<![CDATA[CL/R SIG - Book Reviews]]>

<![CDATA[CL/R SIG - Book Reviews]]>Sun, 31 May 2026 07:41:45 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[Fostering Belonging]]>Mon, 01 Jun 2026 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.clrsig.org/book-reviews/fostering-belongingBelonging is how we engage and feel a sense of connectedness in various contexts and communities in our lives, including families, schools, neighborhoods, and the world. In this curated collection of children’s books, we center stories of family and friendship as anchors for children to come to understand themselves in relation to others. Belonging, and how it is portrayed in these books, highlights the concept as both about being cared for and seen, and elevating a shared responsibility to care and support others.

These books reflect a wide range of lived experiences, spanning multigenerational families, cultural and linguistic identities, chosen communities, and shared experiences of compassion and care, while offering young people texts where they can see themselves and the lives of others. The texts on this list highlight belonging not as a state but as something we build through relationships and shared experiences.

We selected titles that invite connection, affirm diverse identities, and open space for conversations in homes, classrooms, and libraries. We include a few texts with animal or non-human character protagonists; however, our list is primarily focused on human stories that purposefully open the door to exploring feelings and connections. Each story provides an entry point into what it means to belong through food, language, place, friendship, and love while also encouraging children to consider how they can contribute to communities where everyone is valued. As a collection, these books support not only literacy development but also the social and emotional learning that helps children grow into empathetic members in their various communities.

Apapacho Love: Hugs from the Heart. Cynthia Harmony. Illus. Erika Meza. (2026). Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

The story and back matter invite conversations about care, belonging, cultural traditions, and the many ways love is communicated within families. The back matter, especially, does a beautiful job framing Apapacho as a specific kind of love and care originating in Nahuatl and illuminates belonging as something intentional, shared, and healing. The back matter is recommended to be read first with young readers before engaging in the text. Belonging in Apapacho Love: Hugs from the Heart is expressed through affection, family traditions, and the moments of care that shape children’s understanding of love and connection. Centered on the meaning of the word apapacho, the story follows a young girl whose mother is away for a short time, amplifying the motherly love, and also showing how the child is surrounded by hugs, music, cooking, storytelling, and time shared across generations and with peers at school. The illustrations and language create a sense of closeness while highlighting how culture and family practices help children feel connected to others and to their heritage.

The Blue House I Loved. Kao Kalia Yang. Illus. Jen Shin. (2026). University of Minnesota Press.

Presenting memory of place, connection, and home through story, The Blue House I Loved, reflects on a Hmong refugee family’s home in the United States. Written as a memoir, the story captures the challenges and tenderness of building a life together in a small, crowded house that holds their experiences, their love, and their shared memories. Yang writes, “Memories we carry of that place where we had been poor together, in love with each other, learning about life in a new country, unaware that a house could disappear.” The narrative honors the emotional significance of home, showing how belonging can grow even within uncertainty and transition. Shin’s illustrations deepen the story’s sense of longing and attachment to place, and Yang’s writing highlights how families carry memories of home across time and movement. The story closes with memories held even when the house has been torn down. She elaborates, “I feel our ghosts in that house, inviting us toward the past, to ourselves and each other, again.” Belonging and interconnection are held through memory. Although the blue house is gone, it remains present through story, memory, and family connection, offering readers a thoughtful exploration of immigrant families’ experiences, resilience, and the enduring meanings of home.

Cameron’s Garden of Hope. Aamina Muhammad Vela. Illus. Reyhana Ismail. (2026). Planting People Growing Justice Press.

Cameron’s Garden of Hope explores belonging through relationships among family, community, food, and the land itself. Centered on a child helping care for a garden, the story highlights how growing and sharing food can become acts of connection, reciprocity, and hope. The garden functions not only as a physical space, but also as a gathering place where knowledge, care, and responsibility are shared across generations and among neighbors. Through rich illustrations and an emphasis on nurturing living things, the book invites readers to consider how belonging can develop through contributing to a community and caring for the places that sustain us. Themes of stewardship, generosity, and collective care make this text a meaningful addition to conversations about family, resilience, and interconnectedness.

