Ama'sPurse, written by Charlotte Cheng and illustrated by Xindi Yan. Rocky Pond Books, Penguin Random House. 2026. $26.99 ages 4 and up

 

"Then Ama's purse unfolds
with a snap of its clasp. 
Out comes her compact, 
round and silver. 

Out comes her lipstick, red and bold. 
She peeks into the mirror
and checks her laugh-lined face."

The family is in the car, ready for a day trip together to destination unknown. Our girl narrator and her Ama are in the back seat, Ama's purse on the seat between them. It isn't long until Ama opens her purse to some magical memories the two share as they roll along. Once out of the city, they stop at a fresh fruit stand. Ama pays and they are off again. 

As the car swerves, the child experiences a touch of motion sickness. Ama has just what she needs to take her grandchild's mind off the feeling. They continue on as Ama's purse offers up a necklace, bracelet, and the opportunity for counting. A rest stop provides an chance to get out and enjoy fresh air and beautiful scenery. Oh, and a feast of snacks for a rumbling stomach. A stop in town for gas means another chance to get out of the car. Ama stumbles, drops her purse, and her many treasures pop out. Quick thinking and solid work by the child return all to where they belong. 

Their arrival at the ocean suggests a quiet rest. Ama's photo album holds wonderful family moments; so much to talk about. Finally, they reach the beach, get out of the car, and enjoy time together in one of their favorite places. 

"Then we make a brand-new memory in sparkling splashes."
                                                                          

Miles Ahead, written by Minh Le and illustrated by Lynnor Bontiago. Alfred A. Knopf, Penguin Random House. 2026. $24.99 ages 3 and up

 

"RETRACE YOUR STEPS! 

Let's start in here. 

I don't see it ... but here's 
the wrapping paper and tape.

A CLUE! 
We're hot on the trail. 

To the living room!"

What fun it is to watch this family prepare for a celebratory road trip. The narrator is a young boy, full of excitement over meeting a new baby cousin. His list is long and his backpack is quickly filling up. Even the family dog is highly anticipating the journey. Mom and Dad are busy gathering travel cups full of coffee, blankets and pillows, and foodstuff to keep them from being hungry as they travel. The entourage is complete with a grandfather and a teenage sister. 

Once in the car, the question before departing has to do with the 'gift'. Who remembered to bring it along? Not there. They return to the house in search of said gift. A bird's eye view of the resulting chaos will have readers and listeners chuckling as they watch from above the trail their pup Miles takes in search of the gift. What he finds along the way are mementos that remind everyone of days past. Each becomes part of a new and more meaningful gift for the baby. Where is the gift they were planning to bring? You will need to check out the final spread to find the answer to that question. 

This story of a loving family and the life they lead together is welcome and heartwarming. Digital art is filled with extraordinary details that shape their story, alongside the dialogue they share as they all prepare for their road trip.                                                                                    

Mungo On His Own, words by Matthew Burgess and art by Julie Benbassat. Clarion Books, Harper. 2026. $24.99 ages 4 and up

 

" ... he remembered his mother 
and their summer days together. 

She showed him how to cross the creek, 
how to blend in with the underbrush,
and how to find a snack when hunger 
gnawed his belly."

Although Mungo and his mother are finished dinner, Mungo is still hungry. His mind calls up images of the red berries he so loves. He thinks he can set out to find them on his own, even in the cold and darkness of November. His mother agrees. It is cold, and Mungo has never gone foraging on his own. There are sounds that worry him as he makes his way through the forest. 

He splashes through cold water, climbs a nearby hill, and quickly crosses the road. Hearing a hooting owl, he tucks himself into an oak tree's hollow. He is scared and wonders about turning back; instead, he remembers all his mother taught him in the summer about being brave. On he goes, smelling all the smells with his nose pointed toward the berry bush he is looking for. The berries make his journey worth every step. As night falls and the cold swirls around him, Mungo makes a joyous journey through the newly-falling snow home. Mama is proudly waiting at their den door. Mungo is just in time to watch the night sky fill with stars from the warm comfort of the family den. 

Using pencil and charcoal for the linework and art colored using Procreate and Photoshop, Julie Benbassatt's illustrations are filled with warmth and emotion as Mungo travels the forest landscape in search of his treasured berries. Mungo's yellow eyes and orange fur keep him front of mind for young readers as he makes his dark and somewhat scary search. 

Helicopter parents, take heed. Our kids are capable of independence and bravery when given the chance to show us. 

The Sweetest of Lemons, written by Daniel Nayeri and illustrated by Rahele Jomepour Bell. Levine Querido, Raincoast. 2026. $27.99 ages 4 and up

 

"But for the past few years, the sweetest lemon
had been stolen before they could pluck it to 
sell to the unhappy rich. Without the lemon, the 
family had fallen into poverty, and the mother 
was fearful for her sons' futures."

It's a long wait for a young boy living in Isfahan before he can visit his grandfather's farm again. The week finally ends and the family packs the car and heads off. Even that trip in a hot car across an empty landscape takes far too long. A brief stop along the way leads to a welcome visit with Abbas, a gifted storyteller. The child longs to hear just one story. After much cajoling, Abbas agrees and begins with the usual words ... 'Once there was, and once there wasn't ...' 

Abbas regales the family with a tale of a mother and her three sons. The family's sole treasure is a lemon tree that gives only one lemon each year. That lemon is so sweet it cures sadness. Before they can sell it to the rich and sad people, the lemon is stolen. It happens again and again; the family is now poor. Each of the sons do their best to discover who is stealing the lemon. In the third year, the youngest son devises a plan that cannot fail. 

As he watches, the son sees a dark cloud hiding a giant hand reach down to take the lemon. A perfectly-aimed arrow hits the hand and elicits a terrible roar. The two older brothers come at a run and do their best to retrieve the lemon from a nearby well. After two failed attempts, the youngest takes his turn. Enduring great difficulty, he falls deep into the well and lands in an underworld where a wise shepherd offers advice. The boy follows his sage advice. 

He soon hears singing and follows its sound to a princess trapped by a sleeping giant. Knowing the pain they have endured, the princess offers the lemon, and a chance to escape. The young man will not leave the princess. They race away from the giant. With great good luck, and once again taking the shepherd's advice in reverse, the two return to the family's lemon grove. 

"They lived together happily ever after 
and died together on the same day." 

In this story within another story, Daniel Nayeri pens a tale steeped in Persian folklore. It is adventurous and winding, offering readers a tale of perseverance, bravery, and finding love. It would be perfect for a family read on a seemingly endless road trip. 

Mixed media and gorgeous artwork embellish every step of the narrative and provide beautiful jewel-toned Persian patterns and calligraphy. To set the story in the present, Ms. Bell uses gouache; to help readers transition to the story told, she creates amazing collage images. 

Notes from both author and artist are included and allow readers to understand their connection to their culture and to storytelling. Wonderful!                                                                           

Taking Flight, written by Kashmira Sheth and illustrated by Nicolo Carozzi. Dial Books for Young Readers, Penguin Random House. 2026. $24.99 ages 5 and up

"Still, you gather up your courage, 
that first day of school. 
Lifting your chin, 
you step through the door. 

Instantly, many heads turn toward you, 
their eyes seem to study you. 
Your stomach stirs, 
palms grow cold, 
knees turn mushy."

What a heartwarming, and yet also heartbreaking, way to show readers the reality of the refugee experience for many. Three young children are introduced, and their journeys to safety in faraway lands portrayed in exceptional digital artwork created using graphite. The first leaves a grandmother in a Tibetan highland home. The second leaves a cozy Syrian home surrounded by cotton fields, following many others who are doing the same. The third escapes a beloved Ukrainian city in the wake of bombing that is leaving it in ruins. 

"No matter where you started, 
leaving was hard - so was that journey. 
And you finally reached safety, 
you were hungry, thirsty, worn-out.
Ready for rest."

That rest came first in a refugee camp. Then, travel to a new land happened on a plane, a boat, and a bus. All the while, hearts were filled with hope for a better life in a strange new place. It was all so different - language, noise, everything unfamiliar, school, food. Still, there are those who know what to say, what to do, how to help make things better - a friend or friends. 

"Day by day, little by little, 
as the new becomes known, 
you meet other children just like you."

The telling is so quiet and meaningful for readers, allowing a chance to develop empathy and compassion for the children they are meeting. The illustrations perfectly match the story's tone, offering readers the opportunity to sense the fear, and feel the emotions of each refugee child. There is such joy in the welcome they experience because of the children they meet who show interest, kindness, and patience. That is what most kids do, when given the chance.                                                                                        

 

Aya Has Never Seen A Bear, written by Geretchimeg Blackcrane and illustrated by Jiu'er. Translated by Paul Qiao. Adapted by Helen Mixter. Aldana Libros, Greystone Kids. 2026. $25.95 ages 6 and up

 

"Aya understands that this garbage must be 
completely burned. If the bears get used to 
it, they might be attracted to the human world. 
That would be dangerous for them and for humans.

