Safe at Last

February 16, 2026

Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
five-stars

A young boy, James, with fair skin, bright blue eyes and dark brown bangs sweeping to the side of his bright red hooded jacket, lives alone on an island in harmony with his animal friends. His daily routine is idyllic. Under blue skies, James cycles around the small island with his cat in the bicycle basket, visiting birds, bears, otters, etc. at their woodland homes, all of whom wave back. “Every day was the same. Every day was wonderful.”

Jones’ text and mixed-media illustrations work together to create an atmosphere that lets the reader feels what James experiences as he traverses the island — his contentment and happiness with his life and his friends and as the weather changes for the worse, his fear and concern for the animals as a raging storm blows across the island that evening. James is safe and cozy in his house, but as he looks outside at the dark, howling storm, he worries about his friends, and asks, “Should I go out and make sure they are safe?” There is no one else to respond, so James does: “Yes, I must!”.

He goes into the storm with his bright red coat and lantern, to check on the animals. Though the storm makes everything frightening and “different”, with only his lantern to stave off the dark, James call out at every animal’s home, “Are you home? Are you safe?” No one responds. No one is home.

After looking everywhere, and locating no one, he acknowledges his uncertainty, fear, and loneliness. “It’s too scary. I want to go home.”The light of his lantern guides him home, only to see shapes in the window. Living alone has not prepared James for anyone else being in his home and he is frightened. Readers will most likely guess (correctly) that his friends are inside waiting for him, wanting to make sure he was safe. The next morning, with the storm gone, they all watch the sun rise together.

A story that lets readers know that they can be brave and scared at the same time, and be someone else’s bright, shining light in the process. Highly recommended for all picture book collections.

Deanna Contrino, SLMS
K-2 Resource Librarian, Scarborough Schools

An Immense World: How Animals Sense Earth’s Amazing Secrets (Young Readers Edition)

February 15, 2026February 15, 2026

An Immense World (Young Readers Edition): How Animals Sense Earth's Amazing Secrets by Ed Yong
Published by Random House Children's Books on May 13, 2025
ISBN: 0593810880
Genres: Animals, Non-Fiction
Format: Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Did you know that a manatee has an oral disk between its upper lip and nostrils that is covered in about 2000 whiskers, that can feel and grab things? An Immense World: How Animals Sense Earth’s Amazing Secrets (Young Readers Edition) is chockablock with information about animals’ extraordinary senses (such as the manatee’s ability to manipulate and feel things with its oral disk, referred to as “oripulation”) and their umwelt (“the part of the animal’s surrounding that it can sense and experience”) that will compel curious middle-grade readers to share their newfound knowledge with everyone around them.

Yong, a prize-winning science writer, is interested in more than just assembling interesting animal facts. He shares scientists’ experience of learning more about these senses and raises questions about how human actions and interactions can affect animals’ environments, and therefore, their experience of the world, through conversational and immersive writing.

The organization and quality of the writing makes this nonfiction chapter book a rich experience, with seamless transitions between each color-coded chapter. The chapters are broken into sections with insets, pull-outs, captioned illustrations, “Ed’s Field Notes”, and highlighted words that are defined in a glossary at the end of each chapter. The illustrations are colorful (some are black and white) and engaging, keeping the reader in the experience of the book.

This copy of An Immense World has minor printing errors, such as misspelling oripulation in the index. Highly recommended for public and school libraries.

Deanna Contrino, SLMS
K-2 Resource Librarian, Scarborough Schools

Book Comes Home: A Banned Book’s Journey

February 14, 2026

Book Comes Home: A Banned Book's Journey by Micah Player, Rob Sanders
Published by Random House Children's Books on 2025
ISBN: 0593813685
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Book Comes Home : A Banned Book’s Journey helps grown-ups explain book banning and organized activism to young readers using simple, direct language. Other picture books prompt discussion about the concept of banned books in school and public libraries, but this is the only one (I know of) telling the story from the book’s perspective.

Book is an approachable looking children’s book with a lovely lilac cover, shiny gold medal and a friendly smile, living her best life in a school library, well-loved and popular. Illustrations of children of different skin tones and sizes bringing Book home, enjoying, reading and discussing the story will resonate with many readers and the people who support their reading habits. Then one day, Book is removed from the shelves. Librarians and other adults will predict the next part of the story as Book is placed in a closet in the back of the library, with other books that have been challenged.

Inside the closet, the illustrations are dark and gloomy. Sanders, whose picture book, Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag, has been challenged and banned, shares the experiences of other books in the closet, placed there for being “scary”, or for “mak(ing) people think”. Inside the closet, Book questions whether these are bad things, and if she is bad. Outside the closet, a double-page spread illustration shows determined and impassioned readers opposing the book banning; creating protest signs and phoning the school board.

