Tag Archives: Animals

Elem. – The Unlikely Tale of Chase and Finnegan

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Warga, Jasmine. The Unlikely Tale of Chase and Finnegan. Balzer + Bray, 2026. 978-1-250-38718-9. 240 p. $18.99. Grades 3-6.

Finnegan, a newly stray dog, and Chase, an orphaned cheetah cub, have each experienced their own heartbreak, but when they’re unexpectedly brought together, can they help one another heal?

THOUGHTS: In this warm and wondrous story, Warga tenderly explores themes of chosen and found family, coping with trauma, healing from loss, overcoming anxiety, empathy and unconditional acceptance, and the bravery it often takes to choose love. Finnegan and Chase–as well as Ryan and Basma, the humans who bring them together–will stick with readers long after they read the last page. Soft grayscale spot illustrations open each part and chapter of the novel, providing gentle cues as to the arc of each section and narrator of each chapter. Back matter includes “fun facts” about cheetahs and dogs; an author’s note shares some insight into the inspiration behind the story, as well as resources for readers who would like to learn more about protecting animals. Deeply stirring and, ultimately, soaring. A must read for all ages!

Fantasy

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 

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. – Top 10 Animal Extremes (Series NF)

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Rose, Rachel. Top 10 Animal Extremes. Bearport, 2025. 24 p. $21.67ea. $130.02 set of 6. Grades 2-5. 

The 10 Coolest Animals. 979-8-892-32637-7.
The 10 Cutest Animals. 979-8-892-32638-4.
The 10 Deadliest Animals. 979-8-892-32639-1.
The 10 Grossiest Animals. 979-8-892-32640-7.
The 10 Smartest Animals. 979-8-892-32641-4.
The 10 Strongest. Animals. 979-8-892-32642-1.

All types of animals live on Earth, from cute to strong, smart to deadly. The series Top 10 Animal Extremes offers readers a fun way to explore the animal kingdom–the always popular top 10 list format! Each volume counts down a category of animal. This reviewer had the opportunity to examine The 10 Cutest Animals. The volume opened with a brief profile of the gecko, then counted down past axolotls, quokkas and more until, the #1 cutest animal in this subjective listing, the meerkat, was profiled. Each animal profile is 1-2 pages and features a close-up photo of the animal as well as a very brief overview of the animal. Sidebars also include some quick facts about the animal. 

THOUGHTS: This series is sure to be a hit with animal lovers as well as fans of top 10 lists or fact books. If your elementary library has students in either one of these categories, this series is a worthwhile supplemental purchase. 

590 Animals

Elem./MG – The Dirt! Wild Life Under the Soil’s Surface

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Leigh, Lindsey. The Dirt! Wild Life Under the Soil’s Surface. Penguin Workshop, 2025. 978-0-593-88965-7.. 92 p. $17.99. Grades 3-7. 

In this work of graphic nonfiction, author/illustrator Lindsey explores the world of soil and the wide variety of creatures that inhabit the underground ecosystem. Readers are introduced to the four M’s of soil inhabitants. From smallest to largest, they are: microfauna, mesofauna, macrofauna, and megafauna. Numerous examples of each category of organisms and animals are profiled. A brief sampling of the soil residents profiled include amoebas, nematodes, slime molds, pseudoscorpions, termites, antlions, mole crickets, cicada killer wasps, moles, badgers, and more! The important interconnected roles these creatures play within the soil ecosystem are discussed throughout the text. 

THOUGHTS: Students are sure to enjoy this engaging title. While the text is informative, it also incorporates a great deal of humor, with the animals regularly addressing each other or the reader via conversation bubbles (for example, the mole rat says, “Hey, looks aren’t everything.” when the text shares information about their physical characteristics). This title is a worthwhile addition to elementary and middle school shelves. 

591.797 Animals

Elem. – The Weedy Garden

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Renkl, Margaret. The Weedy Garden. Illustrated by Billy Renkl. Greenwillow Books, 2026. 978-0-063-43281-9. 40 p. $19.99. Grades Pre K-3.

Did you know a backyard garden is a vibrant ecosystem, full of wildlife and creatures living in diverse habitats? From experience to experience of a wide-variety of backyard animals, the reader is taken through a weedy garden. How will the garden speak to you?

THOUGHTS: While there are many children’s picture books of this ilk, The Weedy Garden offers a fresh perspective from all the animals you might find in a backyard garden including monarch butterflies, tree frogs, and fireflies. Paired with beautiful collage illustrations, this book offers the reader a chance to have an immersive experience as a direct character by using second-person narrative. This story will speak to the youngest elementary garden enthusiasts. 

Picture Book

Elem. – Guinea Pigs Don’t Wear Pants

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Farias, Chris Paul. Guinea Pigs Don’t Wear Pants. Rebel Goose Books, 2026. 978-1-069-46791-1. Unpaged. $18.99. Grades K-2.

Guinea Pigs Don’t Wear Pants shows how guinea pigs, chickens, llamas, and more can’t wear certain things because it wouldn’t let them do certain things. However, the reader can wear whatever they want! They can wear chicken shirts, lipstick, or do whatever they want. The book empowers the reader that they can do whatever they want, no matter what anyone else says. The overall message of the book is one of empowering readers that they can be, wear, or do whatever they want. 

THOUGHTS: This is an amazing book that every child should read, and every household should have a copy. There is an important yet simple message that “you are special, and anything’s for you.” 

Picture Book 

Elem. – The Little Bee

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Killen, Nicola. The Little Bee. Beach Lane Books,  2026, 9798347109197. $17.99. 24 pgs. Grades PK-2

A curious little girl hears a BZZZZZZZZZZZ coming from outside her window. When she sees the bumblebee in her family garden, she is saddened when it doesn’t stay long. Ollie follows a bumblebee out to a field of flowers. This sparks an idea for Ollie to plant a garden of her own to help bring more insects and bees to her home.

THOUGHTS: The illustrations in this book are absolutely beautiful. The author and illustrator uses purple, brown, and yellow/gold colors only, and the ways the illustrations pop are absolutely stunning. Young readers will enjoy the simple text and storyline as well as the beautiful illustrations. 

Picture Book

Elem. – Judgy Bunny and the Terrible Beach

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Rothman, Scott. Judgy Bunny and the Terrible Beach. Linzie Hunter. Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, 2026. 978-1-728-29672-2. $18.99. Grades PK-3.

Judgy Bunny visits the beach prepared for everything to go wrong. From the sun being too bright to ice cream being yucky, nothing seems to please her. She meets another bunny who carefully tries to include Judgy Bunny in the beach party. Still not having a good time, and one too many beach balls bonked on the head, Judgy Bunny ends up popping the last beach ball and immediately feels bad about it. But her new friend shows compassion and empathy, which confuses Judgy Bunny until her new friend says, “I try to be nice to everyone!” Along with other beach goers, the two have a great time. 

THOUGHTS: I loved how silly this story was and appreciated the moral. As a former timid kid who was very scared to try new things, I definitely could relate to Judgy Bunny. I’m sure other students could relate to Judgy Bunny and also could learn from her new friend about being kind and giving new things a chance. This is a great read-a-loud for this time of year – right before summer break!

Picture Book

Judgy Bunny doesn’t like the beach and especially wants to know why the beach ball is so round. However, Judgy Bunny ends up invited to hang out with other bunnies who are being nice to him, and he doesn’t know why. By the end of his beach day, he finds out he likes lots of things about the beach. He finds that he likes ice cream, building sand castles, and he loves boogie boarding!

THOUGHTS: This is a funny story about a bunny who learns to try new things and finds that he doesn’t hate everything! This would be a fun read aloud to pair with other books about the beach.

Picture Book