Recommended for libraries in colder climates where getting ready for winter is truly a matter of survival and books on this topic are needed. An extraneous purchase for others.
A queer, feminist spin on familiar fairy-tale elements. Highly recommended.
An underdog story with a powerful message about putting heroes on a pedestal, this is for all teen collections.
Recommended for young adult graphic novel collections.
Sweet, symbolic, and uplifting, this is a morning count-off that will inspire.
Recommended for picture book collections, especially those endeavoring to affirm the challenges faced by children who experience immigration and cultivate empathy among those who have not.
An affirming picture book that will be particularly welcomed by libraries seeking stories about refugees and the migration experience.
This is a charmer, alright, with simple shapes, digitally drawn and colored, to fill up toddlers’ eyes and nothing spooky to spoil the mood of gentle friendship and celebrations.
With zany illustrations, clever wordplay, and laugh-out-loud storytelling, this graphic novel is exactly the right kind of good-humored silliness for emerging readers who are just beginning to discover the fun of books.
A perfect storm of royal drama and intrigue. Recommended for all teen collections.
Fans of Turk’s other work will enjoy this title, as well as readers who love discovering artists coming to life on the page and learning about queer history.
This is an endearing book, a poignant tale of stalwart love, with a rich landscape of immersive art.
A great choice for Spanish-language picture book collections and for discussion of opposites in characteristics.
An enchanting Spanish-language picture book about the beauty in the everyday and the endless possibilities of the imagination.
Purchase where Komi Can’t Communicate or Idol Dreams circulate well.
A perseverance parable with a trouble-making dog readers can’t help but love. Purchase for picture book collections.
While engaging for young readers who have strong grandparent ties or a love of plants, the arc of the story feels more attuned to the parents reading this story aloud than the child reader, but the illustrations will pair well with greenhouse trips, garden growing lessons, and plant identification.
This lovely Spanish-language picture book is a great choice for exploring the topic of change and trying new things, and is highly recommended for all Spanish-language collections for children.
A potential mirror for tweens who are struggling with their sense of self-worth and navigating the complexities of friendship. Recommended for middle school collections.
Fans of the series will embrace this interpretation of the bounty hunter and his new companion. Highly recommended for any manga collection.
This moving meditation on grief is perfect for fans of Carole Lindstrom, Drew Breckmeyer, Michaela Goade, and Grace Lin.
Add to libraries, and pair with books with human grandparents for best success.
A fun Spanish-language picture book perfect for fans of humorous stories involving animals.
Sure to hold appeal to the animal lovers, this would make an excellent read-aloud, especially if the audience is working on learning the elements of storytelling.
With a fresh take on the familiar concept of dreams, this theatrical book will be a showstopper for young readers.
The message of self-care and supportive family relationships amid a serious family crisis will provide hope for other families with a beloved member altered by war.
An enjoyable historical fiction mystery with a prominent queer romance. Recommended.
This first installment of Pluto Rocket is not one to miss.
Martin weaves adventure and sensitive storytelling into a tale not to be missed. An excellent purchase for graphic novel collections and for readers who enjoy survival stories.
A wonderful introduction to a natural phenomenon that fascinates adults and children alike.
While the book is fun and nostalgic, the 1990s references may feel unrelatable to the target audience.
A powerful story of how one person makes an impact, even when interrupted by violence; this title is recommended for all.
A paean to resourcefulness, creativity and collaboration, this quietly jubilant picture book is ideal for parents and children to share.
Equal parts feel-good and radical honesty, this first purchase will easily appeal to fans of Adam Silvera and Becky Albertalli.
Give this to classrooms studying elephants of young readers who don’t mind a little less dialogue and character building while the journey unfolds.
A good next read for fans of Cressida Cowell and Jessica Townsend, recommend this one to fans of funny fantasy with a setting that rings of medieval Europe.
In a book that is very “we are the world” in concept, Meisel’s art meticulously created details to make this global. However, it still a very America- and Christian-centric book. Pass and select more culturally responsive materials that reflect kids’ lives.
A glorious, too-brief glimpse of Ethiopia for elementary-age children, this will send them off to do further research on textiles and cultures.
An enchanting addition to libraries, where cultural connections are key; the artwork will inspire creativity in any classroom.
Within the context of guided family and classroom conversations, this gorgeously illustrated picture book can be an important age-appropriate tool to educate children about the Holocaust while emphasizing the enduring power of perseverance and love.
This book, about perfectly normal children having a great time, is absolutely amazing.
An inexpensive addition to “Pete the Cat” or fairy-tale remix collections.
A welcome addition to the world of beginner reader books.
A brief, engaging story for young and eager sports fans, eminently effective without trying to do too much.
A great book for early readers.
A touching and educational illustrated chapter book that highlights empathy, resourcefulness, and the importance of community. An enriching addition to library bookshelves.
A monstrous, zany early reader graphic novel for readers who enjoy the new “Bailey School Kids” graphic novels, school stories with a twist, and "Monster High."
A delightful conclusion to this chapter series. Purchase where the other books in the series circulate well.
Vivid illustrations paired with a relatable story equals a must-have for any library.
