2024-2025 New Books at Putnam Heights : Everybody Fiction

Finn always looks forward to spending time at Grandma's house. But when he accidentally breaks her clock, he panics and tells a little fib, blaming it on his sister. Then-POP!-a little blob appears! As Finn's fibs start piling up, more and more blobs appear. All the fibs make Finn feel awful and upset, until staying at Grandma's isn't fun anymore! Can Finn get rid of the fibs and work up the courage to tell the truth? Heartwarming and genuine, this book is a perfect starting point for helping children learn the importance of honesty, forgiveness, and responsibility.

A purple marker shows his friends that being creative means sometimes coloring outside the lines in When Pencil Met the Markers, the imaginative, inspiring, and colorful follow-up to When Pencil Met Eraser from writers Karen Kilpatrick and Luis O. Ramos, Jr., and illustrator German Blanco. Perfect for back to school and all year round! Meet the Markers! They love to color. But Purple Marker colors everywhere--even outside the lines. When the other markers call his creativity a mistake, it's up to Pencil and Eraser to help Purple discover how making mistakes and making art go hand-in-hand. This hilarious and clever picture book allows Pencil and Eraser to show Purple Marker--and the rest of us--how to turn our messes into successes and do what makes us happy.

While playing Hide and Seek with his friends, Sonny finds a box. It has a label on it that says "Do not open." But Sonny really wants to know what's inside. He pokes the box. Sniffs the box. And when Boo and Meemo come along, Sonny says, "Look!" He opens the box, and they peek inside. Cake! "Yummy!" says Boo. It looks so good, they can't help it-they eat it. But when Honey comes by, she sees Sonny and Meemo and Boo's chocolatey hands and faces. "That was my cake!" she cries. What will Sonny and his friends do? This series covers universal kid experiences in sweet and funny ways-in this case, saying sorry, and trying to make things right.

When a fire starts near their home, all of the animals--from the largest elephant to the smallest ant--are too scared to do anything but watch. All, that is, except for one tiny hummingbird. She knows she must do something to save her nest. She must do what she can. This empowering picture book celebrates the idea that every one of us--from the smallest to the largest--has something to offer, and if we all work together, we can make the world a better, greener place.

When her gym class must face the school rock-climbing wall, Tanisha is discouraged. Her muscles are weak, and she knows she'll never reach the top like Cayla. But maybe strength is about more than just muscles. With help from her family, Tanisha learns that by showing up, speaking up, and not giving up, she can be strong, too. And that people are the strongest when they work together and trust each other. Award-winning author Pat Zietlow Miller has reunited with illustrator Jen Hill for Be Strong, another unforgettable story sure to inspire kids and adults alike.

Two best friends, one deaf and one hearing, grow a garden and make room for a new friend in this heartwarming picture book perfect for fans of Apryl Stott and Kaz Windness. Sally and Sonia met when they were very small. As they grew, their friendship grew, too. And when they realized Sonia struggled to hear, they learned sign language together. One day, Sally has an idea: to plant a garden with her best friend. But when a new neighbor named Dev moves in with his puppy, Sonia spends so much time with them that she doesn't seem to remember Sally at all. Can Sally find a way to share her feelings with Sonia--and maybe even welcome Dev as a new friend?

Xiao Xin believes he is a fire warrior, but his family thinks the world is too dangerous for him. Can he inspire his family to trust him? Xiao Xin believes he is a fearless Red Fire Warrior, but his family is always telling him to be careful--he's too little to be a warrior! They believe the world is a dangerous place. But they don't understand what Xiao Xin can be! Can Xiao Xin show his family that he is capable of more than they believe, and inspire his little sister to be brave, too? Renowned storytellers Alice Pung and Sher Rill Ng bring to life a beautiful and tender story told in both English and Chinese about learning to conquer your own fears--as a child, and as an adult.

*Previously titled Don't Touch That Flower!* Perfect for fans of Fletcher and the Springtime Blossoms, the spring-themed companion to the New York Times bestseller The Leaf Thief! "Hello brand new day. Hello sunshine! Hello lovely leaves. Nice to see you back." Spring is here and today a flower has sprung to life. But when Squirrel becomes too protective of it, Bird shows Squirrel the right way to let flowers blossom and grow.

Sparkella is excited for her first playdate with the super cool new kid at school, Wyatt. But she's worried that all of her toys and games at home are too old, too homemade, or too un-cool, so she decides to "borrow" a shiny racecar from her best friend, Tam, without asking. When Tam is upset that her car is missing, Sparkella feels bad, but she can't seem to make herself tell the truth about taking the toy. To make things right with her friend, it'll take a little help from her dad to learn the importance of honesty and taking responsibility when you make a mistake.

A moving picture book highlighting a young Muslim boy's efforts to rediscover his family's history in the World Wars. Muhammad wants to take part in his school's assembly to honor veterans, but no one in his community, let alone his family, has been involved in the World Wars . . . have they? After discussions with his family and elders at his mosque, Muhammad starts to piece together his family's lost history, and realizes that you don't need a trophy or medal to remember those you've lost-it can be as simple as sharing a piece of roti. With beautiful, detailed illustrations of historical scenes and Muhammad's mosque, this is a tender and compassionate story of the importance of passing on memories and experiences through generations, especially of those who have been largely erased from mainstream narratives. A note from the author and other backmatter provide further historical context on Muslim, Sikh, and Hindu soldiers who served in the World Wars.

This lyrical environmental picture book introduces readers to some of the most beautiful and fascinating cold climate creatures and habitats all over the world. Cold is a morning dappled in dew; an ocean, swirling and deep; a desert shrouded by night; and tiny tracks on hills of snow. No matter where or how, life finds a way even in the coldest weather. From an octopus to an arctic hare, meet animals who thrive in chilly environments and learn about the climate phenomena that shape their homes.

Esma is excited to be visiting family in Morocco for the summer. She can't wait to explore the souk -- a giant market full of incredible acrobats, delicious-smelling spices, and cheeky monkeys. But while Esma is being charmed by swaying snakes, she loses track of Mama and Auntie Fatima. Esma is lost! With the help of the souk's lively inhabitants Esma makes a daring plan to find her mama. Will she be brave enough to step up and stand out? Esma Farouk, Lost in the Souk is a vibrant, fun picture book about familiar family chaos in an extraordinary setting. Inspired by their own family adventures, Lisa Boersen and Hasna Elbaamrani cleverly and amusingly capture a child's viewpoint of a bustling Marrakesh souk and its characters. Annelies Vandenbosch's illustrations are packed with brilliant details, bright colours and real warmth.

Making sure you get your rightful share in a family of five siblings is never easy. Everything must be carefully calculated and precisely measured to make sure no one misses out. How We Share Cake is a hilarious exploration of the timeless struggle for fairness and justice among brothers and sisters. This delightful story captures the very essence of family dynamics.

Even superheroes sometimes slip up and err. And when that happens, do they say, "It's not FAIR?" or give up in despair? NO! "Ashamed Superheroes who goofed up somehow . . . First STOP . . . then CONSIDER what's best to do now."  Whether they've nabbed the wrong guy by mistake or bashed into a planet while zooming through space, all superheroes 'fess up their mess-up, get on with their day, and keep on saving the world in the most super way!

It's almost the 100th Day of School, and Yasmin and her friends are celebrating 100 days of learning! But what will Yasmin wear for the special day? After she explains the holiday to her grandparents, Nani helps come up with the perfect idea to make Yasmin's 100th Day outfit 100% unique!

In this poignant picture book about family and belonging, the child of a Jewish mother and a South Asian father hears stories about her family history. Sometimes she doesn't feel Jewish enough or South Asian enough, but comes to realize you can feel--and be--many things at once. The girl sometimes feels as if she's the "only one like me." One day, when she spots a butterfly in her yard, she realizes it's okay to be different--no two butterflies are alike, after all. It's okay to feel alone sometimes, but also happy and proud. It's okay to feel-- and be-- many things at once.

Sadie's grandmother is studying art and invites Sadie to learn and share her passion. But Sadie's grandmother passes on more than her love of art to her grandchild; she also shares her knowledge of Jewish cultural traditions. Sadie learns about the meaning of "chai"-the Hebrew word for life-and the significance of the lucky number eighteen. Her grandmother will soon graduate from college, so Sadie commits herself to finding a perfect way to celebrate with a gift that combines her love of art and newly learned traditions. Readers will appreciate the relationship at the heart of the story in which a passion for art and cultural traditions are lovingly shared between the generations. Eighteen Flowers for Grandma is where love, tradition, and creativity intersect; it will leave an indelible mark on the hearts of readers young and old. Backmatter includes additional information about several Jewish cultural references found in the book, the Hebrew alphabet, and a note about the author's inspiration for the story.

Marley is a little nonbinary kid with BIG anxieties. Crowds? Pass. Loud noises? No, thanks! But when their Zaza is up for an award at the Pride parade, they want to go to support their beloved grandparent. Can Marley overcome their fears and even find a new sense of belonging? Features endmatter about the history of Pride and a glossary of terms to help adults answer kids' questions about the LGBTQ+ community. Shows coping mechanisms for social anxiety and sensory sensitivities.

It's time for the second-grade school play, and everyone gets a part! There's just one problem. Tana's good friend Ana is nervous about auditioning. As Tana looks for ways to help her friend, she cooks to show that she cares. Will she find the winning recipe to keeping Ana calm and confident?

At first glance this story could be seen as a set of instructions on how to brew a magic potion, the ingredients of which are familiar - mud, a leaf, some sand. But as the story unfolds, the two children at the heart of this story let their imaginations run wild as they take the reader on a glorious, lyrical journey outside.

Is there ever such a thing as being too considerate? It's another comedy of errors in this fourth set of stories featuring Jarvis's lovable duo. "Bird, why are you blowing in my face?" said Bear. "I'm just stretching my cheeks," said Bird. "Important to stretch your cheeks." Bear and Bird are the kind of friends who just want to make each other happy. So when Bird realizes Bear has had a leaf stuck to his face all day, she goes to comical extremes not to embarrass him--even if it means encouraging a new trend. And when they both grab the same excellent stick on a windy day, they outdo each other trying to give it back--until Bear comes up with a better use for their imagination. Whether following a hilariously--and touchingly--circular path on Swapsy Day or discovering there are as many times of day as there are things to do, Jarvis's classic pair fuses humor and heart in another quartet of adventures.

Snail is an epic explorer. Well ... kind of. He especially loves the quiet things about adventures, like reading maps, collecting souvenirs, and finding wonder around every corner. And Snail knows that not all adventures need to be far-away--they can also be near-away!--which is why he and Stump choose a vacation destination a mere stone's throw from home. Snail and Stump smell the smells, listen for the sounds, and take in the sights of their home. And then something astonishing happens when a group of parachute seeds blows into their neighbourhood. Snail and Stump offer to show the seeds the sights, and as the seeds ooh and ahh over their favourite haunts, the two friends find an even deeper appreciation for their home and are able to see it in a whole new light

Mr. Round and Mr. Square live opposite each other. Every day, they look outside. At Mr. Round's house, it's sunny, but at Mr. Square's house, it's cloudy. They always see things differently. Or do they?  In this delightful tale readers are treated to a humorous exploration of perspective and perception. Through the amusing antics of Mr. Round and Mr. Square, children discover that differences in opinion can stem from individual viewpoints. Perfect for sparking discussions and learning about opinions, perspectives, and opposites, this book encourages young readers to embrace diverse viewpoints and consider alternative perspectives.

A giant kaiju (think Godzilla!) awakes one morning not feeling well. He is confused and needs help. Off to the city where his size makes him seem dangerous. Meanwhile, over at Kaiju Central (they keep watch for kaiju activity 24/7), a dad and his son arrive to find the KAIJU alarm sounding for the first time ever! A kaiju has been spotted! Now what?

Meet three city kitties: Nori, Yeti, and Flo. They live in an apartment on a busy street and can often be seen sitting side by side in the window, watching the world go by. And the world going by likes to watch them too. This rhythmic tale follows these three adorable kitties as they make mischief in their apartment. They hide from a delivery person, play in a box, and beg for food. They get the zoomies, chase each other up and down the walls, and take a nap.

Listen to the swaying grass,and listen to the trees.To me, the sweetest music,is the branches in the breeze.Celebrate love with Giraffes Can't Dance! Featuring modified art and text from the bestselling picture book, and a fresh trim size, Love from Giraffes Can't Dance is sure to delight readers of all ages. The perfect purchase for Valentine's Day, bedtime, and all throughout the year, this lyrical book reminds readers to celebrate love, music, and dance!

AN INVITATION TO PLAY, EXPLORE, AND LEARN: Hervé is a master at involving his readers visually, intellectually, and physically in his books by inviting them to touch the pages and perform a series of fun activities, all to yield surprising and delightful results. CREATIVE VALUE: Combining rhythm, motion, and shape.

Little Lobo is celebrating two big holidays this fall! On Halloween, Little Lobo and his friends dress up in costumes, trick-or-treat for candy, and share spooky stories. Then everyone in the town prepares food, drinks, and other gifts and decorates the cemetery with ofrendas so they can enjoy Día de los Muertos with the spirits of the people they love. Join Little Lobo and his friends as they celebrate! Full of easy-to-remember Spanish vocabulary and packed with cultural details, this colorful story of two fall holidays brings the celebrations of this border town to readers everywhere!

Once upon a time, there was a teeny-weeny unicorn that wished to be big. But he never saw a shooting star, and a ladybug never landed on his arm. So when he comes across a dandelion poof, he decides to give his wish one last try. With a little help from a gust of lucky wind and a clever princess, the Teeny-Weeny Unicorn sets off on a quest to find something littler than he is. Little does he know, he is in for a BIG surprise...as he becomes a BIG brother!

Who doesn't love a good vacation? Soaking up some sun, floating on the waves and...arm wrestling an octopus? When mermaids show up in the middle of Gilbert's goblin getaway, their fin-flapping festivities quickly turn rest and relaxation into stress and aggravation.

Emily Snook is a whiz in the kitchen. But when she enters an international cooking contest and meets the competition, her hopes of winning deflate like a botched soufflé. Everyone is older, taller and in serious doubt of her cooking capabilities! A classic underdog story, Emily Snook: The World's Smallest Cook reminds readers of the power of determination and a willingness to take risks. With the encouragement and support of her favorite sous chef--her grandpa--Emily tackles each cooking catastrophe that threatens her chance of winning. From utensils that are too big to counters too high, Emily Snook takes on the challenges of being the tiniest contestant, proving to everyone that being small doesn't mean you can't do it all.

A sweet, magical story of a Book Witch and her dog, desperate to find a solution to that most common bookish problem: too many books! With a sorrowful look at that bandaged wee white tail, the Book Witch declared, "these books must go!" After travelling the world and collecting books from every country, the Book Witch is now settled at home with her wee white dog. She spends her days reading, surrounded by piles and piles of books. Life is good. Until one stormy day when a massive gust of wind blows a pile of heavy books over, landing on the Wee White Dog's tail! Something must be done before tragedy strikes again. What can the Book Witch do with all these books?

When Magali, a teenage dressage rider, visits Camila's school, Camila decides she wants to be a horseback riding star. But when she begins riding lessons, she realizes it isn't as easy as Magali made it look. Will Camila stick with it or give up on her riding dreams?

Bruce was a bear who liked to be by himself. But that wasn't easy for him, as mother to four geese and three mice. Luckily, he could enjoy a day of peace and quiet while fishing. But his quiet haven is full of beetles stealing his lunch. And protestors loudly trying to save the forest from the construction of a factory. Will Bruce and the residents of Soggy Hollow manage to save the planet?

The Pigeon prepares to graduate, but is he ready for what comes next? The Pigeon had better graduate! He did the work! He paid attention to the little details! He overcame some BIG obstacles! The Pigeon's got this . . . Or does he? Grab your caps, don your gowns, and raise your hands for The Pigeon's biggest adventure yet in this uplifting, hilarious, and inspirational graduation picture book from three-time Caldecott honoree Mo Willems. It's a PhD* in fun!

Banshees are well known to most of us as supernatural Irish harbingers of doom. But not many know that they grow on the prickly gorse bush inside little pods, and that the sole job of a baby banshee, or "bansheenie," is to bond with a human and know all there is to know about that person, including when they're destined to breathe their last breath. One bansheenie named Beanie, however, is no ordinary herald of death. When she sees her person, a little girl named Rose, she decides to change both their fates--and instead of delivering bad news, protect Rose and her family. And when her banshee's howl won't work, she must draw power and strength from the ancient secrets and hidden networks of the natural world to create a new sound, a new way of being in the world, that will change everything.

In the Sahara, salt is worth its weight in gold. When Malik is finally old enough to join his father's caravan, transporting salt across the long trade route to Timbuktu, he can't wait to prove himself worthy of this big responsibility. Over the long and difficult route, the boy will discover that salt does far more than just preserve and flavor food. With its essential roles in trade, ritual, civilizations, and even our bodies, salt sustains life. Most important of all, Malik discovers his own self-confidence as he grows from a novice to a future leader of his salt caravan.

This girl is determined to express herself! If she can't draw her dreams, she'll sculpt or build, carve or collage. If she can't do that, she'll turn her world into a canvas. And if everything around her is taken away, she'll sing, dance, and dream...

Meet Etta! Etta was born to be a shining star. When Etta discovers her school is hosting a talent show, she wants to share her many talents with the world. Even though she has never performed onstage before, all Etta needs to do is make a plan. (Etta always has a plan!) And in 1, 2, 3, 4 steps, she's ready for her big performance on the big stage in front of a BIG audience. Or is she? Find out how Etta beats her worries, with the help of her loving family, in this joyful story created by celebrated writers Roda Ahmed and Charnaie Gordon and illustrator Chloe Burgett.

A brave shark girl bent on revenge after a greedy fishing captain messes with her waters - perfect for fans of We Don't Eat Our Classmates. When Shark Girl is captured by an evil fishing captain's net, she makes a vow... for REVENGE! With the sea witch's help, Shark Girl becomes a human sailor and launches a plan... for MUTINY! But Shark Girl needs the help of her crew mates before she can enact her plan. Will Shark girl SINK... or SWIM?

From Colin Kaepernick to Martin Luther King, Jr. to Benjamin Crump, Hair Like Obama's, Hands Like Lebron's is a picture book celebration of Black history and excellence from New York Times bestselling and award-winning author Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated bySavanna Durr. I have hair like Obama's and hands like LeBron's. My mind is more magical than "Ice" McDonald's wands. My legs, like Michael Jordan's, shatter records with a leap. My soul is kissed by Africa--the future's mine to keep. Inspired by the famous White House photograph of five-year-old Jacob Philadelphia touching then-president Barack Obama's hair, Weatherford's powerful text--illuminated by Savanna Durr's warm, jewel-toned art--is an ode to all the things that make Black and brown kids beautiful. Young readers will learn about many inspiring figures in Black history up to the present day, gaining confidence in their abilities and their cultural legacy as they learn. The back matter includes an author's note and biographies of each of the featured figures: Guion Bluford, Usain "Lightning" Bolt, "Bootsy" Collins, John Coltrane, Benjamin Crump, LeBron James, Lonnie Johnson, Michael Jordan, Colin Kaepernick, Martin Luther King Jr., Thurgood Marshall, Elijah McCoy, Kenrick "Ice" McDonald, Barack Obama, Colin Powell, and Tommie Smith.

Raven loves Round Dances. The drums sing to the people. The people dance to the music. Raven's favorite part is to watch the ribbon skirts, swirling like a rainbow. He wishes he could have a ribbon skirt of his own, but his grandmother has never seen a boy wearing one. Until the next round dance, when it turns out that even someone who has lived a long time can see wonderful things that they've never seen before.

Adventures await, wherever friends are! This whimsical picture book celebrates children's imagination and inclusive play. Addy worries about making friends, but through her vivid imagination, she draws other children into her play. Together, Addy and her friends create an imaginative world where they can race in chariots, explore the ocean, and travel to space. "Addy steadies her wheels. They strap in for flight. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 . . . WHOOSH!" Addy's Chair to Everywhere features a disabled main character who uses a wheelchair, allowing readers to see the whole child. The rhythmic, rhyming text engages young readers and highlights the importance of understanding differences and fostering inclusivity.

Julieta is eager to honor her Abuelita's spirit on Dia de Muertos, but struggles to find the perfect gift. A touching story that celebrates ancestors and teaches that the most meaningful tributes come from the heart illustrated by award-winning Sara Palacios. Julieta is excited for Abuelita's spirit to visit on Dia de los Muertos. She is determined to find the perfect gift to honor Abuelita and to show how much she misses her. However, her ideas fail one by one and Julieta grows worried. It is only when Julieta embraces the memories she once shared with her abuelita, that she realizes the perfect gift comes from the heart. An uplifting story about both life and death, family, and the threads that connect us, long after we are gone.

A young girl learns that good things can take time as her father teaches her about an important Japanese cultural tradition. When the first snowfall of the year reaches the foot of the nearby mountain, Chiyoko wants nothing more than to go there with Papa and build a snowman. But Papa has other plans--there's miso to be made. Papa, Papa's papa, and Papa's papa's papa were all miso makers, and Chiyoko is proud to learn about her family's tradition. But miso making  is a long process, and the snow isn't going to last forever. To make something truly special with her Papa, Chiyoko will need the most important ingredient: patience.

This lyrical celebration of self-esteem, perseverance, and loving the skin you're in will inspire all children to appreciate their spots or what makes them different. Perfect for pairing with I Am Enough by Grace Byers, Remarkably You by Pat Zietlow Miller, and I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes. Includes a personal letter from the author and facts about vitiligo.

A little girl is self-conscious about the birthmark on her forehead-- until a new friend helps her see it in a whole new light. This little girl doesn't mind her birthmark, most of the time. She calls it Toto, and her mom calls it a kiss from an angel. But sometimes, it feels like people look so hard at Toto they forget to see her. So when it's time to start school, her mom cuts her bangs to cover Toto up, at least for a little while. At school, she makes a new best friend right away! But then Toto accidentally comes out of hiding. Will her new friend see her differently with Toto in the picture? And does different have to be bad?

