Picture books are tools of imagination, discovery, and comfort. The following additions to ongoing picture book series use established characters, stories, and formats to draw children in, allowing them to go on new adventures with familiar friends.

Elementary

Abery, Julie. Baby Pterosaur. ISBN 9798889880356.
––––. Baby Spinosaurus. ISBN 9798889880363.
ea vol: illus. by Gavin Scott. 20p. (Baby Dinosaurs). Amicus/Amicus Ink. Aug. 2025. Board. $9.99.
PreS-K–Sometimes you just need a book that melts you with cuteness, and these books are the complete package. An ideal baby book with lovely, simple rhymes, each makes for a quick and bouncy read aloud with hefty doses of preciousness from the big-eyed dino babies. The movement in the text is engaging; in Baby Pterosaur, when the dinos learn to fly, the words follow the windy wisps carrying the tiny creatures. The visual appeal will keep toddlers looking at the letters and inferring meaning from how they appear, as in one phrase where “tumble” shows the letters jostling up and down—still readable, but literally showing the meaning. VERDICT Beautiful board books full of simple lessons to spur the smallest budding paleontologists.

Braun, Sebastien. The Big Fort. illus. by Sebastien Braun. 32p. (Forest School). Candlewick/Templar. Feb. 2025. Tr. $14.99. ISBN 9781536238709.
K-Gr 4–Set in a woodsy animal forest school, The Big Fort teaches outdoor activities with warmth and heart. Its brightly colored pages are full of little bits of information that add an extra element of interactivity during the reading process, like lists of things to find, and warning signs. This continues with sections encouraging readers to take the things they just learned outside to make sensory observations. While the main characters create forts or fires, it still holds a message of inclusivity, showing that everyone has a use, no matter how small and how seemingly unrelated their skills can be. More stretch activities are included in the back matter, ensuring that the fun goes on and on. VERDICT An excellent resource on basic outdoor knowledge and exploration. Perfect next steps for nature-loving kiddos.

Clanton, Ben. This Book Is Dangerous!illus. by Ben Clanton. 44p. (A Narwhal and Jelly Book). Tundra. Jun. 2025. Tr. $19.99. ISBN 9781774886564.
PreS-Gr 4–This dangerous book features a new underwater adventure for Narwhal and Jelly. It’s a meta-take on storytelling in the vein of the classic There’s a Monster at the End of This Book, with Jelly talking directly to the reader about the fearsome nature of the book’s very title. Readers gets involved in the action as Jelly nervously (and unsuccessfully) navigates away from danger. The prompts capitalize on the childish instinct to do the opposite of what one is told to do. Instead, readers will delight in heralding Jelly toward more danger. Luckily the torture has a sweet end. VERDICT A safe way to indulge nefarious urges, letting kids dabble in destructive tendencies without actually hurting anyone.

Colandro, Lucille. There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Rainbow! illus. by Jared Lee. 32p. (There Was an Old Lady). Scholastic/Cartwheel. Jan. 2025. pap. $6.99. ISBN 9781546138525.
PreS-Gr 3–The Old Lady who swallowed a fly is back for more, and this time with celestial bent to her eating habits. This is a completely unpredictable and chaotic take on the “Old Lady” trope, quickly descending into colorful confusion. It’s impossible to decipher why she’s eating all these materials—cones and glitter and even a merry-go-round—until a final reveal that almost raises more questions than it answers. It is very colorful, and there is something satisfying in the random amalgamation of objects with no clear result. VERDICT This mysterious journey will have children and adults alike wondering what on earth could happen next.

Cousins, Lucy. Goldilocks and the Three Bears and Other Stories. illus. by Lucy Cousins. 48p. (Lucy Cousins Nursery Stories). Candlewick. Jan. 2025. Tr. $15.99. ISBN 9781536234770.
PreS–Cousins presents fairy tales in her classic style. Her illustrations are part Goodnight Moon with their bold bursts of color, and part Quentin Blake with their roughhewn linework. The book begins with a fairly boilerplate retelling of the Goldilocks tale, characters depicted through the lines and patterns of Cousins’s work. It’s super short, with sketched words for repeated lines, and full pages dedicated to moments of surprise or action. It does the same for other stories, like “The Little Red Hen” in literal chicken scratch style, or the strongest, the “Three Billy Goats Gruff.” Little ones won’t be able to resist the hilarious hairy spikes on the troll underneath the bridge. VERDICT A great read-aloud, offering babies and toddlers a wry introduction to tales as old as time.

