Picture Books
December 2025

New and Recently Released!
The Night of the Hedgehog
by Tanya Rosie; illustrated by Chuck Groenink

One special evening, a barefoot father and daughter venture into their moonlit garden to observe the nocturnal wildlife, including a some memorable visitors: a family of hedgehogs. Gentle rhyming text supports the sense of quiet wonder in this nature-focused book. Read-alikes: Dianne White's Dark on Light; Jane Yolen's classic Owl Moon.
 
Don't Lose Mr. Cuddles: Life Lessons from Chip the Dog by Dev Petty
Don't Lose Mr. Cuddles: Life Lessons from Chip the Dog
by Dev Petty

Chip the dog shares important life lessons as he tells the tale of his missing stuffy and best friend, Mr. Cuddles.
You Are My Everything by Kelly Conroy
You Are My Everything
by Kelly Conroy

Celebrates an elephant mother's love for her child as they set off on their annual migration to join the herd.
Ant Party by Ross Montgomery
Ant Party
by Ross Montgomery

It's another busy day at the anthill. Farmer ants collect food, worker ants build tunnels, and soldier ants guard the queen. But for Andy, it's a very special day: his birthday! He invites his neighbors for a fun party with dancing and dips. But unbeknownst to Andy, his neighbors invite a few of their friends, and then those friends invite a few of their friends ... Soon the event is shaping up to be a full-blown mega ant party! Andy is shocked by the turnout, but soon gets into the swing of things. Until, that is, an unwelcome guest crashes the party--and Andy's house!--and the ants must work together to save the day (and the dips).
Gertie Is Not All Dogs by Siski Kalla
Gertie Is Not All Dogs
by Siski Kalla

Comforting and endearing in equal measure. - Kirkus Reviews A CBC Book's Hot Off the Press title!Sammy knows ALL about dogs. So when Gertie joins his family, he knows exactly what she'll love! Except Gertie doesn't like chasing balls or squeaky toys, and she does not enjoy cuddles. Sammy realizes that not all dogs are the same. But that's okay. He'll work hard to figure out what Gertie really likes.Written and illustrated by debut author Siski Kalla, this book delicately explores the theme of autism, introversion, shyness, being different, and accepting that being different is okay. With its charming illustrations and touching narrative, children will easily recognize a piece of themselves and identify with the main characters.Gertie Is Not All Dogs is also available in Spanish as Gertie no es como todos los perros.A sweet story about embracing differences in others. For children ages 5 years and up.
Mama Hug by Emma Straub
Mama Hug
by Emma Straub

A scrumptious, love-filled book for preschoolers by bestselling novelist Emma Straub, perfect for Mother's Day Mama cuddle, Mama swing. Mama dance, Mama sing. Join this lovable Mama and baby for a joyful day of fun and snuggles. Bestselling author Emma Straub has created an irresistible rhyming text, and Stevie Lewis's bright and adorable illustrations are the perfect match. This is a book that mothers will delight in reading to their little ones again and again. A wonderful baby shower gift and just right as a bedtime read, this sweet treat is a hug in book form.
Easy Reader Roundup
Earl & Worm: The Bad Idea and Other Stories
by Greg Pizzoli

Gregarious, saxophone-playing bird Earl and reticent, bookish Worm go from dubious neighbors to odd-couple BFFs in this droll series kickoff. Sporting cartoony, pastel-colored illustrations and a three-part structure, this easy reader will encourage readers who are almost ready for chapter books. Next in the series: The Big Mess and Other Stories; Snow Problem and Other Stories.
 
My Toothbrush Is Missing by Jan Thomas
My Toothbrush Is Missing
by Jan Thomas

Dog's toothbrush is missing. Has anybody seen it? Maybe . . . But what does a toothbrush look like? Donkey wonders. Featuring Jan Thomas's wonderfully wacky humor, rowdy repetitions, and hilarious characters, this book is sure to have young readers laughing out loud!
I Like This Color!: A Silly Story about Listening by Liz Goulet DuBois
I Like This Color!: A Silly Story about Listening
by Liz Goulet DuBois

Duck and Cluck learn important lessons about manners and listening when they each make their case for why a dull, drab page should be a certain color.
Makeda Makes a Mountain
by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich; illustrated by Lydia Mba 

After her family does a big de-cluttering, inventive Makeda decides to repurpose some of the old items, inspiring an upcycling spree for her friends and classmates. This upbeat, beginner-friendly read, the 3rd in a series, will grab fans of Andrea Beaty's Questioneers books. Previously in the series: Makeda Makes a Birthday Treat and Makeda Makes a Home for Subway.
 
Fred and Ted Go Camping by Peter Anthony Eastman
Fred and Ted Go Camping
by Peter Anthony Eastman

Fred and Ted--beloved canine stars of P. D. Eastman's Big Dog . . . Little Dog--are back in an all-new Beginner Book written and illustrated by P. D.'s son, Peter Eastman! In this story Fred and Ted go camping, and as usual, their uniquely different approaches to doing things (such as packing equipment, setting up camp, and fishing techniques) have humorous--and sometimes surprising--results. A charming introduction to opposites that beginner readers will find ruff to put down! Beginner Books are fun, funny, and easy to read! Launched by Dr. Seuss in 1957 with the publication of The Cat in the Hat, this beloved early reader series motivates children to read on their own by using simple words with illustrations that give clues to their meaning. 
The Cookie Fiasco-Elephant & Piggie Like Reading! by Mo Willems
The Cookie Fiasco-Elephant & Piggie Like Reading!
by Mo Willems

There are only three cookies and four hungry friends to share them with. This is not good. This is not equal!--
Contact your librarian for more great books for ages 0-8!
Longwood Public Library800 Middle Country RoadMiddle Island, New York 11953
(631) 924-6400

longwoodlibrary.org