Central Arkansas Library System: Picture Books: November 2025

Recent Releases

Don't Eat Eustace
by Lian Cho

Solitary lighthouse keeper Bear has caught a tasty fish for their lunch. But the fish, Eustace, would prefer not to be eaten. Can he talk his way out of the soup pot and into an interspecies friendship? Blending deadpan humor with outright silliness, this offbeat tale will make kids laugh out loud.

Broken
by X. Fang

While playing at her grandmother's house, Mei Mei accidentally breaks Ama's favorite teacup. Ama blames the judgmental cat, Mimi, but the child's guilt might be too big to bear. Expressive illustrations rife with dramatic angles highlight both the comedy and the discomfort in Mei Mei's situation, while a conclusion focused on honesty and repair will leave readers reassured. Read-alike: Accident! by Andrea Tsurumi.

Moon Song
by Michaela Goade

"Come! Haagú! Follow the light." So begins a bedtime story, spun by a Tlingit child for her anxious cousin. Together, they take an imaginary journey through nighttime wonders, from the snow-covered woods to the dark ocean waves to the glowing aurora borealis overhead. Illustrated in jewel-bright colors, this companion book to Berry Song is equal parts enchanting and soothing.

This Is Orange: A Field Trip Through Color
by Rachel Poliquin; illustrated by Julie Morstad

In this sweeping nonfiction picture book, children are invited on an exploratory journey that "connects art, culture, geography, history, nature, and science while discussing orange's many manifestations." Warm mixed media artwork allows the titular color to shine. Share this book with curious kids who love collecting unusual facts.

Snuggle Season
by Jaimie Macgibbon

Can't get out of bed snuggles, curled up by the fire snuggles, waiting for the baking snuggles . . . A simple yet magical day unfolds as two siblings wake up to chilly weather, falling snow, and opportunities for snuggles of all kinds!

Gratitude

We Give Thanks
by Cynthia Rylant; illustrated by Sergio Ruzzier

In this sweet story told in rhyme, a rabbit and a frog journey through their community of animal friends, offering up gratitude for everything from mittens to roses to the "nice warm soup" they eventually share with everyone in a joyful closing feast. Pastel-shaded watercolors with pops of neon ensure that this cozy read is eye-catching, too.

Thank You Book, The-An Elephant and Piggie Book
by Mo Willems

Piggie is determined to thank everyone she knows, but Gerald thinks she will forget someone important--

Sallie Bee Writes a Thank-You Note
by Courtney Sheinmel and Susan Verde; illustrated by Heather Ross

After receiving a handmade scarf in the mail from Grandma Bee, Sallie just has to write down her feelings of gratitude. That first thank-you note leads Sallie to write more notes -- for her bus buddy, for the lunch lady, even for her sometimes-annoying brother. Don't miss: the fun extras, like finding Sallie's kitten in the illustrations, or the tips to help kids write their own thank-you notes.

At Our Table
by Patrick Hulse; illustrated by Madelyn Goodnight

"At our table there is room," declares this inclusive picture book. Featuring diverse groups of loved ones gathered for shared meals, this lyrical story invites readers to linger on delicious sensory details as well as opportunities for gratitude -- including gratitude for the farm labor and Indigenous knowledge that puts food on tables. Read-alike: Pie Is For Sharing by Stephanie Parsley Ledyard.

Giving Thanks with Halmoni: Celebrating Chuseok, the Korean Harvest Festival
by Kathleen Choi

Halmoni is excited for the biggest Korean holiday of the year, Chuseok--and to share the traditions of the celebration with her granddaughter and her friends--

Contact your librarian for more great books for ages 0-8!