February: Everybody

From two-time Caldecott winner Chris Van Allsburg, creator of Jumanji and The Polar Express, comes a poignant story of one hamster’s struggle with destiny. Being a pet store hamster isn’t much fun for Sweetie Pie, but life in human homes proves downright perilous. As Sweetie Pie longingly gazes out of his cage at the squirrels frolicking in the trees, he wonders if he’ll ever have the chance to feel the wind in his fur. Allsburg’s expressive, soft-hued illustrations artfully capture a hamster’s-eye view of the wide and wonderful world where maybe, just maybe, Sweetie Pie could someday run free.

Elsie can't wait to go to her first father-daughter dance. She picked out the perfect dress and has been practicing swirling and swaying in her wheelchair. Elsie's heart pirouettes as she prepares for her special night. With gestures, smiles, and words from a book filled with pictures, she shares her excitement with her family. But when a winter storm comes, she wonders if she'll get the chance to spin and dance her way to a dream come true.

From award-winning author Pat Zietlow Miller, a timeless story about creativity, exploration, and friendship What can you do with a rock? You can skip them. You can sort them. Best of all, you can share them. Rocks are simple, but the things you can do with them are endless. Rocks can build, sparkle, and tell a story. They can be memories. They can even be a little bit magic. This ode to curiosity and creative play from New York Timesbestselling author Pat Zietlow Miller and acclaimed illustrator Katie Kath is bound to inspire.

A simple act of neighborly kindness and a bird that needs their aid helps former refugee Sami settle into his new community with new-found friend Moe Moe's neighbors on Wishbone Street come from all over the world, and she's excited to meet the new boy who just arrived from Syria. Sami isn't quite ready to talk about his past, but he loves birds just as much as Moe does. And who wouldn't have fun in a parkette full of packing snow? When the children discover a female cardinal stunned by the cold, Sami uses his experience taking care of pigeons in Syria to help rescue the bird--an incident that helps Sami to feel more at home. In Birds on Wishbone Street, author/illustrator Suzanne Del Rizzo demonstrates the power of an act of kindness, telling a story about finding home and making friends in new places. Illustrated with her signature polymer clay art, the story revisits characters from Del Rizzo's New York Times Notable My Beautiful Birds and reminds us that we're all more similar than we are different.

The creator of Little Owl's Night explores and celebrates the complexities of what makes us who we are in this comforting and thoughtful picture book. A young narrator describes herself- a girl, a granddaughter, Indian, and American. Soon, we see the young girl as a plethora of things- selfish and generous, mean and kind, brave and mischievous. While many of these qualities oppose each other, the context and illustrations make it abundantly clear that she speaks the truth. She is a walking contradiction, and that is precisely what makes her both a unique individual and an essential piece of the greater world around her. Divya Srinivasan shows what makes us human and proud to be who we are.

"This marvelous, welcoming book on mosques, Muslims, and Islam is a must, offering foundational knowledge on the world's second largest religion." --School Library Journal (starred review) Step in and discover all the rituals and wonder of the mosque in this lyrical debut picture book from M. O. Yuksel, with gorgeous artwork from New York Times bestselling illustrator Hatem Aly. A great conversation starter in the home or classroom, this book is perfect for fans of All Are Welcome and The Proudest Blue. No matter who you are or where you're from, everyone is welcome here. From grandmothers reading lines of the Qur'an and the imam telling stories of living as one, to meeting new friends and learning to help others, mosques are centers for friendship, community, and love. M. O. Yuksel's beautiful text celebrates the joys and traditions found in every mosque around the world and is brought to life with stunning artwork by New York Times bestselling illustrator Hatem Aly (Yasmin series, The Proudest Blue, The Inquisitor's Tale). The book also includes backmatter with an author's note, a glossary, and more information about many historical and significant mosques around the world.

Pete the Cat's cool adaptation of the classic children's song "Itsy Bitsy Spider" will have have young readers laughing and singing along. The itsy bitsy spider climbed up the water spout. Down came the rain.... As the itsy bitsy spider struggles, Pete and his friends know just what to do to help out! Fans of James Dean's #1 New York Times bestselling Pete the Cat will love rocking out with Pete.

