Hilarious Pals: Zebra and Yak The Backwards Counting Book

 

Zebra and Yak: The Backwards Counting Book

by Paul Friedrich

Illustrationns by the author 

G.P. Putnam Sons

an imprint of Penguin Random House, LLC

2026

48 pages

ISBN: 9798217002139

A backwards counting book: what a unique spin on the usual and is sure to delight young readers. Follow friends Zebra and Yak as they count backwards and go on hilarious hijinks to arrive ar number ONE. Their silly antics lead them to a huge bird nest, a herd of cows, and a rocket ship. Blast off with the pair as they count backwards. 

Zebra and Yak are two well-developed characters whose facial expressions tell their inner emotions captured lovingly and humorously by artist Paul Friedrich. Cartoonish (in the best way) and captivating, this is one book sure to become a favorite and your kids will clamor and beg, "Again! Again! Read it again!" (Word to the wise: You may have to hide it around bedtime).

If you buy one picture book, Zebra and Yak The Backwards Counting Book should be it. 

Highly recomended ages 2 and up. 

Middle Grade Pick: Little Bones

 

                                                        Mesmerizing, heart-wrenching, soaring! 

Little Bones 

by Sandy Bigna 

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division 

2025

256 pages

ISBN: 9781665985086

After a tragic accident, eleven-year old Bones is lost, not knowing how to spend her time. She explores nearby adding to her collection of animal bones. Fascinated by the skeletons, Bones loves drawing them. She doesn't want to hang out with other kids and is at odds with her best friend, who has chosen a new girl over her. Her mum far away, working in the mines. Younger brother Nico, well...Nico is gone.  

Bones avoids the forest and the tree where it happened. She refuses to face the loss of her beloved brother. One night by the light of the full moon, Bones accidentally resurrects a baby bird skeleton. Bird lets her know right away he doesn't like being "alive." Bones must figure out a way to reverse the magic. 

A new kid named Tenny moves in, and soon becomes her unwanted, optimistic sidekick. Maybe with their help, Bones can find the book of spells, undo to magic and set Bird free, BUT Bones realizes she loves Bird. Why does she have to let everything and everyone go? 

A novel in verse that explores grief and loss, friendship and love, longing and letting go has never been this beautiful. This is a gift of a book. A kind hug. Bring tissues, there will be tears. 

Highly, highly recommended. A soaring story! 

Grades 5 and up. 

Puzzle-A-Story: Pizza Night!

A Puzzle Piece Board Book 

by Margo Nicholette 

Illustrations by Marta Alvarez Miguens

Workman Kids

an imprint of Workman Publishing

a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc. 
 2026

ISBN: 9781523535972

Available September 22, 2026

What a fun board book! Littles will never have enough pizza! 

All the ingredients for pizza are assembled by Grandma and grandchild. They make the dough, add the sauce, the toppings, the cheese, creating the perfect masterpiece--their masterpizza! Each page has a puzzle piece that little hands can collect until the last page where they can assemble their pizza pie. Such fun!

For a lesson in pizza making, a cute story of generational sharing and food memories and love, and an actual interactive puzzle, it doesn't get better than this sweet read. 

Highly recommended for curious readers and busy hands ages 18 months and up. 

A Fond Remembrance: The Other Side of the Garden

 

The Other Side of the Garden by Sili Recio and Elena Djome Lawrence

Illustrated by Brianna McCarthy

A Denene Millner Book

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division

2026 

32 pages

ISBN: 9781665947060

A young girl and her mother visit the park and her abuela's "new garden." They bring flowers and sometimes a balloon. Beyond the fence is Abuela's old house and garden. The girl longs to visit and dance among the flowers with her grandmother. When she peeks over the fence, the flowers are gone. She searches for a glimpse of Abuela. She remembers every day playing and dancing in the garden, her grandmother's warm hugs and sweet scent. She finds out memories keep her loved one alive.

A beautiful, heartfelt tribute to memories of a loving grandmother who nurtured the young girl, this picture book delivers. Illustrations by Brianna McCarthy are full of life and joy, bringing the memories alive once more. Cover design is outstanding and deserves a standing ovation. 

A must read especially helpful for any child who has lost a loving grandparent. 

Five stars, ages 2 and up. 

Beautiful Illustrations; Triumphant Mouse!

 

The Outermost Mouse

by Lauren Wolk

Illustrated by Kristen Adam 

Dutton Children's Books

an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC

2026 

140 pages

ISBN: 9780593407776

A tiny mouse lives in a cottage by the ocean. It is beautiful there and the mouse is happy. An old man also lives in the cottage which he has called his home for many years. The mouse and man are content, but the sea is creeping closer and closer still. 

The mouse is worried and turns to the seagulls, some fish and even a sly fox with black boots, but they all go along their merry way. The mouse tries to build a barrier of shells, but the shells are no match for the power of the sea. The man has been readying to leave for awhile. He sees the angry sea and knows it's time. He gathers a few things and abandons the cottage. The mouse is alone, but strong. Her cottage is soon lifted by the surf and it is seaward bound. The mouse ties her tail around a spindle and rides it out, brave and fierce. She may be tiny, but she is mighty. 

