(3) K-3 A girl travels with her father to another country to visit extended family, gradually finding connection despite a language barrier. Inspired by the author’s visits to Honduras, this story captures the wonder of discovering a place that feels both new and like home. Mixed-media illustrations bring to life bustling mountain streets, a lush coffee farm, and warm family moments. English and Spanish blend seamlessly in this heartwarming tale celebrating cultural identity and the deep bonds that transcend words.

Reviewer: Summer Edward

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Charles Santoso. In this moving picture-book adaptation of the middle-grade novel of the same name (rev. 11/22), a quirky sea otter pup named Odder is rescued, rehabilitated, and later becomes a surrogate mother to orphaned pups after a life-changing shark attack ends her time in the wild. Soft earth-toned illustrations use panels, montages, and continuous narration to capture the drama of Odder’s journey of survival, healing, and renewal. The compelling back matter grounds the story in real-life conservation work, making this a powerful tribute to resilience and care.

Reviewer: Summer Edward

(3) K-3 A brown-skinned girl shares a sandwich with a homeless man on the subway then imagines ways to help him in the future. The first-person narration offers an authentic, heartfelt voice, conveying the girl’s curiosity and allowing readers to experience the situation through her innocent yet thoughtful perspective. Digitally enhanced acrylic and watercolor illustrations with loose, expressive lies capture the energy and spontaneity of New York City. A gentle invitation to reflect on the power of small acts of kindness.

Reviewer: Summer Edward

(3) K-3 Illustrated by London Ladd. A Black boy reflects on the powerful rituals centered around a family table where love, hope, pride, and freedom are celebrated. Painterly mixed-media illustrations -- combining acrylic paint, cut paper, and tissue paper -- capture the natural beauty of the Gullah Geechee Lowcountry. The lyrical, evocative text weaves together themes of community, belonging, and intergenerational connection with profundity, humor, and vivid, sensory language. The author’s note provides heartfelt context, honoring his childhood and the traditions that shaped him.

Reviewer: Summer Edward

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Steph Littlebird. A Native girl celebrates the matriarchal figures who guide, affirm, and empower her. Bold digital illustrations, with strong black lines, vibrant colors, and soft textures, depict lively, loving aunties engaging in cultural activities, community advocacy, and everyday acts of care. The spirited text describes how they nurture, protect, and inspire Native children to be brave and proud. An insightful author’s note honors real-life aunties and invites readers to cherish and recognize the fierce women in their lives.

Reviewer: Summer Edward

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Loveis Wise. This empowering picture book celebrates the strength, diversity, courage, and unity of girls around the world. Free-flowing digital illustrations, blending collage and social justice art traditions, reinforce the message of collective action. The text uses rhyme, repetition, and alliteration to create a chant-like rhythm that makes each page feel like a rallying cry. Uplifting and inclusive, it encourages young readers to find their voices and stand together, reminding us that when one girl rises, we all do.

Reviewer: Summer Edward

(3) K-3 Translated by Melanie Córdova. Paloma, a young girl with tan skin, navigates shifts in belonging and identity when her family migrates from a dictatorship to a new country, then later returns. Sketchlike watercolor and ink illustrations, using a limited palette of blue, maroon, and purple, capture geographical contrasts, familial warmth, and humorous moments. The text mirrors a child’s perspective, making complex themes of loss, exile, and homecoming accessible. A heartfelt exploration of resilience, hope, and the enduring search for freedom.

Reviewer: Summer Edward

(3) 4-6 ellie series. In this middle-grade novel, thirteen-year-old Bree harnesses her newfound telekinetic powers to support her friends amid intensifying pressure from her father to uphold “Black Excellence” by winning the regional spelling bee. With humor and heart, Johnson explores the emotional toll of high expectations and the struggle to define success on your own terms. Bree’s journey -- balancing cultural identity, family demands, and friendship -- is both empowering and relatable, offering a thoughtful, engaging story of personal growth.

Reviewer: Summer Edward

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Ruth Chan. Set in an elementary school full of anthropomorphic animal kids, this witty picture book stars Cedric, a hippo who must adapt to middle-of-the-pack after losing his spot at both the front and end of the line. Muted, cartoony illustrations, physical comedy, and Cedric’s dramatic flair deliver laughs in this subtle exploration of identity, adaptability, and social dynamics. A playful mediation on contentment, self-discovery, and the quiet power of going with the flow.

Reviewer: Summer Edward

(3) K-3 An East Asian girl immigrates with her mother and grandmother, leaving behind the familiar. As the girl drifts between past and present, navigating uncertainty, loss, and belonging, her story gently unfolds into one of resilience and renewal. Quiet digital illustrations, in sunset and night colors, feature fishes and sooty terns as visual motifs, echoing the story’s migration theme. A poetic, visually striking exploration of what it means to find -- and redefine -- home.

