​Nancy Brashear & Carolyn Angus
Series are perennial favorites for readers of all ages. This column includes reviews of recently published series books in a variety of genres and formats for beginning and newly independent readers. There are first books in new series, much anticipated sequels, and the latest books in some episodic series that can be read in any order.

The Cranky-Verse (Cranky Chicken #4). Katherine Battersby. (2025). Margaret K. McElderry.
The hilarity of the earlier books in this graphic novel series continues as best friends Cranky Chicken and Speedy, the worm, decide to bring a little turtle they name Wags into their Best Feathered Family. After Speedy breaks his tail on an evil leaf and, later, Cranky Chicken also breaks his arm on an evil leaf, they create the Cranky Club and the Cranky-Verse in a parallel universe, which leads to an end-of-summer camping trip that is “crank-tacular.” Clever dialogue, riddles, and wordplay between Cranky Chicken and Speedy in speech bubbles with an occasional “beep,” “Mama,” and “Papa” from Wags result in laugh-out-loud chaos and a camping trip with more silly escapades. Told in five short chapters with digitally rendered mixed-media comic-style art in panels, this series will engage the imaginations of young readers as they develop their comprehension skills. (PreK-Gr 2) 
—NB 

Dinosaur Friends! (The World of Dinosaur Roar!). Peter Curtis & Patty Michaels. (2025). Smithsonian Kids/Simon Spotlight.
Dino Bash (an Ankylosaurus), Dinosaur Honk (a Parasaurolophus), Dinosaur Boo (a Deinonychus), Dinosaur Chew (an Iguanodon), and eight other dinosaur pals are exploring the island of Paleos when they hear a noise and discover it is being made by Dinosaur Roar, the Tyrannosaurus rex who is excited to join his friends in exploring the rainforest. A glossary (with pronunciation guide) provides additional information about each of the dinosaurs. The World of Dinosaur Roar! series is inspired by Paul and Henrietta Stickland’s classic rhyming picture book Dinosaur Roar! (1994). Squeak Seeks! and A Fun Day with Bash!, the second and third books in this new Ready-to-Read Level One series, will be released later this year. (A second edition of the Stickland’s Dinosaur Roar! was published by Simon Spotlight on January 14, 2025.) (PreK-Gr 2)
—CA

Ducks! (Explore the World with Gail Gibbons). Gail Gibbons. (2025). Holiday House.
“A row of fluffy ducklings . . . waddle behind their mother. She’s heading toward more …. DUCKS!”  In this new and updated edition of Ducks! (originally published in 2001), Gail Gibbons introduces young readers to members of the two groups of ducks in the waterfowl family: dabbling ducks and diving ducks. With an accessible text and labeled, bright watercolor illustrations, she describes the basic characteristics of ducks and their behaviors, including swimming, feeding, communication, and the migration of some ducks. The life cycle of the mallard, the most common duck in the world, is described from nest building in the spring, to the laying of eggs and their hatching, to the mother’s care of her brood until they are full-grown and able to fly. Gibbons also includes information on domesticated ducks and conservation efforts to protect wild ducks, as well as a “QUACK … QUACK … QUACK …” page of duck trivia.  (PreK Up)
—CA

Little Blue Truck and Racer Red (Little Blue Truck #10). Alice Schertle. Illus. in the style of Jill McElmurry by John Joseph. (2025). Clarion.
Little Blue Truck and his friend Toad are going for a ride when—“ZOOM! ZOOM! ZOOM!”—a bright red race car whizzes by and then challenges Little Blue Truck to a race. “Ready . . . set . . . GO!” The lead keeps changing as they speed down the country road with Blue’s barnyard friends following and cheering him on. Reaching the finish line first, Racer Red wonders why Blue is not sad until he cheerfully explains to the winner that “win or lose, it’s fun to try!” Once again, Alice Schertle offers young children a gentle lesson in rhyme in this popular series that began with Little Blue Truck (2008). “‘Fast is fun, / and slow is too, as long as you’re / with friends,’ said Blue.” (PreS Up)
—CA

Lucy Lancaster Has a Secret (Lucy Lancaster #1). Willow Coven. Illus. by Priscilla Burris. (2025). Little Simon.
When Mrs. Welli, their second-grade teacher, makes Lucy Lancaster and Bryce Beltran partners for a unit on the life cycle of butterflies, neither girl is happy. Lucy is upset when Byrce criticizes her name for their caterpillar but, after her toes tingle and she hiccups, is surprised to find Bryce suddenly agreeable. Later, Lucy’s tingling toes and hiccups result in all the butterflies hatching at once and then clinging to her like she’s a “butterfly whisperer.” After town librarian, Ms. Egli, who is visiting for the day, invites Lucy to talk to her privately, she identifies her as a witch and gives Lucy a golden library card to the Magical Library so she can learn how to make magic as well as “un-magic” spells if they don’t turn out. Lucy Lancaster and the Stormy Day (Lucy Lancaster #2) was published simultaneously, and #3-#5 will be released later this year. (PreK-Gr 2) 
—NB

A Mystery in Pocketville (Monti and Leo #2). Sylvie Kantorovitz. (2025). Walker.
An exhibit of Mrs. Sheep’s figurines at the library has everyone in Pocketville developing collections. Even Monti Mole’s best friend, Leo Lizard, collects rocks. Monti would like to start a collection, too, but doesn’t know what to collect. When Mrs. Sheep’s favorite figurine goes missing, she accuses Monti of the theft because he spent so much time admiring it. And when small treasures of other citizens begin to disappear, and even he has begun to suspect Monti, Leo sets out to do some detective work to prove his friend’s innocence. Sylvia Kantorovitz presents this second story in her engaging early reader graphic novel series set in Pocketville in four short chapters with one to six panels of cartoonlike drawings, created digitally in a soft color palette, per page. She aptly dedicates the book to “all collectors of wonderful and curious things” and includes a chart of things to collect and a page of photographs of some of her own little treasures. (PreK Up)
—CA

​Nat the Cat Has a Hat (Nat the Cat #4). Jarrett Lerner. (2025). Simon Spotlight.
“This is Nat. // Nat is a cat.” As the never-seen narrator introduces the titular character, pictured in Jarrett Lerner’s cartoonlike illustration wearing what Nat proudly points out is a nice hat, his pal Pat the Rat comes along sporting a very nice purple hat with a flower attached. “Does Nat the Cat want a hat like THAT?” He does, and he gets one. However, when Nat envies the next “very, VERY nice” new hat Pat dons, the narrator’s comment that things are getting “very, very, very SILLY” has grumpy Nat angrily responding, “Fine! How about there are NO hats.” Has Nat come up with the perfect solution? The final page of this Ready-to-Read Pre-Level One story reveals an alternate way to keep Nat and Pat’s friendship intact that will delight beginning readers. (PreS Up)
­—CA

Prince and the Pawper (The Racc Pack #2). Stephanie Cooke. Illus. by Whitney Gardner. (2025). Simon & Schuster.
In the second installment of this hilarious middle grade graphic novel series, when siblings Dusty, Scraps, and ReRe Bins, who are dumpster-diving city raccoons, learn that the internet star Prince Raccoon is being featured at Toronto’s Convention Center PetExpo, they go undercover to learn how Prince pulled this gig off. They realize that Dusty and Prince are doppelgängers and convince Prince to swap places with Dusty for the rest of the PetExpo so the celeb can get some “paws-on experience” for a movie audition about a raccoon in the wild while Dusty anticipates a day of fame. Lively panels of digital art capture the antics of stepping into one another’s lives, and after Prince’s film premier, he sneaks the Bins boys into the green room for feasting and film-viewing, and Dusty offers to be a stunt double. (PreK Up)
—NB

Purranormal Activity (Great Puptective #2). Alina Tysoe. (2025). Simon & Schuster. In book two of this graphic chapter book series with expressive digital illustrations, sparse narration, speech bubbles, and occasional wordless panels, Poppy, also known as the Great Puptective, is accused of chewing a boot and sets out to prove his innocence, aided by his sidekick kitty, Truffles. When Poppy sees a ghost in the middle of the night and Truffles’ toys are found scattered around the yard along with more toys and a pillow chewed up inside the house, Poppy and Truffles set a domino-inspired trap and a box-and-stick trap to catch the ghost. After one trap is triggered, they explore a mysterious maze and meet Snowdrop, a cat who has moved in with a grandmother next door. Guilty of a lot of things (but not chewing), Snowdrop asks for help being liberated from Alfie, a ghost kitten—and Poppy asks what teething is . . . as he chews on a bone. Back matter includes a character list and instructions for drawing a ghost. (PreK-Gr 2)
--NB

Sam Squirrel (Willow’s Woods #1). Suzanne Selfors. Illus. by Ramona Kaulitzki. (2025). Aladdin.
When Mother Nature fails to appear on the first day of spring, the Quiet Woods critters worry that they will run out of food if winter persists. Sam Squirrel, youngest in his family, who began keeping lists of his own the previous year after Mother Nature introduced him to her list-keeping techniques, is recruited by Prince Errol, an elk, to be the list-taker and list-bearer and to help solve the mystery of her disappearance. After Willow West Wind, Mother Nature’s granddaughter, comes to housesit for her grandmother, the three of them team up and discover the secret to ending winter. Digital black-and-white illustrations enhance this chapter book adventure. Newly independent readers will enjoy reading Rosey Stink Badger, the second Willow’s Woods book, in which another of the charming anthropomorphized Quiet Woods animals helps Willow with her house-sitting chores. (PreK Up) 
--NB

Time Out! (Addy McBean #2). Margery Cuyler. Illus. by Stacy Curtis. (2025). Aladdin Quix.
Second-grader Addy, who loves numbers, is intrigued by her teacher Mr. Vertex’s introduction of telling time using both analog and digital clocks. Woven throughout the story are questions about time with math riddles and applications, along with Addy’s collection of clues that lead her to believe that her teacher is getting married and will announce it at the end of the class clock walk field trip at Marvel Park. Even after the mother of Star, her bestie, warns them not to jump to conclusions, Addy proceeds to share her suspicions with classmates before confronting Mr. Vertex--and learns that facts matter, and false news spreads rumors that cause problems. This easy-to-read book contains a table of contents, eight chapters with bolded words from a character list in the front of the book and a glossary at the back, lively digital black-and-white illustrations, and discussion questions that support comprehension. (PreK-Gr 2)
--NB

You Can’t Catch Me! (Molly, Olive, and Dexter #3). Catherine Rayner. (2025). Candlewick.
“At the edge of the meadow, there’s an oak tree. It’s home to Molly the hare, Olive the owl, and Dexter the fox.” Dexter, who loves chasing games, suggests they play a game of tag but soon realizes that Molly, who can dart and leap away, is just too quick, and Olive, who can swoop and swerve off, is just too good at flying for him to catch either of them. It looks like Fox will always be It, until thinking about what foxes are good at, he comes up with a clever plan. Young children will be delighted when Dexter pops out of a big pile of leaves and yells “BOO! You’re It, Molly! You’re It, Olive! . . . Got you both in one.” Who’s Afraid of the Dark?, the fourth book in Catherine Rayner’s playful picture book series about the three animal friends, will be published in August 2025. (PreS Up)
—CA

​Books in series are popular with readers of all ages. This column includes reviews of recently published books for young readers: first books in new series, some much anticipated sequels, and the latest books in episodic series that can be read in any order. These books will leave emergent and newly independent readers eagerly awaiting the release of the next book and reading—and rereading—earlier books in the series as well as seeking similar series.

​The Beginning (Orris and Timble #1). Kate DiCamillo. Illus. by Carmen Mok. (2024). Candlewick.
Orris the rat lives in solitude in a nest behind a hole in the wall of an abandoned barn with his treasures: a red velvet slipper, a marble, and an Imperial Sardine can with a portrait of a king and the words “Make the good and noble choice!!” One evening Orris hears a cry for help and cautiously approaches a young snow owl, Timble, who flew in through a window and got his foot caught in a mousetrap. While talking about “The Mouse and the Lion” fable and heeding the advice of the king pictured on his sardine can, Orris pries open the trap. Timble takes flight only to appear at the hole in the wall wanting to hear the end of the fable. This is not the end of the story of Orris and Timble, however, but rather the beginning. (PreK Up)

​Chicken Little and the Very Long Race (The Real Chicken Little #3). Sam Wedelich. (2024). Scholastic.
On the title page of Sam Wedelich’s new picture book tale in cartoon format in the Real Chicken Little series, the cute, white-feathered chick wearing oversize, red glasses and snazzy red cowgirl boots expresses her reluctance to participate in a very long race. Seeing the bad influence Hare, the local record holder and self-promoter of Hop to It: Hare’s Guide to Running, is having on the flock’s training program, however, she decides to train for the upcoming marathon. On the day of the event, Chicken Little’s “SLOW AND STEADY” approach to the challenge of running a very long race has Hare, who stops to sign autographs for his fans, coming in second. On the final page, Chicken Little is pictured pondering what other challenges she could try. (PreK-Gr 2) 

​Dog Gets a Pet (The Dog and Pony Show #1). Jeff Mack. (2024). Simon Spotlight.
Dog gets a pet as a surprise gift from Pony. Upon opening the box with holes in the sides after making some wild guesses about which animal he is getting, Dog is disappointed to see a rock and not the T. rex he really wanted. When Pony suggests that he will like his new pet rock more after giving it a name, Dog calls her Lulu—"Lulu the T. rex who likes to eat ponies.” After a day spent doing other things that Lulu likes to do, Pony says it is Lulu’s nap time. Once Pony reassures Dog that Lulu won’t eat him either, he says, “Pony, I love my new pet. Even if she is just a rock” and settles down for a nap with Lulu. We Are Up a Tree!, the second adventure of Dog and Pony in Jeff Mack’s new Level 1 Ready-to-Read Graphics book series, will be published in September. (PreK-Gr 2)

​Duck Moves In! (Duck and Moose #1). Kirk Reedstrom. (2024). Disney Hyperion.
It is springtime when Duck, a new arrival to the forest, spies the perfect site for his new home—the space between the antlers on Moose’s head. “This will be my forever home. Hiya! I’m Duck.”  Exuberant, loquacious Duck’s nonstop chatter has Moose, who does not want to exchange his peace and quiet for “PEACE and QUACK” (the saying on Duck’s sampler), tries to relocate him with no success. When Duck throws a noisy housewarming party atop his head, Moose has had enough. “I said NO! You can’t live there, Duck! . . . because it’s my HEAD!!!” Duck departs and Moose is once again alone—or is he? Chapter 3, “Return of the Duck,” reveals a satisfying ending to this first book in Kirk Reedstrom’s humorous early graphic novel series. Moose Blasts Off! was published simultaneously; Duck in the Dark! will be released in December. (PreK-Gr 2)

​Henry and the Something New (Henry #2). Jenn Bailey. Illus. by Mika Song. (2024). Chronicle.
Henry, a young neurodivergent child, is excited about Class Ten’s field trip to a museum but he is also a bit worried about getting there because he has never ridden on a bus. Henry listens as his teacher goes over the rules for the visit, but gets distracted when a huge, noisy bus drives up to the school door and doesn’t hear the third rule. At the museum, Henry responds to “What should we see next?” with a loud “DINOSAURS!” and his group does a special activity in the Bone Room and has a tour of Dinosaur Hall with a scientist. Mika Song’s expressive illustrations rendered in watercolor and ink complement this warm and gently humorous early chapter book in which, at the end of the day, Henry realizes that he actually followed Rule Number Three: Find something new. (PreK-Gr 2)

​Hornbeam Gets It Done (The Hornbeam Books #2). Cynthia Rylant. Illus. by Arthur Howard. (2024). Beach Lane.
Cynthia Rylant and Arthur Howard offer young readers more humorous short stories in this second picture book in their new early reader series about a moose named Hornbeam and his friends. In “March Worries,” Eureka, his neighbor gander, comes up with a sensible solution to Hornbeam’s problem of protecting a little blueberry bush (as well as a lot of other things) in his yard from blowing away during the windy month of March. In “Food-Shopping,” a red-faced shopper helps Hornbeam and Cuddy, a bull, solve their problem of not getting past the yummy cupcakes at the baked goods counter right inside the front door to do their weekly Monday food-shopping: enjoy eating cupcakes and reading the newspaper on Monday mornings and put hot peppers in their mouths so they won’t want cupcakes and do the shopping on Tuesdays. In “Game Night,” Eureka hosts a monthly gathering of all the friends to play board games. “And no matter who won, everybody went home happy!”  (PreK Up)

​Maisy Loves Trees (Maisy’s Planet #1). Lucy Cousins. (2024). Candlewick.
Preschoolers can explore and learn about trees with Maisy, Lucy Cousins’ beloved mouse character, in this first book in the new board book series Maisy’s Planet with Cousins’ signature style artwork featuring Maisy and her friends done in bright colors and outlined with thick black lines and a simple text. Basic information that answer questions such as “What is a tree?” and “Where do trees grow?” is paired with scenes clearly showing that Maisy loves trees. A final fold-out page shows Maisy and her friends Tallullah, a chick, and Cyril, a squirrel, at a park seeing trees from all over the world (cypress, traveller’s palm, baobab, monkey puzzle tree, and willow). “Trees are amazing. Maisy loves them all!”  Maisy Loves Bees was published simultaneously; Maisy Loves Water will be out in September. (PreS Up)

​Pete the Kitty and the Three Bears (Pete the Kitty #7). Kimberly Dean & James Dean. Illus. by James Dean. (2024). Harper.
“Once upon a time . . .” Pete the Kitty saw the empty house of the three bears while walking in the woods. No one was at home. Kimberly and James Dean give the Goldilocks tale an update as Pete the Kitty enters, eats Baby Bear’s just right pizza, plays and breaks a string on his just right guitar, and takes a nap in his just right bed. When Papa, Mama, and Baby Bear return home, they see what Pete has done and discover him still in Baby Bear’s bed. Here is where the Deans’ plot takes a big twist from the classic tale as Pete feels bad about his behavior and says he is sorry. “Everyone makes mistakes.” says Mama Bear; “We forgive you, Pete,” says Papa Bear; “Let’s be friends,” says Baby Bear. (PreK-Gr 2) 

​Stink and Webster Go to Mars (Judy Moody and Friends #15). Megan McDonald. Illus. by Erwin Madrid. (2024). Candlewick.
Stink is planning his first-ever sleepover with his best friend, Webster. Judy, of course, is ready to advise him on the sleepover rules: 1. Have a theme, 2. Have an activity, 3. Have snacks, and 4. Don’t sleep. Webster’s arrival in his outer-space pajamas sets the theme, a trip to Mars. The boys convert Stink’s race-car bed into a spaceship, Sleep Rover SW1 (S for Stink, W for Webster, and 1 for their first sleepover). “Blastoff time!” The text, peppered with aerospace terminology, describes their activities including a spacewalk and an encounter with a Martian; the colorful digital illustrations show that their adventurous journey to the red planet actually takes place in Stink’s bedroom. Ignoring Judy’s “You cannot sleep” rule, the two tired Mars-o-nauts fall asleep after planning a sleepover trip to Venus for the next weekend.  (PreK-Gr 2) 

