Rutabaga's Reads 2026: Part 1

Welcome to the first picture books compilation of the new year! This compilation features a broken cup, a humble pie, a kitty camp, a strong father/daughter bond and a baby with a library card (maybe).

Broken (Oct. 14, 2025) by X. Fang.

Here is a story of Ama’s cup. That Mei Mei accidentally breaks when she tries to surprise Mimi, Ama’s cat. Mei Mei feels terrible and so she runs away, because she’s scared that Ama will be so mad that she’ll yell at her or kick her out of her house. Innocent Mimi is blamed by Ama, and Mei Mei feels certain that Mimi is staring at her with accusation, because the cat knows the truth. Finally, the guilt overwhelms young Mei Mei and the story pours out. What will Ama’s reaction be? Will she yell? Kick her out? Take away her piece of cake?

            Author and illustrator Fang presents readers with a well-paced story that is easy to follow. Children and adults who remember being children will relate to the weight of guilt that unexpected accidents can cause. The illustrations are vivid but also moody. Mei Mei’s weighing guilt shows through with darker tones. There is compassionate drama in this picture book of fault and forgiveness. There’s also a lot of love and a little glue to mend what’s been broken and give the cup its own story to tell.

            Also by the author: We Are Definitely Human

The Humble Pie (Nov. 4, 2025) by Jory John.

   Pete Oswald, illustrator.

<This is the eighth book in the Food Group series.>

For the Humble Pie, humble looks like meek, the one always hiding in the shadows. When he pairs with his best friend, a cake named Jake, on a major science project for Mr. Berryman’s class, they’re thrilled to be a dream team together. Unfortunately, Jake’s a busy cake, participating in most extracurriculars in existence, it seems like, and eventually, Humble Pie is doing all of the work alone. There’s much yet to do, and he isn’t going to complete it in time alone. They’ll be mincemeat if that happens. All this time, Humble Pie has thought that being humble meant being unseen and sometimes getting walked all over like a rug. He’s going to need to push up his hypothetical sleeves and have that tough conversation with his best friend. Will he learn that always being the side dish takes the cake? Or will this Humble Pie learn to fly?

            The eighth in the Food Group series is a sweet little delight of a picture book. Oswald’s illustrations complement John’s writing superbly. I love all of the color and the bright-eyed classmates in treat form. This is a kid-friendly story about learning the importance of advocating for yourself. Advocating for yourself can include asking for help instead of tackling it all on your own when you’re struggling, and it can mean sticking up for yourself so you’re treated fairly. This book also serves up how great it is when best friends are there for each other, especially in a time of need. It’s a charming story to sweeten up anyone’s day.

            Also from the author: The Smart Cookie

Kitty Camp (Apr. 29, 2025) by Drew Brockington.

It’s camp day. Hooray! One girl is so excited to attend her first summer (day) camp. She’s going to arts & crafts and can’t wait to hike, swim and sing. She’s in for a big surprise when she accidentally gets on the wrong bus and ends up at … Kitty Camp! Arts and Crafts is disorganized, hiking is nap time, her tuna sandwich lunch is nabbed, and no cat wants to go swimming with her. She’s about decided that Kitty Camp isn’t so fun until she comes across the best idea. Superfort, anyone?

            As a cat person, yes, please, sign me up for Kitty Camp! Author-illustrator Brockington creates an entertaining tale accompanied by colorful, lively illustrations. There is enchantment in the story’s hilarity and delight through the hijinks. My first story from Brockington tells me I’ve been missing out. This one is full of feline friskiness and friendly fun.

My Daddy Tells Me (2022) by Thuba Nguyen.

   Serena Lombardo, illustrator.

Young Mai is a precocious girl, curious about life and well-loved. She’s a biracial Vietnamese African American being raised by her father. He showers her with positive affirmations and encourages her bright personality and myriad interests. And Mai is the light as they emigrate from Vietnam for a new life in the United States. Mai’s life isn’t going to be without toxicity surrounding color, culture, tradition, gender and more, but with her dad’s enduring love and support helping to shape a healthy and self-assured self-image, Mai will grow up with a strong sense of identity and self-worth.

            Nguyen’s picture book is a celebration of fathers and daughters and the importance of having that strong bond. The power of love and the impact of parental support is life-changing. Sure, Mai and her father are connected by blood, but that connection is cemented by trust and knowing one is loved. This story is sweet, tender and heartwarming, but it’s also infused with strength, perseverance and integrity.

            Bonus: Nguyen is a Minnesota author!

Never Give a Baby a Library Card (Oct. 21, 2025) by Erin Sandberg.

   Tom Booth, illustrator.

Give a baby a library card? What a thought! Because “…what if a baby learned how to make clothes?/We’d all look ridiculous!/Who’d want to wear those?” A mother and grandmother have come to the library to get a baby its first library card, but Shouty Man wants none of that. He’s galled at the idea of babies running barbershops after learning to cut hair “just a moment ago” and adults walking about in the latest $400 diaper fashions. Or of babies finding inspiration that trigger their imagination. The chaos! The horror! But a practical child contradicts him and asks if he hasn’t also learned from the books he’s read?

            This rhyming picture book is a lively romp that’s perfect for reading aloud. It promotes libraries, the power of books and the significance of learning at every age. The story from this married duo is colorful, the rhyming tempo is spot-on and little details in the illustrations like PRADADA and GUGUCCI are hilariously adorable. For someone like me, who loves books and libraries (and currently works in one), this book is a celebration and a joy. It empowers readers and library users and reminds us all that access to knowledge should not be limited. Keep on reading, and get your library card if you don’t already have an active one!