Cuevas, Mayra. My Abuela Is a Bruja. Lorena Alvarez Gómez, Illus. Knopf, 08/2025. [40]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-0-5934-8063-2. GRADES Preschool–3. OUTSTANDING. In Puerto Rico, a granddaughter creates lifelong memories with her abuela (grandmother). The [continue reading]
Black Mambas Review
Crull, Kelly. Black Mambas, The: The World’s First All-Woman Anti-Poaching Unit. Kelly Crull, Illus. Millbrook, 04/2025. [40]pp. Nonfiction. Trade $19.99. 979-8765627259. GRADES 1–5. OUTSTANDING. Crull highlights the work of the Black Mambas, an all-woman [continue reading]
Mini-grant Deadline Jan. 15th, Institute Set for March 13, 2026
This is a friendly reminder that the Mini Grant Committee is accepting applications for fall/winter professional development grants. The next review will consider all applications received by 11:59 p.m. on January 15th for events that take place in late January through [continue reading]
ACL Meeting Friday, Jan. 9th on Social and Emotional Learning Picture Books
ACL Meeting Friday, January 9, 2026: Just a quick reminder for our Bay Area members! Please join us for our ACL Meeting on Friday, January 9, 2026, from 9:15am-Noon, over Zoom. The Zoom link will [continue reading]
Because of Winn Dixie Read-Alikes
Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo Berry, Jaime. Hope Springs. Bruchac, Joseph. Rez Dogs. Creech, Sharon. Saving Winslow. DiCamillo, Kate. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. Gallante, Cecilia. Willowood. Guillory, Sarah. Gus and [continue reading]
Weather Storytime – Revised
Weather – Revised Weather is a great subject for a toddler or preschool storytime, with lots of classic picture books related to the theme, and new ones being released every month! For a [continue reading]
Cat Nap Review
Lies, Brian. Cat Nap. Brian Lies, Illus. Greenwillow, 09/2025. [48]pp. Picture Book. Trade $19.99. 978-0-06-267128-8. GRADES Preschool–3. OUTSTANDING. Woken from a doze, a kitten pursues a fleeing mouse through an art exhibit poster and into [continue reading]
Lena the Chicken (But Really a Dinosaur) Review
Bailey, Linda. Lena the Chicken (But Really a Dinosaur). K-Fai Steele, Illus. Tundra, 10/2025. [56]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-1-77488-013-5. GRADES Preschool–3. OUTSTANDING. Lena is a hands-on-hips, take-charge kind of chicken, misunderstood by her fellow [continue reading]