Category: Book Reviews

Pizzasaurus

PizzasaurusPublished by Doubleday Books for Young Readers on March 3, 2026
Pages: 32
Genres: dinosaurs, Humor
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
four-stars

The book begins with the narrator stating, “You look like someone who knows a lot about dinosaurs.” While admittingly you know a lot about the more famous dinosaurs, the Pizzasaurus  dinosaur “really delivers.” .The other dinosaurs are  resentful of the newcomer until he shares his  pizza with everyone. Though this dinosaur book is light on plot, it’s heavy on humor with its pizza-themed puns and wordplay. Beckett’s bright, comical illustrations featuring dinosaurs add to the fun. Children 4-7 will enjoy this zany read-aloud. Pair it with Dinosaurs Love Underpants for a rollicking story time.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

Grumpy Monkey Father’s Day Fuss

Grumpy Monkey Father’s Day FussSeries: Grumpy Monkey #11
Published by Random House Studio on March 31, 2026
Genres: Animals, Emotions & Feelings, Holiday, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
three-stars

Book 11 in the Grumpy Monkey series celebrates fathers and grandfathers in this seasonal companion book to the Mother’s Day title. Jim’s dad LOVES Father’s Day, but Grandpanzee thinks the holiday is “a bunch of malarkey!” While Chip likes to be the center of attention, Grandpanzee prefers a day of termite fishing alone with his son and grandson. An enjoyable read aloud for 4-7 year olds and begs to be followed by a conversation about different emotions and reactions. And we learn where Jim gets his grumpiness from!

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

three-stars

Where Do Race Cars Sleep at Night?

Where Do Race Cars Sleep at Night?Series: Where Do... #14
Published by Random House on March 24, 2026
Genres: Humor, Sports, Vehicles
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
three-stars

Following the similar books in this series about  digging machines, steam trains, and airplanes, the author-illustrator team uses simple rhyming verses and richly colored, double-page illustrations to pull young readers into the world of sports car racing. Mouse is also back, cropping up in each spread to encourage readers to keep their eyes peeled. A variety of cars are depicted including go-karts, dragsters, and self-driving cars, stretching the definition of race cars but adding to the fun. The book wraps up in a bedroom with a toy race track, cars, boy sleeping in his bed, and  cat and mouse resting against a red race car. Children who love vehicles (don’t they all?) ages 3-6 will enjoy this appealing picture book.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

 

 

three-stars

The Baby Who Only Said NO!

The Baby Who Only Said NO!Published by 1st Light Ministries, Doubleday Books for Young Readers on May 12, 2026
Pages: -11
Genres: Humor, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
three-stars

A hilarious follow-up to The Baby Who Stayed Awake Forever. Baby can say a few words. Her big sister’s slime is “goo,” and Papa and Baby share a love for “Gaga.” But the most exciting word for Baby to say is “NO!” which Baby discovers on Monday and uses it extensively throughout the week in numerous situations. A situation on Saturday leads up to Mama asking if Baby needs a kiss to which Baby says “ya”.  The illustrations, especially of the exasperated parents. are amusing. This book will appeal to ages 2-4 but more significantly to parents and older siblings of bossy babies and toddlers.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

three-stars

The Home We Dreamed

The Home We DreamedThe Home We Dreamed: A Lyrical Picture Book of Family, Home, and Generations―From a Couple's First House in Communist Romania to Their Grandchild's Memories by Anca Sandu Budisan
Published by Quill Tree Books on May 26, 2026
ISBN: 006337305X
Pages: 34
Genres: Historical Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

This story was inspired by Budisan’s grandparents, who lived in oppressive, Soviet-occupied Romania, where home became both refuge and a “symbol of persistence, a quiet act of defiance.” Narrated by a grandchild, this picture book follows a Romanian couple who build a home beside a river and raise generations of family there as political, social, and environmental changes reshape the world around them. The illustrations have the appearance of a photo album and the detailed illustrations in colored pencil and watercolor are lovely. However, I think this book will appeal more to adults than children. This book could be a candidate for a picture books for middle school or as a model for researching ones own heritage and creating a photo journal.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

three-stars

The Mother Tree

The Mother TreePublished by Anne Schwartz Books on March 17, 2026
Pages: 40
Genres: Informational, Nature, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction, Picture Book Nonfiction
four-stars

