Some endearing titles to review this month, including singing spiders, cozy cookies and three graphic novels!
Let’s start with early readers:
American Mahjong for Babies, by Megan Trottier (Author)
Sometimes all you need to start understanding a new game are friendly explanations, all the better if they are baby-friendly.
This board book features the building blocks of American Mahjong: craks, bams, dragons, dots, and all the flowers in between.
The interactive prompts on every page help tiny readers identify the pieces and how they fit together. American Mahjong is a four-player, tile-based strategy and social game adapted from traditional Chinese Mahjong.
When a player has 14 tiles that match one of the hands on the card, they can declare themselves the winner by calling “Mah Jongg”.
The tiles are based on different elements, such as wind and water, and they are so pretty!
American Mahjong for Babies is on sale since October 13th, 2026.
Published by Ten Speed Young Readers
Boardbook | Pages: 20
ISBN: 9798217036622
Now, a cozy Xmas book:
Merry Christmas, Snickerdoodle! by J. D. Forester (Author), Charlotte Love (Illustrated by)
These lovely collages are inspired by all types of cozy snacks. From gingerbread to sugar cookies and peppermints, each pun is designed to rhyme with the name of the candy.
Hot chocolate, gumdrops, and snickerdoodles come to life, revolving around loving affirmations that small kids would be delighted to hear over and over again.
A festive read that is perfect for toddlers.
Merry Christmas, Snickerdoodle! will be available since October 16, 2026.
Published by Tinker: An Imprint of Penguin Workshop
Hardcover | Pages:32
ISBN: 9798217141081
Now for a book about a polka dot:
The Little Polka Dot by Cassandra Berger (Author)
Sometimes becoming who you are means breaking the pattern.
A polka dot is, by definition, a dot amongst other dots. However, this little polka dot wants to discover more about itself and embarks on a self-discovery journey that follows different thoughts and emotions in a colorful display.
Surprisingly, her inner quest will transform her into another shape! This sudden change becomes an inspiration, breaking with the polka dot pattern altogether.
The Little Polka Dot will be available on October 06, 2026.
Published by Ten Speed Young Readers
Hardcover | Pages: 40
ISBN: 9780593839065
Now for some singing spiders:
Midnight Creep by Jemima Shafei-Ongu (Author), Honoka Taki (Illustrated by), Karim Nagi(Performed by)
In the dark of night, several types of spiders gather round and decide to creep up and do some festive music.
I would say that the music provided in the QR code changes the experience of this book significantly. It is meant to be heard and read in a dynamic way as a singalong.
Spiders gather under the full moon and start a party, inspired by the communal dance from the Arab world known as dabke.
The music is truly folksy and moving; the drawings were inspired by real spider species.
Midnight Creep is available since September 01, 2026.
Publisher: Barefoot Books
Pages: 24/ Paperback
EAN/UPC: 9798898591557
Up next, a book about memories and nostalgia:
Goodbye, Koi byJack Wong (Author)
This nostalgia-filled book channels the grief of leaving a loved place behind through the memory of saying goodbye to the beautiful koi the family had:
What will happen to his fish? Will they be safe and happy in their new home?
Life is a bit like that; we cannot know what the future entails, but we can wonder and hope for the best.
The illustrations are soft and gentle, such as the boy’s feelings.
Goodbye, Koi will be available since September 15, 2026.
Published by Orchard Books
Hardcover | Pages: 48
ISBN: 9781338830996
Now, for a classic:
The Adventures of Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren (Author), Susan Beard (Translated by), Bailey Sullivan (Illustrated by)
A classic, first published in 1950, this Swedish book has not lost its edge and freshness. What’s not to like? A girl strong as a horse, with a talent for mischief, who gets by all by herself and lives on stolen pirate gold coins- she is such a fantastic character! Her adventures are full of whimsy and still as fun as when they first started. You might even wonder at the degree of freedom she enjoyed, together with her friends, with no adult supervision!
This newly illustrated volume collects: Pippi Longstocking, Pippi Goes on Board, and Pippi in the South Seas in one bumper volume.
Astrid Lindgren was awarded the 1958 Hans Christian Andersen Medal for her contribution to international children’s literature and has a very renowned prize named after her, the Astrid Lindgren Award.
The Adventures of Pippi Longstocking is available since September 26, 2026.
Published by Viking Books for Young Readers
Hardcover | Pages:224
ISBN: 9798217040896
Up next, a nonfiction book about a dedicated advocate:
Ruth Muskrat and the So-Called Indian Problem. The Fight for Native American Civil Rights by Jen Loren (Author), Rebecca Lee Kunz (Illustrated by)
This book tries to accomplish, perhaps, too many things at once: it is a biography, it explains a very thorny issue, and tries to cover a broad range of subjects related to the activism that defined Ruth Muskrat’s entire life.