This is how the Oroqen share the forest with 
bears. Respect them, be in awe of them, and 
keep away from them."

I cannot imagine any child not wanting to know more about this book from their first glance. How can you possibly not want to know more about the bear that graces its cover? 

The opening page explains:

This book takes place among the Oroqen, an ethnic group 
who live in the forests and mountains of Greater and 
Lesser Khingan, in northern China. They are hunters. 

Aya is sound asleep when Grandma calls for her to get up. Grandpa is back with food for breakfast and plans for the day. He wants to take his granddaughter with him in a search for bears. Aya has been longing for such an adventure; she has never seen a bear. The two mount their horses, leaving the noisy dogs behind them. Grandpa has always been Aya's guide to the beauty of the woodlands and all it hides. 

As they ride, they take note of all that is happening in their natural surroundings: changing colors, trees, migrating birds, a hare family enjoying the sunshine, and roe deer watching them pass by. As owl passes too closely, causing Aya and Grandpa to bend their heads and hurry away. Moving on to the wetlands, they notice that the fox family they have been watching all summer now has grown kits who are ready for their own home. Many animals share the land with the Oroqen people. 

A river valley is next. They leave the horses there and walk on to the pine woods where the bears live. Once settled in the thick bushes, they sit silently ... waiting! A mother bear and her three cubs eventually come out of forest, leaving Aya breathless. They watch as the bears play together, and finally rest. Later, when Grandpa whistles, the bears quickly depart. Before they head home, the two gather the garbage left behind by forest visitors, and light it all on fire. Grandpa does not want the bears to become accustomed to the presence of humans. 

Once the fire has been extinguished, the two head back the way they came, gathering berries along the way, a gift from the autumn forest. The bears will find no scent of humans, and will then search to find their own food as they prepare for a long winter's sleep. 

A final few pages offer further information about the Oroqen, and the way their lives have changed through the years. 

In keeping with the patience required to catch her first glimpse of a bear, the text moves clearly and quietly as it describes the shared adventure. Warm and absolutely stunning natural surroundings are shown in artwork done with mineral pigments. It is a lovely book!                                                                             

Hummingbird's Big Trip, written and illustrated by G. Brian Karas. Random House Studio, Penguin Random House. 2026. $24.99 ages 4 and up

 

"Naptime is over and I'm hungry!
I stop by all my favorite places
for lunch. I have a long list and 
remember them all. 

All that flapping, flying, and 
feeding. 
Time for bed."

A tiny hummingbird shares its own story. Its summer has been filled with flight, flora, and enjoyment. As the season turns toward cooler weather and shorter days, it recognizes that the time for the long journey is fast approaching; that knowledge gives the poor wee bird a real sense of dread over what's to come. If you are one of those people who prefers to ignore what needs to be done when the anticipation for a task is worrisome, you will feel real empathy for him.

There is much to be done before the journey can be taken; all thoughts of that lead to avoidance. The exact date is unknown. Many lonely days will be faced on his own as hummingbirds do not fly in groups. Each one flies alone, mile after solitary mile. Every thought is wrought with questions about staying focused, food, exhaustion, and finding its winter home. His friends try to be helpful, offering wise advice and reminders that he does the same worrying every year. They know he will be okay. Days pass slowly, offering time to continue fretting. At last, the day comes. He takes to the sky with strength and knowledge. For many full and exhausting days, he flies. Does he really know the way? Will he arrive at his destination? Yes, he will! 

In familiar artwork that is detailed and emotional, G. Brian Karas offers his readers a story of worry, resilience, and science. As the story is told, young readers will take in information about the bird's yearly journey that is determined by seasonal changes. An endnote supplies further facts.

"I never seem to get lost.
I’m always able to fly the whole distance by myself ... I can do this!"                                                                              

Fly Away Home, written by Betty Quan and illustrated by Akin Duzakin. Groundwood, 2026. $21.99 ages 3 and up

 

"Little bird, little bird
Time to fly home
A troubling of hummingbirds
Brings news of beyond

Little bird, little bird
Time to fly home
A mischief of magpies
Clouds over the sun"

This book reads like a nursery rhyme while also introducing young readers to the idea of migrations that include people. For a small white bird, the text repeats lines that provide a collective noun (some real, some invented) for goldfinches, flamingos, hummingbirds, and magpies as they prepare for the journeys they will make. When the little one is joined by two larger birds, a young girl and her mother are shown to join a line of people making their way along a single path. 

