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Broken Crayons Still Color

Toni Collier



 

Help your kids process big feelings, build a social-emotional tool kit, and find beauty in life's challenges with this creative story that expresses the hope of the gospel from podcast host, speaker, and mom Toni Collier.

Avery has big emotions and bubbling anxieties about changes in her life. When her crayons break as she scribbles furiously, she discovers that they have personalities and feelings too! And they can show her how to use her love of coloring to manage scary, overwhelming feelings and embrace curiosity and joy. As Avery follows the crayons' advice, gets creative, and chooses bravery and positive thinking, she discovers that God can use her to make beautiful things, even with broken crayons.

In Broken Crayons Still Color, children 4 to 8 will

  • see that everyone feels frustrated and overwhelmed at times
  • learn to express emotions and explore creativity
  • practice coping skills, such as drawing worries, affirmations, and breathing
  • understand that God loves them just as they are and He can turn their mistakes and weaknesses into beautiful new things

This illustrated picture book includes

  • an inventive illustration style that models to children how to draw their own feelings
  • an emotion color chart to guide children in identifying how they feel

With a fun story, silly crayon characters, and practical guidance for kids struggling with powerful emotions, insecurity, and perfectionism, Broken Crayons Still Color will entertain children as it assures them that God is making a beautiful masterpiece out of things they thought were broken. The presentation page and deluxe dust jacket make this encouraging book a beautiful gift for back-to-school, kids facing new experiences and tough situations, and any child with big feelings.

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The Color Monster

Anna Llenas

The international bestseller that helps young children identify emotions and feel more in control, now available in a classic picture book format.
One day, Color Monster wakes up feeling very confused. His emotions are all over the place; he feels angry, happy, calm, sad and scared all at once! To help him, a little girl shows him what each feeling means through color. As this adorable monster learns to sort and define his mixed up emotions, he gains self-awareness and peace as a result. Caregivers will enjoy sharing this concept book that taps into both socio-emotional growth and color concepts in a simple, friendly way.

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Sky Color

Peter Reynolds

The sky’s no limit as the author-illustrator of The Dot and Ish winds up his Creatrilogy with a whimsical tale about seeing the world a new way.

Marisol loves to paint. So when her teacher asks her to help make a mural for the school library, she can’t wait to begin! But how can Marisol make a sky without blue paint? After gazing out the bus window and watching from her porch as day turns into night, she closes her eyes and starts to dream. . . . From the award-winning Peter H. Reynolds comes a gentle, playful reminder that if we keep our hearts open and look beyond the expected, creative inspiration will come.

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Color Gallery

Isabel Otter

Introduce children to colors and art styles with this fun, quirky board book that includes peek-through gatefolds and questions to encourage active reading.

Children are invited into the world of art and color in this bright, quirky board book! Colors as well as basic art styles, such as mosaics, portraits, sculptures, landscapes, and more, are introduced with the help of adorable animal friends. Questions for the reader on each spread encourage active reading, while a summary page of art styles at the end of the book allows for review and recall.

 

  • AUDIENCE: Children ages 2-5


 

  • PERFECT FOR: Introducing colors and six art styles in an engaging, child-friendly way


 

  • FUN AND EDUCATIONAL: Packed with fun facts, simple text, questions for the readers, and shaped, peek-through gatefolds to open
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Ocean of Color (Disney/Pixar Finding Dory)

Bill Scollon

A Step 1 Step into Reading leveled reader based on Disney and Pixar Finding Dory!
 
Dory sees lots of colors in the ocean—from an orange fish to a white whale to a brown otter to a purple sea urchin! Based on Disney and Pixar Finding Dory, this Step 1 Step into Reading leveled reader introduces young readers to colors as they meet all of Dory’s friends. It is perfect for kids ages 4 to 6.
 
Step 1 readers feature big type and easy words. Rhymes and rhythmic text paired with picture clues help children decode the story. For children who know the alphabet and are eager to begin reading.

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The Wolf Who Wanted to Change His Color

Orianne Lallemand

Mr. Wolf is in a very bad mood. This morning, he does not like his color anymore!
He really wants to try another one, just to see how it is, to be like someone else. It seems to be a good idea, but HOW can he change his color? Mr. Wolf will ask himself many questions about who he really is.

This is a simple color concept book with a moral: be happy with who you are. The illustrations are great attention grabbers as Wolf tries various methods to become something other than his boring gray. He paints himself green but looks like a fat frog; he rolls in mud, only to become smelly and itchy. He even steals feathers from an unhappy peacock to become multicolored, but all the attention he gets from flirtatious female wolves drives him crazy. Being his gray self turns out to be best. Tucked into each simple, colorful picture is a surprise that children will enjoy spotting: a fox hiding behind Wolf's full-length mirror; a frog in his bathroom sinks looking lovingly at his green fur, and so on. Children will love this story and be drawn to the bold cover, depicting a wolf puzzling over a handful of swatches against a bright, checkboard background.
--School Library Journal

 

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Creepy Carrots!

Aaron Reynolds

In this Caldecott Honor–winning picture book, The Twilight Zone comes to the carrot patch as a rabbit fears his favorite treats are out to get him.

Jasper Rabbit loves carrots—especially Crackenhopper Field carrots. 
He eats them on the way to school.
He eats them going to Little League.
He eats them walking home.
Until the day the carrots start following him...or are they?
     Celebrated artist Peter Brown’s stylish illustrations pair perfectly with Aaron Reynold’s text in this hilarious picture book that shows it’s all fun and games…until you get too greedy.

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The One and Only Ivan

Katherine Applegate

Soon to be a major motion picture!

Winner of the Newbery Medal and a #1 New York Times bestseller

This unforgettable novel from renowned author Katherine Applegate celebrates the transformative power of unexpected friendship. Inspired by the true story of a captive gorilla known as Ivan, this illustrated book is told from the point of view of Ivan himself. 

Having spent twenty-seven years behind the glass walls of his enclosure in a shopping mall, Ivan has grown accustomed to humans watching him. He hardly ever thinks about his life in the jungle. Instead, Ivan occupies himself with television, his friends Stella and Bob, and painting. But when he meets Ruby, a baby elephant taken from the wild, he is forced to see their home, and his art, through new eyes.

In the tradition of timeless stories like Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little, Katherine Applegate blends humor and poignancy to create an unforgettable story of friendship, art, and hope.

The One and Only Ivan features first-person narrative; author's use of literary devices (personification, imagery); and story elements (plot, character development, perspective).

Plus don't miss Katherine Applegate's Endling series!

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Home in a Lunchbox

Cherry Mo

**WINNER OF THE CALDECOTT HONOR**

Cherry Mo's stunning debut is about a young girl who immigrates to America and finds home in an unexpected place.

When Jun moves from Hong Kong to America, the only words she knows are hello, thank you, I don’t know, and toilet. Her new school feels foreign and terrifying.

But when she opens her lunchbox to find her favorite meals—like bao, dumplings, and bok choy—she realizes home isn’t so far away after all.

Through lush art and spare dialogue, Cherry Mo’s breathtakingly beautiful debut picture book reminds readers that friendship and belonging can be found in every bite.

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Firebird

Misty Copeland

In her debut picture book, Misty Copeland tells the story of a young girl--an every girl--whose confidence is fragile and who is questioning her own ability to reach the heights that Misty has reached. Misty encourages this young girl's faith in herself and shows her exactly how, through hard work and dedication, she too can become Firebird.

Lyrical and affecting text paired with bold, striking illustrations that are some of Caldecott Honoree Christopher Myers's best work, makes Firebird perfect for aspiring ballerinas everywhere.

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Popcorn

Rob Harrell

The beloved author of Wink is back with a hilarious and moving story about coping with anxiety on a day when everything is going wrong

Andrew’s just trying to make it through Picture Day, which is easier said than done when it seems like the whole world is out to get him—from a bully to a science experiment gone wrong to a someone else’s juice snot (don’t ask).

But as Andrew goes through the school day, and as one thing after another goes wrong, that little kernel of worry in his stomach is getting hotter and hotter, until it threatens to pop and turn into a public panic attack, his worst fear. He tries to keep his anxiety at bay, but the news that his grandmother with Alzheimer’s is missing is too much.

Interspersed with humorous spot art and “anxiety file” panels that depict the real, difficult feelings of anxiety and OCD and real tips for coping, this is a poignant, personal, and laugh-out-loud funny story about letting go of control and accepting help—all while trying to get the perfect school picture.

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Knight Owl

Christopher Denise

"A determined Owl builds strength and confidence in this medieval picture book about the real mettle of a hero: wits, humor, and heart. Since the day he hatched, Owl dreamed of becoming a real knight. He may not be the biggest or the strongest, but his sharp nocturnal instincts can help protect the castle, especially since many knights have recently gone missing. While holding guard during Knight Night Watch, Owl is faced with the ultimate trial -- a frightening intruder. It's a daunting duel by any measure. But what Owl lacks in size, he makes up for in good ideas. Full of wordplay and optimism, this surprising display of bravery proves that cleverness (and friendship) can rule over brawn"--Provided by publisher.

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The Crossover

Kwame Alexander

New York Times bestseller ∙ Newbery Medal Winner ∙Coretta Scott King Honor Award ∙2015 YALSA 2015 Top Ten Best Fiction for Young Adults∙ 2015 YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers ∙Publishers Weekly Best Book ∙ School Library Journal Best Book∙ Kirkus Best Book

"A beautifully measured novel of life and line."--The New York Times Book Review

"With a bolt of lightning on my kicks . . . The court is SIZZLING. My sweat is DRIZZLING. Stop all that quivering. 'Cuz tonight I'm delivering," raps twelve-year-old Josh Bell. Thanks to their dad, he and his twin brother, Jordan, are kings on the court. But Josh has more than basketball in his blood--he's got mad beats, too, which help him find his rhythm when it's all on the line.
As their winning season unfolds, things begin to change. When Jordan meets a girl, the twins' bond unravels.Told in dynamic verse, this fast and furious middle grade novel that started it all absolutely bounces with rhythm and bursts with heart.

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Wonder

R. J. Palacio

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A PARADE BEST KIDS BOOK OF ALL TIME • Millions of people have fallen in love with Auggie Pullman, an ordinary boy with an extraordinary facewho shows us that kindness brings us together no matter how far apart we are. Read the book that inspired the Choose Kind movement, a major motion picture, and the critically acclaimed graphic novel White Bird.

And don't miss R.J. Palacio's highly anticipated new novel, Pony, available now!

I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse. 

August Pullman was born with a facial difference that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past Auggie’s extraordinary face. Beginning from Auggie’s point of view and expanding to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, and others, the perspectives converge to form a portrait of one community’s struggle with empathy, compassion, and acceptance. In a world where bullying among young people is an epidemic, this is a refreshing new narrative full of heart and hope.

R.J. Palacio has called her debut novel “a meditation on kindness” —indeed, every reader will come away with a greater appreciation for the simple courage of friendship. Auggie is a hero to root for, a diamond in the rough who proves that you can’t blend in when you were born to stand out. 
 

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Last Stop on Market Street

Matt de la Peña

#1 New York Times Bestseller
A USA Today Bestseller
Winner of the Newbery Medal
A Caldecott Honor Book 
A Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book
 
This award-winning modern classic—a must-have for every child’s home library—is an inclusive ode to kindness, empathy, gratitude, and finding joy in unexpected places, and celebrates the special bond between a curious young boy and his loving grandmother.

Every Sunday after church, CJ and his grandma ride the bus across town. But today, CJ wonders why they don’t own a car like his friend Colby. Why doesn’t he have an iPod like the boys on the bus? How come they always have to get off in the dirty part of town? Each question is met with an encouraging answer from grandma, who helps him see the beauty—and fun—in their routine and the world around them.

This energetic ride through a bustling city highlights the wonderful perspective only grandparent and grandchild can share, and comes to life through Matt de la Peña’s vibrant text and Christian Robinson’s radiant illustrations.

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Hot Dog

Doug Salati

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • WINNER OF THE 2023 CALDECOTT MEDAL • This glowing and playful picture book features an overheated—and overwhelmed—pup who finds his calm with some sea, sand, and fresh air. Destined to become a classic!

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY The Washington PostPublishers WeeklyKirkus Reviews • New York Public Library

“An utter joy from beginning to end!” —Sophie Blackall, two-time Caldecott Medal winner

This hot dog has had enough of summer in the city! Enough of sizzling sidewalks, enough of wailing sirens, enough of people's feet right in his face. When he plops down in the middle of a crosswalk, his owner endeavors to get him the breath of fresh air he needs. She hails a taxi, hops a train, and ferries out to the beach.

Here, a pup can run!

With fluid art and lyrical text that have the soothing effect of waves on sand, award-winning author Doug Salati shows us how to find calm and carry it back with us so we can appreciate the small joys in a day.

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Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

Mildred D. Taylor

This is an extraordinarily moving novel -- one you will not easily forget. Set in Mississippi at the height of the Depression, it is the story of one family's struggle to maintain their integrity, pride, and independence. It is a story of physical survival, but more important, it is a story of the survival of the human spirit. And, too, it is Cassie's story -- Cassie Logan, an independent girl raised by a family for whom independence is primary, a family determined not to relinquish their humanity simply because they are Black. Cassie has grown up protected, grown up strong, and so far grown up unaware that any white person could force her to be untrue to herself, could consider her inferior and treat her accordingly. It took the events of one turbulent year -- the year of the night riders and the burnings, the year a white girl humiliated Cassie in public simply because she was Black -- to show Cassie why the land meant so much, why having a place of their own where they answered to no one permitted the Logans the luxuries of pride and courage their sharecropper neighbors couldn't afford and their white neighbors couldn't allow. Richly characterized, powerfully told, Mildred Taylor's novel is unforgettable. The Logans' story is at times warm and humorous, at times terrifying. It is a story of courage and love and pride, the story of one family's passionate determination not to be beaten down. - Back cover.

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Buffalo Fluffalo

Bess Kalb

THE NATIONAL BESTSELLER • Introducing a sweet and silly buffalo who tries to bluff and fluff his way into being bigger than he really is. This laugh-out-loud story by an Emmy-nominated comedy writer shows it’s okay to be yourself.

I’m the Buffalo Fluffalo
I heave and I huffalo
Leave me alone because
I’ve had enuffalo.

Buffalo Fluffalo arrives on the scene puffed up with self-importance. Stomping around and raising billows of dust, Buffalo Fluffalo proclaims his superiority to the other creatures—the ram, the prairie dog, and the crow—who just want to be his friend. So Buffalo Fluffalo, who has had enuffalo, heads off to grumble to himself. Suddenly, a rain shower pours down from the clouds and—what’s this? All of his fluffalo is a soggy mess! There Fluffalo stands, a drenched pip-squeak without his disguise. The other animals, who could see through Fluffalo’s bravado from the start, circle around to comfort him. As prairie dog says with a smile in his eyes, You’re great how you are, no matter your size.

Readers will find Buffalo Fluffalo’s insecurity endearing and will be moved to reassure him. This humorous and delightful book encourages self-acceptance with a lighthearted touch.

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Hidden Figures

Margot Lee Shetterly

Based on the New York Times bestselling book and the Academy Award–nominated movie, author Margot Lee Shetterly and Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Award winner Laura Freeman bring the incredibly inspiring true story of four black women who helped NASA launch men into space to picture book readers!

Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, and Christine Darden were good at math…really good.

They participated in some of NASA's greatest successes, like providing the calculations for America's first journeys into space. And they did so during a time when being black and a woman limited what they could do. But they worked hard. They persisted. And they used their genius minds to change the world.

In this beautifully illustrated picture book edition, we explore the story of four female African American mathematicians at NASA, known as "colored computers," and how they overcame gender and racial barriers to succeed in a highly challenging STEM-based career.

"Finally, the extraordinary lives of four African American women who helped NASA put the first men in space is available for picture book readers," proclaims Brightly in their article "18 Must-Read Picture Books of 2018." "Will inspire girls and boys alike to love math, believe in themselves, and reach for the stars."

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The Snowy Day

Ezra Jack Keats

The magic and wonder of winter’s first snowfall is perfectly captured in Ezra Jack Keat’s Caldecott Medal-winning picture book. This 50th Anniversary Commemorative Edition celebrates the classic beloved by generations of readers and listeners.

In 1962, a little boy named Peter put on his snowsuit and stepped out of his house and into the hearts of millions of readers. The Snowy Day transformed children's literature with its pioneering portrayal of an African-American child and the charming story and artwork that won it the Caldecott Medal. Fifty years later, Viking proudly celebrates Peter's adventure in this very special edition. Featuring eight pages of bonus material and a festive cover, this oversized edition of Keats's beloved book is a must-have.

Ezra Jack Keats was also the creator of such classics as GogglesA Letter to AmyPet Show!Peter’s Chair, and A Whistle for Willie.
 
(This book is also available in Spanish, as Un dia de nieve.)

Praise for The Snowy Day:
New York Public Library's #1 book on the list of “Top Check Outs of All Time”

“Keats made Peter’s world so inviting that it beckons us. Perhaps the busyness of daily life in the 21st century makes us appreciate Peter even more—a kid who has the luxury of a whole day to just be outside, surrounded by snow that’s begging to be enjoyed.” —The Atlantic

"Ezra Jack Keats's classic The Snowy Day, winner of the 1963 Caldecott Medal, pays homage to the wonder and pure pleasure a child experiences when the world is blanketed in snow."—Publisher's Weekly

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Mexikid

Pedro Martín

NEWBERY HONOR AWARD WINNER • An unforgettable graphic memoir about a Mexican American boy’s family and their adventure-filled road trip to bring their abuelito back from Mexico

“One of those books that kids will pass to their friends as soon as they have finished it.”—Victoria Jamieson, creator of the National Book Award finalist When Stars Are Scattered 

WINNER OF THE PURA BELPRÉ AUTHOR AWARD AND ILLUSTRATOR AWARD • ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: The New York Times Book Review, NPR, Booklist, Kirkus Reviews, Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal, Booklist, New York Public Library, Chicago Public Library

Pedro Martín has grown up hearing stories about his abuelito—his legendary crime-fighting, grandfather who was once a part of the Mexican Revolution! But that doesn't mean Pedro is excited at the news that Abuelito is coming to live with their family. After all, Pedro has 8 brothers and sisters and the house is crowded enough! Still, Pedro piles into the Winnebago with his family for a road trip to Mexico to bring Abuelito home, and what follows is the trip of a lifetime, one filled with laughs and heartache. Along the way, Pedro finally connects with his abuelito and learns what it means to grow up and find his grito.

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Holes

Louis Sachar

This groundbreaking classic is now available in a special anniversary edition with bonus content. Winner of the Newbery Medal as well as the National Book Award, HOLES is a New York Times bestseller and one of the strongest-selling middle-grade books to ever hit shelves!

Stanley Yelnats is under a curse. A curse that began with his no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing-great-great-grandfather and has since followed generations of Yelnatses. Now Stanley has been unjustly sent to a boys' detention center, Camp Green Lake, where the boys build character by spending all day, every day digging holes exactly five feet wide and five feet deep. There is no lake at Camp Green Lake. But there are an awful lot of holes.

It doesn't take long for Stanley to realize there's more than character improvement going on at Camp Green Lake. The boys are digging holes because the warden is looking for something. But what could be buried under a dried-up lake? Stanley tries to dig up the truth in this inventive and darkly humorous tale of crime and punishment
—and redemption.

Special anniversary edition bonus content includes: A New Note From the Author!; "Ten Things You May Not Know About HOLES" by Louis Sachar; and more!
.

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The Lion & the Mouse

Jerry Pinkney

In award-winning artist Jerry Pinkney's wordless adaptation of one of Aesop's most beloved fables, an unlikely pair learn that no act of kindness is ever wasted. After a ferocious lion spares a cowering mouse that he'd planned to eat, the mouse later comes to his rescue, freeing him from a poacher's trap. With vivid depictions of the landscape of the African Serengeti and expressively-drawn characters, Pinkney makes this a truly special retelling, and his stunning pictures speak volumes.

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The Tale of Despereaux Deluxe Anniversary Edition

Kate DiCamillo

Celebrate twenty years of Despereaux with a splendid anniversary edition--including a bonus original short story from Kate DiCamillo and a new piece of art by Timothy Basil Ering.

Welcome to the story of Despereaux Tilling, a mouse who is in love with music, stories, and a princess named Pea. It is also the story of a rat called Roscuro, who lives in the darkness and covets a world filled with light. And it is the story of Miggery Sow, a slow-witted serving girl who harbors a simple, impossible wish. These three characters are about to embark on a journey that will lead them down into a horrible dungeon, up into a glittering castle, and, ultimately, into one another's lives. And what happens then? As Kate DiCamillo would say: Reader, it is your destiny to find out.

For this beautifully designed twentieth-anniversary edition, the author has written a brand-new short story, "The Tapestry at Norendy," inspired by the world of Despereaux and presented with a new black-and-white illustration by Timothy Basil Ering.

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Kwame Crashes the Underworld

Craig Kofi Farmer

Discover a stunning middle grade fantasy about a boy hurled into the Ghanaian underworld to help his grandmother save humanity, perfect for fans of Tristan Strong and Amari and the Night Brothers.

Twelve-year-old Kwame Powell isn't ready to deal with losing his grandmother, even as he and his family head to Ghana for her celebration of life. 

He's definitely not ready when he's sucked into a magical whirlpool that leads straight to Asamando, the Ghanaian underworld. There, he comes face to face with his grandmother, who is very much alive, and somehow still...a kid? Together with his best friend, Autumn, and a talkative aboatia named Woo, Kwame must battle angry nature gods, and stop the underworld from destroying the land of the living.

But there's an even bigger problem: Only living souls can leave Asamando. In order to save the mortal world and return home, Kwame will need to find the courage to do the bravest thing of all -- learn how to say goodbye.


***

Praise for Kwame Crashes the Underworld:

A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year
A Chicago Public Library Best Book of the Year

★ "A grand tale, funny and terrifying in turns, steeped in Ghanaian spirituality and folklore, and wrapped around themes of identity, obligation, true friendship, and devastating loss." — Kirkus Reviews, starred review

★ "This swashbuckling, supernatural adventure into the land of Ghanian mythology will have all readers (and especially fans of Rick Riordan Presents titles) craving more. Highly recommended." — School Library Journal, starred review

"Brimming with laughter, joy, and beautiful messages about grief, hope, lost loved ones, identity, and the ancestors, Kwame Crashes the Underworld rattles the spirit. Kwame Powell is a much-welcomed hero to the canon of children's books." — Dhonielle Clayton, New York Times-bestselling author of The Marvellers and The Memory Thieves

“Craig Kofi Farmer brings to life the myths of Ghana with heart, humor, and cinematic flair. I wish this book had existed when I was a child. I dare readers not to let Kwame Powell into their hearts.” — Roseanne A. Brown, New York Times-bestselling author of Serwa Boateng’s Guide to Vampire Hunting

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Stop! Bot!

James Yang

Winner of the 2020 Theodor Seuss Geisel Award for most distinguished American book for beginning readers.

In this very young picture book mystery, a little boy out for a walk with his family stops to show a building doorman his new "bot": "I have a bot!" Only he doesn't have it for long, because it floats up out of his hands like an escaped balloon. "Stop! Bot!" Springing to action, the kind doorman runs up to each floor of the building to try and catch it -- along with the help of each floor's resident. But while everything looks normal at first, every floor (and resident) is a little more wacky and unusual than the last! Musicians, baseball players, zoo animals, and finally a very large monkey all play a part -- but will they rescue the Bot before it's too late?! Children will love all the funny details and easy-to-read words in this very playful picture book!

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Flora and Ulysses

Kate DiCamillo

Available in a paperback edition! The beloved 2014 Newbery Medal winner by former National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature Kate DiCamillo.

Holy unanticipated occurrences! From #1 New York Times best-selling author Kate DiCamillo comes a laugh-out-loud story filled with eccentric, endearing characters — a novel interspersed with comic-style graphic sequences and full-page illustrations, all rendered in black and white by K. G. Campbell.

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Penelope Rex and the Problem with Pets

Ryan T. Higgins

Penelope Rex might finally have bitten off more than she can chew-a pet saber tooth tiger!-in this companion to the #1 New York Times bestselling We Don't Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins.

Most kids have dogs and cats and fish and guinea pigs. Penelope Rex has Mittens.

Penelope wasn't sure she even wanted a pet when Mittens came into her life. But now that he's here, she is determined to make the best of it.
Pets, however-especially ones that are six hundred pounds with six-inch-long teeth-can cause very big, very messy problems.

In this companion to We Don't Eat Our Classmates, Penelope Rex discovers the challenges and rewards (but mostly challenges) of pet ownership.

Read all of the Penelope Rex books!
 

