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.

One of the highlights of the children’s book publishing world is the awards ceremony that takes place every year at the American Library Association’s Midwinter meeting. This is where librarians select their top awards, reflected in those shiny medallions you see on some of your favorite books for young readers. These awards include, among others, the Sibert Award, the Printz Award, and—the most well-known—the Coretta Scott King, Newbery, and Caldecott Awards.

This year, we at Peachtree were blown away when we got the early morning call that our beloved Going Down Home with Daddy, illustrated by Daniel Minter and written by Kelly Starling Lyons, was named a 2020 Caldecott Honor Book.

Going Down Home with Daddy is the story of a young boy finding his place in his family and learning how valuable family is to one another. It’s also a joyful celebration of the Black family reunion culture and family history.

This is the first Caldecott Honor for Peachtree as well as for Daniel Minter, and to say we are excited is an understatement. Going Down Home with Daddy also has local and symbolic significance for everyone involved, which adds to the weight of this extraordinary honor.

“Daniel Minter’s own Georgia roots and Kelly Starling Lyons’ beautiful text inspired Daniel’s gorgeous and meaningful artwork,” said Margaret Quinlin, Peachtree president and publisher. “This is a story of family love and of honoring and celebrating our roots, so it seems especially fitting and extra-special to all of us at Peachtree to call it our first Caldecott Honor.”

Minter’s background contributed greatly to the award-winning work he produced, and his and Kelly’s shared experiences added to its meaning.

“I am honored to have worked on this book with Kelly Starling Lyons,” said Minter. “Her deeply personal story resonated with me in such a way that I immediately knew this story was also mine. I am profoundly moved to see my work recognized with this Caldecott Honor. Knowing that people are able to connect with the subtleties in the artwork affirms how interconnected we all are.”

Kelly’s text made several Peaches cry upon reading it for the first time, but when Daniel’s art first arrived at the Peachtree offices back in 2018, we knew that the pairing would ultimately produce something special and lasting.

“When I learned that Daniel won the Caldecott Honor for our book, I was filled with pride,” said Lyons. “His art brought the story to life in such powerful ways. Emotional depth. Layers of meaning. Symbolism. He put his heart into every page.”

Huge congratulations to Daniel Minter as well as Kelly Starling Lyons. We couldn’t think of a more deserving book for this honor. The celebration began here in Atlanta early on Monday morning and shows no end in sight. Cheers!

Order your copy of the Caldecott Honor-winning Going Down Home with Daddy today through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, or on Amazon.

For young children being exposed to books for the first time, Stanley and the cast of adorable characters in their little community provide a great example of how friends help each other. Whether Myrtle needs help fixing her car in Stanley’s Garage, or Stanley needs Little Woo’s help to prepare a picnic party in Stanley’s Numbers, you can’t go wrong with any book in the Stanley series.

When an accidental encounter throws Mole and Wolf together, they learn one is afraid of the light, and the other is afraid of the dark. With each other’s help, they both learn that friends are all they need to conquer their fears.

A newly hatched duck immediately attaches itself to the first thing it sees—a warmhearted young boy. Soon the two are inseparable, but the duckling is growing up and the boy realizes with a great pang of sorrow that his friend will have to return to live among its own kind. This deceptively simple story poignantly and humorously dramatizes the special tale of friendship and demonstrates the importance of learning to let go of something you love.

Aalfred and Aalbert

Aalfred and Aalbert lead solitary lives―so how will they ever meet? This adorable story about two aardvarks and an unlikely matchmaker will appeal to families with LGBTQ parents and family members as author-illustrator Morag Hood keeps children laughing with funny situations and entertaining teachable moments about relationships.

Duck & Penguin are NOT Friends

Duck and Penguin are not friends, despite what Betty and Maud might have you think. This laugh out loud tale about the secret world of toys from author-illustrator Julia Woolf makes the perfect read-aloud with a relatable topic and hilarious illustrations that will have children begging for multiple reads.

Lula and the Sea Monster

Lula loves living by the beach. But soon, her family must leave their home to make way for a new highway. Before moving day, Lula makes friends with 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?

Izzy Gizmo

Izzy Gizmo loves to invent things, but they don’t always work. When she finds a crow with a broken wing, she just has to help! She tries to build him a new pair of wings, but nothing is working! Can Izzy overcome her failure to help her crow friend fly again? This feisty tale of determination, ingenuity, and friendship is sure to capture the imaginations of young inventors.

