Happy August, everyone. It’s time for the new review roundup! I selected these five from a stack of recent books that grabbed my attention. Have you read any of these? Feel free to give your own five-word reviews in the comments.
Let’s dig in.
Another Tongue
Author: Yevgenia Nayberg
Illustrator: Yevgenia Nayberg
Neal Porter Books
14 July 2026
40 pages
Ryan’s five-word review: New words wobble toward belonging.
4.5 out of 5 topsy-turvy letters
Mac & Cheese: The Origin Story
Author: Michael L. Benner
Illustrator: Alison Hawkins
Orchard Books
14 July 2026
32 pages
Ryan’s five-word review: Mac meets Cheese. Delicious destiny.
4.5 out of 5 provolonely kings
Silence Sounds Simple: A Day in the Life of John Cage
Author: Gary Golio
Illustrator: Andrea D’Aquino
Calkins Creek
7 July 2026
32 pages
Ryan’s five-word review: Sound, silence, mushrooms: pure Cage.
4.25 out of 5 apartment arabesques
Story Rug
Author: Sophie Blackall
Illustrator: Phoebe Wahl
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
14 July 2026
40 pages
Ryan’s five-word review: Every scrap carries somebody’s story.
4.25 out of 5 classroom braids
Teachers in the Wild
Author: Brad Davidson
Illustrator: Rachel Más Davidson
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
7 July 2026
40 pages
Ryan’s five-word review: Teacher sighting! Stay calm, kids.
4.25 out of 5 off-duty educators