“Lovely, potent, brightly colored illustrations in a combination of textured collage and paint against white space transition to a dark, moonlit backdrop. Little ones will eagerly count in subsequent readings as they also learn new descriptive vocabulary and cheer for the brave hens. A classic scenario flips the script in this engrossing adventure.” —Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW

“Stunning…brilliantly colored…striking…  Just the right amount of tension, delicious vocabulary…and alliterative phrases make this a first purchase for group and one-on-one sharing. Count on requests for many readings.” —School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW

“Surprising, suspenseful…clever…captivating.” —Foreword Reviews, STARRED REVIEW

“Clever…amusing…dynamic… This one wins for its subtle message of power in numbers.” —Publishers Weekly

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“Debut author Read writes with pleasing alliteration… As the book’s subtitle indicates, counting was never so thrilling.” —The Horn Book Magazine

“As charming as it is genuinely gripping.” —Shelf Awareness

“The large pictures are delightful…and offer humor as well as great technique…. Teamwork wins the day, and youngsters will cheer on the ultimately fearless fowl.” —Booklist Online

“A neat and speedy little theatrical piece with lots of room for expressive reading aloud…. Kids blasé about the usual 1-2-3 format will appreciate the enlivening addition of suspense, and they’ll relish moving from ‘reading’ to reading the compact prose.” —Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

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Ezra Jack Keats New Illustrator Honor Award —Ezra Jack Keats Foundation, de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection, 2020

Mathical Book Prize (PreK) —Mathical Sciences Research Institute (MSRI) / CBC / NCTE / NCTM, 2020

Parents’ Choice Gold Award—Parents’ Choice Foundation, 2019

Notable Children’s Books —ALSC, 2020

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A Baker’s Dozen —Pennsylvania Center for the Book, 2020

Capitol Choices Noteworthy Books for Children and Teens —Capitol Choices, 2020

Cybils (Fiction Picture Books)—Cybils, 2019

Charlotte Zolotow Award (Highly Commended)—Cooperative Children’s Book Center, 2020

Outstanding International Books —United States Board on Books for Young People, 2020

Prairie Bud Children’s Book Award (Nominee) —South Dakota Library Association, South Dakota Reading Council, South Dakota State Library, South Dakota Elementary School Principals, 2021-2022

Waterstones Children’s Book Prize (Shortlist, Illustrated Books) —Waterstones, 2020

Best Children’s Books of the Year ―Bank Street College of Education, 2020

Best Books for Kids —New York Public Library, 2019

CCBC Choices (Concept Books) —Cooperative Children’s Book Center, 2020

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Kate Read is a debut children’s book author and illustrator. She was originally trained as a theater designer, and she graduated from Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge with an MA in children’s book illustration. She lives in England with her family. You can visit her website here.

“Sheth’s language is poetic in its simplicity, and her narratorial voice is a pleasure to read…. A sweet and entertaining series opener about family and friendship.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Attractive illustrations and the use of dialogue, lists, and definition boxes (showing terms as defined by Nina) within the narrative make this chapter book accessible to somewhat younger readers than most middle-grade fiction. Science will evidently be an ongoing theme in the new Nina Soni series, which features a flawed but refreshing and very likable protagonist as well as well-drawn home and school settings. A promising start for the series.” —Booklist

“The illustrations are realistic, detailed, and eye-catching, and the characters are easy to relate to and likable. The fonts and layout used are fairly dyslexic- and reluctant reader–friendly. The notebook-style lists and vocabulary definitions add to the book without overwhelming the action.… A simple but engaging story. A perfect fit for readers who enjoy realistic fiction about friendship and self-discovery.” —School Library Journal

Best Children’s Books of the Year ―Bank Street College of Education, 2020

Outstanding Books of the Year ―Wisconsin Library Association, 2020

Rhode Island Children’s Book Award (Nominee) ―Rhode Island IRA Chapter, RILA, REIMA, 2020-2021

Kashmira Sheth was born in India with Guajarati as her mother tongue, and began learning English in fifth grade. She had lived in Bhavnagar and Mumbai before moving to United States when she was seventeen to attend Iowa State University, where she received a BS in microbiology. Before becoming an author Kashmira had many different jobs, including running a dance school and choreographing and performing Indian dances, working in a bakery, and working as a food microbiologist. She is the author of several picture books, chapter books, and middle grade and young adult novels. Taking inspiration from her own life and experiences, much of Kashmira’s work centers on Indian culture and features Indian and Indian-American characters. You can visit  her website here.

