Zoboi, Ibi. (S)Kin. HarperCollins/Versify, 02/2025. 400pp. Fiction. Trade $19.99. 978-0-0628-8887-7. GRADES 9–12. HIGH ADDITIONAL.    

Narrated by two half-sisters who discover each other in the course of this novel in verse, (S)KIN explores themes of magic, heritage, immigration, and coming of age. Marisol is fifteen, new to Brooklyn but well-versed in the Caribbean magic that rules her life and that of her mother. Soucouyants, shape-shifting witches, shed their skins and seek sustenance preying on the life force of their enemies, and this ancient magic needs new outlets in a new place, which leaves Marisol confused and angry. Her mother is focused on a new job, where a seventeen-year-old girl raised in Brooklyn seems to be going through the same changes as Marisol. Family stories and kinships come to light and both girls need to learn to navigate their birthrights, no matter how difficult. The folklore and poetry in the book are engaging and beautiful, but it suffers from a complex plot that doesn’t resolve in a clear manner.

Lesley Mandros Bell—Independent

Lacika, Jenny. Cesar’s Cerulean Surprise. Laura Sandoval Herrera, Illus. Storytelling Math. Charlesbridge, 10/2025. [30]pp. Picture Book. Trade $17.99. 978-1-62354-439-3. GRADES Preschool–1. ADDITIONAL.        

Cesar’s younger sister Gabi’s birthday present is a new box of sixty-four crayons, so naturally he wants to use the new crayons instead of his worn-out ones. However, Gabi says she will share only after she figures out which color Cesar wants: Cerulean. Digital media illustrations show off how Gabi tries to figure out the correct crayon, using yes-no questions, in progressively more complex ways, to narrow the choices down. A few Spanish words for colors are intermixed in the primarily English text and defined in the back matter. The back matter also explores the history of blue color dye, along with the type of yes-no logic used in the story, which is the basis of data science. A useful, interactive story for classroom or small group use.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Moudahi, Jenn. Charlotte’s New Moccasins. Rhael McGregor, Illus. Charlesbridge, 10/2025. [30]pp. Picture Book. Trade $17.99. 978-1-62354-496-6. GRADES Kindergarten–1. ADDITIONAL.           

Charlotte’s moccasins are too small, so mom says it’s time to visit grandma who, readers quickly discover, practices the ancient art of moccasin making. They work together to select and cut the new leather parts, stitch it all together, and decide on intricate bead designs. Digital media illustrations utilize mostly earth tones to show Charlotte’s interest and enthusiasm to work with grandma as she learns the time-honored techniques that have been passed down for generations. Native authors Moudahi and McGregor’s gentle story informs readers all about  how moccasins were made and used in the past, as well as today. Authors are listed as members of native tribes, and back matter provides more details about moccasin differences across tribes as well as modern moccasins.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Konnecke, Ole. Diggers, Dozers, and Dumpers: Small Stories About Big Machines. Ole Konnecke, Illus. Translated from the German by Melody Shaw. Gecko, 05/2025. [32]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 979-8765667552. GRADES Kindergarten–3. HIGH ADDITIONAL.            

This unusual picture book celebrates thirteen different large vehicles, from cement mixers to bulldozers, by describing each in a humorous story that covers a two-page spread. In one, Cordula Cow uses a telescopic crane to move a piano out to the pasture for a concert. The cartoon artwork is set on white backgrounds, featuring a variety of clothes-wearing animals, reminiscent of the work of Caldecott Award winner William Steig. This will work well as a readaloud or a book that many first through third graders can read without much help. The text includes both the vignettes as well as clear descriptions of what that machine does. Originally published in German in 2023, this English version was translated by Melody Shaw.

Penny Peck—San José State University iSchool

Kaiser, Brianna. Dragon Folklore: A Field Guide. Dragon Field Guides. Lerner, 08/2025. 32pp. Nonfiction. PLB $31.99. 979-8765669327. Paper $10.99. 979-8765683972. GRADES 3–5. ADDITIONAL.           

SERIES REVIEW. Please see: Dragons Among Us: A Field Guide by Taylor Fenmore for series review.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Fenmore, Taylor. Dragons Among Us: A Field Guide. Dragon Field Guides. Lerner, 08/2025. 32pp. Nonfiction. PLB $31.99. 979-8765669334. Paper $10.99. 979-8765683989. GRADES 3–5. ADDITIONAL.           

