June 2025 Prime Picks
Young Adult/Children
The Big Day
Rachel Plummer
Tiger Tales
9781664300668
$18.99
www.tigertalesbooks.com
The Big Day receives delightful, large, colorful illustrations by Forrest Burdell as it explores a magical wedding between two men.
Magic is embedded in a special way which is captured via rollicking, image-laden rhymes of wonder:
One carried a bouquet of fresh morning dew/because he had heard he should have something new./The other held sky that bright stars wandered through./He said this was something old, borrowed/and blue.
With its engaging descriptions and colorful, celebratory tone, The Big Day is a top recommendation for libraries strong in inclusive descriptions of gay marriage and love for picture book readers.
Candlewick Press
www.candlewickpress.com
These new releases from Candlewick feature picture books that are colorfully engaging and satisfyingly unique.
Lucy Fleming’s Lily the Pond Mermaid (9781536235562, $18.99) tells of a mermaid who loves taking care of her pond and its creatures. But her efforts translate to a big responsibility, and she worries she won’t always be able to protect what she loves.
A storm seems to fulfill her worst fears, but Lily discovers new opportunities for connection and support even amidst certain disaster.
Parents who choose Lily the Pond Mermaid will find it sparks invaluable discussions about friends, support systems, and helping others.
Jamie Michalak’s Hazel the Handful (9781536231199, $17.99) receives fun drawings by Matt Myers as it tells of a tiny dog leading a big life of fun.
That is, until a new baby arrives.
The baby takes over, gets all the attention, and quashes Hazel’s role in the family. How can Hazel assert herself and regain her favored status?
This story will attract young dog lovers, but even more importantly, it holds messages about a new baby in the family that expecting parents will want to use to open dialogues with the very young about siblings and love.
What Coco Can Do by Maribeth Boelts (9781536229486, $18.99) tells of very different dogs who exhibit talents in many diverse ways.
Coco knows that other dogs have eye-catching jobs and roles in life, but all he can do is cuddle. Is his job just as important as his more action-packed peers?
Stephanie Laberis adds fine illustrations to accompany the discussion of therapy dogs and their importance. The tale will delight read-aloud adults with not only a survey of different animal abilities, but the opportunity to illustrate how disparate skills are equally valuable.
Maggie O’Farrell’s The Boy Who Lost His Spark (9781536233933, $18.90) enjoys exceptionally lovely, colorful illustrations by Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini as it surveys young Jem, who moves to the countryside with his family and finds it too different and strange.
The nearby village has a legend about a little creature called the nouka who lives behind Jem’s house and likes to cause havoc in the night. Jem doesn’t believe this—until events seem to prove that the villagers are both wise and accurate. There is something going on...
Terrazzini creates a vivid story that unfolds Jem’s experiences over numerous pages of thought-provoking details and insight:
“He didn’t know how to say that he missed his old home so much that there was no room inside him to like the new place.”
Black creatures of fantasy, unhappiness, discovery, and self-examination blend in a story that holds absorbingly unpredictable routes and vivid descriptions:
“Then something so small but so extraordinary happened that the Earth seemed to stop turning, just for a minute.”
All ages will find The Boy Who Lost His Spark thoroughly absorbing and hard to put down.
Caroline Magerl’s Nop (9781761600807, $18.99) tells of a bedraggled old toy that holds “nothing to tell where he belonged.”
Old and discarded, Nop overcomes his abandonment at Oddmint’s Dumporeum to find his own way of transformation that stands out from any other toy’s appearance or efforts in this inviting picture book story of unexpected adventure and finding new connections in life.
Lovely illustrations accompany a tale that holds many gentle surprises for kids and read-aloud adults.
Kate DiCamillo’s Orris and Timble Lost and Found (9781536225303, $16.99) is a chapter book that enjoys lovely illustrations by Carmen Mok as it presents Orris the rat and his owl pal Timble. Each night Timble comes to the barn to listen to his friend, but one night he doesn’t come.
Does this mean Timble has forgotten him?
A lovely friendship saga evolves, perfect for read-aloud and a wide age range.
Jo Van der Borgh’s The Terrakeet (9781536235890, $18.99) is the picture book story of the peaceful Finlock Family who lives by the Pincer Sea. Everything is beautiful in their lives – or, it would be if not for their fear of the Terrakeet, a carnivorous beast that lives beyond their home.