When Edgar Met Cecil

When Edgar and his family move to a new town, everything seems so different and scary. But as Edgar soon learns, sometimes you have to rise above your fears to make a new friend, and sometimes that friend may be the last person—or alien—you’d expect.

Kalinka and Grakkle 

Kalinka is a showy little bird with an eye for neatness, but her grumpy neighbor Grakkle doesn’t care one bit about cleaning. Can an unfortunate accident plus a little humor and empathy help an odd couple like this see eye to eye? Highlighting themes of friendship and compromise, this fun and whimsical picture book shows readers that even the most paradoxical of pairs can overcome their problems and still be friends. 

The Princess and the Packet of Frozen Peas

This quirky and modern twist on the classic fairy tale proves that real friendship surpasses appearances and titles. As Prince Henrik starts on a mission to find the perfect princess for his camping and hockey adventures, he learns that sometimes the best person for you is your friend.

The Copy Crocs

Crocodile has a big imagination. But he has a big problem too. He’s always thinking up fun, new things to do, but no matter what he does, all the other crocs follow him and copy him—every time! When Crocodile finally manages to escape his fellow crocs, he learns being by himself is not nearly as much fun as being with his friends.

Pig and Small

Pig and Bug just want to be friends, but their size is a BIG problem. This enchanting tale of friendship despite differences—and sizes—reminds us about the importance of compromise, patience and respect. Because, at the end of the day, we ALL want to join in on the fun!

Raymond and Nelda

Raymond and Nelda are the best of friends, but one day when Nelda twirls for Raymond and falls down, Raymond laughs at her. Now the two aren’t speaking, but life isn’t nearly as much fun without a best friend. What will it take for these two to make up and be best friends again? This quirky story negotiates the highs and lows of relationships.

King & Kayla series

King is a happy and adorable golden retriever who loves just about everything, including his human Kayla. As a new mystery presents itself in each book in this early reader series, King tries to help Kayla figure out what they know, what they don’t know, and how to solve the case. If only Kayla could understand his barks!

Claude series

Claude and his best friend Sir Bobblysock love to go exploring, but they always seem to get themselves into trouble. Join this endearing duo as they go on fun adventures at the beach, in the country, on the big screen, and more in this delightfully odd series perfect for transitioning readers looking for a laugh-out-loud story.

Charlie Bumpers series

Nina Soni, Former Best Friend

Crossing Jordan

When African-American Jemmie moves in next door to white Cassie, both of their parents don’t want them socializing with each other. As they find they share more similarities than differences and begin to build a friendship, the two girls must learn how to address their parents’ deeply held prejudices. With unforgettable characters, author Adrian Fogelin addresses the complex issues of bigotry and tolerance with sensitivity and intelligence, poignantly reminding readers of fences that too often separate us from one another.

The Cheshire Cheese Cat

In this playful homage to Charles Dickens, unlikely allies learn the lessons of a great friendship. Skilley, an alley cat with an embarrassing secret, hope to trade his street-cat life in London’s damp alleyways for the warmth of ye olde Cheshire Cheese Inn. Striking a bargain with Pip, an erudite mouse, Skilley agrees to protect the mice who live at the inn, and in turn, the mice will provide Skilley with the thing he desires most. But when Skilley and Pip are drawn into a crisis of monumental proportions, their new friendship is pushed to its limits.

The Secret Science of Magic

Sophia, a former child prodigy and seventeen-year-old mastermind, is feeling a lot of pressure about figuring out her future, so she doesn’t have the patience for games right now, and especially doesn’t have the patience to figure out why all these mysterious playing cards keep turning up inside her textbooks. Meanwhile Joshua, a cheerfully unambitious amateur magician, has admired Sophia from afar for as long as he can remember, and has finally mustered up the courage to tell her how he really feels. He just doesn’t know how off his timing really is… This heartwarming tale of unconventional romance and finding your own magic is perfect for anyone who believes in making friends with the freaks.

Find these books and more at your local library, indie bookstore, or Barnes & Noble. 

