I have one more week before the school year ends (sigh) and I’m looking back at all the wonderful books I’ve read aloud to my students this school year. Today, you’ll find my absolute favorites and a way to purchase them for you and your young reader.
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Thank you for supporting Sheaf & Ink. – Cece
When the Sky Glows
by Nell Cross Beckerman (Author), David Litchfield (Illustrator)
Uncover the science behind the beautiful and vast array of natural events that make the sky glow all over the world in this enlightening nonfiction picture book.
Sunrises and lightning storms, rainbows and volcanoes, meteors and eclipses—these beautiful, awe-inspiring events that light up the sky might seem like magic. But there is a fascinating scientific explanation for each. Nell Cross Beckerman’s playful and illuminating text and David Litchfield’s vibrant illustrations are certain to capture the curiosity of young sky watchers everywhere.
Mistaco: A Tale of Tragedy y Tortillas
by Eliza Kinkz (Author, Illustrator)
A chaotically funny debut picture book about a girl who’s had a terrible day full of mistakes and finds that making mistacos could be a delicious solution.
After an awful day at school (including a tragic but plausibly deniable mishap with a pudding cup), Izzy wants to be left alone. But it’s Friday, and that means making tortillas with Lito.
As the mistakes pile up, they come tumbling out of Izzy—and Lito surprises her by saying everyone makes mistakes, and if she makes a tortilla out of her mistakes, he will EAT it.
“Mmmm. . .spicy! And boogery! With a hint of courage. My favorite taco EVER!”
Suddenly, the whole family is confessing and getting mistakes off their chests with a feast of mistacos! A delightfully silly picture book for fans of Dragons Love Tacos and The Book of Mistakes. Includes instructions on how to make and enjoy your own mistacos!
Just One Flake
by Travis Jonker (Author, Illustrator)
Just One Flake is a hilarious celebration of wintertime, curiosity, and outdoor play in this author-illustrated picture book debut from acclaimed creator and elementary school librarian Travis Jonker.
It’s snowing outside! Liam rushes out into the squall, determined to catch one perfect snowflake. He tries any number of tricks to complete his mission, but each time he is thwarted.
He sticks out his tongue and looks up . . . nope. He builds a snowman, climbing up to get a little closer to the snow . . . still nope. He runs around the yard—tongue still out—because faster is better, right? Wrong! Nothing seems to work. Until, in a final leap of faith, he catches that one flake . . . in a way he never expected. And the snowflake itself is pretty unexpected too.
The Museum of Very Bad Smells: A Dare to Scratch ‘n’ Sniff Mystery – A Hilarious Interactive Picture Book About Solving a Robbery
by Monica Arnaldo (Author, Illustrator)
Calling upon only the BRAVEST detectives with the STRONGEST noses—do you dare to scratch ‘n’ sniff and help solve this foul mystery?!
There’s been a robbery at the Museum of Very Bad Smells! Somebody stole the world-famous rotten egg . . . and everybody is a suspect. It’s up to YOU to help sniff out the culprit and bring the prized exhibit back before the museum’s grand opening.
From award-winning creator Monica Arnaldo comes a hilarious and interactive mystery about a robbery at the Museum of Very Bad Smells, with five stinky scratch elements in this hilarious picture book that encourages kids to scratch, smell, and—of course—pass it along to a friend.
Saturday
by Oge Mora (Artist)
In this warm and tender story by the Caldecott Honor-winning creator of Thank You, Omu!, join a mother and daughter on an up-and-down journey that reminds them of what’s best about Saturdays: precious time together.
Today would be special. Today would be splendid. It was Saturday! But sometimes, the best plans don’t work out exactly the way you expect….
In this heartfelt and universal story, a mother and daughter look forward to their special Saturday routine together every single week. But this Saturday, one thing after another goes wrong–ruining storytime, salon time, picnic time, and the puppet show they’d been looking forward to going to all week. Mom is nearing a meltdown…until her loving daughter reminds her that being together is the most important thing of all.
Ramadan: A Holy Month
by Malik Amin (Author), Debby Rahmalia (Illustrator)
Learn why and how Muslim families celebrate Ramadan with this beautifully illustrated Little Golden Book!
Ramadan Mubarak! Teach children about the holy month of Ramadan–the tradition of fasting, what the Qur’an is, what kind of food is served between fasts, and how a modern family celebrates. Filled with colorful illustrations and simple, yet informative text, this Little Golden Book is perfect to share with your family this Ramadan!
The Book That Almost Rhymed
by Omar Abed (Author), Hatem Aly (Illustrator)
Every great adventure needs a hero—or two! This playful take on storytelling and equity proves that two tellers can make a rhyming tale twice as nice.
What do you do with an interrupting sibling? Especially when she’s stepping all over your story with wild ideas that don’t. Even. Rhyme. Knights riding rockets? Dancing pirates? Who’s ever heard of a fire-breathing armadillo?! But when this big brother realizes his sister just might be improving his yarn—and doing it with an impressive surprise of her own—it’s clear what you do with an interrupting sibling. You share the narrative! Turns out adventure is way more fun when you build it together, rhyme by daring rhyme.
Piece Out
by Alex Willan (Author, Illustrator)
Toy Story meets Traction Man Is Here in this picture book that offers a fresh spin on a universal premise: the secret action-adventure story of a toy.
When Red, a game piece, is accidentally left out of the game box, nothing—not a hungry robot nor the ferocious family dog Lady Flufferton—will stop them from reaching home.
The unthinkable has happened! Red is alone on the living room floor, far from the safety of the game closet and best pal, Yellow. After almost being devoured by a ravenous robot (a.k.a. the vacuum cleaner), Red embarks on the dangerous journey home. There will be perils—a transparent cliffside to climb, hanging forests to conquer, and the beastly Lady Flufferton (a.k.a. the family dog) to escape. And there will be setbacks—as when Red is found and carelessly tossed into the junk drawer. But in this action-packed, humorous story, Red learns from mistakes and discovers that with perseverance and resourcefulness nothing is impossible.
Fireworks
by Matthew Burgess (Author), Cátia Chien (Illustrator)
Fireworks is a sparkling picture book from the award-winning team of Matthew Burgess and Cátia Chien, highlighting the simple delights of a steamy July day in the city as two siblings eagerly anticipate a spectacular fireworks display.
POP!
As a hot day sizzles into evening, everyone on stoops and sidewalks looks skyward on this special summer night—the Fourth of July! Words and art blossom into flowers of fire across the sky, making this a perfect read for firework enthusiasts in cities and suburbs everywhere.
Caldecott Medal Winner, 2026
The Everything Trail
by Meg Fleming (Author), Chuck Groenink (Illustrator)
Come along on an eye-popping journey through the forest with a group of young explorers ready to discover everything nature has to offer in this lyrical, awe-inspiring picture book full of “curiosity and wonder” (Publishers Weekly, starred review).
The wind waves its hand.
The trees take a bow.
Everything’s big.
And everything’s small…
From giant redwoods to tiny saplings, steep canyons to shallow creeks, and soaring eagles to crawling critters, there are endless wonders to discover along a trail through the forest. This sweeping story of a day spent in nature will inspire young readers to soak in all the marvels, big and small, that surround them.
The Future Book
by Mac Barnett (Author), Shawn Harris (Illustrator)
Do you want to know what the future is like? Turn the pages to get a glimpse at the world of tomorrow and its unexpected words, strange social customs, and mind-blowing colors!
From the award-winning duo Mac Barnett and Shawn Harris comes a funny, visionary picture book that kids will want to read again and again.
Itty Bitty Betty Blob
by Constance Lombardo (Author), Micah Player (Illustrator)
Itty Bitty Betty Blob tries to be bad, like a good little monster—but she’s NOT GOOD at being bad! This social-emotional learning picture book shows kids ages 4 – 8 that being yourself is more than enough. A perfect Halloween gift!
★ BookPage, starred review
It’s monster picture day again! Itty Bitty Betty Blob sits in front of the mirror practicing her growling for the camera. But for Betty growling is not so easy. She’s not a typical monster, and she doesn’t love scaring anyone. What does Betty love? Dancing and rainbows and cute furry creatures. So when Betty’s mom hands her a perfectly horrible scaly black dress to wear on picture day, Betty isn’t sure. Of course she wants to make mom happy, so she heads off to school with high hopes, practicing her growling all the way there… and that’s when Betty makes a discovery that feels just right.
The Duck Never Blinks
by Alex Latimer (Author, Illustrator)
Can you make a duck blink?
Probably not.
But you can try, in this irreverent and hilarious staring contest between you and a duck that never, ever blinks.
Do you see that duck over there?
That duck doesn’t blink.
Even if you look away then look back real quick.
Even if you tell it a really funny joke!
Perfect for fans of interactive stories like Do Not Lick This Book and Duck! Rabbit!, The Duck Never Blinks will have kids and adults alike bawling with laughter as they spend time with this one very sly duck.
Itty Bitty Betty Blob
by Brooke Hartman (Author), Anna Süßbauer (Illustrator)
Readers, your help is needed―something terrible has happened! The narrator is missing their pet hamster, and the snuggable, huggable pint-sized pet was spotted in this book.
Fuzzy floof ears, a nibble nubbin nose, precious peanut paws, and a bitty button tail seem to hint that it’s somewhere nearby.
But do itty bitty ears always belong to a hamster? When you spot a soft snoot or cute padded paws, will they be attached to a pocket pet, or something much wilder? Watch out! You never know what could be lurking around the corner. That tuft of a tail might just belong to a grizzly bear’s behind!
Prepare to laugh along as clues to the narrator’s missing furry friend reveal ever larger and wilder creatures in this surprising story that encourages readers to stretch their imagination, make predictions, and always expect the unexpected.
Welcome Reader!
I’m Cecelia and I’m so glad you’re here! You’ll find honest reviews, book recommendations, along with other bookish essentials. So happy you stopped by!
– C
Let’s Be Friends
ABOUT THE CREATOR
CECE BECKMAN
Cece holds a Bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing from California State University, Long Beach. She lives in California with her husband and children. When she’s not reading or writing reviews she can be found wandering book aisles at local bookshops, drinking iced cold lattes with cold cream foam, or passing the time with her cats.
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