Format: Picture Book Fiction

A Good Hide

A Good HideA Good Hide by Karina Iceberg, Natasha Donovan
Published by Heartdrum on January 13, 2026
ISBN: 006325493X
Genres: Cultural / First Nations, Cultural / Native American, Family
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Fall in Alaska is moose season. This is cause for celebration among the community. The story takes us through the process of how the entire group participates in what it takes to tan the moose hide for use in clothing, hunting gear, and cultural regalia. From the cleaning to the stretching and scraping and making the brain stew to spread across the hide this is a joyful step by step look into the tradition.
The book includes back matter from the author as well as a letter from the curator of the Heartdrum imprint.

Ages 4-8
Reviewed by MaryAnn Lopes, Elementary Librarian. Lewiston Public Schools, Lewiston, Maine.

four-stars

Magick Hoodoo Child

Magick Hoodoo ChildMagick Hoodoo Child by Amber McBride, Violeta Encarnación
Published by Harper on January 20, 2026
ISBN: 0063395401
Genres: Cultural / African American, Family, Folklore, Nature
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Juniper is one way at school; quiet, shy, trying to stay out of the bullies’ way with the help of her tiny mojo bag. She is just trying to get through until the wonderful day her Mama helps her pack up her empty mason jars to take to her Grandma’s house for the summer.
At Grandma’s she wanders barefoot through the Southern woods and thrives under the tutelage of her grandmother in the learning of ancestral rootwork. She communes with the plants and the work of her ancestors from Africa, in gratitude for all of Nature’s gifts.
As she packs to head back to the city her grandma reminds her that this is who she is, she is a hoodoo child, following in the footsteps of her ancestors. This is a beautiful story of self discovery and self love.

Ages 4-7
Reviewed by MaryAnn Lopes, Elementary Librarian. Lewiston Public Schools, Lewiston, Maine.

five-stars

Mama Loves It

Mama Loves ItMama Loves It (Raffi Songs to Read) by Patricia Pessoa, Raffi
Published by Knopf Genres: Family
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Perennial favorite Raffi is here to remind us once again that it is just as acceptable to sing books out loud as it is to read them. This time it’s a song about helping out with chores and how much it means to family members when everyone chips in (can confirm). Happily illustrated and good-natured, this is a solid choice for story times, or for delivering an essential message about how it takes a whole family to keep things tidy. Song lyrics and notated music included.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

Because of a Shoe

Because of a ShoeBecause of a Shoe by Julie Fogliano, Marla Frazee
ISBN: 0593707400
Genres: Emotions & Feelings, Family
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Because of a Shoe

Julie Fogliano & Marla Frazee

This picture book for ages 2-5 is the story of a toddler’s epic tantrum due to an ill-fitting shoe, just when the child’s mother is in a rush to get out the door.  The child’s raging frustrations are clearly depicted in the illustrations, as is the mother’s building exasperation and anger. This lovely story is one to which all parents of young children can easily relate. Everyone loses their temper at times, especially with those we love the most. Neither the mother nor the son wants to be loud and yelling. After the meltdown, the mother and son remember that they are not their maddest faces and their angriest eyes: “We are still us (funny sweet us) and you still love me and I still love you and nothing will ever change something like that.” It is a lovely book to share with a child after the inevitable tantrums and subsequent fallout. The dark and stormy pictures during the fight emphasize the strong emotions and serve as a stark contrast to the bright, colorful pictures of the following calm and peace. It is a tender reminder that unconditional love between mother and child is not without conflicts and moments of regret.

5 stars

Reviewed by Lindsey Hopkins, Jay-Niles Memorial Library, Jay

five-stars

Maya’s World

Maya’s WorldMaya's World by Andrea Pippins
ISBN: 0593814991
Genres: Arts, Emotions & Feelings
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Maya’s World

Author-Illustrator: Andrea Pippins

This picture book for ages 4-8 is about a young girl named Maya who loves to draw and is eager to share her colorful artwork with her classmates. However, her drawing of a rainbow causes confusion among her peers; Pia states, “It doesn’t look like a rainbow.” Another student says, “Rainbows don’t have patterns or those colors.” Maya overcomes self-doubt and inspires others to use their imaginations. While the reader never gets to view Maya’s drawing in its entirety, the pages show the children interacting with elements of Maya’s artwork through bright and vivid illustrations, once she starts explaining her piece to the class. Maya inspires her friends to use their individual imaginations and creativity to create a beautiful masterpiece together. It is a lovely celebration of art as self-expression. It’s validating to young artists to hear that there is no right or wrong way to draw what you feel.