Cousins, Lucy. Maisy Big, Maisy Small: A Book of Rhyming Opposites. illus. by Lucy Cousins. 48p. (Maisy). Candlewick. Jan. 2025. Tr. $15.99. ISBN 9781536236293.
PreS–Maisy is back in all her joyful, crayon-colored glory. In Maisy Big, Maisy Small, rhyming opposite words are taught in an easy, fun way. Even though the words and pictures are fairly sparse, they still burst with details. There are plenty of images that readers can point out and discuss during story time, expanding the reading experience. Cousins has fun with perspective and pattern, adding some texture to opposites like stripes and spots, or spiky and fluffy. Through it all, the blithe, familiar smile of Maisy Mouse keeps the tiny audience safe and sound with these new ideas. VERDICT An ideal first book for babies, teaching essential words with bright, basic illustration.

Dean, James & Kimberly Dean. Pete the Cat Rocks On!illus. by James Dean. 24p. (Pete the Cat). HarperCollins. Feb. 2025. pap. $6.99. ISBN 9780063111493.
PreS-Gr 2–Most readers know Pete the Cat’s laid-back vibe from his numerous books and television series. This installment is classic Pete, a groovy blend of music and helping others. The illustrations are a delicious throwback, hippie-tinged bonanzas of line and color, a visual feast that wouldn’t be out of place splashed along the side of a VW bus. But this book, like the others, also has plenty of heart. Pete’s sunny optimism and his calm demeanor is always a delight, and this deadpan cat is bringing all his friends and heroes together as he sets off on a musical journey to prep his favorite band for showtime. Will they make it to the stage? Of course, thanks to that cool, clear-headed Pete. VERDICT A celebration of community and service from everyone’s favorite blue kitty. Comes with stickers.

Diesen, Deborah. The Worry-Worry Whale Made 32 Mistakes. illus. by Dan Hanna. 32p. (A Worry-Worry Whale Adventure). Farrar. Jun. 2025. Tr. $18.99. ISBN 9780374391539.
PreS-Gr 4– The Worry-Worry Whale is set in the ever-expanding Pout-Pout Fish universe. Pout-Pout makes an appearance, but the protagonist is Willa Whale, a self-defeatist creature that will speak to any overly anxious soul. In her quest to swim backward, Willa engages in classic negative self-talk, even diagramming and numbering her many mistakes as she works toward her goal. She also plays the destructive comparison game, noting that Narwhal is a much better swimmer. But Narwhal acknowledges her learning process, setting Willa on an illuminative journey to see how everyone works at skills. Her own father not only counts but also celebrates his mistakes. Eventually, Willa learns the power of positivity over the gnawing pit of despair. VERDICT A fishy lesson in growth mindset.

Dudolf. The Perfect Pigsty. illus. by Dudolf. 40p. (Piggle the Pig). Flamingo. Apr. 2025. Tr. $9.99. ISBN 9780593691618.
K-Gr 4–The cover immediatley draws the reader into the drama of The Perfect Pigsty, as Piggle the Pig wears a look of pure panic in his eyes looking at the big mess he has to contend with. Piggle needs to clean up before his parents arrive. He has the best intentions for completion, and uses some good coping methods as he tackles the task. Piggle breaks it down into steps, makes a plan, and gives each job prioritization. But of course, the best laid plans of pigs and men all must go amusingly awry. Each attempt to clean results in even more messes, which may be a little stressful to readers, who will really feel that ticking clock. Kids will find it ridiculously silly, and adults will intimately identify with the feelings of panic. Throughout the book readers only see small portions of the ensuing mess, leading to a final reveal of pure chaos, full of inside jokes for the observant and pop culture–enlightened reader. VERDICT A relatable and hilarious tale of chores gone wrong, with a heartwarming ending.

Florence, Melanie. Benjamin Grows a Garden. illus. by Hawlii Pichette. 40p. (Benjamin Outdoors: Bk. 2). Kids Can. Sept. 2025. Tr. $19.99. ISBN 9781525303210.
K-Gr 4–This follow-up to Benjamin’s Thunderstorm (2023) deftly melds culture and ecology, relaying the universal need for gardens and growing with an appreciation of preserving Cree lifestyle. Benjamin, with his bold braid and gentle disposition, plants a garden with his mother. The illustrations show the outdoor world in dark lines and patterns, realistic but highly stylized. It deftly inserts Cree language into the exchanges between Benjamin and his mother, showing each vegetable name and what it means, subtle translations that don’t bring the action to a halt. A robust glossary and pronunciation guide are included at the end of the book. As the season progresses, Benjamin’s mother teaches how the vegetables work together, an effective metaphor for the cyclical nature of the wider world. VERDICT A comforting tale of cohabitation between humans and nature.

Gonzalez, Kari Ann. How to Hatch a Writer. illus. by Rachel Suzanne. 32p. (How to Hatch a...). Gnome Road. Sept. 2025. Tr. $19.95. ISBN 9781957655536.
Gr 1-3–Finding a book that blends entertainment with instruction is tricky, especially if the book is created to supplement learning. How to Hatch a Writer is an instructional writing tool with a fun farm setting. It’s packed to the brim with chicken puns and cute illustrated barnyard critters. But the actual instruction is a little unclear. It starts simply enough, with punctuation and word spacing, a natural progression for kids just learning to read. But then it moves into syntax errors and proper paragraphs, which seem above the head of the reading level that would find this type of storytelling interesting. But it’s perfect for very young, bright kids who have progressed enough to need writing style guides, but who still find farm hijinks hilarious. The goals and the presentation don’t quite match. VERDICT An extremely particular writing guide, made for homeschooling or summer support for precocious kiddos.

Graegin, Stephanie. Everyday Bean. 56p. (Tiny Bean’s Big Adventures: Bk. 1). Tundra. Jul. 2025. Tr. $18.99. ISBN 9781774886205.
PreS-Gr 2–Bean is an adorable little nugget of a hedgehog. With cozy illustrations reminiscent of Beatrix Potter, anthropomorphized garden critters go about their business. A short collection of stories told by Bean’s adoring Grandma, each tale has a page heading with cute little details, setting the scene before diving into the action. Some, like “Bean’s Blanket” or “Bean Visits Mr. Green,” simply walk through normal daily occurrences. Some are pure silliness, like “Boo,” which features a giggly punch line. Regardless, they all show the magic in simple moments, like riding a swing or playing with stuffed animals. VERDICT A good bedtime book, or a quick read in between tasks.

Hale, Shannon. Holly Jolly Kitty-Corn. illus. by LeUyen Pham. 48p. (Kitty-Corn). Abrams. Sept. 2025. Tr. $19.99. ISBN 9781419768798.
Gr 1-4–Readers join best friends Kitty and Unicorn as they prepare for the holiday. As usual, their desire to create magic for their friend leads to miscommunication and hurt feelings. The pair acknowledges “‘tis the season to feel stress-y,” a resonant sentiment for many parents, but also sets the stage to discuss handling expectations over sometimes disappointing reality. Hale excels at navigating stories of emotional intelligence in a way that feels warm and kind. When the Kitty-Corn friends reach the end of their rope, there’s no huge blow-up with the release of the truth. Instead, the characters are gentle not only with each other, but with themselves. VERDICT A poignant reminder of how to handle the discomfort of friends having different interests, complete with eventual acceptance and a carol to wrap it up.

Higgins, Ryan T. Bruce Saves the Planet: A Disney Planet Possible Book. 48p. (Mother Bruce Series: Bk. 4). Disney-Hyperion. Feb. 2025. Tr. $19.99. ISBN 9781368090209.
Gr 1-4–In this latest “Mother Bruce” tale, Bruce reluctantly becomes an environmental inspiration for the entire community. It’s a seamless continuation of his story, perfectly introducing the chaos of Bruce’s backstory as the begrudging caretaker to a gaggle of geese and mice. As he searches for peace at his favorite fishing hole, he gets swept up in a preservation protest. It continues with typically sharp dialogue, contrasting community enthusiasm with the grumpy bear who can’t help but get embroiled in the situation. It’s a perfect introduction to advocacy, protesting, discussing with town councils, and even finding legal loopholes. The back matter expands on those themes, describing how we can help save the planet in our homes, community, and more. VERDICT A great addition to Mother Bruce’s exploits.

Higgins, Ryan T. Bundle Up, Penelope Rex! illus. by Ryan T. Higgins. 24p. (Penelope Rex). Disney-Hyperion. Sept. 2025. Board. $9.99. ISBN 9781368108720.
PreS-Gr 1–Penelope Rex has become a new favorite, delighting children with her dino-out-of-water adventures among a normal human classroom. This simple and frothy story is perfect for Penelope’s board book debut. Instead of a moralistic tale of understanding others, like most of her classroom interactions, this story has the dinosaur heroine facing a simple but daunting task—preparing for winter weather. It details the layering necessary for a chilly snow day, showing each step of Penelope’s winter wear as both she and her parents exhaust themselves before the outdoor play even begins. Penelope keeps her signature cuteness, even when bundled up in boots and snow pants. VERDICT A stripped-down approach to a popular character, making Penelope accessible for the young children.

Hirsch, Rebecca E. Wonder Wings: Guess Who’s Flying. illus. by Sally Soweol Han. 40p. (Nature Riddles and Rhymes). Abrams. Apr. 2025. Tr. $19.99. ISBN 9781419769252.
PreS-Gr 4–A light observation of natural science, delving into just how many things have wings. It begins with a little whimsy as winged children prepare readers for the journey. It then zooms out, revealing nature scenes with fun rhyming clues about the mystery wing owner’s traits, before zooming in and to spotlight whose wings they are. It’s not limited to living creatures either, expanding understanding of what wings can be. Each description is intensely sensory, capturing the sound and feel of the bewinged objects. Hummingbirds thrum, katydids trill, all against lovely colored skies, lush gardens, and shadowy forests. Readers get immersed in the quiet world. The back matter expands the explanations, going over each winged thing and the physics of how their wings operate. VERDICT A creative and enlightening book.

James, Helen Foster. Some Bunny Loves You. illus. by Petra Brown. 32p. (Loves You!). Sleeping Bear. Jan. 2025. Tr. $18.99. ISBN 9781534112988.
PreS-K– Some Bunny Loves You feels laboratory created as the perfect book for new families. The rabbit mother and child are soft and warm, rendered in cozy watercolors, and in constant states of cuddling. It follows the pair through a single day full of activities and fun, from crafting to baking, playdates, and armchair singing. It’s an idyllic representation of child-caregiver bonding. Every creature is safe, every creature is happy, and by the end of the story, every reader will feel lulled into sleepy security. A keepsake section at the back, complete with an area for writing a special note and attaching a photo, may make this a less practical purchase for library collections. VERDICT Designed to own and not be borrowed, this story will remind every baby how much they are loved.

Martin, Bill & John Archambault. Chicka Chicka I Love Dad. ISBN 9781665966856.
––––. Chicka Chicka I Love Mom. ISBN 9781665966832.
ea vol: illus. by Julien Chung. 40p. (A Chicka Chicka Book). S. & S./Little Simon. Mar. 2025. Tr. $9.99.
PreS-Gr 4–What’s a classic children’s book for, if not endless cycles of reformatting for every possible holiday or event? That’s exactly what these two latest “Chicka Chicka” books capitalize on, as they riff on the classic ABC book with a similar alphabet format and bright splashes of color. But instead of just teaching the ABCs, it uses them to declare love and devotion towards Mom and Dad. Both books have letters cavorting around a central tree, with specific color schemes and nature motifs to separate them from each other. Each uses the individual letters in short phrases, like declaring Dad “D-voted, D-lightful, and more than E-nough!” Most of these letters don’t fit real words, but are shoved-in text speech sounds replacing words in a way that doesn’t always work. VERDICT Books custom made to read together on Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.

