Otis Knows (How To Be a Bear) by Liz Garton Scanlon & Martha Brockenbrough; illus. by Stephanie Laberis (Beach Lane/Simon & Schuster, May 5): Inspired by an Alaskan brown bear named Otis, who became a sensation during Fat Bear Week, this book encourages readers to celebrate their individuality while instilling a love of the outdoors. I took my own kids to Katmai National Park, the home of Fat Bear Week, during summer break a few years ago, so the bears, this place, and this book all have a special place in my heart.
Hold by Randy Ribay; illus. by Zeke Peña (Kokila, April 21): This is a sweet and funny picture book that turns a common childhood experience into a poignant reminder of life’s most important things.
The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli by Karina Yan Glaser (Allida/HarperCollins, 2025): I was sucked in on the first page and couldn’t put this book down! It will transport you to new worlds that intersect in the most beautiful and unexpected ways.
Joanna Ho’s most recent book is A Room With a View (Harper/HarperCollins, May 26).