Player makes good use of posters as messaging: readers create posters that say things like “Let Me Be. Let Me Read.” and outside the library, quotes about reading, such as “Don’t be afraid to go in your library and read every book.” (Dwight D. Eisenhower).

Readers and librarians will appreciate the happy ending as Book and the other books are saved from the Banned Book Closet, and brought back into the light where the images are bright, colorful, and dynamic. Readers are reunited with the books they love and all is well.

Sanders includes a thoughtful author’s message that puts book banning in historic context and encourages reading books that challenge us. Also included in the back matter is a glossary and resources listing online websites for people interested in learning more about censorship from the American Libraries Association and PEN America. The end pages include words from the ALA’s Statement on book censorship. Highly recommended for school and public libraries.

Deanna Contrino, SLMS
K-2 Resource Librarian, Scarborough Schools

Way Off Track

February 13, 2026

Way Off Track (A Nansi Graphic Novel, 1) by Carl Brundtland, Claudia Davila
ISBN: 1525310046
Genres: Folklore, Sports
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
four-stars

Way Off Track, written by Carl Brundtland and illustrated by Claudia Dávila, is a classic morality tale in a fresh setting with a relatable lead character, Nansi. Nansi is bound for the Olympics, but first she has to complete some middle school track meets. Like many talented seventh graders, Nansi straddles the line of confidence and complacency throughout the story. After not training, eating well, or getting enough sleep before her meet, Nansi is shocked when she loses to a wealthy, popular girl sporting the fanciest new shoes. Taking the wrong lesson from this, Nansi is determined to get those shoes and starts working at a beauty salon to save up money. When the opportunity for more training presents itself, Nansi has to choose between the shoes, the training, or lying to her family to get both.

Brundtland does an excellent job of creating a lovable character who doesn’t always make the right choices. Nansi’s friends and family give her guidance, but also give her room to own her decisions and learn from them. These factors lead to a lesson in the end that feels earned without unnecessary finger wagging. Where Brundtland seamlessly incorporates Jamaican culture, Way Off Track falters in its connection to the classic West African trickster character, Anansi. Even readers familiar with Anansi tales might not make a connection between Nansi and Anansi outside of their names. A primer in the beginning or end would have added to the larger context of the story and educated a new generation about these classic West African folktales. Dávila’s digital art is consistent, creative in its panel work, and brings so much life into these expressive characters.

A recommended purchase for graphic novel collections, especially where sports stories are popular.

Reviewed by Ivy Burns, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth

The House on the Canal

February 9, 2026

The House on the Canal: The Story of the House that Hid Anne Frank by Britta Teckentrup, Thomas Harding
ISBN: 1536240702
Genres: History, Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

While there are many books about Anne Frank and her diary, this is a story about the extraordinary house and the annex behind it that hid her.

In the city of Amsterdam, next to a canal and a church, is a slender building with a green front door known as “anne frank haus,” which is the official museum of Anne Frank. This picture book takes its readers through the entire history of the space: from the peaceful marshland, to the stonemasons who stacked the foundation, and then the addition of the annex on the back.

Families cycled in and out of the house. There were plagues, parties, manufacturing, horse stables, and even a fire. It would take until 1940, when Otto Frank moved his businesses into the building, that would make it the impactful destination that it is today. Britta Teckentrup, who is often known for her die-cut shapes and cheery illustrations, really hits the mark with this very different piece of work. The passageways of the house and the map of Amsterdam are so visually interesting with lots of shape-framing and lovely muted colors. Thomas Hardings’ writing is incredibly evocative and takes the reader right into the experience of being in the house, hearing the bells ring in the church square, and up to what the house is today; a museum and education center. There is back thorough back matter to fully understand each era of the house, which was just enough information. Overall, this book is expertly made and highly encouraged for upper elementary collections. Ages 7+

Recommended for Cream of the Crop

Reviewed by Gia Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath

Let It Shine: A Celebration of You

February 9, 2026

Let It Shine!: A Celebration of You by Carole Boston Weatherford, Tequitia Andrews
Published by Crown Books for Young Readers on January 20, 2026
ISBN: 0593805755
Genres: Cultural / African American
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Using the song “This Little Light of Mine” as inspiration, the book uses everyday moments and historical figures to encourages readers to “make a difference.” This is more of an inspirational book to give as a present for graduation than a meaningful story for children. All the characters are brown skinned and notables such as Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King, Jr., Shirley Chisholm, Harriet Tubman, and Frederick Douglas are used as examples, but there is no explanation as to why they are inspirational. It is assumed that the reader will know. The refrain of “Let it shine Let it shine Let it shine” is used repeatedly throughout and creative additional verses are introduced to the well-loved song. The song has been interpreted a number of times. (There is a list of people who have recorded the song in the back of the book.) This book is available as an audiobook, and I think it would be interesting to listen to that rendition. As a paper book form, I prefer the Ashley Bryon version.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

The Day Leap SOARED

February 9, 2026

The Day Leap Soared by Blair Braverman, Olivia When
Published by Harper on Oct 21, 2025
ISBN: 0063238055
Genres: Adventure, Animals, Sports
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

True confession – I am a fan of any book about sled dogs. This one is a delight for younger children. It is based on dogsledder Blair Braverman’s real-life team of sled dogs and her puppy Leap whose photographs grace the back of the book. In the story Leap is an adorable rambunctious puppy who cannot wait for her turn to join the sled dog team. She is understandably worried that she is not special or talented enough to be part of the team. She needn’t have worried because she performs magnificently until the iced-over river turns into a rushing stream that none of the dogs can figure out how to get across. However, Leap does what she does best … she leaps over the river! And the other older dogs follow her example and get safely across. I am not sure how the dogsled makes it across though but it does?????

A sweet book and a sweet message for young children. Both the narrative and the illustrations do an exceptional job of building a case for individuality as an asset and the value of using individual strengths to comprise a team. The author’s note and photographs of the sled dogs add additional strength to the book. A throughly enjoyable dog story for preschool to age 7. It may create some sled dog enthusiasts, as well. This book would pair well with Big-enough Anna : the little sled dog who braved the Arctic written by Pam Flowers with Ann Dixon, Also a true story.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

A Hatful of Dreams

February 9, 2026

A Hatful of Dreams by Bob Graham
Published by Candlewick Press on November 11, 2025
ISBN: 1536245046
Genres: Magical Realism
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

There is still one vibrant house on the otherwise derelict street where a multigenerational family lives. The most interesting character is the grandfather who strums a guitar and lavishes the three children with outlandish stories about why Grandpa never takes off his hat When the children finally convince him to take off his hat, a galaxy is released.

The eclectic mix of realism and magic is what makes the story interesting. The author/illustrator’s signature comical watercolors bring to life the gloom of the abandoned neighborhood, the warmth of the home, and the magic that leaks from Grandad’s hat. Mom and Grandad are pale-skinned, while Dad and the kids are brown-skinned. A hopeful book but I am unsure whether young children will understand the message.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

10 Small Things I Can Do to Help My Planet

February 9, 2026

10 Small Things I Can Do to Help My Planet by Melanie Walsh
Published by Candlewick Press on 2025
ISBN: 1536245003
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

This book lists ten actions for young children to help protect our earth. Some are practical, such as give my old toys away, but others are more esoteric, such as grow watercress in empty egg shells. It does cause one to think about all the plastic we throw away and remember to take your trash away from the public beach.

The book has a very simple format with one page stating, “I help …” or “I pick out…” followed by actions, such as “my mom pack leftovers for my lunch.” or “vegetables at the local market.” Sturdy die cut pages create interest and the illustrations are bold and eye-catching. A thoughtful presentation for preschoolers.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

The Littlest Drop

February 8, 2026February 8, 2026

The Littlest Drop by Brian Pinkney, Jerry Pinkney, Sascha Alper
ISBN: 059330912X
Genres: Animals, Folklore
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

The Littlest Drop is a story that was inspired by a parable from the indigenous Quechua people of South America, but was famously told by African Environmentalist and Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Wangari Maathai. In the story, a hummingbird is weaving a nest in the trees, getting ready to lay her eggs, when a fire breaks out in the forest below. It grows and grows, and the African animals all around panic and run to the riverbank to be safe. The hummingbird also goes to the river and takes a mouthful of water in her beak, then flies towards the fire and squirts at the fire to try and put it out.

The animals are bewildered by the hummingbird’s behavior. The elephant asks her, “Hummingbird, what are you doing? You cannot put out that terrible fire You are just a small bird.” and the hummingbird says, “I am doing what I can.” And then, one by one, the animals move forward. “Then I will do what I can.” They go back and forth, and back and forth until they are exhausted. And then finally, the fire dies down. The hummingbird lets one last drop fall, and the fire goes out completely. The animals’ homes are safe and they all worked together to make it happen. The hummingbird and her tireless action is a beautiful little beacon of hope.

This is an inspiring story, but it’s also extraordinary in the way it was created. The book is physically large, with big colorful spreads on each page. Beloved author and illustrator, Jerry Pinkney started the black and white sketches for this book before he died in 2021. His son, Brian Pinkney, with his own award-winning, unique style, finished the sketches and completed the book’s illustrations in entirety . The illustration collaboration between legendary father and son, and powerful storytelling from Sascha Alper, makes this a five-star picture book. Ages 3-7

Nominated for Cream of the Crop

Reviewed by Gia Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath