![partial cover of Wolfgang in the Meadow](https://s32875.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/partial-cover-of-Wolfgang-in-the-Meadow.jpg.optimal.jpg)
Butterflies & Friendly Ghosts in These Fantastic Children’s Books
I’m sad to say Algonquin Young Readers is closing. They’ve published so many fantastic children’s books, and I’m sorry to see them close.
This week, I review two new releases starring friendly ghosts plus four children’s books centering butterflies.
New Releases
![Cover of Wolfgang in the Meadow by Lenny Wen](https://s32875.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Wolfgang-in-the-Meadow-by-Lenny-Wen.jpg.optimal.jpg)
Wolfgang in the Meadow by Lenny Wen
Wolfgang the ghost loves the meadow he haunts. He picks wildflowers, plays with his rabbit friend, stargazes, and, of course, participates in classic ghostly activities like casting spells and hiding. He longs to become like his hero — Mighty Hubert — who haunts an ancient castle. Mighty Hubert is retiring and looking for a successor, and Wolfgang decides to apply. But the more he practices being truly spooky, the more he wonders if he really wants to leave his meadow behind. This is such a sweet picture book, and I love the illustrations.
![Cover of Little Ghost Makes a Friend by Maggie Edkins Willis](https://s32875.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Little-Ghost-Makes-a-Friend-by-Maggie-Edkins-Willis.jpg.optimal.jpg)
Little Ghost Makes a Friend by Maggie Edkins Willis
And here’s another sweet ghostly picture book! Maybe I should’ve saved it for Halloween roundups, but it pairs so well with my previous new release pick. Little Ghost has lived in the same house with his mom for a hundred years, but he’s never once tried to make friends with any of the neighbors. He’s too shy, and he worries he might scare them. When a new girl moves in next door, however, he can’t help but notice they have a lot in common. He so wants to be her friend. Halloween is the next day, so he hatches the perfect plan: He’ll dress up for Halloween and pretend to be a trick-or-treater! The two hit it off, but how will Little Ghost continue the friendship after Halloween?
For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.
Riot Recommendations
![Cover of María Mariposa by Karla Arenas Valenti, illustrated by Ana Ramírez González](https://s32875.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Maria-Mariposa-by-Karla-Arenas-Valenti-illustrated-by-Ana-Ramirez-Gonzalez.jpg.optimal.jpg)
María Mariposa by Karla Arenas Valenti, illustrated by Ana Ramírez González
María lives in a brand new country, and on the first day of school, a gift arrives on her windowsill from Mexico: a mariposa. The butterfly carries the memory of her old home on its wings, and it helps her feel more brave. Feeling the butterfly’s magic within her, María spreads her love with kind actions on her way to school. But all that magic flees at school, and she loses her confidence. At recess, she remembers the butterfly within her and decides to be brave. This is a beautiful, compassionate picture book about immigration, starting school, and making friends. Back matter includes an author’s note about magical realism and her journey from Mexico to the United States, as well as facts about butterfly migration.
![cover of A Flicker of Hope: A Story of Migration by Cynthia Harmony, illustrated by Devon Holzwarth, narrated by Victoria Villarreal](https://s32875.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/01-A-Flicker-of-Hope-A-Story-of-Migration-Cynthia-Harmony-Victoria-Villarreal-English.jpg.optimal.jpg)
A Flicker of Hope by Cynthia Harmony, illustrated by Devon Holzwarth
This gorgeously illustrated picture book describes a different aspect of migration. Lucía lives in Mexico and loves her home and watching the butterflies migrate. When Papá has to leave to work farther north, she despairs. He comforts her by telling her he’s following the butterflies. When they return home for the winter, so will he. As the seasons pass, Lucía anxiously awaits the monarch butterflies’ return. This is a stunning and lyrical picture book.
![Cover of Milkweed for Monarchs by Christine Van Zandt, illustrated by Alejandra Barajas](https://s32875.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Milkweed-for-Monarchs-by-Christine-Van-Zandt-illustrated-by-Alejandra-Barajas.jpg.optimal.jpg)
Milkweed for Monarchs by Christine Van Zandt, illustrated by Alejandra Barajas
Now for a nonfiction picture book! This beautifully illustrated and poetic picture book follows the life cycle of monarch butterflies. Each page spread has a lyrical section and a prose paragraph with more details. It outlines the butterfly’s lifespan from egg to chrysalis to migration. It’s one of my favorite nonfiction titles about butterflies.
![Cover of The Monarchs of Winghaven by Naila Moreira](https://s32875.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/The-Monarchs-of-Winghaven-by-Naila-Moreira.jpg.optimal.jpg)
The Monarchs of Winghaven by Naila Moreira
There aren’t as many new middle grade titles about butterflies, but I really enjoyed this one. Fifth-grader Sammie wants to be a biologist when she grows up. She’s devastated when her family moves from their home by a nature preserve to a small New England town, but she soon finds a natural habitat to explore — the yard in a nearby abandoned home, which she and a boy she meets there call Winghaven. While she wasn’t planning to make friends and wanted to explore the field by herself, she and Bram, who loves birds, soon make friends, and the two decide to study the monarch butterflies, which are endangered.
Bookish Good
![Ghost in library puzzle](https://s32875.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Ghost-in-Library-Puzzle-by-OpalandJuneShop.png)
Ghost in Library Puzzle by OpalandJuneShop
What should you do after reading so many great picture books about ghosts? Put together this ghostly puzzle. $16+
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![Garden, the kids are all right](https://s32875.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG_1002-scaled.jpg.optimal.jpg)
I have seen very few butterflies this year, which is surprising. We went to a park over the weekend, where they have several gardens, and I didn’t see a single butterfly. Anyone else seeing fewer butterflies?
If you’d like to read more of my kidlit reviews, I’m on Instagram @BabyLibrarians, X @AReaderlyMom, Bluesky @AReaderlyMom, and blog irregularly at Baby Librarians. You can also read my Book Riot posts. If you’d like to drop me a line, my email is kingsbury.margaret@gmail.com.
All the best,
Margaret Kingsbury