September 2026 Prime Picks

Reviewer's Choice

Fender: The Golden Age 1946-1970
Martin Kelly, Terry Foster & Paul Kelly
Cassell
9781788404389 $50.00
www.octopusbooks.co.uk

Fender: The Golden Age 1946-1970 appears in a newly updated edition to present a keepsake reference perfect for holiday gift-giving. It will appeal to any musician with more than a casual interest in Leo Fender’s instruments.

Each model has been photographed just for this book from the collections of owners around the world, and each color photo is accompanied by a review of the instrument’s history and its place in overall history of the Fender company.

This edition’s new photos and over thirty pages of added information presents period ephemera, discussions of the Fender Electric Violin (which are not in previous editions), and details key to understanding the breadth and extent of Fender’s importance to the music world.

Mitchell Beazley
www.octopusbooksusa.com

Rome: Classic Recipes from the Eternal City by Lucia Tersigni and Audrey Cosson (9781846017308, $32.99) is an Italian cookbook that pairs lovely color photos of Rome and discussions of touring possibilities off the usual path with some 200 recipes that celebrate the city’s culinary flavors.

Variations on common Italian fare that are unique to Rome are exemplified by recipes such as Fettuccine Alla Papalina, which requires a pasta-making machine and an interest in sophisticated adaptations. This one includes a sauce of cured ham, butter, onion, cream and cheese.

A melt-in-the-mouth Coda Alla Vaccinara (Roman Oxtail Stew) flavored with sage, bay leaves, cloves, wine, raisins, and pine nuts also expands the boundaries of traditional Italian fare.

Readers, cooks, and libraries interested in adopting a more regional approach to Italian cooking will find Rome: Classic Recipes from the Eternal City a top-level “must have” acquisition.

The Nurturing Home: Living with Kotoisa, the Finnish Way to Happiness by Susanna Laiho Hawkins (9781846016219, $29.99) advocates a different vision for a home atmosphere – one which promotes peace, simplicity, and slower thinking, habits, and contemplative efforts.

Of special interest are color photos that accompany insights about the transformation process. “The house as it was” and “Dreaming what it could be” are just a few examples of sections that document the process of interior design transformation and the results of changing original interior layouts to promote calmness and coherence.

Tips for budgeting without compromising such values and analyzing the options incorporate a range of possibilities and approaches for making the Finnish philosophy of peace part of an overall approach to change that begins at and with one’s home.

Luca Calvani’s A Tuscan Table: Seasonal Vegetarian Recipes from Italy (9781846017285, $34.99) captures both food and the atmosphere of Tuscany in a celebratory title that blends full-page color photos with seasonal dishes from Luca Calvani’s small Tuscan villa Le Gusciane.

Some dishes, such as Pumpkin Pie, will be familiar comfort fare; while others, such as Butternut Squash and Radicchio Casserole or Braised Fennel with Raisins, Pine Nuts and Olives, offer surprising innovations.

These celebrations of Tuscany’s seasonal opportunities will appeal to anyone interested in a recipe-centric cookbook that acknowledges local vegetarian opportunities year-round.

Way Beyond Happiness
Sandra Woien, Editor
Carus Books
9781637700792 $29.95
www.carusbooks.com

Way Beyond Happiness: Buddhism, Stoicism, and Psychotherapy blends philosophy with spiritual and psychological inspection to consider the foundations of stoicism, Buddhist thinking, and tackling life changes and impact.

Readers interested in the deeper psychological threads of discussion which run through these topics will find this collection excels in considering revised definitions, case histories, and examples of these elements in daily life, ultimately tackling the roots of happiness, dissatisfaction, and stoic thinking.

Libraries interested in intellectual discourses that hold the potential to reach into general-interest audiences via examples that resonate will find Way Beyond Happiness will attract patrons beyond the usual circles of Buddhist thinkers.

Young Adult/Children

The Fisherman and the Mermaids
Diana Marciano and Dávid Pogran
Post Wave
9798895090978 $18.99
www.postwavepublishing.us

The Fisherman and the Mermaids is translated by Angela Arnone and tells of an old fisherman who begins to whistle while plying the seas with his nets, attracting mermaids who can’t help but wonder why he seems so happy.

