An excellent choice for elementary classrooms, young naturalists, homeschooling families, and any child fascinated by animals, ecosystems, or environmental stewardship, filled with sensory language, and captivating images.
This would be a good choice for libraries needing SEL books about change and growth, or natural science books about seeds and the needs of plants.
This lively overview is straightforward and engaging and will encourage young readers to dream of what they can create.
An inspiring look at architectural, engineering, and community creativity in response to climate change.
An evocative and engaging book that turns deep-sea science into a thrilling exploration. This is an excellent, educational addition to any library and perfect for readers fascinated by the natural world’s greatest mysteries.
Whether Shark Week or not, this is a good choice for collections where shark books are popular.
A worthwhile addition to collections where books about bees, gardens, and pollinators are popular, this is sure to spark curiosity about how even the smallest creatures make a big impact.
This is a stunning collection of animals and their nests that will make an ideal addition to any nonfiction picture book collection.
A unique globe-trotting scientific exploration sure to pique the interest of budding young mycologists and naturalists.
A beautiful reminder that America is shaped by many different stories and experiences, and that the goal is to continue expanding who is included in that “we.” Perfect for all libraries.
A necessary purchase, this glorious collaboration between author and illustrator brings the world of jellyfish to unforgettable life.
The evocative language, layered illustrations, and purposeful historical framing make this a meaningful addition to classroom libraries and a valuable anchor text for conversations about history, identity, and contribution.
A visually appealing and browsable offering that will be appropriate for many nonfiction collections.
This strong nonfiction picture book is a first purchase for all children’s collections.
Not suitable for a science lesson, but the visual and sonic energy, plus the unusual format, may provide enough oomph for infant and preschool story hours.
This charming pictorial work will be devoured by budding ornithologists and nature lovers alike. Highly recommended for all nonfiction collections.
A must-purchase for the elementary shelves, offering aspects of under-represented languages and cultures for well-rounded collections.
A delightful, curious, and engaging collection; if there is only one poetry book to add this year, this is it.
A crisp light text accompanied by compelling graphics, this book will entertain small children and prompt older readers learning about Indigenous culture and language to explore further.
Kimmel creates a brand-new tale that feels ancient and wise; Kurpiel finds so much more in these mighty giants.
An excellent picture book biography that amplifies one of the unsung heroes of science.
A must-purchase for all elementary collections in need of a beautiful ode to Black hair that weaves poetry and history in a meaningful way to educate and empower.
A nonfiction/fiction mashup that will make a good addition to any library’s picture book collection, particularly those needing titles about wildlife conservation.
Over and above offering helpful guidelines for fledgling authors, this introduction to Alcott and Little Women will prime yet another generation of readers and listeners to fall in love with a perennial classic.
A great book to fill in collection gaps about first aid; will be particularly useful in classrooms and group settings.
Conveying Sarria’s enduring message and honoring the struggle for civil rights, this book is a worthy addition to biography collections.
Perfect for budding space explorers, this captivating title will pull readers in like the gravity from a black hole.
With the latest offerings from Kate DiCamillo, Atinuke, and Cynthia Rylant, humor abounds in these transitional books.
STEM titles cover lunar phases, turtles, and carbon atoms. Picture book biographies celebrate artists, such as Matisse and Yo-Yo Ma, and current changemakers, such as Ketanji Brown Jackson and Lionel Messi.
Libraries seeking modestly religious creation stories may find this a quiet, sturdy edition to add to the shelves.
A stunning celebration of the darkness and all the wonders it holds.
An additional purchase for collections seeking more Indigenous representation.
Fans of this prolific author’s work as well as children who love nature and seashore life will enjoy this short, beautifully illustrated story.
A vibrant picture book, this would be a good selection for libraries, with a celebration of hope that is always welcome.
This wonderful book would be a solid addition to any library as a reminder for all ages to appreciate the small things.
Sweet celebration of faraway family, the beauty of culture, and common experiences Nuha and Jadda share make this a standout. Recommended for all collections.
This title is a great addition to social-emotional learning collections, offering a dynamic and unique approach to discussing anxiety, inner strength, and resilience with young readers during a fun and compelling read-aloud.
This book is a surefire hit for story hours, providing laugh-out-loud moments contained in an adorable bundle of elephant energy.
An excellent addition to any library’s poetry collection, and good for teaching about the gifts of the natural world.
A kind and gentle introduction to the challenges of being shy, this book will help those who are feeling those pangs and those who want to help them.
Crafted with care, from texts to illustrations, this book will help young readers understand their fears.
A nice addition to libraries where religious stories are of high interest.
This joyful collaboration will be equally enjoyed by children who already know about Hajj and by those who are learning of it for the first time.
A poignant tale of friendship and feelings, and a relevant addition to picture book collections.
A great book for cultural education and appreciation. This book will be of interest to all collections.
A touching celebration of the love between parent and child, even during time apart, and especially good for children who may be experiencing separation.
A beautifully told and authentically grounded tale honoring the immigrant behind the famous Bing cherry and celebrating Chinese American resilience and contribution.
A good segue to reassurance for the very young, but this may be too specific for a wider audience.
