Chester Barkingham Saves the Country by Julie Falatko (author) and Eva Byrne (illustrator) (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers). “MEMO: SUBJECT: CANINE CLARIFICATIONS. I want to thank most of you for helping Chester feel like part of the team yesterday. I did hear some concerns about spending taxpayer dollars on premium kibble and specialty chew toys, but…” The most important thing to know about the White House’s newest pup? That he’s a very good boy who’s right at home in the Oval Office!

My First Guide to Space by Camilla de La Bedoyere (author) and Aaron Cushley (illustrator) (Big Picture Press). “What is Space?” asks this splashy, oversized guide to the cosmos on its very first page. Well, it’s the sun and the stars and the planets and galaxies and comets and asteroids and, and, and…In other words, it’s ALL those things, and it brilliantly comes to life in this fact-packed book filled with kid-friendly explanations and big, bold illustrations!

Aisha’s Colors by Nabila Adani (Candlewick). “Every year, my family takes the same trip: from our home in Jakarta, through the rice paddies, to Grandma’s village in the countryside.” But the young girl desperately wants to go someplace colorful and different this year — to see white snow or even the blue ocean, like her friends get to do. Hmm, think Mom and Dad. Maybe Aisha needs to be reminded of the kaleidoscope all around her — and of the beauty and magic of being with her grandmother!