Hilarious Time Travel:Short chapters make Future Me Sves 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

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. 

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!