Picture BooksSeptember 2025
Recent Releases
Whoa Panda!
by C. S. Jennings

"Panda gets excited when he sees a potential friend. So excited, he's apt to put his cold, wet nose right in their face! Eeek! Whoa Panda! Fortunately Panda has a friend to help him navigate how close is too close. And before long, he is able to say "Wayto go, Panda" instead of "Whoa Panda!" With irresistible art and a simple, encouraging text, this entertaining picture book is perfect for helping little ones become more self-aware of personal boundaries"
Fluffy McWhiskers : Crunchazaur kaboom
by Stephen W. Martin

"When a 189,037-picture-book-high kaiju monster starts eating everyone and everything in its sight, Fluffy McWhiskers and her friend Potato must come out of hiding to save the world... if only they can figure out a way to keep everyone from exploding at the sight of their cuteness first!"
Dear Acorn (Love, Oak) : letter poems
by Joyce Sidman

"Told through letters, these poems reveal the everyday conversations between 'big' and 'little' objects in our ecosystem, revealing how different perspectives also have common threads that connect each"
Can I keep it, please?
by John Sullivan

"Evie's pet is Sasha the cat. Sasha is the best pet ever. But Jenny has a friendly ferret. Garrett has cuddly guinea pigs. And David has a squawking parrot. Suddenly, to Evie, Sasha seems plain. And that makes Evie wonder...could there be a better pet for her? Until she realizes that all pets are special if you love them"
Bob the Vampire Snail
by Andrea Zuill

For kids who enjoy spooky vibes seasoned with supremely silly humor comes the story of Bob, a snail who mysteriously sprouts wings, fangs, and a taste for tomato juice. A sprinkling of snail facts and illustrations in Halloween-inspired colors round out this quirky tale. Read-alike: Aaron Reynolds’ Creepy Tales! series.
Retro Reads
Check out these awesome books from the not-so-distant past!
 
Federico and the wolf
by Rebecca J Gomez

Donning his red hoodie and climbing aboard a bicycle whose basket is full of food, young Federico embarks on a visit to his abuelo before a hungry wolf with a strikingly familiar appearance enters the scene, in a culturally inspired adaptation that is complemented by a recipe for salsa. 30,000 first printing. Simultaneous eBook. Illustrations.
Cookie Time
by Jessie Sima

To bypass the waiting period while Grandpa’s cookies bake, Kat and Ari build a time machine, leading to unexpected visits to the past and the future, as well as a newfound appreciation for the present and the people who share it. Candy-colored pastels heighten the energy in this zany yet sweet story.
This Is How We Play: A Celebration of Disability and Adaptation
by Jessica Slice and Caroline Cupp; illustrated by Kayla Harren

Bouncy, rhyming words underscore the joyful tone of this own voices story about disabled families. Each page turn reveals a different activity with a different family -- each with their own experiences of disability -- and a repeated affirmation: "With love and adaptation, this is how we play!" Read-alikes: This Is How We Talk, also by authors Jessica Slice and Caroline Cupp; Rebekah Taussig’s We Are the Scrappy Ones.
Dare to Be Daring
by Chelsea Lin Wallace; illustrated by Lian Cho

An inclusive crew of kids decide that they'll "dare to be daring." Separately and in groups, they face fears such as a dodgeball game, a dark basement, and a visit to the dentist. Despite setbacks (“nope, not happening”), they all find their bravery in this relatable, rhyming read.
Sketty and Meatball
by Sarah Weeks; illustrated by Alex Willmore

In this easy reader, kids can explore a dog show -- as well as some amusing, beginner-friendly wordplay -- alongside shaggy-haired Sketty and round little Meatball. For further easy readers featuring a charming canine duo, check out David Soman’s Elvis and Romeo series.
Contact your librarian for more great books for ages 0-8!
Joliet Public Library
150 N Ottawa St, Joliet, Illinois 60432
(815) 740-2660

https://www.jolietlibrary.org/en/