Every month expert booksellers and librarians share their top picks for young readers. Check out what our experts are reading in April!
Tove and the Island with No Address
Written and illustrated by Lauren Soloy
Tundra Books, 2024
IL: Ages 4-8 RL: Grades 2-3
Seven-year-old Tove spends her summers on a remote island with her family. With the wide, wild world of nature on her doorstep and an inquisitive, imaginative nature of her own, she’s never at a loss for things to do. Rising early in the morning when “the stars were beginning to yawn, but the sun was still asleep,” the little girl pulls on her red boots and visits a grotto where a stubby, furry creature lives with his five teeny, impish daughters. After a whirlwind adventure in a blustery storm, Tove heads back to the cozy warmth and welcome of home: “What a fortifying thing to see light beaming from the windows and cheerful smoke coming from the chimney!”
Inspired by the art and childhood of Moomin author Tove Jansson, Lauren Soloy’s stunning homage, with its luxurious storytelling and fantastical illustrations, is pure magic.
Recommended by Linda Ludke, Collections Management Librarian, London Public Library
The Forest King's Daughter
(Thirstwood, Book 1)
Written by Elly Blake
Little Brown Books for Young Readers, 2025
IL: Ages 14 and up RL: Grades 9-10
A young Dracu boy gives his friend a ring as a token of his friendship never imagining the terrible and far-reaching consequences this would have. This ring bestows tremendous power upon Cassia and leads to war between the Dracu and Cassia's people. Many years later, Cassia struggles to harness the ring's magic and prove herself to her father. Zeru wants to recover the ring and redeem himself for his terrible mistake. When Zeru kidnaps Cassia, the two are reluctantly reunited as they end up on a quest in which both protagonists learn more about themselves and their world than they ever could have imagined.
Recommended by Lisa Doucet, Manager, Woozles Children's Bookstore