Peep!
by Kevin Luthardt

A kind young boy finds an egg that’s been left behind when…CRRRACK! PEEP! The newly hatched duckling follows him all the way home! These fast friends do everything together until one day, a flock of ducks flies by, and…QUACK! The boy is heartbroken when he realizes the little duckling has grown up and must return to live with the other ducks. Lonely and missing his friend, the boy finds that his heart just might be big enough for new, unexpected friendships.

Now in a sturdy board book format for the littlest bookworms, this Peachtree classic is sure to be a hit with a new generation of animal lovers. Kevin Luthardt’s endearing illustrations and deceptively simple text offer a tender yet humorous tale about friendship, change, and growing up. A heartwarming introduction to picture books, Peep! promises an interactive, memorable storytime and “quacking up” fun!

“[Luthardt] invests every scene with a visual and emotional depth that draws in the audience.” ―Publishers Weekly

“The flat, full-bleed illustrations have well-defined lines, and the art conveys a lot of feeling in its simplicity. The somber colors suit the tale, which is both bittersweet and heartwarming.” ―School Library Journal

“Luthardt does a lot with a little in this delightful book starring a little duck.” ―Booklist

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

Curious About Mammals
by Cathryn Sill
illustrated by John Sill

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

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

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

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

Praise for About Mammals

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

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

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

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

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

New Board Books

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

PEEP! A duckling breaks through its shell and immediately attaches itself to a warmhearted young boy, and soon the two are inseparable. But the duckling is growing up, and the boy realizes that one day his friend will have to return to live among its own kind. Coming in board book August 1st, Kevin Luthardt’s deceptively simple story poignantly demonstrates the importance of learning to let go of something you love.

Pre-order Peep! today through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, or on Amazon.

New Picture Books

Pre-order About Seabirds today through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, or on Amazon.

Arlo is a very tired lion, and he’s tried everything to get to sleep. But the grass is too prickly, the trees are too noisy, and his family wriggles awfully too much. Goodness! How is an exhausted lion ever to get a wink of shut-eye? Luckily, owl has a few tricks up her sleeve. Author-illustrator Catherine Rayner’s breathtakingly beautiful bedtime story has a calming, meditative message of mindfulness and centeredness for reluctant or troubled sleepers.

Pre-order Arlo the Lion Who Couldn’t Sleep today through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, or on Amazon.

This story begins quietly as Mouse selects a flower for someone very dear to him. Then the fun begins! To complete his journey, Mouse must make his way through the alphabet—letter by letter and sound by noisy sound. Author Julie Larios and illustrator Julie Paschkis have created an entertaining combination of clever onomatopoeic text and lively, colorful art that will delight young fans and inspire them to create imaginary alphabet adventures of their own.

Pre-order Eek! today through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, or on Amazon.

Stanley’s fire engine needs to be ready for anything. It has a tall ladder, a big water tank, and a long hose. Uh-oh. The fire station has a phone call: Charlie’s barbecue is out of control. CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! Out of the way! Stanley’s on the job! With bright illustrations, adorable characters, and a padded-cover format, William Bee’s Stanley series is perfect for readers transitioning from board books to picture books.

Pre-order Stanley’s Fire Engine today through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, or on Amazon.

Duck and Penguin do NOT like sleepovers, despite what their owners, Betty and Maud, might have you think. But when Betty and Maud leave the teeny weeny tent, Duck and Penguin have no choice but to stick together. The dark outside is full of strange noises, and they have the oddest feeling that…something…is watching them. This companion to Duck & Penguin are NOT Friends from author-illustrator Julia Woolf is a laugh-out-loud bedtime romp about the secret world of toys and the thrills and anxieties of sleeping over.

Pre-order Duck and Penguin Do NOT Like Sleepovers today through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, or on Amazon.

When Gnu says that there’s a cave filled with diamonds across the river, Shrew is intrigued. But as Gnu dreams his days away, tossing out ideas about how to cross the river, Shrew tries to make those dreams a reality. Can Gnu’s big ideas and Shrew’s hard work make something remarkable happen? In this entertaining spin on “The Ant and the Grasshopper” that values the roles of both dreamers and doers, author Danny Schnitzlein’s deadpan storytelling is perfectly complemented by illustrator Anca Sandu’s humorous artwork.

Pre-order Gnu and Shrew today through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, or on Amazon.

Madeline Finn and Star are off to Walker Oaks, a retirement community where Star will take his tests to become a therapy dog. They make their way through a variety of challenges and meet several new friends, but Madeline Finn can’t stop thinking about an elderly man in a wheelchair who never smiles. Is there something she and Star can do to help? This heartwarming companion to Lisa Papp’s Madeline Finn and the Library Dog and Madeline Finn and the Shelter Dog explores the therapy dog training process and provides a realistic example of a young person making a difference in her community.