Camila has always loved music and singing, and now she'd like to play an instrument. Her music teacher offers her a few to try. From the deep beat of the drums to the trill of the flute, which instrument will pave the way for Camila to become a music star?

Camila has been painting pictures of her abuela. A local bakery has displayed the paintings, and customers are buying them! But when a classmate tells her the paintings are ugly, Camila no longer feels like a painting star. Will she quit painting for good?

Don't peek behind the cover! Don't look at the pictures! And definitely don't follow along with the rip-roaring adventure the boy is experiencing. Stay focused on mundane things like sitting in chairs and doing homework. Any report of dragons or marauding airships is ridiculous! This book is BORING!

One little witch doesn't want to play pranks on others. Can she convince the other witches that it's just as fun to be nice?

When Sumaya discovers a busy woodpecker in her backyard, she worries the bird could be hurting its head and neck. She sets out to create some inventions to help protect the bird. How will Sumaya solve the woodpecker problem?

Cheers-a-Lotl loves celebrating Silly Chilly Sea Day. As soon as the first ice crystal forms in the water, the young axolotl is setting out all the holiday decorations, including her favorite inflatables. But she forgets to tie them down and . . . WHOOSH! A current sweeps the blow-ups away! How can Cheers be jolly now? Find out in this delightfully silly chapter book for young readers!

Thinks-a-Lotl loves asking all kinds of questions. One day, he wonders if he can turn his signature axolotl smile upside down. He manages the impossible, but now a frown is frozen on his face. And worse, it's picture day at school! Can Thinks regain a cheery outlook before he gets in front of the camera? Find out in this delightfully silly chapter book for young readers!

Hugs-a-Lotl loves nothing more than giving a warm embrace to friends. But after jumping rope too fast at school, the axolotl's little arms pop right off! Losing the limbs isn't a problem. They'll grow back. Hugs is only worried about one question: Who will hug for him? Find out in this delightfully silly chapter book for young readers!

Snacks-a-Lotl loves making yummy treats with her mom and then enjoying them at school. But one day, the young axolotl opens her bag and sees there aren't any snacks packed inside! No salted fly larva or candied plankton. Not even a bite of worm jerky! What'll Snacks do till lunchtime? Find out in this delightfully silly chapter book for young readers!

A sharp and heartfelt picture book about a young soccer-loving girl who's an interpreter for her Spanish-speaking parents. Some kids have one job- to be a kid! Cecilia has two. When she isn't on the soccer field scoring goals, she's accompanying her parents to all kinds of grown-up places, like the DMV, the accountant's office, and the auto shop. She helps them translate from Spanish to English and from English to Spanish.It's an important job, and it can even be fun. It's also hard work. Sometimes Cecilia's second job is so much responsibility, it feels like she'll split in two! Is it time for Cecilia to blow her whistle and call for a time-out? Olivia Abtahi's clever text and Monica Arnaldo's charming illustrations capture a common aspect of life for immigrant and bilingual families while offering a model for teamwork that helps everyone feel understood.

A tender picture book about a veteran's PTSD and a family's love for each other--on good days and hard days--from award-winning creators Winsome Bingham and Rahele Jomepour Bell Momma wears combat boots, a camouflage jacket, and a U.S. ARMY tag on her chest. She is a fighter for her country's freedom, but she is also a fighter for her family. When Momma comes home from a long deployment, however, something has changed. Our narrator, Momma's "Baby," misses the big hugs, uniform fashion shows, and music mornings they used to share. And she really misses planting vegetables together. Now her Momma won't even come out to the garden. But maybe, just maybe, she can bring the garden to Momma. Missing Momma is the poignant and ultimately hopeful, comforting story of a child with a parent affected by PTSD. Sensitively written by Winsome Bingham and movingly illustrated by Rahele Jomepour Bell, Missing Momma beautifully reminds kids that a family's love endures even on days that aren't picture perfect.

A journey, a challenge, and a party with Gram make one day super special for a group of siblings. It's Gram's birthday, and the grandkids can't wait to celebrate with her. There's just one thing missing- a gift! So on their way to the party, the search is on. They spot lots of interesting things-a scritchy-scratchy pine cone, three jingly-jangly quarters, some clicky-clacky stones-but are any of them good enough for Gram? Fortunately, there's no quashing the enthusiasm and creativity of these siblings, who have a marvelous time scouting and singing as they shimmy over to Gram's, making the journey its own celebration. Their combined discoveries will make this a very special day indeed!

Bella loves ballet class and listens hard to the music so she can tippy-toe turn, point, and plié in perfect time. When Madame announces a recital, Bella is determined to do her best. But when she tries to stretch up to leap lightly like a cloud, she wobbles and almost topples--luckily, a friend catches her. Now, Bella's nervous; maybe she can't do this like she thought she could. On recital day, when the curtain goes up and the dancers get in position, Bella freezes. Can she find her courage in time to take the stage?

It's the best day of the year--tamale day. Luis and his family have been making and eating tamales all day. But when Luis, Jacob, and Letty all want the last tamale, there's only one way to choose a winner... A TAMALE BATTLE! Round one: Dance Battle. Round Two: Lucha Libre Match. Round Three: Arm Wrestle with Abuelita. Who will get the last tamale? A celebration of family, food, and friendly competition, readers will be hungry for The Last Tamale! Perfect for fans of Paletero Man and Friday Night Wrestle Fest. 

A picture book bursting with life and flavors about a son and his father cooking up a beloved dish that originated in West Africa-jollof recipe included! Early in the morning while the sun is still rising, a young boy wakes his father for something special-it's Jollof Day! With clanging pots and pans, lots of chopped tomatoes and onions, and a secret blend of spices, this father and son dance to the music of kitchen noise while something delicious burbles on the stove. With bouncing text that begs to be read aloud and exuberant illustrations full of momentum, Jollof Day is a celebration of the dishes that bring a family together.

An inspiring portrait of a monumental day in US history, seen through a child's eyes Agnes can hardly contain her excitement! She's headed to the March on Washington. Sitting on her father's shoulders, she's awed by the sea of people-people of every color, gathered together to be a part of the fight for equal rights for Black people. She soaks in the words of John Lewis and Josephine Baker and is mesmerized by Mahalia Jackson's singing. Then Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gives a speech about his dreams for his children-for all children. On the bus ride home, Agnes has her own dream- that the words of Dr. King would be heard and embraced by the whole world.

In this call to bravery from Olympic medalist Ibtihaj Muhammad, Faizah learns to overcome her fears and stand in front of the crowd in this beautiful celebration of family, fencing, and community.   Faizah loves being part of the community at her mosque, and she loves being part of the group at her fencing lessons. When all eyes are on her, though, Faizah freezes up. Mama says bravery will come with time, but there's a fencing tournament coming up--does Faizah have what it takes to be bold? Love, honesty, and courage shine through every page of this empowering picture book from the bestselling, award-winning team behind The Proudest Blue and The Kindest Red.  

The next day, Yadi arrives for her first day at a new school. She's nervous about making friends, but with her beautiful braids, the click-clack of the cowrie shells, and a little guidance from Oshún, she finds she has everything she needs to be her best, most authentic self. A letter from the author and visual examples of different kinds of braided hairstyles are included in the back of the book.

oday's the day! Rosa will take the stage next to her mami and play along with her popular mariachi band. But as they fasten the shiny botonaduras and tie the moños on their charra suits, Rosa begins to worry. What if the audience doesn't like her? Is she ready to perform? With her "mamiachi" and madrinas by her side, Rosa's stage fright is soothed away by the sound of trumpets, guitars, and violins.

This lyrical and heartwarming picture book follows a Nigerian girl who worries about her family's upcoming move. But she soon realizes that no matter where they go, there will always be room at their kitchen table for her community to gather around. When Zainab runs down the stairs in the morning, she knows what she'll find: Papa cooking at the stove, Mama pouring tea, and then everyone gathering around the family table. Neighbors stop by, and there's plenty of room for them, too. There are so many beloved rituals that happen at the table: homework and crafts, aunties coming to plait hair, and festive gatherings with neighbors and relatives. But soon boxes start piling up around the house, and Zainab worries about the move--will the rituals feel the same in her new home? In the new house, the family table still feels cozy to sit around. And soon, old neighbors and new friends stop by, and everyone is welcome at the table. Meg Medina's Evelyn Del Ray is Moving Away meets Peter H. Reynolds's Our Table in this heartwarming story about how difficult it is to move, but how connecting with community makes everything better.

Mr. Lepron is a rabbit who lives in a cozy burrow with many offspring. Every year on the first day of autumn, he reaps vegetables from the farmer's garden--carrots, onions, celery, beans, aromatic herbs, and much more--and makes the best soup on earth, adored by his family. As it simmers, he dozes and dreams of being a famous cook, hosted by kings. And sure enough, his soup is so good that it starts drawing creatures from all over--until one day a factory springs up in the woods, with Mr. Lepron presiding day and night and soup cans for sale in all the most renowned shops. But as demand rises, Mr. Lepron's dreams become fretful, and soon he starts hearing complaints: his soup is not as good as it was. Has his recipe changed--or has Mr. Lepron? How can he recapture the joy he once shared with his family? Mariachiara Di Giorgio's exquisitely detailed artwork appears lit from within as it captures the pastoral setting, a range of expressive forest animals, Mr. Lepron's fitful dreamscapes, and the palpable sense of peace as he rediscovers what truly matters.

Amy Wu does her best to make her new classmate feel welcome in this warmhearted and playfully illustrated follow-up picture book to Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao and Amy Wu and the Patchwork Dragon. Amy's class has a new student from China! Amy tries hard to make Lin feel included, but she can't draw him out of his shell. Then she sees Lin chattering happily in Chinese with his family. The gears in her head start to turn, and a plan blossoms. Step one: invite Lin to her dumpling party... ​With a little help from her grandma and a shiny new banner, can Amy give Lin the warmest welcome?

When Amy Wu learns about Chinese ribbon dancing, she can't wait to try it out herself in this charming and brightly illustrated fourth installment in the Amy Wu picture book series. Amy Wu loves to move. From wriggling to shimmying to toe-tapping, she just can't keep still, not when there's music all around her! So when Amy sees Chinese ribbon dancing for the first time, she has to try it out. Only, how can she throw the perfect dance party when she doesn't have the perfect ribbon for her dance? A special story from Mom may be just the thing to get Amy moving to the music again.

Once, there was a scary troll with a scary voice and the scariest love for trolling the forest creatures that dared to come anywhere near him. Each day, he shouted nasty warnings to passersby, telling them to hurry along. But he never faced his victims, choosing instead to shout the obscenities from inside his cave. Then one day Troll comes face to face with one of those victims: a sweet little rabbit, who can't hear and, therefore, can't understand Troll's bullyish behavior. Suddenly, trolling isn't as fun for Troll when the recipient is real.and defenseless. Join Troll as he learns the power of words to both empower and to harm and relish in his transformation from thug to friend as he embraces a new voice for love.

It's been three years since Abuela's last visit, and Dulce revels in every tiny detail--from Abuela's maletas full of candies in crinkly wrappers and gifts from primos to the sweet, earthy smell of Peru that floats out of Abuela's room and down the hall. But Abuela's visit can't last forever, and all too soon she's packing her suitcases again. Then Dulce has an idea: maybe there are things she can gather for her cousins and send with Abuela to remind them of the U.S. relatives they've never met. And despite having to say goodbye, Abuela has one more surprise for Dulce--something to help her remember that home isn't just a place, but the deep-rooted love they share no matter the distance.

When Bigfoot loses the valentines he meant to send to his fellow monsters in hiding, scouts from all over the world come together to deliver the letters. It's lonely being a monster. But having other mythical pen pals helps. When Bigfoot loses the Valentine's Day cards he so tenderly made for his friends around the world, a troop of scouts offers to help. But they will have to get creative to find every mythical creature in time!

The last thing you expect when you go to the library is to see your librarian replaced with an alpaca. BEWARE! Alpacas make terrible librarians! Prepare for laughs and learning in this humorous exploration of what might happen when an alpaca fills in for a librarian. You'll learn all sorts of things about alpacas that you never knew you wanted to know! From surprise haircuts and sun-bathing storytime to a communal dung pile and impromptu games of tag, this trip to the library is like no other. And when rules are broken, WATCH OUT! When alpacas get angry . . . things can get messy. But just as you're about to tip-toe out the door, the real librarian returns and you can breathe a sigh of relief (and check out books on any animal you like . not just alpacas)!

An entertaining tale about a day in the life of an island cat "A cat, a cat, a big, round cat. Have you ever seen a cat like that? What do you think she is looking for?" Follow this big, round cat as she saunters through her island village, stopping to interact with folks at the bakery, the bookstore, the pier. Where is she headed next? What will she find at her last stop of the day? This sociable cat knows everyone in town and the townspeople know to expect her as she follows her customary route. Young readers can fire up their imaginations with the turn of each page. When cat-loving illustrator Nicole Wong read this story, she instantly knew just how to depict a day in the life of such a charming feline. The simple text leaves room for children to create their own stories as they engage with the art, and the predictable rhythm of repeated lines will encourage them to read along.

This magnificent new title from Icinori starts as a word book of things to be thankful for and turns into a thrilling adventure story along the way A BookPage Best Picture Book of 2024!  One of 100 Scope Notes's Most Astonishingly Unconventional Books of 2024! One of Maria Popova's Marginalian Favorites of 2024! What starts as a series of "thank yous" addressed to common objects that inhabit our daily lives gradually builds into a fantastic journey across landscapes, seasons, and inner discoveries. Deceptively simple, each page acknowledges the contributions of a different object (spoon, rock, beasts) or concept (summer, slumber, surprise), with each image building on the next to create a dazzling narrative that invites readers to puzzle and play, explore and discover, appreciate and marvel.

Your spirit will soar! A girl connects with heritage, history, and a higher power through the lyrics of twelve beloved spirituals and four seminal events in African American history. A beautiful keepsake to be shared by multiple generations. When I hear spirituals  Sometimes A big, full feeling Grows in my chest . . . Her heart pounds, she gets a lump in her throat, and tears flow down her cheeks. She wants to clap her hands and stomp her feet. There is healing, tenderness, strength, pride, and above all, hope.

Joe and his friend Simone are practicing their best playground tricks, but everyone keeps saying how amazing Joe is, even when he tries to let Simone be the star. Will he ever get to be just Joe, whether he's amazing or not?

Tessa loves how her grandmother always smells of campfire stories. Mom says it's because Kohkom spends her days sewing beautiful beads onto smoked hides. Inspired, Tessa asks Kohkom to teach her beading, but first she must listen and learn about the many stories held in a bead. This dual language edition contains the story in both Ininîmowin (Cree, N-dialect) and English.

Camila wants to buy some new video equipment, so when she hears about a video game tournament, she sees her chance to win big money. Her brother and sister help her perfect her gaming skills, but will it be enough to make her into a winning video game star?

The remote village of Janwaar in Northern India has been the same for a long time, with the community strictly divided into castes. It's a quiet village... until the construction project begins. Ramkesh can't tell what it will be--it's all ramps and hills. When it's done, he sees kids playing on it, on strange boards with wheels... Soon, he's invited to try, and he's hooked--practicing tricks and soaring on his skateboard. At first, it's all boys, but Ramkesh invites his sister, and other girls join too. Word gets out that the tiny village is a hotbed of skateboarding talent, and people flock from all over to see it, and to teach the kids new tricks. Ramkesh and his friends even get invited to travel, gaining the first-ever passports for their village. But most important, they come back home to tell of their journeys...and to lead the way for Janwaar into the future, with a newfound sense of joy and unity.

This book celebrates the iconic kitchen staple and the magical way food connects family and friends across the world.

At the park, squirrels get all the free peanuts, and nobody screams when they scamper to and fro. But for Rat, it's all screams and no nuts ... until, he comes up with a plan to solve his problem: Be more squirrel-ish!

Join the animals and follow the clues in this rollicking, rhyming, nature-inspired whodunit story full of fun collective nouns! A mischief of mice has gone missing on a blustery fall day. Now a scurry of squirrels is scared, while a band of coyotes howls nearby. Did an unkindness of ravens do something mean? Could a prickle of porcupines possibly help? Luckily, a sleuth of bears comes along to help solve the mystery.

Math-loving kittens race to build the best robot as they compete in a STEM day at school in this playful picture book that demonstrates the key math concept of identifying shapes. It's a wonderful day-because it's STEM day! Kitties are challenged to build a robot and use the wind to make it move. With circles, squares, triangles, and rectangles, the kitties do their best to tape, glue, and paste-but oh no! The robot won't move. How might these disorderly cats make sense of all these shapes and build a successful robot?

All at Once Upon a Time is a fantastic picture book read-aloud that will have listeners giggling ever after Once upon a time (now, tell me if you've heard this one before) locked away up in a tower, lived a princess with the longest . . . NOSE? Fairy Tale Land has gotten a shake-up. All the stories are happening at once and . . . not exactly as they used to, once upon a time! Climbing a beanstalk takes an unexpected twist, Little Red Riding Hood's basket is bursting with an unusual gift for an out-of-the-ordinary grandmother, and Rapunzel's nose grows longer every time she tells another whopping fib! With a surprise on every page, readers will love trying to guess what happens next.

Hush. Now, turn up your ears and listen to the concert happening all around you. As this quiet overture builds to a full symphony, Newbery Medalist Kwame Alexander and singer-songwriter Randy Preston conduct a melody of a poem. Colorful notes are played by Caldecott Honoree Melissa Sweet's distinctive artwork. Surrounded by nature's chorus and guided by words that vibrate like thunder, let the groove lead you on, until you can't help but sing out from your soul!

Every morning, Abuelo walks Sofia to school . . . until one day when Abuelo hurts his ankle at a local landfill, and he can no longer do so. Sofia (aka Sofi) misses her Abuelo and wonders what she can do about the dangerous Mount Trashmore. Then she gets an idea: The town can turn the slimy mess into a park! She brainstorms and plans and finally works up the courage to go to City Hall--only to be told by a clerk that she can't build a park because she's just a kid! Sofia is down but not out, and she sets out to prove what one kid can do. Told in charming rhyme, this lovely story will both entertain and inspire: Raking the leaves, taking pets for a walk Or just dropping by for a treat and a talk, Sofia Valdez did as much as she could for her family and friends and her whole neighborhood.

When Superheroes don't get their way, when they're sad, when they're mad, when they've had a bad day . . . . . . they COULD super-tantrum, they COULD but they DON'T, because REAL Superheroes just WOULDN'T--they WON'T! All kids have trouble getting a grip on their emotions, sometimes--even young superheroes! But what do they do when they're having a bad day? Colorful action-packed illustrations and a dynamite rhyming text reveal the many ways superheroes (and ordinary children, too) can resist the super-temptation to cause a scene when they're sad, mad, frustrated, lonely, or afraid. From burning off steam on a bike or a hike, to helping others, this energetic picture book has plenty of fun ideas to help kids cope when they're feeling overwhelmed.

On the eve of singing at a community festival, a bout of stage fright threatens a little girl's confidence. As Indigo Blume drifts off to sleep, she isn't sure she's brave enough to take the stage. But once she falls asleep, Indigo finds herself in a dream world with the characters of her favorite book, Acoustic Rooster and his Barnyard Band. The band's members, including Miss Dairy Parton and Chickee Minaj, are rehearsing, and they invite Indigo to join the group. But when a storm destroys their barn, the animals are left with almost nothing. Can Indigo rally the band to work together and save their home? And will she find her voice in time for the festival?

The Earth has flooded. The only signs of humankind are the waterlogged structures they left behind. Peeking out from the deluge are the remnants of a zoo, home to rare and endangered animals, survivors of long neglect. Tender-hearted NOA is a construction robot who's found new purpose as the caretaker of the zoo's beleaguered inhabitants. Bracing for the next storm, NOA builds an ark from the wreckage in search of new land and a new home, only to discover something even more profound.

In the circles all around us, everywhere that we all go, there's a difference we can make and a love we can all show. This is the story of a circle. When we're first born, our circle is very small, but as we grow and build relationships, our circle keeps getting bigger and bigger to include family, friends, neighbors, community, and beyond. Brad Montague originally created Circles as an Instagram video adorably narrated by his kids, and now this picture book adaptation is the perfect way to start a conversation about how to expand our worlds with kindness and inclusivity-even if it seems scary or uncomfortable. This book makes an ideal new-baby, first-day-of-school, or graduation gift, or any milestone that celebrates someone's world getting bigger.

Every day, more and more people fleeing war in the north show up at Kyung Tak and her family's house on the southeastern shore of Korea. With nowhere else to go, the Taks' home is these migrants' last chance of refuge "before falling into the sea," and the household quickly becomes crowded, hot, and noisy. Then war sirens cry out over Kyung's city too, and her family and their guests take shelter underground. When the sirens stop, Kyung is upset-she wishes everything could go back to the way it was before- before the sirens, before strangers started coming into their home. But after an important talk with her parents, her new friend Sunhee, and Sunhee's father, Kyung realizes something important- We're stronger when we have each other, and the kindness we show one another in the darkest of times is a gift we'll never regret.

When Nana comes from the city to visit her grandson in the country, the boy is so excited to teach her about all the wonderful things he does on the farm where he lives--feeding the ducks, milking the cow, even tending to bees. But to his disappointment, Nana already seems to know how to do just about everything. And she isn't the least bit nervous about picking up bugs or easing a hen aside to collect an egg. But then a storm hits in the night, and the boy must take the lead and make sure the animals are safe and dry. And it turns out there are many more unique-to-the-country adventures to surprise his beloved Nana with.