Reviewer: Summer Edward

(3) K-3 Illustrated by TeMika Grooms. A Black girl recounts her first meeting with her great-grandmother Caroline at her one-hundredth birthday celebration, where she learns heartfelt lessons about patience, determination, and faith as they skip stones together. The warm first-person narration captures a child’s wonder and curiosity about aging and family connections. Softly colored digital illustrations depict a peaceful rural setting, enhancing the story’s gentle, reflective tone. This tender intergenerational tale celebrates love, resilience, and the quiet magic of shared moments.

Reviewer: Summer Edward

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Pete Oswald. Flat Cat, born delightfully flat, enjoys his sleek life -- until a whirlwind school day changes everything. Rollicking through classrooms, he’s folded, passed, and nearly trashed before becoming an unexpected hero. With scanned gouache textures painted digitally in Photoshop, the pastel-colored, cartoony illustrations add playful energy to each page. This offbeat tale celebrates self-discovery, friendship, and the joy of being seen, proving even the flattest cat can make a big impression. “Smooth moves, Flat Cat!”

Reviewer: Summer Edward

(3) 4-6 Thirteen-year-old Davy bonds with his wealthy employer’s son, Clive “Jacks” Lewis, but their friendship is tested as Jacks attends boarding school and Davy labors in the shipyards. With Jacks’ encouragement, Davy pursues drawing, which improves his station in life. Set in 1908 Belfast, this fictionalized account of C. S. Lewis’s childhood offers a memorable exploration of friendship, creativity, and class. Lyrical, immersive writing beautifully evokes the era. Informative frontmatter explores Lewis’s Irish background, enriching the historical context.

Reviewer: Summer Edward

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Annalise Barber-Opp. This vibrant picture book follows a Black boy and his father as they joyfully prepare Jollof rice, celebrating the rich traditions and familial warmth that surround this beloved West African dish. The lively, expressive illustrations -- created with watercolor, gouache, colored pencils, and digital edits -- burst with color and movement. The engaging text invites readers into the sensory experience. Informative backmatter offers a recipe and cultural context, enriching readers’ understanding of Jollof and its significance.

Reviewer: Summer Edward

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Olivia Duchess. In this inspiring true story, Mabinty, an orphan with vitiligo from Sierra Leone, is adopted by a supportive family in the U.S. After facing discrimination in ballet, she eventually lands leading roles, inspiring other dancers of color. Charming digital illustrations glowing with saturated colors sensitively capture Mabinty’s journey. The heartfelt, accessible text invites readers into her world of hope and determination. Informative backmatter provides context on the skin condition, ballet’s racial challenges, and Michaela DePrince’s remarkable life story.

Reviewer: Summer Edward

(3) PS Illustrated by Lenny Wen. A young East Asian boy notices eyes of various shapes and colors throughout his day in an urban community. From smiling and surprised to worried and teary, the eyes he observes reflect emotion, connection, and care. The gouache and colored-pencil illustrations are expressive and warm, mirroring the book’s poetic text and celebration of empathy, diversity, and the quiet power of observation. A tender exploration of the importance of seeing others -- and being seen in return.

Reviewer: Summer Edward

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Tonya Engel. A Black child named Kit learns the magic of water divining from their grandfather, who listens to the land and dances to find clean water. Set against a backdrop of environmental racism, this lyrical story honors intergenerational wisdom, Black traditions, and the sacredness of water. Painterly acrylic and oil illustrations capture the characters’ close bond and connection to nature. A moving author’s note offers historical context and enriches the book’s themes of heritage, resistance, and environmental stewardship.

Reviewer: Summer Edward

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Sharee Miller. Three sisters travel from Brooklyn to Oakland in 1968 to spend the summer with the mother who abandoned them, encountering the Black Panthers and unexpected lessons in identity, activism, and growing up. With themes of family, resilience, and political awakening, this graphic novel adaptation of an award-winner (rev. 3/10) blends humor, heartbreak, and history. Miller’s expressive illustrations capture both the emotional nuance and cultural backdrop and help make an essential story newly accessible for today’s middle-grade readers.

Reviewer: Summer Edward

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Avani Dwivedi. In the mist-covered mountains of Meghalaya, India, a boy learns to build his community’s living root bridge under his uncle’s guidance, then works to repair damage caused by human-made hazards, rallying others to preserve it. Warm digital illustrations capture the lush setting. The evocative text invites reflection on the bridge’s importance, while the back matter -- an afterword, author’s note, glossary, and bibliography --provides further insight into the ecological and cultural significance of these unique, sustainable structures.

Reviewer: Summer Edward

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Charles Santoso. A young Black girl brings home a rambunctious new “cat” named Tac -- actually a baby dragon -- who quickly becomes part of her blended family. When Dad’s frustration hurts Tac’s feelings, the girl must act fast to bring their runaway pet safely home. With playful repetition, heart, and humor, this whimsical picture book explores themes of family and belonging and celebrates how unexpected additions can make a home feel complete. Cartoony digital illustrations, enhanced with handmade textures, add warmth and charm.

Reviewer: Summer Edward