THE LUCKY RED ENVELOPE: A lift-the-flap Lunar New Year Celebration, welcome to the Year of the Fire Horse

THE LUCKY RED ENVELOPE: A lift-the-flap Lunar New Year Celebration
VIKKI ZHANG
Wide Eyed Editions (non-affiliate Bookshop.org link)
$22.99 hardcover, available now

Rating: 5* of five

The Publisher Says: *Winner of the Society of Illustrators' 66th Annual Gold Medal*
Get ready for Lunar New Year, following a little girl and her family as they get ready for and celebrate the Lunar New Year festival.

With non-fiction information about the significance of certain rituals, but told through the excited eyes of a child, this is a book to return to year after year in the run up to the biggest festival in the Chinese calendar.

Each of the 12 spreads will feature 12 lift flaps, 144 in total.

Spreads include:
- See the little girl decorate the house with lucky red decorations
- Tidy the house to welcome in the new year
- Watch a special firework display
- Discover which animal year it will be
- Make festive dumplings with Nainai (grandma)
- Read a story about the zodiac with Yeye (grandpa)
- Watch a lion and dragon dance in the town square
- Make offerings to her ancestors
- And on the very last spread, have a traditional family reunion new year on the eve of Lunar new year and exchange lucky red envelopes.

I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA EDELWEISS+. THANK YOU.

My Review: Absolutely beautiful book! Stunning artwork making the cultural relevance of this ancient seasonal festival the US is finally learning deserves holiday attention.

Which is, of course, very upsetting to high-control people. I will not be surprised if there are opponents to this topic who are quietly working against its addition to library ourchases. Of course, interactive juvenile books don't last all that long...it's far better given as a gift to a lap-reader's lap-owner for an adult mediated experience.

Look at the way it's made:

The production values on this make me slack-jawed at the cover price. This is a complex printing and stamping job! It looks intuitive to me, which means someone designed it very carefully to work as a teaching tool.

What the story in these lovely pages does is illuminate this annual festival's cultural roots, its family-bond reinforcing uses, and its rituals in context.

Family focus is clear throughout the narrative. It's not didactic in its presentation, but sweetly organic as it unfolds the activities and actions the observances include. As a lap-reader's experience is likely to focus on acquiring this kind of information, I'd venture to guess the interactive bits will put it over the attention hump to becoming a favorite.

The Year of the Fire Horse started yesterday, 17 February 2026. It's the first one in sixty years; it has some very interesting connotations in East Asian cultures. I've linked an explainer in The Guardian for you to start learning the significance of the animal-year zodiac and its complementary elements that create each year's unique qualities. Even if you don't believe in zodiacs, the topic is a fascinating one to explore.

Aside from being culturally expanding, it is a beautiful and well-designed object to possess. I recommend it without reservation.

THE FANTASICAL SAFARI: Wander through 5 of the most remote habitats to meet more than 80 amazing animals

THE FANTASICAL SAFARI: Wander through 5 of the most remote habitats to meet more than 80 amazing animals
LUCY BROWNRIDGE (illus. Kristjana S Williams)
Wide Eyed Editions (non-affiliate Bookshop.org link)
$30.00 hardcover, available now

Rating: 5* of five

The Publisher Says: Step into a world where reality and myth collide. From powerful elephants and cunning foxes to towering giants and legendary dragons, The Fantastical Safari is a vibrant, beautifully illustrated book that brings science, storytelling, and adventure together. From the bestselling author of The Wonder Garden comes the incredible The Fantastical Safari!

Step into some of the hardest to reach landscapes on earth and meet the extraordinary creatures who live there. Discover how they survive and thrive in some of the strangest, most remote and unusual places in the world.

This book uncovers the science and stories behind some of the world’s most fascinating animals - from the tree kangaroo in the highlands of Papua New Guinea to the vampire ground finch in the Galapagos Islands. Alongside breath-taking illustrations, readers will explore different destinations where every day consists of endurance, perseverance and survival for the animals and plants that live there.

With its stunning design, engaging storytelling and fascinating facts, this book encourages young readers to see the world in a whole new way. Whether exploring solo or sharing the adventure with family, this book is a gateway to curiosity, discovery and endless imagination.

Locations include:

The Mariana Trench

The Greenland Ice Shelf

The Galapagos Islands

The Highlands of Papua New Guinea

The Sahara Desert

I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA EDELWEISS+. THANK YOU.

My Review: I'm deeply interested in the natural world (as long as I don't have to sleep in it). I found this interesting book about the extreme environments on our planet left me enrapt for hours after reading it...and the artwork...!

The mere existence of bioluminescence should evoke wonder in everyone who learns of it. There are many wonders in the world and this book makes them feel immediate, new, even to someone to whom their existence is not news. What must that say about the effect the package of art, text, and science will have on its six-year-old intended audience? I'd reserve it for the brightest of them, less worry about an eight-year-old or older needing significant assistance with reading it.

No one of any age needs assistance appreciating the artwork:

the most amazing place in all the world

It really amazes me that anyone can claim to be bored in a world where animals produce their own light:

And the other bits of Planet Earth are just as amazing. Frozen "wastes" or roasting deserts or humid jungles...the way life burgeons should give any thinking person a frisson of delight, a fillip of excitement at learning of it.

The artwork is packed with the sort of details that kids batten on detecting (and pointing out to you ad infinitum). It's a bargain at the price, for the pleasure and the sneaky education it will give a kid.

ATLAS OF MYTHICAL JOURNEYS: Discover Heroic Quests, Daring Voyages and Epic Adventures, latest in an excellent series

ATLAS OF MYTHICAL JOURNEYS: Discover Heroic Quests, Daring Voyages and Epic Adventures
EMILY HAWKINS (illus. Iryna Dobrovetska)
Wide Eyed Editions (non-affiliate Bookshop.org link)
$30.00 all editions, available now

Rating: 5* of five

The Publisher Says: Tread in the footsteps of ancient heroes and heroines with An Atlas of Mythical Journeys, your fantastical guidebook to adventures otherwise lost to time.

For thousands of years, humans have been telling stories of great and perilous journeys and the heroic adventurers who made them. Relive more than 30 of these legendary voyages with An Atlas of Mythical Journeys, and uncover the secret histories behind them.

From the fateful homecoming of Odysseus to Mulan's mission to free her homeland, these tales plot a course from myth to folklore to history. Marvel at epic scenes for every journey, featuring battles between gods and monsters, treacherous seas, and long-lost lairs filled with treasure. Along the way, you'll not only discover myths and legends you've never heard before, but also learn all about the peoples and cultures who told them, what they mean, and where they come from.

Arranged by continent, featured stories include:

Jason and the Argonauts' quest for the Golden Fleece

Loki's mischievous search for the apples of immortality

San Zang's famed journey to the West

The exploits at sea of Sinbad the Sailor

The Wabanaki legend of Glooscap

Anansi the Spider and the Box of Stories

How Māui created the islands called New Zealand

Many, many more...

Fact meets fantasy in this stunning collection of beloved tales and unearthed legends for 9-12-year-olds, each of which reveals something more about the excitement of journeying into the unknown. With lovingly hand-painted illustrations rich in authentic detail, An Atlas of Mythical Journeys is certain to become a favorite of those reading independently or with parents. The ultimate quest awaits in An Atlas of Mythical Journeys!

For more in the same series, check out An Atlas of Lost Kingdoms and An Atlas of Afterlives.

I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA EDELWEISS+. THANK YOU.

My Review: I've loved, and recommended, every one of the books in this series for anyone to enjoy. The primary audience, IMO, starts around eight years old for the brighter kids and ten for more average readers.

Adults shouldn't feel excluded! We can thoroughly enjoy this beautiful object. The stories won't be new; the narrative voice won't be aimed at us; but there's good comfort in being told a story, especially (sometimes) a familiar one.

Now, look at this art:

It's perfectly gorgeous, and if you're looking forthe gift of all gifts for a mythology lover this Yule, here it is.

DÍA DE MUERTOS, adorable, interesting book about a holiday I think we should all adopt

DÍA DE MUERTOS
JAQUE JOURS (Illus. Alejandra Ruiz)
words & pictures (non-affiliate Bookshop.org link)
$14.99 hardcover, available now

Rating: 5* of five

The Publisher Says: A colorful and immersive book that introduces kids to the joy and meaning of Dia de Muertos. Discover the meaning of Dia de Muertos and learn how children all around the world celebrate this festival.

Pancho and his family are inviting you to celebrate with them! Join in as they prepare in the lead-up to the festival, setting up the ofrendas, finding photographs of beloved family members, decorating with flowers, cutting out skull patterns, cooking tamales and enjoying a wonderful day with all the family.

Along the way, you’ll learn all about the significance and history of the festival, brought to even more life with:

Instructions to make your own papel picado

A recipe to make delicious pan de muerto

A fun quiz to try out all your knowledge

In this immersive exploration of Día de Muertos, kids join a family as they celebrate. Seen through the eyes of young children celebrating themselves, this is a simple and exciting way to introduce little ones to this special period.

In the Celebrations & Festivals series, you are invited into a family's celebrations as you explore the magic and excitement of religious and cultural festivals around the world.

I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA EDELWEISS+. THANK YOU.

My Review: I grew up on La Frontera. D&ía de Muertos was part of my mental furniture even in posh, pointless Los Gatos because my eldest sister was a fluent Spanish speaker and a Mexican culture fancier. The papel picado craft was taught in my grade-school art class (I sucked at it). There were sugar skulls everywhere starting around 15 October, and pan de muerto was a treat I battened on. For those whose cultural exposure was different from mine, the book includes facts and explanations:

This little book is one I'd give to a clever five-year-old to practice reading alone, or use for lap-reading. By about first grade I'd expect an average kid to be able to manage this with ease and enjoy it to boot.

I like the artwork:

...I feel it captures the spirit of the holiday.

If you're one to offer this to non-Hispanic kids at an effort to afford then diversity and inclusion in their reading and awareness, like me, I hope you'll put this under your Yule tree to poke at the current orthodoxy.

COMEBACK CREATURES: Discover the Wild Things Once Thought Extinct?

COMEBACK CREATURES: Discover the Wild Things Once Thought Extinct?
LEISA STEWART-SHARPE (Illus. Lucy Rose)
Wide Eyed Editions (non-affiliate Bookshop.org link)
$30.00 all editions, available now

Rating: 5* of five

The Publisher Says: Every so often animals we thought were extinct come back! Comeback Creatures is a fascinating look at Lazarus species; animals once thought to be extinct that have been discovered in the natural world. This is a book that delivers much-needed positivity in our ever-changing world, with the message that nature always finds a way…

Discover animals thought to be extinct that have been found alive in the wild!

Earth is a world of land and sea, of light and dark, of life and death, with thousands of species vanishing each year. They’re gone, presumed extinct, lost for good . . . Or are they?

In some special cases, certain creatures, thought to have died out, have been found alive and thriving by scientists and local people. They are known as Lazarus species. From the black-footed ferret, which was thought to have died out from disease but was discovered on a porch in Wyoming, USA, to the Pinocchio lizard, a long-nosed reptile found in the cloud forests of Ecuador, examples can be found all over the globe. Comeback Creatures is packed with inspirational stories of animals that have come back from the brink.

Read all about a habitat and the animals and plant life within it, then turn the page to reveal a Lazarus creature that has been found there and the fascinating story behind its discovery. Compendium spreads dotted throughout the book give a snapshot into even more of these creatures that have defied the odds to survive.

At the back of the book there’s information on how to become a wildlife detective to protect nature where you live, along with a map to show each habitat and a helpful glossary.

The thoroughly researched yet lyrical text by children’s author Leisa Stewart-Sharpe brings the story of each creature to life, alongside richly detailed artwork by illustrator Lucy Rose.

A captivating look at our world, Comeback Creatures is a hopeful exploration of wildlife conservation.

I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA EDELWEISS+. THANK YOU.

My Review: It's important to tell kids that, even if it doesn't feel like it all the time, good stuff still happens in the natural world. Sometimes really cool good stuff, like creatures we thought were gone forever...really aren't! It's happened, and here are examples:

It is a reason to think positively. I'm more and more sure that's a skill we're really failing our kids by not instilling it in them. Growing up with all your adult models walking around talking doom and gloom does nothing for a kid's growth into an active, engaged adult.

But...be honest...if you found out something called the "terror skink" had been re-discovered, wouldn't your inner ten-year-old be hollering "COOL!" at the top of their lungs?

It happened:

I think this book, with its gorgeous artwork...I want the terror skink one for my wall!...its challenging vocabulary, and its glossary for instilling the habit of research is ideally suited to making that positive attitude honestly, demonstrably supported by facts, available to the vulnerable.

Plus it's all just So COOL!

WACKY CONTRAPTIONS: Gadgets That Whiz, Whoosh, Whirl, and Twist with Hands-On Engineering Activities

WACKY CONTRAPTIONS: Gadgets That Whiz, Whoosh, Whirl, and Twist with Hands-On Engineering Activities
LAURA PERDEW (illus. Micah Rauch)
Nomad Press (non-affiliate Bookshop.org link)
$24.95 hardcover, $19.95 paperback, available now

Rating: 4* of five

The Publisher Says: In Wacky Contraptions: Gadgets That Whiz, Whoosh, Whirl, and Twist with Hands-On Engineering Activities, young engineers ages 9 to 12 brainstorm, design, and build devices using the engineering design process. Kids learn about simple machines, mechanical advantage, forces, energy, motion, electricity, and other physical science concepts while creating fun and fascinating prototypes that do different kinds of work. A hands-on project book for kids who love building wacky contraptions!

How do we make contraptions that zoom, bounce, tower, and collapse? By using hands-on STEAM engineering!

In Wacky Contraptions: Gadgets That Whiz, Whoosh, Whirl, and Twist with Hands-On Engineering Activities, young engineers ages 9 to 12 brainstorm, design, and build devices using the engineering design process. Kids learn about simple machines, mechanical advantage, forces, energy, motion, electricity, and other physical science concepts while creating fun and fascinating prototypes that do different kinds of work. Plus, this book encourages kids to adopt a growth mindset and understand that when their projects don’t work, that’s a sign that it’s time to revise and try again!

Built around a plethora of hands-on projects—a conveyor belt, magnetic slime, and a water wheel are just a few examples—a fun narrative style engages kids in discussions of the forces that define our world and the work we do in it. Tension, magnetism, electricity, and chemistry affect our daily lives in ways we often overlook—but armed with the power of knowledge, kids can identify and use the science that surrounds them. Graphic novel style illustrations, photographs, fun facts, sidebars, links to online resources, and more make Wacky Contraptions entertaining and educational.

Additional materials include a glossary, a list of media for further learning, a selected bibliography, and index. All books are leveled for Guided Reading level and Lexile and align with Common Core State Standards and Next Generation Science Standards.

I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA EDELWEISS+. THANK YOU.

My Review: A bright sixth-grader who likes doing stuff with their hands will get a real lexical workout with this book. It keeps the language on the edge of their vocabulary; it will get many concepts across in infographics...the layout looks like a screen design...and it has a glossary included, to get them used to looking up words to figure out how to do something. Of course, starting out the usual stuff appears:

This is how we're starting out. It's really good at not being too far ahead of the bright ones, nor too "now look at the screen's left corner" for the average twelve-year-old.

Your middle-school nibling who's in a poor school district could get fired up over this because it's got stuff to do, to make things that work and aren't simply *there* when they are done. If the kid is watchin Mark Rober videos on YouTube, this is the gift of this Yuletide.

BRAVO FOR BACKSTAGE!, dealing with disappointment never looked better

BRAVO FOR BACKSTAGE!
MARY RAND HESS & RANDY PRESTON (illus. Marilena Perilli)
Free Spirit Publishing (non-affiliate Bookshop.org link)
$18.99 hardcover, available now

Rating: 4* of five

The Publisher Says: Oscar is disappointed when he doesn't land the lead role—but as stage manager, he discovers joy, friendship, and magic backstage! Includes resources for a mini-musical. Discover the magic behind the scenes!

Oscar dreams of being in the spotlight, but when the lead role in the school play goes to someone else, he finds himself in an unexpected role—stage manager. Disappointed and unsure, Oscar wonders: can you still be a star if no one sees you?

With encouragement from family and friends, Oscar learns about all the amazing people who shine from behind the scenes—like vice presidents, nurses, and even drummers. As Oscar works to keep things going backstage, he realizes that being backstage doesn’t mean being invisible. It means being indispensable.

Why kids will love Bravo for Backstage!:

Uniquely pairs an online musical performance kit with an illustrated story

Engaging storytelling features an uplifting lesson on handling disappointment and recognizing the value of every role

Celebrates teamwork and the behind-the-scenes heroes who make the magic happen

When the curtains close and the audience cheers, Oscar finally understands: stars don’t just shine in the spotlight—they shine where they’re needed most.

The Mini-Musical Tales from Bird Mountain School picture book series seamlessly blends literature and the performing arts, offering an immersive storytelling experience. Each book provides online access to a script and original song recordings, allowing readers to bring the story to life as a mini musical—just like the characters in the book. This innovative series fosters creativity, imagination, and a love for the arts, making storytelling a truly interactive adventure.

I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA EDELWEISS+. THANK YOU.

My Review: What a great idea! A lesson about disappointment featuring someone who wants to act! It's a package of materials, and it's very personal to the creators:

I'm impressed by the clarity and the vocabulary used in this tale aimed at the five- to nine-year-olds. Not too challenging, not dumbed down...so has your grade-school giftee tried out for a play or a team, and didn't make it? Okay then! Here's a story meant to help that doesn't talk down, wrap it up in cotton wool, or dismiss feeling hurt and rejected.

I think this one's a real keeper.

ADELE IS LIFE: A Superfan's Guide to All Things We Love about Adele, clever, cute, informative for juvenile readers

ADELE IS LIFE: A Superfan's Guide to All Things We Love about Adele
KATHLEEN PERRICONE (illus. Lauren Mortimer)
Epic Ink (non-affiliate Bookshop.org link)
$19.99 all editions, available now

Rating: 4.5* of five

The Publisher Says: Adele Is Life is a beautifully illustrated guide to the singer’s all-encompassing music and incredible life. Welcome Daydreamers to this all-encompassing superfan book on everything there is to know and love about the modern icon that is Adele.

From being raised by a superwoman single mother in South London who introduced her to music, to when she discovered her favorite blues singer, Etta James, to recording her first album 19, to becoming the Queen of Heartbreak, Adele is one of the most popular soulful performers of her time. Gathering her incredible life story, music, and fan culture all in one place, Adele Is Life details everything you need to know and cherish about her.

This Daydreamer’s essential guide includes:

A full biography, encapsulating her early life through becoming a mother and one of the most soulful singers of her generation.

A full discography of Adeles’s music, including tours, and inspirations for her songwriting for some of her most popular songs like “Rolling in the Deep,” “Someone Like You,” and “Hello.”

A very Adele A to Z, covering her alter ego, famous fans, tattoos, music videos, hair secrets, and more.

Other incredible details and unfiltered moments, including her love for simple things such as wine and McDonald’s and her love for Queen Bey.

Her favorite music and playlist go-tos.

Hold on to your hearts as biographer Kathleen Perricone takes you on a fan-tastic journey through everything Adele.

The Modern Icons series takes you on a journey through the lives and legacies of cultural icons who have shaped our world, from fashion to music to media. With original illustrations and meticulously crafted prose, this series captivates and enlightens, offering a glimpse into the personalities whose unparalleled charm and authenticity have left an indelible mark on popular culture.

I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA EDELWEISS+. THANK YOU.

My Review: It had not occurred to me even once that there were very young fans of Adele. I can hear her songs in my head just by reading the titles; I assumed that meant she was utterly uncool to teens.

Apparently I'm wrong. I'm glad to be wrong in this case because I really like Adele, the performer and the persona. As a role model for young women, and as training for what to expect from women in life for boys, the culture hasn't served up many more honest than this one.

The book is illustrated with art by Lauren Mortimer instead of photos as I'd've expected. That might be an issue for some readers/purchasers; I found the art pleasant but no more. At the price, however, a photo book about a celebrity would be impossible.

On to the art:

The phases and stages of Adele's career are all here. There's also a discography for the more obsessive fan. of course...a musician/performer's biography without one would be a travesty:

A book geared toward a young fan of a terrific musician and positive celebrity presence. Recommended gifting, so long as you're clear it's about her and her music not about the concerts and the performing parts in art or photos.