Martin, Stephen W. Fluffy McWhiskers: Crunchazaur Kaboom. illus. by Dan Tavis. 40p. (Fluffy McWhiskers). Atheneum/McElderry. Jun. 2025. Tr. $19.99. ISBN 9781665956123.
Gr 1-4–The first appearance of Fluffy McWhiskers and the adorable dog Potato set up a world where their cuteness caused explosive mayhem. Without that initial understanding of the plot mechanism, this sequel can be startling. It starts off with a bang, the Godzilla-coded Crunchazaur literally munching down innocent beachgoers from the very first page. It’s a world the reader has to sink into and not think about too hard, or else the constant kaboom-ey killing could seem horrific instead of cute and somewhat funny—the idea of dangerously cute animals is pretty hilarious. So when Crunchazaur threatens the world, Fluffy and Potato spring to the rescue, plotting how to use their lethal adorableness for good. The story features some amusing text interaction and is fun to read due to the alliteration and repetition for emphasis. VERDICT A book of pure silliness. No hidden lessons, just sheer hilarity.

Mather, CharisChart Your Way to Mars. ISBN 9798892004206.
––––. Find Your Way with GPS. ISBN 9798892004213.
––––. Navigating Through Nature. ISBN 9798892004220.
––––. Using a Treasure Map. ISBN 9798892004237.
ea vol: 24p. (Smart Adventures for Clever Kids). Amicus. Jan. 2025. Tr. $25.95.
Gr 2-5–Each Smart Adventure serves as an exploratory mission with extra educational value. Each basic story offers an interactive element, training young readers in specific skills in order to progress the tale. The Mars adventure teaches interpretation of graphs and charts. The one about navigating nature presents topography and calculating data, two skills that make the math-adverse totally nervous but is presented clearly. The books cover a wide range of skills—not just math and geography, but word clues, map decoding, and critical thinking. Each one has the adorable adventure team assisted by sidekicks, from friendly dogs to helpful robots. The illustrations also integrate notebooks and phone screens to give information in realistic ways. VERDICT An educational delight, teaching basic interpretation of information. This would be fun to use in small class groups, or to entertain any data-minded kiddo.

Mealey, Cathy Ballou. Sloth and Squirrel on Vacation. illus. by Kelly Collier. 32p. (Sloth and Squirrel: Bk. 2). Kids Can. May 2025. Tr. $19.99. ISBN 9781525312564.
Gr 1-4–Unlikely friends Sloth and Squirrel return for the second book of the series. It features the same fun interplay between Sloth’s slow nature and the hyperactivity of energetic Squirrel, but this time they face the challenge of accommodating those differences over the course of a vacation. Ultimately, their goal is to spend some time together, but what ensues is an action-packed saga of missed connections against a rich backdrop of visual details. As Sloth and Squirrel just barely miss each other through the book, the background critters are having their own vacation fun. It makes for a book that can be enjoyed just for the surface story but can accommodate extra entertainment for eagle-eyed readers. Regardless, seeing friends care about each other and come together makes for a joyous storytime. VERDICT Cartoonish fun for early grades.

Melling, David. Ruffles and the Bouncy, Bouncy Ball. 32p. (Ruffles). Candlewick. Apr. 2025. Tr. $17.99. ISBN 9781536241389.
PreS–Ruffles is a little dog with BIG personality. In the latest installment of his adventures, he’s fixated on his favorite bouncy ball. In the spirit of Spot the dog, this title has readers follow Ruffles as he searches high and low for his missing toy. Each new location has a cute illustration accompanying the search, with a rainbow of solid-colored backgrounds adding fun to each page. But the tour de force of this story is the fact that poor Ruffles doesn’t fix his problem. There is no magical discovery, just mourning and moving on. It’s a gentle, but valuable, lesson on moving past disappointment. Ruffles can cope without his ball. So can you. VERDICT A delightful romp that subtly teaches kids how to deal with disappointment.

Mora, Jedidiah. Today My Brain Is a Dinosaur. illus. by Mette Engell. ISBN 9781534113541.
Yahyazadeh, Nikoo. Yasi and Mina’s Pomegranate Tree. illus. by Serineh Eliasian. ISBN 9781534113237.
ea vol: 32p. (Own Voices, Own Stories). Sleeping Bear. Mar. 2025. Tr. $18.99.
PreS-Gr 2–This series focuses on “own voices” storytelling, where experiences are told directly from those who have lived through them. It adds a richness to the telling, and it comes through strongly in these books. The first deals with what could be seen as ADHD, but is definitely a child who struggles with emotional regulation. Through it all, big daily emotions manifest as dinosaurs, raging bulls, or swirling hurricanes as the main character cycles through feelings. It captures the heartbreak behind lack of control, eventually resolved with family and tools to harness the feelings. Yasi and Mina’s Pomegranate Tree tackles history and world events, as it chronicles two girls living in Tehran as bombings begin. It offers an elementary-appropriate discussion of bomb shelter protocol, the effects of war, and what it feels like to emigrate for safety. VERDICT These books cover important topics from authors in the know.

Oldland, Nicholas. Camping in the Wild. 32p. (Life in the Wild: Bk. 8). Kids Can. Sept. 2025. Tr. $18.99. ISBN 9781525313639.
Gr 1-5–Oldland is back with his wide-eyed wildlife critters. This time, Moose, Bear, and Beaver teach valuable lessons about camping in the wilderness. It’s chock-full of good camping tips, set against the mixed results of the trio’s attempts to cut corners and brazenly break the rules. Much of the narrative is told through the illustrations. From the second page of their wildly different packing styles, shown with Moose’s intense overpacking, disaster is on the horizon. From there the pictures descend deeper into hilarity, with tiny details of creature choices guaranteed to make kids giggle. If peeing on a fire isn’t for you, avoid this one, but those who love irreverent humor will be utterly delighted. VERDICT A charming tale about the importance of preparation over immediate gratification, spotlighting the consequences of lazy decisions.

Papatheodoulou, Atonis, adapt. 20,000Leagues Under the Sea. ISBN 9781538398500.
––––. Around the World in 80 Days. ISBN 9781538398531.
––––. From the Earth to the Moon. ISBN 9781538398562.
––––. Journey to the Center of the Earth. ISBN 9781538398593.
ea vol: illus. by Iris Samartzi. 32p. (Jules Verne’s Adventure Stories). Rosen/Windmill. Jan. 2025. Tr. $28.93.
Gr 2-5–Jules Verne is the king of the adventure book, and this series repackages his greatest tales (20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Around the World in 80 Days) with some of his lesser-known works (From Earth to the Moon). Each is a pitch-perfect mixture of story and art. They veer more closely to graphic novels than picture books, and the illustrations are the star of the show. Almost mechanical collages and cartoons stack together in engrossing textures and patterns. The art alone is worth checking out, so clever and engaging that it drives the desire to read more. The text itself is summarized in a way that maintains interest. Papatheodoulou hits all the plot points of the novels but impresses with tightly condensed action that loses none of the momentum. The books feel playful in package and delivery, taking these out of an intimidating “classic canon” and into the realm of children’s adventures. VERDICT An artistically rich take on evergreen adventures.

Richmond, Susan Edwards. The Great Pollinator Count. illus. by Stephanie Fizer Coleman. 32p. (Community Science Counts!). Peachtree/Margaret Quinlin. Apr. 2025. Tr. $18.99. ISBN 9781682636084.
Gr 2-5–This title introduces the importance of pollinators, creating a situation that presents even the youngest child as an active participant in scientific processes. It features an enthusiastic school science club and a doubting outsider as they embark on the yearly pollinator count—an event where they track pollinators in the area, presenting data for actual scientists. Coleman’s close-ups of bees and moths are especially breathtaking. The author carefully follows the scientific method, laying out instructions for data collection and keeping track of the process through a cool paper that tallies insects while tracking what readers have learned about each one. If that’s not enough, there’s plenty of interesting back matter on pollination and each individual bug. VERDICT An informative and beautiful jumping-off point for future scientists.

Ryland, D.K. Giraffe’s Book Is Missing a Story. 40p. (Giraffe Is Too Tall for This Book). Page Street Kids. Mar. 2025. Tr. $18.99. ISBN 9798890031631.
PreS-Gr 4–A delightful interactive read. When Giraffe and their super adorable menagerie of friends find themselves on a blank page, they quickly figure out they have to craft the story—with some help from their handy reader pal, of course. Soon, everyone is involved in building a story. With slick color-coded character bubbles, it’s easy for developing readers to notice the patterns of who is speaking, helping them follow along with the action. That, alongside the clever twists and turn while building the adventure, leads to one well-designed book. It has the same physicality of a book like Press Here (Tullet) or Don’t Push the Button! (Cotter) but the plot doesn’t begin and end with that gimmick. Those movements all serve the building of the story, and the establishment of setting, conflict, and resolution. It’s a magical melding of form and function. VERDICTA perfect writing primer, with a healthy helping of meta-narrative, engaging enough to serve pre-K through fourth grade.

Shannon, David. That’s Not Funny, David!32p. (No, David!). Scholastic/Orchard. Mar. 2025. Tr. $18.99. ISBN 9781546123187.
PreS-Gr 2–For those who find the humor and heart in the wild, destructive David stories, the books are immensely rewarding, and That’s Not Funny, David! fits that bill. It begins with a heartfelt author’s note discussing the difficulty in finding “the line” between funny and hurtful. In traditional David style, each spread features the boy doing something naughty, with a stark voice admonishing the action. It shows plenty of things that are funny—splashing, slurping—but also some that are downright rude. It delves into the idea of going too far, encouraging David and readers to think through the consequences of their actions. Is this choice hurting someone? Then it’s probably not great. VERDICT A wild romp discovering the boundaries of humor, with warmth and inspiration.

Spires, Ashley & Naseem Hrab. Bye Bye, Butterfly. ISBN 9781525312571.
––––. No Mousie Left Behind. ISBN 9781525312649.
ea vol: illus. by Mike Shiell. 40p. (Agent Binky: Pets of the Universe). Kids Can. May 2025. pap. $7.99.
K-Gr 3–Even if readers aren’t familiar with the Canadian cartoon that spawned this series, these books will immediately draw them in with clever art and storytelling. The opening pages features a double page map of “The Universe According to Binky,” breaking down each room in the home and adding character descriptions through the eyes of the obviously ridiculous house pet protagonist. The hilarious narrative makes for a good read-aloud, while still sneaking in educational content. Whether it’s teaching the caterpillar life cycle as Binky panics over the changing “alien” in his backyard, or the importance of friendship as Binky’s stuffed mouse is left outside, er, in “outer space,” readers will walk away with new educational or emotional knowledge. VERDICT An incredibly fun series that hits the sweet spot for kids who are ready to progress past picture books to reading on their own, but still need something visually entertaining with simple words.

Spires, Ashley. The Most Magnificent Team. 40p. (Most Magnificent: Bk. 4). Kids Can. May 2025. Tr. $19.99. ISBN 9781525312953.
Gr 2-5– The Most Magnificent Team seems to sit perfectly alongside books like Andrea Beaty’s Rosie Revere, Engineer , with its clean illustrations and general themes of girls in STEM. But it adds a hefty dose of emotional regulation and conflict resolution to those already-worthy themes of engineering, as two neighbors meet, collaborate, and bicker over the proper way to create great things. They each approach a project with different ideas and have to learn to handle and adjust to other mindsets. It perfectly models appropriate behavior during extreme reactions, particularly as they take a breath and take space to figure out what they want from their project and their friendship. VERDICT An aspirational read that models how to handle potential conflict with grace and connection over anger and division.