​Vacation: Three-and-a-Half Stories (Bat, Cat & Rat #2). Ame Dyckman. Illus. by Mark Teague. (2024). Beach Lane.
The trio of unlikely friends who moved in together in The Cozy Home (2024) is now ready for a vacation. In story #1 “Working,” they do odd jobs to refill their Vacation Jar—but not without some mischief. In story #2 “Choosing,” they must decide on a destination. Bat suggests outer space, Cat suggests the spa, and Rat suggests the buffet. When the time comes to choose on the count of three, “OUTER SPACE!” says Bat and “THE SPA!” says Cat. “EEK! says Rat. In story #2-and-a-half “Bickering,” Cat and Bat continue their squabble, and Rat leaves the house pulling a wagon with the Vacation Jar in it. In Story #3 “Vacationing,” Rat returns and interrupts Bat and Cat’s bickering and shouts, “EXCUSE ME! We don’t need a destination!” He has a telescope for Bat’s outer space choice, a lounge chair and cucumber slices for Cat’s spa choice, and a variety of snacks for his own buffet choice. “Their cozy home had everything they needed for THE BEST vacation!” (PreK-Gr 2)

​Chelsey Bahlmann Bollinger
 
As young readers embark on literacy journeys, they often discover the joy and excitement of following beloved characters on multiple adventures across different books. Books in series offer a sense of familiarity and continuity, allowing readers to immerse themselves in a familiar world while also experiencing new twists in storylines. This column includes reviews of a diverse array of recently published series books ranging from picture books to illustrated chapter books for eager young readers. 

​Arctic Animals (National Geographic Kids Readers Level 2). Jennifer Szymanski. (2023). National Geographic.
This nonfiction book shares information about animals who live on land and in the water of the Arctic region. Animals such as ptarmigans, narwhals, beluga whales, and wolverines are depicted with captioned full-color photographs and interesting facts about their biological and behavioral adaptations that enable them to survive the harsh Arctic habitat. Children will enjoy the jokes dispersed throughout the book. For example, “What do whales like to chew?” (“blubber gum!”) Back matter includes six quick facts about Arctic animals, a quiz, and a glossary. (PreK-Gr2) 

​The Big Cheese (Figgy & Boone #2). Janee Trasler. (2023). Simon Spotlight.
Hungry Figgy, a mouse, asks Boone, a rat, to make him his favorite snack, cheese toast. Unfortunately, there is no cheese, but, as luck would have it, a large wheel of cheese falls from a nearby truck. However, it is going to be tricky for the two rodents to get the large cheese rolled up a hill and into their house. They are not successful until sharing the cheese with friends makes the now smaller wheel manageable. This Level 1 Ready-to-Read Graphics book opens with a “How to Read This Book” section explaining the difference between a speech bubble and thought bubble and how to read the panels from left to right and top to bottom. A note on how to use graphic novels with young readers for parents, caregivers, and educators is included. (PreK-Gr 2) 

​Dazzle Makes a Wish (Book Buddies #3). Cynthia Lord. Illus. Stephanie Graegin. (2023). Candlewick.
Dazzle is a stuffed unicorn with a “twisty horn and a sparkly pink tail” and has a name tag that also says unicorns grant wishes. Hoping he can grant his own wish, Dazzle wishes for a home and a child of his own. He thinks his wish is about to come true when a grandmother purchases him from the toy store for her soon-to-be-born grandchild. After waiting and waiting, Dazzle finds himself on a yard sale table and overhears that the baby was a boy, and the grandmother didn’t think he would like a unicorn. Luckily, Anne, a librarian, buys Dazzle to add to the Book Buddies collection of toys that children can check out. He is borrowed by Maya and her brother, who are new in town, and experiences his first adventure on the siblings’ first playdate. While his original wish doesn’t come true, Dazzle ends up happier than he ever imagined he could be. Black and-white digital illustrations appear throughout this chapter book for newly independent readers. (PreK Up) 

​Henry, Like Always (Henry #1). Jenn Bailey. Illus. by Mika Song. (2023). Chronicle. Henry is a boy who needs routine and order. He appreciates the Big Calendar hanging in Classroom Ten that shows what will happen each day. However, one day Mrs. Tanaka, his teacher, moves things around on the schedule. Share Time is shifted to Thursday because there will be a parade on a Friday. Henry takes some time to process this scheduling change. He even expresses the feeling that “the whole day felt very orange” (his least favorite color). Henry’s classmates try to make him feel comfortable about the parade, but it is Henry who comes up with a plan that helps both himself and another upset classmate participate in the parade. Mika Song’s expressive illustrations rendered in watercolor and ink complement this warm and gently humorous first book in this early chapter book series about a young child who appears to be on the autism spectrum and was introduced in the picture book A Friend for Henry (2019). (PreK-Gr 2)

​Interrupting Cow and the Horse of a Different Color (Interrupting Cow #4). Jane Yolen. Illus. by Joëlle Dreidemy. (2023). Simon Spotlight.
 “AHHHH!!!” Interrupting Cow is awoken from his comfy bed to loud screams and wild neighing of animals fleeing the barn. He investigates and finds a “horse of a different color”—a zebra—crying on the other side of the barn. Cow introduces himself using one of his jokes and finds that Zebra (unlike the cows and horses) also enjoys a good joke. The two become fast friends and decide to follow the train tracks to find the circus where the ringmaster will help them learn new jokes. Joëlle Dreidemy’s colorful cartoon illustrations for this Level 2 Ready-to-Read book are humorous and kid friendly. Emerging readers can look forward to another adventure and more of Cow’s jokes in Interrupting Cow and the Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing, out in August. (PreK-Gr 2) 

Izzy Azumi, F.D.O. (Future Dog Owner). (Judy Moody and Friends #14). Megan McDonald. Illus. by Erwin Madrid. (2023). Candlewick.
In this latest book in Megan McDonald’s popular series for newly independent readers, dog-loving Izzy Azumi really wants her own dog. She’s even added F.D.O for Future Dog Owner to her name. When she asks her mom if she can get her own dog, she replies, “Someday”; when she asks her dad, he says, “We’ll see.” Izzy doesn’t believe someday will ever come. She admires all of the dogs at the park and wishes she had her own dog to take on a walk and teach tricks. One day, she decides to write a letter to her future dog to tell it about what they will do together. She puts the letter in the empty doghouse in the backyard. Then Izzy’s father gets Judy and Stink Moody to help with a big surprise. Coming home from school, Izzy finds a letter in the mailbox from the new puppy she later finds in the doghouse! (PreK-Gr 2) ​

​Lola’s Nana-Bibi Comes to Visit (Lola Reads #8). Anna McQuinn. Illus. by Rosalind Beardshaw. (2023). Charlesbridge.  
This latest Lola Reads picture book begins with her grandmother flying on an airplane from Africa to Lola’s home. Lola is excited for Nana-Bibi’s visit. She helps Mommy get a bed ready and make a special dinner for her grandmother’s arrival. Once Nana-Bibi arrives, they have a week of joyful activities: eating breakfast out, buying gifts for family back in Tanzania, cooking special recipes, doing each other’s hair, dancing, sharing stories, and planting seeds for a garden. Rosalind Beardshaw’s colorful digital illustrations warmly depict the special bond Lola, her mother, and her grandmother share. (PreS Up) 

