2025 Golden Poppy Awards Announced: The 2025 Golden Poppy Awards were announced on Feb. 19, 2026, given by the California Independent Booksellers Alliance. It honors book creators “who made California their home.” In the children’s [continue reading]
Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli Review
Yan Glaser, Karina. Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli, The. Karina Yan Glaser, Illus. HarperCollins/Allida, 9/2025. 420 [+12]pp. Fiction. Trade $19.99. 978-0-0632-8443-2. GRADES 3–6. OUTSTANDING. The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli is [continue reading]
Seven Babies Review
Xiao, Forest. Seven Babies. Forest Xiao, Illus. Candlewick, 08/2025. [32]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-1-5362-4509-7. GRADES Baby/Toddler–Preschool. ADDITIONAL. Seven babies, in an open box, show up in front of a door. A couple takes them [continue reading]
Mouse Who Loved Latkes Review
Wieder, Joy Nelkin. Mouse Who Loved Latkes, The. Joy Nelkin Wieder, Illus. Kar-Ben, 10/2025. [32]pp. Picture Book. Trade $19.99. 979-8-7656-4424-9. GRADES Preschool–Kindergarten. ADDITIONAL. C.J., a small brown mouse, lives in the walls of apartment 18, [continue reading]
Family Feast! Review
Weatherford, Carole Boston. Family Feast! Frank Morrison, Illus. Crown, 09/2025. [32]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-0-5938-9829-1. GRADES Preschool–2. OUTSTANDING. With jubilant oil paintings, past Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award winner Morrison depicts an extended Black [continue reading]
Shabbat Shalom Review
Ultman, Suzy. Shabbat Shalom: Let’s Rest and Reset. Suzy Ultman, Illus. Penguin Random House/Rise X Penguin, 02/2025. [22]pp. Picture Book. Trade $9.99. 978-0-5937-5193-0. GRADES Baby/Toddler–Kindergarten. HIGH ADDITIONAL. Simple digital illustrations showcase a light brown-skinned child [continue reading]
This Place Kills Me Review
Tamaki, Mariko. This Place Kills Me. Nicole Goux, Illus. Abrams/Fanfare, 08/2025. 272pp. Graphic. Trade $26.99. 978-1-4197-6846-0. GRADES 9–Adult. HIGH ADDITIONAL. Abby, the new girl at an all-girls boarding school, tries to overcome her outsider status [continue reading]
History of We Review
Smith, Nikkolas. History of We, The. Nikkolas Smith, Illus. Penguin Random House /Kokila, 05/2025. [40]pp. Nonfiction. Trade $18.99. 978-0-5936-1968-1. GRADES Preschool–3. OUTSTANDING. With stunning acrylic paintings, author/illustrator Nikkolas Smith’s nonfiction picture book A History of [continue reading]