About Seabirds
by Cathryn Sill
Illustrated by John Sill

Meet the feathered inhabitants of coastlines and oceans around the world in this new addition to Cathryn and John Sill’s award-winning About… series.

Young readers will learn about diverse species of seabirds and their habitats in this nonfiction guide for beginning birders. Author Cathryn Sill uses simple, descriptive text to explore behavioral patterns, including how seabirds hunt, what they eat, and the materials they choose to build their nests. Artist John Sill’s beautiful, accurate illustrations bring these fascinating birds to life, from the familiar King Penguin to the wily Magnificent Frigatebird who steals fish from other birds. A closing message about conservation will inspire nature enthusiasts and young scientists to protect seabirds and the places they live.

Backmatter includes an afterword that dives into more detail about each image, including how seabirds’ bodies have adapted to cold, wet conditions and how far some are willing to go offshore (thousands of miles!). A comprehensive glossary and resources for further reading make About Seabirds a valuable resource for educators and avid young readers who hope to expand their knowledge about some of nature’s most interesting creatures.

Be sure to check out About Birds, About Habitats: Seashores, and the rest of our introductory guides in the About… and About Habitats series!

“Sill’s artwork enhances the text… The detailed illustrations are engaging and informative…. This serviceable guide to seabirds contains straightforward language and colorful illustrations. Recommended for most public and school libraries.” —School Library Journal

Find About Seabirds this August at your local library, indie bookstore, or Barnes & Noble, and don’t forget to check out the rest of our brand-new Fall 2020 titles as well as our picture books and middle grade titles coming to Peachtree this season in paperback!

Curious About Mammals
by Cathryn Sill
illustrated by John Sill

“Offers youngest readers a pleasing introduction to what makes a mammal a mammal.” —Publishers Weekly

Mammals are fascinating creatures, and no two species are exactly alike. Some nest high in the treetops, and others burrow underground. Some mammals swim, and others can fly! From the author and illustrator team that brought you the acclaimed About… series, Curious About Mammals introduces the youngest readers to the diverse world of mammals through basic facts about what mammals look like, where they live, what they eat, and how they move.

This new addition to the Discovering Nature board book series provides early opportunities to compare, contrast, and observe physical and behavioral patterns in animals. Educator and author Cathryn Sill’s simple vocabulary and wildlife illustrator John Sill’s realistic portrayals of mammals and their habitats are perfect for young nature enthusiasts learning to describe what they see outside the classroom and in their own backyard. From the backyard American red squirrel to the beautiful Arctic fox, the variety of fascinating creatures introduced is sure to captivate animal lovers and little explorers alike. Get a peek inside the book below!

Discover the Sills’ About… and About Habitats picture book series for more educational opportunities, perfect for young nature enthusiasts.

Praise for About Mammals

“The paintings draw viewers in with their warmth, charm, and accuracy…. This is ideal for storytimes…” ―School Library Journal

“Pre-school and primary-grade teachers will find this an attractive choice for units on mammals.” ―Booklist

“A quality book for introducing mammals, it is also well bound and worthy of addition to the young reader’s library.” ―NSTA Recommends

“This is a successful book and is to be recommended for all children’s collections.” ―Science Books & Films

Be on the lookout for Curious About Mammals this August at your local library, indie bookstore, or Barnes & Noble, and don’t forget to check out the rest of our brand-new Fall 2020 titles as well as our picture books and middle grade titles coming to Peachtree this season in paperback!

Curious About Birds
Written by Cathryn Sill
Illustrated by John Sill

From the author and illustrator duo that brought you the acclaimed About… series comes a beginner’s board book that teaches the youngest readers about the characteristics of birds and their habitats around the world. The first title in the new Discovering Nature series, Curious About Birds is a perfect choice for animal and nature lovers at home or in the classroom!

Educator and author Cathryn Sill’s simple language offers opportunities for early learners to compare and contrast, from the large Snowy Egret to the tiniest hummingbird. John Sill, award-winning wildlife illustrator, captures the beauty and diversity of the birds in vivid detail, sure to inspire young explorers to learn more about the natural world.

Discover the Sills’ collection of nonfiction picture books in the About… and About Habitats series!

Praise for About Birds

“Exceptionally detailed and uniformly accurate…the Sills succeed admirably.” —School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW

“Fifteen exquisite, scrupulously accurate watercolors of birds in their habitats are captioned by a deceptively simple text…An excellent concept book that takes its young audience seriously while skillfully providing the basics of an important subject.” —Kirkus Reviews

“The full-color illustrations by wildlife artist John Sill are so lifelike that one almost expects the birds to fly off the pages…a wonderful visual introduction…” —Booklist

Curious About Birds lands on a bookshelf near you this March at your local library, indie bookstore, or Barnes & Noble, and be on the lookout for the rest of our brand-new Spring 2020 titles as well as our picture books and middle grade titles coming to Peachtree this season in paperback!

The award-winning About… series launches new monolingual Spanish editions with Sobre los mamíferos: Una guía para niños and Sobre los pájaros: Una guía para niños! These thoughtful first-glimpses into the world of these fascinating creatures provide young Spanish-speaking readers a chance to learn more about the natural world.

In Sobre los mamíferos, author Cathryn Sill answers the first questions of young naturalists by explaining the characteristics of what mammals, including what they are, how they live, and what they do. Noted wildlife illustrator John Sill depicts the charm of this wide class of animals―including the large Blue Whale, the small American Pika, and humans―with his beautiful realistic paintings. An afterword provides further details about the animals, inspiring young readers to learn more.

“Pre-school and primary-grade teachers will find this an attractive choice for units on mammals.” ―Booklist

“A quality book for introducing mammals, it is also well bound and worthy of addition to the young reader’s library.” ―NSTA Recommends

“The paintings draw viewers in with their warmth, charm, and accuracy…. This is ideal for storytimes…” ―School Library Journal

In Sobre los pájaros, learn about basic information about birds with simple, easy-to-understand language. The accompanying illustrations showcases the diversity of this fascinating category, from the recognizable American Robin and Ruby-throated Hummingbird, to the Bald Eagle and the Greater Roadrunner. The afterword offers more facts about birds, and more back matter includes a glossary and sources for young readers to continue their studies.

“Exceptionally detailed and uniformly accurate…the Sills succeed admirably.” ―School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW

“The full-color illustrations by wildlife artist John Sill are so lifelike that one almost expects the birds to fly off the pages…a wonderful visual introduction…” ―Booklist

“Fifteen exquisite, scrupulously accurate watercolors of birds in their habitats are captioned by a deceptively simple text…An excellent concept book that takes its young audience seriously while skillfully providing the basics of an important subject.” ―Kirkus Reviews

“An age-appropriate amount of text on each page is accompanied by beautiful, watercolor illustrations of each bird. More advanced readers and their mentors might appreciate the afterword, containing more detailed information on the birds depicted in the main body of the book.”
―NSTA Recommends

For more information and resources for the About… and About Habitats series, check out the series pages! To learn more about the creation of their beautiful and informative books, hear Cathryn and John discuss the inspiration for their work, and watch John Sill’s process of his watercolor illustrations in the videos below.

Look for Sobre los mamíferos: Una guía para niños and Sobre los pájaros: Una guía para niños on Amazon or at your local library, indie bookstore, or Barnes & Noble starting February 1!

 Winter Babies
Written by Kathryn O. Galbraith
Illustrated by Adela Pons

Spirited, rhyming text and colorful, graphic art reveal an energetic cast of babies having an action-packed day of play in the park on a cheerful winter day. Featuring diverse characters and highlighting early concepts like shapes and repetition, books in the Babies in the Park series encourage an appreciation of nature and outdoor imaginative play.

Want to introduce the wonders of winter to your little one? Check out our activity suggestions!

In the Snow
Written by Elizabeth Spurr
Illustrated by Manelle Oliphant

In this gently rhyming board book, a young girl makes a snowman, sleds, and has other winter fun! Elizabeth Spurr and Manelle Oliphant together create a perfect sit-in-your-lap reading experience for toddlers. Read an excerpt here.