Max is not exactly a perfect kid.  From sunup through his school day and right until bedtime, he's goofy, disorganized, and generally uncontainable--much to the frustration of those around him. But when a little enthusiasm and creativity are in order, you can count on Max to save the day! Do you have a list of things to do every morning before school, but you get...distracted? Or maybe you're the only one with tennis balls on the feet of your chair and your teacher has to remind you to keep your sounds to yourself? Or maybe you like to listen to the way water sloshes in your stomach when you run down the hall, slo-mo, after the water fountain? That always happens sometimes to Max in this warm, hilarious picture book that humorously chronicles the pitfalls and celebrates the successes of a very familiar kid...one who may not be the most compliant or organized but who is full of energy, creativity, and kindness.

Every stand has a story. This one is mine. Saturday is for harvesting. And one little boy is excited to work alongside his Papa as they collect eggs, plums, peppers and pumpkins to sell at their stand in the farmer's market. Of course, it's more than a farmer's market. Papa knows each customer's order, from Ms. Rosa's pumpkins to Mr. Johnny's peppers. And when Papa can't make it to the stand, his community gathers around him, with dishes made of his own produce.

Early Bird wants to be brave and protect the castle, just like Knight Owl. But she falls asleep on the job and then keeps her hero up during the day with her enthusiastic chattiness, well-meaning questions, and cheerful owl impersonations. But there are strange happenings in the forest, and soon Knight Owl and Early Bird find themselves in the throes of danger. Will these two learn to work together to keep themselves and the kingdom safe? 

This powerful and hopeful picture book--inspired by the historic election of Vice President Kamala Harris--celebrates brown and Black girls and is magnificently illustrated by a Caldecott Honor-winning artist. Brown girl, brown girl, what did you see?  A world that sees my skin before it sees me.  Based on a viral poem by Blaxican poet and activist Leslé Honoré, and illustrated by Caldecott Honoree Cozbi A. Cabrera, this moving journey through the past, present, and future of brown and Black girls is a celebration of community, creativity, and joy--and offers a reminder of the history that inspires hope, and the hope that inspires activism.

Finding Things is a child-centered, cozy, and conceptually rich picture book that explores storytelling, connections, luck, nature, and responsibility. If you were on a walk and found a ball, you could take it home and play with it. You are likely to find many other wonderful things as you explore the world--maybe even a new friend--and that makes you very lucky.

If we could put on a pair of magical invisible glasses and see all the feelings, ideas, and other invisible things that populate our world, what would they look like? Could you see an itch? Could you describe hope? From the sound of a dog barking to the rainbow-MAGIC taste of a lollipop, from gratitude to grit, this book will help you meet the many interesting sensations that follow you every day, even if you can't see them. Explore the way a sad song can sometimes make you happy and discover that laughs--even fake ones--can multiply faster than you'd imagine. As readers give these unknown forces a name, they'll also find a gentle invitation to pause, take a deep breath, and reflect on the invisible things at work in their own lives

"My block looks like a collision of cultures a melting pot of cool a burst of life my favorite groove . . .No matter what happens I've seen it for myself my block looks like the coolest place I've ever been." A lyrical and proud picture book that recognizes the beauty of the bodegas, subways, and playgrounds that characterize everyday life in the Bronx and pays homage to the ways that its residents have shaped pop culture through music, visual art, and dance. Perfect for fans of I Am Every Good Thing and Last Stop on Market Street, My Block Looks Like offers kids a reaffirming message to celebrate and uplift their communities in an energetic text that begs to be read aloud.

Bobby Beacon's got fire flowing through his veins. And now he's psyched to attend a new school that'll help him get a better grip on his powers. But right off the bat, his new teacher is not too welcoming. That causes Bobby's hot temper to land him in the principal's office. It ain't easy to stay calm when people don't seem to understand you and are always pushing you to the edge. Good thing Bobby gets moved to a class with an understanding teacher who clues him in on ways to calm himself and shows him that caring for others is its own kind of superpower. With her help-and some cool new friends-he just might be on his way to becoming the best version of himself possible.

The fable of the tortoise and the hare receives a charming new spin in this wonderfully illustrated, cheering tale about a lovable and relatable trouper. Barbara Hendricks, a tortoise, has entered a road race, but what was she thinking? With only a week to go before the big day, she worries that she doesn't stand a chance against the other animals competing. Barbara's friend and owner, Lorraine, inspires her to train a little bit more each day and coaxes her out of her shell when the race day arrives. How intimidating to line up next to the slow loris, the snail, the sloth, and the walrus! But Barbara realizes that if she just tries her best, she's already won. Adorably illustrated in rich color and detail and told with splashes of dry humor, this touching story of perseverance celebrates all that can be accomplished with a little preparation and a lot of self-love.

Pinkalicious LOVES Halloween! With a Pinkagirl costume prepared, Pinkalicious can't wait to dress up and trick-or-treat. But when a big storm makes the power go out the night before Halloween, the mayor sends out an emergency message canceling the big day. Pinkalicious is devastated--how could this happen on her favorite day of the year Pinkalicious decides that just because she won't be dressed up as Pinkagirl doesn't mean she still can't have Pinkagirl's superhero powers. What would Pinkagirl do Pinkalicious takes matters into her own hands and decides to talk to the mayor. Will Pinkalicious find a way to light up the town and save Halloween

Salam's grandpa says that olive trees are strong and that their roots run deep in their Palestinian land. They connect everyone--from the farmer who presses the olives into oil to the baker who uses the oil in his taboon. Salam plants her own seed and is eager to see it grow. She waits... she waters... she asks the seed to hurry... until finally...a sprout! But one day soldiers come and destroy everything in their path...including Salam's new olive tree. Salam is crushed--though she doesn't have to worry. Her grandpa gathers their neighbors and, together, they plant olive trees as far as the eye can see.

We used to live in a big city. In our apartment window was a star-shaped lamp, shining through the cold. I could recognize home from far away. But then the war began, and we left for another country. Everything is different here--the food, the language, even Mom and me. Today Mom bought us a package of scissors, glue, and cardboard. Can we make this place feel a little more like home?  

Elba has a big block. She's been dragging it around for a long time. It makes her walk slowly. It makes her think darkly. It is heavy. Norris dances everywhere he goes, even uphill. He is always surrounded by a happy cloud of butterflies. When the two meet, Norris wants Elba to accompany him on a trip to the ocean. But she just wants to sit on her block. "I feel something in there," Norris says. "What?" asks Elba, who doesn't feel a thing. "Something sad," says Norris. "I think it wants to come out." In time, Elba agrees to let Norris help her carry her block. Is it possible that once they finally reach the shore, Elba's block has grown smaller? This tender exploration of grief will resonate with anyone who has experienced hardship, sensitively demonstrating the healing power of a friend who can see, listen, sit with, and love us through all our feelings.

From the tiny seed to the fluffy white cotton, from the steady hands of the farmer to the swift fingers of the weaver, from the busy shopkeeper, to a gift for a loved one, follow the journey of the Gabi that Girma wore in this lively and rhythmic tale that's perfect to read aloud.

Meet Olivette, who wants kids to know that "all of it is YOU!" and to embrace every part of themselves. The brainchild of actor Nico Tortorella, this buoyant story is a celebration of all the many different parts of us. Olivette is here to let you in on a secret- you can be anything you want to be. And even better, you can be all of it! Olivette is energetic, moody, and unique-just like you, Olivette contains multitudes. Olivette Is You-all of it is you-is inspired by actor, musician, and author Nico Tortorella's own experience. Through this buoyant picture book, Nico shows you that you don't have to choose who or what to be; you are already everything.

Celebrate the Lunar New Year through a young girl's family traditions in this charming picture book featuring illustrations by New York Times bestselling artist Dung Ho that also includes a recipe for pineapple cakes! Little Ren looks forward to the preparation for and festivities of Lunar New Year, but she is always too little to help make the delicious pineapple cakes that are her favorite. She watches family members rolling out the dough and loves the mouth-watering smell. Watching and waiting, when will Ren be old enough?

Nothing welcomes spring like a wild onion dinner! As the dirt warms and green sprouts poke up, a Cherokee girl joins her family in the hunt for green onions. Together, they pick enough to bring to a feast, which is cooked with love and shared by their community. Idalisdayvhvga! Let's all eat! Written with simple, sensory lyricism by Andrea Rogers (Cherokee) and featuring warm, vibrant art by Madelyn Goodnight (Chickasaw), this picture book celebrates the spring tradition of wild onion dinners--and the community and comfort that are shared when we gather.  

In this companion to the enormously popular A Family Is a Family Is a Family, a group of kids share the silly questions they always hear, as well as the questions they would rather be asked about themselves. Being the new kid is hard, a child in the school playground tells us. I can think of better things to ask than if I'm a boy or a girl. Another child comes along and says she gets asked why she always has her nose in a book. Someone else gets asked where they come from.  One after another, children share the questions they're tired of being asked again and again -- as opposed to what they believe are the most important or interesting things about themselves. As they move around the playground, picking up new friends along the way, there is a feeling of understanding and acceptance among them. And in the end, the new kid comes up with the question they would definitely all like to hear: "Hey kid, want to play?" Sara O'Leary's thoughtful text and Qin Leng's expressive illustrations tell a story about children who are all different, all themselves, all just kids.  

A simple, imaginative story depicting the complex emotional reality of a girl whose father no longer lives at home. The girl conjures up an imaginary companion -- a lion -- who will join her on the long walk home from school. He will help her to pick up her baby brother from daycare and shop at the store (which has cut off the family's credit), and he'll keep her company all along the way until she is safely home. He will always come back when she needs him, unlike her father whom she sees only in a photograph -- a photograph in which he clearly resembles a lion.

On a hot summer day, Sumaya is all set to make some lemonade. But before she is able to fix her refreshment, the ice goes missing. Where did it go? Is there an ice thief in the house?

Sumaya's cousin is graduating from high school, and Sumaya wants to give her a flowering plant as a gift. But the plant begins to droop before graduation day. Can Sumaya solve her droopy plant problem before it's too late?

After a fresh snowstorm, Sumaya is excited to play in the snow, but before long, she's freezing cold and needs to head inside. She starts to wonder, how do polar animals live outside in the cold? Can learning more about polar animals help her stay warm outside even on a cold day?

Sammy is having the absolute rottenest, worst day ever. His little brother, Benji, knows exactly what that's like. Nothing seems to be going right for Sammy today. At school, he got in trouble for kicking a fence, then the cafeteria ran out of pizza for lunch. After he walks home in the pouring rain, he finds his autistic little brother Benji is having a bad day too. On days like this, Benji has a special play-box where he goes to feel cozy and safe. Sammy doesn't have a special place, and he's convinced no one cares how he feels or even notices him. But somebody is noticing, and may just have an idea on how to help Sammy feel better. In this tender story about siblings, author Sally J. Pla shares her experience of raising sons with different personality traits and needs. Benji, the Bad Day, and Me embraces the philosophy that we are all part of a wide spectrum of neurodiversity. And on those really bad, rotten days, you can always count on family to be there for you.

Adapted from the real-life story of an unsung hero, Mr. Quigley's Keys invites you to walk in the work shoes of a beloved handyman as he quietly jingles through the hallways, listening for ways to serve and connecting by heart. Bask in the admiration and pride that the students feel for their Navy veteran, whose war injury left him deaf, and watch as his every move models the school's keys to connection: love, perseverance, work ethic, empathy, goodness, and peace. Spend a birthday in the cafeteria and experience the joy of receiving a Quigley creation, then savor the sweetness as the can-doer classmates turn the tables to thank their faithful fix-it friend. Turn the final page for a key twist that'll wrap you up in a huge hug of gratitude and love.

Celebrate Korean Lunar New Year and join one child's quest to eat enough bowls of soup to become a "big girl!" Sohee's favorite part of Seollal is tteokguk--the special Korean rice cake soup traditionally only enjoyed on New Year's Day. Each bowl is said to make the person who eats it one year older. This year, Sohee wants to eat as many bowls as she can to finally be an eonni, or "big girl," to her younger siblings and cousins. Before Sohee can even get to her first bowl, though, she's interrupted by a series of holiday-related chores, leaving plenty of opportunity for her mischievous younger sister Somi to eat not only Sohee's tteokguk, but their whole family's! Despite this outrageously silly setback, Sohee eventually learns that being a big girl is more than just how many bowls of tteokguk you eat.  This funny story of a child's journey to discover what it really means to be a big girl explores the traditions of Korean Lunar New Year and the value of family and helpfulness. 

In this bestselling and internationally beloved picture book, the local Pet Club won't admit a boy's tiny pet elephant, so he finds a solution--one that involves all kinds of unusual animals. Today is Pet Club day. There will be cats and dogs and fish, but strictly no elephantsare allowed. The Pet Club doesn't understand that pets come in all shapes and sizes, just like friends. Now it is time for a boy and his tiny pet elephant to show them what it means to be a true friend. Strictly No Elephants has been sold around the world and is heralded as a pitch-perfect book about inclusion. Imaginative and lyrical, this sweet story captures the magic of friendship and the joy of having a pet.

An inspiring and accessible picture book biography of the beloved naturalist, broadcaster, and documentarian David Attenborough--stunningly illustrated by a Caldecott Honoree. As a boy, David loved exploring the wild places near his home in England, collecting fossils, rocks, and newts. When he grew older, he got a job in television, where he had an idea for a new kind of show: He would travel to wild places all over the world to film animals in their natural habitats. Over the span of seven decades, David's innovative documentaries have been treasured by millions of people. But as time went on, he noticed the wild places he loved were shrinking. What could David do to help? What could we all do? This is the story of David Attenborough. It's also the story of our planet, which has changed rapidly over the course of one person's lifetime, and a clarion call for us to do our part to bring back the wild places and protect the creatures who call Earth home.

An instant classic in the world of Social-Emotional Learning, this bestselling picture book tells the story of one little boy with some big, big emotions -- and how he learns to see them for the gifts they are. The Boy with Big, Big Feelingsis relatable for any child -- especially for a child experiencing anxiety, extreme emotions, a child identified as a Highly Sensitive Person, or a child on the autism spectrum. Beautifully illustrated and written in rhyming verse, children and adults explore the whole spectrum of feelings and readers navigate the emotional challenges they face throughout the day. The main character has feelings so big that they glow from his cheeks, spill out of his eyes, and jump up and down on his chest. When he hears a joke, he bursts with joy. When a loud truck drives by, he cries. When his loved ones are having a hard day, he feels their emotions as if they were his own. The boy tries to cope by stuffing down his feelings, but with a little help and artistic inspiration, the boy realizes his feelings are something to be celebrated.

Celebrate the tenacity of the human spirit with this moving picture book about Lakshmi, a young girl who learns to brave a snowy Minnesota winter after immigrating from tropical Guyana.  Lakshmi just moved from rural, sunny Guyana to a city in icy, frigid Minnesota. Her family is trying hard to adjust to a new country, but for Lakshmi, the hardest part is the cold, slushy, white stuff everywhere. Snow didn't exist in Guyana, but it's inescapable in Minnesota. Lakshmi's too scared to walk in it, so her mama has to carry her everywhere. But when she meets a new friend on the bus, Lakshmi's fears melt away, revealing a bravery she didn't know she had.  Based on the author's own childhood experience of immigration, Snow Steps fosters empathy for newcomers and provides reassuring comfort to children facing new experiences.

Pinkalicious wants to celebrate the holiday in a way that's as unique as she is--with a gloriously pink tree. But Mom and Dad immediately say no--the Pinkertons always get real trees for the holidays. Pinkalicious is disappointed, but she tries to put on her best cheerful face. Then, the day before Christmas, Mom and Dad surprise Pinkalicious with a gorgeous pink artificial tree, and Pinkalicious is delighted! It's pinkatastic! Now if only Pinkalicious could convince Santa to wear pink instead of red! Your family will enjoy the story and also the fun extras in this gift-ready hardcover Christmas story.

Told from the perspective of a young girl learning to weave, Woven of the World is a lyrical meditation on the ancient art of weaving and what this beautiful craft can teach us. As rhythmic as the swish of a loom, and as vibrant as a skein of brightly dyed wool, this lyrical picture book shares the history and practice of weaving through the centuries and around the world, as imagined by a young weaver learning her craft. Her family's weaving practice helps her feel connected to the past and hopeful for the future. It shows her that each of us is a tapestry: a unique, rich, and beautifully interwoven combination of traits and traditions, with a pattern that is still emerging. At once a celebration of a time-honored art and a meditation on the ways we are interconnected, this artfully woven narrative gathers the threads of weaving as a technical skill, a cultural tradition, and as a metaphor for how our lives are knit together, into a radiantly intertwined whole.

An afternoon at Grandma's house is full of laughter, gardening, and so much more. In lyrical text that blends the past and present, Memory Garden is a nod to the places we leave behind but never forget. Written and illustrated by a loving mother-daughter duo, Memory Garden allows readers a glimpse of the authentic beauty inherent to Iranian culture. Vibrant illustrations of lush gardens celebrate the memories of home that we carry in our hearts. Rich with inspiration, this book's lively scenes will resonate with readers of all backgrounds.

The How to Catch kids are playing outside when they accidentally wake the groundhog living in the park. When the Groundhog runs away, the kids realize that tomorrow is Groundhog's Day. If they don't catch the groundhog and bring him back, the town won't know when winter ends!

Ana cannot contain her excitement--her abuela is coming to stay with her and Mami for always! Abuela is sure to let Ana play whenever she wants instead of rushing her off to school, like her neighbor and babysitter, señora Mimí, sometimes does. In fact, as Ana's classmate points out, she won't need señora Mimí to babysit at all anymore! But señora Mimí is a good listener, and they have a lot of fun together feeding the squirrels and eating snacks. Maybe Ana isn't ready to say goodbye to señora Mimí just yet?

Teach Your Children About Responsibility. Your Children Will Immediately Understand How To Take Responsibility Through This Cute Dragon Book. Having a pet dragon is very fun. You can teach your dragon to sit, stand, roll over, and you can even potty train him... But what if your dragon is not responsible? What if he always says "It's Not My Fault ", and puts the blame on others for his mistakes? What do you do? You teach him that mistakes are not bad, as long as he learns from it. You teach him to own his mistake, learn from them, and take responsibility. How do you do it?

A fresh, funny modern fairytale about a little princess who hates the stuffy palace, but loves the creatures she meets in the garden, from superstar duo Michael Morpurgo and Emily Gravett. Clara is a small, strong-willed princess who likes running wild, jumping ditches, and climbing trees. But most of all, she loves collecting creepy-crawlies and making them her friends. That's not easy with a bossy butler and persnickety nanny always on your case! When Clara discovers that an ogre she keeps in her shoe under her bed isn't an ogre at all, he offers her a way out of her predicament. There's just one thing she needs to do...

It's fun to color outside the lines in this playful celebration of family, creativity, and the color pink! Leo LOVES doodling away with his pink marker! So when Mom and Mama aren't looking, he finds an opportunity to liven up the dusty, gray scrapyard. A splash of pink would look great on that crunched-up convertible, and that magnet crane...and the family cat. Uh-oh! Leo got carried away. Will his moms be upset?

Three friends go to the park, where it seems like nothing is happening--but something is. The wind is stirring the trees and sending maple keys spiralling down through the air, inspiring the children to whirl and spin...which makes a baby laugh and clap, and a man tap a rhythm with his cane. Soon, the kids and those around them are part of a domino effect of creativity from painting and building castle forts to having daring adventures and sailing the imaginary seas, and finally staging a colorful parade and watching stories unfurl in the clouds. The kids follow this path of creativity, until finally it's nighttime and they think nothing more could possibly happen. But something does: their minds continue to create fantastical possibilities in their dreams.

Snuggle up and ease your child off to sleep reading Joseph Coelho's lullaby-like poems. Lyrical, calming and beautifully illustrated, these peaceful poems are a magical way to end the day. Written by award-winning performance poet Joseph Coelho, Goodnight, Starry Night is a collection of 14 poems that takes readers on a gentle journey into dreamland. Each poem is inspired by a calming work of art, reproduced in the book alongside the heart-warming illustrations of Allison Colpoys. The book takes its title from Van Gogh's painting The Starry Night, which inspired Coelho's evocative poem River Sky: I gaze upon the starry night It twists into a river-sky my every breath, a swirling light I gaze upon the starry night.

A gentle, probing picture book from award-winning author Kyo Maclear and celebrated illustrator Katty Maurey about the special relationship between a grandfather and his grandson, and the many traces, memories, and even ghosts with which we live There's a ghost in Grandpa's garden. It leaves tracks by the path where there was once a cool dark stream. It makes mischief by knocking over flowerpots. And sometimes, it leaves behind a gift perfect for a curious boy, in the form of little treasures from times gone by. The boy who is the narrator of this picture book loves spending time with his grandpa in the garden, enjoying the natural world, listening to memories of how things used to be, and making up stories about the friendly ghost. With Grandpa as his loving guide, the boy learns to look closely at the garden and marvel at its mysteries, to uncover the layers of history that make up this special place, and also to fashion new things from all that he has found.

One, Two, Kat, and Four are starting a club, and every member is good at something! Except naming clubs. If only there were some kind of sign about what their club should be called!

World-renowned artist and picture book creator Oliver Jeffers brings to life an endearing story about the magic of friendship--and sharing what brings us joy. Celebrate twenty years of The Boy in this highly anticipated new adventure from the internationally bestselling picture book creator of Lost and Found, Oliver Jeffers! Once there was a boy who would often play hide-and-seek with his friends the star and the penguin. The star was always easy to find, but one day it went missing. So, the boy radioed the Martian for help, and soon found himself on an exciting spaceship rescue mission to the North Pole! But there, he discovered that he wasn't the only one who had always dreamed of having a star as a friend . . . The out-of-this-world, long-awaited sequel to the much-loved Boy stories, loved all around the world--now introducing a brand-new character!

The Geisel Award-winning creators of See the Cat channel their comic sensibility into a rousing alphabetical exercise in thinking outside the box. Jack, Jill, and Rex are excited to play a game of Go and Get! The rules are simple: on the count of three, each player must go and get something that begins with a certain letter. While Jack's and Jill's picks always fit the bill (What starts with F? Frog! Fish!), Rex keeps getting it wrong (a duck?)--or does he?

