King and Kayla are on the case, and newly independent readers are in for a mystery-filled treat!

Dive into your summer reading list with King & Kayla and the Case of the Unhappy Neighbor! The sixth installment in the lovable beginning reader series featuring everyone’s favorite dog-and-human duo, this new adventure is sure to keep any young bookworm on the edge of their seat as they work to solve the case alongside lovable King and his human Kayla.

Someone is digging up Mr. Gary’s garden and getting into his trash, and—uh-oh! Jillian’s dog, Thor, is the lead suspect. King and Kayla quickly put their detective skills to work to clear Thor’s name, gathering clues at the scene of the crime. Kayla notices the mess in Mr. Gary’s yard looks way too big for a tiny dog like Thor to make, and King learns from Cat with No Name that the culprit is a “new guy” and not Thor after all! Can King and Kayla find this mystery new guy, and do they have enough evidence to clear Thor’s name?

With simple, straightforward language and great verbal and visual humor, this laugh-out-loud tale from Geisel Honor Award-winning team Dori Hillestad Butler and Nancy Meyers is perfect for younger readers transitioning from easy readers to beginning chapter books. Great for introducing mysteries and the important concepts of fact gathering, list making, clues, and analytical thinking, explore the whole King & Kayla series today!

Download a free King & Kayla poster so you can always have this adorable duo by your side. Plus, check out the series activity kit and teacher’s guide for more mystery-filled fun!

“Meyers invests all her characters with lots of personality… Beginning readers will like the spacious typeset and thought bubbles that clue readers in to King’s thinking. This is a great story to help emerging readers strengthen their comprehension skills, and caregivers can easily discuss what young readers already know and what they are discovering along the way to piece together for a final conclusion… Entertaining reading for the newest generation of detectives.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Meyers’s illustrations invite opportunities for the developing reader to investigate alongside King and Kayla, and provide support and intrigue as the case progresses. The text also invites playful read-alouds… This newest addition to the Kayla and King series continues the good work of the sleuthing duo, offering readers an opportunity to test their mystery-solving skills and laugh along the way.” —The Horn Book Magazine

Order your copy of King & Kayla and the Case of the Unhappy Neighbor today from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, or IndieBound!

King & Kayla and the Case of the Unhappy Neighbor
by Dori Hillestad Butler
illustrated by Nancy Meyers

When Jillian’s dog, Thor, is accused of digging up Mr. Gary’s garden, King and Kayla put their detective skills to work to clear his name. A witness to the crime tells King that the culprit is a “new guy” who likes to fight. But who could that be? And can they track down this new guy and clear Thor’s name? The King & Kayla series from Geisel Honor Award-winning team Dori Hillestad Butler and Nancy Meyers is perfect for readers transitioning from easy readers to beginning chapter books and great for introducing important concepts of fact gathering, list making, clues, and analytical thinking.

Explore more King & Kayla with the series teacher’s guide and activity kit, and download a free poster!

Lillian’s Fish
by James Menk
illustrated by Louisa Bauer

When Lillian turns six, her favorite gift is an extraordinary, shimmery, and colorful fish. But when the brand-new birthday fish disappears, the other family pets secretly band together to help unravel the mystery. 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.

Dive deeper into Lillian’s Fish with a free discussion guide.

Homer on the Case
by Henry Cole

Homing pigeon Homer and his parrot friend Lulu learn something is afoul when they witness a four-legged crime-spree in their neighborhood. Can Lulu and Homer track down the bandits and lead their human keepers to the culprits’ hideout to stop the thieves? Award-winning author-illustrator Henry Cole delivers a fun, action-packed middle grade mystery that will keep readers guessing if the crime-solving pigeon will get his guy. A supporting cast of animals and humans forms a community that will have every reader wishing they could join in the hunt.

Download this discussion guide for middle grade summer book clubs!

The Girl Who Stole an Elephant
by Nizrana Farook

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, and after leaving her village as a thief, can she return as a hero? Or will Chaya’s sticky fingers be the beginning—or the end—of everything for her and her intrepid gang? Own Voices debut author Nizrana Farook spins a page-turning middle grade tale in a lush, fictional Sri Lankan setting. Just right for adventure fans, the book explores themes of friendship and loyalty, risk and reward, and heroism.

Continue your jungle adventure with a free discussion guide!

Q: What inspired you to write Homer on the Case?

A: I like the idea of different species communicating. For example, I wonder what the different birds on my bird feeder say to each other. “Quit shoving!” “Move over!” “You take all the peanuts!” When I thought of a homing pigeon learning to read because of the daily newspaper under his feet, and then thought of a parrot learning to speak human …one thing led to another. Imagination took over.

Q: You’ve worked on nearly 150 books for children. What makes Homer on the Case different from your past projects? What makes it similar?

A: I’ve really enjoyed working on my chapter book projects: one can really try to get into the mind and spirit of the characters. I’m lucky because I can also draw the illustrations, which add personality and expression to those characters. Homer on the Case takes place in a city, unlike my usual stories, and although humans play a big part, it’s the animal characters that move the story around.

Q: You’re an author and illustrator. When you come up with ideas for stories, do you usually think of the story in text or drawings first?

A: I’ve been asked that many times, and I think the best reply is “both”! While I’m imagining and outlining a story in my head or on paper, I can’t help but picture the setting and the characters and how they look and act during different parts of the story. I’m a constant doodler. I doodle all the time. I’ll doodle ideas for a story and those doodles can be very helpful for a book dummy.

Q: How did you choose a homing pigeon for the main character?

A: I think pigeons and doves have an expression that some other birds don’t have; they have a more sensitive and thoughtful look. And I liked the idea that homing pigeons are so skillfully able to always return home. Home is often a theme in my stories, and something very important to me.

Q: You really brought the setting of Keeler Park to life. Was Keeler Park inspired by a real place?

A: Well, yes, sort of. Years and years ago I had some time on my hands as I was waiting for an appointment with an editor. It was late summer. I sat on a bench in a small park near the publisher and watched the city go about its business, people and pigeons mostly. There was a scent to the air of sycamores, and a tranquil feel of the park, nestled among tall buildings. When I was writing about Keeler Park in the story, I was imagining myself on that bench that day.

Q: Grandad keeps a photo of Otto’s grandmother inside his gold pocket watch. Do you have a special keepsake that reminds you of a loved one?

A: Several! Many! A wooden stool my grandfather made, my 3rd grade lunchbox (my mom wrote my name on it) that looks like a barn (I grew up on a farm), a string of brass bells my aunt gave me, two little ceramic pigs that sat on the kitchen window sill of the my childhood home….many more! Don’t get me started!

Q: Communication is an important aspect to this story. How did you come up with the idea to incorporate the challenge of the birds in the story trying to communicate with their humans?

A: I wish I spoke a hundred languages. If I could start over, I’d take every language course I could. Right now I’m barely fluent in English! Years ago, I lived in Egypt for a while, and the best part of my experience there was the joy in learning to communicate with people who didn’t speak English, and the only Arabic I knew was “thank you”! I was learning to read and speak and write as an adult. It was a challenge, but with great rewards. I made so many friends that way, learning to communicate. I loved it. I was hoping to get that joy across as Homer and Lulu communicate with their human friends.

Q: If you could choose to be any animal, what would it be?

A: Probably something really useful and cared for, like a police service dog or a therapy animal. I’d like to say something wonderful like a bobcat or a chickadee, but wildlife these days have it rough: they have to contend not only with natural predators and disease, but also with human interference and reduced habitat. I don’t think I’d last long as a chickadee. I’d be in the talons of a sharp-shinned hawk within an hour!

Q: What’s your favorite type of bird, and why?

A: Really?!?! Are you asking for only ONE type of bird?? That’s tough. If I HAD to limit myself, I’d say the American robin, because the song of a male robin singing in early spring has to be one of the best sounds on the planet. And I love hole nesters (woodpeckers, nuthatches, etc.) because I love the idea of nesting in a hole in a tree while the wind gently blows. I’d say “no” to any bird that has to exist in cold water to survive (northern ducks, grebes, gannets etc.) because I hate being cold and wet.

Q: Did any real or fictional detectives inspire Homer?

A: No…Homer is an original, at least in my mind.

Q: Which chapter did you enjoy writing most? Did any of your favorite scenes not make it into the final version of the book?

A: I enjoyed the last chapter the most. I love happy endings! I love the idea of Snaps being out in the sun and lounging in the warm mud. I love the idea of Otto and Charlotte getting credit for something courageous. I like having the characters coming together.

Q: What do you think happens next for Homer and his fellow detectives?

A: Hmmm. I think a dog is involved. Maybe a dog that is just a teensy weensy bit sinister…

Q: What do you hope young readers take away from this story?

A: Collaboration. Adventure. Independence. Caring.

Q: What’s next for you?

A: Currently working on four picture books. Looking forward to a post-Covid world where I can visit schools again…in person!

