Ladybug Longlist: Friendship & Cooperation

Aggie and the Ghost by Matthew Forsythe

"Beautiful, subtle illustrations with creative storytelling about how we often have thoughts about what we want, and those ideas do not always mesh with those around us. Shows kids how things don't always work out how we thought." -- nominator

The Big Squeeze by Molly Harris

"A fun, but thoughtful story of resilience, friendship and self care with bright illustrations. " -- nominator

Toto by Hyewon Yum

"Touching story with simple but expressive illustrations that celebrates visual uniqueness. It also shows how sometimes it takes someone else to remind us how special we are." -- nominator

This post is one of a series of 14 "bite-sized" pieces into which we have divided the 2026 Ladybug Picture Book Award Long List to help NH librarians consider all the potential nominees. Please review the full list (or wait until we have covered all the titles) before you cast your vote as you can only vote once.

Ladybug Longlist: Flying Creatures

The Bakery Dragon and the Fairy Cake by Devin Elle Kurtz

"Beautiful illustrations. a great message.  Don't give up keep learning, if you want to try something new - come to the library where you might find a book to help you learn." -- nominator

The Blue Jays That Grew a Forest by Lynn Street

"Interesting science facts that describe how forests grow with the help of Blue Jays. Great illustrations too! " -- nominator

Cranky, Crabby Crow (Saves the World) by Corey R. Tabor

"What seems at first like a straightforward story about being nice to others if you want to keep your friends includes a plot twist that turns it into a story about persistence and taking care of others. It's humorous and includes a secret code to solve as well." -- nominator

Papilio by Ben Clanton, Andy Chou Musser, Corey R. Tabor

"Clever collaboration between three accomplished author/illustrators about the life cycle of a butterfly." -- nominator

The Red Jacket by Bob Holt

"Aside from the charming illustrations, this story of a lonely seagull who feels invisible, receives a wonderful gift (spoiler- it's a red jacket. With fries in the pocket!!!) that makes him feel like people finally notice him. When tragedy strikes, he realizes that the jacket wasn't what made him special, and that he's had friends all along. A nice little pay-it-forward ending as well. I've read it to preschool groups through high school, and it's a hit every time!" -- nominator

Rory the Remarkable Dragon by Kathryn Rammell

"Hilarious book with a case of mistaken identity. A fun twist on the "fish out of water" story that celebrates uniqueness." -- nominator

Seven Little Ducklings by Annette Leblanc Cate

"Super sweet story with beautiful pictures about a mother taking on all of the babies that need her, not just her own. A little silly, with lots of love and sweetness." -- nominator

To See an Owl by Matthew Cordell

"An exquisitely illustrated ode to patience, devotion -- and owls. A young girl (with support from both her mother and teacher) puts in the legwork that finally yields a sighting, like a more realistic, kid-driven version of 'Owl Moon'." -- nominator

This post is one of a series of 14 "bite-sized" pieces into which we have divided the 2026 Ladybug Picture Book Award Long List to help NH librarians consider all the potential nominees. Please review the full list (or wait until we have covered all the titles) before you cast your vote as you can only vote once.

Ladybug Longlist: Family

The Interpreter by Olivia Abtahi

"Cecilia struggles to balance her desire to be a kid and play soccer with her "job" as the interpreter for her parents, who speak Spanish. She learns that she can ask for help from others, who form an interpretation team that allows her more time to be a kid, while still helping her family. There are bits of humor throughout that make a big topic approachable to younger children. A kid just wanting to be a kid but having to also help her non-English speaking parents. Shows a perspective and helps to teach empathy about others." -- nominators

We Could Fly by Rhiannon Giddens

"This picture book version of Giddens' song celebrates bonds of family and ancestry, inspired by Virginia Hamilton's "The People Could Fly." The moving dialogue between mother and daughter is complimented by lovely, dreamlike illustrations. " -- nominator

This post is one of a series of 14 "bite-sized" pieces into which we have divided the 2026 Ladybug Picture Book Award Long List to help NH librarians consider all the potential nominees. Please review the full list (or wait until we have covered all the titles) before you cast your vote as you can only vote once.

Ladybug Longlist: Emotions & Feelings

Broken by X. Fang

"Beautiful story sprinkled with subtle humor and genuine emotion. Fang captures the fears and fun of childhood and the wisdom that comes with age in this gem of a book. Even though the title and cover illustration seem to tell the whole story, kids will be riveted by the characters' roles and reactions as the expected drama unfolds. This book is about empathy and owning up to your mistakes, but it comes with a healthy dose of X. Fang's humor, which delighted many of my students when we read "We Are Definitely Human" in 2025." -- nominators

Harold the Iceberg Melts Down by Lisa Wyzlic

"An adorable, vividly illustrated tale of worry and how friends can help calm anxious feelings with a little touch of concern about our planet thrown in. " -- nominator

The Humble Pie by Jory John

"This book is familiar to kids as it's a part of a "series", with digestible positive messages (being humble doesn't mean you can't shine!)  and adorable illustrations I truly believe all children would benefit from the read." -- nominator

This post is one of a series of 14 "bite-sized" pieces into which we have divided the 2026 Ladybug Picture Book Award Long List to help NH librarians consider all the potential nominees. Please review the full list (or wait until we have covered all the titles) before you cast your vote as you can only vote once.

Book of the Week (1/26/2026)

Ashland: A Novel by Dan Simon (Europa Editions, 2026)

A deeply moving family story unfolding in richly evocative prose and a poetic portrayal of a town in decline during the final decades of the American century, Ashland is a book of metamorphoses—of the dance between permanence and transformation. 

In Ashland, New Hampshire, Carolyn, born of a teenage pregnancy, grows up alongside her mother Ellie, her aunt Jennie, and her cousins. Ashland is the type of place that most people plan to leave, but few do. Beauty can be found in small things—the trees in the wind, the sky’s particular shade of blue, a swim in the river, love, and family. But life can often be unforgiving and solace hard to come by. Carolyn reconciles the losses in her own life with an education at Plymouth State, the local university, and then by capturing in words her world and the people who inhabit it.

Recalling the novels of Richard Russo, Paul Harding, Marilynne Robinson, and Elizabeth Strout, Ashland is a debut novel of great intensity and poetry told in the voices of many vivid characters and, through them, in the voice of Ashland itself. --Publisher's blurb

About the author:

Dan Simon is the founder and editor-in-chief of Seven Stories Press. Ashland is his debut novel. Previously, Dan co-wrote a biography of the American revolutionary Abbie Hoffman that was published by Jeremy Tarcher, and translated several books from French, including Pascal Bonafoux’s Van Gogh: Self-Portraits. He divides his time between New Hampshire and New York.

Join Dan on Wed., March 4, 2026 at 6:30 pm at Gibson's Bookstore where he will be discussing his debut novel.

Ladybug Longlist: Cats & Dogs

At the Rescue Cat Café by Anna Humphrey

"This enchanting story unfolds in a charming little café that serves as a haven for adorable kittens, helping them find their forever homes. The vibrant illustrations bring every page to life, capturing the playful antics of the cuddly cats. It's a delightful sight to see the children, wide-eyed and captivated, as they immerse themselves in the enchanting world of these lovable felines!"-- nominator

Cat Nap by Brian Lies

"This book works on multiple levels. Younger children will enjoy following the cat as it chases the mouse, while older children and those with a particular interest in art can delve more fully into the featured works of art. All can appreciate Brian Lies' efforts to reproduce the original works and understand they can create art, too. Creative way to tell a story through exposure to museum artwork. Interesting illustrations/artwork that help to lead the reader through the story. "-- nominators

Cats on Cats on Cats by Maddie Frost

"Silly story about how sometimes our best intentions go sideways, but honesty is always the best policy." -- nominator

If We Were Dogs by Sophie Blackall

"Beautiful illustrations and important message. This book presents the dynamic between a more assertive friend and a quieter one. The characters come to common ground in a respectful and kind manner, and the message that everyone deserves to have a voice is shared." -- nominator

Spooky by Sally Anne Garland

"Illustrations throughout cleverly include hints of an elusive cat who is squatting in a family's new home. In parallel, the family adjusts to their new home as the cat learns to trust the new family." -- nominator

This post is one of a series of 14 "bite-sized" pieces into which we have divided the 2026 Ladybug Picture Book Award Long List to help NH librarians consider all the potential nominees. Please review the full list (or wait until we have covered all the titles) before you cast your vote as you can only vote once.

Ladybug Longlist: Bravery & Perseverance

The Biggest, Highest Wave by Kerry McQuaide

"Visually appealing rhyming book about a natural phenomenon and not being afraid to try something hard." -- nominator

The Squish by Breanna Carzoo

"A story of resilience with wide age appeal. " -- nominator

A Universe Big & Small: A Story about Carl Sagan by James Yang

"A creative look at the ideas and life of Carl Sagan. Not biographical per se but gives insight into his life and contributions to science. Wonderful illustrations." -- nominator

This post is one of a series of 14 "bite-sized" pieces into which we have divided the 2026 Ladybug Picture Book Award Long List to help NH librarians consider all the potential nominees. Please review the full list (or wait until we have covered all the titles) before you cast your vote as you can only vote once.