The 11 most challenged books of 2025, according to the American Library Association The ALA says 4,235 titles were challenged at U.S. libraries — the second-highest year on record. Forty percent of the challenged works involved LGBTQ+ subjects or the experiences of people of color.

So many of these books appear year after year. It's like book banners don't actual read or something... www.npr.org/2026/04/20/n...

3 Playful New Picture Books Hold by Randy Ribay, illustrated by Zeke Peña Publisher: Kokila Publication Date: April 21, 2026 Reviewed from Edelweiss e-galley ISBN: 9780593856987 When leaving the house in the morning, a father asks his small son to hold the water bottle. Hold? Now the boy wants to hold everything! Starting with some toys, then the cat, then he asks to hold a tree.

3 Playful New Picture Books

Hold by Randy Ribay, illustrated by Zeke Peña Publisher: Kokila Publication Date: April 21, 2026 Reviewed from Edelweiss e-galley ISBN: 9780593856987 When leaving the house in the morning, a father asks his small son to hold the water bottle. Hold? Now the boy wants to…

Canadian Picture Book Artist Jon Klassen Wins the 2026 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award - Publishing Perspectives The annual award, the world’s best endowed children’s literature prize, is given to a person or organization anywhere in the world for their outstanding contribution to children's and young adult lite...

Well deserved! publishingperspectives.com/2026/04/cana...

2 New Nature Nonfiction Books by Maria Gianferrari Just One Oak: What a Single Tree Can Be by Maria Gianferrari, illustrated by Diana Sudyka Publisher: Beach Lane Books Publication Date: April 7, 2026 Reviewed from copy sent my publisher ISBN: 9781665961042 This nonfiction picture book explores the impact that a single oak tree can have on a habitat. The way that oaks hold onto their leaves all winter is explained and defined as marcescence.

2 New Nature Nonfiction Books by Maria Gianferrari

Just One Oak: What a Single Tree Can Be by Maria Gianferrari, illustrated by Diana Sudyka Publisher: Beach Lane Books Publication Date: April 7, 2026 Reviewed from copy sent my publisher ISBN: 9781665961042 This nonfiction picture book explores…

Journalist plans to create new archive of residential school survivor stories — before it's too late | CBC News A new project from award-winning journalist Connie Walker aims to create an archive of testimonies of abuse at residential schools before the accounts are destroyed in September 2027.

an incredibly important project by Connie Walker — most Canadians don't know that the government has an archive of 38,000 residential school survivor testimonies, which are slated to be destroyed next year www.cbc.ca/news/indigen...

‘Seeking connection’: the video game where players stopped shooting and started talking In a post-apocalyptic landscape of cutthroat scavengers, surprisingly peaceful players are opting to team up and open up – a phenomenon that’s intriguing game developers and psychologists alike

‘Seeking connection’: the video game where players stopped shooting and started talking

Michael Rosen and Cai Gao win 2026 Hans Christian Andersen Award British writer Michael Rosen has won the 2026 Hans Christian Andersen Award for Writing, while Chinese illustrator Cai Gao has won the award for Illustration.

www.thebookseller.com/news/michael...

102 by Matthew Cordell – Book Recommendation 102 by Matthew Cordell Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers Publication Date: April 14, 2026 Reviewed from Edelweiss e-galley ISBN: 9780316580953 This multilayered tale uses the number 102 throughout the story. George has a fever the day that they catch the mouse in the kitchen. He puts it in an empty fish tank but the mouse won’t eat sunflower seeds.

102 by Matthew Cordell – Book Recommendation

102 by Matthew Cordell Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers Publication Date: April 14, 2026 Reviewed from Edelweiss e-galley ISBN: 9780316580953 This multilayered tale uses the number 102 throughout the story. George has a fever the day…

2026 Locus Awards Top Ten Finalists https://twp.ai/9OV8UI

The Visit by Núria Figueras – Book Recommendation The Visit by Núria Figueras, illustrated by Anna Font, translated by Lawrence Schimel Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers Publication Date: April 14, 2026 Reviewed from pdf provided by publisher ISBN: 9780802856555 Little Fox’s mother tells her not to open the door for anyone when she leaves, but Little Fox soon hears a knock. It is Silence at the door and Little Fox is curious, so she lets Silence in.

The Visit by Núria Figueras – Book Recommendation

The Visit by Núria Figueras, illustrated by Anna Font, translated by Lawrence Schimel Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers Publication Date: April 14, 2026 Reviewed from pdf provided by publisher ISBN: 9780802856555 Little Fox’s mother tells…

Genuinely one of the coolest things I've ever seen a cultural venue post

WHEN TOMORROW BURNS -- Tae Keller

Congratulations to Newbery Medal-winning author @taekeller.bsky.social on this extraordinary review in The New York Times for her new middle grade novel, WHEN TOMORROW BURNS.

(gift article link)

www.nytimes.com/2026/04/10/b...

Preventing sexual harassment at work is “political.”

Offering flexible working arrangements for disabled folk is “political.”

Letting gay folks talk about their partners at work is “political.”

All organisations are implicated in politics. Controversy should not dictate if something is political.

The American Booksellers Association Announces the Winners of the Indies Choice Book Awards Awards honor books from seven categories, all chosen by independent booksellers

Congratulations to Don't Trust Fish and The Trouble with Heroes! Two amazing reads. www.einpresswire.com/article/9045...

2 New Bookish Nonfiction Picture Books The Burning of the Books by Jonah Winter, illustrated by Gary Kelley Publisher: Creative Editions Publication Date: March 10, 2026 Reviewed from Edelweiss e-galley ISBN: 9781568464114 This nonfiction picture book begins with the printing of the first book, the Bible. It then turns to Germany, a place where many of these books were printed and a literate nation. When Hitler came to power in 1933, things changed and certain books were labeled as “un-German.” College students and librarians helped remove books that were labeled that way, tens of thousands of books.

2 New Bookish Nonfiction Picture Books

The Burning of the Books by Jonah Winter, illustrated by Gary Kelley Publisher: Creative Editions Publication Date: March 10, 2026 Reviewed from Edelweiss e-galley ISBN: 9781568464114 This nonfiction picture book begins with the printing of the first book,…

The Animals Speak: The Lakota Way by S. D. Nelson – Book Recommendation The Animals Speak: The Lakota Way by S. D. Nelson, translated by Dakota Goodhouse Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers Publication Date: March 17, 2026 Reviewed from Edelweiss e-galley ISBN: 9781419764448 Lakota author and illustrator, Nelson offers a look for children at the Lakota way and beliefs around animals. For those who pay attention, animals offer wisdom and a connected spirit line.

The Animals Speak: The Lakota Way by S. D. Nelson – Book Recommendation

The Animals Speak: The Lakota Way by S. D. Nelson, translated by Dakota Goodhouse Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers Publication Date: March 17, 2026 Reviewed from Edelweiss e-galley ISBN: 9781419764448 Lakota author…

We love to see book banners eat shit electorally

3 New Nonfiction Picture Books Full of Discoveries Chopsticks Are by Chloe Ito Ward, illustrated by Lynn Scurfield Publisher: Chronicle Books Publication Date: March 31, 2026 Reviewed from Edelweiss e-galley ISBN: 9781797227368 This nonfiction picture book celebrates the humble chopstick. Immediately some readers will be shocked to see chopsticks used for cooking as well as for eating. The book explores the various shapes of chopsticks from around the world and how they are used with different cuisines.

3 New Nonfiction Picture Books Full of Discoveries

Chopsticks Are by Chloe Ito Ward, illustrated by Lynn Scurfield Publisher: Chronicle Books Publication Date: March 31, 2026 Reviewed from Edelweiss e-galley ISBN: 9781797227368 This nonfiction picture book celebrates the humble chopstick.…

A Bundle of New Board Books Baby Botanicals Series by Jillian Miao, illustrated by Riley Samels Publisher: Doubleday Books for Young Readers Publication Date: February 10, 2026 Reviewed from pdf provided by publisher ISBNs: 9780593519028 & 9780593419042 From loss and a cancer diagnosis comes this lovely pair of board books in a new series. Written to reflect the walks the author takes with her daughters as well as her mother’s love for gardens, these two board books shine with wonder and a joy at gardens and nature.

A Bundle of New Board Books

Baby Botanicals Series by Jillian Miao, illustrated by Riley Samels Publisher: Doubleday Books for Young Readers Publication Date: February 10, 2026 Reviewed from pdf provided by publisher ISBNs: 9780593519028 & 9780593419042 From loss and a cancer diagnosis comes this…

NASA just dropped this image of Artemis II astronaut Christina Koch looking back at us. The first woman to ever see our planet in its entirety. I’m not crying you’re crying 🥹🔭🧪 📸: NASA

Mychal Threets Announced as 2026 Convocation Speaker A literacy and mental health advocate, “Mychal the Librarian” will address the Class of 2026 on May 27

This is so great 📚

www.gse.harvard.edu/ideas/news/2...

