Hi, all! I’ve been away for a bit, but with good reason…
I’m a Nana now! I took some time to hang out with my new storytime companion, and now I’m back and ready to talk kidlit – probably now more than ever!
While I herd all my cats, just wanted to let you know that there was a good reason for my absence. And now, on with the show.
I Love Salmon and Lampreys: A Native Story of Resilience, by Brook S. Thompson/Illustrated by Anastasia Khmelevska, (Feb. 2025, Heyday), $20, ISBN: 9781597146685
Ages 4-8
Growing up, Brook Thompson loved fishing with her family and hearing their stories; she also learned to care for the salmon and lampreys that sustained generations of her family. The dams along the Klamath River in Northern California endangered the fish, leaving the fish susceptible to “ich”, a parasite, that killed over 60,000 salmon. A member of the Yurok and Karuk Tribes, Thompson joined the tribal members and community that protested the dams until several were removed. Thompson’s story goes beyond the biographical to explain how the story of the fish mirrors her own journey to becoming a scientist and engineer; their pasts are rooted together in history, starting with the fish sustaining her ancestors. Like the salmon and lampreys, Thompson explored a life away from home, returning after receiving an education that will allow her to “take care of fish for people in the future, like my ancestors did for me in past years”. Khmelevska’s endearing artwork is rich with warm colors and expressive faces. A rendering of a grown-up Thompson wears a dress readers will recognize in an author photo from the back matter. Back matter includes fun facts, maps, and a note about the Klamath River dams. The book’s text utilizes a font called OpenDyslexic, making it easier for readers with dyslexia to enjoy. A good additional purchase for picture book biographies. Pair with We Are Water Protectors for Earth Day displays.
Bedtime Kisses, by Élisabeth de Lambilly/Illustrated by Mélisande Luthringer, (Feb. 2025, Twirl Books), $10.99, ISBN: 9791027613267
Ages Birth-3
A group of babies get bedtime cuddles in this adorable graduated, die-cut board book. Baby squirrels, monkeys, kangaroos, whales, and humans all run through a bedtime routine with their parent: a soothing hush from Mama Squirrel, closing eyes with Papa Monkey, tickles, cuddles, and kisses from Daddy Kangaroo, a warm snuggle with Mommy Whale, and a loving hug and kiss from a human parent to child. The board books are sturdy and pages get larger in size with each mammal; die cuts are chunky and the shapes allow for little fingers to trace and explore. This book will hold up to multiple readings and the gentle illustrations are warm and show affection between caregivers and babies. Colors are soft and cheerful. A very cute addition to board book and bedtime story collections.
Look! What is That?, by Tristan Mory, (Feb. 2025, Twirl Books), $16.99, ISBN: 9782408056018
Ages Birth-3
There is so much to enjoy about this interactive board book! A baby wanders onto the scene, with no idea that they’re being watched! A mouse, bear, rabbit, bird, pig, and wolf all wonder aloud and take guesses as to what this strange little creature could be until a parent arrives on the scene, answering the question. Sturdy pull-tabs pop up from the top and right side of the book, making for a fun interactive storytelling and solo play. A fun introduction to animal descriptions as the animals puzzle things out: “…it doesn’t have a beak… and it has no feathers! It’s not a bird”. The characters’ expressive eyes draw readers’ attention right away, and the bright illustrations keep readers engaged. The pull tabs and pages are sturdy and will hold up nicely. Developing motor skills and teaching readers about animals? Look! What is That? is a fun addition to collections that readers will ask for again and again.
My Hand is the Sun, by Christine Naumann-Villemin/Illustrated by Géraldine Cosneau, (Feb. 2025, Twirl Books), $14.99, ISBN: 9782408056025
This is a board book that’s begging for an art storytime activity. A narrator considers different things their hands can be: an apple tree, a hen, an octopus, a lion, a flamingo, a butterfly, a garden, or a heart. Handprints form the basis for the illustrations, with a glossy allowing readers to touch and glide their own hands over the book’s, and place their hands over the illustrations to see how their own hands fit. Thoughtful illustration shows readers how to add to their initial handprint to create, for instance, a flamingo’s long neck or an octopus’s waving arms. Fun sound effects for each spread allows for an interactive storytime where readers can crunch apples, cluck like chickens, bloop like an octopus, or roar like lions. This book is another great addition to storytime and board book collections: it’s a program and book, all in one!
Extend the storytime with a handprint craft: if you don’t want to bring out paints to do handprints, you can always trace and cut handprints on colorful paper. Simple Everyday Mom has some fun ideas, or you can take inspiration from My Hand is the Sun.
During baby’s early months, babies aren’t able to focus on objects further than about 8-10 inches away. High contrast black and white images also help babies strengthen their focus; adding high contrast board books and images to your storytime collection will be a great resource for new parents and caregivers!
Animals at Home, by Xavier Deneux, (Feb. 2025, Twirl Books), $14.99, ISBN: 9791027613274
Ages Birth-3
High contrast meets pop-up die cuts in this adorable board book! Six animals show off their comfy homes: a bear in its den, ants in their anthill, and rabbits in their burrow are just a few of the animals babies will discover. High-contrast black and white images have a splash of color for interest as baby’s sight becomes stronger, and pop-up, die-cut images add an interesting third dimension that little fingers will love exploring. Simple prose on each spread gives readers an introduction to animals and their habitats. Simple and playful images pair with fun book design to make Animals at Home another fun addition to board book collections at the library, in the classroom, or at home.
InfantZoo has free high-contrast printables for you to share with your families or have available for post-storytime activities. Young Wonderer has a good piece on why black-and-white images are good for babies, with a breakdown of baby’s first year in development.
Uh-Oh! Rabbit, by Jo Ham, (Sept. 2023, Candlewick Studio), $10, ISBN: 9781536233179
Ages Birth-3
Learning about opposites was never so much fun. A rabbit learns that what goes up must come down, whether on a ski slope or a see saw. The story follows an amusing, repetitive pattern: Rabbit attempts an action, there’s an “Oh-oh!” moment, Rabbit learns: one “Rabbit up” spread shows Rabbit sporting bright yellow goggles and preparing to dive into a pool where another Rabbit relaxes on a float; “Uh-oh!” shows Rabbit in mid-air, heading right for the relaxing Rabbit; “Rabbit down” shows the goggled Rabbit clinging to the float in the middle of a big splash as the other Rabbit swims away. High contrast black and white images add pops of bright yellow for visual interest, and the two-word spreads tell readers all they need to know. Easy to read and with a stylish layout, this is a fun addition to concepts and high-contrast collections.
Uh-Oh! Rabbit was a Children’s Book Council pick for Building a Home Library.
Yippee! Rabbit, by Jo Ham, (Sept. 2023, Candlewick Studio), $10, ISBN: 9781536233186
Ages Birth-3
A companion to Uh Oh! Rabbit! (and Oops! Rabbit, also published in 2023), Yippee! Rabbit illustrates “Go” and “Stop”, with a brief pause for a triumphant “Yippee!” in between cause and effect: Rabbit runs with a kite (“Rabbit go”), the kite sails through the air (“Yippee!”), the kite wraps itself around a tree (“Rabbit stop”). Rabbit also attempts to swing, use his scooter in the rain, and leap off a chair, all with entertaining results. Endpapers show high contrast blue and black renderings of Rabbit’s activities across all three books. Jo Ham creates a fun way of illustrating concepts using spare text and humor while breaking each action down into three steps and teaching readers cause and effect. The high contrast art will appeal to babies, and the fun stories will sustain readers as they grow.
Every time Jon Klassen comes out with a new book, it is a cause for celebration. The recently released Your Places board book series, comprised of three books, is a cause for great joy here in Mom Read It Land!
Your Forest, by Jon Klassen, (Feb. 2025, Candlewick Press), $8.99, ISBN: 9781536230833
Ages 2-5
Each follows a storytelling rhythm that would be a home run for flannel storytimes and play storytimes, assembling the three scenes – Forest, Farm, and Island – spread by spread. Each story begins with the sun rising; each ends with the sun setting, and an invitation to think about what the reader will do tomorrow. Klassen puts the reader at the center of each story’s universe: “This is your sun. It is coming up for you”; “This is your cabin. It can go in the trees”. Each story includes a classic Klassen playful touch, including the nice forest ghost who “only comes out at night”‘; the “magic fire that never goes out”, and the “good truck that can go in the barn”. All of the components of each story have Klassen’s trademark eyes. Creating a comfortable, safe space for readers, the Your Places series is just perfect for toddlers and pre-readers. Grab some toys and let them assemble their own spaces as they read with you.
Your Farm, by Jon Klassen, (Feb. 2025, Candlewick Press), $8.99, ISBN: 9781536230826
Ages 2-5
The Your Places series has starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Kirkus and they are Indie Next picks.
Your Island, by Jon Klassen, (Feb. 2025, Candlewick Press), $8.99, ISBN: 9781536230819
Ages 2-5
Sticker Jigsaw: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, based on the novel by L. Frank Baum/Illustrated by Dinara Mirtalipova, (Feb. 2025, Odd Dot), $18.99, ISBN: 9781250908339
Ages 8+
Did The Wizard of Oz ever go out of style? Not likely, but Wicked is absolutely making the beloved classic “Popular” all over again. Sticker Jigsaw is just what it says on the cover: there are 15 sticker jigsaw puzzles inside, all set to scenes inspired by Baum’s classic story. Each spread includes an excerpt from the story and a cheerful illustrations, with one area blurred out and overlaid with jigsaw lines. A sticker section notes which areas belong to which spreads, and readers can peel and place the puzzle pieces to complete the artwork. The stickers are removable, so there are no worries about mistakes. The sticker pages are perforated to make for easy removal, but the main pages are not – if you plan to purchase these for program use, take apart the book before the program begins so you can hand out spreads with no fuss. Readers can choose from memorable moments like The Council with the Munchkins, The Gates of Oz, and The Search for the Wicked Witch. It’s a fun gift and it’s a fun idea for programs: if you have a small program, it’s less than $20 for one book. If you’re planning on a Wicked screening (or The Wizard of Oz), this makes for a good trivia prize or a fun extension activity.
Alpacas Here, Alpacas There, by Carrie Tillotson/Illustrated by Elisa Chavarri, (Feb. 2025, Beach Lane Books), $18.99, ISBN: 9781665942027
Ages 3-8
This delightful illustrated rhyming book went over very well at storytime yesterday! These adorable big-eyed, lushly lashed animals have their moment in this fun and informative rhyming story loaded with alpaca facts. The story begins with alpacas’ domestication thousands of years ago in the Andes Mountains, when the people living among them used their fleece to keep warm in the cold mountain climate. From there, Tillotson provides a glimpse into alpaca life and behavior, with rhyming text making for an engaging storytime and informative paragraphs on each spread, providing deeper context and more information. Tilloton weaves beautiful imagery with her verse; paired with Chavarri’s charming and textured illustration, engaging moments abound: “While winter brings its crystal shawl, / In summer’s blaze / they laze and sprawl” shows alpacas steadfastly standing on the mountains as the winds whip around them, then enjoying a warm afternoon in a wading pool. Alpacas Here, Alpacas There is a cheerful and enlightening introduction to the smiling and fluffy animals. Endpapers feature a bevy of colorful alpacas across a stark white page. An excellent addition to storytime and picture book collections. Back matter includes an notes from the author and the artist, a glossary, and additional sources. Find some fun coloring pages to hand out after storytime here at Coloring.ws.
Ramon Fellini: The Dog Detective, by Guilherme Karsten, (Feb. 2025, Eerdmans Books for Young Readers), $18.99, ISBN: 9780802856364
Ages 4-8
CRASH! A boy’s fish bowl is attacked! As soon as the boy gets his fish safely into a temporary bowl, a visitor appears: “Ramon Fellini, the Dog Detective, at your service”. Readers will be as confused as the boy, because Ramon looks suspiciously like a cat. But Ramon is a smooth talker, and easily talks his way into the gullible boy’s house, where he proceeds to ask strange questions, like “Are there any more fish in this house?”; he’s got some strange investigative methods, too: what kind of detective licks the fish’s shelter to discover clues? Readers will be shrieking at the boy, who really should be more critical of Ramon’s methods. A darkly funny mystery that readers who enjoyed Jon Klassen’s This is Not My Hat and I Want My Hat Back, Ramon Fellini: Dog Detective is also a great way to introduce readers to critical questioning and observation. Digital illustrations carry an amusing noir feel, with nighttime lighting and an expressive, distressed main character. Ramon’s facial expressions and body language telegraph his ulterior motives, making it easy for readers to figure out what he’s really up to. A good purchase for collections.
How Do You Eat Color?, by Mabi David/Illustrated by Yas Doctor/Translated by Karen Llagas, (March 2025, Eerdmans Books for Young Readers), $18.99, ISBN: 9780802856388
Ages 4-8
Spend a day eating color: wake up and “sample sunshine in yellow, in a bite of pineapple”; by noon, brown like a banana. Enjoy and orange sunset as you see a melon moon rise, and tuck yourself in like a yam. Two kids and their chameleon wander through a rainbow of color, sampling food and enjoying their day. A nice twist on the “eat the rainbow” concept, David talks textures in a way that will bring a smile to readers and listeners: “Do you know how red tastes? / Does it tickle the tongue? / Is green sweet and cold like your / favorite sorbet?” As someone who grew up associating the flavor “green” with my favorite ice pop, I greatly appreciated this. Doctor deftly incorporates food into the landscapes, letting the group frolic among leafy greens and walk past carrot heads casting a shadow at dusk. Back matter includes some notes on additional colorful foods, why eating the rainbow is important, and tips on getting families to eat more colors together. Originally published in the Philippines, How Do You Eat Color is a good purchase to picture book collections and food storytimes. It will work really well with the Color Our World Summer Reading Theme (if you’re part of CSLP).
The Whole Kids Foundation has Eating the Rainbow printables available to share with families.
I’m a Baby!, by Terry Pierce/Illustrated by Volha Kaliaha, (May 2025, Familius), $9.99, ISBN: 9781641709507
Ages Birth-3
An adorable baby takes readers through their day, from wakeup to bedtime, with key moments like the diaper change, a walk, the dreaded nap, bath time, and bedtime. The family cat shows up on spreads to give readers an extra chuckle is the cat’s expressions let readers know what they think. Readers will get belly laughs out of the baby fighting off a nap (the cat has no such issues), splish-splashing in the tub as the wet cat dashes to safety, and wearing a bowl of food (the cat isn’t thrilled). The short rhyming text is playful and easy to read; bold orange lettering over the light backgrounds make this a great lapsit read. Cartoony characters with expressive faces will grab a little one’s interest for sure. Fun for lapsit storytime, sibling storytime, or anytime! Learn more about Terry Pierce and her books at her author website.
For a fun lapsit storytime, pair I’m a Baby! with This Baby, That Baby by Cari Best and Rashin Kheiriyeh, or Mem Fox’s classic, Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes. I posted a successful Baby Storytime I held in June, if you want some more ideas.
Mom Read It 