Seeley (author of McHorn and His Hidden Spots) crafts a visually lush alphabet picture book featuring the poetic Shadow, a cosmic entity who uses his magical, starlit shadowboxes to teach young readers their ABC’s. Each shadowbox features one letter of the English alphabet and a mix of people, objects, and hidden words that begin with that letter—a mishmash of beautifully illustrated, letter-centered fun. “Leaves and a ladybug start with an L,” Shadow intones, later encouraging readers to “look for lemons and limes” on that page, while at the bottom edge, he sits on his windowsill in front of a twinkling night sky, licking a lollipop.

Though the alliterative poems are only a few stanzas long, Seeley’s pages teem with letter-related excitement. Each poem is bordered with “Look For” guides, instructing readers on concealed words to search for in that poem’s related shadowbox—an interactive activity that kids and the adults reading to them will treasure working on together. Seeley’s hidden words open up a whole new world of learning, featuring terms that many young readers may not yet know: in the shadowbox for the letter “I,” the picture of an island features the word “icon” shimmering in the water, while “idol” is barely visible in the background of Seeley’s iris portrait. At the end of each poem, Shadow asks readers to find a special item hidden in plain sight (“can you find my drum?” he queries on the page for “D”), increasing the entertainment value for young readers experiencing the newfound joy of language.

Seeley’s illustrations exude a vintage feel with a touch of surrealism, and most of the book’s inanimate objects—eggs, balls of yarn, seashells—feature endearing human faces. The distinctive art and poetry combine to create a multilayered, engaging picture book—one that young readers will likely revisit many times over.

Takeaway: Gorgeously illustrated alphabet book teeming with interactive activities.

Comparable Titles: Neil Gaiman’s The Dangerous Alphabet, Oliver Jeffers’s Once Upon an Alphabet.

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A

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Biochemist Callaghan delves into the history of the cosmetics business—and cosmetic claims development—in hopes of demystifying an industry where, she writes, “selling hope” reigns supreme. Aimed at consumers, influencers, and journalists, Callaghan’s informative guide delivers a glimpse into the inner workings of the business, covering modern technology’s impact on cosmetic product development, ethical beauty standards, the research that goes into substantiating cosmetic claims, and more. Callaghan also confronts "fundamental questions about our relationship with cosmetics and the pursuit of beauty," with a heavy emphasis on the science driving the industry.

Callaghan’s guide is enlightening, as she addresses how to differentiate between fact and fiction and “make informed decisions about… skincare regimen[s].” Her goal with this updated edition is to “[bridge] the gap between the cosmetic Counter and the laboratory,” and she accomplishes that objective with flying colors. From a breakdown of the different types of cosmetic claims—ranging from lifestyle to ingredient to sensory—to instruction on the anatomy of skin, Callaghan’s easy-to-read text covers all the bases, teaching consumers the ins and outs of an admittedly complex business. She consistently revisits safe and ethical product development, asserting that “product development pathways have to be turned on their head and re-drawn,” and is a staunch advocate for rigorous scientific standards, arguing that “time and money to build a body of evidence has to be a first priority.”

In peeling back the layered expectations that consumers (and regulating authorities) have for the cosmetics industry, Callaghan offers readers a refreshing backstage pass to creating a successful —and safe—cosmetic product and campaign. She covers the history of cosmetics (dating back to Ancient Rome), the four main culprits of misinformation in the field (influencers, consumers, journalists, and the industry itself), and offers readers a slew of valuable resources, all in hopes of helping consumers clarify their “actual and uniquely individual skin needs.”

Takeaway: Inside track on the complex world of cosmetics production.

Comparable Titles: Martha Laham's Made Up, Mary Lisa Gavenas's Color Stories.

Production grades
Cover: C+
Design and typography: B+
Illustrations: B-
Editing: B
Marketing copy: A

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Gonzalez, an educator who lived and taught in South Korea for five years, along with South Korean born Young Lee, offer this intriguing, second edition look at the cultural makeup of South Korea, highlighting its “rich traditions [that] coexist with a vibrant, modern, youthful, economically strong, highly industrialized, and technologically advanced society.” The authors acknowledge their unique perspectives—Gonzalez was born in Mexico and immigrated to the United States at age 13, and Lee immigrated to America at age 20—while making a case for how South Korea’s passion for efficiency and competitiveness have both helped and hindered its whirlwind economic growth.

