“Elegant and informative, this is sure to attract casual browsers and true space nerds alike.” ―Booklist, STARRED REVIEW

“Captivating free-verse narrative…vivid mixed-media illustrations that stun with photographic realism and varied perspectives…this well-researched title offers a stirring introduction to one of humankind’s most impressive undertakings.” ―Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW

“Stunning… Slade’s carefully crafted, often alliterative text, written in free verse, is both succinct and readable, drawing this large topic down to the most necessary and interesting facts with enough detail to excite young teens as well as adults who may have lived through the missions.… Truly out of this world. A must-buy for most poetry collections.” ―School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW

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“A grand…tale about a magnificent effort. A handsomely packaged look back at an epochal achievement.” ―Kirkus Reviews

“[A] book that will captivate and entertain young readers while educating them about an amazing decade of U.S. space exploration…In the 21st century, space travel goals aim much further away than the moon, but Countdown drives home how truly incredible the Apollo missions are in the history of mankind.” ―Shelf Awareness

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Best Children’s Books of the Year ―Bank Street College of Education, 2019

Parents’ Choice Gold Award ―Parents’ Choice Foundation, 2018

Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12 ―NSTA / CBC, 2019

Eureka! Gold Nonfiction Children’s Book Award ―California Reading Association, 2018

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Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Book ―Chicago Public Library, 2018

Beehive Award (Poetry Nominee) ―Children’s Literature Association of Utah, 2020

Kansas State Reading Circle Recommended Reading List (Starred, Junior High) ―Kansas National Education Association, 2019

Lectio Book Award (Master List) ―Lectio Book Award, 2019

Magnolia Book Award (Nominee, Grades 6-8) ―Mississippi Children’s Museum, MDE / MLA / MLC / USM, 2020

Prairie Pasque Children’s Book Award (Nominee) ―South Dakota Library Association, South Dakota Reading Council, South Dakota State Library, South Dakota Elementary School Principals, 2020-2021

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Suzanne Slade is the award-winning author of over one hundred children’s books. She lives in Illinois. You can visit her website here.

Thomas Gonzalez is an illustrator, designer, and portrait artist. A native of Cuba, Tom came to the United States when he was ten years old. He studied at the Atlanta School of Art (now called Savannah of Art and Design). After working at the Coca-Cola Company for more than twenty years, Tom held several creative positions with other global brands. He has illustrated many picture books, including 14 Cows for America, Seven and a Half Tons of Steel, and Countdown. He lives in Georgia. You can visit his website here.

“Whimsical… Lively writing, broad humor, and a fast-paced plot will capture and keep readers’ interest, particularly those who, like the author and her characters, love books.” ―Kirkus Reviews

“Winsome… Bishop’s fast-paced story charms and entertains.… A funny, inventive tale ideal for booklovers.” ―Booklist

Best Children’s Books of the Year ―Bank Street College of Education, 2019

Kansas State Reading Circle Recommended Reading List (Intermediate) ―Kansas National Education Association, 2019

Alabama Camellia Award (Nominee, Grades 4-5 Fiction) ―Alabama Department of Education, 2019-2020

Delaware Diamonds Award (Nominee, 3-5) ―Diamond State Reading Association, 2019-2020

Sylvia Bishop spent her entire childhood reading fiction, dreaming up stories, and pretending. She then tried very hard to get to grips with the real world by studying politics and going into social science research. Now, Sylvia lives in London where she’s returned to writing her stories, preferably by lamp-light with tea.

Poly Bernatene is a visiting professor at Buenos Aires School of Fine Art. He has worked in advertising, animation, and comics, and has illustrated over sixty children’s books. He lives in Argentina. You can visit his website here.

“Delicious.” ―Kirkus Reviews

“Marked by sly humor and an impish sense of mischief…entertaining text… Wicked fun.” ―The Horn Book Magazine

“Readers get a humorous and unique version of an oft-told tale.” ―School Library Journal

“Striking… Children will enjoy comparing the traditional story to this delightfully twisted version.” ―Booklist Online

“Woollvin puts an original twist on a fairy tale classic…Hansel and Gretel’s well-deserved comeuppance is a treat for readers.” ―Publishers Weekly

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“Snarky humor…easy for group sharing and an obvious pick for a Halloween storytime. Viewers will appreciate the humor and parents might appreciate the lesson for kids more than that of the original tale…” ―The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

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Alabama Camellia Award (Nominee, Grades K-1) ―Alabama Department of Education, 2019-2020

Bethan Woollvin is a recent graduate of the Cambridge School of Art, where she won the prestigious Macmillan Children’s Book Competition with her version of Little Red Riding Hood. It was her first picture book. She lives in England. You can visit her website here.

“The point that every animal, no matter how seemingly weak, has ‘its own special way of surviving’ is effectively made. The narrative also offers discussion-encouraging questions, and the lively painted portraits depict the animals fairly realistically, placing them in simplified natural settings, sometimes with a humorous touch.” ―Booklist

“Friendly and approachable, this compendium is sure to create some new favorites in the animal kingdom.” ―Kirkus Reviews

“Many diverse and fascinating animals depicted in humorous and informative portraits…” ―Foreword Reviews

Eureka! Gold Nonfiction Children’s Book Award ―California Reading Association, 2018

Golden Kite (Nonfiction Honor Book) ―Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, 2019

Massachusetts Book Awards (Honor Book) ―Massachusetts Center for the Book, 2019

Virginia Readers’ Choice (Master List) ―Virginia State Reading Association, 2020-2021

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Delaware Diamonds Awards (Nominee, K-2)―Diamond State Reading Association, 2019-2020

Keystone to Reading Elementary Book Award (Preschool Nominee) ―Keystone State Reading Association, 2019-2020

South Carolina Picture Book Award (Nominee) ―South Carolina Association of School Librarians, 2020-2021

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Melissa Stewart earned degrees from Union College and New York University and worked as an editor. She is the author of more than sixty books and lives in Massachusetts. You can visit her website here.

