“This charming story is like a modern YA-lit version of a John Hughes movie–funny, sweet, gentle, awkward, and filled with an endearing cast of odd ducks. Although there is a little teenage drinking in this book (the drinking age in Australia is 16), this title is safe and satisfying in its depictions of friendship and first love. A great choice for those who wish to end their summers with a lighthearted romantic comedy.” ―Booklist

“There’s much to enjoy in the budding relationship between Camilla and Sam. As both kids struggle with issues on the homefront, they find a genuine ease and comfort with one another that make them an unlikely couple worth rooting for. Much like a John Hughes movie, this is a humorous, heartfelt and angst-y romance with the potential to break the gender barrier.” ―Kirkus Reviews

“There’s also more to the book than the will-they-or-won’t-they of Sam and Camilla. The supporting characters–Mike especially–are multifaceted and real. Snappy banter and fish-out-of-water situations combine with touching moments to create an entertaining and diverting read.” ―The Horn Book Magazine

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“Life in Outer Space is funny. Sam’s observances are hilarious as well as sweet and awkward. It’s unusual to read a book solely told from the boy’s point of view, but Sam is a great boy to read.” ―Escape into Words

“ADORABLE nerd-love story from down under! Star Wars and World of Warcraft and music nerdery and horror films and more. I want to hug every character.” ―Lindsay Smith

“Made me smile so hard.” ―Looking on the Side of Wonder

“This book appealed to my inner nerd in many, many ways, to the point where I became so engrossed that I ignored all things going on in RL and kept my nose in this book until the ending… It’s a feel-good, endearing and mostly fluffy rom-com that I would love to see made into a movie. We need more books like this.” ―My Fiction Nook

“A realistic fiction piece that should enjoy broad appeal, particularly among younger teens. The central characters are complex and their stories compelling. Dialogue is believable and entertaining. Both male and female readers should find Keil’s book a satisfying read.” ―VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates)

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Best Fiction for Young Adults ―Young Adult Library Services Association, 2014

Parents’ Choice Silver Honor Award ―Parents’ Choice Foundation, 2013

Kansas State Reading Circle Recommended Reading List (Senior High) ―Kansas National Education Association, 2014

Rhode Island Teen Book Award (Nominee) ―School Librarians of Rhode Island, Rhode Island Library Association, 2015

Melissa Keil, born and raised in Melbourne, Australia, studied cinema and anthropology and has spent time as a high school teacher, Middle-Eastern tour guide, waitress, and IT help-desk person. She now works as a children’s book editor, and spends her free time watching YouTube and geek TV. You can visit her website here.

“Harley has as good a handle on tumultuous family relationships as he does on school-day mishaps…” ―Publishers Weekly

Parents’ Choice Silver Honor Award ―Parents’ Choice Foundation, 2015

Land of Enchantment Book Awards (Nominee, Grades 3-5) ―New Mexico Library Association, New Mexico Council of ILA, 2017-2018

Club Tome It List (Nominee) ―Tome Student Literacy Society, 2016

Bill Harley is a two-time Grammy Award-winning storyteller, musician, and writer who has been writing and performing for kids and families for more than twenty-five years. He is the recipient of Parents’ Choice and ALA awards. He won a 2007 Grammy Award for his children’s storytelling album Blah Blah Blah and a 2009 Grammy Award for his children’s spoken-word album Yes to Running! Bill Harley Live. He lives in Massachusetts. You can visit his website here.

Adam Gustavson is the illustrator of more than twenty books for children, as well as numerous periodicals. He holds a master of fine arts degree from the School of Visual Arts in New York, and teaches at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. He lives in New Jersey. You can visit his website here.

“Well designed for classroom use, or as a browsing book for children fascinated by reptiles.” ―Booklist

“[This] book’s main strength is its attractive, realistic portraits of the animals in their natural surroundings.” ―School Library Journal

Orbis Pictus Award for Nonfiction for Children (Recommended) ―National Council of Teachers of English, 2000

Pick of the Lists ―American Booksellers Association, 1999

Children’s Media Award ―Parent’s Guide, 1999

Mockingbird List (Nominee) ―Texas Library Association, 2001-2002

Cathryn Sill, a graduate of Western Carolina University, was an elementary school teacher for thirty years. She lives in North Carolina.

John Sill holds a BS in wildlife biology from North Carolina State University. Combining his knowledge of wildlife and artistic skill, John has achieved an impressive reputation as a wildlife artist and received several awards. He lives in North Carolina. You can visit his website here.

