Curiously enough, five books on this round up are non-fiction books.
Let’s start with the illustrated stories:
Valentines Are the Worst! by Alex Willan (Author)
Gilbert the Goblin has a sour temper, but somehow, he still has a knack for making friends in unlikely places. He says (like in a previous book) that all he wants is to be left alone, but the funny thing that happens is that he enjoys being pestered by new people.
And even though he thinks cards and hugs are just mushy, the squad of cupids he bumps into are ready to change his mind!
This Valentine-themed book is fun and engaging to read out loud, as his misfortune is trying to catch up with him. Poor Gilbert!
Valentines Are the Worst! is available since December 30, 2025.
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Pages: 80/ Hardback
EAN/UPC: 9781665962612
Up next, a book about New Year’s Celebrations:
Welcome, Uncle Nowruz! A Persian New Year’s Story by Rashin Kheiriyeh (Author)
I hadn’t seen such simple and yet magical illustrations in a long time. The texture, color, and detail of each scene held surprises at every page and made me want to visit Persia (now a besieged country known as Iran), a country filled with ancient customs and lovely tales. After all, many popular Arabian Nights tales were set in Persia!
Nane Sarma is winter herself, a lovely grandmother figure. Her brother is Spring, Uncle Nowruz. She longs for him to visit and prepares delicious meals and different details to receive him, but always falls asleep before he arrives.
This year, her three grandchildren will celebrate with her and try to keep her awake for the great visit! There are seven items to prepare, each heralding a different symbol for the party, clothes, saffron for the ice cream, a delicious meal, plants… but as you may have guessed, Nane ends up falling asleep!
And Uncle Nowruz does arrive, the grandchildren truly enjoy his visit and tell grandmother all about it… when she wakes up, and he is gone again!
This beautiful Persian holiday made me want to read it aloud in class, paint pictures related to the holiday, and make some savory Middle Eastern treats!
“Nowruz, to me, is a bridge between past and present, between cultures and hearts—and, always, a new beginning.” –Rashin
Welcome, Uncle Nowruz! will be available on February 26, 2026.
Publisher: NorthSouth Books
Pages: 40 Hardback
EAN/UPC: 9780735846173
In an interesting development, Rashin Kheiriyeh has two books out this month, one as an illustrator:
Home Away from Home by Nazneen Akbari (Author)
Rashin Kheiriyeh (Illustrated by)
Nuha forgot her blond, pretty doll, Maria, at home before embarking on a plane to visit Oman. Now she feels disconsolate, missing her doll and feeling strange in this unfamiliar place.
But is it unfamiliar? Her Jadda, grandmother, is so happy to see her and get her into the Souk to buy some sweets and trinkets!
This is a special market, and little Nuna starts seeing glimpses of home away from home through its colorful streets and stalls. Finally, she finds a dark doll that can be a companion to her fair Maria, and decides to call her Mariam.
Home Away from Home is on sale since February 06, 2026.
Published by Barefoot Books
Hardback | Pages: 32
ISBN: 9798888598962
Up next, a marvelous nonfiction book about Houdini’s love of books:
Houdini’s Library. How Books Created the World’s Greatest Magician by Barb Rosenstock (Author), Mar Delmar (Illustrated by)
The illustrations for this book were carefully drawn, then they were cut out and montaged to depict some of the iconic scenes that make this the most famous magician in the world.
Harry, a Jewish boy born in Budapest, emigrated to America and faced poverty and hardship. His father, a rabbi, was devoted to books, and they held the key for this man to become the amazing Houdini.
Houdini became famous for all of the amazing tricks he accomplished, captivating his audience and making his escape scenes a signature that haunts all magicians to this day. He was also an avid reader and book collector, especially loving and taking care of ancient books about magic!
His amazing collection of rare and unusual books has been donated to many public libraries, including the Library of Congress. The miniature models constructed from paper by Mar Delmar add charm to the book.
“When I have come to town the police have tried to show me that their shackles could hold me, and have failed; the booksellers have tried to sell me many books, and have succeeded”.
—Harry Houdini
Houdini’s Library will be available on February 17, 2026.
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Pages: 48 Hardback
EAN/UPC: 9780593570135
Up next, a graphic novel in the footsteps of Enid Blyton:
Korobá: The Case of the Missing Kolo by Àlàbá Ònájìn (Author)
Korobá is a ten-year-old kid living in Makoko, a Nigerian fishing village. The bright, colorful waterways of the Nigerian Venice can either be seen as a slump of fishermen or as a thriving community of neighbors and friends.
Korobá has good friends, a lovely dog, and a mystery to solve:
Someone has stolen her best friend’s Kolo. Kolo are wooden piggy banks that children decorate, where they store their savings in order to open them up for a special occasion: the annual harvest festival (genius idea we should all follow, by the way).
The first thing they need to do is figure out suspects and follow clues, sneaking into houses and asking questions. It is an engaging adventure with relatable characters depicted in a positive light, all set in a diverse, vibrant African background.
Will they be able to find who the culprit is before Breaking Day? Follow them to find out…
Nigerian-born author/illustrator Àlàbá Ònájìn has collaborated with UNESCO for several projects; this is his first graphic novel for children. Hopefully, there will be more to come!
Korobá: The Case of the Missing Kolo is on sale since February 24, 2026.
Published by Holiday House
Hardback | Pages: 144
ISBN: 9780823459131
Up next, a math book:
The Big Book of Pi. The Famous Number You Can Never Know. Jean-Baptiste Aubin (Author), Anita Lehmann (Author), Joonas Sildre (Illustrated by)
The elusive number that can describe “the quantity which, when the diameter is
multiplied by it, yields the circumference” (Pi for short) is back in style with this nonfiction, fully illustrated book.
Pi is a constant number, but also, it is an infinite number. (You should never take Pi to a party because it goes on forever, the book is filled with clever jokes like that…).
Pi was already known by the ancient Egyptians, the Mayans, and the ancient Chinese. It is also an irrational number. Humans want to know it, though, and we now know trillions of decimals of Pi.
This is a lovely book about math, numbers, how they shape the world around us, and weird questions only weird mathe-magicians might ask!
The Big Book of Pi. is on sale since February 03, 2026.
Published by Helvetiq
Hardback | Pages: 88
ISBN: 9783039640898
Now for an exciting diary:
Diary of a Marine Biologist Anita Thomas (Author), Sarah Wilkins (Illustrated by), Anita Thomas (Illustrated by)
Emma is a marine biologist. A scientist who studies life in the sea. As you know, most of Earth is covered by oceans, and our life depends on them!
The diary covers a week, covering different activities that marine biologists do. Such as whale monitoring, clownfish populations, how Emma’s favorite species is the sea dragon, and how we can help rebuild reefs and protect marine life.
The illustrations are beautiful, and the book has tons of interesting bits and pieces about marine life.
Diary of a Marine Biologist is on sale since February 03, 2026.
Published by Walker Books Australia
Hardback | Pages: 32
ISBN: 9781761602535
Finally, a graphic adaptation of the Odyssey:
The Odyssey: A Graphic Novel (A Modern Visual Adaptation of Homer’s Epic Tale of Greek Mythology for Young Adults) By Gareth Hinds (Author)
I firmly believe that any theme, transformed into a graphic form, can be instantly understood and made approachable.
In my home country, the Odyssey is still part of the reading curriculum, but it would be much more readily read if it were adapted as Gareth Hinds adapts it here: gods are drawn in their full might, and they toy with humans as pawns on a giant chessboard.
Set after the Trojan war, we get to see Odysseus, King of Ithaca, fight to return home to his beloved land and family. When Poseidon, god of the sea, takes offense, he is destined to face many years of foes and battles before making it back.
The cunning Odysseus has been a hero for the last 2500 years. His resourcefulness and ability to escape different monsters and plots will allow him to finally make it home, rescue his kingdom, and save his wife and son from traitors.
A journey first told in oral form, a graphic novel, it will always be told, in different formats, as it appeals to our sense of adventure and has done so for thousands of years.
The Odyssey: A Graphic Novel is on sale since May 12, 2026.
Published by Candlewick Press
Hardback | Pages: 256
ISBN: 9780763642686
