Review

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 [continue reading]

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 [continue reading]

Vail, Rachel. You and Me, Anemone: A Story About Friendship and Personal Space. Chris Raschka, Illus. Greenwillow, 06/2025. [32]pp. Picture Book. Trade $19.99.  9780063414723. GRADES Preschool–2. ADDITIONAL.             Caldecott winner Raschka employs gesso on fabric, and embroidery floss and yarn, for brightly colored illustrations that appear textured on [continue reading]

Uzu, Tonka. Peggy Goes Gardening. Tonka Uzu, Illus. Translated from the Italian by Post Wave Children’s Books. Post Wave, 4/2025. [16]pp. Picture Book. Trade $15.99. 979-8-89509-006-0. GRADES Baby/Toddler–1. ADDITIONAL.           In this simple, sweet translation from original Italian, one or two sentences per page show little Peggy and [continue reading]

Tallec, Olivier. Is It Asleep? Olivier Tallec, Illus. Translated from the French by Lerner Publishing Group. Lerner/Gecko, 08/2025. [32]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 979-8765670521. GRADES Preschool–Kindergarten. ADDITIONAL. Pock and I (a mushroom and a squirrel) look for the blackbird who sings every morning, only to find it lying [continue reading]

Sekaninova, Stepanka. Poops and Farts: The Bottom Line. Miroslava Gomolcakova, Illus. Addl. Creator Daniel Handak. Translated from the Czech by Graeme and Suzzane Dibble. Albatros, 06/2025. 47pp. Nonfiction. Trade $17.95. 978-80-00-07440-5. GRADES 2–5. HIGH ADDITIONAL.          Who doesn’t appreciate a bit of humor when discussing bodily functions like pooping and [continue reading]

Yelchin, Eugene. I Wish I Didn’t Have to Tell You This: A Graphic Memoir. Eugene Yelchin, Illus. Candlewick,09/2025. 432pp. Graphic. Trade $22.99. 978-1536215533. GRADES 9–Adult. OUTSTANDING.   Packed with power, this gorgeous and compelling follow-up to Yelchin’s graphic memoir, The Genius Under the Table (2021), is pitched at older [continue reading]

Kelly, Erin Entrada. Your Turn Marisol Rainey. Erin Entrada Kelly, Illus. Maybe Marisol. Greenwillow, 08/2025.146pp. Reader. Trade $18.99. 978-0-0633-3721-3. GRADES 1–4. OUTSTANDING.      Over spring break Marisol and her best friend Jada decide on a personality reset – time to leave anxious, B-minus Marisol behind and embrace new, [continue reading]