(Photo by Rawley/use with permission only, please)

Emily Kate Moon’s new science-themed picture book, “Puff: All About Air,” is a fun one. (Dial Books for Young Readers/Penguin Random House, scheduled for release March 19, 2024, all ages, $18.99.) Puff and his friends surround our planet with air:

“Like tiny shields, they protect us from dangerous things, like space rocks and radiation. And like puffy little blankets, they hold in heat and keep out cold.”

Great illustrations and an approachable, deft style. Moon also wrote “Drop: An Adventure Through the Water Cycle.”

“The Great Puptective” hits the shelves on March 19, too. (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, ages 6-9, $12.99.) Author and illustrator Alina Tysoe brings the kids a fun pair of adversaries in Truffles the cat and Poppy the Puptective. Truffles wants her “me time” back, but what will she do to retain the status quo? Sweet illustrations and a frolic of a tale.

And now one for the big kids: “Daughters of the Lamp,” a new book by Nedda Lewers, is book one of two of a new series. (G.P. Putnam’s Sons/ Penguin Random House, 2024, ages 8 and up, 336 pages, $18.99.) Cool mystery starring Sahara Rashad, who travels to Cairo with her dad for a family wedding. A bride-to-be (who might be a witch? What?), a glowing necklace, and Ali Baba’s treasure… and that’s just a little bit of what readers can expect with this well-written and entertaining novel.

And now for one of my favorite subjects: Mariposas. There are so many lovely words in Spanish, but mariposa (butterfly) is one of the best. “A Flicker of Hope: A Story of Migration,” was written by Cynthia Harmony, with illustrations from Devon Holzwarth (Viking, 2024, ages 4 and up, $18.99). Las monarcas (the monarchs) are traveling north, as they do every year, and so is Lucia’s papa, to look for work. This is a sweet, wistful story that will speak to anyone who is anxious, hopeful, and struggling with change.

Great new reads, and more to come. What are you reading this week? Talk soon. All titles used by permission.

WM