(1) K-3 All Because You Matter series. Illustrated by Bryan Collier. In this third installment of the affirming series (All Because You Matter, rev. 11/20; We Are Here, rev. 3/23), Charles's evocative verse underscores a message of unity for the good of all. Collier's layered watercolor and collage illustrations expand on the text, showing a diverse group of children on a field trip to a planetarium, where they learn about their celestial beginnings: "You and me -- / born of stars, / stories, / and dreams / big enough / to shake up / and WAKE up / the whole universe!" Uplifting portrayals showcase the children's special talents: a poet who writes "words with love / to remind you, / You matter"; an influential "conductor of peace"; someone who gets into "good trouble"; an artist "showing everything / that is possible / through work, / unity, / amor"; an engineer with a mind that is "intergalactic / out-of-this world fantastic!" Working together, they can "defy gravity." Collier's stunning illustrations capture the excitement of the children as they grow to realize the potential of their voices and the greater strength of their unity: "Together, united / we must always be." Author and illustrator notes are appended along with a glossary.

Reviewer: Pauletta Brown Bracy | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2025

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Jen Hill. This picture book using comic-style conventions presents a mashup of professional-wrestling bluster and traditional fairy-tale characters and tropes in one dramatic sporting event: World Princess Wrestling, or WPW. Six princesses "from all over the globe" intend to wrestle "reigning victor" Swan Princess for the Enchanted Championship Belt. Little Red Riding Hood serves as towel girl, all the while pleading for her own chance to fight. After five rounds (Badroulbadour and Cinderella Ninjarella compete as a pair) -- each vividly illustrated and entertainingly narrated -- Swan Princess is still undefeated. With all the other princesses knocked out, Little Red finally steps into the ring. "In this corner, one rough-and-tough pirouetting-not-fretting queen-in-the-making-with-a-belt-for-the-taking! And in this corner...a kid in a little red wrestling singlet?" No one suspects the wolfish tricks she has under her hood. The theatrical fighting and fairy-tale taunting, shown in speech bubbles, command attention, but the tiny comical details in the illustrations, from the architecture of the locker rooms to the familiar characters populating the crowd, make this book worth poring over. In the end, Little Red Riding Hood's victory serves to inspire other small fighters, with Thumbelina immediately declaring herself "Ready-to-Rumble-ina." The spectacle ends with a collection of WPW cards featuring each wrestler with her name, region of origin, signature move, and a "fun fact" -- e.g., Sleeping Beauty "credits daily naps for her success."

Reviewer: Julie Roach | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2025

(1) K-3 As a family goes to bed on a cold night, a young girl begins a story to ease her cousin to sleep. The tale unfolds as a walk through the world around them, illuminating the winter landscape and all who find solace in the quiet hours and tempering her cousin's worries about the dark by urging him to "Come! Haagu! Follow the light." The phrase "Come, haagu" is repeated as they explore the forest, the ocean, and the night sky, sharing the wonders of Tlingit tradition and nature's interdependence. Delicate, leafless branches filter moonlight on fresh snow; bear, deer and lichen all find places to rest in the dark; fish and seals leap under the surface of evening waves; and the northern lights put on a show for all. Tlingit creator and Caldecott Medalist (for We Are Water Protectors, rev. 7/20) Goade shares a gentle story steeped in reciprocity; through mutual existence, there is only wonder, not fear. The watercolor illustrations are intensely saturated with dark blues and purples while conveying calm and light through shimmering lines, shadowy creatures at rest and play, and dots of snowflakes that scatter the pages; the stark contrast between light and dark envelops readers in the story. A moving testament to the deep interconnectedness of the world that will both charm and calm readers.

Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2025

(2) K-3 A fox seemingly likes his solitary life in a remote cabin located in a dense forest. One day, however, a knock on the door disrupts his daily routine: it's a gigantic bird, who delivers a mysterious letter. The brief note, from an "Old Friend," tempts Fox to embark on an intricate scavenger hunt. Griffiths chronicles the journey that ensues, with Fox receiving new clues that have him climbing a towering tree, boarding a ferry to an island, and following the North Star. All the while, suppressed memories about an estranged pal begin to surface. With this compelling puzzle plot, readers are kept in suspense through every surprising twist. Scratchy pen, ink, and digital illustrations evoke both the coziness and the loneliness of Fox's existence -- the fire in Fox's cabin looks warm, but the photos of friends on the wall hint at a more fulfilling past. Employing a mix of double-page spreads and comic-style panels, Griffiths immerses readers in the natural world that surrounds the main character, and the animals, including a dapper frog and a grumpy mole, who assist Fox on his trek are amusingly rendered. An emotionally resonant flashback-driven conclusion reveals how a silly argument led to Fox's solitary state, and the tale ends happily with two old friends reconciling under the stars.

Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2025

(2) K-3 The plan: for Mango and Nan to go get ice cream (vanilla in a cake cone, of course). The interruption: a leaky tap that Nan apologetically decides they must stay home to fix: "We can't let water go to waste. It's not good for the planet." Mango, who loves the planet but also loves ice cream, finds a perfect, albeit highly absurd, solution: attaching Nan's extensive garden hose to the faucet and "taking all the water plops with us to get ice cream." The two cheerfully pull the lengthy hose through town, watering the neighbors' flowerpots, cooling off sunbathers at the local pool, and even putting out small grill fires with the increasingly powerful spray -- until it becomes so strong that neither of them can hold on. Luckily, after the hose shoots skyward, the plops rain back down to water all the town's trees, leaving Mango and Nan to celebrate their resourcefulness...at an ice cream stand (vanilla in a cake cone, of course). From their introduction via handwriting -- Mango's shaky scrawl versus Nan's neat cursive -- Tahboub's duo are endearingly quirky, as is Nan's simple red-brick home with goldfish floating in its pipes, a stark contrast to the more modern cubic houses nearby. They're also close-knit: Nan frequently rests a supportive hand on Mango's shoulder or holds his hand, and Mango wishes he had learned more about plumbing in school in order to help. At the center of the tale's entertaining twists and turns is Tahboub's affection for the everyday plans, errands, and adventures shared between loved ones -- resulting in a tale sweet as ice cream (in any flavor).

Reviewer: Ed Spicer | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2025

(2) K-3 Charles loves his favorite things -- skates, a xylophone, a doctor kit, a toy chicken farm -- all lovingly tucked in each night. When his well-intentioned parents nudge him toward "build[ing] some social skills" by joining clubs at the park, Charles isn't convinced he fits in with the Jolly Jumpers, ChitChat Chums, or Chocolate Chipper singers. But when he begins to share his beloved toys with kids at the park -- first reluctantly, then freely -- something shifts. Through each small exchange, he discovers the reward of generosity: friendship. Wells's familiar watercolor and ink illustrations, here starring anthropomorphized mice, brim with emotional nuance and playful detail, often in scenes isolated with green borders. Charles's expressions subtly shift across spreads, capturing the hesitancy and quiet courage that accompany his social exploration. The park scenes, filled with soft greens and warm browns, offer just enough chaos to mirror the busyness of real-life playgrounds without overwhelming the eye. Speech balloons color-coded by speaker may aid emerging readers. Wells's visual storytelling complements the text, as seen when Charles's once-private possessions are repurposed in communal play -- used as goalposts, props, and peace offerings. A thoughtful portrayal of early social development that quietly offers children permission to be unsure and encouragement to try anyway.

Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2025

(3) K-3 A large green blob gently guides its young charge through recognizable bedtime rituals, encouraging their “horrible little one” to go to sleep. The lilting text and soothing rhymes are appropriate for the bedtime theme, even if the specifics aren’t: “Your duvet is soft and slimy. Your pillow is lovely and damp.” The warm muted-tone illustrations heighten the humor, showing Yeti settling down in her cave, Cyborg getting plugged in, Demon taking medicine, etc. (with some creatures more familiar than others: “Unspeakable Horror?” “Sentient Meteor?” The Spanish edition, Buenas noches, asquerosa cosa viscosa, will be published October 2025.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(2) K-3 "Everything was fine -- beautiful, tidy, safe, just right" with James’s pristine mounted kite collection before his little sister, GG, started walking. When she grabs his latest addition, he gets upset. “NO, GG! BAD, GG! NEVER, GG!” This makes GG sad, but James comforts her with a hug and then works odd jobs around the neighborhood to save up enough money to buy her a kite of her own. She takes it everywhere, and all is well until she wants to fly it. “No, GG! Flying kites is DANGEROUS! It could get TANGLED, TORN or fly away FOREVER!” A dream about a fluttering kite changes his mind. They have fun flying her kite together, but it takes a toll on the toy, and James goes back to work to earn money for supplies to repair it. The duo then works on the kite together. “Everything was fine -- pretty safe, a bit untidy and, somehow, just right.” Abbott’s use of repetition makes for a calming narrative that captures the common push-pull dynamic between siblings. Her lively illustrations, “made using multimedia materials and risograph printing” and primarily in shades of blue and green with yellow accents, capture the closeness between the two children and showcase James’s industriousness. His transformation may influence readers who are resistant to change to loosen up a bit, especially where younger siblings are concerned.

Reviewer: Marva Anne Hinton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2025

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Monica Arnaldo. Cecilia, a Latine girl, juggles two jobs: kid and interpreter. Text bubbles in yellow for Spanish and blue for English differentiate the languages spoken by Cecilia's "clients" (i.e., her parents) and by those at "grown-up places," including the doctor's office and the DMV. As Cecilia dutifully translates questions, concerns, and instructions, Arnaldo's colorful watercolor and pencil-crayon illustrations elaborate on Abtahi's metaphor -- Cecilia appears to work in an office, wears an oversized suit and tie, and gulps down coffee -- while conveying, through her frizzing ponytail and rumpled jacket, the pressures of "working overtime." When Cecilia is asked about her feelings during a parent-teacher conference and admits the truth, her mother and father console her and promise to get more help. Abtahi, who took inspiration from her own multilingual childhood, strikes an important balance in her resolution: the necessity of interpreting for immigrant parents is not dismissed or shamed, while the pressure it can place on their children is addressed with empathy. After other family members step in to "pick up shifts" for Cecilia, she's able to continue helping her family while prioritizing her primary job: being a kid.

Reviewer: Ed Spicer | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2025

(2) K-3 Lenny, a small gray rabbit, and George, a large brown bear, are an inseparable duo, until Lenny begins to ponder the idea of spending time alone. George, less enthusiastic about the proposition, anticipates feeling lonely and believes "nothing could be as much fun as being together!" Confident about wanting to experience some independence, Lenny retreats to a cozy space large enough for only a tiny rabbit. "Here I am at last. In a quiet place. Alone." Lenny settles into an assortment of solitary activities, but eventually his thoughts return to George. And where is George, anyway? Agee's gouache illustrations, featuring black outlining and the use of solid colors against neutral-toned backgrounds, have a minimalistic composition with substantial negative space. His thoughtful exploration of negotiating togetherness in friendship is presented simply and is approachable for young readers, yet relatable for those of all ages.

Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2025

(1) K-3 Translated by Michael Blaskowsky. Is Sato a boy in a rabbit costume or a rabbit with a human face and bearing? Is he a kid or a grownup? What matters is that he's an alert, curious, questing creature who follows his imagination and his heart. In this pair of adventures, Sato plays with light. On one perfect day, a narrow band of sunlight between two curtains turns into a kind of benign lightsaber or magic wand that he wields to scoop up sparkles, gather sunshine, and stir his coffee. As dusk falls, he uses his captured beam of light for a comforting campfire and as one of the ingredients for a delicious sandwich. On another memorable day, Sato wakes up to discover that his bedroom has become a floating lighthouse. He tends the light, accepts gifts from birds and fish, and pays attention to an ever-changing world. A shell becomes a boat, clouds become a whale, a sliver of moon becomes candy, day becomes night. In simple declarative sentences and compositions made of ovals and blobs in warm pastel colors, Ainoya creates a world of kindness and abundance as the background to a story that needs no conflict to be fully realized, absorbing, and sweetly funny.

Reviewer: Sarah Ellis | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2025

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney & Brian Pinkney. When a brush fire begins raging, the animals flee to the river for safety—except for one determined hummingbird. The tiny bird carries drops of water in her beak, releasing them on the flames. The other animals view her efforts as futile until a wise elephant, moved by her persistence, asks why she bothers. “I am do-ing what I can,” the hummingbird says. The elephant responds, “Then I will do what I can.” One by one, the animals follow her example, coming together to fight the fire. Alper’s lyrical text, inspired by a parable shared by environmentalist Wangari Maathai, emphasizes the power of small actions leading to collective change. According to an illustrator’s note, Jerry Pinkney’s sketches for this, his final work, were lovingly completed by his son Brian Pinkney, whose painstaking “paint strokes and brush lines brought [his] father’s work to life.” The collaboration creates a visual experience that feels fresh. One aerial-view spread shows a host of animals—including giraffes, hippos, chimpanzees, elephants, and crocodiles—­joining forces, offering a stirring depiction of resilience and teamwork. The contrast between the hot orange tones of the fire and the river’s cool blues heightens the book’s emotional impact. A stirring tale of courage, unity, and environmental stewardship

Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2025

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Lauren Hinds. This enthusiastic story opens with Granny and a small goat looking lovingly at each other while laundry dries on the line. "Granny's got a goat!" This turns out to be an understatement: rhyming text ramps up the counting after the page-turn as more goats materialize in the background, climbing everywhere and nibbling the laundry. The colors and expressive shapes in the gouache, colored-pencil, and pen illustrations become more boisterous to match the story's escalating pace. Soon other people show up to help wrangle the goats, counting them in increments of ten until they confirm that one hundred are present (and wreaking havoc across the pages). The narrative expounds on how Granny gets through her day with all these goats and how occasionally one gets left behind (on the bus or at the hair salon, for example), while spot art provides visual comedy. Readers are encouraged to help perform a rambunctious recount, and indeed Granny is now one goat short. The whole town devolves into chaos knowing this troublemaker is at large, but venerable Granny ultimately gets everything under control...until the next count. The energy of the interactive text enables this story to work well as a group read-aloud, while the illustrations, full of funny details to note and one hundred mischievous goats to count and recount, make it equally effective for close looking and sharing.

Reviewer: Julie Roach | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2025

(3) K-3 Ada wants a life that is “quiet and ordered, simple and good.” Then she rescues a goat who is caught in a fence, and it follows her home. In short order, the goat destroys her nice coat, eats all her apples, and climbs up on her roof -- but Ada learns to appreciate the love and chaos the goat brings. The charming story is accompanied by graphite and watercolor illustrations with an old-fashioned feel.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(2) K-3 Illustrated by C. G. Esperanza. A child spends the day with their grandmother fishing and then frying up their catch together in this tasty follow-up to Soul Food Sunday (rev. 11/21). The child narrates as the duo leaves before dawn, loading up their supplies into Granny's Jeep and heading for a pier on an Army base on the Chesapeake Bay. Once there, Granny, who is a disabled veteran, shows her badge to gain admittance. She prays "for a blessing" before making her way to the pier, where she's greeted warmly by the other anglers. Soon, Granny's line begins to "Bob-Bob-Bob!" and "Jerk-Jerk-Jerk!" as she reels in a big croaker. By sunrise, the pair have caught a bucketful of fish, and they head back to Granny's house, where they clean, batter, and fry them. The child is then inspired to make hand-rolled hushpuppies to accompany their meal. Finally, other family members arrive for the feast. Bingham captures the love that goes into preparing the food and the closeness between the child and Granny. Her use of onomatopoeia makes for a good read-aloud. Esperanza's oil paint and pencil illustrations feature bold colors, primarily in shades of blue, pink, and coral. The sankofa bird on Granny's T-shirt is a nice nod to the rich history of weekend fish fries in Black culture. An author's note and a cook's note are appended, along with a recipe for hushpuppies.

