Every month expert booksellers and librarians share their top picks for young readers. Check out what our experts are reading in May!
Everybelly
Written and illustrated by Thao Lam
Groundwood Books, 2025
IL: Ages 3-7 RL: Grades 2-3
Heading to the community pool, Maddie and her mom run into many neighbours. The child narrator has a waist-high view of everyone and she shares a cheery note about the person behind each belly: “Vibhuti’s in a band. They know how to keep a beat!” “This is my mama. I used to live here until I grew too big.” From Maddie’s perspective, all bellies are swell and they also come in handy as “great tables.” In Thao Lam’s signature spectacular cut-paper collages, different kinds of tummies—freckled, stretch marked, toned, tattooed, wrinkled—are on joyful display. Everybelly is an exceptionally refreshing, glorious celebration of bellies, bodies, and stories.
Recommended by Linda Ludke, Collections Management Librarian, London Public Library
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What if Marty Doesn't Like My Party?
Written and illustrated by Katie Arthur
Owlkids Books, 2025
IL: Ages: 4-8 RL: Grades 2-3
Henry is having a birthday party, and his new best friend Marty is going to come. But rather than being excited, Henry is consumed with anxiety and keeps speculating about all the many things that could go wrong: she could hate the cake, or the elevator might be broken, or she might be dismayed by their tiny apartment. Big sister Sam counters all of Henry's concerns with other more positive possibilities, helping him to see that there is just as much chance of Marty having a really great time.
Author-illustrator Katie Arthur sensitively depicts Henry's worries but this latest book is also a beautiful story of their special sibling bond. Sam reassures Henry without minimizing or making light of his concerns and she wisely helps him to look at the situation differently. Arthur's muted colour palette reflects Henry's inner turmoil, and the illustrations are finely detailed and expressive. A quiet and touching story, it offers a simple but profound message to worriers of all ages.
Recommended by Lisa Doucet, Manager, Woozles Children's Bookstore