When a young Finlock journeys too far, a big surprise addresses the complexity of myth versus reality.
Jo Beasley’s engaging illustrations bring the tale to life.
Ross Montgomery and Sarah Warburton’s Ant Party (9781536239539, $17.99) tells of a very special celebration on the ant hill – Andy’s birthday. He’s decided to host a special party and only invites his neighbors, but when they, in turn, invite others, problems arise.
And, who expects a visit from the queen herself?
A fun story of sharing, problem-solving, and celebration makes for a lively, hilarious read perfect for read-aloud or individual enjoyment.
All are exceptional picture books that hold added value beyond entertainment alone.
Chidori
Jennifer Maruno
& Miki Sato
Pajama Press
9781772783162
$18.95
www.pajamapress.ca
Chidori: A Story of One Thousand Birds tells of Hana, who is in school when a tsunami “drags the ocean across her village,” making her a witness to disaster.
True events inspired this story, which brings to life the horror of a natural disaster and its lasting impact upon a young girl, her family, and her community.
Miki Sato’s collage art is a rich companion to the tale, which embraces grief, recovery, and loss in novel ways young picture book readers can easily relate to.
Libraries that choose Chidori will want to be sure classroom and home discussions help kids to fully understand and appreciate Hana’s journey.
Diary of a Bee
Štĕpánka
Sekainová and Linh Dao
Albatros
9788000074467
$18.95
www.albatrosbooks.com
Diary of a Bee takes a satisfyingly different approach to exploring the natural history of bees through the seasons, utilizing a diary format and a first-person observational tone to engage picture book readers.
Combined with engaging illustrations, this personalizes, anthropomorphizes, and brings to life a bee’s hive world and experiences:
“ Day 37 in the Hive
I’m afraid our Matilda is no longer with us in the hive. Two days ago, she flew off to forage and never came back. Such is life! That’s just the way it goes with us bees. Don’t be sad, though, kids. There are plenty of new young Matildas swarming around me. And since autumn has arrived, we old drones have to make space for them.”
This engaging story will attract young picture book readers with its personal approach and insights based on natural history.
An Illustrated
Treasury of Dragon
Tales
Theresa Breslin
and Kate Leiper
Floris Books
9781782509103
$24.99
www.florisbooks.co.uk
An Illustrated Treasury of Dragon Tales: Stories From Around the World works as both a read-aloud choice for parents of kids too young to read (but not too young to appreciate dragons) and elementary-level readers past the early chapter book age who are still attracted to exceptionally bright illustrations and fantasy short stories.
From the Chinese dragon that introduces the collection with ‘Héhuā and Her Golden Dragon-Boy’ retelling an old folk tale associated with the Chinese Dragon Dance, to the ancient Egyptian Dragon of Death that confronts people in ‘The Dragon Apep Fights the Sun God Ra,’ each tale is steeped in a different culture and thus contrasts unique accounts that view dragon interactions in very different ways.
Gorgeous in its full-page, full-color illustrations and attractive for its diversity and appealing fantasy, An Illustrated Treasury of Dragon Tales deserves a place in any elementary-level collection, as well as many a home library.
Max’s Mask
Havvah Deevon
Kalaniot Books
9781962011020
$19.99
www.kalaniotbooks.com
Havvah Deevon’s Max’s Mask: A Purim Story features eye-catching illustrations by Itay Bekin as it tells of Max’s first day at a new school. He wears his favored superhero costume hoping it will give him courage, but there are so many things about kindergarten class that are new and daunting.
Still, Max finds ways to have fun ... especially as he learns about Purim and ways to celebrate Esther and Mordecai’s bravery and wisdom (which might just apply to his own situation).
Realistic engagements between kids and the lessons Max receives from his choices will prove absorbing to young picture book readers and listeners, as well as educational for parents seeking Purim introductions that connect ancient and modern dilemmas in a manner that’s understandable to the very young.
Mr. Darcy the
Dancing Duck
Alex Field
& Peter Carnavas
New Frontier
Publishing
9781916790353
$18.99
www.newfrontierpublishing.us
Mr. Darcy the Dancing Duck tells of a duck that faces dancing season once again ... a time when all creatures seem to skip, trot, waltz, and dance around him. All dance but Mr. Darcy, even though he is “the best looking duck in the district.”
His friends sense that he is sad. He enjoys waddling, but not dancing, and his best efforts to dance fail.
Can friends and music fill the gap?
A fine story of talent and effort evolves, with a fun message for non-dancing kids.
Our Big Table
Lisa Voisard
Hel Vetiq
9783039640542
$24.95
www.helvetiqu.com
Our Big Table: What We Eat and Where it Comes From is translated by Jeffrey K. Butt and considers where food originates around the world. Its appealing survey of pizza, popcorn, potatoes, pesto, and more pair colorful illustrations of plants and their processing with botanical and culinary details that kids ages 6-10 normally don’t receive.
By choosing foods and end products that kids will be quite familiar with and backtracking their production and growing requirements for a better understanding of farm-to-table, Our Big Table draws important connections between plants and food. This will prove useful for botany, natural history, health and nutrition, and beginning homemaking students alike.
Red Comet Press
www.redcometpress.com
These new picture books from Red Comet Press offer delightful stories and insights for young readers and the adults and elementary-level libraries catering to them.
Cosetta Zanotti and Lucia Scuderi’s A Surprise in the Wood (9781636550923, $18.99) is translated by Angus Yuen-Killick and tells of Mama and Papa Bear, who are awaiting a new family member. But, is the new arrival really their cub?
Papa Bear “smells the stardust” and thinks so—but there’s something odd about this new addition, which requires special handling and different approaches to parenting.
Parents and kids will appreciate the whimsical new parent encounters.
Mia Wenjen and
Kimberlie
Clinthorne-Wong’s The Traveling Taco: The
Amazing &
Surprising Journey of Many of Your Favorite Foods
(9781636551319, $18.99) isn’t just about tacos, but a host of foods
that will already be familiar to kids. Odd facts and backgrounds
offer lively new information about food development, cultural
influences, and differences which ultimately created foods that
traveled around the world.
Take Jerk Chicken, for example How many adults, much less kids, will know that “The Caribbean Taíno are credited with creating jerk seasoning using indigenous ingredients including allspice, salt, and spicy bird peppers, which are in the same family as cayenne peppers.”?
Colorful illustrations compliment equally colorful cultural and food revelations.
These are excellent, eye-catching books that kids will love.
A Ring for a King
Martha Seif Simpson
Wisdom Tales
9781957670119
$19.95
www.wisdomtalespress.com
A Ring for a King: A Tale of King Solomon will reach ages 4-8 with a fine story of not just a wise king, but the various ways in which wisdom appears in different cultural settings.
Ezra makes a vow to help King Solomon, but his queries to other servants about how to employ the best language to get things done is met with disinterest.
Ezra is motivated by seeking forgiveness for his actions, but he wonders how he’ll find the words to help his king.
It takes a special act of helping others to reveal a secret to Ezra which, in turn, transforms the king and imparts a special form of wisdom.
Dr. Yael Bernhard provides engaging illustrations that bring Ezra and King Solomon’s tale to life in a book highly recommended for libraries seeking picture books that can spark discussions among the young about bigger-picture thinking.
Shell Song
Sharon
Fujimoto-Johnson
Beach Lane/Simon
& Schuster
9781665938679
$19.99
www.simonandschuster.com
Shell Song is based on a true family story and tells of a Hawaiian grandfather who loves music and the ocean.
Both of his loves are threatened when war comes and hostility builds towards anyone who looks Japanese. He’s removed to a prison on the island, where he spends his days searching for seashells.
The war’s end reunites him with his family, but even more importantly, he brings with him a new message of hope with a shell collection that is passed down between generations.
This early introduction to Japanese experiences in the U.S. during World War II will engage young picture book readers with history not normally imparted to the very young, creating a beginning foundation for understanding through a family saga that is revealing and involving.
The color images blend well with a tale that will appeal to all ages with its simple, important message.
Sleeping Bear Press
www.sleepingbearpress.com
Sleeping Bear Press produces consistently high-quality picture books. They are appealing attention-grabbers that should be in any elementary library collection, and these latest releases reinforce this publisher’s attention to quality.
