warming up again + new releases i've been loving

I'm baaaaaaaack!

"Sophie, you need to toast!"

These are the words my sweet boyfriend has uttered repeatedly over the past three weeks, as day after writing-less day slipped by. And yes, in this house (read: small, overpriced apartment), "toast" is a verb with an entirely different meaning.

I started warm as toast a few months ago during a period when I had—for better or worse—a lot of free time. These days, my schedule is jam-packed—working a traditional 40-hour/week job plus babysitting many evenings. I've never been someone good at juggling a full plate. I easily fall into the hole of overwhelm, which manifests as an unproductive paralysis of sorts. The cycle goes something like this:

I have so many ideas for posts to write! → Hmm, that sounds like a lot of work → It’s too much! Instead, I'm going to write nothing! → I'll do it tomorrow... → It's been too long! I'll have to explain my absence…

And so, here we are: ripping off the band-aid and reminding myself why I started this Substack in the first place—as a soothing balm for my overworked mind and soul (and if I'm doing it at all right, yours too).

While I may have paused my writing, exquisite new picture books certainly haven't taken a break from entering the world! I've amassed a lovely, ever-growing stack, many of which I’m excited to share with you today.

Let’s dive in, shall we?

1. The Bear Out There by Jess Hannigan (April 2025)

I have been eagerly awaiting Hannigan's latest release, as I am a massive fan of her 2024 debut, Spider in the Well. This book checks all the boxes for a perfect picture book: vivid, rich imagery, a conversational tone, and plenty of suspense and surprise.

Children's books aren't only for children (a point proven by the existence of this very Substack!), but the best ones are deeply aware of their audience: a small person, curled up in the lap of an adult, being read to. A while back I listened to Taylor Sterling's conversation with Hannigan where she discussed the five books that shaped her, one of which was The Monster at the End of This Book by Jon Stone and Michael Smollin (1971). The Bear Out There in no way feels derivative, but it does feel like a love letter to one of the gold-star read-alouds of our youth. Plus, I’m a sucker for a classic turned on its head—something Hannigan pulls off in spades with this gem. I can't wait to see what she cooks up next!

2. Otto and the Story Tree by Vivien Mildenberger (April 2025)

Slipping off the dust jacket to reveal this magical cover was quite the delightful surprise:

This one’s sweet. So sweet, in fact, that after reading it to myself, I immediately forced my boyfriend to sit down so I could read it aloud to him.

Otto is a cranky, reclusive bird who’s let himself and his home fall into disrepair—until a tree begins to grow inside his house, changing his perspective along the way. Night after night, Otto regales a rotating cast of creatures and critters with fantastical tales—a true testament to the power of storytelling! Mildenberger's pencil and watercolor illustrations are dreamy and expansive, effortlessly transporting you to Otto's world.

3. Mouse by the Sea: A Vacation in Nature by Alice Melvin (April 2025)

Many of my childhood favorites can transport me instantly with the crack of a spine, but it’s rare for a new book to do the same. Enter: the magic of Alice Melvin.

This is the third in the series (after Mouse on the River and Mouse's Wood, neither of which I was familiar with), but due to its illustration-heavy nature, really stands on its own. Peppered throughout the book are die-cut flaps that open to reveal colorful, detail-rich interiors. I, a grown woman, practically squealed with excitement each time I uncovered one—a level of joy scarcely felt these days.

Pick up this title (or any in the series) for a child in your life (or for yourself!), and prepare for the ensuing delight as they explore the worlds Melvin has so meticulously crafted.

4. Where Are You, Brontë? by Tomie dePaola & Barbara McClintock (May 2025)

I am a big Tomie dePaola fan (in my world, “Strega Nona Fall” is a perpetual state of being) and was equal parts excited and skeptical when I heard about this book. Where Are You, Brontë? was the last manuscript dePaola completed before his death, but it remained unpublished without illustrations—until now.

In the Illustrator's Note, McClintock writes:

"Every morning when I walked into my studio, I felt Tomie's spirit was there, at my elbow, teaching me about speaking volumes through simplicity. I tried to blend my drawing style with his and walked that tightrope between being true to myself while also getting inside his head and hand."

My skepticism quickly gave way to admiration. McClintock accomplishes the impossible: creating a book that feels authentically dePaola while leaving room for her own sensibility. I especially loved the nods to dePaola’s previous characters—a little I Spy opportunity for longtime fans. This book is a tender tribute to dePaola’s beloved dog Brontë, and in turn, to dePaola, too.

5. George & Lenny Are Always Together by Jon Agee (May 2025)

   

   Agee's latest will charm fans of Frog & Toad, the sufferers of separation anxiety (raises hand), and those who love them alike. Lenny and George are inseparable, that is, until one day when Lenny raises the possibility of spending some time on his own. The back and forth that ensues is silly and touching, and serves as a perfect reminder that oftentimes prioritizing your own needs allows you to show up for your friends and loved ones in even more meaningful ways.

Have you come across and/or read any of these titles? Have you made any recent discoveries not on this list? Please do let me know in the comments.

As I hinted at earlier, I’m rethinking the form and cadence of this Substack. I haven’t made any decisions yet, but promise to keep you in the loop.

Wishing you a warm (literally and figuratively) week ahead.

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