Mama Moon by Noah Grigni (9781250824295) Released April 15, 2025

A little girl lives with her two mothers near the sea. Her mama is like the moon, waxing and waning at times, “sometimes she’s blue, sometimes she’s bright.” There are some days she can’t get out of bed and these times can make the little girl very angry. After yelling at her mama to “Go away!” her mama has to go to the hospital to get better. The confusion of mental illness as seen through the eyes of a child is very powerfully depicted in this picture book. The book shines with love, showing that despite mental health struggles, parents are vital to a child’s life. The illustrations depict a mixed-race family and have a simple style with deep colors showing emotions as storms and mental health as a pitching boat at sea. 

Appropriate for ages 5-9. Reviewed from e-galley provided by Macmillan Children’s Publishing.

Mistaco! by Eliza Kinkz (9780593700235)

Izzy is having a very bad day. She just can’t stop making mistakes. In fact, she made a huge mistake at school and doesn’t want to talk about it! When they go to visit her Lita and Lito’s house, Izzy just wants to be left alone. Instead she is asked to help make tortillas. Now there are even more mistakes! Can Izzy find a way to get past her mistakes and laugh about things again? A large and merry family supports Izzy in her struggles with mistakes, finding a creative way together to help her see that mistakes can be delicious. With rambunctious illustrations full of speech bubbles, action and joy, this picture book invites us all to laugh more together. 

Appropriate for ages 4-8. Reviewed from library copy.

Old Blue Is My Home by Lita Judge (9781419771521) 

Based on the author’s childhood with housing insecurity and living in a blue van, this picture book shows the wonder mixed with the challenges of a child growing up living a nomadic van life. The strong connection to nature shines throughout the book as well as her connection to her family members. School is more of a challenge since they don’t have a house or apartment to invite others over. Being different from the other children can cause real upset and that is depicted with care. Judge’s watercolor and colored pencil illustrations provide a real glimpse into van life and housing insecurity for families. A great addition to picture book collections as this shows a type of family life not often depicted.

Appropriate for ages 5-9. Reviewed from e-galley provided by Abrams Books.

Ripening Time by Patrice Gopo, illustrated by Carlos Vélez Aguilera (9781546005391) Released April 22, 2025.

A little girl, her sister and mother buy green plantains from the grocery store. It takes a lot of patience to wait for the green fruit to turn sweet, yellow and black. Day after day that week, they check on the plantains and their progress, even stopping their babysitter from treating them like bananas for snacking. Finally, on Sunday they are ready to fry up and everyone can enjoy their sweet flavor together. I did not grow up eating plantains, but one of my best childhood friends had them regularly in her Trinidadian-American home. Ever since trying them, I’ve loved them too and enjoy seeing a book that celebrates this unique starchy-sweet fruit, the warmth of family and the need for patience. Illustrated with rich colors that feature golds, teals and oranges, this one is worth digging into.
Appropriate for ages 3-7. Reviewed from e-galley provided by WorthyKids.