Because I have one of the best jobs when it comes to books (bookseller and behind the scenes goddess) I get access to future publications. While viewing the online reader copies I have access to, I located two titles that are fall publications. One is coming out in November 2026 and one in October 2026. The first was Arlo and the Raven by Lucy Fleming, the second was Bathtime for Snow Monkeys by Maggie Tokuda-Hall and illustrated by Yas Imamura. I almost did not write up reviews for them (due to their advanced notice), but decided that even though they are not out until fall, y’all needed to know about them now.
Arlo and the Raven at first seem like it is going to be fluffy and it was going to be about a boy who is different and wants friends and/or family, then finds his found family. The End. Been there, done that. But, while there is some of that, it went deeper and has a twist at the end that is both new and keeps with found family coziness. The strongest element of things was the illustrations for me. The story itself is good, but found family is not a new theme and even though there was a newish way of showing how a family can form, it still is a found family story. The artwork is fun, clever, sweet and has a bit of a kick. The earthy tones are neither too little nor too much. There is a nice balance between everything. Text supports illustration, illustrations support text. It is a nice book. 
Bathtime for Snow Monkeys by Maggie Tokuda-Hal and Yas Imamura (illustrator) almost did not get read, let alone written up. It was not in the mood for a bathtime book. I have read that baby-toddler story before and there is hardly any way to make it new. But something about Snow Monkeys made me think that at least Snow Monkeys are a new animal for the subject.. It was much more than a bathtime book. It has a uniqueness to it and not just with the animals. The writing style is poetic as each piece of the puzzle is portrayed with haikus. The images are realistic but dreamy. There are colors that are strong, but not overpowering. Details are simple, but express. It might have bathtime as something we all can relate to, but it is also a look at an animal we might not be familiar with and the poetic mix with realistic but slightly ethereal as well hits the spot.
Both books might be for at least the five and up crowd, but Bathtime can be adapted to multiple ages. I don’t have a favorite of the two, but I know Snow Monkeys will be seeing itself on my, my nieces and the library shelves.
