A Celebration: Hairstory

 

Hairstory

by Sope Martins

Illustrated bu Briana Mukodiri Uchendu

A Caitlyn Dlouhy Book

Atheneum Books for Young Readers 

an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division

2026

48 pages

ISBN: 9781665938105

From its opening words, "My hair is history. Woven into patterns from thousands of years ago. Centuries are braided on my head" to the final pages devoted to different African cultures and their hairstories, Hairstory is a celebration of African history, culture and hair. 

Hair is "your crowning glory" after all. Hair is often a sign of power and even royalty in some African cultures. Mbalantu women have long braids, and they make a paste of fat and tree bark to protect their hair from breaking. Maasai women shave their heads before marriage to signify a new beginning. They keep their hair short all their lives. The Zulu women grow long hair they shape into a big, round shape. The Zulu isicholo hat is worn when a woman marries and after to show her husband's family respect. It is inspired by their original hairstyle. 

African slaves sent to America did not have combs. Their hair became matted. They used a carder to detangle and comb through it. It was not until 1960 that a special comb was sold in America for African hair, 400 years after the first Africans were enslaved! 

Women escaping from slavery used their braids as road maps to show their escape route. Hair is considered "ori," which is sacred. The closing lines, "Each strand. a history. In every style, a story" is a powerful celebration to African hair and tradition. 

Hairstory is the picture book debut in America for Nigerian author Sope Martins, and it's powerful! Award winning illustrator Nigerian American Briana Mukodiri Uchendu is a frontrunner for picture book awards season. Truly a remarkable book, run to the bookstore and grab a copy of this gem.

End pages are illustrated depicting a busy salon and stylists creating braids. Simply beautiful.

Highly, highly recommended ages 2 and up. 

Let's Cheer for Books: When You Love a Book

 

When You Love a Book

by Kaz Windness

Illustrations by Heather Brockman Lee

Flamingo Books

An imprint of Penguin Random House, LLC

2024

32 pages

ISBN: 9780593623220

Charming rhyming prose by Kaz Windness is illustrated by artist/illustrator Heather Brookman Lee to create a love letter for books everywhere. Books are a treasure trove to be explored and loved. With a nod to Dr. Seuss (Oh, The Places You'll Go) and Margaret Wiseman Brown (Goodnight Moon) plus The Little Engine That Could and Little Red Riding Hood, readers are bound to recognize books they've encountered before. A wink and nod to Clifford the Big Red Dog and Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus as well. 

Pages of books are featured in many of the illustrations and of course, the most important place of all: the library! Simply a fantastic book to read aloud and for storytime. A winsome choice for a bedtime read. 

End pages are pale green and not illustrated or decorated which would have made this picture booka ten in design. Sadly, the publisher (for whatever reason) did not think it was worth investing in extra expense. 

Highly recommended ages 2 and up. 

Picture Book Pick: Papa's Coming Home

 

Papa's Coming Home

by Chasten Buttigieg

Illustrations Dan Taylor

Philomel 

An imprint of Penguin Random House LLC

2025

40 pages

ISBN: 9780593693988

Twins Jojo and Rosie are so excited because Papa's coming home! They try to think of everthing they can do to welcome him. They enlist Daddy to bake the seven tier cake, they gather flowers, make banners and find his favorite slippers. They grab his bicycle and take family dog Butter along as they hurry to the airport. 

Papa is excited and happy to see them. He's a good sport donning his bathrobe and slippers the twins included just in case Papa was tired and needed to relax. They forgot nothing. There's only one problem! The car is so crowded with all their preparations, there's no place for Papa to sit! 

The sweet family dynamic is celebrated by honoring the love and support the children and partners share for one another. Illustrations show an adult in a wheelchair and multiethnic persons at the airport. 

 Love is love. 

Highly recommended ages 3 and up. 

Fun Pick: Bad Banana

 

Bad Banana 

Ready-To-Read, Level Two 

by Michael Rex

Illustrations by the author

Simon Sportlight

an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division 

3036

32 pages

ISBN: 9781665962124

An overripe banana is sad because all of his friends in his banana bunch have been claimed and eaten. He's getting spots and the kids call him a bad banana. He is so sad until the mom has an idea: banana bread! 

You'd think a banana would not want to be devoured, but the bad banana revels in his unpeeling, mixing and baking. He's happy to be a good banana! 

The facial expressions on the banana are hilarious and capture the banana's moods from sad and depressed to excited, giddy and thrilled. He's not a bad banana after all. 

Sheer fun for ready to read learners. Silly enough to keep kids entertained and may even cause an uptick in the making of banana bread!

Highly recommended ages 2 and up. 

Picture Book Pick: A Black Girl and Her Braids

 

A Black Girl and Her Braids

by Jaylene Clark Owens

Illustrated by Brittney Bond

Penguin Workshop

An imprint of Penguin Random House LLC

2026

32 pages

ISBN: 9780593889732

Based on a viral poem, Jaylene Clark Owens celebrates braids and their importance, in her words, "...of my culture, my nwighborhood, of my family background..." Braids not only protect the hair, they are considered a crown. Sadly, some schools do not allow students to wear braids or afros. The author mentions the CROWN Act which stands for Creating and Respecting an Open World for Natural Hair, an act that passed in the House but failed in the Senate. It will ban race-based hair discrimination in workplaces and schools allowing afros, braids, locs and twists. 

A young black girl revels in her braids--they are her identity and give her strength and power. With braids, her hair is always protected and easy to care for. The book says it best,"Rooted in Africa, it's a style that never fades. Ain't nothin' in this world like a black girl and her braids!" 

Illustrations celebrate the close mother/daughter relationship as mother cares for her daughter's hair and insures frequent trips to the shop to have her daughter's hair braided by professionals. Cover art is welcoming and appealing and sure to attract readers. 

Highly recommended grades 1-up. 

Beginning Reader Pick: I Am a Big Fish!

 I Am a Big Fish

Ready-to-Read, Level One

Simon Spotlight

An imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division

by Susie Lee Jin

Illustrations by the author

2026

32 pages

ISBN: 9781665983396

A little fish claims, "I'm a big fish." The other sea life disagrees as they are all clearly bigger than him. The surprise at the end proves the little guy can be dangerous! 

Colorful, comic-like illustrations capture the fun of the wordplay (puns) that will make kids giggle and parents LOL "Fin-tastic" and saying, "That sounds fishy" will captivate young readers. Speech bubbles--a comic book staple--are used throughout and each character's personality shines. 

I Am a Big Fish! is a great starting book for young readers. The use of simple words and using illustrations to further the storytelling allows the reader to enjoy the story without thinking about LEARNING to read. Readers will feel a sense of accomplishment for reading a book...an entire book! 

Highly recommended ages 2 and up. If your child sits on your lap while reading, it's never to early to show them letters and sight words. I am a HUGE fan of the Reader-To-Read books. They are well-done and guide parents how to read/present the book at each level. 

Farts Are Funny!! I'm Trying to Love Farts

 

I'm Trying To Love Farts

by Bethany Barton

Illustrations by the author

Viking

an imprint of Penguin Random House, LLC

2025

40 pages

ISBN: 9780593l773

Funny and fact-filled, this new picture book is hilarious and filled with laugh out loud illustrations and text. Bethany Barton knocks it out of the park for capturing the giggling first grade student in all of us (Well, some of us have that first grade student deeply buried, but I bet this picture book will make them grin, smirk and maybe guffaw). Cute illustrations by the author depict a loving and joking relationship between the two siblings. 

A girl explains farts, scientific name flatulance, to her younger bother who thinks farts are hilarious! ( I, too, think farts are hilarius). The girl explains the source of farts which is from swallowing air and eating foods. Did you know each fart is different? 

The average person farts between ten and twenty times a day, and yes, beans do make us fart more because they are fibrous and take longer to digest. The large intestine can digest them. Did you know termites are responsible for up to three percent of methane emissions? Tiny little bugs that cause so much damage to wood also are damaging our ozone. 

I'm Trying To Love Farts is a fun read especially for reluctant readers. It would be a great addition to story time with this caveat: don't expect children to be calm listening to the reading. They will laugh, joke, and even demonstrate farting! 

End pages are illustrated with types of farts defined by the author inlcuding the Little Ripper and The Eggy One. 

Highly recommended ages four and up. 

A Celebration of a Life of Joy and Activism: One Day in June

 

One Day In June

by Tourmaline

Illustrated by Charlot Kristensen

G.P. Putnam and Sons

Penguin Random House 

2025

40 pages 

ISBN: 9780593525371

This oversize picture book truly represents the oversize life and activism of Marsha P. Johnson, a striking, unforgettable, and yes, larger than life individual who embraced their own life and used their personality, wit and joie de vivre to unit people, to show love and acceptance for all and to embrace their situation no matter how tough it was. 