A fun addition to any humor collection. This is great for a lap sit, or for use in small groups.
A powerful story with beautiful illustrations that not only calls out the hate that is in the world today but also provides a message of hope for those who are in search of a creative outlet to find their proverbial home. Recommended.
Recommended for all picture book collections.
This book would be an excellent addition to any library’s collection, especially those needing stories of dealing with a loss.
Best shared with groups of older elementary children, or in quiet one-on-one readings with younger children.
An essential purchase; Mooradian and Yim have created a powerful book to share with care. It opens space for conversations about resilience, identity, and remembrance, and it shows how storytelling helps us honor the past while finding beauty in survival.
A good choice for those looking to add to their collections, particularly the social-emotional learning shelves.
A moving depiction of the importance of trees and forests, this is highly recommended for all collections.
A heartwarming and informative story reassuring children that even the smallest creatures can overcome big challenges.
A useful resource for programs that encourage mindfulness and self-calming skills for young children.
While not explicitly sports focused, the title’s rejection of organized games for spontaneous imaginary play makes for a light, spirited romp for young readers.
Beautifully presented, written with deep admiration, recommended for elementary libraries, especially where baseball is popular.
With Eagles QB Hurts’ star power, this celebration of perseverance and teamwork should be an easy sell for budding football fans.
A light fantasy with soccer and gamesmanship at the heart, an additional selection for elementary sports fiction collections.
This gentle yet entertaining audiobook will engage younger listeners and hold their interest throughout. Fans of Henn’s The Music in Me will not want to miss this.
A powerful, inclusive picture book that highlights the richness of human communication and how differences bring people together.
A captivating entrée for younger children to meet Roz and enjoy the “Wild Robot” trilogy.
A visual delight and excellent take on Houdini’s life through his love of books and learning. Sure to be popular with book and magic lovers alike plus those interested in unusual illustration styles. A must have for most libraries.
A solid entry into the basics of soil and a solid purchase where needed.
A fascinating and beautifully designed exploration of an under-examined topic. A must-have for all collections.
A great class read-aloud to accompany lessons on ecosystems and environmental conservation.
This is an excellent addition to any nonfiction picture book collection.
With its brief, thoughtfully chosen words, parts of this book could easily serve as an introduction to climate issues, environmental justice, and biodiversity for young children. The book can broaden and strengthen collections while gently introducing young children to what can happen when the Earth’s resources are misused.
This would make an excellent classroom book for units on history, but it also works for its uplifting message and positive affirmations.
A charming and informative look at life inside an egg that will work beautifully for read-alouds and is an essential addition to all collections.
A buoyant shout out to our body’s most important organ (though look what’s telling us that)
A heavy book that is done with tact; with meaningful prose and incredible artwork, this is a recommended purchase for collections.
Is this a poetry book packed full of information or a nonfiction study with a sprinkling of poetic joy
A solid offering for elementary readers, who might be inspired by Baez to use their own voices and find causes they care about.
High-stakes and wholly unique, this true story highlights the environmental value of bees in addition to celebrating the bond between dog and owner. Recommended for all collections.
This compelling account of a historical civil rights event is a must-purchase for all collections.
Poignant and educational, this is a necessary addition to World War II literature collections for elementary school readers.
This lovely picture book is sure to be enjoyed by all patrons.
While not an essential purchase, this book, when paired with more inclusive texts, can help students build a broader and more equitable understanding of American history and identity.
Steer young enquirers in search of accurate information about ants toward other titles.
This Dolly Parton–centered picture book offers a message of self-worth and a few details about the singer’s life and career.
Useful for personal curiosity, or for an introduction to a unit on endangered and extinct animals.
A mix of board books, picture books, one graphic novel, and one middle grade novel make up this roundup of Christmas-focused titles for young readers.
As a beautiful introduction to the Oroqen people or a subtle look at the environment, this book would be a powerful choice for ecologically themed story hours.
This title is highly recommended for school libraries, offering rich opportunities for discussions on heritage, history, and community.
A spot-on cautionary tale and a perfect addition to any library’s collection of folktales and myths. Recommended.
A lighthearted book for preschoolers who ask these kinds of questions and need Henkes’s kind of answers.
Flett’s sentiments shine but never overwhelm in this simple message of love; it’s a first choice for any library’s picture book collection.
A lot of high jinks and not much reward.
This is a terrific book to read aloud when some humor is needed, or classroom pizza parties are about to commence.
A vibrant tale of island life, quick thinking, and community building, ripe for the classroom or group sharing.
A wonderful addition in all formats that is sure to spark joy and hope as well as big conversations.
Despite the issues mentioned above, all told, this is a joy-filled event!
This engaging and detailed book is an excellent addition to school library collections. Its unique blend of artistic digital illustrations and fascinating biological content about these often-misunderstood ocean creatures makes it a worthwhile purchase for science and nature sections.
For shelves about the great outdoors, here’s a way to invite young children into the joys of hiking and connecting with nature.
An appealing dive into the life and environment of puffins for classroom or individual reads.
An informative visual feast that celebrates the natural world on the other side of the door.
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