They try to lure him from his life, reactions, and course by inviting him to part with the memory of his beloved cat (now dead), or accept eternal youth in exchange for his dearest dream.

His refusal to part with either, and his other life gifts, help the very young understand and appreciate that some things are not suitable for giving away for all the riches in the world in this appealing, gentle story of wisdom and revelation.

Floris Books
www.florisbooks.co.uk

These new arrivals from Floris Books provide picture book readers with engaging stories and attractive illustrations, and are highly recommended.

Pog’s Mr. Crump and the Heartless Grump (9781782509523, $18.99) is illustrated by Stéphanie Léon. It tells of a grouchy old man who doesn’t like anyone, but loves his teddy bears.

When Halloween visitors stumble upon his hidden bear collection, Mr. Crump overcomes his dislike of children, Halloween, and having anyone in his house – with unexpected results, as the kids introduce the giving and kindness that had long been lost to him.

Chiaki Okada and Ko Okada’s What Comes After the Snow? (9781835750087, $18.99) tells of little rabbit Bramble, who wants to know what happens when the snow she has seen all her young life melts.

Her mother tells her about spring - but Bramble can’t imagine such a big change. How will she recognize spring if she’s never experienced it?

A lovely story about a little rabbit’s discovery of the world makes for a compelling tale.

Sophie Pluim’s The Little House That Needed a Witch (9781782509837, $18.99) opens with an old witch who vacates a house, leaving it lonely and alone.

What can an abandoned house do but pull up roots and take off in search of a homeless witch replacement?

This fairy tale will attract young readers with an inviting, whimsical story of a journey that is accompanied by especially creative, inviting illustrations to attract the very young.

All are fine additions, highly recommended for elementary-level libraries and home collections alike.

For Always Friends
Tootie Nienow
Blue Dot
9798999567697 $18.95
www.bluedotkidspress.com

For Always Friends receives attractive illustrations by Katherine Ahmed as it surveys the emotional connections between two boys for ages 3-7.

Two lonely boys discover they can be friends and imagine that their connection will last forever – until a mistake leads to division and separation. Can the two boys overcome their conflict to become friends again?

Adults who read to kids can use For Always Friends to explore themes of kindness, conflict resolution, the ups and downs of friendships, and how to maintain equilibrium when everything changes.

I’m Frankie Frankenstein
José Carlos Andrés Gómez
NubeOcho
9791387834524 $17.99
www.nubeocho.com

I’m Frankie Frankenstein tells of a big monster girl who has lots of toys, but few friends due to her frightening size and countenance. Frankie just wants to play with the villagers, even if they are nothing like her.

But most are in “an awful rush” to get away from her as soon as they see her. How can Frankie make friends under such conditions?

It takes another uncommon individual to see the benefits of being Frankie’s friend in this moving story of size, differences, friendships, and acceptance.

Frankie will be anything but scary to her young readers, which will make her story an inviting lesson for adults who read aloud and elementary-level librarians seeking tales about acceptance, differences, and fitting in.

Nosy Crow
www.nosycrow.us

These new picture book releases from Nosy Crow offer powerful stories that should be in any elementary-level library.

Such a collection will likely already have the always-popular classic The Velveteen Rabbit or How Toys Become Real by Margery Williams, but this version (9798887772684, $24.99), illustrated by Sarah Massini, provides a keepsake edition that is complete, unabridged, and gorgeously illustrated.

The classic story returns to new life in an attractive hardcover that will remain appealing and relevant to new generations considering toys, loss, and love.

How to Scare a Mouse and Bear by Ross Collins (9798887771731, $18.99) tells of a Halloween where Bear is determined to scare the unflappable Mouse. Disguising himself seems to result in nothing frightening, and Mouse is much smarter than Bear, so his effort feels futile.

What evolves is something weird, new, and capable of surprising both Mouse and Bear in this vivid, colorful story of a friendship tested.

These are fine additions for any elementary-level library and for adults who delight in reading notable books to kids.

One Little Fishing Boat
Brooke Hartman and John Joseph
Red Comet Press
9781636552040 $18.99
www.redcometpress.com

One Little Fishing Boat takes picture book readers on a journey over big blue seas, where they will encounter whales, fishing, puffin birds, otters, and even menacing storms.

A boatload of adventure is to be had, while adults who read this story to kids receive many action words (“Tossing! Tumbling! Roaring! Rumbling!”) throughout the vivid saga, making for an action-packed read that celebrates nature and boating in a thoroughly immersive manner.

Penguin/Viking/Philomel
www.penguinrandomhouse.com

These new picture book arrivals will appeal widely to young listeners and readers, featuring stories that are attractive, diverse, and encourage repeated reading.

Laura Lavoie’s Breathe, Bunny, Breathe: A Book About Big Feelings (9780593695463, $18.99) enjoys vivid, large-size illustrations by bestselling illustrator Mike Boldt as it surveys Bunny, who can have a hard time controlling his temper and his too-big emotions.

Luckily, his wise mother has taught him some techniques for addressing his fury at life’s frustrations. These are imparted via a rollicking rhyme paired with fun illustrations of quirky situations: “His cheeks turn red./His whiskers twitch./The ferrets glare and frown./Bunny’s so embarrassed/but he’ll calm his feelings down.”

Chloe Ito Ward’s All the Ways We Learn (9798217050376, $18.99) is illustrated by Yaroslava Apolionova and surveys different ways of learning and absorbing life. Some kids hum when they think. Others look away while they listen. The many forms of listening and learning covered here give kids and read-aloud adults the opportunity to better understand coping methods and learning processes alike. Its warm “I and we” approach reaches out to embrace kids, inviting them to consider their own learning habits and quirks.

Oliver Jeffers and Kevin Waldron’s A Day Off School (9798217039999, $18.99) tells of young Herbie, who stays home from school with the sniffles, only to discover an unexpected wealth of leisure time to do the things he loves, including playing and watching TV. Boredom too quickly sets in, however, as he wonders what is happening at school, that he’ll be missing.

Readers won’t expect the hilarious, imaginative adventure that evolves from Herbie’s vision of what amazing things might be taking place without him.

What if pirates invaded, for example? The creative twists make this story delightful.

Levina van Teunenbroek’s The Knight With No Bottom (9798217038893, $14.99) is an international bestseller that will delight American audiences with a zany story illustrated by Charlotte Bruijn.

A knight be-bottomed by a dragon’s bite goes on a mission to find his missing bottom, ultimately visiting a bottom shop in his pursuit.

Young readers will especially delight in the unexpected challenges of leading a bottomless life: “By foot, it would be treacherous. His heart, it beat with fear./He couldn’t ride his pony yet, but he had one last idea...”

The rhyming adventure is creative, colorful, and thoroughly engaging.

Claire Tattersfield and Rob Seyegh Jr.’s Big Rig Pig (9798217039012, $15.99) introduces the character of the truck-driving pig Miles Bacon, whose big rigs hauls many characters out of dilemmas.

From Miles’ many truck-driving friends and their cheerful, cooperative ventures to different dilemmas that require his big rig expertise, Big Rig Pig is a lively story filled with sound effects that read-aloud adults will enjoy replicating (“Vroom vroom vroom”) and notes of positivity and helpfulness that translate to uplifting adventures.

Randy Preston’s The First Drum I Ever Heard (9780593529553, $18.99) is colorfully illustrated by Tamisha Anthony, and tells of a little boy’s mother who can play all kinds of drums. Thus, drums have always been a big part of their lives at home, outdoors, and in concert.

Rhythmic language with lots of drum sound effects charts not just a talented musical mother, but the connections between them that come from her drumming efforts.

Mariann Edgar Budde’s I Can Learn to be Brave (9798217041909, $18.99) enjoys simple but appealing illustrations by Holly Hatam as it tells of a little girl who longs to be brave - but knows she is not.