Reviewer: Marva Anne Hinton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2025

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Brizida Magro. This tender, deeply empathetic story, narrated by a child grieving the loss of a sibling, offers a moving exploration of grief's many layers. "There's a hole in the bottom bunk where my brother, Matty, used to sleep," the narrator reflects on the first page. The illustrator visualizes this hole as a black scribble drifting throughout the house, a metaphor for grief that captures its persistent, all-encompassing nature. The hole appears beside Mom and Dad as they try to carry on and, affectingly, over their hearts as the family sits together at dinner. "I hate these holes," the narrator confesses, as classmates react in varying ways: some ignore them, some fail to notice. A friend, Nora, takes a different approach. Curious about the hole, she stays by the protagonist's side as her friend descends into it, spotlighted in the emotional illustrations by a warm yellow light. The story reaches a cathartic turning point when the child collapses in sorrow, shouting out, "I miss you, Matty." In the quiet that follows, Nora encourages her friend to share stories. These recollections bring them to vivid life, later brightening the mood at the family dinner table and offering a sense of connection and healing amidst their shared loss.

Reviewer: Julie Danielson | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2025

(1) K-3 The family from The Airport Book (rev. 5/16) and The Hospital Book (rev. 3/23) is back, here on the brink of moving—again. As always, there's plenty to take in, smile at, and relate to. Brother and younger sister, who is looking worried and apprehensive, sit on the front steps of their "sold" house while he reminisces about all the other places they've lived. From a tiny apartment she doesn't remember because she hadn't yet been born, to a "big apartment in [a] big building with three elevators" where they didn't even need to go outside to trick-or-treat, to their current house full of vivid memories, we are treated to an intimate portrait of a growing family and, in particular, these characters' childhoods. Lighthearted elements, especially regarding the unreliability of the brother's narration (he claims to be much more adventurous and uncomplaining than the art reveals), mix with more poignant ones (Grandpa, who will be living with them in the new house, now uses a walker). Brown's mixed-media illustrations feature their usual clear colors, clean lines, and wealth of detail. Sharp-eyed readers will note that this time the sister's beloved Monkey gets its own labeled box—no more getting lost!—and will be reassured to see that her smile has returned by book's end, as the family settles in happily to their new home.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2025

(1) K-3 Illustrated by Cátia Chien. Two young siblings, who serve as narrators, enjoy an eventful summer day that ends with an epic fireworks display. The story begins with them greeting the morning and eating their breakfast with chopsticks and a spoon, then heading outside into a festive urban landscape. They splash in water spraying from a fire hydrant, munch on slices of watermelon, and listen to live music in the park. Burgess packs his poetic text with zesty sound effects and onomatopoeia that make this a must for reading aloud. As darkness falls, the children climb a fire escape "up, up, up" to a roof, where they behold the amazing fireworks display. From start to finish, Chien's evocative, childlike mixed-media illustrations pop and soar, creating a series of memorable images. The day's hazy heat is visible; and the fireworks exploding over the skyline are almost audible—a thrilling gatefold catches the display in all its splendor. After the last sizzles fade, Burgess brings the kids back home, where a caring elder lovingly prepares them for bed. As they dream about the pyrotechnics they've witnessed, Chien serves up a glorious expressionistic image of their silhouettes filled with dazzling flashes of color. An immersive celebration of summer and siblinghood.

Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2025

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Dan Taylor. Daddy, Rosie, and Jojo are excited to meet Papa at the airport after his long trip. They load the car with everything Papa might want, from a big glittery sign to a cake to his bicycle to the dog. Of course, while Papa appreciates everything they brought, he is just glad to see them. Digital illustrations bursting with color highlight the delightful chaos of life with toddlers and celebrate the love in a family obviously inspired by the author’s own.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(3) K-3 The first day of school is approaching, and Yeti is feeling nervous. She comes up with several excuses to stay home (a missing pencil, a lost backpack), but her dad steps in each time to reassure her and urge her to keep her cool. Once she arrives at school, she discovers that other students are anxious too, and that gives her the confidence to make friends and stay calm. Carter’s digital illustrations lean into the humor of the situation, while the text is comforting.

Reviewer: Marva Anne Hinton