Jenn Kocsmierksy is a watercolor artist and picture book illustrator. She was adopted from Seoul, South Korea and grew up in rural New Hampshire. Now, as a mom and artist, Jenn hopes to promote relatable childhood experiences featuring diverse characters. She was the recipient of the 2018 We Need Diverse Books Mentorship for Illustration and the 2016–2017 Walter Dean Meyers Grant. She lives in New York with her two children and a ginormous goldfish named Joey. You can visit her website here.

Storytelling World Resource Awards (Honor, Stories for Young Listeners) ―Storytelling World magazine, 2020

Rebecca Van Slyke studied marine biology at Olympic Community College, received a teaching degree from Western Washington University, and got an MFA in writing for children from Vermont College of Fine Arts. The author of several books for young readers, she teaches second grade. You can visit her website here.

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.

“Clever design… Count guidelines are smoothly worked into Richmond’s narrative… An engaging, informative introduction. ” —Kirkus Reviews

“An instructive and attractive picture book for aspiring ornithologists and young nature aficionados.” —Publishers Weekly

“Soft, detailed illustrations bring the winter world to life, depict many bird species, and capture the sounds and feelings of a chilly winter day. Readers will love searching for birds along with Ava and her companions…. This book introduces elementary school readers to the world of birds and citizen science in an accessible, ­welcoming way.” —School Library Journal

“A wonderful introduction to bird-watching and the concept of observing nature… Parents be warned: this book is so appealing that, come next December, you may find yourself out in the cold, counting birds.” —Booklist Online

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“This charming and handsomely illustrated story…is accurate in detail, and it wonderfully captures a young person’s enthusiasm.” —Wayne R. Petersen, Director of Massachusetts Important Bird Area (IBA) Program

“Great book on citizen scientists.  A must read and should be in all public and elementary school libraries.”—Terry Young, retired librarian and former judge for the AAAS/Subaru Science Books & Films Prize for Excellence in Science Books

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Capitol Choices Noteworthy Books for Children and Teens —Capitol Choices, 2020

Parents’ Choice Silver Honor Award—Parents’ Choice Foundation, 2019

Susan Edwards Richmond teaches preschool on a farm and wildlife sanctuary in eastern Massachusetts. She earned her M.A. in Creative Writing from the University of California, Davis, and is the author of five collections of nature-based poetry for adults. She is happiest exploring natural habitats with her husband and two daughters, and learns the native birds wherever she travels. You can visit her website here.

Stephanie Fizer Coleman is an illustrator and freelance designer. She has created the art for many children’s books and loves drawing animals. For her 100 Days project in 2018, she drew one hundred birds, one day at a time. You can visit her website here.

“The simple, deadpan narrative shows flashes of laugh-out-loud moments…the steadfast resignation of the only-occasionally-lonely aardvarks and the bird’s wordless but powerful expressiveness keep the story light, dry, and satisfying. A charming depiction of friendship and love.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Sweet and silly…charming… An effective, gentle reminder that love is love.” —Publishers Weekly

“Charming illustrations accompany this tale of finding friends. The story is told with great humor that will engage young readers….a lovely book about finding a new friend. ” —School Library Journal

“Charming… This light-hearted readaloud easily doubles as a read-alone.” —Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

Morag Hood is a brilliant writer and illustrator of many titles such as When Grandad was a Penguin,and Colin and Lee, Carrot and Pe, which won the 2018 3-6 UKLA Book Award. She also studied Costume Design at Wimbledon College of Art and an MA in Children’s Book Illustration from Cambridge School of Art. Along with making stories, she also enjoys printing, cutting and pasting, and freshly sharpened pencils, and dreams of having a pet duck. You can visit her website here.

“The energetic, expressive, and childlike illustrations will elicit chuckles…incorporated onomatopoeic words reinforce their displeasure…. the toys bring the point home.” —Kirkus Reviews

“The text is keenly funny…kids will snicker at the crayon-like lines that are the hilarious and furious eyebrows of Duck and Penguin as they’re subjected to activities they dislike. This readaloud is pure whimsical fun.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

Julia Woolf has worked for twenty years in animation, including twelve years at Dreamworks in the US. She obtained her MA in Children’s Book Illustration in Cambridge at Anglia Ruskin University. She lives in England, close to the countryside, woods, and seaside—a prime area for sketching. You can visit her website here.

