Geo Librarian

MAC & CHEESE : The Origin Story written by Michael L. Benner, illustrated by Alison Hawkins Orchard Books, 2026 ISBN: 978-1-5461-4076-4 Source: purchased Ages 4-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK The Bad Seed meets The Legend of Rock, Paper, Scissors in a pasta-tively hilarious story about the most enduring friendship of all Mac & Cheese! Mac was a friendly Noodle and rubbed elbows with everyone. But he didn't have the one thing he wanted A friend. Meanwhile, not too far away in Quesoland, Cheese was king. And while he could be a real crowd-pleaser, he didn't have the one thing he wanted : a friend. Join Mac and Cheese in their search for true friendship, told through Michael Benner's hilarious, heartwarming text, and Alison Hawkins' endearing, delightful visuals! Perfect for the youngest readers, this funny and sweet read-aloud will ensure a goud-a time! REVIEW The...

  SHARKS IN KANSAS The Ancient Sea in the Middle of America written by Melissa Stewart, illustrated by Becca Stadtlander Random House Studio, 2026 ISBN: 978-0-593-90471-8 Source: Blue Slip Media Book cover, author photo, and book information provided through Blue Slip Media. All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Sharks in Kansas? Yes, it's true! Take a fascinating journey back 85 million years to a time when Kansas was submerged under a vast ocean teeming with incredible prehistoric sharks. Sharks in Kansas? Seems impossible, right? After all, Kansas is smack dab in the middle of the United States—more than 1,000 miles from the closest ocean. But the world hasn’t always looked the way it does today. Once upon a time, 85 million years ago, the middle of America was submerged in water--and incredible creatures roamed the sea. On a typical afternoon, a small herd of Claosaurus munches on plants along the shoreline. Above them, a Pteranodon glides across the sky in s...

THE TWILIGHT CHILD DragonBorn #2 by Struan Murray Dutton Books for Young Readers, 2026 ISBN: 979-8217113248 Source : eARC for review from publisher Ages 9-12 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by the publisher. ABOUT THE BOOK Having discovered her true identity as a dragon, Alex Evans must embark on a dangerous quest to stop Drak Midna and his war against humanity. When tragedy strikes the island of Skralla, Alex and her friends journey north to the magical heart of Scotland, where dark plots are in motion, and humans and dragons fight side-by-side against a rising storm of ancient demons. Sinister forces are growing stronger every day, and as friendships fall apart and enemies old and new strike from the shadows, Alex must master her own fearsome power, and unravel a mystery that might just be the key to victory: the legend of the Twilight Child. REVIEW Alex Evans knows she's a dragon now, but the learning curve is steep. She not only needs...

  TAKE IT APART written by Katey Howes, art by E.V. Carolrhoda Books, 2026 ISBN: 979-8-7656-4856-8 Source: publisher through Blue Slip Media All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover, illustrations & summary provided by the publisher through Blue Slip Media. ABOUT THE BOOK This rhyming picture book joyfully celebrates the many benefits of breaking big things down into smaller pieces. From gathering spare parts for fixing things to learning math and spelling to recycling and composting, taking things apart can be a surprisingly great strategy! Energetic rhyming verse and playful illustrations will inspire readers to see taking things apart in a whole new light! ABOUT THE AUTHOR & ILLUSTRATOR Katey Howes was an award-winning children’s author and poet whose books celebrated curiosity, creativity, STEAM learning, and social-emotional growth. Her acclaimed works include Be a Maker, Rissy No Kissies—named a Kirkus Best Children’s Book, a Rise: A Feminist Book Project...

