Monthly Staff Picks | March, 2026

March 1, 2026 Clare Brooks

March is here! Spring is… thinking about it. And a new batch of Monthly Staff Picks are here at Little Village Toy & Book Shop!

Our Adult selection this month is a real treat for those looking for a Spring-time read, as Chloe Dalton’s acclaimed ‘Raising Hare’ is now in paperback. This nature memoir follows the author as she takes in a newborn hare she finds in the English countryside and is both a heartwarming tale of their relationship and how hares have been viewed across the history of art, literature, and folklore.

The sun shines. The temperature falls. Snowfall is in the forecast once again. And beloved author Kevin Henkes is asking ‘Is It Spring?’; this month’s Picture Book pick, full of colorful illustrations, is perfect for little ones looking to explore the signs as Spring slowly begins to show itself but Winter seems to want to stay.

For Middle Readers, and fans of all ages, our selection is ‘Wings of Fire: A Guide to the Dragon World ’- just in time to prepare for this month’s latest entry. From the world of the bestselling Wings of Fire series by Tui T. Sutherland comes this collection that sees the dragons of Pyrrhia and Pantala join forces to tell the histories of their tribes through all-new short stories, letters, songs, recipes and so much more. Featuring full-color maps and new illustrations throughout, this is a delightful expansion of the much loved fantasy series.

There be dragons in store for our YA readers this month, too. ‘A Language of Dragons’ by S.F. Williamson is our YA Pick this March; a thrilling alternate history fantasy set in 1920s London sees one young woman’s efforts to free a dragon ignite a civil war.

Visit us in store this March for 20% off all our Monthly Staff Picks, while supplies last!

Monthly Staff Pick | February, 2026

February 1, 2026 Clare Brooks

February has arrived and with it a new selection of Monthly Staff Picks here at Little Village Toy & Book Shop!

For adults this month, we have ‘Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space’. This riveting history follows decades of spaceflight all leading to a moment-to-moment account of the 1986 tragedy that forever changed America.

‘Learning to Ski with Mr. Magee’ is our Picture Book selection this month and is a seasonal New England favorite. Author and Illustrator Chris Van Dusen’s Mr. Magee returns, with his pet dog Dee in tow, as he heads out to ski and slapstick hi-jinks ensue in this fun read aloud tale for all ages.

Our Young Adult pick this month is ‘Alanna: The First Adventure’, the first book in the Song of the Lioness Quartet, by beloved fantasy author Tamora Pierce. This fantasy adventure classic follows Alanna as she finds a way to switch places with her brother and disguise herself in order to train as a page, all in the hopes of fulfilling her dream and setting her off on the road to knighthood.

And, releasing this Tuesday 2/3, for Middle Readers we have ‘The Lions’ Run’ from the award-winning Sara Pennypacker as our pick this month which is a thrilling historical WWII adventure of animals, friendship, and resistance!

Visit us this February for 20% off all of this month’s selections, while supplies last, and for so much more!

Monthly Staff Pick | January, 2026

January 1, 2026 Clare Brooks

To kick things off this January, our selection for adults is the fan-favorite and addictive ‘Dungeon Crawler Carl’ (now in paperback!); join Carl and his ex-girlfriend’s cat, Princess Donut, as they try to survive an intergalactic game show in this wildly fun adventure full of humor and heart.

For YA readers this month we are featuring ‘My Life with the Walter Boys’. The romance novel from Ali Novak that inspired the hit series, sees teenager Jackie move across the country following a tragic accident to live with the Walters… and their eleven sons and daughter.

We’ve got a Classic retold for Middle & Chapter Book Readers with ‘A Winter’s Tale (Peter Rabbit)’, this retelling of Beatrix Potter’s ‘The Tale of Mr. Tod’ follows beloved characters through the snowy woods in a perfect wintry read for all ages.

And speaking of wintry reads, ‘Frostfire’ is our Picture Book selection this month. This playful adventure from writer and illustrator Elly MacKay follows two fox sisters on a winter walk as they discover the magic in nature after hearing, what could only be, the roar of a snow dragon.

Visit us this January for 20% off all of this month’s selections, while supplies last, and start your year off with a great read!

Monthly Staff Pick | December, 2025

December 1, 2025 Clare Brooks

December’s batch of Monthly Staff Picks have arrived!

We’ve got a perfect pairing of Adult selections celebrating books this month with Keith Houston’s ‘The Book’ which chronicles the origins and evolutions of the book in this fascinating and joyous history title; plus, Helene Hanff’s classic ‘84, Charing Cross Road’ following the New York freelance writer and her decades long correspondence with a used-book dealer in London and is a heartwarming showcase of the power of books. Both of these titles make a great gift for the readers and book lovers on your holiday shopping list.

For Picture book fans this month we have ‘Charley Mouse Cleans House’ written and illustrated by Katerina Gorelik. This visual delight follows Charley, who has a love for cleanliness and order, as they set out for their week helping to clean the homes of her friends and neighbors. Full of familiar fairytale faces and plenty of little details to spot in the art, this book is cozy fun for picture book fans of all ages.

‘Anne Arrives’ is an early reader’s introduction into L.M. Montgomery’s beloved Green Gables, and our Chapter Book selection this December. This retelling of the classic following Anne Shirley features full-color illustrations and is a perfect introduction for fans old and new alike.

And finally, this month’s Young Adult pick is ‘The Reappearance of Rachel Price’. From the bestselling Holly Jackson, this mystery follows Bel and family as they agree to a true-crime documentary about the disappearance of Rachel Price only for her to come back into their lives as the cameras are rolling.

Visit us this December for 20% off this month’s selections, while supplies last!

Monthly Staff Pick | November, 2025

November 2, 2025 Clare Brooks

We’ve got a unique selection of Monthly Staff Picks for November that are perfect for those looking for something a little different or make a great gift no matter the season.

Our Adult Monthly Staff Pick is ‘Polostan’ from acclaimed Science Fiction author Neal Stephenson and the opening entry in his Bomb Light series. While bite-sized in comparison with his usual tomes, this historical epic is just as full of big ideas as we follow a young woman, Dawn Rae Bjornberg, born in America and raised in Russia, amid the intrigue and espionage of a world racing towards the Atomic Age.

The classic ‘D'Aulaire's Book of Greek Myths’ is our selection for Middle Readers. Greek Mythology takes on new life in the words and illustrations of Ingri and Edgar D’Aulaire in this timeless take that also makes a great read aloud tale for adventurous younger book lovers.

‘Gilbert the Moose Learns to Ski’ is our Picture Book selection this November. Written by Heidi Shadix-Pieros with photography by Rick Pieros and illustrations by Corbet Curfman, this delightful tale follows the young moose as he takes to the slopes and finds that friends make learning something new much easier.

And, for the Young Adult reader this month we have E. Lockhart’s ‘We Were Liars’. This modern YA classic is a New England set family drama and psychological thriller. Whether you’ve seen the recent television series based on the book or are just looking for a clever read, ‘We Were Liars’ is the first entry in this twist filled series with the latest entry hitting shelves this month!

Visit us in-store for 20% off all four of our selections this November, while supplies last!

Monthly Staff Pick | October, 2025

October 1, 2025 Clare Brooks

Thrills & Chills for all ages are in store with our spooky selection of Monthly Staff Picks this October at Little Village Toy & Book Shop!

‘Model Home’ is our pick for Adults this month. From acclaimed author Rivers Solomon, comes a stunning twist on the haunted house novel as three siblings return to their Dallas suburb childhood home, following the passing of their parents, where horrors past and present await.

Our YA title needs little introduction, celebrate the 20th Anniversary(!) of ‘Twilight’ with this special edition paperback featuring sprayed edges and full color interior cover art. There’s never been a better time to rediscover this favorite or introduce it to the next generation of YA Romance fans.

For the middle grade reader, we have James Preller’s ‘Scary Tales: 3 Spooky Stories in 1’. These three spine-tingling tales, featuring “One-Eyed Doll”, “Swamp Monster”, & “Nightmareland”, are perfect for the long dark Fall evenings and sure to delight those thrilled by things that go bump in the night.

And last, but certainly not least, this month’s Picture Book selection is ‘Millie Fleur’s Poison Garden’ by Christy Mandin. Join Millie as she protects her beloved garden by helping the residents of Garden Glen embrace the strange, weird, and wonderful in the world around us and within.

Visit us to pick up a copy of this October’s Monthly Staff Picks, all available for 20% off, while supplies last.