Weekend reads roundup: 27 April 2026

Waiters in elevators.

By Dylan and Amanda Shearsby.

Little Hare Books, an imprint of Hardie Grant Children's Publishing, 2025.

Australian.

Picture book.

Ignored and mistreated staff leave – and everyone realises their importance, and changes their ways. If only that were true.

Possible read-alikes:

• Wolfred by Nick Bland.
• Please! by Simon Philip and Nathan Reed.
• Gnome by Fred Blunt.

 

The way home in the night.

By Akiko Miyakoshi.

Kids Can Press Ltd., 2017.

Translation from the Japanese of: Yoru no kaerimichi.

A baby bunny imagines what is happening in the windows they go past on their way home.

A surreal, yet gentle story.

Picture book.

Possible read-alikes:

• Windows by Julia Denos
• A house that once was by Julie Fogliano and Lane Smith.
• Flashlight by Lizi Boyd.
• Teddy's midnight adventure by Yoko Mori, English translation by Cathy Hirano.
• Night lunch by Eric Fan and Dena Seiferling.
• The night gardener by Terry Fan & Eric Fan.

 

The sheep that stole the farmer's hat.

Written by Tim Saunders.

Illustrated by Carla Martell.

Allen & Unwin, 2026.

Picture book.

Aotearoa.

Rhyming text.

Semi-cumulative. Bouncy and fun.

Possible read-alikes:

• When grandpa wore a tutu by Dawn McMillan and Jenny Cooper.
• My Aunt Mary went shopping by Roger Hall and Daron Parton.
• The elephant and the bad baby by Elfrida Vipont and Raymond Briggs.
• Shoes from Grandpa by Mem Fox and Patricia Mullins. 

Party rhyme.

Written and illustrated by Antonia Pesenti.

Scribble, an imprint ofScribe Publications, 2024.

Board book.

Rhyming text.

Flaps.

Unexpected rhymes.

Possible read-alikes:

• Bumblebee grumblebee by David Elliot.
• Pūkeko who-keko? by Toby Morris.
• Don't put your finger in the jelly, Nelly! by Nick Sharratt.

The green bath.

Written by Margaret Mahy.

Illustrated by Steven Kellogg.

Arthur A. Levine Books, 2013.

Picture book.

Aotearoa author.

The new second-hand bath is more than meets the eye.

As is often the case, Mahy’s work leaves you wondering whether it really happened.

Possible read-alikes:

• A lion in the meadow by Margaret Mahy and Jenny Williams.
• Grandpa Green by Lane Smith.
• The boy and the elephant by Freya Blackwood.

 

The snowflake.

Written and illustrated by Benji Davies.

HarperCollins Children's Books, 2020.

Picture book.

Christmas.

A snowflake questions their life purpose – do they really want to fall? Meanwhile, Noelle wishes for a perfect Christmas tree.

The illustrations show that Noelle and her family – mother, grandfather, and dog – aren’t well off. The house looks a bit ramshackle from the outside. They are also very rural.

Possible read-alikes:

• I'm a cloud by Tjitske Kamphuis.
• Flora’s garden by Debi Gliori.
• The Winter wish by Helen Mortimer and Rachael Dean.
• A Dragon Called Spark by Lily Murray and Kirsti Beautyman.

The curse of the vampire robot.

Written and illustrated by Graeme Base.

HarperCollinsPublishers, 2021.

Australian.

Rhyming text.

Sophisticated picture book.

Sepia toned illustrations and text that reads like “The Highwayman” this is a futuristic story, harking back to the past.

Written before the current shit-house-ness of AI.

Possible read-alikes:

• I follow the fox by Rob Biddulph.
• The treasure by Marcela Ferreira and Brian Lambert.
• The last Rainbow Bird by Nora Brech.
• The very polite knight by Ian Smith.

  

Kitty-Corn Club: Things that go.

Written by Shannon Hale.

Illustrated by Leuyen Pham.

Abrams Appleseed, 2024.

Board book.

Rhyming text.

Fun, with unexpected odd-one-out options.

• Who's hiding? by Satoru Onishi.
• Guess who, haiku! by Deanna Caswell and Bob Shea.
• Which one? by Professor Anna Franklin and Andy Passchier.
• One is not a pair: a spotting book by Britta Teckentrup and Katie Haworth. 

Utterly otterly night.

Written by Mary Casanova.

Illustrated by Ard Hoyt.

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2011.

Picture book.

Rhyming text.

Little Otter is determined to show they’re big – and manages to do so, while rescuing their family.

Possible read-alikes:

• Pup the sea otter by Jonathan London and Sean London.
• I'm not scared: a Big Hedgehog and Little Hedgehog adventure by Britta Teckentrup,  translated from the German by Nicola Stuart.
• I'm fine, thanks! by Jono Ganz.
• The mice of Mushroom Forest by Zanna Goldhawk. 

My grandad.

Written and illustrated by Anthony Browne.

Puffin Books, 2024.

Picture book.

A celebration of grandfathers – with nods to other books by Anthony Browne celebrating family members.

Possible read-alikes:

• Grandmas are the greatest and Grandads are the greatest by Ben Faulks and Nia Tudor.
• A Grandma's Magic by Asa Gilland.
• Pops by Gavin Bishop.
• What do you call your grandma? and What do you call your grandpa? by Ashleigh Barton and Martina Heiduczek. 

The boy with two shadows.

Written by Margaret Mahy.

Illustrated by Sarah Greig.

Hachette New Zealand, 2020.

Picture book.

Aotearoa.

I love how the witch isn’t stereotypically ‘witchy’ in these illustrations. But, that makes her even more of a threat – as she looks nice and kind. And yet, isn’t.

That’s a level of threat / realism that isn’t obvious in earlier versions. But is so very Mahy.

Possible read-alikes:

• Etta and the Shadow Taboo by J.M. Field and Jeremy Worrall.
• Shadow by Lucy Christopher and Anastasia Suvorova.
• Sneaky shadows by S C Manchild and Sam Caldwell.
• Witch cat by Lucy Rowland and Laura Hughes.
• The witch of Maketu and the bleating lambs by Anika Moa and Rebecca Ter Borg.
• Moggie McFlea: the witch’s cat by Anna Kemp.

Australia: from dawn to dusk.

By Brentos.

Affirm Press, 2022.

Nonfiction picture book.

The preference of First Nations names over imposed colonial names is good.

Note: the creators are Australian, but not First Nations.

Possible read-alikes:

• Going fishing with Nana by Frances and Lindsay Haji-Ali, and Karen Briggs.  
• Ten scared fish by Ros Moriarty and Balarinji, Yanyuwa translation of text by John Bradley.
• 24 hours on the Kiwi seashore by Gillian and Darryl Torckler
• This is how we do it: one day in the lives of seven kids from around the world by Matt Lamothe.
• At the same moment, around the world by Clotilde Perrin. 

Work: interviews with people doing jobs they love.

Written by Shaina Feinberg.

Illustrated by Julia Rothman.

Candlewick Press, 2024.

Illustrated nonfiction.

An interesting and eclectic mix of jobs.

Possible read-alikes:

• See it, dream it, do it: how 25 people just like you found their dream jobs by Colleen Nelson, Kathie MacIsaac, and Scot Ritchie.
• Follow your dreams: 100 inspiring and extraordinary jobs by Katherine Mengardon.
• The big book of jobs: find out what you can be when you grow up! by Pavla Hanáčková, Hana Mokrošová, Helena Haraštová and Elena Pokaleva, translated by Andrew Oakland.
• Incredible jobs you've (probably) never heard of by Natalie Labarre. 

The dragon at the zoo.

Written by Melanie Koster.

Illustrated by Craig Phillips.

Scholastic New Zealand, 2026.

Aotearoa.

Picture book.

As a child, visiting Auckland Zoo, a trip to the see the dragon was a must. I, of course, was too afraid it would eat me. So, there are photos of me in a pram in FRONT of the dragon.

