“A beautifully designed introduction to the lives of therapy dogs and how much work goes into becoming one. A backdrop of warm tan surrounds each image; this, coupled with soft purples, blues, and greens, lends a sense of familiarity and comfort to the story. Pencil lines and watercolor enhance this feeling, nonverbally communicating the effect a therapy dog has on the people he meets…. This intergenerational story of love and acceptance is an important addition to ¬library collections for young -elementary-aged ¬readers.” —School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW

“Charming, soft-focus illustrations provide extra details and capture the personalities of the determined child and irresistible dogs…. This touching story stands on its own, but fans of Madeline’s previous outings will particularly enjoy reading this account that ties all the previous tales together. A gentle, heartwarming introduction to the world of therapy dogs.”—Kirkus Reviews

Children’s Gallery Award (Nominee) —National Christian School Association, 2021-2022

Keystone to Reading Elementary Book Award (Primary) —Keystone State Reading Association, 2021-2022

Lisa Papp grew up telling stories. With a notebook full of sketches, her early tales featured her cat, stuffed animals, and other nature-y things. Today, Lisa is still making up stories and painting pictures, only now, they fill the pages of children’s books. She has received awards for both her writing and illustration, including a 2011 NAPPA Honor Award, 2012 Storytelling Award, and the 2013 PA Keystone to Reading Award. Lisa lives in Pennsylvania, with her husband, Robert, also an artist, and three wildly creative cats— to whom she does read. You can visit her website here.

“Tate’s sentences are often short, underscoring Still’s effort and drive; when they occasionally lengthen, they land with a punch… His paintings often likewise play out in vignettes that capture action over time then linger lovingly on the expressive faces of his characters. Brings deserved attention to the life of a man who dedicated himself to recording the lives of others.” —Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW

“[A] clear, comprehensive narrative….Graceful free verse… Textural digital illustrations and expressive characters punctuate the affecting text… An illuminating picture book biography of a lesser-known hero.” —Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW

“Gentle and straightforward prose… The text recounts the oppression and dehumanization of slavery but is not too graphic for the target age demographic…. Tate’s expressive, colorful illustrations work well with the text to convey this important part of American history…. This inspirational true story combines fact with a very readable narrative, spotlighting a pivotal figure in the abolitionist movement. A book that deserves a place on school and public library shelves.”—School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW

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“The digital illustrations portray [Still] effectively from infancy to old age…. In this concisely written, informative picture-book biography, Tate introduces a man who deserves to be more widely known.” —Booklist

“Tate’s short sentences and accessible language convey the urgency of Still’s work, and his illustrations sensitively communicate the danger and terror faced by enslaved people….There’s plenty of hope here, too.” —BookPage

“[A] thorough and informative picture-book biography…. Tate’s writing style is generally engaging and accessible. Rich acrylic illustrations are perfectly matched with a poetic narrative that celebrates the subject and conveys the realities of the times.” —The Horn Book Magazine

“Striking illustrations with approachable text… The legacy of an American hero is told here using accessible, factual text; lifelike illustrations rendered digitally; and informative backmatter… An alluring picture book.” —Shelf Awareness

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Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Book —Chicago Public Library, 2020

Eureka! Nonfiction Children’s Book Award Silver Honor —California Reading Association, 2020

Best of Picture Books —Kirkus Reviews, 2020

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Children’s Crown Award (Nominee) —National Christian School Association, 2021-2022

Golden Kite (Finalist, Nonfiction Text for Younger Readers) —Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, 2021

Kansas State Reading Circle Recommended Reading List (Intermediate)— Kansas National Education Association, 2021

Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Awards (Nominee, Grades 3-5)— Pennsylvania School Librarians Association, 2021-2022

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Don Tate is the illustrator of numerous critically acclaimed books for children. In 2013, he earned an Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Honor Award for his first picture book text, It Jes’ Happened: When Bill Traylor Started to Draw. You can visit  his website here.

“Tidhar folds in plenty of noir tropes and contretemps (not to mention a stolen teddy bear for a McGuffin), while in his sparse but atmospheric line and fill drawings, Duncan depicts the young gumshoe properly clad in fedora and trenchcoat. It won’t take a detective to spot Willie Wonka, as well as Sam Spade, hidden in the tongue-in-cheek caper’s literary DNA.” —Booklist, STARRED REVIEW

“Snappy dialogue… Food fights, an abandoned candy factory break-in, and more sweets-themed antics add to the fun and intrigue…. Combining chewing gum and gumshoes, this comical mystery begs to be read aloud.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Noir tropes loom large in Tidhar’s fast-paced story, with a gutsy gumshoe, a hardboiled narrative voice…and enough action to keep young readers on their toes.” —Publishers Weekly

“Nelle is a sturdy, intrepid, practical character surrounded by a colorful cast of candy-obsessed children and adults in this fast-paced mystery.…there’s plenty here to satisfy tween mystery lovers….mystery, humor, plenty of action, and a red herring or two with an explosive climax.” —School Library Journal

Lavie Tidhar is the World Fantasy Award winning author of Osama (2011), The Violent Century (2013), the Jerwood Fiction Uncovered Prize-winning A Man Lies Dreaming (2014), and the Campbell Award-winning Central Station (2016), in addition to many other works and several other awards. He works across genres, combining detective and thriller modes with poetry, science fiction and historical and autobiographical material. This is his first book published for children. He lives in England.

Daniel Duncan is a freelance illustrator inspired by stories, films, old, photos, and sports. Highly commended by Macmillan UK for the Macmillan Prize for Illustration in 2013, he was also shortlisted for the 2014 AOI Awards for the Children’s Books New Talent Category. He creates most of his work in an old stable, now turned studio, on the outskirts of London.

“Vibrant colors prevail in Julie Paschkis’s lively folk art… Children ages 2-5 who like a bit of noise with their books will enjoy these bright and buoyant pages.” —Wall Street Journal

“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

“[An] entertainingly madcap alphabet adventure… Paschkis provides delicate drawings… The solidly colored backgrounds pop with eye-catching hues…Paschkis keeps the compositions from becoming cluttered. Viewers will delight in narrating the action, particularly given the boisterous sounds occurring all throughout the book, and in spotting and naming all the animals that appear.” —The Horn Book Magazine

“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

“An especially lively alphabet to read aloud, and listeners will get a kick out of joining in on the cartoonish sounds. Folk-art-style patterns and motifs make Paschkis’ watercolor illustrations attractively decorative…a visually playful outing.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

Julie Larios is an award-winning poet whose work for adults has been included twice in The Best American Poetry series. With children, she loves exploring riddles, rhymes, chants, blessings, curses, playground songs, and the amazing music and mystery of words. She lives in Bellingham, Washington, at the northwest tip of the Pacific Northwest. This is her fifth book for children.

Julie Paschkis attended Cornell University and the School for American Craftsmen at RIT, where she earned a BFA. She taught art to grade school children for several years while working on her own art and illustration. Julie now works full-time painting, creating commercial illustrations, and illustrating children’s books. Some of her books include Albert the Fix-It Man; Where Is Catkin?; Glass Slipper, Gold Sandal: A Worldwide Cinderella; and Yellow Elephant: A Bright Bestiary. She lives in Washington. You can visit her website here.

“A feel-good story featuring a narrator who’s likable and genuinely funny, even at her most self-deprecating. Dreams, being true to oneself, body-image issues, single parenting, family dynamics, self-confidence, and a realistic depiction of friendship make this a refreshing coming-of-age read full of optimism, dreams, and plenty of stereotype-smashing laughs. A natural pick for Dumplin’ (2015) fans.” —Booklist

“Sharp, funny… The working-class British milieu feels freshly wrought, and Elliott’s characters are well balanced… [Haylah’s] comedy routine, though at times self-deprecating, also flips some stereotypes.” —Publishers Weekly

“Elliott, who has previously published picture books and early readers, nails the voice and persona of a high school girl…. A good purchase for libraries that need coming-of-age books centering body-positivity.” —School Library Journal 

“The author seems well versed in comedy writing and the sexism women face in that profession.” —Kirkus Reviews 

Kansas State Reading Circle Recommended Reading List (Senior High)— Kansas National Education Association, 2021

Rebecca Elliott is an author and illustrator. She earned a degree in philosophy and once did a brief stint in a dull office. Now, she enjoys eating angel delight, loudly venting on a drum kit, and spending time in her sunny garden. She lives in England with her family, some chickens, and a cat named Bernard.

“Anglophiles, music and theater nerds, and those looking for some classic will-they-won’t-they romance will all find something to enjoy here. Jones writes her subject matter authentically, with obvious passion to balance the professional arts’ not-so-pretty struggles…. A touching portrait of healing after loss.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Jones’ novel has the expected Fame vibes that will delight any reader who loves stories of aspiring young stars learning their craft, but its exploration of Nettie’s complexities makes the story unique…. Jones offsets the narrative’s weightier moments with light and quirky ones, making it a fast read with staying power.” —Booklist

Kansas State Reading Circle Recommended Reading List (Senior High)— Kansas National Education Association, 2021

Vanessa Jones trained at Laine Theatre Arts and went on to be a musical theater actor in West End Shows, including Sister Act, Grease, Guys and Dolls, Annie Get Your Gun, and Mary Poppins. She began her writing career with a stage play for a fringe theater and also works as a freelance copywriter and editor. She lives in England with her fellow chimney sweep.

“It’s no wonder that young children, who crave stability in their lives, relate so strongly to the Stanley the Hamster picture-book series. Beyond their interest in Stanley’s daily activities, kids enjoy the well-structured lines and cheerful colors of the art as well as the steady, reassuring tone of the narrative. An enjoyable read-aloud choice, especially leading up to holidays involving fireworks.” —Booklist 

“An adorable hamster, a fire engine, and fireworks: high preschooler appeal.” —Kirkus Reviews 

William Bee is an artist and commercial designer who has worked for renowned fashion houses, including Issay Miyake and Paul Smith. As well as writing children’s picture books and board books, he races a vintage sports car, is an international skier, and when at home tends his lawns and meadow. He lives in England. You can visit his website here.

“Engaging… An informative portrait of an activist and advocate whose accomplishments are still evident today.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Informative…guardians seeking a woman activist’s framework, with actionable steps that resonate today, will find this picture book attractive.” —Publishers Weekly

“The lively text presents Perkins’ life and times, while emphasizing her significant contributions to society. Created using pleasant, subdued colors, the well-composed digital illustrations bring past eras into focus and show Perkins’ determined work on behalf of others. An informative picture-book biography of a notable American.” —Booklist

“An informative picture book profiling an influential woman in the labor rights movement.” —School Library Journal

Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People—NCSS/CBC, 2021

Deborah Hopkinson is the award-winning author of numerous critically acclaimed picture and chapter books, including Keep On!; Sweet Land of Liberty; Under the Quilt of Night; and Shutting Out the Sky: Life in the Tenements of New York 1880-1924. She lives in Oregon. You can visit her website here.

Kristy Caldwell received an MFA in Illustration from the School of Visual Arts. She lives in New York. You can visit her website here.

“This is not the usual story of industry triumphing over sloth….it’s refreshing to see a fable in which a generous spirit mitigates the usual ‘gotcha’ ending.” —Publishers Weekly

“Schnitzlein keeps readers aware of the yin and yang of the characters’ relationship without judging them, employing a pleasing pattern of language and syntax—and a few unexpected twists…. Fun, a few surprises, and something to ponder.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Sandu’s cheerful, digitally colored pencil illustrations contain plenty of amusing details, wonderfully capturing the different energies of the characters. Schnitzlein’s humorous story surprises in its sympathy toward both characters….a refreshing demonstration of different approaches and a friendship that transcends those contrasts.” —Booklist

Best STEM Books—ASEE / ITEEA / NSTA / SEPA / CBC, 2021

Children’s Gallery Award (Nominee) —National Christian School Association, 2021-2022

Danny Schnitzlein studied creative writing at Eckerd College and holds a BS degree from the University of Florida. He lives in Georgia.

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.

“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 

“[Arlo] is rendered by the writer-illustrator Catherine Rayner in a liquid, blobby, swirly style, barely held together by strong black outlines, which to my eye underscores just how desperate he is to slip the bonds of consciousness… a pretty wash of a painting…shows the lion bleeding into a landscape that itself seems to be bleeding into air — an illustration that looks the way the drift and untethering of falling asleep feels.” —New York Times

Catherine Rayner is an award-winning author and illustrator of children’s books. She attended Leeds College of Art and Edinburg College of Art. Her work has won the Kate Greenaway Medal and has been short-listed for the same award numerous times. The Sunday Times named Norris, The Bear Who Shared a 100 Children’s Modern Classic of the past decade. Catherine also illustrates greeting cards and exhibits her work in galleries and her work is held in collections and archives worldwide. Every autumn, she tours with The Children’s Book Show.