Immi’s Gift
Written & illustrated by Karin Littlewood

A young girl way, way, way up north in a snow-covered world finds a small colorful surprises on he end of her fishing line. When visiting the fishing hole for the last time, she drops a little wooden bear into the water. Far away on a beach in the hot, hot sun, a young boy throws a colorful object into the water, then a small wooden bear washed up on the beach catches his eye.

This simple, affecting story filled with quiet magic shows how individuals around the world connect and enrich each other’s lives. Beautiful watercolor illustrations vibrantly depict the story’s shifting locations―from the frozen Arctic to the tropical shoreline. Read an excerpt here.

About Penguins
A Guide for Children
Written by Cathryn Sill
Illustrated by John Sill

This beginner’s guide offers a first glimpse into the natural world of penguins, including what penguins are, how they look, how they move, what they eat, and where they live. Beautifully detailed, realistic paintings, show readers a variety of penguins, from the Adélie to the Rockhopper to the Emperor. Read an excerpt here and check out the series teacher’s guide. Learn more about the rest of the award-winning About… series here.

About Habitats: Polar Regions
Written by Cathryn Sill
Illustrated by John Sill

This beginner’s guide explores the major attributes of the Arctic and Antarctic biomes, like what they are and what kinds of animals and plants live there. The full-color illustrations show the striking beauty and remarkable diversity of these amazing  regions using examples from around the globe. Read an excerpt here and check out the series teacher’s guide. Learn more about the rest of the award-winning About Habitats series here.

Polar Star
Written by Sally Grindley
Illustrated by John Butler

While her new cubs Snowball and Snowflake are too young to venture far from their den, Polar Star shows them the delights of their ice and snow wonderland home. But when the cubs are old enough to leave the safety of the den, they must learn how to survive in their beautiful yet hostile world and follow Polar Star across the treacherous sea ice in search of food.

This factually accurate portrayal of the joyful but often dangerous life of the largest meat-eating mammals on earth includes wondrous landscape paintings that reveal the grandeur of the Arctic world.

Under the Snow
Written by Melissa Stewart
Illustrated by Constance R. Bergum

When snow falls, we go home where it is warm and safe. What about all those animals out there in the forests and fields? What do they do when snow blankets the ground? This lyrical tour of a variety of habitats provides young readers with vivid glimpses of animals as they live out the winter beneath the snow and ice, and glowing watercolors perfectly capture the wonder and magic that can happen under the snow. Check out the teacher’s guide and readers’ theater for ideas of how to use Under the Snow in the classroom.

The Snow Lion
Written by Jim Helmore
Illustrated by Richard Jones

After moving to a new home, Caro wishes she had a friend, but she’s too shy to meet the neighborhood kids. With a little imagination, however, Caro finds the Snow Lion. Together, they have all kinds of fun racing, climbing, and playing hide-and-seek. But when the boy next door asks Caro to come play, Caro isn’t so sure. Then, the Snow Lion has an idea! Making new friends isn’t always easy, but it is always worth it in the end.

This powerful but gentle story about making new friends is gorgeously illustrated to celebrate the magic and imagination that fills every page and will appeal to any shy or lonely young reader. Read an excerpt here and learn more about the creation of the book with our Q&A with author Jim Helmore.

I Am Tama, Lucky Cat
A Japanese Legend
Written by Wendy Henrichs
Illustrated by Yoshiko Jaeggi

Under the shadow of the white-capped mountains of Japan, a kind and gentle monk takes in a white cat with unusual markings and names him Tama, Lucky Cat. Tama truly earns his nickname―“Lucky Cat,” when during a powerful thunderstorm, he sees a towering warlord on a white horse. The cat beckons the warrior forward just as a large branch crashes to the ground and lands right where the warlord had previously stood. In gratitude to Tama, the warlord lavishes gifts on the monk’s poor temple.

