Picture Book Palooza!

Apparently, it's picture book season for me! This month and next month (as well as last month!) feature such spectacular books that I am so thankful to have read. 

My Super Duper Me by Malcolm Mitchell (Author), Deise Lino (Illustrator)

From the publisher, Orchard Books, Published August 4, 2026.

Literacy crusader and Super Bowl champion Malcolm Mitchell, author of the hugely popular My Very Favorite Book in the Whole Wide World, delivers an unforgettable story that celebrates the power and joy of words!

Welcome to a day in the life of Theo. The new kid at school.

He’s the only student who eats lunch alone, ends up at the back of the line, can’t throw a ball far enough, gets mixed up in math, and reads slower than everyone else. Every day, Theo wonders...

Will people ever see me?

Will someone ever hear me?

Will anybody ever try to understand?

Then Mr. Burton, the new school librarian, arrives with a Super-Duper Bookshelf that changes everything.

There is so much good stuff in this story. It's extremely relatable. Even if you haven’t been the new kid, you may have had a harder time reading, being athletic, or making new friends.

I love that the new librarian is a role model and Theo watches and learns by Mr. Burton’s actions as well as his words. That he sees Theo and gives him an outlet to be himself and see books as a super power. And this gives him the confidence to reach out to others and not be afraid that he’s not good enough, because he is. The positive messages grow and multiply.

The illustrations are beautiful and colorful and really engaging. The words and the drawings are the perfect package together.

That Beautiful Mind by Tami Charles (Author), Chris Charles (Author), Nikkolas Smith (Illustrator)

From the publisher, Orchard Books, Published October 6, 2026.

From New York Times bestselling author Tami Charles and her son, Chris Charles, comes a soaring and poetic celebration of the beautiful minds that make us all unique!

Some days it feels like my mind doesn't work right. Mom says otherwise. "That beautiful mind is what makes you unique."

This poetry-in-motion, sing-out-loud story follows the journey of one young boy as he navigates the challenges of his constantly running, brilliantly creative, and ever-so-busy brain. From basketball to baking with grandpa, to math class, and high-scoring video game conquests, readers will see that his one-of-a-kind mind is his greatest strength, and though challenges may come, he is all the stronger for it!

Another beautiful story. And perfectly paired with My Super Duper Me.

This book shows us how special everyone’s minds are. They all work differently and that’s okay. We get a peek inside how Chris’ brain operates in the world. It highlights what makes him distinct in how he thinks and interprets everything. And that even though it’s dissimilar from another, that doesn’t make it wrong, it makes it unique, and that’s something to celebrate.

We all have our gifts to bring to the world and no two people will bring them the same way. That is a beautiful thing.

The illustrations are also unique, summoning a mood and flow and beauty.