Jewish: Lemuel the Fool
Cuban: Martina the Beautiful Cockroach
Japanese: I Am Tama, Lucky Cat: A Japanese Legend
Danish: The Yellow Star 

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

Looking for more multicultural-related books? Check out our bilingual and Spanish titles here.

Keep Fitness a Priority

Growing older does not mean accepting diminished fitness. In Age-Defying Fitness, two of the nations top physical therapists, Marilyn Moffat and Carole B. Lewis, explain how to overcome aches, stiffness, and unsteadiness in muscles and joints and pursue an easy everyday approach to achieving better health.

It should be common knowledge that we benefit greatly from being outdoors and surrounding ourselves with the natural world, but it can be challenging to find the time. Don’t let that deter you from soaking up all the goodness that nature can offer! We can learn a lot from our surroundings and the other beautiful creatures that inhabit it. Just take The King of Bees as an example. When we befriend our fellow living beings and take care of them, we are also learning more about them and helping take care of ourselves. Don’t forget to appreciate and tend to the natural world around you to discover all the wonder and beauty it beholds!

Don’t Give Up

It is frustrating to fail at something―we’ve all been there. But we will never succeed if we just give up. If something is worth pursuing, it’s worth fighting for. Use Izzy Gizmo for inspiration! Just like Grandpa tells Izzy Gizmo, “Sometimes you need to try again and again if you want to succeed.” No matter how many times you try and fail, if you do what is needed and don’t give up, the success you’ll achieve will be that much sweeter.

Discover Your Strengths

Sometimes for children and adults alike, it can be difficult to pinpoint what our strengths are, especially if our weaknesses are more noticeable. It becomes particularly painful if bullying comes into play. But as Melissa Stewart in Pipsqueaks, Slowpokes, and Stinkers: Celebrating Animal Underdogs reminds us: what others may see as a weakness might actually be your strength. We are who we are for a reason, and it makes us each unique and equally beautiful. Part of personal growth is understanding and embracing the parts of you that make you you.

Be a Better Parent

No parent is perfect, but it never hurts to look for ways to be a better parent. This collection of essays, What Works with Children, features advice for parents from forty professionals who have worked with children for at least twenty-five years. What emerges from these essays is the powerful message that a lifetime with children changes and challenges our ideas of what is of real importance―and what is not.
*The authors and editors of this book are proud to donate their royalties to Save the Children.

Find these titles and more at your local library, indie bookstore, or Barnes & Noble.

Dreamy illustrations, delicate colors, and gentle rhymes make this board book ideal for a cuddly bed time with a little reader. Author-illustrator John Butler will delight the very young with this interactive look at different animals and the way the move.

The Snow Lion

After moving to a new home, Caro wishes she had a friend, but she’s too shy to meet the neighborhood kids. With a little imagination, however, Caro finds the Snow Lion. This powerful but gentle story about making new friends is gorgeously illustrated to celebrate the magic and imagination that fills every page and will appeal to any shy or lonely young reader.

Join Little One and Big Bear as they discover the world together, through every season. With gentle text and gorgeous illustrations that highlight the wonder of nature, the story ends with the start of winter, as mother and cub get ready to hibernate in their cozy den. This quietly stunning book will make little readers want to cuddle up with the big ones in their lives, and vice versa.

Voyage through the warm, southern seas with a new whale calf and its mother. Together, Little Whale and Gray Whale swim under midnight skies and through coral reefs teeming with life as they migrate to the cool, rich waters of the north to feed. With gentle text and stunning monochromatic illustrations, Jo Weaver reveals the wonder of nature, the excitement of discovery, and the strength of parental love.

The young boy in this picture book finds whimsical inspiration in the blizzard around him as a strong wind suddenly lifts him into the air as he soars over familiar sites. This fantastical (while also historical) trip through a snow-covered wonderland will help readers gain a new perspective of their own wintery surroundings.

Get lost in this exhilarating and imaginative escapade as Lily escapes from captivity and sets off on a journey to find her home, Lilliput. Inspired by Gulliver’s Travels, this chapter book transports readers to eighteenth-century London and traveling over rooftops, down chimneys, and into chocolate shops.

Read an excerpt.

In the playful homage to Charles Dickens, unlikely allies learn the lessons of a great friendship. The tongue-in-cheek romp through Victorian England will make readers forget all about the chilling weather outside. Add in the fast-moving plot, enjoyable characters, and emotive illustrations, and The Cheshire Cheese Cat will be sure to warm up any reader seeking some adventure.

Read an excerpt.

Looking for a complete change of scenery? How about the tropical island of Hawaii! Paul Silva lives in a paradise where he can see the ocean from his front porch. His father makes a living by raising and caring for roosters on their little farm, but soon Paul finds that the family business is tied to the underworld of cockfighting. As he struggles to understand his family’s livelihood, he learns that being a man has nothing to do with the wielding the power to hurt people and animals. The distinctive setting, unique topic, engaging story, and complex family relationships will capture any reader’s attention.

Read an excerpt.

There’s nothing like digging into a good mystery during dreary weather. In this suspenseful chapter book, thirteen-year-old Samantha has too many unanswered questions about her past, like her father has never tried to contact her all these years and how he could have allowed her twin sister to drown in Clearwater Quarry when they were only toddlers. As she sets out to find her father and discover what really happened the day her sister was presumed drowned, she uncovers painful secrets that threaten to destroy her family all over again. Do You Know the Monkey Man? will draw readers into one family’s crisis unwittingly brought on by an adolescent girl’s search for the truth. Don’t forget about the equally thought-provoking companion to the book, Yes, I Know the Monkey Man.

Read an excerpt.

A sharp, hilarious, and perfectly observed story of high school geeks falling in true love will definitely help cure the winter blues. Sam Kinnison is a geek, and he’s totally fine with that, and until Princess Leia turns up in his bedroom, worry about girls he won’t. Then Camilla Carter arrives on the scene. Sam is determined to ignore her, except that Camilla has a plan of her own—and he seems to be a part of it! Sam believes that everything he needs to know he can learn from the movies. But perhaps he’s been watching the wrong ones. Read this charming modern YA story to get ready for Melissa Keil’s follow-up, The Secret Science of Magic.

14 Cows for America

In June of 2002, a very unusual ceremony begins in a far-flung village in western Kenya. An American diplomat is surrounded by hundreds of Maasai people. A gift is about to be bestowed upon the American men, women, and children, and he is there to accept it. The gift is as unexpected as it is extraordinary.A mere nine months have passed since the September 11 attacks, and hearts are raw as these legendary Maasai warriors offer their gift to a grieving people half a world away. Word of the gift will travel newswires around the globe, and for the heartsick American nation, the gift of fourteen cows emerges from the choking dust and darkness as a soft light of hope—and friendship.

This New York Times best seller recounts the true story from Wilson Kimeli Naiyomah of a touching gift bestowed on the United States by a tribe of Maasai Warriors in the wake of the September 11th attacks. With the stunning paintings of Thomas Gonzalez, master storyteller Carmen Agra Deedy hits all the right notes in this elegant story of generosity that crosses boundaries, nations, and cultures. Also available in Spanish.

Check out the teacher’s guide.

Books for Children About September 11
by Carol Bainbridge

Stacey Shubitz covers a wide variety possibilities for 9/11 tributes and remembrances with kids in school, at the library, or at home. She includes many important titles for read-alouds, but if you are looking for additional ideas to commemorate over the weekend, this is a great place to start.

Publisher’s Weekly put out this round-up of relevant titles that have come out in this year, the fifteenth anniversary of 9/11. So if you are looking for something more recent, this list includes a range of age groups but all published within the year.

Stanley’s School
by William Bee

Ding, ding, ding! It’s time for school with Stanley and Hattie. Join Stanley and his loyal company of rodent friends as they explore everyday preschool activities, tools, and community. 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.

Little Rabbit Goes to School
by Harry Horse

The indomitable Little Rabbit is starting school and discovering the challenges of independence in this heartwarming story. All young readers will identify with the young character’s conflicting desires for independence and reassurance.

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

Mouse is selecting a flower for someone very dear to him when—Achoo!—his noisy alphabet journey begins! Readers will love meeting the colorful parade of characters along Mouse’s trek and will cheer when he reaches his destination and presents the flower to… Well, that’s a surprise! This entertaining take on the classic ABC book will delight little ones and inspire them to create imaginary alphabet adventures of their own.

