Source: MSL Book Review

I Love You 100

I Love You 100I Love You 100: A Counting Book Full of Love (McKellar Math) by Danica McKellar, Josée Masse
Series: McKellar Math
Published by Random House on November 4, 2025
ISBN: 1101933909
Genres: Counting Books, Family
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Mom and son count the many ways they love one another and the things they do together. Whether they are running in the sand, playing boats, or swinging high they are happy and grateful to be doing those things together and counting the ways they love one another, all the way up to 100.
A counting book with heart this book is joy filled while teaching counting.

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

three-stars

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

Best Bunny Brothers Ever

Best Bunny Brothers EverBest Bunny Brother Ever (Beginner Books) by Marilyn Sadler, Tim Bowers
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on January 6, 2026
ISBN: 979-8217032464
Genres: Children's Beginning Readers, Sports
Format: Early Reader
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

P.J. loves his little sister, Honey Bunny Funnybunny. He has been there for all her big and small life events. P.J. also loves baseball and Honey Bunny wants to learn to play, too but she’s too young. Our ever thoughtful P.J. decides to teach her how to play t-ball instead. He works through how to hit and how to pitch and the best part making a homerun! P.J. introduces her to a t-ball coach and Honey Bunny is asked to join the team. She makes an amazing first showing at her game and even scores her first homerun in a game. Winning is great but is it as great as the love she has for her big brother P.J.?

Ages 3-7
Reviewed by MaryAnn Lopes, Elementary Librarian. Lewiston Public Schools, Lewiston, Maine.

four-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

Maisy Loves Birds

Maisy Loves BirdsMaisy Loves Birds: A Maisy's Planet Book: A Maisy's Planet Book (Educational Board Book About Birds in Springtime - For Toddlers and Kids Ages 1-3) by Lucy Cousins
Series: Maisy's Planet
Published by Candlewick Press on February 4, 2025
ISBN: 1536236624
Genres: Animals, board book
Format: Board Book
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Maisy is looking into her curiosity about all kinds of different birds. She looks at the birds in her own yard and what makes them unique from other animals. She explores bird families like birds of prey and birds that don’t fly. She looks into what birds need and how they make their homes and families and then Maisy and her friends go bird watching!

This book has the same simple text and bright colors that make Maisy approachable, comforting, and easy to learn with.

Ages 1-3
Reviewed by MaryAnn Lopes, Elementary Librarian. Lewiston Public Schools, Lewiston, Maine.

four-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

Lou with the Band

Lou with the BandLou with the Band by Alexandra Leigh Young
on October 7, 2025
ISBN: 1536230111
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

“Lou with the Band” is a young adult novel by Alexandra Leigh Young. Lou is a recent high school graduate who gets a job working as a roadie for a famous musician along with her uncle. Lou sees this as an opportunity to travel while making money for college and hopefully becoming the person she wants to be. When she gets into a relationship with one of the musicians, things seem great, until the relationship turns toxic and creates even more problems for Lou and her family. A suggested additional purchase for YA collections where realistic fiction is popular.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME.

three-stars

The Golden Boy’s Guide to Bipolar

The Golden Boy’s Guide to BipolarThe Golden Boy's Guide to Bipolar by Sonora Reyes
on September 16, 2025
ISBN: 0063358409
Genres: Realistic Fiction, LGBTQ+
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“The Golden Boy’s Guide to Bipolar” is a young adult novel by Sonora Reyes. Cesar is a high school student with plans to get back together with his ex-boyfriend, Jamal. Cesar is going to therapy, taking his medication, and things seem to be going well, until things aren’t anymore. Readers will root for Cesar to come out on top as he deals with his mistakes, made worse by internal Catholic guilt. Lots of difficult topics are handled well (and realistically) by Reyes, including suicidal ideation, sexuality, homophobia, and mental health. I really enjoyed Cesar and Jamal’s characters. A recommended purchase for YA collections, especially those where Reyes’ book “The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School” is popular.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME.

four-stars