Format: Picture Book Fiction

Dasher and the Polar Bear

Dasher and the Polar BearDasher and the Polar Bear by Matt Tavares
Series: Dasher
Published by Candlewick Press on September 30, 2025
ISBN: 1536236314
Genres: Holiday
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Dasher the reindeer is out exploring and enjoying the Northern Lights one night near Christmas when she is startled by a polar bear named George. They start talking and George is astounded that Dasher is able to fly. Dasher tries to teach him to fly too but no success.
On Christmas Eve when Dasher is out with Santa and the rest of the reindeer Dasher makes a stop at George’s. While George may not be able to fly on his own with a little help from Santa and the reindeer and a little Christmas magic George’s dream is able to come true that night.

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

five-stars

Haircut Day with Dad

Haircut Day with DadHaircut Day with Dad by Monica Mikai
Published by Crown Books for Young Readers on January 13, 2026
ISBN: 979-8217027545
Genres: Cultural / African American, Family
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

For Black men and boys the barbershop is a hub of the community and the time a father and son spend together waiting their turn to get a fresh fade. There are men playing chess, sports games on the televisions and jokes being told all around them. The young man says this space is like a family reunion.
Soon it’s their turn with the barbers, Bobby and Red, who always make them look fresh!The best part of the whole day though is the time dad spends with his best friend, his son.

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

five-stars

Stronger Than

Stronger ThanStronger Than by E B Lewis, Nikki Grimes, Stacy Wells
ISBN: 0063264773
Genres: Cultural / Native American, Family, History
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Dante is a Black Choctaw boy living in Oklahoma. At 8 years old he dreams of being old enough to play stickball but also still struggles with nightmares. His mother comes to comfort him and tell him how to work through his bad dreams. She tells him how his great great grandmothers face daymares with the Trail of Tears and The Tulsa Race Massacre, how if they were strong enough to endure those real life struggles he could calm his mind enough to persist past his nightmares.

The next day his uncle takes him to the public library to read up on those two events and how they shaped his family and his community, how their experiences made him stronger and more unafraid, “we come from people stronger than fear”,

Notes from the author and historical backmatter is included.

Ages 5-10
Reviewed by MaryAnn Lopes, Elementary Librarian. Lewiston Public Schools, Lewiston, Maine.

four-stars

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