August 25 – Be Kind to Humankind Week

About the Holiday

In 1988 Lorraine Jara of Toms River, New Jersey, realized there are so many ways to show kindness to others and bring hope to the world that one celebrated day just wasn’t enough. Instead, Lorraine created Be Kind to Humankind Week that runs for the last week of August and presents different themes for each day. It’s up to the individual to decide how they can make a difference to one person or many! Lorraine’s themes can spark lots of unique ideas for demonstrating kindness and making others—and yourself—happier not only this week but every day! Touch a Heart Tuesday encourages people to spread kindness and acceptance one heart at a time. Today’s book humorously shows kids the joys of being kind to our fellow beings—after all, we’re only human!

Be Kind to Humankind Week Themes

Sacrifice Our Wants for Others’ Needs Sunday
Motorist Consideration Monday
Touch a Heart Tuesday
Willing to Lend a Hand Wednesday
Thoughtful Thursday
Forgive Your Foe Friday
Speak Nice Words Saturday

Thanks to Margaret K. McElderry Books for sending me a copy of this book for review!

Spooky Scouts

By Kimberly Shrack

As kids join the story, Luna, a wolf pup, leads them in the Spooky Scouts Pledge, which goes, in part: “We are the Spooky Scouts! Monsters, true and kind, prepared for big adventures with our strong, creative minds.” Readers then meet the rest of Troop 13—Frances, Cal, Hattie, and George—and see some of the fun badges Luna has earned, including potion making, spectral photography, creepy cooking, and undead pet care. But it’s the annual camping trip in the “Darkenscary National Forest” that she loves the most.

Luna has a great feeling about this year’s trip until she finds out the “really bad” news that it’s the night of the full moon. It’s bad because “Luna has a secret.” On full-moon nights Luna turns into a “beast so icky it would give even the bravest Spooky Scout a wicked case of the heebie-jeebies.” Luna’s afraid that when the others find out what a “weirdo” she is, she’ll be banned from camping forever. Panic sets in, and Luna scrambles to find a solution.

Her first remedy, Moon Screen, gets washed off when her canoe overturns, and the hat she quickly fashions is blown away just as she’s enjoying her favorite camping treat: s’mores. Under the beaming moon, Luna begins to transform. In a moment, instead of the wolf they know, the scouts see . . . “a . . . HUMAN!” She explains the embarrassment that’s kept her from mentioning it before then leans into the Spooky Scouts pledge to be brave. “‘So,'” she says, “‘I’m done hiding . . . because there’s nothing braver than being honest about who you are.'”

The other scouts take Luna’s pronouncement to heart and begin revealing the secrets they’ve been hiding. Luna and the other scouts celebrate the fact that they’re “all weirdos” and when together can always be themselves.

If you’re scouting for a picture book with lovable characters, a clever surprise twist, and a rewarding message about acceptance and the courage to be yourself, you’ll find it in Kimberly Shrack’s original friendship story. From her Spooky Scouts Pledge (which kids will want to adopt as their own) to her funny illustrations peppered with puns and humorous mishaps to her graphic-novelesque elements, Shrack thrills and chills in all the right ways to make Spooky Scouts a book kids will take to heart and want to read again and again.

Ages 4 – 8

Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2026 | ISBN 979-8347101184

About the Author

Kimberly Shrack is an author and illustrator based in the Pacific Northwest. Like Luna, she is a s’mores enthusiast. Unlike Luna, she has not yet earned her badge for Dragon Fire Safety. Spooky Scouts is her debut picture book. Visit her at kimberlyshrack.com.

Be Kind to Humankind Week Activity

Kindness Cards

Here are some cheery cards to share! Give them to a friend, family member, teacher, your bus driver, or anyone to show them that you care and that they mean a lot to you!

Kindness Cards Sheet 1 | Sheet 2

You can purchase Spooky Scouts from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

Picture Book Review

August 10 – Get Ready for Kindergarten Month

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Starting Kindergarten is a major milestone in any child’s life and ushers in exciting growth in knowledge, friendships, and experiences. But the first step is getting to know their classmates, teachers, school staff, and bus drivers. And the first step to that is saying hello! Today’s book shares some fun insight on this important skill that ‘s unique to each child!