A good choice as part of a series that can help establish a core collection of early reader titles.
A feel-good, action-packed story that will keep children engaged from the first page. Recommended where other “LEGO City” books are popular.
Lighthearted and silly with a good message, this title is part of a great series waiting to be discovered.
Fans of the author’s “Owl and Penguin” books will welcome Zooni. A solid purchase for elementary collections.
A good choice where fantasy elements are popular. Pair this with Sarah’s Unicorn by Bruce Coville.
A thorough introduction to Rubble & Crew and to the tasks they like to do on their jobs. Recommended where other “Step into Reading” books are popular.
Recommended as a title that stresses the importance of friendship.
Comic illustrations, friendship, and hundreds of ducks engaged in silly activities may be enough for some readers, but libraries better go with Mo.
Overall a revisiting of classic flamboyant femmes but with enough interesting details to add freshness. Good for early elementary students.
This book is a perfect addition to any children’s shelf, whether aimed at families, adoption, multicultural stories, or topics of love and acceptance.
Color-drenched acrylic paintings and outsized proportions provide humor and affection in equal doses. Readers will want to settle in for a second read.
Once again, the dynamic team of Palatini and Yaccarino have created a story that is not only appealing to children but also fun for adults. Recommended for all collections.
Pair this chapter book with similar series for reluctant readers in this age group, including “The Time Warp Trio,” “My Weirder School,” and “Sideways Stories from Wayside School.”
Purchase this delightful book for early reader collections.
A solid choice where slice-of-life comics for young readers are in demand.
Laughs abound in this fractured fairy tale embedded in a bedtime story. Give this to fans of “Katie the Catsitter” by Colleen AF Venable and Giants Beware! by Jorge Aguirre.
An early reader worth purchasing.
A must-add to any YA collection.
Innocent camp high jinks, siblings who care deeply for each other, family loss, Latinx and Asian representation, and a sweet hopeful LGBTQIA+ love story
Full of beautiful prose and characters who laugh in the face of toxic masculinity, Miller’s debut has a lot of promise—especially in terms of BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ representation
Share with readers who have exhausted all other fantasy-romance options. A secondary purchase for where this genre circulates well.
Colbert’s latest novel deserves a spot in teen and high school collections; hand to readers who enjoy family sagas and the ups and downs of fame.
Recommended, especially for those that wish to grow the horror section in their manga and graphic novel collections.
For those who prefer spooky supernatural horror, this single volume collection of urban legends will send a pleasing chill or two up the spine.
A recommended purchase for most early reader collections.
A nice but nonessential addition to public library collections.
Even with a few plot hiccups, this reader will fly off the shelves because of the rock-solid value of the Disney Princess franchise. A recommended purchase for all school and public collections.
A great choice for fostering social emotional learning and emerging reading skills.
Armchair travelers and young dreamers will enjoy boosting reading skills as they join Sabrina Sue’s latest adventure.
A great choice for beginning reader collections.
Hand this dystopic-heist-romance in an alt-world China to fans of Marissa Meyer’s Cinder.
Heavy on vibes and atmosphere, this is ultimately an underdeveloped goth fantasy that may appeal to fans of Nicki Pau Preto’s Bonesmith.
Readers who appreciate stories dealing with the complexities of grief, such as We Are Okay by Nina LaCour, or the south Florida setting and Cuban influences of Don’t Date Rosa Santos by Nina Moreno, will enjoy this one.
A good scary read for those prepared for the mental health content.
This does its best to be original, but its concept does come with issues and may not be something young readers or educators will prioritize in an already crowded market.
A heartfelt lament for what America could be but chooses not to, this is a must-purchase for high school libraries. Recommended for fans of Ibi Zoboi and Amber McBride.
With an adventurous treasure hunt, a perilous mystery, and a character-driven romance set in a unique historical moment, this is Ibañez’s best work yet. Make space in all YA collections.
Volume two capitalizes on its character growth to deliver an affecting graphic novel about growing up in the zombie apocalypse.
Bypass this one and stick to the works of authors Jenny Han and David Yoon.
This book will appeal to readers seeking a suspenseful teen slasher about secret societies and social climbing. Recommended for fans of Gretchen McNeil, Gemma Halliday, and Holly Jackson.
A magical, political standalone packed with Indian mythology that will please those who stick with it.
A witty, feel-good romance with the perfect blend of tension, banter, and heart. Highly recommended.
An enjoyable historical romance, in the vein of Bridgerton, conveyed through quaint drawings with a pleasing color scheme. Content contains mature images that are appropriate for older teenagers.
A recommended purchase for school libraries.
A comical, musical journey, this book could lead to lively story hours across age ranges, one that even caregivers will rock to.
With an emphasis on effort before reward and a sturdy hero, this is a recommended STEAM–related title.
One step up from a board book, this celebration of great moments in babyland will work for very young SEL lessons and a generous, uplifting story hour.
Completely charming! For everyone who has tried to help a young one face those bedtime monster fears, this offers a pretty good answer.
A dentist story with a happy ending sounds a lot like William Steig’s Doctor De Soto, without the menace. Choose this for story hours on SEL or hygiene.
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