Picture Books
June 2025
Recent Releases
Fireworks
by Matthew Burgess; illustrated by Cátia Chien

In this evocative slice of life, dazzling colors and stirring, detail-rich descriptions conjure up a sultry summer day for two city-dwelling siblings, complete with a rooftop fireworks display. Read-alikes: John Rocco’s Blackout; Jacqueline Woodson’s The World Belonged to Us.
Big Family Beach Day
by Nina Crews

For the rambunctious, loving, multi-generational family in this picture book, beach day is a cherished annual event. Second-person narration and varied viewpoints of surf and sand bring a "you are there" feeling to this story that’s sure to capture kids’ attention.
Firefly Season
by Cynthia Leitich Smith; illustrated by Kate Gardiner

Piper’s family is from the Cherokee and Muscogee Nations, and Sumi’s family roots are in Mumbai, India. When the two girls become neighbors in Kansas City, it’s the beginning of a bond that expands both of their worlds. Kirkus Reviews calls this picture book "a glowing tribute to family across distance and lineage."
Elvis & Romeo
by David Soman; illustrated by Jacky Davis

Curmudgeonly bulldog Elvis and exuberant mutt Romeo might seem like a mismatch at first, but after a few comical miscommunications at the dog park, the canine odd couple become fast friends. With speech-bubble text and tons of visual verve, this series opener is a charmer.
Cranky, Crabby Crow (Saves the World)
by Corey R. Tabor

After rejecting invitations from Squirrel, Hummingbird, and several other critters with a caustic “KAW!”, big-eyed Crow seems like a loner. But as a dramatic twist reveals Crow’s secret, high-stakes heroism, rapt readers will be reminded that first impressions can be misleading. “Clever pacing, bone-dry humor, and visual surprises distinguish this wildly entertaining picture book,” says Publishers Weekly. 
Retro Reads
Check out these awesome books from the not-so-distant past.
 
Dog vs. Strawberry
by Nelly Buchet; illustrated by Andrea Zuill

As soon as chubby, long-nosed Dog is given a strawberry, this book’s narrator begins the sportscast: "Welcome to the greatest race of all time!" Even kids too young for spoofs can delight in the exaggerated illustrations of Dog zooming haphazardly around its inanimate challenger. Read-alike: The Squirrels Who Squabbled by Rachel Bright.  
The Squish
by Breanna Carzoo

Resilience gets a googly-eyed new representative in the anthropomorphic sandcastle who narrates this offbeat object lesson. Although it gets squished by everything from waves to Frisbees -- each incident illustrated in crisp, cut-paper collage -- nothing can keep this adorable sandcastle down. 
All of the Factors of Why I Love Tractors
by Davina Bell; illustrated by Jenny Lovlie

What it's about: When Frankie wants to check out another library book about tractors, his mom urges him to try something -- anything -- else. But Frankie knows what he likes and is eager to explain all about it.

Who it's for: kids who unabashedly embrace special interests, and the grown-ups who support them with endless re-reads.

Kids might also like: Tony Mitton's Tremendous Tractors and Daisy Hirst's I Like Trains.
Hot Dog
by Doug Salati

When a summer's day in the city gets too hot and claustrophobic, the titular dachshund and his human travel to a breezy, beachy island where "a pup can run." Kids will be drawn in by the evocative atmosphere and the winsome dog's expressive body language. Hot Dog is the winner of the 2023 Caldecott Medal.
Finding Things
by Kevin Henkes; illustrated by Laura Dronzek

The story begins with a child rescuing a series of abandoned items: a ball, a flower, and a box. Each item is useful, but it’s one final, fuzzy find that brings everything together. This sweet and simple tale celebrates the abundance that can be found by those who are patient enough to look.
Contact your librarian for more great books for ages 0-8!
Aalfs Downtown Library
529 Pierce Street
Sioux City, Iowa 51101
712-255-2933

www.siouxcitylibrary.org