Stickland, Paul & Henrietta Stickland . Dinosaur Roar!32p. (Dinosaur Roar!). S. & S./Simon Spotlight. Jan. 2025. Tr. $18.99. ISBN 9781665959414.
PreS-Gr 1–Dinosaur Roar!presents opposites through classic cartoon dinosaurs. Each dinosaur feels cozy and familiar, a comforting picture book for baby readers. The story enhances vocabulary by placing words like meek in opposition to fierce, and each illustration has silly faces and clear actions that reinforce the two-word descriptors. It’s easy to imagine pulling these goofy expressions while reading aloud to a small child, creating a fun bonding experience, as readers and listeners can add extra sauce to each word. The silly dino behavior will introduce toddlers to concepts of the wild world ahead of them. VERDICT A novel joy of an opposites book, with enough new material to keep both babies and caregivers entertained.

Willems, Mo. Will The Pigeon Graduate?40p. (Pigeon). Union Square Kids. Mar. 2025. Tr. ISBN 9781454960430.
PreS-Gr 1–The winged wonder with the sassy style is back as the urban dwelling bird reaches a milestone: graduation. The book progresses through the moments before graduation with clever use of the environment: stage stairs morphing into mountains or valleys to illustrate the intensity of reaching the point of graduation. Getting an education is no mean feat. Pigeon is here to handle the joys of getting through school while also panicking in fear of the future, in classic Pigeon fashion. This is a perfectly planned book release, as the generation that grew up with Pigeon’s adventure is reaching graduation milestones. What’s more comforting than having this familiar character accompanying them through this huge step? VERDICT A great replacement for Oh, the Places You’ll Go as a graduation gift.

Wilson, Karma. Bear Feels Sad. illus. by Jane Chapman. 40p. (The Bear Books). Atheneum/McElderry. May 2025. Tr. $19.99. ISBN 9781665936576.
PreS-Gr 2– Bear Feels Sad is a rhyming tale about taking care of each other. It’s important, it’s beautiful, and it’s an excellent way to teach empathy to the very young. Here the coziest, cutest bear you’ve ever seen has one of those no-good, very bad days. His attempts at self-care do nothing to fill the hole inside. He is a social creature and wants to be around friends! What ensues is a lesson in being comfortable with yourself, but also considering the feelings of others. It touches on the joys of distraction, but lands on the joys of service. With cozy woodland vibes (and fun illustrative nods for adults, like a Poe-inflected raven), it’s an ideal read. VERDICT A good story of connection and emotional regulation for young children.

Woodard, Bellen. Ballet Brown. illus. by Fanny Liem. 40p. (Bellen Woodard Original Picture Book: Bk. 2). Scholastic. May 2025. Tr. $18.99. ISBN 9781546134077.
K-Gr 2–Woodard is a teen author, so even if her books weren’t filled to the brim with empowerment, their very existence would convey the message that young people can make lasting change. But the story itself does reemphasize that even kids can control unfair circumstance, encouraging fighting for good regardless of age. Based on Woodard’s own experiences as a dancer, Ballet Brownemphasizes the impossibility of unfair expectations. The protagonist experiences the stress of conformity, especially when it’s based on something—her skin and hair—beyond her control. But instead of sinking into despair, she tackles the problem with a solution-oriented mindset, researching the history of ballet pink and challenging the need for tradition. VERDICTThis book illuminates the power of trying to change a system that doesn’t serve you and finding a supportive community.

Zax, Helen Kemp. Little Witch’s To-Do List. illus. by Kiersten Eve Eagan. 40p. (Magical List). Abrams/Appleseed. Jul. 2025. Tr. $14.99. ISBN 9781419778957.
PreS-Gr 3–A welcome addition for those who hold spookiness in their heart all year round. Each adorable illustration has magical touches, from tiny mushrooms and potion bottles to friendly animal familiars on every page. Little Witch goes about her day, with short and sweet rhymes detailing her every move. She’s charmingly drawn, her whimsical world full of spells and magic. A parent could draw connections between her day and good habits for non-witch children, as there is an emphasis on positive practices like focusing on schoolwork and maintaining good hygiene. Even witches exercise and take baths. VERDICT A fun supernatural read.