(3) 4-6 Useless Knowledge series. Organized into topic areas (e.g., “Human Body,” “Chemistry”), this collection contains fascinating and occasionally gross trivia about ourselves, our planet, and our universe. Readers learn, for example, that jellyfish can live forever; that you’re awake during brain surgery; and that astronauts left poop on the moon. Humorous cartoon illustrations, such as a drawing of lighter-than-water Saturn enjoying a bubble bath, accompany each fact.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Lorena Alvarez Gómez. What do you do when “your brain is buzzy, and it’s way too busy”? Call upon the “Marvelous Now,” a small blue creature who is the personification of mindfulness and peace. “Now” helps you calm down by reminding you to count backward, go for a walk, draw, etc. The reassuring rhymes gives readers effective strategies for “keeping your cool!”; the digital art contrasts gray clouds of stress with soothing, colorful flower trails.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(4) YA Friddell tells the story of Virginia Hall, a Baltimore native who faced incredible danger as a British spy for the French resistance in World War II. Although the free-verse narrative style can be distracting, it paints a compelling portrait of a woman who refused to let her gender, nationality, or disability (an amputated leg) stop her from fighting for freedom in Europe. Black-and-white photos, from the war and from Virginia’s life, are interspersed.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Amber Ren. Boba tea Mindy, who’s pink, white, and green, stands out against the other brown teas in Milk Tea Town. The grownups fear that Mindy and her colorful friends represent the end of classic milk tea, but the kids teach the adults that their town has always been a place of changing flavors and ingredients. The message about celebrating diversity is cleverly packaged, complete with tea puns; the charming mixed-media art shows off the beverages’ rainbow colors. A history of pearl milk tea is appended.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(3) YA Sixteen-year-old Maya’s best friend’s dad, Ross, is a famous musician. When he comes to Toronto and wants to see his daughter, Maya accompanies her and is swept up in the excitement of hanging out with a rock star. That is, until Ross kisses her, and an almost-inappropriate photo of them goes viral. This hi-lo title features a solid female friendship and strong protagonist who, once she realizes she’s not to blame for Ross’s actions, has the courage to tell him so.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Mike Moran. A friendly, toothy T. Rex, who pops out at birthdays, holidays, and school plays, can’t figure out why humans aren’t happier to see the “Surprise Dinosaur.” After one too many unexpected appearances, the dinosaur reluctantly agrees to be a statue at the natural history museum. But there are more surprises in store. The eager dinosaur’s efforts to deliver “fun surprises” are comically reflected in the expressive, digital cartoon illustrations.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Katie Melrose. Using underwater microphones, we now know that “it’s NOISY down below!... / Fish GRUNT and GROAN, / fish SQUEAK and MOAN.” The text goes on to explain why and how sea animals use sound, from chirping angelfish to snapping shrimp. The rhyming and entertaining onomatopoeia-filled couplets impart an impressive amount of information; detailed and colorful spreads highlight the variety of underwater life. Back matter includes additional “Noisemaker Facts.”

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(4) PS Illustrated by Laurie Stansfield. A series of short, themed poems (“Bedtime Stories”; “Car Wash”), in singsong-y rhyme, celebrate dads on Father’s Day. The text describes the things children appreciate about their dads (most of these stereotypically paternal, such as camping, telling dad jokes, and fixing things). The digital-looking illustrations show a diverse group of fathers (with a couple of moms but no same-sex pairings) supporting and enjoying quality time with their children.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(3) PS Illustrated by Cailin Doherty. “I need pants!” exclaims an enthusiastic orange fish. And also bunny slippers, and a tutu, and a diamond ring, and a raincoat (“It is very wet around here!!!”). The fish’s companion, a purple octopus, grows increasingly exasperated while explaining that the fish does not actually need clothes or accessories. But then the octopus has a change of heart. The lively illustrations, featuring the fish improbably but successfully wearing different items of clothing, add to the humor.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Kimberlie Clinthorne-Wong. This picture book introduces the history of foods that are both at-once familiar (ice cream, pizza) and perhaps less so (pavlova, ceviche). Accompanied by vibrant illustrations, each spread describes what the food is, its origins, and how it changed when introduced to other peoples or countries. The book does indeed include some surprising facts (fish and chips have Jewish roots!); readers are likely to learn more about their favorite recipes -- or be inspired to try new ones.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(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

(3) PS Illustrated by Leeza Hernandez. It’s “back-a” to school time for Alpaca, who gets out of bed, grabs a “snack-a,” and hops on the bus. At school, “Miss Yak-a” leads circle time and art class, and Alpaca enjoys the playground’s train “track-a.” The bouncy couplets and invented “alpaca” rhymes (displayed in bold font) are well-matched by the energetic digital art showing Alpaca and friends enjoying the day. This is a good read-aloud choice for young readers transitioning to a new school year.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(3) K-3 Right-facing pages show photos of baby zoo animals; in the accompanying text, the animals introduce themselves and one of their identifying features (stripes for a baby tapir; stumpy horns for a rhino). Turn the page to see how that baby grows and changes when they get “BIG.” Like other ZooBorns books, this one has a clean layout, suitably adorable photos, and friendly text; closing pages provide additional information about each of the animals and their species’ conservation status.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(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) PS Lionel is a very big and loud rhinoceros who has trouble participating in activities with his friends. When he tries to ride a bus with the birds, for example, he squashes it. Disappointed, Lionel wanders into “an ocean of blue,” which calms him...and inspires him to create a game everyone can play together. Illustrated in bright primary and secondary colors (Lionel is the only one in blue), the appealing story adds a fresh take to a familiar plotline.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(3) K-3 Illustrated by John Ledda. There is indeed something odd about Freddie’s new babysitter, who scares the dog, doesn’t talk much, and eats garbage for dinner. Eventually Freddie realizes what is already clear from the digital art—the babysitter is three adorable raccoons inside a trench coat, the top one wearing a hat and moustache. Readers will delight in being in on the joke from the start, and the deadpan narration (“Was this babysitter raised in the wild?” Freddie wonders) amplifies the humor.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Kayla Harren. Rather clunky rhyming couplets describe the many ways people with disabilities communicate, such as American Sign Language, assistive devices, and stimming. The digital art captures a variety of children and adults using these methods and tools; the message of acceptance and compassion in both text and art is clear. Back matter includes notes for kids (about celebrating difference) and for grownups (about precision in language) as well as short descriptions of the communication forms and disabilities represented.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Thomas Elliott. A villainous mushroom narrates his origin story, which began when he was passed over as a pizza topping in favor of a pineapple. Intent on revenge, the self-appointed “Mushroom of Doom” builds a mushroom army to carry out its retaliation. He narrowly misses being blended into slime juice...but will this brush with death change his ways? The silly story is accompanied by similarly goofy illustrations featuring a mobster-looking mushroom.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(3) YA When Toronto seventh grader Bea must pick an extracurricular sport, she reluctantly chooses the girls’ ice hockey team. Bea is anxious about her lack of skills but eventually finds she loves hockey and being a part of a team. She also discovers that she has confusing feelings for her teammate Gabi. Hockey enthusiasts will particularly enjoy the game action, but anyone will be able to appreciate Bea’s efforts to overcome her fears both on and off the ice.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(3) YA For high school junior and Olympic running hopeful Dera, the worst part about having to move in with her father is that her new school does not have a girls’ track team. Dera runs on the boys’ team instead -- but she faces rejection, harassment, and racism (she’s Nigerian American). Dera’s eventual success -- making a place for herself on the team and finding friends, romance, and even a relationship with her aloof dad -- is satisfying and well earned.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns