Early Elementary

Brower, Felicia. A Kid’s Guide to Backyard Trees. illus. by Nicole LaRue. 96p. Gibbs Smith. Feb. 2025. pap. $14.99. ISBN 9781423668015.
Gr 2-6–A field guide to 40 trees commonly found in the United States. The compact size makes this book useful for taking on tree-identifying expeditions. The table of contents is organized by leaf shape, enabling readers to more quickly find their tree. The introduction asks a series of questions, useful in guiding readers when looking for identifying characteristics. Every spread is dedicated to a tree, with a full-page illustration on the left and facts about the tree’s range, shape, leaves, bark, and flowers on the right. The descriptions of the trees often include comments about the insects and animals that use the tree for food or shelter. Close-up illustrations of the leaves, fruit, and seeds round out each tree entry. This is a good starting place for learning about and identifying trees. While some readers might prefer a field guide with photographs for more precise identification, the simple and straightforward way the information is presented sets this apart. VERDICT A good purchase for those looking for books on exploring the outdoors.–Allison McLean

Brown, Helen. Nature Explained: A Family Guide to 20 Nature Cycles. illus. by Claire Scully. 64p. Abrams/Magic Cat. Apr. 2025.Tr $22.99. ISBN 9781917044226.
Gr 3-6–This book takes a unique and highly visual approach to explaining the cycles of the natural world. The book covers trees, leaves, flowers, seeds, mushrooms, and seasons. Every spread presents a different natural cycle within those categories. Readers are provided with arrows to follow as they journey through the illustrations of each cycle. Topics both familiar and unfamiliar are covered in a succinct and easy-to-understand way. Kids will come across the water cycle, photosynthesis, and pollination as well as fascinating lesser-known cycles, such as carnivorous plant-snapping traps and parasitic fungi symbiosis. The inviting, colorful illustrations show a good amount of detail. The book will catch the eye of browsers but also provides enough information report writers should find useful as well. There is no index, but the back matter does include a glossary and a short list of titles for further reading. VERDICT A good addition to the nature section of most libraries.–Allison McLean

Kiusam, Ms. A Little Guide to Meditation: For Children Who Want to Connect with the World. illus. by Rodrigo Andrade. 32p. Tate. Mar. 2025.Tr $17.99. ISBN 9781849769105.
K-Gr 3–With gentle prose and vibrant visuals, this title introduces young readers to mindfulness through a culturally rich lens. Kiusam presents a holistic approach to meditation, weaving in educational elements about Egyptian deities and the significance of harmonizing with nature. This thoughtful blend of spirituality, history, and mindfulness gives children a deeper appreciation for inner calm and cultural heritage. Andrade’s illustrations are colorful and calming, capturing the serenity of meditative practice while reflecting the multicultural roots from which it draws. The imagery invites young readers into a peaceful, immersive experience that supports the message of unity and self-awareness. Ideal for classroom mindfulness moments or bedtime wind-downs, this title serves as a soothing primer to both meditation now and its ancient origins. VERDICT A valuable addition to any library collection aiming to support social-emotional learning and inclusive education.–Jenna LaBollita

Oliver, Jamie. Let’s Make Cookies: See it, Say It, Cook It, Eat It! illus. by Adrian Johnson. 14p. (Jamie’s Little Food Library). Abrams/Magic Cat. Oct. 2025. Board. $9.99. ISBN 9781419787553.
PreS-K–Renowned British chef and healthy eating champion Oliver sets his sights on the youngest among us with this new board book series. This short entry focuses on the process of making a cookie recipe featuring banana, apple, oats, and cinnamon. Bright colors, large text, and interactive flaps are likely to be a winning combination for the most discerning of culinary-focused babies and toddlers. The simplicity of the large, colorful illustrations is reminiscent of the styles of such author-illustrators as Eric Carle and Lois Ehlert. The full Apple Crumble Cookies recipe ties the book together and offers the potential for a fun family activity. Additional features include important (though slightly patronizing in tone) safety tips, and a kind note from Oliver. VERDICT A “grate” choice for public libraries needing to expand their board book collection.–Pearl Derlaga

Verdick, Elizabeth & Olivia Rae. Hi, Worry. Bye, Worry! illus. by Steve Mark. 88p. (Little Laugh & Learn: Bk. 6). Free Spirit. Aug. 2025. pap. $10.99. ISBN 9798885545211.
Gr 2-5–A whimsical and accessible guidebook for children experiencing anxiety. This primer portrays worry as a giant dinosaur wearing a hat and pearls. It assures readers that worry is a part of everyone’s daily life, but there are simple tools and actions that they can use and do to calm worry down. The work provides kid-friendly and doable advice, such as creating a worry jar or a comfort cave, making art by doodling or dancing, or sharing with a trusted adult. The engaging line drawings are often silly with bright colors presenting children of all races, religions, and abilities. The characters’ expressive faces feature big, googly eyes, adding to the book’s reassuring tone. One chapter focuses on the importance of mindfulness and keeping the body healthy—cutting down on sugar and screen time, getting plenty of sleep, and incorporating more movement and activity into daily life. The emphasis on gratitude and seeing the good in everything will especially ring true. The narrative never talks down to kids and rarely uses advanced vocabulary, though a glossary of new terms is included in the back matter. VERDICT This guide is a great choice for elementary SEL shelves and curriculum and respects its audience.–Shelley Diaz

Middle Grade

Ashby, Jack. Wild: A Family Guide to the Animal Kingdom. illus. by Sara Boccaccini Meadows. 64p. (In Our Nature). Abrams/Magic Cat. Jun. 2025. Tr $22.99. ISBN 9781419776991.
Gr 4-6–Welcome to the wonderful world of wild animals, where each creature is perfectly adapted to the environment in which it lives. Zoologist Ashby introduces young readers to animals from around the world and explores the unique adaptations they share with other animals that aren’t even related to them. Each section begins with an animal’s profile, explaining what the animal is, where it lives, the adaptation that makes it unique, and fun facts. The following pages look at other animals that share the featured adaptation, and a section about how people around the world make use of it in their daily lives. The illustrations are colorful and enchanting. The font switches between conventional font and something resembling handwriting, which could impact readability for some readers. Back matter includes a glossary of vocabulary words encountered in the text, and there is a short list of links to online resources to learn more. VERDICT Animal lovers and collectors of fun facts will enjoy this colorful romp through the world of animal adaptations.–Laura Nan Hargrove

Chynoweth, Kate. Take a Hike!: And Other Ways to De-Stress and Relax in Nature. 128p. APA/Magination. Mar. 2025. Tr $37.32. ISBN 9781433845208.
Gr 4-6–Children today spend less time outside than any previous generation, even though research shows how beneficial spending time in nature is to both mental and physical health. The National Wildlife Federation, along with the American Psychological Association, aims to fix that. In each chapter, readers will learn different ways to grow closer to nature at home, in wild places, near water, and in the woods. Sprinkled throughout are nature-related activity suggestions, asides that focus on explaining natural phenomena or answering questions about nature, and suggestions for small actions to take to make a positive impact on the planet’s health. These asides are clearly marked and accessible to a tween hoping to make a difference without needing to rely on an adult. Pictures throughout the book show racially diverse children in nature, but not those of differing abilities. Locations featured are mostly within the United States, and there is an emphasis on exploring nature close to home. Vocabulary words are in bold and included in a glossary in the back matter. A list of resources includes kid-friendly apps, books, and websites. VERDICT An introduction to spending time outdoors, this will appeal to readers who seek to decrease their screen time but may prove too basic for longtime nature lovers.–Laura Nan Hargrove

Diehn, Andi. The Science of Sound: Pitch, Volume, Music, and Noise with Hands-On Science Activities for Kids. illus. by Micah Rauch. 112p. (Build It Yourself). Nomad Pr. Jun. 2025. Tr $24.95. ISBN 9781619309937.
Gr 4-7–An exploration of what sound is, how it works, and how it is used in fields like medicine, ocean research, aerospace, and music. Each chapter focuses on one or two topics and includes vocabulary explained in sidebars at the start of each chapter. Readers learn how sound impacts humans, animals, and plants, and are encouraged to try activities and experiments to see how sound behaves and can be manipulated. QR codes link to online audio and video resources, and questions throughout prompt deeper thinking. Diagrams, comic strips, photos, and colorful backgrounds make the information engaging and easy to follow. The writing is factual and clear without being overly wordy or complicated. The book includes a time line of sound-related science, a glossary, metric conversion charts, extra resources, a bibliography, essential questions, and a full index. VERDICT This book is a fine addition to a library’s STEM section, has many curricular tie-ins, and is useful for curious readers and young researchers.–Katherine Rao

Harvey-Smith, Lisa. Quarks, Sparks and Quantum Mysteries: A Cosmic Guide to the Building Blocks of Our Universe. illus. by Aidan Ryan. 128p. Thames & Hudson. Apr. 2025. pap.$19.95. ISBN 9781760764692.
Gr 4-8–An introduction to complex physics concepts—quarks, relativity, curved space, and antimatter—that is both clear and engaging for young readers. With the help of a cute guinea pig named Biscuit and plenty of everyday examples, Harvey-Smith breaks down big ideas into manageable, relatable explanations. The text is written in full paragraphs, which is increasingly uncommon in children’s nonfiction, but the accessible language and fascinating subject matter hold attention. The writing is straightforward without being dry, maintaining an upbeat, conversational tone throughout. While the layout features more text than many contemporary titles, nearly every page includes colorful illustrations that support the scientific content or simply add visual charm. The drawings are bright and appealing, often set against white or pastel backgrounds, with a retro flair that gives this a unique visual identity. The overall presentation feels welcoming rather than intimidating. Compared to other physics titles for this age group, this offers greater depth while remaining easy to follow. It respects the intelligence of young readers and invites them into the wonders of physics. VERDICT A strong addition to any STEM collection, this title makes tough science feel truly accessible.–Katherine Rao

Howard, Joy & Deanna F. Cook. Cupcake Class: 50 Fun Themes & Totally Amazing Designs for Kids to Make & Share. 156p. Hachette/Storey. Sept. 2025. Tr $19.99. ISBN 9781635868524.
Gr 3-5–This colorful, engaging cookbook takes young bakers through the process of baking cupcakes from scratch and decorating them in a variety of delightful designs featuring animals, space, nature, and more. Organized by thematic chapters, this volume gives readers a well-rounded introduction to baking basics, kitchen tools, and safety tips before covering the recipes for vanilla and chocolate cupcakes and buttercream frosting. From there, the focus shifts to decorating skills before spending the rest of the book showcasing an assortment of awesome designs sure to liven up parties, play dates, sporting events, or school events. Piping bag icons located near each design’s requirements indicate difficulty level. The easiest designs feature one piping bag; the most complex have three. Engaging photographs showcase the beautifully styled final designs as well as clearly illustrate step-by-step instructions and highlight required tools and elements. Even the most complicated decoration designs seem doable with a healthy dose of patience; still, young bakers with fine motor issues or who struggle with perfectionism may get frustrated with the trickier piping work. Some of the designs require additional components and/or tools (piping bags and tips, candy melts, molds) that not everyone may have access to or can afford. Young bakers with less autonomy in the kitchen will need assistance with sharp implements and heating/baking devices. VERDICT A visually appealing cupcake decorating book that will delight aspiring young bakers. Recommended for public and school libraries.–Pearl Derlaga

Kanani, Sheila & Liz Kay. Are There Rainbows in Space? A Colorful Compendium of Seriously Cool Science. 128p. Penguin Workshop. Jun. 2025. Tr$17.99. ISBN 9780593889633.
Gr 4-7–Using the colors of the rainbow as its framework, this book journeys from red to violet, unpacking the mysteries of color in nature, traditions, technology, and beyond. Each chapter opens with a dazzling spread featuring fun facts and intriguing concepts, inviting readers to discover other enlightening information about the colors in the pages that follow. Fascinating facts concerning all things dealing with color are interwoven into the bold and dynamic illustrations that perfectly support the text without overwhelming it. Explanations of why things appear in certain colors, how the human eye perceives them, and how the idea of color has developed through history and across languages are revealed to curious readers. The author’s conversational tone makes complex concepts accessible, answering questions kids didn’t even know they had. One of the work’s most intriguing aspects is its final chapter, which ponders the existence of rainbows in space. This chapter offers a satisfying conclusion to a reading journey that is stretched beyond the bounds of earthly color. Unfortunately, the small font on some pages and occasional dark backgrounds can make reading difficult in spots. There is no index for easier reference, but the glossary helps decode scientific terms. VERDICT A compelling book that curious young scientists and trivia lovers will happily read and revisit often, this is also a good addition to classroom or school library book collections.–Lynne Stover

Perdew, Laura. Conservation Success: Protecting Wild Spaces and Species with Hands-On Science Activities for Kids. illus. by Lex Cornell. 128p. (Build It Yourself). Nomad Pr. May 2025.Tr $24.95. ISBN 9781647411367.
Gr 4-6–A textbooklike offering with solid information about conservation movements, both historical and current. A time line opens the book, outlining key conservation milestones mentioned in the text. The eight chapters tackle a different type of conservation, from habitat reconnection to ecotourism. The chapters include inspiring real-world examples of conservation success around the world, such as the reintroduction of Eurasian beavers to several parts of Europe and the creation of under-road tunnels to reconnect the spotted salamander’s habitat. There are text boxes highlighting kid conservationists who are making a difference and asides with QR codes for video content or further reading online. Photographs are interspersed throughout, though not on every spread. A glossary can be found in every chapter as well as in the back matter. The chapters conclude with hands-on activities that nicely expand on the topics covered. Many children’s books about conservation focus on an individual species or habitat. This title offers an impressive breadth of information covering various types of conservation. So many success stories paired with an optimistic yet matter-of-fact tone should inspire readers to action. VERDICT Consider purchasing where books on this topic are needed.–Allison McLean

YA

★Carnagey, Melissa Pintor. Growing into You! An Inclusive, Shame-Busting, Get-Real Guide to Your Changing Body and Mind. illus. by Brianna Gilmartin. 176p. Quirk. May 2025. pap. $17.99. ISBN 9781683694311.
Gr 7 Up–An inclusive guide to puberty, gender, and the overall development of the body and mind. Aimed at tweens and teens, it provides clear and accessible explanations of key terms, such as gender, stereotypes, and sexuality, helping young readers understand themselves and others with greater empathy and awareness. The book thoughtfully explores the role of hormones—what they are, how they affect us, and why—while supporting the information with detailed, age-appropriate anatomical illustrations that demystify the changes of adolescence. What truly sets this book apart is its interactive approach. Rather than presenting itself as a dry instruction manual, it invites readers on a personal journey of discovery. Sections like “Let’s Have Fun with Activities,” “Let’s Talk About It,” and “Let’s Write About It” encourage self-reflection, conversation, and creativity. These interactive prompts make the content feel approachable and engaging. In addition to addressing both male and female puberty experiences, the book includes questions and guidance relevant to LGBTQIA+ youth, ensuring it is inclusive and affirming. VERDICT With a compassionate tone, accurate information, and thoughtful design, this book is easily one of the best resources available for those navigating adolescence.–Jessica Calaway

Holliday, Tess & Kelly Coon. Take Up Space, Y’all: Your Bold & Bright Guide to Self-Love. 176p. Running Pr. Aug. 2025. pap. $12.99. ISBN 9780762489152.
Gr 9 Up–This engaging and informative work offers body-positive tips and tricks while tackling important topics such as mental health, friendships, self-image, and personal habits. Content is presented in a fun, easy-to-read format with catchy section titles like “About Face” and clever subtitles like “The Acne Among Us.” The tone is supportive and often humorous, helping teens feel seen and understood. One of the book’s strengths is how it breaks down physical features in a relatable, educational way. For example, it outlines four common hair types—fine, curly, wavy, and kinky—explaining how each looks and behaves, while offering personalized advice and care routines. These clear explanations will help teens better understand and appreciate their own bodies. However, it’s important to note that not all the advice may be accessible to every reader. Many of the tips rely on purchasing products that might be out of reach for teens with limited financial resources. While the intention is positive, this aspect may feel exclusive to some young people. VERDICT This work offers valuable insights and strives to empower teens to embrace who they are. With its vibrant tone and focus on self-love, it’s a solid resource best paired with a critical lens and a budget-friendly mindset.–Jessica Calaway

Sheen, Barbara. Breathe: A Guide to Managing Anxiety in a Turbulent World. 64p. ReferencePoint. Mar. 2025. Tr $33.95. ISBN 9781678210069.
Gr 9 Up–This insightful title offers a comprehensive look into anxiety—what it is, how it impacts the body, and practical techniques for managing it. The author adeptly breaks down the various forms and intensities of anxiety, making the content accessible and relatable for a broad audience. A standout feature is the use of supplemental research and external articles that help ground the discussion in an evidence-based framework. These additional sources lend credibility and depth, allowing readers to understand anxiety through multiple perspectives. However, the integration of these articles occasionally disrupts the book’s overall flow. Their inclusion often feels abrupt, inserted without sufficient transitions or context, which can lead to a jarring reading experience. This lack of cohesion slightly detracts from the clarity and rhythm of the narrative. Despite this formatting issue, the work remains a valuable resource for those looking to better understand anxiety and gain tools for coping with it. The tips provided are both practical and encouraging, offering readers a sense of empowerment. VERDICT A solid starting point for anyone interested in the psychological and physiological dimensions of anxiety, though it could benefit from smoother transitions between its main content and outside sources.–Jessica Calaway