“Mr. Penguin’s second caper is as silly as the first… Fans will be happy more adventures are in the offing.” —Kirkus Reviews

“The book’s clever plot twists will surprise and delight young readers… Stylish and intricate drawings…a rollicking caper.” —Foreword Reviews, STARRED REVIEW

“Smith delivers a peppy mystery brimming with absurdity and laughs, suspenseful moments, and detailed two-tone illustrations. The idiosyncratic crew has more heart than talent, which results in some genuinely funny moments… Hero and villain tropes give the entire adventure the feel of a well-crafted cartoon episode, and kids will eagerly stay tuned.” —Booklist Online

“This rollicking, stand-alone, chapter book adventure deftly blends humor, mystery, and a dash of whimsy….endearing…. This title will appeal to established readers looking for a quick, engaging read. Interspersed illustrations, large print, and pacing make it appealing as a bridge for readers with a preference for graphic novels.” —School Library Connection

After briefly considering careers in space travel, cookery and being a rabbit, Alex T. Smith 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.

“[An] innovative blend of history, technology, and engineering…insightful fun. STEM at its best.”—Booklist, STARRED REVIEW

“Attractively designed and engagingly written—sure to appeal to readers with a taste for the scientific and technical.” —Kirkus Reviews

“The information presented here is interesting, and most readers will find it fascinating to learn how car safety has changed over time.” —School Library Connection

Eureka! Nonfiction Children’s Book Award Silver Honor ―California Reading Association, 2019

AAAS/Subaru  SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books (Middle Grades Longlist)―American Association for the Advancement of Science, 2021

Best STEM Books ―ASEE / ITEEA / NSTA / SEPA / CBC, 2020

Parents’ Choice Gold Award ―Parents’ Choice Foundation, 2020

The author of more than thrity-five nonfiction books for young readers, Jennifer Swanson holds a BS in chemistry from the U.S Naval Academy and an MS Ed in K-8 science from Walden University. In addition to being an award-winning author, she is also a middle school science instructor for John Hopkins University’s Center for Talented Youth. You can visit her website here.

TeMika Grooms is an illustrator and arts advocate inspired by great stories and the characters that live them.  She is intrigued by sequential art, specifically in the form of Children’s Literature and Graphic Novels, and the power they hold to influence change in society. You can visit her website here.

“The conversational tone and familiarly patterned narrative contrast pleasantly with the tangled jungle setting. Weaver’s smudgy charcoal illustrations, digitally colored, are lovely and softly luminous…. Perfectly paced, accessible, and appealing, this glimpse into a far-off habitat will entertain young listeners and, perhaps, awaken their empathy.” —Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW

“The pictures have a sepia tone and convey the soft rusty orange, black, and white of the tigers’ coats, while giving a glimpse of the flora and fauna of their jungle.” —Booklist

“Filled with larger than life illustrations…just right for the youngest audience. Children will delight in following Mother Tiger and her cubs on their adventure through the jungle…. It will serve as a favorite story to read before bedtime, with the tigers feeling safe, warm, and sleepy after their long day’s adventure.” —School Library Connection

Parents’ Choice Silver Honor Award—Parents’ Choice Foundation, 2019

Best Children’s Books of the Year ―Bank Street College of Education, 2020

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.

“Bowman makes this longer text accessible to a wide range of readers. Gustavson’s gouache and watercolor images transport readers into Blondin’s world…. This well-researched, riveting biography will inspire readers.” —School Library Journal

“The lifelike gouache-and-watercolor illustrations are rich with the drama and tension of Blondin’s performances… Bowman conjures the sheer magnitude of his Niagara endeavor as she describes the calculations, equipment, and manpower needed to simply get Blondin’s rope from one shore to the other. And like the spectators there on June 30, 1859, readers will hold their breath as the Frenchman makes his legendary walk.” —Booklist

“Bowman’s well-researched documentary text re-creates the energy, tactics, skill, engineering, unflinching optimism, and sheer grit of Blondin’s preparations to cross Niagara as well as the skepticism and wonder of all who witnessed his legendary endeavor. Bold, colorful watercolor-and-gouache illustrations capture Blondin’s high-wire escapades… Theatrical lighting, stunning perspectives, and arresting close-ups convey the intensity of Blondin’s feats… Awesome, astounding, death-defying.”—Kirkus Reviews

Best Children’s Books of the Year ―Bank Street College of Education, 2020

Donna Janell Bowman is the author of Step Right Up. She holds an MFA in Writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts. She lives in Texas. You can visit her 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.