Christina Matula’s The Beat of the Dragon Boat (9781534113206, $18.99) enjoys vivid, impressive illustrations by Nicole Wong as it follows a young boy’s education about the Chinese Dragon Boat Festival.
As he attends his first festival, his grandfather tells him of an underlying legend behind how the first dragon boat races began, offering colorful history to accompany equally vivid first-person insights as the boy observes festival preparations and the creation of outstanding boats.
Libraries seeking additions to collections that include ethnic history and Chinese experience will especially welcome this early introduction to an iconic tradition.
Brave Old Blue by Colleen Muske (9781534113213, $18.99) tells of an old horse put to pasture at a horse rescue farm. But, what really happens at such a place?
Young Bobbie introduces Blue to his new home and a routine emerges to soothe the horse’s body and spirit in this appealing tale of horse rescue that presents the horse’s point of view about his new home and future.
Kids will enjoy the appealing illustrations by Christopher Thornock which expand and portray Blue’s new life.
Julia Richardson’s Goose Egg Island (9781534113183, $18.99) receives especially colorful, eye-catching illustrations by Meneka Repka as it surveys the new home of Goose and Gander on a frozen pond leading to a small island ideal for nesting.
Kid learn about goose natural history as they enjoy large-size, exciting illustrations that accompany a story of love, family-rearing, and confronting the elements.
Read-aloud parents will especially appreciate the sound effects and ability to reinforce how creatures bond and build lives together.
Phaea Crede’s Oh Deer! (9781534113398, $18.99) also benefits from especially vivid illustration (by Erica J. Chen) as it surveys the life of a Sasquatch that lives in a nice house in the woods away from the stress of other animals.
Jasper decides to grow a turnip garden—and this is where trouble begins as the turnips come close to harvest, only to meet their maker in the form of hungry deer who are decimating Jasper’s garden at harvest time.
How can Jasper rid his life of these turnip thieves? The story evolves into one of who is cleverer in a tale that gardeners will especially relate to, and which parents will enjoy reading to the very young, with its colorful confrontations and opportunities for dramatizing sounds.
Seven: A Most Remarkable Pigeon by Sandra Nickel (9781536235197, $17.95) blends pigeon natural history with an inviting perspective as a little pigeon learns about the world within and outside his nest.
Aimée Sicuro’s lovely color illustrations enhance the story of a little pigeon who wants to be different in so many ways, from building a nest of rose petals to leaving the flock to follow the tantalizing scent of his favorite food, rice.
Kids receive not only a pigeon story and natural history insights, but wonderful clues to embracing differences and individuality.
When Night Comes Calling by Cynthia Schumerth (9781534113367, $18.99) tells of two siblings who enjoy a night hike and experience the wonders of nature after dark.
From the night sky to animals that awaken and venture out only in the cover of darkness, Schumerth’s lovely lyrical rhyming story, enhanced by lovely illustrations by Sheryl Murray, brings this world of wonder to life in a manner that will attract read-aloud adults and young picture book nature fans alike.
Nikoo Yahyazadeh’s Yasi and Mina’s Pomegranate Tree (9781534113237, $18.99) receives inviting illustrations by Serineh Eliasian as it surveys the rigors of friendship tested in Iran by two best friends who love a pomegranate tree.
Their childhood is impacted by life in a war-torn environment as Iran wars with Iraq, forcing the friends to face parental decisions that impact their lives.
This lovely story of friendship against all odds, life in Iran, and adapting a relationship to change evolves is delightfully absorbing and thought-provoking.
All are outstanding picture books that should be in any elementary-level collection.
Yes, We’ll Do It!
Dafna Strum
Kalaniot Books
9781862011969
$19.99
www.Kalaniotbooks.com
Yes, We’ll Do It! receives animated and colorful illustrations by Shahar Kober as it profiles two siblings who join a parade as they walk to their music lesson. Prompted to help out, they soon encounter the unexpected in a rich folk story based on ancient Jewish teachings.
Ilana Kursham translates this sparkling story, which covers helping others, diverting from one’s course, and following a growing community’s involvement in making something delightfully new through combined effort.
The celebration is heartfelt and will draw young readers interested in how participation can result in unexpected opportunities and connections – a theme which also will delight and attract read-aloud adults and elementary-level libraries.