“This book is meant not as a criticism but as an observation from an outsider’s perspective about culture and its role in the evolution of economic progress” the authors write, and their love for South Korea is reflected throughout. They consider the country’s rebound from the Korean War to become “one of the top 20 economies in the world” and delve into a host of South Korean cultural markings—education, food, social hierarchies, and more—that make it a powerhouse internationally. From insights on why food sharing is important to the nation’s celebrated work ethic (the government only recently limited work weeks to 52 hours) to the changing attitude of youth toward their elders, Gonzalez and Lee paint a compelling, persuasive, and illuminating portrait.

A surplus of space spent analyzing how national disasters, including the Sewol ferry catastrophe and several Seoul metro accidents, were possibly influenced by the country’s pali pali (hurry, hurry) culture and “failure to follow the rules” distracts somewhat, but the authors’ musings on South Korea’s societal structure—and how “to raise the nation’s consciousness regarding public safety”—are absorbing. They close with “obstacles” the country is experiencing, such as high youth unemployment and an aging population, that “may signal the ripe conditions for a perfect storm.”

Takeaway: Revealing analysis of South Korean culture, emphasizing efficiency and competitiveness.

Comparable Titles: Grace M. Cho’s Haunting the Korean Diaspora, DK Eyewitness’s Hello, South Korea.

Production grades
Cover: B
Design and typography: A-
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A

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As Grandpa Pat and his inquisitive granddaughter Eva embark on a golden-hour stroll through a picturesque forest full of sights, sounds, and creatures, Eva is a darling profusion of childhood curiosity, questioning her grandfather on nearly everything they encounter. “What is this? And what is that?” she queries “for the hundredth time today,” as Grandpa Pat tirelessly encourages her sense of wonder—and inspires imagination in every observation the pair make. A scampering mouse in the yard holds Eva’s attention for a time, along with a babbling brook and a curious curve emerging from the water’s surface, but the most dazzling mystery is the large shape the pair spots through the sunlit trees.

An Hryvtsova’s glittering, gleaming illustrations offer young readers a forest with a warm, vibrant mystique that transforms into a sanctuary for fancy and imagination. Eva’s world sparkles, and every sunbeam is a pathway to revealing something thrilling for her to investigate. Hryvtsova takes care with the intricate details, too, from elaborately drawn water lilies to textured streamside boulders to Grandpa Pat and Eva’s evocative facial expressions, deftly conjuring a world from the pure perspective of a young child, where magic still exists and every shimmer and shadow are worthy of examination.

Younger readers will relish the opportunity to share what they see hidden in Miller’s mind-boggling world, whether it’s Eva’s shark “playing in a brook,” a “giant ball” in the trees, or a creature of their own concoction. Grandpa Pat’s continual stoking of his granddaughter’s excitement is the driving force behind this charming debut, as he intuitively recognizes Eva’s inquisitive nature for what it is—a gift—and chooses to adopt her attitude of fascination. That loving choice nets Grandpa Pat a once-in-a-lifetime experience with Eva at the story’s conclusion. This is the perfect choice for fans of childhood wonder.

Takeaway: Vibrant, joyful celebration of youthful curiosity.

Comparable Titles: Bernard Waber’s Ask Me, Joseph Kuefler’s Beyond the Pond.

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A
Editing: B+
Marketing copy: A

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From her birth, Smith’s family expected she would grow up to be “a wealthy, conservative, Christian, medical doctor who trained up North” but returned to Alabama, where her debutante training would “attract a White male of appropriate social and financial standing.” As the title of her debut memoir suggests, Smith chose her own path, sometimes frustrating those who preferred her to be the “equivalent of wet cement—able to be molded.” With graceful prose and hard-won insight, Smith explores the roots of a mid-life crisis and lack of satisfaction. Smith eventually wills herself to “figure out what I learned from each ghost that haunts me,” finding both comfort and challenges in her Christian faith, and seeking a way to live a life of “radical generosity and meaning,” a desire that sometimes jolts those she loves most.

