May 7 – Get Caught Reading Month

About the Holiday

When you love to read, you want to share all the excitement that books contain. The Get Caught Reading campaign was initiated in 1999 by the Association of American Publishers with the idea to promote literacy and language development through reading to children and spurring them to read on their own. All month long, people are encouraged to pass along their love of literature—from board books to Shakespeare and everything in between—by taking pictures of themselves reading and sharing them on social media. Movie and TV celebrities, sports figures, authors, illustrators, teachers, moms and dads, grandmas and grandpas, and kids of all ages take part in this favorite annual event. Why don’t you?! For more information, visit the Get Caught Reading website.

The Curious Life of Cecilia Payne: Discovering the Stuff of Stars

Written by Laura Alary | Illustrated by Yas Imamura

When Cecilia Payne was eight years old, she found a bee orchid in the apple orchid. This would not have been surprising had she lived in the south of France, but this was England, where the flower did not (normally) grow. The discovery led her to make two promises to herself: 1: “she would learn to see all the wonders in the world,” and 2: “she would always trust what she knew was right.”

Always intellectually curious, Cecilia explored the forests, learned the names of all the constellations, adopted the scientific method to her studies, and even read the encyclopedia. At school the other girls couldn’t understand her fascination with science. Later, when she went to Cambridge University, she was surrounded by renowned scientists who “were seeing what no one could see with their eyes, hidden things that were visible only to the imagination.” When she heard the famous astronomer Arthur Eddington speak, she decided to become an astronomer too.

She refurbished an old telescope and Arthur Eddington gave her a key to the observatory library. Cecelia wanted to join the ranks of the greatest astronomers. But Cecilia was not as welcome in the classroom, where some professors ignored her and others told her she’d never become an astronomer. Cecelia packed her bags and moved to America to study at Harvard.

At Harvard she found freedom—and other women studying the stars. These women “shared with her their greatest treasure—thousands of glass photographs of starlight.” The mystery they were trying to solve was what stars are made of. Cecilia had brought new ideas from Cambridge that might help her find out. She learned to read the patterns of black lines in the spectrums found in the spectrums on the glass plates. These led her to believe that stars were not made of rock but of gases.

When she finally shared her research and conclusions, the men told her “it was impossible. That Cecilia must be mistaken.” For the first time Cecilia broke that long-ago promise she’d make herself and “backed down.” Four years later, however, they admitted she was right. It took another decade for Cecilia to be promoted to the rank of astronomer at Harvard and another 18 years before she was appointed as Professor of Astronomy—becoming the “first woman to become a full professor at Harvard University.” One thing she taught her students was that “becoming a scientist . . . can be a tough climb up a steep hill. But if you keep going, the view is amazing.”

Extensive back matter includes an Author’s Note revealing interesting aspects of Cecilia’s life and how she can inspire children; a detailed timeline of Cecilia’s life; a timeline of pivotal dates in Astronomy, an introduction to the women known as the “Harvard Computers” and more about Cecilia’s work; Honors and Awards given to Cecilia; and a list of books for further reading.

Laura Alary’s draws children into the life and work of Cecilia Payne through her factual and lyrical storytelling that allows them to experience the wonder Cecilia saw in everything around her, especially the cosmos. Weaving in the observational methods that came naturally to Cecilia, Alary creates a well-rounded portrait of this trailblazing scientist who overcame the dismissals and discrimination of the time to prove her theories correct. The comprehensive information she includes following the story will spark much interest in Cecilia’s work and the history of astronomy and will serve young researchers very well.

Yas Imamura’s gouache and watercolor illustrations welcome young readers into Cecilia Payne’s world with warmth and the excitement of discovery. Exciting collage-inspired images replicate Cecilia’s scientific vision and her fascination with the stars and astronomy. The pages introducing the other women astronomers at Harvard are a welcome depiction of their influence on science. Imamura’s colors are lush and deep, giving children the feeling of gazing into space along with Cecilia to unlock its mysteries.

An inspiring and illuminating biography of a premier astronomer, The Curious Life of Cecilia Payne: Discovering the Stuff of Stars is a must for all school and public libraries and will be an influential book on any young science lover’s home bookshelf.

Ages 7 – 12

Eerdman’s Books for Young Readers, 2026 | ISBN 978-0802855152

About the Author

Laura Alary has written over a dozen books for children, including The Astronomer Who Questioned Everything (Kids Can), Here (Paraclete), What Grew in Larry’s Garden (Kids Can), and All the Faces of Me (Owlkids). She hopes that Cecilia’s story inspires children to follow their curiosity and find confidence in their own unique voices. Laura lives in Toronto, Canada. Visit her website at lauraalary.ca.

About the Illustrator

Yas Imamura is the acclaimed illustrator of many picture books, including Love in the Library (Candlewick), Can You Imagine? (Atheneum), Winged Wonders (Sleeping Bear), and The Bicycle (Balzer + Bray). She frequently works with gouache and watercolor, and she is often drawn to playful and slightly offbeat projects. Yas lives and works in Portland, Oregon. Follow her on Instagram.

Get Caught Reading Month Activity

Stargazing is Fun Maze

Look through the telescope to fine the stars in this maze!

Stargazing is Fun Maze | Stargazing is Fun Maze Solution

You can purchase The Curious Life of Cecilia Payne: Discovering the Stuff of Stars from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

Picture Book Review

May 6 – National Hug Holiday Week

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Introduced by Kevin Zaborney in 1986, National Hug Holiday Week is celebrated each year from May 7 – 13. Just like it sounds, the holiday encourages people to show how much their family and friends mean to them by enveloping them in a warm hug. These days you don’t even have to be together to share a hug! Emojis, GIFs, videos, or even an “old-fashioned” postcard or letter can convey your hug. Kids especially respond to a loving hug, so this week be sure to pull them in for a sweet squeeze!

Mama Says I’m Fine

Written by Brittney Cooper | Illustrated by Tamisha Anthony

Sometimes a mom wishes for a tidy, meaningful way to express all the affection and admiration they have for their child—a shorthand, if you will, that both mother and child recognize and immediately feel seen, empowered, comforted, Loved. In Brittney Cooper’s Mama Says I’m Fine, a young girl reveals the two words that her mama always says to her: “‘You’re fine.'” She continues: “It’s just two little words. but those two words can mean a lot.”

It’s true! She’s heard “you’re fine” in so many situations—when she needs reassurance, encouragement, acknowledgement of her accomplishments, and “the courage to stand up and speak out.” She’s also taken those words to heart when in shared moments with her mama, she understands them to mean “I’m the most beautiful little girl she ever laid eyes on.”

Over time, this girl has gained far more than just “in the moment” validation. She feels deep inside the accumulative effect when “two words can become a thousand. Thousands of words can become a million,” and those millions of words telling her that “nothing can knock me down . . . become the truth.”

The young girl doesn’t keep that confidence and self-esteem to herself, either. She channels it into empathy and understanding for the person she’s closest to—her mom! She can tell when her mother is having a tough day or feels down, and works to make her feel better, whether through homemade treats or flowers, she knows just the words to add—words full of meaning and love: “You’re fine!”

In their Author’s and Artist’s Notes following the story, Brittney Cooper and Tamisha Anthony Author’s talk about the influence and inspiration their own mothers imparted to them.

In her uplifting book, Brittney Cooper gives parents a simple phrase that echoes with all the lessons they want to impart, the amazing attributes they see in their child and all the love they feel for them. Such a shared expression can become a touchstone for families through time, one passed down to younger generations. Written from the little girl’s point of view, the story will resonate with children and make them feel as cherished as she does.

Tamisha Anthony’s lovely color palette and lush pages lend a sophistication to the story befitting the young girl’s wisdom. As Anthony states in her Artist’s Note, the abundance of flowers, shared cups of tea, and art theme honor the influence of her own mother and grandmother. These, as well as the sweet and understanding looks between mother and child, also suggest the child’s blooming girlhood and the woman she will become.

A poignant and vibrant ode to motherhood, Mama Says I’m Fine is a story children will want to hear often and one that will continue to resonate as they grow. The book would enhance any library collection and make a perfect Mother’s Day, birthday, or “just because I love you” gift.

Ages 4 – 8

Orchard Books, 2026 | ISBN 978-1338763867

Brittney Cooper is the New York Times bestselling author of several books, including her debut picture book Stand Up! 10 Mighty Women Who Made a Change, and the novels Feminist AF: A Guide to Crushing Girlhood and Eloquent Rage: A Black Woman Discovers Her Superpowers. A professor of Women’s and Gender Studies and Africana Studies at Rutgers University, she cofounded the Crunk Feminist Collective, and her cultural commentary has been featured on MSNBC’s All In with Chris Hayes, Melissa Harris-Perry, The New York Times, New York Magazine, Marie Claire, The Cut, The Washington Post, NPR, PBS, Al Jazeera’s Third Rail, Ebony.com, Essence.com, TheRoot.com, and TED.com, and has been named four times to The Root 100.

Tamisha Anthony has illustrated several children’s books, including Sparrow Loves Birds by Murry Burgess, Seoul Food by Erin Danielle Russell, There’s No Place Like Hope by Janet Lawler, and Most Perfect You by Jazmyn Simon. Her love of educating has led her to teach for organizations such as the New York Historical Society and Make Art That Sells, and to write and illustrate a recurring column for Uppercase magazine. Learn more at tamishaanthony.com.

National Hug Holiday Week Activity

Mama Says I’m Fine Activity Pages

These two Mama Says I’m Fine activity pages let kids express their love for their moms!

Mother’s Day Card | Mama Says Fill in the Blank

You can purchase Mama Says I’m Fine from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

Picture Book Review

May 4 – Children’s Book Week

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Founded in 1919, Children’s Book Week is the longest-running literacy initiative in the United States and takes place over two separate weeks each year. This year that means from May 4 – 10 and November 9 – 15. The 2026 theme is Books: Get Curious, and the official poster and other resources were created by award-winning author and illustrator Grace Lin. The holiday attracts participation from authors, illustrators, publishers, librarians, teachers, and booksellers in schools, libraries, bookstores, and communities across the country. To learn more about the holiday, find activity ideas, and download bookmarks, posters, multilingual coloring pages, and more, visit Every Child a Reader. You can even sign up to continue to get fantastic ideas for connecting with books and reading all year around!

Thanks to Beach Lane Books for sending me this book for review!

Little Ghost’s Summerween

By Maggie Edkins Willis

One day, Little Ghost received a birthday party invitation in the mail—his first ever. The idea of a birthday party made him feel nervous. Even after haunting his old house for a hundred years, he’d only “had the Halloween kind.” He asked his friend Anya what they would do and if there would be “bats and black cats and candy corn and pumpkins.” She told him that Elias’s party was going to be “an outdoorsy camp party” with the things he liked. She made it sound fun and encouraged him to go. Little Ghost decided he would.

While Little Ghost liked the indoor festivities, the outdoorsy part posed some problems. Still, the party made Little Ghost want his own birthday party. Since ghosts don’t have birthdays, Little Ghost just picked a summer day and made an invitation list. Then came the hard part—planning his perfect party. He thought and thought: sleepover? karaoke? superhero? None of his ideas felt right. Pretty soon the day arrived and he hadn’t done any party prep at all. His mom said they could still have fun doing anything he’d like.

Tentatively, he asked if they could have a mini-Halloween with just him, her, and Anya. To his delight, she said Yes! While he “had pictured a big bash with balloons, music, and festive friends,” baking and decorating a scary cake and cupcakes with Anya made “him feel special.” When the treats were ready, Little Ghost’s mom suggested eating the birthday cake in the yard. Anya flashed her a big smile as they headed out the door. Outside, Little Ghost found all his friends—in costume!—plus lots of bats, black cats, candy corn, and pumpkins. He couldn’t thank Anya and his “spooktacular” friends more for the “sparkliest, splashiest, Summerween ever!“

In her adorable and heartwarming sequel to Little Ghost Makes a Friend, Maggie Edkins Willis cleverly embraces the increasingly popular Summerween while celebrating individuality and friendship. The supportive relationship between Little Ghost and Anya is a treasure. Children who are more hesitant to try unfamiliar things will feel seen as Little Ghost shares his doubts and fears, and all readers will appreciate Anya’s honest answers and encouragement as well as the understanding shown by Little Ghost’s mom. Maggie Edkins Willis’s perfect pacing creates a touching and joyful ending that will surprise readers as much as it does Little Ghost and give them the feeling they’ve joined the party too.

Expressive, endearing, and heartening, Little Ghost’s Summerween will be a quick favorite for all home and library collections and would make a much-loved gift.

Ages 4 – 8

Beach Lane Books, 2026 | ISBN 978-1665985147

About the Author

Maggie Edkins Willis grew up in Missouri and Maine. She now writes and illustrates books for children from her home studio in the Hudson Valley, where she lives with her husband and two children. Her debut picture book, Little Ghost Makes a Friend, is a bestseller. She is also the creator of the picture books Little Ghost’s Summerween, Dinky the Tinysaur, and Thunderland, and the middle grade graphic novel Smaller Sister. You can visit her online at MaggieMadeThis.com.

Children’s Book Week Activity

Books: Get Curious Coloring Pages

This year’s coloring pages based on Grace Lin’s Children’s Book Week poster makes a perfect way for kids to be creative while writing down their To Be Read list! Visit Every Child a Reader to find more activities!

Books: Get Curious Arch | Books: Get Curious Column

You can purchase Little Ghost’s Summerween from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

Picture Book Review

May 1 – National Pet Month

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Today we’re celebrating our best friends! Who are they? Our pets, of course! Small (or large) and fury (or feathered, scaled, or finned), our pets give us unconditional love and loads of happiness. Just watching them navigate their day is entertaining and educational. National Pet Month was established to honor these in-home pals and remind pet owners to ensure their pets have everything they need to live a long and healthy life. This month take extra time to have fun with your pet—maybe just not too much, as today’s book reveals!

Thanks to Eerdmans Books for Young Readers for sending me this book for review!

Arthur’s Cat

By Johan Leynaud | Translated by Sarah Ardizzone

The first thing to know is that “Arthur adores his cat!” If he could, he’d cuddle him all the time, but Zeffo’s not so into it. The second thing is that Arthur has plans for Zeffo—BIG, fun plans that any super-hero-loving boy would like to do with his favorite sidekick; also high-jumping plans and reading plans; even gourmet plans. But Zeffo? He’s really not into it. So when Arthur picks Zeffo up and gives him tight hug? “Owwwww!” There’s a scratch and tears and big feelings—on both sides.

“Zeffo waits for the days to pass and the night skies to twinkle so the sadness can shrink, and Arthur’s heart can heal. So his hand can open without trying to hold tight.” Slowly, trust and confidence are rebuilt, and joy and play return as Arthur learns to respect Zeffo’s boundaries. Then Arthur and Zeffo are able to “love each other freely.”

Like a favorite treat mix, Johan Leynaud’s gentle storytelling in Arthur’s Cat entices, excites, and satisfies. Leynaud’s breezy delivery belies his deep insight into the finesse and understanding it can take to forge a relationship between young children and their pets, friends, or siblings and shows that respecting others’ boundaries can actually bring the closeness one seeks. Arthur is endearing with his cat-ears haircut and boundless love for Zeffo. Leynaud’s witty and elegant illustrations of towering furnishings and messes as well as Zeffo’s facial expressions will bring plenty of laughs. The final illustrations of Arthur and Zeffo finally enjoying a sweet goodnight cuddle are heartwarming.

Sarah Ardizzone’s graceful and melodic translation conveys all of the humor and heart that makes Johan Leynaud’s story so meaningful.

Tender, lovely, and profound, Arthur’s Cat is a true delight, one that will be a much-asked-for favorite on home bookshelves and is a must for all library collections.

Ages 3 – 7

Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2026 | ISBN 978-0802856586

About the Author

Johan Leynaud is a French artist, illustrator, and author who studied at the Beaux-Arts de Marseille and spends most of his time drawing. He hopes Arthur’s Cat, his English-language debut, will help children respect animals as living beings who sometimes need their space. One day Johan watched his niece play with her cat―and Arthur’s Cat began to grow in his mind. Follow Johan on Instagram.

About the Translator

Sarah Ardizzone has translated over fifty books from the French, including Thread by Thread, Sweet Dreamers, and Letters from Bear (all Eerdmans). Her translations have been named to best-of-the-year lists by Kirkus, School Library Journal, and the Bank Street College of Education. Sarah lives in Brixton, England, with her family and a fluffy black cat named Hector. Follow her on Instagram.

National Pet Month Activity

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-wooden-bead-cat-craft

A Little Ball of Kitten

This sweet little kitten is easy to make and can keep you company on your desk, shelf, or anywhere! Since every kitten is different, you can make yours look just the way you want. Here’s how I made mine:

Supplies

Wooden ball with a flat bottom, available in craft stores and in different sizes
Craft paint in any color kitten you’d like (I used red and yellow and mixed it to make a mottled orange)
Craft paint in pink or white for the inner ear
Scrap of fleece for the ears. Fleece is easily shaped to the rounded ball and when painted is stiff enough to stand up on its own.
Thin, colored wire in several colors for the tail (string or twine, wrapped wire, fleece, stiff paper, and other materials could also be used)
Paint brush
Permanent marker for making the face
Hot glue gun or strong glue

Directions

Paint the wooden ball and let dry
Paint the scrap of fleece to match the wooden ball, let dry
Cut out small triangular shapes for the ears. Round the bottom of the ears slightly so they fit the shape of the ball
If making a tail from several colors of thin wire, twist them together, leaving one end untwisted
With the glue gun or strong glue attach the ears to the top of the head
With the glue gun attach the tail to the back of the wooden ball in the center near the base
With the marker, draw eyes, nose, and mouth for the face and semicircles near the bottom for the paws

You can purchase Arthur’s Cat from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

Picture Book Review

April 30 – National Stress Awareness Month and Interview with Julie Koon

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Stress Awareness Month has been held every April since 1992, when it was founded by the Health Resource Network. The holiday aims to help people identify the stress factors in their own life as well as to assess how all members of their family are handling various pressures. The goal is for everyone—either individually or together—to look for ways to manage their feelings while adding positive changes to their life. Even the youngest members of a family can feel stressed and out of sorts. Talking about pressures with kids and doing simple activities with them can often help lessen the load. Sharing today’s book is a wonderful place to start!

Breathe a Rainbow: A Breathe-Along Book

By Julie Koon

Little ones can have big feelings but not always the words to describe them. Without a verbal way to communicate anger, fear, frustration, and other emotions, those big feelings can be channeled into actions or tears or anxiety. This can be stressful for both the child and the adults who love them.

On each two-page spread of her expressive and accessible board book, Julie Koon provides a concrete, yet nuanced example of concepts like sadness or uncertainty that can seem abstract to young children. For example she offers: “If you feel like a thundercloud” and “If your worries whirl and swirl.” Koon’s prompts can help adults and children talk about emotions in ways that make sense to little ones and even allow for degrees of emotion, for instance, comparing a child’s feelings to a thunderstorm or a rainy day.

On the facing page she then invites the child to engage in mindful deep-breathing while tracing a uniquely textured calming strip that’s incorporated into a familiar figure that offers comfort, hope, encouragement, and a sense of freedom, among others. These shapes include the petals of a cheerful flower and the wings of a friendly butterfly. Arrows guide children on the path around the shape, while prompting when to “breathe in” and “breathe out.”

The final page reveals the most comforting reassurance of all as a happy ladybug sits with her four little bugs who are all experiencing a different emotion. The ladybug assures: “No matter how you feel, you are always loved.”

Julie Koon’s vibrant, oversized board book provides parents, teachers, and other caretakers with an exceptional reading experience and impactful resource to for helping young children understand and soothe big emotions. As a calming intervention when feelings are high or a go-to that kids can rely on whenever needed, Breathe a Rainbow, with strips that can be cleaned, is a must for any home or children’s library.

Ages 2 – 4

Abrams Appleseed, 2026 | ISBN 978-1419780431

Meet Julie Koon

Julie Koon is a children’s book author and illustrator who loves making sweet and silly books for kids. As a preschool teacher and former school counselor, Koon brings playfulness and heartfelt warmth to each page. She loves helping kids learn positive strategies to cope with big feelings. Koon lives in Massachusetts with her husband, three kids, and two guinea pigs. You can visit her at juliepkoon.com.

Hi Julie! I’m really excited to be chatting with you today! Can you talk a little about your background and work and what prompted you to create Breathe a Rainbow?

I was an elementary school counselor and now work as a preschool teacher. I love working with young children, watching them explore and learn about the world, and emotions are a big part of that! I believe that this early work in emotional regulation will have positive effects on children’s mental health for their lifetime. I’ve always loved doing mindful breathing exercises with kids. It’s something simple that can be done anywhere, anytime, to help calm your nervous system. Having a simple shape to trace while breathing is a great way to slow breathing down and make it more fun. I had the idea to turn these exercises into a book that children could use independently or with someone else, and I knew I wanted to pursue it.

With adorable, vibrant illustrations and different textured paths to trace, Breathe a Rainbow is unique among mindfulness books for kids. How did this board book come together from your original concept to bookstore shelves?

After thinking through the idea, I made a big list of shapes that would be simple to trace while breathing. I noticed a nature theme emerging, and decided that would be a good theme for the book. I wanted the text to be simple as well as versatile, and a little bit open-ended, because kids could be reading the book with all sorts of different emotions. I wanted them all to feel seen and supported. After writing the words, I made a book dummy with sketches and a few pieces of colored art. My agent Teresa sent it to my editor Meredith at Abrams. I’m so thankful that they both believed in the book, and I’ve had the best time working with the team at Abrams Appleseed to bring the book to life.

In Breathe a Rainbow, you equate different emotions to evocative occurrences in nature or the feeling that an emotion creates without labeling the feeling. For instance “If you feel like a thundercloud” instead of, possibly, “If you feel angry.” As a preschool teacher and former school counselor, can you give parents and caregivers a couple of tips on how they can talk with their kids about their emotions in a way that is validating and meaningful to them?

Practice what to do with big feelings during calm moments first. Once someone is already emotionally dysregulated (kids or adults) it’s difficult to try something new or listen to advice. Practicing things like deep breathing during calm moments will make it easier for kids to use those tools in difficult moments.
Modeling is such an amazing tool for teaching young children something new. Seeing the adults in their life name what they are feeling and use positive coping strategies is a great way to normalize feelings of all kinds and help children understand what to do with them. Simply saying, “I’m feeling frustrated that I can’t open this jar so I’m going to take a break and use the breathing book. Then I’ll try again.” Kids bank these moments in their brain to understand what to do when they are in a similar situation.

What do you love best about writing for children? What do you love best about being a preschool teacher? What is something similar that you bring to each of these vocations?

I feel so honored and overjoyed that I get to make books for kids! I love the whole process of making books, from creating lists of potential ideas, problem-solving plots, to designing the characters. It’s all so fun! This is probably obvious, but my favorite thing about being a preschool teacher is the kids. I absolutely love getting to know each of them, their personalities, and their interests. I am daily blown away by their creativity and the amazing things they make and do, and the beautiful ways they interact with each other. I think I bring a curiosity and openness to both roles. You never know what the day will bring in bookmaking or teaching, and I feel that I can adapt and be flexible in the moment.

You say that sharing your books with children in person is the best part about being a writer and illustrator. Is there an event or interaction that stands out for you? What made it special?

Every time I get to read my books to kids is so special to me, and I will truly cherish those moments all the days of my life! Some of my favorite memories are reading my books to my own students. Because I’m their teacher and they know me so well, they ask the coolest and most interesting questions! They still talk to me often about making books, and say cute things like, “did you make every book in the whole school?” It’s such a fun experience to see both parts of my work come together.

What’s up next for you?

I have several books coming out over the next few years that I’m so excited about! There will be a second breathe-along book that I’m starting to work on, as well as a few picture books. Dad’s Beard Disappeared (Spring 2027) is about a toddler who becomes distraught when her dad shaves his beard, so they make new beards out of all kinds of silly and fun things. Yarn the Farm (Spring 2027) is about a group of yarn-bombing sheep making mischief on their farm. I’m so excited to share these books with the world soon!

It’s been wonderful meeting you, Julie! Your joy and enthusiasm are infectious! Readers will love this book, and I wish you all the best with it!

You can purchase Breathe a Rainbow from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

April 27 – Month of the Young Child

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Month of the Young Child highlights the importance of early learning, creativity, and the role the arts play in helping young people explore ideas, express themselves, and build confidence, happiness, and wellbeing. Getting kids excited about learning and experiencing new things, getting to know their community, engaging in healthy habits are important components of a happy life. Earlier this month, families, schools, and caregivers celebrated the Week of the Young Child with special activities encouraged each day of the week. Of course, families can enjoy these activities anytime of the year. To learn more about how you can incorporate Music Monday, Tasty Tuesday, Work Together Wednesday, Artsy Thursday, and Family Friday into your schedule visit the website of the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

Thank you to Chronicle Books for sending me this book for review!

Touch a Truck Day: A Lift-the-Flap Book

Written by Carrie Finison | Illustrated by Viola Wang

HONK HONK! Hooray! / What fun! What luck! / Today’s the day to / TOUCH A TRUCK!”

Bring home all the excitement of a Touch-A-Truck event with this interactive board book that lets kids climb aboard eight amazing vehicles to get an inside look at the controls and equipment and meet the drivers. In her jaunty rhymes, Carrie Finison’s invites young truck enthusiasts to drive a fire truck, raise the shovel on a loader, watch a street sweeper suck dirt inside its bin, check the supplies on an ambulance, deliver the mail, and more.

On each two-page spread, Finison channels the awe and wonder that big—and bigger!—trucks inspire in little ones by revealing the purpose of the featured vehicle as well as the surprising ways it accomplishes its mission. Children will happily agree to her call to “make a siren sound,” pull the air horn cord on the garbage trunk, and “Bump, bump, bump” along with the loader. In the end there’s a sweet treat waiting at perhaps everyone’s favorite truck!

Viola Wang’s vibrant illustrations of the trucks on bold backgrounds give readers a close-up view of each vehicle’s exterior to inspect before peeking inside. Opening the doors and raising the flaps, children find levers, dials, and buttons as well as the arrangements of seats, computers, consoles, mirrors, and other important equipment. Kids will love pretending to pull the hose from the fire truck, deliver packages, talk into the radio on the ambulance, and help out on every job. Each truck has six to eight labeled elements, color coded for exterior or interior use. Workers and families make an appearance, demonstrating the personal way these vehicles connect with their community.

Thoughtfully designed to replicate the experience of a Touch-a-Truck event, the book sports eight tabs on top that allow children to pick which vehicle they’d like to visit first (or to easily take them back again and again to their favorite!). To preserve the thrill of seeing the vehicles for the first time on the pages, the tabs give clues to each vehicle’s identity, which can spark a fun, pre-reading guessing game.

An exciting and clever interactive board book that vehicle lovers will want to take for a spin often, Touch a Truck Day is an ideal read aloud and take-along book for young children. It’s guaranteed the book will not stay parked on library or home bookshelves for long.

Ages Baby – 4

Chronicle Books, 2026 | ISBN 978-1797214153

About the Author

Carrie Finison began her literary career at the age of seven with an idea, a box of markers, and her father’s typewriter. She has been writing off and on ever since, though she has (somewhat regretfully) traded in the typewriter for a laptop. Today, she writes children’s books with lots of humor and heart. She lives outside Boston with her husband, son, daughter, and two cats who permit her to write in their cozy attic office. Find her online at carriefinison.com or follow her on social media @CarrieFinison.

About the Illustrator

Viola Wang is a children’s book author and illustrator. Born in China, Viola graduated from Tsinghua University with a major in oil painting. She then moved to London and completed a master’s in animation and illustration while working as a graphic designer. Viola is also a graduate of the Children’s Book Illustration MA at Cambridge School of Art and a winner of the Sebastian Walker Award. Growing up in a family of printers, Viola developed a profound interest in printmaking, which has been a significant influence on her own practice. She lives in London with her family. Find her online at violawangstudio.com or follow her on social media @violawangstudio.

Month of the Young Child Activity

Vehicle Activity Pages

Keep on truckin’ with these coloring pages and mazes!

Digger Coloring Page | Crane Coloring Page | Fire Truck Maze | Ambulance Maze

You can purchase Touch a Truck Day from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

Picture Book Review

April 24 – Arbor Day

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Arbor Day, a national celebration of trees, began as a campaign by J. Morton Sterling and his wife after they moved from Michigan to Nebraska in 1854 and advocated for planting trees as windbreaks for crops, to keep soil from washing away, as building materials, and for shade. In 1872, Morton proposed that a tree-planting day be established in April. On the first Arbor Day nearly one million trees were planted in Nebraska. The idea was made official in 1874, and soon, other states joined in. In 1882 schools began taking part. Today, most states celebrate Arbor Day on the last Friday of April or day more suited for their growing season. To learn about events in your area, find activities to download, and more, visit the Arbor Day Foundation website.

Just One Oak: What a Single Tree Can Be

Written by Maria Gianferrari | Illustrated by Diana Sudyka

“Just one oak . . . from the tip of its crown down to the ground, with roots all around, sustains so very many creatures, from the teeny-tiny to the big and mighty.” So begins Maria Gianferrari’s fascinating exploration of all the ways oak trees contribute to and sustain the ecosystem where they live. From their distinctive leaves to their shaggy bark to their incredible acorns, oak trees are self-protecting while providing shelter and food for an amazing array of wildlife.

At ground level, Gianferrari shows how “leaf litter, the blanket beneath its boughs,” creates the perfect environment for snails, insects, amphibians, fungi, and more to hide, feed, and grow. And that little acorn nestled under the leaves? Gianferrari digs in to reveal how a mighty oak begins with just one taproot that branches and branches until its root system spreads “farther than the canopy is wide.”

And oh those acorns! They’re so much more than their tiny size may lead you to believe. Just one acorn can house one creature or hundreds. They are a universal “superfood” as well as a tidy seed that can reproduce where it drops or be carried far afield. When it grows up, “just one oak creates a microclimate,” with its impressive canopy and prevents flooding, erosion, and drought with its far-reaching roots. Yes, “just one oak is beautiful and bountiful to all.”

Maria Gianferrari takes readers outdoors to get a close-up view of one oak tree, and by extension an enlightened understanding of the reach of this keystone species. Her lyrical introductions, capped with a repeated “Just one oak . . .”—a phrase that reinforces the contributions of these trees, give way to paragraphs of factual information. Each of these paragraphs are packed with specific information about the types of creatures sustained by just one tree and the benefits they enjoy. The numbers here are simply astounding and could inspire many cross-curricular lessons in math, science, language arts, art, and more.

Diana Sudyka’s nature illustrations are beautiful, exciting, and full of the kinds of small, impactful details readers love and that expand their understanding of the text (especially for visual learners). Animals scamper, birds feast, and an entire community of creepy-crawlies scurry through leaf litter and below in Sudyka’s action-filled pages. Each spread will have children lingering to discover all the wonders of an oak tree.

A glorious celebration of the oak tree and the species that rely on it, Just One Oak will spark curiosity and an appreciation for the interconnections among wildlife. The book will delight any nature lover and is a must for school and public libraries.

Ages 4 – 8+

Beach Lane Books, 2026 | ISBN 978-1665961042

About the Author

Maria Gianferrari is a picture book reader/writer, tea-drinker, dog-lover, and birdwatcher. Maria writes books that honor our bonds with creatures both domestic and wild and that celebrate the natural world around us, including Fungi Grow and Just One Oak, illustrated by Diana Sudyka; Ice Cycle: Poems about the Life of Ice, illustrated by Jieting Chen; Being a Dog: A Tail of Mindfulness, illustrated by Pete Oswald; Bobcat Prowling, illustrated by Bagram Ibatouilline; and Be a Tree!, illustrated by Felicita Sala. She lives with her family in Massachusetts in a house encircled by trees. To learn more about Maria, visit her website: MariaGianferrari.com.

About the Illustrator

Diana Sudyka is a Chicago-based illustrator. Early on, she created screen-printed gig posters for musicians but currently her illustration work focuses on young adult, middle grade, and children’s books. She has illustrated several volumes of the award-winning book series, including The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart and Circus Mirandus by Cassie Beasley, as well as the picture books Would You Come Too? by Liz Garton Scanlon, Sometimes Rain by Meg Fleming, What Miss Mitchell Saw by Hayley Barrett, How to Find a Bird by Jennifer Ward, and Fungi Grow and Just One Oak by Maria Gianferrari. Visit her at DianaSudyka.com.

Arbor Day Activities

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Paper Plate Tree

On Earth Day children love planting trees in their yard or as part of a community project. With this easy craft, they can also plant a tree on their wall or bulletin board.

Supplies

Two paper plates
Paper towel tube
Brown craft paint
Green craft paint (using a variety of green paints adds interest)
Paintbrush, cork, or cut carrot can be used to apply paint
Glue or hot glue gun or stapler

Directions

Paint the paper towel tube brown, let dry
Paint the bottoms of the two paper plates with the green (or other color) paints, let dry
Flatten about 4 inches of the paper towel tube
Glue or tape the flat part of the paper towel tube to the unpainted side of one paper plate
Glue the edges of the two paper plates together, let dry.
Straighten the tree so that it can stand up, or hang your tree on a wall, bulletin board, in a window

Just One Oak Activity Kit from Beach Lane Books

Teachers and other educators can find a comprehensive Activity Kit with discussion questions, hands-on activities, and more to accompany Just One Oak on Maria Gianferrari’s website.

You can purchase Just One Oak: What a Single Tree Can Be from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

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Just One Oak Activity Kit from Beach Lane Books

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