April & May 2026

Big Ideas for Young Thinkers (Jamia Wilson, illustrated by Andrea Pippins)

What is truth? What is beauty? What is a soul? This book for kids will help them think about these large questions in life. Wilson devotes two-page spreads to each big question, giving her take on it and the take of different philosophers and thinkers over the years. It’s a wide range of people to look to as well, from many religious faiths and backgrounds. A book like this is especially important now, as it will help kids to realize what they (and their families) think are important and learn how to discuss it in a way that respects the viewpoints of others. This is a great starting point for thinking about life’s big questions. (J 170 Wilson) 

Dragons and Marshmallows: Zoey & Sassafras volume 1 (Asia Citro, illustrations by Marion Lindsay)

Zoey thinks about things scientifically and loves magic. Just before her mom leaves on a business trip, Zoey discovers that her mom secretly cares for magical creatures and that the two of them are the only people who can see them! Zoey vows to take care of anything that arrives while her mother is gone. Can you guess what type of animal arrives? (Hint: it’s in the title.) Zoey uses her scientific thought process to care for the magical creature to the best of her ability, but also knows when to ask for help if things get too rough. There’s a larger than normal font and pictures scattered throughout, helping the reading experience along. This is a favorite in our ABC section and is librarian approved.  (J ABC Citro)

Little Land (Diana Sudyka)

Little Land by Diana Sudyka is a beautiful book that looks at the earth as it was and as it is now. The book starts with illustrations that show the earth five hundred million years ago and through the book moves through to current time. There have been many, many changes, and different forms of life have come and gone. But the land has always survived…until humans came along. As the change rapidly increases, the artwork begins to tilt and become more dark and gray. The book ends on a positive note with kids making a change through clean-ups, planting and creating green spaces.  The author has a lovely message that small acts can have a big impact. The end of the book contains a list of terms for different time periods and concepts addressed in the book. (STORIES Sudyka)

Meanwhile by Jason Shiga (J Graphic Shiga)

Five stars!! It’s weird and a little crazy. You pick your own path.

~Logan, age 11

5 Books Related to Anne Frank

Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about Anne Frank, a historical figure I was interested in as a child. I think about what she would have seen and done in her life leading up to her hiding away behind a bookcase for two years, and then her eventual discovery, time in concentration camps, and death. Here are some books that I’ve been looking at to process her life.

1. The House on the Canal by Thomas Harding, illustrated by Britta Teckentrup. This book looks at the history of the building the Frank family hid in. Looking at a building shows how a country changes over time. A unique look at history. This building is now a museum you can visit to get an idea of what life for the Frank family was like. J 940.53 Harding
2. I am Anne Frank by Brian Meltzer, illustrated by Christopher Eliopoulos. This picture book in the “Ordinary People Change the World” series gives a good overview of Anne Frank’s life for younger students. It’s a good place to start telling kids about her life. STORIES Meltzer
3. Mightier than the Sword: Rebels, Reformers, and Revolutionaries Who Changed the World Through Writing by Rochelle Melander, illustrations by Melina Ontiveros. This book looks at Anne Frank and other writers from around the world who changed society because of their writing. Short chapters on famous writers are followed by ideas for how you can incorporate ideas inspired by their lives into your own writing. J 361.2 Melander
4. When We Flew Away: A Novel of Anne Frank, Before the Diary by Alice Hoffman. Hoffman looks at Anne Frank’s life leading up to having to go into hiding. She examines Anne as a person, bringing her to life from the ages of 11 to 13. J FIC Hoffman 
5. Who Was Anne Frank? by Ann Abramson, illustrated by Nancy Harrison. The popular biography series includes one about Anne Frank. This is a good overview of her life for someone who wants something factual and longer than the Meltzer book. J WHO IS Biography Frank

From Megan:

5 Books About Oceans

For this Bookworms I picked the theme of oceans. The ocean can be so calming but terrifying at the same time. Hope these recommendations will make you want to “dive deeper” in this theme. 

1. Field Trip to the Ocean Deep by John Hare is a wordless picture book that follows a class as they go on a field trip to explore the ocean floor. When they get there, they frolic with fish, chase luminescent squid, and discover an old shipwreck. One of the students is more interested in taking pictures. Seeing things only through this lens, he becomes separated from the group and falls down a deep ravine. Don’t worry: the child makes an unexpected friend and they are safe until the teacher returns. The fact that this is a wordless text makes this story perfect for all ages. STORIES Hare 
2. The Ocean Calls: A Haenyeo Mermaid Story by Tina Cho, illustrated by Jess X. Snow is a family story showing the bond between a Korean girl and her grandmother. Her grandmother is a haenyeo, a woman from generations of divers along the Coast of Jeju Island who recovers items from the sea. The girl looks up to her grandmother as a heroine of the sea, and wishes to emulate her strength. There are quotes and facts at the back of the book telling the readers more about the haenyeo tradition. STORIES Cho
3. Ocean Sunlight: How Tiny Plants Feed The Seas by Molly Bang and Penty Chisholm is a nonfiction text that focuses on the ocean and the role that sunlight plays even in the darkest depths of the sea. This story starts with photosynthesis and food chains on dry land and moves into the water. I really enjoyed how the authors combine poetry and science through this picture book.  I also found it interesting that the book is written from the point of view of the sun.  J 577.7 Bang
4. Ocean! Waves For All by Stacy McAnulty is an enjoyable read. Firstly, the character of the “ocean” is personified as a surfer dude. This makes the story a fun read. Though the language is light and fun the text provides information about the ocean’s layers and marine life in a concise format. The pictures are visually interesting. I have loved the other books by Stacy McAnulty so it was no surprise that I truly enjoyed this book and its message. STORIES McAnulty
5. What Fish Are Saying by Kirsten Pendreigh, pictures by Katie Melrose is a great picture book about ocean creatures communicate. Readers learn that fish and shellfish grunt and groan, crackle and cluck, and even burp and boop to communicate. In the process of writing this book the author consulted experts in the marine science field and this results in a story that is full of fun facts. Pendreigh has included a double page of interesting and fun facts, such as “Hydrophones —waterproof microphones that detect and record underwater sounds—find fish that cameras can’t.”  I loved the fact that the author provided a link so that readers could go online and listen to fish sounds.  J 591.5 Pendreigh