(3) K-3 Illustrated by Laan Cham. “Zeb lived on a farm. His family raised brains. Grain-fed, free-range brains, to be specific.” When a newborn brain emerges from its patch, all cute and cuddly in the lighthearted, cartoony digital illustrations, zombie Zeb’s heart melts. He brings it inside and, despite his parents’ protestations (“Brains are food, NOT pets”), begins to care for it. A misunderstanding at home separates the companions, but all ends well, with “cuddling and playing,” a chess match and “brainteasers,” and the promise of caretaking for even more brainy pals. Zeb’s warmth shines throughout this unique oddball friendship tale with brains and heart.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard. On the day of his school’s lockdown drill, Henry’s stomach “is twisted in the middle like a bunch of tissue paper butterflies.” During the drill, Henry finds it hard to breathe; he continues to feel anxious after the drill is over until his understanding teacher shows him some coping strategies. The empathetic text and calming mixed-media illustrations will reassure readers with similar fears. Website recommendations for lockdown-drill best practices and for mindfulness practice with children are included.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns