June 12 – National Pet Appreciation Week

About the Holiday

Pets give us so much love and joy that we often want to do something special for our furry friends in return. The first full week of June gives us the opportunity to show our pets how much we appreciate them! Why not spend a little extra time walking or cuddling with your pet? This week is a great time to pamper them with a few extra treat or a new toy. Another way to show how much our pets mean to us is to make sure they’re up-to-date on their annual check-ups and vaccinations. However you celebrate, you know your pet will appreciate it!

A Wickedly Evil Pet: A Branches Book (Super Villains in Training #2)

Written by Kailei Pew | Illustrated by Estrela Lourenço

Vicky von Evil loves going to school at SVT—Super Villains in Training—even though the work may be harder for her than for most of the students. You see, her “parents and little brother, Henry, aren’t wicked at all.” Still, they support her because her “extended family is full of baddies!” In fact, her Granny Dina-mite has come for a visit to give Vicky some tips on becoming evil.

Illustration copyright © 2026 by Estrela Lourenço. Text copyright © 2026 by Kailei Pew. Courtesy of Scholastic.

One reason Vicky loves SVT is her teacher. Today, Miss Chiff announces that for the next week her students will be practicing on STV’s Crooked Course to learn new evil skills. On Friday each student will be graded on how well they show accuracy and speed in overcoming four obstacles. Those who finish within 30 minutes will be awarded a villain medal of chaos. Miss Chiff also says that they can bring a villain pet as a sidekick. Vicky wants to earn a medal, but without any special powers or a pet she knows it’s going to be tough.

Granny takes Vicky to Purely Evil Pet Rescue. Vicky meets all the different animals, but none of them feel right for her. That is until she sees the very last pet—a bunny. Vicky feels an immediate spark and can see in his adorable eyes that he has “villain potential.” She names him Captain von Evil and can’t wait to show her class. Instead of being awed, though, the students just laugh.

When it comes time to practice on the Crooked Course, Vicky expects to show Captain the ropes, but as soon as they begin, Captain is way ahead of her. He swings! He tunnels! He jumps! He even scurries through the mud pit while Vicky gets hopelessly stuck. Everyone loves Captain and gives Vicky no notice. She feels deflated. How is her “new pet already a better villain” than she is?

After more dismal results, Vicky is ready to take Captain back to the Pet Rescue. On the way there, however, she thinks about Granny’s advice to really watch what Captain is doing while they practice, and when her bike gets caught in a mud puddle and she sees Captain digging her out, she has a revelation. Now Vicky’s excited for Friday’s competition. But will her new strategy earn her a medal of chaos and prove that she is a true villain?

Kailei Pew’s second book in her Super Villains in Training early chapter book series offers young readers fast-paced and hilarious action as Vicky tries to live up to her family’s talent for evil despite having no special powers and parents and a brother who are kind, always upbeat, and sweet. Pew’s story is delightfully relatable for readers navigating early elementary school grades, and her themes of friendship, family support, trusting others, self-confidence, and cooperation are smoothly woven throughout her appealing storytelling.

From the SVT campus to the pet shop to the obstacle course, young readers will love accompanying Vicky through Estrela Lourenço’s expressive and detailed illustrations. Lourenço brings out all of the humor in Pew’s story while also eliciting empathy from readers as Vicky struggles to prove herself. Emerging and newly independent readers will appreciate the bold text and dialogue enclosed in speech bubbles that are clearly linked to the speaker. Lourenço’s vivid snapshots and full-page images add to the depth of the Super Villains in Training series.

With a well-developed and enticing story, appealing characters, humor, and a high-interest setting, A Wickedly Evil Pet (Super Villains in Training #2) is a must for any fan of the series. Children new to the series will want to catch up with the first book: The Fantastic Freeze Ray before Project Slime, book #3 comes along in November.

About Branches Books

Super Villains in Training is part of Scholastic’s early chapter book line, Branches, aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow!

Ages 5 – 7

Scholastic, 2026 | ISBN 978-1546162148

Kailei Pew is a wife, mother, and children’s book author. She loves to write books that help kids see they can do anything they set their minds to. When she isn’t writing or reading, you can find her jogging through the Arizona desert, playing a mean game of Candy Land with her kids and husband, or baking anything with extra chocolate. Super Villains in Training is her first early chapter book series. Visit her and join the Wickedly Awesome Summer Reading Challenge at kaileipewbooks.com.

Estrela Lourenço is a full-time children’s book writer and illustrator with years of experience working in animation for shows like The Amazing World of Gumball for Cartoon Network and Wander Over Yonder for Disney. Estrela is originally from Portugal, but has been living in Ireland since 2009. Visit her at estrelalourenco.com.

National Pet Appreciation Day Activity

Super Villains in Training Activity Pages

Kids can join Vicky von Evil and her friends in their training at SVT with these Super Villains in Training Activity Pages from Scholastic!

You can purchase Super Villains in Training: A Wickedly Evil Pet from these booksellers

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Picture Book Review

June 11 – National Making Life Beautiful Day

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Today’s holiday was established by Apriori Beauty in 2015 to recognize all those people who make life more fun, meaningful, and joyful—more beautiful—for someone else. This can be done in so many ways, from spending time talking with someone to let them know you care to sharing your talent for baking, art, music, gardening, home repair, or any skill with a friend, family member, or coworker. These acts of kindness bring joy to them and to you. Even just giving a smile to those you meet can brighten someone’s day. Making someone else feel good will make life more beautiful for you too! Today’s two books are delightful reminders that spending time with friends, making new friends, and enjoying shared experiences can make life feel new and exciting.

Thank you to Tundra Books for sending me these books for review!

The Funjeepups: A Beautiful Song

By Michael Slack

Part acorn, part long-eared puppy, and all around adorable, the three Funjeepup best friends—Dot, Button, and Dollop—love exploring their magical forest. On this sunlit morning, they settle on an inviting bolder to enjoy “big juicy berries,” only to attract an uninvited guest. As the bluebird swoops in, Dot runs and hides, afraid the bird wants to eat their snack, but Dollop reassures her that she just wants to sing.

Indeed, a “beautiful song” soon wafts on the breeze. The Funjeepups are so delighted that they’re inspired to create their own song. They hurry home for their instruments. Dot brings a drum, Button pulls a piano, and Dollop carries a flute—and more berries! Each of the friends plays their favorite kind of song, but this only creates noise. Dollop urges them to try again, saying that their first attempt was simply a “not-YET song.”

Their second try isn’t much better than the first, so bird decides to help. On Dot’s drum she taps out a pleasant beat with her feet. Dot catches on quickly. “I am playing the drum!” she proudly announces. Next, the bird lands on Button’s piano and pecks out individual keys. Button begins to understand and is soon plinking a tune. Dollop, who’s been playing the flute through his nose, gets a correction as well as a lesson on creating different notes.

Now, Dot, Button, and Dollop put their newfound talents together and play a beautiful song! Bird listens happily then flies away, leaving a gift behind. The Funjeepups are so grateful for the bird’s help that they leave a gift too. Bird sings her thanks then takes her gifts home to decorate her nest.

Michael Slack’s endearing forest friends are sweet companions on this musical adventure that turns into a day of musical discovery and confidence building. Slack’s Funjeepups are darling, and his lovely woodland setting will enchant little readers. Young children are sure to giggle knowingly as Dollop plays the flute through his nose, happy to be in on this visual joke until Bird sets him straight.

Slack’s minimal, simply stated text printed in bold type contains many building blocks for early word recognition and reading, such as repeated words, short sentences, and musical onomatopoeia that’s fun to say or play on an instrument. In addition to introducing young readers to the graphic novel format, his panels focus readers’ attention on each sentence and its accompanying illustrated facial expressions and emotions as well as incremental changes in the plot.

A charming book that both kids and adults will love to share over and over, The Funjeepups: A Beautiful Song is fresh and eye-catching in an easy-to-hold 6 1/4″ x 9 1/4″ size. It is sure to be a cherished addition to home and library collections. Pair with Funjeepups: A Star Wish to create a much-loved gift.

Ages 3 – 7

Tundra Books, 2026 | ISBN 978-1774887004

Michael Slack is the author and illustrator of many books for young readers, including Kitties on Dinosaurs, Bunny Built, Shorty & Clem and Elecopter. His art and character design has been featured in books, television and games. He lives with his family in the Bay Area of California. Visit him at slackart.com.

You can purchase The Funjeepups: A Beautiful Song from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

The Funjeepups: A Star Wish

By Michael Slack

The Funjeepups are camping out, sheltered in a fallen log, the darkness dispelled with an acorn lantern and a small fire to keep the chill at bay. Dot, Button, and Dollop are ready to stay out all night. They want to “. . . see stars. And make a wish.” But clouds blow in, obscuring the stars and ruining their plans to make wishes. But then stars seem to appear on the horizon. Dollop runs toward them and catches one in his hands. When he shows Dot his star, she imparts bad news: “That’s a bug.” Since it shines, Dollop is undeterred and tells her to “make a bug wish.” The firefly lands on Dot’s nose as she closes her eyes to wish.

The clouds don’t dim all of their enjoyment, though, and Dollop suggests a night hike. Taking their trusty lantern and new friend along, they head into the woods. Soon, they’re running back to camp after hearing “Hoo Hoo” and encountering a frog. All is forgotten as Dollop brings out marshmallows for gooey fun, and the campfire is perfect for shadow play. Following a game of Stick, Stone, Stack, Dot, Button and Dollop send the firefly home and drift off to sleep.

During the night, they’re awakened by a moonbeam, and Dot’s excited to see that her “bug wish came true.” The sky has cleared! They make their star wishes then drift back to sleep. In the morning, they’re proud to have spent the entire night outside. Dot hurries home to see if her bug wish came true.

Just as in Funjeepups: A Beautiful Song, Dot, Button, and Dollop embark on an adventure in the woods with curiosity and enthusiasm. When their planned activity becomes impossible, instead of moping the three friends take advantage of other forest delights and make a new friend in the process. Their clever pivot from stars to fireflies will enchant little readers. Michael Slack’s gentle woodland fright will bring giggles instead of gasps, and his playful games may inspire similar fun at home. Slack’s signature storytelling, encompassing short sentences, repeated words, and visual clues, encourages young children to become proficient and avid readers.

Funjeepups: A Star Wish sparkles with humor and friendship and is a heartwarming story to inspire nighttime adventures at home or outdoors. The book is sure to enjoy continual requests for cozy read aloud story times. Pair with Funjeepups: A Beautiful Song for a gift any young child will treasure.

Ages 3 – 7

Tundra Books, 2026 | ISBN 978-1774887028

You can purchase The Funjeepups: A Star Wish from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

June 4 – National Hug Your Cat Day

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Today’s holiday has one goal in mind—to show your feline friend (or friends) how much you love them. If you share your home with a cat, then you know how their playful antics, companionship, and even their independent spirit can transform your home and your life for the better. Today show your kitty some extra love with a hug—or if they’re a bit skitten-ish—an extra brushing, more playtime, or a favorite treat. If you don’t have a cat, today is the perfect time to consider adopting one who’s looking for their forever home from your local animal shelter.

Thank you to Balzar + Bray for sending me a copy of this book for review!

Kitty Caterpillar

Written by Annabeth Bondor-Stone and Connor White | Illustrated by Brigette Barrager

Kitty Caterpillar was happy to be an indoor cat. She was, after all, “the queen of her kittydom” and could nap, play, and enjoy refreshments to her heart’s content. In the morning, it was her “job” to wake up Hazel. She took to it with gusto—even making biscuits! Kitty Caterpillar was Hazel’s constant companion through breakfast, piano practice and story time. “But “more than anything in the world, Kitty Caterpillar loved Hazel. And her hugs.”

illustration copyright © 2026 by Brigette Barrager. Text copyright © 2026 by Annabeth Bondor-Stone and Connor White. Courtesy of Balzar + Bray.

Whenever Hazel went out, Kitty Caterpillar wasn’t overly curious about what Hazel would be doing, instead “she settled into a catloaf” and took a nap. But one day, Kitty Caterpillar spied a butterfly through the window and was determined to follow it. She slipped her ten feet into a collection of Hazel’s shoes, and found her way out. Kitty Caterpillar was awed by the tickly grass, the alluring scents, and, especially, the bird bath. She “slink, slinked” over, but instead of catching a bird, she took a dunk and then found herself cowering from a sudden thunderstorm.

As the sun reemerged, however, Kitty Caterpillar spied it—the butterfly! She followed it up . . . up . . . up the trunk of a tree. It wasn’t just any tree, though! At the top she found Hazel having a tea party. Hazel was just as thrilled to see her best friend and wrapped her in a cozy hug, holding her while she dozed and dreamed of a beautiful metamorphosis.

Annabeth Bondor-Stone and Connor White’s endearing story will melt any child’s heart as Kitty Caterpillar enjoys well-known perks of being a cat and revels in her outdoor adventure. Bondor-Stone and White’s storytelling purrs with humor, puns, and action, making their book an enchanting read aloud. Their dreamy ending is a sweet kid-pleaser.

Brigette Barrager’s vivacious Kitty Caterpillar, with her distinctive ten purple paws, two antennae whiskers, and cotton-candy tresses, is adorable. Kids will giggle at her mischievous antics as she goes about her day, and her reunion with Hazel is as cute as it gets. Barrager’s lovely water-soluble wax pastel and Photoshop illustrations sing with whimsy and the colors of summer, inviting young readers to join in the fun.

Playful, imaginative, and infused with the warmth of home, Kitty Caterpillar will become a quick family favorite that kids will want to hear again and again. This book will also enjoy high circulation in any library’s collection and makes a purr-fect gift for young cat lovers.

Ages 3 – 6

Balzar + Bray, 2026 | ISBN 978-1250469038

Annabeth Bondor-Stone is the co-author of several books for children of all ages, including Kitty Caterpillar, the Shivers! The Pirate series, Jaclyn Hyde, Time Tracers, and Quest for the Crystal Crown. She is an Emmy-nominated television writer and co-creator of the animated TV series Eva the Owlet. Other TV credits include Helpsters, Waffles and Mochi, and Goldie. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband/writing partner, Connor White, and their two children. Visit her at annabethandconnor.com.

Connor White is the co-author of several books for children of all ages, including Kitty Caterpillar, the Shivers! The Pirate series, Jaclyn Hyde, Time Tracers, and Quest for the Crystal Crown. He is an Emmy-nominated television writer and co-creator of the animated TV series Eva the Owlet. Other TV credits include Helpsters, Waffles and Mochi, and Goldie. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife/writing partner, Annabeth Bondor-Stone, and their two children. Visit him at annabethandconnor.com.

Brigette Barrager is an artist, designer, writer, and illustrator of over thirty books for children. She is the New York Times bestselling artist of Kitty Caterpillar by Annabeth Bondor Stone and Connor White, Uni the Unicorn by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, and Pocket Full of Colors by Amy Guglielmo and Jacqueline Tourville. Brigette resides in Los Angeles with her husband, twin daughters, and twin cats. You can visit her at brigetteb.com.

National Hug Your Cat Day Activity

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-match-the-kittens-puzzle

Match the Kittens Puzzle

Little ones can have fun matching up the kitten pairs in this printable Match the Kittens Puzzle!

You can purchase Kitty Caterpillar 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 17 – National Humor Month

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

During April we celebrate one of the most fantastic things about life—humor! Established in 1976 by comedian and author Larry Wilde, National Humor Month promotes all things funny to raise awareness of the benefits of laughter and joy. Whether you’re laughing at a funny joke, your favorite comedian, a comic strip, a silly mistake, or even yourself, a chuckle is good for you! Today, take time to relax and enjoy the small absurdities in life with a few hearty “Ha ha ha’s!” along the way. Today’s book is a perfect place for you and your kids to start!

A big thanks to TOON Books/Astra Publishing for sending me a copy of this book for review!

The Selfish Sister

Written by David Sedaris | Illustrated by Bob Staake

Stop! Before you even open the cover of this book, lock up your valuables, your knick-knacks, your pets! Batten the hatches for the tsunami about to be unleashed. While the girl you’ll meet may look little, she has a BIG appetite for . . . well . . . for everything. Just ask her brother. This girl’s favorite word is “mine, mine, mine” as in hers, hers, hers, NEVER yours, yours, yours. Ready? (If you think there has to be something she won’t want, you’re not ready.) Okay, let’s go.

This “selfish sister” mines the air, the world, the town, her home. Just watch her work: “‘That’s my watch, my witch, my cork / That’s my croc, my tuning fork.'” Just listen to her woebegone brother: “She took my bed, my towel, my chair / my stuffed giraffe, my threadbare hare.”

When she’s on a spree, stand back and hold your breath (or she will no doubt take that too). “Don’t try to ride her bright green trike. / It’s hers alone, the unkind tyke. / It sits un-used, ignored, forsaken / not pedaled yet, no long rides taken.” I know what you’re thinking: surely someone ought to stop her. But when her father said “‘Enough!'” . . . she held fast, and called his bluff.” So as you see, there’s nothing that this girl won’t claim. But cling to this: possession may be nine-tenths of the law, but it isn’t everything—as you will see!

David Sedaris has whipped up a tornado of a tyrant, sweeping readers into his puckish whirlwind of nimble and inventive rhymes that build into a farcical delight that will have kids and adults guffawing even as they absorb Sedaris’s messages about sharing, family, jealousy, and the idea that unkind behavior has consequences. The surprise ending gives kids and adults the impetus to talk about caring relationships.

Bob Staake lends his singular creative vision to The Selfish Sister in an inspired match up with Sedaris’s madcap storytelling. The sister’s greed and pretensions are right there for everyone to see in her green skin and golden crown as she points and picks whatever she wants, whenever she wants it. Staake’s ingenious perspectives, comical facial expressions, clever details, and visual puns will keep readers laughing. The final pages deliver a satisfying comeuppance.

A rollicking read aloud that pairs two comedic geniuses, The Selfish Sister will enjoy enthusiastic circulation at home and for library collections.

Ages 7 – 10

Toon Books, 2026 | ISBN 978-1662665769

David Sedaris is the author of Barrel Fever and Holidays on Ice, as well as collections of personal essays, Naked, Me Talk Pretty One Day, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, When You Are Engulfed in Flames. Sedaris’ pieces appear regularly in The New Yorker and have twice been included in “The Best American Essays.” There are over ten million copies of his books in print and they have been translated into 25 languages. Visit him at davidsedarisbooks.com.

Bob Staake has authored/illustrated over 75 children’s books, which have been translated into over 12 languages around the world. One of the nation’s most prolific illustrators, Bob Staake’s clients have included The New Yorker, TIME, McDonald’s, Vanity Fair, Amtrak, Young & Rubicam, American Express, Sony, United Airlines, Nickelodeon, and countless others. Visit him at bobstaake.com.

National Humor Month Activity

Silly Balloons

You can have lots of silly fun with balloons! Try some of these ideas—they’re sure to make you laugh!

GOOFY FACES

Blow up a balloon and draw a funny face on it. Rub the balloon on your shirt or a blanket and stick it to the wall, your shirt, or even your mom or dad!

CRAZY HAIR

Rub a blown-up balloon on your shirt or a blanket (fleece works well) then hold it near your hair and watch it go a little crazy!

BEND WATER

This bit of balloon magic will amaze you! Rub a blown-up balloon on a blanket (fleece works well). Turn on a faucet to a thin stream of water. Hold the balloon near the stream of water and watch it bend toward the balloon.

VOLLEYBALLOON

This is a fun game for two or more people played like volleyball—but with balloons! All you need is a balloon and a line on the floor. Players form teams and bat the balloon back and forth over the line, keeping it in the air.as long as possible. A team wins a point when the opposing team can’t return the balloon.

You can purchase The Selfish Sister from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | B&N Signed Edition | Bookshop

Picture Book Review

April 8 – National All Is Ours Day

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

National All is Ours Day is a joy-filled holiday that encourages us to pause, look around, and really think about the beauty and abundance in our lives and the world around us. Our family and friends, neighbors, teachers, and colleagues—and who can forget our pets?—add so much richness to every day. Exploring your immediate surroundings or taking a trip to new locales and taking pleasure in the beauty you see can open up new perspectives and gratitude for the gifts we all share in common. Today, celebrate our interconnectedness with others, extend kindness, and embrace the idea that the best experiences in life are shared.

Thank you to Ten Speed Young Readers for sending me a copy of this book to me for review!

Others: A Story for All of Us

Written by Kobi Yamada | Illustrated by Charles Santoso

Kobi Yamada’s story starts simply enough. Two boys on one side of a hedge are having a discussion about the people on the other side of the hedge. One boy wonders what “the other people” are thinking about. The second boy is confused and asks, “Are there different kinds of people? How are they different?” His friend thinks it’s obvious: the way they look, talk, everything. The second boy then begins asking some pointed questions about exactly how they are different. “Do they have heads and bodies?” Of course. Do they have wings or tails or maybe “sticky tentacles” or even wheels? The boy thinks these attributes would be helpful, but “No” the first boy answers, the people “are humans.”

Once that’s established, Yamada’s story takes a deeper dive into the internal lives of these “other people.” The second boy is trying to wrap his head around the issue and inquires if the other people “have hearts and brains.” “Yes, of course,” comes the quick answer. Now the manner of the boy’s questions take a subtle change. He wonders if his friend thinks that these people “think and feel,” get lonely, scared, or hurt feelings. He confesses that he, himself, experiences these emotions. Does his friend think they love their family and do things together? His friend takes time to answer. He says he’s never really considered such things before, but imagines they do. Still, they are from “over there” and “not from here.”

The boys begin to debate the meaning of “here” and “there” as the one with all the questions climbs the hedge and drops into the yard on the other side, where’s he’s offered a glass of lemonade. The two get closer and closer to their respective sides of the hedge—one here, one there; or is it one there, one here? They climb, and when they meet at the top, they agree that wherever they are, they feel like they are “here.”

Turning the page, the boys are unseen, but somewhere within a panoramic view of a city, the ocean, and mountains in the distance. Turn the page again and the image pans out even further, their conversation about there and here, them and us loosed from their mooring to become universal.

Others: A Story for All of Us is a perfect pairing of Kobi Yamada’s powerful text and Charles Santoso’s perceptive and layered illustrations. As the story opens, Santoso sets the scene with nuanced imagery: The hedge spans both pages, but is leafless on the facing end, showing the trunk and branches that give it structure—a reminder of family trees and the tree of mankind. On one side are the two boys—one in a striped shirt, the less open-minded child wearing a green shirt and dark pants that mirror the hedge. Rising from the other side is a blue and green cloud dotted with amorphous bodies that loosely create Earth’s continents.

Yamada then channels the literal-mindedness of children to challenge the idea of otherness. Santoso’s accompanying illustrations will bring giggles but also deep thinking. As the rest of the story plays out, Yamada engages readers’ hearts through the boy’s thought-provoking prompts that poignantly reveal the commonalities that connect us all while Santoso reinforces this message with vignettes of families, friends, children, neighbors and pets all playing, talking, celebrating, and relaxing together.

Others: A Story for All of Us is a book with a light touch but a lasting impact to show us the way forward to a meeting of minds and hearts through understanding, kindness, and acceptance. Others is a must for all library and home collections.

Ages 4 – 8

Ten Speed Young Readers, 2026 | ISBN 978-0593839676

About the Author

Kobi Yamada is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of What Do You Do with an Idea?, Finding Muchness, Because I Had a Teacher, and many other bestselling, award-winning books. In addition to being the creator of inspiring books and products, he is also the president of Compendium. He lives with his family in the Pacific Northwest. Follow him on Instagram.

About the Illustrator

Charles Santoso is the creator of Happy Hippo and has illustrated many books, including Finding Muchness by Kobi Yamada and the New York Times bestseller Odder. He lives in Singapore. Visit him at charlessantoso.com.

You can purchase Others: A Story for All of Us from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

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