This is augmented by a brave girl’s admonition that anyone can learn to be brave, and her mission to show her fearful counterpart how to do so.

Friendship, adventures, new discoveries, and step-by-step ventures into not just courage, but new connections, creates a picture book filled with wisdom that read-aloud adults will want to consider with the very young:

“Nobody knows they can climb before they start climbing. You learn by taking the first step,” said the brave girl. “The first step is the hardest, but it’s also the bravest.”

Fall Day, All Day by Kari Percival (9780593888629, $18.99) outlines the atmosphere of fall; from crisp air to leaves changing colors and animals preparing for winter. It contrasts these changes with human responses to the changing season, offering a fine celebration and exploration of how all beings, from bugs to humans, adapt to and celebrate seasonal changes.

Hudson Talbott’s The Next Shiny Object (9780593856772, $18.99) surveys the challenges and rewards of curiosity and imagination, offering a supportive survey of both for kids who have been accused of having too much of either.

Talbott’s first-person reflection on the emotions connected to these tendencies offers read-aloud adults and kids the opportunity to reflect upon, understand, and consider the feelings and their impact:

Curiosity is a funny thing. It can feel like a friend exploring with me, or a beast bouncing me around in a pinball machine. The beast was always ready to chase the next shiny object.

Lovely, colorful, whimsical illustrations add to the attraction.

Carmen Rubin’s A Night for the Rice Carriers (9780593890974, $18.99) receives warm, colorful illustrations by Matt Williams as it surveys Mae’s excitement over her grandmother’s full-moon garden celebration.

Her story, inspired by real rice carriers, blends the rhythms and color of this special occasion with historical and cultural insights perfect for read-aloud and discussion about the courage of enslaved West African and Caribbean women in America.

All are excellent additions to children’s libraries.

Spaghetti Science
Lucia Rush
Helvedtiq
9783039641154 $19.95
www.helvetiq.com

Spaghetti Science is a noodle comparison that will attract any young reader interested in spaghetti. It surveys pasta’s origins and creation (“It takes about 2 handfuls of wheat to make just one plate of spaghetti!”), discusses shopping for spaghetti and understanding its differences from other pastas, includes a recipe for homemade spaghetti, and packs in colorful visuals for added attraction.

Kids who love spaghetti receive a plateful of facts and colorful insights about everything to do with this pasta, which will encourage them to appreciate it even more, whether in or outside of the kitchen.

Tiger Tales
www.tigertalesbooks.com

These new arrivals from Tiger Tales provide picture book readers with colorful, engaging stories that will widely appeal.

Maudie Powell-Tuck’s Frankenkitty (9781664300972, $18.99) receives especially vivid illustrations by Mini Grey as it tells of a stitched-together kitty that lives in a haunted castle and harbors a scary reputation.

Frankenkitty is blamed for everything odd that goes wrong, and is tossed out into the snow, even though he is innocent.

Can inventor’s daughter Olive rescue him despite admonitions that the monster cat apparently holds the power to doom them all?

This engaging, fun take on the Frankenstein monster legend will delight young cat fans interested in tales of misunderstood individuals.

Here a Creak, There a Shriek! By Kelly Conroy (9781664300965, $18.99) receives whimsical, fun illustrations by Nikolas Ilic as it explores a haunted farm in a tour of Old MacSpooky’s abode.

A rollicking Halloween rhyme accompanies the journey into fields filled with cackling witches in a rusty truck journey where “everywhere is a black cat” in this hilarious take-off on the staid Old MacDonald song.

Jessica Meserve’s The House That Love Built (9781664300958, $18.99) tells of a terrible storm that devastates the forest and changes everything. It seems time to move - but the myriad of animals that live there love their home, even though it appears to be destroyed.

As they determine to rebuild, what emerges from the rubble is the certainty that, actually, what they are investing in is love and connections.

As they rebuild their home better than before, the sense of cooperative community efforts teaches picture book readers about the value of not just home, but the support systems, friends, neighbors, and family invested in it.

Exceptionally lovely illustrations make this story a winner.

All are highly recommended picks.