July 2 – National Pickle Month

About the Holiday

July is made for picnics and picnics are made for pickles! If your sandwich or hot dog is just not the same without the tang of pickles or you love nothing more than biting into a crunchy gherkin, dill, or other variety, then this holiday is for you! Instituted in 1949 with encouragement by the Pickle Packers, this observance celebrates the popularity of pickles. An eye-popping 5,200,000 pounds of pickles are eaten in the US every year! Pickles have a storied history, going back thousands of years to 2030 BC, when pickling was used as a preservative. Even Cleopatra and Julius Caesar lauded the beauty and strengthening properties of pickles! So, if you relish pickles by themselves or incorporated into your favorite dish—enjoy!

Thanks to Tundra Books for sending me this book for review!

The Wise Pickle

Written by Sarah Howden | Illustrated by Sabina Hahn

One day, a pickle appeared “on the side of the road, against the wall of a dry cleaners” and, speaking into the ether, took stock. “‘I am a pickle on the side of the road. . . I have lived a lot of life.'” Hearing this, animals began to gather and seek answers from the pickle’s seemingly vast store of knowledge. A rat propped the pickle upon a pillow, and from there it made pronouncements, both philosophical and mystical. When a mouse offered the pickle a crumb, the pickle said, “‘I’m here to feed others, not to eat.'”

Illustration copyright © 2026 by Sabina Hahn. Text copyright © 2026 by Sarah Howden. Courtesy of Tundra Books.

Over hours and days, this gherkin guru’s followers hung on its every word, even as their mentor shriveled in the hot sun. Their questions ranged from the proverbial “‘Why are we here?'” to the more pointed “‘How did you get here?'” The pickle was generous with its answers, revealing that it “‘used to live underwater . . . in a salty brine like the sea, but with more garlic,'” and sharing its inauspicious, yet shocking, past and its last wishes.

As the pickle’s prospects grew bleak, the animals accommodated its final desire and gathered to say goodbye. But this extraordinary pickle’s mission is not finished. In fact, its influence may just be taking off.

Smart, funny, and steeped in the tart and tangy pleasures of absurdism, Sarah Howden’s ingenious story will keep kids and adults laughing at its melding of droll humor, parody, and endearing characters. Her deft touch with straightforward storytelling amplifies her beguiling descriptions and laugh-out-loud dialogue, leaving readers happily enlightened. Howden’s enigmatic hero is one readers will never forget.

From the moment the pickle bounces onto the scene, Sabina Hahn’s deadpan graphite pencil and watercolor illustrations hilariously trace the pickle’s elevation from sidewalk curiosity to enthroned guru. The pickle’s wide, staring eyes express subtle emotions as the animals gather, their paws clasped in reverence as they lean in to learn his story and absorb his wisdom. Infused with sincerity, Hahn’s simply composed images are as charming as they are farcical, a perfect match for Sarah Howden’s story.

The Wise Pickle is a hilarious, contemplative story that all ages will eat up and request again and again. It is a must for any library or home collection and would make a delectable gift for any child.

Ages 4 – 8

Tundra Books, 2026 | ISBN 978-1774886984

Sarah Howden is the author of several books for children, including Cone Cat, Cone Dog and The Tunnel. Her poems have been published in Grain and Jones Av., and stories in Chirp and Chickadee magazines. Sarah is also an editor at Orca Book Publishers, where she enjoys helping other writers sculpt their stories. She works out writing conundrums on walks around her neighborhood or by distracting herself with snacks (she won’t say no to a crunchy pickle). Having grown up in the Niagara Region, she now lives in Toronto with her husband, daughter, and two mischievous cats. Follow her on Instagram.

Illustrator, animator and sculptor Sabina Hahn has been a voracious reader and an unstoppable doodler her whole life, which has led her into the world of children’s books. She loves stories, tall tales and most importantly, pickles. Sabina grew up in Riga, Latvia, and now lives in New York. Visit her at sabinahahn.com.

National Pickle Month Activity

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-pickle-maze

Pack a Peck of Pickles Puzzle

The pickle jar has toppled over! Can you pick up the pickles in the maze to pack them in the jar again?

Pack a Peck of Pickles Puzzle | Pack a Peck of Pickles Puzzle Solution

You can purchase The Wise Pickle from these booksellers

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Picture Book Review

June 30 – Honoring George Washington on America’s 250th Anniversary

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

On July 4th America will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia on July 4, 1776. This foundational document, adopted by delegates to the Continental Congress, summarized the colonists’ motivations for severing their ties with Great Britain to become an independent country. George Washington’s leadership—as a young man, through the war for independence, and as president—set a high standard for future politicians and presidents. Today’s book honors Washington’s legacy.

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

George Washington: A Revolutionary Life

By Tim Grove

Absorbing and surprising, George Washington: A Revolutionary Life presents the biography of the man who became America’s first president as well as a look at 18th-century life and social constructs. George Washington looms large over the history of the United States, just as his stature in a crowd commanded attention—George stood 6 feet 2 inches, while the average man was around 5 feet 2 inches. As historian and author Tim Grove eloquently reveals, George Washington influenced much more than our nation’s war for independence and nascent government. He was a savvy experimental farmer, entrepreneur, spy, and leader—and all without formal education past the age of 14.

With a natural curiosity and penchant for continuous education, George leapt at a wide range of opportunities to learn from books and the people he met on his many professional and military excursions. He incorporated all of his experiences, including defeats as well as success, into a world view that informed his opinions on farming and British rule, his actions during wartime, finesse in negotiating, and his leadership in building a new government.

Having inherited farmland from his father at the age of 11 and an estate including Mount Vernon at age 20, following his brother’s death, as well as attaining another vast estate with his marriage to Martha Dandridge Custis at the age of 27, George Washington was an enslaver throughout his life. Grove points to private correspondence in which he expressed his sincere wishes to “see a plan adopted for the abolition of [slavery]” and his freeing of William Lee in his will to demonstrate Washington’s evolving opinion on the inhumanity of slavery. Ultimately, however, Washington bowed to the authority of the Virginia legislature to affect this change.

The stories of enslaved men, women, and children, including Ona Judge, Martha Washington’s personal maid; William Lee, Washington’s valet; and Doll, Mount Vernon’s chief cook, are woven throughout Grove’s narrative in detailed sections, giving readers a view of their lives at Mount Vernon.

Readers also meet and get to know the strong and influential women in Washington’s life, including his mother, Mary Ball Washington; his wife Martha Dandridge Custis Washington; Catharine Macaulay Graham, an “English political thinker”; and Elizabeth Willing Powel, who hosted and participated in political and philosophical discussions among the delegates to the Constitutional Convention at her home.

Tim Grove concludes with examples of George Washington’s continuing legacy that we as a country still celebrate today. Images of maps, paintings, photographs, documents, and other types of primary sources liberally accompany nearly every page, helping readers visualize and understand colonial life. Back matter includes a timeline of George Washington’s life, notes for every chapter with links to online sources, an Author’s Note, and an Index.

Tim Grove’s George Washington: A Revolutionary Life is a thoughtful and thoroughly fascinating biography of George Washington that reveals him as a remarkable and astute man, who with courage and humility united disparate colonies toward one goal while setting America and her system of government apart as an example of what democracy could achieve. Grove’s writing is not just accessible, it is riveting. His engaging text, which flows smoothly and quickly, clearly explains important concepts, connecting the culture of yesteryear and today in ways that readers of all ages can appreciate.

George Washington: A Revolutionary Life is a must for all public and school library collections as well as for classroom history and government classes. History buffs of all ages will find the book an immersive and enlightening reference for home bookshelves as well.

Ages 10 – 14+

Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2026 | ISBN 979-8887076461

About the Author

Historian Tim Grove has written several books for young readers. His book Star-Spangled was named a Best Book of 2020 by Kirkus Reviews and the Chicago Public Library, and First Flight Around the World was a finalist for the American Library Association’s YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction award. He holds a graduate degree in history and an undergraduate degree in journalism. Grove’s career has included positions at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery, National Air and Space Museum, and National Museum of American History. Grove lives in Falls Church, Virginia. Visit him at timgrove.net.

About Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon is owned and maintained for the people of the United States by the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association of the Union, a private, nonprofit organization (501c3) founded in 1853. At the forefront of the field, the Association is the oldest national historic preservation organization in the country. It is directed by a board of regents, comprised solely of women, who represent nearly 30 states. The Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association preserves, restores, and manages the estate of George Washington and educates visitors and people throughout the world about the life and legacies of American’s first president.

You can purchase George Washington: A Revolutionary Life from these booksellers

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Picture Book Review

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 24 – It’s Hurricane Season

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

If you live in a coastal area, you’re used to watching for hurricanes during the summer and fall. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, while the Eastern Pacific season begins a month earlier. Meteorologists and wary residents follow these tropical cyclones as they swirl across the ocean, threatening any landmass in their way. To be categorized as a hurricane, the storm must possess sustained winds of or above 74 miles per hour. You can learn more about hurricanes from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration website. Kids can learn ten facts about hurricanes on the National Geographic Kids website.

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

Tajín and the Twelve Thunders: A Pre-Columbian Myth

By Magaly Morales

Tajín was a fun-loving, mischievous boy who wanted nothing more than for the animals to play with him, but even the monkeys, jaguars, and macaws ran away from him. Tajín went to the wise god Quetzalcóatl to ask why no one would play with him. Quetzalcóatl told him that he must learn to be more gentle, and sent him to learn from the Twelve Thunders, saying “‘they bring harsh storms, but they also bring calming rains.'” Tajín walked through the jungle to the Pirámide de los Nichos, the home of the Twelve Thunders.

When Tajín met the Thunders, he discovered that his reputation as a “troublemaker” was well-known, and the Thunders rejected him, despite his offer to cook and clean. At last one of the Thunders convinced the others to give Tajín a chance, and they relented. As he helped with the work, Tajín learned when to be gentle and when more strength was needed.

Then one day it rained, and Tajín knew the Thunderclouds were nearby. He went out to watch and witnessed how the wind swirled with a wave of their capes, how stomping their boots caused ground-shaking thunder, and how brandishing their lightening bolts lit up the sky. When the Thunders returned, Tajín begged them to teach him their art, but they told him he wasn’t ready.

One hot day when he was left alone, Tajín went to the Thunders’ storage chest and gathered boots, a cloak, and a lightning bolt. Tajín danced lightly, and a gentle, cooling rain fell. But then he began dancing wildly, and “the rain raged and the winds swirled.” The trees, lashed and bent, tossed the monkeys from their branches. The oceans rose in enormous, crashing waves. Tajín watched sea creatures playing in the wild waves. “What fun that looks! he thought.” But the Thunders were angry. They ordered Tajín to come down, but he refused and ran away. When the Thunders cleverly caught him, his fortunes were forever changed.

Back matter includes an Author’s Note, in which Magaly Morales reveals her connection to the myth, a short history of the region of El Tajín as well as the meaning of the name “Tajín,” two photographs of the Pirámide de los Nichos (Pyramid of Niches), and a select bibliography.

Magaly Morales hooks children from the start as Tajín’s antics alienate his other would-be playmates, leaving only him and young readers to meet the twelve Thunders and learn Tajín’s fate. Morales immerses kids in the Thunders’ deliberations to let Tajín stay with them and the resulting non-stop action that leads to suspense and a surprise ending. Morales’s distinctive illustrations are prismatic masterpieces, sizzling with the heat of their Mexican setting and the vividness of this child-centric origin story of how the first hurricanes were created. Images of the twelve Thunders at work will wow children as will the lush natural scenery.

Tajín and the Twelve Thunders: A Pre-Columbian Myth is a rousing read-aloud, which could also easily be converted into a play for classroom settings. The story will delight children, and its rambunctious protagonist is sure to guarantee requests for repeat readings. The book is a superb addition for any library collection.

Ages 4 – 8

Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2026 | ISBN 978-1419768859

About the Author

Magaly Morales is the illustrator of several picture books, including What Can You Do with a Paleta?, a Tomás Rivera Mexican American Children’s Book Award winner; The Courage of the Little Hummingbird: A Tale Told Around the World; and Pura’s Cuentos: How Pura Belpré Reshaped Libraries with Her Stories, which received starred reviews in Booklist, Kirkus, and Publishers Weekly. Tajín and the Twelve Thunders is Morales’s debut book as both writer and illustrator. She was born and lives in Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico.

Hurricane Season Activity

Catch the Wind! Windsock Craft

You can feel the wind in your hair and see it blowing through the trees, but can you actually catch it? You can with this easy-to-make windsock!

Supplies

1 large yogurt container (32 oz) or 1-pound deli salad container
1 long-sleeve T-shirt
Strong glue
Dowel, 5/8 diameter x 48-inches long or longer
String
Rubber band
sewing seam ripper or cuticle scissors
X-acto knife or Scissors

Directions

Remove the sleeve from a long-sleeve t-shirt with the seam ripper or scissors
Cut the shoulder off the sleeve by cutting straight across from the underarm seam
Cut 2 inches from the bottom of the yogurt container OR cut the bottom out of the deli container
With the X-acto knife or scissors, make a hole a little smaller than the diameter of the dowel about 1 inch from the rim of the container
Slide the container into the large opening of the sleeve
Fold about a ¾ -inch edge over the rim of the container and attach all along the rim with strong glue
Put the rubber band around the outside edge of the opening
Tie the bottom of the sleeve’s cuff together with the string
To attach the dowel: Option 1: leaving the t-shirt in place, push the dowel and material through the hole in the container. The t-shirt material will hold the dowel in place (I used this option). Option 2: cut a small hole in the t-shirt at the location of the hole in the container. Push the dowel through this hole and the hole in the container. Secure with strong glue
Stick your windsock in the ground in an open area where it can catch the wind. As the wind changes direction, you can turn your windsock so the opening faces the wind.

You can purchase Tajín and the Twelve Thunders: A Pre-Columbian Myth from these booksellers

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Picture Book Review

June 15 – Get Ready for Juneteenth

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

This week Juneteenth became America’s eleventh federal holiday when President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law on June 17. Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery and celebrates the historical date of June 19, 1865, when Union army general Gordon Granger came to Galveston, Texas to read “General Order #3,” which proclaimed the emancipation of the 250,000 slaves held in Texas. On the one-year anniversary of the proclamation, freedmen in Texas organized the first Jubilee Day, which became an annual event. Celebrations later spread across the south and then nationwide. The day includes parades, festivals, music, readings by prominent African American writers, educational events and barbecues, complete with refreshing strawberry soda. You can learn more about Juneteenth on the website for the Smithsonian Museum’s National Museum of African American History & Culture.

Juneteenth Is

Written by Natasha Tripplett | Illustrated by Daniel O’Brien

Juneteenth starts early for one young girl who’s awakened by the tantalizing aroma of brisket in her father’s smoker. Before the sun is fully risen, she, her family, and the whole neighborhood are heading out to the center of town to find a spot and set their chairs to watch the parade. As a group of young dancers passes by, accompanied by a freedom song on the horns, the girl’s mama calls them a “hope for tomorrow.”

Illustration copyright © 2024 by Daniel O’Brien. Text copyright © 2024 by Natasha Tripplett. Courtesy of Chronicle Books.

Following the parade the girl’s extended family gather at her grandaddy’s house, where black, red, and green flags join hugs, fist bumps, and forehead kisses in welcome. The girl says, “Warmth floods my soul. Juneteenth is being thankful to be together.” Soon the house is full of aunties and uncles, cousins, neighbors, and play-cousins. Music fills the air from the boombox. “Juneteenth is ladies singing in the kitchen.” After sweet watermelon and a pickup game, it’s time for dinner. Everyone circles the table, holding hands. “Juneteenth is prayer.”

But this meal of old family recipes and reminiscences represents more—”Red in the sauce, red in the soda, red in the watermelon, red velvet cake. Red in the suffering.”—and the history of this holiday now takes center stage. As the girl and her young cousins look at the wall of family photographs, Grandaddy explains that Juneteenth is “about the door of opportunity no longer slamming in our faces” and “remembering lives long before our memories. Sweat on our brows. Cotton in our fingers. The straw that broke our mighty back.” The girl feels her history deep in her heart.

Grandaddy then talks about June 19, 1865—The American Day of Freedom, when General Granger came to Galveston, Texas and read the Proclamation that freed slaves. The day two years after Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. It was a freedom that looked into a future forged by leaders like Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King, Jr., Barack Obama and demonstrated with the first Juneteenth parade in 1866 and fought for and defended with marches ever since.

As the day ends, the girl’s family congregates in the yard for a final photograph. “Juneteenth is all of us,” she says. “We are America.”

