Title: Rocket Puppies
Author/Illustrator: William Joyce
Publisher/Date:  Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books (November 5, 2024)
The “gist”: In a world that had become overwhelmed with sadness because of “Snarly McBummerpants,” the planet was rescued by rocket-propelled puppies. And who can be sad or grumpy when there are puppies!?
My favorite part: Big Brad and his baby brother tiny Brad…they definitely steal the show.
My response as a reader: This book totally feels like the kind of story a preschooler would make up and tell you before bed. “So there’s this guy named McBummerpants and he takes away everyone’s happiness, but then these puppies come in on rockets, and….” Completely random and totally fun.
My “take-away” as a writer: Tara Lazar, the fantastic writer and tireless advocate for kidlit, has a huge list on her website of things kids like. Especially if you don’t have little ones at home (mine are 17 and 20 now!), it’s worth revisiting lists like that to keep your brain on that child wavelength!

Title: Shipwreck
Author: Deirdre Leide
Illustrator: Carlos Velez
Publisher/Date:  Tilbury House (August 26, 2025)
The “gist”: Exploring the mystery surrounding famous shipwrecks both from an environmental and historical perspective, this text combines poetry about famous shipwrecks and sidebars with historic information about them and the explorers who found them.
My favorite part: As much as I adore the concept of combining poetry and history, I was completely entranced by the illustrations which are vibrant and detailed.
My response as a reader: I have a lot of respect for non-fiction picture books, but they’re not usually my go-to to read. This one really drew me in, so I feel there’s something in it for everyone!
My “take-away” as a writer: I have been writing poetry all my life and toyed with the idea of putting together a compilation. Seeing this book reminds me there is room and interest in poetry if you find the right way to approach your subject.

Title: Miles Comes Home
Author: Sarah S. Brannen
Illustrator: Forrest Burdett
Publisher/Date:  Little Bee Books (November 5, 2024)
The “gist”: Miles has been in foster care, but he now has a new family, and it’s great, but there are a lot of new things to get used to.
My favorite part: It’s wonderful that this is not only a story of adoption, and not only a story of same-sex parents, but also a story of mixed-race families…and yet the adoption part is the only focus of the story. The rest is just as natural as love.
My response as a reader: I play the piano, so it’s awesome that little Miles does too! I read that the author also likes to play the piano and ice skate — it’s fun when personal details like that are added to the story.
My “take-away” as a writer: Writers are always told to consider the “stakes” for your story and its main character — what is the problem and what will happen if the problem is not resolved? At first I just read this as a happy little homecoming story, but the more I think of it, the more these are just impossibly high stakes for Miles. I have never been in a situation like his and could never dream how he must feel starting the story in what was already a foster family (I.e. not “home”) and moving somewhere completely unknown. There’s just enough uncertainty in Miles’ transition for this to come through, but not enough to scare any young readers.

Title: If We Were Dogs
Author/Illustrator: Sophie Blackall
Publisher/Date:  Little Brown BYR (September 16, 2025)
The “gist”: Two friends engaged in imaginative play speculate about what type of dogs they would be and what they would do together.
My favorite part: The main narrator is the “big dog” and eventually the little dog also has his say in the action, so it’s fun that in the first few illustrations there’s some great foreshadowing about the little one being rather put upon! (ex: getting the big dog’s tail in his face).
My response as a reader:This book reminds me of one of my favorite books as a kid, “Go, Dog! Go!” (Which my own boys loved as well). The story even starts off with the premise of a party and party hats (If you know, you know!) I can imagine kids really loving all the illustrations of groups of dogs and finding dogs that looked like dogs they know.
My “take-away” as a writer: This is a great book for considering story pacing — the first half of the story is all about speculation — what kid of dogs would we be? What would we do? The second half introduces the twist as the little dog finally speaks up and we see what HIS wishes are. Without that twist, the story would likely have fallen flat.

Title: If We Were Dogs
Author: Phuc Tran
Illustrator: Pete Oswald
Publisher/Date:  Harper Collins (February 6, 2024)
The “gist”: Cranky the crane is…Cranky. He doesn’t want help from his friends, he doesn’t want their advice, he doesn’t want special desserts, he just wants to be mad. And that’s ok.
My favorite part: There are SO many hidden puns here (similar to Tara Lazar’s “Seven ate Nine” or Jory John’s “Good Egg” series). My favorite example: at a celebration, they have Crème Brûlée made by Jacques Hammer and listen to music by Haulin’ Notes. Parents will love these little Easter eggs!
My response as a reader: Another book this reminds me of is Jeremy Tankard’s “Grumpy Bird,” which was a favorite of my kids. Sometimes you just have to work through the grumpiness, but it definitely helps to know there are friends there along the way!
My “take-away” as a writer: My family also loves puns and while I included a few in my published picture book (hey if you’re reading this, I’m sure you know about “The Great Holiday Cookie Swap,” right?), it’s a good reminder that I need to think about dusting off that interest and sticking more of them into my writing. Who says puns are a low form of humor?