New Middle Grade Books

Middle grade favorite Nina Soni returns for some Halloween hijinks in this fourth installment in author Kashmira Sheth’s award-winning series. Halloween brings out Nina Soni’s competitive spirit, so, naturally, she has to come up with the best costume idea. Plus, a bunch of old boxes hold the makings of an impressively scary haunted house, so what could possibly go wrong for the Halloween Queen? Illustrator Jenn Kocsmiersky brings this endearing heroine to life in this fun read for STEAM enthusiasts!

Pre-order Nina Soni, Halloween Queen today through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, or on Amazon.

Avid soccer players Aiden, Ava, and Daniel have just learned their county league soccer trophy mysteriously disappeared forty years ago from the town library and was never recovered. So between games and practices for the town’s soccer championships, the three friends try to solve the case. Award-winning author and Washington Post KidsPost sports columnist Fred Bowen returns with another installment in his Sports Story Series, this time tackling important topics like equal recognition for women in sports. At the end of the book, Bowen includes “The Real Story” behind the disappearance of the original World Cup trophy.

Pre-order Soccer Trophy Mystery today through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, or on Amazon.

When her mother dies, fifteen-year-old Mari and is desperate to avoid being caught up in the foster system. Again. And to complicate matters, she is now the only one who can take care of her super-smart and on-the-spectrum nine-year-old stepbrother, Conor. So in a desperate move, Mari takes Conor and sets out to find the one person who might take them in. A beautiful exploration of identity and family, this heartwarming and engaging middle grade novel comes from renowned storyteller and two-time Grammy Award winner Bill Harley.

Pre-order Now You Say Yes today through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, or on Amazon.

New YA

Big, bold, and funnier than a cat in a onesie playing bagpipes, Haylah Swinton’s been busy proving she’s an all-star comedian through her new YouTube channel. But proving she’s funny is tougher than she thought it’d be! Plus, her new boyfriend Dylan hasn’t even tried kissing her yet, and when her deadbeat dad decides to turn up, life as she’s known it is tossed into one big, colossal mess. Rebecca Elliott’s follow up to the hilarious Pretty Funny for a Girl fires on all cylinders for YA readers. Family drama, boy drama, and a budding comedian at the center of it all makes for a laugh-out-loud, binge-worthy read.

Pre-order Pretty Rude for a Girl today through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, or on Amazon.

New Board Books

Simple, clear descriptions of how fish look, where they live, what they eat, and how they move around make this fourth title in the Discovering Nature series from award-winning author and illustrator team Cathryn and John Sill a dependable and informative resource for budding oceanographers as well as for early childhood education units on animals, environments, fish, oceans, and pets. Also perfect for a first trip to the aquarium!

Preorder Curious About Fish today through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, or on Amazon.

What kinds of animals have spots, and why do they have them? With engaging rhymes and bright, bold images, award-winning author and illustrator Susan Stockdale introduces young readers to the many ways in which animals benefit from their spots. Back matter tells a little bit more about each animal, and readers can test their knowledge of animal spots with a fun matching game at the end!

Preorder Spectacular Spots/Magníficas Manchas today through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, or on Amazon.

New Picture Books

Former educator and author Cathryn Sill uses simple, easy-to-understand language to teach children what tundras are, what kinds of animals and plants live there, and how certain species have adapted to the unique, harsh environment. The book covers the characteristics of Arctic, Antarctic, and alpine tundras. John Sill’s detailed, realistic paintings reflect the beauty and diversity of the habitat. A glossary and afterword provide more detail for further exploration.

Preorder About Habitats: Tundras today through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, or on Amazon.

Ezra Jack Keats Illustrator Honor Award-winner Kate Read (One Fox) returns with a clever oceanic twist on the old telephone game starring a tiny pink fish and schools of brilliantly hued fish in a deep blue sea. When a rumor bursts forth about a “great big fish hiding in the deep,” one by one, new fish are sucked into the growing story—the red octopus was really rattled, which petrified the purple puffer fish, and startled the blue shoal, until they all flee…into a deep, dark cave. Uh-oh! That’s no cave at all, but the mouth of a whale!

