“Connection is really the thing that we’re leaning into with this batch of picture books,” says Mary Kate Castellani, publishing director at Bloomsbury Children’s Books. “Connection to the past, connection across cultures, and that deep human connection.” Read on to see how the connection theme runs through other publishers’ new picture books, too.

From censorship news and picks in Spanish-language middle grade/YA to straight talk on book banning, our most viewed stories of the week.

Arkansas library media specialist Chelsey Smith has kids combine food truck fun with their favorite books, resulting in projects like a Captain Underpants-themed truck with "Tighty-Whitey Tacos" on the menu.

Learn how author Hà Dinh's own experiences shaped Ly-Lan and the New Class Mix-Up, a chapter book that beautifully explores diversity, empathy, and the importance of welcoming new friends with open hearts.

The nine picture books cited in Mahmoud v. Taylor are not pornography. Nor are they obscene. What is obscene is a Supreme Court decision that denies the basic humanity and equality of LGBTQIA+ people.

 AI-generated booklists are possible—and even published. So what is the value of human curation?