Ahoy! by
Join a child captain and parent first mate as they embark on a wild high seas adventure...all without leaving the living room! This imaginative romp of a picture book is filled with glorious illustrations from a beloved Caldecott Medalist and New York Times bestselling creator. Raise the mainsail! Batten the hatches! It's time to set sail...on the couch! There's a storm coming, and a child is ready to captain the ship. "Make haste and climb aboard," they call out to their parent, "before you're swept out to sea!" Sea? What sea? The parent is only trying to vacuum the rug. But the child is adamant. It's not a rug--it's the ocean. And that broom? It's the ship's mast. Soon enough, child and parent are both off on an imaginary nautical adventure! Here is a thoroughly engaging, hilarious picture book that celebrates the joys of playing make-believe--and hanging out with a parent!
Not Perfect by
From the creators of Not Little, the intrepid Dot is back with an endearing story about embracing the mistakes that let us build new skills. Dot is good at a lot of things, but good isn't perfect. Perfect is her sister's blue-ribbon painting, or her brothers' first-place tie in the spelling bee, or her mom's black belt in tae kwon do. Dot tries and tries, but all she has to show for it is funny-looking cupcakes, off-key piano squeaks, and almost-goals in soccer. Nothing she does is perfect. When Dot and her classmates get an assignment to make a poster about a person they admire, Dot has someone in mind right away- her best friend, Sam. But draft after draft comes out looking all wrong! How will she ever make the perfect poster for her perfect friend? Fans of Dot and Sam and new readers alike will melt as Dot keeps on trying in this relatable companion to Not Little, featuring Maya Myers's effortless narrative voice and Hyewon Yum's irresistible illustrations. A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
Oh, Are You Awake? by
For anyone who has ever craved sleep--and anyone too full of energy to settle down--a comedy from Bob Shea, creator of the popular Dinosaur vs. series, and singular illustrator Jarvis. It's sleepy time for Lion and Penguin. Correction: it should be sleepy time for Lion and Penguin, but Lion's eyes aren't tired, and his ears would like a story. Penguin, however, is tired and nods off into sweet candy dreams--until a noise wakes him. "Oh, are you awake?" asks Lion sweetly, seated before a drum set. "Let's have that story, then!" "Not now. It is time to close your eyes and dream dreams." And so it goes, with an ever-more-disgruntled Penguin trying to nod off while an exuberant Lion innocently practices his drumming, bounces on his squeaky trampoline, and munches on his crunchy chips. Will Penguin need to resort to extreme measures to get his friend to sleep, or has the answer been there all along? Bob Shea's signature wit, delivered only in dialogue, and Jarvis's unassuming, retro art and knack for visual humor are sure to delight young readers--and their caregivers--whether at naptime, bedtime, or anytime.
Mama in the Moon by
In this gentle and comforting bedtime book by two award-winning creators, a mama sloth helps her baby to self-soothe while she's making her way back to him. Baby sloth lives high up in the trees with his mama, where he loves to sleep between her and the moon. But one night he tumbles from her arms to land in a soft patch of leaves far below. "I'll be there soon," Mama sloth calls down to him. But sloths never get anywhere soon. When Baby becomes worried, Mama finds clever ways to reassure and distract him using his senses of sight, sound, smell, and touch. This beautifully told and enchantingly illustrated preschool read-aloud has the happiest of endings. It's a bedtime delight that's perfect for fans of Owl Babies and Kitten's First Full Moon.
Maisy Goes to the Eye Doctor by
Come along with Maisy for her first-ever eye test in a delightful story sure to help make this a rosy experience for little patients. When Maisy's friend Ella has trouble seeing numbers on the board at preschool, the two go together to Dr. Flamingo the optometrist's office to have their eyes tested. Pirate Maisy has fun wearing an eyepatch and naming all the things she can see in a picture on the wall. But when it's Ella's turn, everything inside the picture looks blurry. Oh dear! Luckily, Dr. Flamingo is there to take care of her, with a special machine that looks inside her eyes and some big funny glasses with dials that let Ella see everything clearly. Best of all, she gets to pick out some yellow-framed glasses, and Maisy finds some snazzy red sunglasses of her own. With Lucy Cousins's trademark brilliant colors and cheery characters, this twenty-third First Experiences story is ideal for reassuring little ones ahead of their first visit to the eye doctor.
Just Like Millie by
In a gentle story from Caldecott Honoree Lauren Castillo, a shy young girl finds exploring her new city and making friends overwhelming--until a rescue dog helps her uncover the bravery that was always in her. A young girl and her mother move to an apartment in a new city. Despite her mother's efforts to take her out, the girl would rather play by herself in their cozy home--she feels just fine on her own. Introductions to children her age have her hiding behind her mother's legs, and invitations to group activities have her in tears. That is, until she meets Millie, a rescue dog who is not too big, not too small, and kisses her arm when the girl nervously reaches out. With Millie, saying hello to new people isn't so scary . . . and maybe making a friend isn't either. Through emotionally honest prose and soft, expressive illustrations, Lauren Castillo explores one girl's shyness and anxiety--and how one dog's love helps her open up--in a warm picture book that reminds readers of how the right companion can make the world feel like a less frightening place.
Two Together by
In this companion book to They All Saw a Cat and Inside Cat, a journey home leads to unexpected adventures for a cat and dog. A playful, imaginative story of friendship, empathy, and discovery by Caldecott Honor winner Brendan Wenzel. Cat and Dog are headed home. A simple route lies ahead of them . . . or does it? There's so much to see and smell and hear, and the two of them experience the world very differently. A stream, for instance, is watery fun for Dog, but it may not be so delightful for Cat! As their journey becomes an adventure full of unexpected twists and turns, Cat and Dog show that it's possible for two creatures to travel in the world together despite their distinctive perspectives and abilities--and even to appreciate and enjoy them. With the irresistible read-aloud appeal of Brendan Wenzel's They All Saw a Cat, winner of the Caldecott Honor, this is a funny, exuberant companion tale that's an imaginative tribute to empathy, friendship, and understanding. RESPECTING DIFFERENCES: Cat and Dog experience life in almost opposite ways. Through their eyes, children will see how the same situation or problem can be handled differently depending on the perspective and ability of the creature living through it, building their empathy and understanding. DELIGHTFUL VISUALS: This picture book is full of visual surprises and Easter eggs, and readers will love turning back to find details that hint at developments to come on the journey. The dog's and cat's art styles evolve throughout, becoming more developed and exaggerated but ending with a unified style that incorporates both their points of view as their friendship is affirmed and strengthened. ENCOURAGES EXPLORATION: The path home is both a familiar route and a new experience as Cat and Dog make surprising--sometimes unpleasant--discoveries along the way. The subtle message about appreciating the small moments in everyday routines and the possibilities that await when we step outside them is perfect for young readers. BELOVED AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR: Brendan Wenzel is a bestselling author, Caldecott Honor-winning artist, and sought-after speaker at schools and libraries. His books They All Saw a Cat, Hello Hello, A Stone Sat Still, and Inside Cat have received multiple awards and starred reviews and are family and classroom favorites. FUN READ-ALOUD BOOK: Rhythmic text coupled with compelling artwork and a comforting ending make this perfect for story time, bedtime, or both! Perfect for: Parents, grandparents, educators, and educators Preschool and kindergarten-level readers Pet owners Gift givers looking for a fun, interactive family read-aloud book Fans of Brendan Wenzel Fans of picture books like Hot Dog, The Kissing Hand, What Do You Do With a Problem?, and The Day the Crayons Quit
Built to Last by
Meet two friends who think they're building imaginative worlds with blocks but come to realize they've been building something far greater--a sturdy, solid friendship--in this picturebook by award-winning creators. Two kids build entire worlds out of blocks, cardboard, and imagination. From boats attacked by a sea creature to a castle crumbling into the ocean. And they don't mind when these creations break apart and CRASH to the floor. In fact, they think it's pretty funny! Every time, a creation falls apart, they pick up the pieces and keep building bigger and better. But when their latest masterpiece tumbles down in spectacular fashion, the boys aren't laughing anymore. Have these two friends reached their breaking point? Playful text by wordsmith Minh Le and dazzling illustrations by artisan Dan Santat showcase their close collaboration in their latest picturebook. As merry as it is moving, here is a story that recognizes the friendships in life that are truly built to last.
The 169-Story Treehouse by
Andy and Terry live in a 169-story treehouse. (It used to be a 156-story treehouse, but they've added 13 more stories.) It now has a kangaroo-riding range, a WHATEVER-WEATHER-YOU-WANT dome and a hall of funhouse mirrors--the perfect place to hide from the truancy officer who is trying to catch them and make them go to school! Unfortunately, the hall of funhouse mirrors is also the place where their evil trouble-making twins, Anti-Andy, Terrible Terry and Junkyard Jill live in a doppelgänger mirror, and they take advantage of the confusion to escape and wreak havoc in the treehouse. Can Andy, Terry, and Jill escape school, save the treehouse from the doppelgänger mirror gang AND get their book written on time? Read the whole series! The 13-Story Treehouse The 26-Story Treehouse The 39-Story Treehouse The 52-Story Treehouse The 65-Story Treehouse The 78-Story Treehouse The 91-Story Treehouse The 104-Story Treehouse The 117-Story Treehouse The 130-Story Treehouse The 143-Story Treehouse The 156-Story Treehouse The 169-Story Treehouse
Running in Flip-Flops from the End of the World by
A hilarious middle-grade from justin a. reynolds that asks: What happens when five unsupervised kids face the apocalypse under outrageously silly circumstances? When twelve-year-old Eddie Gordon Holloway and his friends are left home from Beach Bash, aka the greatest party of the year, only to realize that everyone in town has disappeared without a trace, they do what any smart, responsible kids would do . . . have the best day ever! No parental supervision sounds fun for a while, but forever is a long time. And soon the gang starts to notice strange things happening around town, and they're only getting stranger. They have to figure out what happened to their families. It seems like getting to the beach will answer all their questions . . . but the only problem is that some mysterious force seems determined to prevent them from making it there. Eddie knows that this is a clear sign -- obviously they should be focused on having as much fun as possible for as long as possible. But everyone deals with the fear differently, and soon the friendships begin to fracture. Can Eddie find a way to get all his friends on the same page? And will they ever make it to the beach?
Trouble at the Tangerine by
Award-winning author Gillian McDunn pens a delightfully quirky mystery that examines the meaning of home, perfect for fans of The Vanderbeekers series. Simon's family is always on the move. Every few months, they load up their van, "Vincent Van Go," and set off for a new adventure. According to his dad, you can't live an extraordinary life by staying in one place. But all Simon wants is to settle down, so he's hatched a plan: to make their latest apartment in the Tangerine Pines building his forever home. When a priceless necklace is stolen, clues indicate the thief might actually be another neighbor. Simon worries he'll have to move again if the thief isn't caught. He usually doesn't go looking for trouble, but if retrieving the necklace means establishing home, Simon is willing to risk it. With the help of his neighbor Amaya, pet sitter, plant-waterer, and podcaster extraordinaire, Simon is determined to crack the case and finally put down roots.
Warriors: a Starless Clan #5: Wind by
Erin Hunter's #1 bestselling Warriors series continues! Discover more epic adventure in this fifth book in the Starless Clan arc. Frostpaw has returned to the lake just in time to reveal all she knows at the Gathering--but the Clans are reluctant to believe an apprentice who's already admitted to lying about her visions in the past, and she is forced to take refuge in ShadowClan as Splashtail seizes control of her home. While the other Clan leaders debate whether to interfere any further in RiverClan affairs, Nightheart has his paws full teaching Clan ways to the two park cats who followed him home, and Sunbeam's efforts to fit in as the newest member of ThunderClan are hampered by her concerns for her mother, who is paying for her treachery with exile and illness. As Berryheart's schemes take an alarming new turn--and Splashtail's ambitions turn toward violence--a few cats' efforts may not be enough to preserve the peace.
Lightningborn by
In a world in the clouds where only the rich own dragons, a poor boy named Remy finds a wild baby dragon-believed to be extinct-and becomes the focus of an evil pirate's vengeance. REMY spends his days trying to survive the mean streets of Cutthroat Wedge-one of the many islands floating in the gravitational pull of the magical Maelstrom raging below. But his life changes forever when a violent storm brings a baby dragon to his doorstep, and he feels a bond he has never felt with anyone. Remy names the dragon Storm and vows to protect this new friend, no matter the cost. GEM longs for the day when she call herself a true mage. That is, if she can convince her teachers and peers that just because she's a princess doesn't mean she's lazy and spoiled. But when Gem learns that the floating islands that make up her kingdom are rapidly sinking into the Maelstrom, she makes it her mission to save her world. Against the king's wishes, she accesses forbidden research and discovers the secret to saving humanity may lie in a True Dragon-a dragon capable of intelligent thought and able to cast and use magic. But True Dragons are extinct . . . aren't they? Remy's and Gem's lives will never be the same when their fates collide, thanks to Storm. With an evil pirate mage named Jhaeros determined to claim the rare dragon for himself, the two must learn to trust in each other as they team up with a shifty pirate captain and her crew, stand together against impossible odds, and embark on the adventure of a lifetime.
Charlie Thorne and the Royal Society by
In the fourth installment of the New York Times bestselling Charlie Thorne series--which #1 New York Times bestselling author Chris Grabenstein called "a real page-burner"--Charlie searches for Isaac Newton's secret treasure across Europe and Australia. Charlie Thorne is a genius. Charlie Thorne is fearless. Charlie Thorne may have finally met her match. Charlie Thorne is used to being on the run. Ever since she was recruited by the CIA to track down Einstein's most dangerous equation, Charlie--and former CIA agents Dante Garcia and Milana Moon--have traveled around the world to prevent history's greatest discoveries from falling into the wrong hands. But after beating others to the secrets hidden by Einstein, Darwin, and Cleopatra, they find they are not the only ones searching for an immensely powerful discovery of Isaac Newton's. From a chase over the rooftops of Cambridge University to scaling the Sydney Harbour Bridge to skirting a volcanic eruption, Charlie will need to think one step ahead of her opponents to follow Newton's trail of devious clues and keep herself out of the hands of the many enemies who are hot on her tail.
Orris and Timble: the Beginning by
From beloved storyteller Kate DiCamillo comes the first book in a warm and funny early-reader trilogy about a misanthropic rat and a naive owl--and the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Orris the rat lives alone in an old barn surrounded by his treasures, until the day his solitude is disrupted by a sudden flutter of wings and a loud screech. A small owl has gotten caught in a trap in the barn. Can Orris "make the good and noble choice" (as the king on his prized sardine can might recommend) and rescue the owl, despite the fact that owls and rats are natural enemies? And if he does, will he be ready for the consequences? With humor and tenderness, two-time Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo brings us this first of three tales celebrating unlikely friendship and the power of sharing stories and doing the right thing--a soon-to-be classic brought to expressive life by the full-color illustrations of Carmen Mok.
The Reappearance of Rachel Price by
From the author of the multimillion-copy bestselling A Good Girl's Guide to Murder series and Five Survive comes a gripping mystery thriller following one teen's search for the truth about her mother's shocking disappearance--and even more shocking reappearance--during the filming of a true crime documentary. Lights. Camera. Lies. Eighteen-year-old Bel has lived her whole life in the shadow of her mom's mysterious disappearance. Sixteen years ago, Rachel Price vanished and young Bel was the only witness, but she has no memory of it. Rachel is gone, long presumed dead, and Bel wishes everyone would just move on. But the case is dredged up from the past when the Price family agrees to a true crime documentary. Bel can't wait for filming to end, for life to go back to normal. And then the impossible happens. Rachel Price reappears, and life will never be normal again. Rachel has an unbelievable story about what happened to her. Unbelievable, because Bel isn't sure it's real. If Rachel is lying, then where has she been all this time? And--could she be dangerous? With the cameras still rolling, Bel must uncover the truth about her mother, and find out why Rachel Price really came back from the dead . . . From world-renowned author Holly Jackson comes a mind-blowing masterpiece about one girl's search for the truth, and the terror in finding out who your family really is.
Fate Be Changed by
What if the witch gave Merida a different spell? This New York Times best-selling series twists Disney*Pixar's Brave into a fast-paced story in which Merida is sent back in time. If you could change your fate, would you? Merida understands that as princess of Clan DunBroch, she has certain obligations--but that doesn't mean she has to like it. Especially when one of those obligations means losing her freedom by becoming betrothed to a man she has never met. Merida balks at this tradition, but her mother Queen Elinor insists that Merida must do this to embrace her role as future queen. Determined to chart her own path, Merida follows magical wisps to a witch's cottage, where she is given a magic pastry and promised it will incite "a great transformation" in her mother. But instead of feeding Elinor the pastry, Merida eats it herself. Merida awakens in the past, a now-teenage Elinor holding a knife to her throat and accusing her of espionage. She's been transported to a time when the Clans MacCameron and DunBroch are bitter enemies. And it just so happens that the timing of Merida's arrival has kept Elinor and Fergus from meeting. Will Merida be able to bridge the rival clans, help her parents fall in love, and change her own fate?