Thanks to Nosy Crow for sending me a copy of this book for review!

Say Hello Like an Armadillo: And Other Animal Greetings from Around the World

Written by Zewlan Moor | Illustrated by Karen Obuhanych

Walking into a room full of new people to meet can be a bit intimidating. Kids may wonder how they can begin to make friends in a new school, classroom, or activity group. In her original picture book, Zewlan Moor invites children to take inspiration from the animal kingdom in greeting others while showing their unique personality.

Illustration copyright © 2026 by Karen Obuhanych. Text copyright © 2026 by Zewlan Moor. Published by Nosy Crow, 2026.

Through Moor’s vivacious rhymes, kids meet a group of very different animals who all have one thing in common—an extraordinary way to greet others. From beluga whales that shake a fin and make clicking sounds to gorillas that express themselves with their whole body to fiddler crabs that really get into the rhythm of saying hello, all of the animals here are sure to delight children. As they giggle at some of these creatures’ antics or find comfort in other’s calmer demeanors, kids will discover that being themselves while meeting people is the perfect way to begin new friendships.

Following the story, readers learn about eight creatures and the fascinating ways they meet and greet others, send messages, and react to feeling afraid or shy.

In her joyful mixed-media illustrations, Karen Obuhanych follows a group of kids as they enter their classroom (some more reluctantly than others), meet each other and their teacher for the first time, and end the day as happy, cohesive friends. In between, readers discover that each child has their own way of presenting themself and interacting with others as they join an animal or other creature that matches their personality and communication style. Obuhanych’s bright, bold images will charm and amuse children while boosting their self-confidence and self-esteem.

Fun, reassuring, and enlightening, Say Hello Like an Armadillo is an uplifting and jaunty read-aloud. Dynamic sound and action words accompanying each verse will inspire participation, making this a fantastic addition to circle time or story time in any classroom or library. The book is highly recommended for any children’s book collection.

Ages 4 – 8

Nosy Crow, 2026 | ISBN 979-8887771168

About the Author

Zewlan Moor (pronounced “SHOO-len”) is a children’s author, medical doctor, and bibliotherapist. To keep up, she writes while wearing her surgical scrubs, in between dashing off to the hospital. Despite living on the Gold Coast of Australia, she prefers books and boardgames to the beach. Unbelievable! She can say hello―and not much else―in her heritage languages of Tagalog, Spanish, Mandarin, and German. But her favorite way to say hello is the triple scoop! Visit her at zewlanmoor.com.

About the Illustrator

Karen Obuhanych is an author-illustrator living on the Big Island of Hawaii with her family, including two crazy cats, a spotted pig dog, various fish, and one glowing axolotl. She wrote and illustrated This Little Kitty and This Little Kitty in the Garden and has illustrated several books for young readers. Inspired by Hawaii and the simple joys in life, you will often find Karen drawing or cutting bits of paper to capture the everyday moments that make us smile. Karen’s favorite way to say hello is “Smile, smile . . . WAVE!” Visit her at ktoart.com.

Get Ready for Kindergarten Month Activity

Say Hello like an Armadillo Discussion Questions Postcard

Educators and parents can engage their kids in talking about how to greet new friends with the thoughtful and conversation-prompting questions on this Say Hello like an Armadillo Postcard from Nosy Crow found on Zewlan Moor’s website!

You can buy Say Hello Like an Armadillo and Other Animal Greetings from Around the World from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

Picture Book Review

June 8 – National Raspberry Day

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

What is summer without the luscious taste of raspberries? These little berries are perfect for breakfast in your yogurt, for lunch as an upgrade for a usual peanut butter and jam sandwich, and for dinner in a special sauce or salad. And of course there are so many ways raspberries can elevate dessert! Raspberries can even make an outing with friends so much better, as you’ll see in today’s book. So while these favorite treats are in season, plan a trip to a farmers market or a pick-your-own field for a berry fun day!

Thank you to Scholastic for sending me a copy of this book for review!

Just for Today (A Maybe Tomorrow Book)

Written by Charlotte Agell | Illustrated by Ana Ramírez González

As soon as Norris sees Elba, he can tell that she’s been up all night worrying. He offers to talk about it with her, but she declines. Norris tries another tack, telling Elba “‘sometimes worry is when you tell yourself the wrong story'” and suggesting that “‘just for today'” she tries telling herself “‘a different story.'” Elba is game to try. To start off, Norris decides on a happy ending to aim for then prompts a story with Elba’s help about two good friends who sail off on their boat.