Natasha Tripplett’s beautifully composed multigenerational story wraps readers in the camaraderie and loving support of one girl’s extended family and friends as they come together to celebrate Juneteenth. As Tripplett reveals the traditions of Juneteenth and the hope for the future the holiday is built on and continues to represent, her seamless transitions superbly echo the rhythms of such poignant family get togethers. Readers can smell the brisket, hear the joyful parade, and feel the tight hugs among family members. Likewise, children will experience a tug of sadness as Grandaddy explains the history of the holiday. Tripplett’s warmhearted storytelling will resonate with children, making this an excellent book to introduce Juneteenth to young readers as well as a springboard for further discussion or research.

Daniel O’Brien’s stunning illustrations dynamically depict the community and fellowship of this family’s Juneteenth celebration. The characters’ facial expressions and movements light up the parade and pre-dinner scenes, while the girl’s, cousins’, and grandfather’s somber looks during his recitation of history reveal the deep meaning of the holiday. A common bond between Granddaddy and the young narrator is reflected in the cameras both carry, a symbol, also, of history being passed down through the generations.

Encompassing the warmth of family as well as the historical and emotional significance of this important holiday, Juneteenth Is is a must for any library and school collection and a book that families will embrace.

Ages 5 – 8

Chronicle Books, 2024 | ISBN 978-1797216805

About the Author

Natasha Tripplett lives in Northern California, where she writes from a tree house perched in a sycamore. She is a Jamaican Jewish American author who is passionate about cultural representation in children’s literature. You can visit her at natashabooks.com.

About the Illustrator

Daniel J. O’Brien is a Trinidadian-born author and illustrator. He holds a BFA in illustration from the School of Visual Arts. He currently lives in New York with his fantastic partner and loyal dog. You can visit him at danielostudios.com.

You can purchase Juneteenth Is from these booksellers

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Picture Book Review

June 9 – Pride Month

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Brenda Howard instituted Gay Pride Week in 1970 to commemorate the Stonewall Riots, which took place in Manhattan beginning on June 28, 1969 and lasted six days as protesters demanded the establishment of places where LGBTQ+ people could be open about their sexual orientation without fear of arrest. These events later inspired the New York City Pride March, which became a catalyst for the formation of similar parades and marches across the world. Pride Month was officially recognized in 1999 by President Bill Clinton. During the month of June the LGBTQ+ community celebrates diversity, cultural accomplishments and influence, and the strides that have been made politically and socially.

The month also highlights the need for renewed vigilance to protect hard-won rights while moving forward to ensure that the LGBTQ+ community achieves full equality and acceptance. Globally, activists work year-round to end abuses and advocate for laws and policies to protect all. Around the world, the rainbow flag, designed in 1978 by American artist, gay rights activist, and U.S. Army veteran Gilbert Baker, flies proudly over a variety of events, including parades, marches, concerts, book readings, parties, and workshops.

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

The Perfect Match

Written by Chris Becker | Illustrated by Dan Taylor

Every night Jack asked his dad to tell him his favorite bedtime story, and every night his dad began with that well-loved phrase, “Once upon a time . . . .” In this story “there was a boy named Leo” who loved soccer, but while his two older brothers kicked the ball around in the yard, they made him do all the chores. Leo diligently did each one while also finding ways to turn them into weaving-and-bobbing, ball-kicking soccer practice.

When Leo unexpectedly received an invitation to play in Prince Ollie’s Royal Soccer Match against the Red Dragons that very night, Leo was excited. But his brothers unfurled a long, long list of chores he had to finish before he could go. Leo felt deflated; he’d never get all that work done. As he was washing piles of pots and pans and dishes, an itty-bitty man with “tiny wings and glowing silvery hair appeared.” He introduced himself as Leo’s Hairy Squadfather, and with several tweets of his whistle Leo was dressed in the uniform of the Purple Knights, and his skuffed soccer ball was transformed into a shiny race car.

Illustration copyright © 2026 by Dan Taylor. Text copyright © 2026 by Chris Becker. Courtesy of Nosy Crow.

With the admonition to be home before the winner’s trophy was hoisted, Leo was on his way. He made it to the field just in the nick of time. Leo’s brothers, part of the Red Dragons team, thought this newcomer looked familiar, but it couldn’t be . . . Leo was back at home, right? The game commenced, and Prince Ollie made a quick goal. Then, just before halftime, one of Leo’s brothers scored. The rest of the game was fiercely played, but with almost no time left and the score tied, Prince Ollie passed to Leo. He kicked . . . his cleat went flying . . . he scored!

As Leo and Prince Ollie lifted the trophy, Leo’s magic was beginning to fade. He rushed out of the stadium as his uniform and race car began disappearing. The next day Prince Ollie appeared at the door, holding the magic cleat. He’d tried every house in town to find the owner. He wanted the player who had worn that shoe to join his team. Both of Leo’s brothers laid claim to the shoe, but it didn’t fit either of them. Then Leo tried it on. It was a perfect fit!

Jack smiled. “‘That’s my favorite part, Dad,'” he said. It was his dad Leo’s favorite part too. Jack was growing sleepy when his dad Ollie came in to echo their sentiments. “‘Without that missing cleat, your dad and I would never have found each other, and we wouldn’t be a family!'” he said. Then both dads kissed Jack goodnight, telling him “‘We love you.'”

Chris Becker’s creative take on the Cinderella tale—framed by the sweet bedtime routine of a loving and supportive family—will enchant kids as the traditional folk tale is updated with mean older brothers, a soccer match, a race car, and a Hairy Squadfather coach, who’s sure to bring a giggle when he first appears. Readers will be charmed to discover that the true origins of Jack’s favorite bedtime story is one they also love to hear again and again—how their parents met.

Kids will love exploring Dan Taylor’s homey and magical illustrations as they empathize with Leo’s plight, cheer when his kindly Hairy Squadfather saves the day, and get caught up in the action and suspense of the royal soccer match. Taylor decorates Jack’s room with reminders from Leo and Ollie’s memorable first meeting, and alert readers will enjoy spying a special guest who also comes by to say goodnight.

Inventive and heartwarming, The Perfect Match is a must for any public and school library collection and will become a quick favorite on home bookshelves as well.

Ages 4 – 8

Nosy Crow, 2026 | ISBN 979-8887772707

A QR Code on the back of the book provides a free Nosy Crow Stories Aloud® Audiobook.

Chris Becker is a second grade teacher from New York who spends his days reading silly stories, tying shoelaces, answering endless questions, and helping kids discover a love of books. He’s passionate about storytelling, both in and out of the classroom, and believes there’s nothing better than a read-aloud that makes everyone laugh. When he’s not teaching, Chris loves running (he’s finished a few marathons), hanging with friends and family, and spending time with his dog Oliver and cat Jasper.
His debut picture book, The Perfect Match, is just the beginning—he’s excited to keep writing stories that connect with kids and spark joy. You can visit Chris at chrisbeckerauthor.com.

Dan Taylor was born in Staffordshire UK and has been working as children’s illustrator for over 15 years. Dan’s most recently illustrated book Papa’s Coming Home written by Chasten Buttigieg and published by Penguin made it to the New York Times Bestseller list. Dan finds much of his inspiration from 1950’s and 60’s design and creates his illustrations digitally combining hand painted textures and elements and putting it all together using his trusty iPad. When not illustrating, Dan also teaches art to children with special educational needs – and when he’s not teaching, he can be found napping, trying to stay healthy and enjoying his time with family and friends. Follow him on Instagram.

Pride Month Activity

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-soccer-maze

Kick It In!

Use some fancy footwork to move the soccer ball down the field and score in this printable puzzle!

Kick It In Maze Puzzle | Kick It In Maze Solution

You can purchase The Perfect Match from these booksellers

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Picture Book Review

June 5 – National Doughnut Day

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

National Doughnut Day was established in 1938 by Chicago’s Salvation Army to honor the women who served doughnuts and other home-cooked foods to soldiers on the front lines in France during World War I as well as to help the needy during the Great Depression. In 1917, 250 Salvation Army “Lassies” volunteered to provide morale boosters to the troops, such as small necessities and a break from the fighting. They also began making homemade food for the troops to remind them of home. One of these offerings was a doughnut cooked inside a helmet. Salvation Army Ensign Margaret Sheldon “wrote of one busy day: “Today I made 22 pies, 300 doughnuts, 700 cups of coffee.’”

A Bear, a Man, and a Doughnut Van

Written by Daniel Bernstrom | Illustrated by Brandon James Scott

It’s early morning—6:00, to be precise—and “a bear,” whose den overlooks a sleepy neighborhood, is waking up. In the sleepy neighborhood, “a man” yawns in his raspberry-hued bedroom, not quite ready to get up. A cup of coffee later, the man—now “a happy man” saunters out to his donut truck to inspect his wares, unaware of the bear also eyeing his wares. This bear is “a hungry bear,” and as luck (or unluck—all depending . . .) would have it, is also a donut lover. As the man is sneaking a blueberry-frosted from a box next to him, the bear is sneaking into the back of the van—and so the scene is set with “a happy man” and “a happy bear.”

Illustration copyright © 2026 by Branson James Scott. Text copyright © by Daniel Bernstrom. Courtesy of Hippo Park.

But not for long. As you might imagine, a hungry bear devouring doughnuts a mere few feet away might attract attention. And . . . you’d be right. The donut man takes a wary glance into the rearview mirror, and eye-popping panic ensues. The man screams! The bear screams! The van screams down the road—a runaway! The man drives; the bear hangs on. The bear drives; the man hangs on. They barrel toward a traffic jam then like a plane on the runway, they’re soaring into the air to who knows where. Will there still be any doughnuts to share?

Daniel Bernstrom’s and Brandon James Scott’s rip-roaring mashup of slapstick and buddy comedy will have kids laughing from their first glimpse of the bear, who they’ll eagerly follow as he gets closer and closer to the donut van to the story’s sweet finish. Young readers will adore being in on the coming surprise as the man peers into the mirror, and as chaos ensues, children will be torn between flipping the pages as fast as they can and pumping the breaks to catch all of the hilarity.

Just as for his other books in this series—A Bear, a Bee, and a Honey Tree and A Bear, a Fish, and a Fishy Wish—Daniel Bernstrom, an English teacher, wrote A Bear, a Man, and a Donut Van with the aim of guiding fledging readers toward confident, independent reading. His use of minimal text provides new readers with the types of repeat vocabulary, short sentences, rhyming prompts, and high-energy propulsion that nurture success. Bernstrom’s sprightly storytelling also encourages imaginative thinking and an active connection between readers and Brandon James Scott’s expressive illustrations.

Kids are gleefully along for the rollicking ride in Brandon James Scott’s frosting-colored illustrations filled with sweet silliness, suspense, and surprise. Farcical facial expressions and shifting fortunes maximize the humor. Scott slyly puts young readers in league with the bear by revealing funny clues as to how he entered the van, the similarities between him and the man, and how he secures a happy ending for the man as well as his own forest friends.

Wild and wooly in the best possible ways, A Bear, a Man, and a Doughnut Van is laugh-out-loud entertainment with a side of early-reading confidence that both kids and adults will adore sharing again and again. The book is a must for any library and home collection.

Ages 4 – 8

Hippo Park, 2026 | ISBN 978-1662641206

Daniel Bernstrom is a teacher, a poet, and the author of seven picture books, including One Day in the Eucalyptus, Eucalyptus Tree, illustrated by Brendan Wenzel. His book Big Papa and the Time Machine won the Minnesota Book Award and is the story of his grandfather leaving the south to find work and start a family amidst the challenges of 20th-century African American life. Daniel lives in Worthington, Minnesota with his family.

By day Brandon James Scott is a creative director working in animation and by night he illustrates picture books. For over a decade Brandon has worked on a range of hit animated entertainment including his own creation, the award-winning series, Justin Time. He loves to make art that brings adventure, levity, heart, and curiosity for the fantastic and whimsical world around us and in our dreams. A born and raised Canadian, he currently lives with his family in Toronto.

National Doughnut Day Activity

Delicious Doughnut Decor

Bake up some delicious decor with unused CDs or DVDs and this easy craft!

Supplies

Unused CDs or DVDs or cut circles from cardboard, foam board or poster board
Craft paint in tan, black, pink, yellow, white (or any colors you want for the doughnut and the icing)
Ribbon, any color and length you want
Fine-tip markers in bright colors
Glue
Glue dots (optional)
Paint brush

Directions

Paint a wavy edge around the CD or other material and let dry
Add “frosting” by painting from the wavy line inward to the clear center of the CD, leaving the clear circle unpainted. If using another material, draw and cut a center “hole” for your doughnut.
When the “frosting” is dry, draw sprinkles on it with the markers
With the ribbon make a loop hanger and attach it to the back of the CD with glue or glue dots
Hang your decoration

You can purchase A Bear, a Man, and a Doughnut Van from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

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A Bear, a Man, and a Doughnut Van

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Delicious Doughnut Decor

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