Weekend reads roundup: 3 April 2026

  

Proud dog.

Written and illustrated by Sharon Davey.

Penguin Workshop, 2026.

Dorothy is a dog with two loving dads – and now, a smelly baby.

Picture book.

Possible read-alikes:

• Patience, Patches! by Christy Mihaly and Sheryl Murray.
• The unwelcome surprise by Olga Herrera.
• Pride puppy! by Robin Stevenson and Julie McLaughlin.
• When Billy was a dog by Kirsty Murray and Karen Blair.
• I quit by Kristen Tracy and Federico Fabiani.
• Mog and the baby by Judith Kerr.

 

The dangerous alphabet book.

Written and illustrated by DK Ryland.

Astra Young Readers, an imprint of Astra Books for Young Readers, 2025.

Time for a wonky alphabet book that doesn’t go where you’d expect.

Picture book. 

Possible read-alikes:

• The dictionary story by Oliver Jeffers and Sam Winston.
• The alphabet's alphabet by Chris Harris and Dan Santat.
• What about X?: an alphabet adventure by Anne Marie Houppert and Daniel Wiseman. 
• Q & U call it quits by Stef Wade and Jorge Martin.
• Alphabet under construction by Denise Fleming.
• The olphabet: "O" no! an alphabet revolt by Jess M. Brallier and Nichola Cowdery. 
• P is for pterodactyl: the worst alphabet book ever; all the letters that misbehave and make words nearly impossible to pronounce by Raj Haldar, Chris Carpenter, and Maria Tina Beddia. 
• T. Rexes can't tie their shoes by Anna Lazowski and Steph Laberis. 
• A is for apricat by Mauro Gatti. 
• The eyeball alphabet book by Jerry Pallotta and Shennen Bersani. 
• The invisible alphabet by Joshua David Stein and Ron Barrett. 

5 minute dinosaur stories.

Written by Gabby Dawnay.

Illustrated by Mona K.

Magic Cat Publishing, 2026.

Illustrated nonfiction.

Rhyming text.

A nonfiction rhyming book about dinosaurs! What more could you want? I did find it a bit cluttered, admittedly.

Possible read-alikes:

• Dinosaur feathers by Dennis Nolan.
• Dinosaur knowledge genius! by Dr Chris Barker and Riley Black.
• My grandparents were dinosaurs by Anne Brusatte, Steve Brusatte, and Enrico Lorenzi. 
• The tyrannosaur's feathers by Dr Adam S. Smith,Jonathan Emmett, and Stieven Van der Poorten.
• Weirdosaurus: pre-history's most peculiar creatures by Philip Bunting.  

Flap your hands: a celebration of stimming.

Written and illustrated by Steve Asbell.

Lee & Low Books, 2024.

Picture book.

Possibly reassuring for the individual – but the community needs to do work to make stimming less stigmatised.

Possible read-alikes / alongs:

• Remarkable Remy by Melanie Heyworth and Nathaniel Eckstrom.
• Just ask!: be different, be brave, be you by Sonia Sotomayor and Rafael López.
• A Day with No Words by Tiffany Hammond and Kate Cosgrove.
• Too much!: an overwhelming day by Jolene Gutiérrez and Angel Chang.
• Minna's masks by Louise Gooding and Irina Avgustinovich.
• Wild for Winnie by Laura Marx Fitzgerald and Jenny Løvlie. 

You will be my friend!

Written and illustrated by Peter Brown.

Little, Brown and Company, 2011.

Picture book.

Friends.

Sequel to Children make terrible pets.

Lucy is a bear with few manners. And, funnily enough, no friends.

Possible read-alikes:

• Come back, Gosling by Anne Booth and David Litchfield.
• Me and Mr. Fluffernutter by Jennifer Gray Olson.
• I'm going to make a friend by Darren Chetty and Sandhya Prabhat. 

Just another perfect day.

Written by Jillian Harris & Justin Pasutto, with Kara Kootstra.

Illustrated by Morgan Goble.

Tundra Books, 2025.

Picture book.

Rhyming text.

Families.

A series of small catastrophes that ends in a perfect night. Perfect, because they are all together.

Possible read-alikes:

• Grumpy pants by Claire Messer.
• A good day by Kevin Henkes.
• Mrs. Biddlebox by Linda Smith and Marla Frazee.
• Mr Brown's bad day by Lou Peacock and Alison Friend. 

Little Owl's babysitter.

Written by Debi Gliori.

Illustrated by Alison Brown.

Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2024.

Picture book.

One very demanding owlet, and one amazing babysitter.

Possible read-alikes:

• Aunt Amelia by Rebecca Cobb.
• That bear can't babysit by Ruth Quayle and Alison Friend.
• There's something odd about the babysitter by Elayne Crain and John Ledda.
• Don’t want to go! by Shirley Hughes. 

While we wait.

Written and illustrated by Bee Johnson.

Henry Holt and Company, 2025.

Picture book.

When will grown-ups EVER be ready…. The boredom of waiting, and coming up with new ways to entertain yourself.

Possible read-alikes:

• Waiting for later by Tina Matthews.
• Mummy's suitcase by Pip Jones and Laura Hughes.
• The boring book by Shinsuke Yoshitake.
• Bored by Felicita Sala.
• Eva's imagination by Wenda Shurety and Karen Erasmus. 

Just right.

Written by Torrey Maldonado.

Illustrated by Teresa Martínez.

Nancy Paulsen Books, 2026.

Picture book.

Families.

A story of love and patience – between a child and their uncle.

It *is* a lovely story. But, it made me sad. The child’s father is physically present, but emotionally absent – for whatever reason/s. It was hard to read that part.

Possible read-alikes:

• Auntie Uncle: drag queen hero by Ellie Royce and Hannah Chambers.
• Mauntie and me by Rajani LaRocca and Nadia Alam.
• Ernie's journey by David Woodland.

 

A book of loves.

Written and illustrated by Cynthia Rylant.

Beach Lane Books, 2026.

Picture book.

A deceptively simple book, with single words - accompanied by naïve illustrations – so what cats, dogs, and children love.

Possible read-alikes:

• L is for love by Atinuke and Angela Brooksbank.
• Love tails by Rob Sayegh Jr.
• Love is my favourite thing by Emma Chichester Clark.
• I like this, you like that by Linda Ashman and Eve Coy.
• How to be a cat by Nikki McClure.
• Home is where the heart is by Emma Dodd.
• Counting with Tiny Cat by Viviane Schwarz.

Booby moon: a storybook for weaning toddlers.

Written by Yvette Reid.

Illustrations by Camilo Zepeda.

Yvette Reid, 2021.

Aotearoa.

Picture book.

A message book, rather than a story book.

Possible read-alikes / read-alongs:

• Milky moments by Emma Stoneley and Jessica D'Alton Goode.
• Nursies when the sun shines by Katherine Havener and Sara Burrier.
• Mama's milk by Michael Elsohn Ross and Ashley Wolff.

Wren's nest.

Written by Heidi E.Y. Stemple.

Illustrated by Eugenia Nobati.

Familius, 2024.

Picture book.

Moving house is given poignancy of Wren, and her Grandpa, leaving behind a wrens’ nest – and a change from the country to the city.

Possible read-alikes:

• I heard a bird by Rob Ramsden.
• You nest here with me by Jane Yolen, Heidi E.Y. Stemple, and Melissa Sweet.
• Maple by Lori Nichols.
• Grandad’s world by Michael Foreman.
• Nell plants a tree by Anne Wynter and Daniel Miyares. 

The coziest place on the moon.

Written by Maria Popova.

Illustrated by Sarah Jacoby.

Enchanted Lion Books, 2025.

Sophisticated picture book.

The difference between loneliness and solitude. I found it a bit confusing – if you’re lonely, why travel to where no one is?

Anyway, it’s set in the Sea of Tranquillity.

