Posted in picture books, Preschool Reads

Back to School means putting mental health first

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

A new school year is coming! But it’s good to remember that school may be a source of anxiety for some kids: some kids are nervous about being away from home without their grownups for the first time, and some kids may be anxious about being in class; having to speak up in class, afraid of not knowing an answer, any number of reasons. There are some books out geared to help younger learners navigate this anxiety. Let’s take a look.

Just for Today, by Charlotte Agell/Illustrated by Ana Ramírez González, (July 2026, Scholastic Press), $19.99, ISBN: 9781546181323

Ages 4-8

Elba is a hippo who worries a lot; her worries can keep her up some nights. Norris is an alligator who believes that worry comes from “telling yourself the wrong story”. Norris persuades Elba to create a new story together with him, but the story takes an unexpected turn when they attempt to make the story a reality, sending Elba on an unexpected and frightening adventure! Elba discovers she must rely on herself and not to give in to her worries, and finds herself comforting Norris when the two friends reunite. The point of the story: sometimes, the story changes, but it’s within ourselves to write the ending and a good friend can help co-author a happy one. Cheerful, bright watercolor and graphite illustrations are soft and comforting, and Norris’s and Elba’s large, expressive eyes encourage interaction with the reader. All in all, a sweet and optimistic story that encourages resilience, especially when experiencing the unexpected.

 

 

 

Love, Panda, by Elaine Su/Illustrated by Charlene Chua, (July 2026, Scholastic Press), $19.99, ISBN: 9781546179580

Ages 4-8

A series of letters written by a panda in distress is as hilarious as it is charming. Panda’s human, Benny, left in the new baby’s room, and things are a little damp. (Panda’s ears. Panda’s ears are damp.) In a series of letters to Benny, Panda pleads for rescue: the baby doesn’t know what’s funny! The baby’s crinkly book isn’t entertaining! As the book progresses, we slowly see Baby Lou endear herself to Panda, who discovers that maybe they should stay with Lou a little longer. Panda is a stand-in for children with a new baby in the home: at first, there may be discomfort with a new situation; scoffing at things that Baby doesn’t do that they can do, being praised for rolling over, or just pooping! Panda also shows kids how to be a caring older sibling, noticing little things like Baby’s need for the “Nighty-Night water sounds” in order to fall asleep and the pride of being a baby’s chosen person to speak baby babble to. As Panda sees memories of Baby Benny in Baby Lou, parents can talk about what things were like when the older child was a baby, creating a bridge between the two siblings. Adorable illustrations show a put-upon Panda in laughable situations. Different notepapers give readers the feel of Panda grabbing whatever they could find to scribble missives. An adorable addition to new baby/social-emotional collections.

Posted in Early Reader, Fiction, Fiction, Intermediate

Diary of a Dinoghost – hilarious new easy reader series

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

Unlikely Friends (Diary of a Dinoghost #1), by Monica Arnaldo, (Aug. 2026, Scholastic), $7.99, ISBN: 9798225021221

Ages 6-8

Cobble is a dinosaur ghost–a  Dinoghost–who has started a diary. He’s very set in his routine, which includes riding the bus to visit a haunted lighthouse and a 7-year-old boy named Kevin, who has an affinity for ketchup. When Kevin pours ketchup into the goldfish bowl that was a birthday gift, he creates a goldfish ghost named Bonny, who can see and speak with Cobble. Demanding Cobble bring her to the ocean, the good-natured dinosaur sets out on an adventure he never planned for. The first in a new easy reader series, Unlikely Friends is a fun buddy story with black and white illustrations and speech bubbles to break up longer blocks of text. Written in a diary format, the story appears to be written on line paper – also handy for emerging readers. Newly confident readers ready to take on more challenging text will enjoy discovering Bonny and Cobble. Back matter includes some questions and activities. The second book is due out later this year.

 

 

Posted in Uncategorized

Kat and Mouse plan a sleepover

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

Hi, all, been a while. But I’m here, and I’m posting reviews that I started but never got a chance to hit “publish” on. Let’s start!