Through day and night, the birds and migrants move forward. All travelers are wearing packs on their backs, holding hands, and looking weary and defeated. As the skies fill with dragonflies, sunshine and butterflies, the walk continues. When they reach water, boats fill with people while the three birds float upon the back of turtles, all headed toward a land where caribou roam and offer further rest and transport for the birds.

Attacked by crows, the birds seek shelter. Still, the line of people moves ever onward. While the birds find protection and sanctuary with nightingales, bobolinks, cuckoos, doves, larks and robins, the human travelers find their place with people who welcome them along the way and provide a new home where they can rest and find safety. In a final spread, the little girl and tiny bird make each other's acquaintance on the balcony of the girl's new home. Lovely, with a touch of hope at a time of unprecedented migration. 

My Subway Runs, written by James Gladstone and illustrated by Pierre Pratt. Groundwood Books, 2026. $21.99 ages 4 and up

 

"I see no tree roots growing down here, or worms
wriggling in wet dirt. 

But there's a grey puddle from the water drips above. 

My subway runs fast, pushing wind through the 
station, blowing wild all the passengers' hair."

Having never travelled by subway, I cannot imagine the sights, sounds, and wind that might take my breath away. Thanks to James Gladstone and Pierre Pratt, I have a more distinct idea for the excitement and mayhem felt through the eyes of a young child as he and his mother move into the underground where they become part of it all. 

There is a large crowd of people using the subway as a means of transportation on this day. The boy begins to make his many discoveries as they reach the platform where they will wait for their train to arrive. There is a lot going on around them. Once seated, they watch others rush and push to hop on. The doors slide shut and they are on their way. 

It's dark in the tunnel. There are many new sounds and loud screeches which are unpleasant music to the child's ears. The people come from all walks of life, and spend their time on the train doing a variety of things, including reading, chatting, and even sleeping. It is very exciting, especially when they come out of the tunnel and onto a bridge that seems to take them into the sky. They soon arrive at Union Station where his mom spends time searching for a job at one of the restaurants; then it's time to make the return trip! Once home, the child acknowledges that the subway continues to run day and night. The sights, the sounds, and the awareness of the constant movement makes for an exciting adventure - one that is sure to be taken again.  

Pierre Pratt's artwork allows readers a clear look at the people encountered in this trip across the city. Detailed depictions of a diverse population, the energy of their journey, and the quick motion of the trip itself offer a clear look at subway travel for those of us who have not had the opportunity to experience it for ourselves.                                                                                       

My Home Is in My Backpack, written by Eugenia Perrella and illustrated by Angela Salerno. Translated by Sally Polson. Floris Books, 2025. $24.99 ages 4 and up

 

"I think my special home is my family, Coco, drawing, 
and thinking about my best memories. "Everyone's 
special home is different," says Mama. "If you look 
carefully, you can see them lighting up the darkness."

I decide to ask our friends what they love doing and
draw their answers in my notebook."

A family and their dog Coco are forced to leave their home in search of a safer place to live. Leaving behind the place they love and their nights together watching for shooting stars, they pack their belongings and start a long journey with many others. Many have travelled before them. 

The going is tough, and fraught with dangers, both seen and unseen. Papa does his best to bring a lightness to the sadness they are feeling by explaining that their home stays with them wherever they go. Clara is not sure she understands what he is telling them. 

""We have left our house behind," he explains, "but our 
home is special. It is made from the people we love and 
the things we love doing.""

Taking that lesson to heart, Clara considers what is most important to her, and knows that other travelers will have different things they love doing. She asks her friends to tell her about themselves and collects their answers in her notebook: Juan loves singing, Eva and her parents talk about bright colors, baking and completing homework, Sofia loves fireflies, Maria likes stories, and Tomas plays dominos. Clara has much to think about as she drifts off to sleep. 

The following day, rain forces everyone to seek shelter in a nearby cave; it is decided to suspend travel for a day to allow children a break and a chance to play again. When they return to their camp, they pack up their gear and travel on. Perhaps, they will find a new and safe home in coming days. 

The story is told simply, and with empathy for the plight of so many in the world today. Ms. Salerno uses graphite pencil on heavy watercolor paper to allow readers a chance to see that, while the migration is long and dangerous at times, it does have lovely moments. Her palette of green, gold and blue offers a clear look at the events of their journey and the passage of time. It is a reminder to children who hear the story that they have much in common with children of the world, despite their differing circumstances. 

The Sleeper Train, written by Mick Jackson and illustrated by Baljinder Kaur. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2025. $24.99 ages 4 and up

 

"I thought about that one time 
I slept in a tent in a field in a sleeping bag. 
There were all sorts of sounds at night
out in the country. 
The birds get up very early 
and make a lot of noise."

As darkness falls, a Sikh family boards a sleeper train in India that will take them overnight to visit friends in a different city. Shown to their cabin, they unpack and acclimate themselves to this new space. Watching what is happening outside the train's window provides entertainment before bedtime is announced and the three settle into their own bunks. Mum and Dad are quickly asleep; the little one is too excited to got to sleep right away. 

There were many questions in her head about what others are doing while she and her family are on the sleeper train. Perhaps thinking about the different places that have offered sleep will help her settle. Her first memory is of home where she silently tucks herself between her parents on nights when she is scared. Still awake, she remembers the hotel from last summer where the windows looked out on the sea. 

Every turn of the page offers up further memories that are not what she needs to help her find slumber. As she begins to feel sleepy, thanks to the rocking motion of the train as it travels through the night, she thinks of the people in the towns and villages they are passing. Perhaps another small child having trouble sleeping can hear the train as it goes by.

In the morning, the three go to the dining car where they enjoy breakfast before returning to pack their things and prepare for disembarking in the city where their friends are waiting to welcome them. The child knows that if another time comes when getting to sleep is difficult, she has the memory of the sleeper train and its rocking motion to help. 

Digital illustrations by Baljinder Kaur are filled with bold colors and familiar images of South Asian families and settings. A story of family time and love, it will soothe sleepy listeners. They will be encouraged to talk about their own memorable bedtimes in places away from home. 
                                                                               

The Wandering Feather, written by Lisa Frenette and illustrated by August Swinson. Owlkids, 2025. $22.95 ages 4 and up

 

"When the wind quiets, 
the feather drifts down,
landing on a woman's hat
decorated with three shiny 
peacock feathers. 

It would be fun to live with
such colorful friends,
the feather thinks. 
Could this be my 
new home?

Before the feather has time 
to settle, the woman spots 
it, plucks if from her hat, and
tosses it over her shoulder."

When a red-tailed hawk drops a feather in a quick dive to make a mouse its breakfast, a long and impressive journey begins. As it lands, the feather is concerned that it has lost its home; the rest of the book details that many intriguing actions that lead to a very fine ending. 

First, a squirrel makes it a part of her nest. The feather likes the feeling it gets from the quiet and serenity of this new home. With the heat from a rising sun, it becomes much too hot. Luckily a wind picks it from the nest and sends it on its way again. As the wind dies, it lands on a lady's hat alongside some beautiful peacock feathers. The lady is unimpressed, sending it on its way pretty quickly. 

From place to place, and one adventure to the next, the feather continues its wandering. At each stop, it expresses its feelings about where it lands, and the understanding that it has not yet found a permanent place to call home. A stroke of good luck puts it in the path of a young girl whose beach search for a third feather for her dreamcatcher is exactly the home it has been seeking. 

An author's note helps readers understand the cultural value of the dreamcatcher. August Swinson's artwork is full of motion and meaning as the feather floats from place to place. This book provides a lasting memory for finding a home that is just right. 

Sparrow, written by Mary Tebo and illustrated by E. B. Lewis. Astra Young Readers, Penguin Random House. 2015. $24.99 ages 5 and up

 

"Her belly full, 
Sparrow flies to the high perch
so she can see far and wide. 
She needs something else. 
She doesn't know what it is, 
but she knows that it is something special."

Sparrow lives in a dusty crack in a stone wall where every morning at dawn she hears singing and bells ringing. Today, something tells her that change is coming and she must prepare for it. Not knowing what is about to happen, while knowing that she needs something, she flies out to familiar territory. She flies past the bakery and the food stand where she finds the sustenance she needs. With food in her belly, she lands on a high perch where she can see the city below her. 

She still needs something special; she does not yet know just what it is. She notices many things but none of them strike a chord with her. Only when she returns to her crack in the wall does she notice 'something small and fluttery, and bright'. Suddenly, she knows exactly what is needed. She takes those tiny things and places them tightly into her nest, softening it for the chaange. When the nest is ready, so is Sparrow. Just in time, she lays her first egg. Now, she can rest, relax and protect. Though she knows little about it, she does know it offers what she so badly needs ... hope. 

Don't we all? 

In an author's note Ms. Tebo explains the storied history of the Western Wall and its meaning for many. Visitors from all parts of the world leave wishes and prayers in its cracks. The prayers left there are written in hopes for a better world for all. In Latin spero means "I hope". In a further note, she adds a family story of a visit to Jerusalem and what the family found there. 