Preorder Hey! A Colorful Mystery today through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, or on Amazon.

Amara is hosting a potluck for friends on her farm, and her snacks won’t be complete without pumpkins. She’s searched and searched, but she’s grown so many plants that she needs help finding them. What do we know about pumpkins? They’re large, round, and orange—and, wait a minute, is that a pumpkin? No, that’s an apple. Where, oh, where could those pumpkins be? From author JaNay Brown-Wood and illustrator Samara Hardy, this first entry in the new Where in the Garden? series is perfect for early childhood and elementary education units on agriculture, farming, gardening, and healthy eating.

Preorder Amara’s Farm today through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, or on Amazon.

Red truck, yellow truck, and their dog drivers are on their way to the construction site. But when they get sidetracked by a slow garbage truck, a snow-drift, and a speeding tractor, will they get their jobs done before they have to turn in for the night? Tractors, diggers, mixers, bulldozers, and more star in this colorful salute to vehicles that roll, lift, climb, squash, and keep going when the going gets tough. Ideal for vehicle-themed storytimes, author Michelle Robinson’s rhythmic, action-packed text builds excitement with every page turn, while Jez Tuya’s colorful trucks, townscapes, and adorable dogs on-the-go beg for an attentive pause.

Preorder Red Truck, Yellow Truck today through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, or on Amazon.

It’s another busy day at Stanley’s library, and Stanley has stocked his bookmobile with lots of great books to take to the local park. All of Stanley’s rodent friends stop by to borrow a book that Stanley selected just for them, and later at the main branch, he hosts an out-of-this-world author visit from Agatha Mouse! The day concludes with Stanley’s comforting nighttime routine of supper, bed, and bath. A brightly colored salute to reading, libraries, and librarians from author-illustrator William Bee.

Preorder Stanley’s Library today through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, or on Amazon.

Curly Locks is a good-hearted girl, but she’s an awful cook. All the townspeople of Toadsuck Swamp know to steer clear of her culinary concoctions, so when one of her dishes goes missin’,word spreads that the Scares are terrorizin’ the town at mealtime, sending folk runnin’ from their dinner plates. With everyone else tremblin’ and squawkin’ about the Scares, Curly Locks gets an inklin’. Can she use her smarts and unique talents to help corral those Scares for good? A delightfully spooky fractured fairy tale twist on the classic “Goldilocks” from award-winning storyteller Donna L. Washington and illustrator Jeffrey Ebbeler.

Preorder Boo Stew today through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, or on Amazon.

The sheep pasture is in an uproar when they find out a new watchdog is coming to protect the flock, so the intrepid Lana Lynn decides to take training matters into her own hooves. The new “watchdog” doesn’t quite catch on to herding or staying up all night guarding the sheep, and Lana Lynn starts to get a creeping suspicion that something isn’t right. And her fellow sheep could be in jeopardy! Author Rebecca Van Slyke has created a charmingly overconfident heroine in Lana Lynn, accented by Anca Sandu’s adorable and funny illustrations. An ideal read-aloud full of good farm fun!

Preorder Lana Lynn and the New Watchdog today through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, or on Amazon.

Gertie is the littlest yak, and she wants to grow UP! So she devises a growing-up plan. But when the other yaks come calling for Gertie to help them with a daring and dangerous task, could it be because it’s something only a small yak can do? Lu Fraser’s debut picture book is a heartwarming and relatable story of individuality, self-esteem, and the joys of being young and small. Bestselling illustrator Kate Hindley has created a delightful wintry landscape, packed with adorable yaks in woolly hats and coats. Readers won’t be able to resist snuggling down with this charming read aloud.

A small boy creates a shelter for his sadness where he can visit it whenever he needs to, and the two of them can cry, talk, or just sit. The boy knows that one day his sadness may come out of the shelter, and together they will look out at the world and see how beautiful it is. In this timely, child-friendly consideration of sadness and mental health, Anne Booth offers a beautiful depiction of how children (and everyone) must care for their emotions and give attention to their grief on a regular basis. Stunning illustrations by David Litchfield bring the beautiful concept to life with a manifestation of sadness that the young boy protagonist interacts with throughout the story.

