Paint with Ploof – written and illustrated by Ben Clanton and Andy Chou MusserTundra Books, 22024 In this second book in the series about a friendly cloud who encourages children, an introduction to color, plus a little bit of social and emotional learning, combine to inspire creativity. Making a rainbow is tall order, or maybe … Continue reading Get Ready to Color

The Little Ghost Quilt’s Winter Surprise written by Riel Nason, illustrated by Byron EggenschwilerTundra Books, 2025 This is not exclusively a holiday book, although it certainly lends itself to the winter season. I’m writing about it because the concept of a ghost made of a quilted pattern, rather than a plain sheet, is just intrinsically … Continue reading More Than a Ghost of a Chance

The Boy Behind the Wardrobe: How C.S. Lewis Grew Up to Create Narnia – written by Suzanne Poulter Harris, illustrated by Mira MiroslavovaEerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2026 One way to enter the portal of a celebrated life is through childhood. Young readers are naturally receptive to learning about how and why an accomplished adults … Continue reading Childhood Portal

What Is a Sculpture – written by Diane Borsato, illustrated by Laura CarlinTundra Books, 2026 There are many books introducing children to artistic concepts and they take different approaches. Some focus on an overview of an art form, using the work of different artists as examples. Often the author and illustrator emphasize that there are … Continue reading Two Dimensions and Three

Clifford: Dream Big – written by Meredith Rusu, illustrated by Jo Anne Davies, inspired by Norman Bridwell’s Clifford the Big Red Dog seriesScholastic, 2026 Clifford’s dreams could only be big, given his dimensions.  The consistently likable qualities of Norman Bridwell’s (1928-2014) Clifford books is their utterly unpretentious character.  The text is simple. The pictures are … Continue reading What Other Kind of Dreams Could He Have?

Oh Brother: A Graphic Memoir – written and illustrated by Georgina ChaddertonTundra Books, 2026 Sibling relationships are never free of problems, and books for children and young adults have always addressed that fact. Georgina Chadderton’s graphic memoir relates her experience growing up with a brother on the autism spectrum. He has significant disabilities, and he … Continue reading Sibling and Self

Pockets for Two: A Collection of Girlhood – written by Lindsay Ward, illustrated by Brizida MagroHarper, 2024 If you have ever shopped for women’s and girls’ clothes, you know that pockets are considered highly desirable and disappointingly rare.  Men and boys get pockets; women and girls get pocketbooks. Pocketbooks are terrific, but sometimes you need … Continue reading Keeping It Close

Mac & Cheese: The Origin Story (Delicious Duos series) – written by Michael Benner, illustrated by Alison HawkinsOrchard Books (Scholastic), 2026 How did two items, specifically food, become indelibly associated with one another? The premise behind Mac & Cheese is that a series of encounters had to take place before this culinary combination happened. It … Continue reading Edible Twists and Turns

Henri & Miko: Winter in Bosk Olivette – written and illustrated by Rebecca GreenTundra Books, 2026 Henri and Miko’s celebration of autumn’s colors, sights and sounds in their first book now has a successor for those who love winter. This second volume makes the two books an embarrassment of riches. Rebecca Green’s down-to-earth poetic language … Continue reading But First, Pancakes

Millie Fleur’s Pumpkin Problem – written and illustrated by Christy Mandin Orchard Books (Scholastic), 2026 Millie Fleur’s Worst Day Ever – written and illustrated by Christy Mandin Orchard Books (Scholastic), 2026 Millie Fleur is a an appealing child: sincere, driven, and a bit anxious. She finds ways to counteract a bad mood that sometimes surfaces as perfectionism.  … Continue reading Perfection Problems