Boo Stew
by Donna L. Washington
illustrated by Jeffrey Ebbeler

There had always been scares in Toadsuck Swamp, but Curly Locks didn’t mind. The only thing she truly cared about was cooking. Unfortunately for Curly Locks, she’s an awful cook and all the townspeople know to steer clear of her cat hair cupcakes or toad eye toffees. Until one night when a fresh batch of her lizard skin lasagna goes missing from Curly Locks’s windowsill…

Pretty soon, Scares start appearing all over town, terrorizing the townspeople at mealtime shrieking “Gitchey Boo, Gitchey Bon! Gitchey Goo, Gitchey Gone!” With everyone else tremblin’ and squawkin’, Curly Locks gets to wonderin’ if she should try cooking for the Scares. Can Curly Locks use her smarts and unique culinary talents to help corral those Scares for good?

Internationally known, award-winning storyteller Donna L. Washington has cooked up a delightfully spooky fractured fairy tale with a diverse cast of characters and an imaginative twist on the classic “Goldilocks.” Donna’s clever, can-do protagonist and joyful language paired with Jeffrey Ebbeler’s imaginative illustrations will tempt readers into a ghostly, yet enchanting landscape that they won’t want to leave! A perfectly spooky read aloud for Halloween storytimes.

Start your adventure with Curly Locks in this excerpt, and test out some spooky recipes from Curly Locks’s Cookbook!

“Curly Locks is a plucky Black girl among a multiracial cast of characters whose country accents enhance the story’s setting. The inky, blotchy Scares are pretty scary, and Curly Locks’ food is stomach-turning, hilarious for lovers of gross humor. This fairy-tale–style story is a standout pleaser. . . .” —Kirkus Reviews

“A fun story about pursuing one’s passions even when other people might not understand. . . The characters’ exaggerated body proportions add the right amount of humor, while the inky and spooky Scares are the stuff of nightmares. . . [A] fun Halloween read sure to entertain in any season.” —School Library Journal

Find Boo Stew this September 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!

Red Truck, Yellow Truck
by Michelle Robinson
illustrated by Jez Tuya

Red truck, yellow truck.
Red truck, yellow truck.
Tug truck. Tow truck.
Steady as you go, truck!

Red truck, yellow truck and their dog drivers are on their way to the construction site! Follow along as they drive through a busy city, plow through a snowy forest, and a pass by a cow-filled farm. A slow garbage truck, tall snow drifts, and a speeding tractor can’t stop these hard-working vehicles! But will all the trucks be able to get their jobs done before they have to drive all the way back home?

Introducing a colorful case of tractors, diggers, mixers, bulldozers, and more in this vibrant salute to things that go. Little vehicle aficionados and fans of Richard Scarry’s Busytown will eagerly turn page after page to find rolling trucks, lifting trucks, trucks that that dump, mix, climb, squash, and keep going when the going gets tough! Author Michelle Robinson’s delivers a rhythmic, action-packed story that builds excitement with every page turn, and Jez Tuya’s brightly colored trucks, townscapes, and adorable dogs on-the-go are perfect for storytime and interactive read alouds. But the vehicle fun doesn’t stop at the end of the story… End papers bursting with trucks of all kinds are sure to delight young readers!

Can’t wait to explore this action-packed new read aloud? Read an excerpt, and get a peek at Jez Tuya’s colorful illustrations below!

Stanley’s Library
by William Bee

It’s going to be another busy day at Stanley’s library! Charlie tidies the bookshelves while Stanley gets his cart ready with books to stock his bookmobile to take to the local park. Myrtle is returning some books about cheese, and Stanley is picking the perfect books for Hattie, Shamus, and Little Woo. Hurry! Stanley has to get back to the library in time to set up for a special event… After another day on the go, Stanley returns home for his comforting nighttime routine of supper, bed, and bath.

A must-read addition to the Stanley series and a brightly colored salute to reading, libraries, and librarians, little Stanley fans won’t want to miss this new adventure with everyone’s favorite community helping hamster. Perfect for read alouds with fans of Maisy, William Bee’s beloved Stanley series is ideal for readers at a transitional age between board books and picture books.

Visit the Stanley Fan Page to explore more Stanley picture and board books, meet the lovable characters, and download activities, recipes, and more! Join the Stanley Fan Club to keep up with the latest news for the hardest working hamster in the book business.

“Delightfully celebrates the art of librarianship.” —Kirkus Reviews

Find Stanley’s Library this August 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!

Introducing Hattie the magician and her magic hat! Hattie is no ordinary rabbit, and her hat is no ordinary hat. When Hattie shouts “Abracadabra, katakurico!” out pops a cat from Hattie’s magic hat. Abracadabra, katakurico… Out pops a squirrel! Can you guess what creature Hattie will pull from her magic hat next?

From renowned author and illustrator Satoshi Kitamura comes a highly interactive picture book that’s great for summer storytimes with even the youngest readers. Featuring simple, repetitive language, engaging opportunities for prediction, and fun magic words, Hat Tricks is a great pairing for magic-themed activities and animal units. Perfect for magicians and bookworms alike, dive in to this delightful book pick, and follow along as Hattie conjures up animal after animal from her magic hat.

Recreate some of Hattie’s magic at home with this downloadable activity sheet, and get to know author-illustrator Satoshi Kitamura in this Q&A.

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

“Wonderful pacing and exceptional charm….comedy gold.” —The Wall Street Journal

“Positively bursting with storytime potential… Young audiences will loudly echo the closing plaudits: ‘Brava, Hattie! Bravo, hat!’” —Booklist

“Pure silliness that’s bound to be requested by listeners again and again.”—Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“Bold and lively pictures… [Kitamura’s] use of color is especially striking… Magician Hattie takes a well-deserved bow at the end, but preschoolers are going to want to start the story all over again, chanting, “Abracadabra, katakurico.’” —The Horn Book Magazine

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hat Tricks
by Satoshi Kitamura

You’re invited to Hattie the rabbit’s magic show! Abracadabra, katakurico… Oh, goodness! Out pops a cat from Hattie’s magic hat. Can you guess what creature will appear from the magic hat next? Perfect for magic-themed activities this summer, renowned author and illustrator Satoshi Kitamura delivers an adorable read aloud with simple, repetitive language, fun magic words, and ample opportunities for prediction.

Recreate some of Hattie’s magic tricks at home with this activity sheet.

Madeline Finn and the Therapy Dog
by Lisa Papp

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? Author-illustrator Lisa Papp’s empathetic, feel-good story explores the therapy dog training process and provides a realistic and appealing example of a young person making a difference. Ideal for social emotional learning and discussions about self-esteem, volunteering, community, and—of course—therapy animals.

Explore more about therapy dogs, library dogs, and shelter dogs in the Madeline Finn activity kit!

The Society of Distinguished Lemmings
by Julie Colombet

The Society of Distinguished Lemmings aims to be distinguished in absolutely everything. It takes an awful lot of rules to be so distinguished, and Bertie has had quite enough. 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 features valuable themes of finding new friends, challenging peers, and questioning the rules. Readers will return to the story again and again to discover the quirks of every distinguished lemming while also learning about the importance of staying true to yourself amidst pressure to conform.

Download this discussion guide to dive into the distinguished world of lemmings, and find out whether you’re more like a bear or a lemming with this personality quiz!

The Thingity-Jig
by Kathleen Doherty
illustrated by Kristyna Litten

Under the light of a silvery moon, Bear wanders into people town and discovers a springy thing, a bouncy thing—a sit-on-it, jump-on-it thing! This Thingity-Jig is too heavy to carry home by himself, so Bear invents a Rolly-Rumpity to wheel the Thingity-Jig home. When it all gets stuck in the mud, Bear creates a Lifty-Uppity, of course! Reading specialist and former educator Kathy Doherty perfectly blends inventive upcycling and STEAM elements with whimsical wordplay and a delightful story celebrating ingenuity. Illustrator Kristyna Litten brings the world to life with incredible settings and empathetic characters.

Start your own wacky inventions at home or in the classroom with this teacher’s guide!

The Thingity-Jig
by Kathleen Doherty
illustrated by Kristyna Litten

One night, under the light of a silvery moon, an inquisitive bear wanders into people town, where he makes quite the curious discovery. It looks friendly and quite comfy, but what could it be? Bingity. Bing. Boing! This “Thingity-Jig” is a springy thing—a bouncy thing—a sit-on-it, hop-on-it, jump-on-it thing! It’s a bit too cumbersome to bring back to the woods, however, so Bear hurries home to tell his friends. His sleepy friends want to wait until morning, so Bear smacks, wallops, and whacks until he invents a “Rolly-Rumpity” to wheel home the “Thingity-Jig.” Through trial and error—and lots of shooing away from grumbly, tired friends—Bear finally wheels the “Thingity-Jig” home to the woods, where he graciously shares his find.

Reading specialist and former educator Kathy Doherty blends upcycling and STEAM with a delightful story of friendship, imagination, and whimsical wordplay in this charismatic picture book that’s ideal for read alouds with animal lovers and little inventors alike! Illustrator Kristyna Litten’s imaginative art brings Bear’s charming world to life.

Start your STEAM storytime in this excerpt, and download this teacher’s guide to bring Bear’s inventions into the classroom.

Watch author Kathleen Doherty unbox her first copies of The Thingity-Jig in this video, and learn more about her inspiration for the book in this Q&A!

“Doherty’s joyous, inventive, action-packed language begs to be shouted out loud. The moonlit night sparkles in town and city as Litten’s fanciful illustrations fill in the details of the tale and showcase Bear’s inventiveness. Little readers might want to create their own Thingity-Jigs. A delightful, rollicking, joyous romp.” —Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW

“[An] intricately illustrated picture book that rejoices in creative play—and in imaginative takes on ordinary objects.” —Foreword Reviews, STARRED REVIEW

“Making the most of Bear’s wacky, ingenious contraptions, the appealing artwork rewards curious viewers with visual details that reappear in different contexts as the story unfolds. The well-constructed text rolls along in a satisfying way, enhanced by the devices’ inventive names, which are uniquely fitting and great fun to read aloud. A dynamic, enjoyable picture book.” —Booklist

“With text as energetic and playful as Bear himself, the story builds a delightful anticipation for each new Rube Goldberg-ian invention. Atmospheric illustrations are washed in softly textured nighttime blues and are chock-a-block full of endearing detail…. With language that trips off the tongue and pictures filled with charming ingenuity, this is a read-aloud that will endure.” —School Library Connection

Adventures with My Daddies
by Gareth Peter
illustrated by Garry Parsons

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

Find your favorite nighttime reading buddy, cuddle up in the snuggliest storytime spot, and set off on a read aloud adventure with Adventures with My Daddies! An Own Voices debut featuring an endearing, diverse family, this colorfully illustrated new story is sure to ignite the imaginations of little bookworms as the daddies and their child battle dragons, dodge deadly dinosaurs, zoom to the moon, and explore the world in a hot air balloon, before winding down to sleep in a wonderfully cozy ending.

Author and illustrator team Gareth Peter and Garry Parsons deliver a whimsical, heartwarming tale filled with bright, optimistic acrylic and pencil illustrations that celebrate the magic of books and unique family stories as well as the beauty of diverse families. Perfect for storytimes with LGBTQ+ and adoptive families, start your bedtime adventures today with this sweet new tale.

Dive into this imaginative storytime read in this excerpt, and download this free activity sheet to create your own bedtime adventures.

Watch debut author Gareth Peter unbox his first US copy of Adventures with My Daddies in this video!

“Vivid, imaginative storytelling…a relatable tale for children of adopted, blended, and LGBTQ+ families…. Accompanied by Parsons’ bright, energetic illustrations, Peter’s rhyming text reminds young readers that all types of family structures are valid and that different kinds of families are capable of kindness, education, protection, and, most important, fun.” —Booklist

“A heartfelt celebration of family love…. Educators and library workers will enjoy the book’s easy read-aloud prose while caregivers will value the important message of family bonds. The illustrations are bright and friendly, packed with details that will especially reward lap readers; the family dog that’s included in every scene makes for a delightful seek-and-find element…. Those with pajama storytime programs and families looking for their next great bedtime read will find this book particularly useful. A sweet adventure.”—Kirkus Reviews

Arlo the Lion Who Couldn’t Sleep
by Catherine Rayner

Lions need a lot of sleep, but restless Arlo just can’t manage to doze off. It’s always too hot or cold, too noisy or quiet, and he can’t get comfy in the prickly grass. When he confides in his friend Owl about his sleeping woes, she gives him a few pointers and sings a special song. As she sings, he imagines the places he’d like to see and the things he’d do there, and his eyelids grow heavy at last…

After a long day of school, play, and digital distractions, many children find it difficult to clear their minds and settle down for the night. Put those bedtime troubles to rest with Arlo and Owl in this gentle new picture book from award-winning author-illustrator Catherine Rayner. A memorable rhyme and practical tips for mindfulness are sure to be valuable additions to your nightly ritual. Rayner’s rich, ombre backgrounds and sleepy-eyed characters are a visual treat and reflect the cozy, melodic text. Perfect for anyone struggling to get comfortable and nod off, Arlo the Lion Who Couldn’t Sleep is a soothing reassurance that sleep will come.

Take an early look at the beautiful illustrations in this gentle new picture book in this excerpt.

Catherine Rayner hopes Arlo will “make falling asleep a pleasure” for young readers. Read more about her inspiration and writing process in this author Q&A.

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

“Rayner’s soothing language effectively sets the stage for addressing a frequent childhood problem… The lullaby portion of the story appears in wavy lines, emphasizing its lyric qualities. Rayner’s full-bleed mixed-media spreads skillfully depict the flora and fauna of an African savanna. She makes good use of vivid hues for the sky…many will find it a welcome soporific.” —Booklist

Relax along with Arlo and his friends in Arlo the Lion Who Couldn’t Sleep 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!

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

Mouse picks a sweet-smelling flower to bring to a special someone when—Achoo!—his noisy journey through the alphabet begins! His sneeze sets off a boisterous chain of fun and mishaps, and he’ll have to navigate through a parade of rowdy animals (Bzzz! Chirp!) and dodge a few hazards (Ding-a-ling! Eek!) along the way. Readers will encounter surprises and delights on every page as they cheer Mouse through his colorful quest to present the flower to… Well, you’ll find out when he gets there!

Award-winning poet and author Julie Larios offers a clever take on an ABC book with her fun, onomatopoeic text that begs to be read aloud. Illustrator Julie Paschkis, who brought us P. Zonka Lays an Egg and Albert the Fix-it Man, creates an explosion of vibrant, folk-art illustrations and a cast of charming characters. Young readers will love discovering the lively story behind the simple text in this exuberant introduction to literacy, and they’ll be inspired to create imaginary alphabet adventures of their own.

See more of Eek!’s fun-loving characters and colorful illustrations in this excerpt!

Create your own alphabet adventure with this storytime and classroom activity kit!

“This clever take on the alphabet book lets readers fill in the story on their own…. Paschkis’ folk-art–inspired illustrations, filled with movement, pattern, and color, practically leap off the page…. An absolute zoo of an ABC book—in the best possible way.” —Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW

“Charming…adorable, brightly colored illustrations… Parents, teachers, and caregivers will enjoy the artwork and the opportunity to work on oral language…. A lovely and fun addition to an early childhood collection or for early literacy experiences.” —School Library Journal

Join Mouse’s noisy journey in Eek! this September 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!