Mercer County 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.

To Activate Space Portal, Lift Here
by Antoinette Portis

After an enticing opening urging you to turn the page, a "space portal" opens within this picture book, revealing two inquisitive extraterrestrial creatures peering out at the "alien" reader. Illustrated in a bold, exaggerated style, this clever close encounter is bound to provoke giggles. For fans of: playful, interactive reads, such as author Antoinette Portis' beloved Not A Box.

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.

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.

Thankful
by Elaine Vickers

When the first snow falls, a girl writes on strips of paper what she is thankful for, from a safe and warm home to wishes come true, as her family makes a Thankful Chain.

How to Say Thank You
by Jean Reagan

Discover all the ways to be thankful in this heartwarming story by the New York Times bestselling creators of How to Babysit a Grandma and How to Babysit a Grandpa. What are you thankful for? Whether it's a BIG moment like Grandpa taking you to a parade, a little moment like sharing a favorite snack, or even an unexpected moment like a new friend moving in next door, there are so many things to be thankful for! Come and discover all the ways to say thank you during Thanksgiving and beyond!

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