(Pumpkin, North Portland, Oregon/Photo by Rawley/use with permission only, please)

Hiya, cats and kittens,

Would you like a new and improved book review? Just in time for the weekend, here are some sweet new books. Disclaimer and much love.

Bon appetit!

Wacky Mommy

“Tiny Tiger Says ‘Why Can’t I?'” is a new picture book written by Smriti Prasadam-Halls, with illustrations by Steve Small. (Beach Lane Books/Simon & Schuster, 2026, ages tiny-5, $19.99.) A little cat after my own heart asks, “Why can’t I have the ice cream?” “Why can’t I have the cake?” and many other questions. Don’t try to hold the guy back, y’all. Let it be a free world. I’m a fan of the simple, centered drawings on plain white backgrounds. Just elegant and with great movement, the kids will respond to them.

“A Good Morning for Giddo” is a picture book from authors Dahlia Hamza Constantine and Irene Latham, with illustrations by Basma Hosam. (Nancy Paulsen Books/Penguin Random House, 2026, all ages, $19.99.) Treasured granddaughter Somaya and her Giddo (Arabic for grandfather) journey to the Old Cairo market in Egypt to do their weekly shop. What I love about this book is all of the detail, especially when the pair first enters the market: the cats begging for attention, the walls of art, the velvet prayer rugs, all of it.

My pick of the week, by the way, is “A Good Morning for Giddo” and I hope it receives the love it deserves.

The next book I’m reviewing is “The Tiny Thing” (another tiny title, lol), written by Ellen Tarlow, with art by Lauren Stringer. This book… it’s touching, sweet, all-inclusive and kind. Mole is alone, but he’s not lonely. He entertains himself with his walks, exercises, and puzzles. But when he makes friends with a dandelion seed, everything changes. (Beach Lane Books/Simon & Schuster; on sale Oct. 6, 2026; all ages; $19.99.)

“Horizontal Crocodile” is scheduled for release September 22nd, and came about when artist/illustrator Brian Won sent author/writer Scott Rothman a drawing of a crocodile, along with lyrics to an Elvis song. Something about a long black limousine? And the rest is history. The book is laid out in a looooooooong fashion, and it works. So get ready to meet Horizontal Crocodile, Limo-Driving Lizard, Delivery Komodo Dragon and… well, you’ll have to read the book to find out. It’s a cute story and cute art, too. Have fun, guys! (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, ages 4-8, $19.99.)

“Ghost Army: The Troop of Artists Who Helped Win WWII” is a incredible new picture book based on a true story. Nice work by author Sarah Glenn Marsh and illustrator Becca Stadtlander. (Viking/Penguin Random House, 2026, all ages, $18.99.) Meet the artists (actors, musicians, set designers and others) who put together more than twenty campaigns, illusions to mislead the enemies and fight the war. I’d never heard of this troupe and they did some incredible work. I hope this one makes its way into all the school libraries and classrooms; it’s a story that we all need to know.

Hope you’re able to find some time to read in the next few days, talk soon!

WM