NEW PICTURE BOOKS: Summer 2026

Not all of the titles listed below are 2026 publications but they were NEW picture book titles for Dr. Larry, each worthy of attention.

CHOCOLATE CAKE by Michael Rosen; ill. Kevin Waldron / 2017

Michael Roaen’s story poems are wonderful summonings of childhood experiences.  Chocolate Cake tells the story of a young boy addicted to this divine dessert. One night he wakes up and heads to the kitchen to just taste a crumb of cake and one crumb leads to another and another until the whole cake, of course,  disappears. This picture book, with its vibrant, comical  illustrations by Kevin Waldron, fun font displays on several pages (e..g. A- HA-HA! Gobble! Mmmm. Gobble!) and clever use of thought balloons (“yeah, its all right, OK.’) make for a delightful delicious read. Oh, how I love chocolate cake!

GANDER: The Town that Welcomed the World by Nikki Bergstresser; illus. Reilly Fitrgerald

When the tragedy of September 11, 2001 struck, 38 planes were forced to land in Gander, Newfoundland.  The citizens of the small city rose to the occasion by providing food and shelter, comfort and companionship for six days to the 6000 stranded passengers who were anxious and hopeful to return home. This event of the ‘small town with the big heart’  is an epic story of connection and kindness. The story gained renowned with the musical production, Come From Away that was performed throughout the world.  This terrific picture book succinctly encapsulates the events of those six days and provides readers with insights into what made Gander and its citizens so special.   The painterly art work by Newfoundland artist Reilly Fitzgerald captures the setting and the relationships when the plane people encountere dthe big-hearted citizens of a community doing what they were supposed to do,  ‘just’  giving  care and hope when life tosses the unexpected in our way. Hooray to Nikki Bergstresser, Reilly Fitzgerald and Plumleaf Press for carrying forward this story of a. town that welcomed the world.

THE GOODBYE BOOK by Todd Parr / 2015  / Loss and Remembrance

Each and every one of Todd Parr’s 60+ publications is worthy of praise. His choice of  reevant topics, his use of repetitive, syntactic patterning and his super brightly  coloured pages that feature simple images that say a lot have made Parr an appealing, important, bestselling author.  I have a small Todd Parr collection (The Peace Book, The Kindness Book, Be Who You Are> It’s Okay to be Different, Reading Makes You Feel Good) and was delighted to see  the release of this book (originally published in 2015)  which invites readers to think about those they’ve said goodbye to for one reason or another.  Sharing this book with young readers is certain to ignite personal connections, prompting stories about moving away, death loss and remembrance and the feelings attached to those memories. The first part of the book talks about the sadness of saying goodbye (‘You might not feel like eating.’ ‘You might not feel like sleeping.’ ‘You might try to pretend it didn’t happen.’) but the later part of the book brings comfort as the fish (the readers)  recall special memories of those they miss and the happy times that were shared together. (‘You’ll remember how you laughed’). What is especially brilliant about this book, is Parr’s choice to feature fish in a fishbowl as characters who sometimes find it hard to say goodbye. This is another mighty resource to spur on social emotional learning ( being sad, mad, confused, joyful, loved). Todd Parr writes: “Of all my books, this was the hardest to write – because it’s never easy to say goodbye.” 5 starts from me!

I WILL JUDGE YOU BY YOUR BOOKSHELF by Grant Snider / graphic  / 2020

I love books. The title of this book and the peek-a-boo image on the cover caught my attention.  In this book, comic artist, Grant Snider has given a testimony to the importance of books in our lives. In one or two pages, Grant Snider presents a range of topics  (Stages of the Reader, A Writer’s Routine, Understanding Poetry, Ban This Book, Reader’s Block), through a range of genre (poetry, advice, anecdote, list, exposition, Grant Snider is very clever with words, terrific at brainstorming, a great graphic artist, He is insightful, witty, wise and hooray, hooray, he loves books This is a book lover’s book. I loved it.

Sample (alas, without visual images) / Perfect Reading Spots

Overstuffed chair, Morning sunbeam, Rush-hour traffic, Unusual trees, Yoga Class, Business Lunch, On the Beach, On he bus, Bookshop window, Attic crawl space, Secret Library Corner, Lover’s Embrace, Frustrating Hammock, Comfortable bed, Alone with my thoughts;, Ouside my own head.

MICHAEL ROSEN’S STICKY McSTICKSTICK: The Friend Who Helped Me Walk Again by Michael Rosen; illus. Tony Ross / 2021

In March 2020, Michael Rosen became very sick with Covid. His recuperation involved gaining  mobility with a walker, a wheelchair and diligent physiotherapy.  As he slowly progressed, he was given a walking stick to help give him more independence.  Step by step, Sticky McStickstick gave Rosen strength, independence and friendship. The author tells a remarkable story of tenacity and resilience.  Tony Ross’s wise and witty illustrations are a marvel, each image capturing Michael Rosen’s  journey to recovery with  poignancy.This is a very very special picture book about getting help and getting better. 

Excerpt

“Sticky McStickstick sits in a basket by the front door, just in case I need him. I often look at him on my way out, thinking of the time when he helped me learn how to walk. m/And he reminds me of the kind people who taught me all those things right from the time I couldn’t even stand up.”

A POLAR BEAR IN THE SNOW by Mac Barnett; illus. Shawn Harris / 2020

How do you create an illustration of a polar bear in the snow? Shawn Harris brilliantly illuminates the life of a bear who awakens and carries on living the life of a polar bear.: Is he going to visit the seals? Is he going to hunker in a cave? Mac Barnett’s spare text appears on each page accompanied  Harris’s cut-paper art work and snow-white (and then blue) images  of the polar bear make for a perfect picture book for young readers to think about – and wonder about the majesty of this Arctic creature. at home in his environment.  This one is a WOW! for its simplicity, adventure, pondering and learning. 

ORRIS AND TIMBLE: STAR STORIES  by Kate DiCamillo; illus. Carmen Mok / chapter book / 2026

This new release is the third in the trilogy (The Beginning; Lost and Found) . To say that KateDicamillo is a storyteller extraordinaire would be an understatement. The chapter book format provides her with a concise format to a mighty tale. Orris the rat and Tible the owl are friends, and when Timble invites his friend to fly with him and experience the world beyond the barn the  rat stubbornly replies “I can see teh sgrs, I can see the moon. I can read sorie, and I can talk with you. “That’s all enough for me.” How will Orris convince Timble to go on and adventure with him? How will Timple find the courage to trust his friend. Loyalty. Trust. Comfort. Conversations. Comfort. Stories, the wonders of flying and the story of stars make for another sublime  book for early readers by Kate DiCamillo. Carmen Mok’s  beautiful illustrations make reader a part of the two creatures’ lives. Perfection! Teachers/parents, please please introduce Orris and Timble to young readers (as well as her Norendy Tales trilogy).

REACH IN by Herve Tullet / 2026

This is the most recent publication by Herve Tullet, acclaimed artist/ author of interactive picture books for youngsters. His first claim to fame was the book Press Here which invited readers to follow instructions that lead to visual surprises of lively geometric images and bold colours. Tullet’s books (Mix it Up!; Let’s Play; Tap! Tap! Tap!) are experiential, interactive and magical and oh-so-playful.  Reach In is another exciting reading adventure  of lines, shapes, flips and folds from this talented French artist. Have fun!

 A CELEBRATION

THE STORY OF FERDINAND by Munro Leaf; illus by Robert Lawson / 1936

This year marks the 90th anniversary of the classic picture book The Story Of Ferdinand, first published in 1936 and  has since been translated in 60+ languages and has never been out of print.  The book is the story of Ferdinand, a little bull who would rather sit and smell the flowers rather than enter the bullring, which most other bulls dreamed of. Even though his moher his concerned about the loneliness of her son, she let him sit and be happy even though other bulls ran around ‘snorting and buttling, leaping and jumping’ hoping to get picked to fight in the bull fights .When Ferdiannd is stung by a bee he puffs, snorts and paws eh ground and the Banderilleros, Picadores, and Matadors were sure the found he fierces bull in Madrid. Refusing to be fierce, Ferdinand chose to sit quietly and smell the flowers.

First released in the 1930’s, Ferdinand was seen as symbol of fascism, pacifism and as a sit-down striker. Ferdinand was a ‘1930’s Rorschach test; sinister or benign, fascist or communist, subversive or patriotic. Or just a lovely story about animals and loners choosing their own paths. “(Sadie Steen, New York Times, Sunday June 7, p. 18). The story was inspired by an actual sweet-natured bull named Civilon. Generations of readers have responded to the story in different ways, whether they have heard it read to them or experienced as an independent read.  Whether it is seen as story of being an outsider being true to  oneself or a story about the sport of bullfighting, Controversial during war time, (Franco banned the book, Hitler ordered it burned). The Story of Ferdinand is a beloved story character who just wanted to live life smelling the flowers.

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GROUNDWOOD BOOKS x 3 / 2026

A FRIEND IS A FRIEND IS A FRIEND by Sara O’Leary; illus. Qin Leng 

First, there was A Kid is A Kid is a Kid and then came A Family is a Family is a Family and now the dynamic duo of Sara O’Leary and Qin Leng have created A Friend is a Friend is a Friend, a worthy companion to the two previous titles that depict the issue of inclusion and belonging. In this book, young campers share their thoughts on friendship (e.g., “If you want to make friends, it’s always good to ask questions.” ) The stories that each camper shares conveys a view and experiences of what it means to be a good friend. (e.g., “My new friend and I don’t speak the same language, but we do understand each other.” “My best friend likes all the same things as me.”)  Hats off to  O’ Leary and Leng and their Who We Are trilogy. 

FLY AWAY HOME by Betty Quan; illus. Akin Duzakin 

A little bird is hoping to find a safe place to call home and so it embarks on a journey encountering other birds (goldfinches, flamingoes, hummingbirds, magpies, larks, doves) and creatures (dragonflies, sea turtles, caribou) each on a migration path. Betty Quan effectively tells a story in four-line, non-rhymed verses, each repeating the opening line, “Little bird, little bird…” Akin Duzakin’s art work spectacularly captures the natural settings and the movement of each creature that Little bird meets. This is the perfect cross-curricular picture book to bring understanding of the mysteries of migration as well as the unexpected adventures that await when going on a quest. 

Little bird, little bird

Fly, steadfast

An exultation of larks

Plays with you on the grass

GRANDMA, CHO CHO AND ME by Morgan Christie; illus. Paulica Santos

Breakfast in a young girl’s house is a feast, made from recipes that Grandma learned when she was a child before emigrating from Jamaica. As dishes are being prepared, Grandma tells stories about life ‘back home’ and explains that big breakfasts honour the ritual of farmers tending to crops and the tradition of families gathering to enjoy fried dumplings, callaloo from the garden, and chunks of the light-green fruit known as the cho-cho. What a tasty book this is, filled with the savory and steamy delights of Caribbean cuisine. Grandma, Cho Cho and Me is a wonderful story about heritage, culture, and family love. The lively, colourful art work by Paulica Santos is sensational. 

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