(Marina roses, I think? Washington Park Rose Garden, Portland, Oregon. Photo by Rawley, use with permission only, please and thank you)

Well, hello dear readers, what’s up?

• Why are penguins so comical, and so appealing? Let me count the ways. 1) Tuxedos! 2) They look serious, but can act very kooky. 3) They’re a great subject for kids’ books, or any books. 4) When Benedict Cumberbatch can’t pronounce their name. 5) When they protect their eggs, sometimes at great cost to themselves. Number 3 is the one we’re focused on today. “Penguin Huddle” is scheduled for release next week, and I think the babies and toddlers will love it. (Candlewick Press, board book, ages 2-5, $8.99). Ross Montgomery is the author and Sarah Warburton created the sweet art. The penguin pack is playing, skating, fishing, tossing snowballs around. But when the storm comes in, they get frozen together. Halp!

• “Bizzy Bear It’s Bedtime,” by Benji Davis, is another new board book for the littlest readers. (Candlewick Press; on the shelves Oct. 13, 2026; ages birth-2; $8.99). Kids will like pulling the tabs and sliders to “help” Bizzy Bear brush his teeth, take a bath, and say nite-nite.

• Join “The Smushkins in the Snow,” by Claudia Rueda, as our friends Tippi, Bloo and Puff enjoy wintertime. They’re awfully cute and so are Mr. Moose and their other friends. Whoosh, whomp! (Candlewick; Oct. 13, 2026, release; fourth book in the series; ages 0-3; $7.99.)

• The art, the story, the sweetness and the characters are the best parts of author Ashley Franklin and illustrator Rahele Jomepour Bell’s “Our Favorite Day of the Week.” (This one is a follow-up to A.E. Ali’s and Bell’s book “Our Favorite Day of the Year.”) Meet Zadie, Musa and our other new friends as they share with us why their favorite days are the best days. A beautiful picture book about heritage, hobbies, friendship, and diversity. (Salaam Reads/Simon & Schuster, 2026, age preschool through grade 3, $19.99.)

My pick of the week is… “Our Favorite Day of the Week.”

Disclaimer: All of the books included in today’s post were sent to me free for review purposes. Disclaimer here. See you next time and bon appetit!

WM