 

As I continue wading through Mount TBR, I’m sharing some recently published books that are great summer reads. Today, I’ve got some easy readers, starting off with the newest in a fun Easy Reader series.

Kat and Mouse: Let’s Have a Sleepover!, by Salina Yoon, (March 2026, Bloomsbury Children’s Books), $12.99, ISBN: 9781547612451

Ages 5-7

Kat and Mouse return in a new adventure: this time, the friends plan a sleepover. While Mouse is looking forward to reading, Kat wants to dance and snack. Will the two friends get on each other’s nerves, or can they work together to create the best sleepover ever? Organized into graphic novel-type panels, with easy-to-read word bubbles and boldly outlined illustrations, this is an easy reader that appeals to Elephant and Piggie fans. The two friends explore comprimise and creative thinking to come up with a fun evening that both enjoy. A fun read that emerging readers will read again and again. Get this fun new series on your shelves if you haven’t yet.

 

 

Posted in Toddler Reads

A Two-fer from Sandra Magsamen!

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

Artist, award-winning author, and art therapist Sandra Magsamen creates sweet and playful books. I’ve enjoyed quite a few over the years and am so happy to see that she has two new board books coming out – all the better to add to my lapsit storytimes!

Hello, Baby, by Sandra Magsamen, (July 2026, Cartwheel Books), $8.99, ISBN: 9781546183945

Ages Birth-3

This celebration of a baby is filled with lovable phrases to say to babies: “Hello, baby, we’re so happy that you’re here! You’re our peanut pumpkin and our little deer!” The brief, rhyming verse and accompanying illustrations are big, bold, and adorable. It’s great for a lapsit or cuddle time. Great for a baby shower gift, too. Hello, Baby is the first in Magsamen’s new line of board books for babies: Peek-a-Boo, Baby is due this summer. Brief, bright, and expressive, these books will hold up to many, many readings. A very nice addition to board books collection.

 

 

I Whaley Love You!, by Sandra Magsamen, (May 2026, Cartwheel Books), $8.99, ISBN: 9781546140139

Ages Birth-3

How do you not squeal with delight when you see a title like this? I Whaley Love You! is a pun-filled ode to time well spent: “I whaley love you, you sweet little whale. We’ll always be side by side and tail by tail!” There’s a big squishy tail at the top of the book, letting little lapsitters squish and explore textures while you read to them. The book features a big whale and little whale; the big whale talking about all the fun they have together in the big blue sea. Adorable, colorful, and bold, this one is a great choice for collections – consider a backup copy for storytime collections.

Magsamen also has free downloadables on her website. Go take a look!

 

Posted in picture books

Picture Book/Board Book Rundown!

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

I know it’s been a minute since I was posting regularly, so let’s get to the books that were published during my little break!

Good Night, Friends, by Lori Wieczorek/Illustrated by Keiron Ward, (March 2026, Scholastic), $9.99, ISBN: 9798225017675

Ages 3-5

With verse and cadence inspired by Margaret Wise Brown’s bedtime classic, Goodnight Moon, Wieczorek skillfully creates a rhyming bedtime story about Friends: “In the great New York apartment, there was a group of friends on a sunny afternoon and a home full of… Phoebe’s tunes!” Fans of the series will love reliving the sitcom as they read the book to littles. Memorable moments from the series, from the famous “Pivot!” to Monica, Phoebe, and Rachel wearing wedding dresses as they sit on a couch together, run throughout the book. Ward’s illustrations are adorable, featuring simplified versions of the characters. This one is too cute for fans not to have, and the series lives on in syndication, ensuring consistent pop culture life span.