Illustration copyright © 2026 by Ana Ramírez González. Text copyright © 2026 by Charlotte Agell. Courtesy of Scholastic.

Elba is excited to hear they have a boat, which inspires Norris to actually build a boat with wood and nails he has lying around. Elba helps, and soon they have the Adventure to float down the river to have a picnic. On shore, Norris unpacks their basket to find lots of goodies. . . but no Elba? Where could she be? Norris was “having too many thoughts. All those thoughts were turning into worries!”

Suddenly, Elba finds herself sailing off with the current and then, with a bump, she’s in the water. Realizing Norris can’t hear her cries for help, she finds her way to shore and clambers onto dry land. There, in front of her, is a raspberry thicket full of luscious fruit—her and Norris’s favorite! She nibbles a red raspberry while singing a comforting song to herself then sets off up the riverbank to find her friend. When she’s greeted by one of the butterflies that always hovers around Norris, Elba knows she is on the right path.

Norris, meanwhile, is full of worries that only grow as he tries not to worry. But then, he hears a voice he recognizes, and soon Elba appears. She’s surprised to learn that Norris was worried and that “everyone worries sometimes.” Elba pulls Norris along to see the raspberries she found, as they talk about how their worries actually helped them. They list the things they’ve lost as well as the things they haven’t and celebrate the raspberries they can have for lunch. They finish the story they were telling—short and sweet and all about their friendship—and it will always be their favorite.

Charlotte Agell’s Just for Today, the second book in her Maybe Tomorrow series brings best friends Elba and Norris back together to reassure young readers when they feel worried or overwhelmed. Through her gentle storytelling, Agell lets children know that they are not alone in experiencing the physical jitters and swirling thoughts that can feel paralyzing while giving them a concrete way to reframe the ideas in their mind. Her advice to concentrate on “just today” or simply a task at hand helps kids manage their emotions which fosters self-confidence. This lesson is clearly demonstrated through Elba and Norris’s close friendship, Elba’s uplifting internal dialogue, and the way Elba counters Norris’s regrets on losing their boat and food with positive aspects of the day.

Ana Ramírez González’s vibrant mixed-media illustrations engage readers with lovely landscapes and sweetly drawn depictions of Elba and Norris together. Norris and Elba’s changing emotions are evident and realistic, subtly moving between worry, fear, happiness, and contentment and giving children and adults a range of feelings to talk about.

Comforting and affirming, Just for Today is a balm for the worries and uncertainties of daily life and a book that children and adults will love to share.

Ages 4 – 8

Scholastic Press, 2026 | ISBN 978-1546181323

About the Author

Charlotte Agell was born in Norsjo, Sweden, and grew up in Montreal, Canada. She is the mother of two grown children and is a retired public-school teacher living in Maine. Charlotte is the author and illustrator of several picture books, chapter books, and young adult fiction published in Canada and abroad. Her Scholastic Press debut, Maybe Tomorrow? was hailed by School Library Journal as a story that offers “hope that the world can be a beautiful place.” Learn more at charlotteagell.com.

About the Illustrator

Ana Ramírez González is a New York Times bestselling illustrator, as well as a film director, production designer, and visual development artist who has worked on many high-profile films, including Pixar’s Academy Award-winning Coco. Ana grew up in Guanajuato, Mexico, and lives in San Francisco, California. Learn more about her work at anaramirezgonzalez.com.

National Raspberry Day Activity

Just for Today Activity Pages

Kids can help Elba get together with Norris for a day of fun and write their own story in these two Just for Today Activity Pages from Scholastic!

You can purchase Just for Today from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

June 25 – National Day of Joy

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

The National Day of Joy encourages everyone to look for simple moments and expressions of happiness in daily life. Cheerful smiles and greetings, random acts of kindness, upbeat moods, and general positivity can affect not only immediate interactions but our moods and our health. To honor the day and the idea, find ways to start each morning with a positive attitude for the day to come. Need ideas for how to get started? Say “Hello” to those you meet, listen to and encourage others, happily help out where needed, send a surprise letter, card, or text to a friend or family member far away. And, of course, doing something fun with your kids always makes the day better. Today’s book shows how simple pleasures and hard-won accomplishments can bring a special kind of joy to all ages.

Thank you to Abrams Books for Young Readers for sending me this book for review!

Robin and the Stick

By E. B. Goodale

“Robin always had a stick.” Sticks were Robin’s go-to for playing, decorating, and general all-around love. It was easy finding sticks—right outside his window, an old tree “rained them down as it blew in the wind.” Every morning as mama lifted Robin into the air, she said, “‘Today you are the biggest you’ve ever been!'” Robin wasn’t sure what she meant. One day when Robin and Mama went for their walk, they encountered “the best stick Robin had ever seen.”

The stick was so large it blocked the sidewalk, and even though Robin tried every way to lift it, this stick didn’t budge. Mama explained that it was a branch—a stick too heavy to pick up. Every day, Robin tried different ways to lift it, but never could. Then one morning the day began as usual, plus “one hundred kisses” from Mama, before they went outside, where the branch still waited. This time Robin put every ounce of strength into the mission and suddenly, Robin was holding it aloft! Robin dragged the branch home, proudly thinking “today I’m the biggest I’ve ever been!” and knowing the perfect way to use this prize.

E. B. Goodale’s debut book in her “Robin’s World” series for the youngest readers is infused with the joy of growing and learning and will make you smile from beginning to end. In her adorably pint-sized book, Goodale plays with notions of change and growth as well as young and old. Robin is shown in various perspectives—small at home and when first encountering the branch to larger closeups of Robin’s day-to-day efforts to lift it. On the day of Robin’s ultimate success, Goodale mirrors the image of Robin’s first sight of the branch, but from the opposite side. Now Robin fills the page, while the branch, shown along the illustration’s narrowing path, appears much smaller than before.

Readers suddenly join Robin in the idea that today may just be the day—and, indeed, it is! As Robin lifts the branch and proudly drags it into the house, adults will appreciate the mother’s comically accepting stance at the door. Goodale’s heartwarming black-and-white monoprint and oil paint illustrations, tapped with red in Robin’s coat and Mama’s uplifting phrase, also highlight concrete moments and Robin’s focused attention.

A joyful book for offering encouragement, celebrating milestones, inspiring imagination, looking back and looking forward, Robin and the Stick is a must for every library collection and a story adults and children will enjoy at home for years. The book makes a wonderful gift for baby showers and new parents. The lack of pronouns makes it a universal story for any child.

Ages 3 – 6

Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2026 | ISBN 978-1419780837

E. B. Goodale can often be found wandering in her local arboretum, looking for the perfect stick. She is the author/illustrator of The Moon Remembers, Also, and Under the Lilacs, and has illustrated many other books for children, including Windows by Julia Denos, and The Bees of Notre-Dame by Meghan P. Browne. She lives with her family under a big old tree in coastal Massachusetts. Visit her at ebgoodale.com.

National Day of Joy Activity

Robin and the Stick Coloring Page

Join Robin for exploration and fun with this coloring page! Parents, caregivers, and teachers can find this activity as well as a video of E. B. Goodale talking about making of Robin’s World on E. B. Goodale’s website.

You can purchase Robin and the Stick from these booksellers

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Picture Book Review

June 12 – National Pet Appreciation Week

Posted by Kath Carroll

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

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

Picture Book Review

May 11 – Celebrating Monday

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Mondays! Blah, right? Goodbye to the freedom of the weekend and hello—again—to the pressures and stresses of work or school. Monday may not feel like something to celebrate, but the day can mean a new beginning too, a time to reflect on everything you have accomplished in the past and how you can meet new challenges head on. So with optimism and enthusiasm, let’s celebrate Monday, today and every week!

Thank you to Bloomsbury Children’s Books for sending me this book for review!

Find The Sun

By Andy Harkness

Eddie woke up to a rainy Monday. Mondays made him worry, so he went right back to bed, “curled beneath the covers,” and “hugged Rabbit tight.” When he opened his eyes, he found that instead of in his room, he was in the midst of a storm. A little cloud had even “settled softly on his head.” With aplomb Rabbit, now come to life, proposed a journey to find the sun. “Eddie froze” in the face of this choice: to stay or go. But he reached out his hand, and they rose high into the sky, Eddie became afraid, but Rabbit reassured him. “‘We can’t find the sun by staying low,'” he said.

