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Big Books of the Week

Cat & Cat Adventures: The Lair of the Owl King by Susie Yi (HarperAlley) leads holds this week.

Other titles in demand include:

Is It Spring? by Kevin Henkes (Greenwillow)

Leave Me Alone! by Dr. Becky Kennedy, Illustrated by Joanie Stone (Feiwel & Friends)

Just Between Us: A Graphic Novel by Adeline Kon (Dial Books; SLJ starred review)

Amari and the Metalwork Menace by B.B. Alston (Storytide)

These books and others publishing the week of February 23, 2026, are listed in a downloadable spreadsheet.

Librarians and Booksellers Suggest

Three Indie Next picks publish this week:

Picture Books

Is It Spring? By Kevin Henkes (Greenwillow Books)

“Is Kevin Henkes a literary treasure? Yes! Is It Spring? is an adorable ode to the season. It highlights the highs and lows of those months between the snows of winter and the bright sun of spring. Henkes’ book reminds us that snow will pass and the world will wake, refreshed. We just have to be patient.”

—Amanda Zarni, Book Ends Winchester, Winchester, MA

The Rare Bird By Elisha Cooper (Roaring Brook Press)

“What a joy to follow Rare Bird’s feline main character as he soars from couch to cloud to dream, and what a perfect book to remind us that imagination is limitless.”

—Victoria Sanchez, Bookshop West Portal, San Francisco, CA

Middle Grade

Sweet, Tart By Kara Thom (Candlewick)

“Middle grade readers will find much to love about Halle and her beloved horse friend. Author Kara Thom sensitively portrays topics of grief, friendship, and family dynamics through the framework of both poetry and prose. Sweet, Tart is a blue ribbon read.”

—Pamela Klinger-Horn, Valley Bookseller, Stillwater, MN

Amazon Book Review spotlights editors’ favorites publishing winter 2026 YA

Barnes and Noble Reads Blog lists their editors picks for kids books for March 2026

Bestsellers

Links for the week: NYT Children’s Middle Grade Hardcover | NYT Children’s Picture Books | NYT Children’s & Young Adult Series | NYT Young Adult Hardcover | USA Today Bestselling Books

Wonder by R.J. Palacio (Knopf Books for Young Readers) is back on top of the NYT Children’s Middle Grade Hardcover list. The Complete Cookbook for Young Chefs by America's Test Kitchen Kids (Sourcebooks Jabberwocky) moves from no. 3 to no. 2 with an impressive 277 weeks on the list.

Little Blue Truck’s Valentine by Alice Schertle, Illustrated by Jill McElmurry (Clarion) continues to top the NYT Children’s Picture Books list with For the Fans by Angela Song (Golden Books) moving from no. 4 to the no. 2 position.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney (Amulet) stays on top and The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (Scholastic: SLJ starred review) remains at no. 2 in the NYT Children’s & Young Adult Series list.

 A Stage Set for Villains by Shannon J. Spann (Entangled/Mayhem; SLJ starred review) comes in at no. 1 spot on the NYT Young Adult Hardcover list for the second week in a row, while Fake Skating by Lynn Painter (Simon & Schuster) moves from no. 3 to no. 2.

Five children's titles feature on the USA Today Bestselling Books list top 20, last updated on February 18th:

I Love You Like No Otter by Rose Rossner, Illustrated by Sydney Hanson (Sourcebooks Wonderland) moves from no. 27 to no. 6. 

Little Blue Truck’s Valentine by Alice Schertle, Illustrated by Jill McElmurry (Clarion) remains at no. 7.

You're My Little Cuddle Bug by Nicola Edwards (Silver Dolphin Books/Simon & Schuster) moves up from no 19 to no. 8.

Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss (Random House Books for Young Readers) moves down from no. 11 to no. 13.

One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish by Dr. Seuss (Random House Books for Young Readers) moves from no. 21 to the no. 19.

