Full of new fingerplays and finger rhymes, this picture book is a marvelous resource for families, teachers and librarians. The rhymes have a timeless quality to them that will make them seamlessly join in more traditional finger rhymes like “Itsy Bitsy Spider.” Taylor has created a collection that will be beloved and I’m hoping that some of his rhymes become universal on the storytime circuit. They have a bounce, a rhythm and a jolly sense of humor that small children will adore.
Woodcock’s illustrations seamlessly incorporate the actions and move alongside the rhymes so that adults can quickly read the rhyme and gestures together. The colors are bright and friendly and feature a diverse cast of children acting out the rhymes on the page. The focus on learning through movement is joyful.
This one belongs in every library and would make a great gift for new parents. Appropriate for ages 0-4.
The winners of the 2025 Book of the Year Awards have been announced by the Children’s Book Council of Australia. Here are the winners and honor books for each category:
Big Little Baby by Liz Garton Scanlon, illustrated by Trudy Tan (9780593890868)
This board book is a warm and lovely take on a universal baby game of “Baby is SO big” while you raise their hands above their head. The book quickly expands the game to show how strong and big baby is. From being strong like an elephant and stretching to reach a toy to roaring with hunger like a bear. The story then turns to how small baby is, a part of the book that is filled with butterfly kisses and being held close. The book ends with bedtime and a sleeping baby. Award-winning Scanlon sets just the right gentle and playful feel with a rhythm and rhyme that allows the book to skip along at a baby-friendly pace. The illustrations have a lovely watercolor softness combined with engaging colors.
Just right for babies no matter how big or small. Appropriate for ages 0-3.
Reviewed from e-galley provided by Penguin Random House.
The winners of the 2025 New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults have been announced. The awards this year are noted for including so many Maori titles. Here are the winning titles.
When a ghost is having a very bad day, his smaller friend tries to figure out what is wrong. Does the ghost hate him too? No? Does the ghost hate sweets? How about playing dress up? One after the other, the little ghost finds things that the other ghost doesn’t hate, and maybe loves. In the end the ghost has completely forgotten what he hates, or has he? Told entirely in speech bubbles, the book is fast paced and great fun to read aloud with a grumpy ghost voice.
A silly book about bad moods that is sure to put you in a good one. Appropriate for ages 3-5.
Reviewed from e-galley provided by Beach Lane Books.
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation has announced the Kids Reads 2025 Longlist. The 15 picture books in the longlist will be shortened to five books that will compete to win. The shortlist will be announced on September 17 and the winner announced on October 4. Here are the longlisted books:
The creator of Pokko and the Drum returns with a new picture book. Aggie is looking forward to living on her own, but then discovers that her new house is haunted. The ghost never leaves her alone and won’t follow any of the rules she sets for the house. He steals her socks, haunts during the middle of the night, and eats all the cheese. Finally, Aggie has had enough and heads into the woods during a rainstorm trying to be alone. But the ghost joins her. The two decide to play tic-tac-toe with the winner getting to stay in the house. It’s an epic game but will it be enough to create some rules for the two of them? Probably not.
Forsythe’s humor is evident in his illustrations with their washes of color and doll-faced little person. The ghost is a marvelously malleable creature with one big eye who would certainly be disconcerting to have around the house. The story too is a delight with a marvelous ending that is laugh-out-loud funny.
A hauntingly good book. Appropriate for ages 4-7.
Reviewed from e-galley provided by Simon & Schuster.
Creative Australia has announced the shortlists for the 2025 Prime Minister’s Literary Awards. The awards “acknowledge the contribution of Australian literature to the nation’s cultural and intellectual life.” Winners will be announced on September 29th. Here are the shortlists for the juvenile categories:g
Waking Brain Cells 