Antoine De Saint-Exupery by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara and Martin Le Lapin - ADVISABLE

Antoine De Saint-Exupery (Little People, Big Dreams) by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara, illustrated by Martin Le Lapin. PICTURE BOOK BIOGRAPHY. Frances Lincoln (Quarto), 2024. $16. 9780711292062

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

Vegara gives us a short, but interesting look at the highlights of De Saint-Exupery’s life. It balances his life as a pilot with the few, but beloved, books he authored. 

The Little People, Big Dreams series is so varied and interesting. They are a great model for a 2-4th grade biography project. A classroom teacher could have a collection built around particular topics for kids to read and share out to each other for building background knowledge.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Braided Roots by Pasha Westbrook and Madelyn Goodnight - ADVISABLE

Braided Roots by Pasha Westbrook, illustrated by Madelyn Goodnight. PICTURE BOOK. Orchard Books (Scholastic), 2025. $19. 9781339015385

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

A young girl's father lovingly and perfectly braids pink and brown ribbons into her hair before she leaves for school.  He tells her that they weave their hair into a braid to remember history and family, and that her hair is like an unbreakable rope attaching her to her family.

Braided Roots is a poetic reminiscing about family endurance and history, and explores the love between a father and daughter.  I enjoyed Goodnight's sweet illustrations.

The history of the family is of enslaved, mixed-race Black, Chickasaw, and Choctaw.

PGPowers

Sticky Hermana by Ana Siqueira, illustrated by Olivia de Castro - OPTIONAL

Sticky Hermana by Ana Siqueira, illustrated by Olivia de Castro. PICTURE BOOK. Charlesbridge, 2025. $18. 9781623545796

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Claudia has a sister that she thinks is just plain sticky.  Her sister is ALWAYS around even when Claudia wants time with her friends and her own personal time.  Frustration gets the best of Claudia and she decides to tell a white lie to her sister after they invite her to tag along to Claudia's soccer tournament.  Claudia ends up getting herself into a literal sticky situation and there is a somewhat silly consequence. 

Sticky Hermana is a fun story that many sisters will be able to relate to.  I had a laugh at the funny surprise ending that I think children will enjoy and realize there are consequences to actions. This would be a good book to hand to English Language learners who are trying to identify with books since it includes  a lot of Spanish words. Mom and Sisters are Hispanic. 

Alissa Loves Books

My Dog Smudge by Sujean Rim - ADVISABLE

My Dog Smudge by Sujean Rim. PICTURE BOOK. Atheneum (Simon), 2025. $19. 9781665970952

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Have you ever wondered what your dog is saying?  The main character is a sweet little girl trying to figure out that very question.  She wanders through the barnyard asking the animals if they can understand her dog. Each page has a lift up flap that reveals which animal she is asking.   She realizes that just loving her dog is enough.

My Dog Smudge is a sweet story with soft and simplistic mixed chalk illustrations.  The lift the flaps were a fun addition that will keep readers guessing which animal comes next.  

The little girl has caramel-toned skin. 

Alissa Loves Books

Where the Deer Slip Through by Katey Howes and Beth Krommes - ESSENTIAL

Where the Deer Slip Through by Katey Howes, illustrated by Beth Krommes. PICTURE BOOK. Beach Lane Books (Simon), 2025. $20. 9781665918275

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Where the Deer Slips Through immediately immerses the reader with it's beautiful and captivating illustrations.  Beginning with a small hedge surrounding the forest, Howes cumulatively and creatively showcases the day to day activities of all the wildlife that live there. 

The text is sprinkled with verbs and descriptive text that when combined with the illustrations make this a perfect package.  Definitely Caldecott worthy. The illustrations were absolutely breathtaking.  I can't wait to share this with young readers. There is so much detail on each page that they will want to take the time to explore at their own pace.  

Alissa Loves Books

Zip Zap Wickety Wack: A Story About Sharing by Matthew Diffee - ESSENTIAL

Zip Zap Wickety Wack: A Story About Sharing by Matthew Diffee. PICTURE BOOK.  Neal Porter Books (Holiday House), 2025. $19. 978082345871

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

There seems to be a dilemma between sheep and goat.  Since they both say "baa", which animal really gets to say it. With the help of the other barnyard animals and an unusual visit from a space alien in a flying saucer, sheep and goat decide they can share "baa".

