Source: MSL Book Review

The Peach Thief

The Peach ThiefThe Peach Thief by Linda Joan Smith
Published by Candlewick Press on March 4, 2025
ISBN: 1536237787
Genres: Adventure, Historical Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Scilla, a hungry and desperate workhouse orphan, risks sneaking into an earl’s walled garden to get a peach. Caught and mistaken for a boy, she’s given a job washing garden pots to work off her crime. Finding the food better and the bed softer than she’s ever had, Scilla hopes to stay. She learns about gardening and discovers she has a passion for it, but unfortunately she cannot pass as a boy forever. The situation is complicated by a handsome, young troublemaker,  a housekeeper from India, and the head gardener, and others. Beautiful, detailed descriptions of an 1850s English estate and its gardens.

(I have not yet finished this book so may adjust my opinion after I have finished it.)

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

 

four-stars

Snow

SnowSnow by Meera Trehan
Published by Walker Books on January 14, 2025
ISBN: 1536219258
Pages: 304
Genres: Adventure, Fairy Tale, Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

This is a smart modern fairy tale about the friendship between a strong princess and a modern-day Indian American girl in the kingdom of Mistmir. This story combines science and magic to create a moving setting with charming, detailed worldbuilding that’s tinged with eeriness and sadness. There is a good bit of humor in the book, as well. An enjoyable read that I have been vacillating between a rating of a 4 or 5. Reading age 8-12 years.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars

Maisy Loves Frogs

Maisy Loves FrogsMaisy Loves Frogs: A Maisy's Planet Book by Lucy Cousins
Published by Candlewick Press on October 7, 2025
ISBN: 1536240370
Genres: Animals, Informational
Format: Board Book
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Book 4(?) in A Maisy’s Planet Book series. Toddlers love frogs! And they love Maisy! Likely, they will be intrigued by this introduction to frogs and toads with Maisy. There is quite a lot of information about these amphibians in an 11-page book. Typical Lucy Cousin bold primary colored illustrations. Sure to be a hit with 1-4 year olds.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-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

Extreme Places: The Most Remote Homes on Earth

Extreme Places: The Most Remote Homes on EarthExtreme Places: The Most Remote Homes on Earth by Giles Laroche
Published by Clarion Books on September 30, 2025
ISBN: 0358690188
Genres: History, Informational, Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Journey around the world to some of the most challenging and remote spots on Earth in this stunningly illustrated book that celebrates human ingenuity, community, and the people who call these places home. Laroche’s cut-paper collage artwork illustrations are stunning. Using a consistent textual format which includes a synopsis, location, who lives here, fascinating fact, and adapting to extremes, he  suggests what it takes to survive there. A list of places included: Tristan da Cunha; Sahara Desert; Mentawai Islands; Verkhoyansk, Siberia; Isla Navarino; Spiti Valley; Goreme, Cappadocia; Floating Islands of the Uros; Atafu Atoll; Gobi Desert; Agoashima ;Socotra; and, Atka, Alaska. A map of the world at the end of the book indicates where all of these places are located. Give this book to anyone interested in geography or as a model of beautiful collage artwork.

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

SPARK: Jim West’s Electrifying Adventures in Creating the Microphone

SPARK: Jim West’s Electrifying Adventures in Creating the MicrophoneSpark: Jim West's Electrifying Adventures in Creating the Microphone by Ainissa Ramirez
Series: Black Inovators
Published by MIT Kids Press on October 21, 2025
Genres: Biography/Autobiography, Cultural / African American, STEM
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

The first book in the MIT Kids Press Black Innovators series. This picture book biography is for science lovers. Author Ainissa Ramirez shares the story of Jim West who patented the foil-electret microphone, a unit integral to everything from cell phones to hearing aids. Her explanations of the science are in-depth and sure to appeal to STEM-minded kids. Growing up on a farm, West had a compulsion to take things apart to see how they worked and had a fascination with electricity. He studied science in college, where he was one of only two Black students, and then went on to work at Bell labs. West’s advocacy for more diversity in the technology field paved the way for many scientists of color to follow their interests and curiosity. Back matter provides an author’s note, a time line, a bibliography, and more information on the life and work of Jim West. Ages 8-12.

Nominated for Cream of the Crop

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-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