Pre-order Madeline Finn and the Therapy Dog today through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, or on Amazon.

Over millions of years, organisms in Antarctica—one of the most extreme environments on Earth—have evolved in amazing ways that enable them to thrive on the ice, in the ice, and under the ice. How is climate change affecting the creatures that live in this frozen world? Antarctica’s creatures depend on the ice. And in the long run, so do we. This amazing nonfiction picture book provides valuable information about one of the most hostile environments on the planet. Experienced nature writer Mary Batten’s informative text and stunning artwork by New York Times bestselling illustrator Thomas Gonzalez are sure to spark a passion for conservation of this incredible habitat.

Pre-order Life in a Frozen World today through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, or on Amazon.

After witnessing the 1911 Triangle Waist Factory fire, Frances Perkins decided to work to bring about new laws that would make workplaces safer. As Secretary of Labor in President Roosevelt’s administration—the first woman cabinet member—Frances had the opportunity to achieve her bold vision of Social Security. Deborah Hopkinson’s energetic text and Kristy Caldwell’s appealing illustrations introduce readers to a fascinating woman who has changed many American lives. Back matter features more information about Frances Perkins and Social Security and resources for economic education.

Pre-order Thanks to Frances Perkins today through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, or on Amazon.

As a young man, William went to work for the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society, where he helped freedom seekers who had traveled north. One day, a strangely familiar man came into William’s office, searching for information about his long-lost family. Motivated by his own family’s experience, William began collecting the stories of thousands of other freedom seekers and was able to reunite other families and build a remarkable source of information. Award-winning author Don Tate brings to life William Still’s incredible true story and work as a record keeper of enslaved people who had fled to freedom in this first-ever picture book biography of the Father of the Underground Railroad.

Pre-order William Still and His Freedom Stories today through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, or on Amazon.

New Middle Grade

Pre-order The Candy Mafia today through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, or on Amazon.

Mr. Penguin and his Adventuring gang board a luxury cruise ship for some much-needed rest and a little entertainment. With fish finger sandwiches available twenty-four hours a day, 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, Mr. Penguin can’t help but feel that something shifty is happening on board, and he soon finds that Adventures are lying in wait after all. This third installment in the humorous, page-turning series from Alex T. Smith is sure to thrill young readers looking for a good adventure.

Pre-order Mr. Penguin and the Catastrophic Cruise today through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, or on Amazon.

New YA

Haylah Swinton is an ace best friend, a loving daughter, and an incredibly patient sister. Best of all, Haylah’s learning to embrace all of her curvy parts, and one day, she’ll be a stand-up comedian star. So when impossibly thirstalicious Leo reveals he’s also into comedy, Haylah jumps at the chance to ghostwrite his sets. But if Haylah’s ever going to step into the spotlight, first she’ll need to find the confidence to put herself out there and strut like the boss she really is. Rebecca Elliott’s hilarious and authentic narrative voice is sure to capture readers’ hearts as her plus-sized, teenage heroine embarks on a candid and laugh-out-loud journey of family, friends, and fierce mistakes.

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

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. Whenever she tries, she just clams up. All may not be lost, however, when Nettie stumbles upon a mysterious piano player in an empty studio after class. Masked behind a curtain, can Nettie summon the courage to find her voice? Or will the pressure and anxiety of performing come crashing down? All about claiming your voice and not throwing away your shot, Vanessa Jones’s moving story of grief and healing is sure to be a pure joy for musical theater aficionados.

Pre-order Sing Like No One’s Listening today through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, or on Amazon.

Fiction

Stanley’s Paint Box
Written and illustrated by William Bee

It’s another busy day with Stanley and friends, and Stanley’s bringing 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? This early board book introduction to painting tools and art media is great for teaching primary and secondary colors.

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

Stanley’s Toolbox
Written and illustrated by William Bee

Stanley is helping Little Woo fix up his treehouse. They need to build a ladder, fix the roof, and hang some pictures. But Stanley also has a surprise—what could it be? An early introduction to the practical function of tools commonly found at home, this board book will appeal to Stanley’s youngest tool-loving fans.

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

In the Wind
Written by Elizabeth Spurr
Illustrated by Manelle Oliphant

In this gently rhyming board book, a young girl makes, flies, and loses her kite on a windy day. But when she returns home, something special is waiting for her. Elizabeth Spurr’s simple, evocative language and Manelle Oliphant’s charming illustrations create a perfect sit-in-your-lap reading experience for toddlers.

Buy In the Wind today through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, or on Amazon.

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

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

Buy Spring Babies today through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, or on Amazon.

Nonfiction

Curious About Birds
Written by Cathryn Sill
Illustrated by John Sill

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 dependable and informative beginning resource for learning about birds.

