(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

(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 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 Sixteen-year-old Maya’s best friend’s dad, Ross, is a famous musician. When he comes to Toronto and wants to see his daughter, Maya accompanies her and is swept up in the excitement of hanging out with a rock star. That is, until Ross kisses her, and an almost-inappropriate photo of them goes viral. This hi-lo title features a solid female friendship and strong protagonist who, once she realizes she’s not to blame for Ross’s actions, has the courage to tell him so.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Mike Moran. A friendly, toothy T. Rex, who pops out at birthdays, holidays, and school plays, can’t figure out why humans aren’t happier to see the “Surprise Dinosaur.” After one too many unexpected appearances, the dinosaur reluctantly agrees to be a statue at the natural history museum. But there are more surprises in store. The eager dinosaur’s efforts to deliver “fun surprises” are comically reflected in the expressive, digital cartoon illustrations.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Katie Melrose. Using underwater microphones, we now know that “it’s NOISY down below!... / Fish GRUNT and GROAN, / fish SQUEAK and MOAN.” The text goes on to explain why and how sea animals use sound, from chirping angelfish to snapping shrimp. The rhyming and entertaining onomatopoeia-filled couplets impart an impressive amount of information; detailed and colorful spreads highlight the variety of underwater life. Back matter includes additional “Noisemaker Facts.”

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(4) PS Illustrated by Britta Teckentrup. In Daddy, a father otter explains, in rhyming couplets, how much he loves his child: “When I became your daddy, you made my world complete. / I didn’t know the little things in life could be so sweet.” In Mommy, a mama bunny expresses the same feelings. The sentimental texts are more likely to interest mommies and daddies than their children, but the soothing, textured illustrations -- pastel-colored spreads showing the pairs’ day of frolicking and snuggling -- are appealing. Review covers these titles: When I Became Your Daddy and When I Became Your Mommy.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(4) PS Illustrated by Britta Teckentrup. In Daddy, a father otter explains, in rhyming couplets, how much he loves his child: “When I became your daddy, you made my world complete. / I didn’t know the little things in life could be so sweet.” In Mommy, a mama bunny expresses the same feelings. The sentimental texts are more likely to interest mommies and daddies than their children, but the soothing, textured illustrations -- pastel-colored spreads showing the pairs’ day of frolicking and snuggling -- are appealing. Review covers these titles: When I Became Your Daddy and When I Became Your Mommy.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(4) PS Illustrated by Laurie Stansfield. A series of short, themed poems (“Bedtime Stories”; “Car Wash”), in singsong-y rhyme, celebrate dads on Father’s Day. The text describes the things children appreciate about their dads (most of these stereotypically paternal, such as camping, telling dad jokes, and fixing things). The digital-looking illustrations show a diverse group of fathers (with a couple of moms but no same-sex pairings) supporting and enjoying quality time with their children.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(3) PS Illustrated by Cailin Doherty. “I need pants!” exclaims an enthusiastic orange fish. And also bunny slippers, and a tutu, and a diamond ring, and a raincoat (“It is very wet around here!!!”). The fish’s companion, a purple octopus, grows increasingly exasperated while explaining that the fish does not actually need clothes or accessories. But then the octopus has a change of heart. The lively illustrations, featuring the fish improbably but successfully wearing different items of clothing, add to the humor.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Kimberlie Clinthorne-Wong. This picture book introduces the history of foods that are both at-once familiar (ice cream, pizza) and perhaps less so (pavlova, ceviche). Accompanied by vibrant illustrations, each spread describes what the food is, its origins, and how it changed when introduced to other peoples or countries. The book does indeed include some surprising facts (fish and chips have Jewish roots!); readers are likely to learn more about their favorite recipes -- or be inspired to try new ones.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Jessica Cruickshank. Twenty-three short profiles, accompanied by black-and-white illustrations, tell the stories of celebrities—including Simone Biles, Billie Eilish, Daniel Radcliffe, and Dav Pilkey—who have neurodivergent conditions such as autism, ADHD, Tourette’s, dyslexia, and OCD. The accessible if repetitive text describes how each person’s differences shaped their life, and how they overcame challenges to succeed and inspire others. As a whole, the book highlights the variety among neurodiverse people and helps to demystify and normalize their experiences.

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) 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

(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 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 Rashin Kheiriyeh. A child takes the titular expression (perhaps less familiar to American readers) literally, imagining what it would take -- cranes, boats, a helicopter -- to pick up the family home and move it to a new location. The child is disappointed to find out the truth but concludes that “no matter where we live...we have each other.” The retro-style mixed-media illustrations, in a palette of pink, mint green, and orange, humorously bring the child’s vision to life.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns