Elem. – Jasper Rabbit’s Creepy Tales: Unsettling Salad!

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Reynolds, Aaron. Jasper Rabbit’s Creepy Tales: Unsettling Salad! Illustrated by Peter Brown. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. 2026.  978-1-665-96111-0. $13.99. Grades 1-4.

Other books in Jasper Rabbit’s Creepy Tales Series:
Troubling Tonsils! 978-1-665-96108-0.
Yarn Is Everything! 978-1-665-96114-1. (On Sale 7/14/2026)

Jasper Rabbit is back! He’s older and more wise, ready to tell another unsettling tale, another unsettling warning to all of those who will listen. Thadeus the badger and his best friend, Oliver Possum, would much rather spend their time eating burgers than exercising or touching vegetables. When Oliver’s parents challenge the pair to eat an entire salad, the two reluctantly agree. However, things quickly take a strange turn when Oliver accidentally bites the inside of his mouth (or did something bite him?), and the healthy meal becomes far more dangerous than they ever imagined.

THOUGHTS: Another fun, spooky tale from Jasper Rabbit! This hilarious and spooky tale reminds us that there is always more going on, especially with vegetables that might bite back!

Fantasy
Early Chapter

Elem. – When You Dream Big!

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Reynolds, Peter H. When You Dream Big! Orchard Books. 2026. 978-1-339-00035-0. $17.99. Grades PreK-3.

During Dream Big Week at school, everyone is excited to talk about their future goals. Well, all except Charley. She isn’t sure what she wants to be when she grows up, and that uncertainty makes her feel left out. On her walk home, however, Charley begins to realize that while she may not know exactly what career she wants, she does know the kind of person she hopes to become: kind, brave, and true to herself. 

THOUGHTS: This story reminds readers that life is about growing, learning, and continuing to move forward with confidence and an open heart. Another inspiring story by Peter H. Reynolds!

Picture Book

Elem. – Our Universe (Series NF)

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McAnulty, Stacy. Our Universe. Illustrated by Stevie Lewis. $157.92 Set of 8. $18.99 ea. Grades K-3.

Henry Holt and Co.
Earth! My First 4.54 Billion Years. 978-1-250-10808-1.
Mars! Earthlings Welcome. 978-1-250-25688-1.
Moon! Earth’s Best Friend. 978-1-250-19934-8.
Ocean! Waves for All. 978-1-250-10809-8.
Our Planet! There’s No Place Like Earth. 978-1-250-78249-6.
Our Solar System! A Stellar Neighborhood. 978-1-250-81347-3.
Pluto! 978-1-250-81346-6.
Sun! One in a Billion. 978-1-250-19932-4.

Odd Dot
Venus! Fierce and Fabulous. 978-1-250-33447-3.

Here is Venus, one of the solar system’s brightest and boldest planets! Told from Venus’s own hilarious point of view, this engaging picture book introduces readers to the planet’s unique features, including its extremely hot atmosphere, dazzling appearance in the night sky, and unusual backward spin. Venus doesn’t hold back as she shows off how she is the true diva of the solar system!

THOUGHTS: This book is filled with fun facts, humor, and colorful illustrations, VENUS! makes learning about space exciting and memorable for young readers. VENUS! Is another great addition to the Our Universe series. Look for Stars! The Secrets Behind the Twinkle coming in 2027!

523.42 Outer Space

Elem. – Duck Delivers

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Tinn-Disbury, Tom. Duck Delivers. Random House, 2026. 978-8-217-12244-8. Unpaged. $18.99. Grades K-3.

Duck has a hard time following his Great-Granducks three rules, pay attention, don’t panic and stay positive. One day Duck sees a sign to join the Feather Force Delivery Service, and he decides to take the challenge! What follows is a hysterical romp through Duck’s attempt to deliver a package to Oak Beach. Will Duck be able to follow his Great-Granducks three rules and deliver the package in time?

THOUGHTS: This is a really funny book about taking chances in your life no matter how scared or nervous you may be. This would be a great book for a guidance counselor to read with students who are new to the school. Highly recommended for any elementary school collection.

Picture Book

Elem. – How Not To Make A Jelly Sandwich

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Burach, Ross. How Not To Make A Jelly Sandwich. Scholastic Press, 2026. 978-1-338-87709-0. 40 p. $19.99. Grades K-3.

Did you know that you need to teach a hamster to unicycle in order to help you cut your jelly sandwich? Did you know that you need two knights jousting to help put your jelly sandwich together? Well, these are the steps that Frankie outlines in How Not to Make a Jelly Sandwich, and it’s a laugh out loud romp as you go through the book and see all the silly things Frankie does to make her sandwich. The illustrations definitely add to the overall story and will make the reader want to take a second and even third look through the book to find everything they missed.

THOUGHTS: This will make an amazing read out loud with kids!! Also would be a great read aloud to go along with any lessons that are focusing on step by step instructions. Highly recommended for any elementary school collection.

Picture Book 

YA – The Sun and the Starmaker

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Griffin, Rachel. The Sun and the Starmaker. Sourcebooks Fire, 2026. 978-1-728-25618-4. 426 p. $19.99. Grades 9-12.

Aurora Finch grew up hearing the story of the Sun and the Starmaker, loving listening to her mother tell her the story while her sister fell asleep. Fast forward in time to Aurora Finch being grown and getting ready to marry and settle down into something that looks like a normal life. That all changes when she goes hunting in the forest and almost takes down a snow stag which is forbidden. Luckily she is stopped by the Starmaker, and her life begins to unravel. The Starmaker tells her that she has magical powers and she must go with him to learn how to use her magic and be the next Starmaker who pulls the magic of the sun to light their northern town of Reverie. What happens next is nothing like Aurora imagined her life to be, and the danger that she uncovers might be the end of everything she holds dear.

THOUGHTS: This was full of tropes and normal “romantasy” things, and I adored every second of this book! Great for fans of The Swan’s Daughter, and The Rose Bargain duology.

Fantasy
Romance 

Elem. – Arlo All Over Again

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Stabrowski, Sayuri. Arlo All Over Again. Illustrated by Dave Szalay. Free Press Publishing, 2026. 979-8-885-54764-2. Unpaged. $18.99 Grades K- 2.

Arlo All Over Again is a story about Oliver who isn’t sure about doing new things. One snowy day his brothers all want to go outside to play, and Oliver, who doesn’t want to go, has to tag along. While he’s there he meets Arlo and finds all new things to try that he likes doing! When the weather gets warm, he realizes he has no idea what Arlo looks like without his snow suit. As the year goes on, Oliver tries to be more like Arlo and be braver and more confident. When summer comes, his family wants to go to the pool which Oliver does not want to do. When he is there, he meets another boy and they end up playing and having fun. It turns out that boy was Arlo!! There are tips and tricks for both kids and adults at the end of the book to teach how to build confidence in new situations and how to channel their “inner Arlo”.

THOUGHTS: This would be a great book to read with a guidance counselor or to use for a specific lesson related to the topic of trying new things or making new friends.

Picture Book 

Elem. – A Visit with the Birds: A Hands-On Nature Book

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Levine, Sara. A Visit with the Birds: A Hands-On Nature Book. Illustrated by Ashley Barron. SourceBooks Explore, 2026. 978-1-464-22295-5. $14.99. 24 p. Grades PK-2. 

The character takes a walk to the park and wonders, “where are the birds?” Shortly after, the main character can be seen listening to the Coo’s and Caw’s of the birds in the park. Told through interactive prompts like pointing to birds, pretending to feed the birds, and more.  

THOUGHTS: For the youngest readers this book will be a HIT especially as the season turns from winter to spring. The illustrations are bright and colorful and also incorporate a variety of people including a character in a wheelchair. 

Picture Book

Elem. – All the Ice Cream in the Land

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Kastner, Emmy. All the Ice Cream in the Land. Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers,  2026. 978-1-665-98451-5. $19.99. 50 p. Grades PK-3.

Princess Roselyn the Reticent, never wanted for anything. Her servants could anticipate whatever she needed and always had it to her before she could even utter a word. So when her belly grumbles, the who community decides not only does she need some ice cream, she needs ALL the ice cream in the land. But then she also needs a bigger bowl, a bigger spoon, a storage cabinet for the spoon, and so much more. And after everything, the princess says that all she really wanted was a piece of pizza.

THOUGHTS: This is such a funny and entertaining story especially for younger readers. The illustrations are diverse in skin color, size, and gender. This could be used to help students learn to speak up for themselves. 

Picture Book

Elem. – Earl & Worm: Snow Problem and Other Stories

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Pizzoli, Greg. Earl & Worm: Snow Problem and Other Stories. Alfred A. Knopf, 2025. 978-0-593-64974-9. $10.99. 69 p. Grades PreK-2. 

Everyone’s favorite friends Earl and Worm are back in a collection of three short stories. Each story in this volume revolves around Earl’s birthday. In the opening story, Worm can’t wait to go to Earl’s house to wish him a happy birthday. But first, she has to shovel and salt the walk between their homes. And then when she gets to Earl’s house, he isn’t even up yet! In the second story, Worm gives Earl his birthday present–a disposable camera. They pose for pictures together, but will they be able to get a shot where they both look good in the photo? In the third story, “A Secret Wish,” Worm makes Earl a birthday cake, but when Earl refuses to say what his wish was when he blew out the candles, Worm gets upset and concerned. What was Earl’s wish? 

THOUGHTS: Earl and Worm stories are known for their heart and humor, and this volume continues this tradition. Readers will no doubt wish they had a caring and thoughtful friend like Worm to celebrate their own birthday with. Earl and Worm deserve a space on the shelf in all libraries serving early readers. 

Picture Book