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

Fabulous Fishes
Written and illustrated by Susan Stockdale

Dive into an underwater world with amazing fish and their habitats on every page! From the spiky lionfish and the brightly colored clownfish to lanternfishes and hatchetfishes that flash lights so they can find each other in the deepest, darkest parts of the ocean, children will be fascinated by the breadth of sea life depicted. Author-illustrator Susan Stockdale uses simple text and richly textured illustrations to introduce young readers to different kinds of fish and the underwater world they call home.

Buy Fabulous Fishes today through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, or on Amazon.

Bring on the Birds
Written and illustrated by Susan Stockdale

Brightly colored illustrations and energetic text introduce young readers to distinctive birds and their unique qualities. 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 bold colors and crisp, clean lines can’t help but grab the reader’s attention.

Buy Bring on the Birds today through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, or on Amazon.

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

Bouncy, alliterative text and gorgeous illustrations introduce readers to a wide range of striped animals. Susan Stockdale’s bright, detailed paintings bring this patterned parade of animals to life and help show the many reasons stripes are so often found in nature. Readers can test their knowledge of animal stripes with a fun matching game at the end!

Buy Stripes of All Types today through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, or on Amazon.

Curious About Birds
Written by Cathryn Sill
Illustrated by John Sill

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

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

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

Praise for About Birds

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

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

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

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

Spring Babies 

The babies are back! As the days start warming up and daylight gets longer, celebrate the wonder of blooming spring days and balmy summer afternoons with the fun-loving babies in the Babies in the Park board book series! From award-winning author Kathryn O. Galbraith and illustrator Adela Pons (our very own in-house graphic designer!) come the last two books in the series, featuring a set of energetic characters who love to play in the park all year long.

“Vibrant, jewel-tone artwork and simple texts are the hallmarks of these engaging introductions to the natural world… Upbeat and active early concept books for young explorers.” —School Library Journal

“With its companions, a sweet and cheery introduction to the seasons for the youngest readers.” —Kirkus Reviews

All four of the Babies in the Park board books celebrate their respective seasons with bright, inviting color palates and talk of typical seasonal activities  and outdoor occurrences, such as rainy days and dandelions, butterflies and bees.

Spirited, rhyming text coupled with colorful, graphic art help to introduce early concepts such as shapes, numbers, and repetition, while also encouraging an appreciation for nature and imaginative play. Each board book makes for a great stand-alone read, but when the books are looked at side-by-side, readers can see the familiar park landscape change according to each season.

For fun activity suggestions and inspiration for seasonal outdoor play, check out our Babies in the Park activity sheets for spring and summer, as well as for autumn and winter. You’ll find fun ideas for celebrating the wonder of each and every season!

Curious about how illustrator Adela Pons created the beautiful artwork for the whole series? Check out the feature, “From the Sketchbook: Adela Pons” from Children’s Book Council!

Get your copies of Spring Babies and Summer Babies on Amazon or at your local library, indie bookstore, or Barnes & Noble!

For: The Youngest Reader

Stanley’s Colors
Written and illustrated by William Bee

Stanley and Little Woo are learning about colors and vehicles. There’s a red car, a yellow motorbike, and even a pink balloon!

This fun board book is filled with bright, bold illustrations and features adorable characters. For Baby’s first book about colors, Stanley’s Colors offers the perfect introduction, while also proving a great opportunity to learn about shapes and modes of transportation. Read an excerpt here.

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

Spirited rhyming text and colorful graphic art reveal an energetic cast of babies having an action-packed day of play in the park on a cheerful winter day.

Featuring diverse characters and highlighting early concepts like shapes and repetition, this fun board book encourages an appreciation of nature and outdoor imaginative play.

Little Whale
Written and illustrated by Jo Weaver

Little Whale and Gray Whale swim under midnight skies and through coral reefs as they migrate to the cool, rich waters of the North to feed until, at last, they are home.

Introducing the annual migration of gray whales through gentle text and stunning monochromatic illustrations, this beautiful picture book reveals the wonder of nature, the excitement of discovery, and the strength of parental love. Read an excerpt here.

Where is Baby?
Written by Kathryn O. Galbraith
Illustrated by John Butler

Adorable illustrations and a soothing text depict the many ways animal babies hide.

From baby rabbits leopards to baby ostriches and even a human baby, little readers will love learning about new animals and seeing where they hide. The gentle text is a reassuring message about parent’s love with the adorable backdrop of John Butler’s illustrations.

Find these titles and more at your local indie bookstore or Barnes & Noble. Still looking for more great ideas? Our 2018 Holiday Gift Guide has even more gift recommendations for your little readers this holiday season!

Get ready to celebrate the wonder of colorful autumn days and chilly winter nights with the most fun-loving babies in our brand-new series of board books! From award-winning author Kathryn O. Galbraith and illustrator Adela Pons (our very own in-house graphic designer!) come two new books that feature a set of energetic characters who love to play in the park all year long.