First Grade Stinks!
by Mary Ann Rodman
illustrated by Beth Spiegel

It is the first day of school and Hayley is excited. Things are different now. She isn’t a kindergartener anymore; she is a big kid. She is a first grader. Hayley quickly finds out that first grade is different from kindergarten, but in all the wrong ways! No share time! Only one recess! Writing is hard! The stories don’t end right! Young readers will immediately empathize with Hayley as she tries to negotiate new expectations and challenges on the first day of a new school year.

I Want to Help!
by Diane Adams
illustrated by Nancy Hayashi

The irrepressible heroine Emily Pearl is back and she’s ready for school! She wants to be the perfect helper for her new teacher, Ms. Glenn in this fun and relatable picture book. (If you love Emily, be sure to check out her adventures in I Can Do It Myself! as well!)

Ebenezer Has a Word for Everything
by Chelsea H. Rowe
illustrated by Frank Dormer

Ebenezer loves words and collects collects them in his Word Book. No one seems to understand Ebenezer’s word collections, but his efforts are finally appreciated when he meets Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald doesn’t have a word collection—but he does have lots of ideas. Together, they can make stories. (Pair this book with Lost for Words for themes on vocabulary, collaboration, and creativity!)

The Boy Who Was Raised by Librarians
by Carla Morris
illustrated by Brad Sneed

Every day after school Melvin goes to the library. His favorite people—Marge, Betty, and Leola—are always there behind the reference desk. As the years pass, Melvin can always find the answers to his questions—and a lot of fun—in the library. Then one day he goes off to college to learn new things and read new books. Will he leave the library and his friends behind forever? Enjoy this wonderful and humorous picture book about the joy of learning and all the help to be found at the library.

The Library Dragon
by Carmen Agra Deedy
illustrated by Michael P. White

Sunrise Elementary School has a BIG problem. Their new librarian, Miss Lotta Scales, is a real dragon. Can an open book temper the flames of the school’s hotheaded librarian? (Also check out Return of the Library Dragon for more dragon and library fun!)

Madeline Finn and the Library Dog
by Lisa Papp

Madeline Finn does NOT like to read. But she DOES want a gold star from her teacher. But, stars are for good readers. Stars are for understanding words, and for saying them out loud. Fortunately, Madeline Finn meets Bonnie, a library dog. As it turns out, it’s fun to read when you’re not afraid of making mistakes. Bonnie teaches Madeline Finn that it’s okay to go slow. And to keep trying.

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

What will Jake do when he forgets to bring the special collection he’s going to share at the celebration of the 100th day of school? Lester Laminack’s well-crafted story shows schools in their best light and Judy Love’s charming illustrations brightly capture the excitement of a busy school day.

Late for School
by Mike Reiss
illustrated by Michael Austin

Smitty is never late for school. Not when his shoes get stuck in a sea of thick, black tar. Not when the sky rains snowmen down on the city streets. Not when he uses his coat for a sail to catch a gale and is swallowed up by a whale. Or when he encounters a robot from Mars eating up cars…or a very, very hungry T. Rex! The surprise ending will delight young readers as they cheer on Smitty and his heroic efforts to beat the school bell.

The Monster Who Did My Math
by Danny Schnitzlein
illustrated by Bill Mayer

A math-phobic boy faces another dreaded evening of multiplication when a monster suddenly appears in his room and offers him a deal he cannot refuse. After a quick signature on a contract, the boy’s problems are solved, and his homework is ready to turn in the next day. When the bill comes due, will our hero have the money—and the math skill—to subtract that wicked monster from his life once and for all?

Mr. President Goes to School
by Rick Walton
illustrated by Brad Sneed

When the president of the United States has a frustrating day, he decides to go back to the place where he learned the most important lessons of all. Children will delight in Rick Walton’s laugh-out-loud story and its over-the-top take on conflict resolution.

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

Charlie Bumpers’s worst fear in confirmed: he has Mrs. Burke for fourth grade. It doesn’t matter that she’s been named Teacher of the Year. He’s still afraid of her. How will he survive a year under a teacher who is just waiting for him to make another stupid mistake? Fans of Charlie Bumpers can continue with the rest of the series to see what else Charlie gets himself into.

The Trouble with the Rules
by Leslie Bulion

Sometimes, breaking the rules is the best thing you can do, especially when the rules don’t allow you to be yourself. Author Leslie Bulion’s sensitive, realistic look at adolescence and her humorous slant on its unique struggles will resonate with young readers who will recognize themselves and their own dilemmas in her well-drawn characters and their responses to a complicated world.

This Girl is Different
by J.J. Johnson

What happens when a girl, homeschooled by her counterculture mother, decides to spend her senior year in public school? Evie is different. Not just her upbringing—though that’s certainly been unusual—but also her mindset. She’s smart, independent, confident, opinionated, and ready to take on a new challenge: The Institution of School. J.J. Johnson’s powerful novel will enthrall readers as it challenges assumptions about friendship, rules, boundaries, and power.

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

Tell us about your history with Peachtree.

I don’t remember how long I’ve been at Peachtree, maybe 4 years? It happened that I was looking for a new gig at the same time Peachtree was looking for someone to manage the retail market for them. It was a lucky coincidence. I started with managing the field reps and working with a couple of our major wholesalers. Since then I’ve taken on more responsibility with accounts that work in the education channel.

I’ve been working in publishing, in one form or another, since college. I started part-time at a B. Dalton while in college, went on to manage that store, then became a buyer for a university store, and then made the leap to work on the publishing side.  I’ve been at Simon & Schuster, Houghton Mifflin, and then Barefoot before coming to Peachtree.

What are your top three favorite books, any genre?

I know others before me have said this is an unfair question—and it is. The first book I can remember reading in any detail was Winnie the Pooh. When I reread it later as an adult I understood why my father loved it so much. It works on levels that resonate for both a child and an adult. That should be the goal of every book published for children, in my humble opinion, so it would likely be one of my choices. Then just about anything written by Philip Roth or Donald Hall would make the list. They are fresh on my mind because of their recent deaths and and I’ve been re-reading them. One of the books that had a big impact on me in college was Erich Fromm’s Beyond the Chains of Illusion.

If you could be a literary character for a day, who would you be?

I would be Euell Gibbons, which probably comes as no surprise to anyone who knows me. Foraging is one of my many passions.

Who is your hero or role model and why?

This will sound trite, but my father is my hero and role model. He was a man of intense curiosity who read widely and had a mind-spinning array of interests. He was good at almost anything he touched, so his diversity did not detract from his ability to focus. We should all strive to be better rounded individuals and bring an open mind to experiencing new things.

What is your favorite thing about working at Peachtree?

The size of the House allows me to dip my hand in many more bits of the business than I was able to experience in larger Houses. It has given me a more whole view of the industry, which I appreciate.

In your position, what do you consider to be your secret weapon?

Sales are always tricky in that people think you’re trying to sell them something. My trick, and thanks for letting everyone know this, is sincerity. I can’t imagine having to sell pharmaceuticals. You have to believe in what you’ve got in your bag in order to convince anyone else it’s worth having. (Small disclaimer—I have nothing against pharmaceuticals.)

Do you have any big interests or hobbies that you focus on outside of work?

I have a number which include pet rescue, gardening, spending time in nature, bicycling, and even shoveling snow in the winter. Mostly I love being outside under any pretext.

If, in an alternate reality, you were to have gone a completely different career route, what would you have done?

I would be a mycologist.  Or a pet therapist.

Feel free to write any questions or comments for Lynn below!

Picture Books

About Amphibians: A Guide for Children (revised)

About Amphibians: A Guide for Children / Sobre los anfibios: Una guía para niños

Author Cathryn Sill uses simple, easy-to-understand language to teach children all about slippery and slimy amphibians: what they are, how they look, what they eat, and where they live. Wildlife illustrator John Sill brings these creatures to life on the page through his beautifully realistic paintings. Now available in both English and bilingual English and Spanish, and revised with additional back matter and sources in the bibliography providing even more information about the animals featured, this new edition is perfect for readers who love to learn and explore.

Monsoon Afternoon

When monsoon season arrives in India, everyone runs in the opposite direction—except for a young boy and his dadaji (grandfather). They sail paper boats, pick mangoes, and enjoy the seemingly disastrous weather before returning home to hot tea and their loving family. This uplifting story, full of lushly illustrated landscapes and vivid descriptions, provides a look into both Indian life and the shared memories and experiences that bind family together across generations.

Poet: The Remarkable Story of George Moses Horton

George was enslaved and unable to attend school or learn how to read. But with his ingenious nature and determination, he taught himself to read. George went from struggling over the alphabet to composing and reciting poetry on a nearby college campus, and before long he had customers lining up for his poems. But would he ever be free? In this award-winning biography about the first southern African-American man to be published, author and illustrator Don Tate tells a powerful and inspiring story about talent and determination.

The Sunsets of Miss Olivia Wiggins

Miss Olivia lives in a nursing home—and in her memories. Although she often doesn’t respond or seem to notice her family, her daughter and great-grandson know better. Anything from a beautiful sunset to the mention of her porch swing can take her back into her past. There are many things that she can no longer do, but she’s still surrounded by love and support, and she’s still their Momma Olivia. This touching story written by celebrated author Lester L. Laminack focuses on the love and strength of bonds between family members and presents a gentle, poetic approach to a sensitive subject in terms that children can understand.

Illustrated Chapter Books

King & Kayla and the Case of the Mysterious Mouse

King and Kayla are playing fetch with their friends when King’s favorite ball goes missing! What does Kayla know? —One: King’s ball went over the fence. Two: Jillian brought back a ball, but it wasn’t King’s ball. Three: None of the other balls next door are King’s. What does King know? —One: There was a cat under the porch next door. Two: The cat said a mouse took King’s ball. Will they ever find the ball? With endearing characters and simple entertaining mysteries, newly independent readers transitioning into chapter books will love putting their detective minds to work with this series.

King & Kayla and the Case of the Lost Tooth

Kayla is missing her lost tooth! What does Kayla know? —One: her tooth is not inside the tooth fairy pillow. Two: It’s not inside her backpack. Three: It’s not inside the car. What does King know? —One: Mason’s hand smells like the tooth fairy pillow. Can King help his human Kayla find the tooth? Readers can follow along with this dynamic detective duo and use their deductive reasoning and problem-solving skills to solve the mystery!

Middle Grade

Charlie Bumpers vs. His Big Blabby Mouth

Career Week is coming, and Charlie’s classmates won’t stop bragging about their parents’ careers. Charlie joins in, but soon the rumors and expectations that result from his exaggerations catch up with him. He doesn’t know what to do—but maybe, just maybe, Charlie can use his and Tommy’s “Parent Persuasion Strategy” to convince his dad into coming. But of course in typical Charlie Bumpers fashion, it’s never that easy. This hilarious series for by Grammy Award-winning author Bill Harley highlights important values such as learning to live together as a family and making the best of bad situations.

The Somewhat True Adventures of Sammy Shine

Sammy Shine’s life takes a dramatic turn when he is flown away in a remote control plane that crashes in a scary and unfamiliar place. Now he is lost in the woods with no way to get home and a dangerous new enemy. With a group of new friends, will Sammy find a way to fix his plane and return home? Inspired by a childhood experience of New York Times-bestseller Henry Cole and featuring an endearing cast of characters, this novel’s action-packed plot will take readers along for the adventure of a lifetime.

Yes, I Know the Monkey Man

Thirteen-year-old T.J. is faced with something she never imagined: her mother and twin sister, who her father had told her were dead, are very much alive. When they reach out to T.J. for a visit, she is surprised by how easily she could fit into this new family. But after lies are spun and disasters strike from all sides, family loyalty—and the truth—are tested. This thought-provoking companion to Do You Know the Monkey Man? creates a complex portrait of a family in crisis and a conflicted adolescent struggling with her identity amidst it all.

Chasing the Nightbird

Lucky’s hopes of joining the crew of the whaling ship, Nightbird, are crushed when his father dies and his estranged half-brother Fortuna forces him into servitude at the nearby mill. Determined to escape, Lucky befriends a spirited abolitionist girl who offers him passage on her father’s ship in exchange for his help leading escaped slaves through the Underground Railroad. But when their plans go awry and one of his friends is threatened by ruthless slave catchers, Lucky discovers that true freedom requires self-sacrifice, and he realizes that he is part of a larger movement from which he cannot run away. This action-packed historical fiction novel provides a unique setting and tackles historical subjects such as slave ships, Cape Verdeans, and Quakers. Following a brave young protagonist willing to risk everything for his freedom, this exciting adventure will keep readers on the edge of their seats.

To find more titles to love, visit our full Fall 2018 catalog here. Don’t forget to stay tuned for giveaways, interviews, and more!