The true story of ... MO FARAH, THE BOY WHO RAN TO BE FREE written by Dr. Seema Yasmin, illustrated by Noha Habaieb Salaam Reads/Simon Books for Young Readers, 2026 ISBN: 979-8-3471-1768-0 Source: publisher for review (Thanks!) Ages 9-12 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK From the prolific Pulitzer Prize–nominated Muslim reporter Dr. Seema Yasmin comes the second book in the exciting nonfiction Muslim Mavericks chapter book series, about Olympic gold medalist Mo Farah. From Somalia to the Olympic arena, there’s no distance Mo can’t go! At the age of eight, Mo Farah and his family moved across the world from Somalia to London. It was difficult starting over in a new country, especially since he spoke very little English. But fortunately for Mo, running is a language everyone understands. Once he started, he never stopped—smashing records and winning championships. Now, having won four gold me...

MONSTERS ARE THE WORST! ...Are the Worst #7 written & illustrated by Alex Willan Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2026 ISBN: 978-1-6659-8859-9 Source: publisher for review (Thank!) Ages 4-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK Gilbert accidentally brings home a slobbery, bite-sized monster in the hilarious latest installment in The Worst! picture book series, where even the strangest of creatures can become the best of friends. When plucky Gilbert the Goblin and his pal Chicken go camping together, they run into creatures that go bump in the night! The friends immediately flee the woods and head home—after all, everyone knows that monsters are absolutely, undeniably, unequivocally the worst! But when a shocking stowaway appears in Gilbert’s knapsack, looking awfully cute and extra snuggly, Gilbert is…smitten! Sure, monsters can bite and drool and make a big mess, but they can ...

MONSTER AND APPRENTICE written by Jessica Khoury McElderry Books, 2026 ISBN: 978-1-6659-9148-3 Source : ARC from publisher for review (Thanks!) Ages 10-14 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK After a life on the streets Rolan is chosen to apprentice under a feared monster hunter to slay Cryptics—deadly magical creatures born of secrets in this middle grade fantasy perfect for fans of Witcher and Demon Slayer. Rolan Strider has never belonged—not at school, not in the city of Crisanth, and definitely not in the life of his crime-lord father. So when he’s caught vandalizing one of the city’s lanterns—a serious offense in a world where darkness breeds monsters—he expects prison. Instead, he’s claimed by the Arcanist, a legendary warrior who hunts terrifying creatures born from the secrets people hide. Dragged beyond the safety of the city, Rolan is forced to train under Luc’s harsh guidance—learn...

TINY T-REX TRIES SOCCER written by Jonathan Stutzman, illustrated by Jay Fleck Chronicle Books, 2026 ISBN: 978-1-7972-3385-7 Source : purchased Ages 4-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK Tiny T. Rex is ready to try lots of new things. First up is his favorite sport—soccer! He has his shin protectors, socks, cleats, special headband, and jersey (even though it's a little too big). He is ready! But it turns out that soccer is very tricky. With the help of his teammates and lots of practice, Tiny learns to juggle, dribble, pass, shoot, and . . . score! REVIEW This new book in the Tiny T. Rex series finds Tiny playing soccer. He has all his gear and is ready to play. But he discovers that watching and playing are not the same thing. He struggles with dribbling, juggling, and shooting. Tiny's sad that his brother and sister play better than him. His siblings remind him that if he practic...

THE LONG HIKE The True Story of the First Appalachian Thru-Hike written & illustrated by Meghan McCarthy Beach Lane Books, 2026 ISBN: 978-1-6659-4994-1 Source : purchased Ages 6-10 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK Award-winning nonfiction creator Meghan McCarthy tells the story of Earl Shaffer, the first person to thru-hike all 2,000-plus miles of the Appalachian Trail in one hiking season in this empowering picture book. While serving in World War II, Earl Shaffer lost his best friend in combat. After the war ended, he returned home and set off on a hiking adventure to walk off his troubles and find solace in the beauty and “power of nature,” as he put it in his diary. Earl didn’t use a tent, preferring to sleep under the stars. He survived the cold, harsh rain, mud, blisters, steep mountaintops, and a plethora of bugs. But among the challenges, Earl also discovered wildlife, beautifu...