Possible read-alikes:

• Moon Mouse by Corrinne Averiss and Lorna Hill.
• Sometimes it's nice to be alone by Amy Hest and Philip Stead.
• Clara and the birds by Emma Simpson. Oh, Carrots! by Mariajo Ilustrajo.
• Leave me alone by Vera Brosgol.
• The grumpy ghost upstairs by Mamiko Shiotani, translated by Polly Lawson.
• When I feel lonely by Britta Teckentrup.
• How to be on the moon by Viviane Schwarz. 

Grandad's world.

Written and illustrated by Michael Foreman.

Scholastic, 2026.

Picture book.

A paean of peace, love, and care.

Possible read-alikes:

• Brother Moon by Maree McCarthy Yoelu and Samantha Fry.
• Something, someday by Amanda Gorman and Christian Robinson.
• Clean up! by Nathan Bryon and Dapo Adeola.
• Tiny worlds by Brittany Cicchese.
• The susurrus by Genevieve Young-Evans and Cate James. 

Together on Eid.

Written by Sana Rafi.

Illustrated by Mariam Quraishi.

Chronicle Books, 2026.

Picture book

A simple refrain introduces / celebrates Eid.

Based on the author’s childhood in Pakistan.

Possible read-alikes:

• Amira's picture day by Reem Faruqi and Fahmida Azim.
• Ibraheem's perfect Eid by Farhana Islam and Nabila Adani.
• A fine feast by Arifa Afzal and Nekhat Sultana.
• Maymoona's moon: a special Eid story by Razeena Omar Gutta and Zayneb Haleem.
• Eid for Nylah by Nizrana Farook and Zelma Firdauzia.
• Cookies and crescents: an Eid story by Nada Shawish Dutka and Zelma Firdauzia. 

The vampires next door.

Written by Sigi Cohen.

Illustrated by Patrick Corrigan.

Larrikin House, 2021.

Picture book.

Australian.

Suspicions turn to reality – when Lee suspects the new neighbours are vampires.

I’m undecided about this one. Yes, it’s funny. But, a child investigating creepy neighbours, with missing children in the area – is a bit of a mixed message for me.

Possible read-alikes / instead-ofs:

• Vampire Peter by Ben Manley and Hannah Peck.
• The Thing at 52 by Ross Montgomery and Richard Johnson.
• Colin's castle by Holly Swain.        
• Vampenguin by Lucy Ruth Cummins.
• Everything is fine! by Michelle Sumovich and Sarah Jacoby.  
• Beware The Blue Bazzoo by Karl Newson and Andrea Stegmaier.
• Row, row, row your boat (with monsters) by Adam Simpson and Gypsy Taylor.  

The year we learned to fly.

Written by Jacqueline Woodson.

Illustrated by Rafael López.

Orchard Books, 2025.

Picture book.

A deeply meaningful book, with many layers – both in text and illustration. A story of strength and ancestral connection.

Possible read-alikes:

• The paper piano by Rachel Ip and Natelle Quek.
• The bridges by Tom Percival.
• Love comes first by Jenna Bush Hager, Barbara Pierce Bush, and Ramona Kaulitzki.
• You might find yourself by Tai Snaith.
• Stronger than by Nikki Grimes, Stacy Wells, and E. B. Lewis
• Brave by Weshoyot Alvitre.

Nelly: the very different bird.

Written and illustrated by Alex Macdonald.

Frances Lincoln First Editions, 2025.

Picture book.

Nelly can’t fly, but has her own ways of doing things – including trying to migrate.

Possible read-alikes:

• A different dragon by Nick Gill and Luma Wildish.
• Ponk! by Edwina Wyatt and Chris Nielsen.
• The one and only you by Shan Hegarty and Ben Mantle.  
• The story of Girl and Fish by Carolina Parada.
• Scotty and the Scotties by Gabriel Evans.
• Confetti and the rainbow garden by Shane Jenek AKA Courtney Act, and Dylan Finney.
• Odd bird out by Helga Bansch.
• Naked mole rat gets dressed by Mo Willems. 

Changing tides.

Written and illustrated by Júlia Moscardó.

Little Tiger, 2025.

Picture book.

Families.

New step-siblings negotiating their new dynamics.

Possible read-alikes:

• Enough love? by Maggie Hutchings and Evie Barrow.
• Remixed: an inspiring story about our families by Arree Chung.
• One day at a time by Rachel Ip and Natelle Quek.
• Space for everyone by Seina Wedlick and Camilla Sucre. 

Ear worm!

Written by Jo Knowles.

Illustrated by Galia Bernstein.

Walker Books, 2022.

Picture book.

A collection of animals share their ear worms.

Possible read-alikes:

• Hello hello by Brendan Wenzel.
• Pokko and the drum by Matthew Forsythe.
• Music is in everything by Ziggy Marley and Ag Jatkowska.
• The day Bell found her sound by Lizzy O'Donnell. 

I'd rather be a cat.

Written by Laura Bunting.

Illustrated by Philip Bunting.

Scholastic Australia, 2025.

Australian.

Picture book.

It’s such a pain being a kid – when there are better options around. Or, are there?

Part of a series.

Possible read-alikes:

• When I grow up I'd like to be... by Rob Biddulph.
• How I feel when I hear no! by Ronit Farzam, PhD and Bonnie Lui. 
• I don't want to be a frog by Dev Petty and Mike Boldt.
• Mandy is still a banana by Zoe Arena and Amy Louise Evans. 

All the wonderful ways to move.

Written by Laura Baker.

Illustrated by Sandra de la Prada.

Little Tiger, 2025.

Picture book.

We’ve been acting this out at storytimes this month – and it has gone down a TREAT!

A perfect book for reading and acting out when the wiggles are getting out of hand.

Possible read-alikes:

• 1,2,3, do the dinosaur! by Michelle Robinson and Rosalind Beardshaw. NB: there are other similar books by the same pair.
• Run like a rabbit by Alison Lester.
• Grumpy Bird by Jeremy Tankard.
• Busy feet by Marcia Berneger and Susanna Chapman.

 

  

Are you looking for trouble?

Written by Michaël Escoffier.

Illustrated by Delphine Durand.  

Magic Cat Publishing, 2025.  

Originally published in French as Le crocodile à grandes dents.

Why is Crocodile looking for trouble? A quirky tale of expectations and stereotypes.

Possible read-alikes:

• Kiss the Crocodile by Sean Taylor and Ben Mantle.
• Kind crocodile by Leo Timmers; translated to English by Bill Nagelkerke.
• Crocodile hungry by Eija Sumner and John Martz.  
• The bad-tempered ladybird by Eric Carle.
• I really want to eat a child by Sylviane Donnio and Dorothee De Monfreid. 

Poo! What? Where?: the number one book about all things number two.

Written by Mike Rampton.

Illustrated by Gareth Conway.

Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2026.

Illustrated nonfiction.

The wonderful world of poo!

I am not fond of bum and poo books – but sometimes the facts make up for it. This is ok.

Possible read-alikes / instead-ofs:

• Poo: a (very) natural history & a powerful future by Ben Hoare and Jennifer N.R. Smith.
• Poo through the ages by Suzie Edge and Luke Newell.
• Where does my poo go? by Jo Lindley.

Space tour: the ultimate journey across the universe.

Written by Charlotte Isham and Dhara Patel.

Illustrated nonfiction.

A planet by planet, phenomenon by phenomenon, tour of the universe.

Possible read-alikes:

• Under the stars: astrophysics for bedtime by Lisa Harvey-Smith and Mel Matthews.
• Dr Maggie's grand tour of the solar system by Maggie Aderin-Pocock and Chelen Écija.
• Planetarium by Raman Prinja and Chris Wormell.
• Big questions about the universe by Alex Frith & Alice James, illustrated by David J Plant, Universe expert, Dr. Ed Bloomer, Royal Observatory Greenwich.
• Astronomy for curious kids: an illustrated introduction to the solar system, our galaxy, space travel--and more! by Giles Sparrow and Nik Neves.
• The universe by Abigail Beall and Dawn Cooper.