Weekend reads: 14 and 15 March 2026: Part six

  

Hello little ones.

Written, illustrated, and translated by Amandine Piu.

Originally published in French as Bonjour bestioles :).

Annick Press, 2025.

Board book.

Small children really are like wild animals – and this book provides proof.

 

That swingin' sound!: the musical friendship of Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong.

Written by Rekha S. Rajan.

Illustrated by Ken Daley.

Beach Lane Books, 2025.

Sophisticated nonfiction picture book.

Music and biography of two greats.

Possible read-along: 

• Making their voices heard: the inspiring friendship of Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe by Vivian Kirkfield and Alleanna Harris.

The history of we.

Written and illustrated by Nikkolas Smith.

Rock the Boat, 2025.

Sophisticated picture book.

Stunning art illustrates this suitable-for-children exploration of human evolution out of Africa.

Possible read-alongs:

• When we became humans: our incredible evolutionary journey by Michael Bright and Hannah Bailey.
• The first drawing by Mordicai Gerstein.
• We, the curious ones by Marion Dane Bauer and Hari & Deepti.
• The stuff of stars by Marion Dane Bauer and Ekua Holmes.

 

Narwhal vs. kindergarten.

Written and illustrated by Vanessa Roeder.

Dial Books for Young Readers / Penguin Random House LLC, 2025.

Picture book.

Teamwork solving problems so all can participate.

Possible read-alikes:

Can I play, too? by Mo Willems.

We can play anything! by Marit Törnqvist, translated and adapted by Polly Lawson.

Fitting in by Haruka Aoki and John Olson. 

The search for our cosmic neighbours.

Written and illustrated by Chloe Savage.

Walker Books, 2025.

Sophisticated picture book.

What is home? Are we the only ones? A tale of joy and wonder.

Possible read-alikes:

• Mara the space traveler by An Leysen.
• This way up by Tom Percival.
• Out there by Tom Sullivan.
• The spaceman by Randy Cecil.
• Where to hide a star by Oliver Jeffers.
• Invasion of the unicorns by David Biedrzycki.

I have three cats...

Written by Michelle Sumovich.

Illustrated by Laura Park.

Dial Books for Young Readers, 2025.

Picture book.

A stray cat is sneakily adopted, hopefully without the grown-ups noticing.

Possible read-alikes:

• Olive by Edwina Wyatt and Lucia Masciullo.
• Kitten and the night watchman by John Sullivan and Taeeun Yoo.
• The truck cat by Deborah Frenkel and Danny Snell.
• The stray dog: from a true story by Reiko Sassa retold and illustrated by Marc Simont.
• Can I sit with you? by Sarah Jacoby.

 

 

Bust! or trust: a kids' mystery book.

Written by Small Wardour.

Illustrated by Sam Peet.

words & pictures, 2025.

Illustrated nonfiction.

Critical thinking.

Possible read-alikes:

• False versus facts: the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth by Dan Marshall.
• So many ways to be curious: a book to nurture curiosity, critical thinking skills, empathy and resilience by Jayneen Sanders and Clare Elsom.
• The truth detective: how to make sense of a world that doesn't add up by Tim Harford and Ollie Mann.
• Question everything! by Susan Martineau and Vicky Barker.

Caterwaul!: a story of sorting.

Written by Ann Marie Stephens.

Illustrated by Jenn Harney.

Astra Young Readers, 2025.

Picture book.

Grandma is moving – so there’s sorting and packing to be done.

A great book about maths.

Possible read-alongs:

• Crash! Boom!: a maths tale by Robie H. Harris and Chris Chatterton.
• Friends beyond measure by Lalena Fisher.

 

Stop the ball!

Originally published in German as Haltet den ball!

Written and illustrated by Susanne Strasser.

Translated by Melody Shaw.

Board book.

A tale of snowballing tragedy and momentum. 

Possible read-alikes:

• The chase by Jenny Bloomfield.
• Get that ball! by Judy Corbalis and Korky Paul.
• Kicking a ball by Allan Ahlberg and Sebastien Braun. 

The newest gnome.

Written and illustrated by Lauren Soloy.

Tundra Books, 2025.

Picture book.

What is the new gnome’s skill? With friends like the gnomes, you’ll never feel left out – or lesser.

Possible read-alikes:

• How to grow happiness: a Jerome the Gnome adventure by Kelly DiPucchio and Matt Kaufenberg.
• Mister Fairy by Morgane de Cadier and Florian Pige, translated by Angus Yuen-Killick.