This

Tenn. library director fired over refusal to move LGBTQ+ books to adult section A county board near Nashville voted to dismiss Luanne James, who said she stands by her decision, in the latest clash in a national debate over access to books.

“‘All I’m going to say is that I stand by my decision,’ she said…

“Much of the audience at the board meeting broke into cheers and applause after her statement.

Chants of ‘shame’ were heard as board members voted to fire her...”

www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2026/...

Armaveni by Nadine Takvorian – Book Recommendation Armaveni by Nadine Takvorian Publisher: Levine Querido Publication Date: March 10, 2026 Reviewed from copy provided by publisher ISBN: 9781646146369 Nadine doesn't know anything about her Armenian family's history except that they survived the Armenian genocide. Her parents refuse to share the stories with her and her brother. Then one day, her mother begins to share about Armaveni, Nadine's grandmother and the incredibly impossible choices that had to be made for survival as the genocide closed around them in Armenia and Turkey.

Armaveni by Nadine Takvorian – Book Recommendation

Armaveni by Nadine Takvorian Publisher: Levine Querido Publication Date: March 10, 2026 Reviewed from copy provided by publisher ISBN: 9781646146369 Nadine doesn't know anything about her Armenian family's history except that they survived the…

Penguin to sue OpenAI over ChatGPT version of German children’s book Publisher alleges AI research company’s chatbot violated its copyright over Coconut the Little Dragon series

www.theguardian.com/technology/2...

Rutherford County library director fired over LGBTQ book controversy Former director refused to relocate 132 books with LGBTQ themes to adult section

www.wsmv.com/2026/04/01/r... A new library hero for us all to emulate.

24 Amazing Books Arriving in April PICTURE BOOKS 102 by Matthew Cordell Even Steven by Carrie Finison, illustrated by Daniel Wiseman Hold by Randy Ribay, illustrated by Zeke Peña Just One Oak by Maria Gianferrari, illustrated by Diana Sudyka Piece by Piece: How Stephen Sondheim Made Musical Puzzles Come Alive by Erin Frankel, illustrated by Stacy Innerst Robin and the Stick by E B Goodale Sockflea…

24 Amazing Books Arriving in April

PICTURE BOOKS 102 by Matthew Cordell Even Steven by Carrie Finison, illustrated by Daniel Wiseman Hold by Randy Ribay, illustrated by Zeke Peña Just One Oak by Maria Gianferrari, illustrated by Diana Sudyka Piece by Piece: How Stephen Sondheim Made Musical…

Inbetweens by Faith Erin Hicks – Book Recommendation Inbetweens by Faith Erin Hicks Publisher: First Second Publication Date: March 31, 2026 Reviewed from Netgalley e-galley ISBN: 9781250838759 Twin sisters, Sloane and Ash, no longer look alike thanks to different hairstyles and colors. They do share a love of art and animation. The two of them decide to spend their summer vacation attending Ormidale College’s animation program for high school students.

Inbetweens by Faith Erin Hicks – Book Recommendation

Inbetweens by Faith Erin Hicks Publisher: First Second Publication Date: March 31, 2026 Reviewed from Netgalley e-galley ISBN: 9781250838759 Twin sisters, Sloane and Ash, no longer look alike thanks to different hairstyles and colors. They do…

Shrinking Violet by Laurel Snyder – Book Recommendation Shrinking Violet by Laurel Snyder, illustrated by LeUyen Pham Publisher: Chronicle Books Publication Date: March 31, 2026 Reviewed from copy provided by publisher ISBN: 9781797200729 Violet lives in a castle by the sea with her friend Bird. Violet stayed at home, caring for the castle while Bird flew outside and sang. But every now and then, Violet got scared by something like a spider.

Shrinking Violet by Laurel Snyder – Book Recommendation

Shrinking Violet by Laurel Snyder, illustrated by LeUyen Pham Publisher: Chronicle Books Publication Date: March 31, 2026 Reviewed from copy provided by publisher ISBN: 9781797200729 Violet lives in a castle by the sea with her friend Bird.…

Illustration by Ernest H. Shepard from Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne, Toronto, 1926. #booksky #artsky