(3) K-3 On a “beautiful, blue sky morning,” Eunny wakes up, eats breakfast, and walks to school with Mama. During the walk, Eunny takes the time to notice and appreciate the world around; the childlike second-person narration gently instructs readers to do the same (“You’re not in a hurry today. Stop for a moment, and look up”). Delicate watercolor and pencil illustrations depict a bustling neighborhood in Seoul, South Korea, and, in the middle of it all, a child and mother enjoying each other’s company.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(3) K-3 A newly hatched sea turtle must face her fears to join her siblings in the ocean. Nellie tries several times to enter the water, but each time the big surf sends her back. Finally, she decides to climb to a high spot to get a different perspective. “It was exciting, beautiful, and so much bigger than the parts that were scary.” Seeing this gives her the courage to jump. While some of the digital art is less inspiring, the book's overall message about being brave is admirably presented.

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(3) K-3 After their parents' separation, mixed-race siblings Poppy and Robin adjust to living in two homes. Through the changing seasons, they navigate their feelings, seek comfort in familiar routines, and grow sunflowers together. Despite the challenges, they discover that love conquers all, and with time, change becomes easier. Vibrant digital illustrations with lots of natural outdoor scenery and a touch of nostalgic warmth create an optimistic mood. Back matter includes a psychologist's note for caregivers, online resources, and recommended reading.

Reviewer: Summer Edward

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Rashin Kheiriyeh. A child takes the titular expression (perhaps less familiar to American readers) literally, imagining what it would take -- cranes, boats, a helicopter -- to pick up the family home and move it to a new location. The child is disappointed to find out the truth but concludes that “no matter where we live...we have each other.” The retro-style mixed-media illustrations, in a palette of pink, mint green, and orange, humorously bring the child’s vision to life.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Ken Daley. On a Saturday morning, a young Black boy’s mother drops him off at the barbershop. Eager for the outing, the boy narrates the lively rituals of the Black men and neighborhood sons who gather there. Amid laughter, music, games, peddling, and storytelling, the barbershop serves as a hub for community, entertainment, oral tradition, and wisdom. Prismatic digital illustrations capture the barbershop's dynamic, multi-purpose nature, making this ode to Black barbershop culture truly shine.

Reviewer: Summer Edward

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Yana Popova. A child comes to terms with her parents’ separation and subsequent remarriages, experiencing both joyful and sad family moments. With the support of Mom and Dad and new family members, the child discovers that love prevails and learns emotional acceptance. The illustrations are largely rendered as cutouts against blank, textured, watercolor paper backgrounds, and become grayscale when the child’s father leaves. The resulting non-finito effect perfectly complements this story about navigating divorce with imperfect grace.

Reviewer: Summer Edward

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Cinzia Battistel. It’s 1660, and young Yeshiva student Samuel is a part-time apprentice to famous painter Rembrandt. Rembrandt needs inspiration for a Purim scene, but finds none of the models as “courageous, faithful, and modest” as Queen Esther. Samuel recruits his sister, pleasing both his father and Rembrandt, who both newly see how the student’s faith and art can coalesce. Well-composed, inviting illustrations capture the period dress, decor, and architecture of seventeenth-century Amsterdam. Short, factual spotlights on the Purim holiday and Rembrandt’s life are appended and emphasize the Christian artist’s real-life collaboration with his city’s Jewish population.

Reviewer: Jessica Tackett MacDonald

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Daniel Ramirez. In this welcome story about an Indigenous child’s gender expression, Raven loves joining in the round dance and wishes for a ribbon skirt (usually worn by women). After some thought, his grandmother makes him a rainbow one: “I’ve lived for a long time, Nosesim, and I’m lucky to see beautiful things that I’ve never seen before.” Acrylic illustrations make creative use of ribbons, often combining them with images of dance and sewing. Author and illustrator notes pay tribute to Indigenous dance and to Two-Spirit people.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Amy Wummer. In the style of "'Twas the Night Before Christmas," this picture book uses a diverse group of children and adults to show readers various ways to help protect the planet. A week before Earth Day, they all come together and plan. They embrace recycling, biking, and walking and plant a community garden. Then the night before, they dream of a celebratory butterfly release. Wing’s rhyming text would make for a pleasant read aloud, and Wummer’s colorful illustrations enhance the story’s pro-conservation message.

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(3) K-3 Illustrated by Sally Deng. “First, you need to be near a body of water. An ocean, if you are lucky.” The lyrical narration goes on to describe what someone needs to do to see a mermaid, from packing a snack to share (Goldfish crackers, of course) to sitting very still on a rock. In the concluding pages, mermaid and child share a tender moment of connection. The soothing blue, brown, and green mixed-media illustrations reflect the gentleness of the text.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(4) K-3 Adapted by Genie MacLeod. Created by Jorge Cham and Daniel Whiteson. Elinor’s friend Ari wants to spend the day butterfly-watching, while her friend Olive would rather look for caterpillars. The friends decide to look for butterfly babies instead. Why can’t they find any? Using their observation skills, they discover that Ari and Olive actually like the same insect. This book is an effective, if bland, introduction to the concepts of metamorphosis and using science to answer questions; the cartoon art and story are based on an episode of a TV series.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Skye Ali. In this touching story, a young child gives the prospective buyers of their grandmother’s house an unconventional tour: from the “kitchen floor for skating” to “the best backyard you’ll ever play in.” As they tour each space, pink outlines in the mixed-media illustrations show what used to be there: a rocking chair in the living room, a plate of cookies on the table. The book evokes fond memories of a special house and relationship.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Julia Kuo. A young Taiwanese American girl explains how her family members show their love. Keico A-ma (her grandma) expresses love through cooking, and Julie A-ma through teaching her piano and praying for their family. Her mama “lovingly cuts platters of fruit,” and Gene A-gong (grandpa) provides “gentle pats” on the back. Chung’s soothing text is enhanced by Kuo’s digital illustrations that capture tender interactions between the narrator and her family.

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(3) K-3 Illustrated by Kim Barnes. Following her parents' separation, a young girl grapples with the emotional complexities of living between two homes. Through her father's thoughtful efforts to create new traditions, such as a mermaid-themed picture day, she learns that while life changes, the enduring love and support of family remain constant. Digital illustrations, using an interplay of vignettes, spot art, and full-bleed spreads, convey warmth and emotion. Back matter includes short bios of the author and illustrator and notes to kids and caregivers.

Reviewer: Summer Edward

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Sophie Bass. Lou, a girl born from a wish on the leaves of a magical callaloo plant, is kidnapped by a wicked man. He forces her to do manual labor and cuts her magical hair short, though it always grows back “thicker and longer than before.” When a wise woman visits and braids Lou’s hair, she also gives Lou an escape route. Intricate, brilliant gouache illustrations bring this inventive story to life; an author’s note explains that the story is inspired by Rapunzel and tales of enslaved people’s use of cornrow braid patterns as maps to freedom.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(3) K-3 Illustrated by TeMika Grooms. In the 1980s, Jamaican Canadian Nikki, her siblings, and their parents drive from Toronto to New York for Uncle Travis’s wedding. Nikki traces their journey in a road atlas, reflecting on the places that connect her bloodline. After a missed turn, Nikki’s confident map-reading helps them reach Grandma’s house on time. The realist digital illustrations use multiple perspectives, saving the story’s confined automobile setting from monotony. This nostalgic story highlights Black girl brilliance and diasporic identity.

Reviewer: Summer Edward

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Nicky Johnston. After Mum’s vase shatters, Frankie’s world begins to change. With Dad gone and Mum staying in bed, Nana takes Frankie to an art gallery, where she discovers a beautiful mosaic made of broken pieces. Frankie learns that when things break, they can be made whole in new ways. Illustrations combining soft colors with gentle, emotive details create comforting visuals. A perceptive look at divorce that highlights art's power to build resilience, shift perspectives, and help process complex emotions.

Reviewer: Summer Edward

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Shirley Ng-Benitez. A young girl navigates the changes that come with shuttling back and forth between two family homes after her parents' separation. Amidst new routines and uncertainties, she struggles to adjust until a heart drawn on a train window helps her to discover she is loved no matter where she goes. Slice-of-life illustrations with lively colors, soft textures, and a recurring motif of heart-shaped objects create expressive, emotionally layered imagery. A sensitive, hopeful portrayal of a child’s journey through divorce.

Reviewer: Summer Edward

(3) K-3 An alligator family moves to a human neighborhood, but young Herbert’s penchant for people-eating makes it tough to forge friendships. A light touch and a lot of interrupted snacks, along with cartoonish illustrations, make for a silly tale that may remind readers of their own struggles with fitting in.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Matt Rockefeller. A grieving boy embarks on an adventurous quest through mythical realms to find peace after the loss of his mother. With minimal, palindromic text and detailed, cinematic illustrations, this poignant, graphic novel-like picture book explores bereavement, memory, and healing, offering a complex, emotionally resonant experience for readers of all ages. An absorbing and deeply reflective journey.

Reviewer: Summer Edward