Vail, Rachel. You and Me, Anemone: A Story About Friendship and Personal Space. Chris Raschka, Illus. Greenwillow, 06/2025. [32]pp. Picture Book. Trade $19.99. 9780063414723. GRADES Preschool–2. ADDITIONAL. Caldecott winner Raschka employs gesso on fabric, and embroidery floss and yarn, for brightly colored illustrations that appear textured on [continue reading]
Melissa McAvoy
Peggy Goes Gardening Review
Uzu, Tonka. Peggy Goes Gardening. Tonka Uzu, Illus. Translated from the Italian by Post Wave Children’s Books. Post Wave, 4/2025. [16]pp. Picture Book. Trade $15.99. 979-8-89509-006-0. GRADES Baby/Toddler–1. ADDITIONAL. In this simple, sweet translation from original Italian, one or two sentences per page show little Peggy and [continue reading]
Is It Asleep? Review
Tallec, Olivier. Is It Asleep? Olivier Tallec, Illus. Translated from the French by Lerner Publishing Group. Lerner/Gecko, 08/2025. [32]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 979-8765670521. GRADES Preschool–Kindergarten. ADDITIONAL. Pock and I (a mushroom and a squirrel) look for the blackbird who sings every morning, only to find it lying [continue reading]
Poops and Farts Review
Sekaninova, Stepanka. Poops and Farts: The Bottom Line. Miroslava Gomolcakova, Illus. Addl. Creator Daniel Handak. Translated from the Czech by Graeme and Suzzane Dibble. Albatros, 06/2025. 47pp. Nonfiction. Trade $17.95. 978-80-00-07440-5. GRADES 2–5. HIGH ADDITIONAL. Who doesn’t appreciate a bit of humor when discussing bodily functions like pooping and [continue reading]
I Wish I Didn’t Have to Tell You This Review
Yelchin, Eugene. I Wish I Didn’t Have to Tell You This: A Graphic Memoir. Eugene Yelchin, Illus. Candlewick,09/2025. 432pp. Graphic. Trade $22.99. 978-1536215533. GRADES 9–Adult. OUTSTANDING. Packed with power, this gorgeous and compelling follow-up to Yelchin’s graphic memoir, The Genius Under the Table (2021), is pitched at older [continue reading]
Your Turn Marisol Rainey Review
Kelly, Erin Entrada. Your Turn Marisol Rainey. Erin Entrada Kelly, Illus. Maybe Marisol. Greenwillow, 08/2025.146pp. Reader. Trade $18.99. 978-0-0633-3721-3. GRADES 1–4. OUTSTANDING. Over spring break Marisol and her best friend Jada decide on a personality reset – time to leave anxious, B-minus Marisol behind and embrace new, [continue reading]
I’m a Dumbo Octopus Review
Lambelet, Anne. I’m a Dumbo Octopus: A Graphic Guide to Cephalopods. Anne Lambelet, Illus. Graphic Universe, 03/2025. 72pp. Graphic. Trade $29.32. 979-8765603055. Paper $12.99. 979-8765661376. GRADES 2–5. OUTSTANDING. A personality-packed dumbo octopus named Grimpy introduces itself, and its whole class of cephalopods, in an engaging nonfiction graphic [continue reading]
Island Storm Review
Floca, Brian. Island Storm. Sydney Smith, Illus. Candlewick/Neal Porter, 07/2025. [48]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-0-8234-5647-5. GRADES Preschool–3. OUTSTANDING. Powerful, painterly watercolor and gouache illustrations capture the energy, atmosphere, and shifting light of a monumental island storm. Rhythmic poetic text speaks in an older sibling’s voice, “Now [continue reading]