It’s the first day of the 2026 Sydney Taylor Book Award Blog Tour (click here for the full schedule) and I’m honored to talk with Suzy Ultman, author and illustrator of Shabbat Shalom: Let’s Rest and Reset, a Sydney Taylor Picture Book Honor winner. Travis: Congratulations, Suzy! Shabbat Shalom is a wonderful book. Thanks for taking part on the blog tour. How […]
We're a stop on the Sydney Taylor Book Award Blog Tour today, so let's celebrate one of the Honorees with our customary flair (and interview questions).
"It's just a book about a creative bunny." Due to a snafu, we review today's book a little earlier than we should have. Was it worth bending the rules? You'll have to listen to find out.
Today we're viewing books from Barefoot Books, Beetle Books, Child's Play, Cicada Books, and Creston Books. Quite the line-up!
I have information for you on current scholarships from Boyds Mills, grants from REFORMA and WNDB’s new Unbanned Book Network for classroom educators.
Noah Van Sciver dissects another American legend in an insightful new graphic novel, this one about the Wild West heroine we know as Calamity Jane.
A family cafe, angry girls, a taekwondo wiz, a mysterious painting, and a heist inspired by Indigenous American mythology.
Can you name these 3 books by their LEGO-fied covers?
Tuck Everlasting: The Graphic NovelBy Natalie Babbitt; adapted and illustrated by K. Woodman-MaynardFarrar, Straus and Giroux, 2025, $14.99Grades 4 and up The classic middle-grade fantasy novel by Natalie Babbitt has been adapted into a graphic novel. Unlike the 2002 film version, this adaptation closely adheres to the original text, capturing the depth of Babbitt’s writing […]
Author Jarrett Dapier joins us to talk about his new book, WAKE NOW IN THE FIRE.
Author James Ponti joins us to talk about his new book, CITY SPIES: EUROPA.
Every year, after the Youth Media Awards are finished, I kick myself. Why? Because I wished I had taken screenshots of the Amazon sales rankings for some of the contenders so I could compare the before and after. Well this year I am not kicking myself, because I did it. The morning of the announcements, […]
Here are some highlights to whet your whistle for the months ahead (and restore your faith in humanity in general)
Teen Librarian Cindy Shutts walks us through a Minecraft themed Escape Room
Misha and their mother, Audrey, take a wrong turn on a road trip and end up in a mystical world of spirits and monsters.
Writing to me feels like the closest thing you can get to that sense of wonder of digging up something new, only the digging happens on the page.
As a former fairy chaser, I can tell you that representation changed my life. It’s what led me to the library, becoming an author, and finding my community.
Here are recent and upcoming titles that incorporate a wide range of sports and experiences, including baseball, football, soccer, and even powerlifting.
In this Q&A series, SLJ poses five questions and a request for a book recommendation to a debut YA author. Shannon J. Spann discusses A Stage Set for Villains in this latest installment.
Are you curious at all about this clever little Stonewall Honor winner? Then I suspect you're going to truly enjoy my talk with its creator here today.
Carolina Ixta joins us to talk about her new book, FEW BLUE SKIES.
CABOOSE is 1! I'm giving away some copies to celebrate.
Running from mid-February to late-March, the religious holidays are celebrated by Muslim people all over the world. From board books to a graphic novel, there’s something here for every young reader.
There's something for everyone in today's preview. Picture books. Board books. Middle grade fiction. Nonfiction. Books for every possible taste, so we haven't a moment to waste. Let's get into it!
Check out this week's list of new comics, manga, and graphic novels for readers 12 and under, featuring Club Zodiac #1 from Keenspot Entertainment and Startup Squad One for the Dogs from Philomel Books.
When I began working on The Aftermyth, I wasn’t interested in retelling Greek myths as they’ve always been told. I was interested in what happens after the myth ends.
"Welcome to our library crib!"
Across the country, school and public librarians are creating their own summer reading programs that not only combat the academic slide and keep kids reading but promote book choice and personal connection.
Hypergifted by Gordon Korman leads holds this week. Also in demand are new titles by Lauren Tarshis, Katherine Quinn, Petra Lord, and Shannon J. Spann. Amazon releases its editors’ picks for February. ALA’s Graphic Novels and Comics Round Table announces its inaugural awards winners. The Hans Christian Andersen Award shortlist and the Audie Awards finalists are revealed. People recommends children’s books that celebrate Black History. Plus, bestsellers and interviews with Jeff Kinney, Jonathan Haidt and Catherine Price, and Melanie Florence and Matt James.