 

 

Truckosaurus, by Karen Shapiro/Illustrated by Rachel Foo, (March 2026, Sourcebooks Wonderland), $12.99, ISBN: 9781464251641

Ages 4-7

There’s a secret land where the wackiest and most wonderful creatures live, and the most beloved of all is Truckosaurus, the cutest half-dinosaur half-truck you’ll ever want to meet. Truckosaurus rolls around town catching up with his friends: toucans and apes, laser-toothed tigers, glow-in-the-dark pythons, and so many more! Everyone is getting ready for a big party to celebrate their best friend, the kindest Truckosaurus who helps everyone! Told in rhyme and filled with imaginative and playfully wild illustrations, this colorful ode to friendship is perfect for dinosaur fans (and if you’re doing the CSLP Summer Reading program). If you haven’t added this to your storytime collection yet, give it some consideration.

 

 

How NOT To Make a Jelly Sandwich, by Ross Burach, (Apr. 2026, Scholastic Press), $19.99, ISBN: 9781338877090

Ages 4-8

Frankie is a kid who has her own unique way of doing things, and she can’t wait to show you how she makes a jelly sandwich! This hilarious story will have kids giggling as they follow Frankie along on her quest to make a jelly sandwich. How do you get bread? Disguise yourself as a duck, waddle down to the nearest pond, and let folks throw bread at you, naturally! Frankie has a wild imagination and encourages readers to think outside – way outside! – the box to do things. (Maybe don’t organize a joust to get your pieces of bread to meet, though.) Bold outlines, bright colors, and clever details throughout are a delight, always giving readers something new to discover. Definitely a fun choice for storytimes (and if, like my library, you offer Summer Lunch, there’s your lunchtime program).

 

Posted in picture books

A Super Bowl champ’s inspiring new book: Super Duper Me

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

Super Duper Me, by Malcolm Mitchell/Illustrated by Deise Lino, (Aug. 2026, Orchard Books), $19.99, ISBN: 9781338225334

Ages 4-8

Theo’s the new kid at school and has trouble fitting in until a new school librarian arrives. Mr. Burton sees Theo when he feels invisible and invites him to his “Treasure Trove of Knowledge”; his “fancy-schmancy way of saying ‘the library'”. Burton tells Theo that he is never afraid because books give him wings: “They lift you up and show you how far you can fly”. Mr. Burton leaves special quotes on the bulletin board every day, allowing Theo to draw strength and confidence from books. The words lift him up and empower him, enabling him to make friends and share his own stories. Bold and bright illustrations attract a reader’s eye, and characters’ expressive faces are friendly and inviting. There are moving illustrations that celebrate self-confidence and the power of words; Theo basks in the warmth of his teacher’s support and is lifted up by the words from books. A strong story that brings home the power of books, the power of words, and the benefit of a good librarian! Back matter includes a warm author note. A recommended add to SEL collections.

 

 

 

Malcolm Mitchell is the rookie who helped the New England Patriots win Super Bowl LI. He’s also the founder of an initiative called Read with Malcolm, which introduces book ownership to students, and works to improve literacy in schools. Malcolm’s Share the Magic Foundation promotes the benefits of reading to kids in underserved communities. As the New England Patriots Summer Reading Ambassador, he encourages summer reading. Malcolm lives in Atlanta, Georgia.
Deise Lino is the illustrator of several picture books, including Abuelo’s Flower Shop by Jackie Morera, Future Hero: Battle for Sky Kingdom by Remi Blackwood, and Luna Wolf 2: Code Danger by Alesha Dixon. She holds bachelor’s degrees in digital design and animation film and lives in Lisbon, Portugal. To learn more, visit deiselino.com.
Posted in picture books

Fútbol Is Life! / ¡Fútbol es vida! A Ted Lasso fan favorite tells his story

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

Fútbol Is Life! / ¡Fútbol es vida!, by Cristo Fernández/Illustrated by James Rey Sanchez, (July 2026, Scholastic), $19.99, ISBN: 9798225012274

Ages 4-8

If you’ve seen Ted Lasso, you know that tagline belongs to the one and only Dani Rojas, played by Cristo Fernández. Rojas lived and breathed fútbol – most Americans call it soccer – and his joy on the field was an absolute delight to watch. In this charming autobiographical and bilingual story, Cristo is a young boy for whom “fútbol es vida”. Forever attached to his ball, his mother claims that it is “stuck to you like bubble gum to a shoe”. Focused on his game and being seen by a scout, Cristo is a kid on a mission until he sustains an injury that sidelines him. After a period of moping, he accompanies his Abuelita to the market, where he discovers sights and smells he never had time for before and happens upon a new hobby: making tamales! The story is as upbeat and cheerful as Fernández’s famous character, with a love for the game feeding everything around him. The English and Spanish text are easy to read and make for a great readaloud in either (or both!) language(s). Back matter includes an author’s note and back endpapers include Fernández’s family photos.

In a life imitates art moment, Fernández has signed with the El Paso Locomotives to be a striker, and Ted Lasso is coming back to televisions in August! Add this to your World Cup booklists and watch your readers adopt the famous tagline. A recommended purchase for areas with sports fans.

 

 

Cristo Fernández began his professional life as a fútbol (soccer) player in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, until injuries challenged him to reinvent his dreams. With determination, he earned a BA in Communications and later an MA in Acting in the UK, dedicating years to study, discipline, and creating his own independent work to forge a new path as an actor and filmmaker. That perseverance led him to the life-changing opportunity of Ted Lasso, where in his audition he delivered what would become Dani Rojas’s now-iconic catchphrase—a moment that transformed the trajectory of both the show and his own life. From Ted Lasso to the new stories he is creating today, Cristo continues to bring positivity, joy, and global inspiration to audiences, while elevating Latin American representation around the world.

James Rey Sanchez graduated from the Academy of Art University with a BFA in Visual Development and
studies in Children’s Book IllustraHon. His work includes illustraHng the very popular children’s book Irving
Berlin, The Immigrant Boy Who Made America Sing.

Posted in Fiction, Horror, Middle Grade, Teen, Tween Reads, Young Adult/New Adult

Scary stories to tell… well, anytime you want, really

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

Fatal Glitch: Ground Zero, by Erin Entrada Kelly & Eliot Schrefer/Illustrated by Jeannette Arroyo, (July 2026, Stonefruit Studio), $14.99, ISBN: 9781464241048

Ages 8-12

This new middle grade horror series hits perfect for Goosebumps readers who are ready to take it up a notch. In Ground Zero, we meet Sofia, an 11-year-old gamer who’s not really a wonderful person. She’s being sent to Camp Forestjaw after an incident involving her older sister, and we get that she’s pretty wrapped up in the game Sandbox (think Minecraft). She blows off her dad and when she meets the other campers in her cabin – all Sandbox players – she forms some pretty rude opinions of them, too. When Monarch, their camp administrator, introduces them to the Razors – creepy mechanical vultures – and hooded, spooky NPCs, all the campers are unsettled. And then the eliminations begin. Players vote one another off, and the loser is carried off to who knows where by one of the Razors. Sofia, convinced she’s got a Sandbox pot of gold at the end of her rainbow, plays her best Survivor game, attempting to double-cross and gaslight her way to the finish line. But that’s not the way it works in this tale of comeuppance and just desserts. Illustrated with black-and-white pictures and featuring shorter chapters, this is great for readers who are just hitting their chapter book stride or who may not yet have the attention span for longer novels. Looking forward to the next book in this technology gone bad series. A recommended first purchase.

 

School Bus Graveyard Volume 1, by Red (June 2026, Webtoon), $18.99, ISBN: 9798217122875

Ages 14+

Ashlyn is a high school loner forced to make friends when a field trip goes awry and leaves her cursed. Now, she and her classmates are the only ones who see smiling phantoms in the night, and when the clock strikes midnight, the skies turn red and the teens are pulled into a parallel universe filled with the horrible creatures. The teens gather in the school bus parking lot – the “graveyard” – to strategize and survive. Ashlyn is forced to let her guard down and trust her classmates in hopes of finding the secret to breaking the curse. This volume collects episodes 1-32 of the Webtoon series and includes extra art from the author. Creepy, with laughs placed to break up the tension, this has some great moments that Webtoon fans, graphic novel readers, and horror aficionados will enjoy. The smiling monsters are chilling and watching the group figure out how to combat them and learn to rely on one another makes for a great story. Look out for a live-action adaptation, and in the meantime, read up on the WebToon here.

 

Posted in Graphic Novels, Teen, Young Adult/New Adult

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before Goes Graphic

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before the Graphic Novel: The Graphic Novel, by Jenny Han, Adapted by Barbara Perez Marquez, Illustrated by Akimaro & Li Lu, (May 2026, Simon & Schuster Teen), $15.99, ISBN: 9781665983105

Ages 12-18

The YA and Netflix smash has made its way to the graphic novel format and I know this will fly off the shelves the second it arrives in my library. For those of us not versed in the Jenny Han-verse, To All the Boys… is the story of 16-year-old Lara Jean, who writes love letters to all the boys she’s loved: all five. She pours her heart into these letters, but never sends them; she keeps them in a box in her room. Makes sense, right? She’s writing the letters as a way to work through complicated emotions, and no one needs to know. Until someone sends those letters to those five boys, and now Lara Jean has a lot of work ahead of her. This was my introduction to the Jenny Han Universe and I really enjoyed it. There’s comedy, family angst, and relationship drama all in equal measure here, with side characters like Lara’s best friend, Chris, her older sister, Margot, and Margot’s boyfriend, Josh, for whom Lara also has feelings for. It’s a light story with some laughs and some angst, perfect for teens who want a rom-com with a side of longing. The manga-inspired art is very slice of life and will appeal to readers. It’s a good first purchase for YA collections, especially since your own copies of the original novel are likely getting worn out.

 

Posted in picture books

A fairy tale and the story of a fairy tale master, all for you!

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

The True Ugly Duckling: How Hans Christian Andersen Became a Swan, by Sandra Nickel/Illustrated by Calvin Nicholls, (Mar. 2026, Levine Querido), $18.99, ISBN: 9781646145768

Ages 4-8

Nickel and Nicholls create a breathtaking picture book biography about master storyteller Hans Christian Andersen. Focusing on his lonely childhood and young adulthood, Andersen’s life mirrored many of his fairytales: the ugly duckling who became a swan; the lonely outcast who became celebrated by society. Nickel draws empathy from readers by unfolding Andersen’s story as one would a fairy tale hero’s journey, using some of Andersen’s most famous stories to tell his tale: his inability to dance like a swan; his speaking and acting “like a country duck”; his singing voice becoming “more like a toad’s” when his voice changed. Nicholls’s low-relief sculptures, created with layers of paper, creates movement and texture that presents a feast for the eyes. Every single part of this book is a joy to read. Back matter includes an author’s note, bibliography, and citations. An excellent addition to picture book biographies. Display with some of Andersen’s tales and show readers how to create their own cut-paper masterpieces – start with a simple doll chain or this heart chain.

The True Ugly Duckling has a starred review from Kirkus.

 

 

Rumpelstiltskin, by Mac Barnett/Illustrated by Carson Ellis, (Feb. 2026, Orchard Books), $19.99, ISBN: 9781338673852

Ages 3-7

Barnett and Ellis go together like peanut butter and jelly, and they’re just as good. Their latest story is a phenomenal retelling of Rumpelstiltskin, the little guy who spins straw into gold for a price. Nothing comes close to Barnett’s joyfully incendiary voice: he describes the young girl’s father as a “poor miller… a nice enough guy, but he had a big mouth. ..,Here, I’ll give you an example”. The father and king play a game of one-upmanship that leads the poor miller’s daughter to the king’s castle, where she has to spin gold out of straw (thanks, Dad) or lose her head. Barnett’s storytelling is pure fun to read, and Ellis’s gouache paintings look like a medieval museum gallery: which is what influenced both author and illustrator. There are also sketches throughout. The historical feel of the artwork pairs beautifully with Barnett’s more updated prose to give readers a book they will return to again and again.

Do not miss this one: it’s got starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly, Booklist, and Kirkus, was an Indie Next Pick, and a Book of Distinction chosen by the Bulletin for the Center of Children’s Books.