Stephanie Laberis is a character designer and illustrator who specializes in creating art for animation and children’s publications. She has illustrated several picture books, including My Little Golden Book of Sharks and Grumpy Cat ABC Book. For Stephanie, creating the illustrations for Pipsqueaks, Slowpokes, and Stinkers was a marriage of her two greatest passions: art and animals. She lives and works in the San Francisco Bay area.

“This is a must-have addition to any children’s collection and a surefire crowd-pleaser at a dinosaur storytime. One might call it a roaring success.” ―Booklist, STARRED REVIEW

“Latimer’s rhyme scheme is wonderfully timed and plotted, giving a singsong cadence that is ideal for storytime. His illustrations are equally spot-on with bright colors and basic character design that give a gentle and caring feel… Sure to be a crowd-pleaser—highly recommended.” ―School Library Journal

“As cozy and safe as it is mannerly, with a patterned text well suited to storytime sharing with younger audiences.” ―Kirkus Reviews

Best Children’s Books of the Year―Bank Street College of Education, 2019

Children’s Choices ―International Literacy Association, Children’s Book Council, 2019

Alabama Camellia Award (Nominee, Grades K-1) ―Alabama Department of Education, 2019-2020

Alex Latimer lives in South Africa near the border of a national park. So when not writing or drawing, he spends his free time shooing baboons out of his lounge. He has written several picture books for children. You can visit his website here.

“A well-crafted tale about healthy adaptation to new environs merges with superb artwork.” ―Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW

“Beautifully designed and executed, this book provides a gentle exploration of a challenging situation many children face.” ―Booklist

“Unfussy prose by Helmore (Letterbox Lil) makes for lovely, measured storytelling, and it’s a fine match for Jones’s generously scaled art… Visually and emotionally, there’s expansiveness, poignancy, and hope in these pages, the Snow Lion’s benevolent presence presiding over it all.” ―Publishers Weekly

“The beautiful illustrations add even more sentiment to a wonderful and touching story…. A great comfort to children facing big changes in life, this story is an excellent addition to any library.” ―School Library Journal

Kansas State Reading Circle Recommended Reading List (Primary) ―Kansas National Education Association, 2019

Jim Helmore has written several picture books. He works in the licensing industry and loves to grow vegetables in his spare time. He lives in England.

Richard Jones has more than 20 years of experience in the creative arts with a PhD in graphic communication. In his spare time, Richard enjoys bobbing about in the sea, feeding the cat, and licorice. He lives in England.

“A simple story about a fortuitous friendship.” ―Kirkus Reviews

“An appealing book about building vocabulary and constructing stories, as well as an awesome and satisfying friendship story. A great addition to picture book shelves.” ―School Library Journal

Alabama Camellia Award (Nominee, Grades 2-3) ―Alabama Department of Education, 2019-2020

Chelsea H. Rowe is a mother of four and the owner of a luxury picnic company. Her own word collection started when she was ten and is still growing. Her current favorite is eucatastrophe (yo͞okəˈtastrəfē, a sudden and happy ending to a story). Ebenezer Has a Word for Everything is her first book. She lives in Savannah, Georgia.

Frank Dormer is the author-illustrator of Firefighter Duckies, The Sword in the Stone, Click, Socksquatch, and The Obstinate Pen, as well as the illustrator of many other books for children, including the Aggie and Ben series of easy readers and the middle grade series The Adventures Jo Shmo. His favorite word is hot dog. Frank resides in Branford, Connecticut.

“A soothing and appealing read-aloud, this lovely look under the sea may spark scientific curiosity in listeners.” —Kirkus Reviews

“The simple, comforting text and the graceful illustrations keep perfect time, lending a quiet satisfaction to a story perfect for bed/laptime. Inviting to the eye and gently informative, this is a soft introduction to gray whales and animal migrations.” —School Library Journal

“Weaver’s lyrical text is accompanied by stunning charcoal illustrations, which beautifully capture this habitat, both above and below the water line.” —Booklist

“In broad, charcoal-rendered illustrations, Weaver presents the whales’ beautiful—sometimes perilous—journey.” —Publishers Weekly

“Dreamy” —Foreword Reviews

Parents’ Choice Recommended Award —Parents’ Choice Foundation, 2018

Jo Weaver worked in international development and as a support worker at a center for the homeless before turning to illustration. She has an MA in children’s book illustration from the Cambridge School of Art. Little One is her first picture book. She lives in England. You can visit her website here.

“Sweet and attractive…” ―Kirkus Reviews

“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

Kathryn O. Galbraith is an award-winning children’s book author with more than a dozen picture books to her credit. She taught writing for children at the University of Washington. You can visit her website here.

A native of Venezuela, Adela Pons is a graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design. She lives in Atlanta.

“Vibrant… Pons brightens the snowy day with shades of purple, red, and blue in the children’s clothing and in lollipop like trees―which is particularly striking when set against the whiteness of snow.” ―Publishers Weekly

“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

Kathryn O. Galbraith is an award-winning children’s book author with more than a dozen picture books to her credit. She taught writing for children at the University of Washington. You can visit her website here.

A native of Venezuela, Adela Pons is a graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design. She lives in Atlanta.