Boni Ashburn

Pop is such an excellent readaloud! Brilliant.

I’m going to do a December Friday Five- my 2025 top five reads per age category. I’m going to start with picture books (the most important books) and also I kind of lied because I’m doing one honorable mention too. Delightful books, all.

If you are looking for middle-grade manga (I always am), check out this list! It has multiple options, plus several good ones for high-schoolers too. I added 8 new titles to my next order from this list ✅

Current read (and so far a genuinely unique and wacky book)

This is always one of my favorites of the 31 lists! Readaloudability is the key to a great picture book. (I haven’t read the list yet, but @fuse8.bsky.social better have put her own Pop Goes the Weasel! on it…) (off now to read the list!)

A stack of brand new books waiting to be catalogued.

No, I don’t consider sniffing new books part of cataloging.
That would just be weird. Right?

Excellent book! When people come in looking for a “Thanksgiving book” I hand them this one 😏

A paragraph from Wreck by Catherine Newman referencing Owl Moon by Jane Yolen.

I love it when references to picture books make it into books for adults! Picture books are the roots of literature and don’t get enough credit for it.

The book cover for Wreck by Catherine Newman

Current read (because I need a good, short, emotionally-nutty-family book just before the holiday 😅) Jumping back into the family from Sandwich and it’s like I never left ❤️

I too detest leafblowers, but Chuck Wendig explains it so much better than I could ever

Went to a local show yesterday. Support the arts where they start!

Book cover of The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark.

Current read and I am loving it so far!

Audiobook cover of Know My Name by Chanel Miller.

Current listen, incredibly well-written. She has a mesmerizing voice and a heartbreaking story. Should be required reading for all humans.
I’m so glad she survived this traumatic experience and shares her talent with the world (Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All was a DELIGHTFUL chapter book!)

Book cover of Falling Like Leaves by Misty Wilson

Current read, recommended by some high school students at lunch (“Oh my god it’s so good you have to read it!!”)

I read that one (Nomad) yesterday too! So good. Will check out your other suggestion- thanks!

It should honestly be a mentor text for anyone writing mid-grades right now.

Book cover of Into the Rapids by Ann Braden

Just finished this last night and @annbraden.bsky.social how in the hell did you pack so much character and plot and action into 165 pages?? It’s terrific!! So kid-friendly. We need more middle-grades like this.

Book cover of Someone’s Gonna End Up Crying by Jo Knowles and Glynnis Fawkes

Current read- and she just called out The Giving Tree and I’m here for it 😅

Three picture books: Seven Little Ducklings by Annette Cate, Broken by X. Fang and Forts by Katie Venit and Lenard Pak

Three DELIGHTFUL picture books in my order today ❤️❤️❤️

I love finding authors like that! And I’m loving this book so far.

Oooh- I love audio narrated by the author!

Current read

Well-deserved! This is a terrific book.

I have no shortage of ideas. I collect them like my lawn collects dandelions. My problem is finding my way into a story. Figuring out HOW to tell it can take me months. Or years.

I love end-of-year book lists! I use them to gauge the success of my collection development. I brought in 31 of the Time 100 Best Books of 2025! Not too bad for a small library 😊

I think about this every day.

I think about this almost every day.

YESSSSSSS!!!!

I haven’t always been a primary voter, but I sure as hell will be one next year. Whoever’s running against Gary Peters, you have my vote.