Marsha ignored cross dressing laws and rules. They were authentically them. 

A true actor, singer, dancer, entertainer and a friend to all, stranger to none, Marsha became known as Saint Marsha. They knew that accepting all people as they are is the  key to love and acceptance and HAPPINESS. Times Square became Marsha's living room. It was not a beautiful place back then. Tourmaline paints it as a, "hustle bustle place. git and grime. Shimmer and shine." Known for their loving personality and crowns made of flowers, Marsha decided since the whole world was her stage, they should get their message out. Accept all others no matter what "package" they come in. They believed and fought for Black trans lives and equality. The author writes, "The legacy of Marsha's life is a gift." 

End papers are illustrated with flowers signifying Marsha's many crowns of flowers. Unforgettable Marsha helped change the way people accept others. The back cover statement, "The spirit of Marsha has never been more alive and present in what we do." Perhaps we all need a bunch more Marsha in our lives. Let's accept each other as we are. 

Additional information and helpful numbers to The Trevor Project, Trans Lifeline and GLAAD are included after the story. 

Highly recommended grades 2 and up. 

Sticker Fun for Toddlers--NO CLEAN UP!

 THE LATEST RAGE: art/ paint by number sticker books! Immensely popular and fun for young learners. There are so many topics covered by sticker books, including construction sites and nursery rhymes. 

Both books are published by Workman Kids

A impring of Workman Publishing

A division of Hachette Books. Inc. 

2025

ISBN: Construcion Site 9781523532537

 Nursery Rhymes 9781523532520

Inside Author/Illustrator/Graphic Novelist Extraodinaire Raina Telgemeier

Facing Feelings: Inside the World of Raina Telgemeier

Based on the exhibition at the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum

by Raina Telgemeier

Illustrations by the author 

Grapix

An imprint of Scholastic Inc. 

2025

240 pages

Ever wonder how cartoonists and artists come up with their creations? If you're Raina Telgemeier, you go back to your childhood and those cringe-y teen years. Full of early cartoons and sketches, including interviews with the author, this interesting AND  ENTERTAINING  look at an artist's thought process is a must for future cartoonists and graphic artists; really, any creatives will gain knowledge on how to "prime the pump."

Pages are devoted to each of Telgemeier's graphic novels (Smile, her HUGE breakout hit) and later Sisters and Guts.  

An excellent gift for wannabe artists, today's doodlers and dreamers. Today's doodlers are tomorrow's graphic stars! 

Highly, highly recommended for art students, cartoonists cosplay groups, really, anyone grades 4 and up. 

Little Free Library is Now Open

 The LIttle Free Library in Winter Park Estates is now open. 

The newest picture books, middle grade reads and Young Adult literature for you. Stop by. Check in on our guestbook online. See you Soon! 

New Christmas Picture Books for Kids!

 

Most Creative: Candy Corn Christmas

Candy Corn Chrisetmas!

by Jonathan Fenske

Little Simon

An imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division 

2025

40 pages

ISBN: 9781

By far, the newest idea, Candy Corn Christmas is splendid! Halloween's forgotten candy corn lingers on in the cabinet and dares to insert itself into Christmas. The candies are awakened by a sugar plum who tells them it's Christmas. The candy corn fights for their spot as a Christmas confection and wins! Candly corn Christmas from now on! Clever illustrations on end papers are eye-catching. Author/Illustrator Fenske knocks it out of the park. 

The Muttcracker

by Anna Kemp

Illustrated by Sara Olgivie

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

2025

32 pages

ISBN: 9781665981033

For the dancer, The Muttcracker is a laugh-riot. When the Miss Polly announces that the class is goint to put on The Nutcracker, Biff is excited! He's the kind to dog who loves ballet. Chase a ball? Not Biff. He's so excited and wants to be the Sugarplum Fairy. Sadly, not everyone can be the Sugarplum Fairy. Some people (and dogs) have to be bon-bons instead. But Biff, unshakingly, steps into his new role, to become the BEST bon-bon. There's a surprise on opening night, and Biff gets to take over The MUTTCRACKER. 

