“Loops” is a delightful and uplifting book for young children as they begin mastering new skills, particularly those early challenges like learning to tie their shoes. It beautifully reflects the trial-and-error nature of learning, showing how mistakes, restarts, and persistence are all part of the journey. What stands out most is its warm, playful tone. The story gently reassures children that stumbling along the way is completely normal, making it especially comforting for

I was happy that the hard copy arrived just on the last day of school before the spring break. While the K2 class had the privilege of being read aloud a number of Ramadan books this season, “Ramadan Rain” was the icing on the cake. The story focuses not only on the “what” of Ramadan but the things that truly matter, not just during Ramadan but for any festival, making this book universally relatable for the diverse group of children that I read this book to. And lest I forge

The goofiest book of the season has just arrived! And trust me, all the little Charlie Cheese Faces in your class will unanimously place a fish on your head the moment you finish reading it. Not one-bazillion kid in the class will stop laughing out loud and so will you! Their laughter will reverberate long after you’ve said “You smell like a baby” at the end of the day to them! I do not make any sense at all? Ah, here’s what I mean in present-day language: All the little kids

This book is for anyone who has been through a child throwing a tantrum, and for any child who remembers the last time they threw one. Sometimes mundane matters become a bone of contention, and this time, it is a shoe. Perhaps it is too tight or too loose, but the little girl will not put it on even though it is her favourite, even though her mother grows furious, even though they are late and her mother threatens to throw the shoe away… But amidst all the chaos, the rising t

When there is conflict in the world, a teacher cannot ignore news headlines, for students in the class will ask. Conflicts are never black and white. And in the present context, which book would you choose to pick up and read aloud? Each side is entitled to its own truth, whether or not that aligns with your version of the truth. So here’s a perfect picture book, and being wordless, it doesn’t take sides, but only recounts the truth of humanity. It provides an anthropomorphic

“Unbreakable: A Japanese American Family in an American Incarceration Camp” by Minoru Tonai and Jolene Gutiérrez, with illustrations by Chris Sasaki, tells the true story of a family torn apart during World War II. In 1941, Minoru Tonai’s father is suddenly accused of spying. When Pearl Harbor is attacked weeks later, he is arrested and taken away. Left behind, Min’s mother struggles to keep their business alive, but fear and prejudice drive customers away. Soon, the family i

Gauri and her sister Nandini are very different. Gauri loves soccer and skateboarding; she is bold and energetic. Nandini prefers dance and dresses with care. She is calm, graceful, and confident. One day, Gauri watches Nandini practise Bharatanatyam. She hears the soft jingle of her sister’s ghungroos. The sound fascinates her and she decides she wants to try dancing too. Nandini begins to teach her the steps, the mudras, and the rhythm. Gauri tries her best, but she feels c

Sadie loves art, and so does her grandmother. Along the way, Grandma also shares stories about Jewish traditions like the meaning of ‘chai’ (“life” in Hebrew) and the lucky number 18. When Grandma’s college graduation approaches, Sadie wants to create a gift that truly matters. She experiments with different ideas like stamping lilac stems, pressing dandelions, arranging buttons into flowers, but nothing feels special enough. Her idea finally comes together at a Jewish weddin

The title “Mango Memories” was enough to tug at something tender inside me. Before I even turned the first page, I could almost smell the sweetness of summer. The story follows a little girl plucking ripe mangoes from heavy-laden branches, each fruit becoming more than food, each one becoming a memory, golden and glowing. Her “mango memories” felt achingly familiar. Because I have my own. My grandparents owned a mango orchard, passed down through generations; trees that had w

Here’s a little library magic from today’s browse! “In-Between Places” is a contemplative picture book rich with metaphor, exploring those moments when you feel suspended between identities, choices, or directions, when you are neither here nor there, and the only way forward is a leap of faith. Layered with philosophical depth, this book is especially fitting for upper elementary students beginning to wrestle with uncertainty and complexity that comes with choice.

This touching picture book tells the story of a young child struggling to read, inspired by Kate Rolfe’s own experiences. Narrated in the first person, it portrays how letters seem to wiggle, blur, and change shape on the page. Words like “read,” “red,” and “rid” capture the confusion, embarrassment, and frustration she feels. At one point, letters tumble like an avalanche, symbolizing how overwhelming reading can be. Yet through perseverance and growing confidence, she gradu

This simple yet fascinating read explores the air that surrounds us from the moment we are born, though we cannot see, smell, or hear it. Full of possibilities for creative teaching, the text works beautifully as a read-aloud for kindergarteners. Its true strength, however, lies in serving as a mentor text for teaching personified nonfiction in elementary classrooms. I can already imagine our students creating their own “I Am” nonfiction pieces after experiencing this book! A

A read-aloud of X. Fang’s “Broken” led a third grader to recall the morning she and her brother shattered their mother’s vase while playing ball indoors. If a book can move even one child to spontaneously put pen to paper and begin to see themselves as a writer, I believe that is an honour far truer than a Newbery.

At its heart, “The Wildest Thing” celebrates a child’s imagination and the simple joy of free play. It shows how the biggest adventures can grow out of curiosity and creativity. Written by Emily Winfield Martin, the story is gentle and easy to follow, making it a great choice for bedtime or for young readers who are starting to read on their own. The language is clear and smooth, so it never feels too long or difficult. The illustrations are playful and full of imagination, a

Vibhi is afraid of the dark. One quiet night, she hears a soft voice and meets Layla, a girl who is afraid of the light. Vibhi gently tells her that light is not something to fear. They begin spending night after night together. They whisper their worries and try small, brave steps side by side. Slowly, a tender friendship grows between them. As they stand beside each other, the dark feels less heavy and the light feels less bright. They learn that fear grows smaller with a f

When I heard that 𝘈 𝘋𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘗𝘰𝘯𝘥’s Bao Phi had a new book on the way, I felt that familiar flutter of anticipation, the kind that only certain storytellers can stir. And oh, what a tender, quietly powerful book this is! In “𝘙𝘪𝘥𝘦”, the pages are split into two panels. On the top, a father teaches his son to ride a bicycle. Below, a mother teaches her son the very same skill, her story unfolding in Vietnam. The narratives mirror each other, yet each carries

In “You Stole My Name: Foods,” the fourth book in the series, Dennis McGregor invites us to think about animals and the funny foods they share their names with, such as, gummy bears, butterfly pasta, lion’s mane mushroom and more! With rhyming lines and hand-painted illustrations, this book is sure to be a delight for little ones and the grown-ups reading along with them. Books releases on 14 April 2026.

The next book in Britney Winn Lee and Jacob Souva’s “Big, Big” series is just round the corner and this time they return with a boy full of big, big energy. This one is for our little friends whose bodies can’t seem to stop moving. Written in lively rhyming verse, it speaks to children who fidget, wiggle, and bounce, and whose energy sometimes gets in the way of friendships, reminding them that they are not alone. A joyful, affirming read that celebrates movement, emotion, an

When adults in the kidlit world review newly released children’s literature or in-the-pipeline DRCs, we try to look at books from the lens of a child. We make informed assumptions about what the little ones are likely to gravitate towards, what might catch their fancy. When the book eventually earns one of the coveted stickers, it feels like a quiet validation of our instinct in predicting the little human’s choice. But the real validation comes from how often the book is pic

If you liked “Worm and Caterpillar are Friends,” then the next book in the collection, “Worm and Butterfly are Friends Always” is absolutely your cup of tea! The illustrations are impossibly cute, the story is warm and winning, and the backmatter on butterfly migration and worm estivation is wonderfully simple yet packed with just the right amount of information. Bonus for teachers: the very first page offers clear teaching points on speech bubbles, thought bubbles, and panel

This book took my breath away and left me quietly holding its feelings for a long time. In parallel stories, we watch a mother and son leave for a better day, while a father and daughter leave for a better life. Almost every line is echoed, but the weight of those words deepens, and the worries grow heavier, taking on an entirely new meaning in the father and daughter’s journey. That quiet shift in magnitude is deeply moving. Layered with symbolism, the fish that appears on e

Pat Zietlow Miller and Annie Cron’s “One Can Be” is a celebration of quiet leadership. With a measured use of words and parallel storytelling through illustrations, this book gently shows that time alone is normal and necessary. While the kidlit world views the book as a tribute to introverts and quiet strength, I read it as an ode to the single child. Contrary to popular belief, “one” needs quiet too, but also misses friends now and then. “One” unites, cares, and brings peop

Nikhil is an Indian American boy who absolutely does not like math. Throughout the school year, he pours out his feelings by writing letters to Math itself. To him, math is so dreadful it literally gives him a tummy ache. As you might expect, his perspective shifts over time as he begins to notice that drawing, counting, and measuring are all part of math, and that everyone from artists to astronauts uses it. What truly stands out, though, is the book’s format. The story unfo

What does “home” really mean to an immigrant child? “Home, Home” by Sibu T.P. gently explores this deeply personal and universal question. Ajesh is excited to spend the holidays at home, until his parents announce they are going “back home” to Kerala, India. Suddenly, Ajesh is faced with the uncomfortable feeling of being different. He struggles to connect with a place his parents speak of with familiarity and longing. How can somewhere be “home” if it doesn’t feel like his?