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.