A Cherokee poet, educator, and activist, Ruth knew that Native Americans could and should fight for their civil rights while still retaining their tribal identities.
The “Indian Problem” covered the assimilation or reduction of tribes established by the US government during the 19th and 20th centuries.
Ruth untangled the issue through activism, writing a very famous poem, “The Trail of Tears”; she spoke in front of the President and founded the National Congress of American Indians; her legacy still blazes brightly today.
Rebecca Lee Kunz and Jen Loren are both nieces of Ruth and citizens of the Cherokee Nation—which is why they have felt compelled to bring this story to life and continue to honor the memory of their aunt.
Ruth Muskrat and the So-Called Indian Problem is available since October 06, 2026.
Publisher: Levine Querido
Pages: 88 Hardcover
EAN/UPC: 9781646146994
Now for three graphic novels:
The Adventures of Odysseus. A Graphic Novel of the Odyssey by Nicolás Schuff (Author), Mariana Ruiz Johnson (Illustrated by), Lawrence Schimel (Translated by)
We recently reviewed another adaptation of this epic tale, meant to condense the text that has become so popular thanks to this year’s movie adaptation.
However, this take is far simpler and more engaging. The particular combination of little to no text and wonderful illustrations Ruiz Johnson depicts functions as a great pinpointed adaptation of the most well-known scenes of this epic story.
As you already know, Odysseus can’t wait to reunite with his family. He sets sail and expects to be home in just a few weeks–but ten years of adventure lie ahead of him.
The monsters are drawn beautifully, with strong lines and momentous scenes inspired by Greek vases and a modern flair.
Some of the chapters included are: The Return from Troy; The Kingdom of the Dead; Circe and Odysseus; The Island of the Sun; and many more.
The Adventures of Odysseus will be available on October 27, 2026.
Published by Eerdmans Books for Young Readers
Hardcover | Pages: 196
ISBN: 9780802856630
Up next, another book adaptation:
Front Desk: The Graphic Novel by Kelly Yang (Author), Fumio Obata (Illustrated by)
Kelly Yang wrote a well-received middle grade novel ten years ago, and Fumio Obata felt compelled to make it a graphic novel.
In substance, you can see what the protagonist feels and how she reacts, but the adaptation lends it a more dynamic flow between action and reflection. I found the main character, Mia Tang, to be endearing and very brave.
Ten-year-old Mia manages a motel front desk, while her migrant parents clean rooms and are grateful for not paying rent and for making ends meet. Mr. Yao, the owner, is a hard man and is constantly on the lookout to make them pay for whichever mistakes they incur. If he ever found out they harbor fellow migrants sometimes, things would get much worse, and they could lose their jobs.
Mia wants to be a writer and does well at school; she is resourceful and constantly learning about customers’ demands as well as the difficulty of navigating middle grade. A powerful character, she has no fear of pursuing her dreams, even when riddled with doubt.
Front Desk: The Graphic Novel is be available since October 20, 2026.
Publisher: Graphix
Pages: 240 Hardcover
EAN/UPC: 9781338856453
Finally, a second installment from a fantastic author:
Mexikid Dreams: A Graphic Memoir by Pedro Martín (Author)
By one of those nice coincidences, I had just finished Mexikid when this second installment arrived (I do read books in any old order and I am an avid fan of classics and second-hand things; my Mexikid was a brand addition to my Scholastic collection).
In the first story, we get to learn a bit about this migrant family of twelve kids, who travel in a huge camper van to visit Mexico and to finally bring Abuelito back, a very strong peasant who even fought in the Mexican Civil War. It is a much-lauded book and was an important window to get to know the experiences and dreams of this family. Especially the “not enough gut bacteria” division between the kids born in Mexico and the ones born in the States, I can relate!
Now we have a chance to get to know him at home, in strawberry picking season.
Since Pedro was seven, he’s spent every weekend and summer picking berries with his family under the hot sun.
Even though his dad starts throwing wars and they all love a good song, it’s hard work.
Pedro really wishes he could just stay home watching Saturday cartoons, go to the beach like other kids, and not worry about immigration patrols. He even tries to sneak out of his obligations once, without much success.
And he loves drawing cartoons (to this day), but his father and Abuelito do not consider this to be a real job description.
However, this family loves each other very much and sometimes open up about the sacrifices they’ve made along the road. The choices his parents and Abuelito made in order to open up more choices for him are eye-opening.
Freedom isn’t just about leaving the fields.
It’s about knowing where you came from and having the courage to draw your own life. Like Pedro eventually will be able to!
Mexikid Dreams: A Graphic Memoir is available since September 01, 2026.
Publisher: Dial Books
Pages: 320/ Hardcover
EAN/UPC: 9798217002481
Mariana Ruiz
A Bolivian that writes children's books in Spanish, when she is not busy writing fiction or wondering about the Universe, she is playing games with her two sons and fantastic partner.
