Category: PB

picture books

cover of Charts for Babies with a pie chart for "what to do with this book"
Posted in PB, Read-aloud, So Many Good Books

Charts for Babies

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Perfect Picture Book Friday

Charts for Babies (Abrams Appleseed, 2026) Michelle Rial is so darn cute. And will especially appeal to any nerdy parent, grandparent, or aunt or uncle. As you can tell from the cover, the book includes humor.

But, make no mistake–this books IS for kids. It shares concepts such as big/small, flat/curvy, behind/ahead/between and much more, in rhyme. Not only is it a fun read-aloud, but the book will grow with the kids as they can return to it for more complex ideas such as types of charts.

This is Michelle’s debut picture book. Read about the author/illustrator here. She has also written a book for adults. If you like, read an interview with Michelle about Charts for Babies.

cover of Milton Makes a Move shows a happy pug in a small suitcase with toys and blanket spilling out against a soft green background
Posted in PB, Read-aloud, So Many Good Books

Milton Makes a Move

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Perfect Picture Book Friday

Coming in August, Milton Makes a Move (Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2026) by Jonathan Graziano and illustrated by Dan Tavis, is a delightful story of pet adoption.*

Milton, a pug, lives in a yard with lots of other dogs. One day he gets the news: he’s “moving into a new home with his very own family!” He knows he should be excited, but what if his new home doesn’t have his favorites? But Milton tries to be brave. He packs his suitcase and is on his way.

I love the tender heart of this story–how pug and man help each other. Plus, there’s humor in text such as “stinky stinks” and adorable illustrations. (I don’t want to reveal too much.) Dog lovers will definitely relate to this story.

The author wants to encourage others to adopt a senior pet next time they add to their family. Jonathan’s the creator of the viral “Bones or No Bones” TikTok videos and a bestselling author of Noodle and the No Bones Day. Here’s an article with videos on how it all got started in August of 2021.

I’m a bit jealous that I won’t be in New York on August 2nd, as Milton and Jonathan will be appearing at the Union Square Barnes and Noble that afternoon. A list of appearances is here.

Read about the bestselling illustrator here. Dan’s portfolio of wonderful illustrations is here and his books here.

*I received a copy of the book from the publisher. Note, I only recommend books I like.

Bitsy Bat Snow Star cover shows a pink bat wearing a scarf and hat and lying in the snow
Posted in PB, So Many Good Books

Bitsy Bat, Snow Star

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Perfect Picture Book Friday

Bitsy Bat, Snow Star (Beach Lane Books, 2026) written and illustrated by Kaz Windness is a fun winter story that shows how different people feel about the weather. The book comes out October 27th just in time for snow in some regions.*

Join Bitsy Bat on her first time in the snow. This neurodivergent bat doesn’t enjoy getting wet as a snow angel, or the dangers of sledding, and can’t make a snowman with her wings. What will her friends think? Will they not want to be her friend anymore?

Many children will relate to the issue of disliking what others think is fun. And isn’t the art adorable?

This is the third story in the series. Read more here.

See all of the author/illustrator’s books here and read about Kaz here.

*I received access to a digital arc from the publisher.

cover of Heronry - beautiful illustration of a great blue heron wading in water
Posted in PB, Read-aloud, So Many Good Books

Heronry

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Perfect Picture Book Friday

Herony (Tilbury House Publishers, 2026) by Barbara Herkert and illustrated by Gordy Wright is such a delight! Isn’t that cover lovely?

Lyrical language and beautiful illustrations pair up to tell about the great blue herons at their breeding grounds. From arrival through choosing just the right nest, finding a mate, eggs laid, chicks hatched, fledglings learning to hunt and fly, then the departure, we follow these birds at the heronry. All is quiet until they return the next year.

I love how you can read the poetic lines once all the way through, and then go back and start over to reread the facts on the opposite pages. Either way the story flows well. It’s a book to treasure.

See all of the author’s books here and read about Barb here.

Check out the illustrator’s other books here and see some sample illustrations here. Read about Gordy here.

(I received an advanced copy from the author–it comes out June 16th.)

cover of The Underwearwolf - dark background with orange lettering for UNDERWEAR and yellow for WOLF with a spotlighted wolf in underwear. kids toys on the floor.
Posted in PB, Read-aloud, So Many Good Books

The Underwearwolf

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Perfect Picture Book Friday

Okay, this one, The Underwearwolf (Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2026) by Gideon Sterer and illustrated by Charles Santoso, grabbed me by the title and didn’t let go. If you like humor in books such as Creepy Carrots, then you’ll like this laugh-out-loud one.

The main character’s uncle Larry sends this note along with a gift, “I know you appreciate underwear; so I sent you the coolest ones I could find.” The kid has lots of underwear but these are “Different. Strange. Wool?” There’s fine print “DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE OR FOR ANY REASON WEAR THESE UNDERWEAR DURING THE FULL MOON.” Does our character listen? Of course not.

Hilarity ensues. Kids will be repeating phrases from this book.

I hadn’t read this bestselling author before, but now want to read his others. Read about Gideon here and check out his books here and here.

I’ve featured another book by the illustrator, this way, Charlie, which has a completely different tone. Read about Charles here and see some of his art here.

Note: I received a review copy of this book from Simon and Schuster. However, I only recommend books I like.