E. B. Lewis's familiar watercolor artwork is fabulous and brings the city to life for young readers.  
                                                                                       

The Secret Life of a Sea Turtle, written by Maddalena Bearzi and illustrated by Alex Boersma. Roaring Brook Press, Macmillan. Raincoast. 2025. $26.99 ages 6 and up

 

"The surf casts a few of them back 
to the shore, where their struggle 
to reach the water continues. 

Others swim as fast as they can, 
catching a breath of air 
whenever possible. 

Finally, a wave arrives, scooping 
our turtle friend from the land ... 

and out to sea!"

A nature reserve on the Yucatan Peninsula provides the hatching ground for the turtle we follow as she makes her way out of her egg, then out of her nest with the help of every other tiny hatchling as they all move up. Once at the surface, she faces many other dangers before making it to the water. There is no safe place for her. 

Readers will be immediately captivated as they watch this tiny being do her very best to make it to the ocean; many will not survive this first stage in their journey. Zigzagging across the sand, she avoids those predators that 'prowl the shores' looking for a quick meal. One hundred babies have hatched; less than thirty will make it to the ocean. If they make it into the water, they have a home for life. Danger lurks as seabirds make quick work of the tiny morsels. Soon, less than ten are left to find their way farther from shore. Finding a meal to assuage her hunger after a few days in the water becomes easier. For coming years, there is little known about the turtle. 

Because it is told as a personal story about this one green turtle, readers will remain involved in learning what scientists know about what might be happening with her; how she breathes, what and how she eats, her growth, how she evades the shark's looming mouth. Unfortunately, underwater fishing nets are a huge threat to her survival. Once caught, she is rescued by marine biologists and released. At age 30, her internal compass takes her back to the beach where she was born to make her own nest, lay her eggs, and begin yet another cycle of life.

Ms. Bearzi writes with passion for her subject in clear and compelling prose that holds attention throughout the reading. Ms. Boersma's artwork is drawn with graphite and digitally colored to stun readers with changing perspectives and brilliant images that are emotional and complementary to every word written. What an incredible life story this is! 

Back matter includes an author's note, actions that readers can take to protect these wondrous creatures, an illustrated list of turtle species, further facts that encourage learning even more, acknowledgments, and a bibliography. 
                                                                              

Evelyn Witch Gets a Pet, written by Beth Ferry and illustrated by Charles Santoso. Roaring Brook Press, Macmillan. Raincoast. 2025. $24.99 ages 3 and up

"Tuft of grass and crunch of beetle. 
Wisp of wind and sharp pine needle.
Drop of sweat and drop of tear. 
Make my porcupine appear! 

"Porcupines don't 
hatch from eggs," a 
spelunker called from 
the darkness.

SNIVELING 
          SNAILS!"

My family and I really enjoy Beth Ferry's books. I highly anticipated seeing this one about a young girl who wakes one morning with a feeling that she is missing out on something. She scours the house to find what is making her feel that way. Nothing is remiss as she carefully checks. She leaves home to check the shops. With careful thinking she realizes that what she is missing is a pet. 

Where will she get the money she needs? The only thing she can afford is the mystery pet. It costs all of her ten coins. The contents are surely a mystery; the box holds an egg in a nest. What can it be? Evelyn watches it and waits endlessly for something to break through the shell. Her worry about the egg leads her to the library and a librarian who provides the book she needs to learn what she can about it. 

It must be a unicorn; a mountain climber puts an end to that thought. Using a second spell, she is determined it is a narwhal; wrong again. Could it be a porcupine? Do porcupines hatch from eggs? I think not! Evelyn's guesses seem endless. Spells done, and the trips of discovery end. Evelyn resorts to further waiting. 

"Instead, Evelyn 
cuddled her egg, 
read to it, 
sang to it. 

And finally, 

                    finally, 

                                 finally ... 

 CRACK!"

 What a lovely, warm surprise!            

Wonderful, ever-changing perspectives in the digital artwork carefully match the rhyming spells cast by the tiny witch. The repetitive 'sniveling snails' will win favor with young listeners who will offer help with assuring it is loud enough to have an effect.  

Oh Dear, Look What I Got! Written by Michael Rosen and illustrated by Helen Oxenbury. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2025. $24.50 ages 3 and up

 

"I went to the shop 
to get me a coat. 

Oh dear, they gave me ...

a goat! 

Oh dear, 
look what I got! 

Do I want that? 

No, I do NOT!"

Seeing the beautiful images on the front cover of this book took me right back to 1989 - the first time I ever read aloud We're Going on a Bear Hunt in my early years classroom. It was a hit, and has been ever since then. I expect this one will be the same; the same joyous text, the same appeal in the watercolor and pencil artwork. I couldn't wait to get started reading it aloud. 

