A child grapples with “needs and wants and wishes” during Ramadan in this quietly moving picture book from Thompkins-Bigelow and Betawi. As Momma and Haneen take the bus in the rain, the child grumbles, “I miss having a car. I’m getting all wet.” Momma responds, “Duas, or prayers, said on a rainy day get answered. Especially during Ramadan.” At the masjid, Haneen encounters others with new clothes and plushies, and channels a yearning for similar objects into an Eid card for Momma. But Momma’s resultant upset suggests that the items are out of reach and leads Haneen to ask the creator for “what I want most.” On Eid, Momma surprises Haneen, and Haneen makes a new card that illustrates the duo’s bond. Rainy-day visuals contrast with more vibrant hues in delicate illustrations across a work that employs an apt metaphor—weather—for both the family’s economic anxiety and the main character’s internal turmoil. The protagonists are depicted with brown skin; background characters are portrayed with various skin tones. Ages 4–8. (Mar.)

Reviewed on 11/28/2025 | Details & Permalink

A child embraces the depth of Eid’s meaning in this lively experiential picture book. Ibraheem loves Eid, “the most perfectly perfect day in the whole entire year”—for its games, its snacks, and, most of all, its presents. When he can’t find his gifts hidden at home, he wonders what’s gone awry. A visit to the mosque with his father reveals that they’re not secreted there, either—and sees Ibraheem taking note of other rituals. As the pair return home to family, food, and cuddles, Baba asks Ibraheem to reflect on the meaning of Eid: “Presents are nice, little one... but hasn’t today been about so much more than that?” In conversational text that highlights a child’s enthusiasm for the holiday, Islam leans into themes of faith, joy, and wonder, while Adani’s unlined illustrations incorporate geometric patterns and depict Ibraheem, shown with brown skin, as part of a diverse community portrayed with various abilities and skin tones. Ages 4–6. (Feb.)

Reviewed on 11/28/2025 | Details & Permalink

Rafi and Quraishi offer a standard introduction to Eid’s domestic aspects in this warmly familial picture book. Using the refrain “Eid is,” celebratory sensate lines describe the festival as “a gathering,” “a party we dress up for,” “a feast,” and more. Supporting text elaborates on each brief phrase, noting that Dadi Amma wears “regal... embroidery/ that flows to the floor” as well as describing a meal of “steaming pulao and/ yogurt” and newspaper-wrapped rotis. Simply cartooned gouache, watercolor, pencil, and crayon illustrations incorporate decorative components around images of the South Asian–presenting family. It’s a straightforward overview that wraps up with a vision of home, togetherness, and gratitude. Creators’ notes conclude. Ages 3–5. (Jan.)

Reviewed on 11/28/2025 | Details & Permalink

Koffsky concocts a comically far-fetched origin story for matzo-crust pizza in this punny picture book. It’s day three of Passover when young Sammy becomes sick of eating matzo, and grand- father Zaydee offers a solution in the form of a tale and a recipe. Cut to ancient times: thick-lined cartooning shows Israelite boy Shmuel (“That’s my name in Hebrew!” Sammy notes) eating matzo during the exodus when a tomato from Miriam’s basket plops onto his flatbread. Talking cows “mooo-ving” to Israel provide milk that Moses uses his staff to turn into mozzarella cheese, and the hot sun bakes it to perfection. “And since it was a day of miracles,” Zaydee concludes, “there was enough for everyone.” Sammy recreates the pizza as the narrative unfolds, and it’s finished just in time for noshing by guests Miri and Moe (who resemble the flashback’s Miriam and Moses). Miracles come in many forms, including culinary ones, this playful Passover tale suggests. Characters are portrayed with various skin tones. Includes a note and recipe. Ages 4–10. (Feb.)

Reviewed on 11/28/2025 | Details & Permalink

When the usual crowd is unable to make it for Passover seder, and the long table is set for just Ethan, his parents, and Sadie the poodle, the child wonders, “Will that be enough?” But as Kimmelman’s title indicates and Dad explains, “everyone’s welcome at the festival of freedom.” And sure enough, as soon as the seder gets underway, continual knocking at the door reveals not Elijah but a series of guests, including both humans (neighbors, family members) and anthropomorphized animals (a cat, a hen, a bear)—and nearly everyone contributes something delicious. In warm-toned unlined cartoons, Russell portrays a festive scene filling up with guests who “squirmed and squished and squashed and squeezed” around the table, but happily so. And as promised, there’s both room and food for all. Characters are portrayed with various skin tones. Ages 4–8. (Jan.)

Reviewed on 11/28/2025 | Details & Permalink

Pale-skinned Talia’s creative ears transform a Passover-related word into something entirely different in this amiable picture book from Elovitz Marshall, an addition to the Talia series. Asked to place Haggadahs at every seat, the protagonist hears HUG-gadah and spends the rest of the Passover seder certain that the text requires everyone to engage in snuggles. The guests warmly embrace upon arriving, but shouldn’t there be more hugging? As the seder proceeds, Talia has four questions of her own: “Who gets hugs? When do we do the hugging? Where do we do the hugging? And most important: Why do we have a book called the HUG-gadah?” Finally, Grandma lovingly sets her straight by explaining that Haggadah means “the telling” and details “how we escaped slavery in Egypt to become free people in the Land of Israel.” Even so, readers may not feel Talia is that far off the mark: cushiony, rounded-edge characters by Assirelli make everyone look cuddly. A note about Passover concludes. Ages 3–8. (Jan.)

Reviewed on 11/28/2025 | Details & Permalink

Environmental journalist Subramanian (A River Runs Again) and Novgorodoff (Mid-Air) pack a wealth of information into this compact graphic novel primer to climate change and environmental stewardship. Beginning with the September 2019 Climate March in New York City, the creators intertwine personal stories of their own climate-awareness awakenings—spreads of nine-year-old Novgorodoff convey a childhood spent enjoying “big trees, a crystal-clear stream, birdsong in the summer, deep snows in the winter”—with global experiences contextualized via individual profiles of four young environmental activists: Mexican Xiye Bastida, Colombian American Jamie Margolin, Bangladeshi American Rebeca Sabnam, and Indian American Shiv Soin. Periodic interludes offer extensive deep-dives that define climate change, wildfires, ecological grief, and environmental justice, and examine related issues such as religious communities’ impact on the climate. Digitally inked and painted pencil, watercolor, and gouache sketches bring a bright, uplifting energy to an accessible guide that explores the myriad ways through which one can become involved in the larger environmental movement. Climate action resources conclude. Characters are depicted with varying skin tones. Ages 14–up. (Mar.)

Reviewed on 11/28/2025 | Details & Permalink

Sensitive portrayals of food insecurity and child hunger distinguish this compassionate work, a double graphic novel debut from Day and White. Middle schooler Mila doesn’t know why her best friend, Kit, ate three bananas in a row while visiting Mila’s house, nor does she understand the emotional outburst he had about a classmate donating a dented can during their school’s Stuff-the-Bus food drive. Though the pals do everything together, like pet the neighborhood cats and create miniature movie sets, Mila struggles to support Kit, especially when he won’t confide in her. With help from her commiserative mother, however, Mila soon realizes that Kit’s family often doesn’t have enough food. A gently instructional narrative portrays Mila’s growing comprehension of Kit’s situation, and emphasizes the importance of resources such as food banks and community gardens as well as providing tactful personal support. Loose line art and soft color washes feature across cartoony illustrations that also incorporate the tweens’ own hand-drawn comics about the imaginative adventures of Shy Cat. Information about the Hunger Stories Project—an organization dedicated to raising awareness about food insecurity in North America—concludes. Mila is depicted with light brown skin; Kit is white. Ages 9–12. (Mar.)

Reviewed on 11/28/2025 | Details & Permalink

In this jovial graphic novel mystery, Williams (Hip-Hop: The Beat of America) fuses classic detective tropes with the comedic chaos of elementary school life. Fifth grader Harper Sharp has two big projects on his plate: creating an original trading card game for Starview Elementary’s Young Inventor’s Fair, and cracking a rash of vandalism that threatens to derail the event. When the school gym gets TP’d and the custodian’s prized comic book is ruined, Harper, portrayed with braces and brown skin, relies on his discerning eye and methodical note-taking skills to uncover the perpetrator before further misfortune can occur. Harper is a refreshingly earnest hero: his drive and eagerness to learn, as well as his occasional social awkwardness and interpersonal missteps while juggling homework, relationships, and sleuthing, make him a delightfully relatable protagonist. Bold line art and dynamic layouts feature amusingly exaggerated expressions and call-out bubbles that zoom in on key details. It’s a warm celebration of creativity and critical thinking that champions learning how to pay attention, ask questions, and collaborate with others. Ages 8–12. (Mar.)

Reviewed on 11/28/2025 | Details & Permalink

Following her parents’ divorce, seventh grader Violet and her mother move to St. Louis halfway through the school year. Violet adopts the mantra “fake it ’til you make it”—when interacting with a classmate, the tween resolves to believe that her peer “wants to be friends and then maybe she will.” Violet’s mentality proves fruitful as she’s soon absorbed into a boisterous friend group that loves to let the good times roll, even if it sometimes gets them into trouble. Attending detention after a teacher busts her friends’ unauthorized party beneath the school bleachers, Violet is tasked with helping the Enviro-Club with their recycling duties. Amiable adult characters support the kids as they navigate humorous and empathetically portrayed interpersonal challenges alongside lightly approached topics regarding environmental stewardship. Debut illustrator Kennedy’s saturated, fluid cartooning and movement-filled panels convey this bright and lively series starter by Mills (Something Close to Magic) about realistic middle school struggles surrounding friendship triumphs and trials with pals both old and new. Characters are depicted with varying skin tones. Ages 8–12. Author’s agent: Bridget Smith, JABberwocky Literary. Illustrator’s agent: Nicole Tugeau, Tugeau 2. (Mar.)

Reviewed on 11/28/2025 | Details & Permalink