Velasquez, Eric. Polar Bear and the Ballerina, The. Eric Velasquez, Illus. Holiday House, 10/2025. [40]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-0-8234-4918-7. GRADES Preschool–3. OUTSTANDING. In this compelling wordless picture book, a young ballet dancer sees a [continue reading]
Spy in the Museum Review
McGuire, Erin. Spy in the Museum, The: How Rose Vallard Saved Art from the Nazis. Erin McGuire, Illus. Beach Lane, 09/2025. [40]pp. Nonfiction. Trade $19.99. 978-1-5344-6617-3. GRADES 1–5. OUTSTANDING. Rose Valland was a curator at [continue reading]
Here Is a Book Review
Cooper, Elisha. Here Is a Book. Elisha Cooper, Illus. Abrams, 04/2025. [40]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-1-4197-6675-6. GRADES Preschool–2. HIGH ADDITIONAL. Beginning at her home in the country, an author writes and illustrates a book, [continue reading]
Old MacPumpkin Had a Farm Review
Charman, Katrina. Old MacPumpkin Had a Farm. Georgie Birkett, Illus. Nosy Crow, 07/2025. [22]pp. Picture Book. Trade $14.99. 979-8-88777-168-7. GRADES Preschool–2. HIGH ADDITIONAL. In this reimagining of the classic nursery song “Old MacDonald,” the farmer [continue reading]
Performers’ Showcase Registration Now Open for our audience!
Performers Showcase Registration: The annual ACL Performers’ Showcase offers the opportunity to meet and evaluate a variety of children’s performers active in the Bay Area. The next Showcase will be held on Saturday, February 7, [continue reading]
Scarlet Morning Review
Stevenson, ND. Scarlet Morning. ND Stevenson, Illus. Scarlet Morning; bk. 1. Quill Tree, 09/2025. 426pp. Fiction. Trade $19.99. 978-0-0-6321034-9. GRADES 5–8. OUTSTANDING. Teenage best friends Viola and Wilmur embark on adventures involving pirates, magic, monsters, [continue reading]
Truth Is Review
Sawyerr, Hannah V. Truth Is. Amulet/Abrams, 09/2025. 461 [+14]pp. Fiction. Trade $21.99. 978-1-4197-7683-0. GRADES 10–12. OUTSTANDING. Black high school senior Truth Bangura uses her poetry journal to chronicle a difficult school year, one in which [continue reading]
Leaving Room Review
McBride, Amber. Leaving Room, The. Feiwel & Friends, 10/2025. 224pp. Fiction. Trade $19.99. 978-1-2509-0808-7. GRADES 10–12. OUTSTANDING. Taking place over four minutes, The Leaving Room is the lyrically stunning, first-person narrative of Gospel, a Keeper [continue reading]