journey continues to a store selling back to school supplies. There he stands waiting to be picked up. Finally, he is chosen by Barbara Ann Brown and taken with her to the first day of school. 

His life in the classroom is fraught with endless change. From one desk to another, one task to the next, the days pass in all the ways pencils are used and abused in their lifetime. Once relegated to the Sharp Pencils bucket, Stubby moves from one person to the next, constantly sharpened until he fears for his future.

Everything changes when he is chosen by 'you' and becomes the pencil he knows he was meant to be. 

John Hare's artwork is created with hand-drawn pencil that is digitally colored, and uses panels to great effect while allowing readers to witness the full life that transforms tree to pencil. The target audience will find much to hold their attention as they pore over this life story so effectively documented as both information and adventure.                                                                                     

                                                                                        

Landing in a New Pond, written by Marisa Ramel and illustrated by Jennifer Doehring. Charlesbridge, Penguin Random House. 2026. $21.99 ages 4 and up

 

"One day Mama holds my hand and says, 
"Soon the ducks will move, like we did.
They'll fly south for the winter to stay warm."

Then who will I play with?

The ducks can't leave. I make a plan. 
If I feed them enough, they won't go."

Moving requires resilience and patience; for this young boy and his family, it is quite a sad time. What makes him happy are the forty-one friends he now has. They are very different from the friends he left behind; they quack, waddle, and nibble on grasses. He's a good friend. He feeds them, offers extra for those who are hurt, and checks on them carefully every time the family visits the pond. His little sister is not helpful. 

There is not much he doesn't do to ensure the birds are healthy and happy. His sister wants to help, but she is pretty little to be responsible. All in all, it is a happy situation and life is good. When his mother explains that the ducks will soon need to fly south to a warmer place, the boy is consumed with the need to have them stay. Gathering plenty of food, he is hopeful. His mother's warning falls on deaf ears. With the sudden onset of freezing winter weather, the boy rushes to the park. He's too late. Sadness washes over him.  

""Moving is hard." Mama says softly. 
"For ducks, 
for kids, 
even for grown-ups.""

With the realization that his ducks are still together, he looks to his sister to help him pass the long days of winter. They pretend to be ducks, act like his old friends did, and wait together for spring when they will see the ducks again. 

An author's note explains that her story is based on the family's move from New York City to Colorado during COVID, and parallels their experiences. She adds a further note ... the dos and don'ts for feeding ducks in your neighborhood. Detailed digital drawings capture emotions, setting, and seasonal changes.