I'm so glad you came by. My name is Billie. I'm four years old and I am also Hard of Hearing. I have bilateral hearing loss due to Microtia. Microtia is a congenital condition of a little or missing outer ear. I wear my BAHA to be able to hear the world around me. I go to a school with all my other friends that are also Deaf or Hard of Hearing, but they don't all wear BAHAs to hear like me. Some of my friends wear behind the ear hearing aids or cochlear implants. I even have one friend that does not wear anything to hear, but we all have one thing in common....we are all SUPER HEARo's! My superpowers are kindness and acceptance. Together we will discover communication repair strategies, self-advocacy, and how to bring everyone's differences together! 

Join Henry as he navigates the ups and downs of marker missiles, stomach volcanoes, and days that feel a little too orange. From the creators of the Schneider Family Honor-winning picture book A Friend for Henry, this warmly funny book starring a child on the autism spectrum is a reassuring read for school-bound kids of all stripes.

From the creators of the bestselling All Are Welcome comes a modern and inclusive picture book that celebrates the many milestones of a child's life ranging from a school play to graduation with an emphasis on kindness and community. Where will you go? Who will you be? I savor the moments that you're here with me. Follow a set of kids and their families through the big and small moments with colorful illustrations and beautiful, rhyming text--a book that parents and teachers will love reading over and over to their kids--both young and old. With a gorgeous fold-out spread, this is a great gift for any occasion, but a stand-out for graduation with its loving and inspiring message: Wherever you go, whatever you do. I want you know I'm so proud of you.

The king¿s battles with the dragon were always mighty and loud. Boy lived in silence and couldn¿t hear the fighting. But Boy could see the fear around him . . . and how everyone would be much happier without it.

In this gorgeously illustrated whimsical tale, a young boy who fears the outdoors becomes lost in the forest . . . and discovers not only his courage but a new friend, too. The Vasylenko family are all adventurers who love wild places and wild things. All, that is, except young Oktober. He also dreams of adventure, but it's the kind that takes place between the pages of a book, indoors, where it's safe and warm. Unlike the rest of his family, he dreads venturing out where it's cold, wet, and home to a creature he calls the Wilderness. His father assures him the wilderness isn't a monster, but out there, Oktober can only see slimy tails and sharp teeth and so many places for the terrible Wilderness to hide. One day on a hike, Oktober gets separated from his family, and because he doesn't believe he's brave enough to be an adventurer, he's certain his fate is sealed. But maybe getting lost is just what Oktober needs to find courage and a new perspective . . . and an unexpected friend. With wry humor and marvelously rich and clever illustrations that readers will be happy to get lost in, Steve McCarthy's debut as author-illustrator will speak to even the most timid and bookish of adventurers.

Batman(tm) tackles the deadly King Shark in this action-packed storybook! Batman has to take a deep dive into the icy waters of Gotham City harbor to stop the dangerous Super-Villain King Shark! 3 to 7 year old Batman and DC Super Hero fans will love the action as their favorite hero battles this toothy foe in this full-color storybook.

Join Pepe as he celebrates his Mexican-American heritage by participating in a Hispanic Day parade. Children will delight in seeing many Hispanic cultures proudly honored in this joyous picture book. Pepe wakes up energized to attend his first Hispanic Day parade. With new food to taste, music to dance to, and a parade to watch, Pepe couldn't be more excited to celebrate and share his Hispanic heritage. Many of Pepe's friends also attend the festival, celebrating their own Hispanic ties. Mexican, Dominican, Panamanian, Colombian, Honduran, Nicaraguan, Chilean, Puerto Rican, Salvadoran, Guatemalan, and Cuban cultures are all represented in the parade. A day filled with joy and pride, Pepe and the Parade is a jubilant celebration of culture and identity.

This is my book. My favorite book. I carry it with me wherever I go. Meet the child who loves books in this lyrical tribute to the joys of books and reading by Newbery medalist Linda Sue Park and featuring the jubilant illustrations of celebrated Caldecott artist Chris Raschka. My Book and Me invites us to reflect on beloved books which are friends we hold dear; books we read over and again; books that may take us to places afar to experience the world in different ways, and books that comfort and reassure us. This jubilant paean to literature is a celebration of our favorite authors, characters, and stories; those that we cherish the most and are friends for life . . . which books are your favorite? My Book and Me features a diverse group of children, all enjoying their favorite books.

Discover how Miles Morales gets to know his special powers and helps Peter Parker protect New York City as Spider-Man

Spending time with Grandma is priceless! From biking and baking to playing games and making crafts, the fun is endless. And on top of all that fun, the memories are unforgettable. So it makes sense that your dragon wants to experience the love, magic, and memories too. But is it a good idea to bring your dragon to Grandma's? Julie Gassman and Andy Elkerton team up again for the seventh picture book in the Do Not Take Your Dragon series. Interactive, rhyming text encourages audience participation, and the energetic art is sure to bring nonstop laughs.

In this interactive follow-up to Don't Wake the Dragon, our beloved Dragon is wide-awake and preparing to celebrate one of the kingdom's most important events of the year: the annual Friendship Festival! It's a time for everyone to gather and have fun, all honoring their meaningful friendships. But on the day of the feast, the cooks are called away to cater to the Queen and the knights must report for special duty in the Enchanted Forest. With everyone gone, Dragon is upset and worried that this year's Friendship Festival is doomed. Could they be planning something special for her? And in the meantime, can you help cheer her up?With colorful and humorous illustrations throughout, this read-aloud picture book encourages kids to interact with the text on every page. Young readers will love waving to characters, blowing kisses, dancing, and more on this fun ride alongside Dragon and her adorable friends in this delightful story that will beg to be read again and again.

The time is now for this anxious little guy: Meet Scaredy Squirrel in his brand-new graphic novel series! He's funnier (and scared-ier) than ever, and perfect for readers of Narwhal and Jelly. Scaredy is happy to stay in his nut tree. Why would he ever leave? The outside is filled with dangers. Like aliens! And dust! And a certain fluffy bunny who likes to pop up! But things don't always go as planned, even for a super-prepared squirrel. When he has to venture out of his tree and onto the ground, Scaredy panics and plays dead . . . but maybe the fluffy bunny's not so scary after all? In a nutshell, Scaredy might just make a new friend, if he is brave enough. . . .

Princess Truly takes the lead, across three rhyming stories perfect for beginning readers! Pick a book. Grow a Reader! This series is part of Scholastic's early reader line, Acorn, aimed at children who are learning to read. With easy-to-read text, a short-story format, plenty of humor, and full-color artwork on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and fluency. Acorn books plant a love of reading and help readers grow! Princess Truly leads the way! Across three stories, Princess Truly helps her friends as class leader, she knows just what to do to help her pug, Sir Noodle, when he's nervous at his talent show, and she leads lost ducklings back to their mother! These funny and empowering short stories promote believing in yourself, building confidence, and having a positive self-image. Perfect for fans of Ada Twist, Scientist, Princess Truly fosters imagination and curiosity. With full-color artwork and easy-to-read rhyming text throughout, this series is just-right for new readers!

When Dr. Meridian captures Megatron and Dot Malto, Megatron is put to the test. Will he keep his oath and stay loyal to Optimus Prime and help save Robby and Mo's mom, or will he go back to his old ways and side with Meridian?

See how fan-favorite Bumblebee spends his days in this exciting Level 2 Ready-to-Read! Since the Transformers War ended, Bumblebee has been living under the radar, helping Optimus Prime whenever he needs him. Only a select few know his whereabouts and the top secret, super important missions he has completed. Get the scoop on this awesome Autobot!

A plan to build a unique home takes a timid Hedgehog on an incredible journey of self-discovery. From meeting new friends to conquering countless obstacles, Hedgehog tackles his house plan with a newfound confidence. Best-selling creator Katy Hudson (Too Many Carrots and Mindful Mr. Sloth) combines her stunning, detailed artwork with themes of friendship, problem solving, and self-awareness in this empowering picture book.

Landon's favorite place in the whole world is The Bookworm Bookstore. But when he discovers a bunch of real bookworms, things get weird and wild--and a little scary! What are the bookworms hiding? Dig in to unearth the truth in this early chapter book.

When Mya wakes up to a gloomy day, her grandpa asks her how she could make the day brighter. His simple question puts Mya into motion, and together with her little brother, Oliver, and neighbor Addie, she opens the Kindness Booth. Their plan is to spread some sunshine to the neighbors in her apartment complex by helping them throughout the day. But what happens when the booth gets rained out?

'Here are the seeds that we will sow to help our garden grow.' But as time passes, the children quickly learn that things rarely go as planned in the garden. Plants will droop without enough sun and wilt without enough water. Suddenly, 'OH NO!' becomes the children's repeated refrain. Eventually, the pair come to see that nature itself provides everything a magnificent garden needs to flourish! This engaging read-aloud doubles as a child-friendly lesson on what plants need in order to grow. Olivia Amoah's vivid artwork brings the story to life, particularly on the spreads featuring the refrain ('OH NO!'), where readers can look at the illustrations to try to figure out what went wrong in the garden. The story covers the key elements of what makes a healthy garden, such as soil, sun, bugs, water, mushrooms and worms - and shows how balance is necessary for plants to survive.

Ali is annoyed by his little brother, but Fateh is just looking forward to a special treat!It's cooking day with Dadi! Ali is excited, but Fateh is getting in the way--as usual! Why does Fateh keep blowing in Ali's face? But when Dadi brings out the delicious treats, Ali realizes that his little brother might be a lot smarter than he thought!

Will Ali the Great be Ali the Goof?Ali is sure that he will have the best show-and-tell in class--his magic tricks! But Ali gets flustered when one after another, his tricks all fail. How can he overcome his embarrassment? Sometimes, a magician just needs a little help!

Ali and his classmates build robots, but will competition lead to a meltdown? Ms. Alex brings out the makerspace cart, and the class is excited to build robots! But competitive Ali wants to make it a contest, and his fuse runs short when things fall apart. After his meltdown, can Ali save the day--and his friendships--with a teamwork solution?

Ali and Amma go on a bug hunt--but are the bugs hunting Ali?Ali and Amma head to the park for a nature walk. Ali is ready to discover all kinds of bugs! But instead, it seems the bugs have discovered Ali! Can Ali change his thinking and remember that he is a visitor in the insects' world?

What does a boy with an incredible imagination do when he finds a book about African animals? He gets his best friends and goes on a safari, of course! Jump in the truck with Milo, Jack, and Cheddar as they head out in search of African wildlife. What surprises are in store for Milo and his friends as they embark on this wild imaginary adventure?

What does a boy with an amazing imagination do when he finds a book about secret codes at the library? He joins his best friends on an amazing secret agent adventure, of course! Sneak along with Milo, Jack, and Cheddar as they try break into the evil Dr. Daisy's lair. Will Milo and his friends crack the secret computer code to discover her plans before they're discovered?

What does a boy with an awesome imagination do when he discovers an old scroll with a map to a hidden tomb? He gathers his best friends to go on a creepy adventure, of course! Join Milo, Jack, and Cheddar as they explore dark and spooky tunnels in search of a mummy's tomb. Will they succeed in discovering the secrets of the tomb, or become victims of the mummy's curse?

What does a boy with a fantastic imagination do when he hears a strange sound coming from his homemade radio receiver? He grabs his best friends and goes on a space adventure, of course! Join Milo, Jack, and Cheddar as they blast off in search of a mysterious signal. What amazing things will they discover on their imaginary outer space adventure?

Emma and her family want to try new things this summer. The first activity on their list is camping. Will this adventure be family fun or a family disaster? Emma is Deaf and often uses sign language to communicate. This early chapter book includes an ASL fingerspelling chart and a sign language guide.

Emma is worried about her dentist appointment. What if she has a cavity? What if she didn't floss enough? Thankfully Emma has a good team of people to help her feel better. Emma is Deaf and often uses sign language to communicate, and this early chapter book includes an ASL fingerspelling chart and a sign language guide.

Scorch the hedgehog is determined to be ferocious. The doomsy-est, most menacing class pet ever known. She's not just Scorch, she's... Scorch, Hedgehog of Doom! There's just one problem--Scorch is kind of adorable. So adorable, in fact, that it's all anyone ever notices. With each swirl of her cloak, each sharp claw raised high, each baring of her chilling chompers, the kids of room 402 don't fall back in fear or quiver with tears. Instead, they cry, "Awww! Adorable!" Tired of being seen as just one thing, Scorch flies into action, determined to show how truly terrifying she can be. But when her flipping, training, and high-flying efforts land her in true danger--the home of the classroom's other scaled, slithering, cold-blooded animal occupant--Scorch must harness and embrace all the parts of her unique self. Put to the ultimate test, she finds power in being ferociously adorable and killer cute.

Crow's mischievous antics are featured in this playful and informative picture book that illustrates the cleverness of crows and their intriguing behavior. Crows are crafty birds. In this picture book about a particularly noisy and mischievous young crow, their intriguing behaviors are on full display. They can mimic sounds and use objects for tools, and they love to hide things. They also enjoy raising a ruckus. Follow along as Crow leaves his home nest and his large extended family and flies to the nearby farm, looking for fun and trouble. He enjoys pestering the songbirds, stealing food from Cat, and taunting Dog. But he soon tires of his usual hijinks, and he sets out to find more exciting adventures. What will happen when he runs into DANGEROUS trouble?

Square, Triangle, and all the other shapes each think they're perfectly perfect for a special job at the library. Line is literally imperfect--broken and chipped by the long journey to the library. But Line has a quiet determination and fierce resilience that is unmatched. It turns out that being perfectly imperfect is just the right job qualification! Laura Purdie Salas weaves together themes of self-worth, self-awareness, and sense of belonging in this inspiring picture book. Combine Laura's lively story with Alice Caldarella's energetic illustrations and you have a fresh twist on shapes that you will want to read over and over again!

It's the first day of school. An artist wonders if her drawings are good enough to show. An inventor is excited for show and tell. A group of competitive friends call themselves the Sport Kings (but nobody else does). Pat, the class pet, listens to the weird sounds humans make. The teacher is ready to start. When the new student gets to class, things take a turn for the unusual. There's something a little strange about the visitor--maybe even something out-of-this-world.

Ever been picked last? Well, this sour apple knows a thing or two about what it feels like to be forgotten. When apple season passes and he's left on the cold, hard ground, he questions his place in the world. As his introspection branches out into different ideas of what could have been if he was chosen, he learns some core truths about what it means to be alive.

Alfonso and Abuela love to spend Saturday afternoons finding books at the library and reading them together beneath their favorite oak tree. But when their beloved tree is cut down, can Alfonso transform the stump into something magical for their whole community--their very own neighborhood library.

A little fox uses tools to overcome anxiety and make friends at her new school in this heartfelt picture book from the creator of the New York Times bestseller Share Some Kindness, Bring Some Light! It's Ruby the fox's first day at a new school. She's a little nervous, but luckily, she has her tools to help: a tape measure to count her breaths if she feels overwhelmed, pliers to remind her to be flexible, and safety goggles to see things in a new way. When Ruby finds out her class is having an egg drop competition, she wants to share her ideas, but she feels shy surrounded by all her talkative classmates. Can she use her tools to find the confidence to speak up, and maybe even make some new friends?

At the far reaches of Earth, high upon a mountaintop, a bustling city is under attack by a . . . cute little furball? Wait--what?! That's not right. The author wrote this book about a "ferocious beast," not a cuddly critter. Turns out, the book's illustrator has other plans. Page by page, these clashing collaborators are writing (and drawing) themselves into the story for a full-on creator combat--a bookmaking BATTLE ROYALE! Can the author make a successful book with no pictures? Can the illustrator tell a tale without words? (A picture is worth a thousand of them, he says.) Or will this dueling duo get on the same page at last to create the ultimate happy ending?

A new classic for Black and Brown children. ANYTHING and EVERYTHING is possible! Perhaps you want to become an artist, or a scientist, or maybe even president. Even when--especially when--the path is hard, Dear YOU- Dream BIG. A personal, poetic, and uplifting affirmation from Caribbean-born author Baptiste Paul encouraging today's Black youth to reject those who wish to silence them, exclude them, and reject their talents with one powerful refrain

Whoosh! Squirrel takes off at full speed through the autumn leaves. But pump the brakes, because this year The Golden Nut Hunt race it is a team event. Squirrel reluctantly enlists her friends and is not impressed. Will Squirrel's competitive spirit take over or will she learn how to be a team player?

Winning is Bijan's favorite thing. And Bijan always wins. But after declaring himself the winner of drawing and dinosaurs and even of lunch, Bijan notices that his friends aren't so keen to play with him. Could it be that some things, like friendship, can't be won?

When you see someone sad, it's only natural to want to cheer them up. But how? Some people like hugs but others don't. Sometimes a joke is more comforting than a card. How can you do the just-right-thing if you don't know what it is? With its spare, poignant text and unexpectedly levitous illustrations, Just What to Dooffers an important lesson about how to offer comfort to loved ones by setting aside your assumptions and following their lead.

Meet Zuni. She's sweet, silly, ever-so-charming, and full of bright ideas. Her family has a memory jar. Anytime someone in the family does something important, they mark those moments through notes and photos stored in the jar and share those memories together at the end of the year. Her parents tell Zuni that when she grows up, she'll have important memories to share, too, like graduations, and milestones, and trophies. But Zuni is already making memories! And at the end of the year, her family gets to see the moments that made an impact on little Zuni. A deceptively simple story for young and old alike, Zuni and the Memory Jar is a reminder to celebrate everyday joys in life along with the grand achievements.

Are you ready to meet the world's crankiest book Cranky doesn't want to be read. He just wants you to leave him alone. After all, there are so many other things you can do--ride a bike, play a game, or draw a picture. There's no reason for you to be bothering him! But when other books show up for story time, will Cranky change his mind.

Floof - from the planet Ploof - has just landed on Earth! Luckily, alien expert Dr. Greta Goodnote is here to guide readers on how to interact with him. She explains how to make Floof feel welcome by raising your arms and jiggling them, protect him from the rain by blowing clouds away, and most important of all: stop him from poofing up when he gets wet! There's a whole lot to do and a whole lot of silliness to enjoy. With its lovable alien character and giggle-inducing activity prompts, debut author C. J. Hong's playful, inventive story is sure to be a hit with young readers. A. J. Smith's stylishly retro art, with its midcentury space race look, gives Floof just the right amount of cuddly, fluffy appeal. Besides the high entertainment factor, this book contains themes of inclusion and welcoming new friends, and a simple introduction to how a scientific hypothesis works. With a new activity on every spread - other examples include pointing to hiding animals, blowing Floof a kiss and clearing dust with a brush of the fingers - this is a perfect pick for high-energy story times.

There once was a young boy who had trouble with words. He paused and stuttered and stammered, which made school really tough. But with encouragement from his mom and a paintbrush in hand, he learns that finding your voice isn't about being perfect--it's about being true to yourself.

Sometimes you want to eat a juicy red plum at the top of a tree, but it seems so hard. What if you start the climb and a strong wind blows and the tree shakes? What if it rains and you slip and FALL? But those  sweet-smelling, juicy, ripe purple plums up there look so tasty, and best of all, Mama is waiting for you with words of encouragement. . . .

Cesaria is going to perform for the seaside Carnival. She skips past the beach barefoot, dressed in her favorite peacock leotard. But when her dance director tells her she must put on her shoes to go on stage, Cesaria signs, "Peacocks don't wear shoes!" You see, Cesaria hears the music through the soles of her feet, but no one seems to understand... ...That is, until all the dancers take off their shoes, and learn to feel the music, just like Cesaria. Cesaria Feels the Beat is a lyrical and heartfelt story about deafness, community, and Carnival.

After embarking on her first solo mission to place a satellite into orbit, Rocket is back, and she's headed on a lunar expedition! But this time she's not going alone. Instead of exploring, Rocket's mission is to drop off the spacecraft, Lander, and then return to Earth while Lander investigates the Moon's surface. Rocket can't seem to muster up any friendly words on their journey into orbit-the Moon is big! Why can't they share?! But when she learns that Lander is afraid of heights and needs a helping hand, Rocket decides to put aside her disappointment and help Lander accomplish his goal.

One day, Kamala and Maya had an idea. A big idea: They would turn their empty apartment courtyard into a playground! This is the uplifting tale of how the author's aunt and mother first learned to persevere in the face of disappointment and turned a dream into reality. This is a story of children's ability to make a difference and of a community coming together to transform their neighborhood. A New York Times bestseller!

Cranky is feeling extra cranky when a new crane joins the crew. There's a new crane on the construction site! His name is Lefty and he's the opposite of Cranky--smiley, talkative, and a jokester. Everything Lefty does makes Cranky feel extra cranky. But everyone else seems to love him. What if Cranky's friends like Lefty more than him Find out how self-acceptance and a supportive crew help one cranky truck make a new friend in this humorous story.

Meg is a brilliant and creative boxitect. She loves impressing her teacher and classmates with what she makes out of boxes. But there's a new kid at Maker School: Simone. Simone is good at everything, and worst of all, she's a boxitect too. When the annual Maker Match is held, Meg and Simone are paired as a team but can't seem to stop arguing. When their extraordinary project turns into a huge disaster, they must find a way to join creative forces, lift each other up, and work together.

Somewhere, a rock is waiting for you. One just the right color for your windowsill, or just the right shape for drawing a face. Maybe it is a rock from the heart of a mountain that will remind you of how big YOU are inside, too. Maybe it is a rock washed by the sea that knows all about the backs and forths and ups and downs of things. Maybe it is a small rock, just the right size to close your hand around and know that the rock is with you and it is just right.

Our new neighbors' hands are dancing. Their hands move as if to music. What are they saying to each other?   Sam's new neighbors' hands make graceful movements she doesn't recognize, and she wonders what they are saying. Soon she meets her new neighbor, Mai, who teaches Sam some Filipino Sign Language. Along the way, they both discover the joys of making a new friend, a best friend.

Nat the Cat gets a little jealous in this fourth book in the hilarious, fourth wall-breaking Pre-Level 1 Ready-to-Read series about a grumpy cat, a curious rat, and an exasperated narrator from powerhouse creator Jarrett Lerner! Nat the Cat has a hat. Pat the Rat has a nicer hat. Nat the Cat wants a hat like that. Will the two friends have a spat?

A delightful way to introduce opposites to young readers from the author and creator who brought you Catside Up, Catside Down: A Book of Prepositions. Short dog, long dog, huge or tiny. Itchy on the head, or scratchy on the hiney. Curly hair, straight hair, smooth or bumpy. Going with the flow, or jumpy, jumpy, jumpy!

Good golden sun, there is much we'd like to know! Are you happy? Are you lonely? Are you feeling well today? Does your belly ever ache? Won't you come down to play?

At first, no one noticed when I stopped talking at school. In this moving true story, Kao Kalia Yang shares her experiences as a young Hmong refugee navigating life at home and at school. Having seen the poor treatment her parents received when making their best efforts at speaking English, she no longer speaks at school. Kalia feels as though a rock has become lodged in her throat, and it grows heavier each day. Although the narrative is somber, it is also infused with moments of beauty, love, and hope.

Bitsy Bat is a star student and the only fantastic flier at Crittercrawl Elementary...until a new nonspeaking student named Enzo Owl arrives and outflies her during recess. Bitsy worries her friends won't think she's special anymore, so she's determined to beat Enzo in the upcoming Critter Games and prove she's the better flier. But when her friend Mo needs help during the race, Bitsy must choose between winning and being a star teammate. And while she's at it, she just might discover that making a new friend is more special than any trophy.

Silly prompts show how the joy of a simple question can entertain the mind and spirit, in a story that shows children how to ask questions that help them see the world in a different way.

The airport is a busy place--Belt Loader, Tractor, Snowplow, and many other vehicles pull the planes, pump the fuel, move the luggage, maintain the runways, and much more. Working together, the team will get all the planes in the air in time for a sweet and sleepy goodnight.

As days stretch longer, animals creep out from their warm dens, and green begins to grow again, everyone knows--spring is on its way! Join a boy and his dog as they explore nature and take a stroll through the countryside, greeting all the signs of the coming season. In a series of conversations with everything from the melting brook to chirping birds, they say goodbye to winter and welcome the lushness of spring.

How much pasta is too much pasta? Ring-a-ding, the doorbell rings, and oh! What did my Nonna bring? Nonna Ana from Catania only likes to eat lasagna. But Nonno Titi from Tahiti only eats his spaghettini! Zio Tony wants ravioli, Zia Trini wants rotini, the cugini want tortellini... Family dinners can be tricky when the guests are oh-so-picky! As the kitchen gets more and more chaotic, can family pasta night go off without a hitch?

What do you do with an interrupting sibling? Especially when she's stepping all over your story with wild ideas that don't. Even. Rhyme. Knights riding rockets? Dancing pirates? Who's ever heard of a fire-breathing armadillo?! But when this big brother realizes his sister just might be improving his yarn-and doing it with an impressive surprise of her own-it's clear what you do with an interrupting sibling. You share the narrative! Turns out adventure is way more fun when you build it together, rhyme by daring rhyme.

What happens if you run out of words? Will you have any left for me? Don't be silly! I could NEVER run out of words! But what if you DO? Seeking reassurance of her father's attention, a young girl peppers her dad with elaborate, anxious what-ifs. Dad soothes each worry with the perfect answer: if he ever ran out of words, he'd visit the Elves' Word Factory so that he never runs out again, of course! Even if it means having to brave the darkest woods, escape pirates, or even fly a rocket ship back home, there's nothing that could ever come between them--and there aren't enough words to describe how much he loves her.

The Table had been in the Witch's family for a very long time. No one remembered who had cursed it to stay with them forever, but none of them liked it much. The young witch initially tries to thwart the Table's shenanigans. But after some time living with the Table, she begins to notice how cold the kitchen floor is on a brisk winter's day, how many nicks and scratches the Table has endured, and how hard it is to stand on all four legs for so many hours, and she comes to realize compassion will get her further than cleverness.

Some people dream of perfect waves, fancy castles, or piloting a plane. Others dream of someone to laugh and play with all day long. Some just dream of having a meal for the next day. And little Miguel? As he and Abuelito work in the hot Oaxacan sun, selling cold coconuts and macrame dream catchers to earn a few coins, Miguel has only one simple wish-to have his parents by his side. But how can he keep the faith when the truth is that dreams don't always come to pass?

When Dog is handed a strawberry from the fruit bowl, she sizes it up, dances around it, and decides she is going to race the Strawberry--and win. She dashes left, then right, then--oh!-- over the couch in an attempt to outrun her opponent. Strawberry doesn't move, but that doesn't stop Dog from continuing the race. Eventually, it's neck-and-neck... until mom walks in to see what the fuss is about, and SPLAT!

Meet Hattie Harmony, Worry Detective. She's always there to help her friends when they need her. And the first day of school can cause a lot of jitters-from speaking in front of the class to taking the bus. Hattie always finds the perfect tools to calm her friends' bodies and minds. But when her own fears start to bubble up, can Hattie learn to overcome them herself?

Papa has promised to bring home a perfect etrog for Sukkot from his journey across the sea. Leah and Aaron go to the docks every day to wait for his ship. But Rosh Hashanah passes, then Yom Kippur, and still Papa's ship doesn't arrive. Grandpapa Luis comforts Leah with a beautiful silver etrog cup, but will her papa return in time for Sukkot, bringing the promised etrog?

Rose is a young Métis-Ojibwe girl who has traveled far with her family for the biannual buffalo hunt made up of hundreds of other Métis families. The ritual of the hunt has been practiced for generations, and each hunt must see the community through the next six months. But in recent years, the buffalo population has dwindled, and after days on the hunt, there are no buffalo to be found. Can Rose help her family find the herd that will enable them to survive the long winter?

Everyone always agrees with Junior, including the mysterious voice from across the valley. "Junior Junior is the greatest in the world!" he shouts. "Junior Junior is the greatest in the world!" the echo shouts back. Until one day, a new girl moves in next door. A disagreeable, rude girl who doesn't think Junior is right all the time. Unable to stand living next door to someone like that, Junior runs to the valley to meet his echo. But when being around someone who agrees with him all the time is less fun than he imagines, Junior must decide if a new friend is worth admitting he was wrong.

Ali has arrived in Palestine for a visit just in time for the olive harvest. His grandfather, Seedo, and Hilwa--his favorite tree--greet him in the grove, where Seedo explains that Hilwa has many gifts to share. Other family members whack the trees' branches with sticks, singing "Zaytoon, ya zaytoon" while cousins clap and dance and happily pick up fallen olives. (Luckily, a gentle whack is all it takes for Hilwa's fruits to rain down!) The next day, at the olive press, Ali watches the drip of gold liquid into a can, another of Hilwa's gifts. Later, they picnic under the tree's branches with hot mint tea, pita, and delicious olive oil swirled on hummus. Tradition is the greatest gift of all: the family gathering--generation after generation--to celebrate a bountiful harvest.

I am more than what you think I am! In this book you'll find empowering and motivating reminders that you can do anything as long as you believe in yourself. Inspired by his efforts on and off the court, NBA champion and cultural icon LeBron James shows us that we are more than one label, trait, or interest -- and we can do BIG things.

After Ali and Poppy hear about wild gardening at school, they set out to turn their family's tidy outdoor space into a beautiful haven for creatures of many kinds, where bees buzz, birds sing and fox cubs play.

All across this great big world, jobs are getting done by many hands in many lands. It takes much more than ONE. Gorgeously written and illustrated, this is an eye-opening exploration of the many types of work that go into building our world--from the making of a bridge to a wind farm, an amusement park, and even the very picture book that you are reading. An architect may dream up the plans for a house, but someone has to actually work the saws and pound the nails. This book is a thank-you to the skilled women and men who work tirelessly to see our dreams brought to life.

What is a pencil? A forest transformed. In this beautifully illustrated wordless picture book, young readers can follow a pencil's life cycle from tree to factory to store shelf and back to tree. Even the simplest tool contains multitudes. Once a living tree, then a manufactured commodity, a pencil in the hands of a young artist becomes the key to a rich imaginative world.

The only thing better than playing make believe is playing make believe with your favorite grown-up! Especially when that grown-up's imagination is as big as yours, and you both get to make all kinds of funny sounds.

A girl wakes up from a dream she can't shake. Her head is full of clouds. When she goes outside, the things she normally doesn't pay much attention to suddenly reveal their beauty: the plants growing in the cracks of the sidewalk, the shimmering puddles, the notes from a violin drifting in the air. She revels in this strangeness of the familiar, and eventually her dream comes back to her in all its surrealness. When she meets a friend, she feels solid and connected again, part of the world - but she doesn't lose the gifts that this strange morning gave her:

A jubilant, inclusive, luminously illustrated picture book that features families at play, each with a family member who has a disability. With love and adaptation, this is how we play! This joyful read-aloud with an empowering refrain, from disability rights activists Jessica Slice and Caroline Cupp, demystifies and respects how disabled people and their families use adaptive, imaginative, and considerate play so everyone can join in the fun. Back matter consists of a kid-friendly guide to thinking, learning, and talking about disability; a glossary of the different disabilities represented throughout the book; and a guide for grown-ups on ways to encourage discussions about disabilities with the children in their lives. Throughout, This Is How We Play centers, affirms, and encourages the disabled children and adults who are already doing the challenging work of advocating for themselves and finding strength in community.

It's almost Lunar New Year, and Chloe can't wait to celebrate! But first, Chloe and her family must prepare for the new year. They buy new shoes, lay out good-luck oranges in a bowl, decorate the red envelope, and make a crispy turnip cake. Everyone comes together to cook a fantastic feast, saving a plate for A-má, of course. Chloe enjoys the festive celebration and yummy food, but most of all she loves spending time with her family. Lily LaMotte and Michelle Lee have created a tender, warm, and uplifting holiday story about tradition and the importance of being with those you love.

Join Safa and her family for Eid al-Fitr in this heartwarming celebration of the holiday! Eid al-Fitr is nearly here! Follow along with Safa and her loved ones during their vibrant celebration of Eid, the Islamic holiday marking the end of Ramadan. Safa can't wait to participate in all of her favorite holiday traditions: decorating the house, eating yummy food, henna, and enjoying the big family gathering! Safa loves sharing special moments and gifts with her family. But she's also having a hard time sharing her Eid gifts with her cousin, Alissa. Will Safa learn what the spirit of Eid al-Fitr is truly all about? With beautiful illustrations, joyous text, and an important lesson about the gift of giving, this book is perfect for holiday celebrations and family sharing!

When a young girl invents something to help her with snow shoveling, she piques the interest of her neighbors and gets inspired to start her own business in this go-getter picture book. There's nothing Leena Mo dreads more than shoveling snow. Her time would be much better spent dreaming up new ideas and inventions. What if she invented something to take the chore off her plate? After tinkering and testing, Leena creates the robot Helmy, whose shoveling prowess sweeps her neighbors off their feet. As demand for the robot helper grows, Leena fills orders, accepts investments, and hires more help--before she knows it, her snow day idea has turned into a booming business! What's next for Leena Mo, CEO?

Lunar New Year is Amy's favorite holiday! Her family celebrates for two whole weeks, and she loves everything about it--the food, the decorations, and, most of all, the traditions! Amy's favorite tradition is carrying her family's lantern on Lantern Festival Day. Their lantern is special because every time Amy's dad lights it, he's reminded of his mother. But when Amy accidentally crushes their family lantern, is her favorite tradition ruined for good?

With Baba gone, Yasmine doesn't have enough money to buy Mama's Eid gift and can't think of anything she wants for herself when Mama asks. While Mama's haggling with the baker, she gets an idea. And after exchanging gifts with her mom in the Masjid, Yasmine realizes that true Eid joy comes from being together.

We Who Produce Pearls, is an anthem for Asian America that celebrates the richness and diversity within the Asian American identity and serves as a reminder of our self worth, our legacy and most of all, our destiny. Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya's signature bright and bold palette brings to light the strength and power within us all, creating a mesmerizing, stunning, and magical masterpiece that proves how we can shape our pain and struggle into one of joy and power. Together, Joanna and Amanda remind readers to rise up, speak out, and step into power.

A modern-day twist to The Giving Tree, this book chronicles the changes brought upon a beloved family tree that must be uprooted and planted on new land. This debut picture book by Staci Lola Drouillard (Grand Portage Band of Ojibwe descendant) celebrates resiliency, family bonds, and our deep connection to and responsibility for nature.  Grandma's garden was not just any garden. It was where a spruce tree, only as tall as baby Francis, reached her roots into the soil and stretched her branches toward the sky. Here, on the shore of Gichigaming, is where Francis and the sapling felt right at home. But when Grandma and Grandpa decide to move away, Francis wants to take the tree with them--can they

Jillian isn't so sure she needs a third grandma now that her stepdad is joining the family, but can her brand-new Bubbe win her over? When Jillian joins Bubbe for some mom-mandated matzo ball soup making, she realizes she has room in her heart (and stomach!) for one more grandmother. But how can she convince Noni and Gram she still loves them just as much? A super soup celebration, of course! Chaos in the kitchen leads to matzo ball soup, spicy gazpacho, meatball soup, and a trio of grandmas united in their love for their family.

KNEAD, MUSH, MASH. Ping molds a pot for Lunar New Year. When Ping and Grandpa bring a tangerine tree home for Lunar New Year, Ping decides to make the perfect pot to go with it. But making a pot is hard. With Grandpa's encouragement, she tries again and again to get it just right. The first is too clumsy, the second crumbles, and the third is too flimsy. What if she can't make the perfect pot? Will it ruin the new year? For anyone feeling discouraged over learning something new, Ping's Perfect Potreminds them not to give up when something isn't immediately easy. Perfection takes practice, patience, and, in the end, the love and effort you put into it. Backmatter provides more context and the deeper meaning of Lunar New Year traditions and symbols found within the story, as well as around the world.

Names reveal generational ties and histories, weaving an intricate tale of the past. Names--and correctly saying them--are important. Each one carries the hopes, dreams, and traditions of those who came before us. Six children connect with the reader and proudly celebrate their names and backgrounds: Hé Xiao-Guang, Ofa Kivaha Tupoumalohi, Bijan Hosseini, Nizhoni Yazzie, Xóchitl Luna, and Akosua Acheampong. These captivating kids of Chinese, Tongan, Persian, Navajo, Mexican, and Ghanaian descent also honor their ancestors and cultural histories. Joanna Ho's lyrical story, with gorgeous illustrations by Khoa Le, explains how saying a person's name is the only way we can truly know another.

A magical picture book about a Deaf girl who creates a butterfly with Sign Language and sends it on a journey around the world. On the day of the talent show, Aurora's hands tremble. No matter how hard she tries to sign, her fingers stumble over one another and the words just won't come. But as she's about to give up, she spots a butterfly. Using her hands to sign the ASL word for "butterfly," Aurora sends a magical butterfly of her own into the world, inspiring Deaf people across the globe to add their own. The butterflies grow in numbers and strength as they circle back to Aurora, bolstering her with the love and support of her worldwide Deaf community.

Hap-pea Easter! Hap-pea Spring! What surprises will it bring? From sprouting flowers and gentle showers to eggs decorated every which way, there's plenty of excitement to be had on Easter with the peas! And there might even be an appearance from everyone's favorite bunny...

While Daddy is busy wrangling a mud-happy dog, someone else is collecting lots and lots of pinecones. Helen Yoon brings back the parent-child duo from Off-Limits in a droll celebration of high enthusiasm. Daddy is a bit distracted on their autumn walk, while his curious child only has eyes for one of nature's small wonders: a pinecone! And look, another pinecone! And another! In fact, she could gather an entire collection--an entire extended family--of pinecones if she wanted to (and she wants to!). But what then? In a story spun with visual comedy, the characters from Off-Limits return for a small adventure in outsize enthusiasm leading to a sparkly, holiday-cheer-worthy finish. Helen Yoon brings all her quirky warmth to bear on this tribute to little ones whose fixations tend to send them over the top--and the parents who lovingly help them to funnel all that passionate energy. And perhaps some of their own!

Celebrate Lunar New Year with the lion dance, bringing good luck and fortune to all. In this story designed to engage early readers, charming characters combine with simple text, lively illustrations, and laugh-out-loud humor to help boost kids' confidence and create lifelong readers! As Lunar New Year approaches, a colorful costume catches the eye of siblings Lily and Noah-the lion dancers are practicing for the parade! As they learn what the lion dance means, the duo dives into helping prepare, even making their own lion costume for fun. Complete with even more facts about the legend of the lion dance in the back of the book, young readers will want to revisit this story again and again. Exciting, easy-to-read books are the stepping stone a young reader needs to bridge the gap between being a beginner and being fluent.

Celebrate all the people, places, and things that make our neighborhoods special with Thank You, Neighbor! Selected as a best picture book of the year by Publishers Weekly. Join our narrator and her dog on their daily walk as they greet the people in their neighborhood--from the mail carrier and bus driver to the sanitation workers and grocery clerks and more. Whether listening, asking, helping, or just saying hello and thank you--it is our patience and kindness that make a neighborhood feel like home.

A sweet and soulful celebration of how a child's imagination can transform ordinary objects into extraordinary treasures. You can do a lot with a pocket full of rocks... Rocks make excellent chairs for fairies, they are perfect for writing your name on the sidewalk, or just to hold in your hand when you need reassurance. And so the rocks pile up... Until the season turns and you need to make room for pockets full of petals. And shells. And acorns! Each season's treasure is kept and curated and loved, until it's time to give the treasures away and make room for new things to come.

What do you do when everything changes? From the creator of Ruby Finds a Worry, the perfect picture book for helping children adapt to change. Tilda doesn't like change. Why would she, when her life is great just the way it is? But one day, Tilda's world turns completely UPSIDE DOWN. All of a sudden, nothing feels right. Things that were once easy now seem incredibly challenging. Everything is just so different and hard. Can Tilda discover a way to move forward and embrace all this change? Bold, bright, and empowering, this inspiring story about coping with unexpected changes is perfect for helping children build resilience.

Off to the market for a tasty bite, Dada and Sona shop for tonight! From twenty ladoos to sixteen mangoes to ten butter naan to seven samosas, the market is full of endless scrumptious snacks to sample. Dada and Sona stock up on all the goodies in preparation for a special surprise. Readers familiar with the foods featured and those looking for new favorites will find their tummies rumbling!

Together, they weave a colorful celebration of all the differences that make every family unique. So many families, some big and some small. Each one is different, let's look at them all! You'll be sure to recognize a family just like yours!

The journey begins in a young girl's bedroom, the night before a big performance. Excited but nervous, she dreams her way through North American flora and discovers the resilient, powerful, and radiant nature of plants and builds her confidence. Using a blend of social-emotional learning concepts and a poetic interpretation of the natural world, White showcases the complexities of nature alongside her stylistic and emotive art, encouraging readers to explore their feelings and emotions--no matter how big or small.

For those days when everything feels blah, a picture-book-shaped hug offered with humor and tenderness by a gifted Ukrainian artist. Pavlo does not feel like going to the park. Not today. He does not want to go swimming. He even says no to the movies. What's going on, Pavlo? Pavlo has the grumps. Though Mama suggests one fun activity after another, Pavlo doesn't want to do any of them. Can anything cheer him up on this down day? Capturing a range of emotions through nuanced expressions and a simple text, Natalia Shaloshvili's comforting picture book looks at familiar childhood feelings, suggesting that grumpy days, sadness, and even anger happen to everyone. But that's OK--good friends and family will love you anyway. And who knows what might happen if you decide to give that big slide a try after all?

When Daisy wins a funny-looking goldfish at a fair, she ignores the mean comments about its appearance. She doesn't mind the dull scales and lumpy head--in fact, she thinks her goldfish is the prettiest thing in the world. However, as Daisy continues caring for the goldfish, something strange starts happening to it . . . With lyrical writing and stunning illustrations, this enchanting story about a girl and her goldfish reveals--with a touch of magic-- the transformative power of unconditional love and care.

A loyal big brother makes a case for why his adopted little brother is just like him when a pesky kid on the playground questions their physical differences in this charming picture book. When they hear the singsong tune of an ice cream truck, two brothers race to get in line! Big brother beats little brother and holds their spot. But when little brother catches up, another kid challenges him joining his brother in line: no cutting! Everyone knows that cutting doesn't count when you're siblings, but the kid doesn't believe they can be brothers when they don't look anything alike. The brothers may not be biologically related, but they're still brothers, and they have so much else in common! They both like candy way too much, love swimming but hate baths, and know their parents love them. Big brother knows that differences on the surface don't matter when in his heart, his little brother is just like him.

What can you do when everything goes wrong? From the creator of Ruby Finds a Worry comes a story about disappointment and having fun even when things don't go the way you hoped. Bea is looking forward to the PERFECT day - her birthday. She can't wait to have the special time with family, presents, treats, and cake! But then things begin to go wrong. When a storm blows in, suddenly nothing is how Bea hoped it would be. None of the guests can come, and the mail can't be delivered with Bea's cards and gifts. Will there even be cake?! Everything seems completely ruined, and Bea's special day turns into a BAD day. Can Bea find a way to be okay-even in the middle of a very disappointing day? Reassuring and hopeful, this book is a perfect starting point for helping kids learn to face disappointment, practice flexibility, and find fun where they least expect it.

From author-illustrator Maple Lam comes a new picture book about a Chinese American girl and her younger sister as they attend their weekly dim sum family gathering. A celebration of the traditional Chinese customs passed on from generation to generation: togetherness, love, family--and FOOD!  Today is Sunday and that means its dim sum time with my whole family! I can't wait to see everyone, especially Grandma. I'm going to eat lots of shrimp dumplings, rice noodle rolls, egg tarts, and my favorite--char siu buns. We will have to order enough for us all to share. So what are you waiting for? Dim sum, here we come!

Parastoo loves the colours that make up her world, and especially loves the blue swallows in the tree outside her window. She's sad when they fly south for the winter-and this year is hard because her mom has to go away for a while, too. Fortunately, her grandparents take great care of her, and she continues to find joy in the wonders of each season. But she longs for spring, when her mother will return just like the swallows. Celebrating the cycles of nature, this warm family story offers a reassuring message about how seasons of nature-and life-come and go, each with their own special beauty.

A girl and her grandmother spend the day making mochi together in this gentle and joyous "storytelling treat" (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) celebrating family, tradition, and the memories that matter most. Emi and Obaachan are making mochi. It's a recipe that's been passed down for generations. Obaachan brought it with her when she first came to America from Japan and now, Emi is about to become her family's newest mochi maker! They mix and pound and twist and wrap. The Japanese rice cakes are sticky and chewy, colorful and tasty, and--most importantly--made with love. For Emi and Obaachan, making mochi becomes a way to remember those they've lost, make lots of new memories, and have a fun and family-filled day.

What do you see when you look at clouds? Two curious bunnies enjoy watching clouds go by. But when they look at the sky, they each see something completely different! While one bunny likes to use his imagination and sees cotton candy or whipped cream, the other bunny can only see the science behind them. Together they learn that cloud watching is much more fun when they can see it through each other's eyes. With extensive back matter about the many kinds of clouds and the water cycle, celebrated author and illustrator Deborah Freedman once again combines the educational with the whimsical, while introducing young readers to two irresistible characters who see the power of possibility.

Journey with a solar bear who shines a light on the endangered species around the world and join the cause with your own mighty roar in this hopeful love letter to planet Earth and those who inhabit it. The Earth is ours. Yours and mine. So dare to care. To glow. To shine. 'Cause if you would, and when you did, then you will be a solar kid. "Ferry and Wenzel strive here to build awareness...movingly illustrating the emptiness that would be felt on the planet without creatures like pangolins, rhinos, manatees, and sea turtles.

From the bestselling Big, Big series comes a book that celebrates the spirit of curiosity and encourages kids to courageously ask their hard questions "Why can't people live on the moon?" "Can I be president when I grow up?" "What makes a person good?" These are just some of the questions that bubble forth from one little girl with twinkling eyes and a curious mind. When the girl finds that her big questions make some people uncomfortable, she stops. But then she learns that her questions can solve problems and that asking questions is how we learn and grow. Celebrate the spirit of curiosity and the joy of learning with this lively picture book about a persistent girl and her quest for knowledge. The Big, Big series inspires kids to embrace whatever it is inside them that makes them unique--whether it's big feelings, big ideas, or big questions. Full of creativity and tenderness, each book in the series offers readers connection and companionship as they navigate the challenges of growing up.

A slice-of-life story with a feminist message about a young Indian girl and her sisters managing a bustling house full of boisterous guests on a busy Saturday. Saturday mornings start early for Meena. She and her sisters watch the sun rise while drinking chai before they clean the house and then head to the grocery store . . . while their brother gets to stay in bed. As the guests arrive, including Meena's favorite cousins, the women crowd into the kitchen to cook. The doorbell rings nonstop as family, neighbors, and friends fill the bustling house. Once fresh chapatis are made, dinner begins--for the men. But Meena spots an empty seat at the table and decides today is the day she makes an important change. Meena's Saturday by Kusum Mepani, with exuberant illustrations by Yasmeen Ismail, is the charming story of a family's weekend ritual, a love letter to the gatherings of community and family, and an example of how changing long-standing traditions can start with you.

Cherry Mo's stunning debut is about a young girl who immigrates to America and finds home in an unexpected place. When Jun moves from Hong Kong to America, the only words she knows are hello, thank you, I don't know, and toilet. Her new school feels foreign and terrifying. But when she opens her lunchbox to find her favorite meals-like bao, dumplings, and bok choy-she realizes home isn't so far away after all. Through lush art and spare dialogue, Cherry Mo's breathtakingly beautiful debut picture book reminds readers that friendship and belonging can be found in every bite.

On the island of Habit, there lived a very big creature who was about to go on the ride of his life! While he'd recently learned to try new things, the very big creature had also learned that he wasn't always very good at everything. It turned out trying was hard! The kind of hard that made him stomp his feet and roar his biggest roar . . . and sometimes even feel like quitting. And learning to ride a bike? That was really hard--every time he tried, he wobbled and fell right off. But the very big creature wouldn't give up. He might not ever be the best at riding a bike, but maybe--just maybe--he could be the best at trying to ride one. After all, trying was a lot like sticking with something--and he was already an expert at that!

In this stirring and powerfully illustrated story, an enslaved young man uses his ability to read and write to educate others in the pursuit of freedom. Back inside the store I write up receipts for Master's deliveries for Master's orders In 'tween I write up a receipt for her freedom The young man known as Teach secretly learned to read, write, and use numbers growing up alongside the master's son. And although on this Southern plantation these are skills he can never flaunt, Teach doesn't keep them to himself: In the course of a week, he'll teach little ones the alphabet in the corner stall of a stable and hold a moonlit session where men scratch letters in the dirt. He'll decipher a discarded letter bearing news of Yankee soldiers and forge a pass for a woman hoping to buy precious time on a perilous journey north. And come Sunday, Teach will cross the swamp to a hidden cabin, reading aloud to the congregation God's immortal words to the pharaoh: Let my people go. With a spare, moving first-person narration told in an era-appropriate dialect, complemented by stunning watercolor illustrations, the celebrated duo of Lesa Cline-Ransome and James E. Ransome honor the bravery and generosity of spirit behind countless untold acts of resistance during the time of slavery. An author's note highlights the vital role of literacy and education toward the securing of freedom, both historically and to the present day.

From the bestselling creator of Stumpkin and Vampenguin comes a whimsical picture book about the unexpected friendship that blooms between a boy and a dog of intergalactic origins. A visitor from outer space comes to Stephen's yard one night. It may look like a Dalmatian, but it certainly doesn't act like one. At first, Stephen and the visitor get off on the wrong paw. They quibble over kibble, debate sleeping arrangements, and must abandon earth dogs' approach to bathroom breaks altogether to keep the peace. Is a shared love of bacon a strong enough foundation for this ordinary earth boy and extraordinary out-of-this-world canine to learn to live in harmony?

What a happy day! Zachary's baby sister will have her naming ceremony. In the temple! With his moms, the congregation, and all their friends! He's so excited he can barely contain it. On the walk from their home, they meet neighbor after neighbor who want to know the baby's name. But - not yet! - his mothers tell him. The tradition is to have a great reveal at the ceremony. So they invite each neighbor to come along. A colorful, diverse parade blooms along the route, until...At last it's time, and Zachary gets to reveal his sister's name...What is it? A truly joyful moment for everyone.

There is a bright yellow bus who spends her days driving. She loves carrying children from one important place to another. Every morning they climb in... Pitter-patter, pitter-patter, giggle, giggle-patter. And they fill her with joy. As time passes, things change. The Yellow Bus gets a new driver, a new route, and new passengers, young and old. Until one day the driving stops for good, and the Yellow Bus is left on her own. And yet, no matter where she is, the Yellow Bus still finds joy and discovery in the world around her. With stirring black-and-white artwork and powerful pops of color, The Yellow Bus is a story that spans generations with an enduring and poignant message about new beginnings, happiness, and hope.

Vern longs to be one of the kids who swoop until their toes touch the sky. He heads to the swings and desperately tries to pump his legs, but he just can't get it. A chance encounter with precocious (and hilarious) Gretchen gives him just what he needs to know, and he finally learns to soar. A story for every child on the cusp of learning something new who just needs an extra push to get there.

Sissy's younger brother, Chooch, isn't a baby anymore. They just celebrated his second birthday, after all. But no matter what Chooch does -- even if he's messing something up! Which is basically all the time! -- their parents say he's just "helping." Sissy feels that Chooch can get away with anything! When Elisi paints a mural, Chooch helps. When Edutsi makes grape dumplings, Chooch helps. When Oginalii gigs for crawdads, Chooch helps. When Sissy tries to make a clay pot, Chooch helps . . . "Hesdi!" Sissy yells. Quit it! And Chooch bursts into tears. What follows is a tender family moment that will resonate with anyone who has welcomed a new little one to the fold. Chooch Helped is a universal story of an older sibling learning to make space for a new child, told with grace by Andrea L. Rogers and stunning art from Rebecca Lee Kunz showing one Cherokee family practicing their cultural traditions.

In a hilarious interactive picture book, the Geisel Award-winning creators of See the Cat challenge kids to answer every question with "NO"--even when their brain keeps insisting "YES." Can you beat Mr. Fox at his Game of No? The rules are simple: every time he asks a question, you must respond with "NO." If you accidentally say "YES," then it's back to the beginning of the book for you, where you must start all over again. Are you ready? (Oops!) Do you live on planet Earth? Are you stronger than a baby? What does Y-E-S spell? (Argh!) Kids will giggle uncontrollably as they gamely aim to avoid Mr. Fox's clever traps--but just ask them if they'd like to read this book again, and they won't be able to resist: "YES!"

A young girl and her mother move to an apartment in a new city. Despite her mother's efforts to take her out, the girl would rather play by herself in their cozy home--she feels just fine on her own. Introductions to children her age have her hiding behind her mother's legs, and invitations to group activities have her in tears. That is, until she meets Millie, a rescue dog who is not too big, not too small, and kisses her arm when the girl nervously reaches out. With Millie, saying hello to new people isn't so scary . . . and maybe making a friend isn't either. Through emotionally honest prose and soft, expressive illustrations, Lauren Castillo explores one girl's shyness and anxiety--and how one dog's love helps her open up--in a warm picture book that reminds readers of how the right companion can make the world feel like a less frightening place.

Keith Baker's New York Times bestselling peas get a Valentine's Day spin in this picture book filled with lots of loving and giving moments for the peas to share! It's Valentine's Day, and there are lots of hap-pea hearts for the peas to give away. From frilly hearts and silly hearts to growing hearts and glowing hearts, there's plenty of love to go around. Will you join the peas in giving away some valentines? Any kind will do... Every hap-pea heart says, "I Love You!"

In this rollicking, rhyming picture book, a pair of siblings who are supposed to be in bed discover a jazz band playing in their basement After hearing Daddy's band practicing in the basement, a brother and sister can't resist sneaking out of bed to watch them play. Careful, careful, can't be caught. Tiptoe past the squeaky spot! They long to join in the fun, but can't be seen out of bed--until the discovery of a surprise band member turns the jam session into a family affair. With an energetic, lyrical text from award-winning author Kelly J. Baptist and exuberant illustrations from Jenin Mohammed, The Band in Our Basement will have readers feeling the beat--right before settling back down for bedtime. The sounds downstairs are funky and we start to wiggle toes. We flip-flop and we giggle with sheets up to the nose. The rhythm's steady, the trumpet's sweet. Before too long, we're on our feet!

Until one weekend Granny Dee doesn't come, and Momma says she's getting too old for trains and buses. So week after week, the little girl and her momma go to her instead. Then, one Sunday morning, Granny Dee dies. Can Momma and the little girl still find beauty in life while missing someone they loved?

A striking rendition of Alice in Wonderland transported to a shimmering Alaskan tundra, in Jan Brett's rich signature style. When Alice spies a white rabbit checking his pocket watch before hippity-hopping down a crevasse in an Alaskan glacier, she knows she must follow him. And so she pops down the rabbit hole, into a world of absurd personalities, topsy-turvy action, and laugh-out-loud silliness. Favorite characters like Cheshire Cat and the Duchess and King and Queen come to life as vibrant animals native to Alaska making this classic tale shine through a fresh lens, certain to appeal to readers of all ages.

Join this adorable chipmunk as she gets her first library card and unlocks a world of books! This charming ode to reading, sharing, libraries, and librarians everywhere is the perfect gift for fans of Once Upon a Book and Knight Owl. Piper Waterstone loves her books. So much so, that she cannot, will not, share them with anyone. That is, until a friendly librarian presents Piper with a magical card that will give her all the books she could ever dream of . . . as long as she shares them with all her book-loving neighbors.

Two families--both filled with love, both encountering hardship and joy, both living in the same place--and the one simple table that connects them all. For years, a mining family's life revolves around their table. It's where they eat, read, sew, laugh, and pay the bills; it's stained with easter egg paint, warmed by fresh biscuits and the soft morning sun.  Outside the house, though, Appalachia changes. The coal mine closes, and the bills keep coming. Eventually, there's no choice but to move on-- and to say goodbye to the table. But then: When a young girl's father sees the table by the road, he slams on the brakes. A lifelong carpenter, he can see it's something special. They bring it home and clean it up; sitting around it, they eat and work and laugh. The girl wonders if another child once sat there, if they were anything like her. She'll never know . . . but the table remembers.  The Table is a stirring contemplation on the similarity between even people whose lives are entirely different. The details of these different lives take many forms, but the love underlying both of these families makes them much more similar than they are different. The center of this book is family love, and the many important connections we share with the family we live with. Even in strife, this book shows, love provides a literal support.

Sally is going out in the snow! It's a winter's day and Sally the dog is headed to the park! But first she has to put on some warm clothes: coat and boots. It's not easy to zip up a pup, but finally she's ready to sniff and snout her way through the snow. At the park she finds other pups to play with and sees people rolling snowballs to make snowdogs of all shapes and sizes! Sally sniffs them all before saying goodbye to her new friends and heading back home for a well-earned snooze.

Meet a child with superhero-like abilities . . . and the parents who are racing to keep up with her in this sweetly funny picture book about the blur of childhood, from the award-winning creators of Drawn Together. A perfect gift to celebrate all of our special milestones--from graduations to birthdays and beyond! From the very beginning, there was something different about this child... An ultrasonic voice. Fantastically elastic limbs. Super-magnetic powers. But it wasn't until the child took her first steps that she became- THE BLUR! Nothing can stand in her way as she takes the world by storm- always on the move and darting into danger! All too soon, she is zipping through the days, and zooming over the years... Framed as an origin story, here is a fun superhero romp for kids, filled with bold and bright illustrations, that will pull at the hearstrings of every parent.

The healing power of community is tenderly expressed in this picture book for fans of A Sick Day for Amos McGhee and Last Stop on Market Street. Kindly Cecil has a broken heart, but when the kids in his neighborhood start asking him to fix their valuables-a music box, a watch, a stuffed elephant-he gradually finds that he knows just how to do this mending. And in return, his circle of new friends offers the mending that his own heart needs.

Kid seeks dog. Dog seeks kid. In this charming and imaginative tale of friendship, picture book readers will delight in what it means to have a furry best friend. For as long as she can remember, Joy has wanted a dog. It doesn't matter what kind: big, little, spotted, curly. She wants one so fiercely, she makes dogs out of snow, seashells, or whatever's at hand! However, none of the dogs Joy makes are quite what she yearns for. The seashell dog washes away, and the snow dog melts into a puddle. Little does Joy know that her perfect dog friend is just around the corner--wishing just as fiercely for a kid--and waiting to be discovered. Award-winning artist Hadley Hooper creates a world that is both timeless and magical as she weaves ink, paint, and collages made from vintage etchings together in a style that perfectly complements the classic feel of Jump for Joy. Readers will rejoice in this satisfying kid-meets-dog story, and will savor returning to this world again and again.

In the vein of I Am Enough and Hold Them Close, this inspiring and beautiful picture book celebrates how hair wrapping ties together past and present. When I wrap, my roots run deep. As deep as an African marketplace or a city sidewalk or the stories between them. With lyrical text by acclaimed author Shauntay Grant and vibrant illustrations by Jenin Mohammed, When I Wrap My Hair is both an act of joyful recognition and a demonstration of how knowledge is passed through generations.

Penny Purple taught us how to be a purple person. A person who finds common ground with others while celebrating what makes them unique! Now Penny and her pals will put their purple skills into action in their very favorite place -- their classroom! How do you make a purple school? It will take curiosity, sharing, hard work, and lots of laughs!

Meet Chickadee. Criminal. Rapscallion. All-around bad seed. Sure, he started out obeying the rules, following his parents' advice to not go near houses. But then, winter arrives. And it's so much harder to find food! So when he spies a 'vault' of 'gold' near a house, Chickadee devises a plan to snatch some without getting caught! He's the King of Thieves! Only, hmm, the humans seem to want him to visit the vault. Maybe Chickadee's not a criminal after all? Kids will fall in love with this endearing masked 'bandit,' as he slowly figures out what they knew about him all along!

An introverted snail throws his own kind of party to celebrate all things quiet Snail is a party animal. Well...kind of. He loves the quiet things about parties: confetti, making new friends (using his indoor voice, of course), and the silence before everyone yells, "SURPRISE!" But when parties get loud, Snail retreats into his shell. He's still partying, but no one can tell he's having a good time while he's tucked inside. His friends don't understand why he doesn't love loud parties like they do, and soon Snail's party invites begin to dry up. In response, Snail decides to plan his own quietparty, complete with warm milk and lullaby lip-syncing. But something is missing--does Snail long for the "loud"after all? That's when Stump, a fellow introvert, chimes in with an idea. Maybe Snail isn't missing the "loud"...maybe he's just missing a friendto share the quiet. Together, Stump and Snail turn the lullabies down low and celebrate "the shush" together. With comics-style storytelling and lovable characters, this hilarious tale makes quiet so fun that even the most extroverted readers will want to SHHHelebrate!

Cat and Dog are headed home. A simple route lies ahead of them . . . or does it? There's so much to see and smell and hear, and the two of them experience the world very differently. A stream, for instance, is watery fun for Dog, but it may not be so delightful for Cat! As their journey becomes an adventure full of unexpected twists and turns, Cat and Dog show that it's possible for two creatures to travel in the world together despite their distinctive perspectives and abilities--and even to appreciate and enjoy them.

A boy with the greenest of thumbs works to unlock the mystery behind his elderly neighbor's inability to keep a plant alive and to find her the perfect botanical companion in this sweet picture book for fans of Millie Fleur's Poison Garden and When Grandma Gives You a Lemon Tree. Oliver is a proud plant-grafter and scientist who uses his verdant know-how to help his community by pairing all his neighbors with the most useful plant. He grows the Climatis Enduris for Mr. Finch to keep him dry, the Housum Immaculatis to help Mrs. Kulp stay on top of her chores, and the Shrub Architectis for Ms. Lloyd to keep her dog fenced in. But Oliver's trickiest customer is Mrs. Kroftombottom, who cannot keep a plant alive no matter how hard she tries. Oliver makes it his mission to grow some greenery that she can maintain, using the scientific method to determine what's gone wrong in her garden. Can he unlock the secret ingredient that will allow her plants--and Mrs. Kroftombottom herself--to flourish?

Wednesday Addams meets The Curious Garden in this delightfully peculiar story. Millie Fleur's Poison Garden is a reminder to embrace everything that makes us wonderfully weird. Garden Glen is a very bland place. Every house and every garden looks exactly like the other. That is... until Millie Fleur La Fae comes to town. Up on a scruffy hill, beside a ramschackle house, Millie Fleur plants her marvelously strange garden, filled with Sneezing Stickyweed, Fanged Fairymoss, and Grumpy Gilliflower. Millie Fleur finds it enchanting, but the townspeople of Garden Glen call it poison! But Millie Fleur is proud of her beloved little garden. So if some townspeople want to be sticks in the mud, she'll take matters into her own hands and find the kindred spirits who appreciate everything the garden has to offer.

From Sibert Honor-winning author Traci Sorell and Caldecott Medal-winning artist Michaela Goade comes a heartwarming picture book about a Native American family and the joy of moving back to their ancestral land. Today is a day of excitement-it's time to move! As a young Cherokee girl says goodbye to the swing, the house, and the city she's called home her whole life, she readies herself for the upcoming road trip. While her mother drives, the girl draws the changing landscape outside her window. She looks forward to the end of the journey, where she'll eat the feast her family has prepared, play in the creek with her cousins, and settle into the new rhythm of home. With warm, expressive artwork and spare, lyrical prose, the story of a young girl's move toward rather than away from home unfolds.

Summer is here! No dark clouds in the sky, it's a perfect day for play. What joy will summer bring me today? Summer is finally here, and she's bringing the most perfect day! From sunup to sundown, there's so much to do on this lovely summer day. With summer comes fresh fruit, sweet and tangy, jump ropes for leaping and dancing, and friends at the pool swimming and floating. Summer brings family cookouts under shady trees, gardens overflowing, and the familiar song of the ice-cream truck. This beautiful ode to all the season's sensations follows one girl's perfect day in an exploration of joy, family, friendship, sunshine, and wonder. Her stars shimmer like spilled glitter across the sky. I whisper a wish and say goodbye to the day. I wish summer would stay.

A family joins the music of the Texas desert night in this tale of tradition and memory from Pura Belpre Honor author Laekan Zea Kemp. It starts with a soft tapping, Uncle Eduardo drumming his hands against his dusty jeans. As the blush of sunset gives way to night in the desert, coyotes, cicadas, and barn owls emerge, each calling out to the moon. Watching from their porch, the family joins the song. One by one, each relative offers their drums, flute, maracas, strings, and voices. They sing with the insects, birds, snakes and toads; and they sing with their ancestors, an audience glittering in the stars overhead. With each strum of passed-down instruments, memories renew, and those gone are alive and near again. Desert Song hums and chimes with all the music a front porch and the desert beyond can hold.

Stitch by stitch, a child learns to cope with difficult emotions through the traditional Japanese embroidery practice of sashiko in this moving picture book. Sashiko is a young girl with very big feelings. When her mother teaches her about her namesake--the traditional Japanese practice of mending through embroidery--she finds an outlet for some of those emotions. With each stitch, the dark cloud around her lightens, until her big fears begin to feel less scary. As she heals tears in the fabric, she begins to find a sense of calm and hope. This deeply resonant picture book explores the transformative power of creative expression, as Sashiko finds threads of peace in her newfound craft.

Tall. High as the clouds. Strong as a horse's back. Like a cowboy. In the early hours before dawn, a young girl and her father greet their horses and ride together through the waking city streets. As they trot along, Daddy tells cowboy stories filled with fun and community, friendship, discovery, and pride. Seeing her city from a new vantage point and feeling seen in a new way, the child discovers that she too is a cowboy-strong and confident in who she is.

Iris loves to push the elevator buttons in her apartment building, but when it's time to share the fun with a new member of the family, she's pretty put out. That is, until the sudden appearance of a mysterious new button opens up entire realms of possibility, places where she can escape and explore on her own. But when she's forced to choose between going at it alone or letting her little brother tag along, Iris finds that sharing a discovery with the people you love can be the most wonderful experience of all.

Everyone knows that dragons are fierce, capable of taking on the world! But this dragon can't stop sneezing long enough to get a roar out. Even with friendly Phoenix insisting that Dragon get some rest, this powerful creature refuses to stop for any orange ginger tea or a drop of bone broth soup. It's only when Dragon realizes Phoenix has caught the same cold that they are both able to take the break they so badly need. This tale of helping your friends and valuing differences is a sure-thing for story time.

What happens when something truly miraculous shows up in your life? Something that has never been seen before... something rare and unique? Do you recognize it? Do you appreciate it? Do you see it for what it really is? Here is the story of an inquistive child and a curious little candy dish. A dish that is both exhilarating and, at times, utterly frustrating. It is a story about how everything is shaped by how we look at it, and the magical powers of patience, perspective, and gratitude. This is a reminder of how lucky we are to wake up each morning. To see the wonder and possibilities that come with each fresh, sparkling new day. But mostly this is an invitation to be grateful for the time we have and the gift of being alive.

What do you do when jealousy comes between friends? From the creator of Ruby Finds a Worry, a story for helping kids cope with jealous feelings. Milo loves spending time with his best friend, Jay. But when a new girl named Suzi moves in next door to Jay, Milo starts to feel left out. The jealous feeling gets stronger and stronger-until suddenly, a GREEN-EYED MONSTER pops up beside him! Soon, the monster is twisting up all of Milo's thoughts and making him sad. It won't leave him alone! Can Milo find a way to free himself from the monster and repair his friendship? Warm and uplifting, Milo's Monster is an ideal starting point for helping children to build strong friendships and say goodbye to jealous feelings. The Big Bright Feelings picture book series provides kid-friendly entry points into emotional intelligence topics-from being true to yourself to dealing with worries, managing anger, and making friends. These topics can be difficult to talk about. But these books act as sensitive and reassuring springboards for conversations about mental and emotional health, positive self-image, building self-confidence, and managing feelings.

Ruhi is ready for her weekend tradition- a dance party with her older sister, Kayra! Everything is ready to go--the music, the lights, the glitterballs--but where is Kayra? Ruhi finds her sister getting ready for the weekly family gathering and carefully tying a sari for the first time. When Kayra emerges from her room, Ruhi is in awe of her sister and can't wait to wear a sari too. But her mother and sister say she's too young to carry all that fabric without tripping. Ruhi fears that she's missing out on all the fun that her older sister and the aunties are having upstairs while she's in the basement with the other kids, so Ruhi comes up with an idea to loosen the adults up and bring everyone together- have a sari dance party! Ruhi spends all week learning to tie and pleat with her mom's saris so that she can show everyone the following weekend, and reignite her dance party tradition with her sister. But when the big moment arrives, Ruhi trips and her sari begins to unravel! Luckily her sister is there to help secure the fabric and get them back to their favorite tradition.

Since the day that Ano was born, her heart has been connected to her home. But, this adventurous child has a lot to learn! When Ano begins to dance hula -- a storytelling dance form that carries the knowledge, history, and folklore of the Hawaiian people -- Ano comes to understand the true meaning of aloha.

Caldecott Honor-winning artist and Coretta Scott King Award winner Brian Pinkney explores sibling rivalry with humor, love, and emotional depth in this action-packed story about Brandon and his new baby brother. Perfect for readers of Julius, the Baby of the World, by Kevin Henkes, as well as families welcoming a new sibling. Brandon loves his special blanket, but he isn't too sure about his new baby brother. When it's time for supper, a bath, and bed, the baby steals all the attention. Brandon is not happy. In fact, he's very, very angry. Luckily, Brandon's blanket (or is it Brandon) has a few ideas to make everything better. From Caldecott Honor-winning artist and Coretta Scott King Award winner Brian Pinkney, this exuberant, emotionally true, and insightful picture book celebrates a young child's imagination, being a big brother, and welcoming a new family member. With an expressive, pitch-perfect text and bold, energetic illustrations, Brandon and the Baby is a standout choice for families, classroom sharing, and for social and emotional learning.

L is for Lemons. L is for Lucky. L is for . . . LOVE. L is for lemons, and L is for lingering before leaving home. L is for everything to look at along the way: lightning and lazy lions and a lonely leopard. L is for the loud, large city where you will sell your sunny fruit--L is for Lagos! L is for the light streaming out of your windows as you arrive home late at night. And best of all . . . L is for love.

Dogs love books, too, in this sweet story about how every reader--human and canine alike--feel less alone in the company of a good book and each other. Dogs love books, too! But why? Is it the smell? The taste? Or could it be they love books for the same reasons we do? Discover all the possibilities in this delightful story about the joys of reading and companionship, perfect for both book and dog lovers! Dogs Love Books, Too! is author-illustrator Maria Coco's US debut, perfectly capturing both the cuteness and humor of having a dog in your life and the stories they can inspire.

When Simone is awakened by her mom as a wildfire threatens their home, it is the beginning of a life-changing journey. On their way to take shelter in a high school gym, the family passes firefighters from a prison unit battling the fire. Simone's mom tells her that when she was a girl in Viet Nam, she was forced to evacuate her home after a flood. Joined by other children sheltering in the gym, Simone, a budding artist, encourages everyone to draw as a way to process their situation. After a few days, Simone and her mom are able to return to their home, which is fortunately still standing, and her outlook has changed. As Simone begins creating a piece of art with one of her new friends, she realizes that even though they are young, they can dream and work together for a more sustainable future. With a poetic, haunting family story by esteemed author Viet Thanh Nguyen and gorgeous art from illustrator Minnie Phan, this powerful tale introduces an unforgettable young heroine who awakens to a new role fighting for her community and for the future of the planet.

What's between your hands when you namaste the world? Maya is only three days into summer vacation and already bored. Outside her window, the street is full of neighbors. Coming and going. Earning and spending. Fixing and mending. Everyone has something to do--everyone's hands are busy. Except Maya's. When she opens her palms, they are empty. They are small. What in the world can her hands do? As Maya longs to do something useful alongside her neighbors--proclaim truth, stand for justice, or show mercy--she discovers that children like her can give the greatest gift of all: love.

Umami, sick of cold fish, travels the world trying different and delicious food to bring back home for the other penguins to try. Umami is tired of eating cold fish. But fish is what the penguins eat. Fish for every meal and birthdays too. To find new exciting foods, Umami adventures across the sea and discovers flavors and spices that are inspiring! She has to share them. But will the other penguins share her love for these different foods?

My hair is a book. Watch me open it, part it, take a look. Black hair has been telling stories for generations, from ponytails of ancient tribes and Nubian vibes to corn rows that mapped paths to freedom for enslaved Africans. There have been stories about dance with styles that twist and swoop and the sweetest stories of Cinna-buns and Afro puffs made perfect in the hottest kitchens. In each of these stories, one notion rings true: Black hair is everything--rich with history, a thesaurus, an atlas, and more, telling of truth, trials, and undeniable beauty. Maisha Oso's powerful and uplifting text and London Ladd's soul-stirring illustrations capture the remarkable nature of Black hair and remind us that whether it be curly, kinky, coarse, or straight, Black hair is beautiful.

There's work to do! No time to waste! All year the farm's a busy place! Six hardworking trucks - with help from brand-new farm vehicles - have work to do in each of the seasons: planting in spring, building a barn in the summer, harvesting in fall, and finally tucking the animals in for a cosy winter. Construction enthusiasts will love this look at a farm through the year, and all the rough, tough work there is to do! Sherri Duskey Rinker and AG Ford, the author-illustrator team behind the many New York Times Construction Site bestsellers, bring their playful rhyming text and vibrant illustrations to another exciting tale of teamwork, sure to delight little construction fans everywhere.

An atmospheric tribute to the beauty of winter and its creatures. ​One red fox walks across the white snow--quietly stalking winter. Two ravens croak and gurgle--raucously talking winter. Three snowshoe hares hop on big paws--silently tracking winter. Four red squirrels feast at their midden full of cones--hungrily cracking winter. Wherever you look, another creature is making its mark on the snow-covered season.

The peas have rolled through the uppercase letters, numbers, colors, and the months of the year. Now they're back with all of their signature jaunty and joyful perfect-for-preschoolers energy in this sequel to LMNO Peas. Like the first book, this one is filled with unique jobs, activities, roles, and hobbies. But this time the peas are bouncing through the lowercase alphabet! With an exuberant rhyming text and playful pea-packed illustrations, learning the alphabet has never been so much fun.

Old MacDonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O! And on that farm he had...a dragon? The animals aren't happy that there's a dragon on the farm. But Old MacDonald likes his dragon...until it starts swallowing up the animals! Can Old MacDonald save his farm before it's too late?

A deep breath and a little imagination are key in this gentle, beautifully illustrated story that will inspire little ones to lift their own spirits -- and remember that they are loved. Some days are harder to get through than others, but when you're sad, or lonely, or angry, it helps to remember these words: the Isle of You. Take a moment to shake off your worries, then set sail to a land where your dreams can come true. Soar on the back of an eagle, hunt for treasure, watch dancing polar bears on roller skates -- anything you can imagine is yours.

In this paneled picture book, join a small girl on her hilarious and surprising search for her lost cat--and watch as she helps her neighbors, who have also lost their pets, along the way! Where, oh where is Kitty? She's not upstairs... not in her litter box... not at her food bowl. Hmm...There's only one thing to do: find this lost cat. As the cat's owner roams town in hopes of finding her pet, she discovers she's not the only one missing their beloved animal. There's also a lost dog...a lost bird...even a lost giraffe! Join the search party in this almost wordless story that celebrates helping our neighbors and gently reminds us that what is lost can always be found.

Meet two friends who think they're building imaginative worlds with blocks but come to realize they've been building something far greater--a sturdy, solid friendship--in this picturebook by award-winning creators. Two kids build entire worlds out of blocks, cardboard, and imagination. From boats attacked by a sea creature to a castle crumbling into the ocean. And they don't mind when these creations break apart and CRASH to the floor. In fact, they think it's pretty funny! Every time, a creation falls apart, they pick up the pieces and keep building bigger and better. But when their latest masterpiece tumbles down in spectacular fashion, the boys aren't laughing anymore. Have these two friends reached their breaking point?

There once was a man who loved his tidy home and who didn't like animals. Then, one day, a cat appeared. The man and the cat both liked napping and watching the rain and eating dinner precisely at six. Well, maybe this one animal could stay. Next came a dog . . .

in a quiet village on a small island, two boys spend their days in a mango tree. High above the rest of the world, they play, take naps in the shade, and eat mangoes together. But after a huge storm sweeps one boy out into unknown waters, he finds himself alone in a strange new land, where everything is different and unfamiliar.

Once upon a time, in a land where horses were mythical beasts, there lived a unicorn--a Teeny-Weeny Unicorn. He lived with his family in a palace--one that was extra-large for him, full of extra-large rugs and extra-large food. And when his brother and sister played chess, they used him in place of a pawn. When it's just too much to take, Teeny-Weeny Unicorn runs away--and has a chance encounter with a salty gnome. It's then that he suddenly starts to wonder... IS he teeny weeny? Or is he just the right size?  Every kid will relate to Teeny-Weeny Unicorn, as he figures out how to live in a world not made for his stature.

Fortunately, the Worry Monster is here to help. He's going on a field trip tomorrow that he's very anxious about. Is there something that makes you very anxious, too? You're in luck! Worry Monster knows six Mindful Monster Moves that will help him--and you--stop the worry spiral. Will you join the Worry Monster and practice these skills so that you can both feel calmer?

A fresh and inclusive portrayal of Thanksgiving that celebrates sharing, community, family, food, and respect for America's first inhabitants. Here is a lyrical, vibrant tribute to the diversity of America coming together as one rich tapestry of gratitude, elegantly penned by debut author Patrick Hulse and illustrated in joyful colors by Chickasaw artist Madelyn Goodnight. At our table there is room to share a seat... room for old traditions and new ones... room to remember where our food comes from... and room to give thanks. There are countless ways we celebrate and give to others on Thanksgiving. The goodness we share lasts the rest of the year--and sometimes for a lifetime. From joyful preparation of food, to quiet reflection honoring farmers and Native communities, to cherished moments of laughter with friends or family...there is always room for making more memories together.

Glistening with winter charm, this is an exhilarating, tender story of pushing past your comfort zone and finding inspiration in art and natural beauty. Our young narrator doesn't like itchy hats or cold wind, and she especially doesn't like going places she's never been before. But she reluctantly agrees to join her mom at an ice festival, where they watch sculptors chisel and drill until it's too cold to watch anymore. That night the girl discovers that she has lost the horse figurine she'd brought with her, and she wishes she'd never gone . . . until the next night, when they return to the festival and see what the artists have created: sparkling, glorious sculptures that feel a little like magic. One surprise in particular seems even more magical to the girl. The ice art will stay with her long, long after it has melted away.

While on a playdate with an outgoing new friend, a nervous hedgehog finds the courage to use his imagination, in this lively, funny picture book by the New York Times bestselling illustrator of Ordinary People Change the World. It doesn't take much for Henry, an introverted young hedgehog, to roll up into a tight ball of anxiety. And now he's on a nerve-wracking playdate with a new neighbor, a very energetic chipmunk named Chester. Chester wants to go on all kinds of imagined adventures in the backyard, but Henry much prefers the safety of experiencing adventure in the pages of a book. What's more, he's afraid that if he expresses his own creative ideas Chester will think he's silly and uncool. But with the help of a "magic" stick, a lizard who knows she's actually a dragon, and the encouragement of rambunctious Chester, Henry just might find his bravery and save the playdate!

Get out the vote! In this kid-friendly picture book introduction to voting and elections, Leo's father teaches him about the importance of every single vote, and how to use their voices to uplift their community. Leo's dad is voting in his first election as a naturalized US citizen, and he promises to take Leo to the polls with him. Leo can't wait! But, after his cousin Ray casts doubt on the importance of a single vote, it'll take Leo's class mock election results, as well as a talk with his dad to convince him that each and every vote matters.  This lively picture book shows us how citizens decide who will be in charge, hitting key moments in an election, from voter registration to polling places, to staying in line, and features extensive backmatter for kids who want to dig deeper.

When two red foxes have an argument which breaks apart their community, a gentle buffalo decides to take a braid of sweetgrass to a local elder and asks her to help with a sharing circle for all the animals. 

"She sells seashells down by the seashore." You may know the tongue twister, but do you know the story? In this silly STEM Twister, kids explore what would happen if a girl sold seashells down by the seashore. How much would she sell them for? What would she do with the money? Paired with resources for teachers and caregivers, this book brings math concepts to life and gets kids excited about concepts like money and calculation. The STEM Twisters features silly stories set in the world of tongue twisters. Kids learn real-life STEM concepts like counting, measurement, life science, physical principles and more through simple stories with sweet characters.

Vann, a struggling stickball player, competes in a game on the Cherokee Nation. Can he help his team win? Written by award-winning Cherokee author Traci Sorell, sports lovers ages 4 to 7 are sure to love this action-packed book. Vann loves playing his tribe's stickball game, but he's not as skilled as his teammates. Vann stumbles, and he tries and fails to score. How can he help his teammates win? Exciting and fast-paced, Clack, Clack! Smack! reminds readers that sportsmanship and being a team player is just as important as being the star. Back matter explains the origins of Cherokee stickball.

This affectionate picture book reveals Rosita's sense of loss when her grandmother dies and how the family works together on the Day of the Dead to restore the healing power of remembrance. Full color.

Young readers love laughing away their worries with Scaredy Squirrel! This anxious little fella's new graphic chapter book series is perfect for fans of Narwhal and Jelly and Pizza and Taco. In this NUTTY ADVENTURE, Scaredy is in for a big surprise.... And Scaredy does NOT like surprises.  He is a squirrel who likes a schedule, predictability, nothing unexpected. So, what's inside the mysterious crate? Turns out it's a POOL!  Scaredy imagines sharks, eels, and algae! He prepares safety rules! Luckily his friends Ivy, Timber, and newcomer Rash are happy to remind him of another important rule...having fun!

Young readers love laughing away their worries with Scaredy Squirrel! This anxious little fella's graphic chapter book series is perfect for fans of Narwhal and Jelly and Pizza and Taco. Being scared is nothing new to Scaredy Squirrel. But Halloween is on a whole other level. Talking to strangers? Haunted houses? CAVITIES?! No thank you. Luckily, with a little help from his friends, Scaredy can still have a good time...and maybe even get a little spooky!

This hilarious interactive book will have everyone giggling gleefully! Young readers help to tell the story by responding to simple verbal or visual cues - the perfect read aloud, and fun for the whole family.

Mac Barnett and Sydney Smith team up for an unforgettable celebration of Christmas. We all know that Santa makes everyone's dreams come true every Christmas, but it turns out that he needs a little help getting into the holiday spirit himself. Instead of letting Santa get right back to work after he returns home to the North Pole on Christmas morning, his loyal elves want to make sure he experiences the same Christmas cheer he provides for others. With the perfect tree, lots of delicious treats, and, of course, presents, Santa experiences the magic of Christmas for the very first time. Beloved children's book creators Mac Barnett and Sydney Smith have unveiled Santa unlike ever seen before, and as a result, created a merry new Christmas classic.

One lamp welcomes the goddess of wealth. She blesses all with wisdom and health. Two lamps to thank the sun and the moon. They give us life, light and good fortune. Come along as we celebrate the magical moments that make up Diwali, the Festival of Lights, in the warm light of thirteen diyas and just as many treasured traditions. See if you can count all the diyas and celebrate all the wonderful gifts Diwali has to offer--music and mouthwatering sweets, swirling rangolis and sweet-smelling marigolds, laughter and light. With Chitra Soundar's lyrical rhymes and rich, vibrant illustrations from Amberin Huq, this is the perfect gift to share for one of the world's biggest and brightest holidays.

A hilarious holiday tale about the highs and lows of eating one very special Three Kings Day dessert: the Rosca de Reyes, a sweet bread with a figurine of the baby Jesus hidden inside! Marta is finally old enough for her own slice of the special, sneaky dessert she loves so much--la Rosca de Reyes. The colorful crown of sweet bread is so tempting, but Marta knows the truth--there's a baby hiding in the dessert: el Niño Dios. Marta can't help but wonder what will happen if she accidentally eats the little figurine of baby Jesus.  Suddenly, Marta will do whatever it takes to avoid picking the last slice of la rosca--no matter how badly she wants a bite! This humorous story of one girl's journey to overcome her fears explores the traditions of Three Kings Day and the importance of family and faith.  

In this heartwarming holiday picture book, House misses being decorated for the winter holidays . . . but is delighted to be lit up for Eid instead.After seeing all of its neighbors' twinkling lights for the winter holidays, House hopes to shine too. When Huda and her family move in, House thinks its time to sparkle has finally come.But, Diwali, Hanukkah, and Christmas come and go without a shimmer. Quickly, House learns that every family celebrates joy and togetherness in their own way, no matter the season. And a few months later House will see that this new family has its own holiday to shine for.This book is sure to be a holiday classic, complete with back matter about the holidays mentioned, including the one House lights up for-Eid.

The light from a menorah takes a young boy on a fantastical journey around the world to experience different festivals of light, and the people who celebrate them. Nothing brings communities together like the warm glow of a lamp or candle flame, illuminating people and the stories they tell. In The Light from My Menorah, a young boy celebrating Hannukah follows his menorah's light as it twists and turns in the night sky, carrying him to mountains, deserts, and even into space. On his journey he sees families from around the world sharing food and togetherness as they celebrate their own special holidays, lighting diya for Diwali, kinara for Kwanzaa, crowns of candles for St. Lucia Day, krathongs for Loy Krathong, and strings of lights for Christmas.   Illustrator Andrea Blinick's luminous mixed-media art creates a dazzling world filled with sparkling light and warmth, while Robin Heald's beautiful free-verse text evokes the quiet wonder of a holiday night.

Ursula finds confidence in seeing the world her own way in another innovative, flipped-format picture book from Caldecott Honoree and Geisel Award winner Corey R. Tabor.  Ursula is a happy catfish, swimming through a shimmering river with weeds waving above and a sky full of scrumptious bugs below.  Then one question turns her world upside down.  Is left right Is right wrong Which way even is up  Children will love turning the book upside down and back again as they follow Ursula's humorous journey to self-discovery.

"Noozhishenh, bimadiziwin," Nookomis says. "My granddaughter, live a good life." An Ojibwe grandmother carefully measures and selects just the right colors of fabric, and her sewing machine hums whirr, whirr, whirr late into the night. In the morning, her growing granddaughter has a beautiful new ribbon skirt to wear, a reminder of her nookomis and the cultural traditions that stitch together her family with love.

Henry likes Classroom Ten. He likes how it is always the same. But this week, Henry's class will have a parade, and a parade means having Share Time on the wrong day. A parade means playing instruments that are too loud. A parade means this week is not like always.

Scaredy Squirrel is exactly the character children need today--a little bit anxious, a lot adorable, and totally lovable.  They will laugh along in this new picture book as Scaredy learns to brave the doctor for his regular check-up! Scaredy exercises, eats healthy foods, and stays very, very safe.  But even healthy squirrels need to get a regular check up! Going to the vet can be scaaary, especially if you're Scaredy. As young listeners see Scaredy face his fears in the silliest of ways, they gain perspective and courage, empowering them to tackle their own worries with a big smile.

Young readers love laughing away their worries with Scaredy Squirrel! This anxious little fella's graphic chapter book series is perfect for fans of Narwhal and Jelly and Pizza and Taco. Fa la la LOTS to do! Scaredy is getting ready for the holiday season! Sure, it is a lot for one squirrel to handle--the planning, the decorating, the wrapping, and, of course, being an outstanding host! Luckily, Scaredy has his friends to remind him of the greatest gift of all-- celebrating with your loved ones!

I want to dance! Bizzy can't wait to dance with all her friends and family at the summer gathering this year! But first, she must make the perfect regalia. It's tricky work, even with a grown-up's help, and her high expectations come crashing down in a flurry of torn fabric, loose beads, and tears. With support from her mom, grandma, and little brother, can Bizzy learn to see past the flaws, finish her work, and remember what's really important?

Fans of The Bad Seed and Creepy Carrots will flock to this hilarious, lightly spooky picture book about a boy who unwittingly unleashes a ferociously fuzzy beast on his campground! Lurking in the lake at Cucumonga Campground is a fearsome and frightening creature. Legend says that it swallows kids, canoes, and even whales whole. But all Hector sees are cute, cuddly, quacking ducks. Until he breaks the campground's most important rule--Don't Feed the Ducks--and releases...the Quacken.

Celebrate diversity, math, and the power of storytelling! Annabelle's grandparents are finally going to teach her how to cook gumbo! But the family can't agree on what type of gumbo to make. They vote for their favorite, but the vote results in a tie. Now what? A playful exploration of data and social-emotional reasoning, featuring Louisiana Creole characters and a glossary of Louisiana Creole words.

Journey with a young girl as she explores the mesmerizing wonders of a Nigerian night market, where each stall is an adventure waiting to be discovered! Filled with vibrant illustrations, this captivating picture book invites young readers into a world of magic, mystery, and the joy of finding treasures in unexpected places. The Night Market is here again, and all one girl needs is a bag of gold coins to enter. The market is alive with the sound of hawkers and traders. "A taste of tangy sweetness!" hollers a man behind a towering fountain of lemonade. "I'll trade you a joke for a coin," a little boy calls. "Home grown spices!" shouts a granny at a counter. What should the girl buy? But, wait! Do you hear that? It's the sound of an old African drum. Have a turn, then learn to make cards disappear when you shout Abracadabra! When the sun starts to rise and the night market winds down, the girl has one gold coin left--just enough to buy a return ticket to the night market.

A fun-filled collection of 5-minute short stories in Spanish and English for kids! A bilingual book for young language learners. Follow Cali the Capybara and other colorful characters as they navigate unexpected adventures, all while learning Spanish! Whether you're looking to support your child's bilingual education or are looking for bedtime stories to bond and read alongside them, Cali's Fun Bilingual Tales will make learning and practicing Spanish fun. What's more, since stories are presented in both languages, this storybook is great for Spanish speakers who want to practice their English, too!

From sunrise to sunset, a group of young Black boys joyously spend the day together as they live their best lives freely in their community. ­With confidence and a touch of swag, these friends do everything with one another: build a time machine, tend to the community garden, roleplay in the park, read, take a group selfie, and play basketball.

Ever since he was a little chip, Robot knew he was ART-ificially different. A funny and heartfelt picture book exploring AI, art, and creativity. Try as he might, Robot can't keep up with the other robots at the warehouse. But when he's sent off for reprogramming, he takes a wrong turn and ends up encountering music, dancing, and ART! He tries to share his discovery, only to find that art is hard to explain-and even harder to do. Will Robot learn to express himself and transform the warehouse . . . or will he be recycled?

Amongst the hustle and bustle of the city is an overgrown piece of land where trees and wildlife thrive. A boy, who lives in a house on the lot next to it, loves to visit. He has a friend there: an elephant, an animal that he sees within the shapes of the trees. No matter the weather, the boy visits. And as the seasons change so does the elephant; thick green foliage changes to autumnal colors before the bare branches of harsh winter appear. But one day, builders arrive. The land has been sold, and the trees have been marked for removal. The boy can't lose his elephant, and so he comes up with a plan.

Raise the mainsail! Batten the hatches! It's time to set sail...on the couch! There's a storm coming, and a child is ready to captain the ship. "Make haste and climb aboard," they call out to their parent, "before you're swept out to sea!" Sea? What sea? The parent is only trying to vacuum the rug. But the child is adamant. It's not a rug--it's the ocean. And that broom? It's the ship's mast. Soon enough, child and parent are both off on an imaginary nautical adventure! Here is a thoroughly engaging, hilarious picture book that celebrates the joys of playing make-believe--and hanging out with a parent!

Follow perfect pet Barnaby on his perilous journey home through bustling streets, mysterious alleyways, and the untamed wilds of city parks in this gorgeously illustrated tale of friendship, unconditional love and belonging. A stunning, standalone picture book set in the world of The Barnabus Project from international bestsellers The Fan Brothers, joined by their brother Devin Fan. Meet Barnaby: he's half mouse and half elephant, with just a dash of flamingo . . . and fully trained! When he's brought home to be pampered and cared for by his very own little girl, life is perfect . . . until a new, even more perfect pet comes on the scene. Suddenly Barnaby is no longer the most perfect pet around, and his little girl doesn't seem interested in him anymore. Feeling unappreciated, Barnaby runs away and finds himself swept up on a wild journey through the city and an emotional search for home in a tale of love found, lost and found again.  In a poignant follow-up to their award-winning, internationally bestselling picture book The Barnabus Project, The Fan Brothers and their brother Devin Fan have once again crafted a heartfelt and sweetly sensitive story full of adventure, friendship and family that will enchant readers of all ages.

Scaredy Squirrel is exactly the squirrel your child needs--a little bit anxious, a lot adorable, and totally lovable. He likes the safety of his nut tree, but not so much the great outdoors. And he's about to go . . . camping?! Scaredy Squirrel is cool with camping . . . as long as he can do it from his couch! Who wants to deal with mosquitos, dirt, and wild animals when he can experience nature on his brand-new TV? Except--uh-oh!--first he has to plug it in, which means LEAVING HIS TREE! Luckily, Scaredy's always got a plan. And he doesn't realize he might just explore the great outdoors along the way.

After graduating from the academy, a shy new Fairy Godmother has been given the most challenging assignment yet-- to watch over the How to Catch Kids! Can she take care of these wacky kids as they prepare for show & tell without getting caught in their wildly inventive traps? Come along for a never-before-seen exciting adventure perfect to celebrate the special role aunts and godmothers play in your life!

"There is only one thing I want to do . . . So I will do it!" Gabriel the elephant dreams of being part of the lifeboat crew in his seaside town, but he is too young, and too little. But soon, Gabriel grows up and he is too . . . BIG! Disappointed but undaunted, Gabriel makes a plan. He hammers and chops, saws and sands, and builds his very own boat. One night, a great storm hits, and it's Gabriel's time to shine, pulling his oars alone against the crashing waves to save a crew in peril. Young children will love rooting for underdog Gabriel and will draw inspiration from his determination to achieve his dreams despite hurdles and setbacks. 

It's a perfect day at the community pool for a swim. The cool beans are the best swimmers in town. Check out how they dive! Look at how they cannonball! Watch how they backflip! YOW! As for the Cool Bean, the shallow side of the pool is the only side of the pool he treads water on. Until one day, the Cool Bean sees the super slide and finds the courage to finally ride the slide...or does he Find out in this splashy story about taking chances, trying new things, and leaning on your friends

Ibraheem and his cat, Mitu, join Baba on a rickshaw trip through the big city, where vehicles of all sorts and sizes have their own language to help them navigate the busy streets. BEEP BEEP, says Baba. HONK HONK, says car. TOOT TOOT, says bus. RUMBLE RUMBLE, says mighty truck. MEOW MEOW, says Mitu WHEEE! I say. Along the way, Ibraheem notices that though there aren't traffic signals, the cars, buses, trucks, rickshaws (and even a stray toad!), all navigate the hustle and bustle of the streets safely by communicating in their own language.

Piper Chen loves nothing more than to sing. She sings to the sun, and she sings to the moon. She sings to her stuffed animals and with the birds outside her window. So, when her music teacher asks if Piper would like to sing a solo in her school's Spring Sing, all she can say is "yes!" But as practice continues, doubt and worry creep in and Piper's confidence wavers. She feels like butterflies are having a dance party in her belly. At home, Piper finds Nai Nai, her grandmother, at the piano. They've always shared a love of music, and Piper knows if anyone can help her through the unsettling feeling in her stomach and to shine her brightest at the Spring Concert, it's Nai Nai.

A moving look at a Black family's journey to exercise their right to vote and imagine a better future. Charlie and Ralph's mom has waited a long time to vote because countless obstacles have been put in Black people's way to stop them from having a say in elections-obstacles that it took a lot of hard work to tear down. But now, in 1969, Madear is going to vote for the very first time, and the boys are coming along on this exciting day. A day that puts a new bounce in their mom's step, and enables them all to begin to dream of a better future.

"Did you know that flamingos don't have teeth?" Questions, facts, and dreams--Ruby René could talk for hours. Once she got going, it was hard for her to stop. It didn't matter if it was history, science, or the lunch menu--Ruby René had so much to say! But when her teacher called home because she found her sharing distracting, Ruby vowed to keep quiet. Until . . . she finds the perfect outlet for her gift of gab.

A warm summer breeze and the gentle waves of the ocean wash ashore many different types of shells. In this story a girl collects shells and thinks of all the magnificent things they can be turned into with a little creativity. She imagines one shell as a swimming cap for diving into the crashing waves, another as a magical kaleidoscope, one as a rocket ship to take her way up high and another as a submarine for exploring the wonders of the world below. The girl draws inspiration from the unique beauty of each and every shell..

Sweltering. Sweating. It's 100 degrees... even in the shade. Games are canceled, temperatures reach record highs. The sun is hot. Finally, a wind picks up. One rain drop. Then another. A downpour. The sun sets and the moon rises, Relief at last. Heatwave is a book that vividly evokes a universal feeling--when the air is so hot and heavy you can barely move, when the sun is so bright your eyes play tricks on you.

Brad and Kristi Montague have started a movement for kids and adults alike to celebrate the way failing actually means you tried and learned something. Failing doesn't have to bad! It's just part of the process of learning to do something better. So if you missed the goal during that soccer game or burned the cookies, put on a party hat and join the fail-a-bration, to let the fail fires light the way to success!

Jack wants to apologize for hurting Zoe's feelings. He just can't seem to find the right words. Turns out there's more to an apology than just saying "I'm sorry." Elevated by equally charming illustrations and text, I'm Sorry You Got Mad is a journey in learning the importance of an apology that goes deeper than just words.

When a kid who can say NO visits an island of walruses who can only say YES, chaos ensues in this hilarious debut picture book. For fans of NO Is All I Know! When you're a walrus living on an island where the answer to every question is YES, life is pretty simple, especially when that's all you've ever known. It's great when you want a slice of birthday cake for breakfast . . . and not so great when someone asks you to wear an itchy shirt. But one day, a kid shows up, brandishing an entirely new word- NO. NO is heavy like a bookcase, solid as a boulder. It's not shaped like YES, but somehow, it's still an answer. The kid calls his friends to come visit the island too, and it's not long before they've eaten up all of the yummiest food without sharing. What's worse, none of them bring their own toothbrushes . . . It becomes clear that what the walruses all need is to find their own NO . . . not only to hold back the rampaging horde of children - but for their own sakes as well. The Island Before No is a hilarious new picture book that blends its zany fun with an important message about respecting and setting boundaries.

Friendship wins the day in this heartwarming quarrel between two hilariously stubborn frogs. Two frogs find an ordinary little rock. It's the perfect place to stretch their legs! But both frogs think it's their rock--and they really don't want to share. So what do they do? Why, make a huge fuss and start an uproarious squabble of course! Uh-oh. They've caused such a scene, that here comes a hungry heron. Perhaps they should put their differences aside and find a new rock...together?

When the deliverymen set off in the morning, the children wait for the flicker of pedal and wheel. It's the demae-- delivery men-- setting off to deliver steaming trays of noodles to hungry customers all over the city. They are acrobats: whizzing past other bicycles, soaring around curves, avoiding the black smoke of motorcycles. When the children see them, they want to be them. And so they practice with bowls of wobbling water stacked on trays. The day passes, and, finally, exhausted, the demae return home, to their families, and, yes, to steaming bowls of noodles.

On a walk through a snow-covered garden, big sister Miriam claims to hear the sound of a snow dragon. Little sister Celeste has lots of questions- snow dragons are real? Where do they hide? What do they eat? And is that frost on the greenhouse windows or is it . . . frostfire? Miriam seems to have an answer for everything about snow dragons. But when Celeste wanders off, she has a magical encounter that changes everything she thought she knew.

Celebrate diversity, math, and the power of storytelling! Beto wants to play tea party with Cora, but his big sister just wants to be a pirate. To get Cora on board, Beto makes a map to a delicious hidden treasure. But Cora ends up in the wrong place! Will Cora find the treasure before Beto eats it all? A playful exploration of mapping, featuring Chicanx (Mexican American) characters and a glossary of Spanish words. Storytelling Math celebrates children using math in their daily adventures as they play, build, and discover the world around them. Joyful stories and hands-on activities make it easy for kids and their grown-ups to explore everyday math together.

What do you do when your best friend moves away? This hopeful and resonant book filled with soft, vibrant illustrations tells the story of two friends who find a way to keep their special friendship alive, no matter the distance. Every day, Sofia and May meet at the door of their shared fence. Sofia can always count on May to show up and May can always count on Sofia to wait for her. One spring day, Sofia and May discover a field of wild sourgrass flowers beyond their yards. The field becomes their favorite place, and the two friends grow closer than ever. But when May moves away, Sofia starts to worry: Will their friendship last? As the girls navigate a long-distance friendship, Sofia realizes that some friends are forever, even when they're apart.

When three mysterious visitors from "Europe" crash-land in Mr. Li's field, he does what any good host would: he invites them back to his farmhouse and offers to help fix up their "car". No, there's nothing strange about these guests at all. Just like other humans, they "make business", "play sportsball" and "wear hat". As the townsfolk also come to the aid of the visitors and the gathering turns into a little party, interplanetary relations reach an all-time high. A sweetly funny extraterrestrial offering that explores surprising acts of kindness and acceptance, X. Fang's second picture book is truly out of this world.

Meet Mamie Tape, 8-year-old Chinese American changemaker who fought for the right to go to school in San Francisco in the 1880s. Follow Mamie's brave steps and discover the poignant history of her California Supreme Court case Tape v. Hurley. Mamie's mom always reminded her a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. So when Mamie wanted to go to school, even though Chinese children weren't allowed, she took her first step and showed up anyway. When she was turned away at the schoolhouse door, she and her parents took another step: they sued the San Francisco school board...and won! Their case Tape v. Hurley made its way up to the California Supreme Court, which ruled that children of Chinese heritage had the right to a free public school education. But even then, Mamie's fight wasn't over. Mamie Tape Fights to go to School is the story of one young changemaker's brave steps on the long journey to end school segregation in California. It began with a single step.

When Eddy the goldfish takes a leap of faith to be closer to his new friends, his perspective of the world widens in unexpected ways. A funny story about building empathy and making connections, for fans of LeUyen Pham, Dan Santat, Laura Vaccaro Seeger, and Michael Hall. Eddy is a lonely goldfish stuck inside his fishbowl. He would love to have a friend to swim and play and blow bubbles with. Soon, on the other side of the glass, he spies not one but two new friends. After days of playing games together, Eddy leaps out of his bowl to be closer to them. And that's when he realizes that his two friends are really the inquisitive eyes of A CAT! Oh, no! Luckily for Eddy, friendship can be found in unexpected places. A Friend for Eddy is funny and suspenseful, and observant readers will delight in seeing Eddy's mistake before he does. Ann Kim Ha's clever, bold illustrations will hold the attention of the youngest children, making A Friend for Eddy a wonderful choice for bedtime and story-time sharing.  

From popular author-illustrator Joseph Kuefler comes the perfect bedtime book for fans of big trucks. The ideal next book for readers of Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site and Steam Train, Dream Train. After a long day's work, Digger and the other big trucks are ready to tuck themselves into bed. They wash, they brush, and they sing a goodnight song. But before they can fall asleep, two mischievous raccoons appear. And they are not tired--at all. Surely, just a few more minutes of playtime won't hurt...will it?

Being the new kid is hard. And wearing something that might seem odd to other kids is even harder. Rostam and Maman recently moved to the United States, and Baba is still working in Iran. Now it's picture day at school, and Rostam doesn't want to wear his pusteen. Even though Baba wore it when he was little, and it's beautiful and soft, Rostam worries that the other kids will think it's weird. But sometimes being brave means sharing your whole self with others.

Remember the sky you were born under, Know each of the star's stories. Remember the moon, know who she is. Remember the sun's birth at dawn, That is the strongest point of time. So begins the picture book adaptation of the renowned poem that encourages young readers to reflect on family, nature, and their heritage. In simple and direct language, Harjo, a member of the Mvskoke Nation, urges readers to pay close attention to who they are, the world they were born into, and how all inhabitants on earth are connected. Michaela Goade, drawing from her Tlingit culture, has created vivid illustrations that make the words come alive in an engaging and accessible way.

Meet Bob. He's the all-time favorite library book at Wisdom Hill Elementary. But Sebastian is nothing like Bob's previous enthusiastic borrowers. In fact, Sebastian completely forgets about Bob! Will Bob ever feel the love of a contented fan again, or will he be lost and alone forever?

After school, a young boy is walking home when he hears whispers behind him. He turns, but no one is there. It happens again and again. There's something alive inside his backpack! Is it a ghost? A monster? With short chapters, easy-to-read text, and enhanced back matter, Boo Books deliver just-right frights (without the sleepless nights) for the earliest readers.

Sam can't wait to go on her first cruise...sun, fun, and lots of good food. But when some slimy guests show up, Sam's excitement turns into fear. Do these gooey blob monsters want more than just the all-you-can-eat buffet? With short chapters, easy-to-read text, and enhanced back matter, Boo Books deliver just-right frights (without the sleepless nights) for the earliest readers.

Joey and Johnny have a new substitute teacher. And that teacher happens to look just like a swamp creature from Johnny's favorite comic book. Mrs. Gilman is a little odd, but there's no way she's really a swamp creature is there? With short chapters, easy-to-read text, and enhanced back matter, Boo Books deliver just-right frights (without the sleepless nights) for the earliest readers.

Under the sea, Dr. Calamari's magic show is the place to be. But when Squiggy unwillingly becomes part of the show, his magical day quickly turns into his worst nightmare! Will Squiggy be able to reverse the spell? Dive in to find out in this early chapter book.

Mikey's heard the stories about the old, haunted aquarium. But he isn't scared, and he's ready to prove it. With his friends by his side and flashlight in hand, Mikey is ready to investigate. And all those eerie noises coming from the building are just the wind, right? Mikey and his friends are sure to find out in this early chapter book.

Celia loves to explore and is thrilled when she finds an old library in the woods. But Celia discovers more than just books at the library--and she can't wait to book it out of there! Will Celia get out of the library alive? Read on to learn Celia's fate in this early chapter book.

Dawson wants to try out for the basketball team, but he gets bullied into being the mascot instead. And to make matters worse, the suit is possessed by a spooky spirit! Dawson decides to befriend the ghost and take school spirit to a new level in this early chapter book!

Viv and Sanjay are the Inside Scouts! Together, they help animals. They have a cool superpower -- they can shrink super small. A giraffe can't eat because her tummy feels sick. The Inside Scouts put on their suits, grab their tools, and get really small! They go inside the giraffe to find out what is stuck in her gut. And they work together to help the giraffe feel better!

Every day, a little boy watches kids pass by on skateboards, and dreams of joining them. One day, his mother brings a surprise: her old skateboard, just for him! haw êkwa! Let's go! Together, they practice on the sidewalk, at the park, in Auntie's yard--everywhere. But when it comes time to try the skatepark, the skateboarders crash down like a waterfall. Can he find the confidence to join them? Let's Go! features: A glossary of Cree words featured in the book, and a Cree refrain (haw êkwa!) repeated throughout.

A young girl proclaims, "I want 100 dogs." In a twist, her parents agree, but they have just one question: Where will 100 dogs sleep? Our protagonist revises her request to 90 dogs. But how does one walk 90 dogs? A silly, subtractive counting tale and an over-the-top ode to the joys (and woes) of canine company, this sweet and surprising story proves that no matter how boundless your enthusiasm, when it comes to finding the perfect pet, sometimes less really is more.

The dung beetle thinks he has everything he needs- the warmth of the sun, a gurgling river, and as much dung as he could ever want. But when a leopard tells him of a farm with even MORE dung, the beetle's world suddenly looks small. And so he sets off to the farm, accruing more and more dung, building a veritable DUNG EMPIRE! But a tower of dung comes with a tower of risk, and soon our insect hero finds himself buried in his greed. (Yes, he's buried in poop.)

For one little boy and his older sister, fights are always waiting to happen--when he takes something without asking, jumps on her bed without asking, even wanders off without asking. And when they fight, they don't use words: it's all push, pull, hurt, hide. To cool off after, the boy retreats to his room to write and draw stories--stories about terrible horses trampling and galloping, while he is a lone pony unable to compete or speak or sleep. One morning, the boy wakes up to find his sketchbook missing, taken by his sister. What now? Will this make things worse, or could it help them to finally understand each other?