We have some fabulous new children’s titles for you to check out at ICPL, including Your Island by Jon Klassen. The board book rounds out a beautiful trilogy by the Caldecott winner. Your Farm and Your Forest, published simultaneously, are equally lovely and follow a similar trajectory. Each opens with a sunrise and finishes after the sunset.

Jashar Awan’s newest picture book Every Monday Mabel radiates pure joy. The wonderful cover artwork gives observant readers a glimpse of why, according to Mabel, “Monday is the best day of the week.” I have loved Awan’s previous titles, especially Towed by Toad, but this one feels like a new creative stride. Lucy Ruth Cummins, another personal favorite author-illustrator, really did this work justice in its book design. Everything about the presentation showcases Awan’s colorful style and wonderfully paced narrative.

A Pocket Full of Rocks demonstrates how a little imagination can turn common seasonal objects — rocks, petals, shells and acorns — into one-of-a-kind treasures. This quiet, gentle read is great for any time of the year. Be sure to look for it at a BookWalk near you soon.

Sir Michael Morpurgo and Emily Gravett’s newest title The Ogre Who Wasn’t is a fabulous modern princess story. Princess Clara is the kind of royal readers will cheer for, preferring to collect creatures from the garden than attend to her prescribed princess duties. She decides to raise a tiny “ogre” — actually a toad in a tiny crown — and decides to raise it in her room. Morpurgo’s fun, fast-paced narrative is brought to life by Gravett’s exuberant illustrations. Fans of her work will see some familiar faces, and adult readers will certainly note the stylized nods to Munch’s Princess Elizabeth of The Paper Bag Princess.

And now for some illustrated nonfiction! Discover critters from around the world through Melissa Sweet and Brian Lies’s new title Meet the Mini-Mammals: A Night at the Natural History Museum. This “exhibit” is specifically designed to celebrate the tiniest mammals on the planet. The information is neat, digestible and sure to excite aspiring zoologists. Iowans will recognize at least one featured animal from their own backyards!

Casey Maynard, an ICPL librarian, selects books for Iowa City’s youngest readers and their caregivers. This article was originally published in Little Village’s April 2025 issue.