The Misdirection of Fault Lines by
Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants goes to the French Open in an emotionally honest and openhearted novel for fans of Yamile Saied Mendez and Mary HK Choi. Three teen girls compete at an elite tennis tournament for a shot at their dreams-if only they knew what their dreams were. Alice is on her own for the first time. She has no coach. No friends. Not even clothes that meet the Bastille Invitational's strict dress code. There's only the steady drumbeat of guilt inside-pressure to make the tournament's costly expense "worth it" in the wake of Ba's unexpected passing. But will a win on court justify the price she paid to get here? Violetta is Bastille's darling- social media influencer, coach's pet, and daughter of a former tennis star who fell from grace. Bastille is her chance to reclaim the future her mother gave up to raise her. But is that what she wants for herself? Leylah hasn't competed in two years, thanks to a back-stabbing ex-friend. Bastille is her last chance to prove she's ready for a life of professional tennis. But will her fixation on past wrongs keep her from reclaiming her rightful place at the top? . One week at the elite Bastille Invitational tennis tournament will decide their futures. If only the competition between them stayed on the court. The Misdirection of Fault Lines is an incisive coming-of-age story, infused with wit and wisdom, about three Asian American teen girls trying to find their ways forward, backward, and in some cases, back to each other again. Anna Gracia, acclaimed author of Boys I Know, delivers with a refreshingly true-to-life teen voice that perfectly captures the messiness of adolescence and the pressures of expectation.
Song of the Six Realms by
Judy I. Lin, #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Magic Steeped in Poison, weaves a dreamy gothic romance worthy of the heavens in Song of the Six Realms. Xue, a talented young musician, has no past and probably no future. Orphaned at a young age, her kindly poet uncle took her in and arranged for an apprenticeship at one of the most esteemed entertainment houses in the kingdom. She doesn't remember much from before entering the House of Flowing Water, and when her uncle is suddenly killed in a bandit attack, she is devastated to lose her last connection to a life outside of her indenture contract. With no family and no patron, Xue is facing the possibility of a lifetime of servitude playing the qin for nobles that praise her talent with one breath and sneer at her lowly social status with the next. Then one night she is unexpectedly called to the garden to put on a private performance for the enigmatic Duke Meng. For a young man of nobility, he is strangely kind and awkward, and surprises Xue further with an irresistible offer: serve as a musician in residence at his manor for one year, and he'll set her free of her indenture. But the Duke's motives become increasingly more suspect when he and Xue barely survive an attack by a nightmarish monster, and when he whisks her away to his estate, she discovers he's not just some country noble: He's the Duke of Dreams, one of the divine rulers of the Celestial Realm. There she learns the Six Realms are on the brink of disaster, and incursions by demonic beasts are growing more frequent. The Duke needs Xue's help to unlock memories from her past that could hold the answers to how to stop the impending war... but first Xue will need to survive being the target of every monster and deity in the Six Realms. Also by Judy I. Lin: A Magic Steeped in Poison A Venom Dark and Sweet
Kill Her Twice by
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Downstairs Girl comes a YA murder mystery noir set in 1930s Los Angeles's Chinatown. "A captivating and crackling noir full of suspenseful twists. Readers will fall in love with the Chow sisters and their quest for the truth." --Kathleen Glasgow, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Girl in Pieces and The Agathas LOS ANGELES, 1932: Lulu Wong, star of the silver screen and the pride of Chinatown, has a face known to practically everyone, especially the Chow sisters--May, Gemma, and Peony--Lulu's former classmates and neighbors. So the girls instantly know it's Lulu when they discover a body one morning in an out-of-the-way stable, far from the Beverly Hills home where she lived after her fame skyrocketed. The sisters suspect Lulu's death is the result of foul play, but the police don't seem motivated to investigate. Even worse, there are signs that point to a cover-up, and powerful forces in the city want to frame the killing as evidence that Chinatown is a den of iniquity and crime, even more reason it should be demolished to make room for the construction of a new railway depot, Union Station. Worried that neither the police nor the papers will treat Lulu fairly--no matter her fame and wealth--the sisters set out to solve their friend's murder themselves, and maybe save their neighborhood in the bargain. But with Lulu's killer still on the loose, the girls' investigation just might put them square in the crosshairs of a cold-blooded murderer.
Sound the Gong by
From New York Times and Indie bestselling author Joan He, comes Sound the Gong, the dazzling and sweeping conclusion to The Kingdom of Three duology. All her life, Zephyr has tried to rise above her humble origins as a no-name orphan. Now she is a god in a warrior's body, and never has she felt more powerless. The warlordess Xin Ren holds the Westlands, but her position is tenuous. In the north, the empress remains a puppet under Miasma's thumb. In the south, the alliance with Cicada is in pieces. Fate has a winner in mind for the three kingdoms, but Zephyr has no intentions of respecting it. She will pay any price to see Ren succeed--and she will make her enemies pay, especially the enigmatic Crow. What she'll do when she finds out the truth. . . Only the heavens know. Featuring gorgeous map art by Anna Frohmann and black-and-white portraits by Tida Kietsungden, Sound the Gong is the second book in Joan He's riveting Kindgom of Three duology.