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

Not Like Ever Day: Finding Calm During School Lockdown Drills

Published by Random House on 9780593652220
Genres: Emotions & Feelings, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
four-stars

During his school’s lockdown drill, Henry tries to make himself as small and quiet as possible, but even though he knows it’s just a drill, he still doesn’t like it. When the drill is over, it still doesn’t feel over for him. With guidance from a reassuring teacher, Henry is able to relax, talk about his feelings, and feel safe again. This book belongs in all elementary school libraries.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

A Knot is Not a Tangle

A Knot is Not a TangleA Knot Is Not a Tangle by Daniel Nayeri, Vesper Stamper
Published by Alfred A. Knopf on November 25, 2025
ISBN: 0593809696
Genres: Immigrants, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

There is so much I love about this book. There are multiple topics for discussion in this poignant picture book about an Iranian boy learning to make a new family rug with his grandmother. Together, they wash and dye the wool, design the rug, and tie the knots. He becomes frustrated when his knots aren’t perfect like his grandmother’s. She teaches him about imperfection, tradition, and togetherness. The beautiful illustrations and descriptions of rug-making in this book make it a one that every library should own, especially in the current social climate in this country. All ages.

Nominated for Cream of the Crop

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

 

five-stars

Enchanted Night Before Christmas

Enchanted Night Before ChristmasEnchanted Night Before Christmas by Michael J. Caduto
on October 14, 2025
ISBN: 1455628506
Genres: Historical Fiction, Holiday
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Christmas is a time for magic and this beautifully illustrated book lovingly conveys that. In the days of beehive ovens and horse pulled sleighs, the single mother and her two children bake cookies that look like their friends to give them as gifts. During the night, all the delivered cookies come to life and visit and decorate the house of the two kids and their mother. The toymaker followed the footsteps of his cookie to their house and all wonder at the magic that happened during the night and how the toymaker’s cookie ended up there. There is a gingerbread recipe at the back of the book. I could easily see this book becoming a classic in elementary school, library Christmas book book collections, and in family homes.  For children ( ages 5-8 (and their parents) who like Little House on the Prairie and The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey books.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars

A Stickler Valentine

A Stickler ValentineA Stickler Valentine (A Stickler Story) by Lane Smith
Series: A Stickler #3
Published by Random House Studio on December 2, 2025
Genres: Holiday, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Book 3 in “A Stickler” series. I confess – I love Lane Smith’s dry, weird sense of humor. I don’t know how I missed this series, but I instantly fell in love with A Stickler Valentine” and ordered the first two books in the series. Sticlker is a unique, metamorphic character who loves sticks. So naturally he wants to gift everyone a stick on Valentine’s Day. He eventually figures out that it is not what he loves but what the recipient loves that makes the best gifts. Lane is generous with the number of eyes he gives Stickler and gives him the most endearing expressions. This whimsical story stands out in all the best way from other saccharine-sweet Valentine’s books.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars

Steve Maggie and Pirate Treasure Hunt

Steve Maggie and Pirate Treasure HuntSteve and Maggie Pirate Treasure Hunt by Sr. Sanchez
Published by Candlewick Entertainment on August 26, 2025
ISBN: 9781536246650
Genres: Adventure
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
two-stars

Book 3 in “Steve and Maggie” series. Steve and Maggie as they search for clues, solve riddles, and find their way to a pirate-themed party with a very special prize. Based on the hit YouTube series (which I never heard of), this vibrantly illustrated picture book of a treasure hunt enhances critical thinking skills. Ages 2-5.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

two-stars

It’s Not Easy Being a Leprechaun

It’s Not Easy Being a LeprechaunIt's Not Easy Being a Leprechaun by Marilyn Sadler, Stephanie Laberis
Series: It's Not Easy Being
on February 4, 2025
ISBN: 0593810333
Genres: Holiday
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
two-stars

Book 2 of “It’s Not Easy” series. Connor O’Connor is not a happy leprechaun. His ears are too big, and his body is much too small. But worst of all, no one wants to be Connor’s friend. because they want is his pot of gold! He uses some leprechaun magic to turn himself into a fairy, a carpenter, and a king. Connor discovers that the best way to make friends is by being himself and befriends a flamingo princess. Add it to your other St. Patrick’s Day books if they are popular in your library. Ages 3-6.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

two-stars

Fancy Nancy: Besties for Eternity

Fancy Nancy: Besties for EternityFancy Nancy: Besties for Eternity by Jane O'Connor, Robin Preiss Glasser
Series: Fancy Nancy
Published by Harper on September 16, 2025
ISBN: 0063411229
Genres: Emotions & Feelings, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Book 12(?) of Fancy Nancy series. Fashionista Nancy with her expanding vocabulary are back with a story about friendship. She is disappointed when her best friend Bree cannot play with her during the long weekend but makes a new friend who is older and more sophisticated. Nancy wonders if there is room in her life for two friends? This book will be popular with fans of other Fancy Nancy books and fans of Fancy Nancy  TV show on Disney Junior.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

three-stars