(3) 4-6 Useless Knowledge series. Organized into topic areas (e.g., “Human Body,” “Chemistry”), this collection contains fascinating and occasionally gross trivia about ourselves, our planet, and our universe. Readers learn, for example, that jellyfish can live forever; that you’re awake during brain surgery; and that astronauts left poop on the moon. Humorous cartoon illustrations, such as a drawing of lighter-than-water Saturn enjoying a bubble bath, accompany each fact.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(3) K-3 Ada wants a life that is “quiet and ordered, simple and good.” Then she rescues a goat who is caught in a fence, and it follows her home. In short order, the goat destroys her nice coat, eats all her apples, and climbs up on her roof -- but Ada learns to appreciate the love and chaos the goat brings. The charming story is accompanied by graphite and watercolor illustrations with an old-fashioned feel.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(3) PS Illustrated by Leeza Hernandez. It’s “back-a” to school time for Alpaca, who gets out of bed, grabs a “snack-a,” and hops on the bus. At school, “Miss Yak-a” leads circle time and art class, and Alpaca enjoys the playground’s train “track-a.” The bouncy couplets and invented “alpaca” rhymes (displayed in bold font) are well-matched by the energetic digital art showing Alpaca and friends enjoying the day. This is a good read-aloud choice for young readers transitioning to a new school year.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(3) K-3 Right-facing pages show photos of baby zoo animals; in the accompanying text, the animals introduce themselves and one of their identifying features (stripes for a baby tapir; stumpy horns for a rhino). Turn the page to see how that baby grows and changes when they get “BIG.” Like other ZooBorns books, this one has a clean layout, suitably adorable photos, and friendly text; closing pages provide additional information about each of the animals and their species’ conservation status.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Dan Taylor. Daddy, Rosie, and Jojo are excited to meet Papa at the airport after his long trip. They load the car with everything Papa might want, from a big glittery sign to a cake to his bicycle to the dog. Of course, while Papa appreciates everything they brought, he is just glad to see them. Digital illustrations bursting with color highlight the delightful chaos of life with toddlers and celebrate the love in a family obviously inspired by the author’s own.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(3) PS Lionel is a very big and loud rhinoceros who has trouble participating in activities with his friends. When he tries to ride a bus with the birds, for example, he squashes it. Disappointed, Lionel wanders into “an ocean of blue,” which calms him...and inspires him to create a game everyone can play together. Illustrated in bright primary and secondary colors (Lionel is the only one in blue), the appealing story adds a fresh take to a familiar plotline.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(3) K-3 Illustrated by John Ledda. There is indeed something odd about Freddie’s new babysitter, who scares the dog, doesn’t talk much, and eats garbage for dinner. Eventually Freddie realizes what is already clear from the digital art—the babysitter is three adorable raccoons inside a trench coat, the top one wearing a hat and moustache. Readers will delight in being in on the joke from the start, and the deadpan narration (“Was this babysitter raised in the wild?” Freddie wonders) amplifies the humor.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Kayla Harren. Rather clunky rhyming couplets describe the many ways people with disabilities communicate, such as American Sign Language, assistive devices, and stimming. The digital art captures a variety of children and adults using these methods and tools; the message of acceptance and compassion in both text and art is clear. Back matter includes notes for kids (about celebrating difference) and for grownups (about precision in language) as well as short descriptions of the communication forms and disabilities represented.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Thomas Elliott. A villainous mushroom narrates his origin story, which began when he was passed over as a pizza topping in favor of a pineapple. Intent on revenge, the self-appointed “Mushroom of Doom” builds a mushroom army to carry out its retaliation. He narrowly misses being blended into slime juice...but will this brush with death change his ways? The silly story is accompanied by similarly goofy illustrations featuring a mobster-looking mushroom.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(3) YA When Toronto seventh grader Bea must pick an extracurricular sport, she reluctantly chooses the girls’ ice hockey team. Bea is anxious about her lack of skills but eventually finds she loves hockey and being a part of a team. She also discovers that she has confusing feelings for her teammate Gabi. Hockey enthusiasts will particularly enjoy the game action, but anyone will be able to appreciate Bea’s efforts to overcome her fears both on and off the ice.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Lorena Alvarez Gómez. What do you do when “your brain is buzzy, and it’s way too busy”? Call upon the “Marvelous Now,” a small blue creature who is the personification of mindfulness and peace. “Now” helps you calm down by reminding you to count backward, go for a walk, draw, etc. The reassuring rhymes gives readers effective strategies for “keeping your cool!”; the digital art contrasts gray clouds of stress with soothing, colorful flower trails.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(3) YA For high school junior and Olympic running hopeful Dera, the worst part about having to move in with her father is that her new school does not have a girls’ track team. Dera runs on the boys’ team instead -- but she faces rejection, harassment, and racism (she’s Nigerian American). Dera’s eventual success -- making a place for herself on the team and finding friends, romance, and even a relationship with her aloof dad -- is satisfying and well earned.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(3) YA Adapted by Yohuru Williams. Also adapted by Michael G. Long. This biography of Martin Luther King Jr., adapted from the book of the same name for adult readers, focuses almost exclusively on his leadership of the fight for civil rights. It provides a thorough and sobering view into the political and social unrest that drove the movement as well as a complex portrait of a man who was considered controversial in his time. Black-and-white photos are included; appended resources include “Extra Facts,” discussion questions, a timeline, and an index.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Bob Shea. A polecat (or spotted skunk) is ready to show off its "superpower" to a porcupine friend...but first describes its habitat, diet, and adaptations. Finally, the polecat reveals the superpower, sufficiently surprising the porcupine -- and likely readers, too. Like the other books in this series, snappy dialogue and lively digital cartoon illustrations keep the interest level high. Additional facts about the species are appended.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(4) YA Friddell tells the story of Virginia Hall, a Baltimore native who faced incredible danger as a British spy for the French resistance in World War II. Although the free-verse narrative style can be distracting, it paints a compelling portrait of a woman who refused to let her gender, nationality, or disability (an amputated leg) stop her from fighting for freedom in Europe. Black-and-white photos, from the war and from Virginia’s life, are interspersed.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Cheryl Thuesday. This biography tells the story of Edie Windsor, the activist who, at age eighty, sued the U.S. government to bring down the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Windsor’s story is admirably simplified for a picture-book audience, highlighting the love she shared with Thea Spyer and explaining that Windsor stood up against an unfair law after Spyer’s death. Appropriately rainbow-hued illustrations showcase Windsor’s determination and her ultimate triumph. Back matter includes a timeline and explanations of DOMA and the Supreme Court.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Stephanie Laberis. Part one of this book about animal play introduces play activities that have a purpose, such as hyenas having a tug-of-war to strengthen their jaws and otters “juggling” rocks to increase dexterity. Part two is about animal play that is just for fun, such as sledding ravens and body-surfing saltwater crocodiles. The text is informative and fascinating (who knew orangutans played dress-up?); the complementary digital illustrations, in mainly muted colors, show a variety of animals having a great time. A glossary and bibliography are appended.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(3) K-3 Tiny Habitats series. This informative picture book describes how a bison’s “steamy poo pile” becomes an important part of a prairie ecosystem. Over the course of a year, insects eat and lay eggs inside it; toads, turtles, and birds come to eat the bugs; flowers and grasses grow in the enriched soil. In the spring, a poo pile from a baby bison begins the cycle anew. Mixed-media illustrations depict the variety of life on the prairie; speech bubbles add personality (“Mmm, these roots are tangy!” muses a munching prairie dog). More background, a bibliography, and further reading are appended.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Amber Ren. Boba tea Mindy, who’s pink, white, and green, stands out against the other brown teas in Milk Tea Town. The grownups fear that Mindy and her colorful friends represent the end of classic milk tea, but the kids teach the adults that their town has always been a place of changing flavors and ingredients. The message about celebrating diversity is cleverly packaged, complete with tea puns; the charming mixed-media art shows off the beverages’ rainbow colors. A history of pearl milk tea is appended.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(3) YA In a chatty, big-sister tone, authors Holliday (a plus-size model and influencer) and Coon encourage teens to love themselves and to care for both their physical and mental health. Topics covered included fashion and style (“Find Your Fit”), food and eating disorders (“Feed Me”), and how to deal with bullies (“Buh-Bye, Frenemies”). The practical suggestions from a variety of perspectives; teenager-friendly format (each chapter includes a quiz); and copious resources and encouragement makes this a valuable resource for readers navigating a complicated life stage. Consultant bios, further reading, and resources are appended.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns