I’m playing a new game today. It’s called, Let’s Review All the Books in This Huge Pile on the Table. ? Listo? I’m ready.

First up, a disclaimer. Second, books!

• A super cute and yummy board book is top of the heap, and it’s about… sheep. So I’m thinking it’s a bedtime book. Let’s see… “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Sheepy,” by Lucy Ruth Cummins, with illustrations by Pete Oswald and yes, it’s “A Sleepy Sheepy Story.” OK, that’s adorable. (Flamingo Books; scheduled for release 2/17/2026, ages baby-3; $9.99.) Little Sheepy would rather pogo through the house, read in bed, bug the parents, anything other than sleep. So the parents get creative.
• “Adventures in the Friendly Forest,” by Amanda Jass, with pictures by Katya Longhi, is a 30-day storybook devotional for kids, and is a way to teach the little and bigger kids about faith. “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path,” Psalm 119:105, for example, introduces the chapter on “Flora and the Wheelbarrow Disaster.” This is a bright and cheerful book of inspiration. (WaterBrook/Random House Children’s Books; scheduled for release 2/10/2026, ages baby and up, 140 pages, $15.99.)
• “One for the Dogs,” a new title from the “Startup Squad,” is a cool graphic novel for kids ages 8 and older. Preteens and teens who are interested in going into business for themselves, or with partners, will find it a good read. It contains lots of tips, info and fun. Brian Weisfeld and Bonnie Bader wrote the story, with colorful and creative comic art from Nadia Hsieh. Readers will feel like they really get to know the characters, Teresa (Resa), Indira (Didi), Amelia, Harriet and Resa’s awesome Abuela, herself a business owner in Brooklyn. Lively, engaging read. (Harold Martin Company, 2026, 171 pages, $22.99.)
• You’ll find more bright, gorgeous art in the new picture book, “Leo’s Lobo.” This one is written by Hispanic marine biologist Melissa Cristina Márquez, who based the story on a Mexican tale about alebrijes, wild and fun, gloriously fantastical creatures. Brazilian illustrator Maria Gabriela Gama truly makes the characters come alive. (They’re often made from wood, papier-mâché, or other materials, but the ones in this book? All too alive and real.) Enjoy! (Penguin Workshop/Penguin Random House, scheduled for release 2/10/2026, all ages, $19.99.)
• And now for the big kids… If you’re a fan of the show “Supernatural,” and I know I am, you’ll like Melanie Dale’s new middle grade/high school and up novel, “Girl of Lore.” Scary, creepy, ingenious and it’s so good. (Aladdin Books; scheduled for release 2/21/2026; says 10 and up but it depends on the 10-year-old, I suppose.) Dark magic/dark creatures/paranormal happenings are all on the rise in London, Georgia, and Mina, our hero, seems to be smack dab in the middle of it. OK, don’t scare yourself, y’all.
• Celesta Rimington’s new middle-grade book is so good, and not quite as scary as “Girl of Lore.” “Reach” introduces us to Denver, who is almost 13. His mom has recently remarried, and yeah, plans have changed. Denver was hoping for a fun summer but instead? He’s stuck at a mountain lodge all the way to here and gone, taking care of his younger brother(step), Harlan, while his mom and new dad work. All I can say is the reality of our world today makes me long for a trip. A journey far, far away, and the mountains would be fine. Just saying, Denver. Wait. The white pines at this lodge can talk? And Harlan is maybe going to get turned into a tree? That’s not the vacation I’d be hoping for, either, dude. Creative and fun writing, and good characters. (Nancy Paulsen Books, 2026, ages 10 and up, $17.99.)
• Ying Ping Low’s “Song of the Yellow Dragon” won’t hit the shelves until this May, but please add it to your list. (G.P. Putnam’s Sons, ages 5th grade and up, with art by Yujie Huang.) Like Denver, our hero, in this case two heroes, are on the verge of turning 13. Mengayo has dreams of becoming a Divine Healer, and is trying to hang onto hope. Kai, a young emperor, is in hiding, trying to avoid death. This is a story that grabs you from page one and takes you along for the ride.

Be well, bon appetit and have a really good weekend whenever you get there.

xo

WM