Today, it's all about the fish. Fish and photography, baby. Flotsam turns 20 years old this year, so we finally have a chance to determine if it's a modern day classic or not.
Like the best dungeon fantasies, this story is filled with magic, trickery, and surprises, but it also invites readers to think more deeply about the environment and the beasts that inhabit it.
A stellar pick for romantasy fans, including those who don’t usually read manga.
A solid choice for fans of the original series, but this reads very much like a sequel and may be hard for newcomers to get into.
With a cheery tone and lots of examples to reference, this is a great how-to book for budding manga artists.
This colorful, fast-moving adaptation is an engaging read and a brisk introduction to the original story.
An amiable rom-com that’s a good match for other shonen romances such as “Komi Can’t Communicate,” where the humor stems from awkwardness and misunderstandings.
Give this to sci-fi fans, whether or not they are into anime.
Hand this to horror fans who aren’t ready for Junji Ito and to readers who enjoy fantasy and Irish folklore.
A great pick for fans of shoujo manga, magical girls, and stories that bring magic into everyday life.
This magical boarding school drama with a Greek myth twist would be perfect for Spanish-language fantasy collections.
A must for Spanish-language collections serving tweens, especially where fantasy is popular.
A great purchase for early elementary school collections and curriculum and for communities serving Spanish speakers.
A visually playful introduction to Latin American treats that works best for Spanish-speaking families. While the concept is appealing, stronger Spanish-language board books exist for teaching vocabulary.
Purchase for early elementary school collections and communities serving Spanish speakers and learners.
A lively, educational celebration of mariachi instruments and a strong addition to bilingual board book collections.
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 charming pictorial work will be devoured by budding ornithologists and nature lovers alike. Highly recommended for all nonfiction collections.
A story about belonging and neurodivergence; put this into the hands of any shy tween.
This charmer flawlessly ebbs and flows like ocean tides.
A perfect addition to middle grade realistic and sports fiction collections. Recommended for all libraries.
This charming middle grade series has the perfect blend of humor, adventure, family, and friendship. Readers unfamiliar with geocaching are bound to want to start exploring wherever they live.
A good book for early readers and for encouraging SEL conversations.
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.
A comparison to His Dark Materials feels inevitable, particularly given Anya’s feisty character, and this is similarly a charming and often grittier-than-expected audiobook for fantasy fans.
A gentle, observational picture book that doubles as a bedtime wind-down for dog lovers; a strong addition to bedtime story collections or even quiet-down story hours.
A warm, visually appealing story that celebrates creativity, cultural expression, and classroom community. Ideal for lessons on collaboration, heritage, and the value of collective storytelling.
An inspired and joyful boost to both new swimmers and those experiencing the ocean for the first time; a first purchase for picture book collections.
A triumphant addition to an already excellent series, highly recommended for middle school collections and libraries.
Fans of the “Ballpark Mysteries” and “MVP” series by David A. Kelly will enjoy this informative, accessible soccer story.
An informative and appealing introduction to the Victorian era, ideal for readers who enjoy learning through a blend of facts and illustrations, despite the busy layout.
This lively overview is straightforward and engaging and will encourage young readers to dream of what they can create.
A heartwarming tale that will thoroughly engage readers and leave them completely satisfied at the its conclusion.
An inspiring look at architectural, engineering, and community creativity in response to climate change.
Packed with SEL content, advice, and an activity, this book is a great fit for a library audience looking for ways to cope with the topic of moving.
This enthralling book will capture the hearts of animal lovers who will be rooting for the successful release of the wolf pups. Recommended for collections seeking fresh, nature-centered stories.
With some guidance and encouragement, this offers strong potential for sparking questions, discussion, and deeper classroom inquiry. Put this in the hands of science teachers.
With no focus on the bike race itself and no background for Mr. Felix’s astonishing ability, the story serves as a goofy lark, offbeat but unfulfilling. An additional selection.
This winning, humorous title will delight on its own and even more so when paired with its predecessor. A first purchase.
A must-purchase for elementary biography and music collections for the comprehensive look at the contributions of Black women to country music.
Passive characters with dated speech and actions make this a frustrating choice, though this could be recommended as a read-alike for the classic.
A simple notion carried out with intention, effectively evoking compassion in children across many grade levels.
An additional purchase for middle grade collections, but a first purchase for collections in need of stories centering young people with chronic illness.
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