There’s no grand theme this week. Just small jolts of delight, weirdness, and warmth. Each book gets five words—just enough to show why I might bring one (or all) to my picture book class for a closer look.
The Cave Downwind of the Café
Author: Mikey Please
Illustrator: Mikey Please
HarperCollins
9 September 2025
48 pages
Ryan’s five-word review: Heroism served with snotty flair.
🥄4 out of 5 slime spoons
Hansel and Gretel
Author: Stephen King
Illustrator: Maurice Sendak
HarperCollins
2 September 2025
48 pages
Ryan’s five-word review: Classic tale, sharpened into nightmare.
🔥 4.25 out of 5 witch’s ovens
The Monster in the Lake
Author: Leo Timmers
Illustrator: Leo Timmers
Gecko Press
9 September 2025
36 pages
Ryan’s five-word review: Monster myths. One duck dares.
👀4 out of 5 surprising sightings
The Trouble with Giraffes
Author: Lisa Mantchev
Illustrator: Taeeun Yoo
Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books
16 September 2025
32 pages
Ryan’s five-word review: True friends meet halfway, always.
💡 4.25 out of 5 clubhouse ideas
Unicorn Post
Author: Emma Yarlett
Illustrator: Emma Yarlett
Candlewick
26 August 2025
32 pages
Ryan’s five-word review: Whimsy and warmth, postage paid.
📬 4.25 out of 5 special deliveries