Review

Lyall, Casey. Whale, That Was Unexpected. Kathryn Durst, Illus. Tundra, 06/2026. [48]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-1-77488-361-7. GRADES Preschool–3. OUTSTANDING.    An old fisherwoman named Maude and her dog Claude go out for their daily fishing [continue reading]

Connors, Jerrold. Stampede! Jerrold Connors, Illus. Union Square, 08/2026. [40]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-1-45495-922-9. GRADES Preschool–2. HIGH ADDITIONAL.       After a cow is bitten by a horsefly, bored calves Jasper and Cleo set off a [continue reading]

Biedrzycki, David. Last Leaf, The. David Biedrzycki, Illus. Charlesbridge, 09/2026. [36]pp. Picture Book. Trade $17.99. 978-1-62354-695-3. GRADES Kindergarten–3. HIGH ADDITIONAL. In this brief story about self-esteem and perseverance, an elementary school-aged soccer player (who presents [continue reading]

Offsay, Charlotte. Quiet Ocean, The. Abi Cushman, Illus. Beach Lane, 05/2026. [36]pp. Picture Book. Trade $19.99. 978-1-66597-517-9. GRADES Preschool–2. HIGH ADDITIONAL.       In this clever cumulative story, a pufferfish sets off a chain reaction when it [continue reading]

Moor, Zewlan. Say Hello Like an Armadillo: And Other Animal Greetings from Around the World. Karen Obuhanych, Illus. Nosy Crow, 06/2026. [36]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 979-88-87771-16-8. GRADES Preschool–2. HIGH ADDITIONAL.     A preschool teacher shows [continue reading]

Powell-Tuck, Maudie. FrankenKitty. Mini Grey, Illus. Tiger Tales, 07/2026. [24]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-1-6643-0097-2. GRADES Kindergarten–1. ADDITIONAL. Reminiscent of Frankenstein, this blended kitty is “woken up” by an electrical jolt, on the inventor’s table, [continue reading]

Phelan, Matt. Bartleby. Matt Phelan, Illus. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 03/2026. [40]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-0-3743-9355-7. GRADES Preschool–2. ADDITIONAL.       Bartleby the bear, like Bartleby the Scrivner, answers all requests with “I would prefer not [continue reading]

Mirtalipova, Dinara. Vanishing Sea, The: The Tale of How the Aral Sea Became the Aral Desert. Dinara Mirtalipova, Illus. Chronicle, 02/2026. [40]pp. Nonfiction. Trade $18.99. 978-1-7972-2459-6. GRADES 1–5. OUTSTANDING.         How did the Aral Sea, one [continue reading]