Both Autumn Babies and Winter Babies celebrate their respective seasons with a bright, inviting color palate and talk of typical seasonal activities that are sure to excite readers. Spirited, rhyming text coupled with colorful, graphic art help to introduce early concepts such as shapes, numbers, and repetition to young readers in an inviting way. Each board book makes for a great stand-alone read, but when the books are looked at side-by-side, readers can see the familiar park landscape change according to each season.

While each season has characteristics that make it special, so does each baby in our diverse cast of enthusiastic nature-lovers. Meet Sai, Simón, Jayden, and Emma! These four adorable babies appear in all of the Babies in the Park board books, so young children can follow along with each character as they engage in outdoor play during each season.

The upbeat stories of our playful babies are sure to encourage an appreciation for the outdoors and imaginative play no matter what the time of year. But the fun doesn’t end when the book does; we’ve created a list of seasonal activities for young readers do outside! And, the best part, summer and spring are still to come! So get ready for more lively play and adorable babies celebrating the warmer seasons debuting in Spring 2019.

Find Autumn Babies and Winter Babies on Amazon or at your local library, indie bookstore, or Barnes & Noble!

The holiday shopping season is almost over as we begin counting down the few days left. But no fear, last-minute shoppers! Books make great presents for young readers, and this year we’ve shared several round-ups highlighting ideas for every kind of reader on your gift list. Cross off the last  people on your gift list and stock up on books that the children in your life will enjoy exploring again and again.

2017 Holiday Gift Guide

To: The Youngest Reader

Board books are wonderful gifts to surprise and excite the youngest reader in your life this holiday season. Reading to the very young helps introduce early concepts and vocabulary to set a foundation for early learning skills. Durable, easy to hold, beautifully illustrated, and exceptionally fun, these board books are ideal stocking stuffers and perfect for exploring with a little one!

Whether or not your little one is experiencing snow for the first time this season, share this story about the magic of a snowy day and the outdoor activities in brings!

In this gently rhyming board book by Elizabeth Spurr, a young girl and her pet dog make a snowman, sled down the hill, and have other wintery fun! With vibrant and joyful illustrations by Manelle Oliphant, this board book is a perfect sit-in-your-lap reading experience for toddlers. This celebration of winter is sure to delight the little reader on your gift list.

Read an excerpt here.

“What a lot of friends! How many can you count?”

William Bee is at it again with another addition of Stanley’s fun adventures. What is Stanley up to this time? This busy little hamster has learned about shapes, colors, and opposites, and he is back to explore numbers! In order to plan a party with his friend Little Woo, Stanley must gather the right number of snacks and decorations for their picnic. Jell-O salad, picnic rugs, balloons, and much more are perfect for the party. So, help Stanley and Little Woo count out their supplies.

Avid fans of Stanley and friends will surely enjoy the continued journey of everyone’s favorite little hamster! 

Looking for the best bedtime book to read to your little one? Well, look no further! John Butler’s board book introduces an array of baby animals being put to bed by their mothers and fathers. From tiny birds to young whales, from nests to the deep blue sea, the

noisy animal kingdom settles down for a good night’s sleep.

This gentle bedtime story features an easy, rhyming text and beautifully evocative, detailed art that will soothe your sleepy loved one as you share with them the nightly routine of all living creatures.

Little Rabbit and his red balloon lead the way as the family heads to the amusement park for Little Rabbit’s birthday. So excited by the people, place, and sounds of the park, Little Rabbit claims he is a big rabbit now and wonders off from his parents. But when he suddenly finds himself all alone, he doesn’t feel quite so grown up anymore. What should Little Rabbit do?

Harry Horse’s colorful illustrations depict Little Rabbit’s growing excitement and bring to life the infectious atmosphere of the amusement park. Young readers will identify easily with the young character’s conflicting desire for independence and his need of loving supervision, and will cheer Little Rabbit’s triumphant reunion with his beloved family.

Put them both to use by making cardboard cars to take into Stanley’s Garage!

via laughpaintcreate.blogspot.com

Supplies:

–   1 large box
–   Colored duct tape and/or hot glue
–   Construction paper and/or paint
–   4 Paper plates
–   2 Solo cups
–   Wide colored ribbon

via mumsgrapevine.com.au

1. First, cut off the bottom and top flaps of the box so that it fits over your child’s head.
2. Glue or tape two paper plates on either side of the box to make wheels.
3. Glue or tape your two Solo cups on the front of your box to make headlights.
4. Finally, cut two strips of ribbon and attach them to the front and back of the box to make straps. Measure them so that the box hangs from your child’s shoulders.
5. Give that car a custom paint job! You can finger-paint it, glue on construction paper patterns, or even make designs from your colored tape. Be creative!

Beep! Beep! You’re ready for the open road!