Cora and Ada are excited to embark on a wonderful expedition of the nature surrounding them and make up playful words to describe their amazing experiences. Now it’s up to you, the reader, to see what amazing words you can create!
Wildspeak by Sangma Francis, (List Price: $18.99, Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, 9781464261299, April 2026)
Reviewed by Judith, Octavia Books in New Orleans, LA
Wildspeak by Sangma Francis Read More »
This book is a celebration of creativity when the narrator imagines what life would be like as a dog. It’s a delightful romp as well as a display of acceptance of other ideas.
If We Were Dogs by Sophie Blackall, (List Price: $18.99, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 9780316581721, September 2025)
Reviewed by Rae Ann Parker, Parnassus Books in Nashville, Tennessee
If We Were Dogs by Sophie Blackall Read More »
Eleanor loves the wild outdoors. When she invites the wild inside, she spins and leaps like the animals outside. This beautiful picture book inspires imagination.
The Wildest Thing by Emily Winfield Martin, (List Price: $19.99, Random House Books for Young Readers, 9798217023981, January 2026)
Reviewed by Rae Ann Parker, Parnassus Books in Nashville, Tennessee
The Wildest Thing by Emily Winfield Martin Read More »
Rita is really, really bored. When her many boredom-fighting tactics don’t work (eating, stretching, jumping up and down in front of a mirror, etc.), she gets lost in her boundless imagination! I love a book about boredom with no mention of technology, and the illustrations are dramatic and amazing! Great for kids ages 4 to 8 who struggle with boredom and need a creative boost. It’s also hilarious and Rita is very relatable, rendered perfectly in various states of despair.
Bored by Felicita Sala, (List Price: $18.99, Neal Porter Books, 9780823461141, January 2026)
Reviewed by Julia Lewis, Fountain Bookstore in Richmond, Virginia
Bored by Felicita Sala Read More »
I love this celebration of forts, the ones found in nature, to the ones you can build for yourself. Forts are for gathering with friends or being alone in this delightful picture book.
Forts by Katie Venit, (List Price: $18.99, Viking Books for Young Readers, 9780593466155, July 2025)
Reviewed by Rae Ann Parker, Parnassus Books in Nashville, Tennessee
Forts by Katie Venit Read More »
A fantastical bedtime story of a young boy and a blue heron. It is simple, whimsical and comforting as we get to see this pair travel, separate, but remain connected.
Blue by Suzanne Kaufman, (List Price: $18.99, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 9780316311663, June 2025)
Reviewed by Morgan DePerno, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Blue by Suzanne Kaufman Read More »
The Sato the Rabbit books are pure dreamy playful magic. Through gorgeous vivid spreads, this book makes me want to wake up early, live in a lighthouse, drink sparkles, and let my imagination dance.
Sato the Rabbit, Morning Light by Yuki Ainoya, (List Price: $17.95, Enchanted Lion, 9781592704392, May 2025)
Reviewed by Julie Jarema, Hub City Bookshop in Spartanburg, South Carolina
Sato the Rabbit, Morning Light by Yuki Ainoya Read More »
A beautiful story about a child’s imagination. I loved the illustrations and the way this story felt like a classic from my childhood. The subtle attention to generational family members is of of my favorite reminders for young readers.
Sunday by Marcelo Tolentino, (List Price: $18.95, Blue Dot Kids Press, 9798989858811, January 2025)
Reviewed by Morgan DePerno, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Sunday by Marcelo Tolentino Read More »
I can’t wait to share Good Golden Sun at storytime for the first days of summer or bright sunny days! Brendan Wenzel has a talent for creating new verses that roll off the tongue like classic nursery rhymes. And it’s always wonderful to have a new book full of his gorgeous illustrations to share with readers!
Good Golden Sun by Brendan Wenzel, (List Price: $19.99, Little Brown Books for Young Readers, 9780316512633, February 2025)
Reviewed by Johanna Albrecht, McIntyre’s Books in Pittsboro, North Carolina
Good Golden Sun by Brendan Wenzel Read More »
Everything Jon Klassen writes has me hypnotized (not to mention my 4-year-old). This one has even more eyes in it than usual!
Your Forest by Jon Klassen, (List Price: $8.99, Candlewick, 9781536230833, February 2025)
Reviewed by Doron Klemer, Octavia Books in New Orleans, Louisiana
Your Forest by Jon Klassen Read More »
Every neighborhood needs a girl like Millie in Christy Mandin’s Millie Fleur’s Poison Garden. This adorable book has a fun storyline, an important message to be yourself no matter what they say, as well as, great illustrations. Check out Millie’s unique and yes, somewhat creepy garden, and you just might find yourself starting a trend in your own community!
Millie Fleur’s Poison Garden by Christy Mandin, (List Price: $18.99, Orchard Books, 9781339023274, July 2024)
Reviewed by Barb Rascon, Page 158 Books in Wake Forest, North Carolina
Millie Fleur’s Poison Garden by Christy Mandin Read More »
Inspired by a real-life poison garden in England, this adorable picture book is full of fun, detailed illustrations and highlights the importance of being yourself.
Millie Fleur’s Poison Garden by Christy Mandin, (List Price: $18.99, Orchard Books, 9781339023274, July 2024)
Reviewed by Jeannine Sons, Carmichael’s Bookstore in Louisville, Kentucky
Millie Fleur’s Poison Garden by Christy Mandin Read More »
Perfect lawns with their manicured grass and neat hedges are SO 2020. Wilding is IN and every neighborhood needs a weird wild little garden like Mille Fleur’s. Share this delightful little gem with the weirdest and wildest kid in your world.
Millie Fleur’s Poison Garden by Christy Mandin, (List Price: $18.99, Cartwheel Books, 9781339023274, July 2024)
Reviewed by Angie Tally, The Country Bookshop in Southern Pines, North Carolina
Millie Fleur’s Poison Garden by Christy Mandin Read More »
Like many of my stories, Millie Fleur’s Poison Garden started with something I read about that made my brain light up – a real life poison garden in England! You see, I myself am wonderfully weird and a poison garden would’ve been just the kind of place I would’ve wanted to visit as a child. From a very early age I was multi-passionate, interested in all manner of things. But my unquenchable curiosity and varied interests often made me feel like I didn’t quite fit into any one box. And being curious and questioning sometimes put me at odds with the grown-ups in my life. I wasn’t satisfied with “because it’s always been that way” or “because I said so.” And I especially wasn’t interested in the words “you can’t.” In that way, Millie Fleur and I are alike.
― Christy Mandin, Letter to booksellers
What booksellers are saying about Millie Fleur’s Poison Garden
About Christy Mandin
Christy Mandin is the author and illustrator of multiple picture books. She’s grown many interesting plants in her garden over the years but, so far, none with teeth or tentacles. She currently lives in Florida with her husband and four children. Visit Christy online at christymandin.com.
Spotlight On: Millie Fleur’s Poison Garden by Christy Mandin Read More »
Just below the canopy built on sticks and stilts, thats where you’ll find treehouse town With sunset lookout towers, nooks for books, and soft willow tree beds treehouse town has something for everyone. Snuggle up, with a sweet story and illustrations that have stories of their own, this one is the perfect read-together.
Treehouse Town by Gideon Sterer, (List Price: $18.99, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 9780316592628, February 2024)
Reviewed by Angie Tally, The Country Bookshop in Raeford, North Carolina
Treehouse Town by Gideon Sterer Read More »