SERIES REVIEW: Series nonfiction titles explore various aspects of dragons, which are always popular in stories and movies. This six-title series covers various topics, of which this reviewer read three: legends and folklore from around the world, the science of how dragons could do seemingly magical things like breathe fire and fly, and slightly more mundane topics like real-life animals who have dragon-like characteristics. Each title combines sections of text with photographs or illustrations (many credited to Getty Images or Shutterstock) to show scenes with either dragons or animals with dragon-like features. An informative way to begin looking at dragons, without too many details about any one specific dragon, legend, movie, or book.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Bunting, Philip. Dropbear. Philip Bunting, Illus. Charlesbridge, 09/2025. [32]pp. Picture Book. Trade $17.99. 978-1-62354-726-4. GRADES Preschool–Kindergarten. ADDITIONAL.       

Up in the old gum tree is a gray-haired bear (a Koala) who, the tales say, terrorizes unsuspecting animals by suddenly dropping down on them. Readers will be happy to discover that reality does not match the hype, because, in the end, all Dropbear wants is something many youngsters want. This Australian import uses gouache, digital collage, and duct tape illustrations to both give readers a taste of the heebie-jeebies with something to be scared of. Thankfully the true, more friendly, nature of the Dropbear is shown, making readers feel comforted with the ending. Includes a short explanation of the Australian legend of this mythical creature.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Lam, Thao. Everybelly. Thao Lam, Illus. Groundwood, 04/2025. [36].pp. Picture Book. Trade $19.99. 978-1-77306-764-3. GRADES Preschool–1. HIGH ADDITIONAL.           

At the community pool, Maddie observes many shapes and sizes of bellies. Every belly tells its own story and carries its own significance. Maddie’s observations set the stage for a deeper understanding of what a belly represents beyond its physical appearance, highlighting the themes of comfort, nurture, and sense of belonging. Maddie and her mother’s light brown skin tone captivates the ethnicities of every belly. Maddie’s mother’s belly is especially significant because it symbolizes a deep sense of home. The narrative is vividly enhanced by the colorful cut-paper collage artwork, which invites readers into Maddie’s world. The vibrant illustrations do more than simply depict the story—they provide a rich visual context that amplifies Maddie’s reflections. The textures and layers created through the collage technique mirror the story’s themes, helping readers feel a stronger connection to Maddie’s experiences of observing the diversity of bellies at the community pool.

Eboni Weston—San José State University iSchool Student

Stewart, Melissa. From BAM! to BURP! A Carbon Atom’s Never-Ending Journey Through Space and Time and YOU. Marta Alvarez Miguens, Illus. Charlesbridge, 10/2025. [36]pp. Nonfiction. Trade $17.99. 978-1-62354-446-1. GRADES 1–3. ADDITIONAL.        

The creation of carbon atoms is the topic of this informational picture book, beginning with Earth’s formation and continuing to current times. The text is fairly simple but with enough examples to clearly explain how carbon is in everything, from coal to plants to gas to humans. The digitally created illustrations help to expand on the text, showing a carbon atom with a smiling face and a diverse classroom of children. Overall, it can be a little too complex for the primary grade audience for which it is intended, but children can read it again for clarity. Back matter includes a question-and-answer spread on the topic, the carbon cycle, a section on the climate crisis, a list of sources, and a list of children’s books on the topic.

Penny Peck—San José State University iSchool

Sullivan, Annie. Ghouldilocks and the Three Ghosts. Paula J. Becker, Illus. Random, 08/2025. [36]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-0-593-70960-3. GRADES Preschool–3. HIGH ADDITIONAL.     

A little monster girl with green skin and wild, multicolored hair comes across a haunted mansion in the woods and enters, trying out the chairs, beds, and ghoulash before falling asleep. This spoof of Goldilocks and the Three Bears uses lots of puns and wordplay, told in a sentence or two per page with some hand-lettered dialogue balloons. It is funny more than scary which allows it to appeal to a wide age range. The full-color, digital cartoon-style illustrations, dominated by purple, black, and orange use white backgrounds and convey much of the humor. The text sticks fairly close to the original tale, with repetition and action, replacing the bears with ghosts. A fun choice for Halloween readalouds and fractured fairy tale classroom units.

