This month’s board book roundup is bursting with variety. From globe-trotting adventures to nature facts, silly animals, dancing feet, and everything in between, there’s something for every child. Publishers clearly love a good series, because once a title connects with its audience, the books keep the fun going. Calling all babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and even some older kids who want to learn, giggle, guess, or explore! The board book shelves are teeming with plenty of bright, engaging moments to enjoy in a group or one-on-one read-alouds.

Fiction

Benediktsson, Ævar Þór. Our World: Iceland. illus. by Lóa Hlín Hjálmtýsdóttir. 20p. (Our World). Barefoot. Oct. 2025. Board. $9.99. ISBN 9798888596678.
Toddler-PreS–The newest title in the “Our World” series invites readers into daily life in Iceland. Each Icelandic word includes a phonetic guide, such as “I choose my red vettlingar (VEHT-link-ar) and my blue hufa (HOO-va).” Told from a toddler’s viewpoint, the story follows a white family as they swim, feed farm animals, and share meals. Soft digital illustrations and a gentle color palette enhance the title. VERDICT This engaging cultural snapshot is a unique and appealing addition.

Georgette. Hoot Hoot. illus. by Georgette. 26p. Chronicle/Twirl. Aug. 2025. Board. $14.99. ISBN 9791027613632.
Toddler-PreS–This fun “Guess Who” book invites the youngest children to play along with cut-outs and clues. In this interactive board book, little ones are prompted to guess which animal will appear next. Featuring cats, bats, frogs, and more, it offers an engaging bedtime guessing game. “It’s bedtime/ but I can’t sleep!/ What’s that sound?” VERDICT Perfect for story hour and one-on-one reading, this will be a crowd-pleasing choice on library shelves.

Kers, Nancy. My Mom Loves . . . Music! illus. by Nancy Kers. 24p. (My Mom Loves: Bk. 3). Clavis. Oct. 2025. Board. $14.95. ISBN 9798890632197.
Toddler-PreS–The newest title in the “My Mom Loves” series celebrates the joy of music. Told from the perspective of a child, the story features a Black mother and daughter whose days revolve around the mother’s deep passion for music. One memorable spread shows their hands on piano keys alongside the text: “A life without music is truly impossible, according to Mom.” The warm illustrations and tender narration capture the bond between parent and child beautifully. VERDICT An additional purchase for libraries seeking books that highlight mothers and parenting.

Let’s Go Home, Baby Penguin. illus. by Carolina Búzio. 10p. (Let’s Go Home: Bk. 6). Nosy Crow. Oct. 2025. Board. $10.99. ISBN 9798887772097.
Toddler-PreS–Children will enjoy guiding baby animals home in this interactive slider book. Each page features a movable track that helps a baby penguin, polar bear, or seal find its way back to its parent. Gentle prompts, such as “Let’s go home, baby polar bear. You’re home!” reinforce the theme of comfort and connection. The opposite page introduces new vocabulary words and functions as a simple seek-and-find activity. VERDICT A strong choice for toddlers developing fine motor skills.

Lord, Jill Roman. One Night in Bethlehem. illus. by Sally Garland. 20p. WorthyKids. Oct. 2025. Board. $7.99. ISBN 9781546008675.
PreS-K–Ever wondered what it might have been like to visit Bethlehem on the very first Christmas? This religious board book imagines a young boy’s activities on that sacred night. “If I had been a spotted cow and mooed so loud and clear, it would have echoed through the hills that Jesus Christ is here.” Soft digital illustrations support the gentle text and help children follow along. The book ends with scripture and will appeal to a specific audience. VERDICT A suitable purchase if more religious board books are needed in the collection.

Mellon, Pippa. Don’t Boop the Bunny. illus. by Kathrin Fehrl. 12p. Cottage Door Pr. Dec. 2025. Board. $6.99. ISBN 9798890192530.
Baby-PreS–Easter has arrived, and the bunnies are hard at work. Readers are told not to boop their noses because it might distract them, but the squishy nose on each page makes it impossible to resist. By the end, a cheerful surprise awaits: “We have a secret for you, now that you’ve come to the end: Easter bunnies really love to be BOOPED!” VERDICT A fun and interactive addition to holiday collections.

Meyers, Stephanie. Busy Little Bee: A High-Contrast Baby Book. illus. by Stephanie Meyers. 12p. Flowerpot Pr. Nov. 2025. Board. $9.99. ISBN 9781486731879.
Baby-PreS–Lively and engaging, this high-contrast board book will have babies moving and grooving. Each spread pairs a photo of a real baby or toddler with a bold, simple illustration on the facing page. The little ones and their grown-ups represent a variety of races. The rhyming text and energetic language make it perfect for story hour or one-on-one reading. VERDICT A striking blend of graphic art and real photography that makes this a first purchase for most collections.

Rueda, Claudia. Los Momokis: Colores. tr. by Claudia Rueda. illus. by Claudia Rueda. 26p. (Los Momokis). Candlewick. Mar. 2026. Board. $7.99. ISBN 9781536250596. SP
Toddler-K–This new Spanish-language board book series is sure to excite young readers with two concept-focused titles; the other is ABC Zas. Both feature digitally illustrated anthropomorphic animals engaged in simple actions. The following page highlights a specific color. For the color orange, a bird knits with orange yarn, and the next page shows the bird wearing a completed orange sweater. “Teje, teje, naranja!” VERDICT A strong primer presented entirely in Spanish and a recommended purchase for most libraries.

Rueda, Claudia. The Smushkins: ABC Zoinks. tr. from Spanish by Claudia Rueda. illus. by Claudia Rueda. 26p. (The Smushkins). Candlewick. Mar. 2026. Board. $7.99. ISBN 9781536236606.
Toddler-K–A new series introduces simple concepts in an accessible way. This title is the English translation of Los Momokis ABC Zas and features digitally illustrated anthropomorphic animals romping playfully. Each page highlights a specific letter in both upper and lowercase. For the letter K, two animals appear, one wearing headphones and the other banging a drum while a speech bubble exclaims, “Kaboom.” Another title, The Smushkins: Colors, is also a great addition. VERDICT A strong primer for early ABC learning and a recommended purchase for most libraries.

Sweeney, Samantha. Can You Find Taylor? A Seek-and-Find Book. illus. by Susana Gurrea. 20p. Tiger Tales. Oct. 2025. Board. $9.99. ISBN 9781664351851.
Toddler-K–This lively seek-and-find book is perfect for Swifties of all ages. Using the familiar seek-and-find format, each spread highlights everyone’s favorite singer and includes a short line of text followed by items to locate, such as 13 sparkly microphones. Readers will enjoy scanning the detailed digital illustrations, spotting every hidden object, and chatting about all things Taylor. VERDICT A first purchase wherever Taylor Swift is popular, which is to say, everywhere.

Tran-Davies, Nhung. Our World: Vietnam. illus. by Xuan Le. 20p. (Our World). Barefoot. Oct. 2025. Board. $9.99. ISBN 9798888596616.
Toddler-PreS–This engaging title in the “Our World” series invites readers to experience the sights, sounds, and traditions of daily life in Vietnam. Told through the eyes of a young Vietnamese girl, the story beautifully captures family moments and cultural customs. Phonetic spellings accompany Vietnamese words, helping readers pronounce them with confidence. “We light incense for ong ngoai (aw-oong-WAI). His photo makes me smile.” VERDICT A meaningful addition for libraries highlighting global family stories.

Wehner, Eleni Tassopoulos. My Dinosaur Shoes. illus. by Danamarie Hosler. 20p. (Roscoe & Ivy). Barefoot. Nov. 2025. Board. $9.99. ISBN 9798888596692.
PreS-K–Roscoe and Ivy return in the latest installment of this thoughtful series, which focuses on wearing shoes. Centered on a family with neurodivergent members, the story follows Roscoe, who has outgrown his old shoes but doesn’t want to give them up. “Ivy thinks the puppy shoes are too small. But they are NOT TOO small. Roscoe does NOT need new shoes.” With gentle guidance, Ivy helps Roscoe navigate his feelings using tools like a mood board and a tablet, until he’s ready to choose new shoes. A timeline at the end summarizes Roscoe’s progress. VERDICT A compassionate and helpful addition from a neurodivergent author and illustrator team that will resonate with many children and families.