References to the work of Margaret Mahy.

Anyway, this is based on the Auckland Zoo dragon – who is teased because he doesn’t fit in with the other animals. They learn the errors of their ways, and how vital he is to the zoo community.

Possible read-alikes:

• The only dinosaur in school by Leonie Agnew and Julia Hegetusch.
• Flamingo bendalingo: poems from the zoo by Paula Green and 50 children, illustrated by Michael Hight.
• Freddy the not-Teddy by Kristen Schroeder and Hilary Jean Tapper.
• Vampenguin by Lucy Ruth Cummins. 

Fairy walk.

Written and illustrated by Gaia Cornwall.

Candlewick Press, 2025.

Picture book.

One of those books where the characters inside can’t see what we, the readers, can.

Possible read-alikes:

• Up high by Matt Hunt.
• A recipe for magic potion by Jack Henseleit and Natasja Horne.
• A wild walk to school by Rebecca Cobb.
• How to find a yeti by Matt Hunt.
• There's no such thing as ghosts by Lucy Rowland.
• Hide and seek by Katie May Green.
• There’s a ghost in this house by Oliver Jeffers.
• I did see a mammoth! by Alex Willmore.
• How to spot a mermaid by Jane Yolen and Sally Deng.

Miss MacDonald has a farm.

Written by Kalee Gwarjanski.

Illustrated by Elizabet Vuković.

Doubleday Books for Young Readers, 2024.

Picture book.

A garden – vegetable forward, feminist version of Old MacDonald.

Possible read-alikes:

• Nanny Mihi's harvest = Te hauhake a Nanny Mihi by Melanie Drewery and Suzanne Simpson, te reo Māori translation by Kanapu Rangitauira.
• Blueberry Farm by Stephen Michael King.
• Logan's Greenhouse by JaNay Brown-Wood and Samara Hardy.
• Over in the garden by Janna Matthies and Tisha Lee. 

Row, row, row your boat (with monsters).

Written by Adam Simpson.

Illustrated by Gypsy Taylor.

Macmillan, 2025.

Australian.

Picture book.

Rhyming text.

So many twists and quirks.

Possible read-alikes:

• The grumble rumble mumbler by Melanie Drewery and by Loudmouth Productions.
• A monstrous bedtime by Kerilynn Wilson.
• No swimming by Ross Collins.
• We know a place by Maxine Beneba Clarke.
• I will read to you by Gideon Sterer and Charles Santoso.
• The Boo Zoo by Kyle Mewburn and Lisa Allen. 

Mr Wizard's magic presents.

Written and illustrated by Nick Sharratt.

Walker Books, 2025.

Picture book.

Lift the flap.

Rhyming text.

The construction of this makes my head hurt. How can you open the flaps one way and get something expected and nice, then open the other way and get something weird and odd – that rhymes.

Possible read-alikes:

• This book is not a present by Max Greenfield and Mike Lowery.
• My presents by Rod Campbell.
• It’s my bird-day! by Mo Willems.
• Stick Man: the present hunt based on the picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. 

Moose's book bus.

Written and illustrated by Inga Moore.

Walker Books Ltd, 2021.

Picture book.

The value of community, literacy, and friendship.

Possible read-alikes:

• Wild about books by Judy Sierra and Marc Brown.
• Just one more story by Perry Emerson and Sean Julian.
• Books on bikes by F. Isabel Campoy, Theresa Howell, and Brizida Magro.
• Books are not just for Bedtime by Eleanor Pearson and Angela Perrini.
• The little street library by Amy Adeney and Erin McClean. 

Dalmartian: a Mars rover's story.

Written and illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins.

Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2024.

Picture book.

Another book about an ‘alien’ finding friendship on Earth.

That’s not to say that it isn’t beautiful.

Possible read-alikes:

• Invasion of the unicorns by David Biedrzycki.
• The spaceman by Randy Cecil.
• Bloop by Tara Lazar and Mike Boldt.
• Marty by Rachel Noble and Zoey Abbott.
• The stray by Molly Ruttan.
• Mr. Wuffles! by David Wiesner.
• Spacebot by Mike Twohy.
• Your alien by Tammi Sauer and Goro Fujita.
• Beegu by Alexis Deacon.