Based on one of the legends of Maneki Neko―“beckoning cat,”  in early Edo-period Japan―this beautiful story of friendship, generosity, and kindness includes graceful text  and breathtaking watercolor illustrations. Read an excerpt here.

The Story Blanket
Written by Ferida Wolff & Harriet May Savitz
Illustrated by Elena Odriozola

Babba Zarrah lives in a tiny village in the snow-covered mountains. The children love to visit her. They settle down on her big, old story blanket and listen to her imaginative tales. One day Babba Zarrah notices that Nikolai needs new socks, but she has no yarn. “Every question has an answer,” Babba Zarrah tells herself, “I just have to find it.” After the children leave, she unravels part of her story blanket and knits him some nice warm socks. As villagers start receiving mysterious gifts to keep them warm, the story blanket gets smaller and smaller until the children have nothing to sit on at story time. When the villagers finally discover Babba Zarrah’s secret, they decide to give her a surprise of her own.

Enhanced with charming illustrations, this heartwarming story of generosity makes for a wonderful read aloud experience.

Jake’s 100th Day of School
Written by Lester L. Laminack
Illustrated by Judy Love

Jake and his fellow students are getting ready for a celebration. Tomorrow is the 100th day of school and everyone is going to share their collections of 100 things. The day of the celebration arrives, but Jake forgets the 100 family pictures he has glued into a special memory book at home. Disaster! Thanks to Jake’s ingenuity and the sensitivity of his principal, Mrs. Wadsworth, Jake does have a collection to display that day… and something special to share with the class on the 101st day of school.

As classrooms prepare for the 100th day of school during winter, use this well-crafted story as inspiration for how to celebrate this exciting day of school. Find a teacher’s guide here.

Snow Day!
Written by Lester L. Laminack
Illustrated by Adam Gustavson

When the television weatherman predicts a big snowfall, the narrator gleefully imagines the fun-filled possibilities of an unscheduled holiday from school. But when the family wakes up the next morning, they are in for a disappointment. No snow! As the family members pile into the car so they won’t be late for school, an unexpected twist reveals who wanted the snow day most of all.

This clever take on this familiar childhood wish features an unexpected twist sure to surprise and delight school-age readers. Read an excerpt here.

Keep On!
The Story of Matthew Henson, Co-discoverer of the North Pole
Written by Deborah Hopkinson
Illustrated by Stephen Alcorn

This stunning picture book tells the story of the under-recognized Matthew Henson who joined Robert Peary’s great 1909 expedition to reach the North Pole. The team endured storms, shifting ice, wind, injuries, accidents, and unimaginable cold. Finally, on April 1, Peary, Henson, and four Inuit men began the final 133-mile push to the Pole. Excerpts from Henson’s expedition diaries, a time line, and an epilogue place the story in its historical context.

For more resources, check out our teacher’s guide here.

Flying Over Brooklyn
Written by Myron Uhlberg
Illustrated by Gerald Fitzgerald

While trudging through deep snow in a neighborhood park, a young boy is suddenly hit with a strong wind that grabs his coat and lifts him into the air. As the young boy is soaring over familiar sites―a bridge over a frozen river, a baseball field, and an amusement park―he gains a new perspective, escaping from the routine of everyday life. But when the boy returns to the safety of his home, he is left wondering: was it all just a marvelous dream?

Based in part on author Myron Uhlberg’s childhood memories of the Great Blizzard of 1947, the author’s note provides details about the snowstorm and places this fantasy in its historical context. Find the teacher’s guide here.

Claude on the Slopes
Written & illustrated by Alex T. Smith

Claude and his best friend Sir Bobblysock go to the Snowy Mountains to swish down the powdery slopes. They throw snowballs, learn to ski, and enter a snow-sculpture contest. But when an avalanche threatens their winter wonderland, Claude must come to the rescue.

Quirky, delightfully odd, and positively surreal, this illustrated early chapter book series promises giggle-filled bedtime reading and a laugh-out-loud option for readers transitioning from picture books to chapter books. Read an excerpt here.

The Last Polar Bears
Written & illustrated by Harry Horse

Grandfather and Roo, a remarkable little dog with strong views and a short attention span, is off on an expedition to the North Pole to find the Last Polar Bears. They endure storms, high seas, a temperamental sea captain, and seasickness until the ship reaches Walrus Bay. In a primitive coastal town, Grandfather gets in a game of golf, but unscrupulous wolves plague him and Roo. Finally, Grandfather, Roo, and a penguin companion head off on foot to find the Great Bear Ridge, home to the Last Polar Bears.

This hilarious, original story through a series of letters written by Grandfather to his grandchild will delight young and old alike. Winsome pen-and-ink illustrations capture the charmingly eccentric personalities of Grandfather and his delightful canine companion and the amusing calamities that befall them.

Life in a Frozen World
Wildlife of Antarctica
Written by Mary Batten
Illustrated by Thomas Gonzalez

Even in the intensely cold, windy, and dry environment of Antarctica, a wide variety of wildlife finds ways to thrive, but can they survive warmer waters and atmosphere? Scientists are racing to find out. Antarctica’s creatures depend on the ice. And in the long run, so do we.

From talented and experienced nature writer Mary Batten, this amazing nonfiction picture book provides valuable information about one of the most hostile environments on the planet. It is an ideal resource for young science lovers and educators looking to discuss the effects of climate change. The informative text and stunning artwork by New York Times bestselling illustrator Thomas Gonzalez are sure to spark a passion for conservation of this incredible habitat. Read an excerpt here, and check out the teacher’s guide for informative classroom activities.

Lilliput
Written by Sam Gayton
Illustrated by Alice Ratterree

She is a girl three inches tall with eyes like drops of dew. Her clothes are cut from handkerchiefs and stitched with spider silk. For half her life, she has been trapped in a birdcage while her giant kidnapper sits beside her, writing in a leather-bound book the size of a house. Her name is Lily, and tonight she is escaping. She is going home. To Lilliput.

Inspired by Gulliver’s Travels, Lilliput is an exhilarating and imaginative adventure filled with cunning escape plans, evil clock makers, and talkative parrots. Join Lily as she travels through eighteenth-century London―over rooftops, down chimneys, and into chocolate shops―on a journey to find the one place in the world where she belongs…home. Read an excerpt here and check out the discussion guide, great for middle grade book club!

The Wreck of the Ethie
Written by Hilary Hyland
Illustrated by Paul Bachem

In 1919, just before Christmas, the S.S. Ethie sets sail for St. John’s Harbor, but a violent winter storm casts the steamship onto the rocky cliffs of northwest Newfoundland, threatening the passengers’ survival. Ninety-two passengers and crew, all eager to be reunited with family for the holidays, are now at the mercy of the stormy sea. Seeing the wrecked ship off the coast, a fishing family sends their dog Skipper, a hardworking and courageous Newfoundland, to brave the icy and dangerous waters to carry a lifeline from the sinking ship to shore.

This minute-by-minute fictionalized account of the S.S. Ethie’s dramatic voyage vividly brings the adventure to life, showing the spirit of survival among the passengers and crew, as well as the strength and determination of a poor fishing family and their courageous dog to save those ninety-two souls. Read an excerpt here.

Murphy, Gold Rush Dog
Written by Alison Hart
Illustrated by Michael G. Montgomery

After escaping from his brutal and merciless owner, Murphy is taken in by a young girl named Sally. She and her mother have just arrived in Nome, Alaska, intent on joining the other gold seekers and making a new life. Yet even with Murphy at their side, Sally and Mama find living in the mining town harsh and forbidding. When it seems they may have to give up, Sally and Murphy decide to strike out on their own, hoping to find gold and make a permanent home. But dangers await them―not only blizzards and grizzly bears, but also Murphy’s original owner, who will stop at nothing to get what he wants.

This action-packed and heartwarming story explores the roles that dogs played during the Alaskan gold rush. Read an excerpt here. Check out the teacher’s guide and learn more about the award-winning Dog Chronicles series.

Anna’s Blizzard
Written by Alison Hart

It is 1888. Twelve-year-old Anna loves life on the Nebraska prairie where she lives with her parents and four-year-old brother in a simple sod house. She doesn’t mind helping out with chores, especially when she is herding sheep with her beloved pony, Top Hat. On the open prairie, Anna feels at home. But at school she feels hopelessly out of place. Arithmetic is too hard, her penmanship is abysmal, and stuck-up Eloise Baxter always laughs at her mistakes. When an intense Nebraska blizzard traps Anna, her schoolmates, and young teacher in the one-room schoolhouse, Anna knows they must escape before it is too late.  Does she have the courage and strength to lead her school through the whiteout to safety?

This dramatic story of rescue and survival, based on “The School Children’s Blizzard” features a plucky, determined protagonist. An author’s note provides more information about prairie life in the late nineteenth century and about the great storm that hit Nebraska in 1888. Read an excerpt here.

The Cheshire Cheese Cat
A Dickens of a Tale
Written by Carmen Agra Deedy & Randall Wright
Illustrated by Barry Moser

Skilley, an alley cat with an embarrassing secret, longs to escape his street-cat life. He hopes to trade London’s damp alleyways for the warmth of ye olde Cheshire Cheese Inn, so he strikes a bargain with Pip, an erudite mouse. Skilley will protect the mice who live at the inn, and in turn, the mice will provide Skilley with the thing he desires most. But when Skilley and Pip are drawn into a crisis of monumental proportions, their new friendship is pushed to its limits. The escalating crisis threatens the peace not only of the Cheshire Cheese Inn but also the British Monarchy!

New York Times best-selling author Carmen Agra Deedy and author Randall Wright collaborate on this compelling and playful homage to Charles Dickens set in Victorian England. With the stunning artwork of award-winning illustrator Barry Moser, The Cheshire Cheese Cat is filled with charming characters and important themes of friendship and loyalty. Read an excerpt here and check out the discussion guide!

Look for these titles at your local library, indie bookstore, or Barnes & Noble. Have a favorite winter read? Let us know in the comments!

Have you ever noticed the sound of persistent pecking on your house or a nearby tree? About Woodpeckers written by Cathryn Sill and illustrated by John Sill gives young readers a first look at the fascinating and surprisingly diverse world of woodpeckers.

In this newest addition to the About… series, author Cathryn Sill provides information about the common characteristics of these special birds and offers details about how and why they use their beaks to drill and peck at hard surfaces. With the help of beautifully detailed illustrations from noted wildlife instructor John Sill, About Woodpeckers brings 19 different species of woodpeckers to life. An afterword, glossary, and list of resources provide more details about the woodpeckers portrayed in the illustrations. From depicting their various habitats to the kinds of materials that each type of bird likes to peck, this informative read is sure to capture the interest of all curious young minds and budding birders.

“Transports the reader directly into the lives of these amazing forest carpenters…the images are worthy of framing. A delightful read.”
—Stephen A. Shunk, author of the Peterson Reference Guide to Woodpeckers of North America

Take a peek at some of the beautifully detailed illustrations below, and don’t forget to check out the About… series page for more books in this award-winning series and the series Teacher’s Guide for ideas on how to use the information in the classroom!

2017 Holiday Gift Guide

To: The Animal Aficionado

Captured in beautifully soft illustrations and well-crafted words, Jo Weaver’s Little One, invites you on a journey with a mother bear and her new cub, discovering the seasons side by side. Together they eat, swim, fish, and play, until winter arrives and it is time to head home to hibernate.

Perfect as a bedtime read aloud, the gentle text and stunning black and white illustrations reveal the wonder of nature, the first steps of independence, and the strength of parental love. Give this special book to the little one in your life this holiday and enjoy it together through every season.

Read an excerpt here.

About Birds: A Guide for Children

 

Written and illustrated by dynamic duo Cathryn and John Sill, About Birds is a nonfiction beginner’s guide for any young readers who love nature and birds. The simple text, paired with the beautifully detailed illustrations, introduces young readers to the diverse and natural world of birds and their basic characteristics. 

 

Also available with bilingual text, give this book to the budding naturalist in your life, and you’ll find them inspired to look skyward. 

 

Read an excerpt here.

Madeline Finn and the Library Dog

Madeline Finn does not like reading. But to get a gold star from her teacher, Madeline Finn has to understand the words she reads and be able to read them out loud. That’s where Bonnie comes in! Bonnie is a library dog that helps Madeline Finn take her time shows her that reading can be fun. When she fumbles on words, Bonnie listens patiently.

 

Snuggle up this holiday season with your child and the family pet (or favorite stuffed animal), and relish in the magic of this sweet friendship.

 

Read an excerpt here. 

 

The Cheshire Cheese Cat: A Dickens of a Tale

Cat-lovers rejoice: Carmen Agra Deedy and Randall Wright’s collaborative work brings to life a story of an unlikely friendship between an alley cat and an inn-keeping mouse. Skilley and Pip strike a deal that will have Skilley, the cat, off the streets and provide Pip, the mouse, with protection from bigger prey. What will happen to their friendship when a big challenge has been thrown their way?

This playful homage to Charles Dickens, with masterful illustrations by Barry Moser, will delight any animal-obsessed child with a fondness in historical settings. Give the gift of adventure in a book that will transport your children to a new time and place, while they explore the meaning of friendship and loyalty—all with animals!

Read an excerpt here.

In honor of the legacy of Hispanic and Latino Americans, and the fact that the beautiful Spanish language is so widespread in our country, we want to share some of our bilingual and Spanish titles. We love having these books for our Spanish-speaking readers, and we hope you enjoy them! ¡Esperamos que te gusta estos libros!

Spanish Titles

Martina una cucarachita muy linda: Un cuento cubano
by Carmen Agra Deedy
illustrated by Michael Austin

Martina the beautiful cockroach wants to pick the right suitor to marry, but how?  Abuela, her Cuban grandmother, gives her un consejo increíble, some shocking advice: put those suitors to the test with a little café cubano.  One by one they fail until only the gardener Pérez, a tiny brown mouse, is left. Will he win her leg in marriage?

Un colchón de plumas para Agata
by Carmen Agra Deedy
illustrated by Laura L. Seeley

Agatha owns a weaving shop in Manhattan and likes to answer the questions of children who want to know the source of her beautiful fabrics.

“Everything comes from something,” she says, “nothing comes from nothing.”

But she does not seem to think about where her brand new feather bed came from.  That is, until six cranky, cold, naked geese come knocking.  In a delightful O. Henry-inspired ending, Agatha arrives at a solution that benefits them all, teaching readers to understand how to use resources responsibly.

La gallinita de la pradera
by Jackie Mims Hopkins
illustrated by Henry Cole

Mary McBlicken hears a rumble and is sure a stampede’s a comin’! She sets off to warn Cowboy Stan and Red Dog Dan, gathering up her friends along the way. Before they can get there, though, the band of prairie critters gets tricked by a mean Coyote and trapped in his evil den. Will the friends escape in time? And where is that rumbling really coming from?

14 Vacas para América
by Carmen Agra Deedy
illustrated by Thomas Gonzalez

This New York Times Bestseller is a true story of hope and generosity, and the gift a small Kenyan village makes to the people of America after the September 11 attacks.  For a heartsick nation, the gift of fourteen cows emerges from the choking dust and darkness as a soft light of hope—and friendship.

Miguel y su valiente caballero: El joven Cervantes sueña a don Quijote
by Margarita Engle
illustrated by Raúl Colón
translated by Teresa Mlawer and Georgina Lázaro

This fictionalized first-person biography in verse of Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra follows the early years of the child who grows up to pen Don Quixote, the first modern novel. Award-winning author Margarita Engle’s distinctive picture book depiction of the childhood of the father of the modern novel, told in a series of free verse poems, is enhanced by Raúl Colón’s stunning illustrations.

