The missing piece.
Written by Jordan Stephens.
Illustrated by Beth Suzanna.
Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2022.
Picture book.
A story of making friends, exploring a community, mediated
through a clever grandmother and a jigsaw puzzle.
Possible read-alikes:
- Jigsaw: a puzzle in a post by Bob Graham.
- The great rabbit chase by Freya Blackwood.
- Have you seen my blankie? by Lucy Rowland and Paula Metcalf.
- Hugo by Atinuke and Birgitta Sif.
Never give a baby a library card.
Written by Erin Sandberg.
Illustrated by Tom Booth.
Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2025.
Picture book.
Rhyming text.
If you give a baby a library card – who knows what would
happen! They might learn things!!!
Possible read-alikes:
- Books aren't for bears by Mark Barry and Katy Halford.
- The library book by Gabby Dawnay and Ian Morris.
- The night library by David Zeltser and Raul Colón.
- Read the book, lemmings! by Ame Dyckman and Zachariah Ohora.
The adventures of Beekle: the unimaginary friend.
Written and illustrated by Dan Santat.
Little, Brown and Company, 2014.
Picture book.
A classic.
What is an imaginary friend to do when they haven’t been
chosen? Break the rules and go hunting.
Possible read-alikes:
- My friend, Billy Whiskers by David Litchfield.
- Just the two of us by Polly Noakes.
- My friend, Loonie by Nina LaCour and Ashling Lindsay.
- A Dragon Called Spark by Lily Murray, and Kirsti Beautyman.
- Kip and the Squiggledoodle by Em Cosh.
And, try the suggestions from Storytime Solidarity!
Suuban's first day: a first day of herding story.
Written by Shugri Salh.
Illustrated by Àlàbá Ònájìn.
Roaring Brook Press, 2026.
Picture book.
Based on the author’s experience as a goat herder in the
Somali dessert – and the desire to be big enough to do it.
Possible read-alikes:
- 100 goats and granny! by Atinuke and Lauren Hinds.
- The herd boy by Niki Daly.
- Big enough by Regina Linke.
Super great kids' stories: from storytellers around the
world.
Curated by Kim Normanton.
Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2025.
Illustrated nonfiction.
Based on the Super Great Kids’ Stories podcast.
Possible read-alikes:
- A Bedtime Full of Stories: 50 Folktales and Legends from Around the World by Angela McAllister and Anna Shepeta.
- Matariki around the world: a cluster of stars, a cluster of stories by Rangi Matamua, Miriama Kamo, and Isobel Joy Te Aho-White.
- Myths and legends ultimate handbook by Ben Hubbard.
I miss you: a first look at death.
Written by Pat Thomas.
Illustrated by Lesley Harker.
Wayland, 2021. [Revised from 2003 edition.]
Illustrated nonfiction.
Basic information, sensitively presented.
I have reviewed many books about death and grief on my other
children’s literature blog: A Loving Left With Me.
Persian mythology: epic stories of gods, heroes, and
monsters.
Written by Ryan Bani Tahmaseb.
Illustrated by Reza Dalvand.
RP Kids, 2025.
Illustrated nonfiction.
Traditional stories told through a contemporary voice, often
weaving together small fragments, to make a whole story.
Possible read-alongs:
- Atua: Māori gods and heroes by Gavin Bishop.
- Goddess: 50 goddesses, spirits, saints and other female figures who have shaped belief by Dr Janina Ramirez and Sarah Walsh.
- Legendary heroes: epic characters from across the ages with contributors from Andrea Mills and Lizzie Munsey.
- Gods, goddesses and heroes: mythology from around the world by Marzia Accatino and Laura Brenlla.
- Mythical tales by Laura Sampson and Lilla Bölecz.
- Legends of Norse mythology by Tom Birkett and Isabella Mazzanti.
What if?
Written and illustrated by Britta Teckentrup.
Orchard, 2026.
Picture book.
Little Rabbit has anxiety issues, and tries to hide away
from everything. But, their friends are there to help out.
Possible read-alikes:
- Gretel the wonder mammoth by Kim Hillyard.
- Fearless by Kelly Canby.
- If you run out of words by Felicita Sala.
There is a list of Anxiety books on the Storytime Solidarity
website.
I'm so happy you're here: a celebration of library joy.
Written by Mychal Threets.
Illustrated by Lorraine Nam.
Random House, 2026.
Picture book.
How could I love this more?!!!?!!!
Possible read-alongs:
- Pukapuka by Vasanti Unka.
- A library by Nikki Giovanni and Erin K. Robinson.
- Dear librarian by Lydia M. Sigwart and Romina Galotta.
- Dear bookstore by Emily Arrow and Geneviève Godbout.
- Hooray, hooray, it's Library Day! by Julie Anne Grasso and Heath McKenzie.
- When You Love a Book by Kaz Windness.
- All are welcome by Alexandra Penfold and Suzanne Kaufman.
The greatest haka festival on Earth.
Written by Pania Tahau-Hodges.
Illustrated by Story Hemi-Morehouse.
Huia Publishers, 2021.
Picture book.
Aotearoa. Te Ao Māori.
Also available in te reo Māori Mokopuna Matatini.
Possible read-alongs:
- Rere atu taku poi! = Let my poi fly! by Tangaroa Paul and Rebecca Gibbs.
- Rere atu ki Poronihia = Flight to Polynesia by Tangaroa Paul and Luca Tu'avao Walton.
- Haka by Patricia Grace and Andrew Burdan. / Whiti te rā! Kawata Teepa i whakamāori.
- The haka of Tānerore = Te haka a Tānerore by Reina Kahukiwa te kaituhi and Robyn Kahukiwa, Kiwa Hammond te kaiwhakamāori.
- We are lion dancers by Benson Shum.
- Keep dancing by Cristina Oxtra and Seb Burnett.
- The yellow áo dài by Hanh Bui and Minnie Phan.
- Tane steals the show by Lino Nelisi and Gus Hunter.
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