Reviews

“Good Comics for Kids” reviews Otaku x Gal Vol. 1 (Square Enix Manga): “While the cliffhanger was predictable, Otaku x Gal is starting off to be a fun slice-of-life story, with a possible slow-burn romance. I hope it keeps with that momentum in volume two without rushing the two leads into a romance. I would like to give props to Finn K. who did the lettering in this manga. The lettering and dialogue really captured the essence of each character, especially Narumi when she is excited about any experience she encounters. With all that said, I recommend giving Otaku x Gal a try, and I look forward to the creative journey our two main characters are about to share.”

“Good Comics for Kids” reviews Heaven, West Virginia (Oni Press): “While the premise is intriguing, Lamont’s interiority is suffocating, leaving little room for other characters, and the plot, to develop. Many questions—how Lamont was raised, why LaToya shares his disdain for his father, what Coyote does besides ride a horse and herd goats—are left unanswered. The result feels rushed rather than profound. Heaven, West Virginia will appeal to readers who enjoy short, abstract stories with dark themes. If anything, read it for the unique works of art that populate each page; no two panels are the same, which makes for an exciting experience.”

“Pearl’s & Ruby’s” reviews Kid X (Little, Brown): “Baptiste keeps the story relevant by embedding emerging technologies into the story while also dropping fun facts of information that add layers of interest. Coal reaffirms the everyday as well as the extraordinary specialness in Black boys. He struggles, he’s not perfect, but he’s such a good guy! Particularly pleasing in the promise of a third installment as the book ends.”

“Teen Librarian Toolbox” reviews Two Perfect Lies by Natalie D. Richards (Sourcebooks Fire): “Two Perfect Lies takes on a lot of teen culture, include the academic pressure often required to get into the right program or school to help with what comes after graduation. And in the end, Two Perfect Lies addresses a few very real but difficult topics that I was not expecting, including types of sexual abuse. So what starts out as a fun thriller becomes a very real look at the life of teens struggling with a wide range of topics that will resonate with teen readers.”

Briefly Noted

“The United States Board on Books for Young People” published their list of outstanding international books for young people.

Barnes and Noble Reads blog features page-to-screen adaptations that are still popular.

NYT highlights two new picture books about treating children’s anger with care including February release, Because of a Shoe (Knopf; SLJ starred review).

Leigh Bardugo announces exclusively to People a new Six of Crows (Holt; SLJ starred review) short story.

People exclusively reveals the cover of Renee Watson’s new YA Novel, Everything New Again (Bloomsbury).

People exclusively reveals the cover of the new YA mystery, We’re All Going to Die Tonight! (Delacorte).

People features 10 books by Muslim authors to read for Ramadan.

Publishers Weekly spotlights four new children’s books are publishing inspired by the works of Herman Melville.

Huda Al-Marashi talks with Publishers Weekly about how interfaith education influenced her book, Hail Mariam (Penguin/Kokila).

Publishers Weekly interviewed Rin-rin Yu about her new novel, Goodbye French Fry (Penguin/Nancy Paulsen).

Jon Klassen talks with “A Fuse #8 Production” about his series of board books.

The Horn Book Out of the Box suggests books to read for the Lunar New Year.

The Horn Book Out of the Box recommends books to read for Ramadan.

“A Fuse #8 Production” reveals the cover for the upcoming Where the Wild Horses Are by Amy Alznauer (Holiday House/Neal Porter).

“A Fuse #8 Production” interviews M.O. Yuksel about The Prince of Stars (HarperCollins).

“A Fuse #8 Production” speaks with Claire Powell on her new book, Marty Moose (Candlewick).

“Teen Librarian Toolbox” interviews Janice Milusich about her Schneider Family Book Award.

“Teen Librarian Toolbox” interviews M. West Moss on her new book, Birdy (Little, Brown/Christy Ottaviano).

"Teen Librarian Toolbox" interviews Michael P. Spradlin author of new release, The Spider Strikes (S. & S./Margaret K. McElderry).

“Talks with Roger” speaks with Tracy Wolff, author of The Aftermyth (S. & S./Aladdin).

Book Riot features graphic novel detective stories.

Authors on Air

Elisha Cooper speaks with The Yarn podcast about his new picture book, The Rare Bird (Roaring Brook).

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