Bilingual Titles

Stripes of All Types / Rayas de todas las tallas
by Susan Stockdale

Bouncy, alliterative rhyme and gorgeous illustrations introduce readers to a wide range of striped animals. An afterword provides more information about each featured animal and where it lives, and explains the role its stripes play. Readers can test their knowledge of animal stripes with a fun matching game at the end!

Spectacular Spots / Magníficas manchas

Several of books in our About… Series, written by educator and author Cathryn Sill and by naturalist John Sill, are now available in both English and Spanish for young explorers who are learning a new language.

About Birds: A Guide for Children / Sobre los pájaros: Una guía para niños
by Cathryn Sill
illustrated by John Sill

Learn about the life of birds, from egg to flight, in this thoughtful examination of the species.

About Mammals: A Guide for Children / Sobre los mamíferos: Una guía para niños
by Cathryn Sill
illustrated by John Sill

So many animals are mammals! But are all animals mammals? Questions are answered and new facts discovered in the pages of this bilingual nature guide.

About Insects: A Guide for Children / Sobre los insectos: Una guía para niños
by Cathryn Sill
illustrated by John Sill

Creepy, crawly, spindly things are actually rather interesting when you get close enough to them.  Backyard naturalists will love having this as a reference during their outdoor adventures.

About Reptiles: A Guide for Children / Sobre los reptiles: Una guía para niños
by Cathryn Sill
illustrated by John Sill

Take a colorful and informative first glimpse into the diverse world of reptiles with this thoughtful guide for young readers.

About Amphibians: A Guide for Children / Sobre los anfibios: Una guía para niños
by Cathryn Sill
illustrated by  John Sill

Learn about what amphibians are, how they look, how they move, what they eat, and where they live. With beautifully detailed, realistic paintings, noted wildlife illustrator John Sill introduces readers to a variety of amphibians, from frogs and toads to salamanders and more.

About Fish: A Guide for Children / Sobre los peces: Una guía para niños
by Cathryn Sill
illustrated by  John Sill 

This beginner’s guide offers a first glimpse into the diverse natural world of fish, from an Arctic char to a Porcupine fish.

Look for these titles and more at your local library, indie bookstore, or Barnes & Noble!

About Marine Mammals

Delve into the world of marine mammals on August 1 with Cathryn Sill’s About Marine Mammals!

An addition to the award-winning About… series written by Cathryn Sill and illustrated by John Sill, About Marine Mammals introduces readers to the commonalities and characteristics of different aquatic mammals—from sea otters and Spinner Dolphins to West Indian Manatees, and much more.

Complete with an afterward and glossary for curious readers, About Marine Mammals includes gorgeous illustrations and simple but interesting details about eighteen diverse species across the world, perfect for children between the ages of three and seven. (And check out the teacher’s guide for the About… series here!)

“A lovely study of more than a dozen aquatic mammals, all captured in wildlife illustrator John Sill’s handsome watercolors.” ―Publishers Weekly

“A solid nonfiction treat for budding naturalists.” ―Booklist

Here’s a sneak peek into the future: bundle up for Fall 2015 Polar Regions!

Husband wife team John and Cathryn Sill just stopped by our offices to share their latest work, inspired by their recent trip to Alaska, though you’ll find Antarctic as well as Arctic here.  Maybe you envision stark white landscapes, sometimes dotted with black and white penguins and whales, but John painted with all of the colors in his palette.

I don’t want to spoil the page turns of Fall 2015, but here are some snapshots of the lovingly rendered animals you’ve come to expect in the About Series.  They are neither stiff scientific illustrations nor the awkwardly anthropomorphic, but that successful place in between where anatomically correct animals still have soul and life.  John paints them perfectly into their polar environments, and that’s what is so dazzling about this title.  Maybe it’s because John shared his watercolor technique, but maybe it’s because you didn’t expect the sweeping landscapes of the polar extremes to be so colorful.

Top row: bikini ready Southern Elephant Seal, a southern region sky, baby Chinstrap Penguins (aww!)
Bottom row: Art Director Loraine Joyner likes the aurora australis, the whole book at once