Homer on the Case
by Henry Cole

Meet Homer: a smart homing pigeon who has taught himself to read with the newspaper detective comic strips that line his birdcage. He spends most days testing his homing skills with his owner Otto, that is, until one day Homer witnesses sneaky cat and rat criminals stealing valuables from both the animal and human communities.

Knowing something is afoot—especially when Otto’s grandfather becomes the newest victim—Homer and his new parrot friend Lulu set out to investigate this unsettling animal crime spree. Using the sleuthing techniques Homer has learned from his favorite mystery comics, he and Lulu track down the bandits but realize they need human help to stop the crimes for good. Can they find a way to communicate with their owners and lead them to the culprits’ hideout?

Celebrated author and illustrator Henry Cole returns with a fun, action-packed middle grade mystery adventure that will keep readers turning the page to find out if the crime-solving pigeon will get his guy. A supporting cast of animal and human characters forms a community that will have every reader wishing they could join in the hunt.

Can’t wait to solve the mystery with Homer? Read an excerpt!

Learn to draw your own Homer in this video.

“Cole’s gentle animal fantasies can always be depended upon, and this light mystery is just right for young readers…. Cole mixes humor with intrigue to keep the narrative bouncing along, and readers will get a kick out of the unusual detective team… Hand this to fans of Chris Riddell’s Ottoline and the Yellow Cat (2008) and A. B. Greenfield’s Ra the Mighty: Cat Detective (2018).” —Booklist

Solve the mystery with Homer and his friends when Homer on the Case 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!

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!

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.

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!

Picture eBooks

A lost egg has been blown out of its nest, but before the others dinosaurs can reunite the egg with its family, they must first discover what kind of dinosaur lies inside. What does that egg look like inside its shell? Surely, there must be a way to tell! This fun and unique story of community and family featuring Alex Latimer’s signature bold art style will keep dinosaur lovers and fans of Are You My Mother? enthusiastically following along and guessing who is inside the shell.

Download Am I Yours? today from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Google, Scribd, or Kobo, or request it from your local library through Hoopla or Overdrive.

Down home is Granny’s house. Down home is where Lil Alan and his parents and sister will join great-grandparents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Down home is where Lil Alan will hear stories of the ancestors and visit the land that has meant so much to all of them. And down home is where all of the children will find their special way to pay tribute to family history, but what will Lil Alan do? This rich and moving celebration of history, culture, and ritual features Kelly Starling Lyons’ eloquent text and s tunning illustrations by Coretta Scott King Honor-winner Daniel Minter that together explore the power of family traditions.

Download Going Down Home with Daddy today from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Google, Scribd, or Kobo, or request it from your local library through Hoopla or Overdrive.

Lula loves living by the beach, but her family must leave their home to make way for a new highway. Before the move, Lula walks along the beach 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 and moving story of friendship and bravery.

Download Lula and the Sea Monster today from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Google, Scribd, or Kobo, or request it from your local library through Hoopla or Overdrive.

This addition to the acclaimed About… series offers a first glimpse into the diverse and natural world of mammals. Educator and author Cathryn Sill uses easy-to-understand language to teach children about mammals, and wildlife illustrator John Sill provides beautifully detailed, realistic paintings to introduce readers to the huge variety of mammals, from the tiny White-footed Deermouse to the large American Bison. An afterword provides details on the animals featured and inspires readers to learn more.

Download Sobre los mamíferos today from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Google, Scribd, or Kobo, or request it from your local library through Hoopla or Overdrive.

TIn this addition to the acclaimed About… series, educator and author Cathryn Sill uses simple, easy-to-understand language to teach children what birds are, what they do, and how they live. Noted wildlife illustrator John Sill introduces readers to the natural world of birds with beautifully detailed, realistic paintings. An afterword provides further details on the birds featured and inspires young readers to learn more.

Download Sobre los pájaros today from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Google, Scribd, or Kobo, or request it from your local library through Hoopla or Overdrive.

Illustrated Chapter eBooks

Claude and his best friend, Sir Bobblysock, pack their bags and go on vacation to the beach. They rescue a man from a shark, win a sandcastle-building competition, and hunt for pirate treasure. Of course, they make it back home just before Mr. and Mrs. Shinyshoes come home from work. Quirky, delightfully odd, and positively surreal, Alex T. Smith’s 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.

Download Claude at the Beach today from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Google, Scribd, or Kobo, or request it from your local library through Hoopla or Overdrive.

Thor has been accused of wrecking Mr. Gary’s yard—knocking over trash cans, eating the vegetables out of the garden, and pooping. But King and Kayla, with the help of some other neighbors, are determined to clear his name, using a wide variety of familiar and new detecting skills. 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 newly independent readers.

Download King & Kayla and the Case of the Unhappy Neighbor today from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Google, Scribd, or Kobo, or request it from your local library through Hoopla or Overdrive.

Middle Grade eBooks

Step right up and learn all about the lively participants in the Amphibian Acrobat show! These show-stopping creatures shape-shift and sky dive, balance and climb. Come along and get to know all about these lively denizens with this entertaining collection of science verses. Author Leslie Bulion includes a science glossary, notes on poetry forms, and resources for information about these extraordinary animals. Witty drawings by Robert Meganck add another layer of fun to this humorous and informative exhibition.

Download Amphibian Acrobats today from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Google, Scribd, or Kobo, or request it from your local library through Hoopla or Overdrive.

Ever wonder which bird has the loudest voice? Which one builds the biggest nest or has the most feathers? Get to know all about the best and brightest―and smelliest!―denizens of the bird world with this collection of nonfiction science verses. You won’t need your binoculars to observe the superlative characteristics of these avian wonders. Author Leslie Bulion includes extra information about these extraordinary birds in the back of the book, and Robert Meganck’s illustrations add another layer of fun to this gallery of the world’s most accomplished birds.

Download Superlative Birds today from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Google, Scribd, or Kobo, or request it from your local library through Hoopla or Overdrive.

Join author and illustrator team Leslie Bulion and Robert Meganck on this fun poetic tour through the leaf litter layer, and dig into the fascinating facts about the tiny critters who live there. Nineteen poems in a variety of verse forms with accompanying science notes take readers on a decomposer safari through the “brown food web,” from bacteria through tardigrades and on to rove beetle predators. Glossary, hands-on investigations, and resources are included in the back matter.

Download Leaf Litter Critters today from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Google, Scribd, or Kobo, or request it from your local library through Hoopla or Overdrive.

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, and a fresh pile of dirt at the neighbor’s house is too tempting to resist. Can Nina fix Kavita and create something amazing at the same time? Nina launches a grand engineering project—with unexpected consequences. From author Kashmira Sheth and illustrator Jenn Kocsmiersky comes another relatable adventure with everyone’s favorite scatter-brained middle grade pal.

Download Nina Soni, Sister Fixer today from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Google, Scribd, or Kobo, or request it from your local library through Hoopla or Overdrive.

Young Adult eBook

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 charming American debut about friendship and self-love features a relatable plus-size protagonist with a compelling, funny, and authentic narrative voice.

Download What I Like About Me today from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Google, Scribd, or Kobo, or request it from your local library through Hoopla or Overdrive.

King & Kayla and the Case of the Unhappy Neighbor
Written by Dori Hillestad Butler
Illustrated by Nancy Meyers

Lovable dog King and his human girl Kayla have solved the cases of some missing dog treats, a lost tooth, and a poor dog who’s been separated from his human family. They’ve also cracked a secret code and hunted down a mysterious mouse, and now they’re back in a brand-new mystery from Geisel Honor award-winning author and illustrator team Dori Hillestad Butler and Nancy Meyers!

In King & Kayla and the Case of the Unhappy Neighbor, the sixth installment in the King & Kayla series, Thor has been accused of wrecking Mr. Gary’s yard—knocking over trash cans, eating the vegetables out of the garden, and pooping. But King and Kayla, with the help of some other neighbors, are determined to clear his name, using a wide variety of familiar and new detecting skills. This adorable new King & Kayla adventure features simple, easily understood language and the perfect amount of humor for newly independent readers beginning their transition to chapter books. The enjoyable mysteries in each book will have your young readers hooked and ready to do some detective work of their own! Head on over to the series page for the full list of King & Kayla titles and some fun activity sheets!

“Meyers invests all her characters with lots of personality… Beginning readers will like the spacious typeset and thought bubbles that clue readers in to King’s thinking. This is a great story to help emerging readers strengthen their comprehension skills, and caregivers can easily discuss what young readers already know and what they are discovering along the way to piece together for a final conclusion… Entertaining reading for the newest generation of detectives.” —Kirkus Reviews

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.

Add King & Kayla and the Case of the Unhappy Neighbor to your series collection this March at your local library, indie bookstore, or Barnes & Noble, and be sure to check out 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!

New Board Books

This board book beginner’s guide offers a thoughtful first glimpse into the world of birds. Educator and author Cathryn Sill and John Sill deliver simple and clear descriptions of how birds look, where they live, what they eat, and how they move around, making this first title in the Discovering Nature series a dependable and informative beginning resource for learning about birds.

Pre-order Curious About Birds today through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, or on Amazon.

It’s another busy day with Stanley and friends! Stanley is helping Little Woo fix up his treehouse, but Stanley also has a surprise—what could it be? An early introduction to the practical function of tools commonly found at home, William Bee‘s newest board book will appeal to Stanley’s youngest tool-loving fans.

Pre-order Stanley’s Toolbox today through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, or on Amazon.

Stanley brings his paint box to paint a colorful castle with Little Woo, Sophie, and Benjamin. There’s red paint and blue paint and yellow paint and white paint. But what about the other colors? William Bee‘s early introduction to painting tools and art media is great for teaching primary and secondary colors.

Pre-order Stanley’s Paint Box today through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, or on Amazon.

New Picture Books

Hard-working Jiva might not be the only one anticipating a delicious feast of peas from his garden. Every morning, Jiva works in his garden until the sun turns as red as a bride’s sari. But each time he is ready to pick the peas for his feast, they’re already gone. What has happened? From the award-winning author and illustrator team Kashmira Sheth and Jeffrey Ebbeler, this original story set in India features a deliciously amusing mystery about gardening, anticipation, hard work, and generosity.

Pre-order Feast of Peas today through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, or on Amazon.

Lali finds a little feather in the field and sets out to find it a home, but one bird after another rejects it. The feather is too small for Rooster, too slow for Crow, and too plain for Peacock. Once Lali decides to keep the little feather and discovers all the things she can do with it, the other birds begin to recognize its value. Farhana Zia’s charming tale reveals the importance of looking beyond first impressions, and illustrator Stephanie Fizer Coleman brings this delightful story of imagination and inspiration to life.

Pre-order Lali’s Feather today through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, or on Amazon.

In this companion to the award-winning Izzy Gizmo from author-illustrator duo Pip Jones and Sara Ogilvie, Izzy Gizmo returns in a charming and eccentric tale of ambition, perseverance, and finding your inner strength. Izzy Gizmo has been invited to Technoff Isle’s annual convention where the inventor of the best machine will win coveted admittance to the Genius Guild, but with fearsome foe Abi von Lavish getting the best of her at every turn, can Izzy Gizmo and Fixer create the winning invention? This wonderfully exuberant story has serious points to make about the importance of make do and mend.

Pre-order Izzy Gizmo and the Invention Convention today through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, or on Amazon.

Mia and Ben are the very best of friends, and they love making paper planes together. They dream of one day being able to make a plane that can fly all the way across the lake! But Ben and his family are moving far away. How will he and Mia stay best friends if they’re going to be so far apart? And will flying paper planes ever be the same again without Ben? From author-illustrator duo Jim Helmore and Richard Jones (The Snow Lion), gorgeous illustrations accompany a gentle story about long-distance friendship that is filled with magic and imagination.

Pre-order Paper Planes today through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, or on Amazon.

Once, there lived a little girl called Bo who wanted to be just like her brothers and capture a fearsome monster. Her brothers say she is too small to catch a monster, but Bo isn’t one to take no for an answer, so she sets off on a quest to catch a monster of her own. Author-illustrator Bethan Woollvin, the creator of the New York Times Best Illustrated Little Red, employs her signature style in this original fairy tale with a clever twist. Readers are sure to fall in love with Woollvin’s newest vibrant and sassy protagonist.

Pre-order Bo the Brave today through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, or on Amazon.

The Society of Distinguished Lemmings aims to be distinguished in absolutely everything, but Bertie has had quite enough of the Society and all its rules. After venturing outside, Bertie discovers a bear, who is very unlike a lemming. Will the Society ever accept Bertie’s new friend, or is the bear simply too big and clumsy of a creature to be distinguished? This hilarious tale from author-illustrator Julie Colombet features valuable themes of finding new friends, questioning the rules, and learning about the importance of staying true to yourself amidst pressure to conform.

Pre-order The Society of Distinguished Lemmings today through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, or on Amazon.

New Illustrated Chapter Book

Thor has been accused of wrecking Mr. Gary’s yard—knocking over trash cans, eating the vegetables out of the garden, and pooping. But King and Kayla, with the help of some other neighbors, are determined to clear his name, using a wide variety of familiar and new detecting skills. 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 newly independent readers.

Pre-order King & Kayla and the Case of the Unhappy Neighbor today through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, or on Amazon.

New Middle Grade Books

Nina Soni returns in the second title in a humorous series featuring a charming Indian-American girl and her family and friends. Nina is 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 Nina Soni, and illustrator Jenn Kocsmiersky brings this slightly scatter-brained heroine to life.

Pre-order Nina Soni, Sister Fixer today through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, or on Amazon.

New Young Adult