Kang, Angie. Our Lake. Angie Kang, Illus. Kolika, 03/2026. [36]pp. Picture Book. Trade $19.99. 978-0-593-69823-5. GRADES Preschool–2. OUTSTANDING.
A younger brother describes how his older brother takes him to a swimming hole to dive like their father used to in a story with meaningful emotions and a spare but rhythmic text. Many children will guess that their father may have died, but it isn’t a sad story; the brothers are empowered by what their father taught them. The deeply colored gouache impressionistic illustrations focus on the two boys, who present as Asian although that isn’t mentioned, and the setting gives the story a feeling of the calm outdoors. The combination of the artwork and text, as well as the smooth page turns and other book design elements, make this a successful look at a common summer event that many children will experience. This book received a 2026 Caldecott Honor for the author/illustrator’s debut work.
Penny Peck—San José State University iSchool