What a Beauty! Jingle Bells

by James Ford Pierpont

Illustrations by Antonio Javier Caparo

Little Simon

an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

2025

40 pages

ISBN: 9781665974837

The most beautifully illustrated book this year is Jingle Bells by James Ford Pierpont with illustrations by Antonio Javier Caparo. Caparo captures a sense of innocence and nostalgia. Characters are incredibly life-like and seem to dance off the pages. The Christmas song is, of course well-known, but maybe not to a newer generation of parents and children. The devil is in the design and the design team opted to go cheap on end papers: plain blue. It's a missed opportunity for the best artistic book of the season. 

Dork Diaries NOW IN COLOR

 

Dork Diaries #1

in full color

by Rachel Renee Russell

with Nikki Russell

Aladdin

Simon & Schuster

2025

376 pages

ISBN: 97871665988384

From the mother/daughter team who taught us all to "squeeee," is the new, colorful, updated Dork Diaries for a new generation of tweens. 

Full color illustrations are sure to catch the eye and send this book off the shelf into shopping bags. If you have a tween and don't know Dork Diaries, you're way behind. The brand is always a best seller and highly circulated book in middle school libraries. If you're buying for a library, you should buy multiple copies. 

Join the fun https://dorkdiariesbooks.com/

Highly, highly recommended with CAUTION. LOL, once your tween reads the first Dork Diaties, expect to purchase all of the brand. 

Poop Happens: Don't Waste the Poop

 

Poop happens! There is no doubt about it, but while humans may find poop smelly and disgusting, some animals actuallly LOVE it!

Don't Waste the Poop!

Ready-To-Read  Level Two

By Marilyn Singer

Illustrations by Heather Fox

Simon Spotlight

An imprint of Simon & Schuster

 2025

32 pages 

ISB: 9781665971997

Clever cover design features "Poop" front and center in all its glory with an exclamation point to boot, and being held in the air by a dung beetle (who happen to LOVE poop!) Kids will laugh, and parents will appluad when they read the back cover "Level 2 Reader" which is a superstar reader. That is enough to make this book flly off the shelf, but as the infomercials say, but wait! There's more!

Brilliant placement of the glossary in the beginning of the story will help readers along. Be sure and read the glossary first to understand all the words used for poop: scat, dung, feces, manure, guano, and in some cases, pellets. 

Rabbits eat their own poop! Ewwwwwwww! They eat hay and grass all day which is hard for them to digest, so their pellets stick together (once pooped) to make a sort of "poop soup" easy for them to digest. 

Some animals use their own poop as a defense. A sparm whale will release a "poopnado" to disguise where they are hiding. The male hippo spreads his poop out all over his territory. It keeps away other males and also may llure females who like the "stench." 

Brimming with fascinating facts about poop, kids wil absolutely love Don't Waste the Poop! 

Highly, highly recommended for reluctant, yet emergent readers. This might ber THE book that turns reluctance into joy! 

Ages 5 and up. 

Cute Rhino: Meet Reba

 

Meet Reba

By Stephanie Wheeler

Illustratrations by Annika Chambers

Spinning Wheel  Stories

2025

42 pages

ISBN: 9781967113002

Reba is an adventurous, spunky rhino who loves to try new things. She can do them “all by herself.” She takes great pride in doing hard things and drawing on her inner strength. She can swing so high it seems like, “her hooves hit the clouds.” She can read books by herself even when the words are new because she can sound them out. She can even play frisbee all by herself (which is an incredible feat! Throwing it and then running fast enough to easily catch it?) Reba is truly an amazing rhinoceros.

One day, Reba decides it is time to ride a bicycle. This is a true test for the unstoppable Reba. She tries to balance but crashes. She tries to get a running start and jump on. BAD idea. Olive, a little bird and Reba’s constant companion tries to help. Reba tries again and again and finally listens to her friend Olive. 

Meet Reba is a picture book with a huge heart that embraces friendship and knowing when to ask for or accept help. Even independent rhino Reba learns it’s okay to listen and learn. 

Savvy young readers will point out that Reba is not alone. Olive is clearly a part of of her world. New words like “momentum” and “haunch” are introduced. Laugh out loud giggles will erupt when kids hear about Reba’s rhinoceros rump and kids will feel for her when she tries to ride a bike but continues crashing.

 Whimsy and fun are celebrated in award-worthy illustrations by Annika Chambers; psst, get ready for picture book awards season. Kudos to publisher and author for beautiful endpapers showing Reba trying all the things and doing them all by herself.

 A special page follows and explains how some animals co-exist and help each other. The symbiotic relationship between rhinos and ox-peckers benefits both animals.  

FIVE huge stars for Meet Reba. Highly, 

Highly recommended ages 1 and up!,