For the underdog everywhere: do not doubt yourself. 

Gorgeous illustrations make this the year's best book! This will be the children's book of the year, trust me. I'm never wrong. Lauren Wolk is the reigning storyteller of children's literature for a reason. 

Highly, highly recommended ages 2 and up. A must-have, must-read. 

Humor Filled and Fun! Do You Really Know Flamingos?

 

Do You Really Know Flamingos'

by Brandon Todd

Illustrated by the author

Dial Books for Young Readers 

An imprint of Penguin Random House LLC

2026

48 pages

ISBN: 9798217114672

Frank E. Armadillo is a self-proclaimed expert in many fields, just ask him! He believes he knows all about princess birds (flamingos) but learns from other animals how little he actually knows. A flamingo takes on Frank and shows him all his misconceptions: Flamingos do NOT eat pink cotton candy. Their color comes from eating shrimp. They look dainty and move like ballerinas but they are NOT dainty at all. They are incredibly tough and resilient. Frank feels bad and realizes he's not an expert at all, but his flamingo pal encourages him to keep asking questions because experts must ask tons of great questions. 

Complete with flamingo facts sure to be memorized by young readers. End pages are delightful filled with of a flamboyance of flamingos. 

Colorful and silly illustrations will keep kids engaged and entertained. Highly recommended ages 2 and up. 

Non-Fiction Pick: Ghost Army: Th Troop of Artistw Who Helped Win WWII

 

Ghost Army: The Troop of Artists Who Helped Win WWII

by Sarah Glenn Marsh

Illustrated by Becca Stadtlander

Viking '

an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC

2026

32 pages

ISBN: 9780593691717

What an impressive, informative picture book! Kudos to Sarah Glenn Marsh for bringint this important story to life and Becca Stadtlander who captures the action of American troops in Europe during WWII. This is the nearly forgotten, buried story of artists, painters, and musicians who helped confuse the enemy and keep thousands of Allied troops safe. 

The world was at war and America needed troops. Most young men joined the the army; even those who were not the biggest and baddest. The Army used camouflage and "ghost" tactics to convince the enemy that the U,S. forces were much huger than fact. Painters like Charlie were assigned to a troop of a little over one thousand men. They were experts in the arts: music, painting and architecture. It was their job to convince the enemy troops that they were real. 

Rubber tanks were painted to look real. The ghost troop moved them every few days. Not only that, they pretended to be fighting in the countryside, and they would wear uniforms and eat and drink in local towns, hoping spies would report their presence. 

It was not until 1996 that the Ghost Army and their heroic deeds came to light. Saving over 40,000 troops with their artistry and deception, the Ghost Army was finally recognized in 2022  by President Joe Biden and awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for their huge part in saving lives in WWII. 

HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommended. A must-have, must-read for every non-fiction collection and readers who love non-fiction will love this story. 

Ages 5 and up. Not traditionally an easy picture book, this book has paragraphs not just a word or sentence every page. Great for early book reports with author's note of "behind the story" facts and further reading. 

Board book pick: My Octopus Arms

My Octopus Arms 

by Keith Baker

Illustrated by the author 

Little Simon

an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children;s Publishing 

2026

40 pages

ISBN: 9798347108688

Octopus has eight arms and they can do everything! Keith Baker brings this sea creature to life on the rollicking pages of this board book charmer. The perfect size for little hands and built to withstand toddler troubles, My Octopus Arms is a lovely rhyming tribute.

Because they have eight arms, Octopus can multitask: pulling on socks, unlocking locks, building a wall and play sports. The best thing about Octopus? It's their ability to grow their arms. They get longer and longer...long enough for hugs. 

The cover sells this story. Kudos to Baker for illustrations of Octopus interacting with other sea creatures; they can not only do it all, they do it with a smile for friends. 

Highly, highly recommended ages 18 months and up. 

 

Picture Book Pick: Aliens Love Underpants

 

Aliens Love Underpants

by Claire Freedman & Ben Cort

Illustrations by Ben Cort

Aladdin

An imprint of Simon & Shuster Children's Publishing Division

2026

32 pages

ISBN: 9798347111688

Funny, rhyming text by the incredible Claire Freedman  paired with hilarious, winsome illustrations by Ben Cort make Aliens Love Underpants a forever favorite. "You'll laugh your pants off" the back cover states. It should be a warning! No one wants to get caught without their pants!

Aliens don't want to conquer Earth or defeat the human race. They don't want our gold or silver and won't enslave us to work on their planets. They simply WANT (NEED) our underpants! The surprised look on the boy's face at the end is LOL funny (the alien hiding out in his underpants draweer gets the last laugh!)