This seems like a children’s version of The Secret Life of Trees. I am unsure whether I will put this in the fiction or non-fiction section as it is very realistic and informational. Sadie and her mother enjoy walks through the forest. One of their favorite trees is a “two-hundred-year-old beech with a trunk like an elephant’s leg.” This beech, called a mother tree, helps feed others by cooperating with fungi to bring nutrients to new saplings through its root system. When spray-painted orange circles appear on some of the trees, Sadie discovers that loggers will be cutting them down to make paper. Devastated to learn that the mother tree is slated to be cut down, Sadie vows never to use paper again. Momma explains that it’s okay to use the resources that trees give to us as long as they aren’t wasted. Carpenter captures the emotional aspects of the trees being harvested and the horrible noise that the machines make. The subdued pastel colored illustrations add to the mournfulness of the text. There is hopefulness at the end because Sadie does save the mother tree from being cut down. Great book for discussions. Amazon lists this for preschool level but I think it would be more appropriate for 7-10 year olds.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

Sharks in Kansas: The Ancient Sea in the Middle of America

Sharks in Kansas: The Ancient Sea in the Middle of AmericaPublished by Random House Studio on July 7, 2026
Pages: 40
Genres: Animals, dinosaurs, Informational
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
five-stars

This book goes back 85 million years to a time when Kansas was submerged under a vast ocean called the Western Interior Seaway that was teeming with incredible prehistoric sharks. This unique dinosaur book introduces lesser-known creatures through both narrative prose and brief, well-organized fact boxes. Dinosaur lovers will eat this up! Stewart is the author of over 200 science books for children and this is one of her best that also  includes a clear explanation of plate tectonics and the formation of Monument Rocks. Becca Stadtlander’s lush colored illustrations of these creatures compliment the text. I highly recommend adding this unusual dinosaur book to your dinosaur section. Ages 6-10.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

Nominated for Cream of the Crop

five-stars

Steve Into the Great Unknown

Steve Into the Great UnknownSeries: Steve the Hore #4
Published by Kids Can Press on October 6, 2026
Pages: 31
Genres: Humor
Format: Graphic Novel
Source: MSL Book Review
four-stars

Book 4 in the “Steve the Horse” graphic novel series. Steve the good-natured, self-absorbed horse  is bored so decides to go on an adventure. His best friend Bob the raccoon is concerned since Steve has never been on an adventure before and hasn’t even packed supplies. So Bob decides to accompany him. It doesn’t take long for Steve to become bored with the adventure. The silly humor abounds as Steve blunders into one (mis)adventure after another.  Perfect for early elementary–age children, but some of the vocabulary may be challenging: expedition, provisions, exhilarating, venturing, and escarpment. The graphics are simple and appealing. As with all “Steve the Horse” books a lesson is interjected amongst the entertainment. After all, “Preparation is everything!” Ages 7-9.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

In One Whale’s Breath

In One Whale’s BreathIn One Whale's Breath by Cinyee Chiu, Jessica Kulekjian
Published by Kids Can Press on September 1, 2026
ISBN: 1525314106
Genres: Animals, Informational
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

A humpback whale takes a breath and dives below the ocean’s surface where it can swim underwater for 15 minutes before coming back to the surface for more air. Meanwhile, each page spread introduces a different animal, showing what it’s doing, where it lives, and how it breathes. This informational picture book offers two layers of text: a lyrical narrative that follows the whale and other animals, and smaller, more detailed factual blurbs explaining the science behind each creature’s breathing, making the book accessible to a wider range of readers. (Personally, this informational text was my favorite part of the book. I learned a lot!) At the end of  the book, the whale returns for its next breath, water droplets arising from its spout and traveling into the atmosphere and all the way to space. (This part could have been left out IMHO but it does not detract from the book.) Gouache and pastel illustrations of mostly blue and green depict a cool  oceanic setting. It would be fun to set a timer at the beginning of the book and wait for it to go off as you read the book so children have a better sense of the length of 15 minutes. You may want to read this book twice – once with the lyrical text and again with the informational text, which would likely take about 15 minutes. There is an author’s note, more information, books and websites at the end. Ages 4--8.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

Nominated for Cream of the Crop

five-stars

Hello Beautiful Animal

Hello Beautiful AnimalHello, Beautiful Animal by Janie Hao, Lauren Soloy
Published by Kids Can Press on October 6, 2026
ISBN: 1525314335
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

A narrator explains what all animals have in common and how they should be treated: “It’s a good idea to greet an animal with affection upon waking.” The art shows two children with tan skin and dark hair; two adults, one with pale skin and one with brown skin; and the family dog. It depicts the kids behaving like their pet. The joke, which is never spelled out, is that everything the narrator says about pets applies to children, too. Since the narrator doesn’t explain the text’s double meaning, the art does a fabulous job of doing that. The advice is practical while the tone is affirming – good advice for both humans and pets.  Probably best as a lap book but suitable for story time. I have to say, “I love the end pages!” Ages 4-6.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars