Meet the Smushkins by Claudia Rueda
Published by Candlewick Press on 12/2/25
ISBN: 1536236586
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads

The Smushkins are adorable creatures who are looking for a house.  They would like their house to have many things that young children would want in their house, like a wall they can paint on, a path that leads to a playground, and a bed perfect for bouncing.  But most importantly, they want a house where they can all be together.  The book ends with all of the Smushkins reading together in bed as they fall asleep.  

This gentle picture book would be great for a caregiver to read with a child or for a toddler storytime.  The text is simple and honors the wishes and dreams of the Smushkins because there are no adults to tell the Smushkins they can’t have what they want or that what they want is wrong.  The illustrations add to the calm feeling of this book with its pastel color palette.  Kids will love the large expressive eyes which add a touch of humor to the already subtly silly illustrations.  This book is also available in Spanish.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library