Lolly on the Ice by Sarah S. Brannen

Lolly on the Ice

by Sarah S. Brannen

Published 2025

Random House

40 pages

Hardcover

Fiction Picture Book

Review copy provided by publisher

Summary

Lolly loves to ice skate. She feels confident and happy on the ice when it is only her father watching. When anyone else is around, Lolly freezes, and is too scared to skate. When she gets an opportunity to skate in an ice show, she is unable to move when she is in front of the judges. But she is given a role as a snowman in the show because the snowmen didn't need to move. 

When a key performer is injured during the show, Lolly needs to decide if she will face her fear of performing in front of people and step up and skate in the girl's place. 

My Thoughts

This book could be helpful for children who experience performance anxiety or stage fright. It is not a common subject of many books in kid lit. 

In the beginning, it is clear how much Lolly loves to skate. When she becomes a snowman, her energy is different, and you can tell from her facial expression and body language that she really wants to skate like the main performers. Lolly ultimately overcomes her fear and performs in the show. I do wish there had been more development and conflict when she needs to decide if she will skate in the show, and more of a resolution and clear lesson at the end. 

The illustrations, created in watercolor and ink, have a softness about them. The characters have various skin tones. The book includes a combination of one and two-page spreads. 

Image from Amazon.com

Image from Amazon.com

Formula Fast: Your Ultimate Guide to Formula One Racing!

by Matt Ralphs

Illustrated by Dragan Kordic

Expected Publication Feb. 4, 2026

Phaidon Press

Hardcover

Nonfiction Picture Book

64 Pages

Review copy provided by publisher

Summary From Publisher

The ultimate illustrated guide to Formula One racing, the world’s fastest sport: from superhuman drivers to legendary tracks to cutting-edge cars.

Packed with facts, stats, and impactful illustrations, this ultimate guide to Formula One answers all the questions car-obsessed kids want to know: How do you become a superstar driver? Which is the most challenging race track? What is the record for the quickest pit stop? (Hint: it’s less than two seconds.)

Young speed-seekers will discover fascinating details about incredible cars, iconic tracks, superhuman drivers, and behind-the-scenes action. Learn about the latest developments in car technology, what drivers wear and how they train, and, of course, the biggest names in racing history – from Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton to legendary greats like Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher, plus unsung heroes such as Desiré Wilson.

Featuring a stunning silver-foiled cover, a historical timeline of Formula One cars, and a helpful glossary of key terms, Formula Fast is the ultimate gift for any aspiring gearhead.

My Thoughts

Am I interested in car racing? No, I am not. But that did not stop me from enjoying Formula Fast. The information in this book is interesting, but the format and text features make it truly engaging. Readers will learn everything they ever wanted to know, and lots more! 

Illustrator, Dragan Kordic has filled it with colorful text features including diagrams, lists, maps, biographical information...you name it. 

Image from Amazon.com

Image from Amazon.com

I have just the reader in my library who would LOVE to be the first to read Formula Fast. 

Our Prehistoric Planet by Sue Lowell Gallion and Lisk Feng

Our Prehistoric Planet 

by Sue Lowell Gallion 

Illustrated by Lisk Feng

Expected Publication March, 2026

Phaidon Press

Nonfiction

Review copy provided by publisher

Summary from Publisher

A rhyming, read-aloud introduction to dinosaurs and early life on our planet that, when opened up and folded back, creates a free-standing globe

This exciting addition to the bestselling Our World collection invites children to explore life on our prehistoric planet through rhyming verse and stunning illustrations.

Beginning with the origins of early life in the oceans billions of years ago, Our Prehistoric Planet travels chronologically through the development of giant crocodile-like lizards, the reign of the dinosaurs, mass extinction events, and the rise of early mammals. Along the way, readers will meet incredible creatures from across the globe, from familiar favorites like Stegosaurus to the bizarre Brontothere, an enormous, rhino-like mammal with giant horns over 3 feet long.

Additional text throughout offers more detailed information and friendly interactive questions, encouraging readers to learn about the amazing creatures that, millions of years ago, stomped or swam where we live today.

Inspiring, informative, and one-of-a-kind, this artful homage to our prehistoric world is both an invitation to travel back in time and an object to be treasured for years to come.

My Thoughts
Kids LOVE books about dinosaurs. This book teaches about different dinosaurs, but goes beyond to cover early prehistory and how the world changed and creatures developed as time passed.
The information is presented in both simple text on the right side of each spread and goes into further detail on the right side, making this book relevant for younger and older students.
Then there is the way it opens up into a globe that stands up independently.

Image from Amazon.com

I would definitely recommend adding this book to your collection. 

A Few Tips to Make Your Book Fair Run More Smoothly

Ask any adult if they remember the Scholastic Book Fair as a child, and you will likely hear about how much they loved the excitement, the books, diaries, and special pens. For many, visiting the book fair is a treasured core memory. I love being able to provide the book fair experience for my K-5 students. No other event that we have at school generates the energetic buzz throughout the school quite like the book fair. 

Having said all of that, hosting a book fair is a lot of work. I have not hosted very many, but as I head into my 7th book fair, I thought I would share some tips that have helped me get through the week with my sanity somewhat intact. 

Scheduling

My fair takes place during the week of conferences. Students in grades 3-5 have an opportunity to shop during library classes. All K-2 students shop with their caregivers when they come to conferences. I start by creating a schedule that will ensure that all grades 3-5 will have a block of time to visit the fair. I also offer times for classrooms to come and browse with their teacher. I lay out the schedule and share it with teachers approximately 2 weeks before the fair. 

One Pager

I offer several evening hours so families have plenty of opportunities to visit. Then I create and share a one-page document with hours, links to our fair's site, etc. 

Organization & Signage

I create these small cards to leave near the checkout in case inventory runs out or an item is not included in the fair. The purchases online still count toward fair profits. 

Wishlists, pens, and clipboards are near the entrance if students want to make wishlists to share with families. 

Posters are numbered within the cases.

One copy of each poster is hung with twine and clothespins. 

They are numbered with a sticky note to correspond with the number in the poster case. The students ask for posters by number. This year, I included the price of each one since prices vary. This eliminates the "How much is it?" question. 

To help students figure out taxes, I copied enough of these sheets for each case and each register. I save them to use for each fair. A case number helps students when they create wishlists. 

Smaller items are kept near the register. 

I keep a change jar to use if a student is a little short or to cover taxes.

Other things near the register include rubber bands to roll up posters, hand sanitizer, and various-sized baggies to hold small items and change. I am also working through a stack of donated plastic shopping bags. 

Pointers and any squishy items are kept behind the register. 

After trying teacher wishlists, I switched to a wish box a couple of years ago. Staff members locate the physical book they would like and place it with their name in the box. When one is purchased, the students write their name on a sticky note, and I put the books in the teachers' mailboxes. 

I place sticky notes with prices of small items. 

During book fair week, I wear an apron because I am always misplacing things as I go from the fair to teaching classes and back again. I keep pens, a marker, a pack of sticky notes, and a pair of scissors in it, along with my keys, chapstick, and sometimes a snack for busy days. 

It is a fun and exhausting week, but it is so worth it when you see the excitement of the students. 

These friends snuck a peek during the book fair setup.

I would love to hear about your book fair hacks to make the week more manageable. 

I LOVE Blueberries by Shannon Anderson and Jaclyn Sinquett

I LOVE Blueberries 

by Shannon Anderson 

Illustrated by Jaclyn Sinquett

Published April, 2025

Feeding Minds Press

32 Pages

Hardcover 

Informative Fiction

Summary From Publisher

Berry-loving Jolie is back, and this time she has a new friend! Margot has just moved to town and misses Maine — especially the blueberries. Determined to help, Jolie turns to their teacher to learn how hydroponics helps the strawberries in their classroom grow. Unfortunately, it’s a costly system and there’s no money left from the grant that helped the class start their indoor strawberry patch. Undeterred, Jolie, Margot, and their diverse group of classmates brainstorm ways to get the equipment they need, and they come up with just the thing: a Blueberry Bash!

The students invite the local community to a show-and-tell — featuring homemade decorations (blue, of course), blueberry muffins, and even a blueberry-themed poem! — where they explain their gardening goals, and inspire the community to come together and help the class achieve their berry-growing dreams.

Sinquett’s illustrations of Jolie’s exuberant, scrapbook-style journal and Margot’s sketchbook bring Anderson’s delightful tale to life, and will keep kids engaged as they learn all about the wonders of hydroponics and indoor gardening, and the many health benefits of blueberries.

My Thoughts

Maine is known for its blueberries so I was drawn to this book immediately. I liked how the characters worked together to solve the problem and kept track of things using their notebook. The notebook images added a lot to the book and show readers how to use writing in a real-world way. Facts are woven in naturally, but the story still shines through. I can see readers wanting to use hydroponics in their  classrooms or homes after reading I LOVE Blueberries. 

Back matter includes nutritional facts about blueberries and how to start using hydroponics. 

In my opinion, this book could be used K-5, but 2-5 would likely benefit the most. 

Image from Amazon.com

About the Author: Shannon Anderson is an award-winning children's book author, professor, TEDx speaker, frequent keynote presenter, and certified brain coach. She taught for 25 years, from first grade through college level and was named one of the 10 teachers who "awed and inspired" the Today Show in 2019. Shannon loves doing author visits, providing Professional Development for teachers, mentoring aspiring writers, and speaking at events. Her book I LOVE Strawberries! was named the top rated 2022 picture book by Good Housekeeping magazine and the national book of the year by the Farm Bureau Foundation. Learn more at shannonisteaching.com.

