by Jarrett Lerner ; illustrated by Jarrett Lerner ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 5, 2026
Super silly.
Oh noes, evil Dr. Slimepeople is threatening to replace the water in the Big City’s lake with slime! Time to call on the Super Roomies!
With the evident intent of keeping emergent readers giggling over the stripped-down art and narrative, Lerner sends cohabiting crimefighters Abby Astro, Blix Blaster, Captain Kooky Pants, and Wanda Weather—sporting an array of different ’dos, hues, and superpowers—flying from their high-rise apartment to save the lake for the swimmers of the Big City. Will they track down the sinister scientist in time to stop him from carrying out his slimy scheme? Will the Captain get a chance to demonstrate just what his unusual pants can do? Will the quarreling quartet’s ongoing argument about who put the empty milk carton back in the refrigerator turn out to be one distraction too many? Although, the author allows, “in stories like this, superheroes usually save the day,” they are all people, “just like you and me,” and sometimes bad things happen. Still, whether it requires an exhausting environmental cleanup or apologies and a hasty trip to the grocery store, taking responsibility for messing up is really the super thing to do. Reflective young audiences will catch that unstated message—once they catch their breaths.
Super silly. (Graphic fiction. 6-8)Pub Date: May 5, 2026
ISBN: 9781665982962
Page Count: 112
Publisher: Simon Spotlight
Review Posted Online: Jan. 19, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2026
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by Jarrett Lerner ; illustrated by Jarrett Lerner
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by Ben Clanton ; illustrated by Ben Clanton ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 28, 2025
Will draw more eyes than ever to the antics of this tuberous twosome.
Can Rot Poe Tater scare the snot out of Snot, his irritating big brother? Maybe with help from friends!
Tired of being the victim of his sib’s mischievous pranks, Rot, an anthropomorphic potato, is determined to turn the tables. Unfortunately, Snot seems to have eyes in the back of his head (no surprise, considering that he’s a potato), and even with a new pair of sneakers, Rot just can’t get the drop on him. Where can Rot learn to be even sneakier? Spy school, of course! Though Rot makes a hash out of lessons in keeping secrets and other spy skills, he finds classmates with complementary talents willing to help dish up a plan clever enough to startle the smirking older spud into a spectacularly gooey sneeze. And rather than mashing down his booger-blasted little bro, Snot gives him grudging props. Rot and pals rush to celebrate over a plate of only slightly slimed cupcakes (yum!), and the tale closes with a roguish final twist. The art, peeled down to the essentials and made with a mix of earth-toned paints, digital effects, and potato prints, adds to the episode’s air of mildly decayed charm.
Will draw more eyes than ever to the antics of this tuberous twosome. (nature facts, pranking guidelines, drawing lesson) (Graphic fiction. 6-8)Pub Date: Oct. 28, 2025
ISBN: 9781665964302
Page Count: 88
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: July 4, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2025
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by Ben Clanton ; illustrated by Ben Clanton
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by Ben Clanton , Corey R. Tabor & Andy Chou Musser ; illustrated by Ben Clanton , Corey R. Tabor & Andy Chou Musser
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by Ben Clanton & Andy Chou Musser ; illustrated by Ben Clanton & Andy Chou Musser
by Andres Miedoso ; illustrated by Glass House Graphics ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 27, 2026
Ghostly fun for the gentlest of readers.
Newly arrived with his parents in seemingly quiet Kersville, an anxious young Latine boy discovers that his new house isn’t quite as normal and boring as he’d hoped.
This graphic reboot of the opener to a proliferating series of early chapter books dispenses with most of the explication but sticks closely to the original’s plotline and dialogue. Hardly has Andres Miedoso—who shares a name with the tale’s author—had time to unpack before a flurry of weird noises and events sends him hurrying over to consult with his grinning, brown-skinned new neighbor, who earlier handed him a business card provocatively labeled “Desmond Cole, Ghost Patrol.” Yes, there’s a ghost in Andres’ house—a jagged, seething cloud of ectoplasm that makes a terrifying first impression…but then gleefully chows down on some unfortunate lasagna and, after paying the gastric price, admits to being a sad, lonely specter searching for a permanent home. By the end, all three have bonded, Andres has a card of his own, and the stage is set for further supernatural exploits. The illustrations are closely based on those in the book’s antecedent, with the addition of bright colors that nicely show off Desmond’s big personality—and the massive green sliming Andres gets when the ghost upchucks all over him. The chills are, if anything, even lighter than the original’s, and the fresh format may draw some new fans.
Ghostly fun for the gentlest of readers. (Graphic ghost fantasy. 6-8)Pub Date: Jan. 27, 2026
ISBN: 9798347100811
Page Count: 144
Publisher: Little Simon/Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Sept. 27, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2025
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by Andres Miedoso ; illustrated by Víctor Rivas
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