THE QUIET OCEAN Written by Charlotte Offsay Illustrated by Abi Cushman (Beach Lane Books; $19.99, Ages 4-8)     ★STARRED REVIEW - School Library Journal   Charlotte Offsay and Abi Cushman have created another terrific picture book together called The Quiet Ocean. This one is a companion to The Quiet Forest. Cushman's illustrations draw readers into the soothing blue ocean with her delightfully silly sea creatures living their best lives, until unexpected havoc turns their world upside down. The book's endpapers depict the ocean floor, but it’s not what you would expect (NOTE: Don't miss the other endpapers after you…

  NICE TO EAT YOU Written by Karen Yin Illustrated by Carolina Coroa (Orchard Books; $19.99, Ages 4-8)           HAPPY HALLOWEEN! When I noticed a Spirit Halloween had opened in my neighborhood, I knew it was time to read Nice to Eat You, Karen Yin's latest picture book, with art by Carolina Coroa. Read on for the review, and let me know in the comments what your fave Halloween candy is. While I am not a cupcake fan, I'm easily tempted by Tootsie Roll Pops.    ABOUT THE BOOK: Full of dark humor and clever word…

  TWO NEW PICTURE BOOKS FOR ROSH HASHANAH       THE SWEETEST ROSH HASHANAH Written by Mara Bergman Illustrated by Aura Lewis (Candlewick Press; $18.99, Ages 4-7)   This feel-good picture book contains all the right elements (or should I say ingredients?) for the Rosh Hashanah holiday and an enjoyable read-aloud. Part of "The Festivals of the World" series, The Sweetest Rosh Hashanah focuses on the Jewish New Year and a little girl named Ellie. She loves helping her parents prepare for the New Year meal, especially the challah, the honey cake, and the apples and honey. But when…

THE SHAPE OF WINGS Written by Ona Gritz (West 44 Books; Available in Hardcover, Paperback, and eBook, Ages 14-18/Grades 9-12)       GUEST REVIEW BY KAROL SILVERSTEIN: Newly connected with her biological sisters (having hunted down her sperm donor-dad on Ancestry), C.C. is loving getting to know them. But when talk turns to sports and other physical activities they all enjoy, C.C. chooses not to share that she has cerebral palsy, enjoying the anonymity of the Zoom room. C.C.’s friend group—which includes bestie volleyball star Paige—is all non-disabled. In fact, the only other disabled person C.C. knows is a…

I WISH THAT YOU KNEW Written by Rebecca Gardyn Levington Illustrated by Alyssa Russell (Little Bee Books; $19.99, Ages 4-8)     I'm thrilled to share this moving and meaningful guest post by author Rebecca Gardyn Levington. DESCRIPTION: A child reflects on all the fun things she used to do with her grandmother, like baking challah, growing tulips, walking on the beach, and sharing jokes. Told against the backdrop of a Jewish unveiling ceremony, which takes place around the first anniversary of a loved one's passing, this is a story about the imprints that the people we love leave upon…

TIo Ricky Doesn’t Speak English • Tío Ricky no habla inglés Written by Maritere R. Bellas   Illustrated by Jayri Gómez (Lil' Libros; $19.99, Ages 4-8)             Publisher Description: "... This heartwarming English-Spanish story shows that speaking two languages is powerful and you don’t need a cape to be a hero."   Review:   This is a WAY overdue post of Tío Ricky Doesn’t Speak English/Tío Ricky no habla inglés, written by Maritere R. Bellas and illustrated by Jayri Gómez, a picture book so well crafted that I wish I'd been able to review last year…

L IS FOR LIBRARIAN: The ABCs of Los Angeles Central Library Written by Susan Lendroth Illustrated by Alexander Vidal (Angel City Press at LAPL; $18.99, Ages 4+)         Publisher Description: L is for Librarian: The ABCs of Los Angeles Central Library is an Amazing, Beautiful, Captivating, delightful, and Energizing tour of the Los Angeles Central Library. From Awesome Adventures to Zombies in the makerspace, readers of all ages will enjoy this alphabetical exploration of Los Angeles’s beloved icon.   Author Interview: Welcome to the blog, Susan. It's an exciting time at L.A.'s Central Library, so it's wonderful…

TRIAL AND ERROR Written by Robin Newman Illustrated by Deborah Zemke (Creston Books; $18.99, Ages 7-11)           HONORS: A 2026 Bank Street College of Education Best Book Northern Lights Book Award IPPY Bronze Medal   REVIEW: In her much-lauded new series, Robin Newman has made law and order accessible and enjoyable for second- to fifth-graders. Trial and Error, a punny 64-page graphic novel chapter book, features four animal-populated cases, each a new chapter. The whimsical black-and-white illustrations by Deborah Zemke, who has teamed up with Newman on four previous books, are winners as well. Just check…