​Make Way for Butterfly (Very Impatient Caterpillar #4). Ross Burach. (2023). Scholastic.
Ross Burach pairs colorful mixed-media cartoon artwork and playful dialogue between Butterfly and Bumblebee to present the final adventure in the Very Impatient Caterpillar picture book series told entirely through speech bubbles.  After learning from Bumblebee about being a pollinator, Butterfly desperately wants to do as important a job as Bumblebee.  “LOOK OUT ECOSYSTEM . . . I’m going to collect the MOST POLLEN EVER!” Butterfly’s attempts at bee-like transformations are silly and unsuccessful, and with Bumblebee’s persistent “just be a butterfly,” he finally understands that he doesn’t need to collect as much pollen as a bee does to be an important pollinator. This giggle-inducing story offers young children an informative introduction to pollination—and a gentle lesson on being oneself. (PreK-Gr 2)

​Sabrina Sue Loves the Sky (Sabrina Sue #4). Priscilla Burris. (2023). Simon  Spotlight.
Sabrina Sue is a chicken who loves the sky. Seeing all the birds flying around in the sky and how happy they are, she thinks, “I am a bird. I want to fly too!” She dreams about flying and talks to the other farm animals about flying. Although they say her idea is silly and warn her not to try it, Sabrina Sue is determined to fly. She gets her flying gear (flying goggles and backpack with parachute included) ready, hops into the farmer's truck, and makes a journey to a place where she and her unnamed frog friend eventually fly. She even takes a selfie. Sabrina Sue loves flying and decides she will do it again one day. Children just starting to read on their own who enjoy this Level 1 Ready-to-Read book may want to read about this silly chicken’s three earlier adventures while they await the next book in the series. (PreK-Gr 2) 

​Stink: Superhero Superfan (Stink #13). Megan McDonald. Illus. by Peter H. Reynolds. (2023). Candlewick.
Stink Moody, who has an obsession with superheroes, is excited that at Saturday Science Club they will be investigating the science behind the superpowers of their favorite superheroes. Meanwhile, the Moody family is planning a yard sale. While Stink is looking for items of his own to sell, he comes across his dad’s old collection of Super Gecko comic books. A girl tries to buy the comic books, but Stink decides not to sell them. After the yard sale, Stink begins to receive mysterious messages supposedly from Super Gecko. The first message indicates that there will be a new Super Gecko comic book coming out soon. Knowing that it can’t actually be Super Gecko sending him these, Stink will need to use his own superpower of observation and deduction to find out who is. (PreK Up) 

​Tiny T. Rex and the Grand Ta-Da! (Tiny T. Rex #3). Jonathan Stutzman. Illus. by Jay Fleck. (2023). Chronicle.
In this third picture book featuring Tiny T. Rex and Pointy, a stegosaurus, the best friends decide to enter a talent show as magicians and make something disappear as the highlight of their act. The two decide they need magic top hats, wands, a special assistant (Bob the teddy bear), and a special word to make something disappear. TA-DA! They practice and have some trouble in making their disappearing trick work, but they are persistent. The day before the show, they both get nervous, and just before it is time for their act, Pointy is overcome by stage fright. Tiny T. Rex must carry on alone. This delightful friendship story ends with a twist, an unexpected appearance rather than a disappearance—a “Grand Ta-Da!” (PreK-Gr 2) 

​We Don’t Lose Our Class Goldfish (Penelope Rex #3). Ryan T. Higgins. (2023). Disney Hyperion.
Penelope Rex, the only dinosaur in Mrs. Nodelman’s class, is afraid of the class goldfish, Walter. She describes the class pet as having menacing fins, a hungry belly, bitey teeth, and unblinky eyes. Things get incredibly worse for her when the teacher announces that each member of the class will get to take Walter home for a weekend. When her turn comes, Penelope cannot seem to do much except worry and even dreams about getting bitten by Walter—until she wakes up and finds that Walter is gone. As she courageously sets out to find him, Penelope begins to realize that maybe Walter isn’t such a scary fish after all and just maybe she is starting to like him. Walter is found. Penelope Rex has not lost the class goldfish. Ryan T. Higgin ends this humorous story with Penelope getting a surprise from her parents. She may be facing something else that is scary. (PreK-Gr 2)