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:

• A good day by Kevin Henkes. 
• 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.

Weekend reads: 22 March 2026

 

Rere atu ki Poronihia = Flight to Polynesia

Written byTangaroa Paul, nā Luca Tu'avao Walton ngā pikita.

Oratia Books and Ngā Pātaka Korero o Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland Council Libraries, 2026.

Picture book.

Bilingual.

Te reo Māori.

Sequel to Rere atu taku poi! = Let my poi fly by Tangaroa Paul and Rebecca Gibbs.

An earnest and sincere exploration of non-binary representation around the Pacific, told through traditional performing arts.

Possible read-alongs:

• Kapaemahu by Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, Dean Hamer, Joe Wilson, and Daniel Sousa.
• Ho'onani: hula warrior by Heather Gale and Mika Song.
• Téo’s Tutu by Maryann Jacob Macias and Alea Marley.
• Raven’s ribbons by Tasha Spillett and Daniel Ramirez.
• The spectacular suit by Kat Patrick and Hayley Wells.
• A fairy called Fred by Robert Tregoning and Stef Murphy.
• Strong by Rob Kearney, Eric Rosswood, and Nidhi Chanani.
• Sadiq wants to stitch by Manta Nainy.
• A song for Nolan by Rushie Ellenwood and Sally Chen.
• A costume for Charly by CK Malone.
• My fade is fresh by Shauntay Grant and Kitt Thomas.

 

Black dog.

Written and illustrated by Levi Pinfold.

Templar Publishing, 2011.

Picture book.

Facing fears – or realising they were blown out of proportion.

Possible read-alikes:

• Safe at last by Richard Jones.
• Shy Willow by Cat Min.
• Eeny and her sisters by Jane Yolen and Kathryn Brown. 

You choose bedtime.

By Nick Sharratt and Pippa Goodhart.

Puffin Books, 2025.

Picture book.

What do you need to make your bedtime perfect?

Possible read-alongs:

• The kiss and The hug by Eoin McLaughlin and Polly Dunbar.
• Just go to bed by Mercer Mayer.
• Tuck me in by Nathan W. Pyle. 

Let's go! = haw êkwa!

Written and illustrated by Julie Flett.

Greystone Books, 2024.

Picture book.

A celebration of community and skateboarding – and Cree-Métis heritage.

Possible read-alikes:

• Logan's big move by Logan Martin, Jess Black, and Shane McG.
• Skater Cielo by Rachel Katstaller.
• Ride, roll, run: time for fun! by Valerie Bolling and Sabrena Khadija.
• Together we ride by Valerie Bolling and Kaylani Juanita. 

Kwesi and Nana Ruby learn to swim.

Written by Kobina Commeh.

Illustrated by Bárbara Quintino.

Barefoot Books Ltd, 2025.

Picture book.

Kwesi and his Nana Ruby use the story and strength of Mami Wata to face their fears and learn to swim.

A powerful story of reclamation and rejecting the generational effects of racism.

Nana Ruby emigrated from Ghana to the USA.

Possible read-alikes:

• Together we swim by Valerie Bolling and Kaylani Juanita.
• Yaya and the sea by Karen Good Marable and Tonya Engel.
• Where’s Rodney? by Carmen Bogan and Floyd Cooper.
• Swimming with seals by Maggie de Vries and Janice Kun.
• Over or under? by Pip Harry and Hilary Jean Tapper.
• When love is more than words by Jocelyn Chung and Julia Kuo. 

 

Littlelight.

Written and illustrated by Kelly Canby.

Fremantle Press, 2020.

Australian.

Picture book.

A small child quietly – and powerfully – rejects the aggression and xenophobia of the mayor. Their powerful action sends ripples through the town and a complete rejection of the mayor’s prejudice and hatred. More grown ups should read, and actually take to heart the messages of, picture books.

Possible read-alikes:

• Y Ddinas Uchel/The Builders written and illustrated by Huw Aaron.
• Who left the light on? by Richard Marnier, Aude Maurel, translated by Emma Ramadan.    
• The wall in the middle of the book by Jon Agee.
• Walls by Tania Ingram and Ruth-Mary Smith.
• Usha and the stolen sun by Bree Galbraith and Josée Bisaillon.
• Out of the blue by Robert Tregoning and Stef Murphy.
• One light by Christie Matheson and Anuska Allepuz. 

The Library of Bears.

Written and illustrated by Cat Rabbit.

Berbay Publishing, 2025.

Australian.

Picture book.

I think the best thing about this book is the illustrations – which are the cutest little soft toys and accessories! They are at an intense level of accuracy, observation, and detail.

Possible read-alikes:

• Alone by Scott Stuart. 
• The Hotel for Bugs by Suzy Senior and Leire Martin.
• Nop by Caroline Magerl.

Books with 3D / assemblage / diorama illustrations:

• Anything by the taonga (treasure) that is Jeannie Baker.
• The princess and the pea by Lauren Child. 
• Picture a tree by Barbara Reid.
• The bean’s story by Tatiana Aslund and Vasanti Unka.
• Viva Frida by Yuyi Morales. 
• The visitor by Antje Damm.
• Frostfire by Elly MacKay. 
• Great job, Mom! and Great job, Dad! by Holman Wang. 

Juniper sails through the solar system.

Written and illustrated by Sarah E Willis.

Bearger Studios, 2025.

Picture book.

The blurb says: “Juniper is a young Micronesian girl who comes from a long line of explorers who traveled the vast Pacific Ocean thousands of years ago. Now she embraces their legacy and sets sail to explore the solar system.”

Juniper is from Aelon Kein Ad (the Marshall Islands).

An earnest book.

Possible read-alongs:

• I love my island by Moemoana Safa'ato'a Schwenke and Moanaroa Te Whata. 
• Moana adapted by Laura Hitchcock, illustrated by Griselda Sastrawinata-Lemay. 
• Abigail and the birth of the sun by Matthew Cunningham and Sarah Wilkins.
• Ada and the galaxies by Alan Lightman, Olga Pastuchiv, and Susanna Chapman.
• Those magnificent voyagers of the Pacific by Andrew Crowe and Rick Fisher.
• Fishing for islands: traditional boats and seafarers of the Pacific by John Nicholson. 

Hugged by the night.

Written by Harold Green III.

Illustrated by Karabo Poppy.

Chronicle Book, 2026.

Picture book.

Rhyming text.

Animals representing African diaspora.

Possible read-alikes:

• Teddy's midnight adventure by Yoko Mori, translated by Cathy Hirano.
• A happy place by Britta Teckentrup.
• The Midnight Panther by Poonam Mistry.
• I feel a foot! by Maranke Rinck and Martijn van der Linden.
• Sulwe by Lupita Nyong'o and Vashti Harrison.
• Shine like the stars by Anna Wilson and Harry Woodgate.
• Think big: a mythological fable about animals who discover how to live their best lives by Kat Kronenberg and David Miles. 

 

One goose, two moose and One goose, two moose, three raccoon, four baboon.

Written by Kael Tudor.

Illustrated by Nicola Slater.

Scholastic, 2024 and 2025.

Picture book.

Rules and breaking them. Complete chaos – and fun.

Possible read-alikes:

• Bear cubs don't do queues by Maudie Smith.
• Wrong! by Ciara Flood and Lucia Gaggiotti.
• Perfectly polite penguins not! by Georgiana Deutsch and Ekaterina Trukhan.
• Line up, please! by Tomoko Ohmura, translated by Cathy Hirano.

   

A cup of quiet.

Written by Nikki Grimes.

Illustrated by Cathy Ann Johnson.

Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2025.

Imaginative play – and the wonders of being quiet.

Possible read-alikes:

• Quiet by Tomie DePaola.
• All around us by Xelena Gonzalez and Adriana M. Garcia.
• Grandpa's gift by Fiona Lumbers.
• Quiet time with my seeya by Dinalie Dabarera.
• Birdsong by Julie Flett.
• The sun never hurries by Roxane Turcotte and Lucie Crovatto, translated by Barbara Creary.
• Grandad's world by Michael Foreman. 
• Sandcastle by Philip Bunting. 

  

 

The quacken.

Written by Justin Colón.

Illustrated by Pablo Pino.

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2024.

Picture book.

Beware… the Quacken! Disbelief in a local legend leads to terror (in an age appropriate, picture book way).

Possible read-alikes:

• A campfire tail by Sarah Glenn Marsh and Ana Gómez.
• The bear out there by Jess Hannigan.
• Don't trust fish by Neil Sharpson and Dan Santat.
• The duck never blinks by Alex Latimer.  
• Don't feed the coos! by Jonathan Stutzman and Heather Fox.

 

My tiger.

Written by Joy Cowley

Illustrated by David Barrow.

Gecko Press, 2026.

Aotearoa. Picture book.

Note: possible blackwashing in the illustrations.

A fun and slightly gruesome story, where bossy adults get their comeuppance.

Possible read-alikes:

• Bark, George by Jules Feiffer.
• Mog and the V.E.T. by Judith Kerr.
• Don't scare the dentist by qualified dentist and licensed comedian Sam Smith and award winning illustrator Daron Parton.
• Brenda's revenge by Sarah Tagholm and Laurie Stansfield.
• Penelope Rex and the problem with pets by Ryan T. Higgins.
• Mister Kitty is lost! by Greg Pizzoli.  
• Have you seen my invisible dinosaur? by Helen Yoon.   
• I want a dog by Jon Agee.
• Not that pet! by Smriti Halls and Rosalind Beardshaw. 

 

Me and other bunnies.

Words and pictures by Mo Willems.

Union Square Kids, 2025.

Picture book.

A book about pronouns – not gender related ones. When does ‘them’ become ‘us’?

Possible read-alikes:

• What are your words?: a book about pronouns by Katherine Locke and Anne Passchier.
• Phonobet by Kathy Weedon and Kim Drane.
• Mind your Gramma! by Yvonne Morrison and Nikki Slade Robinson.

 

Thundermaestro.

Written by Annemarie Riley Guertin.

Illustrated by Maria Brzozowska.

Familius, 2022.

Picture book.

The sounds of a storm, shown through a child’s imagination.

Possible read-alikes:

• Storm dragon by Dianne Hofmeyr and Carol Thompson.
• Nighttime symphony by Timbaland feat. Christopher Myers, and Kaa Illustration.
• The rain train by Elena de Roo and Brian Lovelock.
• Downpour: splish! splash! ker-splash! by Yuko Ohnari and Koshiro Hata, translated by Emily Balistrieri.
• The best sound in the world by Cindy Wume.
• Nightsong by Sally Soweol Han.
• When Isaac hears the rain by Julie Thompson and Leah Giles. 

Mermaid, schmermaid.

Written by Terence Araneta.

Illustrated by Cassandra Paillé.

Little Drummer Books, 2026.

Aotearoa.

Rhyming text.

A bit meh – but ok. Seeing beyond the obvious, and valuing what people are good at. The non-mermaid characters are arrogant and annoying. The mermaid is sweet and cloying.

Possible read-alikes / instead ofs:

• Mermaid lullaby by Kenneth Kraegel.
• Mermaids are the worst! by Alex Willan.
• Knight Owl and Knight Owl and Early Bird by Christopher Denise.

More mermaid recommendations are available on the Storytime Solidarity website. 

Dumpling day.

Written by Meera Sriram.

Illustrated by Inés de Antuñano.

Recipes by Laurel P. Jackson.

Picture book.

Counting.

Rhyming text.

Different cultures represented through dumplings, or their equivalents.

Possible read-alikes:

• Luli and the language of tea by Andrea Wang and Hyewon Yum.
• Soup's on around the world by Denyse Waissbluth and Chelsea O'Byrne.
• My rice is best! by Selina Brown and Maxwell A. Oginni.
• Tomatoes in my lunchbox by Costantia Manoli and Magdalena Mora. 

My sister, the Todzilla.

Written by Jacinta Froud.

Illustrated by Matt Shanks.

Affirm Press, 2026.

Australian.

Picture book.

Rhyming text.

Hangry and tired – the perfect recipe for an attack of the Todzilla!

Possible read-alikes:

• The witching hour by Jennifer Harris and Adelina Lirius.
• One upside-downy day by Renée Kurilla.
• Grumbelina by Esther Krogdahl and Aleksandra Szmidt.
• Red red red by Polly Dunbar.
• Tiny tantrum by Caroline Crowe and Ella Okstad.
• Barbara throws a wobbler by Nadia Shireen.
• I love you just the way you are by Virginia Miller. 

Catnip m ❤️ use. [mouse]

Written and illustrated by AJ Smith.

Kids Can Press, 2025.

Picture book.

Vera, a cat, just wants to play quietly with her catnip mouse. Gipp, a dog, wants to play with Vera.

Disaster ensues – and a fight. Can these friends make it up?

Possible read-alikes:

• Cat Dog by Mem Fox and Mark Teague.
• Twisty-turny house by Lisa Mantchev and EG Keller.
• Blanket by Ruth Ohi. 
• In or out by Stacy Gregg and Sarah Jennings.
• George & Tao by Claude K. Dubois, translated by Daniel Hahn.
• Can I play? by Nicola Kinnear.
• Bear is never alone by Marc Veerkamp, Jeska Verstegen, translated by Laura Watkinson.
• My very own space by Pippa Goodhart and Rebecca Crane.
• Leave me alone by Bera Brosgol.      
• Oh, Carrots! by Mariajo Ilustrajo. 

 

If you make a call on a banana phone.

Written by Gideon Sterer.

Illustrated by Emily Hughes.

Clarion Books, 2025.

Picture book.

A wonderful addition to the flights of fancy of consequences books.

Possible read-alikes:

• How to talk Monster by Lynn Plourde and Mike Lowery.
• Hello by Viola Wang.
• Monster! Hungry! Phone! by Sean Taylor and Fred Benaglia.
• Spacebot by Mike Twohy.
• The only astronaut by Mahak Jain and Andrea Stegmaier. 

Beegu.

Written and illustrated by Alexis Deacon.

Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2003.

Picture book.

Beegu is an alien who struggles to find friends, until they meet children.

Possible read-alikes:

• The stray by Molly Ruttan.
• We are definitely human by X. Fang.
• Lights on Cotton Rock by David Litchfield.
• Augustus and his smile by Catherine Rayner.
• The invisible boy by Trudy Ludwig and Patrice Barton.
• The Thing at 52 by Ross Montgomery and Richard Johnson.

 

Marilyn's monster.

Written by Michelle Knudsen.

Illustrated by Matt Phelan.

Walker Books, 2015.

Picture book.

They say you need to wait for your monster to find you – but what if they don’t?

Sort of imaginary friends – but not quite. There is a listof imaginary friends books on the Storytime Solidarity website.

Possible read-alikes:

• I need my monster by Amanda Noll and Howard McWilliam.
• The adventures of Beekle: the unimaginary friend by Dan Santat.
• The whisper by Pamela Zagarenski.
• The magical yet by Angela DiTerlizzi and Lorena Alvarez.
• Waiting is not easy by Mo Willems.
• Lonely bird by Ruth Whiting. 

Officer Buckle and Gloria.

Written and illustrated by Peggy Rathmann.

Putnam’s, 1995.

An oldie – but cute story about friendship – and safety.

Note: positive police stories are not suitable for all communities.

Possible read-alikes:

• Utterly otterly night by Mary Casanova and Ard Hoyt.
• Dog gone by Rob Biddulph.
• Alone by Scott Stuart.
• How dinosaurs went extinct: a safety guide by Ame Dyckman and Jennifer Harney.