Love, Panda – written by Elaine Su, illustrated by Charlene ChuaOrchard Books, 2026 Whether you call it a “lovey” or a transitional object, a child’s favorite stuffed animal is one of her best friends. Elaine Su and Charlene Chua (I reviewed another book she illustrated here) tell the story of this profound connection from the … Continue reading Best Friends

Puma Concolor: In Search of Patagonia’s Wild Pumas – written by René Araneda, illustrated by Julio Antonio Blasco, translated from the Spanish by Lawrence Schimmel Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2026 The title of Puma Concolor refers to the puma’s uniform color.  But color, in the broader sense, relates to both the book’s graphic presentation and … Continue reading One Amazing Cat

Still Water: The Wonders of Ponds, Pools, Wetlands, and More – written by Valentina Gottardi, Maciej Michno, and Danio Miserocchi, illustrated by Valentina Gottardi, translated from the Italian by Sylvia NotiniEerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2026 The authors of Still Water point out (the same Eerdmans team that produced Who Hid the Stars), in their … Continue reading It Runs Deep

Cow and Sow – written by Matthew Farina, illustrated by Doug SalatiTundra Books, 2026 Cow and Sow are friends. Like Frog and Toad, George and Martha, Kat and Mouse, and Goat and Bunny, their compatibility is partly based on tolerance of difference, but also on abiding affection.  Matthew Farina’s text tells just enough of the … Continue reading Farm Friendship

Facing Feelings: Inside the World of Raina Telgemeier – Based on the exhibition at the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum, curated by Anne Drozd. Foreword by Jenny E. Robb, Introduction by Scott McCloudGraphix (Scholastic), 2025 How does Raina Telgemeier connect with readers? Her graphic novels convey the intensity of experiences shared, or remembered by, … Continue reading How Does Raina Telgemeier Get It Right?

My Tokyo Summer – written by Abby Denson, illustrated by UtomaruGraphix (Scholastic), 2026 Two girls, one American and one Japanese, share a love of comic arts, particularly manga. Abby earns a chance to study art in NYC, where she stays with her Grandfather, but also frequents the edgy and exciting world of zine publishing, clubs, … Continue reading NYC – Tokyo Connection

Max a Little Axolotl: Breaking Out – written and illustrated by Joey SpiottaGraphix (Scholastic), 2026 This is the second in the series about an endearing axolotl and his friends.  Max has become acclimated to his aquarium home. With pizza day, their teacher, Mr. Tecu, imparting crucial information about ecosystems, and his multiple species of aquatic … Continue reading  No Place Like Home

Cat Loaf Adventures Volume 1 – written and illustrated by kat.ariynGraphix (Scholastic), 2026 Entering the parallel universe of Cat Loaf Adventures involves suspending disbelief about the thoughts and lives of pastry.  It’s not only the central premise that bread, cinnamon buns, and baguettes could come to life. Of course they can, in this new printed … Continue reading Bread and, Sort of, Circuses

The Only Way to Dance – written by Cristina Quintero, illustrated by Eugenia MelloTundra Books, 2026 This picture book is a gorgeous, diverse, meditation on the cultural significance of dance. The title is a subtle reference to the fact, made clear on every page, that different ethnic dances are each unique, but share the same … Continue reading Dancing for Joy, and Other Reasons

Canada: We Are the Story – written by Richard Wagamese, adapted by David A. Robertson, illustrated by Mangeshig Pawis-SteckleyTundra Books, 2026 One of the most fascinating features of Richard Wagamese and Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley’s picture book is equilibrium between two overlapping themes.  Dedicated to celebrating Indigenous peoples of Canada, it offers specific information about their diversity and their … Continue reading Listening to Our Ancestors