Another month, another set of five-word reviews. All of these are picture books I somehow missed early this year…but they’re new to me so I say “Fair game!”
There’s also an unexpected mud theme happening this month.
Enjoy!
All the Ways We Learn
Author: Chloe Ito Ward
Illustrator: Yaroslava Apollonova
Rise x Penguin Workshop
7 July 2026
40 pages
Ryan’s five-word review: Learning bends toward each learner.
4.25 out of 5 quiet corners
Digger Daisy!
Author: Andrea Zimmerman
Illustrator: Dan Yaccarino
Holiday House
21 July 2026
32 pages
Ryan’s five-word review: Mud. Machines. Teamwork. Daisy delivers!
4.5 out of 5 big scoops
Gigantic: The Small Whale with a Big Heart
Author: Rob Biddulph
Illustrator: Rob Biddulph
Doubleday Books for Young Readers
14 April 2026
32 pages
Ryan’s five-word review: Tiny fins deliver jumbo-sized heroics.
4.25 out of 5 little fins
Leroy Has Something to Say
Author: Emily Rosenthal
Illustrator: Thai My Phuong
Bloomsbury Children’s Books
7 July 2026
40 pages
Ryan’s five-word review: Ghost meets girl. Friendship blooms.
4.5 out of 5 yellow roses
Rosie Gets Ready
Author: Sergio Ruzzier
Illustrator: Sergio Ruzzier
Harry N. Abrams
21 July 2026
32 pages
Ryan’s five-word review: Perfect routine. Gloriously muddy payoff.
4.75 out of 5 mud puddles