Spring! And we’re reading.
(“Cascade Head, Oregon Coast, West Coast/Best Coast”; photo by Rawley/use with permission only, please)
Hello, friends and readers, what’s shaking? I’m reviewing as many books as I can in one fell swoops — all of the spring titles are popping up in my mailbox. In interest of fairness, each book gets a one-sentence review. Here we go…
- “Little Bunny, Spring is Here!” is a new, bright, sweet and timely board book from author/illustrator Deborah Marcero. (G.P. Putnam’s Sons/Penguin Random House, 2025, ages newborn-4, $8.99)
- “Roald Dahl’s How to Have an Eggstraordinary Easter,” illustrated by Quentin Blake (Grosset & Dunlap/Penguin Random House, 2025, ages 4-8, $9.99). This one… so fun. “Huzzah! Hooray! It’s almost Easter Day! Time for Muggle-Wump the monkey to bring the Easter eggs!”
- “When I Talk to God, I Talk About Feelings” is a lovely new story (with beautiful art by Lisa Fields) from Chrissy Metz and Bradley Collins. (Flamingo Books/Penguin Random House; scheduled for release April 8, 2025; ages 4 and up; $18.99.) (Their previous book, which was also a good read, was “When I Talk to God, I Talk About You.”)
- Ooooooh, this one is cool, too, and again, fantastic art and a thoughtful story. “Miss Prim Goes Wild,” by Katy Rose, with art by Thai My Phuong (WaterBrook/Penguin Random House; due to be released March 25, 2025; all ages; $13.99).
- “Our Lake,” written and illustrated by the gifted Angie Kang, is an insightful and kind-hearted glimpse into how two young boys deal with the loss of their father. (Kokila/Penguin Random House, 2025, all ages, $19.99.)
- “Where Are You, Brontë?” is the late and great Tomie dePaola’s final completed manuscript, a love letter to his friend and companion, a beloved Airedale Terrier; Barbara McClintock’s illustrations are perfection, I know that dePaola would have been pleased. (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers; due to be released May 6, 2025; all ages; $19.99.)
- Reverend, U.S. Senator and author Raphael G. Warnock and illustrator TeMika Grooms have brought us a treasure with the new picture book, “We’re in This Together: Leo’s Lunch Box.” Loaves and fishes, y’all. Loaves and fishes forever. A note to readers states: “One in five children in America is food insecure and uncertain where they will get their next meal. This continues not because of a poverty of resources but of moral courage and imagination. We can fix this and we will when we come to recognize that we are all in this together.” That, I love. And today? With what we’re going through in the United States? Those words mean more than ever. That’s more than one sentence, I know. (Philomel/Penguin Random House; scheduled for release April 22, 2025; ages 4 and up; $19.99.)
The pick of the week is… Roald Dahl because I love that guy. Did you know (you probably already know) he wrote a title for almost every letter of the alphabet? I may have mentioned that before. A is for… can’t remember what A is for, ha. B is for “The BFG,” C is for (of course) “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” D is for (my fave) “Danny the Champion of the World,” F is for “Fantastic Mr. Fox” and so and and so forth.
Disclaimer: All of the books included in today’s post were sent to me free for review purposes. Disclaimer here. Enjoy, bon appetit, and see you next time!
WM