Love, Panda

Captivating, Gorgeous Illustrations and Timeless Story (bound to become a classic favorite!) Beatrix and the Unicorn

 

Beatrix and the Unicorn 

by Lita Judge

Illustrations by the author 

Atheneum Books for Young Readers

an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division

2026

40 pages

ISBN: 9781665963916

Masterful Storytelling and Magical Illustrations

Beatrix and the Unicorn is evocative of beloved fairy tales with the magic we expect from a classic: a lonely young servant lives in a castle where she toils each day scrubbing and cleaning, the dining hall with its massive table weighted with pies, breads and meats, the great hall with tapastries woven with golden threads--her favorite by far is the unicorn--what a beautiful creature Beatrix thinks. It is the most beautiful thing she's ever seen. If only it was real and not a cloth hung on a stone wall. 

One night, Beatrix decides she must find a unicorn. Only then, will she be fulfilled and never lonely again. She sneaks into the night venturing into a forest where she saves a scared rabbit and scoops it up. Later, she encounters a hurt dog. She bandages its leg with her cap. As she continues her search, she gets tired and stops to rest. The castle cat has followed her. Attentive littles will notice the cat on almost every page though Beatrix does not notice him. Beatrix gives her food to her faithful new companions and soon settles in for a nap. She dreams of the unicorn who visits her. 

The magical creature assures her that she is not alone; many love her. Upon waking, Beatrix is saddened it was only a dream but a magical one that imparted wisdom and solace. The unicorn touched her with the knowledge to love precious creatures who love her back; she realizes she will never be lonely or alone again. 

Glorious illustrations make this my favorite picture book so far this year. The ornate border around the earlier pages are reminiscent of classic fairy tale books. The border disappears when Beatrix has her dream and never reappears once Beatrix is cognizant of the love surrounding her .

The Caldecott committee is likely to have this lovely picture book on its list of favorites, it not book of the year. Kudos to Lita Judge for sharing her talents and inviting all of us to believe in unicorns and magic once   again. 

Highly, HIGHLY recommended ages 2 and up. A must-have, must-read. Sure to become a classic!  

Board Book: How Do You Jew?

 

How Do You Jew? A Celebration of Jews Around the World

by Suzy Ultman

Illustrations by the author 

Rise x Pentuin Workshop 

An imprint of Penguin Random House LLC

2026

24 pages

ISBN: 9780593751978

Author illustrator Suzy Ultman celebrates Jewish traditions around the world. Although Jews may be scattered in many countries and might speak different languages, they share traditions, foods and celebrations.

Ethiopian Jews eat dabo on Shabbat while Polish Jews celebrate dancing at weddings to klezmer music. Jews around the world might celebrate differently but everywhere they live, they celebrate "home." 

Board books are sturdy for toddler fingers. Colorful illustrations by Ultman are a celebration! This little board book is perfect as a first read introducing Jewish celebrations and celebrating the diaspora of peoples who still share common ground. 

Recommended ages 2 to 4. How Do You Jew? 

The Smallest, Bravest Mouse: Bravepaw

 

Bravepaw and the Heartstone of Alluria

by L.M. Wilkinson

Illustrated by Lavanya Naidu

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division 

originally published 2024

192 pages

ISBN: 9781665986588

Titch Proudleaf is a young mouse who dreams of being brave like her storied hero Bravepaw who is said to have saved the world from all its monsters. Titch believes the old legends and pretends she is as brave and stalwart as Bravepaw. Her best friend Huckleberry offers the perfect sounding board and buddy throughout the story. 

Titch and Huckleberry are on an errand when they happen upon an injured warrior who needs their help. Titch is no Bravepaw, but she does what she can. She grabs the warrior's stick and yells, "Be gone" at the menacing wormlike monsters  as curseworms trying to kill the warrior. Magic happens. The staff in Titch's hand comes to life and kills the monsters. The warrior is amazed and thankful. Could Titch be the answer the world has been waiting for?

Once he is being cared for on the Plateau, the warrior thanks Titch and tells her that she has the magic. There is not one Bravepaw; there have been many  over the years. Clearly Titch yields the magic, so she is the next Bravepaw. The warrior turns out to be a prince who wants her to accompany him on his quest to return the heartstone to Alluria and mend the crack that is unleashing monsters and curseworms into the world.  

Bravepaw is the perfect series for younger middle grade. If readers love Titch, a savvy librarisn will lead them to Brian Jacques' Redwall books. 

Recommended grades 3 and up.  

Where There Is Love: A Story in AFrican Proverbs

Where There Is Love: A Story in African Proverbs 

by Shantay Grant

Illustrated by Letitia Moreno

Penguin Workshop

an imprint of Penguin Random House, LLC

2025

32 pages

ISBN: 97805893659939

Beautifully told and illustrated with love, Where There Is Love follows a young girl on her visit to her Nana's (grandmother) for a large family gathering. Everyone pitches in, and Nana says, 
"Many hands make short work." 

There's a bustle inside in the kitchen and stories and dancing outside in the yard. Nana is inspiring and full of wisdom that she passes on to her grandchild. She says, "Having a good discussion is like having riches." The girl listens intently and knows Nana's words are truth. 

The author has included a map of Africa with countries identified and each proverb listed is attributed to its country of origin. This tool is excellent to introduce the continent of Africa to readers. Many adults in America probably cannot name four African countries correctly, and test scores show American children do not know much bout geography.

This little book of wisdom is a must-read for its message and its gorgeous delivery. Where There Is Love is one of my favorites for awards season. I suspect it will be on many state lists and even the ALA picture book recommendations.

Highly, highly recommended ages 2 and up.   

 

Non-Fiction Pick: Fascinating and Factual Must-Read: A World Without Birds

 

A World Without Birds: How To Save Our Planet, One Bird at a Time 

by Nick Lund

Illustrations by Asia Orlando

Workman Kids

Workman Publishing

Hachette Book Group, Inc. 

2026 

176 pages 

ISBN: 9781523518029

THE guide to helping birds bounce back and thrive. For hundreds, if not thousands of years, humans have built, overbuilt, decimated forests and wetlands to build homes and cities and birds have paid the price. Humans' reliance on electricity at night lights up the skies and sometimes confuses birds. Aircraft fill the skies both day and night, Birds' migration patterns have changed due to humans invading their spaces. This is all terrible news, but the more we know about birds and their behaviors and needs, the more we can help them. 

In concise easy-to-understand language and using different fonts for important points and boxes for interesting facts, readers glean paramount data that will change their behavior (hopefully) of exploiting  land to continue to pave the planet and ruin open spaces. 

Science now knows five major areas that have changed nature: Humans changing the physical landscape with building and farming, killing plants and animals through fishing, hunting and logging, climate change and chemicals in the atmosphere, pollution in water and air and adding alien organisms into environments they do not belong in where said new species disrupt flora and fauna already there. 

Your would think knowing this, humans would have fixed things long ago, but we can't lose hope. For the last century (or so) humans have been working to undo the damage we did. Whether it's saving one species of bird or blocking the destruction of forests, there are now movements to stop the damamge, and readers will want to do their part after reading this timely book. 

Divided into sections, you can choose to read the section that interests you most first: from tropical forests to the Poles to the deserts or islands, birds live everywhere. The author includes pages guiding readers to become involved: why not join a group, work with birds or simple things anyone can do: turn out your lights--which interfere with migration patterns. Plant native plants that will attract insects, giving birds food. Use less plastic which confuses seabirds into thinking floating plastic is something to eat. If we each do the little things and keep in mind the big picture, birds have a fighting chance. 

I loved this book, Although I'm not a bird expert nor scientist, this book gave me the knowledge to get angry and change how I think about birds and nature. It is up to every. Single. One. Of. Us. It is a call to action, 

A must-have, must-read for any science minded learner, any non-fiction aficionado, and any caring human. Grades 3 and up. 

ISBN: 9781523518029

Beautiful Illustrations and Lovely, Rhyming Text: You and I Are Stars and Night

 

You and I Are the Stars and Night

by Kate Hosford

Illustrated by Richard Jones

Beach Lane Books

an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division

2026

32 pages

ISBN: 9781665940382

Thus far this year, You and I Are Stars and Night is the most beautiful picture book of the year. Ethereal illustrations transport readers to another world; a journey, if you will. A lovely bedtime book which is sure to become a nightly ritual, 

Highly recommended ages 18 months and up. 

Hilarious Time Travel:Short chapters make Future Me Saves the World and Ruins My Life a real winner!

Future Me Saves the World and Ruins My Life

by Leah Cypess

Illustrations Wes Molebash

Aladdin

An imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division

2025

192 pages

ISBN: 9781665964395

Time travel has never been more fun to read. 

Ethan Koslov is ten years old and just a "normal" kid until he meets his future self who is thirty-nine years old and wears weird clothes, worries about his health, has no interest in playing with slime and is a lot less fun. Future him visits and tells him he has a mission to save the world by making sure his substitute teacher keeps teaching because if she doesn't, she will become an evil dictator and start wars. 

Fourth grade is tough as it is, but pile on saving the world and it becomes intolerable. Short chapters and fun illustrations make this an easy read for even the most reluctant of readers. Cute premise, creative story and tons of fun!

Highly recommended grades 4 and up. 

 

Middle Grade PIck: Bad Cheerleader

 

Bad Cheerleader

by Alex Thayer

Aladdin

An imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division

2025

288 pages

ISBN: 9781665955270

Seventh grader Bag does not fit in. Her popular cheerleader sister Minerva who used to be a fun sister has never been more distant, and Bag knows she's hiding a secret. Minerva is downright rude, bratty and AWFUL, calling attention to Bag in front of the entire cheer squad. 

Worse, their mother has just landed a part in an off, off, off Broadway play and can no longer give Bag a ride to the library after school. She tells Bag to wait at cheer practice with Minerva to be picked up. 

This is the last thing either sister wants. Minerva's absences while the squad is warming up, concerns Bag. She asks the sponsor, Mrs. Yoh, where her sister is, and learns Minerva is "writing cheers." Curious, Bag goes in search of Minerva. 

She spots her with another cheerleader near the dumpsters which is very mysterious and secretive. Determined, Bag sets out to find just what her sister is up to. Meanwhile, things between their parents are broken as Dad has moved out and seems in a "bad" place. 

Bag wants to turn to her Bff Ridgeey but he, too, seems distant. 

Bad Cheerleader is a quick read. The characters are almost believable except Bag seems too naive for a seventh grader. She seems more like grade three or four. She has zero knowledge about smoking and marijuana. Even the most sheltered child has some knowledge from tv or the internet. 

Grades 5 and up. 

Future Astronaut Pick: The Astronaut's Guide To Leaving the Planet

 

Everything the future astronaut needs to know to become an astronaut. What classes to take in middle school, high school, what to read and study, what subjects the astronauts should focus on in school ( all of them, really), but with emphasis on sciences and math, especially advanced classes. 

Beautfifully designed and easy to read. Readers can easily read parts of each chapter and return to as a guide. Highly recommended for non-fiction readers who enjoy science. This guide would be a wonderful gift for kids who dream LARGE and "out there." Grades 3 and up. 

Dog Lovers' Pick: Elvis and Romeo Visit the Vet

 

Elvis & Romeo Visit the Vet

Ready-To-Read Level Two 

by David Soman and Jacky Davis

Text by Jacky Davis

Illustrations by David Soman

Simon Spotlight

an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division

2026

32 pages 

ISBN: 9781665948005

For fans of dogs and readers who love Elvis and Romeo--the odd couple of dogs. The Ready-To-Read series is perfect for beginning readers and educates parents at each level of their child's reading progress. 

Elvis and Romeo Visit the Vet is the dog's side of the story: dogs must think that going to the vet is  "different" and scary, but two can handle anything. 

Recommended ages 4 and up. 

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.