Smith’s own brilliant mother left work and schooling behind to become a traditional Southern woman and mother—and then seemed to expect to live vicariously through her daughter. Smith’s father, an orthopedic surgeon, provided a life of privilege—“The word my family uses is ‘blessed,’” Smith notes. She contemplates this with a sense of awareness and responsibility as she reflects on a life spent “always moving toward something”: pursuing a career in teaching instead of medicine; missionary work in Nigeria; tough but rewarding time teaching in Boston’s Southie neighborhood. But Smith still sought the source of her angst, even after marriage and becoming a mother to four children. After a breast cancer diagnosis at age 43, Smith turns to writing to answer core questions about who she is.

Readers who, like Smith, found guidance and wisdom in the works of Glennon Doyle and Elizabeth Gilbert will enjoy this journey and its inviting life lessons as Smith learns which dreams to keep, which to let go, and how to learn from the past and accept people for who they are.

Takeaway: Searching memoir of finding one’s own path and living for something more.

Comparable Titles: Glennon Doyle’s Untamed, Elizabeth Gilbert’s Eat, Pray, Love.

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A-

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House invites readers into a richly imagined world where the mundane meets the magical, as young trainee Rain Barynd—who dreams of becoming a Council Guard in his serene town of New Haven on the continent of Rega—works to secure a future away from farming and active combat. Rain’s primary concerns revolve around impressing his girlfriend's skeptical parents, dealing with a few bullies among the trainees, and managing the stern demeanor of his trainer, Master-at-Arms Ileom Mystrevan, a distinguished war hero from the East. But when a rare and brutal bandit attack shatters the peace of his hometown, Rain embarks on a path filled with unimaginable adventure.

Rain is a likable hero, forced to make up for his family’s lower status as farmers with hard work and determination, and his fears of failing beat a steady refrain throughout his journey, driving him to overwork and overachieve compared to his peers. When the attack on New Haven grants Rain an immediate promotion—and leads him to a strange woman who gifts him a magical talisman—he discovers his own latent magic, shocked at his ability to now travel between worlds and encounter mythical creatures like griffons and dragons. House (author of Amulek: Revenant) envisions an astonishing expanse of elves, dwarves, and strange metal beasts, skillfully melding fantasy with reality, as Rain encounters not just magic but “a strange planet” called Earth.

This is an accomplished narrative of chaos and doubt, where Rain must collaborate with an ancient order to unravel a series of long-foretold prophecies—and help determine what Earth’s role is in saving Rega. As he grapples with the growing complexity of his situation, he faces the challenge of understanding his place within the unfolding madness. House’s lush descriptions, coupled with the very real inner turmoil of the story’s central hero, make this unique fantasy a truly epic read.

Takeaway: Fantastical realm where personal growth and epic quests intertwine.

Comparable Titles: Christopher Paolini’s Eragon, Patrick Rothfuss’s The Name of the Wind.

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A-
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A

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Three’s hefty third Gable & McLaren finds his Chicago sleuths roped into trouble on a Louisiana ranch known for breeding champions. The chatty duo, down on their luck, are brought in by classic noir femme fatale Angela Larqué, a beauty who early on entices Gable, the younger of the detective duo, by brandishing a riding crop and saying things like “There’s nothing like the hard action of a powerful animal under you.” The mission: investigating the theft of a frozen horse, a thoroughbred stud put into cryogenic freeze before word of its lameness could jeopardize the business of the breeding operation. Angela’s savvy—she catches when Gable paraphrases Thoreau and uses an Ava Gardner line when telling him to cool his jets—but Gable can’t assume she’s innocent as the twisty, surprising investigation heats up.

Complicating matters are a cartel bigwig, a Russian thug from the detectives’ past, a massive insurance payout, and Gable’s tendency to stir trouble of his own. Within days of arriving at Les Trois Ls Ranch, he’s kissed Angela, punched her right-hand man, and agreed to a boxing match. Roll eventually builds to a bodycount, but Three’s approach to the investigation, like Gable’s, is leisurely, allowing ample time for comic chatter between the leads, tense tête-à-têtes between PI and client, asides musing on Sade, Batman, and Spaghetti Westerns, and even a Choctaw spirit journey and a second romantic interest. The novel’s length comes not from its scope—the action is centered on the Louisiana coast—but from its unhurried attitude, as Gable and McLaren learn much about the nuts and bolts of horse breeding.

High-end ranch life is presented with convincing power. Readers who enjoy mysteries as hard-boiled hang-out comedies (the final scene's entendres are worthy of The Naked Gun) will be rewarded with a strong sense of place, much playful banter, an amusing 1999 setting, and a second half with some real surprises that find the author taking advantage of Louisiana wildlife.

Takeaway: Chill mystery of chatty PIs, a high-end ranch, and a long-gone frozen horse.

Comparable Titles: Joe R. Lansdale’s Hap & Leonard series; Stephen Spotswood.

Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A

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“Something exceptional inside of us is waiting to be unlocked” writes Ogle in this functional debut, as he offers readers simple steps to release their full potential. He starts with the power of our thought patterns, teaching “sustained intentional thinking” as a strategy to channel energy and take action, encouraging readers to reframe the way they view stress and daily obligations. Meditation is the first step, Ogle asserts, in learning to divert our focus to the present, and, rather than teach readers to override their inner drives, he instead counsels them to “use the energy from our drives to power us forward.”

The material feels simple, but Ogle is onto something in this straightforward guide. “Don’t seek to eliminate stress,” he advises, “instead, put it under your superintendence.” Though basic, that’s a refreshing approach to handling life’s ups and downs, and one that reverberates throughout Ogle’s writing. He advises that readers can learn how to manage their response to fear and master self-discipline—which he calls “persistent developmental resolve”—as well, encouraging his followers to pour their energy into creating a vision for the near future. Once that vision is solidified, Ogle suggests a “future map,” or detailed calendar, with “places to be, activities to do, and cues for thoughts and feelings you want to have.”

To help drive his advice home, Ogle includes step by step exercises throughout, though some of his techniques may seem unusual (he recommends cold-water immersion to develop a tolerance for pain and suggests psychotropic trips as a key step in awakening, for starters). Intimate relationships are a huge plus, he writes, as is rewarding yourself for a job well done—though he cautions readers to make the focus on the “anticipation and challenges themselves as the primary reward.” Those willing to put in the hard work required for change will appreciate Ogle’s approach.

Takeaway: Unconventional approach to creating the future you want.

Comparable Titles: Brianna Wiest’s The Mountain Is You, Benjamin Hardy’s Be Your Future Self Now.

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: B-
Marketing copy: A

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Mitropoulos continues her Harmony Lane Adventures series (after Ready…Set…Frog!) with this bright tribute to the power of working smarter—not harder. When a group of animal friends gather at the local farmers market, they have one goal in mind: to raise enough money to overhaul their playground. Thanks to their record sales, the group meets that goal, excitedly purchasing the supplies they need to “make the playground nice again.” From there, Mouse organizes the friends into teams to get started, but there’s one big problem: no matter how hard the animals work, they just can’t seem to make any headway with their tasks.

This is a darling reminder that sometimes, it’s not the amount of work you do but the type that really makes a difference. As the animals bemoan their lack of progress—Mole, Cheetah, and Grasshopper can’t believe cleaning up a sandbox takes so long, and the paint crew keeps messing up their background—Mouse thoughtfully observes, reflecting that “they had been going since breakfast, but they didn’t seem any closer to being finished.” Mitropoulos transforms Mouse’s wise assessment into an inspiring speech during the animals’ lunch break, with Mouse teaching his friends that “Working smarter means using our clever brains to find new ways to do things… “It’s like solving a puzzle!”

Younger readers will love Watson’s flashy illustrations, spotlighting the animal group engaged in all sorts of lively goings-on; whether it’s Bear painting colorful swirls on the fence before Giraffe has a chance to layer the white background, Frog in his eyeglasses taking over the watering for the planting crew, or Mouse himself—sporting a construction hat and binoculars as he keeps a watchful eye on the group, the graphics are a twirling, spinning montage of fun. Mitropoulos closes with activities adults and kids can do at home and school to practice “work[ing] smarter, not harder.”

Takeaway: Animal friends learn smart ways to organize their work for better results.

Comparable Titles: Adam Rex’s Unstoppable, Diane Alber’s A Little SPOT of Teamwork.

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A

Click here for more about Let's Work Smarter

Exploring family, friendship, acceptance, lies, and obsession in small-town Texas, this surprising coming-of-age science-fiction story from McCall (author of Thickets) centers on preteen Mickey Forman and his friendship with his mysterious classmate, Heidi Jones, and her eccentric family who are hiding a big secret. Mickey makes two discoveries: first, accidently seeing his neighbor Mrs. Jane Robinson in an intimate moment with the also-married Police Chief Winston Dunaway. Second: that the Joneses are space aliens. After gossiping about the affair with his friends, Mickey unexpectedly finds himself juggling secrets, friendships, and a shaky romance with his insecure girlfriend Kristi, all along with his schoolwork and the possibility of violent retribution for revealing the assignation. Meanwhile, Jane is obsessed with Dunaway, ruthlessly pressuring him to go public about their relationship, not caring if her vicious husband, Jim, attacks Chief Dunaway.

Between the science-fiction elements and the shocks of encountering adult infidelity, McCall captures preteen anxieties and expectations and the complexities of yearning for romance while still enjoying younger kid interests. The story also underlines the importance of acceptance, especially through Mickey’s older sister Jan, who mocks the Joneses before being impressed by their alien powers and calm personalities. Mickey, by contrast, feels more relaxed with the Joneses, who pleasantly insist “We are not what you would refer to as dangerous aliens,” but even as he finds comfort in their inability to be judgemental he sometimes worries if he can fully trust them.

Readers may be frustrated by the uneven pacing, as the story, told in sometimes quite-lengthy sentences, often takes too long to reveal secrets. But there’s power and charm in the lyric storytelling, which targets the heart but never forgoes suspense or unexpected laughs, including aliens’ unexpected affection for Lawrence Welk. The siblings growing closer throughout the book is uplifting, and an evening flight above Dallas, the Grand Canyon, and Las Vegas is breathtaking. The ending is abrupt but sweet.

Takeaway: Small-town coming-of-age adventure with aliens, secrets, and life lessons.

Comparable Titles: Ellen Conford’s And This is Laura, Willo Davis Roberts's The Girl with the Silver Eyes.

Production grades
Cover: B+
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A-

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When Pic de Lucrète, project director at the Palo Alto Research Institute and leader of a group of exceptional scientists, is summoned to Tokyo to sound out a new project—building a potential space elevator—his team is tasked with finding an appropriate anchor location for the elevator on Earth. To find the expertise he needs, including a nonlinear systems master mathematician, Pic seeks out the brilliant Lily Lee, a virtual unknown currently working at her family’s nail salon. With his team in place, Pic takes on the concern of climate change and its impact on the elevator’s anchor—leading them to shocking research results that predict complete climate degradation decades sooner than expected.

With that news, and a climatologist’s projection that “the Arctic may be entirely ice-free starting in the summers of the 2030s,” the race is on to prevent a planet wide catastrophe, pitting Pic and his team against the fossil fuel industry and the wiles of Galileo Olrik, a psychopath and bigwig in the oil sector, with a vested interest in pleasing his old acquaintance, Vladimir Putin. Schwob brilliantly portrays the struggles of scientists combating climate change and dangerous misinformation through Olrik’s powerful social media campaigning aimed at undermining Pic’s team and destabilizing democracies around the world—backed, of course, by Putin.

The social commentary is timely, and Schwob milks that angle to the max, while delving into the intricacies of scientific discovery and research for thoughtful readers. Pic’s priorities understandably change in response to Olrik’s dealings, prompting him to develop an AI tool that can “defang [the] fake news,” otherwise known as AWE (Artificial Wisdom Engine)—which channels the entirety of human wisdom to defeat climate change in time. Readers will savor the astonishing detail in this brainy debut, and, after delivering a precise assessment of the world’s priorities, Schwob builds momentum to a satisfying conclusion.

Takeaway: Brainy technothriller of scientists facing climate change and disinformation.

Comparable Titles: Kim Stanley Robinson’s The Ministry for the Future, Neal Stephenson’s Termination Shock.

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A

Click here for more about AWE

Colerick and Feldmann's historical montage captures the tragic life of Zintkala Nuni, a baby found alive in her dying mother's arms after the massacre of the Lakota people at Wounded Knee. This stunning YA debut transcends the confines of a single book, as the authors, through their multimedia flagship company, resurrect Zintka’s powerful tale, first brought to light in Renée Sansom Flood’s biography, Lost Bird of Wounded Knee: Spirit of the Lakota. Through diverse artistic mediums, Colerick and Feldmann employ song, ledger art, winter counts, and film with exquisite, emotionally charged images, ensuring that Zintka’s story will never be forgotten.

This haunting narrative reveals America’s wretched treatment of Indigenous peoples, which Feldmann terms “a 400-year decimation… by guns, germs, and grant deeds.” Zintka—stolen as a trophy from her Lakota mother by General Leonard Wright Colby—embodies that treatment, and the authors pay respect to her attempts to straddle her biological roots and bitter adoptive world. Zintka’s adoptive mother, women’s rights activist and publisher of Woman’s Tribune Clara Bewick Colby, whose husband forged her signature on the adoptive papers in court, grew to love Zintka, but was left penniless when she and Leonard divorced. In evocative imagery, Colerick and Feldmann recount Zintka’s desperate search for belonging, as she moved between husbands, Hollywood, and Clara’s home, accepted by neither her adopted world nor the Lakota people.

The surreal juxtaposition of images of the Lakota, their homes, and Zintka under her Lakota name, “Lost Bird,” strikes a melancholy tone that engulfs while triggering a powerful emotional connection. Feldmann uses digital ledger art—including backgrounds made from broken treaties, news articles, and military documents that record the deaths of soldiers and horses, but not of the Lakota people—to starkly highlight the broken relationship between Indigenous people and white settlers. The images, and Colerick’s emotive song, “Little Bird – Lost Bird of Wounded Knee,” tear at the soul.

Takeaway: Stunning artistic recreation of Zintkála Nuni’s story.

Comparable Titles: Patty Krawec’s Becoming Kin, S.D. Nelson’s Sitting Bull.

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A

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Sixteen-year-old Domenic Bassini, an immigrant headed to America from Italy in 1914, knows the value of community. He comes from a small, tight-knit village, where, in his father’s wise words, “other things may change us, but we start and end with the family.” That wisdom nourishes Domenic as he makes a life for himself in America, surrounded by colorful characters and political rivalries in a country that runs on the backs of its immigrants but too often cares little for their welfare. As he sets down new roots—and treads the dangerous ground of Boston’s North End in the early 20th century—Domenic learns just how far that sense of belonging will take him.

Trubiano fills this riveting debut with a wealth of history and deeply appealing characters, all set against the backdrop of the American dream—an elusive notion that taunts Domenic and his fellow Italian immigrants, while they try to survive in the face of treacherous beginnings. Domenic is a solid, admirable character, who devotes himself to work and family—both biological and found. The connections he makes on the passage to America stick with him in unexpected ways, notably young stowaway Ermino Lentini and the beautiful, but married, Francesca Dragatto—one a future mafioso and the other Domenic’s first love. Those relationships come full circle for Domenic in ways he could never have guessed as a young, hopeful immigrant.

Rich with cultural insight, Trubiano’s novel takes on the deadly rivalry between different immigrant groups in early America, particularly the Irish and the Italians, and spins an unforgettable tapestry of community, survival, and political intrigue—in an America where corruption is rampant and it’s literally every man for himself. Domenic’s spirit—and respect for the new life he’s carved—shines brightly throughout, despite his heartbreaking experiences, making this a true homage to the steely resolve of America’s first immigrants.

Takeaway: Riveting story of immigration and Boston’s North End in the early 20th century.

Comparable Titles: Adriana Trigiani’s The Shoemaker’s Wife, Akhil Sharma’s Family Life.

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A

Click here for more about What Once Was Promised

Former U.S. Navy aviation weapons instructor Goldfinger channels his military and public speaking expertise into guidance on how to craft killer presentations in this well-ordered debut. “Great oral presentation skills are as vital to having a successful career as breathing is to survival” he writes, emphasizing that preparing and perfecting presentations with “military precision” is exactly what can make the difference between public speaking success and failure—whether briefing a group of cadets, a corporate board, or the local chamber of commerce. Goldfinger details his “tactics, techniques, and procedures,” all springing from the Navy’s TOPGUN (Naval Fighter Weapons School established in 1969) presentation strategies, with an eye for clarity, performance, and a liberal dash of humor along the way.

Though he dedicates considerable time to explaining why the Navy’s approach works best, Goldfinger also leans on legends like Thomas Edison, Benjamin Franklin, and Abraham Lincoln as examples of master presenters, delving into their methods and even analyzing famous speeches—including Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, a “mere two minute” presentation that, Goldfinger writes, “struck such an emotional chord that it is now etched in granite for hundreds of thousands of annual visitors to view and reflect.” Goldfinger is at his best when addressing the human aspects of public speaking—such as the role that trust, audience connection, and mood can play in speech delivery.

Goldfinger’s clear, fast-moving style, much like the military itself, gets straight to the point, and his love for Navy acronyms—like the TILT (Tell It Like a TOPGUN) hints for tailoring presentations that are sprinkled throughout—help break the military-style tension accompanying some of the lessons. There are moments when the text strays from its primary mission, including a dive into the role of serotonin and other bio-chemicals in high-pressure situations, but this thorough, procedural approach to public speaking has definite appeal.

Takeaway: Public speaking strategies modeled on U.S. Navy TOPGUN techniques.

Comparable Titles: Peter Pearson’s Public Speaking, Ivan Wanis Ruiz’s End Boring.

Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A

Click here for more about TELL IT LIKE A TOPGUN

Around the world, music is hailed as a universal language, transcending communication barriers and allowing people to understand each other despite their differences. In Stewart’s lively picture book for young kids, traditional New Orleans brass band music facilitates interspecies connection as a group of cats learns to play trumpets, horns, and drums. The cats live in a shotgun shack with a woman named Eartha, who is the only human who can understand them. For one friendly cat named Bill Bailey, the desire to communicate causes a degree of frustration. He finds none of the people he encounters on his daily walk know what he is saying.

To Bill’s delight, a pair of elder kitties spots him trying to talk to people and lets him in on the secret that will change his life. “Music is a universal language,” they tell him, “and when you learn its secrets and how to play it, all humans, no matter what language they speak, will understand you.” Bill rushes home to tell his friends, and they learn how to play the classic tune that gives Bill his name: “Won’t You Come Home, Bill Bailey?” The book’s multiple references to this song could confuse some readers at first, but it will inspire kids to look it up and learn more about New Orleans’ rich culture and history.

Virginia de Mahy’s vibrant illustrations are reflective of the color and spirit of the Big Easy. Eartha’s house is a striking shade of turquoise with a pink fence and porch swing, and the kitties are shown frolicking in a yard teeming with butterflies, turtles, and other native wildlife. The neighbors are diverse and friendly, and the cats’ faces are thoughtful and expressive, with Bill’s wide, green eyes clearly showing his delight in learning a new way to communicate that everyone will understand.

Takeaway: A friendly cat named Bill Bailey learns why music is a universal language.

Comparable Titles: Grant Snider’s What Sound Is Morning?, Jill Barber’s Music Is for Everyone.

Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A-
Illustrations: A-
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A

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Life in the small Tennessee town of Millhaven, circa 1990, is sweet and slow. The diner regulars catch up over eggs and coffee, the local teen troublemakers are known to all—with sympathy going out to their sweet mother—and the townspeople expect that interim sheriff Kyle Lorne will take over the job permanently, filling the shoes of his late father. But as the title suggests, beneath the surface, secrets and dirty deeds transpire every day. When Kyle gets a call from the owner of the town's inn, he discovers instead a room sprayed with blood, a female guest gone missing, and a man clinging to life, shot multiple times and without a scrap of ID on him. Also appearing from out of nowhere: a man with a recent cut on his face claiming to be a Chicago police detective on the trail of a wanted woman.

And so Kyle, whose own father believed he wasn’t up to the job of sheriff, takes on the case of his life, exposing dark truths about his hometown as the bodies pile up. Beaudry’s debut offers up a compelling mystery that starts off with a bang, smartly balances procedural suspense and local color, and will keep thriller readers engaged until the end. The Millhaven cast demand and reward interest, from their quips at the diner (“I know for a fact that you haven’t seen any action since the Reagan administration!”) to the touching sense of local history and community Beaudry demonstrates in the face of losses. Small-town life, politics, and corruption are convincingly dramatized, with clear eyes and a touch of satiric humor but also lots of heart and even warmth.

Despite all the amusing chatter the case proves fast-paced and winningly twisty, with crisp action and quick and engaging chapters, as Kyle and a squad of likable helpers tease out clues, save lives, and face ever-elevating stakes. Readers will want more of all this buckshot, fax machines, and “beat-up Ford Ranger”s with “a rusty car transmission and a stuffed deer head” in the bed.

Takeaway: Strong mystery debut pitting an uncertain sheriff against murder and corruption.

Comparable Titles: Ace Atkins’s The Ranger, Declan James’ Jake Cashen series.

Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A

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