White, E.B. Charlotte’s Web: Board Book. illus. by Anait Semirdzhyan. 32p. HarperCollins. Sept. 2025. Board. $10.99. ISBN 9780063448155.
PreS-K–A board book adaptation of the classic tale Charlotte’s Web attempts to introduce the story to preliterate children. While the narrative structure is mostly retained, the extensive trimming of plot and character development leaves the story feeling thin and at times confusing. Key moments lose emotional clarity, particularly Charlotte’s death. “Charlotte knew she would not make it back to the barn, but she felt peaceful knowing that Wilbur would live happily.” In this version, the scene reads more like a choice to remain at the fair rather than her end of life. VERDICT Although the original chapter book remains a beloved work of literature, this simplified adaptation is one that libraries can comfortably skip.

Wood, Amanda. Happy Chinese New Year, Little Red Panda. illus. by Bec Winnel & Vikki Chu. 16p. Magic Cat. Jan. 2026. Board. $8.99. ISBN 9781419779671.
PreS-K–Little Red Panda is ready to celebrate! This title features real photos of a baby red panda blended with happy digital illustrations. Chinese customs are introduced clearly and accessibly, making this an inviting primer on the Chinese New Year. “‘But first,’ says Nai Nia with a twitch of her broom, ‘let’s sweep any bad spirits out of the room.’” VERDICT A joyful and informative introduction to the Chinese New Year that belongs on library shelves.

Nonfiction

Babies at the Zoo. illus. by Lala Watkins. 24p. (At the Zoo). Candlewick. Apr. 2026. Board. $8.99. ISBN 9781536237771.
Toddler-PreS–Get ready to meet a group of adorable baby animals at the zoo. This board book introduces children to the animals they might encounter on a zoo visit. While baby animal books are always appealing, the mixed-media illustrations and lack of clear labeling make this one feel slightly chaotic and difficult to follow. VERDICT A supplemental purchase for collections in need of additional animal titles.

Ciletti, Barbara. The Tiniest Giant. illus. by Cathy Morrison. 20p. Schiffer Kids. Oct. 2025. Board. $9.99. ISBN 9780764370212.
PreS-K–Take a closer look at the magic of the forest in this nature-filled board book that follows the life of an acorn. Various animals interact with the acorns as the seasons gradually change. The sparse text highlights the beauty of the natural world and pairs well with the gentle cartoon illustrations. “Acorns grow. Spring, summer, and fall. They bloom and grow. Spring, summer, autumn.” VERDICT A lovely choice for potential nature lovers and their caretakers.

Cohen, Stephanie. I Can Say Eat! illus. by Lindsay Dale-Scott. 24p. (My First Learn-to-Talk Books). Sourcebooks/eXplore. Oct. 2025. Board. $9.99. ISBN 9781464223549.
Baby-Toddler–Mealtime has never been this much fun! Featuring a diverse cast of real children, this board book pairs lively photos with bright, cartoon-style visuals. Written by a pediatric speech-language pathologist, it encourages early language development through word bubbles like “Uh-oh” and rhythmic language. VERDICT An appealing general purchase for most collections.

Lunde, Darrin. Whose Footprint Is THAT? illus. by Kelsey Oseid. 22p. (Whose Is THAT?). Charlesbridge. Sept. 2025. Board. $8.99. ISBN 9781623546120.
Toddler-K–Whose feet will we find in this board book? This playful guessing title invites children to solve footprint mysteries as they turn each page. Every clue begins with “Whose footprint is that?” and is paired with a footprint and a hint, such as “It was made by knuckle walking.” Careful observers will also spot part of the animal in the illustration. The answer appears on the next spread. “A chimpanzee’s. A chimpanzee stands flat on its hind feet. It uses its finger knuckles for balance when it moves.” The added factual details make this board book suitable for slightly older children as well. VERDICT A purchase for most libraries.

Make Tracks: Great Outdoors. illus. by Johnny Dyrander. 8p. (Make Tracks: Bk. 10). Nosy Crow. Oct. 2025. Board. $10.99. ISBN 9798887772110.
Toddler-PreS–Adventure awaits in this interactive slider board book that celebrates the great outdoors. Each spread introduces a variety of outdoor-themed vocabulary words, clearly labeled on detailed digital illustrations. On a canoe, for instance, readers can identify parts such as the stern, seat, paddle, bow, blade, hull, and gunwale. Small callouts invite participation with prompts like, “How many fish are in the water?” VERDICT A lovely choice for outdoorsy families and curious young explorers.

