★   ★   ★

AGOSTINI, Alliah L. We Dig Fossils. illus. by Joelle Murray.Random. ISBN 9780593812532.
PreS-Gr 1–Ava and her family take a trip to a fossil park, where, after a long day of digging, Ava’s hopes of finding a fossil are finally realized. Great with repetition and onomatopoeia, this humorous story is unique and fun.

AHN, Angela. Julia on the Go! The Big Splash. illus. by Julie Kim.Tundra. ISBN 9781774882078.
Gr 2-4–Julia returns to her community’s swim team after a hiatus to find that the sports program is in danger of being cut, all while her favorite coach has been replaced by a much harsher one. With pitch-perfect dialogue, Ahn presents a resonant, slice-of-life chapter book about friendships, pushing past first impressions, and conflict resolution.

ATINUKE. Love from Anna Hibiscus! illus. by Lauren Tobia. Candlewick. ISBN 9781536239515.
Gr 1-3–Nigerian youngster Anna Hibiscus’s worldview is changed when she vacations with her grandparents at their childhood village. In this lovely series addition, Atinuke covers topics like child abandonment and socioeconomic disparity in an age-relevant way and offers examples of kids inspiring the adults in their lives by doing good on a local scale.

BAILEY, Jenn. Henry’s Picture-Perfect Day. illus. by Mika Song. Chronicle. ISBN 9781797230252.
Gr 1-3–Henry returns in this sweet, funny tale of embracing imperfection and authenticity on class picture day. Prose and illustrations excel in their trademark expressive simplicity. Young readers on the autism spectrum may relate to Henry’s musings and his wry skepticism of the “rules” around an important event.

BROACH, Elise. Bulldozer & Friends: Bulldozer Goes to School. illus. by Kelly Murphy. Little, Brown/Christy Ottaviano. ISBN 9780316564199.
Gr 1-3–The delightful construction vehicle makes his school debut. Broach and Murphy continue their longtime collaboration to deliver this stirring and accessible early chapter book about the power of friendship and determination to overcome every challenge.

CYPESS, Leah. Miriam’s Magical Creature Files: The Truth About the Tooth Fairy. illus. by Sarah Lynne Reul. Abrams/Amulet. ISBN 9781419772405.
Gr 2-4–Youngest sibling Miriam is convinced her family is fibbing about the tooth fairy, and she’s going to prove it with science. Full of endearing art, including charts, doodles, and field notes, Cypess’s novel is a hilarious account of a charismatic Orthodox Jewish girl who will charm kids and adults alike.

HAYDU, Corey Ann. Zoomi and Zoe and the Sibling Situation. illus. by Anne Appert. Quirk. ISBN 9781683694601.
Gr 1-3–Fuzzy monster Zoomi and her favorite human Zoe navigate the trials of big sisterhood. Haydu’s tender prose and inventive vocabulary capture the delight and frustration a new baby sibling brings; Appert’s sweet, colorful art highlights an imaginative world of fun words and creatures readers will adore visiting.

HIGUERA, Donna Barba. The Unlikely Aventuras of Ramón and El Cucuy. illus. by Juliana Perdomo. Abrams/Amulet. ISBN 9781419777424.
Gr 2-4–The Newbery author’s first chapter book series centers a young cucuy (Latine boogeyman) and his first assignment to terrorize a naughty human boy who is more homesick than mischievous. Perennial themes, clever worldbuilding, quirky characters, and Perdomo’s adorable art blend perfectly in this just-right, silly entry.

LYONS, Kelly Starling. Ty’s Travels: Super Ty! illus. by Niña Mata. HarperCollins. ISBN 9780063083721.
PreS-Gr 1–With a makeshift cape and mask, Ty becomes Super Ty, using his imagination and kindness to save the day—until he faces a problem he can’t solve, prompting his older brother to become a superhero, too. This joyful, empowering early reader celebrates imagination, family, and small acts of heroism.

MEDINA, Juana. Elena Camps. Candlewick.ISBN 9781536216424.
PreS-Gr 2–Determined elephant Elena struggles to set up her camping tent. Medina’s signature art, the short text, and the playful onomatopoeia and humor in this engaging story will show emerging readers the values of perseverance and emotional regulation.

PIZZOLI, Greg. Earl & Worm #1: The Bad Idea and Other Stories. Knopf.ISBN 9780593649664.
PreS-Gr 2–New neighbors Earl and Worm become best friends over the course of three short stories. Similar to Elephant and Piggie and Frog and Toad, this duo will quickly find its place as a staple on young readers’ shelves.

RYLANT, Cynthia. Mouse & Spoon: Owlets and Tarts. illus. by Janna Mattia. S. & S./Simon Spotlight. ISBN 9781665962186.
K-Gr 2–At the Mouse and Spoon bakery, three determined mice help a pair of exhausted owls and their babies fall sleep with their delicious treats. Cozy art in a soft palette, paired with brief sentences and a gentle narrative, make for a satisfyingly sweet early reader, perfect for bedtimes.

SKENE, Pat Lamondin. One Beaded Earring. Natalie Laurin. Orca. ISBN 9781459841598.
Gr 1-5–When Delia brings her mom’s cherished beaded earrings to school and loses one, she strives to make things right and learns about her Métis heritage along the way. Monochrome illustrations depict a loving family bonding over traditions in a rich, accessible narrative of a multigenerational family reconnecting with their Indigenous roots.

SNEVE, Virginia Driving Hawk. The Summer of the Bone Horses. illus. by Steph Littlebird. Abrams/Amulet. ISBN 9781419759550.
Gr 1-3–A Dakota boy spends the summer with his grandparents at a reservation while his father undergoes a serious operation in this spare and moving early chapter book. Through cultural touchstones and resonant themes, Sneve and Littlebird sensitively capture the uncertainty of familial challenges and the resilience found in intergenerational bonds.