Just One Oak: What a Single Tree Can Be by Maria Gianferrari, illustrated by Diana Sudyka

• Publisher: Beach Lane Books
• Publication Date: April 7, 2026
• Reviewed from copy sent my publisher
• ISBN: 9781665961042

This nonfiction picture book explores the impact that a single oak tree can have on a habitat. The way that oaks hold onto their leaves all winter is explained and defined as marcescence. The book explores the variety of wildlife that an oak sustains from butterflies and moths to birds to the creatures that live in and under the leaf litter below the tree. Acorns are explored from the creatures that live inside them to those who eat them after they fall to the ground. Readers will leave this book amazed at what an oak can do.

Gianferrari has created a book that is bound to teach adults and children something new about oak trees. The view of the tree as a living thing that gives back so much to its community is a great perspective, one that allows children to see the importance of the plants and trees around them. The writing is done in two levels, one that can be easily shared aloud with a group, the smaller and more scientific text can be shared for those interested in the fascinating details. The illustrations feature lots of animals, plenty of acorns and an oakful of leaves. 

A grand nonfiction picture book for a grand tree. Appropriate for ages 5-8.

Puffins! By Maria Gianferrari, illustrated by Maris Wicks

• Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
• Publication Date: April 14, 2026
• Reviewed from copy provided by publisher
• ISBN: 9781250357373

On a safe island, a city of puffins comes to nest. Finding mates, creating dens and then laying one single egg per pair. Father Puffin patrols and guards the nest while Mother Puffin broods and waits. Six weeks later, there’s a peep and a new baby puffin arrives. Mother and Father Puffin take turns brooding with their chick and searching for food. Sharing the island with gulls is dangerous both for their catch of food and also for their vulnerable chicks. Soon Little Puffin is ready to leave the nest. She will live at sea for years with a raft of other puffins. Then one day, it will be her turn to meet a mate, build a nest and lay one single egg.

Gianferrari offers such a joyous look at puffins in this nonfiction picture book that readers will find themselves entirely swept up in the life cycle of Little Puffin. The book reads like a picture book, making it very shareable for bird-focused storytimes or ones looking at nature. The illustrator spends time volunteering on Eastern Egg Rock. The final pages of the book speak to her knowledge of puffins and how they were reintroduced to Eastern Egg Rock. The illustrations are a dynamic mix of comic panels and full-page images with pops of neon orange on the puffins and pages. 

Dive into this perfect puffin read. Appropriate for ages 5-9.