Fly Away Home. Betty Quan. Illus. Akin Duzakin. (2026). Groundwood Books.

The migration journey of a small bird in Fly Away Home symbolizes the migration experiences that many individuals, families, and communities often experience around the world. Through the utilization of the natural environment, including caribou and sea creatures, the primary story centers on the migration of a little bird, while the background story, told only through images, depicts the migration of humans leaving their homes, sometimes by force while facing harsh conditions. Young readers will enjoy the repetitious, rhyming language and sprinkling of interesting words, such as: “Little bird, little bird / Fly away home / The flamboyance of flamingoes / Will still waltz on.” However, many younger readers may need both linguistic and emotional support in making the connections between the journey of the bird and the journey of humanity, as the language switches between lively, light phrasing to heavier, fearful phrasing: “Little bird, little bird / Fly, steadfast / When your family seeks shelter / A mob of crows attacks / Flee / Dive / Hide / Survive.” The story of the bird and people opens opportunities for conversations that consider our connection to the planet and our need for the safety of our communities, through our shared experiences of change.

Grandma Cho Cho and Me. Morgan Christie. Illus. Paulica Santos. (2026). Groundwood Books.

Grandma, Cho Cho, and Me centers on intergenerational family relationships through the shared experience of preparing a traditional Jamaican breakfast together. As a young girl cooks alongside her grandmother, the story highlights how belonging is nurtured through rituals, storytelling, food, and care. The text weaves together themes of migration, cultural memory, and identity as family traditions from Jamaica are carried into a new home and passed across generations. Sensory language and expressive illustrations emphasize the joy and relational connection of cooking together while also honoring the knowledge, histories, and practices elders share with children. The book portrays belonging as something sustained through relationships, memory, and shared experiences. This narrative invites a focus on belonging around family traditions, migration, intergenerational learning, and the ways food and storytelling connect children to culture, community, and one another.

Here Come the Aunties! Cynthia Leitich Smith. Illus. Aphelandra. (2026). Heartdrum.

As the author notes, “Aunties bless us with their strength, teachings, gifts, comfort, and joy. They bolster us in times of need and change, of grief and celebration.” Here Come the Aunties! highlights the many ways children are supported by aunties, both relatives and friends of the family or community members. Through rhythmic, joyful language and bright illustrations, the book honors aunties by kinship as well as chosen aunties, neighbors, cousins, and family friends who show up for children in everyday experiences and life-changing moments. Gardening, cooking, storytelling, dancing, comforting, and celebrating all become expressions of connection and love. The text also offers an important view of belonging grounded in Indigenous community relationships, particularly through its Muscogee-centered framing of extended family and collective support. The author’s note further expands on these ideas, explaining the cultural significance of aunties within Native communities and the many roles they play across generations. Warm and celebratory, this book invites readers to think about belonging as something built through networks of love, responsibility, joy, and shared presence within families and communities.

Jayden Noticed. Carolyn Crimi. Illus. Shamar Knight-Justice. (2026). Candlewick Press.

Jayden is a noticer, someone who is in tune with nature and his feelings. The family is moving to a new place, and Jayden is not happy about it, especially worried he will “never make a friend in this short-tree place.” He finds comfort in the chaos and uncertainty by organizing his rock collection, such as his homework rock and fort-building rock and his wishing rock and thinking rock. He also has a courage rock that gives him strength in times of change. Through beautiful facial illustrations that capture the range of emotions Jayden feels, readers are able to easily empathize with his quest to find a new friend. With patience and the inspiration sparked by a newfound “small brown rock with a river of sparkle running down its middle,” Jayden begins to notice the interesting, unique things in his new neighborhood. His shift in attitude enables him to notice another young boy and find the courage to speak: “Hi, I’m Jayden. I like rocks / I’m Alex, and I like bugs.” The story reminds readers that a sense of belonging and the best soul-friends are often made through shared passions.

My Language is a Garden. E.G. Alaraj. Illus. Rachel Wada. (2026). Orca Book Publishers.