At last they saw a bit of gold breaking through the clouds. They floated toward it, but a sudden gust of wind rocked them and they fell back to earth. Eddie feared the river waiting to catch them. But the water was calm, and Eddie began to enjoy floating along. The river, however, flowed into a cave. Eddie was afraid of the dark, but Rabbit told him “‘It’s only in the darkest of darks that we shine the brightest.'” And it was true. Inside the cave the stars shimmered and Eddie felt brave enough to lead the way.

When they emerged from the cave, Eddie and Rabbit were met with a hedge maze. Eddie loved mazes and ran inside without hesitation. The maze meandered and had dead ends, but Eddie ran here and there, joyfully exploring and finding his way. He felt happy and strong and suddenly realized that he’d “found the sun” inside himself. And when he awoke, Eddie knew he “was ready for Monday.”

For Eddie, it seems, Monday isn’t just a day of the week, it’s become a state of mind. He has worries, is fearful, and practices avoidance. Even as his transformational dream begins, Eddie is enveloped by the storm he feels inside. Andy Harkness understands that many children may experience these emotions, not only about Mondays but when faced with many unfamiliar experiences. Through Rabbit’s guidance, Harkness offers encouragement and wisdom and shows readers that trying new things brings an educated perspective and growing confidence.

Harkness’s gorgeous, multidimensional illustrations are a marvel. Beginning as pencil sketches each element was “sculpted” in virtual reality and given color and textures from photos of actual clay. The result is a brilliant immersive environment that invites readers into Eddie’s bedroom, across a lush rolling landscape, through a magical cave, and into the incredible maze, where each leaf of the hedges is visible. The final spread of the city park on Monday morning is breathtaking in its glorious mottled hues, reflections in a pond, and the image of Eddie striding confidently to meet the day.

Find the Sun is a story readers of all ages will relate to and appreciate and would be a favorite addition to any library or home collection.

Ages 3 – 6

Bloomsbury Children’s Books, 2026 | ISBN 978-1547618767

When he wakes on this particular Monday, it’s beginning to rain—a mirror of his emotions. He hopes to escape by going back to sleep.

About the Author-Illustrator

Andy Harkness is the author and illustrator of Wolfboy, which received two starred reviews, and of Bug Zoo. He is an award-winning art director who has worked on Moana, Frozen, and Wreck-it-Ralph, among other movies. After twenty-five years at Disney, he moved to Sony Pictures Animation. He is currently at Skydance Animation, where he is the production designer on an upcoming project. He lives in California with his family. You can follow him on Instagram @andyharkness.

Celebrating Monday Activity

Follow the Sun! Maze

Help the group of kids find the sun so they can follow where it leads!

Follow the Sun! Maze | Follow the Sun! Maze Solution

You can purchase Find the Sun 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

About the Holiday

Spooky Scouts

By Kimberly Shrack

Be Kind to Humankind Week Activity

Kindness Cards

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About the Holiday

Say Hello Like an Armadillo: And Other Animal Greetings from Around the World

Written by Zewlan Moor | Illustrated by Karen Obuhanych

Get Ready for Kindergarten Month Activity

Say Hello like an Armadillo Discussion Questions Postcard

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About the Holiday

Just for Today (A Maybe Tomorrow Book)

Written by Charlotte Agell | Illustrated by Ana Ramírez González

National Raspberry Day Activity

Just for Today Activity Pages

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About the Holiday

Robin and the Stick

By E. B. Goodale

National Day of Joy Activity

Robin and the Stick Coloring Page

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About the Holiday

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

Written by Kailei Pew | Illustrated by Estrela Lourenço

National Pet Appreciation Day Activity

Super Villains in Training Activity Pages

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About the Holiday

Find The Sun

By Andy Harkness

Celebrating Monday Activity

Follow the Sun! Maze

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About the Holiday

Mama Says I’m Fine

Written by Brittney Cooper | Illustrated by Tamisha Anthony

National Hug Holiday Week Activity

Mama Says I’m Fine Activity Pages

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