Do you think you’d make it in the Society of Distinguished Lemmings? Kick off your picture book summer reading list with this laugh-out-loud tale to find out!

Deep in their underground burrow, the Society of Distinguished Lemmings follow a strict set of society rules, including no walking on four legs, no eating with your hands, and certainly no questioning the rules! Bertie’s had enough of all these rules, and he’s decided to go outside. And what does he find outside? A bear! Bears are supposed to be very fierce and scary, but this bear is quite a lot of fun and most unlike a lemming! He shows Bertie how to roll in the flowers, climb trees, and jump in muddy puddles. When the other lemmings find out about the bear, they decide he’s not at all distinguished, he’ll have to change if he’s ever to fit in. Can a creature as big and clumsy as the bear ever be distinguished enough to be accepted by the Society?

Featuring valuable themes of finding new friends, challenging peers, and questioning the rules, bookworms of all ages will return to this summer reading pick again and again to discover the quirks of every distinguished lemming while also learning about the importance of staying true to yourself amidst pressure to conform.

Do you have what it takes to be a part of the Society? Take this personality quiz to find out!

Download the free discussion guide to answer questions with young bookworms and little lemming fans after reading.

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

“This debut picture book requires multiple reads to absorb all of the humor in the various lemmings’ conversations and activities like dressing and packing. A quirky addition.” —School Library Journal

“Colombet packs her story with vivid personalities (the earnest, wide-eyed lemmings are a collective hoot), visual jokes, and, as befits a large, opinionated community, many, many dialogue balloons. There is much to linger over and return to in these pages.” —Publishers Weekly

“Colombet’s story of friendship and embracing differences shines most in its endearing pencil illustrations, digitally colored in rustic tones. Speech bubbles scatter across scenes crowded with lemmings, resulting in an adorable and hilarious peanut gallery guaranteed to elicit giggles from little readers.” —Booklist

Order your copy of The Society of Distinguished Lemmings today from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, or IndieBound!

You Were Made for Me
by Jenna Guillaume

Sixteen-year-old Katie Camilleri can’t believe she’s accidentally created a teenage boy. What began as a clay sculpture mixed with a secret formula and a flash of lightning has turned into a boy six-feet tall with floppy hair and eyes like the sky on a clear summer’s day. A boy whose lips taste like cookie dough and whose skin smells like springtime. A boy completely devoted to Katie. But silly antics with her best friend, Libby, have definitely taken a whimsical twist into something bigger than Katie could have ever daydreamed. Turns out the consequences of making the perfect guy in your kitchen are rather complicated… Will this spontaneous creation solve all of Katie’s romantic problems or lead to more unintended effects? Does Guy, the golden Adonis she created, really, truly like her because he wants to or because he has to? And will Katie actually get her first kiss?

From the author of What I Like About Me (coming in paperback April 1st!) comes a hilarious and modern feminist twist on the 1985 pop cult film Weird Science, loaded with laughs, mishaps, and plenty of 80s and 90s pop-culture callbacks. Jenna Guillaume’s lighthearted and thought-provoking novel is a binge-worthy read for fans of rom-coms and Jenny Han. Featuring a humorous voice and cast of diverse, relatable characters, Jenna’s newest YA is the perfect book to kick off summer book clubs and reading lists.

Read an excerpt, and dive into this hilarious new rom-com.

Download a free discussion guide, perfect for spring and summer YA book clubs, and get to know author Jenna Guillaume in this Q&A!

“Plenty of early 2000s rom-com vibes and lighthearted mishaps… Guillaume’s cinematic story weaves together beloved romantic comedy tropes touched with magic—or is it science?—and drops them into a fresh, contemporary setting. Despite the playful tone, this isn’t without nuance, taking on serious topics such as male body image, friendship, and asexuality.” —Booklist

“[Katie’s] friendship with Libby is heartwarming and relatable, and her character grows throughout the story.…a quick escape of a story that emphasizes the lesson that our idea of ‘perfection’ isn’t always what we’re looking for…. Younger teens will likely enjoy Katie’s shenanigans.” —School Library Journal

Add some romance, comedy, and magic—or is it science?—to your reading list when You Were Made for Me arrives April 1st at your local library, indie bookstore, or Barnes & Noble. And don’t forget to check out the rest of our brand-new picture books and middle grade and YA titles coming to Peachtree this season!

No! Said Rabbit
by Marjoke Henrichs

“Time to go inside now,” said Mom.
“No!” said Rabbit. “I want to stay outside.”
“Time for a bath now,” said Mom.
“No No No No No!”

Rabbit doesn’t want to get dressed. He doesn’t want to go outside. And he definitely doesn’t want to take a bath. This stubborn little rabbit is happy doing his own thing, and he’ll say “No!” to all of Mom’s suggestions, until she makes an offer he simply can’t resist…

Author-illustrator Marjoke Henrichs’s laugh-out-loud tale is sure to be relatable for any parents dealing with the everyday struggles of strong-willed children. 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. Perfect for bedtime readalouds with little bookworms, this hilarious, heartwarming picture book debut is sure to entertain parents and children alike!

See more of this hilarious bedtime read-aloud in this excerpt.

Help Rabbit color his favorite t-shirts and pants, match pictures that look alike, and more in these activity sheets!

“Henrichs uses spare, repetitive language and perfectly coordinated, simply rendered cartoon illustrations to highlight Rabbit’s initial reluctance to comply followed by joy in the activities…. A thoroughly delightful, warmhearted bedtime story.”—Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW

Find No! Said Rabbit 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!

King & Kayla and the Case of the Gold Ring
by Dori Hillestad Butler
illustrated by Nancy Meyers

Everyone’s favorite golden retriever King and his resourceful human Kayla are back in a brand new  mystery perfect for newly independent readers!

In this seventh addition to the acclaimed King & Kayla series, King, Kayla, and their friends Mason and Asia spend a fun day playing in the snow, and Asia shows off her new gold ring passed down from her grandma. Later, as everyone warms up indoors, King has a hankering for a liver treat and Asia notices her special ring is missing! King and Kayla take the case—in their own unique ways—and retrace Asia’s steps, gather clues, and figure out what they know and don’t know. But when King’s enthusiasm is misinterpreted as bad-dog behavior, he finds himself on the list of suspects…will they get to the bottom of this mystery in time to clear King’s name?

Told through King’s energetic and distracted perspective, this laugh-out-loud easy reader will delight animal- and mystery-lovers as the lovable dog-and-human duo work through mishaps and misunderstandings. Geisel Honor Award-winning team Dori Hillestad Butler and Nancy Meyers have created yet another engaging mystery in simple, straightforward language for newly independent readers. King’s animated facial expressions and dog-specific predicaments add another level of visual humor that’ll keep readers hooked to the end. With added opportunities to practice critical thinking and problem-solving skills, King & Kayla and the Case of the Gold Ring is a natural pick for budding detectives craving a liver treat—I mean, sidesplitting read.

Don’t miss the rest of the King & Kayla series, including Geisel Honor Award winners King & Kayla and the Case of the Missing Dog Treats and King & Kayla and the Case of the Lost Tooth!

Meet the detective duo and their friends Mason and Asia in this excerpt!

Be a problem-solver like King and Kayla! Find classroom and at-home activities, games, and DIYs in our series activity kit!

Also, learn more from Peachtree’s Vice President Kathy Landwehr, editor of the King & Kayla series, about the world of early readers, and the gap in book selection that King & Kayla fills, in this post.

Can you solve the mystery? Help King and Kayla crack the case in King & Kayla and the Case of the Gold Ring this February 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!

Curious About Birds
by Cathryn Sill
illustrated by John Sill

“A lovely book to introduce small children to the natural world.” ―Jean Little Library

Educator and author Cathryn Sill introduces very young children to basic facts about birds with the help of beautifully detailed illustrations from noted wildlife illustrator John Sill. Simple and clear descriptions of how birds look, where they live, what they eat, and how they move around make this first title in the Discovering Nature series a thoughtful and informative first glimpse into the world of birds.

Buy Curious About Birds today through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, or IndieBound!

Lali’s Feather
by Farhana Zia
illustrated by Stephanie Fizer Coleman

“This circular story has the ring of an Indian folk tale. Its art strikingly contrasts the warm bright colors of silks and spices with the lush turquoise of peacock feathers.” —The New York Times

What would you do with a feather?

Lali finds a little feather in the field. Who might it belong to? Lali sets out to find the feather a home, but one bird after another rejects it. That is until Lali decides to keep the little feather and discovers all the things she can do with it, and the other birds begin to recognize its value. Farhana Zia’s vivacious and endearing #OwnVoices story of identification, values, and the rewards in looking closely and thinking imaginatively features an inventive circular structure that reveals the importance of looking beyond first impressions. Illustrator Stephanie Fizer Coleman brings this delightful story of inspiration to life.

Buy Lali’s Feather today through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, or IndieBound!

Three Hens and a Peacock
by Lester L. Laminack
illustrated by Henry Cole

“Frenetically posing chickens will inspire giggles…Good farm fun.” ―Kirkus Reviews

The Tuckers’ farm is a peaceful place where everyone has a job and no one complains. That is, until a hapless peacock falls off the back of a passing truck and stirs things up. What follows is the riotous tale of three hens who get in way over their feathered heads, and one very distressed peacock who just can’t figure out how to lay an egg. Award-winning author Lester Laminack has created a comical look at envy, finding your strength, and what happens when we underestimate the value of others’ work. Henry Cole’s delightful illustrations heighten the story’s humor and will have readers of all ages laughing out loud.

Buy Three Hens and a Peacock today through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, or IndieBound!

Bird Count
by Susan Edwards Richmond
illustrated by Stephanie Fizer Coleman

“A wonderful introduction to bird-watching and the concept of observing nature…” —Booklist Online

For the New England Christmas Bird Count, young Ava and her mother prepare to be the best “citizen scientists” they can be. Ava dutifully counts all the birds along the way, using her most important tools―her eyes and ears―and the birding identification techniques she’s learned. But will she locate her favorite raven again this year in time for their town’s annual Christmas Bird Count party? Author Susan Edwards Richmond offers a charming introduction to birdwatching with simple explanations of birdwatching techniques and clear descriptions of bird habitats. Stephanie Fizer Coleman’s charming illustrations add color and context to this joyful story. Backmatter includes more information about all the birds featured in the book and about the National Audubon Society’s annual Christmas Bird Count, the nation’s longest-running community science bird project.

Buy Bird Count today through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, or IndieBound!

Charlie Bumpers vs. the Teacher of the Year
by Bill Harley
illustrated by Adam Gustavson

Shortly before school starts, Charlie Bumpers learns that he will be in Mrs. Burke’s class. It doesn’t matter that she’s been named Teacher of the Year. He’s still afraid of her. Last year when he was horsing around in the hall, he accidentally hit her in the head with his sneaker (don’t ask). The exasperated teacher declared that if anything like that ever happened again, Charlie would be banned from recess forever. How will he survive a year under a teacher who is just waiting for him to make another stupid mistake? This fun series for young readers from Grammy Award-winning author Bill Harley uses humor to illuminate important values such as learning to live together as a family and making the best of a bad situation.

For more on this series, visit the Charlie Bumpers series page:

Nina Soni, Former Best Friend
by Kashmira Sheth
illustrated by Jenn Kocsmiersky

Nina tried as hard as she could, but still somehow she forgot about her school project. Fortunately, a class lesson about Alexander Fleming suggests how she might make a great discovery—and thus a great project! But with little sister Kavita’s birthday party right around the corner, and her longtime friendship with Jay on the rocks, Nina has a lot to keep track of. Readers are sure to relate to author Kashmira Sheth’s endearing Nina Soni and her slightly scatter-brained efforts to manage her life with lists, definitions, and real-life math problems.

Check out the rest of the Nina Soni series here:

Lula and the Sea Monster
by Alex Latimer

Lula loves living by the beach. But soon, her family must leave their home to make way for a new highway. Counting down the days to her move, Lula walks along the beach to find keepsakes and discovers a small sea monster that she names Bean. Each day Lula returns to the beach to feed him. And each day Bean grows bigger and bigger. But what will happen to Lula’s new friend once she moves away? From popular children’s book author-illustrator Alex Latimer comes this delightfully odd story of friendship and standing up for others.

Bo the Brave
by Bethan Woollvin

Bo wants to be just like her brothers and capture a fearsome monster, but her brothers say she is too small. Luckily, Bo isn’t one to take no for an answer, and so she sets off on a quest to catch a monster of her own. Can Bo defeat the monstrous creatures she encounters, or has she got the wrong idea about who the real monsters are? Author-illustrator Bethan Woollvin, creator of the New York Times Best Illustrated Book Little Red, delivers an original fairy tale with a spirited female protagonist, a vibrant medieval backdrop, and a clever twist ending.

Mr. Penguin and the Catastrophic Cruise
by Alex T. Smith

Mr. Penguin and his Adventuring gang board a luxury cruise ship for some much-needed rest and a little entertainment, and Mr. Penguin isn’t even bothered that he can’t swim and is deeply afraid of water. But when a series of odd events infiltrates a façade of glamorous parties, film stars and politicians, Mr. Penguin can’t help but feel that something shifty is happening on board. This third installment in the humorous, page-turning series from Alex T. Smith, the author-illustrator of the popular Claude series, is sure to thrill young readers looking for a good adventure.

Mr. Penguin and the Catastrophic Cruise
by Alex T. Smith

Mr. Penguin, adventurer (and penguin!), is back in another action-packed escapade, and this time he’ll have to face his worst fear—the roiling sea.

Mr. Penguin is still recovering from his latest adventures, and he could really use a vacation and a fish finger sandwich. Luckily enough, he’s been invited aboard a luxury cruise ship with Colin, his kung-fu spider sidekick; Edith, who is surprisingly resourceful with a fanny-pack; and her pigeon, Gordon, who… well, they don’t really know what he does.

Their quirky host and his severe-looking girlfriend have invited all of Cityville’s most glamorous movie stars and important politicians. As Colin prepares for his performance with the Seven Sisters Choir, Mr. Penguin treats himself to all the sandwiches and canapés he can eat and almost forgets that he’s terrified of the ocean. But when a string of fishy events leads him to a young stowaway with a mystery of her own, Mr. Penguin has the familiar feeling that a new adventure is brewing. Equipped with his dashing hat, battered satchel, and swim floaties for good measure, our hesitant hero launches into an exhilarating caper with a monstrous twist.

From Alex T. Smith, the author-illustrator who brought you the charming and hilarious Claude books, comes the third high-stakes adventure in the Mr. Penguin series. Smith’s whimsical illustrations capture the larger-than-life characters in perfect detail as they face every wacky challenge head-on. Ideal for the transition from picture books to chapter books, Mr. Penguin and the Catastrophic Cruise is a real page-turner with nonstop laughs and thrills from cover to cover.

Don’t miss Mr. Penguin’s other exciting adventures in the Mr. Penguin series, and solve a few mysteries of your own with the Series Activity Kit!

All aboard! Meet the Adventuring gang in this excerpt of the first chapter.

“Gloriously silly…illustrations reminiscent of Quentin Blake lend the story a daffy verve, and the short chapters with cliffhanger endings make for a perfect read-aloud…. Ridiculously charming.” —Kirkus Reviews

Dive into a good mystery with Mr. Penguin and gang this October 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!

Pretty Funny for a Girl
by Rebecca Elliott

Haylah Swinton is an ace best friend, a loving daughter, and an incredibly patient sister to a four-year-old nutcase of a brother. Best of all, she’s set on being a stand-up comedian star. But when impossibly cool and thirstalicious Leo reveals he’s also into comedy and asks Haylah to ghostwrite his sets, will Haylah find the confidence to step into the spotlight and strut like the boss she really is? Rebecca Elliott’s hilarious and authentic journey of family, friends, and fierce mistakes is sure to capture readers’ hearts as her plus-sized, teenage heroine navigates learning to love the body she’s in.

Sing Like No One’s Listening
by Vanessa Jones

Nettie Delaney has just been accepted into a prestigious performing arts school—the very same school her superstar mother attended. But Nettie hasn’t been able to sing a single note since her mother died, and if she’s going to survive a demanding first year and keep her place at Duke’s, she’ll have to work through her grief and deliver a showstopper or face expulsion. Can Nettie summon the courage to find her voice? Or will the pressure and anxiety of performing come crashing down? Vanessa Jones’s well-crafted journey of grief and healing is sure to be a pure joy for any musical theater aficionado.

Foolish Hearts
by Emma Mills

Macmillan Publishers
When Claudia accidentally witnesses the breakup of Paige and Iris, the schools it-couple, Claudia becomes a target for Iris’ revenge. Iris is already known for her icy personality, and getting on her bad side is the last thing Claudia wants. So when the two find themselves forced to pair up for their class production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Claudia knows she’s in for a wild ride of a senior year. Featuring a realistic world of new friendships, tense feuds, and tentative romance, all while dealing with the high-stakes world of the performing arts, Emma Mill’s Foolish Hearts is a must-read to follow up Nettie and Haylah’s stories of acceptance and self-confidence.

Noteworthy
by Riley Redgate

Abrams Books
Jordan Sun has just begun her junior year at the Kensington-Blaine Boarding School for the Performing Arts, and as an Alto 2, she’s already off to a rocky start. She may have earned her spot in a prestigious performing arts program, but her talents seem to always get passed over during the fall musical for a more stereotypical vocalist. But when Kensington’s elite, all-male a cappella group announces an opening, it turns out Jordan might be exactly what the Sharpshooters are looking for… With just the right amount of vocals to satisfy Sing Like No One’s Listening fans and enough comedy to have Pretty Funny for a Girl readers laughing out loud, Noteworthy is an ideal read for future performing artists.

On the Come Up
by Angie Thomas

HarperCollins Publishers
Bri wants to be one of the greatest rappers of all time, but her path to stardom is both in the shadow of her talented father and filled with more than her fair share of obstacles. When her first song goes viral—for all the wrong reasons—Bri finds herself labeled as a notorious and angry artist from a troubled background. This new persona may promise financial security for her struggling family, but are the consequences of her newly achieved fame really worth it? As both a heavy and joyous story of fighting for your dreams in an often-hostile world of performing in the public eye, On the Come Up proves a powerful companion to Sing Like No One’s Listening and Pretty Funny for a Girl.

Pretty Funny for a Girl
by Rebecca Elliott

Ready for your next binge-read? Pretty Funny for a Girl is a candid and laugh-out-loud journey of family, friends, and fierce mistakes you won’t be able to put down.

To Haylah Swinton, there’s no better feeling than getting a laugh. Delivering a perfect one-liner in class or even making her four-year-old nutcase of a brother giggle makes her “twinkle” inside. Everyone knows she’s pretty funny, but secretly, she dreams of being a stand-up comedian star.

She watches videos, listens to podcasts, and studies the pros—all she needs now is the courage to perform the material she’s stashed away in her notebook. So after Leo Jackson—intelligent, cool, good-looking (you get the point)—performs a stand-up routine in front of the school, she jumps at the chance to ghostwrite his sets.

But life’s not all fun and games, even if Haylah, aka “Pig,” has mastered the art of making light of every situation. Her mom’s dropped a bomb on their family in the form of a bearded boyfriend, her best friends accuse Leo of taking advantage of her comedic chops, and she has a habit of making her plus-size figure a punchline before she becomes the bullies’ punching bag. But as she gains confidence in her body and talents, she realizes her dreams are just too big to be hidden behind the scenes.

Author Rebecca Elliott delivers Haylah’s story with an authentic and hilarious voice in the rhythm of a true comedian. Witty, sarcastic Haylah will win readers’ hearts and laughs as she stands up (no pun intended) for herself and her goals, supported by a relatable cast of friends and family. With a unique perspective into the world of stand-up, Pretty Funny for a Girl is the perfect balance of poignancy and comedic gold, not to mention your new go-to read.

Peek behind the curtain in this excerpt of the first chapter!

Encore! It’s not over yet—check out our discussion guide and author Q&A for a deeper look into Haylah’s journey.

“A feel-good story featuring a narrator who’s likable and genuinely funny, even at her most self-deprecating. Dreams, being true to oneself, body-image issues, single parenting, family dynamics, self-confidence, and a realistic depiction of friendship make this a refreshing coming-of-age read full of optimism, dreams, and plenty of stereotype-smashing laughs. A natural pick for Dumplin’ (2015) fans.” —Booklist

“Sharp, funny… The working-class British milieu feels freshly wrought, and Elliott’s characters are well balanced… [Haylah’s] comedy routine, though at times self-deprecating, also flips some stereotypes.” —Publishers Weekly

“Elliott, who has previously published picture books and early readers, nails the voice and persona of a high school girl…. A good purchase for libraries that need coming-of-age books centering body-positivity.” —School Library Journal

Whether you’re a giggler or you enjoy a whole-body-shaking belly laugh, don’t miss Haylah’s big debut in Pretty Funny for a Girl this October 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!