Format: Picture Book Fiction

Stubby: A Pencil’s Journey

by Sydra Mallery
Published by Greenwillow Books on June 30, 2026
ISBN: 978-0062364319
Genres: Adventure
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
three-stars

Have you ever thought about where that pencil you just picked up came from? Stubby tells the story from his own point of view, from his life as a tree to meeting nine new friends at the pencil factory after his time at the timber mill. All of this is nothing compared to what happens once Barbara Ann Brown buys his box of pencils and takes him to school. That’s where things really get wild!

This is a perfect book for those kids that love to see how things are made. It provides a broader view to students as they see how things move in the world and school around them.

Ages 3-8
Reviewed by MaryAnn Lopes, Elementary Librarian. Lewiston Public Schools, Lewiston, Maine.

three-stars

Coco and Stephen, Together Forever

Coco and Stephen, Together ForeverCoco and Stephen, Together Forever: How a Kitten and Bunny Became Best Friends by Beth Stern, Joanie Stone, Margaret McNamara
Published by Random House Studio on May 5, 2026
Genres: Animals, Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Horses
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Coco is a grey kitten and Stephen is a grey and white rabbit. They each live in what they feel is their forever home and then things change. Thankfully they end up being taken to a shelter where they are comfortable, cared for, and have plenty of playmates, sometimes too many. Then they see one another and a true friendship is born. They soon do everything together, eating, sleeping, playing, and getting their zoomies out.

This story is based on the real life experiences of the author and her pets, Coco and Stephen, who live happily together at her house. Backmatter tells their story as well as providing information on rescuing animals.

Ages 3+
Reviewed by MaryAnn Lopes, Elementary Librarian. Lewiston Public Schools, Lewiston, Maine.

three-stars

Who Are You?

Who Are You?Who Are You? by Claire Keane
Published by Random House Studio Genres: Adventure, Emotions & Feelings, Nature
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

A young, pale-skinned child, accompanied by a basset hound, walks, climbs, and explores the great outdoors, climbing hills and crossing streams,  all the while considering the repetitive phrase “Who are you?” As the day darkens, she realizes “I am the trail I cannot see. I am lost.” But she keeps on keeping on and is eventually welcomed home by her loving family, to which she proudly shows off her skinned knee. The mostly brown and orange drawings are interesting, but this book fell flat for me. I get the author’s goal is asking the reader to consider what has made them and who they are, but it just didn’t have that spark. A worthwhile contemplative read, however. Appropriate gift for a recent graduate.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

three-stars

While We’re Here

While We’re HereWhile We’re Here by Anne Wynter, Micha Archer
Published by Clarion Books ISBN: 0063238292
Genres: Cultural / African American, Family Life, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

An African American mom and daughter are rushing to get somewhere in the first half of the book . . The suspense builds with the repeated refrain, “Hurry, hurry.” The reader wonders where they are going, only to be empathetically disappointed when they arrive to discover the party was yesterday. However, now that they have nowhere to be they can take a more leisurely trip back home and stop to enjoy things along the way. This book covers the gambit of emotions using mostly simple two-lined text. Archer’s brilliant collage art sets the characters against vibrant greens and blues in the city setting. This book will be a wonderful read aloud at story time. It’s message is relatable for everyone.

Nominated for Cream of the Crop

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars

It Takes a Family to Serve: A Tribute to Military Famlies

It Takes a Family to Serve: A Tribute to Military FamliesIt Takes a Family to Serve: A Tribute to Military Families by David Soman, Lisa Wheeler
Published by Harper on March 17, 2026
ISBN: 0063283476
Genres: Emotions & Feelings, Family Life, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Detailing the ways that families miss and support their service members, Wheeler introduces five military households: an Air Force mom’s family who runs the farm without her, a son in the Navy, a sister in the Coast Guard, a daughter in the Army, and a Marine wounded in a war. Wholesome watercolor and gouache vignettes of the children and other family members demonstrates the integral role they play. The author offers useful suggestions of ways families can help serve—providing pet care, sending care packages, or simply looking up to “share the moon.” While the sentiments are earnest, the rhyme scheme seems forced and mechanical at times. Still it’s a wonderful book to talk about the sacrifices that all members of a soldier’s make when their career choice is to serve their country. A good choice for libraries near a base where many soldiers are deployed.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

three-stars

We Are Joy

We Are JoyWe Are Joy by Chrystal D. Giles, Kitt Thomas
Published by Random House ISBN: 0593647734
Genres: Cultural / African American, Emotions & Feelings, Inspiration
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Lyrical prose and vibrant art make this picture book that celebrates the Black community – a joy. It describes all the ways that can make one feel joyful, however, not just for the Black community. Anyone can relate to the joy of being  wrapped in “Nana’s hand-stitched blanket.” Probably best to share with upper elementary grades to understand the nuances, such as, “We are JOY-FULL, surrounded by laughter and light,” even though the children in the illustrations are younger. All are African Americans. I could see this as a jumping board for an art project – “What brings you joy?” and an inspirational addition of books for Black History Month.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

 

four-stars

Be My Brave Sunflower

Be My Brave SunflowerBe My Brave Sunflower by Kathryn Simmonds, Rosalind Beardshaw
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536235431
Genres: Emotions & Feelings
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars
Vernon is a cautious, anthropomorphized sunflower seed who prefers the safety of his cozy soil to the big, wide world. He watches his friends—Mel, Gloria, and Bernice—successfully sprout under the care of young schoolchildren, but Vernon remains fearful of perils like slugs, birds, and thunderstorms.
His patient gardener, Carla, a pale-skinned girl with blonde braids, grows worried when her caregiving fail to yield results. Her supportive teacher Miss Okoro, who has brown skin and a mass of curls, reassures Carla, and Carla delivers a loving pep talk on bravery to Vernon. Motivated by her reassurance, Vernon eventually discovers that the outside world is also filled with wonderful things like sunshine and stars, giving him the courage to sprout in the garden alongside his peers.
The story’s plot is predictable and lacks deep narrative complexity, but it remains a sweet, highly empathetic choice for children facing major life transitions. The inclusive, diverse human cast is welcoming and reflective of a modern classroom. Charming digital illustrations mimic a vibrant marker-and-ink medium, effectively enhancing the story’s warmth and visual appeal. This title serves as a companion to similar social-emotional learning picture books on bravery, such as Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall and The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson.
A heartening and recommended addition to school and public library collections, perfect for an early-autumn or beginning-of-the-school-year read-aloud, when everything feels new and perhaps, a little scary.
Deanna Contrino, SLMS/MLIS
K-2 Resource Librarian, Scarborough Public Schools
four-stars

The Very Noisy House

The Very Noisy HouseThe Very Noisy House by Gosia Herba, Sally Nicholls
ISBN: 0593518632
Genres: Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Welcome to the very, very noisy house. Open the gate with a “squeeeeeeek” and ring the door with a “DING DONG!”. This interactive picture book is packed to the gills with all the noises that can be heard as the reader travels through each room of the noisy house. While the story text is simple, imitating or reading aloud all of the noises shown may be overstimulating for some readers. The fun illustrations are chock-full of bright colors and characters corresponding to each noise. Appropriate for ages 2 to 5.

Reviewed by: Jenn Mead, Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library, Lovell

three-stars

The World’s Game

The World’s GameThe World's Game by Andrés Landazábal, Yamile Saied Méndez
on June 2, 2026
Genres: Cultural / Latin America, Inspiration, Sports
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

One ball, two teams, and a whole lot of fans – what can bring the world together like a soccer match? This fun picture book, timed perfectly for the 2026 World Cup, celebrates a game like no other. A game where people of all cultures, from all around the world, come together to cheer on their teams. This story shows all perspectives of the game – from the action on the field, to the chants in the stands, and even the family feuds while watching the game on the couch at home. The photoshop illustrations depict diverse characters and multiple languages, and the inside cover includes flags from all around the world. A wonderful addition to any picture book collection. Recommended for ages 3 to 7 (Preschool to 2nd Grade). Nominated for cream of the crop.

Reviewed by: Jenn Mead, Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library, Lovell

five-stars

First There Was Me, Then There Was You

First There Was Me, Then There Was YouFirst There Was Me, Then There Was You by Aurore McLeod, Yvonne Sewankambo
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536239003
Genres: Family, Family Life, Nature, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

First There Was Me, Then There Was You is a heartwarming story about the special bond between an older sibling, and the arrival of a new sibling in the family. Yvonne Sewankambo and her illustrator, Aurore McLeod’s combined talents show all the different stages. These include: a parent experiencing pregnancy, an infant sibling arriving, watching his sister grow, and finding things in common. The older brother rolls up his sleeves and embraces the responsibility and joy of sharing a childhood together.

However, there are growing pains in the household. This includes the monotony of a baby’s routine, (crying, sleeping, eating, changing), tantrums, and squabbling between siblings. But overall, the tone is very sweet and loving with the intention of fostering connection in a family’s household. The main characters both have dark skin, for picture book collections adding diversity to their shelves. Ages 2-6.

Reviewed by Gia Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath

three-stars