My Language Is a Garden, written as a poem, invites readers into a sense of belonging through language. A young girl with her father reflects on the sounds, textures, and meanings carried within language through vivid metaphors. Through sensory descriptions comparing language to gardens, forests, roots, and oceans, the text positions language as something living and connected to memory, ancestry, land, and care. As the father narrates, “My language came from somewhere. Its branches grew and grew. And now, my dearest child, I’m giving it to you.” The illustrations move between family connection and natural landscapes, reinforcing the idea that language shapes how children experience the world and understand themselves within it. While the focus is on language passed from one generation to the next, the text also elevates language as a broader human connection: “It orbits other planets, revolves around the sun, explores the farthest reaches, connecting everyone.” The book celebrates linguistic plurality as a source of beauty and connection across generations and opens space for conversations about heritage languages, intergenerational relationships, and the ways language can help young people feel seen, rooted, and connected to others. Further, the author’s note provides a personal connection to her husband sharing Arabic with their children and offers, “I hope this story teaches children of all backgrounds to treasure their languages like gifts, but I also hope it encourages parents to motivate their children with positivity and patience.”

Others: A Story for All of Us. Kobi Yamada. Illus. Charles Santoso. (2026). Ten Speed Press.

Two friends meet up and begin asking lots of questions that stir their wild imaginings about “Them. The other people” who hang out on the other side of the hedge in the neighborhood. Through the use of minimal vocabulary and subtle humor, the story takes the reader on a journey of examining more complex concepts such as our differences, our fear of the unknown, and how it feels to be “...the others. The ones from over there….not from here.” Using a muted color palette and employing lots of white space, the story prods readers to reflect on all kinds of assumptions we make about people who are different from us and how those assumptions can fray a sense of belonging and community. When one of the boys crosses over to the other side to see “the others” for himself, the conversation shifts to focusing on experiences that are similar to his own. Many of the scenes depicted throughout the book are fun and effervescent, such as children playing outside and laughing together, but some of the scenes highlight sadness and fear, such as the scene of a family crying together while saying goodbye to their dog that died, and a curled up child shivering in the bed because of their fear of the dark. These powerful images weave a rich tapestry of emotions that invite children to ponder our shared humanity and the actions we can take to build a safe, welcoming community for others.

The Sweater: A Story of Community. Larissa Theule. Illus. Teagan White. (2026). Viking.

“She’d gone only a few paces when a little bird stumbled into the thicket. It was plain to see he’d been through some things.” This opening line begins the story of noticing and caring for one another in ways that make a meaningful difference. Using sparse yet moving language, the story weaves together themes of interconnectedness and small actions we can take to foster belonging. The thoughtful interplay of story and images captures collective experiences the neighbors share, as well as their moments of solitude, elevating the idea that, even while alone, we are still in community together. Each animal in the forest shares what they can to welcome and comfort their new neighbor and help him “shore up his home against the wind, which was blowing harder every minute.” The story opens the door for children to explore not only what it means to be cared for but also what it means to actively demonstrate caring actions toward others. The color palette consists of warm brown and beige hues that evoke the warmth of being wrapped in a blanket, while various shades of blue are woven across each page, urging us to look upward with hopefulness. Readers never learn what “the things” were that the little bird experienced. Instead, they focus on the unique gifts each of them has to offer to help him heal and know that he belongs.

This Hair Belongs. JaNay Brown-Wood. Illus. Erin K. Robinson. (2026). Astra Young Readers.

This Hair Belongs, written in verse, shares history and narrative structures to honor Black hair as an expression of culture, ancestry, selfhood, and pride. Bold, artistic illustrations and rhythmic language position hair as part of family, history and ancestral roots, creativity, and community. The narrative celebrates curls, coils, braids, and protective styles while also acknowledging the history of discrimination and regulation surrounding Black hair. The back matter expands the reading experience through accessible discussions of Black hair traditions, historical injustice, representation in media and literature, and even the science of hair itself. These sections invite children and adults to move from a surface-level appreciation toward a thoughtful understanding of how identity and belonging are shaped socially, culturally, and historically. By pairing celebration with context, the book creates space for focus on dignity, representation, and the importance of seeing diverse identities reflected with care and affirmation.

Under One Roof. Miranda Paul & Baptiste Paul. Illus. Christopher Silas Neal. (2026). Clarion Books.

Across neighborhoods, contexts, and homes, Under One Roof explores the shared experiences that connect families at the end of the day. Moving through bedtime routines under the same night sky, the text highlights the uniqueness and familiarity of family life as children are rocked, read to, tucked in, and comforted before sleep. The pacing and peaceful illustrations create a sense of calm while also emphasizing a larger idea: that, across distance, people remain linked through a daily cadence and nightly routines under the same night sky. The book’s brevity can create opportunities for readers to notice details and relationships across the spreads, making it meaningful for shared reading and conversation. The author and illustrator's notes expand the text in powerful ways, connecting the story to experiences of hurricanes, migration, moving homes, separation from loved ones, and the search for safety and refuge. These personal reflections anchor the book’s themes of home and belonging, showing how connection can persist across movement, uncertainty, and changing places.

Where They Gather. Teresa Rodrigues. Illus. Jamiel Law. (2026). Simon & Schuster.

With a rhythmic cadence and lyrical language, the poem Where We Gather tells a generational story about a Black family’s love for one another and love of the land. The illustrations employ a saturated array of earth tones across each page, further uplifting the themes of being home, grounded in the land, and being part of a loving community. The story lends itself to being read aloud as a way of feeling the words and the patterns, while the illustrations invite readers to notice many unwritten details such as a family wedding, a community picnic, and working together on the land: “Summer’s sizzle fades to fall / and golden shades roll in / Autumn’s harvest drops to earth / where fun and work begin.” One way the themes of belonging and community are threaded throughout the book is through the recurring images of hands, such as planting a garden, hugging children, creating signs for a protest march, and holding the hands of loved ones. The author’s note at the end of the book, as well as actual photographs of her grandmother’s house, helps readers understand the context of the story and the deep meaning of the pecan tree that is subtly referenced throughout the book: “The tree witnessed it all, and more….Through times of joy and sorrow, the tree stood at the heart of our family gatherings.” The poem provides a road map for readers to name the people, places, moments, and symbols that foster loving connections with others in their lives.

Lori Elliott, Ph.D., is an associate teaching professor in the Responsive Literacy Education program at The University of Colorado Denver, where she teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in children’s literature.

Erica Holyoke, Ph.D., is an assistant professor in Responsive Literacy Education at The University of Colorado Denver. Her research focuses on justice, equity, and belonging in literacy teaching and teacher preparation.

]]><![CDATA[The Anna Dewdney Read-Together Award 10th Anniversary Book Review]]>Mon, 04 May 2026 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.clrsig.org/book-reviews/the-anna-dewdney-read-together-award-10th-anniversary-book-reviewWritten by Sue Corbin
Known as a beloved children's author and illustrator, Anna Dewdney requested that people read to a child in lieu of coming to her funeral when she passed away after a battle with brain cancer in 2016. She was an avid proponent of read-alouds, and so this award, which is given to books written and illustrated within the past three years that are perfect for reading to children and deal with "big feelings," is more than appropriate. Dewdney wrote about overcoming life's problems, and she did it with compassion, color, and humor. As a mother, daycare provider, and teacher at Greenwood School in Vermont, Dewdney understood the issues that children can have with life's problems. Her goal was to write books that could just make children - and their adults - feel better.

The Anna Dewdney Read-Together Award was created in 2016 by Penguin Young Readers, the Children's Book Council, and Every Child a Reader (a national program in the United Kingdom to ensure that all children receive the literacy instruction they need). Voters are librarians, teachers, booksellers, and caregivers across the United States. The books are chosen for their social-emotional messages about "big feelings," as well as their literary quality. This year, 2026, marks the 10th anniversary of the award, which is usually announced in April or May each year, so it is fitting that we honor the books that were honored in the past (2017–2025) and look forward to this year's winner.
Note that while the books reviewed below are most appropriate for young children, ages 2–6, they are appealing to a wide range of ages and grades. Since they are awarded for their read-aloud characteristics, the books can and should be performed orally with emotion and lots of expression.

2025 - My Hands Tell a Story. Kelly Starling Lyons. Illus. Tonya Engel. (2022). Reycraft Books.
Zoe and her grandmother are baking bread, and the grandmother is telling stories. Zoe is paying more attention to her grandmother's hands than the stories, as she is fascinated by the grandmother's rose-colored fingernails, her wedding band with flowers, and how her hands handle the bread dough so deftly. Grandmother explains that hands tell stories and encourages Zoe to see her future in her own hands. Illustrations show the love between grandmother and grandchild using oil paints to create a warm glow that reflects the giving of strength from one generation to another. Interview with the artists - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUY9XUxVn9s (PreK Up)

2024 – KINDergarten: Where Kindness Matters Every Day. Fera Ahiyya. Illus. Joey Chou. (2022). Random House Studio.
This is part of a two-book series titled KINDergarten: Where Kindness Matters Every Day and Getting Ready for Kindergarten: A First Day of School Book (part of a 6-book series of Getting Ready books). The "big feeling" here is the first day of kindergarten, featuring a shy boy who lacks confidence. On the first day of school, the class makes a list of ways to show kindness in the morning that they revisit at the end of the day when the teacher asks children to add to the list. Some children noticed Leo holding doors for people, putting his crayons back, and helping a friend who fell. These kudos give Leo confidence that he can just be himself and show kindness to people to get along in school. Chou uses digital tools, acrylic paints, and cut paper in his illustrations, and this book is an excellent example of the bright colors and the playful way that he creates his characters. Everyone seems authentic and friendly, and the book is sure to calm children's nerves before their first day of school. (PreK Up)

2023 - The Proudest Color. Dr. Sheila Modir and Jeffrey Kashou. Illus. Monica Mikai. (2021). Familius Books
Zahra is a child with synesthesia, so she connects emotions with colors. Color is important in this book since it emphasizes the problems associated with racism and the color of people's skins. The authors and illustrator are pediatric psychologists and family therapists, and the text appears to exemplify concepts of racial socialization (adults in children's lives help them to understand race and racism and encourage them to take pride in their own cultures). While the writing is simple and uncomplicated, the illustrations flesh out the story and characters to bring the emotions, problems, and solutions to life and help children identify ways they can deal with racism they experience and see around them. (PreK Up)

2022 - Never Show a T. Rex a Book. Rashmi Sirdeshpande and Diane Ewen. (2020). Kane Miller Books.
As the title suggests, Never Show a T. Rex a Book is a hilarious story about what happens when a dinosaur digs his teeth into a book. Wild things happen when he realizes what amazing places you can go to and people you can meet when you read. The "big feeling" here is joy at the discovery of a world of fun and knowledge. Like Laura Numeroff's books of what happens if you give a mouse a cookie or a moose a muffin, the story line builds on the effect books can have on readers. Children will be captivated and will want to have the story read to them again and again. This book is highly recommended for young children who are getting ready to read or who are reading and perhaps struggling a little. All will be motivated to pick up another book to see what happens. (PreK Up)

2021 - Brown Baby Lullaby. Tameka Fryer Brown. Illus. AG Ford. Macmillan Children's Books.
Written in a rhyme that is magical and musical, it is perfect for reading aloud. Some Spanish words and phrases are included, but they don't detract from the meaning of the text, which is focused on family love and bedtime rituals. The soft pastel colors lend to the atmosphere of peace, acceptance, and the feeling that all is well. It might be a good book to follow Llama, Llama, Red Pajamas, which can tend to trigger children who are especially sensitive to abandonment issues. (PreK Up)

2020 - Thank You, Omu! Oge Mora. (2019). Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.
Omu means "queen" in Igbo, and this grandmother should have royalty status with her skill in cooking. Her stew smells so good that the whole neighborhood is drawn to her house for a taste. Omu's generosity leads her to run out of food, causing a bit of a problem when her own family wants to eat until the neighbors show up with food of their own to share. Community togetherness, sharing, and gratitude are beautifully illustrated by Mora's illustrations using cut paper. The book was a Caldecott Honor Book, and it was a well-deserved award for this talented author/illustrator. (PreK Up)

2019 - The Rabbit Listened. Cori Doerrfeld. (2018). Penguin Young Readers/Dial Books.
It can be difficult to know how to comfort someone when a tragedy happens. The "tragedy" in this book is a fallen tower Taylor was building. The medium is not divulged in the text, prompting children to look to the soft pastel illustrations for explanation. While Taylor is devastated, no one seems to know what to do to help him feel better. Talking about it, getting angry, nothing helps until the rabbit shows up and just listens. This is all Taylor needs to feel better because he's gotten his frustrations out in a way that is comforting and doesn't hurt anyone. The text is spare, and the illustrations do a beautiful job of filling in the details of the story. (PreK Up)

2018 - After the Fall (How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again). Dan Santat. (2018). Macmillan Children's Publishing Group/Roaring Brook Press.
Based on a family situation in Santat's family, After the Fall tells the story of how it's possible to deal with fear after experiencing a difficult situation. Humpty Dumpty knew it was risky to sit on a wall to watch the birds, but when he fell, it changed his life. Fortunately, Santat allows the famous egg to be healed, but Humpty Dumpty is traumatized and can't bring himself to climb back up the ladder to the top of the wall. Fear can lead to depression and stagnation in a person's life, but if one can muster the courage to get up and move on, it will change their life. The book has won numerous awards and will appeal to a large age range, including adults who need a little help themselves. (PreK Up)

2017 - Edward Gets Messy. Rita Meade. Illus. Olga Stern. (2016). Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers.
Edward is an adorable little pig who is slightly OCD. He does everything he can to keep his world in order, breaking all the stereotypes of muddy porcines in sties. One day, however, the shelf with paints for artwork falls and spills colorful paint all over Edward. At first, he is appalled, but then he starts to let go and enjoy the mess. The illustrations follow the text with neat pictures of Edward before the upheaval in his perfect world, and, after the accident, show how much fun messes can be - and they can be cleaned up. (PreK Up)

Sue Corbin has taught all levels of education from K through graduate school. She is a fan of picture books that entertain and motivate children to love reading and learning.

]]><![CDATA[Independent Reading (Drop Everything and Read)]]>Mon, 13 Apr 2026 17:57:17 GMThttps://www.clrsig.org/book-reviews/independent-reading-drop-everything-and-readDrop Everything and Read (D.E.A.R.) Day is April 12th in honor of Beverly Cleary’s birthday. This tribute to a beloved children’s book author is perfect for celebrating the love of reading by relaxing with a book. Partake in the fun this year by reading one of the books reviewed below or an old favorite on April 12th and throughout the year.

Because of a Shoe. Julie Fogliano. Illus. by Marla Frazee. (2026). Knopf Books for Young Readers.
Because of a Shoe is a realistic story of how “even when…/ because of a shoe/ (a too-tight shoe/ a too-loose shoe)” leads to a child’s tantrum, mother and child are still their sweet and funny selves who love each other. Fogliano uses words to paint a picture of the increasing absurdity of a child’s ongoing tantrum and the growing frustration of the parent coaxing that child to pull it together so they can leave. Marla Frazee uses colored pencil and vinyl paint to create dark illustrations representing the fury of the tantrum and anger followed by more colorful illustrations as they come out on the other side of the tantrum. Together, Fogliano and Frazee tell a humorous and relatable tale of the impact of dealing with big emotions. Children and parents alike will love this one. (PreK-Gr 2)\

Chronicles of Whetherwhy: The Age of Enchantment. Anna James. Illus. by David Wyatt. (2025). Flamingo Books.
In the first book of Anna James’s new fantasy series, readers are introduced to the island of Whetherwhy in which all people have magic inside them related to one of the four seasons. The few that can command the magic of all four seasons are known as Enchanters. Children officially learn their inclination at the age of 13 through an enchantment inspection. Juniper learns that she is an Enchanter, while her twin, Rafferty, establishes that he is a spring. As an Enchanter, Juniper is expected to leave her family and begin her studies at Thistledown Academy in the capital city of Stormgrove. Adventure and new friends await Juniper as she makes her way to Thistledown. Rafferty misses his twin so he moves to Stormgrove to be nearby and works as an apprentice to a bookbinder. Soon, he is caught up in his own adventure. James writes a captivating fantasy in words that are supported by David Wyatt’s detailed sketches of key places and events in the story. The second book in the series, The Season of Flames, is set to release at the end of April. (Gr 3-7)

Each and Every Spark. Claire Swinarski. (2026). Quill Tree Books.
Swinarski conveys the stories of two girls in Paris – one during the present day and the other during the Nazi occupation in the 1940s. In the present day, Penny Marks has recently moved from Wisconsin to Paris so her mom can work her dream job, and she deeply misses her old life. Although Penny is with her parents and brothers in Paris, she feels alone because the rest of her family seems to have adjusted easily to their new life. Then a mysterious painting is discovered and she comes up with a plan to get her old life back. Decades earlier, thirteen-year-old Marie Bonnet only had her sister, Heloise, with her in their Paris apartment during the 1940s. Like Penny, Marie missed her old life before the Nazis invaded and made day-to-day life so uncertain. With all the injustice surrounding her, Marie feels the need to fight back. Once she learns that Heloise is helping the French Resistance, she joins the cause. This captivating story highlights an often-overlooked aspect of history in which women and children played a significant role in the French Resistance during the 1940s. (Gr 3-7)

Forty the Fortune Teller. Drew Daywalt. Illus. by Kevin Cornell. (2026). Philomel Books.
Forty is a paper fortune teller who was left on the playground at the end of recess in this hilarious picture book written in the style of a graphic novel. Soon, Forty meets Chip, an actual potato chip with a bite taken out of its head, and together they begin a quest to repair the slide after finding its missing bolt in the grass. Through a series of comical encounters with a squirrel, basketball, dark gray rain cloud, and gum wad gang, Forty and Chip make their best effort to fix the slide before the next recess. Between Daywalt’s witty dialogue and storyline, as well as Cornell’s expressive illustrations, readers are sure to laugh out loud repeatedly. (PreK-Gr 3)

I'm So Happy You're Here: A Celebration of Library Joy. Mychal Threets. Illus. by Lorraine Nam. (2026). Random House Books for Young Readers.
In his first picture book, Mychal Threets uses simple language to declare that everyone belongs at the library and deserves to enjoy all it has to offer. He highlights the opportunities available, like playing games, reading stories, meeting new friends, and getting to know the librarian. Lorraine Nam’s vibrant illustrations complement the wording showing the experiences of characters of varying ages, races, and abilities spending time in the library. In the end papers, Threets notes his love for the library started when he was a child and continues to this day. He encourages readers to visit the library, engage with the librarian, and come back soon. This book highlights the value and delight that libraries bring to the community. (PreK-Gr 2)

Just Like Rabbit. Katy Hudson. (2026). Capstone Editions.
In this charming and entertaining picture book, Katy Hudson demonstrates the significance of friendship and self-acceptance. Spring has sprung and Frog announces that he wants to be like Rabbit. His woodland friends are surprised by his declaration and point out his unique qualities, like swimming underwater and his “perfect shade of spring green.” Still, he requests their help to become like Rabbit, and they oblige. They set out to help him make the necessary adjustments to his appearance, lifestyle, and hopping so he can deliver eggs like Rabbit. When calamity hits, what will Frog determine is most important? Hudson’s rich illustrations enhance the story by exhibiting the amusing efforts of Frog’s friends to help him achieve his goal and the beauty of realizing one’s worth. (PreK-Gr 3)

The Lions’ Run. Sarah Pennycracker. Illus. by Jon Klassen. (2026). Balzer + Bray.
In this historical fiction novel set in France during WWII, Lucas DuBois is a timid orphan who has grown tired of the Nazis occupying his village and the surrounding areas. He longs to have the courage to stand up for what he knows is right and seizes the opportunity to do so by saving a litter of kittens that two boys from his orphanage are trying to drown. He sneaks the kittens to what he believes is an abandoned barn until he encounters a teenager named Alice, who is hiding her beloved horse there until she can get it safely out of the country. Soon Lucas finds out others in the village, like his employers at the local grocery and the head housekeeper at the Nazi maternity home, are hiding secrets of their own. The more he discovers, the more he feels compelled to rebel. Pennycracker shares a gripping story of uncertainty, bravery, and growth. Klassen’s illustrations include a map of significant locations in the text, along with a lion at the start of each chapter, to complement the story. (Gr 3-7)

Once for Yes. Allie Millington. (2025). Feiwel & Friends.
Millington’s ability to weave a story told from multiple perspectives, including that of an inanimate object—an old building in this tale— is impressive. The Odenburgh is an old apartment building personified by Millington that acts as the narrator of alternating chapters. In those chapters, the building recalls what it has seen and grapples with the reality that it will soon be demolished and replaced by a more modern building. Prue, a resident in the Odenburgh, has no desire to leave the building since it was the last place she was with her sister, Lina, before she died. What follows is Prue’s attempt to stop the demolition of an old building in hopes of holding on to what she has left of her sister. In her struggle, she finds a new friend, Lewis, and learns more about her own family and the residents in the building. This is a rich story about grief, family, moving on, and honoring the past. (Gr 3-7)

The Unlikely Tale of Chase and Finnegan. Jasmine Warga. Illus. by Vivienne To. (2026). Balzer + Bray.
This “unlikely tale” is about an anxious cheetah cub named Chase and a heartbroken dog named Finnegan. Chase's mom dies soon after she is born, around the same time that Finnegan is rescued by Ryan from the woods Ryan’s girlfriend, Basma, is Chase’s trainer at the zoo, and she recognizes Finnegan’s potential to befriend Chase and provide her with the support she needs to grow. In time, they are introduced to one another. Given the sorrow Chase and Finnegan have experienced in their short lives, trust does not come easily to either one of them. Can they help each other overcome their fears and learn to trust? Warga’s poignant tale will enthrall readers from the start and have them rooting for Chase and Finnegan until the very end. Vivienne To’s black and white illustrations of Chase and Finnegan give readers a visual to endear them even more to the beloved characters. (Gr 3-7)

Wiggling Words. Kate Rolfe. (2025). Candlewick.
Children with dyslexia or any child who struggles learning to read will empathize with the child in this book, who really wants to read the story, but the words keep “wiggling/ jiggling/ jumping.” Rolfe uses minimal text to tell the story of a child frustrated by the continuous movement and complexity of the letters and words on the page. Paired with cyanotype and hand-printed letters in red, Rolfe provides the audience with a visual of the child’s experiences, from seeing the seemingly insurmountable mountain of letters to using them as building blocks to decode the words letter by letter, slowly making sense of the words on the page. This story is a heartwarming ode to the struggles some children face in learning to read and the power of persistence. (PreK-Gr 1)

Worm and Butterfly Are Friends Always. Kaz Windness. (2026). Simon Spotlight.
In this Level 1 Ready-to Read-Graphics sequel to Worm and Caterpillar are Friends, Worm and Butterfly are still best friends. Worm says they should stick together, but winter is coming. Butterfly must fly somewhere warm while Worm needs to burrow in the ground. How can they be best friends when they are separated by distance? What about the possibility of making new friends? Windness’s animated cartoon illustrations accompany the simple dialogue between characters to bring the story to life. Following the story, readers will find true information on butterfly migration and worm estivation, as well as bird diet and migration. (PreK-Gr 1)

Nicole Maxwell is a professor specializing in literacy instruction in the Elementary and Special Education Program at the University of North Georgia

]]>