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

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

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?

Minimoni knows exactly what it means to love her dog and a big plate of spaghetti. But when adults start talking about love, she feels lost. They describe it in ways that don’t quite add up - something you can’t see or hold, both strong and delicate, light as air yet able to grow. Curious and determined, Minimoni sets out to untangle the mystery and, after some thoughtful reflection, discovers her own understanding of love. This book sparks meaningful conversations about how

This quiet, thoughtful picture book is told from the point of view of an unnamed Iranian child learning to weave a rug with his grandmother. The soft watercolour illustrations, rich in colour and emotion, beautifully capture their time together. As they weave the new rug, the boy is eager and proud, often saying their new rug will be “perfect” or “the best ever.” Each time, his grandmother gently guides him to see things differently. She explains that every rug has value, tha

One afternoon, while Ma is busy working, Moli and Baba decide it’s time for some fun. They pull out Ma’s saris, and Moli happily drapes them on Baba, who becomes her very willing model. What struck me most about this book is how refreshingly avant-garde it feels, even when compared to titles from big international publishing powerhouses. The illustrations aren’t mere embellishments; they actively deepen the story and elevate every moment. I especially love how the narrative m

This tender picture book holds your heart from the very first page. Kao Kalia Yang shares her childhood experience with selective mutism after her family migrated to the United States, when the world suddenly felt too big and her voice too small. At home, she spoke Hmong with ease, but at school her words turned into a heavy rock in her throat. She wanted to speak, to be seen, but her voice would not come out. What makes this story ache is that no one - neither her parents no

If you are reading books on human migration or the Partition of India, Nina Sabnani’s latest book, “Sheela’s Two Homes”, is one you should not ignore. This is the story of Nina’s mother, Sheela, set in 1947 in Sukkur, Sind. Here’s what makes this book stand out: - Voice: The story is narrated from the perspective of little Sheela, yet the tone remains refreshingly matter-of-fact. There are no unnecessary emotional embellishments to appeal to urban readers. It reminded me of @

When my parents downsized from their humongous house with its porch, garden, and garage to a small two-bedroom apartment a few years ago, I remember watching the process with quiet curiosity. At the time, I marvelled at their efficiency, their calm acceptance of change, their ability to organise a lifetime into neat boxes. Only later did I truly grasp what it must have cost them to step away from a home that had quietly witnessed decades of living. “Downsizing” and “letting g

“Looks like you’re from North India. So Hindi must be your mother tongue?” It’s a question I’ve heard countless times - lightly spoken, yet heavy with assumption. We love neat labels: North Indian, South Indian, as though a country as diverse as India could be folded into tidy halves. But India stretches far beyond those borders - westward and eastward, into the southwest, the northeast, and all the spaces beyond and in between. Each region hums with its own languages, storie

If you are in charge of little humans who are losing their little teeth and are anticipating a visit from the tooth fairy, here’s a book by Mamta Nainy that you should not miss. As the title suggests, the story is about Lila and her loose tooth. What is special, however, is that the story sheds light on alternative beliefs associated with losing a tooth. The “tooth fairy” is a recent phenomenon in India, brought about by globalization. Indigenous wisdom dictated burying the l

Muthu’s has a pet and it isn’t a dog or a cat or a hamster. It is Goondi, a rooster. But the rooster does not belong to Muthu. Goondi belongs to the Selvi Paati. One day, grandpa tells Muthu that the village head has decided to buy Goondi from Selvi Paati for his son’s wedding feast. Imagine Muthu’s horror thinking of Goondi ending up on someone’s plate! What would Muthu do next? Would Goondi be saved? Read and find out! The story is set in Kulathumedu, a small fishing villag

Bursting with bright, playful artwork, this story follows Lena the chicken, who is absolutely convinced she’s a dinosaur. She’s bold, noisy, and determined to show the rest of the flock how to be brave and confident - but no one gets it. Though discouraged, Lena refuses to give up. One night, when trouble suddenly arrives, the other chickens panic… but Lena? Read and find out! It’s an adorable tale with a powerful reminder to stay true to who you are, even when others don’t q

If you are teaching body systems or if you just need a laugh-out-loud book packed with facts, “I’m Trying to Love Farts” is a winner. Thoroughly entertaining yet full of information including what causes flatulence, why is it smelly, and animals who do/don’t fart – this book will be your class favourite in no time!