Books

A book that motivates young readers to learn more about tending the land, growing food, and the impact of human overdevelopment on the environment.

An unusual and useful book that uses imagination, storytelling, and ecology to connect readers to the Louisiana bayou.

This sweet, simple story about the human-nature connection will be a pleasing addition to library collections.

Combining cartoony illustrations and the eternal crowd-pleaser that is peekaboo, this is guaranteed to be a hit with the toddler crowd.

This is a darling, diverse addition to the bath shelves or just for a fast and funny read-aloud with toddlers.

The animals glow in the illustrations, drawing readers into their magical world while reminding them that facing fears with good friends makes everything better. A recommended purchase

A sweet and deceptively simple story offers readers a new lens for looking at those they are familiar with as well as those who are different with an open heart

A sensitive and honest story dealing with the illness of a sibling. Strong first buy.

A stunning story of family history and heritage, identity, and the power of protest, this is highly recommended purchase for all collections.Danticat, Edwidge. Watch Out for Falling Iguanas. illus. by Rachel Moss. 32p. Black Sheep. Jul. 2025. Tr $16.95. ISBN 9781636142326. Gr 1-3–Leila is happy to get to wear her winter coat, since she rarely needs it in Miami. Then, as she’s leaving for school, Leila is surprised when Grandma Issa tells her to “Watch out for falling iguanas.” As they drive, her mother suggests perhaps it’s chickens crossing the road or peacocks on the sidewalk that Leila is supposed to watch out for, but Leila knows what she heard. When she sees an iguana fall from a tree, no one else does. Papa asks if it was a cat and her friends tease her about thinking the sky is falling, per the story of Chicken Little. Leila is vindicated when her teacher takes the class for a walk to show them some fallen iguanas and to explain why they are on the ground. Moss’s realistic illustrations do an excellent job of depicting the substance of Danticat’s plentiful text, which is nicely integrated into the illustrations. VERDICT Use of thought/speech bubbles, the variety of half-page and full spreads, and highlights of a falling iguana make the illustrations a delight, especially with facts along the way.–Catherine Callegari