Stories that Shape Us
A place where CL/R SIG reviewers share annotations and insights on books that matter.
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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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Across 2025 and 2026, beloved series returned for long-awaited sequels and finales, with new titles for nearly every age and reading level. The titles include playful early chapter books, middle grade favorites, and YA fantasy, dystopia, and romance. Each one builds on a world readers already know, raising the stakes and deepening the characters along the way.  Bunny vs. Monkey and the League of Doom. Jamie Smart. (2026). Union Square Kids. Bunny vs. Monkey and the League of Doom is the latest book in Jamie Smart's comic series set in a chaotic woodland. Ever since Monkey crash-landed in the Woods, he has kept the forest in chaos with his constant schemes. Bunny and his friends, including Weenie the squirrel, Pig, Action Beaver, and Skunky the inventor, can barely keep up. This time they face a giant robot whale, a pig cannon, a camping trip gone wrong, and even the actual end of the world. The story is fast-paced, with colorful comic art and a goofy sense of humor, though it also mixes in some real surprises and even a little heartbreak along the way. New readers can jump in without having read the earlier books. Gr 3-5  Coach. Jason Reynolds. (2025). Simon & Schuster. Coach is the fifth book in Jason Reynolds' Track series, a prequel that traces the early life of the firm but caring coach who guided Ghost, Patina, Lu, and Sunny. Set in the late 1980s, the story follows twelve-year-old Otie Brody, a sprinter who idolizes Olympian Carl Lewis. When his often-absent father comes home with a coveted pair of Jordans, Otie feels unstoppable. But the shoes vanish overnight, and so does his father, forcing Otie to face hard truths about why his dad keeps disappearing. Written in Reynolds' warm, conversational style, the book handles addiction and its impact on families with honesty and humor, while staying grounded in a kid's point of view. Gr 5-8  The Dragon and the Sun Lotus. Amélie Wen Zhao. (2025). Delacorte Press. In The Dragon and the Sun Lotus, Amélie Wen Zhao continues the fantasy adventure that began in The Scorpion and the Night Blossom. The series follows Àn’yīng, a determined young woman who enters the dangerous Immortality Trials in hopes of winning the legendary pill that could save her dying mother. Along the way, she forms a complicated alliance with fellow competitor Yù’chén, whose motives remain uncertain. In this sequel, the stakes grow even higher as secrets, betrayals, and powerful magic continue to shape their journey. Rich with suspense, romance, and mythology-inspired worldbuilding, the duology keeps readers questioning who can truly be trusted until the very end. Gr 6-10  Fight or Flight. Jeff Kinney. (2026). Amulet Books. In Fight or Flight, the twenty-first installment in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, Greg Heffley finds himself caught between wanting to avoid conflict and being pushed into situations where he has to stand up for himself. Filled with the awkward humor, exaggerated misunderstandings, and relatable middle school drama that define the series, the book continues Greg’s misadventures while introducing new challenges involving friendships, family tensions, and social pressure. As a sequel, Fight or Flight builds on the familiar personalities and running jokes readers have followed throughout the series, while still offering fresh situations that keep longtime fans engaged. Gr 3-6  Jin Young, In Between. Ellen Oh. (2025). HarperCollins. In Between continues the story begun in The Colliding Worlds of Mina Lee by Ellen Oh. In the first novel, Korean American teen Mina Lee is pulled into the dangerous world of her own web comic, where superheroes, villains, and high-stakes battles suddenly become real. The sequel shifts perspectives, giving Jin Young, the charming and mysterious boy introduced in the first book, the chance to tell his side of the story. As the boundaries between fictional worlds and reality continue to blur, Jin must navigate danger, loyalty, and complicated emotions while the adventure grows even more intense. Fans of the first book will enjoy seeing the story expand through a new narrator while revisiting the action, humor, and heart that made the original so engaging. Gr 6-10  The Kids in Mrs. Z's Class: Fia Hosein Finds Her Beat. Tracey Baptiste. Illus. by Kat Fajardo. (2026). Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. Fia Hosein Finds Her Beat is part of The Kids in Mrs. Z's Class series, which follows the students in a lively third-grade class. After moving from Trinidad and Tobago to Peppermint Falls, Fia is excited for new experiences like snow days. But when she notices her accent starting to fade, she worries she is losing a part of who she is. The feeling grows harder to manage when Mrs. Z assigns her a presentation in front of the whole class. Fia works through it with help from the people around her, and a growing love of steelpan music helps her feel like herself again. Gr 2-4  Rebel Witch: The Crimson Moth. Kristen Ciccarelli. (2025). St. Martin’s Press Rebel Witch is the YA fantasy conclusion to Kristen Ciccarelli's duology and is set in a world where witches are hunted after a revolution. Rune Winters is now on the run, her identity exposed by Gideon Sharpe, the witch hunter she once loved. To survive, she allies with the ruthless Cressida Roseblood, who wants to seize the Republic and restore a Reign of Witches. Rune makes Gideon an offer he can't refuse when the two are forced together, and his buried feelings resurface. He faces an impossible choice of either sacrificing Rune to stop Cressida, or sparing her and watching the world he fought for fall. The story blends political intrigue, magic, and a long-burning forbidden romance. Gr 8-12  Shadow and Tide. Rachel Greenlaw. (2025). HarperCollins. Shadow and Tide is the second book in Rachel Greenlaw's series, picking up where Compass and Blade left off. Mira waits on the island of Rosevear, ready to avenge her father and stop Renshaw's schemes, when an attack devastates her home. She sets out to cut down Renshaw's reach with a crew of loyal friends and her mother’s map, but the more she learns, the more she realizes danger surrounds her on every side. As Mira struggles to control her growing siren magic, she must decide whether to trust Elijah and his crew to save her homeland and the people she loves. The dark, sea-shaped fantasy builds toward a cliffhanger ending. Gr 8-12  Snowglobe 2. Soyoung Park. Trans. by Joungmin Lee Comfort. (2025). Delacorte Press. Snowglobe 2 is the sequel and final book in Snowglobe’s dystopian duology. This hit was written in a similar style to Hunger Games and Divergent. This is a YA story where marginalized district citizens work to power the "Snowglobe" that houses the elite of society. Set in a frozen future where the privileged live inside a climate-controlled dome and their lives are broadcast as reality TV, the story follows Chobahm after the explosive ending of the first book. As she uncovers more secrets about Snowglobe’s creators and the powerful Yibonn family, alliances shift and the system holding their world together begins to collapse. The series blends survival dystopia, media satire, climate fiction, and thriller elements, often compared to The Hunger Games and Squid Game. Gr 9-12  The Witch and the Wolf. Lindsey Kelk. (2025). HarperCollins. The Witch and the Wolf is the second book in the Savannah Red series, a Southern gothic fantasy of dark magic, romance, and suspense. Emily Bell has settled into Savannah with her new family, but her love, Wyn, is increasingly absent as he adjusts to life as a werewolf. Tasked with finding her fellow witches to avert a looming prophecy, Emily is hunted by a lone wolf determined to destroy her and everyone she loves. As she races to uncover its identity, she learns she can't face the danger alone. The plot is full of twists, and Emily learns to lean on the people around her. The werewolf lore and supernatural elements add excitement and mystery, making the plot feel richer and more intense than the first book. Gr 9-12 Samantha Levinson is a Reading Specialist for grades 6–12 at Salem Academy Charter School. She has an MEd in Education, is licensed in moderate disabilities, and is a licensed reading specialist. Previously, she owned and operated an ESL school in South Korea from 2012–2021. She has multiple publications in the KOTESOL journal, with a focus on language acquisition through vocabulary knowledge and literacy instruction.
Belonging 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. (PreK-Gr 2)  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. (PreK-Gr 3)  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. (PreK-Gr 4)  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. (PreK-Gr 2)  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. (PreK-Gr 2)  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. (PreK-Gr 2)  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. (PreK-Gr 2)  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.” (Gr K-3)  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. (PreK-Gr 3)  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. (PreK-Gr 2)  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. (PreK-Gr 3)  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. (PreK-Gr 3)  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. (PreK-Gr 3) 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. |
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