  • We Don't Eat Our Classmates
  • We Will Rock Our Classmates
  • We Don't Lose Our Class Goldfish
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Buffalo Fluffalo

Bess Kalb

THE NATIONAL BESTSELLER • Introducing a sweet and silly buffalo who tries to bluff and fluff his way into being bigger than he really is. This laugh-out-loud story by an Emmy-nominated comedy writer shows it’s okay to be yourself.

I’m the Buffalo Fluffalo
I heave and I huffalo
Leave me alone because
I’ve had enuffalo.

Buffalo Fluffalo arrives on the scene puffed up with self-importance. Stomping around and raising billows of dust, Buffalo Fluffalo proclaims his superiority to the other creatures—the ram, the prairie dog, and the crow—who just want to be his friend. So Buffalo Fluffalo, who has had enuffalo, heads off to grumble to himself. Suddenly, a rain shower pours down from the clouds and—what’s this? All of his fluffalo is a soggy mess! There Fluffalo stands, a drenched pip-squeak without his disguise. The other animals, who could see through Fluffalo’s bravado from the start, circle around to comfort him. As prairie dog says with a smile in his eyes, You’re great how you are, no matter your size.

Readers will find Buffalo Fluffalo’s insecurity endearing and will be moved to reassure him. This humorous and delightful book encourages self-acceptance with a lighthearted touch.

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Impossible Creatures

Katherine Rundell

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Two kids race to save the world’s last magical place in the first book of a landmark new fantasy series, from “a writer with an utterly distinctive voice and a wild imagination.” (Philip Pullman, author of The Golden Compass)

“An instant classic from one of the most gifted storytellers of our time, Impossible Creatures is an astonishing miracle of a book.” —Katherine Applegate, Newbery Medal Winner for The One and Only Ivan

A PUBLISHERS WEEKLY BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR
 
The day that Christopher saved a drowning baby griffin from a hidden lake would change his life forever. 
 
It’s the day he learned about the Archipelago—a cluster of unmapped islands where magical creatures of every kind have thrived for thousands of years, until now. And it’s the day he met Mal—a girl on the run, in desperate need of his help.
 
Mal and Christopher embark on a wild adventure, racing from island to island, searching for someone who can explain why the magic is fading and why magical creatures are suddenly dying. They consult sphinxes, battle kraken, and negotiate with dragons. But the closer they get to the dark truth of what’s happening, the clearer it becomes: no one else can fix this. If the Archipelago is to be saved, Mal and Christopher will have to do it themselves.
 
Katherine Rundell’s story crackles and roars with energy and delight. It is brought vividly to life with more than 60 illustrations, including a map and a bestiary of magical creatures.

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Wonderful Winter

Bruce Goldstone

Winter is a season of wondering and waiting. We wonder why some trees lose their leaves while others stay green all winter long. We wait for the first snowfall—and then wonder at how amazing each snowflake is. We wonder how animals manage to live in the cold. And we can't wait to celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa. 

With vivid photographs, lively explanations, and creative craft ideas, Bruce Goldstone presents all the fascinating facts that make winter so wonderful!

This title has Common Core connections.

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Wolf in the Snow

Matthew Cordell

Winner of the 2018 Caldecott Medal

A girl is lost in a snowstorm. A wolf cub is lost, too. How will they find their way home?

Paintings rich with feeling tell this satisfying story of friendship and trust. Wolf in the Snow is a book set on a wintry night that will spark imaginations and warm hearts, from Matthew Cordell, author of Trouble Gum and Another Brother.

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Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter

Kenard Pak

As leaves fall from their trees, animals huddle against the cold, and frost creeps across windows, everyone knows—winter is on its way! 

Join a brother and sister as they explore nature and take a stroll through their twinkling town, greeting all the signs of the coming season. In a series of conversations with everything from the setting sun to curious deer, they say goodbye to autumn and welcome the glorious first snow of winter in Kenar Pak's Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter.

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The Story of Snow

Mark Cassino

How do snow crystals form? What shapes can they take? Are no two snow crystals alike? These questions and more are answered in this visually stunning exploration of the science of snow. Perfect for reading on winter days, the book features photos of real snow crystals in their beautiful diversity. Snowflake-catching instructions are also included.

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Some Snow Is...

Ellen Yeomans

Lyrical poetry and stunning paintings showcase the surprise, the fun, and the beauty of everyone's favorite winter adventure: snow! 

Some snow is First Snow,
we've waited for so long snow.
Is it really snow snow
or only heavy rain?

Starting with the thrill and excitement over the first flakes falling from the sky, we follow three young neighbors enjoying all types of snow through the season. From sleet and fluff snow that isn't good for anything to angel snow, snowball snow, driveway snow (which can lead to the best forts), tracking snow, sledding snow, snow day snow, and all the way to the last snow which is exciting in its own way:

Soon, soon, all gone snow.
We've waited for so long snow.
Please, please, no more snow.
Our bikes are whispering. 

Beautiful verse and evocative energetic illustrations perfectly hit all the right exciting and cozy notes that children will savor every winter!

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Best in Snow

April Pulley Sayre

Discover the wonderful world of snow with this companion to the celebrated Raindrops Roll!

With gorgeous photo illustrations, award-winning author April Pulley Sayre sheds sparkly new light on the wonders of snow. From the beauty of snow blanketing the forest and falling on animals’ fur and feathers to the fascinating winter water cycle, this nonfiction picture book celebrates snowfall and the amazing science behind it.

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How Do You Know It's Winter?

Ruth Owen

Describes some of the signs of winter, including changes in light and temperature, plants at rest, bare branches on trees, animals and birds responding to the cold and lack of food, and other differences, and suggests related activities.

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Ladybug Girl and the Big Snow

Jacky Davis

In this hardcover picture book from the New York Times bestselling Ladybug Girl  series, Ladybug Girl and Bingo need to look on the bright side of things to make their snow day adventure as much fun as it should be. 
 
Lulu and her dog Bingo wake up to a snow-covered yard and decide to have the best snow day ever. They make penguin tracks and taste the frosting-like snow. But the snow is deep and cold, and when Lulu tries to build a fort or make a snowball, her mittens are too wet and snow falls down the back of her neck. This is not the day she planned. And then Lulu remembers that she is Ladybug Girl and Ladybug Girl can do anything! With another determined look at the snow, Ladybug Girl overcomes her frustration and sees the yard in a whole new light. She and Bingo are now ready to use their imaginations to create their own snow games, snow animals, and snow adventures! 
 
For fans of The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats, Ladybug Girl and the Big Snow honors the magic of the outdoors and creativity!

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Crayola Winter Colors

Jodie Shepherd

Crunchy white snow, green pine needles, bright holiday lights--colors are everywhere in winter! Explore color in the world around you. What colors make you think of winter? What can you create with the colors of winter? Bright photos and lyrical text encourage readers to notice colors in the real world and create art inspired by winter.

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Snow Play

Birgitta Ralston

DIY goes outdoors, giving winter enthusiasts more than 25 new ways to play in the snow! 

Calling all snow lovers--young and old alike! When you're surrounded by the white stuff, it's time for Snow Play

With crazy creatures to build, challenging games to play, and outrageous spaces to sculpt, author Birgitta Ralston, a Europe-based designer, has imagined the most creative ways to play in the snow. From a looming Loch Ness monster to a slippery Ice Slide, from a Snowball Lantern to brighten a yard to Curious Footprints to mark freshly fallen snow, the book includes 25 projects and games to draw you outdoors on a snow-filled day. Celebrate a winter birthday by building a giant Frosted Cake (and use food coloring to dye the snow!), or light your walkway with the flickering flames from a set of snowy Glow Cones.Ê You'll find hours of entertainment to brighten even the coldest winter days and nights. 

Snow Play is filled with projects and games for any age, ability, and number of people. Each entry includes complete step-by-step text instructions, plus explanatory line drawings. The full-color photographs show how each project is finished in all its frozen glory.

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If You Were a Kid on the Mayflower (If You Were a Kid) (Library Edition)

John Son

"In 1620, a group of Pilgrims left Europe aboard a ship called the Mayflower. They sailed toward North America, hoping to make a new home where they could practice their religion freely. Readers will join Hope and Theodore as their set sail on a 66-day journey across the Atlantic Ocean. They will learn what living conditions were like aboard the ship, what dangers the Pilgrims faced at sea, and much more."--Publisher's description.

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Let's Bake Thanksgiving Treats!

Ruth Owen

There can never be too many treats on Thanksgiving Day. From pies to pumpkin cookies, readers are sure to be familiar with the wonderful baked goods often served at their family's dinner. With this book in hand, they'll be able to find the inspiration they need to bake up a themed surprise. With simply written ingredients and equipment lists and easy-to-follow instructions, each recipe was specially formatted and chosen for young bakers eager to take on part of the Thanksgiving meal.

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Scooby-Doo and the Thanksgiving Terror

Mariah Balaban

It's the grooviest Thanksgiving ever with Scooby and the gang! 
Happy Thanksgiving Scooby-Doo!
Scooby and the gang are at it again in this Thanksgiving thriller. When a float in the Coolsville Parade comes to life, it's up to the Mystery, Inc. to catch the culprit. Will they be able to before they get stuffed?

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Thanksgiving Mice!

Bethany Roberts

It's Thanksgiving and four adorable mice are putting on a play for their woodland friends in this delightful read-aloud, the fourth book about the holiday mice. Lively verse introduces beginning readers to basic words and rhyming sounds and tells the story of the very first Thanksgiving, when the Pilgrim mice traveled across the sea and settled in America. The simple story-within-a-story format, accompanied by colorful, action-filled illustrations of mice in costume, also serves as a basic introduction to theater.

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Trucksgiving

Jon Scieszka

Join in on the Thanksgiving traditions of Trucktown in this addition to the New York Times bestselling Ready-to-Read series by Jon Scieszka. 

After scooping dirt, spraying water, and mixing cement, the first trucks of Trucktown want to do something for all of the trucks that helped them build Trucktown. 

Combining the traditions of Thanksgiving with the well-known fun of Trucktown, they create the special ways for all trucks to celebrate Trucksgiving year after year! 

This level one Ready-to-Read book is the perfect read to teach new reader’s about Thanksgiving through the excitement of Trucktown with easy sight words, a simple plot, and a familiar topic.

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I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie

Alison Jackson

Children have binged on this riotous takeoff on the popular “I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly” for the last decade. This delicious romp by the author of The Ballad of Valentine and the illustrator who created Skippyjon Jones would make a unique and unforgettable hostess gift.

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I Am Thankful

Suzy Capozzi

The Positive Power early reader series introduces self esteem and empathy to budding young readers. I Am Thankful is a fun and encouraging early reader about all the things we have to be thankful for! Now a part of the premier early reading line, Step into Reading!

It's Thanksgiving, and there's a lot to be done before turkeytime! A young boy runs in the turkey trot and helps his family bake pies. But when it's time for the annual family football game, it starts raining! Luckily, the jam-packed day proves there's always something to be thankful for. In this installment of the Positive Power series, kids will learn the affirmation "I am thankful" through a delightful story of food, family, and fun.

Through simple text and joyful illustrations, this installment in the Positive Power series inspires kids to help others while giving them the confidence they need to transform from little to BIG readers.
 
Step 2 Readers use basic vocabulary and short sentences to tell simple stories, for children who recognize familiar words and can sound out new words with help. Rhyme and rhythmic text paired with picture clues help children decode the story.

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Turkey Tot

George Shannon

No sweet treat today! Those yummy-looking blackberries are out of reach. But Turkey Tot has found some string. He asks his friends to help him find a balloon so they can float up to the berries. But the friends find the idea preposterous. "He's been different since the day he was hatched," says Hen. Turkey Tot doesn't find balloons, but he does gather two cans, a hammer, and nail--and voilà! Stilts help Turkey Tot reach the berries. Budding engineers and other creative-minded kids will love Turkey Tot's optimism and can-do spirit.

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Thanksgiving for Emily Ann

Teresa Johnston

Celebrate Thanksgiving in this sweet, rhyming story all about family and togetherness!

 

Emily Ann doesn't like Thanksgiving, not one bit. With all the hustle and bustle of the holiday, she feels a little ignored...and just a little bit sad. But just as Emily Ann prepares to do her worst, her family comes together to show her what matters most about Thanksgiving: family.With charming illustrations by Vanessa Brantley-Newton (ONE LOVE and EVERY LITTLE THING, both by Cedella Marley), this is a heartwarming holiday treat to share and treasure for many seasons to come. A celebration of family, friends, and the special day that brings them all together.

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No Más Señora Mimí

Meg Medina

De Meg Medina, ganadora de la Medalla Newbery y Embajadora Nacional de Literatura Juvenil, nos llega este conmovedor homenaje a los que cuidan a los niños y entran en su mundo lleno de ternura.

Me quito la manta y me trepo en su regazo. Me pongo su trenza encima de la boca como si fuera un bigote y ella se ríe.

Ana no puede controlar su entusiasmo. ¡Su abuela viene a vivir con ella y su mami para siempre! Seguro que Abuela va a dejar a Ana jugar cuando quiera, en vez de meterle prisa para que se vaya la escuela, como a veces hace su vecina y niñera, la señora Mimí. Es más, como le dice su compañera de clase, ¡Ana ya no necesitará que la señora Mimí la cuide! Pero la señora Mimí sabe escuchar, y se divierten mucho juntas dando de comer a las ardillas y merendando. ¿Tal vez Ana aún no esté lista para despedirse de la señora Mimí? Meg Medina, magistral narradora, ofrece una reconfortante historia que rinde homenaje a los que cuidan a los niños y a la comunidad, así como al lugar especial que ocupan en nuestras vidas. Una historia acompañada por las cálidas y expresivas ilustraciones de Brittany Cicchese.

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Scaredy-Cat, Splat!

Rob Scotton

It's Halloween, and Splat is determined to be the scariest cat in the class. Unfortunately he's just too much of a scaredy-cat. He's afraid of a little spider, and everyone says his costume looks more silly than scary. And when Mrs. Wimpydimple tells a ghost story in the dark, Splat gets so frightened that he tips over his jack-o'-lantern. But when the lights go back on, the entire class is scared silly by a small, black, furry creature with a big pumpkin head. Whooooo can it be?

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The Itty-Bitty Witch

Trisha Speed Shaskan

"Betty can't wait to be a first-grade witch. But on the first day of school, her classmates start calling her 'Itty Bitty' because she's small and still uses her kinder-broom. Betty doesn't like the nickname--or how it makes her feel itty-bitty inside. So she comes up with a BIG idea to prove herself: winning the Halloween Dash"--Provided by publisher.

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Howl for Halloween! (PAW Patrol)

Golden Books

The puppies from Nickelodeon's PAW Patrol become ghost hunters when they throw a costume party on an old pirate ship. Boys and girls ages 3-7 will love this not-too-scary full-color hardcover storybook.

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Bears and Boos

Shirley Parenteau

The adorable bears are excited to dress up for Halloween — but are there enough costumes for everyone?

Big Brown Bear and the four little bears can’t wait to dress up for Halloween. Everyone grabs their costumes from the costume box, but — oops! — in the rush, Floppy is knocked on her furry behind, and now there are no costumes left for her! Fuzzy says she’s sorry and offers Floppy a golden gown. Then each of the other bears shares an item with Floppy, and soon she’s dressed like a queen — just in time for the parade! Shirley Parenteau and David Walker combine cheerful read-aloud rhyme and irresistibly charming art in another story for the youngest cubs and their big bears.

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A Halloween Drawing Spooktacular!

Jennifer M. Besel

What's more fun than celebrating Halloween? Try drawing Halloween! Become an artist, and learn to sketch the sights and symbols that make this holiday special. It just takes a pencil and a spooktacular attitude!

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Halloween Treats

Donata Maggipinto

These days, Halloween is the most popular holiday next to Christmas. At its heart are family and friends having fun together-which is what this book is all about. In this cornucopia of creative Halloween ideas, simple crafts, tasty treats, and ghoulish good times abound. From delicious "one cauldron" dinners such as creamy pumpkin soup to luscious devil's food cake and black cat cookies, here are recipes ideal for entertaining adults and children alike, both in the kitchen and at the table. And then there are the crafts. Kid-friendly projects such as trick-or-treat bags, spooky lanterns, and tissue ghosts, and easy ideas for beautiful centerpieces, place mats, and name cards keep everyone from the tots on up busy and happy. Filled with clever projects and delicious snacks, and illustrated throughout with colorful photographs, Halloween Treats will keep the whole family (and friends of all ages) entertained. Happy Halloween!

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The 13 Nights of Halloween

Guy Vasilovich

On the first night of Halloween, what does your mummy give you? A bright, shiny Skeleton Key, of course!

In fact, for each of the thirteen nights leading up to the big night, your mummy is ready with gifts that include everything from singing skulls to demons dancing to icky eyeballs. The spookier and slimier, the better!

From debut author-illustrator Guy Vasilovich comes a picture book that is sure to inspire even the youngest readers to start the creepy countdown to Halloween. Sing along to the tune of “The Twelve Days of Christmas” as you get ready for the scariest—and silliest—night of the year.

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Boo-La-La Witch Spa

Samantha Berger

Spooky meets silly in this unique Halloween story about a witch's night out at the fa-BOO Witch Spa

Halloween is the most important day of the year for any witch. So when the holiday ends and the witches are tired from tricking and treating, they all head to the fa-boo Witch Spa. Here they indulge in Bat-Whisker Tea, Broom Bristle Facials, and other spooky spa goodies. A trip to the Witch Spa is sure to make any witch or warlock feel refreshed, revived, and positively revolting. Charming illustrations, clever rhymes, and silly spa treatments make this a fun Halloween book with mega mom appeal.

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Witch & Wombat

Ashley Belote

Every witch will want a wombat after reading this humorous picture book perfect for little readers who want a new pet!

Wilma, a young witch, cannot wait to get her very first cat! But when the pet store is fresh out of kittens, Wilma brings home. . . a wombat?! What a CAT-astrophe! A wombat is nothing like a cat, but maybe if Wilma puts cat ears on the little critter, no one will notice. . . . (Spoiler alert: they do.)

This bright and fun picture book teaches young witches that our differences can be our strengths when we have an open mind!

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Return of the Underwear Dragon

Scott Rothman

In this hilarious sequel to the popular picture book Attack of the Underwear Dragon, a brave young knight teaches his former sworn enemy, a dragon, to read. With playful illustrations from the #1 New York Times bestselling artist of The Bad Seed!

Once Sir Cole has saved the kingdom from the destructive wrath of the Underwear Dragon, he has the startling realization that the Underwear Dragon wasn't attacking because he was disobeying the signs that said not to. The Underwear Dragon just couldn't read the signs!

Once again, Sir Cole sets out on a valiant quest. This time it isn't to conquer the Underwear Dragon--it's to help him learn how to read. But it's hard to teach a fire-breathing creature to read an actual book because he sets them all on fire. And when the Underwear Dragon finally succeeds, Sir Cole presents his star pupil with the perfect gift--gigantic alphabet underwear!

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Dinosaurs Before Dark Graphic Novel

Mary Pope Osborne

The #1 bestselling chapter book is now a graphic novel! Magic. Mystery. Time-travel. Get whisked back in time in the magic tree house with Jack and Annie!

Where did the tree house come from?

Before Jack and Annie can find out, the mysterious tree house whisks them to the prehistoric past. Now they have to figure out how to get home. Can they do it before dark...or will they become a dinosaur's dinner?

For the first time in graphic novel--live the adventure again in the very first Magic Tree House book, with new art from comic artists Kelly and Nichole Matthews!

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Origami Flowers

Soonboke Smith

Soonboke Smith, whose lucid and lovely Origami for the First Time[registered] explained all the basics of the craft, now shows how to use simple techniques to create lavish bouquets of paper flowers.

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Liz's Pie in the Sky

Callie Barkley

In this twenty-third book of the Critter Club series, Liz and her friends spend a festive fall weekend at Marigold Lake. They bake pies, go on nature walks, and help a goose keep up with his flock!

Liz and her friends are at Marigold Lake for a festive fall weekend. Liz has lots of ideas for the weekend: they’ll go fruit picking, bake pies, and admire the nature around them. While out and about, the girls discover an injured goose who is hungry and separated from his flock. Will they be able to get their goose friend, Pie, back in shape so he can fly south with the others?

With easy-to-read language and illustrations on almost every page, The Critter Club chapter books are perfect for beginning readers.

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Amelia Bedelia Takes the Cake

Herman Parish

Learn to read with young Amelia Bedelia! Amelia Bedelia has been loved by readers for more than fifty years, and it turns out that her childhood is full of silly mix-ups, too! The star of the best-selling picture book series now has her own Level 1 I Can Read series that will keep newly independent readers laughing, reading, and expanding their vocabularies. In this sweet story, Amelia Bedelia and her friends organize a bake sale at school and learn the importance of giving back.

Amelia Bedelia and her friends are hosting a bake sale. All the proceeds from the sale will go to their school library. But Amelia Bedelia doesn’t understand why she should take the cake. She’d much rather eat it! Amelia Bedelia and her friends learn about the basic concepts of brownies, business, and the importance of giving back, in this Level 1 I Can Read full of friendship, community, and yummy desserts!

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My First Space Atlas

Jane Wilsher

Zoom into space for an exhilarating journey through the Solar System and beyond.

Land on the Moon, visit the International Space Station, take a space walk, and tour the planets in this fact-filled guide to the galaxy! Watch out for space junk and black holes!

Filled with bright, bold, and scientifically accurate illustrations, fascinating information, and an interactive "Spot It" game throughout the book, My First Space Atlas will thrill aspiring astronauts and space explorers.

FILLED WITH FACTS: Dozens of space facts for curious young space explorers.

BOLD ILLUSTRATIONS: Astronauts, rockets, rovers, planets, and more are depicted in bright, colorful illustrations that accurately represent their key features and characteristics.

EXPERT AUTHORITY: Created in collaboration with astrophysicist Dr Ben Maughan, My First Space Atlas “space scientist approved” and includes all the latest expert information.

READ ALONE OR READ ALOUD: Independent readers will pore over the hundreds of fascinating facts about space, and emerging readers will love learning along with their favorite grown-up.

PLAY THE "SPOT IT" GAME: "Can you find the camera on the Moon buggy?", "How many planets are in the Solar System?" There are clues and pictures on every spread to find out all sorts of space information.

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Lucky Stars

Aron Nels Steinke

Every day in Mr. Wolf's class is an adventure... even when you have to stay home from school!

Mr. Wolf's students are having a "writer's workshop" and are learning about personal narratives. Sampson doesn't think anything worth writing about has ever happened to him. But when he and Margot go for a bike ride one morning, he has an accident that gives him a new perspective, and he thanks his lucky stars that he's going to be okay. Meanwhile, Penny gives treats to the rats at school so that they'll leave gifts for her, and Stewart and Oliver try to learn how to get along at recess.

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Cody and the Mysteries of the Universe

Tricia Springstubb

Not everything turns out to be as it first appears when Cody and her best friend, Spencer, navigate a neighborhood mystery and the start of a new school year.

Cody’s best friend, Spencer, and his parents are moving in with his grandmother right around the corner, and Cody can’t wait. For one thing, Cody needs Spencer to help solve the mystery of the never-seen Mr. Meen, who lives on the other side of the porch with a skull-and-crossbones sign in the window and an extermination truck out front. How’s Cody to know that a yellow jacket would sting her, making her scream “Ow! Ow!” just as they start spying? Or that the ominous window sign would change overnight to “Welcome home,” only deepening the mystery? In this second adventure, Spencer’s new-school jitters, an unexpected bonding with a teacher over Mozart, and turf-claiming kids next door with a reason for acting out are all part of Cody’s experiences as summer shifts into a new year at school.

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La Guitarrista

Lucky Diaz

 

 

From the creators of Paletero Man--Latin Grammy-winning musician Lucky Diaz and celebrated artist Micah Player--comes a story about a tenacious girl who achieves her wildest dreams with a little help from her community and a broken guitar.

 

 

Strum! Strum! Strum! Get ready to rock with la guitarrista!

When Canta finds a guitar in the trash, she is one step closer to becoming a rock star. Even though the guitar is broken and she doesn't know how to play, nothing can stop Canta from going after her dreams!

Perfect for fans of Because and We Will Rock Our Classmates, readers will rock out to this empowering tale of resilience, community, the power of music--and never giving up on your dreams.

The book includes Spanish words and phrases throughout, an author's note from Lucky Diaz, and a link to the song inspired by the book.

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Otter: Oh No, Bath Time!

Sam Garton

It’s bath time for Otter, the irrepressible picture book character from I Am Otter, Otter in Space, and Otter Loves Halloween! Sure to be adored by fans of Llama Llama.

Otter and Teddy love to play in the garden. But when they get dirty, they have to do something they do not love at all: take a bath! Otter Keeper says bath time is fun, but Otter and Teddy are not so sure. . . .

Otter: Oh No, Bath Time! is a My First I Can Read book, which means it’s perfect for shared reading with a child.

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Confused Dudes and the Clown Curse

Cristina Worgul

Best buds DJ and Parker cannot wait to read their original spooky story - until - one of their props seems all too real! Could the clown curse be more than a fictitious tale? You'll shudder in suspense, laugh out loud, and even learn about irony along with your two favorite confused dudes!

Supplemental activities with a focus on art, creativity, vocabulary and more also included at the end of this story!

The story is great for ages 7-10! Teachers can utilize this story in upper elementary grades to reinforce irony in a way that is exciting and engaging. Laugh and learn along with DJ and Parker - IF YOU DARE!

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Nightmarish New York

E. Merwin

While many New Yorkers are up all night in the City That Never Sleeps, so are ghosts. For over 400 years, millions of people have lived--and died--in the city. If you take a tour, watch out for phantoms! Get ready to read four scary stories about New York City's spookiest spots. This 24-page book features controlled, narrative nonfiction text with age-appropriate vocabulary and simple sentence construction. The colorful design and spooky art will engage and terrify emergent readers.

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Part of Your Nightmare (Disney Chills, Book One)

Vera Strange

"My dear, sweet child. Go ahead. Don't be afraid."
When eleven-year-old Shelly Anderson finds a mysterious nautilus shell at her family's aquarium and meets The Little Mermaid's infamous sinister sea witch, Ursula, she agrees to help the witch in exchange for becoming the fastest swimmer on her school's swim team. But after Shelly's wish quickly goes belly-up, she must figure out how to back out of the witch's deal before it forever binds her fate.
This chilling new middle grade chapter book series explores villains, monsters, and creepy creatures, objects, and environments from Disney tales old and new.

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Halloween Howls

Lee Bennett Hopkins

A crisp wind blows. A voice howls. Masked figures dance by moonlight. And the taste of chocolate is in everyone's mouth.

It's Halloween! Lee Bennett Hopkins captures the spirit of everyone's favorite holiday in this sweet and spooky collection of poems for beginning readers.

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Confused Dudes and Haunted Hazel

Cristina Worgul

Best buds DJ and Parker cannot wait to go trick-or-treating until - BOO! Halloween scares and mysterious spells make them shudder. Could someone they know be a REAL witch?

Haunted Hazel uses onomatopoeia to create opportunities for learning and laughter. You'll fall for these charmingly confused dudes!

Supplemental activities with a focus on creativity, vocabulary, rhyme and more are included at the end of this awesomely fun story!

This story is great for ages 6-9, but can be enjoyed by all! Halloween lovers will enjoy the festive illustrations, and teachers can use this text as a resource for the classroom!

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How to Build Hair-Raising Haunted Houses

Megan Cooley Peterson

Do you prefer tricks instead of treats at Halloween? Build a hair-raising haunted house with just a few simple supplies. Turn your bathroom into a vampire's hangout. Create a surgery gone wrong in the kitchen. Scare your friends with a backyard filled with zombies. With the projects in this book, your house is sure to be the must-see destination this Halloween!

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Bunnicula

Deborah Howe

BEWARE THE HARE!
Is he or isn't he a vampire?


Before it's too late, Harold the dog and Chester the cat must find out the truth about the newest pet in the Monroe household -- a suspicious-looking bunny with unusual habits...and fangs!

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Trick-or-treat on Milton Street

Lisa Bullard

Halloween is going to be a disaster! Charley has to go trick-or-treating with his goofy new stepfather on boring old Milton Street, where he doesn't know anyone. Charley soon discovers that friends can be found in the strangest places when his new neighbors -- and even his new stepfather -- turn out to be a lot more fun and interesting than he ever thought they could be.

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Camila the Record-Breaking Star

Alicia Salazar

After reading about kid record-breakers, Camila dreams of breaking a record of her own. But which world record should she tackle? No matter what she tries, Camila finds that breaking records is hard. Will she ever become a record-breaking star?

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Radiant Child

Javaka Steptoe

Winner of the Randolph Caldecott Medal and the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award
Jean-Michel Basquiat and his unique, collage-style paintings rocketed to fame in the 1980s as a cultural phenomenon unlike anything the art world had ever seen. But before that, he was a little boy who saw art everywhere: in poetry books and museums, in games and in the words that we speak, and in the pulsing energy of New York City. Now, award-winning illustrator Javaka Steptoe's vivid text and bold artwork echoing Basquiat's own introduce young readers to the powerful message that art doesn't always have to be neat or clean--and definitely not inside the lines--to be beautiful.

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Miss Quinces

Kat Fajardo

Rising star Kat Fajardo's debut middle-grade graphic novel about a girl who would rather do anything other than celebrate her quinceañera! A funny and heartfelt coming-of-age story about navigating the expectations of family and cultural tradition.

 

Sue just wants to spend the summer reading and making comics at sleepaway camp with her friends, but instead she gets stuck going to Honduras to visit relatives with her parents and two sisters. They live way out in the country, which means no texting, no cable, and no Internet! The trip takes a turn for the worse when Sue's mother announces that they'll be having a surprise quinceañera for Sue, which is the last thing she wants. She can't imagine wearing a big, floofy, colorful dress! What is Sue going to do? And how will she survive all this "quality" time with her rambunctious family?

Miss Quinces/Srta. Quinces is the first graphic novel published by Scholastic/Graphix to be simultaneously released in English and Spanish editions!

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Cece Rios and the Desert of Souls

Kaela Rivera

When a powerful desert spirit kidnaps her sister, Cece Rios must learn forbidden magic to get her back, in this own voices middle grade fantasy perfect for fans of The Storm Runner and Aru Shah and the End of Time.

Living in the remote town of Tierra del Sol is dangerous, especially in the criatura months, when powerful spirits roam the desert and threaten humankind. But Cecelia Rios has always believed there was more to the criaturas, much to her family's disapproval. After all, only brujas--humans who capture and control criaturas--consort with the spirits, and brujeria is a terrible crime.

When her older sister, Juana, is kidnapped by El Sombrerón, a powerful dark criatura, Cece is determined to bring Juana back. To get into Devil's Alley, though, she'll have to become a bruja herself--while hiding her quest from her parents, her town, and the other brujas. Thankfully, the legendary criatura Coyote has a soft spot for humans and agrees to help her on her journey.

With him at her side, Cece sets out to reunite her family--and maybe even change what it means to be a bruja along the way.

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Truth in Sight

Cori Doerrfeld

Cici has a lot to figure out. She's learning how to make friends. She's learning how to be a better big sister. Oh, and she's learning how to use her fairy powers! Things look easy for Kendra, a popular girl at Cici's school. So when Cici finds Kendra's lost doll, she uses her magic to play a trick: change the doll, and Kendra changes too! It's only a joke--but the changes could last forever if Cici doesn't learn to see the best in people.

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Mama and Me

Arthur Dorros

"VÁmanos," MamÁ says.
"Let's go!"
Together we garden and bake.
We bike and paint a mural,
colorful and bright.
I do some things sola,
all by myself.
MamÁ says, "¡Perfecto!"—
just perfect!
With MamÁ, I feel like a girasol,
a sunflower, tall and proud.

For a bilingual girl and her mamÁ, a loving bond is about being together . . . and independent. Arthur Dorros's skillful and subtle blend of English and Spanish narrative, illustrated with bold, striking paintings by award-winning artist Rudy Gutierrez, offers readers a poignant reminder that every day with MamÁ is dulce—sweet!

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Abuelo

Arthur Dorros

Together, a young boy and his abuelo (grandfather) go camping, ride horses, and even confront a mountain lion. Soon, the boy's family moves to the city from the country, away from Abuelo, and it is the boy's memories that help him adjust to his new life.

Arthur Dorros's skillful blend of Spanish and English and Raúl Colón's poignant paintings illuminate how the special bond between an abuelo and a nieto (grandson) reaches across miles. Fans of Dorros's Papá and Me and Abuela will delight in this bilingual and multigenerational picture book about a special family relationship.

This strong Common Core title features the following important strands and standards: Determine new word meaning; English/Spanish vocabulary; strong picture support.

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Round Is a Tortilla

Roseanne Thong

In this lively picture book, children discover a world of shapes all around them: rectangles are ice-cream carts and stone metates, triangles are slices of watermelon and quesadillas. Many of the featured objects are Latino in origin, and all are universal in appeal. With rich, boisterous illustrations, a fun-to-read rhyming text, and an informative glossary, this playful concept book will reinforce the shapes found in every child's day!

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The Crayons Go Back to School

Drew Daywalt

The hilarious crayons from the #1 New York Times bestselling The Day The Crayons Quit are ready to go back to school!

The crayons are getting ready to go back to school, and each crayon has a subject they're looking forward to the most. They're also ready to meet new friends. . . and let loose during their very favorite time of day: art class. A humorous, small hardcover back-to-school story from everyone's favorite school supplies.

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The Night Before Kindergarten

Natasha Wing

'Twas the night before kindergarten, and as they prepared, kids were excited, and a little bit scared. It's the first day of school! Join the kids as they prepare for kindergarten, packing school supplies, posing for pictures, and the hardest part of all-saying goodbye to Mom and Dad. But maybe it won't be so hard once they discover just how much fun kindergarten really is! Colorful illustrations illuminate this uplifting takeoff on the classic Clement C. Moore Christmas poem.

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It's Back to School We Go

Ellen Jackson

In easy-to-read text, describes what the first day of school might be like for a child in Kenya, Kazakhstan, Canada, Australia, Japan, China, Peru, Germany, India, Russia, and the United States.

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Mom, It's My First Day of Kindergarten!

Hyewon Yum

It's a child's first day of kindergarten, but who is worried about all the new people and the different things he'll meet--the child? No! The mother. In a refreshing reversal of roles, the child takes it upon himself to comfort and reassure his mother that everything will be fine, she'll get used to him going to big-kid school, and yes, he is ready for the first day of kindergarten. Utterly charming in its simplicity, Yum playfully uses size and color to reveal emotions of this milestone beginning.

Mom, It's My First Day of Kindergarten! is a Kirkus Reviews Best Children's Book of 2012

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KINDergarten

Vera Ahiyya

Written by kindergarten teacher and Instagram influencer affectionately known as the Tutu Teacher, comes a picture book about a class that creates a kindness pledge to ensure that their class is the kindest it can possibly be.

It’s the first day of Kindergarten and Leo isn’t at all ready. Leo is a quiet kid and would prefer to stay home. Over the summer, his new teacher, Ms. Perry sent a letter asking her students to think about how to show kindness in school. She explained that they would be making a kindness pledge, and each student should bring one way to show kindness on the first day.
 
As it turns out, Leo’s classmates have lots of ideas about kindness: like raising your hand, never leaving anyone out, and apologizing if you hurt someone’s feelings. At the end of the first day, Ms. Perry asks if anyone witnessed something they’d like her to add to the kindness pledge? Lots of hands shoot up in the air. Several classmates say they noticed Leo returning crayons to the box, holding the door for everyone, and helping a friend who fell. Leo smiles as he realizes he really does know a lot about kindness after all. 
 
A story reassuringly told by Vera Ahiyya and brought to exuberant life by illustrator Joey Chou, this story about a classroom coming together to make a kindergarten into a KINDergarten is sure to calm the nerves—and offer inspiration—to new kindergartners and the adults in their lives.

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K Is for Kindergarten

Erin Dealey

"Here comes kindergarten! A new classroom is exciting -- and also a little scary. Whether your little readers are gearing up for the first day or making their way through the school year, K is for Kindergarten will guide them through all the new experiences, from new teachers and friends to new rules. Silly rhymes and fun activities from A to Z help your kinder kid have the best year ever."--Jacket.

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Ready for Kindergarten, Stinky Face?

Lisa McCourt

It's time to go to kindergarten, but Stinky Face has a question . . . But, Mama, what if the sink in my classroom pours grape juice instead of water? As the situations grow stranger, Stinky Face's mama always has just the right answer to make him feel better. With Lisa McCourt's zany ideas and Cyd Moore's motion-filled illustrations, this reader is sure to make every worried kindergartner-to-be a little less nervous.

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It's Back to School We Go

Ellen Jackson

In easy-to-read text, describes what the first day of school might be like for a child in Kenya, Kazakhstan, Canada, Australia, Japan, China, Peru, Germany, India, Russia, and the United States.

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Birdie's First Day of School

Sujean Rim

Tomorrow is Birdie's first day of school and she is just SO nervous. What will her teacher be like? What should she bring? What should she WEAR? When Birdie walks into her brand-new classroom . . . oh my! A whole new world opens up as she discovers all the fun and adventure that school has to offer.

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Mom, It's My First Day of Kindergarten!

Hyewon Yum

It's a child's first day of kindergarten, but who is worried about all the new people and the different things he'll meet--the child? No! The mother. In a refreshing reversal of roles, the child takes it upon himself to comfort and reassure his mother that everything will be fine, she'll get used to him going to big-kid school, and yes, he is ready for the first day of kindergarten. Utterly charming in its simplicity, Yum playfully uses size and color to reveal emotions of this milestone beginning.

Mom, It's My First Day of Kindergarten! is a Kirkus Reviews Best Children's Book of 2012

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KINDergarten

Vera Ahiyya

Written by kindergarten teacher and Instagram influencer affectionately known as the Tutu Teacher, comes a picture book about a class that creates a kindness pledge to ensure that their class is the kindest it can possibly be.

It’s the first day of Kindergarten and Leo isn’t at all ready. Leo is a quiet kid and would prefer to stay home. Over the summer, his new teacher, Ms. Perry sent a letter asking her students to think about how to show kindness in school. She explained that they would be making a kindness pledge, and each student should bring one way to show kindness on the first day.
 
As it turns out, Leo’s classmates have lots of ideas about kindness: like raising your hand, never leaving anyone out, and apologizing if you hurt someone’s feelings. At the end of the first day, Ms. Perry asks if anyone witnessed something they’d like her to add to the kindness pledge? Lots of hands shoot up in the air. Several classmates say they noticed Leo returning crayons to the box, holding the door for everyone, and helping a friend who fell. Leo smiles as he realizes he really does know a lot about kindness after all. 
 
A story reassuringly told by Vera Ahiyya and brought to exuberant life by illustrator Joey Chou, this story about a classroom coming together to make a kindergarten into a KINDergarten is sure to calm the nerves—and offer inspiration—to new kindergartners and the adults in their lives.

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K Is for Kindergarten

Erin Dealey

"Here comes kindergarten! A new classroom is exciting -- and also a little scary. Whether your little readers are gearing up for the first day or making their way through the school year, K is for Kindergarten will guide them through all the new experiences, from new teachers and friends to new rules. Silly rhymes and fun activities from A to Z help your kinder kid have the best year ever."--Jacket.

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Ming Goes to School

Deirdre Sullivan

“This beautiful tale with gentle illustrations is an ode to the milestone of attending school for the first time and all it entails.”—School Library Journal. “A cozy portrait of the everyday discoveries and accomplishments that school can bring.”—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

Ming goes to school, where she learns to say hello and good-bye. She meets new friends and introduces them to old friends (including her favorite teddy). She builds sandcastles and makes snow angels; she traces, glitters, and glues. She is so fearless that when held at sword point, she even walks the plank! And when she’s playing in the mud, she reaches out and touches the worms with her bare hands. But despite those brave deeds, she isn’t quite ready for the big red slide—not yet.

This is a very sweet story with soft, evocative watercolor illustrations that will help kids to grow comfortable with the idea of starting preschool. Ming is curious and playful and ready for adventure, but even she gets scared of new things sometimes. Kids will relate to her desires and fears and will be excited to see Ming at the top of the slide by the story’s end.

A quiet and reassuring picture book for preschoolers (3-5), this is a wonderful going-to-school story that can be read both at home and in the classroom or childcare center. The illustrations provide a lot of diversity of characters, making this feel like any classroom in any school in the country.

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Monkey

Marc Brown

Marc Brown, creator of the beloved Arthur books and TV show, offers a charming new character—and a fun and reassuring story about preparing for the first day of school.

Kindergarten is only a week away . . . but Monkey is NOT ready. What if he gets on the wrong bus? What if they don't have any red crayons? What if he doesn't like the snacks? What if he doesn't make new friends? There are so many thoughts running through Monkey's head! But step by step, his family eases his worries: they get him a new backpack, help him read books about school, prepare his lunch, and make sure Monkey is excited—and ready—for the Big Day.

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