Preorder A Shelter for Sadness today through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, or on Amazon.

Bird Show
by Susan Stockdale

Take your seats, nestle in—the Bird Show is about to begin!

In a flurry of feathers, the world’s most spectacular birds don their best suits, gowns, scarves, and headdresses in a fabulous fashion show! Speckled, striped, and multicolored, these birds know a thing or two about high fashion. Marvel at the elegant Great Egret in its milky-white lace skirt, and meet the Northern Flicker, dazzling in its dotted vest! Just like people, each bird has unique characteristics, and their diversity makes our world a more beautiful place. With clever comparisons between feather patterns and human clothing, budding birders and future fashionistas will cheer for these stylish models.

Susan Stockdale, award-winning author-illustrator of Fabulous Fishes, Stripes of All Types, Fantastic Flowers, and more delivers another vibrant picture book with an original take on nature nonfiction. Stockdale’s bold color palette, striking portraits, and rhyming text will engage young readers as they learn fascinating facts about 18 familiar and exotic birds. An afterword provides further information about each species’ plumage, behavior, and location, in addition to an entertaining matching game. Bird Show is one delightful display you won’t want to miss!

Take a VIP look at the feathered fashion models in this excerpt!

Susan Stockdale gives a peek into her illustration process for Bird Show in this video!

“With a brief text and clearly delineated, vibrant artwork that shows up well from a distance, this book is a natural for reading aloud during preschool or primary-grade bird units.” —Booklist

“The clever comparisons suggest a new way to see and remember these species….smoothly written couplets… A posh performance to read aloud or alone.” —Kirkus Reviews

Bird Show makes its dazzling debut this March at your local library, indie bookstore, or Barnes & Noble, and be sure to check out the rest of our brand-new picture books and middle grade and YA titles coming to Peachtree this season!

Ages 2 – 6

Curious About Insects
by Cathryn Sill
illustrated by John Sill

Perfect for the littlest bug buffs, this board book offers a first glimpse into the natural world of insects. Simple and clear descriptions of how insects look, where they live, what they eat, and how they move around make this third title in the Discovering Nature series a dependable and informative beginning resource for learning about insects and the wonders of the natural world.

Bird Show
by Susan Stockdale

Welcome to the Bird Show, a showcase of nature’s most dazzling colors, diverse patterns, and fashionable feathered features! Just like people, each bird contributes to our beautiful world, made more vibrant by their diversity. Amateur ornithologists of all ages will marvel at the gorgeous birds in this colorful picture book that brings these creatures, both familiar and exotic, to life with remarkable portraits and energetic, rhyming text.

Bring on the Birds
by Susan Stockdale

From the Blue-footed Booby to the Red-billed Oxpecker, the breadth of bird life depicted in this stunning book will captivate young ornithologists. Susan Stockdale’s brightly colored, richly textured illustrations and energetic rhyming text is sure to grab the reader’s attention.

Hat Tricks
by Satoshi Kitamura

Abracadabra, katakurico! Oh, goodness! Out pops a cat from Hattie’s magic hat. Can you guess what creature will appear from the magic hat next? Follow along as Hattie conjures up a parade of animals from her magic hat, and don’t miss the grand finale! This humorous story is a delightful choice for audience participation.

No! Said Rabbit
by Marjoke Henrichs

Rabbit is happy doing his own thing, and he doesn’t want to listen to anyone else. Or so he thinks. Then, Mom makes a suggestion he simply can’t resist! Everyone triumphs in this hilarious, relatable picture book celebrating the everyday struggles of parents and children. Perfect for bedtime!

Ages 3 – 7

About Hummingbirds
A Guide for Children
by Cathryn Sill
illustrated by John Sill

In this addition to the acclaimed About… series, easy-to-understand language and realistic paintings teach children what hummingbirds are, how they look, how they move, what they eat, and where they live. Perfect for casual exploration as well as for early childhood and elementary units in science and animal life.

About Marine Mammals
A Guide for Children
by Cathryn Sill
illustrated by John Sill

It’s a beautiful day for a trip to the local market! Basket in hand, Stanley visits his friends’ market stalls to buy lunch for himself and a special guest. There is such a wide variety of food to choose from—how will he decide? He buys some bread from Gabriel, cheese from Hattie, fruit from George, and more before heading home to pack up his lunch box. Can you guess who his special picnic guest might be? An early introduction to food group vocabulary and a model of please-and-thank-you manners, Stanley’s Lunch Box is an engaging addition for Stanley’s youngest fans!

Stanley is heading to the park with his toy box and his friends Little Woo and Betty for a fun-filled day of jumping rope, building sandcastles, and flying kites. What else does Stanley have in his toy box? Everyone is so excited to try out all the new toys that they forget to take turns, and after a few bumps and accidents, the three friends learn that not all toys are best played with at the same time. Watch out! The remote control plane is heading straight for the kites! A simple introduction to toy vocabulary and creative play, Stanley’s Toy Box is also a great conversation-starter about sharing and taking turns.

William Bee’s Stanley board books have been called “well designed and colorfully illustrated” and “charming” (Booklist). They emphasize important themes of simple concepts, creativity, STEAM, friendship, community, and collaboration.

Can’t get enough of Stanley and friends? Head over to the Stanley Fan Page to explore more board and picture books, meet the lovable characters, and download the series activity kit for more hands-on fun!

Find Stanley’s Lunch Box and Stanley’s Toy Box this March at your local library, indie bookstore, or Barnes & Noble, and be sure to check out the rest of our brand-new picture books and middle grade and YA titles coming to Peachtree this season!

It Can’t Be Done, Nellie Bly
A Reporter’s Race Around the World
by Nancy Butcher
illustrated by Jen Singh

Nellie Bly was a newspaper reporter for The New York World who wrote about the social problems of her day, like poor job conditions, dilapidated housing, and dishonest politicians. If someone told her “It can’t be done, Nellie Bly,” she went right ahead and did it anyway. But when Nellie read Jules Verne’s novel, Around the World in Eighty Days, she was inspired to circle the globe even faster herself. Did the plucky young reporter go too far? Young readers will cheer for Nellie as she embarks on her 22,000-mile trip equipped only with one sturdy travel dress, a small satchel, and a pet monkey she picks up in Singapore as her traveling companion.  This delightful true story of a woman with an indomitable spirit will inspire a new generation of young readers and adventurers.

Lillian’s Fish
by James Menk
illustrated by Louisa Bauer

When Lillian turns six, her favorite gift is an extraordinary fish whose body shimmers with all the colors of the rainbow. But when the brand-new birthday fish disappears, Lillian is devastated. While she and her brothers try to unravel the mystery, the other family pets secretly band together to find out what has happened to the little fish. A trail of clues soon leads the animals on a fantastic adventure along the river and deep into the woods, where they encounter new places and strange creatures. James Menk’s delightful, lively tale of discovery and friendship will enchant readers of all ages. Louisa Bauer’s captivating drawings bring this charming story of children and their pets to life.

Nina Soni, Sister Fixer
by Kashmira Sheth
illustrated by Jenn Kocsmiersky

A long rainy stretch during spring break has Nina restless and hungry for a new project and aggravated with little sister Kavita’s embarrassing behavior. A fresh pile of dirt just delivered to the neighbor’s house for a landscaping project ends up being too tempting to resist. Can Nina fix Kavita and create something amazing at the same time? With her sister’s help, Nina launches a grand engineering project—with unexpected consequences. Readers are sure to relate to author Kashmira Sheth’s endearing, distractible Nina Soni and her slightly scatter-brained efforts to manage her life with lists, definitions, and real-life math problems.

What I Like About Me
by Jenna Guillaume

The last thing sixteen-year-old Maisie Martin thought she’d be doing over vacation is entering a beauty pageant, but Maisie’s got something to prove. As she writes down all the ways this vacation is going from bad to worse in her school-assignment journal, what starts as a homework torture-device might just end up being an account of how Maisie didn’t let anything, or anyone, hold her back. Jenna Guillame’s American debut features a plus-size protagonist with a compelling, funny, and authentic narrative voice. This relatable and charming novel about friendship, confidence, and self-love will draw readers in as Maisie’s realistic emotional journey unveils the importance of embracing one’s body and celebrating one’s self.

About Marine Mammals
A Guide for Children
by Cathryn Sill
illustrated by John Sill

With beautifully detailed illustrations, About Marine Mammals tells children what is essential for understanding and appreciating marine mammals. An afterword, which includes a glossary and recommended books and websites, provides further detail for children and their parents about a wide variety of marine mammals. Former teacher Cathryn Sill and noted wildlife illustrator John Sill, use clear, informative text and illustrations to explain to children what marine mammals are, what they do, and how they live.

Sobre los anfibios
Una guía para niños
by Cathryn Sill
illustrated by John Sill

Now in Spanish, this beginner’s guide offers a first glimpse into the natural world of amphibians. Cathryn and John Sill, the award-winning author and illustrator team that created the About… series, once again introduce young learners to an important group of animals and the habitats where they live. Beautifully detailed, realistic paintings illuminate a variety of amphibians (from frogs and toads to salamanders and more), and an afterword provides details on the animals featured, inspiring readers to learn more.

Sobre los reptiles
Una guía para niños
by Cathryn Sill
illustrated by John Sill

Now in Spanish, Sobre los reptiles is a first glimpse into the world of reptiles, explaining the basic characteristics that all reptiles share, while offering a look at the animals that fall into this diverse category, including ever-popular lizards, snakes, and turtles. An afterword provides more detail on each animal to inspire further learning. Part of the award-winning About… series and ideal for casual exploration as well as for early childhood and elementary science and animal life units.

P. Zonka Lays an Egg
by Julie Paschkis

Extraordinary hen P. Zonka spends her time taking in the beauty around her: the shiny green of the grass, the buttery yellow of the dandelions, the deep blue of the sky. The other hens can’t understand why she never lays eggs like they do―they think she’s just plain lazy. But when P. Zonka finally decides to give egg-laying a try, the other chickens are in for a spectacular surprise! Award-winning author and illustrator Julie Paschkis is sure to delight readers with this lovely story, inspired by the Ukrainian tradition of pysanky, about enriching the imagination and appreciating the beauty of the world.

Rapunzel
by Bethan Woollvin

Rapunzel lives all alone in a tall, dark tower. Under the threat of a witch’s fearsome curse, the poor girl seems doomed to a life in captivity. But is Rapunzel frightened? Oh no, not she! Rapunzel has a few tricks (and friends) up her sleeve and she’s not afraid to use them. With irreverent humor and striking illustrations, author-illustrator Bethan Woollvin, creator of Little Red and Bo the Brave, puts a brave, female-empowerment twist on the classic story of a helpless damsel in distress.

Rodeo Red
by Maripat Perkins
illustrated by Molly Idle

Rodeo Red and her hound dog Rusty are happier than two buttons on a new shirt—until Sideswiping Slim shows up. Red is sure that anyone who hollers that much will be hauled to the edge of town and told to skedaddle, but her parents seem smitten with the new addition to the family. When that scallywag sets his eye on Rusty, Rodeo Red had better figure out a way to save her best friend in the whole world. Can a cowgirl make a bargain with a varmint A rip-roaring sibling story from Maripat Perkins and illustrated by Caldecott Honor winner Molly Idle.

Toad Weather
by Sandra Markle
illustrated by Thomas Gonzalez

There’s nothing to do on a rainy day – or so Ally thinks. But Mama says she’s seen something amazing, so despite Ally’s misgivings, she sets out on an adventure with her mother and grandmother. On her journey, she sees all sorts of things: dripping awnings, wet cardboard, splashing cars…but also earthworms, storm drain geysers, and oil slick patterns. And then they turn the corner, just in time to see a big crowd. What’s happening? Lyrical text from Sandra Markle and stunning paintings from Thomas Gonzalez tell the story of a remarkable, natural occurrence in an urban setting. An engaging story of anticipation, curiosity, investigation, and discovery.

New Illustrated Chapter Book

King, Kayla, Mason, and Asia are playing in the snow. Later, Asia discovers her new gold ring is missing. What happened to it? Detective team King & Kayla are on the case! With simple, straightforward language and great verbal and visual humor, the King & Kayla series from Geisel Honor Award-winning team Dori Hillestad Butler and Nancy Meyers is perfect for introducing mysteries and the important concepts of fact gathering, list making, clues, and analytical thinking to newly independent readers.

Preorder King & Kayla and the Case of the Gold Ring today through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, or on Amazon.

New Middle Grade

Chaya, a nobleman’s rebellious, outspoken, no-nonsense daughter, just can’t resist the shiny temptations the king’s palace has to offer. But playing Robin Hood for her impoverished community doesn’t come without risks… After leaving her village as a thief, can Chaya return with her friends as a hero? Or will her sticky fingers be the beginning—or the end—of everything for the intrepid gang? Own Voices debut author Nizrana Farook spins an exciting, page-turning tale in a lush, vibrant, fictional Sri Lankan setting and featuring themes of friendship and loyalty, risk and reward, and heroism. A great middle grade escapist novel and readaloud!

Preorder The Girl Who Stole an Elephant today through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, or on Amazon.

Homing pigeon Homer and his parrot friend Lulu learn something is afoul when they witness four-legged criminals stealing valuables from both the animal and human communities. Using the sleuthing techniques he’s gathered from his favorite mystery comics, Homer and Lulu track down the bandits, but need human help to stop them for good. Can they find a way to communicate with their human keepers and lead them to the culprits’ hideout to stop the thieves? Award-winning author and illustrator Henry Cole delivers a fun, action-packed middle grade novel that will have every reader wishing they could join in the hunt.

Preorder Homer on the Case today through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, or Bookshop.org.

In the third installment of the award-winning Nina Soni series, it’s Take Your Child to Work Day, and Nina, Kavita, and Jay are all going to work with Mom, a landscape architect, to learn how to start a garden. Naturally that’s not enough for Nina, who quickly develops big plans for a business selling the vegetables she plans to grow. But her plans don’t include managing the problems that inevitably arise, including rabbits, slugs, mosquitos, and more! Readers are sure to relate to Sheth’s endearing Nina Soni, her family and friends, and her slightly scatter-brained efforts to manage her life with lists, definitions, and real-life math problems. A great read for STEAM enthusiasts!

Preorder Nina Soni, Master of the Garden today through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, or on Amazon.

Preorder Spi-Ku: A Clutter of Short Verse on Eight Legs today through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, or on Amazon.

New YA

“They can’t send you away. What will we do? We need us. I stop your angry, Jack. And you make me strong. You make me Rosie.”

Rosie loves Jack. Jack loves Rosie. So when they’re separated, Rosie will do anything to find the boy who makes the sun shine in her head. Even though people might think a girl like Rosie, who has Down syndrome, could never survive on her own. Introducing a strong and determined protagonist, debut author Mel Darbon gives readers an underrepresented but much-needed point of view with a voice-driven, heartfelt story of fighting for little freedoms, tolerance, and love and finding your place an often big and intimidating world.

Preorder Rosie Loves Jack today through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, or on Amazon.

Sixteen-year-old Katie Camilleri can’t believe she’s accidentally created a teenage boy. A boy completely devoted to Katie. But it turns out the consequences of fumbling a human being into existence are rather complicated. More importantly, does Guy, the golden Adonis Katie’s created, like her because he wants to, or because he has to? And will he be Katie’s very first kiss? From the author of What I Like About Me comes a hilarious and modern twist on a classic narrative, loaded with laughs, mishaps, and plenty of 80s and 90s pop-culture callbacks. Jenna Guillaume’s entertaining romantic comedy novel features a humorous and relatable voice and will appeal to fans of Jenny Han.

Preorder You Were Made for Me today through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, or on Amazon.

New Board Books

Perfect for the littlest bug buffs, this board book offers a first glimpse into the natural world of insects. From award-winning educator and author Cathryn Sill and noted wildlife illustrator John Sill, this new addition to the Discovering Nature series is sure to delight the earliest learners and their parents.

\Preorder Curious About Insects today through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, or on Amazon.

Everyone’s favorite hard-working hamster is packing his lunchbox for a very important picnic. Join Stanley as he visits his local market to shop for items to pack in his lunch box. He’ll get bread from Gabriel, cheese from Hattie, and fruit from George. Hmmm… What will Stanley make for his lunch? An early introduction to food vocabulary and variety, this board book from author-illustrator William Bee will appeal to Stanley’s youngest fans.

Preorder Stanley’s Lunch Box today through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, or on Amazon.

Stanley the hamster is teaming up with friends to introduce young readers to basic toys and their uses. Join Stanley at the park where he and his friends explore and play with all the toys in his toy box. They bounce balls, sail toy boats, and fly kites. What else is in Stanley’s toy box? William Bee‘s early introduction to toy vocabulary and object identification will delight board book and Stanley fans alike.

Preorder Stanley’s Toy Box today through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, or on Amazon.

New Picture Books

Award-winning author-illustrator Susan Stockdale welcomes you to the Bird Show, showcasing nature’s most dazzling colors and diverse patterns. Birds may be one color or many. They may be simple and solid or speckled, striped, or spotted. But just like people, each one contributes to our beautiful world, made more vibrant by their diversity. Ornithologists of all ages will marvel at the the fashion show in this colorful picture book that brings these creatures, both familiar and exotic, to life with remarkable portraits and energetic, rhyming text. An afterword provides more information about each species and offers an entertaining pattern matching game.

Preorder Bird Show today through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, or on Amazon.

Rabbit is happy doing his own thing, and he doesn’t want to listen to anyone else. Or so he thinks. Then, Mom makes a suggestion he simply can’t resist! Debut author-illustrator Marjoke Henrichs delivers a laugh-out-loud tale with Rabbit embodying every strong-willed child. Adult readers will recognize and empathize with parenting moments throughout, and a warm and loving twist at the end celebrates the joy of coming together again after a very contrary day.

Preorder No! Said Rabbit today through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, or on Amazon.

Roland lives a quiet life, but sometimes he feels rather lonely. When Roland finds the perfect companion in Milton (Good listener! Enjoys music! Also alone!), he is overjoyed. But clues start popping up in the woods, suggesting someone else might be missing their best pine cone friend. Roland must decide if it’s worth leaving someone else in their loneliness to keep Milton in his life. In this sweet and moving picture book, debut author-illustrator Sandra Salsbury celebrates the transformative power of connection and the painful melancholy of loss. Endearingly classic illustrations bring a charming forest world to life.

Preorder Best Friend in the Whole World today through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, or on Amazon.

“My daddies are amazing. They’re funny, kind, and smart.
And when they read me stories…exciting journeys start!”

Set off on a series of incredible adventures with an endearing family as the bedtime stories they read burst into colorful life. Together, the daddies and their little one battle dragons, dodge deadly dinosaurs, zoom to the moon, and explore the world in a hot air balloon, before winding down in a wonderfully cozy ending. From Own Voices author and illustrator team Gareth Peter and Garry Parsons, this gentle, yet whimsical story is a perfect read for LGBTQ+ and adoptive families.

Preorder Adventures with My Daddies today through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, or on Amazon.

Poor Perdu is all alone as he journeys from the countryside to the city in search of a home. The city is a big place when you are very small, but is it possible that someone is searching for a friend like Perdu? In his debut as both author and illustrator, Richard Jones (illustrator of The Snow Lion and Paper Planes) delivers a warmhearted and poignant story about loneliness, kindness, friendship, and finding a forever family. Classically gorgeous illustrations will have readers returning to its pages again and again.

Preorder Perdu today through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, or on Amazon.

