Over a decade ago, Miranda Paul and her children read A Place for Butterflies by Melissa Stewart – they’ve been hooked on helping pollinators ever since. From re-landscaping their yard and participating in community science projects, to raising butterflies themselves, a simple read-aloud inspired a lifetime of caring more deeply about butterflies and the world around them. In Miranda’s new picture book, she cleverly explores how “hope and action are a cycle – hope can lead to action, and action can lead to hope” – a poignant message in a time where both hope and action can feel increasingly difficult. The book features incredible artwork by Hari & Deepti, a married artist duo in Mumbai who used photos from Miranda’s experience raising butterflies to create 3D butterfly sculptures out of paper, glue, paper clay, and watercolors (due to monsoon season, everything took extra long to dry!). Be sure to check out their process in the backmatter of the book, which also includes an Author’s Note and an activity on creating your own butterfly puddle. This is such a beautiful book for all ages!
An immersive debut picture book about a father-daughter birding adventure – perfect for nature lovers, anyone who’s hopped on the color walk trend, and readers looking for more green stories with inclusive representation. Young readers will delight in learning about birds’ distinct colors and songs, while adult readers will recognize the special significance in centering a joyful Black family of birders who feel safe and welcome in their local nature preserve. This debut is close to Taunya’s heart, as she herself is a longtime naturalist and a dedicated member of Outdoor Afro. Check out the backmatter for a birding glossary! As a nature lover, I absolutely loved this book!
Southern California local Ellie Laks has been rescuing animals since she was a child. Now as the founder of The Gentle Barn Sanctuary, she has rehabilitated thousands of unwanted animals and helps heal humans who connect to those stories of abuse. Her goal in life? “Teaching people kindness and compassion to animals, each other, and our planet.”
Now, Ellie is teaching audiences about the deeply touching relationships between animals and people with her new children’s picture book GENTLE (August 2026; Macmillan) . Inspired by the real calf Ellie raised in her home (John Lewis Thunderheart), this beautifully illustrated book (gorgeously rendered by Jennifer A. Bell) follows a sick baby calf as he is welcomed into the Gentle Barn, where he gradually grows stronger with the help of a tender young girl and new friends. This is a sweet book about the transformative power of quiet love and kindness that is sure to become a new classic in the classroom and at bedtime! Kirkus agrees, writing “[Lak’s] text is a kind of incantation that accumulate like a lullaby… A hushed, lovely gem.”
The Sherlock Society goes undercover in the Miami street art scene to find an anonymous graffiti artist in this third book in the hilarious, New York Times bestselling Sherlock Society middle grade series from Edgar Award–winning author James Ponti!
The Sherlock Society’s latest case is tracking down stealth graffiti artist Funky Munky—well-known for their artistic statements calling out local politicians—on behalf of a developer who wants them to create a mural for a new hotel. Their investigation leads Alex, Zoe, Lina, and Yadi deep into the very colorful south Florida art scene.
But finding someone who doesn’t want to be found is challenging, and it doesn’t help that Miami Art Week is coming up, bringing lots of attention—and lots of new artists—to the area. The Sherlock Society’s best bet is an elaborate sting operation, which involves them picking up spray cans themselves. Can they trap their quarry without exposing themselves?
This book is filled with adventure and loved the characters!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
James Ponti is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of four Middle Grade book series, including The Sherlock Society and City Spies. His novels have been named to forty-five state award lists, optioned by Hollywood, and translated into fifteen languages. He’s a two-time Edgar Award-nominee, winning in 2018 for Vanished!. He lives with his family in Orlando, Florida.
| Gilbert accidentally brings home a slobbery, bite-sized monster in the hilarious latest installment in The Worst! picture book series, where even the strangest of creatures can become the best of friends. When plucky Gilbert the Goblin and his pal Chicken go camping together, they run into creatures that go bump in the night! The friends immediately flee the woods and head home—after all, everyone knows that monsters are absolutely, undeniably, unequivocally the worst! But when a shocking stowaway appears in Gilbert’s knapsack, looking awfully cute and extra snuggly, Gilbert is…smitten! Sure, monsters can bite and drool and make a big mess, but they can also steal your heart. It’s a tale so sweet it’s scary! |
| Author Bio |
| If it was Alex Willan, and not Gilbert the Goblin, who was in charge of writing the stories, he’d make a book called Anchovies are the Worst!. Alex is the author-illustrator of the Worst! picture book series and the Jasper & Ollie series, as well as the illustrator of Got Your Nose, written by Alan Katz. Alex lives in Chicago with his dog, Harley, who is the absolute best. Visit him online at AlexWillan.com. |
Self Disclosure: I received free copies of the above books to feature the books in this post. Cover images were also provided. I only feature books that I highly recommend.
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