Non-Fiction Picture Book Biography: Through the Telescope: Mae Jamison Dreams of Space

 

Through the Telescope: Mae Jamison Dreams of Space

by Charles R. Smith, Jr.

Illustrated by Evening Monteiro 

Orchard Books

an imprint of Scholastic, Inc.

2025

40 pages 

ISBN:9781338815290

Publication Date: December 2, 2025

A little girl named Mae Jamison discovers her life's dream looking through a telescope. Inquisitive, curious, intelligent young Mae dreams of seeing the stars up close someday. Some day. She is inspired by a television character: Lieutenant Uhura of "Star Trek" who plays an important role in space. The character is a strong Black female. Some day, Mae thinks. 

Mae enters Stanford at age SIXTEEN and earns two degrees. She goes to medical school at Cornell and earns an M.D. before serving in the Peace Corps. 

Taking every opportunity to learn, she becomes a fluent speaker of Swahili, Russian and Japanese. NASA chooses her as one of fifteen potential astronauts out of a pool of 2000 entrants. 

Mae becomes the first Black female astronaut in space in 1992. This woman who was a little girl who stared through the telescope and thought, "some day" succeeded in fulfilling her childhood dream. Her life comes full circle when she appears on "Star Trek: The Next Generation," becoming the first real astronaut to appear in the show.

 May Mae be the inspiration for the next generation of little girls and dreamers! 

Her timeline follows the story on a page titled "Mae Jamison Countdown." Brilliantly illustrated by the talented Evening Monteiro, this is one perfect picture book to inspire creatives and artists. 

Highly, highly recommended for the dreamers out there ages 2 and up. A must have for every child's bookshelf. 

Gorgeous Design and Great Much-Needed Message!

 Together, United 

An All Because You Matter Book

by Tami Charles

Illustrated by Bryan Collier

Orchard Books

an imprint of Scholastic, Inc.

2025

40 pages

ISBN: 9781338752052

Third in this important series, Together, United, like its predecessor, All Because You Matter, provides, "...a most urgent, healing message for Back and Brown children far and wide." (from the publisher). 

Gorgeous illustrations by Caldecott Honor Winner Brayan Collier accompany the powerful words of Tami Charles, "You matter. Today and always." The rhythm of the text is important and must be read OUT LOUD to hear the rhythmic (reminds of) rap beat. The author lets children know that, "Together, we are a revolution." Powerful alone, yet better together. Kids can see the possibilities of a much better and brighter world. 

Together, United is a book that will stick with you long after reading it. A must-have, must-read, must-act, must cause good trouble, must-create-change book! 

Highly, highly recommended for every collection and every Black or Brown kid--well, for EVERY kid because we are better together. 

Grades 1 and up. Together, United looks like a front-runner for awards season. Trust me: Caldecott is calling! 

Christmas Paint by Sticker Fun! Ages 3 and up!

 

My First Paint by Sticker: Happy Christmas

Workman Kids 

An imprint of Workman Publishing 

Hachette Book Group, Inc. 

Design by Lourdes Ubidia

Illustrations by Jeremiah Shaw

2025

44 pages

ISBN: 978152356

Oh, what fun kids will have creating their beautiful paint by sticker paintings! For ages three and up, the stickers are the perfect size for small hands developing fine motor skills. No muss, no fuss. There's no paint or glue or glitter to clean up. 

Best of all, the book and its art is portable. Chidren can take it along for a long plane ride or car trip, even a trip to the doctor's office becomes less scary when kids keep busy with art. With ten pictures to complete, kids can frame their art to keep or to give as Christmas gifts. A helpful page opens the book explaining how to paint by sticker. Adults can read it out loud or help kids do the first few stickers until they get the hang of it. So easy to do: kids simply match the numbers and apply the stickers to create Santa coming down the chimney or a delightful cup of steaming hot chocolate or eight other art pieces. 

Silly dad jokes accompany each picture; for example: "How do reindeer decorate their Christmas trees?

With horn-aments!" 

Sticker magic for everyone and great idea to have kids create Christmas art to give to friends and family. This Christmas, let's paint by sticker! 

Highly recommended ages 3 and up. 

A Must Have, Must Read! Everything You Need to Ace English Language Arts in One Big Fat Notebook

 Everything You Need To Ace Etnglish Language Arts in One Big Fat Notebook

Workman Kids

Workman Publishing 

Hachette Book Group.

by Jen Haberling 

Illustrated by Kevin Jay Stanton and Nialleycat

2025

512 pages

ISBN: 9781523526055

This lifelong English teacher wishes this book existed when I had classes. Everything you need to know and much, much more! Perfect for reluctant readers and English class haters, with illustrations and colorful text boxes with important text highlighted. 

This kids' (wink, wink) notebook  on which the cover states, "Notes borowed from the smartest kid in the class" is the difference between a mediocre grade and an A+ in English Language Arts. In fact, it should be on every English teachers' bookcase, but even more so, a must for every backpack in the class. 

From parts of speech and their jobs to writing complete sentences and later writing complete papers, this little (512 pages) notebook explains it all. Types of writing are explained and explored including opionion pieces, essays, and arguments. This is NOT a book you hand a kid and ask them to read. It IS a book that you can help kids navigate and LEARN. Each section has a check your answers or check you knowledge questions to help focus and restate learning. 

If you know kids in middle school or teach them, please race to buy a class set of these problem solvers. This edition is one of seven in the "ace all of middle school! series. 

So highly recommended! Every wannabe author needs this book as a shelf staple in their writing arsonal, 

Grades 5 and up. 

A Spanglish Counting Book: Menudo Sunday

 

Menudo Sunday: A Spanglish Counting Book

by Maria Dolores Aguila

Illustrations by Erika Meza

Dial Books for Young Readers

an imprint of Penguin Random House, LLC

2025

40 pages

ISBN: 9780593462256

 Menudo Sunday celebrates the family tradition that happens every Sunday when primos (cousins), tias (aunts), tios (uncles) and extended family gather at abuelitos' casa (grandparents' house). And what a celebration it is! 

Cover art shows a large family gathered over a huge bowl of menudo. Even the family pets have a spot!

Counting in Spanish and English is a bonus to this lovely story of family, tradition, love and the beloved recipes passed down through the generations. Menudo brings this family together as they sing, visit, play and share. When the first giant bowl of menudo crashes to the floor (no thanks to the family dogs and the kids underfoot), Abuelito (grandfather) says take a breath and we'll start another pot. 

While the male relatives cook, the cousins continue to play until it's menudo time. The family bows their heads for grace and share a wonderful meal. This story isn't about the food: from the illustrations depicting sheer joy and love to the charming grandpa who teaches patience and grace through his actions, Menudo Sunday is the best counting book of the year, but it's not about the counting either. It's about the character of the content. 

Added content is a glossary of Spanish words, a note from the author and helpful tips for hosting a menudo Sunday of your own. 

Highly, highly recommended for every collection. A true keeper. Grades 1-5. 

Healing the World One Mitzvah at a Time!

 

It's A Mitzvah: Small Deeds With Big Heart

board book

by Suzy Ultman

Rise

an imprint of Penguin Workship

2025

24 pages

ISBN: 9780593751954

It's a Mitzvah! is truly heartwarming and precious--entertaining and fun without being preachy.A smiling yellow heart teaches that a mitzvah is steeped in Jewish tradition and is used for doing good deeds. It reminds people that good deeds bring "kindness, connection, and peace to the world." When you save an earthworm forom the hot sidewalk, its called  takkun olam which means repairing Mitzvahos are important and if more people worldwide would embrace the idea, the world would heal. It takes good humans who are helpful, kind, giving and loving. 

Each type of mitzvah is written in Hebrew and then translated below it. For example: "....give food to people who need it" and is considered "giving righteously, being fair, and thinking about ethics."  

Highly recommended ages 3 and up. Excellent and sturdy book to teach children kindness and working to save their world. A first book of ethics!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

Wordless Picture Book: A Place for Us

 

A Place for Us

by James E. Ransome

Illustrations by the author  

Nancy Paulsen Books 

An Imprint of Penguin Random House, LLC

2025

32 pages

ISBN: 9780593324882

Gorgeous watercolors tell the story of a young boy who attends school and at the end of the day, is picked up by his mother. They go to a fast food restaurant and eat then  walk through what appears to be a big city, and they arrive at the library. It's dark outside by then. They sit at a library table while the boy does his homework. The mother reads a book. They stay at the library until it closes, and the librarian is seen motioning them to the door, 

It appears to be a normal day that any child could have, but the reader learns as they arrive at a park, they are homeless. The boy sleeps on a park bench, his head in his mother's lap. Morning comes, and the boy changes clothes and brushes his teeth using water from a park fountain. His mother walks him to school. As he enters the building, he looks over his shoulder at her--a very powerful last painting that will be etched into the reader's memory. 

Though homeless, the bond between mother and son is unbreakable. No matter how hard things are, they love each other. 

In the author's note, Ransome reports that about half a milllion people are homeless in America, and half of them are children. It is Ransom's hope that when people (and kids) see someone who is homeless, they "pay attentioon, and (to) do the work of finding the much-needed solutions. 

He asks the question: "In a country of vast resources, what is our responsibility to those without access to the basic necessities?" This question is never asked. Politicians have no answers and offer no help. There must be a way to solve this terrible situation. 

A Place for Us is that book that will stick in your mind. It'll make you think and question. Will it make you act to help? 

Highly, highly recommended

Grades 1 and up. 

Sticker Fun: Unauthorized Wickedly Popular 1,600 Swankified Stickers

 

Available October 7, 2025

Wickedly Popular Stickers for your Inner Witch 

1,6000 Swankified Stickers 

Including 550+ nail stickers!

by Brooke O'Neill

Workman Publishing

Hachette Book Group, Inc.

2025

64 pages full color stickers

ISBN: 9781523534418

Wickedly cool stickers for any Oz aficionado!

This is the perfect gift for any occasion as it is filled with wicked cool stickers for any fan of "Wicked" and all things in the kingdom of Oz. It includes stickers for laptops, purses, bags, notebooks, snail mail and even stickers for your fancy wicked cool fingernails. Stickers feature all the characters and props. Well-known lines from the book and movie include: Not in Kansas anymore, there's no place like home, the wizard will see you now, and over the rainbow. Pages are devoted to each of the main characters: the tin man is featured with his ax and his heart and Toto is on stickers with his basket, his dog dish and puppy footprints are perfect for any Oz aficionado. 

The first pages are devoted to the Broadway show and wildly popular movie "Wicked" and include the wicked witch, Defying Gravity stickers followed by pretty pink princess stickers and stickers showing the two characters coming together in pages that show "Pink goes good with green." 

Highly recommended for grades 1 and up and for scrapbookers, notebook collectors (I see all you writers out there!), students, teachers, crafters, well, for everyone.

Quiet, Calming Picture Book: Breathe In, Breathe Out

 

Breathe In, Breathe Out

A calming sensory book 

by Dori Elys

Illustrated by Laura Roode

Little Simon

An imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division

2025

12 pages

ISBN: 9781665974820

Publication Date: August 12, 2025 

Calming pastel illustrations and interactive features will soothe wandering minds and fidgety hands. The reader learns to count slowly and breathe in and out. The youngest readers are taught to slow down and listen to their heartbeats. Unique design features are a sliding "window" to reveal the sun, a puffy cloud to touch and crinkle, and flowers who can dance. 

What a wonderful addition to the bedtime routine. Read this one first to calm the little one and gain their attention. Or read this one last to sooth them and get them ready for sleep. Once they master the breathing, it can be useful in stressful situations and help them to quiet down in order to sleep. 

Breathe In, Breathe Out is baby's first yoga breath tutorial presented not as a boring lesson but a quiet time of reading and resting. 

Highly recommended ages 1 and up. 

Exceptional Picture Book: Heartfelt

 

Heartfelt

by Elaine Vickers

Illustrations by Samantha Cotterill

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

An imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division 

2025

56 pages

ISBN: 9781665929769

If you can judge a book by its cover, Heartfelt will be the one you'll fall in love with. Sheer joy on a child's face as they dance, arms overhead through a shower of red and pink hearts capture the true spirit of this lovely picture book based on the author's own experience of teaching children to do "Secret Service." A bag of paper hearts was given to each child to give one to each person they'd like to "gift." It could be a neighbor, teacher, parent, friend, or anyone the child thought deserved to be recognized. They would leave a heart, sometimes secretly, and share their experiences in the group the next week. The children involved were excited to share the care and love and once back in the group, excited the share the discussion. 

The child in the book leaves hearts for the neighbors with a bag of warm cookies. A bag with a heart is left for the mail carrier and the child makes a picture with a heart for her friend. As they continue the heartfelt giveaway, the child thinks about love and even though they have passed out all their hearts, they realize love and care is all around them right in their own neighborhood. 

Elaine Vickers shares this example of a HUGE idea that will impact children and those around them. If every child could experience this heartfelt fun, the world would be a different place. 

Highly, highly recommended for preK to grade 4. 

Sweet Message: Bear Feels Sad

 

Bear Feels Sad

by Karma Wilson

Illustrations by Jane Chapman

The Bear Books 

 Margaret K. McElderry Books

An imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Divison

2025 

40 pages

ISBN: 9781665936576

This charming story of a "woe is me" bear and his busy woodland friends is sure to strike a chord with children. Rhyming prose and beautiful illustrations capture a lonely bear in his "deep, dark lair," who sits wondering where all his pals are. Each scurrying and flying creature is busy foraging, gathering, fishing, digging, and cerebral raven is writing poetry, "and cannot be disturbed." 

Bear tries hard to entertain himself. He builds a blanket fort, but it's no fun without friends to share. He goes and a long walk to pass the time and finds a beautiful field of flowers. Even sadder now since his friends can't see it, he decides to pick a flower for each of his friends. 

Hurrying home, Bear discovers his fort is full of his friends who have come to visit and share their gifts. All the animals laugh and talk for hours, and Bear is happy. 

Illustrations by Jane Chapman are colorful and gorgeous. Bear Feels Sad should be a frontrunner in any children's picture book award this year. Its positive message about friendship and sharing make this book a ten out of ten. 

Highly recommended for every bookshelf. Ages 1 and up. 

 

Halloween Pick: One Happy Haunted House

 

One Happy Haunted House

by Jeffrey Burton 

Illustrations by Neil Clark

Little Simon

An imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division

2025

14 pages

ISBN: 9781665973465

Who can resist a haunted house shaped book? The colorful cover features smiling monsters including a happy green hairy beast whose cauldron says "Shake me for surprises." If the book is tilted, monsters slide out. 

This board book is heavier than most due to the design where the surprise monsters are sandwiched between two panels. One Happy Haunted House is a great gift idea for any new parent and parents of toddlers. Halloween is a fun holiday for children, and this book will get them even more excited to plan their costumes. 

Recommended ages 1 and up. 

Graphic Novel Pick: Maggie Stiefvater's The Raven Boys

 

The Raven Boys

by Maggie Stiefvater

Adapted by Stephanie Williams

Illustrations by Sas Milledge

Viking

an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC
2025

256 pages

ISBN: 9780593621189

Available July 29, 2025 

It was only a matter of time before someone would finally create the graphic novel for The Raven Boys, which I believe might be Stiefvater's best work--better than the Shiver series. 

Four rich boys from Aglionby, an all boys' posh school, hire a psychic to figure out why one of them was on a tape recording he doesn't remember making. Blue Sargent lives and goes to school in the non-rich and privileged side of town. She comes from a family of psychics but has never had the "gift.' She is able to "amplify" spirits during her mother's readings, and attends the a session her mother asks her to sit in on: a reading booked by the boys. 

The boys are told they are looking for something and they are. Their fascination with finding ley lines, lines of sheer energy. gets them excited to imagine waking one of The Legend of the Sleeping Kings," King Glendower who it's said is buried right near their town in Virginia. 

The graphic novel format make Stiefvater's story accessible to reluctant and visual readers making this a must-have purchase. Buy multiple copies and put one in graphic novels and one on the shelf next to The Raven Cycle series of books. Highly recommended grades 7 and up. 

Halloween Pick: Eek! Halloween!

 

Eek! Halloween! 

by Sandra Boynton 

Illustrations by the author 

Boynton Book Works

An imprint of Simon & Shuster

2025

24 pages

2025

Sandra Boynton is always a child's favorite board book creator

. Frightened chickens cower and cover their eyes. They dare not peek: they might see a witch or a wizard or worse. It's scary outside, and their wide-eyed fright faces show it! 

It's not until a kind pig tells them to relax...it's just Halloween, that the chickens calm down. 

Boynton books are known for their fun rhymes and sometimes silly stories and Eek! Halloween! delivers. This is a lovely book for any toddler. It's easy to read, easy to hold and most of all: easy to love. 

Make this book your new favorite Halloween read for pre-school and ages 2 and up. Highly recommended Halloween fun. 

Picture Book Pick: Brave

 

Brave

by Weshoyot Alvitre

Illustrations by the author

Kokila

an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC

2025

32 pages

ISBN: 9780593531600

“[T]he celebration of a young boy who is deeply loved, valued, and respected, and how activism can come in many forms, including growing one’s hair out, are powerful messages that are presented with thoughtful care” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, recommended review

My Review: 

Brave is the story of a young boy and his father who celebrate their traditions by growing their hair and wearing braids, something their grandfathers and fathers could not do as American schools and society forced them to cut their hair. Their ancestors wore their hair long as a sign of bravery and strength. 

"Braids are brave," is the beginning line of the story, and the boy embraces growing his hair even though sometimes it hurts when his mother combs it and braids it. Having long hair is a sign that you are proud of your hair. Your hair represents strength to face your enemies. 

When kids at school bully and tease, the boy remembers his father's words and tells the kids, "STOP!" He is proud he stood up to them and stood up for himself. He is brave. 

His father teaches him to, "Be brave when they force you to sing, even though they won't let you speak your language on your own land." 

Mostly pastel illustrations by the author were made using gouache (a tricky, often difficult type of watercolor), watercolor and ink depict the softness and sweetness of the father/son bond and deep love for each other. 

Highly recommended for all collections grades K-5.