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Reviewer's Choice
Kali the Elephant Learns from Socrates the Philosopher
Neera K. Badhwar
https://www.neerabadhwar-stories.com
Archway Publishing
www.archwaypublishing.com
9781665773676, $22.99, HC, 38pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Kali-Elephant-Learns-Socrates-Philosopher/dp/1665773677
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/kali-the-elephant-learns-from-socrates-the-philosopher-neera-k-badhwar/1147419630
Synopsis: What do you do when friends tease you about how you look?
Kali the Elephant is hurt when her elementary-school friends make fun of her big ears, long trunk, and too-big-for-an-elephant eyes. She tries everything to shrink her features, but sadly, nothing works.
She then turns to her comic books and discovers that the ancient philosopher Socrates was also teased for his appearance. But how did he respond to his friends? With a twinkle in his eye, Socrates used clever humor to turn the teasing around.
Inspired by his wisdom, Kali finds the perfect words to reply to her friends, a reply that leaves everyone laughing and wishing they looked like her!
Critique: "Kali the Elephant Learns from Socrates the Philosopher" by Neer K. Badhwar is an original, exceptional, charmingly illustrated, and fun picture book introduction to successfully: Dealing with teasing and bullying; Building self-esteem and resilience; Using humor and wit to solve problems; Celebrating what makes you unique. While an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library Life Skills and Socratic philosophy themed picture book collections appropriate for children ages 3-8, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "Kali the Elephant Learns from Socrates the Philosopher" from Archway Publishing is also readily available in paperback (9781665773683, $12.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $0.99).
Editorial Note: Neera Kapur Badhwar published some stories in Indian magazines when her son was little. Later she received a Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Toronto, taught philosophy for 22 years at the Univ. of Oklahoma, and published philosophical articles and books. With the publication of Kali the Elephant, she combines her two interests by introducing children to a great philosopher who faced the same situation that many children face: teasing. As with Kali the Elephant, her approach in all her writing for children is humorous rather than solemn or preachy. (https://www.neerabadhwar-stories.com/about-the-author)
Where's Big Dog?: A Story of Loss and Love
Jessica Collins and Lisa Melamed, authors
Carla Naude, illustrator
Indigo River Publishing
https://indigoriverpublishing.com
9781964686431, $18.99, HC, 36pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Wheres-Big-Dog-Story-Loss/dp/1964686431
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wheres-big-dog-jessica-collins/1148258238
Synopsis: "One afternoon, quickly and peacefully, Big Dog died. It was the worst day ever."
When we lose our pets (and it always happens too soon) it can be emotionally devastating. "Where's Big Dog?" takes young (and not-so-young) readers on a journey to "find" them again: in the clouds in the sky, in the trunk of a tree, in the swirl of a marble countertop.
Thoughtfully illustrated and sensitively told, "Where's Big Dog?" is a picture book reminder that, even after goodbye, your best friend will always be by your side.
Critique: Original, sensitive, emotionally engaging, and ultimately inspiring, "Where's Big Dog" by co-authors Jessica Collins and Lisa Melamed is charmingly illustrated by Carla Naude. A deftly crafted and thoroughly 'kid friendly' picture book about love and loss, death and dying, and the bond that develops between people and their pets, "Where's Big Dog" is especially and unreservedly recommended for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library collections for children ages 4 to 12 -- and their parents or any other adult who has lost a beloved animal companion. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "Where's Big Dog?" from Indigo River Publishing is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note #1: Lisa Melamed has written and produced television shows for network, cable, and streaming, including Nickelodeon's Hey Dude, Golden Globe winner Party of Five, and Dolly Parton's Heartstrings. She began her career at Scholastic Productions. This is her first book.
Editorial Note #2: Jessica Collins (https://jessicacollins.com) is an Emmy Award-winning actress whose career spans over thirty years in television and film. Her many credits include Acapulco, The Young and the Restless, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and Dolly Parton's Heartstrings. This book was inspired by her beloved Goldendoodle Lucy.
Editorial Note #3: Carla Naude (www.loopyalchemist.com) is a South African artist and illustrator based in Texas, who is passionate about animals and traditional media. A lifelong book lover, she pours her heart into every story she creates, bringing characters and worlds to life with warmth and charm.
Apples for All: A Story About Grafting
Mary Peterson, author/illustrator
www.marypeterson.com
Feeding Minds Press
https://www.feedingmindspress.com
9781948898201, $18.99, HC, 40pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Apples-All-Story-About-Grafting/dp/1948898209
Synopsis: Written and illustrated in the fun and colorful style of author/illustrator Mary Peterson, "Apples for All: A Story About Grafting" is a picturebook introduction for young readers to the fascinating world of apples, apple trees, and the science of tree grafting.
Ideal for curious kids who love nature, gardening, and learning where food comes from, this STEM-aligned picture book story makes a great classroom resource or gift for budding gardeners, scientists, and apple lovers! Filled with engaging facts about apples, tree grafting, and the heartwarming theme of compromise, "Apples for All!" is not just a delightful read that will resonate with young readers, but it is also a valuable educational resource that includes informational backmatter in the form of fun apple facts, an apple variety guide, and an applesauce recipe!
Critique: Original, exceptional, and deftly crafted by author/illustrator Mary Peterson, "Apples for All: A Story About Grafting" from Feeding Minds Press is a fun, informative, 'kid friendly', and unreservedly recommended pick for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library agriculturally themed picture book collections.
Editorial Note #1: Mary Peterson (www.marypeterson.com) is an illustrator and author/illustrator of many books for young readers. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and their elderly parakeet, Pierre. Mary grew up on a farm with an apple orchard that grew the perfect fruit for snacking, baking, jelly, and applesauce.
Editorial Note #2: Feeding Minds Press, a project of the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture, is committed to fostering awareness and understanding of agriculture through education. Their books aim to help young readers understand where their food comes from, its journey to their plate, and the role of agriculture in our lives. Readily available online at www.Feedingmindspress.com are free accompanying lessons, activities, and videos that will enhance the learning experience either at home or in the classroom.
The Junkyard
Bryan Reilly, author
Rich Denver, illustrator
Independently Published
9798218917609, $6.99, Kindle
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Junkyard-Bryan-Reilly-ebook/dp/B0GHZTQ2D9
Synopsis: Ninja is a pit bull who would rather die than hurt another dog. When she purposefully loses in the fighting ring of a cruel junkyard owner, Mr. Fergusen, she is punished and left for dead at the edge of a nearby forest.
A tribe of stray junkyard dogs finds her and gives her a new name, Maytag. They nurse her back to health and welcome her into their secret home inside the northern junkyard's mountains of wrecked cars, appliances, tires, and trains. For the first time, Maytag feels love and is incredibly relieved to be free of Mr. Fergusen's fighting ring.
But her relief is short-lived.
Saab, the aggressive Rottweiler of the southern junkyard, plans to conquer the north with the help of Canis, a vengeful forest wolf. If the junkyard becomes a warzone, Mr. Fergusen will surely take Dodge's strays to the put-down place. When Saab's plan is set in motion, Maytag must decide if her new friends are worth fighting for.
Critique: A splendid mix of fantasy and adventure starring a remarkable dog having to survive ill treatment and facing the question of putting her life on the line in defense of her canine friends. An interesting, original, and fascinating read, "The Junkyard" by author/storyteller Bryan Reilly and artist/illustrator Rich Denver, will be of particular interest to young readers who enjoy original stories featuring dogs and dealing with the issue of animal cruelty. "The Junkyard" is especially and unreservedly recommended for family, community, and K-12 school library General Fiction collections for ages 8-18.
Editorial Note #1: Bryan Reilly is a marketing copywriter, content creator, and author of The Junkyard, a new middle-grade fantasy that once earned semi-finalist recognition in the ScreenCraft Cinematic Book Competition. (www.facebook.com/authorBryanReilly)
Editorial Note #2: A listing of books illustrated by Bryan Rielly is available online at Goodreads -- https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22215342.Rich_Denver
The Social Issues Shelf
Barbed Wire Between Us
Mia Wenjen, author
Violeta Encarnacion, illustrator
Red Comet Press
www.redcometpress.com
9781636551920, $19.99
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Barbed-Wire-Between-Mia-Wenjen/dp/1636551920
Barbed Wire Between Us is a picture book poem about two girls who live eighty years apart, but experience much the same things. The same camp in Oklahoma houses a Japanese internment camp during World War II and a migrant in modern times. "Where darkness is, light will shine again" is the observation that marks their experiences of trials, darkness, and survival challenges. The tale unfolds a powerful contrast of experiences and similar times that can open thought-provoking dialogue between adults and the very young, spiced with gorgeous illustrations by Violeta Encarnacion.
The Holiday Shelf
E and Me: Gobble, Gobble, Wheeeee!
Ann Aubitz
https://annaubitzauthor.com
Kirk House Publishers
www.kirkhousepublishers.com
9781968428198, $15.95
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Me-Gobble-Wheeeee-ebook/dp/B0GLR4CNLF
E and Me: Gobble, Gobble, Wheeeee! is a picture book story about Tuck the turkey and his best friend little E, who find fun in every day. From jumping in leaves to giggling at lunchtime, the two very different friends transmit their special form of delight, celebration, and interactive pleasures into each other and the world. Most of all, food is a draw as the turkey and his friend observe its delights.
Ann Aubitz creates a compelling exploration of warmth and shared experiences that will delight read-aloud adults seeking to transmit the special joy of a day's opportunities to the very young. Packed with drawings as colorful as its action-filled adventures, E and Me: Gobble, Gobble, Wheeeee! offers many inviting lessons, from friendship between disparate individuals to how the routines and discoveries of daily living can translate to positivity and new connections.
Elementary-level librarians seeking picture book stories that will resonate with a wide audience will find E and Me: Gobble, Gobble, Wheeeee! an outstanding celebration of "ordinary" life that's worthy of acquisition and top recommendation.
The Wildlife Shelf
My Wild Garden Zoo
Therese Hutchinson
Sweetgrass Books
c/o Farcountry Press
www.farcountrypress.com
9781606390863, $17.95, HC, 40pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Wild-Garden-Zoo-Therese-Hutchinson/dp/1606390864
Synopsis: Comprised of delightful paintings and poetry that create a very special book for children in the Rocky Mountains, and everywhere else, "My Wild Garden Zoo" is a fun picture book that can be used as an early education tool for identifying western wildlife.
What differences can you see between the mountain goat and the bighorn sheep? What about the mule deer's ears, or the white-tailed deer's tail? How are their antlers different? What about the elk and moose antlers?
Therese Hutchinson's characterizations of wild birds and animals munching on delicious fruits and vegetables in a small boy's garden will captivate young animal lovers and stir up interest in wildlife. "My Wild Garden Zoo" is an eye-pleasing debut from a talented Montana artist and gifted storyteller.
Critique: Original, exceptional, informative, and a wonderfully fun read from start to finish, "My Wild Garden Zoo" by Therese Hutchinson us is an outstanding and unreservedly recommended pick for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library wildlife themed picture book collections for children ages 3-8.
Editorial Note: Therese Hutchinson is the 2021 Winner in the Best Book Awards (sponsored by the American Book Fest) in the Religion: Christian Inspiration Category; Silver Medal Winner in the 2020 Illumination Book Awards in the Biography/Memoir category and 3rd place award winner in the 2019 Xulon Press Christian Author Awards, Autobiography/Biography/Testimonial category.
Animal Intelligence Unleashed
Jill Russo, author
Eszter Szepvogy, illustrator
Beetle Books
https://www.mybeetlebooks.com
9781835694909, $22.99, HC, 176pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Animal-Intelligence-Unleashed-Changing-Tomorrows/dp/183569490X
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/animal-intelligence-unleashed-jill-russo/1147705707
Synopsis: With the publication of "Animal Intelligence Unleashed: What Animals Reveal About Our Changing World", young readers will discover how scientists are uncovering the secrets of animal behavior and learning what makes each species unique.
They will learn all about:
How animals communicate through sounds, signals, and body language
The latest breakthroughs in understanding animal behavior using technology
What we can learn and copy from animals in the human world!
With cool, graphic-style illustrations by artist/illustrator Eszter Szepvogy, intermixed with jaw-dropping facts and engaging explanations by author Jill Russo, "Animal Intelligence Unleashed: What Animals Reveal About Our Changing World" brings science to life like never before!
"Animal Intelligence Unleashed: What Animals Reveal About Our Changing World" will not only spark curiosity about the crazy possibilities of animal behavior but also inspire young readers to understand how science can help shape the future. That science is something that can change the world!
Critique: Exceptional, informative, and a fun read from start to finish, "Animal Intelligence Unleashed: What Animals Reveal About Our Changing World" is an extraordinary introduction to a wide spectrum of wildlife and the science of zoology. Thoroughly 'kid friendly' in organization, style, and presentation, "Animal Intelligence Unleashed: What Animals Reveal About Our Changing World" is unreservedly recommended as an enduringly popular pick for family, elementary school, middle school, and community library Wildlife collections for young readers ages 9-13. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "Animal Intelligence Unleashed: What Animals Reveal About Our Changing World" from Beetle Books is also readily available in paperback (9781835694725, $14.99).
Editorial Note #1: Jill Russo is an Earth-based writer who is very grateful for its guardians. Her past work with educators, student engineers, and climate journalists makes her optimistic that humans can tackle big problems when we team up.
Editorial Note #2: Eszter Szepvogy was born in Hungary and lives in the charming town of Szentendre. Eszter loves exploring new styles as an artist and believes illustration has the power to tell stories in countless ways.
The Multicultural Shelf
Celebrate We Gullah Geechee
Yvette R. Murray, author
Tonya Engel, illustrator
Free Spirit Publishing
c/o Teacher Created Materials
https://www.teachercreatedmaterials.com
9798330905065, $19.99, HC, 44pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Celebrate-We-Gullah-Geechee-Cultural/dp/B0FDJV58HT
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/celebrate-we-gullah-geechee-yvette-r-murray/1147687387
Synopsis: With rhythm and repetition to engage children, in the picture book "Celebrate We Gullah Geechee: A Kids' Look at the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor" by author/storyteller Yvette R. Murray and artist/illustrator Tonya Engel, five narrators take turns highlighting what they notice in their world, each focusing on one of the five senses.
We are there with them: A girl sees a "haint blue door at Grandma's house / Rocking chairs waiting on the porch." On special days, we hear the marching band play -- ba-da-dum-bum. Our hands explore the prickly bark of Palmetto tree trunks. Through these sensory experiences, readers will honor and learn about the culture and traditions of coastal North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.
With love that shines through every line as "Celebrate We Gullah Geechee":
Uplifts Gullah Geechee history and contemporary culture
Spotlights the importance of family, community, and place
Engages children with rhythmic writing and lots of onomatopoeia
Includes a section for adults with additional background information
An original picture book by the award-winning poet Yvette R. Murray, "Celebrate We Gullah Geechee" invites children to explore their own worlds, whether near or far from the Gullah Geechee Heritage Corridor, through sense and celebration!
Critique: Informative enhanced with the inclusion of A Note from the Author and A Note from the Artist, a listing of 'Learn More" online resources, and an 'Explore the Corridor' section, "Celebrate We Gullah Geechee: A Kids' Look at the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor" is a unique and very special addition recommended for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library picture book collections for children ages 4-8. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "Celebrate We Gullah Geechee" from Free Spirit Publishing is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $18.99).
Editorial Note #1: Yvette R. Murray is an award-winning poet and author of the picture book Celebrate We Gullah Geechee (Free Spirit Publishing) and the poetry collection Hush, Puppy (Finishing Line Press). She has been published in Chestnut Review, Emrys Journal, Litmosphere, A Gathering Together, and others. She is the 2022 Susan Laughter Meyers Poetry Fellow, a 2021 Best New Poet selection, a Watering Hole Fellow, and a Pushcart Prize nominee. She is also a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Yvette lives in Charleston, South Carolina. (https://listenandbeheard.net/2025/08/20/yvette-murray-poet)
Editorial Note #2: Tonya Engel (https://www.tonyaengelart.com) is a self-taught artist and illustrator heavily influenced by folk artists of the Deep South and Harlem Renaissance pioneers, as well as Mark Chagall, Frida Kahlo, and Romare Beardon. Tonya's illustrations speak to image, identity, and relationships. Meshing decorative elements, oils, and occasional collage with emotional content, she portrays women with contemplative faces, implying a dream world that invites our interpretations. She has been the recipient of several awards and honors for her art and book illustrations, including a three-month residency in Paris, France, a Septima Clark Book Award for Rise!, a 2022 Boston Globe - Horn Book Honor Book Award for Your Legacy, and more.
The Board Book Shelf
Flowers Bloom
Melina Mangal, author
Stella Lim, illustrator
Free Spirit Publishing
c/o Teacher Created Materials
https://www.teachercreatedmaterials.com
9798885544580, $9.99, Board Book, 24pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Flowers-Bloom-Outside-Window-Board/dp/B0FDKF1XRQ
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/flowers-bloom-melina-mangal/1148270609
Synopsis: In "Flowers Bloom", two young children, guided by an adult, set off on a spring walk through their colorful city neighborhood. The air is soft and sweet with the scent of blooming flowers.
Guided by their curiosity, cousins Kamali and Josiah notice how every flower is different -- some planted neatly in window boxes, others sprouting wild and free. As they stroll, they notice flowers spreading comfort and joy at every step. They learn that, like flowers, people bloom in many ways. No matter where we come from, we brighten the world in our own unique way.
"Flowers Bloom" by author/storyteller Melina Mangal and artist/illustrator Stella Lim"
Encourages children to explore the beauty of the natural world no matter where they live
Celebrates diverse communities and the many ways people flourish
Sparks conversations about uniqueness, growth, and belonging
Includes discussion ideas and activities to help children learn more about nature and their own senses
Critique: Colorful, charming, informative, and fun, "Flowers Blooms" is highly recommended for family, daycare center, and community library board book collections for children ages 1-4.
Editorial Note: "Flowers Bloom" is part of the Outside Our Window Board Books series from Free Spirit Publishing which encourages children (especially those in urban environments) to explore, protect, and delight in nature. Each book in the series focuses on one feature of the natural world (like flowers), one sense (smell), and one communication or relationship skill (blooming where you land). These board books emphasize community and encourage children and families to explore the natural world around them.
Are You Speedy?
Tim Button, author
Ana Martin Larranaga, illustrator
Collective Book Studio
https://thecollectivebook.studio
9781685555528, $12.95, Board Book, 22pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Are-You-Speedy-Construction-Toddlers/dp/1685555527
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/are-you-speedy-tim-button/1149721549
Synopsis: Hi, Dump Truck. Are you speedy?
How about you, Bulldozer? Are you speedy?
Little ones meet a lively parade of construction trucks and vehicles in this playful, interactive board book that asks the question: Who is speedy?
From excavators and mixers to tow trucks and tractors, each vehicle has its own special job and its own way of moving. With cheerful sound words and charming illustrations, children will love guessing which machines zoom the fastest.
Critique: With bright and charming illustrations by artist Ana Martin Larranaga in full support of author/storyteller Tim Burton's engagingly fun survey of how the various construction trucks and vehicles operate -- and ultimately, who is the speediest? -- "Are You Speedy?" is an exceptional and highly recommended pick for family, daycare center, preschool, and community library board book collections for children ages 1-4.
Editorial Note #1: Tim Button started writing as a kid when he and his grandmother would write letters in poem form and send them back and forth. Today he spends his days advising businesses about technology. He loves sports of all kinds and has coached almost every kid's sport except for Lacrosse. He is known for joking around -- often using different voices, which is not surprising because he's also worked as a voice-over artist.
Editorial Note #2: Ana Martin Larranaga studied Fine Arts in Salamanca where her teachers told her to draw very big things. When she finished her studies, she returned to her small drawings and became an award-winning illustrator.
Animal Adventures: Day in the Bay
Fiona Craig
Collective Book Studio
https://thecollectivebook.studio
9781685551469, $12.95, Board Book, 24pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Animal-Adventures-Day-at-Beach/dp/1685551467
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/animal-adventures-fiona-craig/1147564958
Synopsis: From sunrise to sunset, "Animal Adventures: Day in the Bay" by Fiona Craig introduces curious little readers to the daily lives of coastal creatures (crabs, seagulls, seals, and more!) through captivating photographs and gentle, rhythmic storytelling. As they follow the animals' activities from morning to night, children also begin to learn about time, nature, and everyday routines.
Part of the beloved Animal Adventures series from The Collective Book Studio, "Animal Adventures: Day in the Bay" encourages early learning while celebrating the beauty of the natural world. It is ideal for young explorers, nature-loving families, and early educators looking to inspire curiosity and joy.
Critique: Fun and informative, "Animal Adventures: Day in the Bay" by Fiona Criag is an especially and unreservedly pick for family, daycare center, preschool, and community library Wild Animals & Marine Life themed board book collections for young children ages 6 months to 4 years. It should be noted that this board book edition of "Animal Adventures: Day in the Bay" from The Collective Book Studio is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $4.99).
Editorial Note: Raised in the wild beauty of New Zealand's Eyre Mountains, Fiona Craig has a deep reverence for nature, its quiet wisdom in rhythms, the land, and all its creatures. She is also the author of "Animal Adventures: Day in the Snow" (Tiny Torch Books, 9781685555122, $12.95 Board Book, $4.99 Kindle, 24pp).
The Picturebook Shelf
Summer Solstice Wish
Kate Allen Fox, author
Elisa Paganelli, illustrator
Beaming Books
https://www.beamingbooks.com
9798889835394, $18.99, HC, 32pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Summer-Solstice-Wish-Kate-Allen/dp/B0FBMMVRDT
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/summer-solstice-wish-kate-allen-fox/1147509620
Synopsis: On the longest day of the year, during the summer solstice, flowers explode like tiny fireworks of joy.
A community comes together to savor the golden days of summer and celebrate the summer solstice, by gathering in a large community flower garden. Children pick flowers and weave flower crowns, symbolizing their friendship and connection to the earth, spreading happiness and kindness. "Summer Solstice Wish" is a joyful picture book celebration of the glorious long days of summer that seem to pass all too quickly.
Critique: A sequel to their picture book "Winter Solstice Wish", author/storyteller Kate Allen Fox and artist/illustrator Elisa Paganelli have present young readers with "Summer Solstice Wish" -- another luminous solstice-based story. This colorfully charming picture book is set in the Pacific Northwest and is inspired by a Scandinavian tradition of making flower crowns to mark the summer solstice. Of special note is the inclusion of back matter featuring information about what's happening, scientifically, during a summer solstice and instructions for making a flower crown. While this hardcover edition of "Summer Solstice Wish" from Beaming Books is so highly recommended as a popular pick for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library nature themed picture book collections for children ages 4-7, it should be noted for personal reading lists that it is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99).
Editorial Note #1: Kate Allen Fox (https://kateallenfox.com) is an award-winning author of inspiring picture books about science and nature. Her works include: Pando, A Living Wonder of Trees, A Few Beautiful Minutes: Experiencing a Solar Eclipse, Winter Solstice Wish, Scratching the Surface: Exploring Earth's Layers, and Summer Solstice Wish. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times and McSweeney's.
Editorial Note #2: Elisa Paganelli (https://elisapaganelli.com) was born in Italy. After completing artistic studies, she made a career in advertising and has been the founder of a small award-winning design/trade business. She now lives and works in the UK as an illustrator and creative designer, accompanied by her beloved pets.
You Matter, Luma
John R. Miles
Morgan James Kids
c/o Morgan James Publishing
www.morganjamespublishing.com
9781636988757, $12.95, PB, 32pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/You-Matter-Luma-John-Miles/dp/163698875X
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/you-matter-luma-john-r-miles/1148151558
Synopsis: In a bustling forest where everyone seems louder, faster, and brighter than she is, Luma the Bunny sometimes feels like a leaf caught in the wind -- too quiet, too unsure, and too small to be noticed. Like many children, she quietly wonders if she must be louder, faster, or more special just to matter.
Accompanied by her wise friend Oliver the owl, Luma journeys through glowing clouds and rising storms and discovers a powerful truth: her worth isn't a gift she needs to find -- it's something she has carried inside her all along. Because worth isn't something we earn. It's something we already have.
Drawing from the science of emotional development and the psychology of mattering, "You Matter, Luma" is a picture book story that will help children to understand that courage, compassion, and connection begin with believing you matter. It is a tender, beautifully illustrated story for home libraries and classrooms, fitting naturally alongside the best social emotional learning books for kids.
Critique: Original, beautifully illustrated, and fun read from start to finish, "You Matter, Luma" by author/illustrator John R. Miles is an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library Friendship & Self-Esteem themed picture book collections for children ages 4-8. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this paperback edition of "You Matter, Luma" from Morgan James Kids is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: John Miles believes that every child carries a quiet, indestructible light -- even if they sometimes forget it is there. When John was five years old, a traumatic brain injury changed his world. Suddenly, he struggled to find his words and often felt invisible in a busy, loud world. Like Luma, he often felt like a "leaf caught in the wind," wondering if he was enough just as he was. John wrote You Matter, Luma for the child he used to be -- and for every child today who has ever felt small, quiet, or unsure of their place.
I Hear Whispers Under My Bed: A Story About Bravery
Jordi Lou, author
Srini Rupasinghe, illustrator
https://www.authorjordanabitz.com
C.J. Walker Publishing LLC
9798991855655, $19.99, HC, 32pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Hear-Whispers-Under-My-Bed/dp/B0GR895YT8
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/i-hear-whispers-under-my-bed-jordi-lou/1149618318
Synopsis: Certain that something spooky is lurking in the dark, a young boy calls for his dad. Together, they shine a flashlight under the bed, only to discover their dog Lucy cozily keeping her puppies safe. What seemed scary at first turns out to be something sweet and full of love.
Filled with warmth and gentle humor, this bedtime picture book story is a reminder that nighttime fears aren't always what they seem and that love makes everything a little less scary.
Critique: An original, charming, and thoroughly 'kid friendly" book picture book by author/storyteller Jordi Lou and artist/illustrator Srini Rupasinghe, "I Hear Whispers Under My Bed: A Story About Bravery" is a comforting and imaginative story about a young boy who believes monsters are hiding under his bed-until a brave moment with his dad reveals the truth. "I Hear Whispers Under My Bed" is a fun and unreservedly recommended pick for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library picture book collections for children ages 6 Months to 10 Years. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "I Hear Whispers Under My Bed: A Story About Bravery" from C.J. Walker Publishing is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $3.99).
Editorial Note #1: Jordi Lou (https://www.authorjordanabitz.com) is a romance author and a dedicated writer of picture books. While she loves crafting heartfelt love stories, she's equally devoted to creating children's books that explore themes of mental health, foster care, adoption, and resilience.
Editorial Note #2: Srini Rupasinghe (https://www.facebook.com/srini.rupasinghe) studies at Sri Lanka Law College and currently resides in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Aya Has Never Seen a Bear
Gerelchimeg Blackcrane, author
Jiu Er, illustrator
Paul Qiao, translator
Greystone Kids
c/o Greystone Books
www.greystonebooks.com
9781778403064, $20.95, HC, 64pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Never-Seen-Bear-Aldana-Libros/dp/1778403069
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/aya-has-never-seen-a-bear-gerelchimeg-blackcrane/1147799651
Synopsis: Aya is a young girl whose grandfather lives a traditional life in the mountains of northern China. He has introduced her to all the animals and plants of their region and the way of life of the Oroqen people. One morning, Aya's grandfather tells her that he will take her deep into the forest to see bears -- something she has dreamed of for a long time. So off they ride, very quietly, through the fall woods.
Critique: Ably translated into English by Paul Qiao, "Aya Has Never Seen a Bear" is comprised of a marvelous Chinese picture book story by author/storyteller Gerelchimeg Blackcrane, and showcasing the stunning illustrations by Jiu Er. "Aya Has Never Seen a Bear" is both a beautiful introduction to one of the traditional peoples of China and a fun read from cover to cover. "Aya Has Never Seen a Bear" is unreservedly recommended for family, elementary school, and community library picture book collections for children ages 6-8. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "Aya Has Never Seen a Bear" from Greystone Kids is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $19.06).
Editorial Note #1: Gerelchimeg Blackcrane is an award-winning Chinese Mongolian writer of natural literature and a breeder and trainer of native Chinese mastiffs. He has published many novels, including Black Flame, Ghost Dog, Black Dog Haranohai, Wolverine River, Blood Colt, Smoke from Wolf Valley, and Six Seasons of Reindeer. He has collaborated with Jiu'er on picture books, including The Moose of Ewenki, another story of a traditional people of Inner Mongolia, also published by Aldana Libros. His works have been translated into more than ten languages and sold internationally, exported abroad, with a wide readership of children and adults. He currently lives in the Hulunbuir grassland in Inner Mongolia.
Editorial Note #2: Jiu Er is an award-winning sculptor and picture book writer and the first female Chinese artist to be featured in the Honor List of the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY). She lives in Beijing, China, along with her Mongolian hunting dog, whose name is Huhe.
The Princess Away Beyond the Mountains
Valeria Angela Pisi, author
Francesc Rovira, illustrator
NubeOcho
9791387834265, $17.99, HC, 40pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Princess-Away-Beyond-Mountains-Egalit%C3%A8/dp/B0FJD21SNW
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-princess-away-beyond-the-mountains-valeria-angela-pisi/1147867293
Synopsis: When the king decides to reward anyone who can rescue his daughter from the clutches of the dragon, brave knights come from far and wide to try their luck. But when they get there, the princess says she doesn't want to be saved and, in no uncertain terms, sends them packing! She's finally having fun and is ready for adventure! Will any of the knights want to join her?
Critique: Impressively illustrated by the artwork of Francesc Rovira bringing author/storyteller Valeria Angela Pisi's picture book story about a princess who is locked in a Dragon's castle -- but when brave knights cross mountains and confront danger to save her -- she doesn't want to be saved! Original, clever, and a fun read from cover to cover, "The Princess Away Beyond the Mountains" is an exceptional and unreservedly recommended addition to family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library picture book collections for children ages 3 to 7.
Editorial Note #1: Valeria Angela Pisi (https://valeriapisi.weebly.com) was born and live in Reggio Emilia, Italy. For as long as she can remember, reading has always been an important part of her life. In particular, she have been passionate about picture books since her parents brought her a book as a gift from Prague when she was eight years old. A few years ago, her passion for reading was joined by that of writing for children, which led her to publish some books for children and young people.
Editorial Note #2: Francesc Rovira (https://francescrovira.net) began his professional career in 1982, illustrating what would become his first book. Since then he has dedicated himself professionally to the world of illustration, primarily for children and young people, creating drawings for magazines, textbooks, and stories for various publishers. In addition to his work as an illustrator, with more than four hundred books published and translated into several languages, he contributes to all types of publications and holds regular exhibitions, both collective and solo, of published and unpublished works.
Mildred and the Pony
Eric Seaburg, author/illustrator
www.ericseaburgart.com
Blue Note Publications
https://bluenotepress.com
9781878398628, $22.99, HC, 34pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Mildred-Pony-Eric-Seaburg/dp/1878398628
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mildred-and-the-pony-eric-seaburg/1148453621
Synopsis: Mildred is having a bad day. Blamed for a mess in the kitchen and scolded for her temper, she's sent outside to do chores, but all Mildred really wants to do is to ride her pony, Roosevelt. When Roosevelt mysteriously disappears, Mildred sets off across the farm in search of him, only to stir up trouble with the chickens, pigs, cows, and goats along the way. Each encounter brings Mildred (and the reader!) a new mishap, a dash of humor, and a hard lesson about kindness and respect.
Critique: Filled with lively illustrations and an original story about a spirited young girl and some important lessons learned the hard way, Eric Seaburg's picture book, "Mildred and the Pony", is an original, playful, and entertaining story about learning to take responsibility, make amends, and discover the joy of treating others with care. "Mildred and the Pony" from Blue Note Publications is especially and unreservedly recommended family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library picture book collections for children ages 3-9.
Editorial Note: Eric Seaburg (www.ericseaburgart.com) is an artist, storyteller, and author of children's books and YA fiction. He has an MFA from Academy of Art University and a BFA from Paier College of Art, and has spent years creating art.
You Matter, Luma
John R. Miles, author
Nejla Shojaie, illustrator
Morgan James Kids
c/o Morgan James Publishing
www.morganjamespublishing.com
9781636988757, $12.95, PB, 32pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/You-Matter-Luma-John-Miles/dp/163698875X
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/you-matter-luma-john-r-miles/1148151558
Synopsis: In a bustling forest where everyone seems louder, faster, and brighter than she is, a bunny named Luma sometimes feels like a leaf caught in the wind -- too quiet, too unsure, and too small to be noticed. Like many children, she quietly wonders if she must be louder, faster, or more special just to matter.
Accompanied by her wise friend Oliver the owl, Luma journeys through glowing clouds and rising storms and discovers a powerful truth: her worth isn't a gift she needs to find -- it's something she has carried inside her all along. Because worth isn't something we earn. It's something we already have.
Critique: Deftly drawing from the science of emotional development and the psychology of mattering, "You Matter Luma" by author/storyteller John R. Miles and artist/illustrator Nejla Shojaie is an original and deftly crafted picture book story that will help young children to understand that courage, compassion, and connection begin with believing they matter. While this paperback edition of "You Matter Luma" from Morgan James Kids is unreservedly recommended for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library social/emotional learning themed picture books for children ages 4-8, it should be noted that it is also readily available for personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note #1: John R. Miles (https://johnrmiles.com) is an award-winning author of over 20 international honors, including the Mom's Choice Awards(R) Gold. While he has interviewed over 700 of the world's most famous thinkers on his podcast, Passion Struck(R). John's mission is simple: to make sure no child ever feels unseen. Through his books and his global kindness initiative, the Pass the Ripple challenge, he is helping a new generation of "little ones" realize that when you know you matter, you have the power to change the world.
Editorial Note #2: There is an online listing of books illustrated by Nejla Shojaie available at Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/19122076.Nejla_Shojaie
I Think I Saw the Easter Bunny
Adam Wallace, author
Srimalie Bassani, illustrator
Silver Dolphin Books
https://www.silverdolphinbooks.com
9781667211657, $10.99, HC, 32pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Think-Saw-Easter-Bunny/dp/166721165X
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/i-think-i-saw-the-easter-bunny-adam-wallace/1147556948
Synopsis: Every year, Alex comes in second place at the annual Easter egg hunt. But not this year. He is determined to finally come in first... until he spots something in a bush. Is that... could it be? It's the Easter Bunny! But the Easter Bunny needs help, and Alex knows exactly what he needs to do -- help the Easter Bunny hide all the eggs! He and the Easter Bunny, together, zip all over hiding eggs to save Easter!
Critique: An original and fun contribution to the every growing library of Easter themed picture books for young readers, "I Think I Saw the Easter Bunny" by the team of author/storyteller dam Wallace and artist/illustrator Srimalie Bassani is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended addition to family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library picture book collections for children ages 3-8.
Editorial Note #1: Adam Wallace is an Australian author best-known for the How to Catch series. There is a comprehensive listing of his books available online at Book Series In Order: https://www.bookseriesinorder.com/adam-wallace
Editorial Note #2: Srimalie Bassani (https://bassanisrimalie.wixsite.com/illustrator) attended the Academy of Fine Arts and later earned a master's degree in editorial illustration. Her work has appeared in publications from several publishers, including Bacchilega Editore, Lantana Editore, and Gilgamesh Editions.
The Fountain
Lisa Loffredo
https://lisaloffredo.com
Transit Children's Editions
9798893380897, $20.95, HC, 40pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Fountain-Lisa-Loffredo/dp/B0FJCKS5SL
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-fountain-lisa-loffredo/1147885088
Synopsis: One Tuesday morning, a yellow hat bobs to the surface of the town fountain. The next day, there's a yellow drum. Then a yellow rocking horse, roller skates, cowboy boots, a garden gnome, things with moustaches... By evening, the whole town is buzzing about the fountain's incredible gifts. Notable experts from far and wide come to investigate. The mayor designates visiting days and installs a traffic light. But no one ever figures out the fountain's secret. Then, one day, the fountain disappears as mysteriously as it arrived. But its magic remains...
Critique: A unique and original modern day fantasy fable, "The Fountain" by author/illustrator Lisa Loffredo is an extraordinary and thoroughly 'kid friendly' picture book that is a fun read from start to finish. With an uplifting message about the simple gift of company, this hardcover edition of "The Fountain" from Transit Children's Editions is an unreservedly recommended addition to family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library picture book collections for children ages 3-8.
Editorial Note: Lisa Loffredo (https://lisaloffredo.com) is a self-taught Italian illustrator and picture book author based in Amsterdam. She loves colors, humorous characters and playful illustrations. Lisa was selected as winner of the 2025 Illustrators' Exhibition in Bologna.
The Mountain That Wouldn't Move
Sandra Dumais
Owlkids Books Inc.
www.owlkidsbooks.com
9781771476492, $18.95, HC, 32pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Mountain-That-Wouldnt-Move/dp/1771476494
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-mountain-that-wouldnt-move-sandra-dumais/1147694935
Synopsis: Bear lives in a forest under the shadow of a mountain. She dreams of seeing a sunset and feeling the warm sun on her fur. So one day, fed up with the gloomy shadow, she decides there's only one thing to do: move the mountain!
She enlists the help of her forest friends, who agree to take on this seemingly impossible task. But after all their efforts fail, her exhausted friends decide that they don't mind the shadow after all. Bear alone keeps trying -- only to eventually collapse in frustration.
When her friends gently lift her and carry her up to the top of the mountain, Bear sees the sunset for the very first time. She realizes that without the mountain this beautiful view wouldn't be possible, and she is finally able to let go of the shadow... and her anger.
Critique: Charming, original, and a fun read from cover to cover, "The Mountain That Wouldn't Move" by author/illustrator Sandra Dumais is an extraordinary picture book about friendship, feelings, and the unexpected benefits of what seems at first a tremendous inconvenience. Thoroughly 'kid friendly' from start to finish, this edition of "The Mountain That Wouldn't Move" from Owlkids Books is a very special and unreservedly recommended pick for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library picture book collections for children ages 4-7.
Editorial Note: Sandra Dumais (https://www.sandradumais.com) is a children's author, illustrator, and comic-book maker who loves telling stories that are equal parts silly and heartfelt. When she's not reading, writing or drawing, she's probably leading a workshop with kids, making a zine, or joking around with her best friend, a polka-dot rescue dog named Indy, who insists on snack breaks and approves all story ideas. Sandra lives in Montreal, Quebec.
Squirrel Draws Big Feelings
Erin Dealey, author
Luciana Navarro Powell, illustrator
Beaming Books
https://www.beamingbooks.com
9798889832102, $18.98, HC, 32pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Squirrel-Draws-Feelings-Erin-Dealey/dp/B0FBMP2B55
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/squirrel-draws-big-feelings-erin-dealey/1147509619
Synopsis: Squirrel feels squirrelly all the time! Porcupine gets the pricklies when things don't go the way she expects them to. And Bear only knows how to express his feelings ROARfully.
When Squirrel is having a hard time controlling his emotions and his body, his squirrelly behavior causes such a commotion that Porcupine gets all prickly and Bear has a ROARful day. No one is having fun and everyone is overwhelmed.
That is, until Squirrel turns to chalk art to express his big feelings: "With each squiggly line, Squirrel felt better. Art felt like a quiet hug." After some initial hesitation and insecurity over whether they can make art too, Porcupine and Bear join Squirrel in drawing their hearts out. Turns out, friendship and sharing are coping skills too.
With rhyming text and dynamic, mixed-media illustrations, "Squirrel Draws Big Feelings" will help young readers to understand that even when we don't have the words to express how we feel, we don't need to get stuck there!
Critique: Original, charming, and with an important 'kid friendly' message about handling our feelings, "Squirrel Draws Big Feelings" by the team of author/storyteller Erin Dealey and artist/illustrator Luciana Navarro Powel is especially and unreservedly recommended for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library Emotions/Feelings themed picture book collections for children ages 4-7. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "Squirrel Draws Big Feelings" from Beaming Books is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99).
Editorial Note #1: Erin Dealey is an award-winning children's author and playwright. Erin has published dozens of books celebrating kindness and community, including Dear Earth. . . From Your Friends in Room 5 (NYSRA Charlotte Award) and Snow Globe Wishes (Anna Dewdney Read Together Honor Book). With decades of experience as a language arts and theater teacher, she loves motivating kids to read, write, and make art. She lives in Northern California with her husband.
Editorial Note #2: Luciana Navarro Powell (www.lucianaillustration.com) grew up and started her illustration career in Brazil before moving to the United States in 2002. She worked as an art buyer for an educational publisher in the Chicago area, before moving to California and becoming a full-time illustrator. She now lives in Washington state and has illustrated more than 20 children's books.
The Green Otter
Eduardo Halfon and Maria Jose de Telleria
Tapioca Stories
https://www.tapiocastories.com
9798993082004, $19.95, HC, 36pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Green-Otter-Eduardo-Halfon/dp/B0FQXRKNGH
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-green-otter-eduardo-halfon/1148281682
Synopsis: "The Green Otter" is the picture book story of a father who sets out with a simple mission: to bring home a blue horse for his young son. But when he returns, nestled beside the horse is a tiny green otter -- an unexpected gift that captures his son's heart in ways no one could have foreseen.
Critique: This original and unique picture book was inspired by the tender short story "The Green Otter" by Guatemalan author Eduardo Halfon. Here it is delightfully brought to life through the whimsical visuals of Argentinian illustrator Maria Jose de Telleria. Available in both English and Spanish editions, "The Green Otter" from Tapioca Stories is especially and unreservedly recommended for family, elementary school, and community library pet themed picture book collections for young readers ages 5-9.
Tova's Sweet Solution
Melissa Taylor, author
Aurelie Lise-Anne, illustrator
Red Comet Press
https://www.redcometpress.com
9781636551906, $18.99, HC, 36pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Tovas-Sweet-Solution-Melissa-Taylor/dp/1636551904
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tovas-sweet-solution-melissa-taylor/1148019711
Synopsis: Tova loves everything about her family's bakery -- the warmth, the smells, the cinnalove scones.
But when a painful tummy ache leads to an unexpected allergy diagnosis, Tova learns she can no longer enjoy her favorite treats made with honeygrain. Crushed but determined, Tova's family rallies around her with hugs, songs, and a whole lot of "bakestorming".
But none of their new recipes taste quite right... until Tova and her squirrel sidekick, Biscuit, stumble upon a surprise ingredient that leads to the Toviest Tova-size idea ever!
Bursting with playful language, cozy charm, and a dash of culinary creativity, this is a children's story that celebrates perseverance, problem-solving, and the loving support of a family that always bakes together -- no matter what!
Critique: "Tova's Sweet Solution" by author/storyteller Melissa Taylor and artist/illustrator Aurelie Lise-Anne is an original, deftly crafted, charmingly delightful picture book story about creativity, resilience, and the magic of family. While highly recommended, especially for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library picture book collections for children ages 4-8, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "Tova's Sweet Solution" from Red Comet Press is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $17.09).
Editorial Note #1: Melissa Taylor (www.melissataylor.net) is an allergy mom, writer, award-winning teacher, children's book reviewer, parent, and dog mom from Denver, Colorado. She loves (in no particular order) children's books, learning new things, and knitting rectangles. "Tova's Sweet Solution" is her debut children's picture book.
Editorial Note #2: Aurelie Lise-Anne (www.aurelieliseanne.com) is a Belgian artist working in children's book illustration and animation. She has worked on projects such as Klaus and The Adventures of Paddington. Passionate about animation, she has never stopped honing her own whimsical style illustrating books and personal projects alongside her studio work.
Eerdmans Books
www.eerdmans.com/youngreaders
New arrivals from Eerdmans provide libraries with many attractive new choices that promise lasting lending value.
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Who-Hid-Stars-Pollution-Spectacular/dp/0802856519
Who Hid the Stars? How Light Pollution Changes Our World by Valentina Gottardi, Macie J. Michno, and Danio Miserocchi (9780802856517, $18.99) is an intriguing history of artificial light development, blending human history and science and nature in an attractive nonfiction picture book translated by Sylvia Notini. Lovely acrylic and digital illustrations compliment a variety of light-related topics, from how streetlights attract insects and their predators to how plants and animals are affected by darkness and changes in artificial light. Valentina Gottardi's gorgeous illustrations of insects, plants, birds, bats, and more make Who Hid the Stars? a special attraction for picture book leisure readers as well as students.
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Music-Silence-Passion-Protest-Incredible/dp/0802855512
Music and Silence: The Passion and Protest of Pablo Casals by Christy Mihaly (9780802855510, $19.99) reaches ages 7-12 with the picture book biography of an eleven-year-old boy who becomes entranced by the cello. His initial interest leads Pau to play cello all over the world - but politics results in an unusual decision to leave his homeland during times of war and forego his beloved instrument until Spain is free. An enchanting saga of music, politics, art and determination invites adults to interact with kids about Pau's life and times.
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Children-Sun-Legend-Stories-America/dp/0802856543
Micaela Chirif and Juan Palomino's The Children of the Sun: An Inca Legend (9780802856548, $18.99) reaches kids ages 5-9 with a lovely story about the world's first city and its culture. Juan Palomino's engaging illustrations and Lawrence Schimel's translation contribute to a thoroughly engrossing story that tells of a long journey, different forms of growth and discovery, and Incan culture, making for an attractive survey for libraries seeking simple picture books about the Incas.
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Visit-N%C3%BAria-Figueras/dp/0802856551
Nuria Figueras' and Anna Font's The Visit (9780802856555, $18.99) is translated by Lawrence Schimel and tells of a little fox who receives an unexpected visitor when her mother leaves their den. Silence offers a strange and large countenance, but Little Fox slowly learns that friendship can arrive in many unexpected forms. The story will serve especially well for read-aloud adults who want to explore the topic of silence, staying home alone, and independence with the very young - as well as the topic of cultivating different friends.
All are outstanding stories that offer high-quality writing, attractive illustrations, and intriguing perspectives.
Penguin Young Readers Group
www.penguinrandomhouse.com
These picture book new arrivals from imprints of Penguin Young Readers Group represent a highly recommended set of elementary-level books perfect for libraries and those who read aloud to kids.
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Exca-Gator-Brooke-Hartman/dp/0593693337
Brooke Hartman's Exca-Gator! (Flamingo Books, 9780593693339, $18.99) receives colorful, whimsical illustrations by Michael Slack as it tells of an alligator who operates an excavator. He's so excited about his new machine that he creates a big mess. It's evident that he needs to learn some teamwork as he tackles machines, a construction crew, and new possibilities.
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Sweater-Story-Community-Larissa-Theule/dp/0593528948
Larissa Theule's The Sweater: A Story of Community (Viking, 9780593528945, $18.99) receives drawings by Teagan White which are lovely embellishments to the story of a girl who takes a morning stroll, only to come upon a small bird. "It was plain to see he'd been through some things." It's also plain to see he's alone and needs a helping hand. This fine story of community support and involvement will be the perfect choice for adults seeking to teach the very young about helping others in times of need.
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Nisha-Knows-Maryann-Jacob-Macias/dp/1984815555
Nisha Knows Best by Maryann Jacob Macias (Dial Books, 9781984815552, $19.99) is illustrated by Maithili Joshi and tells of a loving family changed when relatives arrive from India. Nisha loves her grandparents, but finds them strange and different. She feels shy about the visit, even though her familiar big family surrounds her. A fine story of family togetherness and support evolves with a message for kids about distant relatives, new connections, and courage.
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Copland-Story-America-Veronica-Mang/dp/059369371X
Veronica Mang's Copland: A Story About America (Viking, 9780593693711, $18.99) is a story about music and American developments and follows the story of Aaron Copland, born at the dawn of 1900 into a community of immigrants. His talent for music involves everyone around him and changes the world as he creates songs that reflect his heritage and American experiences.
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Great-Escape-Deborah-Marcero/dp/059385795X
The Great Escape by Deborah Marcero (Putnam, 9780593857953, $19.99) tells of Evie, who just can't get away from her tag-along younger siblings. It seems she can only escape their attention by using magic. When she does so, she's transported to a magical world - but there's no escaping her tenacious siblings. How can she have a real adventure when they keep interfering? A fine story of whales and entanglements keeps all ages involved.
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/You-Are-Land-Steph-Littlebird/dp/B0F9V6MZ6C
You Are The Land by Steph Littlebird (Nancy Paulsen Books, 9798217003495, $18.99) tells of a child's love for the land, as she's born into a community strongly connected to the nature around her. As the child grows, messages imparted by her elders reinforce these connections: "You are the mountains, the hills are your relatives and Earth is our Mother."
All of these new titles from Penguin Young Readers Group are outstanding stories that are standout books.
The Bilingual Shelf
The Ingredients that Make Us / Los ingredientes que nos hacen lo que somos
David I. Santiago, author
Anne Vega, illustrator
Pinata Books
c/o Arte Publico Press
www.artepublicopress.com
9798893750355, $18.95, HC, 32pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Ingredients-that-ingredientes-hacen-somos/dp/B0FTMZM2FZ
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-ingredients-that-make-us-los-ingredientes-que-nos-hacen-lo-que-somos-david-i-santiago/1148363569
Synopsis: While visiting family in Puerto Rico, Luis learns to make caldo santo -- and that the special soup's ingredients honor the history of the island and its people.
Critique: An original, fun and informative picture book by the team of author/storyteller David I. Santiago and artist/illustrator Anne Vega, "The Ingredients that Make Us / Los ingredientes que nos hacen lo que somos" is an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library bi-lingual picture book collections for children ages 4-8.
Editorial Note #1: David I. Santiago (www.davidisantiago.com) is a writer, technologist raised and the author of a novel, "Of Dubious Origin" (Arte Publico Press, 2025), and a short story collection, "Beware the Bantam Fighter" (Arte Publico Press, 2024). His stories have been published in numerous journals, including the San Antonio Review, Fiction on the Web and other anthologies.
Editorial Note #2: Anne Vega is an instructor whose goal is to encourage the participants in her workshops and classes to develop their creative potential by expressing themselves through their art. Currently her personal work is based in the foundations of representation where she transfer factual data of reality into the domain of art by extracting from the physical world an element of moral truth. (https://mcconnellarts.org/about/people/faculty/anne-vega)
The Elementary Fiction Shelf
Mousse's Treasures
Claire Lebourg
Transit Children's Editions
www.transitchildrenseditions.org
9798893380293, $18.95
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Mousses-Treasures-Mousse-Claire-Lebourg/dp/B0DSCJ1SHG
Mousse's Treasures is translated by Sophie Lewis and adds to a collection of other Mousse adventures for young readers newly moving beyond picture books and into chapter book reading. Here, Mousse has prepared for his niece Pistachio's arrival with all sorts of decorations and plans, but Pistachio has only one interest for her holiday with Mousse - to play in the waves. When an invitation arrives for them to do something different, opportunity presents itself in the form of old treasures and memories that illustrate to both the value of the past. Readers will enjoy this fun, light-hearted, thought-provoking story of discovery and connection.
The Middle Grade Fiction Shelf
Wise Home
A. K. Frailey, author
Laura & Rebekah Frailey, illustrators
A. K. Frailey Books
https://akfrailey.com
9798994596524, $25.00, HC, 72pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Wise-Home-K-Frailey/dp/B0GVPYN4YZ
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wise-home-a-k-frailey/1149816869
Synopsis: "Wise Home" by A. K. Frailey is an enchanting family chapter book story told from an older woman's perspective about her childhood during the years she spent on a farm with her Great Aunt Wilda on the outskirts of a midwestern town. While exploring the wonders of the woodlands, she discovered an animal community and formed friendships that taught her the meaning of wisdom and the value of home.
Her mother and father had been enduring hard times; overworked and unhappy, they sent her, as a seven-year-old, to the rural homestead. Great Aunt Wilda, a grand collector of things and stories, not only shares her abundant memories with the child, but on the practical side, she teaches her how to bake and crochet. Hints about the wonders of the wild woodlands draw the child outdoors, where she discovers an animal community with its own challenges and conquests.
A calico cat named Margaret relates her own troubles as a kitten lost in the woods, but befriended by a squirrel and a possum family, she forges her own home from a ramshackle building on the back of Baley Acres.
As the child learns gardening and cooking skills by day, each evening she returns to Margaret to learn about woodland adventures and the community spirit that supports the animals through hard times. Only the rumors about coyotes disturb their peace, while worries about her parents haunt the child.
After exchanging letters with her parents and later discovering that she had grown so much she needed new clothes, the child is overjoyed to discover that her parents are coming for a visit. Only the fear of leaving her aunt and her new woodland friend dampens her spirits.
Before her parents arrive, the possum informs her that Margaret is missing. The child, along with her woodland friends, follows the trail and discovers Margaret trying to free a coyote pup caught in a trap. Though Margaret knows how to spring the trap, her feline strength isn't enough. With the child and the possum's help, they save the pup to the gratitude of the coyote parents, forging a one-of-a-kind alliance.
When her parents arrive, the child's happiness is clouded by renewed fears of leaving her new friends. Only after they ask her if she has been truly happy with her Great Aunt Wilda, and she answers truthfully, do they explain that they are moving in to assist their elderly aunt and give the child her heart's desire, a home and family, with everyone she loves.
The narrator concludes with her finest insight, "I knew then, as I've always known through these past fifty years-love is a wise home."
Critique: Featuring illustrations by Laura and Rebekah Frailey, "Wise Home" by A. K. Fraileyis a charming and original chapter book story of a yesteryear childhood spent on a farm and adventures with animals. Delightful, engaging, memorable, 'kid friendly', and a deftly crafted and fun read from start to finish, "Wise Home" is an especially and unreservedly pick for family, elementary school, and community library Chapter Book collections for children ages 5-10. It should be noted that this hardcover edition of "Wise Home" is also readily available for personal reading lists in paperback (9798994596517, $12.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $5.00).
Editorial Note #1: A. K. Frailey (https://akfrailey.com) is the author of a a science fiction series, short story collections, inspirational non-fiction books, a children's book, and a poetry collection. Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/4676216.A_K_Frailey
The Young Adult Fiction Shelf
The Deadliest Catch
Edward Congreve Shephard
Blossom Spring Publishing
https://www.blossomspringpublishing.com
9781068776557, $15.00, PB, 339pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Deadliest-Catch-Edward-Congreve-Shephard/dp/1068776552
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-deadliest-catch-edward-congreve-shephard/1147091030
Synopsis: What was supposed to be a carefree romp in Lombok becomes rather a journey of mystery and intrigue when the receding stormy waves of an island trap reveal something which definitely shouldn't be there. When uncovered, the article offers not only a horrific visage but also implies that a darker nature might be at work.
There are heroes and there are monsters, but most of us are ordinary mortals caught up in a maelstrom of events too turbulent for us to cope with. United in their efforts to do the right thing brings the three boys into confrontation with the most dangerous gang, intent on avarice plundering a beautiful land.
When reporting to the authorities is thwarted by governmental corruption, the boys realize that if they want justice they must go it alone. Though caught up in currents far beyond their control, they battle against the dark forces with determination. The tension builds as the denouement unfolds and still, there is no conclusion!
Critique: Original, deftly crafted, and a riveting read from start to finish, "The Deadliest Catch" is an extraordinary novel that reveals author Edward Shephard's genuine flair for the kind of character and narrative driven storytelling style as ideal for young adult readers ages 16 and older who are interested in stories with the elements of fantasy, vividly described action, high adventure, and desperate survival against the odds. While also readily available for personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $6.35), this paperback edition of "The Deadliest Catch" is an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for highschool and community library YA Fiction collections.
Editorial Note: Edward Congreve Shephard was born in Chester but brought up in East Sussex and on the Isle of Skye. He is an avid reader a keen sportsman and a true gourmand. Having gained a degree in Philosophical Theology and English, he decided he needed a change. A move to South Korea paved the way for the following 15 years of his life which he spent in international schools all over East Asia. At first, he taught but moved later into management, teacher training and consultancy. Marriage to a teacher from Java gave him a place of domicile in Indonesia and for a long time it was Surabaya he called home. It was not until later and due to failing health that the lure of the orient began to fade and Edward returned home to Skye and took up the first page of the novel he had begun 12 years before. This grew into "The Deadliest Catch", originally a cathartic exercise bidding good bye to an Asian Odyssey but developing into a traditional adventure story.
Abbreviated Tales For Every Season
Vic LeClair III
YSAT (Publisher)
9780996302845, $13.99, PB, 225pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/ABBREVIATED-TALES-EVERY-SEASON-LeClair/dp/0996302840
Synopsis: No matter your geographic location, the seasons of the year have more in common than their weather patterns. The different seasons have feelings rooted in memory and nostalgia that creates a world of possibilities when a new period of the year arrives.
"Abbreviated Tales For Every Season" by Vic LeClair III is a compendium of twenty-five short stories that will travel to the past or keep you here where you live. These are tales that change like the wind blowing in the field on our cover. Every one of us will go through continual alteration, conversion, and reversal in our lives. Let the following stories take your imagination to a different place and time.
"Abbreviated Tales For Every Season" is a collection of season themed stories that collectively, will bring hope, curiosity, humor, mayhem, love, and tradition to young readers.
Critique: Original, deftly crafted, laced with humor and with a universal resonance among young readers, this paperback edition of Vic LeClair III's "Abbreviated Tales For Every Season" from YSAT is an especially and unreservedly pick for family, middle school, highschool, and community library Contemporary Short Story collections for young readers ages 12-18.
Editorial Note: Vic LeClair III has written and has had published - novels, short stories, and national articles. He has won numerous awards for his short stories. There is an online listing of his books at Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/2908365.Vic_LeClair_III
Julia and Romano
Eric Walters
https://ericwalters.net
DCB Young Readers
c/o Cormorant Books
www.cormorantbooks.com
9781770868236, $16.95, PB, 304pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Julia-Romano-Eric-Walters/dp/1770868232
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/julia-and-romano-eric-walters/1148041814
Synopsis: Forced to move across the country for her mom's new job, Julia Anderson hates everything about her new home in Campbell River -- until she meets Cody Romano, a cute and charming guy who soon becomes a friend, then something more.
But just when things are finally looking up, Jules and Cody realize their families are on opposite sides of an environmental issue that's dividing their small coastal community in half, stirring up strife, spite, and even sabotage.
Hiding secret dates from gossiping neighbors and their parents, Jules and Cody must risk it all to be together, lest their relationship end before they can find out how far it can go.
Critique: An original and entertaining read from start to finish, "Julia and Romano" by Eric Walters will hold a special appeal for young readers with an interest in stories that deftly blend YA romance with dystopian science fiction. Deftly crafted and simply riveting, "Julia and Romano" is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended pick for highschool and community library YA Fiction collections for ages 13-18. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this paperback edition from DCB Young Readers is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $15.99).
Editorial Note: Eric Walters (https://ericwalters.net) has an online listing of his books available at Book Series In Order: https://www.bookseriesinorder.com/eric-walters
The Historical Fiction Shelf
Cloudburst
Eugene M. Gagliano
Crystal Publishing LLC
https://crystalpublishingllc.biz
9781942624851, $9.95
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GSF3M4ZH
Cloudburst tells of thirteen-year-old daydreamer Declan, who longs to be a hero, but lives a staid life in 1912 small-town Buffalo, Wyoming. It feels unlikely that he'll be called upon to step up to be a hero - but in a rapidly expanding nation which just added Arizona and New Mexico to its United States, anything is possible.
Declan also falls short in his attractiveness to the opposite sex: "None of the girls in town paid any mind to him. They all liked the rancher boys like Jack, who were older and had their own horses."
As Declan explores the natural surroundings of his home with his friend Jack, young readers receive important introductions to Wyoming's countryside and concerns. These add atmosphere and insights into Declan's life and evolving world. Action comes from discoveries of the "strange things in this world" and forays into nature which not only embrace mushrooms, cowboys, Buffalo soldiers and Tin Lizzies, but the milieu of change that is rapidly changing
Declan's small town life with bigger-picture thinking and experiences.
Middle grade readers will especially appreciate the ongoing atmospheric backdrops and Declan's thought that "someday he could be a real hero just like Grandpa."
Filled with quiet discoveries and vivid adventures alike, Declan's journey brings with it a sense of time, place, and growing responsibility as Declan finds new ways to step into his abilities and choices. Eugene M. Gagliano's Cloudburst will be attractive to elementary-level libraries seeking stories of the Old West. It excels in pairing a coming-of-age story with insights into helping others, caring about one's world and place in it, and what it really takes to be a hero to another.
Replete with family relationship insights and realistic scenarios of Wyoming, Cloudburst is a lesson in empowerment, growth, and choice that deserves a place in any elementary-level library. It will attract leisure readers and reading groups with its vivid tale of a young man's insights about his own behaviors and how it affects the world around him.
The Other Midnight Rider: Sam Prescott Rides for Freedom
Eileen Cameron
www.eileencameron.com
Mascot Kids
c/o Mascot Books
www.mascotbooks.com
9798900260396, $11.95, PB, 32pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Other-Midnight-Rider-Prescott-Freedom/dp/B0GSC1NYG6
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-other-midnight-rider-eileen-cameron/1149678731
Synopsis: Three riders galloped down the moonlit road, anxiously watching for patrols of the King's Regulars.
It was April 1775, and the night before the start of the American Revolution. By daybreak, the Minutemen were out, shots were fired, and the War for Independence was on. Paul Revere and William Dawes had just alerted the patriot leaders in Lexington that the Regulars were out searching for them and aimed to destroy the colonists' supplies in Concord.
Young Dr. Sam Prescott, a Son of Liberty, joined them on the road to Concord. Suddenly darting out of the woods, a patrol of Regulars, guns drawn, barked "Stop!" Revere was captured, and Dawes fled back toward Lexington. Would Sam escape and make it safely to Concord to warn the patriots?
Sam's story is a small and unheralded, but important, part of this pivotal night when English colonists became Americans and stood up for individual freedoms and liberty.
Children will love Sam's exciting story of how one person's courage and determination can help to preserve liberty. "The Other Midnight Rider: Sam Prescott Rides for Freedom", a book of historical fiction, adds a new tale for children to the chronicles of the patriots of the American Revolution.
Critique: A deftly crafted work of fiction that is based on historical events, "The Other Midnight Rider: Sam Prescott Rides for Freedom" by Eileen Cameron is a fun read from cover to cover and will be of special interest to young readers with an interest in the American Revolution. Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, this paperback edition of "The Other Midnight Rider: Sam Prescott Rides for Freedom" from Mascot Kids is a prized and unreservedly recommended pick for family, elementary school, middle school, and community library Historical Fiction collections for children ages 6-12.
Editorial Note: Eileen Cameron (www.eileencameron.com) is a celebrated children's author and historic preservationist who holds degrees from Skidmore College and NYU. Her book Canyon, was a Bank Street College's Book of the Year; G is for Garden State was named Book of the Year by the New Jersey Center for the Book; and Rupert's Parchment: Story of Magna Carta was featured at Magna Carta Day at the National Archives in Washington, DC, and was a Foreword Reviews Picture Book/Early Reader Book of Year Finalist.
The LGBTQ Fiction Shelf
The Visitors
Greg Howard
Nancy Paulsen Books
c/o Penguin Young Readers Group
https://www.penguin.com
9780593111888, $16.99, HC, 320pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Visitors-Greg-Howard/dp/0593111885
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-visitors-greg-howard/1139432587
Synopsis: "The Visitors" by Greg Howard is the story of a lonely twelve-year-old boy who spends his days "stuck" at the deserted Hollow Pines Plantation in Georgetown, South Carolina with no recollection of his name, how long he's been there, and no idea how to leave.
Things never change much for the lost souls at Hollow Pines and time is strange when you're dead. But when visitors from the living world arrive for the first time in a long while, the boy feels a spark of hope. These visitors are around his age, and they seem to understand more than others that the plantation is not just spooky or eerie, it's a sad place where the unspeakable happened again and again. And if these kids could understand the truth about Hollow Pines, maybe they could help him uncover the dark secrets of his past and help him find a way to finally move on.
But Hollow Pines doesn't like visitors. And with a malevolent spirit lurking in the shadows and painful memories buried deep, and for good reason, the boy wonders if he'll ever find his way home or be stuck at Hollow Pines forever.
Critique: Original, exceptional, deftly written, and an inherently fascinating read from start to finish, "The Visitors" by Greg Howard is an extraordinary story of the supernatural, a stranded spirit, and the struggle to be free of a special kind of purgatory. It is also a deeply felt story of LGBTQ+ friendship and family. While an unreservedly recommended pick for elementary school, middle school, and community library Horror/Fantasy collections for young readers ages 10 - 16, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "The Visitors" from Nancy Paulsen Books is also readily available in paperback (9780593111901, $9.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $7.99).
Editorial Note: Greg Howard (www.greghowardbooks.com) writes stories that are about LGBTQ characters and issues. His focus is writing the kind of books he wishes he'd had access to as a gay kid growing up in the South.
Somewhere in Nowhere
Steven Gellman
Ninestar Press, LLC
9781648909474, $26.99, HC, 240pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Somewhere-Nowhere-Steven-Gellman/dp/1648909477
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/somewhere-in-nowhere-steven-gellman/1148952017
Synopsis: Coming out is hard, especially when you have two gay moms. At least it is for Simon Bugg. He doesn't want the world to think that having gay parents has turned him gay. And he certainly doesn't want anyone to know about the alien in his stomach that's trying to kill him.
It's Simon's senior year and his world just turned upside down. When his mom scores a dream job, Simon lands at a new school away from the only friends he has ever known. Now, his mom is overworked and chronically stressed, and his deadbeat dad is back on the scene. Navigating a new school and new friends is a challenge for a neurotic overthinker, and Simon finds himself turning to his rescue cat and a local barista for support. But when Simon meets the handsome PJ in drama class, he gets talked into a date that he derails in spectacular fashion.
With a little help from his friends-new and old-Simon finds his way back to PJ. But how can he have a real relationship with the boy of his dreams when he's convinced he's going to die? No one knows about the nightly alien attacks at 11:22. Why then, and why do they keep getting worse? Simon must face a dark secret inside before he loses his chance with the boy he loves.
Critique: "Somewhere in Nowhere" showcases author Steven Gellman's distinctive, character and narrative driven storytelling style in a novel that is impressively original, deftly crafted, fully engaging, and a fun read from start to finish. Of special appeal to young readers with an interest in LGBTQ+ and 'coming of age' fiction, "Somewhere in Nowhere" is especially recommended for highschool and community library YA Fiction collections for ages 13-18. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "Somewhere in Nowhere" from Ninestar Press is also available in paperback (9781648909191, $16.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $5.99).
Editorial Note: Steven Gellman is an award-winning songwriter turned author. Inspired by his early reading of Judy Blume's groundbreaking stories, Steven has found his passion for writing coming-of-age fiction that centers LGBTQ+voices and the real-life challenges of navigating adolescence in an ever-changing world.
Post
Cory McCarthy
Dutton Books for Young Readers
c/o Penguin Group (USA)
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com
9780593618240, $19.99
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Postscript-Cory-McCarthy/dp/0593618246
Post is a post-apocalyptic teen story about survival that centers on the remnants of humanity living on the dunes of Cape Cod, which has vastly changed. When 18-year-old prophet West comes to town presenting new challenges for not just surviving, but surviving well, readers are drawn into a tale about three teens - Emil, Ani, and Karen - who find their abilities and perceptions challenged in new ways. Post is a powerful survey of change, terrified lives, new ideas, and revised survival tactics that offers a scenario that's novel and a cut above most books about post-apocalyptic experiences. Designated for YA audiences, it's recommended for mature readers due to several graphic gay sex scenes.
The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf
Sword of the Golden City
Jane Alvey Harris and Ruston Jones
https://www.swordofthegoldencity.com
Many Realms Media
https://www.manyrealmsmedia.com
9798990776333, $15.99 Paperback/$6.99 eBook
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Sword-Golden-City-Ruston-Jones/dp/B0GWDBM3YX
Sword of the Golden City offers YA fantasy readers a blend of adventure, myth, and battle. It opens in Czechoslovakia, where an eagle's eye watches a procession of tourists visiting ancient ruins legendary for harboring sleeping knights prophesied to someday awaken to save Prague. When the eagle views a band of men entering a hidden cave, it's evident that something strange is about to happen.
This introduction leads into a vivid story of cursed crypts, legends that link an evil wizard with the legendary Knights of Blanik and the Sword of the Golden City, and explorer Damek Maracek, who has spent his life tracking down the sources of myths without really believing in either magic or ghosts. His perspective changes as Damek confronts an evil newly awakened to find his own life hanging in the balance.
Jane Alvey Harris and Ruston Jones excel in creating vivid descriptions that drive a sense of urgency, adventure, and discovery perfect for keeping YA readers engaged and guessing about outcomes: "After several heart-pounding moments, Damek peeled himself away from the stone wall, and started into the graveyard. His steps were cautious as he scanned each marker with his flashlight, searching for one in particular. If his deeper examination of the diary was accurate, one of his ancestors (an heir of the Brotherhood) had left a clue hidden in plain sight somewhere in this vast maze of markers."
The blending of fantasy and myths, characters whose lives and interests are tested in unexpected ways, and links between events as common as the night terrors of a sister and as extraordinary as the awakening of new forces into the world creates a plot that sizzles with action and connection. Nick and his sister Kat become engaged in the mystery and threat as Uncle Damek appears to be the focal point of strange things occurring all over Prague.
The Czech city and its culture also engage YA readers with an environment and encounters steeped in history, legend, and mystery. From hidden powers to strange reflecting pools and possibilities that emerge from a city poised for disaster, it's nearly impossible to put down or predict the events that unfold in Sword of the Golden City. This makes for a thoroughly compelling adventure that juxtaposes the interests of adults and young adults in ways that will delight YA to adult readers.
Librarians and readers seeking a vivid adventure story steeped in myth, possibilities, and sorcery will find Sword of the Golden City well-written, thoroughly absorbing, and a top recommendation for a wide audience of YA and fantasy leisure readers.
Secrets of the Shield
Brian Kelsall
GFB
c/o Girl Friday Productions
https://www.girlfridayproductions.com
9781967510320, $27.95 Hardcover/$16.95 Paperback/$6.99 eBook
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Shield-Novel-Brian-Kelsall/dp/1967510571
Girl Friday Productions
https://www.girlfridayproductions.com/titles/secrets-of-the-shield
Secrets of the Shield opens with a first-person Author's Note about one of the subjects of this middle grade novel: "There is a vast geological formation in Northern Canada known as the Canadian Shield. It is an enormous cap of some of the oldest and most resilient rock on the planet. Spanning more than eight million square kilometres and extending up to several kilometres deep, it supports great forests and abundant wildlife." This creates a foundation of knowledge that readers will need in order to appreciate the Canadian setting of this adventure story. The saga opens with the observations of a sentient beaver who reflects on the signs that something evil is arising in the beavers' natural world.
At the same time, the giant bird Kyree ("Lord of the Icarians, ancient and not from this earth") espies a badly burned, abandoned baby and affects a rescue, giving rise to a series of events that stem from saving the baby. Though the story's introductory chapters embrace the perspectives of these creatures, the point of view soon shifts to that of Sam, who uncovers a link to his mysterious past when an Indigenous girl Wing comes to stay with his family for the summer. As the two discover new truths about their past and their mission for the future, a heady adventure evolves.
The Canadian wilderness and its wildlife become the backdrop for an action-packed tale of fantasy and discovery. Readers ages 9 and older will find much to appreciate about Sam and Wing's adventure. It holds many thought-provoking moments of discovery and connection to different worlds, both manmade and natural and it introduces a cast of creatures and special interests, including a dangerous evil force. It also places Sam and Wing in nearly impossible situations as they confront hard truths about their heritage and future.
Librarians seeking fantasy adventures rooted in a sense of place (the Canadian wilderness) and purpose will find Secrets of the Shield nicely paced, thoroughly engrossing, and powerful. Readers seeking compelling stories that simmer with action tempered by important reflections will find the blend of adventure and discovery the perfect formula for a captivating read. The outcome is impossible to predict and is driven by the motivations of young people who take charge of their futures in unusual ways, discovering friendship and love in the process of accepting their courage and renewed life purpose.
Through the Garden Gate
Sharon Rose, author
Erin Brown, illustrator
Collective Book Studio
https://thecollectivebook.studio
9781685552022, $19.95, HC, 32pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Through-Garden-Gate-Sharon-Rose/dp/1685552021
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/through-the-garden-gate-sharon-rose/1147526142
Synopsis: When Miles stumbles upon a neighbor's mysterious gate, he steps into a world of wonder -- where talking animals, fluttering fairies, and extraordinary plants await. Inspired by native ecology and brought to life through lush, timeless illustrations, "Through the Garden Gate" is gentle adventure encourages children to look more closely at the natural world around them.
Critique: Magnificently illustrated with the artwork of Erin Brown, "Through the Garden Gate" is an extraordinary and original fantasy by author/storyteller Sharon Rose that is creative, exceptional, original, and unreservedly recommended for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library fantasy picture book collections for children ages 4-8. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "Through the Garden Gate" from The Collective Book Studio is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $8.99).
Editorial Note #1: Sharon Rose (https://sharonroseauthor.com) is an award-winning garden designer and environmental artist based in San Francisco, California. She is the founder and owner of STUDIO SF Landscape Design, established in 2018, where she specializes in revitalizing natural landscapes and crafting distinctive garden spaces. With over two decades of experience and deep expertise in California native and Mediterranean plants, her work has been featured in Architectural Digest, Sunset Magazine, and Luxe Interiors + Design.
Editorial Note: Erin Brown (https://erinbrownillo.uk) is an award winning Northern Irish illustrator who lives and works on the beautiful island of Jersey. After graduating university with a bachelors degree in Fine Art, a passion for stories and children's books took hold. She combines her love for hand drawn lines and traditional techniques with the flexibility and freedom of adding colour digitally. She has worked with clients all over the world but particularly loves illustrating Irish stories and folklore.
The Rebellion
Celine Rose Mariotti
Hiraeth Publishing
https://www.hiraethsffh.com
9798349557699, $12.95, PB, 128pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Rebellion-Celine-Rose-Mariotti/dp/B0FS2BFY67
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-rebellion-celine-rose-mariotti/1148350498
Synopsis: Ginger Thompson is a precocious girl who fights for her rights. She is constantly battling with her teacher -- Sister Agatha.
Together with her grandfather and her Dad's Robot, Ginger started their own school. Her friends became students there, which did not sit well with Sister Agatha.
Ginger and the Robot then befriend two aliens from Neptune, who also become students at the new school.
Finally Sister Agatha takes Ginger to court, where the rebellion is at last resolved -- but what will happen to Ginger's new school?
Critique: Original, deftly crafted, and a fun read from start to finish, "The Rebellion" by Celine Rose Mariotti is an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for the personal reading lists of dedicated science fiction fans. Mariotti's genuine flair for the kind of character and narrative driven storytelling style is particularly suited to the genre and will prove a popular addition to middle school, highschool, and community library Science Fiction & Fantasy collections for young readers ages 13-18.
Editorial Note: There is a listing of books by Celine Rose Mariotti available online at Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/7772874.Celine_Rose_Mariotti
Nocturne
Tricia D. Wagner
https://www.triciawagner.com
Lyridae Books
9781961921313, $25.99, HC, 456pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Nocturne-Tricia-D-Wagner/dp/1961921316
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/nocturne-tricia-d-wagner/1149666122
Synopsis: Sixteen-year-old Livi, from the coastal country of Merritaine, must reach the Nocturne Isles. For legends say Nocturne holds healing springs -- waters that could cure her mama's cancer. Passage to Nocturne is scarce, though, for Nocturne keeps more legends than that of healing waters.
Sirens (powerful, human-like, aquarian creatures) are said to haunt the waters of the Mar de Basilisk raging around Nocturne. Not to mention, Merritaine and Nocturne have been engaged in an unjust war, incited by Merritaine's Admiral Eris Machai.
Livi's closest friends, Celian and Jules, have been drafted as reconnaissance scouts -- boys who work with trained dolphins to find and disarm sea mines left in the wake of the Admiral's war. Though the ocean is littered with warships and arsenals, the seafarers fear Siren reports more than the threat of the war reigniting. For Sirens, legends say, can rend steel and flesh. And they can manipulate human thought.
Livi, though, dismisses Sirens as mythical. Monsters don't take the form of sea legends. Monsters take the shape of Admiral Machai, of volatile sea mines, of cancer. Or so she believes until she and her friends discover the terrible motivation of the Admiral's war.
Livi may be the only person able to stop him. But first she must learn to master her birthright: powers of influence, of strength, and of destruction.
Critique: Original, exceptional, a fun and fascinating read from cover to cover, "Nocturne" showcases author Tricia Wagner's impressive flair for the kind of character and narrative driven storytelling style that is ideal for an epic action/adventure fantasy saga. While especially and unreservedly recommended for middle school, highschool, and community library YA Fantasy Fiction collections for young readers ages 13-18, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of fantasy fans that this hardcover edition of "Nocturne" from Lyridae Books is also readily available in paperback (9781961921306, $19.99), and in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Tricia D. Wagner (https://www.triciawagner.com) is an award-winning novelist, poet, and short story writer with five published novels and many more on the way. Wagner's poetry and short stories have appeared in the Write City Magazine, Chicago Newa, Word of Art 3D, Literary Yard, and Midwest Review.
The Shark Prince
Malia Maunakea
Penguin Workshop
c/o Penguin Young Readers Group
https://www.penguin.com
9780593890721, $18.99, HC, 368pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Shark-Prince-Malia-Maunakea/dp/0593890728
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-shark-prince-malia-maunakea/1148002751
Synopsis: In a small Hawaiian village, Nohea is the latest son in a long line of male ancestors with a horrible secret: He's half-human, half-shark. After his father (also cursed as a shark) kills someone while surfing and subsequently disappears, Nohea is left isolated with only his mom and t?t? as company. He knows he'll suffer the same fate one day, so he can't go to school or make any friends.
Worse yet, when he eventually succumbs to his shark-like cravings, he'll be put to death, and his family will have to move to the continent. But when Nohea sees a flyer for a new surf competition, he realizes the prize money might be enough to help his family afford to stay in Hawaii when Nohea is gone. The catch? The competition is for school teams only.
So taking the biggest risk yet, Nohea joins the local public seventh-grade class where he makes friends, contends with a school bully, and gets so angry, he discovers a new row of supersharp teeth in his mouth! But this is only the beginning of Nohea's problems.
Because soon, Nohea realizes that one by one, his surfing friends are disappearing. Is Nohea killing his classmates without knowing it? Or is something even more dangerous afoot?
Critique: An original and deftly crafted story of adolescent fantasy adventure, "The Shark Prince" by Hawaiian author Malia Maunakea is an extraordinary and memorable demonstration of the kind of character and narrative driven storytelling style that is ideal for young readers ages 8-12. Highly recommended, especially for elementary school, middle school, and community library Fantasy Fiction collections, it should also be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "The Shark Prince" from Penguin Workshop is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $10.99).
Editorial Note: Malia Maunakea is a Kanaka ??iwi (Native Hawaiian) writer whose desire to tell her son about Hawai?i resulted in her award-winning novel Lei and the Fire Goddess and its sequel, Lei and the Invisible Island. Malia splits her time between her island home and the mountains of Colorado. Learn more at maliamaunakea.com and @MaliaMaunakea on Instagram.
Lily Tripp: Diary of an Accidental Time Traveler
Amelia Tait
Farrar, Straus & Giroux
www.fsgbooks.com
9780374396183, $18.99, HC, 368pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Lily-Tripp-Accidental-Traveler-Diaries/dp/0374396183
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/lily-tripp-amelia-tait/1148760569
Synopsis: Hi! I'm Lily. My birthday is in two weeks and I have a big secret: Every New Year's when the clock strikes midnight, I time travel to a new century. Mind-blowing, right!?
Thank goodness my cat, best friend, and school crush always turn up, too. But I still have a ton of problems... like why is my arch-nemesis, Georgia, so good at ye olde insults? How does anyone survive in Ancient Rome without chicken nuggets? Why are my brother's clothes so ridiculous in every century? And why on earth can't I stay in one era!?
Critique: "Lily Tripp: Diary of an Accidental Time Traveler" by Amelia Tait is the first in a brilliantly funny accidental time-travel diary series for tweens. It introduces a precocious 13-year-old girl who tackles timeslip mishaps, laugh-out-loud embarrassing moments, and one unpredictable adventure after another. Original, exceptional, and a fun read from start to finish, "Lily Tripp: Diary of an Accidental Time Traveler" is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended pick for elementary school, middle school, and community library Science Fiction collections for young readers ages 10-14. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of young science fiction fans that this hardcover edition of "Lily Tripp: Diary of an Accidental Time Traveler" from Farrar, Straus & Giroux is also available in paperback (9780374396206, $9.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Amelia Tait (https://ameliatait.com) built her career as a freelance features journalist, exploring lifestyle, culture, humor and trend stories for publications such as The New York Times, The Guardian, The New Yorker, and The New Statesman. In 2020, she was named as one of Forbes' 30 Under 30 in Europe.
Aurora's Edge
Dane Reavers
Chronos Press
9798994637326, $27.99, HC, 260pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Auroras-Edge-Space-Adventure-Sabotage/dp/B0GM98D44P
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/auroras-edge-dane-reavers/1149524502
Synopsis: In the year 2425, the opulent city of New Geneva towers above the squalid undercity known as the Dredges. Sixteen-year-old Elara Vayle, haunted by the loss of her parents in a mysterious explosion, is determined to escape her grim reality. Guided by her dying mother's last words, she stows away on the starship Aurora, hoping for a new beginning. But the ship is not just a vessel; it's a battleground of secrets, tensions, and hidden agendas.
As Elara navigates her place among the crew (led by the formidable Captain Mira, who is more connected to Elara than she realizes) she confronts her deep-seated prejudices against the Imperial Dominion, the regime she blames for her past. With an AI companion named Pulse that holds the neural patterns of her father, Elara's journey uncovers a web of sabotage that threatens not only the Aurora but also her quest for identity and belonging.
As loyalties are tested and lives hang in the balance, Elara must grapple with her rage and fear to protect her newfound family and discover what it truly means to fight for a brighter future.
Critique: Original, deftly crafted, and a fun read from start to finish, "Aurora's Edge" by Dane Reavers is a classic action/adventure science fiction novel that will hold an immense appeal for young readers with an interest in Galactic Empire/Space Opera stories. With a genuine flair for the kind of imaginative storytelling style that is ideal for the genre, "Aurora's Edge" is especially and unreservedly recommended for middle school, highschool, and community library Science Fiction and Fantasy collections for young readers ages 12-18. It should be noted for personal reader lists that this hardcover edition of "Aurora's Edge" from Chronos Press is also readily available in paperback (9798994637319, $16.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $2.99).
Editorial Note: Dane Reavers writes from a life spent inside the machines. A US Navy veteran, he served as an Electronics Technician aboard the USS Vandegrift, navigating the world from the ports of Bahrain to Hong Kong. After the Navy, he returned to his roots in Portland, Oregon, working everywhere from the Nike Air-sole factory to the cleanrooms of Intel. With a BS in Electrical Engineering from Portland State University, he later designed the very power and signal distributions that keep modern industrial systems running. This lifetime of technical expertise is the backbone of his novel "Aurora's Edge", where he brings a "wrench-in-hand" authenticity to the grit and gears of deep space.
The Biography Shelf
Shell Seeker
Suzanne Sherman, author
Linda Olliver, illustrator
https://suzanneshermanauthor.com
NSTA Kids
https://www.nsta.org/nsta-kids
9798899770104, $19.99, HC, 32pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Shell-Seeker-Adventures-Blind-Biologist/dp/B0FY5Q5NKD
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/shell-seeker-suzanne-sherman/1148638720
Synopsis: Suzanne Sherman had the idea for her picture book "Shell Seeker: The Life, Work, and Adventures of a Blind Biologist" as she was thinking about the NGSS elementary topics on the nature of science and biological evolution and remembered learning about the work of Geerat Vermeij when she was a young biologist studying evolution.
Researching his life and work, she quickly became inspired by Vermeij's passion for inquiry, his endless curiosity, his persistence in overcoming adversity as a scientist with a disability, and his unique tactile observation skills. The story of this extraordinary scientist, Suzanne realized, would be best told as a highly illustrated picture book. Through the personal story and scientific illustrations, kids would be able to observe and learn about the animals that Vermeij studied and practice their own inquiry skills along the way.
Critique: Original, informative, inspiring, extraordinary, and a fun read from start to finish, "Shell Seeker: The Life, Work, and Adventures of a Blind Biologist" by author/storyteller Shzanne Sherman and artist/illustrator Linda Olliver is an outstanding and unreservedly recommended addition to family, elementary school, and community library biographical picture book collections for young readers ages 8-10. Of special interest are the inclusion of a one page 'Project: Make a Museum Collection' and a two page Glossary. This hardcover picture book edition of "Shell Seeker: The Life, Work, and Adventures of a Blind Biologist" from NSTA Kids will be of special interest for children with an interest in marine science in general, and sea shells in particular.
Editorial Note #1: Suzanne Sherman (https://suzanneshermanauthor.com) has always loved exploring the wonders and workings of nature, whether it was building pulley systems for her dolls, observing ant behavior, or exploring the woods and beaches near her childhood home in Washington State. Her early curiosity sparked a lifelong passion for science and discovery. She began her career in neuroscience research and later moved into museum education at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. Now, she shares her curiosity as an author of children's science books, bringing the wonders of the natural world to young readers through engaging stories and accurate scientific explanations.
Editorial Note #2: Linda Olliver (www.lindaolliver.com) is an award-winning illustrator with 30 years of experience bringing projects to life through imaginative works, both digital and hand painted. After studying at Parsons School of Design, Linda began her career in advertising before transitioning to editorial publications and marketing. From children's books to infographics, Linda finds great fulfillment in the intellectual challenge of visually communicating information to diverse audiences.
The Folktale/Fairytale Shelf
Oscar Wilde's Stories for Children
Oscar Wilde
Little Island
www.littleisland.ie
9781915071897, $26.99
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Oscar-Wildes-Stories-Children-Wilde/dp/1915071895
Oscar Wilde's Stories for Children is a gorgeous keepsake edition of tales that enjoy colorful illustration by Lauren O'Hara which accompany stories about princes, friends, kings, rockets, and princesses. Each story holds action and adventure, but also thought-provoking opportunities for reflection. Adults who read the tales to the very young will find them packed with whimsy, encounters with trouble and problem-solving challenges, and interconnected solutions that stem from reading and reflection. These classic tales are ones many an adult will recognize, as they've attracted kids for over a hundred years with timeless themes suitable for lively interactions between adults and kids.
The Native American Shelf
Stories Are the Heart of the World
Laurel Goodluck, author
Nicole Neidhardt, illustrator
Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
www.simonandschuster.com/kids
9781665948944, $19.99, HC, 40pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Stories-Heart-World-Laurel-Goodluck/dp/1665948949
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/stories-are-the-heart-of-the-world-laurel-goodluck/1148559811
Synopsis: When we begin our lives, stories help us understand who we are.
Drawing on tribal Nations' traditions including Mandan-Hidatsa and Navajo/Dine, "Stories Are the Heart of the World" is lyrical picture book that carries young readers through the milestones of a beloved child's life, from birth and their first laugh to entering young adulthood and understanding their place in the community and the world.
Each Native American ceremony that marks a special moment comes with a story -- and each story reminds us of the beauty and responsibility to the land we call home, the powerful ancestors who came before us, and the amazing people we can grow up to be.
An Indigenous author-illustrator duo, the award-winning storyteller Laurel Goodluck and gifted artist Nicole Neidhardt, have collaboratively and gorgeously captured the Native American based rituals and stories that shape our lives.
Critique: Original, exceptional, thoughtful, engaging, informative, and a fun read from start to finish, "Stories Are the Heart of the World" from Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers is especially and unreservedly recommended for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library Native American themed picture books for children ages 4-8. It should be noted that this hardcover edition of "Stories Are the Heart of the World" is also readily available for personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $10.99).
Editorial Note #1: Laurel Goodluck (www.laurelgoodluck.com) writes picture books with modern themes that reflect Native American children's cultural experiences and everyday life, showing they have a unique and powerful perspective. Her books include Forever Cousins, Rock Your Mocs, She Persisted: Deb Haaland, Too Much, Yaadila!: Good Grief!, and Fierce Aunties!, a recipient of the American Indian Youth Literature Award Picture Book Honor. Laurel was raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. She comes from an intertribal background; is an enrolled member of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation; and is an Alaskan Native Citizen of the Tsimshian Tribe. Laurel began writing by crafting a curriculum for community advocacy involving Native teen leadership and later for children newly diagnosed with mental health challenges.
Editorial Note #2: Nicole Neidhardt (https://nicoleneidhardt.com) is a Dine (Navajo) multi-disciplinary artist and award-winning illustrator. Nicole's Dine identity is the heart of her practice, and she is continually dreaming for Indigenous futures. Nicole holds an MFA from OCAD University in Toronto and grew up in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She has illustrated the books Circle of Love, What Your Ribbon Skirt Means to Me: Deb Haaland's Historic Inauguration, and Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults.
The Activity Shelf
Finding Life
Sophie Williams
Cicada Books Ltd.
www.cicaidabooks.co.uk
9781800660540, $18.99
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Finding-Life-Prehistoric-Search-Find/dp/1800660545
Finding Life: A Prehistoric Search and Find gives picture book readers an educational journey through Earth's history, surveying creatures from prehistory to modern times. Its consideration of life on Earth includes charts of different eras, especially colorful, vivid landscapes of volcanoes, plants, and undersea life, and important contrasts between the creatures that evolved in these eras, making for an engrossing introduction perfect for the very young.
The Graphic Novel Shelf
The Unbeatable Sonya Ballantyne
Sonya Ballantyne, author
Rhael McGregor, illustrator
Azby Whitecalf, colorist
Kielamel Sibal, letterer
Highwater Press
https://www.portageandmainpress.com/HighWater-Press
9781774921371, $20.95, PB, 64pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Unbeatable-Sonya-Ballantyne/dp/1774921375
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-unbeatable-sonya-ballantyne-sonya-ballantyne/1145847439
Synopsis: Presented in a graphic novelformat, "The Unbeatable Sonya Ballantyne" is heartfelt and often-funny memoir with which author Sonya Ballantyne gives us a look at her younger self's diary and inner life as she struggles to find herself in the pop culture she loves.
Before she was a successful writer, Sonya Ballantyne was just another kid growing up on the rez, searching for her place in the world. Her love of comics, fantasy novels, movies, and all things geeky helped her understand her life at school, her relationships with her family, and her identity. But growing up wasn't easy and Sonya faced racism and bullying at school.
Sonya takes the lessons from superhero comics to be brave in the face of adversity, to grow from strife, and to keep pushing forward towards her dreams. "The Unbeatable Sonya Ballantyne" reveals how she found her way to the other side and live to tell the tale!
Critique: A fun read with an important message about being brave and dealing with the inevitable conflicts that life will present, "The Unbeatable Sonya Ballantyne" from Highwater Press is especially and unreservedly recommended for family, middle school, and community library Graphic Novel/Biography collections for young readers ages 13-15. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this paperback edition of "The Unbeatable Sonya Ballantyne" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $17.00).
Editorial Note: Portage & Main Press publishes a wide range of innovative and practical educational resources. Independent, Canadian, and woman-owned since 1967, they support dynamic learning communities by bringing together authors, educators, and K-12 students.
The Endless Game
J.D. Amato, author
Sophie Morse, illustrator
Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
www.simonandschuster.com/kids
9781665927154, $23.99, HC, 248pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Endless-Game-J-D-Amato/dp/1665927151
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-endless-game-jd-amato/1147556352
Synopsis: When Fred Townsend and his family move to Lakeside, Illinois, Fred is inducted into a game of capture the flag that has split the entire town in two. But this isn't a normal game. It's been going on for decades and has been passed down from generation to generation. It has its own history, laws, and institutions, with elaborate castle-like bases, dreary prisons, kid-run saloons, and even a council of home-schooled kids that preside over the rules of the game.
But for Fred, and all of Lakeside's kids, this unending war is not just about winning -- it's also about learning how you want to fit into the world, the power of friendship, and making sure this summer is one they will never forget.
Critique: Original, exceptional, laced with humor, and a fun read from cover to cover, "The Endless Game" by author/storyteller J.D. Amato and artist/illustrator Sophie Morse is a new and unreservedly recommended pick for family, elementary school, middle school, and community library Graphic Novel collections for young readers ages 8-12. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "The Endless Game" from Simon & Schuster Books for Young Children is readily available in paperback (9781665927161, $14.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $10.99).
Editorial Note #1: J.D. Amato (https://anthonyjdamato.allauthor.com) is a writer based in Astoria, New York. He is best known for his work in comedy television. Outside of writing, he is an amateur distance runner and loves colorful things.
Editorial Note #2: Sophie Morse (https://www.sophiemorse.com) is an illustrator based in Boston. After graduating from Rhode Island School of Design, she has been working in publishing and editorial.
Disney Descendants: A Lost Revenge
Kalynn Bayron, author
Asiah Fulmore, illustrator
Abrams Fanfare
c/o Abrams
https://www.abramsbooks.com
9781419776427, $24.99, HC, 176pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Disney-Descendants-Revenge-Original-Graphic/dp/1419776428
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/disney-descendants-kalynn-bayron/1148307255
Synopsis: Uma, daughter of the infamous villain Ursula, is at a crossroads. After helping King Ben and Queen Mal bring down the barrier between the Isle of the Lost and Auradon, Uma no longer knows where she fits in.
Unmoored, Uma readies herself and the Lost Revenge crew to leave Auradon's shores and take to the seas once again. But with a newly open barrier comes new troubles: a group of Auradon Prep students have vanished at sea without a trace. Worried for the students' safety, the King and Queen ask Uma and her crew to embark on a search-and-rescue mission.
Despite her fears of becoming too much of a do-gooder, Uma accepts. It's time to drop the Jolly Roger and set sail! As the Lost Revenge weathers dangerous storms (and even stormier emotions) the pirates quickly find that the missing students are a small part of a much larger conflict. Putting her seafaring knowledge, magic, and VK wits to the test, Uma must battle sea witches, her own first mate, and a vengeance-hungry rival ship.
Will Uma be able to rescue the students and put a stop a looming threat before it descends upon Auradon? Or is it all already too late?
Critique: An original, full color, graphic novel that further expands the Disney world of 'The Descendants' (the children of famous Disney heros and villains), "A Lost Revenge" by author/storyteller Kalynn Bayron and artist/illustrator Asiah Fumore is a fun read from cover to cover. Especially and unreservedly recommended for elementary school, middle school, and community library Graphic Novel collections for young readers ages 8-12 (and any other Disney fan from 13 to 83!), it should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "A Lost Revenge" from Abrams Fanfare is also readily available in paperback 9781419776410, $15.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.39).
Editorial Note #1: Kalynn Bayron is the New York Times and Indie bestselling author of the YA fantasy novels Cinderella Is Dead and This Poison Heart. Her latest works include the YA horror novel You're Not Supposed to Die Tonight and the middle-grade paranormal adventure The Vanquishers. She is a CILIP Carnegie Medal Nominee, a Bram Stoker Award nominee, a LOCUS Award finalist, and the recipient of the 2022 Randall Kenan Award for Black LGBTQ fiction.
Editorial Note #2: Asiah Fulmore is a freelance illustrator currently living back and forth between Columbia, SC and Bangkok, Thailand. She loves eating, traveling and comics. She is known for her work on DC Comics Amethyst: Princess of Gemworld and the Windom's Family Time.
The Music CD Shelf
Fun Intended
DadJoke
www.dadjokemusic.com
Stritch Rose
$15.00 CD / $9.99 digital
Apple Music
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/dadjoke/1843435842
Creator's Website
https://www.dadjokemusic.com/news
DadJoke is the children's music project of award-winning composer, educator, and musician Dave Reminick; in his own words, DadJoke music is "Weird Music for Weird Kids". The latest DadJoke album is Fun Intended, a funny, funky, and cheerful collection of original songs that are especially appealing to young people ages 1-12; Amanda DeBoer Bartlett contributes to three tracks of this delightful collection. The playful lyrics, upbeat rhythms, and sophisticated melodies make Fun Intended stand out among children's music albums. Highly recommended! The tracks are We've Got the Squiggles; This is a Duck; I Hope Nobody Drops a Big Rubber Horse on My Head; Wakey Wake Up; I Heard a Bird; Because We're Friends (feat. Amanda DeBoer Bartlett); I'm Glad to Be with You; What Did the Dinosaurs Say?; It's Almost Halloween (But I Never Got a Costume) (feat. Amanda DeBoer Bartlett); I'm Deciding to Be Brave (feat. Amanda DeBoer Bartlett); You Have to Go Potty Too; and I Tried to Use AI... But it Came Out WEIRD.
The Christian Shelf
Agape Sounds: The Love that Knew You Before You Were Born
Tierra W. Ruggin, LPC
Therapist Tierra (Publisher)
9798995275107, $12.99, PB, 47pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Agape-Sounds-Journey-Heaven-Earth/dp/B0GTHMLXZD
Synopsis: "Agape Sounds: The Love that Knew You Before You Were Born" by Tierra W. Ruggin is a heartwarming Christian themed children's story that invites young readers to explore the beautiful journey from heaven to earth. Rooted in the belief that God knew and loved us before we were formed in our mother's womb, the story gently reminds children that their lives begin in love and purpose.
The word agape represents a deep, unconditional love, the kind of love that reflects God's heart for His people. In "Agape Sounds", children will discover that love has a voice. It can be heard in laughter, kindness, encouragement, prayer, and the gentle ways we care for one another. These "sounds" remind children that they are surrounded by love both on earth and in heaven.
Throughout the story, young readers are reminded that they are never alone and that they have always been loved. Inspired by the biblical concept of the "great cloud of witnesses," Agape Sounds highlights the idea that love transcends time and space. Those who came before us continue to inspire, cheer us on, and celebrate the goodness unfolding in our lives.
With tender storytelling and meaningful imagery, "Agape Sounds" encourages children to listen for the sounds of love in their everyday experiences. Whether it is the comfort of family, the joy of friendship, or the quiet reassurance of faith, each moment becomes a reminder that God's love surrounds them.
"Agape Sounds" also helps children understand that love is more than something we feel it is something we hear, share, and live out each day. By recognizing the sounds of love around them, young readers are encouraged to become instruments of kindness, compassion, and joy in the lives of others.
Perfect for bedtime reading, family devotionals, or meaningful conversations, "Agape Sounds" offers children a gentle reminder that they were known, loved, and celebrated long before their journey on earth began.
Critique: Beautifully illustrated and thoroughly 'child friendly' in tone, style, message, and presentation, "Agape Sounds: The Love that Knew You Before You Were Born" is a unique and unreservedly recommended pick for family, daycare center, Sunday School, and community library Christian themed picture book collections for children ages 4-8.
Editorial Note: Tierra W. Ruffin is a Licensed Professional Counselor, author, and mental health advocate with over a decade of experience supporting individuals and families through life's most challenging and transformative moments. Her work centers on breaking generational cycles, building emotional intelligence, and helping people shift from survival mode into a life of clarity, purpose, and empowerment.
Messiah
Demi
Wisdom Tales
www.wisdomtalespress.com
9781957670171, $19.95
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Messiah-Demi/dp/1957670177
Messiah reviews the life of Jesus of Nazareth by pairing Biblical quotes with Demi's signature colorful illustrations, creating a picture book that Christian audiences will find a lovely, artistic rendering. Ages 4-8 will appreciate how Demi's visuals, presented in small size with plenty of white background for enhancement, pair with these Biblical descriptions to bring both to life.
The Islamic Shelf
Zamzam for Everyone: Sharing Water at Hajj
Razeena Omar Gutta, author
Bassent Dawoud, illustrator
Barefoot Books
https://www.barefootbooks.com
9798888592366, $17.99, HC, 32pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Zamzam-Everyone-Sharing-Water-Hajj/dp/B0CXCNKQFY
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/zamzam-for-everyone-razeena-omar-gutta/1145174661
Synopsis: Mariam is one of millions of people from all over the world who has come to Makkah for the annual pilgrimage of Hajj, and she overflows with excitement and awe. Mama tells her, "Hajj is a time to do good, share, and be thankful." But what good can Mariam do? That's it! She'll share Zamzam, blessed water from an ancient well, with everyone she meets.
As Mariam shares her Zamzam throughout Hajj, she meets friends from all over the world. From fellow pilgrims, she learns new ways to say thank you, tries new foods and drinks, and discovers that when you share with and help others, someone will help you when you need it too.
"Zamzam for Everyone: Sharing Water at Hajj" author/storyteller Razeena Omar Gutta and artist/illustrator Bassent Dawoud takes place during the annual pilgrimage event in Saudi Arabia, features characters from cultures across the world share foods and languages, and teaches about appreciating differences within a community
Of special note are the detailed endnotes unpack the cultural elements in this picture book.
Critique: "Zamzam for Everyone: Sharing Water at Hajj" is an informative exploration of a major Islamic traditions and values that is an ideal and unreservedly recommended addition to family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library Islamic themed picture book collections for children ages 4-8. Fun and informative from start to finish, this hardcover edition of "Zamzam for Everyone: Sharing Water at Hajj" from Barefoot Books is also readily available for personal reading lists in paperback (9798888592373, $10.00).
Editorial Note #1: Razeena Omar Gutta (https://razeenareads.com/blog) has been writing for children and sharing her love for diverse books on various blogs for over ten years. She is the author of Hana's Hundreds of Hijabs. Razeena is a South Asian Muslim born in Zimbabwe and now living in Australia, where her three book-loving children inspire her to highlight Muslim lives in the joyful stories she writes for children.
Editorial Note #2: Bassent Dawoud (www.luxoratelier.gov.eg/?q=node/2130) is a children's book illustrator and art teacher living in Cairo, Egypt. To express the unique qualities of each book, she experiments with and integrates various art techniques, relying heavily on collage.
The Self-Help Shelf
Livy Lou Lovely Loves to Speak
Sally Lou Loveman, author
Srimalie Bassani, illustrator
https://lovespeaks.com
Mascot Kids
c/o Mascot Books
www.mascotbooks.com
9798891384958, $19.95, HC, 38pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Livy-Lou-Lovely-Loves-Speak/dp/B0GFQ9HJG9
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/livy-lou-lovely-loves-to-speak-sally-lou-loveman/1149217424
Synopsis: Children will fully enjoy following along with Livy Lou Lovely as she discovers her voice when she accepts an invitation from her mother to attend a television show. "Livy Lou Lovely Loves to Speak" is about relying on one's inner voice to help young readers discover the power to pursue their passion. Livy Lou is a shining example of all the good that can come from opening our world up by saying "yes" to new things. Livy Lou hopes her story will inspire young readers to discover their own story!
Critique: Original, exceptional, charming, inspiring and fun, "Livy Lou Lovely Loves to Speak" by author/storyteller Sally Lou Loveman and artist/illustrator Srimalie Bassani is a unique and unreservedly recommended pick for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library life skills themed picture book collections for children ages 4-8.
Editorial Note #1: Sally Lou Loveman (https://lovespeaks.com) is a novice children's picture book author. Her new picture book, "Livy Lou Lovely Loves to Speak", based on her own story of finding her inner voice and the confidence to speak up at a young age. As the former audience producer for The Oprah Winfrey Show and founder of lovespeaks, Sally Lou has entertained over half a million people from The Oprah Show stage as well as her lovespeaks platform. Today, Sally Lou coaches clients to speak without fear by connecting them to their power through exploring their story. Sally Lou is also the author of SPEAK: Love Your Story, Your Audience Is Waiting, a teaching memoir that offers speaker tips to adult readers.
Editorial Note #2: Srimalie Bassani (https://bassanisrimalie.wixsite.com/illustrator) is an illustrator from Mantua, Italy, who's been drawing since she could hold a pencil. After studying at the Academy of Fine Arts and earning a Master's in editorial illustration, she began bringing stories to life with her colorful, playful style -- a mix of digital and traditional techniques, always full of charm and detail. She's worked with top publishers like HarperCollins, Hachette, Macmillan, Giunti, Oxford University Press, and Sourcebooks, and her illustrations have earned recognition from AI Annual, Logos, and the Lucca Junior Prize. In 2016, she won a Moonbeam Award for Green Cat Lost His Voice.
In 2023, her work appeared on screens at Milan's Malpensa and Linate airports, and in 2025, How Do You Become a Mad Scientist? was named one of the Best Children's Books of the Year by the Bank Street College of Education.
Suzie Housley's Bookshelf
My Lucky Star
Cheryl Olsten, author
Paolo d'Altan, illustrator
Fleecydale Press
9781733955164, $16.95 HC, $8.99 Kindle, 64pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/My-Lucky-Star-Cheryl-Olsten/dp/173395516X
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/my-lucky-star-cheryl-olsten/1148587656
Synopsis: There is something truly special about a story that not only captures the imagination but gently touches the heart, and My Lucky Star does exactly that. Cheryl Olsten has created a reading experience that feels both magical and meaningful, inviting young readers to believe in the quiet power of hope, courage, and connection.
At the center of this story is a beautifully written relationship between Ella and Little Feat, one that feels genuine and deeply rooted in trust and love. It is this bond that carries the reader through moments of wonder, uncertainty, and ultimately, triumph. As someone who appreciates stories that highlight meaningful connections, I found their journey especially touching.
Critique: My Lucky Star offers a touching and memorable story that readers will remember long after they finish. What makes this book stand out is the way it balances imagination with real emotional depth. The starlit adventures and dreamlike elements are captivating, yet they never overshadow the heartfelt themes of resilience, independence, and believing in oneself. These are lessons that young readers can carry with them long after the story ends.
The pacing unfolds naturally, allowing each moment to breathe, from the awe of soaring through the night sky to the tension of unexpected challenges. Children will remain engaged, while adults will appreciate the gentle reassurance woven throughout the narrative.
The illustrations by Paolo d'Altan are nothing short of breathtaking. Each page feels like a soft, painted dream, rich with color and emotion. The luminous skies, the quiet forest scenes, and the expressive characters all work together to elevate the story into something truly memorable. These visuals don't just complement the story; they enhance it in a way that makes the experience feel immersive and complete.
Perhaps what resonates most is the message at the heart of the book: that sometimes life's greatest journeys begin with uncertainty, and that trusting your heart can lead you exactly where you are. It's a message delivered with grace, making it both accessible to children and meaningful for the adults reading alongside them.
My Lucky Star is a charming and heartfelt addition to children's literature. It is a story I would confidently recommend for families, classrooms, and anyone who believes in the magic of storytelling. This is the book that creates not just readers - but dreamers.
Editorial Note: Recommended for children 4-9 years old.
Is It Poop?
Kizzi Roberts, M.S. Animal Science
Learning Spark Educational Publishing
9798888840399, $24.99, HC, 34pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Poop-Kizzi-Roberts/dp/B0GWZ35JKV
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/is-it-poop-kizzi-roberts/1149896571
Synopsis: Is It Poop? by Kizzi Roberts takes young readers on a playful and curiosity-driven exploration of the animal world - centered around a topic children never seem to tire of. This interactive picture book challenges readers to decide whether what they are looking at is actually poop or something cleverly disguised to look like it.
With a thoughtful blend of humor and science, the book introduces concepts such as mimicry, digestion, ecosystems, and animal behavior in a way that feels natural and engaging. Each page presents a new guessing opportunity, sparking curiosity while delivering surprising and memorable facts. From the cube-shaped droppings of wombats to animals that disguise themselves as feces for protection, the book offers a clever mix of lighthearted fun and meaningful learning.
Critique: Is It Poop? embraces a subject that instantly captures a child's attention, and does so with creativity, confidence, and educational value.
Kizzi Roberts has created a reading experience that feels interactive and lively, more like a game than a traditional lesson. With each page, the recurring question, "Is it poop?" builds anticipation, encouraging young readers to actively participate. This structure makes the book especially effective for read-aloud settings in classrooms, libraries, or family story time.
One of the book's greatest strengths is how naturally it weaves scientific learning into moments of humor. Beneath the playful tone is a well-crafted introduction to animal science. The book exposes readers to concepts like camouflage and mimicry through animals that resemble droppings, as well as ecological insights such as how whale waste contributes to ocean ecosystems. These ideas are presented clearly without overwhelming young audiences.
The visual presentation enhances the experience. Bright, engaging illustrations paired with real-life imagery create a dynamic and appealing layout. The recurring cartoon fly character adds a sense of continuity and personality, guiding readers through each page with a touch of humor. This thoughtful balance of visual elements keeps readers engaged while reinforcing the educational content.
This book genuinely connects with its audience with its unique subject matter. The humor will draw children in, but they will leave with knowledge they didn't expect to gain. That seamless combination of entertainment and education makes this book especially effective.
This is a story that proves even the most unconventional topics can become meaningful learning experiences. By transforming something ordinary - and admittedly a bit silly - into an engaging exploration, the author creates a book that children will want to revisit time and again.
Editorial Note: Highly recommended for ages 4-8, as well as for educators, parents, and anyone seeking a fun and memorable way to introduce scientific concepts to young readers.
Suzie Housley, Senior Reviewer
https://housleysliteraryservices.com
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You're Still Pretty New Here
Mariyka Foster
Peachtree
https://www.peachtreebooks.com
9781682638361, $18.99
Deb Greenberg
Reviewer
There's so much to learn when your sweet bundle of joy arrives. There was so much that needed to be learned before that special day. Going all the way back to their ancestors and to before humans were around, they had to figure it out. Same as you, the new parents. In this reassuring and silly story, warm illustrations detail the generations and backgrounds of learning all these new things. Ideal for new parents, a baby shower gift, or anyone experiencing being a new parent. (Ages 3-6)
Firefly Lullaby
Kenneth Kraegel
Candlewick Press
www.candlewick.com
9781536234718, $18.99
Deb Greenberg
Reviewer
The author and illustrator of Mushroom Lullaby and Mermaid Lullaby adds another soothing story to the Lullaby series, one filled with the sound of fireflies dancing to tiny trumpets, feasting on a banquet, and singing songs. As they settle their wings, little readers drift off to cozy dreams. Mesmerizing words and pictures combine for a special snuggly story. (Ages 3-7)
The Biggest Bubble Ever!
Stephen Mangels, author
Christina Rudenko, illustrator
Independently Published
9798218721954, $12.99
Deb Greenberg
Reviewer
When all ideas for what to do on a boring summer day are kicked to the curb for one reason or another, three friends take an ordinary activity of blowing bubbles with their bubble gum and turn it into an adventure that almost gets them into a sticky situation. Join the laughter in this easy to read and easy to imagine story. (Ages 3-7)
Screen Time!
Georgie Birkett
Candlewick
www.candlewick.com
9781536251340, $18.99
Cynthia Kern OBrien
Reviewer
When Doris refuses to play or talk with her parents, only wanting to watch her favorite show nonstop, her family sets out to find what it will take to bring her back to the joys of offline life. The result is a super cute, relevant story - perfect for today's families navigating the world of ever-present screens. It's a reminder that sometimes, the best substitute for screen time is an adventure in the real world. (Ages 3-7)
The Sea Hides a Seahorse
Sara T. Behrman, author
Melanie Mikecz, illustrator
The Collective Book Studio
https://thecollectivebook.studio
9781685555771, $10.99
Deb Greenberg
Reviewer
Dive under the sea and learn about a fascinating creature and other marine animals in this informative and eye-catching story. Seahorses swim, hunt, mate, and camouflage themselves on the pages, hiding from sea stars, squid, kelp, octopus, and other ocean animals. An engaging (kids can look for each seahorse in the pages) and educational book with additional resources and suggestions for ways to protect these unique creatures. (Ages 4-8)
Will Rogers and His Great Inspiration
Bart Taylor, author
Greg White, illustrator
Yorkshire Publishing
https://yorkshirepublishing.com
9780881441611, $29.00
Deb Greenberg
Reviewer
This book concludes author Bart Taylor's award-winning picture book series about one of America's legends, Will Rogers. In his effort to teach kids about Rogers' story, Taylor introduces readers to the people who shaped the talented and world-famous trick roper, writer, and actor. Meet the influences who taught Rogers to lead with kindness and humor, from family and friends to cowboys and a vaquero. An educational, motivational, and informative story that every classroom should have on its shelf. (Ages 4-8)
Going Home with Dad
Simon Howe
Candlewick
www.candlewick.com
9781536247503, $18.99
Christine Irvin
Reviewer
A father mouse takes his child for a walk through the woods. Along the way, the two observe bugs and hornets and all manner of things. When the young mouse sees the bugs, he wants to know where they are going. His father says they are probably going home. This is a perfect picture book for children and their parents to enjoy together with its sweet message and its engaging illustrations. (Ages 4-8)
From the Fields to the Fight
Angela Quezada Padron, author
Sol Salinas, illustrator
Atheneum Books for Young Readers
c/o Simon & Schuster
https://www.simonandschuster.com
9781665946704, $19.99
Cynthia Kern OBrien
Reviewer
A timely and inspiring picture book biography of Jessica Govea Thorbourne, a Latina labor activist who worked alongside Dolores Huerta to bring attention to the plight of migrant farmworkers. Jessica's journey and the collective efforts of the farm labor movement continue to resonate as a testament to resilience, leadership, and the ongoing push for workers' rights. (Ages 4-8)
The Fabric of Us
Aditi Anand
Candlewick
www.candlewick.com
9781536250138, $18.99
Cynthia Kern OBrien
Reviewer
When a little girl loses her papa - a tailor who makes beautiful clothes - the silence in the house is overwhelming. But maybe she and her other dad can bring the house back to life, starting with a single thread... A story that touches the heart and invites both adults and children to explore the profound journey of grief together. Through simple, emotionally moving, and relatable text, it guides readers through the process of bereavement, offering comfort and understanding. (Ages 4-8)
Me & Lavender
Melody C. Peugh, author
Eve Farb, illustrator
Flashlight Press
https://flashlightpress.com
9781962269230, $18.95
Deb Greenberg
Reviewer
Little Ella can't resist outdoor activities with Lavender the elephant when he drops in for a playdate. But can she keep herself tidy and clean for her mom's afternoon tea party? Bring your playful imagination along with the pair as they start with quiet activities like swinging and biking but soon escalate to more exciting ones like water wars and mud-pies. Detailed and colorful illustrations accompany the whimsical words... a combination sure to entertain little readers. (Ages 5-7)
I Want to Dance in Pants
Jess and Ruyman Hernandez, authors
Teresa Martinez, illustrator
Sleeping Bear Press
https://sleepingbearpress.com
9781534113275, $18.99
Christine Irvin
Reviewer
Who says a girl has to wear a dress to a holiday party? When Ava is invited to a special birthday party, she refuses to pick out a dress to wear. Instead, she chooses a comfy pair of pants. When she ends up on the dance floor, she creates quite a sensation. The sparse text and the bright, expressive illustrations make for a fun but thoughtful book, one that shows how to be different, be yourself, and be comfortable in your own skin. Who knows? You may show others how to do the same. (Ages 5-8)
The Bakers Dozen
Amy Moore, author
Andrea Stegmaier, illustrator
Sleeping Bear Press
https://sleepingbearpress.com
9781534113022, $18.99
Deb Greenberg
Reviewer
Twelve cookie, cake, and pastry makers had their own system until one day when in walked Kristen looking for a job... her specialty? Making doughnuts. Will the bakers welcome a new chef aboard and figure out a way to make it thirteen? A sweet story written in rhyming couplets... and the icing on the cake? Learn to make a variety of doughnuts from the pages in the back. (Ages 5-8)
Pia in the Forest
David Bruggink
Holiday House
https://holidayhouse.com
9780823461608, $14.99
Pam Morris
Reviewer
A graphic novel that engages the reader with simple pictures that draw you in to this fun adventure, introducing nature along the way. Pia is a typical child who is constantly on the move but not very observant, which bothers his father to no end. His first trip to the forest opens his eyes, his ears, and all of his senses, teaching him that sometimes it pays to stop, look, and listen. (Ages 5-8)
You Are Brilliant
Shauneille Smith, author
Tyrus Goshay, illustrator
https://www.shauneillesmith.com
Independently Published
https://www.uarebrilliant.com/store
No ISBN, $15.00
Pam Morris
Reviewer
Through vibrant illustrations and uplifting storytelling, young readers follow two bright and curious friends as they discover that brilliance isn't about being perfect - it's about being yourself, trying your best, and shining in your own way. An uplifting story to provide support and role models for children to follow and find ways to rise above the challenges thrown at them. A must-have for the classroom. (Ages 5-8)
Just Keep Going
Lynn Smith, author
Lauren Gallegos, illustrator
Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
https://www.sourcebooks.com
9781728290300, $18.99
Cynthia Kern OBrien
Reviewer
If you have kids in your life, teach little ones, or simply care about nurturing young minds, this book stands out. Its message is incredibly important: encouraging children to never give up, believe in themselves, and keep moving forward. This is a must-have for any library, whether at home or in school. The overall message is cute, heartfelt, and sure to resonate with children and adults alike. It's a lovely reminder for everyone to stay positive and persevere, no matter what life brings. (Ages 5-9)
Hansel and Gretel
Steven King, author
Maurice Sendak, illustrator
HarperCollins
https://www.harpercollins.com
9780062644695, $26.99
Deb Greenberg
Reviewer
Two literary legends collaborate on a fascinating retelling of a classic fairy tale about two brave children lost in a dark and dangerous forest. King keeps the old-fashioned aspect with some updates, and adds a personal introduction, all accompanied by amazing black and white illustrations. This adaptation of the kids' adventure is a definite page-turner and a wonderful retelling of the tale. (Ages 7+)
Summer Camp Sleuths
Bethany Latham, author
Marianne Constable, illustrator
North Star Editions
https://northstareditions.com
9781635831153, $28.50
Christine Irvin
Reviewer
Cooper loves a good mystery but he doesn't make friends easily. When his parents send him to summer camp, he is apprehensive about being there, afraid he will be isolated without anyone to talk to. But soon after his arrival, the campers' snacks come up missing. Can Cooper solve the mystery and gain some new friends? A short chapter book perfect for reluctant readers. (Ages 7-10)
Friends for a Season
Charis Mather, author
Allen Joy Magno, illustrator
North Star Editions
https://northstareditions.com
9781635831122, $28.50
Christine Irvin
Reviewer
Winter attends an international school, a place where students come and go each season. She is best friends with Kathryn as they have both been attended the same school for several years, unlike many of their classmates. When Kathryn's family moves away, Winter is afraid she has lost her best friend forever. Short chapters, simple sentence structures, and an accessible format make these books perfect for reluctant readers. (Ages 7-10)
Bottled Up
E.C. Andrews, author
Amelia Harris, illustrator
North Star Editions
https://northstareditions.com
9781635831115, $28.50
Christine Irvin
Reviewer
Bella's life in the big city is fine. Though her mom died last year, she still has her friends. She still has her school. But when Dad's aunt dies, leaving him her house across the country, Dad says it's a sign for them to go home. Bella does not know what he means. The big city is her home. But Dad's decision is final: They're moving to a place called Driftwood Bay. At first, Bella is determined to hate the sleepy seaside town. Then a strange message in a bottle washes up at her feet... (Ages 7-10)
Midnight Mayhem
Christina Uss
Holiday House
https://holidayhouse.com
9780823463602, $9.99
Deb Greenberg
Reviewer
What happens when you eat a glob of gooey mustard and wash it down with a rootbeer float? If you're 11-year-old Kaz Jakobsen, you are no longer able to sleep. After Kaz and his family move to Philadelphia, in addition to having to make new friends, Kaz now has to figure out his insomnia. When he meets a fellow non-sleeping kid named Floyd, they embark on midnight adventures that include all the things he would never be allow ed to do. Stay up with the boys and see what Kaz decides to do when he learns about an antidote that would take him away from his new best friend. (Ages 8-12)
Dante N. Ferno Is NOT a Loser
Brian Gordon
Farrar, Straus and Giroux
https://us.macmillan.com/fsg
9780374395018, $14.99
Pam Morris
Reviewer
A graphic novel that is the first in a series of many more, hopefully. Brian Gordon created a fictional world for middle schoolers, highlighting their insecurities with humor and realistic situations that any preteen can relate to. Dante is made fun of in elementary school and longs to reinvent himself but unfortunately nothing seems to go his way until he meets his new friend. Join Dante in his quest for fame (in a good way) and you will root him on for his success! (Ages 8-12)
Eleven Kinds of Blue
Katherine Wolff
Holiday House
https://holidayhouse.com
9780823459704, $18.99
Pam Morris
Reviewer
This is a story of depression and how the disease affects the whole family, not just the person with the illness. Margot is a talented artist but a very distracted student. She has a big heart, a best friend, and a family that needs her desperately. You will root for Margot's success and her family to finally listen to her. Her artist's eye makes her observant, probably more than a young girl needs to be. This is a beautifully written story that children will enjoy and relate to. (Ages 8-12)
The Thing About Giants
Christopher Galvin
Candlewick
www.candlewick.com
9781536251333, $18.99
Pam Morris
Reviewer
Discover a new world filled with giants and humans, both afraid of each other in the beginning. Their fear seems to be born from ignorance, hearsay and rumors. Corman the giant and Jacq the human become the best of friends, protecting each other and learning that you shouldn't always believe what you hear. It would be a wonderful read-aloud for story time. (Ages 9-12)
Half-Truths
Carol Baldwin
Monarch Educational Services, LLC
https://monarcheducationalservices.com
9781957656854, $17.99
Deb Greenberg
Reviewer
The author of this historical fiction novel offers an accurate account of segregation and racial discrimination in the South in the early 1950s, with themes that reflect the realities of the period, such as prejudice and injustice. Fifteen-year-old Katie dreams of a career in journalism but her father can't afford for her to go to college. When she witnesses racial injustice at her father's store and the arrival of the KKK, it only fuels her ambition more. Follow Katie's story, as she moves in with her grandparents, forms a friendship with their Black maid, Lillian, and learns a startling truth while sifting through their attic. Teens and young adults (and adults) won't want to put this one down. (Ages 13+)
James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Diane C. Donovan, Editor
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