Format: Picture Book Fiction

Bob and Dob: A Tale of Tattling

Bob and Dob: A Tale of TattlingBob and Dob: A Tale of Tattling by Sean E. Avery
Published by Candlewick Press on May 20, 2025
ISBN: 1536236047
Genres: Animals, Emotions & Feelings, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

A retelling of the fable of The Boy Who Cried Wolf. Dob is a “dobber” (Australian slang for a tattletale) who watches his brother’s every move and delights in tattling to their mother until both brother and mother have had enough.  When Bob is attacked by a crocodile, Dob must use his storytelling skills to rescue his brother. Avery employs a narrator’s description as well as word bubbles within the illustrations.  Bold illustrations with Bob as blue, Dob as red, and Mother as an purple. Every library needs some books about tattling and its repercussions. This one wil resonate with 4-7 year olds.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

three-stars

The Silver Shadow

The Silver ShadowThe Silver Shadow by Mariesa Dulak
Published by Walker Books on May 13, 2025
ISBN: 1536239402
Genres: Animals, Family, Oceans, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

A brown-skinned girl discovers a baby shark stranded in the tidepools. She worries for the shark’s safety because her brother Sam and his friends want to sell the creature to fishermen.  She watches over the shark until dusk, when her parents and, eventually, Sam come help look after the animal until high tide comes and washes her back out. Marley’s luminescent illustrations bathe the pages in colors typical of the Caribbean setting. Dulak takes a skillfully light touch about what you should do if you capture something in a tidal pool or find a stranded animal. In the back of the book, she explains that she drew inspiration from her dad’s memories of growing up in Barbados. Ages 4-8.

four-stars

Interrupting Chicken Saves the Nutcracker

Interrupting Chicken Saves the NutcrackerInterrupting Chicken Saves the Nutcracker by David Ezra Stein
Series: Interrupting Chicken
Published by Candlewick Press on September 9, 2025
ISBN: 1536207799
Genres: Animals, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Book 4 in the “Interrupting Chicken” series. During winter vacation, Papa takes Interrupting Chicken to see the Nutcracker ballet. Donned out in tutu and ballet shoes, Papa premeditatedly warns her to be on her best behavior, while the reader assuredly knows that high jinks will occur. Stein gives readers a bit of the ballet’s story in the ensuing 3 chapters intermingled with Chicken’s interruptions. Children who love other stories in the series, as well as those who are familiar with the Nutcracker story, will enjoy this book.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

The Bestest Big Brother Ever

The Bestest Big Brother EverThe Bestest Big Brother, Ever by Ben Mantle
Published by Candlewick Press on October 7, 2025
ISBN: 1536245070
Genres: Emotions & Feelings, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Nano and his older brother, Felix, are best friends who do everything together. When Felix bans Nano from his treehouse, Nano is crushed.  This is the classic story of squabbling siblings—the younger one adoring, the older in need of space. The comical illustrations brings visual humor to the storyline. A  relatable tale to big brothers and sisters everywhere. Ages 4-8.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

The Bakery Dragon and the Fairy Cake

The Bakery Dragon and the Fairy CakePublished by Alfred A. Knopf on October 7, 2025
Genres: Fantasy, Holiday
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
four-stars

What an intriguing title! This is the sequel to The Bakery Dragon. Ember the  dragon has mastered the art of baking bread but is stymied when Princess Turnip of the Vegetable fairies orders a birthday cake for the fairy queen’s birthday. After a few humorous attempts, Ember figures out how to make a lovely cake by going to the library and seeking out a recipe. He is so fired-up (pun intended) that the bakery now specializes in beautifully decorated cakes.  This a magical book about trying new things, and I am looking forward to what pastry Ember will tackle next. For 4-8 year olds.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

Seven Babies

Seven BabiesSeven Babies by Forest Xiao
Published by Candlewick Press on Aug 26, 2025
ISBN: 1536245097
Genres: Babies/Infants, Counting Books, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

One Thursday morning, a box of seven babies is delivered to a  man and woman. They take the babies in, feed them, take them to a playground, bathe them, read to them, and put them to bed. The babies have another idea. They sneak out for further adventures when the exhausted couple have fallen asleep. You cannot find a sweeter book! Much of the story is told by the Xiao’s expressive illustrations. The text is very simple and preschool children will be delighted by this book. Diverse-appearing characters throughout.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars

Strange Creatures

Strange CreaturesStrange Creatures by Cristina Sitja Rubio, Cristobal León
ISBN: 1525313800
Genres: Animals, Nature
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

It had been an uneventful summer for the forest animals, until one day they are invited to a party full of dancing and cake. When they return, their tree homes had disappeared, and only their skeletons (stumps) remained. The animals tried to communicate with the strange creatures (humans) that took their homes, but had better luck communicating with the small guardians (pets) of the strange creatures. The animals concocted a plan to lure the strange creatures to another party, for they also liked to dance. During the party, the animals moved the homes of the strange creatures, to make a point and better communicate the need for their forest home. In the end, the strange creatures understood and helped to replant the forest. This dramatic fable is full of striking and emotive gouache illustrations and hand lettered text. Could be used as a starting point for conversations about refugees, deforestation, climate change, and more. Recommended for ages 4 to 8 (Pre-K to 2nd Grade).

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

four-stars

The Richest Cow in the World

The Richest Cow in the WorldThe Richest Cow in the World by Barroux
ISBN: 1525314114
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

A new take on the classic fisherman’s parable. Cow is taking a nap beneath his apple tree, when Pig comes along imagining all the ways Cow could turn a profit from the apples (making pies, selling merchandise, buying more trees and more land). Cow is intrigued and asks what happens next, after he becomes the richest cow in the world. Well – then the fun begins, explains Pig, by selling the business, Cow can then buy a small island and find a peaceful spot to nap in the shade. This reimagined classic tale is a great reminder to have balance and enjoy life. Watercolor and ink illustrations are so fun and expressive. Recommended for ages 4 to 8 (Pre-K to 2nd Grade).

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

four-stars

Baa Haa

Baa HaaBaa Haa by Audrey Perrott, Ross Burach
ISBN: 1546134034
Genres: Animals, Emotions & Feelings
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Everything makes Babette laugh. Babette laughs when she is surprised, excited, and glad. But she also laughs when nothing is funny – when she is nervous, scared, in trouble, mad, or sad. It is just easier for Babette to cover up her real feelings with silliness. Until one day – the knot in her stomach is just too big to ignore. Her caring friends come to the rescue, sensing that she’s not really okay, and remind Babette that they love her for her, no matter what she’s feeling. From then on – Babette lets her real feelings show.

The text is full of animal puns, and the cartoon-like illustrations are bright, colorful, and full of emotion. A sweet book with an important message; this book could be used as a tool to remind children to share their true feelings, even if those feelings aren’t positive. Recommended for ages 4 to 8 (Pre-K to 2nd Grade).

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

four-stars

It’s not Easy Being a T. Rex

It’s not Easy Being a T. RexIt's Not Easy Being a T. Rex: A Dinosaur Story by Marilyn Sadler, Stephanie Laberis
ISBN: 0593810368
Genres: Animals, Emotions & Feelings
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

It’s Rexy’s first day of school – and she is worried about fitting in with the other dinosaurs. Her teeth are the size of bananas and her arms are so short she can’t even scratch an itch. When she sits in the front row of the classroom the dinosaur behind her couldn’t even see around her big head. At recess she accidentally pops the kickball with her teeth and is so embarrassed. But when the volcano erupts near school, Rexy saves a fellow classmate using her powerful jaws. Her new friends give her encouragement, complimenting her strengths and reminding her that no one is good at everything. This is a simple story with a sweet message about embracing differences. Digital illustrations are colorful and fun. Recommended for dinosaur lovers ages 3 to 7 (Pre-K to 1st Grade).

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

three-stars