September 7 – Buy a Book Day

About the Holiday

Today is one of the best days of the year! Anyone who loves books will want to take the opportunity of the holiday to visit their favorite bookstore and buy one of those books you’ve been hearing and reading about. And why stop at just one? Winter is coming—that time when nothing feels better than snuggling into a cozy reading spot with a cup of tea or hot chocolate and reading the day (or night) away. As the school year begins, children benefit from having new books in their home libraries that reflect their changing interests, maturing thoughts. Take a little time to look through the children’s or tween sections of the bookstore and let your kids pick out some new favorites! Yes, today is a wonderful day, no bones about it!

Thank you to Hippo Park for sending me this book for review!

A Not-So-Scary Story

By Barney Saltzberg

Little Mouse hears something in the middle of the night and wakes up. Could it have been Big Mouse’s snoring? Little Mouse doesn’t know what woke him—just that he’s scared. He’s also wary of the dark since he usually sleeps through it. When Big Mouse seems to dive out of sight, Little Mouse begs him not to leave, but Big Mouse is just retrieving a flashlight. Ahhh, that’s better! Big Mouse then offers to tell Little Mouse a story, and Little Mouse is eager to hear it.

The story starts in the usual way, but then—with mood lighting courtesy of the flashlight—there’s an unidentifiable “THUMP!” and Little Mouse scurries under his blanket. The THUMPs come closer, and Little Mouse tells his friend he’s scaring him. Still, Little Mouse remains peeking out from his blanket to listen. Big Mouse gets to the big reveal, “Guess what it was?” Sensing an opportunity to change the story, Little Mouse shouts out the cutest thing he can imagine, and as Big Mouse tries to steer the story back on track, Little Mouse adds “butterfly wings” and “fluffy pink clouds.”

But you know how quickly the weather can turn, and Big Mouse fills the room with bone-rattling “BOOMs” and “CRACKLEs.” The two parry, until Little Mouse reveals that he doesn’t like being scared. Big Mouse has never heard of such a thing, and Little Mouse says he didn’t know “that being scared was something to like.” Now that he’s aware, Little Mouse is ready to get back to the story and even adds a few frightening elements of his own. Little Mouse is warming up to this new entertainment when suddenly a towering, green interloper appears from where the flashlight came from, putting Little Mouse’s new-found bravery to the test.

Barney Salzberg’s follow up to A Delicious Story reunites Big Mouse and Little Mouse in this endearing conversational story that rolls out with realistic cadence and timing that will have young readers simultaneously on the edge of their seat and giggling at Little Mouse’s playful interjections. Saltzberg’s reveal midway through explains Big Mouse’s counterintuitive response to Little Mouse’s fear while gently introducing ideas of trying new things, communicating, and appreciating alternate perspectives.

Saltzberg’s minimalist illustrations bring readers right into the room with Big Mouse and Little Mouse, immersing them in their creative back-and-forth to experience all of the friendship, chills, and humor of the story. The flashlight beam might even be considered a third character, highlighting, as it does, the action, emotions, and surprises in store. Saltzberg cleverly used the book’s gutter to add another dimension to this adorable tale.

Charming, and thoughtful, A Not-So-Scary Story is sure to become a favorite for lively and imaginative interactive read-alouds at home, in the classroom, and for library story times.

Ages 3 – 6

Hippo Park, 2026 | ISBN 978-1662640858

About the Author

Barney Saltzberg is the author of more than 50 books for children, including the best-selling Touch and Feel Kisses series, Beautiful Oops!, My Book of Beautiful Oops!, and Hippo Park’s A Delicious Story. Additionally, he’s recorded four albums of songs for children. His books have won numerous awards, including NAPPA Gold Awards, and received multiple starred reviews. Most recently, Melinda Gates chose Beautiful Oops! as one of her top three books every child should read. Visit him at barneysaltsberg.com.

Buy a Book Day Activity

Sing Along with Barney Salzberg!

Join Author and illustrator Barney Saltzberg in this rollicking, not-so-scary sing along!

You can purchase A Not-So-Scary Story from these booksellers

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Picture Book Review

September 2 – Friendship Month

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Friendship Month has been celebrated ever since the Oddfellows organization was established in England in the 1730s. Their official title is The Grand Order of Oddfellows Friendly Society (or GUOOFS), and it is an international organization dedicated to philanthropy, charity, and, of course, friendship. All month long people are encouraged to spend more time with their friends, get in touch with those they haven’t seen or talked to in a while, and to reach out to others who are alone or need a friend. As school gets underway, there are plenty of opportunities for kids to meet new people and form friendships – some of which may last a lifetime.

Thank you to Charlesbridge and Barbara Fisch at Blue Slip Media for sending me this book for review!

Ege and Ávra

Written by Evgenia Mantikas and Elifgül Büyükoral | Illustrated by Nazlı Tarcan

Ege, who lives on the east side of the Aegean Sea in Türkiye, is going fishing with her grandfather. “‘Do you think I’ll catch a çipura, Salih Dede?'” she asks. He doesn’t know, he tells Ege and adds “‘but the sea gives us what we need.'” A short way away on the west side of the Aegean Sea in Greece, Ávra asks her grandfather, “‘Pappoú, will I catch a tsipoúra?'” He answers “‘Perhaps. But the sea knows what is best for us.'” As the girls and their grandfathers steer their boats into fishing waters, they come upon each other in close proximity. Ege complains that Ávra’s boat is in their way, while Ávra fears Ege will steal their fish. Both grandfathers repeat their wisdom from the morning.

Illustration copyright © 2026 by Nazlı Tarcan. Text copyright © 2026 by Evgenia Mantikas and Elifgül Büyükoral. Published by Charlesbridge copyright © 2026.

As Ege and Ávra cast their fishing lines, they get hopelessly tangled. They pull and wrestle with their poles until Ege is thrown into a bucket and Ávra finds herself wrapped in a net. The two girls lock eyes while their grandfathers erupt in laughter. The girls laugh too, then, and introduce themselves, overcoming their language barrier by placing a hand over their heart as they say their name. Ávra offers Ege the corner of a net, and together they cast it into the sea.

It doesn’t take long before a school of fish swim into the net. With excitement, Ege shouts, “‘çipura!'” “‘Tsipoúra!'” Ávra cries. They stare at each other in awe; “their words for the fish sound the same!” Aboard their respective boats, Ege and Dede and Ávra and Pappoú cook lunch with some of the fish they’ve caught, spices, lemon, and vegetables. They gather on Pappoú’s boat, giving thanks before they begin. Afterward, there’s dessert—a favorite of everyone.

Too soon, it’s time for each family to return home. Ege and Ávra wave goodbye “until they both disappear into the horizon,” each believing that they will meet again. As the two girls drift off, with the sea air gently lulling them to sleep, they whisper “Good night” to the new friend they each made.

Back matter includes an Authors’ Note relating how Evgenia Mantikas and Elifgül Büyükoral met and became friends in college; a brief history of the clash between Türkiye and Greece, a map, and a glossary of Turkish and Greek terms in the story.

As children meet Ege and Ávra and their grandfathers at home and on their boats, they are privy—through visual and textual clues—to something neither girl yet knows: how similar they are. Instantly, readers become invested in how their meeting will play out, starting as it does with suspicion and grumbling. Throughout their story, Evgenia Mantikas and Elifgül Büyükoral beautifully use metaphor, humor, and lyrical prose to bring the two families together in the universal languages of laughter, food, and shared experiences. Büyükoral and Mantikas imbue their lovely, simple storytelling with true surprise and delight that will captivate both children and adults.

Children will eagerly linger over Nazlı Tarcan’s beautiful and evocative illustrations to point out the similarities between the girls as well as their grandfathers. Even the boats boast commonalities. Tarcan’s gorgeous color palette and expressive portraits suffuse her pages with feelings of camaraderie and peace. You can almost feel the sea breeze and smell the aromas wafting from the impromptu meal, and as the girls wish each other “Good night,” their wistful faces will fill readers hearts with hope.

A poignant and uplifting read aloud for meaningful story times, Ege and Ávra is a must for all public and school libraries and would be an exceptional addition to any home bookshelf.

Ages 4 – 8

Charlesbridge, 2026 | ISBN 978-1623546670

A third generation Greek American, Evgenia Mantikas grew up immersed in her family’s culture. She visited Xios every summer, reading for hours on the beach. Evgenia’s love for stories grew as she studied creative writing and received her BA and MA in English literature. After teaching ELA for two years, Evgenia returned to school and earned her MFA from Simmons University and uses her voice to tell cultural stories about family. You can visit her at evgeniamantikas.com.

Elifgül Büyükoral was born and raised in Türkiye, where her close-knit family nurtured her love for books. Elifgül delved into the world of literature and language when she earned her BA in ESL. Fueled by her passion for storytelling, Elifgül moved to the United States to receive her MA in children’s literature from Simmons University. Elifgül writes stories that shine light on her heritage and Islamic faith, hoping to amplify diverse voices. Follow her on Instagram.

Nazlı Tarcan is a Turkish artist and illustrator based in Namur, Belgium. After studying illustration in high school, she studied photography at one of Türkiye’s most prestigious fine art universities, Yildiz Technical University. Midway through her studies, she followed her creative call and ran away with the circus, performing for ten years, traveling through Qatar, Georgia, Tajikistan, Greece, France, Poland, and many other countries. As an artist, she takes inspiration from the tiny details of everyday life. Visit her at nazlisillustrations.com.

Friendship Month Activity

Give Me Your Hand! Puzzle

In this Give Me Your Hand! Puzzle, everyone is welcomed with a handshake. Offering friendship to all, the interchangeable pieces can be mixed and matched as the animals become buddies with one another.

Supplies

Printable colored Give Me Your Hand! Puzzle
Printable blank Give Me Your Hand! Puzzle
Colored pencils or crayons
Scissors
Heavy Stock paper (optional)
Poster board (optional)
Glue (optional)

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-UN-day-puzzle

Directions

Print the puzzle: to make the puzzle sturdier: Print on heavy stock paper or glue the page to poster board
Color the pictures with colored pencils or crayons
Cut the pieces apart
Switch the pieces around to make many alternate pictures

You can purchase Ege and Ávra from these booksellers

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Picture Book Review

August 27 – National Just Because Day

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Doesn’t today’s holiday sound relaxing? A whole day devoted to doing things “just because.” As the school year starts up again and the less structured days of summer fade, it’s fun to contemplate what you can do just because you feel like it, because it makes you happy, or because it’s something nice you want to do for someone else. With no expectations, no directions, and no nagging deadlines, today’s holiday lets you be the captain of your own actions and fate! So get out there and do that thing! You might surprise yourself and others—just like the little girl in today’s book!

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

A Very Good Parade

By Eleanor Davis

When Gabby, with her cape, crown, Tudor ruff-esque tutu, and exclamation-point topknot, waved her spatula and declared “It’s time for a parade!” she was initially met with reluctance. Miguel told her he didn’t “know how to do anything,” including playing the tuba sitting next to him. Gabby reassured him that the “horn is so good, you don’t even have to play it.” If that was the case, Miguel was ready to sign up and blew a weak breath—“pffsssfffssssss”—into the mouthpiece.

They continued down the block, Gabby inviting everyone to join the parade with “whatever you’ve got.” Hugo has lots of questions about who and what will be in the parade before demonstrating his talent for singing “Stayin’ Alive.” All Anthony has are his auntie’s oversized cowboy boots, but Gabby says to wear them and come along. Across the street they meet up with two girls who don’t want to miss snack time, so Gabby hands them three tubes of string cheese and wants to know what they’ll do in the parade.

As Gabby leads her growing parade to the park, she picks up drummers, acrobats, even a wild animal who all fulfill Hugo’s list, while deftly dispatching two bullies with a definitive “No, you aren’t” when they say they’re going to join the parade. When Gabby finally yells, “STOP! Now we will all perform!” the street erupts with roars and crash-bangs and singing and clomping and “pffsssfffssssss” from Miguel’s tuba. The parade ends with an unexpected flourish that makes the watching crowd go “wild” and Gabby’s pronouncement, “Now it is time for dinner!” that sends everyone home. Back at Gramma’s, Gabby proclaims her parade “‘was the best parade in the history of the whole entire universe.’ And it was. Gabby said so.”

When Eleanor Davis’s spunky and aptly named Gabby announces herself and her intentions to lead a parade on the first page, readers will find their lips curling into a smile that only becomes wider and never fades as the story progresses to its pitch-perfect ending. Focused and self-assured, Gabby marches out into the street where she spreads compliments, confidence, and acceptance (except for one very welcome rebuke of bullies) in her wake. Hilarious touches in the dialogue and illustrations will prompt laughs and a heartwarming embrace for this close neighborhood. Kids are sure to be charmed and inspired by the variety of talents this parade presents.

Davis’s warm, matte color palette is striking and fresh, highlighting the children while they also blend in as an integral part of the community. Her illustrations are fully realized with city scenes and humorous details, and readers will love to linger over all of the action as the kids make their way to the park. A Special Note about the book’s jacket and cover: the flip side of the jacket folds out to a full-length image of the parade performance, while the cover shows the neighborhood in quiet repose.

A Very Good Parade is a joyful celebration of childhood, individual personalities, and community that will be a favorite for “read it again!” story times. The book is a must for all public and school libraries as well as home bookshelves. If you are looking for a gift, A Very Good Parade will be much appreciated and loved.

Ages 4 – 8

Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2026 | ISBN 978-1419785733

About the Author

Eleanor Davis is an award-winning cartoonist making books for children and adults. Her recent graphic novel The Hard Tomorrow won the LA Times Book Prize for Best Graphic novel, and her early reader Stinky was celebrated with a Geisel Honor, among many other accolades. She is the illustrator of Traci N. Todd’s Make a Pretty Sound. A Very Good Parade is Eleanor’s author-illustrator picture book debut. She lives in Athens, Georgia, with her husband, fellow cartoonist Drew Weing, and their noisy and righteous child. Visit her at doing-fine.com.

National Just Because Day Activity

It’s Instrumental! Game

Play this fun game to gather all the instruments you need to create a music group or a parade! The first person to collect all 6 instrument cards is the winner!

Supplies

Printable Paper Cube Template
Printable Musical Instruments Cards—print one page for each player
Scissors
Tape

Directions

Print the Paper Cube Template, cut it out and assemble the cube die.
Print the Musical Instruments cards, cut out cards, and separate the instruments into piles
Players take turns rolling the die cube to collect musical instrument cards
The first player to collect all 6 instrument cards is the winner

You can purchase A Very Good Parade from these booksellers

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Picture Book Review

August 25 – Be Kind to Humankind Week

Posted by Kath Carroll

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

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Picture Book Review

August 18 – Serendipity Day

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

The word “serendipitous” was first coined in 1754 by Horace Walpole in a letter to a friend as he described a Persian fairy tale known in English as The Three Princes of Serendip. In the story, after three young men are banished from the kingdom of Serendip (commonly known as Sri Lanka) they travel the world to prove their worth and continuously enjoy surprisingly good luck—or serendipity—along the way. In 2001 author Madeleine Kay founded Serendipity Day to encourage people to live their lives believing that at any moment something wonderful may happen. Let today’s holiday inspire you to pay closer attention to those moments of serendipitous magic—from enjoying a bit of good luck to making a new friend—that occur each day. They’re all around us as long as we recognize and embrace them!

Thanks to Hippo Park for sending me a copy of this book for review!

The Stuffie Stand

By Maddie Frost

Moose had always love, love, LOVED stuffies. So when he got older, he began making his own, taking care with the stitching and filling to make sure they had “just the right amount of squish and [were] always one hundred percent cute.” It didn’t take long for Moose to open his own Stuffie shop called, appropriately, The Stuffie Stand. Pretty soon, he had lots of customers, the most enthusiastic of which was Mable.

Turned out, Mable made stuffies herself. But she liked to “bedazzle them with accessories.” She could even see herself selling her stuffies at The Stuffie Stand and moved right in, but Moose wasn’t feeling it. “Goodbye, little girl,” he said, as he removed Mable and her embellishments from his shop. It wasn’t as if Moose didn’t have any customers. He was plenty busy making his own designs and filling special orders. In fact, Moose was sew, sew, sew, sew busy that he couldn’t keep up with demand, and the quality of his stuffies began to decline.

Mable noticed that Moose was looking frazzled and offered to help, but Moose was adamant—until he suffered noodle arms—”a crafter’s worst nightmare”—and relented. Mable got right to work, and while the difference in their creating styles left Moose cringing sometimes, he discovered that “it was nice to have someone to share ideas with.” He even came to admire the bedazzled stuffies on the shelves, and when they opened the renamed Moose and Mable’s Stuffie Stand, Moose was happy to have found a partner—and a friend.

Maddie Frost infuses heart and humor into her DIY story of a moose who likes his stuffie creations simple and a girl who’s all about the bling. Moose’s perfectionist tendencies and Mable’s over-the-top enthusiasm clash in hilarious scenes between this unlikely pair while conveying a gentle reminder of the positive effects of varied influences and the unforeseen joys that can come from teamwork.

Moose and Mable’s facial expressions will have readers giggling throughout the story, and their final partnership will have them cheering for this lovable duo. Kids who go goggle-eyed over stuffies or other treasures will excitedly pore over The Stuffie Stand’s stock to pick their favorites and, perhaps, be inspired to make their own.

Pure read-aloud fun, with a squish of friendship here and a squeeze of collaboration there, The Stuffie Stand will leave readers in stitches and become a quick favorite in any library and home collection.

Ages 4 – 8

Hippo Park, 2026 | ISBN 978-1662641152

About the Author

Maddie Frost is an author-illustrator from Massachusetts. She has written and illustrated eleven picture books and graphic novels. Her obsession with 90s Nickelodeon cartoons started her love for characters and storytelling and then a love for picture books. She studied animation at Massachusetts College of Art and Design which further pushed her in the direction of children’s media. Visit her at maddie-frost.com.

National Serendipity Day Activity

The Stuffie Stand Activity Kit from Maddie Frost

Kids can learn how to draw Moose and Mable and color and fill a Stuffie Stand with their own creations with these The Stuffie Stand Activity Pages found on Maddie Frost’s website!

You can purchase The Stuffie Stand from these booksellers

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Picture Book Review

August 15 – World Greatness Day

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

World Greatness Day was established in 2019 by Professor Patrick Businge as a day to highlight the greatness in every person. The holiday encourages people to acknowledge their own unique brilliance, engage in the pursuits that bring them happiness and fulfillment, and thank their mentors or teachers, family, friends, and anyone who has had a positive impact on their lives. Children are just getting started on discovering who they are and what activities excite them. Today’s book celebrates children’s creativity, ingenuity, friendships, and empathy. Why not make every day Greatness Day and discover your and your children’s full potential!

Thank you to Charlesbridge for sending me a copy of Sounds of Trash for review!

Sounds of Trash (STEAMWORKS)

Written by Tina Athaide | Illustrated by Neha Rawat

Pran, Raúl, and Mira couldn’t wait for the annual block party. This year, though, it was being held in the park. This meant no electricity, and “no electricity meant no booming bhangra beats.” What was a party without music? Pran’s grandpa suggested they make their own music. But how? They didn’t have any instruments they could carry along. The three friends weren’t sure what to do. That night Pran had a dream, and in the morning he woke up with a fantastic idea.

Illustration copyright © 2026 by Neha Rawat. Text copyright © 2026 by Tina Athaide. Published by Charlesbridge © 2026.

When Raúl and Mira heard Pran’s idea to make their own instruments, they were both excited. They had four days to think and tinker and create. First, they brainstormed ideas and drew designs. Then they set off through the neighborhood to find materials and recyclables to make their instruments. They came back with their wagons full of cans, bottles, jars, and small items to turn into shakers. The next day, they searched their homes for anything that could become drums and drumsticks.

While the three friends were testing their instruments, other kids in the neighborhood heard the sounds and were inspired to make their own instruments too. On Friday—one day before the block party—Mira, Pran, and Raúl made stringed instruments that twanged, pinged, and thrummed. Saturday finally arrived, and they brought all of the instruments they’d made to the park. When they looked at them now, though, they worried that there weren’t enough for everyone. They were in for a surprise! As more and more neighbors arrived, many were playing their own homemade instruments! “It was a marvelous mash, all these sounds made from trash.”

“Picking up STEAM” Back matter includes a glossary; a discussion on the science of sound and how the type, size, and material of an instrument affects vibrations and sound; the various steps of the engineering design process; and an invitation for kids to create their own instruments.

Tina Athaide invites children to become creators through her infectious, enthusiastic storytelling. As readers follow Pran, Mira, and Raúl as they brainstorm designs, gather materials, and experiment with prototypes, Athaide demonstrates the steps of engineering design in a natural way that will excite and encourage kids to try it on there own.

Neha Rawat’s expressive illustrations teem with clear depictions of the designs the three friends make, including the number of items needed, their size, how the instruments will be played, and so much more. They also show that part of creating is experimenting as well as rejecting and rethinking plans that don’t work. Rawat’s portraits of the children’s eager collaboration and persistence over the four days are joyful and applicable for demonstrating cooperation in group projects.

Sounds of Trash is an inspiring story of ingenuity, creativity, and friendship that will spark independent explorations into the sciences of sound and engineering as well as creative pursuits at home and in the classroom. The book is a top pick for any library’s STEAM/STEM or picture book collection.

About STEAMWORKS Books from Charlesbridge

STEAMWORKS features children of all backgrounds and abilities using scientific and mathematical thinking to solve everyday problems and answer questions that matter to them. Playful stories and extension activities ignite excitement for science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) and empower children as thinkers, problem solvers, and innovators.

Ages 4 – 8

Charlesbridge, 2026 | ISBN 978-1623546847

About the Author

Tina Athaide is an educator and children’s book author who wrote the middle grade novel Orange For The Sunsets, which was awarded the Geoffrey Bilson Award by the Canadian Children’s Book Council, and Wings to Soar, as well as picture book Meena’s Mindful Moment. Tina was born in Uganda and emigrated to London and then Canada and now lives in Southern California. Visit her at tinaathaide.com.

About the Illustrator

Neha Rawat is a children’s book author-illustrator from India who loves stories that explore emotions, relationships, humor, culture, and diversity. She has illustrated many books, including Zuni and the Memory Jar, Masala Chai, Fast and Slow, and Buddha and the Rose. Visit her at neharawat.com.

You can purchase Sounds of Trash from these booksellers

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Cómo suena la basura (Spanish Edition) (STEAMWORKS)

Written by Tina Athaide | Illustrated by Neha Rawat | Translated by Anyeliz Pagan Munoz

Cuando Pran y sus amistades se enteran de que la fiesta del vecindario se trasladó al parque donde no habrá música, deciden encontrar la manera de que esta forme parte de la celebración. Después de algunas pruebas y más de un prototipo hecho con materiales reciclables, ¡están listos para ingeniar un día lleno de jazz y bhangra!

Illustration copyright © 2026 by Neha Rawat. Text copyright © 2026 by Tina Athaide. Published by Charlesbridge © 2026. Translation copyright © 2026 by Anyeliz Pagan Munoz.

Amplía lo aprendido más allá de la historia con el material de apoyo elaborado por expertos que incluye información adicional sobre el sonido y el proceso de ingeniería de diseño y actividades STEAM divertidas.

STEAMWORKS presenta a niños de diversos trasfondos y habilidades que utilizan el pensamiento científico-matemático para solucionar problemas cotidianos y responder a preguntas que les interesan. Estas historias lúdicas y las actividades de extensión despiertan el entusiasmo por la ciencia, la tecnología, la ingeniería, las artes y las matemáticas (STEAM) y empoderan a los niños para pensar, solucionar problemas e innovar.

Tina Athaide (tinaathaide.com) es educadora y autora de libros infantiles. Escribió la novela para niños de 8 a 12 años Orange for the Sunsets, la cual recibió el premio Geoffrey Bilson otorgado por el Canadian Children’s Book Council, y Wings to Soar, al igual que el libro ilustrado Meena’s Mindful Moment. Tina nació en Uganda y emigró a Londres, luego a Canadá y ahora vive en el sur de California.

Neha Rawat (neharawat.com) es autora e ilustradora de libros infantiles, proveniente de la India, y le encantan las historias que exploran las emociones, las relaciones, el humor, las culturas y la diversidad. Ha ilustrado numerosos libros, entre ellos Zuni and the Memory Jar, Masala Chai, Fast and Slow y Buddha and the Rose.

Ages 4 – 8

Charlesbridge, 2026 | ISBN 978-1623546854

You can purchase Cómo suena la basura from these booksellers

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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

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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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