(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Sònia Albert. Ella Josephine’s third book finds Ella once again helping her fellow residents in her apartment building. In three short stories, each made up of several chapters and accompanied by black-and-white illustrations, Ella helps make a sign for a new business; discovers a neighbor’s hidden creativity; and goes camping with neighbors at the top of Poppy Hill. The charmingly old-fashioned tales convey a sense of community and warmth that make for an inviting read.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(4) PS Translated by Angus Yuen-Killick. Illustrated by Anastacia Wessex. A young mouse is anxious to find a perfect present for “Mommy’s special day” but each great idea—a pinecone, a flower, a feather—is damaged in transit. The mouse is dejected about the presents being ruined, but Mommy says she already has the perfect gift: predictably, “YOU are the most wonderful gift in the world!” Lovely, soft-hued illustrations elevate the story, originally published in Spain.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(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 Illustrated by David Litchfield. A “big, fierce troll” lives inside a cave, shouting “Leave me alone!” Everyone does, except for one boy, who encourages him to emerge through partially finished chalk drawings in front of the cave. When the “troll” finally ventures out, “they draw the world together.” Accompanied by brilliantly colored, gorgeous digital illustrations, the story conveys the power of kindness; of paying attention; and of using art to connect and heal.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Karen Reczuch. Triangle Island “is a rare and special spot where a million seabirds, including puffins, come to nest and raise their young.” Accompanied by sumptuous spreads in watercolor and colored pencil, the text explains how the puffins return to the island to find a mate (“usually the same one year after year”) and care for their eggs and young chicks until the chicks are ready to live on their own. Additional resources and a note about the importance of preserving this protected area are appended.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(3) YA Seventeen-year-old Adam finds the old diary of a Japanese woman in his attic. As he reads it, the mysterious author of the diary visits him as a mournful but innocuous ghost. Adam’s search for the identity and fate of the diary’s author takes him to Japan, where he discovers secrets about his own family history. Despite some uneven pacing, this reimagining of Madame Butterfly features two compelling, connected storylines and a glimpse into Japanese stories and culture.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Vuon Illustration. This alphabet book introduces twenty-six real children with a variety of disabilities and differences: A is for Arthur, who is blind; B is for Bates, who has anxiety and OCD, and so on. The matter-of-fact, age-appropriate text explains what each child has, how they adapt, and what they like to do; the digital illustrations show smiling children enjoying their favorite activities. Tips for both adults and kids for promoting acceptance and inclusion are appended.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(4) PS Illustrated by Erica J. Chen. This book is an introduction to some of the biggest noisemakers in the animal kingdom, including woodpeckers, dolphins, and elephants. The text includes the onomatopoeia of the sound as well as an explanation for it (“A male lion roars to show off his power. He is saying ‘This is my space!’”). The digital illustrations can be overly cartoonish but effectively convey all the racket in each habitat.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(3) PS Illustrated by Adam Ming. Each spread in this volume stars a species of bug or a themed collection of them (such as the bugs in a pond), with a short poem identifying their characteristics. (Potato bugs “bang a beat with our bellies”; monarch butterflies sense where to go “like a magical map in our minds.”) Organized loosely by theme and accompanied by vivid, not-too-creepy-crawly mixed-media illustrations, the poems highlight the diversity and strength of bug life and explain their role on our planet. Suggested activities for protecting and studying bugs are included.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(3) YA “Avid gaymer” and chronic pain sufferer Keegan finds community and escape in the mythology-inspired virtual game Pantheonic. When his team earns the opportunity to participate in an in-person tournament in New York City, Keegan can’t wait to meet his teammates IRL, but worries his pain will interfere. Video game or mythology fans are most likely to enjoy the book’s extensive descriptions of the game’s puzzles and battles, but Keegan’s self-discovery journey, as well as the romance between Keegan and his transgender guy teammate, broaden the appeal.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(3) 4-6 After his mom’s death, eleven-year-old Lenny and his dad move from New Jersey to Tennessee. Lenny attends middle school on the university campus where his dad now teaches; he struggles to adjust but finds friendship and connection with his classmates and an elderly professor. The unusual school setting -- the school’s curriculum is based on auditing college classes and observing undergraduates -- adds a unique twist to Lenny’s authentic and poignant journey through grief.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(3) PS Four mini-poems (Winter Questions; Spring Feelings; Summer Wishes; and Fall Thoughts) capture the seasonal musings of the young narrator, who describes listening to the “hushushush” of the falling snow in winter and the joy of being together in summer (“What a pleasure! What a treasure!”). The lively rhymes and subdued gouache and acrylic illustrations make for an engaging read-aloud -- any time of year.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Colleen Kong-Savage. Grandma Miyako tells her grandchildren that she knew the inventor of the fortune cookie, a Japanese American man who managed the Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco. During World War II, while Japanese Americans (including the inventor and Grandma Miyako) were being sent to internment camps, the cookie became even more popular in Chinese restaurants. Collage-style illustrations incorporate Japanese designs; the fictionalized personal narrative makes the history -- even with its dark side -- accessible.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Alexandra Colombo. Shira the dog loves to sing: “she howls whenever she can.” When she tries to sing throughout the week, her family shushes her. But on Saturday night, as they sing the Havdalah blessings, Shira’s singing is finally welcomed. The slight story is accompanied by illustrations that show Shira’s affability and the commotion of the family’s life. More information about Havdalah and the blessings for the holiday are included.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Anain Shaikh. Roshan the camel narrates this uplifting story about “Pakistan’s first camel library” during the COVID-19 pandemic. Accompanied by human Murad, Roshan travels to remote areas in Pakistan, bringing books and joy to the children there and eventually attracting media attention. Digital illustrations contrast the browns of the desert with the bright colors of the books and the children’s outfits; end pages with photos give more information about the library’s creation and success.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Isabel Muñoz. Jason loves being Jewish, but some cruel words from his classmates at his Jewish school make Jason, who’s Black, question whether he belongs. As he grows up and pursues a singing career, Jason continues to feel disconnected from his religion—until a Belgian Shabbat service inspires him to become a cantor and celebrate both his heritages. Though the biography’s subject is lesser-known, Jason’s quest to find acceptance and community—underscored by the soft-colored illustrations—is a relatable one.

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