This book is my favorite out of all the "Underpants" series. Highly, highly recommended. Children will likely recite the text by heart because they begged for Aliens Love Underpants to be read AGAIN, AGAIN. AGAIN. Ages 2 and up. 

If you have a little of your own or a baby shower to attend, be sure and pick up this fantastic, fun read. 

Picture Book Pick: Seahorse Is Furious and There Is Nothing You Can Do About It

 

Seahorse Is Furious and There Is Nothing You Can Do About It

by Morag Hood

Illustrations by the author

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division

2026

32 pages

ISBN: 97983347109272

Seahorse wakes up on the wrong side of the bed (sea), and the day is just getting started. They've had it with being wet all the time; the ocean is not fun. The seaweed is "ridiculous," and there's nothing anyone, not even their friend Octopus, can do to lighten their mood. They do not want food, not even cookies and does not want a soft blanket nor a cushy stuffed  bunny to hold. Octopus does everything they can think of to help, and sure enough! Eventually Seahorse is smiling again. 

Illustrations are spot-on with capturing the mood of Seahorse and the other ocean dwellers, Seahorse has a terrible frown on the cover while all the other creatures are enjoying their day. Everyone but Seahorse has a smile. After countless attempts by Octopus, Seahorse is smiling also. End papers are cute and colorful and add to this gentle read. The underlying lesson, never preachy, is: it is alright for you to be grumpy sometimes. Everyone is, but do not let that mood define you. 

Highly recommended ages 1 and up. A charming read that will likely become a reader's favorite. 

A. S. King's Pick the Lock--Young Adult Read

 

Pick the Lock

by A.S. King

Dutton Books

an imprint of Penguin Random House, LLC

2025

400 pages

ISBN: 9780593353974

Bizarre and toxic, a tale of love and desperation, manipulation and power, domination a domestic abuse, Pick the Lock is compelling and fascinating, yet evil in the best ways. Like a terrible car accident on the side of the road, it's hard to ignore this book or look away. It grinds on the reader, demanding their full attention. Try to skip forward a few pages, I dare you. 

See? You're lost already. King is like that.

Jane is a sixteen-year old girl kept locked behind the gates since the pandemic. Homeschooled by her father, they live in a Victorian mansion with a system of pneumatic tubes that her father uses to imprison her punk rock queen mother. When her mother is touring with her band, she sends postcards home from all the interesting cities she visits. Jane struggles to understand why her mother listens to her father and allows him to dominate not only her but everyone else in the mansion, 

There's her awful Aunt Finch who is her father's new sidekick and sidepiece. Yes, it's her mother's sister who is cheating with her sister's husband. Then there's the mysterious gardener Milorad with his pet rat Brutus who manages to  escape his cage all the time. Younger brother Henry seems to be a pathetic copy of his father, obeying everything Father says. Jane begins writing a rock opera scream into the endless void. She deals with love and hate, outrage and RAGE, questions that have no answers, and a system in place to control her and her mother. 

The discovery of thousands of home movies is a treasure trove for Jane. As she watches her past, even from the time before she was born, she has more questions than answers. What happened to her beautiful, independent mother? How did she become the silent and docile prisoner in HER own home? 

Readers will be turning pages at a rapid pace, enjoying this dark story and trying to figure out answers for themselves. I found myself thoroughly immersed UNTIL the story takes such an unexpected turn, I had to reread a few pages back to see if I perhaps had missed something. Nope. 

I tried to go along where King was leading me, but I found the third act quite dissatisfying, Victims of domestic (even verbal) abuse react in different ways once they escape, but in this case, I found it unbelievable. Pick the Lock is hard to forget. It's a story I still have questions about. 

I appreciate the different ways King manipulated the text using stage directions and lyrics, but some readers may find it jarring. It stops the story, if you will, and reading becomes more of a chore than a relaxation. 

Recommended for fans of A.S. King and YA readers who like a strange story. If you're reading for fun and escapism, this is NOT the book for you. 

Grades 8 and up. 

Love, Panda

 

Love, Panda

by Elaine Su

Illustrations by Charlene Chua

Orchard Books

an imprint of Scholastic Publishing

2026 

32 pages

ISBN: 9781546179580

On sale date: July 7, 2026

Laugh out loud funny with a quirky, mouthy panda you'll want to meet! 

Older brother Benny gives his Panda to the new baby. Panda is NOT impressed. Baby is noisy and boring. Panda is bored with watching elephants go round and round above his head (a mobile) and the baby's crinkly book is loud and annoys Panda. Panda writes notes to Benny begging to be saved from this monster: BABY. 

Panda relies on a toy dumptruck to deliver his notes to Benny, yeat Benny doesn't show up. Time passes. Finally, Benny appears and picks Panda up. By this time, Baby loves Panda and Panda hates to admit he likes it in the nursery even though it's extra drool-y in there by now. 

Lovely sibling relationship and  a funny Panda with a tongue-in-cheek story delivery. You'll fall in love with Panda!

Ages 1 and up and for anyone who loves a true character with an attitude. 

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.