poetry

4 Sunny New Picture Books

| Tasha
Cover image for Children of the Sun by Micaela Chirif, illustrated by Juan Palomino, translated by Lawrence Schimel, featuring yellow, orange and red sun beams, blue lines of water and a small human figure.

Children of the Sun by Micaela Chirif, illustrated by Juan Palomino, translated by Lawrence Schimel

  • Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers
  • Publication Date: March 31, 2026
  • Reviewed from Edelweiss e-galley
  • ISBN: 9780802856548

Based on the Incan legend of Manco Cápac and Mama Ocllo, this picture book tells the story of the first people on earth who lived in caves and didn’t cook food. Then Manco Cápac and Mama Ocllo were created when the Sun leaned in to see his reflection in the lake and created foam on the water. The two were entrusted by the Sun to make the first city. They would know when they were in the right place when their long stick sank into the ground. The two walked the earth for almost a year, ending up exhausted and discouraged. That’s when the stick sank into the ground and they founded Cusco, the Incan capital. 

Written by Chirif, a Peruvian poet, with art created by Palomino, a Mexican illustrator, this picture book is splendid. The story is told with such an openness and welcoming tone. In honor of its oral tradition, the book reads aloud well while still taking its time building towards the capital creation. The art is unique with a modernity but also a traditional vibe that matches perfectly with the tale. 

A journey worth taking with Latin American legends. Appropriate for ages 5-9.

Cover image for Ritu in the Sun by Moniza Hossain, illustrated by Mercè López, featuring a little girl with brown skin smiling as the sun shines on her face.

Ritu in the Sun by Moniza Hossain, illustrated by Mercè López

  • Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers
  • Publication Date: April 21, 2026
  • Reviewed from Edelweiss e-galley
  • ISBN: 9780593806692

Ritu loves the sun at all times of day. She loves it in the morning when the sunlight streams through the windows and she can curl up like a cat on the floor in the pools of light. She loves it in the afternoon, floating in the swimming pool. She loves it in the evening as it colors the world orange and pink and slants across the backyard. But Ritu’s grandmother avoids the sun and wants Ritu to join her in the shade. When Ritu finally asks why her grandmother hates the sun, her grandmother admits that she was raised to avoid the sun so her skin wouldn’t get darker. Ritu likes her grandmother’s darker skin and tells her so. Now it’s time for them both to embrace their love of the sun.

Based on the author’s personal experience and inspired by talking with a young girl, this book speaks very clearly to children who love the sun, spend time outdoors and enjoy a good swim. While their skin might darken, their love of play and being outside is even more important than what society or family members might think. The grandmother’s transformation is a lovely piece of Ritu’s story, showing that change is possible with love. The illustrations in this picture book share Ritu’s connection with her grandmother and their shared adoration of one another. 

A loving and strong look at skin tone. Appropriate for ages 4-6.

Cover image for Thank You, Sun by Douglas Florian, featuring a large yellow sun surrounded by birds with a girl and trees on a rounded planet.

Thank You, Sun by Douglas Florian

  • Publisher: Beach Lane Books
  • Publication Date: March 31, 2026
  • Reviewed from copy provided by publisher
  • ISBN: 9781665966757

Children’s poet Florian returns with a winning collection of poems that offer thanks to parts of our world. The book starts with the sun, thanking the sun for light, warmth and generosity. The earth is then thanked for air, ground, food and much more. Throughout, Florian plays with poem structure and typeset, having the one thanking the wind blow across the page and the poem thanking a tree standing straight, narrow and upright. 

Florian creates poems here that are celebratory and joyous. It’s a clever way for children to connect with nature around them, by thanking them for being there and for providing what they do, whether that is birdsong or snowflakes. His writing is child friendly but never didactic or condescending. Instead he makes sure that young readers will relate to his ideas and then shares his joy of words and poetry. The art in the book is done by Florian as well. It is full of background texture, colors, friendly animals and natural scenes. 

Share this with children and they are sure to thank you. Appropriate for ages 6-10.

Cover image for When the Sun Goes Down by Greg Pizzoli, featuring a little girl lying in the grass looking at a butterfly and flower in front of a setting sun.

When the Sun Goes Down by Greg Pizzoli

  • Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
  • Publication Date: April 7, 2026
  • Reviewed from Edelweiss e-galley
  • ISBN: 9780593649800

Told in soothing repetitive forms, this picture book is perfect for bedtime reading. A little girl asks a butterfly, “Where do you go? Where do you go when the sun goes down?” The butterfly then answers that they go under a leaf. The little girl asks an ant, a bird, a fish, and the cat. Finally the book asks the child what they do when the sun goes down. The book repeats then what each other creature does and asks if that’s what a child does too? Finally, the book ends with the little girl in bed asleep with the sun down. 

This book begs to be shared aloud while cuddled up together. It’s a book with a wonderful rhythm to it built by the repeating refrains and the repetition of responses towards the end. The rhythm is soothing and quiet rather than rambunctious, offering just the right feel for a bedtime read. The illustrations have a marvelous quality to them thanks to their unique process. They are done in brush pen on paper, screen printed and collaged. The result is luminous colors with an organic quality and layers. 

A brilliant bedtime book. Appropriate for ages 2-4.

The Mighty Macy by Kwame Alexander – Book Recommendation

| Tasha
Cover image for The Mighty Macy by Kwame Alexander, illustrated by Kitt Thomas, featuring a Black girl showing her fingers with musical notes and books in the background.

The Mighty Macy by Kwame Alexander, illustrated by Kitt Thomas 

  • Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
  • Publication Date: February 3, 2026
  • Reviewed from library copy
  • ISBN: 9780316442169

When Macy gets the first book in the Mighty Zora series for her birthday, she stays up late reading. The next day, she rushes to the school library to get the second book in the series. But the school library is closed due to budget cuts. Now the school library will only be open two days a week instead of all week long. Macy has to figure out how to save the school library while also learning her minuet for her violin concert. It’s all happening at once, but with help from her poet father, her pancake-providing mother and her friends she might just get it all done. 

Alexander is a virtuoso of children’s literature. He writes with such warmth here of Macy, a little girl filled with the drive to speak up and finding the courage to do so. Alexander demonstrates that children have a place in social justice work and giving them a voice in processes is vital to making change happen. Written primarily in verse, this book is approachable for readers newer to chapter books. The illustrations add to the joy of the book, sharing Macy’s life and family. 

A great new chapter book that speaks up about taking action.

3 New Gorgeous Gardening Picture Books

| Tasha
Cover image for Goldfinches by Mary Oliver, illustrated by Melissa Sweet. Features two goldfinches against a pink sky sitting on thistles.

Goldfinches by Mary Oliver, illustrated by Melissa Sweet

  • Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
  • Publication Date: March 3, 2026
  • Reviewed from pdf received from publisher
  • ISBN: 9780593692417

Mary Oliver’s poem “Goldfinches” is transformed into a child-friendly picture book that invites readers out into fields filled with thistles and birds. The poem speaks to the beauty of nature from the beauty of the “coin of reddish fire” in the thistles to the way the goldfinches build their “silver baskets” of nests. Through the poem and Sweet’s art, readers will experience the way that thistles and birds work together to form a cycle of life. The art also shows people spending time in nature, quietly making notes and sketches, observing it all. 

Sweet has so beautifully captured Oliver’s poem, bringing into a new format that pays homage to her words while inviting a new generation of readers to discover her. Oliver’s work is stunning with its vivid renderings of nature, speaking to the way nature impacts us if we are just willing to slow down and notice. Sweet’s art is a glorious dance of color palettes, taped small notes, and marvelous sweeps of field and sky. 

The entire book is a gust of fresh air across the mind. Appropriate for ages 4-9.

Cover image for Tiny Garden by Deborah Underwood, illustrated by Jax Chow. Features a boy sitting in front of a rising sun with a dog and a watering can.

Tiny Garden by Deborah Underwood, illustrated by Jax Chow

  • Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers
  • Publication Date: March 3, 2026
  • Reviewed from Edelweiss e-galley
  • ISBN: 9781419774911

Andrew loved plants, but big gardens and trees were overwhelming. So he planted his own small garden in his front yard. Soon he had a colorful tiny plot. Others didn’t understand what he was doing. But the very small animals in the area soon found the very small garden. First was a tiny moth who rested there, then a tiny earthworm snuggled in. A hummingbird visited for nectar sips. The tiny garden was a tiny gathering place. 

The text of this picture book celebrates Andrew’s connection with plants and nature while also pointing out the patience it takes to plant, water and eventually see the results of your work. From the first glimpse of the tiny garden in illustrations, children will immediately understand that this is an Andrew-sized garden and it’s just the right size. The animals who visit are cleverly depicted and there is a sense of calm joy throughout the book. 

A lovely little look at nature and gardens. Appropriate for ages 3-5.

Cover image for The Weedy Garden by Margaret Renkl, illustrated by Billy Renkl. Featuring a child in a yellow shirt riding a bicycle down a path with gardens on each side.

The Weedy Garden by Margaret Renkl, illustrated by Billy Renkl

  • Publisher: Greenwillow Books
  • Publication Date: February 24, 2026
  • Reviewed from Edelweiss e-galley
  • ISBN: 9780063432819

Venture into this wonderful riotous and weedy garden with a variety of animals who live there. The bumblebees carry pollen from flower to flower. The squirrel searches for a lost nut in the leaves. The monarchs find the butterfly weed for their eggs. The toad waits for bugs to fly close enough to eat. The rabbits snuggle together in their nest. Then there is a child, sitting in clover listening and watching too.

The text of this picture book is designed to be shared aloud. Just a single line of prose under each double-spread of illustrations. For more information on the creatures that live in the garden and planting gardens that welcome wildlife, readers can turn to the back of the book. The illustrations capture the wildness of the garden with all of its native plants and creatures. Done in collage, they are bright colored and captivating. 

A visit to a rich garden with lots of animal residents. Appropriate for ages 3-6.

Melodies of The Weary Blues by Langston Hughes – Book Recommendation

| Tasha

Melodies of The Weary Blues: Classic Poems Illustrated for Young People by Langston Hughes, compiled by Shamar Knight-Justice

  • Publisher: HarperCollins
  • Publication Date: January 20, 2026
  • Reviewed from Edelweiss e-galley
  • ISBN: 9780063327054

Celebrate the centennial  of Langston Hughes’ first book of poetry with this new collection of selected poems paired with art from twenty gifted Black artists. This collection takes the poems in The Weary Blues and skillfully pairs them with illustrators who capture the essence of each poem in their unique ways. The result is a nonfiction poetry book with each poem separate but also part of a whole. Turning these pages is a journey through Hughes’ work and also through beautiful and distinct artistic reactions to each poem. 

With poems like “The Negro Speaks of Rivers” included in the collection, children will discover Hughes anew. The book ends with a biography of Langston Hughes as well as biographical information on each of the illustrators. The sweep from one illustrator to the next has been done with care, creating a full story as the pages turn and still allowing them to stand on their own. 

This belongs in every library. Appropriate for ages 8-12.

Truth Is by Hannah V. Sawyerr – Book Recommendation

| Tasha

Truth Is by Hannah V. Sawyerr 

Publisher: Amulet Books

Publication Date: September 23, 2025

Reviewed from library copy

ISBN: 9781419776830

Truth is 17 and not sure what she wants to do after she graduates this year. When she finds out that she is pregnant, she has one more choice to make. Her best friend assumes that Truth will have the baby, but Truth isn’t sure. She can’t tell her verbally abusive mother about being pregnant, since her mother has made it clear that her own teenage pregnancy that resulted in Truth being born ruined her life. She doesn’t want to let the baby’s father know either. Luckily, Truth finds a space in which she can start to process her own decisions and find a way forward: slam poetry. As Truth struggles to make slam practice while dealing with her pregnancy and her decision, she continues to lie until one of her poems gets released online and people learn what her decision was. It’s time for truth.

Brilliantly written in verse, this story of a teenage Black girl finding her voice in slam poetry and standing on her own despite the many critical people around her is triumphant. It is one of the few YA novels about choosing to have an abortion that shares that as a valid choice without ongoing emotional trauma. Truth is such a real person, making mistakes, dealing with consequences and still dreaming of a different future than others see for her. Her relationship with her best friend and her mother are rendered with complexity and a deep understanding for Truth herself. 

A great verse novel that speaks to the power of choice and voice. Appropriate for ages 15+.

Nightmare Jones by Shannon Bramer – Book Recommendation

| Tasha

Nightmare Jones by Shannon Bramer, illustrated by Cindy Derby (9781773069463)

First meet Nightmare Jones himself via the poem about him. He has blood on his shoe, a swashbuckler heart and a soul of soot. One after another, monsters appear poem by poem. There are little ghosts who live in shoes. There is the man who collects teeth. You can visit a witch’s garden or find the monster with a hole in her head. Spiders and eyes make several appearances in the book alongside dark emotions. Your monster can be tangible or all in your head, or maybe a bit of both. 

So much poetry for children is simplified and this book is marvelously challenging both in content being less than straight forward and poetry structure being played with constantly. The result is a book with lines that are eerie and strange, just right for odd children who enjoy the dark corners of books. My favorite poem is near the end of the collection, “The Strangest One” and the title is just right. 

Dark, delightful and dangerously good. Appropriate for ages 8-12.

Reviewed from e-galley provided by Groundwood Books.

Thirty Talks Weird Love by Alessandra Narvaez Varela

| Tasha
Cover image for Thirty Talks Weird Love.

Thirty Talks Weird Love by Alessandra Narvaez Varela (9781947627482)

In 1990s Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, girls were being kidnapped from the streets, so Anamaria’s parents were very careful about where she was in the city and what she was doing. She spends most of her time studying and trying to get top rank in her class at a private middle school, since she plans to be a doctor. Then one day, a limping woman who claims to be Anamaria from the future arrives to change the past. She is by turns frightening, cheesy and just plain strange. The woman also says that she is a poet, not a doctor, something that Anamaria can’t even comprehend. She also insists that Anamaria needs help and needs to change the way she is living and get help.

The wild title and cover lead readers to an exploration of depression and overwork in young people in schools. Written in verse, the book also shows the power of being willing to take a chance and find a way to express yourself in poetry and words. Varela chillingly captures the smallness of Varela’s world, a toxic trudge of schoolwork and messed up friendships and working for her parents. Even as everyone works to protect her from the dangers of the streets, they are unaware that the real danger may be invisible and inside Anamaria herself.

The writing here is marvelous. Varela shows how halting first attempts at poetry grow into true self expression and a way to release internal pressures. Anamaria shows herself to be deep and thoughtful, far more interesting than the girl striving to beat everyone at school. The author uses clever poetic formats to transform larger poems into something altogether different and drawings combined with words to create apologies and new connections.

A deep delve into depression and the power of poetry. Appropriate for ages 10-13.

Reviewed from e-galley provided by Cinco Puntos Press.

In the Wild Light by Jeff Zentner

| Tasha
Cover image for In the Wild Light.

In the Wild Light by Jeff Zentner (9781524720247)

Cash doesn’t have much in his small Appalachian town, but what he does have, he loves. He loves spending time with his Papaw on the porch even as Papaw struggles to breathe due to his emphysema. He loves time out on the water in his canoe, which is how he helped his best friend, Delaney, make a scientific discovery of a lifetime. Delaney uses that discovery to secure them both full scholarships to an elite prep school in Connecticut. Cash agrees to go with her, knowing that he will struggle to keep up and will feel entirely out of place among the rich students. Cash doesn’t count on the power of words and poetry to keep him afloat as well as new friends. But even they may not be enough when Papaw takes a turn for the worse.

Zentner is an award-winning author and his writing here is truly exceptional. In Cash, he gives us a natural poet who looks at the world through metaphors and connects readers directly to the beauty of Appalachia. Both settings, Appalachia and Connecticut, are captured with such astute clarity and powerful wording that readers feel as if they are there seeing the light, the trees, the weather, and feeling it all in their chests. There is also a direct emotionality to the writing that reveals Cash’s struggles, his self doubts, his loves and allows readers to see his path forward long before Cash allows himself to.

The characters push back against every stereotype. Cash is a deep thinker, connected viscerally to the place where he came from, and a deep feeler who connects directly to those he cares for. It is easy to see why Delaney wants him with her. Delaney herself is a scientific genius, full of sarcastic wit and a directness in her speech that offers just the right amount of offset to Cash’s rich language. The two best friends that they meet offer diversity to the story and also a clarity that prep schools can be full of interesting people worth loving too.

Brilliantly written, full of great characters and insisting that poetry changes lives. Appropriate for ages 14-18.

Reviewed from e-galley provided by Crown Books for Young Readers.

Kiyoshi’s Walk by Mark Karlins

| Tasha
Cover image.

Kiyoshi’s Walk by Mark Karlins, illustrated by Nicole Wong (9781620149584)

Kiyoshi’s grandfather Eto is a poet who writes poetry with brush and ink. Kiyoshi wishes that he could write poems too. When he asks his grandfather where poems come from, the two set off on a walk in their neighborhood. At the corner store, they see a cat on a pile of oranges. Eto stopped and wrote a poem about what happened when the oranges toppled, inspired by what they saw. The two hear pigeons flying above them, inspiring the next poem from what they heard. After seeing an abandoned teddy bear, Eto writes a poem about how it got there and how it feels, all from his imagination. The two reach the river together where Eto writes one last poem of the day, capturing his feelings. Now it is Kiyoshi’s turn to figure out that poems come from our surroundings and how that touches what is in our hearts. He’s ready to write his first poem.

Karlins has created a touching story of the connection between grandson and grandfather. The story is gentle and focused on finding poems throughout their day together. The book clearly shows how heart and imagination meet inspiring moments in life to create art, whether it is poetry, prose, music or art. Throughout the book, Eto treats Kiyoshi as an equal, gently showing him how he works and allowing Kiyoshi to also discover on his own.

The luminous art was done digitally. It evokes the warmth of colored pencil on the page. The fine details work well in showing the vibrant and changing urban setting they live in. The color palette changes as they walk, ending with the setting sun reflected in deep colors in the river.

Full of inspiration, poetry and connection. Appropriate for ages 4-6.

Reviewed from e-galley provided by Lee & Low Books.