Pryor, Katherine. Attack of the Hangries. illus. by Thiago Buzzy. 32p. WorthyKids. Sept. 2025. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9781546008125.
PreS-Gr 1–What exactly are the hangries? This information-packed board book helps children recognize and manage the overwhelming feelings that come with being hungry. “Attack! The hangries take over! Your brain scrambles. Your limbs flail. All you want to do is scream! At everyone! For anything!” The text goes on to explain hormones like adrenaline and cortisol in an age-appropriate way. Although the writing becomes dense toward the end, the message remains clear and relatable. VERDICT An additional purchase for libraries and a first purchase for classroom collections.

Rajan, Rekha S. This Is Hip-Hop: And Other Street Dances. illus. by Chris Park. 24p. (This Is Dance). Penguin Workshop/Rise. Nov. 2025. Board. $8.99. ISBN 9780593754184.
Toddler-K–Children will step into the rhythm of street dance in this high-energy board book. Celebrating a variety of cultural styles, the book introduces younger children to street dances from around the world and the communities that bring them to life. “Kuthu is also a street dance. In South India, people crowd the streets to perform together. Some street dancers use their mouths to whistle while they shake their hips to the music.” A helpful glossary defines key dance terms introduced throughout. Vibrant mixed-media illustrations and a bold color palette add movement and thrills to every page. VERDICT A first purchase.

Sturgess, Elena. Construction. illus. by Judy Wilson. 12p. (Fun Flaps). Taffy Tales. Oct. 2025. Board. $14.99. ISBN 9781998211746.
Baby-K–The newest title in the “Fun Flaps” series is sure to delight little construction fans. Sturdy flaps introduce a variety of vocabulary words related to building and construction sites. Each page turn reveals new workers, vehicles, and the steady progress of a house coming together. The illustrations feature a diverse range of skin tones and genders among the crew. VERDICT A solid purchase wherever construction-themed books are popular.

Ultman, Suzy. It’s a Mitzvah! Small Deeds with Big Heart. illus. by Suzy Ultman. 24p. (My First Books of Jewish Culture). Penguin Workshop/Rise. Sept. 2025. Board. $9.99. ISBN 9780593751954.
Toddler-K–What exactly is a mitzvah? This board book introduces several common mitzvahs in a developmentally appropriate way. Each spread presents an action, names the mitzvah, and explains its meaning. “I like when you give food to people who need it. That’s tzedakah, again! (the mitzvah of giving righteously, being fair, and thinking about others).” A bright color palette and crisp digital illustrations help hold a child’s attention. VERDICT A unique and valuable addition that belongs on shelves everywhere; Jewish or not, children will want to know about its meaning and applications.

Walker, Sally M. Dirt’s Journey. illus. by Kim Smith. 14p. (Nature in Action). MIT Kids. Mar. 2026. Board. $7.99. ISBN 9781536236576.
PreS-K–The newest title in the informative “Nature in Action” series digs into the fascinating world of dirt. Perfect for curious young readers, this board book explains how dirt is formed in clear, accessible language and digital illustrations. “Old flowers wilt and trees fall down. Dried seeds and leaves drift to the ground. Fungi break down aging plants and trees, which become the food that fungi need.” VERDICT A strong nonfiction choice for children who love learning about the world around them, and helpful for parents getting lots of questions.

Walker, Sally M. Tide’s Journey. illus. by Kim Smith. 14p. (Nature in Action). MIT Kids. Mar. 2026. Board. $7.99. ISBN 9781536236569.
PreS-K–Get ready to explore the pull of the moon and the motion of the sea in this newest title from the informative “Nature in Action” series. This board book introduces children to the science behind ocean tides in an accessible and engaging way. The repeated line—“High tide/ low tide/ high/ low/ What happens when tides flow?”—creates a natural rhythm and beautifully connects the digital illustrations. VERDICT A strong addition to nonfiction board book collections.

Wildish, Lee. My First Milestones: Ready to Walk. illus. by Lee Wildish. 24p. (My First Milestones). Workman. Oct. 2025. Board. $8.99. ISBN 9781523529063.
Baby-Toddler–A delightful new series opens with a title that celebrates the monumental task of learning to walk. A young Black girl practices taking her first steps with her father by her side. Short, rhyming text makes this playful board book easy to share in large groups or one-on-one reading. “I pull to stand up tall. Daddy’s here in case I fall.” Clear, bright digital illustrations create a familiar setting for toddlers, who will enjoy spotting the puppy throughout the book. VERDICT A first purchase for all shelves.

Brooke Newberry, a longtime contributor to SLJ, is the youth services coordinator at the La Crosse (WI) Public Library.