Stories that Shape Us
A place where CL/R SIG reviewers share annotations and insights on books that matter.
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This column features new books for babies and toddlers, ranging from board books to picturebooks. The titles span concept books on colors, counting, and the alphabet, nonfiction about history and the natural world, and stories that tackle big feelings like worry. Together they offer plenty of options for lap reading, read-alouds, and early conversations about the world.  Celebrate the World: Juneteenth. Hannah Eliot. Ilus. Tequitia Andrews. (2026). Simon & Schuster. This informational board book introduces young readers to the history behind Juneteenth and the ways families celebrate the holiday today. Although President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, enslaved Black people in Texas did not learn of their freedom until June 19, 1865. The book explains this history in accessible language for the youngest readers, then shifts to present-day celebrations such as attending festivals, gathering for barbecues, supporting Black-owned businesses, volunteering in the community, and teaching others about the holiday's significance. A brief timeline helps children place the events in context, and the book closes with an invitation to look toward the future as we "celebrate freedom and unity" and treat one another with kindness. The book takes a clear, age-appropriate approach to a complex piece of history, with warm, vibrant illustrations that bring the pages to life.  H is for Hiking. Greg Paprocki. (2026). Gibbs Smith. This board book is an alphabet journey through the world of hiking, featuring bold, square-shaped images on the end pages. Each letter introduces an animal or object young readers might encounter on the trail, whether it's C is for compass, G is for granola bar, or K is for knapsack. The clean, graphic style of the illustrations makes each item easy to identify, and the alphabet structure gives young readers a predictable frame for building vocabulary around nature and outdoor exploration. Children who have hiked with their families will recognize familiar sights, while those new to the outdoors will get a vivid preview of what an adventure on the trail might hold. This book is a wonderful conversation starter before a family hike, giving children a chance to name and anticipate what they might see and pack. It also connects naturally to outdoor learning and nature-based early childhood curriculum, where educators can pair the book with a nature walk, scavenger hunt, or classroom discussion about preparing for time outdoors.  Hello World!: USA. Jill McDonald. (2026). Doubleday Books for Young Readers. This informational board book introduces young readers to iconic American landmarks, including Mount Rushmore, the San Francisco Bay Bridge, the St. Louis Arch, and the monuments of Washington, D.C. The book opens with America's birthday on July 4, describing how we celebrate today with parades, barbecues, and fireworks. Readers learn why the holiday is called Independence Day and how America gained its freedom from Britain. One standout feature is a two-page spread that flips vertically to showcase and discuss the original 13 colonies. From there, the book explains that a brand-new country needs new laws, which leads into the Declaration of Independence. Additional topics include voters, the role of the president, the White House, the 50 states, the red, white, and blue flag, and the Star-Spangled Banner. The compact format makes civics accessible even for the youngest readers.  It’s an Animal Potty Party. Liz Swenson. (2026). Familius. Little readers, and perhaps even more desperate parents, will be drawn to this book's cover, featuring a large potty surrounded by animals in party hats blowing party horns. Inside, we learn that elephants, tigers, and crocodiles all pee in the jungle. Swenson then turns the question to the reader, asking, "Where do you go potty?" Of course, it's the potty, though sometimes that means sitting and waiting, and waiting some more. But once you hear a telltale tinkle, it's time to celebrate! The story ends with a boy playing with toy animal figures, once larger than life, now celebrating right alongside him in honor of his potty success. Swenson brings the book to life through a mix of pencil sketches, oil paintings on canvas, and watercolors, giving the illustrations texture and warmth.  I’ve Got a Dog!: A Happy Little Tune. Sandra Boynton. (2026). Simon & Schuster. This board book brings one of Sandra Boynton's songs from her music album Frog Trouble to the printed page. Originally performed by country artist Dwight Yoakam, the tune is easy to pick up, and young readers and their grown-ups will find themselves singing along by the second read. The story introduces Hank, a scruffy mutt who is completely devoted to his boy. Wherever the boy goes, Hank follows, and whatever the boy does, Hank does too, including flopping down for a nap right beside him. Hank is an unusual dog in a few ways. He is remarkably smart, though his intelligence comes with a catch as he barks all day and barks all night. He refuses to perform tricks like other dogs, but he has one impressive talent of his own. He can say "no.” The text appears in varying sizes and levels of boldness, signaling to readers when to belt out a line at full volume and when to bring their voices down to a whisper. It is a joyful read-aloud that begs to be performed rather than simply read.  A Leaf Thief Book: 1, 2, 3, Can You Count Along? Alice Hemming. Illus. Nicola Slater. (2026). Sourcebooks. In this lift-the-flap board book, readers first meet two friends, Squirrel and Bird, who hear a sound in the tree and set off to investigate. Lifting the flap reveals the source: one woodpecker. As the story continues, the friends hear new sounds on each two-page spread, and readers lift the flaps to discover which animal or plant is making the noise and how many there are. Slater's bright, textured illustrations make each animal and plant a delight to uncover, and the sturdy flaps are well suited to small hands. The result is an engaging sequential counting book that invites young readers to predict, count, and participate as they turn each page. Along the way, the book gently builds number recognition from one to ten, making it a natural fit for toddlers just beginning to count. In a playful nod to the series title, the final pages reveal Squirrel as the leaf thief himself.  Puffins! Maria Gianferrari. Illus. Maris Wicks. (2026). Roaring Brook Press. Using comic-style panels, we watch a puffin soar above the sea before landing rather ungracefully on a rock. We soon learn she has arrived at an island full of puffins, and its nesting season. Father guards the outside of the burrow while Mother keeps the egg warm inside, and they take turns with this duty. Six weeks later, the chick cracks open the egg with its beak. Mother dives deep and returns with five butterfish, but they're too large for the chick. Father searches for sand lance instead, only to have a herring gull snatch his catch. He dives again and brings back a beak full of herring, but the chick is soon hungry again. Parents will smile in recognition at those never-full little bellies. Little puffin grows and grows, eventually learning to dive for her own food. The story comes full circle as she flies over the sea, finds a mate, builds a nest, and lays one egg. Comic-style boxes at the end offer fascinating puffin facts, like how they return to the same nesting site every year and feed their pufflings ten times a day.  The Worried Book. Howard Pearlstein. Illus. James Munro. (2026). Red Comet Press. Readers are invited to open a square picturebook with an anxious narrator, the book itself. It speaks directly to the reader, asking, "You are going to read me, aren't you?" This worried book fears readers won't like it, or worse, will use it as a coloring book. It imagines being repurposed as a drink coaster, a paper airplane, or a prop to steady a wobbly table. Maybe it would be safer just sitting on the shelf. But shelf life brings new worries too. What if a monster spots it and picks it up? The book wishes it could stop worrying, then realizes readers worry too. It describes the physical sensations of anxiety, like a pounding heart and an aching stomach, and recognizes that worry starts in the head and can quickly spiral out of control. The turning point comes when the book wonders what might go right instead, modeling this shift for readers, "What if you read me and DO like me?" James Munro, the illustrator, shares his own worries at the end of the book.  Tiny T. Rex and the Itty-Bitty Bun-Bun. John Stutzman. Ilus. Jay Fleck. (2026). Chronicle Books. Mighty Rex is having a wonderful Easter morning, hunting for special eggs and discovering a basket full of surprises. But in the middle of all this fun, he notices that Mother and Father never get anything on Easter morning. Mighty Rex decides the Easter Bun-Bun must simply be too busy to visit the grown-ups, so he takes matters into his own little claws. Dressed as an itty-bitty bun-bun, Mighty Rex teams up with his sibling Pointy to give their parents an Easter of their own. Together they decorate eggs in all sorts of colors and hide them outside, carefully sorting them by shade so all the pink eggs sit together, all the yellow eggs sit together, and so on. The siblings also fill a basket with treats for Mother and Father, and the story wraps up with one big, heartwarming surprise. The color-sorting play adds a touch of early learning to a tender story about giving back to those we love.  Your Truck. Jon Klassen. (2026). Candlewick Press. Jon Klassen's signature illustration style is instantly recognizable in his newest board book. His ink and graphite drawings, complete with the expressive eyes he famously adds to unexpected objects, bring warmth and personality to every page. This time, those watchful eyes belong to a truck. The book invites you to customize it with your child's name, immediately giving the reader ownership of the truck. Klassen extends this invitation further by encouraging children to imagine what color their own truck might be, turning reading into a moment of creativity and choice. As the pages turn, the truck grows sleepy and slowly closes its eyes while the sun sets in the illustrations behind it. The gentle winding down of both truck and sky mirrors a child's own transition to sleep, making this a natural addition to any nighttime routine. This book is a perfect match for the truck-loving toddler, especially one who is beginning to learn colors. Chelsey Bahlmann Bollinger is an Associate Professor in the Early, Elementary, and Reading Department at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. She enjoys sharing joyful reading experiences with her two young readers at home.
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Summer and Childhood: Picture Books that Represent Elements of Children’s Summertime Experiences7/27/2026 These summer picture books include must-reads for early childhood and elementary readers or read-to-ers. This collection showcases books that feature summer themes or topics for children who are staycationing, vacationing, visiting, or otherwise adventuring. Some of these featured books need support alongside them with discussions led by adults and some are lighter and more whimsical. Enjoy reading these synopses about the varied ways children may experience the summer as we share the season with them through these stellar texts.  At the Cookout. Nadia Fisher. (2026). G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers. Summer and family traditions just go hand in hand. CiCi’s family has a cookout every summer, and she just can’t wait to get there. CiCi wants to see her grandmother, cousins, uncles, and aunts and enjoy all the things she knows to expect from their family traditions. When she arrives, though, she can’t find her favorite cousin, Chase, and she looks everywhere. While searching, she describes the games like spades and horseshoes her family is playing and the hot grill that cooks all the delicious food for everyone. When she finally finds Chase sneaking cookies, they listen to music and dance together with their relatives. They indulge in all the good food and especially the desserts made by Grandma. This book is a reminder of the love that is shared within the family, food, and fun of summer get-togethers. (PreK Up)  The Big Once-a-Year Broussard-Bouchard Family Reunion. Karen English. Illus. by annalise barber-opp. (2026). Candlewick. Celebrating the zydeco culture of Louisiana, this family reunion tale relates to all children who will connect with relatives over the summer. Many members of the Broussard-Bouchard family gather to eat and visit and play games together like sack races, dominoes, and basketball. They share what they have been doing with one another since the last time they met. Best of all, they get to share in playing and enjoying their favorite music together. On her visit, Alaine accidentally lets the indoor cat outside and worries about the lost cat all during her visit. In the end, he returns to the family just as all the relatives do each year in July. With colorful, artistic pictures, this book shares elements of culture, family, and community with young children who can identify with the story and note ways they also enjoy time in the summer with their relatives. (PreK Up)  Bored. Felicita Sala. (2026). Neal Porter Books. One element of the summer is the length of uninterrupted and unplanned time that can be very exciting in theory but in reality can often also be boring for children. This text explores how boredom feels and how it is experienced by one little girl named Rita. Rita is “really, really, really, really bored.” She has nothing to do and nowhere to be, but eventually begins to learn that, in boredom, freeing her mind allows her to create big stories and ideas. The illustrations add to the content of the story as we learn alongside Rita what it means to be bored and what it also feels like when our minds respond to that boredom with creative thinking. As Rita has time to free her mind, she begins to use her big imagination and learns to be content with herself, enjoying her own thoughts. (PreK Up)  City Summer, Country Summer. Kiese Laymon. Illus. by Alexis Franklin. (2025). Kokila. This 2026 Coretta Scott King Book Award Illustrator Honor Title showcases the experiences of young Black boys visiting their grandmothers and spending time together in the deep South at the hottest time of the year. The book explores ideas of emotional safety with new friends from differing locales and the intensity of a young summer spent together. Within the story, boyhood is conveyed within the loving boundaries of grandmothers’ spaces and the childhood freedom of a hot Mississippi summer. The children in the story relish the discovery of a new special world that includes woods, gardens, porches, and neighbors, alongside the tender bonds made quickly from shared experiences. Love and joy are certainly present in the tone, words, and illustrations of this realistic and representational reading experience. (K Up)  Everybelly. Thao Lam. (2025). Groundwood Books. At the pool, Maddie sees lots of bellies. Some bellies are round and others are wrinkly. Some of the stomachs are flat, while others have tattoos. She sees bellies that have stretch marks or freckles or monitors. Through this body-neutrality text, a child acknowledges differences without judgment of various people she enjoys knowing in her community. With Maddie, readers also begin to recognize the beauty that is in our diverse world full of different bodies belonging to many special people. This is an excellent read for children as they see others in the story and in their worlds this summer who look similar to and different from them. The collaged pictures are gorgeous and add depth to an already rich text. This book is an enjoyable, inclusive read for children and adults alike. (PreK Up)  Fireworks. Matthew Burgess. Illus. by Cátia Chien. (2025). Clarion Books. This 2026 Caldecott winner is a must-read for July 4th or for the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. With gorgeous illustrations and a relatable storyline, this text is a must-have for this summer’s reading. Children in the book experience the hot Fourth of July with treats like watermelon and later end the night with a beautiful fireworks display. The siblings enjoy their day together in the hot city playing in a fire hydrant’s spray and journeying through the park. Finally, they visit the roof of a big building and watch the brilliant fireworks show bursting above the skyscrapers. They end their Fourth tucked in bed remembering and feeling the special day inside their heads and hearts. With a foldout display, this book is an entertaining read on, before, and after Independence Day. (PreK Up)  A Fish Like Me. Jamie Sumner. Illus. by Devon Holzwarth. (2026). Atheneum Books for Young Readers. This joyful text showcases the feelings of different ways that bodies might move through the world. This story is told from the perspective of a child in swim therapy who uses a wheelchair for mobility out of the water. The main character uses his imagination to pretend to be sea animals floating, flipping, and gliding through the water. The book explores the freedom of movement while representing children with physical disabilities in an authentic way. The expressive writing and the bright underwater pictures make this story special for all readers and swimmers. (PreK Up)  Gigantic: The Small Whale with a Big Heart. Rob Biddulph. (2023). HarperCollins. "'Neath the ways of a stormy Atlantic, there lives a blue whale, and his name is Gigantic.” Gigantic is a tiny whale often teased for his size by his bigger brother, Titan. However, despite his size and along with his small friends in a team effort, he becomes the hero of the story. Fun for young children who may be smaller in stature, who may be teased, or who may just feel small, this book allows them to see the power they have when they know their own value. The rhyming verse and the fun illustrations make this one enjoyable all year long, but certainly in the summer season with the ocean setting. An added fun adventure for the summer would be to look at the many “Draw with Rob” videos by the author/illustrator and try out some illustrations alongside the book. (PreK Up)  Our Lake. Angie Kang. (2025). Kokila. For some children, summer may be a lonely time if they are coping with a loss. They may encounter sad feelings as they try to revisit prior summer traditions without their loved ones present. Our Lake is a story for children who may be experiencing grief or for children learning to empathize with others who are grieving. With beautiful illustrations and a touching storyline, this Caldecott Honor Book addresses the loss of a loved one in a sensitive and age-appropriate way. It also acknowledges the real pain that young children may feel but may or may not be able to name. The touching sibling relationship is an added benefit to the text. This book has many aspects that make it a lovely read for young children beginning to learn about the socio-emotional issues of loss and grief. (PreK Up)  Serafina Makes Waves. Matthew Burgess. Illus. by Robin Rosenthal. (2026). Dial Books. For any reluctant swimmers, this book will be the go-to text for support this summer. Serafina has no interest in being near or in any water. Though the “powers that be” require her to take swimming lessons, nothing can make her want to get in that water. By helping children empathize with feeling nervous or avoiding something new, the lively illustrations and funny text show how Serafina might benefit from at least attempting a new adventure. With the nudge of seeing her friend in trouble, Serafina triumphs in the end, as will the little ones who learn a lesson from this stubborn, silly cat. (PreK Up) Dr. Holly Hilboldt Swain is an Associate Professor in the Department of Teacher Education at Troy University. She reviews P-12 literature as a member of the International Literacy Association's Notable Books for a Global Society award committee and is a former chairperson of the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People award committee. Prior to her work in higher education, Dr. Swain taught in Title I early childhood and elementary inclusive classrooms using project-based teaching practices and loads of children’s literature.
The Green Earth Book Award (GEBA) is the first environmental stewardship book award in the United States with the goal of sparking children’s interest in environmental issues. The award has been granted to authors and illustrators since 2005. Books that best convey a message about environmental stewardship are recognized each year on Earth Day, April 22. The judges, a diverse group including education professionals, librarians, and scientists, review hundreds of books searching for those that capture environmental concepts such as celebrating nature, defending the environment, and bringing awareness and inspiration about the environment to children and young adults. The GEBA features six categories: a) young adult fiction, b) picture book intermediate, c) children’s non-fiction, d) children’s fiction, e) young adult non-fiction, and f) picture book primary. For each category, there is one award winner, several honor books, and recommended reading. The GEBA award winners for 2026 are shared.  Armando and the Amazing Animal Race. Diana Schaffter. (2025). Sea Otter Press. Join Armando, an animal enthusiast, as he competes in the I-SAW Amazing Animal Race, a contest to locate and photograph the world’s most endangered animals. Armando becomes interested in the race when he uncovers a letter from his mother, who died when he was young. With the help of his quirky grandmother, Granny B, and unbeknownst to his father, Armando journeys across several continents meeting a host of characters, both nefarious and well-meaning. The author interweaves several storylines in this fast-paced adventure: Armando’s animal quest, a mystery surrounding his mother, and Armando’s relationship with his father and his friend, Jinny. The author uses artwork in the form of journal entries, maps, letters, and tickets to present key artifacts to help readers feel immersed in the story. (Gr 3 Up)  The Buzz on Wild Bees: The Little-Known Pollinators that Keep Our Planet Humming. Kira Vermond. Illus. by June Steube. (2025). Owlkids Books. The Buzz on Wild Bees is a delightful overview of backyard bees, the less famous pollinators that make up more than 90 percent of all bees on Earth. Information about backyard bees and their contributions to the world is examined. Each page features a different topic about these insects, including their appearance, habitats, and how their presence affects world food production (their famous cousin, the honeybee). In addition, several specific types of wild bees and their specialist behaviors are introduced. We meet the leafcutting bee (slices up leaves for nesting material), the cellophane bee (dried bee created goo resembles cellophane), the vulture bee (chows down on dead animals), and the “baddest (wild) bee in town,” parasitic bees (3,700 species that benefit from a host). The author shares concerns about the decimation of wild bee populations and ways that humans can “BEE part of the solution.” The illustrations accurately portray various wild bees, and the information presented is well researched. In addition, the book includes several text features such as a glossary and table of contents. (Gr K Up)  Climate Is Just the Start. Mikaela Loach. (2025). Bright Matter Books. Mikaela Loach, a leading climate justice advocate, writes as if she is speaking with a friend; she gives her reader time and space to feel strong emotions about climate changes and contributing factors. Many of the topics shared in Loach’s book can be challenging for readers, especially those addressing the negative effects of capitalism and continuing societal inequities (by design). Loach also writes about the Global South and its significant contributions to sustaining the Global North, especially the detrimental effects on the lives and environment of those living in the Global South. Loach effectively addresses these potentially controversial topics by sharing the stories of children and young adults who have been affected by climate change. Loach’s book is a good introduction to climate justice because she presents the information as a solvable issue. Her book ends as she suggests “turning ‘me’ into ‘we’.” (Gr 5 Up)  The Dead of Summer. Ryan La Sala (2025). PUSH. This thriller looks at the insidious effect of a climate disaster through the eyes of several teenagers trapped on the island, Anchor’s Mercy, which is being overcome by a supernatural plague rising from the sea. Anchor’s Mercy is known as a weekend getaway for those seeking adventure, but the full-time residents of this seasonal retreat experience high occurrences of cancer and other deadly illnesses from a chemical spill in the 1960s. Ollie Veltman is the main protagonist, and he, with his friends, seeks to discover how they can save their island and prevent their loved ones from becoming “weepers.” The author effectively builds the suspense as they move the plot between the past and present using narration and interviews. In addition, the author addresses the complicated topic of keeping environmental disasters a secret. (Gr 8 Up)  Mara Plants a Seed. Robert Furrow & Donna Napoli. Illus. by Melissa Bailey. (2025). Science Naturally! Mara presents a delightful character who looks at the “tired and sad” empty lot through the eyes of a gardener. She imagines the sunflower seeds she plants pushing up through the soil, beautifying the forgotten lot. After Mara plants her seeds, numerous other visitors deposit seeds, bones, and worms that work to enrich the earth’s soil, making it rich, airy, and ready for additional plants. The illustrations are exquisitely detailed, accurately capturing the physical details of animals, people, and flora. As other flowers erupt from seed in the empty lot, Mara patiently observes her sunflower progressing through its stages and finally becoming the dominant feature in the empty lot, “a mystery, a quiet, generous secret created by so many, kept by the earth, savored by all.” (PreK Up)  Safe Crossing. Kari Percival. (2025). Chronicle Books. An informative book that details the seasonal migration of amphibians from the Upland Woods to the Vernal Pools. Every year the Amphibian Migration Team gathers to assist the amphibians as they cross a busy road, keeping records of those that make it and those that do not. The young citizen scientists of the Amphibian Migration Team see the disruption caused by humans to the animals’ historic migration path and suggest a solution: “they need their own safe crossing.” The author accurately depicts the process for proposing a wildlife tunnel to a local city council, including coordination with several government departments, contractors, reporters, and conservation groups. The illustrations are colorful, and the drawings of the amphibians accurately portray the salamanders and frogs depicted. The text features include a glossary with several entries featuring illustrations. The back matter shares details about amphibian life cycles, species fun facts, wildlife crossing structures, and becoming a community scientist. (Gr K UP) Georgia Bunnell, Ph. D., is an assistant professor in the Department of Education, Development, Teaching, and Learning at Central Washington University, where she teaches undergraduate courses in literacy instruction and children’s literature.
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AuthorsThese reviews are submitted by members of the International Literacy Association's Children's Literature and Reading Special Interest Group (CL/R SIG). Categories
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