A New York Times bestseller! Bestselling creators Kimberly and James Dean turn it up in Pete the Cat's groovy adaptation of the classic children's song "Five Little Monkeys"--with a hippity hoppity twist! One night, Pete the Cat was bunnysitting five little bunnies when all of the sudden... Five little bunnies hopping on the bed....! Sing along with Pete the Cat in his fun adaptation of "Five Little Monkeys" Fans of Pete the cat will love rocking out to this classic tune with a groovy Easter twist in this hardcover picture book.

Discover the true meaning of community in this gorgeous picture book about a very special street bursting with joy, hope, and dreams. An award-winning illustrator and critically acclaimed author pay tribute to the neighborhood where they grew up as cousins- "a place where love abounds" (The Horn Book, starred review). Welcome to Dream Street--the best street in the world! On Dream Street, love between generations rules, everyone is special, and the warmth of the neighborhood shines. Meet kids like Azaria, who loves to jump double-Dutch one leg at a time; Zion, whose dream is to become a librarian; and cousins Ede and Tari, who dream of creating a picture book together one day. Meet grown-ups like Mr. Sidney, a retired mail carrier who greets everyone with the words, "Don't wait to have a great day. Create one!" and Ms. Sarah, whose voice is only a whisper but who has stories between the lines of her face that she'll share when you come close. A magical story from the critically acclaimed author of Nana Akua Goes to School and a Caldecott Honor and Coretta Scott King Award winning illustrator. Illuminating this vivid cast of characters are vibrant, joyful illustrations that make this neighborhood--based on the Roxbury neighborhood in Boston where the author and illustrator grew up together as cousins--truly sing. This book is a perfect way for parents to share with their children the importance of community.

With stunning, cinematic art, this fact-based picture book takes readers into the heart of a forest fire and shows how animals survive, how heroic first responders curb the flames, and how life gradually returns to the forest. There is a flash. Then a crack. Bluejay spreads the news: "Firefirefire in the forest!" There's a wildfire on Spruce Mountain! High up in the Evergreen Tower, dispatcher Maria sees it, too. She calls on expert teams of pilots, smokejumpers, and firefighters to battle the blaze. Meanwhile, the animals of the forest, from bears to deer to turtles, take shelter from the smoke and flames. Featuring detailed end matter about forest fires and firefighting techniques and tools, this timely picture book is perfect for anyone interested in firefighting and protecting our natural spaces.

An uplifting story about the power of art, finding your voice, and telling your story even when you're out of step with your peers from the #1 bestselling creators of Sofia Valdez, Future Prez and Ada Twist, Scientist!   Aaron Slater loves listening to stories and dreams of one day writing them himself. But when it comes to reading, the letters just look like squiggles to him, and it soon becomes clear he struggles more than his peers. When his teacher asks each child in the class to write a story, Aaron can't get a single word down. He is sure his dream of being a storyteller is out of reach . . . until inspiration strikes, and Aaron finds a way to spin a tale in a way that is uniquely his. Printed with a dyslexia-friendly font, Aaron Slater, Illustrator tells the empowering story of a boy with dyslexia who discovers that his learning disability may inform who he is, but it does not define who he is, and that there are many ways to be a gifted communicator.   Follow Iggy Peck, Rosie Revere, Ada Twist, Sofia Valdez, and Aaron Slater on all of their adventures! Add the picture books, chapter books, and activity books starring The Questioneers by Andrea Beaty and David Roberts to your family library today.

Hip, funny, unique--and a perfect curriculum tie-in--here's a picture book with mega kid-appeal about the challenges a student faces when she is given an assignment to make a chart of her own home! Uma's been making charts since she was a little kid. But when her teacher gives the class Uma's dream assignment--to make a chart of their own homes--she is thrown for a loop. Oh, the possibilities! Oh, the pressure! What makes a house housey? she wonders. In order to figure it out, she asks each member of her family--Mom, Dad, and brothers Rex, Bram, and Lukey. But it's not until she has a meltdown and Lukey comforts her that Uma figures out the secret to her chart--and her family. It's the love that is shared inside a house's walls. Told in first-person and featuring engaging graphic artwork, this fun and lively picture book--perfect for classroom use--is a reminder that someone's true home is not a place, but rather the people with whom you surround yourself.

From rockin' red to cool cat blue, with a box of crayons there's nothing Pete can't do! Pete uses his groovy crayons to draw lots of things, and for the first time ever, he's drawing his pals. But when Pete shows his artwork to his friends, they don't react the way he expected them to. Will Pete put his favorite crayons down or find a way to turn it all around? Not to worry! Pete learns there are no mistakes when it comes to art--art comes from the heart! Get artsy with everyone's favorite blue cat in this groovy picture book that adds a creative touch to the importance of great friends and never giving up. Fans of Pete the Cat will love watching him take his positive outlook and transform something ordinary into an awesome masterpiece!  From the authors of the bestselling Pete the Cat series, James and Kimberly Dean, this is a colorful story about crayons that ROCK! Young artists will appreciate the humor and Pete's positive spirit. Don't miss Pete's other adventures, including Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes, Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes, Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons, Pete the Cat Saves Christmas, Pete the Cat and His Magic Sunglasses, Pete the Cat and the Bedtime Blues, Pete the Cat and the New Guy, Pete the Cat and the Cool Cat Boogie, Pete the Cat and the Missing Cupcakes, and Pete the Cat and the Perfect Pizza Party.

The New York Times bestselling author of The Bad Seed and The Good Egg takes a lighthearted approach to how to respond to the all-too-common claim "It's not my fault!" The New York Times bestselling author of The Bad Seed and The Good Egg takes a lighthearted approach to how to respond to the all-too-common claim "It's not my fault!" Emotional literacy is embedded in this funny cautionary tale- Why is your homework so messy? It's not my fault! I blame my pen. Why can't I read these test answers? I blame my pen. Why is your assignment so late? Um...I blame my pen? A boy steadfastly refuses to take responsibility for any of his mistakes. He just blames everything on his pen, his backpack, his comb, his pillow--whatever happens to be at hand. For a while, this approach works at home and at school. He's positively convinced he has it all figured out until...all the inanimate objects rise up and revolt. What can he do when a talking pen and talking backpack decide to rebel? The #1 New York Times bestselling picture-book author Jory John encourages kids to accept responsibility while keeping the laughs coming in this fun-filled tale.

Kids and their parents will love this quirky story about kindness, friendship, and a team coming together to make one bird's dream come true... Kids and their parents will love this quirky story about kindness, friendship, and a team coming together to make one bird's dream come true... It takes a strong team to keep the Hotel running smoothly, and Elevator Bird is at the center of it all. He helps guests get to their rooms and gives great advice about all the best sights in town. He helps the staff get where they need to go, and always has an encouraging word. Elevator Bird makes everyone's day brighter. So when he confesses to his friend Mousie that he's always longed for a room with a view, Mousie springs into action. All his friends at the Hotel hatch a marvelous plan to make sure Elevator Bird has the nest he deserves. Sarah Williamson spins a charming tale of friends working together to make a dream come true.

Riverbend was a quiet little town, the kind of place where one day was just like all the rest and nothing ever happened. Occasionally the stagecoach rolled through, but it never stopped, because no one ever came to Riverbend and no one ever left. The day the stagecoach stood motionless in the center of town, Sheriff Ned Hardy knew something was terribly wrong. What was the mysterious substance on both coach and horses? It would not come off. Soon it was everywhere in the tidy little village. Something had to be done, and Sheriff Hardy aimed to do it.

A quirky story about finding your voice, from internationally acclaimed author Heena Baek. Tong Tong could never have imagined what everyone around him was thinking. But when he gets hold of some magic candies, suddenly there are voices everywhere. He can hear how his couch feels, what upsets his dog, that his demanding dad loves him. He even gets to catch up with his dead grandmother. It turns out, these voices in Tong Tong's life have A LOT to say! Is Tong Tong ready to hear it? At turns funny, weird, and heartfelt, this imaginative picture book from award-winning Korean author Heena Baek will take readers along on Tong Tong's journey as he goes from lonely to brave.

In this heartwarming tale inspired by her childhood, superstar chef and TV host Carla Hall shares the story of young Carla, who eats a sugar cookie meant for Santa on the night before Christmas and tries to make things right. Christmas is Carla's favorite holiday of the year. She goes to her grandparents' house and eats grandma's special recipe--a perfectly delicious cornbread. She listens to her grandpa Doc's marvelous stories about traveling the world. And, best of all, she spends lots of time with her family. But when Carla accidentally takes a bite out of Santa's sugar cookie, she thinks she's ruined Christmas. How will Santa know to stop at their house if they don't leave him a midnight snack? With her grandmother's help, Carla comes up with a plan, but will it be enough to save Christmas?

A young boy on a crowded bus discovers that, after some wiggles and giggles, there's room for everyone in this lighthearted rhyming picture book set in Zanzibar. The dala dala rumbles and roars as Musa and Dada drive off to the shore--but the bus stops for multiple detours: "Do you need a ride? It's hotter than peppers out there in the sun! Come in, there's room for everyone!" One stop becomes two stops which soon becomes ten, and Musa wonders when it will end: "How can any more people get in? We're already smushed like sardines in a tin!" But there's always room for one more, if you make the room, which is the heartwarming take-away from this bouncy, joyous tale in rhyme.

Join one Black family on their journey to discover what the real Santa looks like in this joyous tale celebrating identity, family and holiday cheer, from the New York Times bestselling author of Bedtime Bonnet. It's not Christmas without Santa! But what does Santa truly look like? Does he match the figurines on the mantel, or the faces on our favorite holiday sweaters? Does he look like you or like me?   Find out in this joyous and cozy celebration of family, representation, and holiday spirit! Destined to be a new classic, and perfect for any child looking to see some of themself in Santa Claus.    

A joyful Geisel Honor-winning series!  Join Ty on his imaginative adventures in Ty's Travels: Lab Magic, a My First I Can Read book by acclaimed author and illustrator team Kelly Starling Lyons and Nina Mata. Science exploration, imagination, and play are highlighted in this fun story, perfect for sharing with children 3 to 6. Ty and Corey love to visit the museum. When they step through the doors, they become scientists. They study bugs and hunt for fossils. They catch the wind. When Ty can't participate in a lab activity because of his age, he uses his big imagination at home. Discovering new things is so much fun! Join Ty on his science adventure in this My First I Can Read for beginning readers. With simple, rhythmic text and joyful, bright art, this My First I Can Read book, Guided Reading Level I, is perfect for shared reading with a child. Books at this level feature basic language, word repetition, and whimsical illustrations, ideal for sharing with emergent readers. The active, engaging stories have appealing plots and lovable characters, encouraging children to continue their reading journey. Other acclaim for the Ty's Travels series includes: A Chicago Public Library Best Fiction Book for Young Readers Ty's Travels: All Aboard is a Here Wee Read Ultimate Diverse Children's Book Author Kelly Starling Lyons has been selected as the 2021 Piedmont Laureate "Both an excellent book for guided reading and a winning read-aloud." --Kirkus (starred review)

New York Times bestselling creators James and Kimberly Dean show us all the wonderful things about autumn. A great book to share with the family at Thanksgiving or anytime--complete with 12 cards, a poster, and stickers! Pete the Cat isn't sure about the changing of the seasons from summer to autumn. But when he discovers corn mazes, hay rides, and apple picking, Pete realizes there's so much to enjoy and be thankful for about autumn. Pete the Cat: Falling for Autumn includes 12 Thanksgiving cards, a fold-out poster, and fun stickers! Share this book with your family--a fun way to connect family members near and far while entertaining kids.

Kindness is cool! Pete the Cat shares some groovy words on kindness in this fun collection of his favorite famous quotes about sharing, lending a helping hand, and having compassion for others. Cool cat Pete adds his own spin on well-known classic quotes from luminaries ranging from Booker T. Washington to Henry James. Everyone's favorite blue cat reminds us that "it's cool to be kind." Fans of the bestselling Pete the Cat series will delight in this fun take on quotes, which are accompanied by Pete's witty responses and illustrations created by New York Times bestselling team Kimberly and James Dean. A perfect graduation gift. Plus check out Pete's other groovy guides! Pete the Cat's Groovy Guide to Life Pete the Cat's Groovy Guide to Love Pete the Cat's 12 Groovy Days of Christmas

Jada Jones is back for the fifth book of this popular, celebrated series perfect for STEM fans! "Readers who love Ivy and Bean or Katie Woo will want to meet Jada Jones." --School Library Journal Jada is excited to do a school project about her hero Dr. Mae Jemison, a former NASA astronaut and the first Black woman to travel to outer space. She even gets to pretend to be her for the presentation in front of her teacher, parents, and friends! But when Jada's research reminds her how accomplished her hero truly is, she suddenly feels like she's made a mistake. How can she portray someone who seems to have everything together when she feels like she's falling apart? Praise for Jada Jones- Rock Star "Fast-paced, with supersimple vocabulary and a smattering of earth science to spark interest in young rock collectors everywhere." --Kirkus Reviews

In this joyful and impactful picture book, a transgender boy prepares for the first day of school and introduces himself to his family and friends for the first time. Calvin has always been a boy, even if the world sees him as a girl. He knows who he is in his heart and in his mind but he hasn't yet told his family. Finally, he can wait no longer- "I'm not a girl," he tells his family. "I'm a boy--a boy in my heart and in my brain." Quick to support him, his loving family takes Calvin shopping for the swim trunks he's always wanted and back-to-school clothes and a new haircut that helps him look and feel like the boy he's always known himself to be. As the first day of school approaches, he's nervous and the "what-ifs" gather up inside him. But as his friends and teachers rally around him and he tells them his name, all his "what-ifs" begin to melt away. Inspired by the authors' own transgender child and accompanied by warm and triumphant illustrations, this authentic and personal text promotes kindness and empathy, offering a poignant and inclusive back-to-school message- all should feel safe, respected, and welcomed.

Interrupting Chicken meets Click, Clack, Moo in this zany classic-in-the-making! With rollicking rhythms, nonsensical refrains, and too many chickens to count, this modern classic will inspire unstoppable giggles and endless rereads. Bawka-bawka! Mr. Watson has 456 chickens in the sink, on the bed, in the bread box. When his partner, Mr. Nelson, threatens to leave, Mr. Watson takes his chickens to town to sell only for them to escape! Young readers will follow Mr. Watson all around town as he gathers up his chickens. But, when they're all rounded up, does he have the heart to sell them? Does a different fate await these chickens?

A young slime scientist is surprised when her latest creation comes to life inFrankenslime, a funny and clever picture book twist onFrankenstein. Victoria Franken is a slime scientist. Her experiments lead toamazing slimes. Until, one dark and stormy night, her latest experiment goes awry and her newest creation COMES TO LIFE! Joy Keller's clever text and Ashley Belote's humor-filled art combine to create a fun picture book twist on horror movies likeFrankensteinandThe Blob, that also explores the scientific method and the importance of recording observations and results. The author has also included a couple of Victoria's best slime recipes, although you'll notice the secret formula that brought her slime to life is missing.

Meet rock star Layla and her team of Bots!Pick a book. Grow a Reader!This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line Branches, aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow!Layla and the Bots are in an awesome rock band! They also use problem-solving and creativity to build cool inventions. When a local amusement park is in danger of shutting down, Layla knows just how to bring in the crowds... build an amusement park for DOGS! But will cool doggie rides like the Rub-a-Dub Mud Slide and the Tummy Rubbing Machine be enough to keep the park open? With full-color artwork on every page and speech bubbles throughout, this early chapter book series brings kid-friendly STEAM topics to young readers!

Ready, set, go! Layla and the Bots are heading to the races!Pick a book. Grow a Reader!This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line Branches, aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow!Blossom Valley is hosting a go-kart race! The go-karts are provided for all the kids in town. Layla and the Bots can't wait for race day! But one racer, Tina, needs their help. She needs a new cart that uses hand-controls and other cool features. Layla and the Bots know just what to do... they will build her a brand-new cart that's even faster than her wheelchair! But will Tina's go-kart have enough speed to win the race? With full-color artwork on every page and speech bubbles throughout, this early chapter book series brings kid-friendly STEAM topics to young readers!

I whoosh over tundra, yodel over Everest, skim westward on whitecaps. I am the wind!Journey with the wind as it travels around the world, encountering different landscapes and interacting with a variety of animals. With lyrical text and atmospheric illustrations, this debut picture book showcases the global importance of the wind to various creatures and environments.

A hilarious Step 2 reader about starting at a new school! David is the new kid at school, and is worried about fitting in. Steve is NOT worried about fitting in, and tells David, "Just do what I do and you will be great!" But when David listens a little too well, Steve has a bona fide copycat on his hands! Join the brothers from How Not to Start Third Grade, How Not to Babysit Your Brother, and How Not to Run for Class President for a new adventure...from younger brother Steve's perspective! Zany antics and plot twists will feel relatable and fun in this hilarious reader. Step 2 readers use basic vocabulary and short sentences to tell simple stories. They are perfect for children who recognize familiar words and can sound out new words with help.