A small boy has saved all his pocket money and visits the market with high expectations. When disaster strikes and he loses his money, he feels very devastated. But wait, what’s that? A Smile Shop? He could really do with a smile. What will happen if he goes in? Featuring charming, classic illustrations reminiscent of Maurice Sendak and Tomie dePaola, Satoshi Kitamura’s (Hat Tricks) The Smile Shop is an absorbing setting for readers to explore themes of independence, self-worth, and the effect of a smile shared between people.

Preorder The Smile Shop today through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, or on Amazon.

Under the light of a silvery moon, Bear wanders into people town and discovers a springy thing, a bouncy thing—a sit-on-it, jump-on-it thing! This Thingity-Jig is too heavy to carry home by himself, so Bear runs back to the woods and asks for help. Too bad for Bear, his friends are sleepy and shoo him away. So Bear invents a Rolly-Rumpity to wheel the Thingity-Jig home, but then it all gets stuck in the mud! How will Bear tackle this bump in the road? With a Lifty-Uppity, of course! Author Kathleen Doherty and illustrator Kristyna Litten perfectly blend inventive upcycling and STEAM elements with a delightful story in this wonderfully charismatic picture book.

Preorder The Thingity-Jig today through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, or on Amazon.

For centuries, people have been intrigued by Mars, and over time, scientists have made exciting discoveries, such as the planet’s Earth-like weather and seasons. But curious earthlings want to know more. Does Mars have deserts? Volcanos? Or signs of life? Could people live there someday? Scientists decided to take a closer look. They built a powerful camera called the HiRise (High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment) and loaded it onto a rocket that began orbiting Mars. It sent back astounding, revealing photos showing the world what Mars really is. With elegant spare prose, award-winning nonfiction author and former rocket engineer Suzanne Slade leads readers through some of these stunning photos taken by the most advanced camera ever sent to another planet. A visual feast for space enthusiasts and STEAM fans that will expand readers’ assumptions and understanding of Mars.

Preorder Mars Is today through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, or on Amazon.

Arlo the Lion Who Couldn’t Sleep
by Catherine Rayner

★ “Spellbinding…alluringly tranquil… Gentle and gorgeous.” —Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW

Eek! A Noisy Journey from A to Z
by Julie Larios
illustrated by Julie Paschkis

★ “An absolute zoo of an ABC book—in the best possible way.” —Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW

Hat Tricks
by Satoshi Kitamura

★ “Dynamic, fun-filled, imaginative, and ideal for participatory reading aloud.” —Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW

Madeline Finn and the Therapy Dog
by Lisa Papp

★ “A beautifully designed introduction to the lives of therapy dogs and how much work goes into becoming one.” —School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW

Bo the Brave
by Bethan Woollvin

★ “A great book to delve into what heroes are made of. Highly recommended for elementary libraries.” —School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW

Life in a Frozen World
by Mary Batten
illustrated by Thomas Gonzalez

★ “Informative…fascinating… The text makes a compelling case for understanding and caring about Antarctica.” —School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW

The Society of Distinguished Lemmings
by Julie Colombet

★ “Even the most rule-bound reader will be cheered up by these stodgy lemmings.” —Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW

William Still and His Freedom Stories
The Father of the Underground Railroad
by Don Tate

Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book Biography of 2020

Chicago Public Library’s Best of the Best Books of 2020

BCALA 2020 Best of the Best Booklist

★ “Brings deserved attention to the life of a man who dedicated himself to recording the lives of others.” —Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW

★ “An illuminating picture book biography of a lesser-known hero.” —Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW

★ “Inspirational.”—School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW

Amphibian Acrobats
by Leslie Bulion
illustrated by Robert Meganck

Denver Public Library’s Best and Brightest Children’s Poetry of 2020

★ “A completely satisfying package… Child readers and educators will find themselves enthralled by short, punchy poems and the science behind them.” —Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW

★ “Once again, Bulion awes—and ewws—readers with facts disguised as fun.”—Booklist, STARRED REVIEW

The Candy Mafia
by Lavie Tidhar
illustrated by Daniel Duncan

★ “It won’t take a detective to spot Willie Wonka, as well as Sam Spade, hidden in the tongue-in-cheek caper’s literary DNA.” —Booklist, STARRED REVIEW