Penny Peck—San José State University iSchool

Patschke, Steve. Haunted Scavenger Hunt, The: A Spook-tacular Story. Roland Garrigue, Illus. Templar, 07/2025. [36]pp. Picture Book. Trade $15.99. 978-1-5362-3523-4. GRADES Preschool–2. HIGH ADDITIONAL.        

Four ethnically diverse friends find a box with a skeleton key and go into a haunted house on a scavenger hunt to find what is hidden inside. The repetitive text includes signs that spell out what to avoid, but the children enter anyway, and one by one they disappear until the surprise, humorous ending. The lively text offers opportunities to call out messages and clues, and the full-color cartoon artwork depicts lots of scary details including the woods, spiderwebs, and more. A great choice for Halloween readalouds, this will appeal to a wide age range but won’t frighten the younger listeners, and the audience will chant along with many of the passages including “So what did the friends do?”

Penny Peck—San José State University iSchool

Michalak, Jamie. Hazel the Handful. Matt Myers, Illus. Candlewick, 04/2025. [36]pp. Picture Book. Trade $17.99. 978-1-5362-3119-9. GRADES Preschool–2. ADDITIONAL.      

Hazel is a small terrier who loves their human Bea, but is unhappy when a new baby joins the family. Told from Hazel’s point of view, this funny story of sibling rivalry uses relatable examples including the baby taking Hazel’s fourteenth favorite toy, or passersby now fawning over the baby instead of Hazel. The energetic, colorful cartoon artwork, created with watercolor and ink, depicts the family as Black although that is not mentioned in the text. There are other picture books about a dog having to adjust to a new human baby in the house, but this does a good job of telling a familiar story.

Penny Peck—San José State University iSchool

Águila, María Dolores. Menudo Sunday: A Spanglish Counting Book. Erika Meza, Illus. Dial, 08/2025. [40]pp.Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-0-593-46225-6. GRADES Preschool–2. OUTSTANDING.
An extended large family gathers to prepare and eat a traditional menudo dinner in this delightful counting book. The text begins “1 Uno / One cozy casita” and continues until an accident happens at number fifteen. Then, they begin again from one to fifteen to re-cook and finally enjoy their dinner. The repetition of counting in English and Spanish, depicting both the numeral and the word make this a great choice for those practicing counting. The humorous, action-packed story broadens the book’s appeal with a strong plot and warm, accurate depictions of a contemporary, bilingual, multigenerational, Latinx family. The charcoal and pencil drawings are digitally colored in earth-toned pastels, using a style similar to animated cartoon artwork. The book ends with a glossary of the Spanish words used in the story, author’s note about her San Diego childhood, and tips on hosting a menudo Sunday dinner.

Penny Peck—San José State University iSchool

Gaddy, Kristina R. A Most Perilous World: The True Story of the Young Abolitionists and Their Crusade Against Slavery. Dutton, 06/2025. 354pp. Nonfiction. Trade $19.99. 978-0593855522. GRADES 8–Adult. OUTSTANDING.    

Thoroughly researched and packed with historical ephemera from the years leading up to and through the Civil War, A Most Perilous World drops its readers right into the midst of the political and social maelstrom that centered on the fight to end enslavement in this country. The author traces the lives and evolving political involvement of the children of four famous abolitionists who come of age in this time, and join their parents’ fight to change the world. Incorporating family letters and news articles among other things, the book impressively highlights the tensions and fears present in society, and not only makes the history of the era come to life, but also reflects on some of the issues still facing us today. The uprising and death of John Brown told from the perspective of people who knew him and his family well is one example of the deeply impactful stories this book explores.

Lesley Mandros Bell—Independent

Kaiser, Brianna. Science of Dragons, The: A Field Guide. Dragon Field Guides. Lerner, 08/2025. 32pp. Nonfiction. PLB $31.99. 979-8765669303. Paper $10.99. 979-8765684009. GRADES 3–5. ADDITIONAL.           