The opening endpaper shows a young child with a tote bag over the arm, whistling while setting out on an errand. Readers learn immediately that the child is on the lookout for a carrot. At the first shop, the grocer offers a parrot. Those two pages set the tone for the rest of the book. The challenge for listening children is to guess what the next rhyming word could be. After each mistaken exchange, a repetitive response is: 

"Oh dear, 
look what I got!

Do I want that? 

No, I do NOT!"

It takes no time at all for little ones to start the guessing game and take part in repeating the child's response. Such fun, as page after page, the invitation is clear. Instead of a hat, the milliner offers a cat. Both parrot and cat are companions for the next stop. Along they go to the tailor where, instead of a coat, the child gets a ... 

The child and three assistants move on to another three establishments, each time surprised by the animal offered. The wriggly pup from the cup shop rewinds the earlier encounters to create chaos on a grand scale. While thinking about what to do next, there is a knock on the door ... I wonder who might be there? It's a delightfully positive ending for an entertaining and memorable romp. 

Get ready to read it again and again! What additional rhymes might the children hearing the story add?

The talents of two remarkable artists, whose words and pictures are as heartwarming and enduring as they have ever been, is a new source of wonder for children and their families.                                                                                        

The House That Floated, by Guoing. Randon House Studio, Penguin Random House. 2025. $24.99 ages 4 and up

"When a powerful storm rages and giant 
waves engulf the cliff, the family realizes
their home is in danger ... 
and they must act quickly to save it."

Here is another poignant wordless picture book that introduces readers to a little red house on a high cliff above a vast ocean. It offers an idyllic life in the peace and beauty of its surroundings for the young couple who live there. They spend their days fishing; it happens that on one such day they release a dolphin trapped in a fishing net. Once freed, they watch as it relishes the freedom the couple has provided. 

A carving of the saved dolphin finds pride of place on a shelf that holds other mementos of their life. They soon welcome a child, and their lives become even more fulfilled. The child grows and prospers. Life is good. Their boat trips on the water that surrounds them are filled with all the beauty of nature and its marine inhabitants. When a pod of dolphins swims nearby (and one shows a particular interest), they are full of wonder. 

Time passes and the world around them changes. The waters rise until they threaten the family's safety. Knowing they must do something dramatic, they work to find a way to remove their house from the cliff. With ingenuity, patience and hard work, they manage to fashion a pole raft to be towed behind their boat to a safer place. Lead across the water by the dolphins and guided by a lighthouse beam, they are helped ashore using needed equipment and with plenty of professional help. 

This family story clearly shows how daily life and the changes that happen help create a place to call home. As she has done in previous books, Guojing uses a limited palette to capture the emotions felt as the family takes in all the seasonal and yearly changes, and the heartbreak that comes when having to make a dramatic and unimaginable change.  It fires the imagination and evokes clear thoughts about the family's way of life, and what home means.               
                                                                              

When Sally O'Malley Discovered the Sea, written by Karen Cushman. Alfred A. Knopf, Penguin Random House. 2025. $24.50 ages 8 and up

 

"Don't get me wrong. I didn't want to be adopted. 
Why, some of those folks who came for an orphan 
seemed awful suspectable, talking hogwash and 
flapdoodle, smiling, holding hands, and patting 
heads. I pitied the kids who had to go with those 
smooth-tongued phonies, even with new clothes, 
hope and promises. What if their friendliness 
and niceness was all fakery? What if those folks 
were even meaner that Madame Cruddly? No, 
thank you. I wouldn't be bamboozled. I'd rather
stay an orphan with old clothes and little hope. 
And that's as true as water is wet."

Sally O'Malley is an orphaned 13-year-old determined to make her way in the world after deciding to head west on her own in search of a better life. After leaving her workplace because of abominable working conditions, she is faced with countless difficulties (food, a place to sleep, the dangers of being on the road alone in 1894 Oregon) until she meets Major, an older woman whose work is to get supplies from one place to another using a wagon pulled by Mabel, her donkey. They are accompanied by Major's canine companion, Sarge. 

Major treats Sally with kindness and respect, and does her best to let Sally know she has a friend after never having any. Sally is reluctant to get too close to the old woman. Adding to her consternation is the fact that Major agrees to transport whiny 7-year-old Lafayette to cousins along the trail they are taking. Still, Sally remains as Major provides her only way to get to the western sea that holds promise. 

Sally's first-person narration is riddled with personal thoughts, a colorful vocabulary and a penchant to collect unfamiliar but intriguing new words along their way. Each character is worthy of attention and admiration; they will tug at heartstrings as they travel together - animals and humans. Though thwarted by some of the restrictions on women at the time, the two plod forward from one danger to the next with confidence and bravery. 

Despite a serious setback, Sally moves forward to complete the journey. Her search for belonging is fulfilled and her heart is healed through the connections she makes. No dull moments here; some are scary, sad, educational, downright dangerous, even humorous. It is a worthy readaloud in a middle years classroom that is both historical in nature and meaningful in terms of learning to trust and love others. 

Coyote Lost and Found, written by Dan Gemeinhart. Henry Holt and Company, Macmillan. Raincoast, 2024. $23.99 ages 10 and up

"And so I told him. The whole thing. Starting 
six years ago with a car accident and a hole in 
the universe. Then on through meeting Salvador 
last summer and a race for a memory box. And 
right up to finding some ashes and an out-of-
the-blue pandemic shutting down school. I 
did not tell him about the lost book. That 
little piece of info was still on a best-friends-
only level of secrecy, and even though Wally 
was moving quickly right up the ranks, he 
wasn't quite there yet. Who knew if he might
accidentally spill the beans and tell Rodeo."

Here is my blog post for the first book about Coyote and her father: 

https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/7130079189010543417/5458111106618044929 

Coyote is a force to be reckoned with: an honest and supportive daughter, a grieving child, a loyal friend, a welcoming presence on the bus that provides a home for others, feisty, while vulnerable. She is an honorable and extremely memorable character who will live in the hearts of readers for a long time. 

After the remarkable journey of the first book, Coyote and her father have settled into a house in Oregon where they could get the counseling they both needed to help them deal with the death of her mother and two sisters. After five years of being on the road with her father, they felt it was time to put down some roots and get her back to school. Now, with COVID rearing its ugly head, the school has shut down and it gives the two an opportunity to return to the road. 

It is another journey to help them deal with the loss and grief they are both still feeling every day. So many of the scenes between father and daughter are filled with love, and a willingness to be there for each other no matter the circumstances. This trip has a purpose. Coyote has discovered a box with her mother's ashes, and a note that explains how a Mary Oliver poem will lead them to where she would like them to scatter her ashes. The book was left somewhere along the way a year ago and Coyote has an idea for where they might find it. She doesn't want her father to know she has left it behind them. 

As they did the first time, they are happy to have fellow travelers with them. Each of these friends plays a pivotal role in poignant scenes. Coyote provides Rodeo instructions for their travel, as she reels with guilt over the lost book and angst over ever finding it again. Her first-person narrative is perfect for the telling. 

Dan Gemeinhart has penned another compelling, funny, and needs-to-be-read middle grade novel that you don't want to miss! 

The Sky Was My Blanket, written and illustrated by Uri Shulevitz. Farrar Straus Giroux, Macmillan. Raincoast, 2025. $26.99 ages 10 and up

"I was luckier. I found work making leather bags, 
thanks to the trade I had learned in Vienna. 
Because I had work, I was able to live in Paris 
for the next year or so. I worked and I drank
wine, cheap wine, with my meals. 

Refugees who had escaped Nazi Germany kept
arriving in Paris. They spoke of the campaign
of violence and terror, of people living in fear.
I never forgot the stories I heard." 

As he did in his own memoir, Chance: Escape from the Holocaust (2020), Uri Shulevitz here tells a story of his Uncle Yehiel's life in the years before WWII. Born in Poland and very unhappy with the harshness of his Jewish upbringing, Yehiel left home at 15 in search of adventure. He found work in Austria with a leather worker, learning a trade that would be useful later in his life. 

As the Nazi party rose in power and wreaked havoc with European politics, he made the decision to leave. His travels took him to many places as he looked for work and safety. Quick thinking, kind strangers and some great good luck ensured his survival. He settled in Spain, which led to fighting in the Spanish Civil War and enduring many hardships. Later he worked with the Jewish resistance in France. Each new experience, though often trying, also helped Yehiel discover himself while learning to live on his own. Eventually, he changed his name to Henri Sulewic, married, and spent his later years painting pictures of the Jewish community where he was born.  

Uri Shulevitz, in his final work published following his death, allows readers a close look at history from the perspective of a very young man. He is deeply affected by his experiences, and has his own impact as he pursues the adventure his heart demands. Family photos add to the reality of the story told, as well as black-and-white drawings that add dimension to the people and places mentioned. It is both heartbreaking and uplifting to read this first-person powerful narrative. An afterword concludes and includes copies of Yehiel's art.