About the Illustrator: Jaclyn Sinquett grew up playing in her dad's garden, feeding worms to box turtles, and tossing french fries to seagulls at the Jersey shore. She now spends her time avoiding sunburn at the beach with her daughter, catching up on a certain great baking show, and illustrating books for children. She lives in Brick, NJ. See more of her work at jaclynsinquett.com.

About the Publisher: Feeding Minds Press is a project of the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture. The mission of the Foundation is to build awareness and understanding of agriculture through education. The goal of Feeding Minds Press is to publish accurate and engaging books about agriculture that connect readers to where their food comes from and who grows it. Learn more at feedingmindspress.com.



Praise for I LOVE Strawberries!

“A multi-layered story about a resourceful girl who is determined to grow strawberries received the highest scores from parents and kids of all the books tested. A series of handwritten diary entries, along with a bit of regular text, chronicle (often with humor) the girl’s efforts to convince her parents that she’s mature and hard-working enough to raise berries. ‘This book explores themes of responsibility, passion and entrepreneurship while explaining the process of growing one's own food and the lifecycle of a plant,’ says judge Sandhya Nankani, founder of The Story Seeds Podcast.”
—Good Housekeeping, 2022 Best Kids’ Books Awards

Awards and Honors

2023 American Farm Bureau Foundation’s Agriculture Book of the Year
2023 Benjamin Franklin GOLD Award for Picture Book
2023 Jr Master Gardener Program’s Growing Good Kids Book Award
2023 Hindi's Libraries’ Best Females of Fiction Award
2023 Penelope's Prize Children's Book Award Judge's Selection
2023 Indiana Farm Bureau’s Book of the Year
2023 Virginia Ag in the Classroom’s Book of the Year
2022 Good Housekeeping’s Best Kids Books
2022 Foreword INDIES Book of the Year BRONZE Award

I Love Salmon and Lampreys: A Native Story of Resilience by Brook M. Thompson

I Love Salmon and Lampreys: A Native Story of Resilience 

by Brook M. Thompson

Illustrated by Anatsasia Khmelevska

Published March, 2025

From Heyday

Hardcover

Picture Book 

Summary (from Storygraph)

For young readers, an inspiring story about a river, a successful Native-led movement for environmental justice, and the making of a scientist.
Growing up in the Yurok and Karuk Tribes, Brook Thompson learned to care for the fish that nurtured her and her family. She knew that along the Klamath River in Northern California, salmon and lampreys are a needed part of life. But she also saw how these fish were in danger. People had built dams along the Klamath River, making it very hard for salmon and lampreys to live. Tribal people and their friends organized to have four of the dams removed, and they won. In I Love Salmon and Lampreys, Thompson tells this inspiring tale, and she shares how it motivated her to become a scientist. Featuring adorable illustrations by Anastasia Khmelevska, as well as fun facts about salmon and lampreys, this is a stirring story about stewarding nature for the generations to come.

This book exposes readers to many different things. Readers will read a story of how tribal people fought for the safety of the salmon and the closing of several electric dams. They will learn factual information about salmon and lampreys as well as cultural information about how native ancestors have protected the river and the fish for generations.  The book is based on real life events of the native author who is also part of the neurodivergent community and has dyslexia. The font, Open Dyslexic, is used for the text of the book. This font is designed to make reading words easier for people with dyslexia. 

I Love Salmon and Lampreys is perfect for spring and Earth Day! 

Alfred Blooms by Carrie Kruck

Alfred Blooms 

by Carrie Kruck

Illustrated by Carmen Mok

Published March 25, 2025

Random House

Hardcover

Fiction

40 Pages

Review copy provided by publisher

Summary (from Goodreads)

When Alfred sees Lulu’s magical yard filled with flowers and friends, he’s sure that if he can cultivate a beautiful garden, friends will flock to join him. Alfred tries but nothing grows in his brown patch of dirt. Determined to make one last attempt, Alfred heads to the store to buy fresh flower seeds. As he hurries home, he sneezes—and the seeds fly everywhere! And this time they begin to grow wherever they land—in his pockets, in his hair, even in his ears! A very discouraged Alfred gets stuck in the mud. But the aroma of warm blueberry muffins coming from a nearby bakery reminds him of Lulu’s favorite treat and, tucking the flowers under his hat, he heads there. Alfred shares muffins with Lulu and finds out that he doesn’t need a garden; time spent together is the best way to make a friend.

This charming friendship story is sensitive and delightful with just a touch of whimsy.

This book takes a different spin on the typical "friendship" book. Alfred's flowery condition opens the door to a conversation with Lulu, whom he wants to befriend. He thinks he needs to bring her gifts and needs to have a nice garden, but he really just needs to be himself. 

The illustrations, created with gouache, colored pencil, and graphite pencil have a whimsical feel. The characters have different skin tones and appear to be from different cultural backgrounds. 

See what others have to say about Alfred Blooms:

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