3 Witty Witchy New Picture Books

July 21, 2025July 6, 2025 | Tasha

Evelyn Witch Gets a Pet by Beth Ferry, illustrated by Charles Santoso (9781250804211)

Evelyn wakes up one morning with a feeling that she is missing something. It’s not her pumpkins or her potions, but it might just be a pet! However, she doesn’t have enough money for a pet of her choice and has to settle for the discounted mystery pet box. Inside is an egg. Now, Evelyn isn’t very patient, so she sets out to use her magic to hatch the egg. However, she also doesn’t know what hatches from eggs. Perhaps a unicorn? A narwhal? A porcupine? When nothing works, she decides to just be patient and take the best care of her egg. But what could be inside? A book that looks at patience through a wonderfully witchy lens. This picture book has a delight of a mystery at its center that will entice children to find out what in the world is in that egg.

A great Halloween read aloud without any scares. Appropriate for ages 3-6.

Reviewed from e-galley provided by Roaring Brook Press.

This Year a Witch! By Zoey Abbott (9781665956024)

The young narrator of this picture book has been a bunny for Halloween and a mouse the year before that. In fact, every year, she has been entirely adorable for Halloween. But this is the year that all changes and she dresses up as a witch. She’s been preparing by growing out her hair, making accessories, and preparing for her witch’s brew. But when she is finally ready and in her costume, she’s a bit more witchy than she can handle! With a little help from her father, she embraces her pointed hat, witchy robe and dark side.

Abbott has created a funny and smart book about the immense decision of what costume to wear at Halloween and how regrets can set in at the last minute. Children will recognize the joy at embracing a new character, the build up to the holiday and the rush of feelings as it all starts. The illustrations add to the pleasure of the book with their vibrant Halloween colors as they capture the little girl’s emotions clearly.

A non-scary Halloween book just right to share aloud. Appropriate for ages 3-6.

Reviewed from e-galley provided by Atheneum.

Witch Cat by Lucy Rowland, illustrated by Laura Hughes (9781547616718)

Pippin has always loved being a witch’s cat, but then he starts to long for something different. When he discovers a pirate ship about to leave, he is invited to join the crew and solve their mouse issues. But the sea is not the right place for seasick Pippin and he quickly leaves them at the first island they visit. It’s there that he considers very briefly being a knight’s cat but the local dragon keeps him moving. Perhaps being a pet? A cowboy’s cat? Nothing quite seems right, until he sees a rather witchy broom. But how is Pippin to find his way back home? This picture book is told in rhymes with just the right mix of Halloween and humor.

Great for sharing aloud and full of fall fun. Appropriate for ages 3-6.

Reviewed from copy provided by Bloomsbury Children’s Books.

Little Rebels Award 2025 Shortlist

July 18, 2025 | Tasha

The Little Rebels Award Shortlist for 2025 has been announced by the Alliance of Radical Booksellers. The award is UK based and offers a prize for “radical fiction aimed at children aged 0-12.” Here are the six shortlisted titles:

Cottonopolis by S F Layzell (Available in US)

The Fights That Make Us by Sarah Hagger-Holt

Keedie by Elle McNicoll

Kende! Kende! Kende! by Kirsten Cappy & Yaya Gentille, illustrated by Rahana Dariah

Mayowa and the Sea of Words by Chibundu Onuzo, with illustrations by Paula Zorite (Released in US in January 2026)

Zac and Jac by Cathy Jenkins, with illustrations by Monique Steele (Available in US)

Wake Your Friday Brain Cells – July 18 Edition

July 18, 2025July 17, 2025 | Tasha

CHILDREN’S LIT

The best children’s books for every age group – The Telegraph

‘It feels an almost holy moment’: the beauty and magic of reading aloud to children – The Guardian

Writing Advice and Literary Wisdom from the Great E.B. White – Lit Hub

LIBRARIES

Hungary’s oldest library is fighting to save 100,000 books from a beetle infestation – CNN

Libraries Pay More for E-Books. Some States Want to Change That. – New York Times

New Report: The State-by-State 2025 Legislative Landscape for Libraries – EveryLibrary

Pride Is Disappearing in Libraries Across the U.S. – Book Riot

‘There is no political power without power over the archive’ – The Observer

A Virginia public library is fighting off a takeover by private equity. – Lit Hub

YA LIT

Breaking Boundaries: YA Authors Crossing Over into Adult Fiction – Publishers Weekly

Sarah J. Maas Breaks Silence On A Court Of Thorns & Roses Book 6 – And It’s The Best Update In Years – ScreenRant

2025 Lollies Shortlist

July 17, 2025 | Tasha

The Lollies celebrate the best humorous books for children in the UK and Ireland with the winners selected by children themselves. Here are the books in the 2025 shortlists for each age category:

PICTURE BOOKS

The Goat and the Stoat and the Boat by Em Lynas, illustrated by Matt Hunt (Available in US)

The Princess with the Blazing Bottom by Beach

Spyceratops by Alex Willmore

There’s Nothing Faster Than a Cheetah by Tom Nicoll, illustrated by Ross Collins (Available in US)

AGES 6-8

Grimwood: Attack of the Stink Monster! by Nadia Shireen (Available in US)

Keisha Jones Takes on the World by Natalie Dennie, illustrated by Chanté Timothy

The Shop of Impossible Ice Creams: Big Berry Robbery by Shane Hegarty, illustrated by Jeff Crowther (Coming to the US in January 2026)

Trixie Pickle Art Avenger: Toxic Takedown by Olaf Falafel

AGES 9-12

The Boss of Everyone! by Danny Wallace, illustrated by Gemma Correll (Available in US)

Evil Emperor Penguin: The World Will Be Mine! by Laura Ellen Anderson

Kofi and the Rap Battle Summer by Jeffry Boakye, illustrated by Beth Suzanna and Paul Kellam

Solve Your Own Mystery: The Transylvanian Express by Gareth P. Jones, illustrated by Louise Forshaw

NONFICTION

Comic Strip Science: Physics by Paul Mason and Jess Bradley

Funny Beasts by Paul Mason, illustrated by Tony De Saulles (Available in US)

Kay’s Incredible Inventions by Adam Kay, illustrated by Henry Paker

Would You Rather? Ancient Romans by Clive Gifford, illustrated by Tim Wesson (Available in US)

3 Picture Books to Make Your Heart Soar

July 17, 2025June 26, 2025 | Tasha

Papilio by Ben Clanton, Corey R. Tabor and Andy Chou Musser (9780593693254)

Three well-known children’s book creators have come together to each tell part of the story of the caterpillar, chrysalis and butterfly life stages. Papilio starts life bursting out of her egg. She eats leaves but then falls to the ground. She can’t reach the enticing strawberry above her without some help from a friendly mouse. In her chrysalis, she is safe and sound or so she thinks. A robin gets a bit too interested in her and it’s that same friendly mouse who rescues her. Finally, as a butterfly she finds getting to the flower a little more challenging than she thought. Luckily, the mouse is there again to lend a paw. Seeing the stages done in different but supportive art styles is a real pleasure.

Young readers will enjoy the energy and action in each stage. Appropriate for ages 3-5.

Reviewed from library copy.

To See an Owl by Mathew Cordell (9780593649893)

Janie loves owls and dreams of being able to see one in the wild. Her teacher this year is a birder and his favorite birds are owls too. She tries to find an owl, learning about whitewash and pellets, listening hard and keeping an eye out. She even heads into the woods at night with her mother, but no owl is found. Months go by and Janie brings in her collection of owl information and shares it with her class. Her teacher is amazed and shows her on a map where he saw a pair of great horned owls. Could this be the clue that Janie needs?

This quiet picture book speaks to the importance of persistence and patience when entering nature. Watching Janie’s knowledge grow organically throughout the book is a treat. Cordell’s signature fine-lined drawings offer a glimpse of nature, Janie’s family and her search for the elusive owl.

Appropriate for ages 4-7. Reviewed from library copy.

Wind Watchers by Micha Archer (9780593616550)

Wind blows in a variety of ways. Fluttering spring blossoms, bringing spring showers. It helps fly kites and ripples the pond on hot days. Sometimes Wind brings a surprise thunderstorm. In fall, Wind scatters seeds and blows leaves off trees. Winter wind brings icy cold and blizzards. Celebrate the seasons with this joyful interaction between children and the wind. Written and illustrated by Archer, a Caldecott Honor winner, the illustrations are done in inks and collage. The nature scenes and the rain fall are particularly striking and will draw young readers in.

Appropriate for ages 3-5. Reviewed from library copy.

3 Wonderful Watery Picture Books

July 16, 2025June 26, 2025 | Tasha

The Peddler of Puddles by Beth Ferry and Tom Lichtenheld (9780063318342)

The peddler of puddles is a turtle who moves slowly across the area. Using his heavy puddle machine makes puddles for all sorts of creatures along the way. Puddles for ducks, frogs, insects and children. He doesn’t ask for anything in return, but the others often give him food or smiles in thanks. When he reaches the seashore for the first time, the peddler is shocked. It’s an enormous puddle! He loves playing with a girl in the sea, but when it’s time to go his cart is stuck in the sand. He almost gives up, but then his friends that he’s helped along the way come along with a big surprise.

With just enough machinery and tinkering, this soggy read is also sunny throughout. Appropriate for ages 3-5.

Reviewed from library copy.

Shark Girl by Kate Beaton (9781250184924)

In a story delightfully different than Little Mermaid, Shark Girl sets out to protect sealife by joining the crew of a fishing vessel. She wants a quick revenge but soon finds out that it takes a lot more to get a crew to mutiny even against an awful captain. But through hard work together, skill in fishing, and studying human nature, Shark Girl starts to make new connections. It is then that the captain has a plan that will keep Shark Girl in his boat forever. What’s a toothy girl to do? Beaton is a wonder, effortlessly moving between children’s picture books and award-winning adult graphic memoirs.

This book reads aloud beautifully telling a story of both ecology and girl power. Appropriate for ages 4-6.

Reviewed from library copy.

We Leap Together by Christopher Silas Neal (9780593812648)

A human mother and child is shown next to a mother whale and her calf in this smart picture book. The similarities between the two lives are emphasized with busy lanes of car traffic compared to the busy shoals of fish. They listen to songs, blow bubbles, dive deep, see colorful creatures, and wave to friends. The bring the book full circle, the humans board a whale-watching boat and the two families leap together in joy. Told in simple sentences, this picture book is approachable and clearly shows our connection to nature and our similarities with other creatures. The illustrations are simple too, telling the story just as profoundly as the words.

Just right for sharing and discussing. Appropriate for ages 3-6.

Reviewed from library copy.

Are You a Friend of Dorothy? by Kyle Lukoff – Book Review

July 15, 2025June 26, 2025 | Tasha

Are You a Friend of Dorothy?: The True Story of an Imaginary Woman and the Real People She Helped by Kyle Lukoff, illustrated by Levi Hastings (9781665931663)

This nonfiction picture book explains to children that LGBTQIA people used to not be able to share openly about their sexuality. Instead, they used a code and asked one another if they were a friend of Dorothy. The book explores why it was unsafe to share sexuality openly with people losing their jobs, being arrested or placed in mental institutions. Then there are the people who hear the code who are working for the government. But they could never figure out who this mysterious Dorothy was. There are some ideas about why the name Dorothy was chosen. The ending returns to the present day and all the progress that has been made for LGBTQIA rights with the caveat about the continued dangers and threats to those who come out.

Lukoff tells the history of LGBTQ rights in America using a child-focused approach by focusing on the code phrase. It’s a clever way to share the information of past injustice, modern progress and all the way yet to go. Illustrations by Hastings are colorful at times and other times capture the bleakness of government surveillance.

All young friends of Dorothy will find a welcoming place in these pages. Appropriate for ages 5-9.

Reviewed from a copy provided by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

2 Fun New Halloween Picture Books

July 14, 2025June 26, 2025 | Tasha

Chicka Chicka Tricka Treat by Julien Chung (9781665954785)

Another winner in the Chicka Chicka series that deserves a spot in your Halloween read alouds. Taking the familiar format of the Chicka Chicka books, the alphabet letters set out to climb the creaky old tree. They are all dressed in costumes as they climb. But when a witch arrives, all of the letters shiver and the branches break and all fall to the ground. The witch invites them to climb up and they all begin again though many of their costumes have changed due to the fall.

Readers who enjoy this series will love the Halloween version. It’s a great addition to Halloween stories, particularly for those looking for ones that won’t frighten little ones but engage them in the fun of the season. Appropriate for ages 2-4.

Reviewed from e-galley provided by Beach Lane Books.

The Zombees by Justin Colón (9781665922500)

Something is coming through the graveyard in Honey Hills with a buzzing sound. With moans and green skin, the Zombees fly by with their Zombee Queen. Are they here to eat our brains? Get help! But when the people in bee veils show up, the Zombees share the real reason they are there. Told in bold rhymes and with a rollicking rhythm that matches the fast-paced tale, this picture book is a joy to share aloud. The bright illustrations that give clues to what is actually happening will make this book worth reading a few times to see all those touches.

Let’s hope this one gets lots of buzzz. Appropriate for ages 3-5.

Reviewed from e-galley provided by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.