SERIES REVIEW. Please see: Dragons Among Us: A Field Guide by Taylor Fenmore for series review.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Jackson, Tom. Spinosaurus vs. Suchomimus: Prehistoric Showdown. Dino Duels. Lerner, 08/2025. 32pp. Nonfiction. PLB $31.99. 979-8765669242. Paper $10.99. 979-8765683910. GRADES 3–5. ADDITIONAL.        

SERIES REVIEW: Fast-paced series titles compare two similar dinosaurs and how they might have survived fighting against each other. Each title is similar in presenting an environment and reason they may have become pitted against each other, plus known facts about each dinosaur, digital, action-based illustrations, glossary, and index. These action-packed additions to dinosaur collections will entrance middle elementary readers.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Jackson, Tom. T. Rex vs. Ankylosaurus: Prehistoric Showdown. Dino Duels. Lerner, 08/2025. 32pp. Nonfiction. PLB $31.99. 979-8765669259. Paper $10.99. 979-8765683927. GRADES 3–5. ADDITIONAL.        

SERIES REVIEW. Please see: Spinosaurus vs. Suchomimus by Tom Jackson for series review.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Metcalf, Lindsay H. Tomatoes on Trial: The Fruit v. Vegetable Showdown. Edwin Fotheringham, Illus. Calkins Creek, 08/2025. [32]pp. Nonfiction. Trade $18.99. 978-1-6626-8053-3. GRADES 2–5. HIGH ADDITIONAL.        

In 1886, John Nix imported tomatoes from Bermuda and was charged a tariff because they were classified as vegetables, so Nix sued the government, explaining that tomatoes are fruits. This lively informational picture book uses puns and wordplay and could be the basis for a fun unit on the justice system, debating, tariffs and taxes, or fruits and vegetables. The political cartoon style of illustrations uses ink and watercolor wash, depicting the era well. Although this subject is unusual and limited in scope, the book is thought-provoking and well done. Detailed backmatter includes tips on debating, a glossary, facts on fruits and vegetables, source notes, and more on the key characteristics of the lawsuit.

Penny Peck—San José State University iSchool

Jackson, Tom. Velociraptor vs. Protoceratops: Prehistoric Showdown. Dino Duels. Lerner, 08/2025. 32pp. Nonfiction. PLB $31.99. 979-8765669273. Paper $10.99. 979-8765683941. GRADES 3–5. ADDITIONAL.        

SERIES REVIEW. Please see: Spinosaurus vs. Suchomimus by Tom Jackson for series review.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library

Slade, Suzanne. Women on a Mission: The Remarkable Heroes Who Put Men on the Moon. Molly Magnell, Illus. Charlesbridge, 10/2025. 48pp. Nonfiction. Trade $18.99. 978-1-62354-395-2. GRADES 2–5. HIGH ADDITIONAL.

A dozen female scientists are profiled in this collective biography that focuses on the women who helped astronauts land on the moon in 1969. Beginning with Marya Golda Ross, a member of the Cherokee nation who worked for Lockheed as a mathematician starting in 1949, to Katherine Johnson, a Black mathematician who calculated flight paths for NASA who some readers will remember from the film Hidden Figures, the women did a variety of expert jobs and represented different races. Each entry has full-color graphic illustrations, a photo of the woman, and four or five paragraphs of text. Back matter includes information on women who joined the space program after the moon landing, including the first female astronauts, source notes, a list of further reading, and bibliography. This is useful both for recreational reading and research projects.

Penny Peck—San José State University iSchool

Sook-Hee, Choi. You Are a Burst of Color. Choi Sook-Hee, Illus. Translated from the Korean by Jieun Kiaer and Sarah Kaier. Charlesbridge, 09/2025. [30]pp. Picture Book. Trade $17.99. 978-1-62354-564-2. GRADES Preschool–1. ADDITIONAL.            

A Korean child experiences a variety of emotions, each coupled with a color, as the day passes.  The day starts with a blank slate, all white, growing to an excited yellow and then a curious green, before downgrading to dull and angry colors as a friend plays with someone else. The end of the day brings a comforting cozy brown via a hug with mom and a black night time. Gentle and sweet, the experience of the ups and downs of a day is vividly illustrated and felt with the changing colors. Although a bigger font would make the text easier to read, the overall story helps readers think about their own feelings throughout the day.

Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library