May 1 – National Pet Month

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 23 – National Picnic Day

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

It’s said that food always tastes better when eaten outdoors. If you’re having warm early spring weather today, why not test that theory, by packing a basket or cooler and heading out to your favorite outdoor spot! Whether simple or elegant, enjoyed alone or with family or friends, a picnic can be just the respite you need from the routine workweek. The word “picnic” probably gets its origins from the French language, specifically from the word pique-nique: (to pick) + (small thing or trifle). It’s thought that picnics became popular in France after the French Revolution in the mid 1800s and the idea then spread around the world. If you just can’t get away or the weather isn’t cooperating, International Picnic Day is celebrated on June 18, and the month of July hosts National Picnic Month.

Thank you to Tundra Books for sharing a copy of this book with me!

There Are No Ants in This Book

Written by Rosemary Mosco | Illustrated by Anna Pirolli

A child, picnic basket and tote in hand peeks in from the top-left corner of the first page to find a green field just perfect for a picnic. The child is pretty confident they won’t be disturbed by pesky pests purloining food because it says right on the cover that “there are no ants in this book.” But just as the cake is being placed on the blanket, word comes from nearby: “Wrong! There’s one!” Turns out that acorn lying only inches from the picnic cloth is actually the abode of an acorn ant.

The child can make an exception for just one ant, but then, out of the clear blue sky, comes “Two!” and “Three!” These two reveal that they are opposites of a sort. Number “two” is “one of the largest ants in the world” and as big as a strawberry. Number “three” is the smallest—”as long as six grains of salt.”

The child is just wrapping their head around this book having “. . . more ants than I was expecting” and figuring “three ants can’t eat my whole picnic, right?” when three more show up, including a honeypot ant that explains, “I fill my big round butt with sweet sugar water . . . in case my family gets hungry” then declares, “I am a walking refrigerator.

Kinda freaked out to meet these six interlopers, the child goes into full “ARRRGH!” mode when four more ants drop by. And who can blame them? The book had such promise at the beginning. But now . . . Yeah. Butt! Two of these new ants have positively particular posterior powers! One lives in trees and uses their butt as a kind of nature-made Siri to guide them home, and the other, an acrobat ant, explains “If someone scares me, I stick my butt high up in the air and wave it around.” The third is a clever crafter, and the fourth uses his head (literally) to defend his home.

The child is “shocked.” “Stunned.” Delighted! And invites these ants as well as their “humungous families” to the picnic. But all these tiny pounding feet attract the attention of an anteater. The child, though, does some quick thinking and then points out that the title of the book clearly states, “there are no ants in this book,” which sends the anteater packing. And now? It’s time for the perfect picnic!

Back matter presents realistic illustrations of each of the ten ants found in the book with a bite-sized paragraph revealing what part of the world the ant is native too as well as more about the feature that makes it unique.

In her funny and fast-paced tribute to ants, Rosemary Mosco proves that even the smallest creatures have enormous appeal. As each ant makes an appearance to proudly describe its distinct capability or feature, Mosco’s conversational, easy-to-digest writing style makes it simple for kids to remember the prominent details. Kids will also identify with the narrator, who humorously cycles from certainty in the promise of the title to disillusionment to acceptance to all-out appreciation for these tiny critters.

Vibrant and loaded with personality, Anna Pirolli’s cartoon, graphic-style illustrations use perspective, natural surroundings, and emotive facial expressions to immerse kids in this rollicking educational experience.

If you like a dose of laughter with your science, There Are No Ants in This Book is the ant-idote you’ve been looking for. A perfect addition to any classroom, homeschool, or science educator’s collection, the book will also be an often-asked-for favorite for home story times.

Ages 4 – 8

Tundra Books, 2024 | ISBN 978-1774881163

About the Author

Rosemary Mosco makes books and cartoons that connect people with the natural world. Her nature comics won the National Cartoonist Society’s award for Best Online Short Form Comic and were the subject of an award-winning museum exhibit. She co-wrote the New York Times bestseller The Atlas Obscura Explorer’s Guide for the World’s Most Adventurous Kid, and is the author of the picture books Butterflies Are Pretty . . . Gross! and Flowers Are Pretty . . . Weird! illustrated by Jacob Souva, as well as five other science books. She speaks at birding festivals and looks for cool critters under every rock she can find. Rosemary lives in Massachusetts. Visit her at rosemarymosco.com.

About the Illustrator

Anna Pirolli was born in Genoa and moved to Milan to study illustration at the European Institute of Design. She has worked as a freelance illustrator and art director for companies such as Mondadori, Pearson, Vogue, MTV, Kinder Ferrero, Nickelodeon, Disney and others, following the creative process from concept to creation. She’s also a visiting professor at the Accademia di Brera, where she teaches design applied to the arts. Anna has illustrated the picture books I Hate My Cats: A Love Story by Davide Cali and Anonymouse by Vikki VanSickle, which won the Dilys Evans Founder’s Award at the 2021 Society of Illustrators Original Art Show. Follow her on Instagram.

National Picnic Day Activity

A Perfect Day for a Picnic! Maze

Can you lead the ants to the picnic in this printable A Perfect Day for a Picnic! maze?

You can purchase There Are No Ants in This Book from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop (discounted books and support for your local independent bookstore)

April 22 – Earth Day

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

First celebrated 56 years ago, Earth Day is the world’s largest civic-focused event. The initiative began on April 22, 1970, when 20 million Americans (10% of the population) demonstrated against the industrialization, pollution, and pesticides that were damaging people and the environment. In response, in July of 1970, Republican President Nixon and the US Congress created the Environmental Protections Agency and enacted laws such as the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act among others.

This year’s theme is “Our Power, Our Planet.” From Saturday, April 18 to Earth Day on the 22nd and beyond, Earth Day and Earth Month will organize communities and individuals to take part in community cleanups, teach-ins, peaceful demonstrations, tree planting, voter registration, town hall meetings, community organizing and more. Every action strengthens the movement and what we can accomplish. To learn how you can participate or access resources in your area, visit the official Earth Day website.

Thanks to Greystone Books for sending me a copy of this book for review!

Fiddlehead Forest: Little Habitats 2

By Jana Curll

After a lightning storm, Fern and her fronds—Millipede, Slug, Moth, Mushroom, and the Lichens—discover a tree that’s fallen and can’t get up. Mushroom suggests the tree become a log, but the unhappy tree wants to return to its days of glory, of being “tall, strong, and useful—important!” Fern “guaran-trees” she will make it happen.

Tiny Millipede is first to volunteer his talents. It’ll be a cinch, he thinks. All he has to do is eat and eat and eat and molt and molt and molt until he’s grown enough segments and legs to push the tree back into position. It turns out, though, there’s only so much one millipede can eat before getting “in-dig-estion,” so Fern concocts another, kinda crazy plan involving Moth, dangerous animals, and “geome-TREE” (Beard Lichen thinks it’s “more like insani-TREE”). When that doesn’t fly, Fern enlists Slug in an even more convoluted idea that any slime lover could get behind. Unfortunately, it’s a no-goo too.

With the help of the Lichens’ and Mushroom’s insight, Tree accepts its fate and vows to “do my best with where I am now.” As night falls the friends stay close, keeping Log company. In the morning Fern has yet one more idea, but this one isn’t zany or complex. She invites everyone to stay, hang out, and just do their thing. “FERN-ally” Log discovers its new role—one in which it is long, strong, and useful—important!

In addition to the story, each chapter includes a two-page spread of fascinating facts about millipedes, moths, slugs, lichens, fungi, ferns, and nurse logs that describe their importance to Earth’s ecosystems.

Equal parts hilarious and educational, Jana Curll’s Fiddlehead Forest is a punsters paradise, where kids will be giggling so often they may not even realize how much they’re learning. Curll’s mix of witty banter, caring friendship, and scientific facts, all presented in her bright and adorable graphic novel format, will delight kids. Fiddlehead Forest has plenty of repeat readability, applications for classrooms and homeschoolers, and appeal for any library collection.

Ages 6 – 9

Greystone Books, 2026 | ISBN 978-1778401046

About the Author

Jana Curll is a children’s illustrator based on the rainy west coast of Canada and is grateful to live on the traditional lands of the shíshálh Nation with her family. She is inspired by the creatures and environment of the local rainforests and the ocean and spends her spare time wandering through winding trails and along rocky beaches. She likes doodling funny maps and sipping strong coffee while her large cat sleeps on her lap. She’s also the author-illustrator of Barnacle Bay, the first book in the Little Habitats series also published by Greystone Kids. Visit her at janacurrl.com.

Earth Day Activity

How Old Is This Tree?

In this activity children learn what the rings on a cross section of a tree trunk mean and how to count them to determine the age of a tree is and discover events from its past.

How Old Is This Tree? Discussion Sheet | How Old Is This Tree? Worksheet

You can purchase Fiddlehead Forest (Little Habitats, 2) 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 10 – National Siblings Day

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Today we honor the special bond that brothers and sisters share! Whether you’re celebrating with your own siblings or creating a special day for your children to show their appreciation for each other, today is for remembering and making memories to be cherished. Today, take time to reach out to your own siblings and enjoy togetherness at home!

My Sister, Goose

Written by Alyssa Satin Capucilli | Illustrated by Hyewon Yum

When it comes to dressing, Miranda knows her little sister Goose (real name, Graciela Rose) is a free spirit. But a bathing suit at school? Chunky heels at the playground? A tutu in the snow? Goose’s flashy first choices often leave Miranda astonished. But she loves her little sister, and her little sister really, really loooves her clothes. What’s a big sister to do?

Miranda knows! She gently makes suggestions: something to cover the suit? Goose tries on different looks until one is just right and they run off hand-in-hand to the school bus. A different pair of shoes, perhaps? “But I love them . . .” Goose says, doing a little tap dance, but she admits she can climb and “run fast” in her fancy sneakers. Another great choice! Miranda tells her.

All this dressing up points to something else Miranda loves about her sister: her “really big imagination.” Like when they play “Bubble Queen” in the bathtub, complete with frothy crowns for both of them. And when Goose crawls, gallops, and dances in her zebra costume even though bedtime gets delayed and delayed and . . . . Still, Miranda imagines that “Goose had wonderful dreams about zebras that night.”

Sometimes, Goose’s outfits are so perfectly amazing the first time that Miranda asks for fashion advice. She knows, of course, that whatever Goose chooses will be extraordinary—just like her little sister!

There’s so much to love about Alyssa Satin Capucilli’s My Sister, Goose. No sibling rivalry, no tears. Just mutual love, support, and appreciation. Even though Goose’s first inclinations sometimes leave her big sister flabbergasted, Miranda patiently guides her to find her own more practical outfits. Miranda also applauds Goose’s sense of adventure and imagination. While practicality is often appropriate, one of Capucilli’s greatest gifts in this book is Miranda’s openness to embracing her sister’s quirkiness and joining in her free-wheeling, creative, self-expression. Through the sisters’ dialogue, Capucilli models positive language that encourages instead of discouraging individuality among siblings. Capucilli’s first-person storytelling also emphasizes Miranda’s admiration for her little sister.

Hyewon Yum’s charming colored pencil illustrations accentuate the loving relationship between Miranda and Goose with plenty of shared smiles, hand-holding, and hugs at home and away. Miranda’s initial reactions to Goose’s outfits are realistic and humorous, making her patience and thoughtful help all the more authentic. Kids will eagerly anticipate each of Goose’s outfits, which are all adorable and as colorful as she is.

Full of humor and heart, My Sister, Goose is a joyful portrayal of sisterly love that both adults and kids will adore sharing again and again. The book would make a perfect addition to any library collection.

Ages 4 – 8

Hippo Park, 2026 | ISBN 978-1662640995

Alyssa Satin Capucilli is the award-winning creator and author of the Katy Duck series and the bestselling Biscuit series, which has sold over twenty-four million copies. A dancer as well as a writer, she lives with her family in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York. Visit her at alyssasatincapucilli.com.

Hyewon Yum is an author and illustrator of many picture books, including Grandpa Across the Ocean and The Twins’ Blanket. Her book Saturday Is Swimming Day was named as a Charlotte Zolotow Award Honor and Mom, It’s My First Day of Kindergarten! received the Ezra Jack Keats New Illustrator award. She also illustrated Ode to a Bad Day, Not Perfect, Luli and the Language of Tea, and many more. She was born and grew up in Seoul, Korea. She lives in Brooklyn, New York with her family. Visit her at hyewon-yum.squarespace.com.

Meet Alyssa Satin Capucilli

Spend a moment with author Alyssa Satin Capucilli as she talks about the inspiration behind My Sister, Goose!

National Siblings Day Activity

Dress-Up Craft

With this easy craft you can make a fun sheath dress for playing dress-up. It’s also a great party activity! All you need is a plastic or paper party table cloth, Sharpies, and your imagination!

Supplies

1 plastic party tablecloth (1 cloth will most likely make 4 dresses) or a pillow case
Sharpies or other permanent markers
Ribbon, scarf, crepe paper garland, or other material for a belt
Scissor
Newspaper, old sheeting, or other material to protect the crafting surface

Directions

Fold the table cloth in half. The folded edge will become the dress’s shoulder. Cut a rectangle through both layers the appropriate size for your child
In the middle of the folded edge cut a V-shaped or rounded opening for the child’s head. Begin with a small opening and enlarge it as needed
Lay the dress on newspaper or other material to protect the crafting surface
Draw and color shapes, lines, figures, or other designs on the dress
Add a belt, ribbon, or scarf to complete the look!

You can purchase My Sister Goose from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

Picture Book Review

March 13 – World Sleep Day

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Are you feeling a little sleep deprived after the time change? Me too! Today, I’m celebrating World Sleep Day as part of Sleep Awareness Week, which was established in 1998. This year’s theme is “Sleep Better, Live Better.” Studies show that most people do not get the sleep they need to stay healthy and function as well as they could. This might be due to work hours, insomnia, or other sleep disturbances.

Many children also do not get enough sleep for a variety of reasons. To raise awareness of this common problem and encourage people to think about their sleep patterns and habits, the National Sleep Foundation established National Sleep Awareness Week in 1998. Coinciding with the Daylight Saving Time change, this year Sleep Awareness Week runs from March 8 to March 14. For more information on Sleep Awareness Week and children’s sleep issues in particular, visit the National Sleep Foundation website.

Thanks to Flamingo Books for sharing a digital copy of this book with me for review.

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Sheepy: A Sleepy Sheepy Story

Written by Lucy Ruth Cummins | Illustrated by Pete Oswald

The beloved Sleepy Sheepy’s bedtime antics aren’t just for the big kids anymore! Now that adorable lamb with the heavy lids but boundless energy can send little loves to bed with a giggle or two too! The stars are twinkling, but Little Sheepy is still boing, boing, boinging on the pogo stick in the driveway when Ma and Pa say it’s time for bed. Boing, boing, boing Little Sheepy bounces upstairs and into bed with a smile. So easy!

As soon as the coast is clear, though, this wide-awake sheep is pogo-ing through the living room, disrupting Ma and Pa’s TV watching and sending popcorn flying. They send their little one back to bed. Ah! At last; all tucked in and snoozing. So adorable! But what’s this? Instead of dreaming “some sheepy dreams” and “rest[ing] in moony beams,” that little sheep is reading? Under the covers? With a flashlight? And in the next moment Ma and Pa get another fright. Then more popcorn goes flying, and Pa’s soon wearing the bowl as a hat.

They let their wild and wooly lamb stay up a bit, but with the first “. . . great big yawn” and “. . . favorite pjs on,” it’s back to bed. As Ma and Pa pull up a cozy blanket, they lovingly say good night—again—”Twinkle, twinkle, sleepy sheep. / Now it’s time to go to sleep. // Time to close your sheepy eyes. / Little sheep goes beddy-bye.” So sweet! But the moment Pa and Ma are out of the room . . . . What’s that shadow crossing the floor? This time, though, Pa and Ma are ready with the perfect, twinkly solution to send their little one to dreamland. Whew!

Lucy Ruth Cummins’ rib-tickling Sleepy Sheepy board book story—which can be read or sung to the tune of Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star—will set the youngest dreamers laughing as rambunctious little Sheepy bounces from bed as soon as the light goes out and the rhyme is cleverly cut off. Each time Ma and Pa return their little one to bed (twinsies in tow), kids will wait with giddy anticipation for Sheepy’s next move and how beleaguered Pa and Ma will react. Cummins’ sweet ending is snuggly and sure to settle any little one into snoozy slumber.

Pete Oswald infuses his sleepy time pages with lots of humor and heart that will endear Little Sheepy to the youngest readers. We’re all familiar with droopy eyelids that refuse to close and energy that never seems to wane, but the tiny smile—both knowing and adorable—says it all. Kids will giggle at the expertly executed pogo-stick jumping, undercover subterfuge, flying popcorn, and the twinsies strapped to Ma and Pa. They’ll also adore the ending that shows just how much Ma and Pa love their little one. Fans of Cummins’ and Oswald’s other Sleepy Sheepy books will enjoy spotting references to those books throughout the pages, and Pa’s final “Shhhh” will have both adults and kids laughing.

Ages Baby – 3

Flamingo Books, 2026 | ISBN 979-8217041008

About the Author

Lucy Ruth Cummins is an author and illustrator who made her critically acclaimed author-illustrator debut in 2016 with her picture book A Hungry Lion, or A Dwindling Assortment of Animals. She is also the illustrator of This Is Not a Valentine, Truman, The Love Letter, and Little Freddie Two Pants. When she’s not writing or illustrating books, Lucy is an executive art director of Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. She grew up in Cortland, New York, and she now lives with her little family in Brooklyn, New York. Visit her at lucyruthcummins.squarespace.com.

About the Illustrator

Pete Oswald is a #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator and an Annie Award-nominated animation production designer best known for the Angry Birds Movie film franchise and Oscar-nominated ParaNorman, in addition to multiple animated studio films. He is also a children’s book author and illustrator and a painter. Pete is the illustrator the New York Times bestselling Food Group series written by Jory John, and Cranky written by Phuc Tran. Pete lives in Los Angeles, California, with his wife and three sons. Visit him at peteoswald.com.

World Sleep Day Activity

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-sleep-buddy-craft

Fleecy Blanket or Pet Bed

Fleecy blankets feel so cozy and warm! With this craft kids can make a blanket for themselves or for a favorite stuffed animal. They can also make a comfy bed for a pet! Children from ages 5 or 6 and up will enjoy helping to tie the tabs. For younger children, using fabric glue to attach the two pieces of fleece or cutting just one piece of fleece allows them to join in the craft fun.

Supplies

2 pieces of fleece, solid, patterned, or a mix of both
Scissors
Measuring tape
Fluff or pillow (optional for pet bed)
Fabric glue (optional)

Directions

Lay out one piece of fleece and measure a size that will make a comfortable blanket for the stuffed animal or is large enough for your pet to lie on
Add 3 inches to that measurement on each side for the tie tabs
Cut the fleece
Lay out the second piece of fleece and cut it to the same size as the first piece
With both pieces of fleece together cut three-inch long by ½ – ¾ – inch wide tabs all along each side. (If using fabric glue omit this step.)
At the corners, four tabs will be cut off on each side

To Make a Blanket

Tie the top and bottom tabs together on all sides

To Make a Pet Bed

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-cat-bed-craft

Tie the tabs together on three sides
Add the fluff or pillow insert
Tie the tabs on the final side

You can purchase Twinkle, Twinkle, Sleepy Sheepy from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

Picture Book Review

March 9 – National Reading Month

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

The month of March is dedicated to reading! National Reading Month was designed to encourage children and adults to read every day and celebrates the joys and benefits that reading together can bring. When you spend time reading with your child, you’re helping them develop the language and literacy skills that will promote future success in school and beyond. Even if your child isn’t talking yet, they’re listening and learning about their language as you read to them. Older kids also love being read to—or reading to you! Setting aside time to read together builds strong bonds that can last a lifetime. The month is typically marked with special events in schools, libraries, bookstores, and communities that bring authors, illustrators, and educators together with kids.

You’ll find book lists and recommendations, monthly reading theme ideas, tips for reading and for guest readers, and places to find free books and resources on the National Education Association website.

Disco Dave

Written by Jody Jensen Shaffer | Illustrated by Yana Kozak

Dave the walrus loved everything about disco, from the beat of the music to the hip clothes, sparkly décor, and the groovy dances. “Especially the dances!” He thought The Bump, The Funky Chicken, and The Robot were “‘far out!’” But Dave was not a natural dancer. In fact, when he hit the dance floor his moves were more of a natural disaster. Dave decided to take dance lessons.

He was doing pretty well until his flipper tripped him up. Still, when Dave received an invitation to a birthday dance, he was excited to bust the moves he’d learned in class. But things didn’t quite go as planned. Dave’s friends tried to let him down gently: “‘Maybe you groove to different dance moves,’ said KC.” But Dave adored Disco with all his heart, and when he saw an announcement for a Disco dance contest, he was ready to boogie down. But once again, his flippers failed him, and he had to admit Disco wasn’t for him.

“Dave boxed up his bell bottoms and platform shoes and made his way to the donation center. On his way there, though, he passed by Disco Heaven and saw that it was closed! His friend Donna told him that the disc jockey had quit. How would Dave and his friends groove to the beats without the club? Then Dave had an idea! He might not have all right the moves yet, but he did have Disco in his soul. He got behind the soundboard and started experimenting. It turned out Dave had just the right stuff to keep the music alive so he and his friends could keep on truckin’ to their own funky beats.

The story is followed by a detailed discussion by Silvi Guerra PsyD on the nature of learning new skills and how children can find joy in the process while developing perseverance, confidence, and resilience that will benefit them throughout their life. Using the example of dance, Guerra also gives parents and other caregivers tips on how they can make any learning journey fun and meaningful.

Jody Jensen Shaffer channels the Disco era in her story that envelops kids in a caring community of friends as Dave tries again and again to master the dances he loves so much. As Dave comes to accept that he has two left flippers—for now—Shaffer offers new perspectives on practice, perseverance, keeping an upbeat outlook, and being open to alternate opportunities to shine. Her storytelling is peppered with puns, 1970s’ slang, and you’ll want to check out the names of Dave’s friends for some back-in-the-(Disco) day references.

Yana Kozak lets kids in on all the glitter and groove of Disco, from mirrored Disco balls and multi-hued floors to rad fashions and hair styles to all those iconic dances. Children will also appreciate Dave’s enthusiasm for Disco and empathize with his mishaps. Dave’s ability to turn disappointment into triumph is clearly demonstrated and inspiring.

Ages 4 – 8

Magination Press—American Psychological Association, 2026 | ISBN 978-1433848582

Jody Jensen Shaffer is an award-winning poet and the author of more than seventy books of fiction and nonfiction for children. Jody’s poetry and fiction have been published in magazines like Highlights, Ladybug, and Clubhouse Jr. She lives in Liberty, Missouri. Visit her at jodyjensenshaffer.com.

Yana Kozak is a Ukrainian children’s book illustrator living in France. She loves to create funny, emotional characters who are exploring the world. Follow her on Instagram.

National Reading Month Activity

Reading Fun Bookmarks to Color

Mark where you’ve stopped reading or your favorite page with these bookmarks you can color and make your own!

Just One More Page Bookmark | Happy Reading Bookmark

You can purchase Disco Dave from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

Picture Book Review

About the Holiday

Arthur’s Cat

By Johan Leynaud | Translated by Sarah Ardizzone

National Pet Month Activity

A Little Ball of Kitten

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There Are No Ants in This Book

Written by Rosemary Mosco | Illustrated by Anna Pirolli

National Picnic Day Activity

A Perfect Day for a Picnic! Maze

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Fiddlehead Forest: Little Habitats 2

By Jana Curll

Earth Day Activity

How Old Is This Tree?

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The Selfish Sister

Written by David Sedaris | Illustrated by Bob Staake

National Humor Month Activity

Silly Balloons

GOOFY FACES

CRAZY HAIR

BEND WATER

VOLLEYBALLOON

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About the Holiday

My Sister, Goose

Written by Alyssa Satin Capucilli | Illustrated by Hyewon Yum

Meet Alyssa Satin Capucilli

National Siblings Day Activity

Dress-Up Craft

Supplies

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About the Holiday

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Sheepy: A Sleepy Sheepy Story

Written by Lucy Ruth Cummins | Illustrated by Pete Oswald

World Sleep Day Activity

Fleecy Blanket or Pet Bed

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About the Holiday

Disco Dave

Written by Jody Jensen Shaffer | Illustrated by Yana Kozak

National Reading Month Activity

Reading Fun Bookmarks to Color

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