5 stars

Reviewed by Lindsey Hopkins, Jay-Niles Memorial Library, Jay

five-stars

Gray Squirrel Loses It!

Gray Squirrel Loses It!Gray Squirrel Loses It! by Cassandra Federman
on October 21, 2025
ISBN: 059389748X
Genres: Animals, Humor, Nature
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Calling all squirrel enthusiasts! This picture book really captures the squirrelly nature of these acorn-loving creatures. Grayson T. Squirrel interrupts the narrator’s tour of the temperature deciduous forest because he has an emergency: he has lost his nut. Though the narrator tries to move on, Gray Squirrel rudely will not stop until his acorn is found. Will our forgetful squirrel learn his lesson?

Lots of speech bubbles and exclamations makes this a fan favorite among books like The Pigeon or Mother Bruce. Pre-K – Upper Elementary is the right age group.

Reviewed by Gia Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath

three-stars

When I Redraw The World

When I Redraw The WorldWhen I Redraw the World by Audrey Vernick, Heather Fox
Published by Random House Studio on January 27, 2026
ISBN: 0593811283
Genres: Arts
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

When our main character redraws her world she is able to make everything exactly how she would like it. Through our story we follow along with her imagination of frolicking, not fighting, animals, rainbows you can walk on, dogs everywhere, and so much more.

Bright, colorful and full of imagination this story triggers imaginations and joy!

Ages 4-7
Reviewed by MaryAnn Lopes, Elementary Librarian. Lewiston Public Schools, Lewiston, Maine.

four-stars

Crouton

CroutonCrouton: One Cat's Adoption Tale by Kristine A. Lombardi
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Crouton is a shelter cat waiting for her forever family who finally finds a girl who wants to take her home. The story is told from Crouton’s perspective and flips the script on the usual adoption story by making Crouton the one who “adopts” the girl and is patient and kind with her new family.

Children who love animals will connect with this story and find it charming. Readers will love the typical cat behavior and giggle at the ways Crouton interacts with her new family. This would be a fun addition to any library serving young readers, especially those in Pre-K to 2nd grade who like animals. This was a four-star read for me.  Reviewed by Katy Jones, Gardiner Area High School Library, Gardiner

four-stars

Don’t Eat Eustace!

Don’t Eat Eustace!Don't Eat Eustace by Lian Cho
ISBN: 006332184X
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
two-stars

If you or your readers like dark humor, this one is for you! Don’t Eat Eustace is an early reader book that would be a good fit for students in first through third grade. In the story, Bear is fishing and catches Eustace, a fish, who pleads with Bear not to eat him. Bear agrees, though there’s some continuing tension where Bear talks about how hungry he is, and we’re not sure if he’ll change his mind. Bear’s lunch continues to be pushed back as he helps a shark and a heron. It seems like the story is going in a sweet direction and Eustace decides to go home, but then we see that the shark and heron they helped are now eating all of the fish, so Eustace decides to stay with Bear. Some kids will get a kick out of this story, but I think it’s pretty niche. The mention of Eustace having a girlfriend doesn’t seem age-appropriate for the level of text and pictures and all of the fish screaming and being eaten at the end will definitely be a turnoff to a fair amount of readers. I wouldn’t go out of my way to add this to my collection. The artwork is beautiful and the story is certainly unique, but I don’t think it has a very wide appeal. This was a two-star read for me. Reviewed by Katy Jones, Gardiner Area High School Library, Gardiner

two-stars

Seven Ways Through the Woods

Seven Ways Through the WoodsSeven Ways Through the Woods by Devin Elle Kurtz, Jenn Reese
Published by Greenwillow Books on September 16, 2025
ISBN: 0063356260
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Magical Realism
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

When the forest beckons, pick your path trhough the woods. You can stick to the path. Or ride a griffin, take a sprite tunnel, or ride the river on the backs of crystal serpents. Or take Way 7 and stray off the path and don’t go through the woods at all. There are many metaphors here, but the youngest child will simply enjoy the magic of the luminous illustrations. Reese’s second-person prose is playful and invites curious readers to step off the path. Different ages will get different meanings from this book…but all will enjoy the amazing illustrations.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars