Camp Monster – written by Kate Messner, illustrated by Falynn KochBloomsbury Children’s Books, 2026 Too many people, not enough yetis. At least that seems to be the problem when Tasha’s parents decide to re-launch the summer camp that had served their species. Only by welcoming a more diverse group of monsters will they have a … Continue reading Into the Woods
Author: Emily Schneider
Emily Schneider is a writer and educator living in New York City. She has published on children's literature, feminism, and politics in Tablet, The Foward, Jewcy, and Family Reading at The Horn Book. She is a regular reviewer for The Jewish Book Council.
Sort of Good Very Bad Day
Just Another Perfect Day – written by Jillian Harris and Justin Pasutto, illustrated by Morgan GobleTundra Books, 2025 The family in Just Another Perfect Day, by Jillian Harris and Justin Pasutto, illustrated by Morgan Goble, is appealing in its imperfection. No one in the book seems quite as frustrated or depressed as Alexander in Judith … Continue reading Sort of Good Very Bad Day
Fight the Patriarchy
The Many Problems of Rochel-Leah – written by Jane Yolen, illustrated by Felishia HenditirtoApples & Honey Press, 2024 In this truthful fable by Jane Yolen, who explains in the afterword that the story is based on one passed down in her family, Rochel-Leah does not fight the patriarchy. (I’ve reviewed other books by the inimitable … Continue reading Fight the Patriarchy
Keeping Things Moving Vertically
Waiters in Elevators – written by Dylan Shearsby, illustrated by Dylan Shearsby and Amanda ShearsbyLittle Hare (Hardie Grant’s Children’s Publishing), 2026 Elevators in children’s books have an illustrious past and present. From Curious George’s employment in Curious George Takes a Job and Babar’s enjoyment of the big department store conveyance in The Story of Babar, … Continue reading Keeping Things Moving Vertically
One Person, One Character, One Goal
Little Monk Writes Rain – written and illustrated by Hsu-Kung Liu, translated by Rachel Wāng Yῠng-HsínEerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2026 This exceptionally beautiful and gently philosophical picture book is about a Buddhist monk who has difficulty learning written language, with the exception of one Chinese character. He is singularly focused on writing the character … Continue reading One Person, One Character, One Goal
Anne Frank and Authenticity
When We Flew Away: A Novel of Anne Frank Before the Diary – by Alice HoffmanScholastic Press, 2024 When I first learned about When We Flew Away, I was slightly skeptical, even though Alice Hoffman is a very fine author. There are so many attempts to simplify or universalize the experience of Anne Frank, as … Continue reading Anne Frank and Authenticity
Instructional Jam
How Not to Make a Jelly Sandwich – written and illustrated by Ross BurachScholastic Press, 2026 There are an endless number of projects that demand instructions for adult readers. For children, some of these may seem quite pointless. Ross Burach’s How Not to Make a Jelly Sandwich gets right to the point, providing clear guidelines … Continue reading Instructional Jam
Subject to Change
Ruthie – written and illustrated by Esmé ShapiroTundra Books, 2026 It’s impossible to mistake a book by Esmé Shapiro with the work of any other artist (I've reviewed her work here and here and here). Her odd, rounded, comically proportioned figures, their quirky thoughts put into the perfect words, as well as the underlying premise … Continue reading Subject to Change
Starring Cecilia
The Curious Life of Cecilia Payne – written by Laura Alary, illustrated by Yas ImamuraEerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2026 Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin: her name has the ring of poetry. Before she married Russian scientist Sergei Gaposchkin, she was Cecilia Payne, a brilliant and curious young woman born in the U.K., who later emigrated to the … Continue reading Starring Cecilia
More Books for Purim
Today I Am a Hamantasch: A Poem for Purim – written and illustrated by Varda LivneyPJ Library, 2026 Purim Possibilities – written by Barbara Kimmel, illustrated by Irina AvgustinovichPJ Library, 2026 In addition to the Purim board book I reviewed last week, here are two more Purim board books, all from PJ Library; these emphasize … Continue reading More Books for Purim