Children's Book Reviews
Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter!
by Kenard Pak
Join a brother and sister on a lyrical stroll through their twinkling town as they greet the signs of the shifting season. From golden leaves and setting suns to curious deer and the hush of falling snow, each page invites readers into quiet conversations with nature. With poetic text and dreamy illustrations, Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter celebrates the beauty of transition and the magic of the first snowfall.
Copy That, Copy Cat!
by Katrina Tangen
Biomimicry means learning from nature to solve problems. People look at how animals, plants, and even bugs do things—like flying, staying warm, or finding food—and then copy those smart ideas to make inventions that help us in everyday life!
This clever rhyming lift-the-flap picture book introduces young readers to the fascinating world of biomimicry—where nature inspires invention. Through playful riddles and peek-through die-cuts, children are invited to guess which human-made creations mimic animals and plants. From sonar inspired by bats to snowshoes modeled after animal paws, each page turn reveals a surprising answer and a fun fact hidden under the flap. With vibrant illustrations and interactive elements, this book makes learning about science and design delightfully hands-on. Bonus endnotes include extra guessing games to reinforce curiosity and discovery.
by Eric Carle
Celebrate with hide-and-seek fun in this heart-shaped board book perfect for fans of The Very Hungry Caterpillar! Featuring the classic character The Very Hungry Caterpillar. See if you can spot The Very Hungry Caterpillar among a box of chocolates, a decorated valentine, and more! With Eric Carle's bright, colorful illustrations, this book makes the perfect Valentine's Day gift!
Substitute Groundhog
by Pat Miller
On February 1st, Groundhog feels himself coming down with the flu. The doctor advises him to stay in bed for a few days, but how can Groundhog rest when he has to check his shadow early on the morning of February 2nd, Groundhog Day? He decides to advertise for a substitute to take his place. Surely, it won’t be difficult to find an animal willing to climb out of a groundhog’s hole and check its own shadow. It turns out to be surprisingly difficult.
Sleuth & Solve: 20+ Mind-Twisting Mysteries
by Ana Gallo
A book of 23 mini-mysteries for elementary students to solve either by using logic, their imagination and clues from the story. The mysteries are ranked in difficulty, from 1 (easy) to 6 (difficult). Each mystery is illustrated with line drawings and brief notes to help solve the puzzles. At the end there is a glued-on flap with the answer and an explanation. Have fun with cleaver mysteries with clues that require some head-scratching.
The Mayflower
by Mark Greenword
One hundred and two people were crammed together onto the Mayflower on its dangerous journey to the new world in the fall of 1620. The well-researched text includes facts interesting to young readers. The history is told straightforwardly from the Pilgrims leaving England to the first Thanksgiving in the New World. The folk illustrations are very colorful and attention-catching.
100 Pablo Picasso is a vivid introduction to this great artist. By featuring 100 illustrations of Pablo Picassos throughout the pages, young readers will explore the artist's life from his childhood to his major contributions to modern art, from his love for pets to his endless curiosity about life. The illustrations make this book a piece of art in itself. Absolutely delightful!
Your Name Is A Song
by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow and Luisa Uribe
A picture book about the beauty of everyone's name. A young black child is upset waiting in the schoolyard. When Momma arrives she asks about her first day of school. The young girl is upset because no one could pronounce her name, not even her teacher. Momma teachers her a beautiful and empowering lesson. Her name is so beautiful and unique that it can be sung to a song, just like all other names.
Story Book Ideas and Activities