“A lovely study of more than a dozen aquatic mammals, all captured in wildlife illustrator John Sill’s handsome watercolors.” ―Publishers Weekly

“This broad introduction to marine mammals covers major characteristics, using illustrations rendered in soft hues to captivate readers… A serviceable addition for young children interested in ocean wildlife.” ―School Library Journal

“About Marine Mammals supports science learning by sharing essential information for understanding and appreciating marine mammals and is a perfect book to support early readers who are in love with the ocean and want to know more about the mammals that live there.” ―NSTA Recommends

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“Dependable fare for budding naturalists.” ―Kirkus Reviews

“A solid nonfiction treat for budding naturalists.” ―Booklist

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Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12 ―National Science Teachers Association / Children’s Book Council, 2017

Cathryn Sill, a graduate of Western Carolina University, was an elementary school teacher for thirty years. She lives in North Carolina.

John Sill holds a BS in wildlife biology from North Carolina State University. Combining his knowledge of wildlife and artistic skill, John has achieved an impressive reputation as a wildlife artist and received several awards. He lives in North Carolina. You can visit his website here.

“This handsome volume from the Sills’ About Habitats series introduces the world’s largest habitat…The paintings are notable for the subtle use of color to recreate effects of water and light within the scenes…[A] fine addition to science collections…” ―Booklist

“Using simple, easy-to-understand language, the author introduces readers to characteristics of oceans and the wildlife found within them. Luminous watercolor paintings illustrate the brief text.” ―Booklist Online

“A lovely primer on Earth’s largest habitat, this book illustrates all the ocean basics with spare text and vivid watercolors. A detailed afterword allows readers to dig deeper.” ―Scholastic Parent and Child Magazine

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“Spouses Cathryn and John Sill team up to create an informative, spare text and lovely, detailed watercolor book that conveys the majesty of the ocean and the amazing variety of life forms within…” ―Washington Parent

“A strong pick for any children’s picturebook collection looking for books on science and nature…” ―Midwest Book Review

“A beautiful, simple look at the ocean and the lifeforms that inhabit it. Perfect for young children! Light, airy illustrations paired with informative text make this book a real winner…” ―Red River Family Magazine

“The author and the illustrator brought their talents together to create this fun yet educational book to stimulate a child’s mind and curiosity about the creatures of the ocean and their habitats…” ―It’s About Time, MaMaw

“I really thought this was an interesting read. The text (the meat) of the story was in easy to read, kid friendly terms, with short sentences and awesome illustrations (more on that later). But then–when you flip to the afterword, there are all sorts of facts about each page, giving even more detail and information…All in all, a great book. I can’t wait to share it in my classroom.” ―Maestra Amanda’s Bookshelf

“What I like most is that it’s simple enough to share with preschoolers, but the afterward provides additional information that will appeal to older children. John’s illustrations are so beautiful…” ―What is Bridget Reading

“While Cathryn describes the variety of ocean bottom surfaces – flat and sandy, deep valleys, tall mountains – John illustrates the animals that live in those places: stingrays, scalloped hammerhead sharks, dolphins.” ―Sally’s Bookshelf

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Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12 ―National Science Teachers Association, Children’s Book Council, 2013

NSTA Recommends ―National Science Teachers Association, 2012

North Carolina Author Awards (AAUW Award for Juvenile Literature) ―North Carolina Literary and Historical Association, 2012

Kansas State Reading Circle Recommended Reading List (Primary) ―Kansas National Education Association,  2013

Cathryn Sill, a graduate of Western Carolina University, was an elementary school teacher for thirty years. She lives in North Carolina.

John Sill holds a BS in wildlife biology from North Carolina State University. Combining his knowledge of wildlife and artistic skill, John has achieved an impressive reputation as a wildlife artist and received several awards. He lives in North Carolina. You can visit his website here.

“This entertaining incarnation of a well-known and often-used counting rhyme incorporates many concepts and opportunities for young listeners to become involved in the story.” ―School Library Journal

“Butler’s illustrations are again beautiful and will entertain and draw the young child’s interest. Soft colors and edges of pictures create a lulling that is suited for bedtime or nap-time reading.” ―Chat with Vera

“Counting books and rhymes can help your child develop the basics of math skills. Learning to count doesn’t need to be a repetitive chore. It can be done in lots of fun ways. Counting books and rhymes also teach sequencing which is an important skill in reading…” ―Lisa’s Story Times

John Butler has written more than a dozen books for children and illustrated over sixty. His books have been published in more than twenty countries and won awards such as the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Book Award, IRA Teachers’ Choice Awards, and Bank Street College of Education’s Best Children’s Books of the Year. He has had a long career in illustration, working for a very wide range of clients including Time magazine, “Sesame Street,” and the Sunday Times. He lives in England. You can visit his website here.

“Expansive oil paintings keep the energy high…” ―Publishers Weekly

“Santa sparkles throughout the pages, thanks to the illustrator’s contribution. The book, written in rhyme, captures Santa’s jolly essence perfectly.” ―The Oklahoman

“This humorously-written, imaginative book…is a must-have for K-5 Santa-lovers everywhere… In short, every page of this over-sized, hard back picture book is a story-starter.” ―Picture Book Depot

“The perfect post-holiday picture book the entire family will enjoy. The story is wonderful to read with its rhyming and perfect meter. The illustrations are collector worthy.” ―Kid Lit Reviews

The Original Art ―Society of Illustrators, 2007

Mike Reiss has garnered top awards as a television writer, including four Emmys and a Peabody for his work on The Simpsons. Reiss is also the author of several children’s books. He is a former president of The Harvard Lampoon and editor of The National Lampoon. He lives in New York.

Michael G. Montgomery has illustrated numerous children’s books. He attended Georgia Southern University and the University of Georgia. He lives in Georgia. You can visit his website here.

“Children who have yet to discover Claude, the small, plump dog with the nifty red beret, and his sidekick, Sir Bobblysock (who is both a sock and quite bobbly), are in for a delight…. [W]hen they venture into a winter wonderland, mayhem and hilarity ensues.” ―School Library Journal

“The new book in the series may be the sweetest surrealist children’s book ever published… [I]t’s hard not to love a main character who wears a one-man-band outfit to the library, in case he finds a very exciting book.” ―Kirkus Reviews

“Humorous red-accented illustrations, an amusing storytelling style, and quirky plots will continue to delight Claude’s fans.” ―The Horn Book Guide

“This bizarre but hilarious series about an adventuresome dog and his sock sidekick just keeps getting better.” ―Reading Today Online

Alex T. Smith briefly considered careers in space travel, cookery and being a rabbit, but finally decided to become an illustrator. He graduated from Coventry University with a degree in Illustration and won second place in the Macmillan Prize for Children’s Illustration. Alex lives in England. You can visit his website here.

“Debut author-illustrator Sandu has crafted a fine addition to the piggy picture-book canon. The silly cartoon illustrations of Churchill with his various tails are sure to make toddlers giggle. And the tale’s themes of individuality, identity and forgiveness are nicely presented. Hope for much more from Sandu.” ―Kirkus Reviews

“[Sandu] has a strong a sense of visual craft, and her compositional, character, and comic skills are equal to those of many veterans… The self-possessed Churchill, rendered as a soft peach biomorph with tiny eyes, is a wonderful creation…” ―Publishers Weekly

“Sandu’s debut effortlessly blends whimsy, adventure, a message of forgiveness, and irresistibly cute animals. Delightful details pack each page and will have young readers giggling long after the tale itself (tails themselves?) have lost their novelty.” ―Booklist

“A gentle pastel palette of digitally created scenes features the lightest touch of texture and shading of Churchill, his animal friends, and their surroundings… in this delightful dose of fantasy.” ―School Library Journal

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“Silly digital illustrations of Churchill sporting his array of tails accompany this whimsical story of vanity gone wild.” ―The Horn Book Guide

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Children’s Choices ―International Literacy Association, Children’s Book Council, 2015

South Carolina Picture Book Award (Nominee) ―South Carolina Association of School Librarians, 2015-2016

Best Spiritual Book of the Year List ―Spirituality and Practice, 2014

Anca Sandu was born in Romania and studied children’s illustration at Anglia Ruskin University, in Cambridge, England. She works as a freelance designer, and Churchill’s Tale of Tails was her first picture book. She lives in Oregon. You can visit here website here.

“Blake’s images of Angela fretting and fawning over her beloved bird are hilarious, revealing a range of exaggerated expressions on the face of the wild-eyed critter, who seems to know exactly how ludicrous he looks…. Appealingly offbeat, this droll tale is classic Blake.” ―Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW

“In the hands of a master like Blake, this relationship between an unconventional woman and a young bird, unmediated by softening agents, feels real and good and weird…. Add Blake’s idiosyncratic watercolors, which inspire affection and sympathy, and you have the rare eccentric/endearment nexus that emits its own strange wonderful light.” ―Kirkus Reviews

“While the story is told with Blake’s characteristic lighthearted charm and the illustrations are rife with comic detail, the issue of love that stifles rather than saves is handled with sensitivity.” ―School Library Journal

Quentin Blake is a best-selling illustrator and author-illustrator of more than one hundred books and the recipient of numerous awards, including the Kate Greenaway Medal and a Bologna Ragazzi Award. In 1999, Blake was named the first Children’s Laureate of the United Kingdom. He lives in England and France. You can visit his website here.