Students will eat this up with its humor and word play. This would make a fun read aloud since it has easier text and bigger illustrations.   

Alissa Loves Books

George and Lenny are Always Together by Jon Agee - ADVISABLE

George and Lenny are Always Together by Jon Agee. PICTURE BOOK Penguin, 2025. $19. 9780593857731 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

George is a bear, Lenny is a rabbit and they are always together. One day Lenny wonders what it's like to be alone. He wants to find an alone place to see if it's just as much fun. George is sure it will not be fun, but Lenny insists on alone time so George, of course, will have alone time, too. But he wants to spend his alone time with Lenny! 

Sometimes friends need time to themselves, and that time can reveal what's special about being together. I loved this simple story, with Jon Agee's marvelous illustrations. I want to share this sweet book with my best friend. 

Lisa Librarian

Mamiachi & Me by Jolene Gutierrez and Dakota Gutierrez and Mirelle Ortega - ADVISABLE

Mamiachi & Me by Jolene Gutierrez and Dakota Gutierrez, illustrated by Mirelle Ortega. PICTURE BOOK Abrams Amulet, 2025. $19. 9781419767159 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

Rosa is so proud of her Mami, she calls her Mamiachi because she plays in an all female Mariachi band. Today is the day Rosa gets to play her violin with them. She has practiced, she is ready, she even has the matching outfit, but she is worried! Is she ready? Will they like her? 

Back matter includes the history of women in Mariachi, a labeled illustration of the Trajes de Charro. I love that there is a lot of Spanish - some translated some contextual. Includes a glossary, bibliography and additional reading. The characters are Mexican.

Lisa Librarian  

Farting Fish by Alice Harman and Sam Wedelich - ADVUSABLE

Farting Fish and 49 other weird and wonderful scientific discoveries by Alice Harman and Sam Wedelich, 80 pages. NON-FICTION Happy Yak. 2025. $20. 

Content: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

The Ig Nobel Prize has been given annually since 1991 to scientists doing surprising work. Awards have been given for collecting whale snot, measuring what jumps further - cat fleas or dog fleas. And for scientifically answering questions like: Are mosquitos attracted to Limburger cheese? Do old men really have bigger ears? Does it matter to a cow if you give her a name? Can you swim faster in water or Syrup? 

Cute illustrations lend even more comedy to this already subject funny book. I learned about so many things. Fun Quizzes at the end of every section check to see if the reader was paying attention. How could we not! It's so interesting! The only thing I didn't like . . . it's another too tall non-fiction book. I can't put it on the shelf, so although I loved so much about it, I won't be buying a copy for my library. It just won't fit. 

Lisa Librarian 

Peek & Boo! Day at the Zoo by Estrela Lourengo - ADVISABLE

Peek & Boo! Day at the Zoo by Estrela Lourengo. BOARD BOOK. Sourcebooks, 2026. $9. 9781464224737

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Peek is off for a day at the zoo. While she is enjoying all of the animals she sees, she would be much happier if she could also find Boo. Can you see where Boo is on each page?

Help your little friends find the hamster Boo on every page. Delightful illustrations, too. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Adora-a-Butts! (Butt or Face? #4) by Mari Lavelle - ESSENTIAL

Adora-a-Butts! (Butt or Face? #4) by Mari Lavelle. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Sourcebooks, 2026. $14. 9781464233067

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

Ready for the fourth book of the Butt or Face series? Now that my middle school students have discovered it, they can’t get enough. Humorous and highly educational. If you don’t know the format, each page has a close up of either the face or the butt of some kind of creature.  Turn the page to find out which part you are looking at, the kind of animal it is, and then some interesting tidbits about it. Simple, fun, and lots to learn.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

My First Phone Book illustrated by Villie Karabatzia - OPTIONAL

My First Phone Book illustrated by Villie Karabatzia. INTERACTIVE BOARD BOOK. Sourcebooks, 2025. $11. 9781464268168

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Kitty and her friends are getting ready for her birthday party.  Each of them uses their phone in some way to make all of the arrangements.

Six big buttons will get a lot of pushing time!  While it has an on/off switch, a parent might also be tempted to remove the batteries. It is a nice option instead of giving your child a real phone to play with. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS