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Timmy Failure: Now Look What Mistakes Were Made

Stephan Pastis

The first two hilarious tales in the New York Times best-selling Timmy Failure series — together in one volume!

Meet Timmy Failure, the clueless, comically overconfident detective. Add his impressively lazy business partner, a very large polar bear named Total, and what do you get? Total Failure, Inc. — the best detective agency in town, perhaps even the nation. Perfectly paced and full of visual humor, this bind-up of Timmy’s first two adventures combines hilarity and heart for a deceptively sweet and outrageously funny read.

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When Dad's Hair Took Off

Jörg Mϋhle

One day, Dad's hair decided it was tired of being brushed and combed. It wanted a life of its own, to see the world. It took off.

Out of the bathroom, into the kitchen, and before you could say, "Hairsta la vista, baby!" it was gone.

Dad gives chase around the town. He spots his hair hiding in the lawn, on the road, at the zoo—it's amazing how many things look like hair. He gives up and tries to accept life without hair. Then the postcards arrive. The hair is on a round-the-world trip, and Dad is still bald. Will his hair ever come back?

A fast-paced, wonderfully absurd story packed with wordplay and hilarious illustrations.

When Dad's Hair Took Off is a comical chapter book for early readers or for any child to enjoy reading aloud with a grownup who relates! A fun book to celebrate and share with Dad on Father's Day or any day.

Translated from the German edition by Melody Shaw, which was shortlisted for multiple awards.

Jörg Mühle studied illustration in Offenbach and Paris. He has been illustrating for books and magazines since 2000. He is the author and illustrator of worldwide bestselling interactive bedtime book for toddlers, Tickle My Ears.

Praise for When Dad's Hair Took Off

“[A]ll the relish of a tall tale, deadpan timing, and choice vocabulary."—starred, Foreword Reviews

"Get ready for a hair-raising—or should we say hair-racing?—chase and an abundance of absurdity and witty wordplay.”—Kirkus Reviews

"An early chapter book—the kind Gecko Press excels at."—Betsy Bird, A Fuse #8 Production

"When Dad's Hair took Off is the perfect book to read when you feel like a good dollop of humour sprinkled with imagination and steeped in word play, I mean horse play, I mean HAIR play.”—NZ Poetry Box

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Zip Zap Wickety Wack

Matthew Diffee

New Yorker cartoonist Matthew Diffee makes his children's book debut with this laugh-out-loud twist on the classic animal sound book.

One of the Wall Street Journal's Best Books of the Year!
A New York Times Best Children's Book of the Year

The cow says "moo." The horse says "neigh." Everyone can agree on these. 

But when the sheep says "baa," the goat cuts in. The goat also says "baa." Now what? No one wants to share their sound!

The sheep has an idea--he'll just say something no one's ever said before: "zip zap wickety wack bing bang walla balla flip flap yackety yack." But an otherworldly visitor shows up to lay claim to this sound, too--and the alien doesn't want to share his identity either.

When the alien proposes a radical new way forward, the sheep and the goat find a compromise--and it may sound familiar to adult readers . . . 

New Yorker cartoonist Matthew Diffee's hilarious wit will be an immediate hit with young readers in his first picture book. Sure to inspire boisterous read-alouds and threaded with a sneaky message about sharing, Zip Zap Wickety Wack will inspire new nonsense and new values in homes, classrooms, and farmyards around the world.

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

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All the Books

Hayley Rocco

Join this adorable chipmunk as she gets her first library card and unlocks a world of books! This charming ode to reading, sharing, libraries, and librarians everywhere is the perfect gift for fans of Once Upon a Book and Knight Owl.

Piper Waterstone loves her books. So much so, that she cannot, will not, share them with anyone. That is, until a friendly librarian presents Piper with a magical card that will give her all the books she could ever dream of . . . as long as she shares them with all her book-loving neighbors.

From award-winning author Hayley Rocco and Caldecott Honoree John Rocco, this lavishly illustrated picture book reminds readers of all ages just how special it is to have access to ALL the books.

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Wally Mammoth: the Sled Race

Corey R. Tabor

Wolf wants to win the sled race. He loves winning. Otto wants to win, too. Wally Mammoth is . . . not so sure. A giggle-inducing, unjacketed, lower-priced hardcover picture book about friendship and cupcakes that is perfect for emerging readers by multiple Geisel Award winner Corey R. Tabor and illustrator Dalton Webb. For fans of Elephant and Piggie and Narwhal and Jelly.

Wally Mammoth lives in the Ice Age, where his huge heart warms even the coldest of days. And it has to be cold to have a sled race! Wally and his friends Otto the great auk and Wolf the (you guessed it!) gray wolf are all hot cocoa'd up and ready to compete. Otto and Wolf both really want to win, but sweet Wally is happy as long as everyone has fun.

Naturally, the competition goes downhill quickly. If the three friends careen toward the finish line in a giant snowball, how will they determine first, second, and third place It doesn't matter--there will be cupcakes for everyone regardless.

Wally Mammoth and the Sled Race is the first installment in a vibrant, laugh-out-loud, comic-inspired series about a group of unforgettable friends--created by friends themselves, illustrator Dalton Webb and Geisel Award-winning author Corey R. Tabor. These unjacketed, lower-priced picture books make reading fun and are a perfect choice for emerging readers, for developing visual literacy, and for sharing together.

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Nunu and the Sea

Isabella Kung

In this whimsical picture book, a misunderstood girl with overwhelming emotions creates an origami boat and journeys to sea where she can feel free. Fans of Where the Wild Things Are will adore this fantastical tale of big feelings and boundless imagination.

A BULLETIN OF THE CENTER FOR CHILDREN’S BOOKS BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR

"Nunu reminds all of us that emotions can feel as big and as vast as the sea--if we hold tightly and sail on, the way forward becomes clear."--Cori Doerrfeld, author-illustrator of The Rabbit Listened

"A powerful journey through the highs and lows of emotions, reminding us all of the strength found in rebuilding ourselves."--Cindy Derby, Caldecott honoree

Nunu doesn't understand, so when her emotions feel too big for her, she makes her boat out of paper origami and sails away. Out at sea, she navigates somewhere new and with the help of her origami friends, she is able to mend what is broken and find her way home.

With exquisite, immersive illustrations, this near-wordless picture book is an ode to big emotions, origami, and the hope inside all of us.

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The Old Sleigh

Jarrett Pumphrey

On winter nights, an old sleigh delivers firewood, bringing warmth and light to a small town. But small towns get bigger and families grow. When the old sleigh is overwhelmed, a new sled and a new generation carry on the custom and ensure the town is warm and bright.

This enchanting picture book from the creators of the acclaimed The Old Truck celebrates tradition, community, and simple acts of giving.

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Shmoof

Heidi McKinnon

Floof the cat befriends a dog named Shmoof in this adorable and funny picture book perfect for anyone who has or wants a floofy, shmoofy pet!

This is Shmoof.

Shmoof is VERY Shmoofy.

Shmoof is the SHMOOFIEST!

Today is a very special day because it's when Shmoof meets Floof! But Floof isn't ready to be best friends. They don't have anything in common. Until...their fear of a very scary household item is the only thing they can agree on!

This floofy, shmoofy, irresistible follow up to Floof will appeal to cat-lovers, cute-lovers, and anyone who has ever questioned if dogs and cats can be BFFs.

Don't miss the companion title, Floof!

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The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science

Kate McKinnon

The #1 New York Times bestseller!

From beloved Saturday Night Live legend Kate McKinnon comes a madcap adventure about three sisters, a ravenous worm, and a mysterious mad scientist!

So, you want to be a young mad scientist. Congratulations! Admitting it is the first step. The second step is reading the (definitely true) tale of the Porch sisters...

Gertrude, Eugenia, and Dee-Dee Porch do not belong. They don't belong in the snooty town of Antiquarium, where all girls have to go to etiquette school and the only dog allowed is the bichon frisé. They don't belong with their adoptive family, where all their cousins are named Lavinia and their Aunt has more brooches than books. And they certainly don't belong at Mrs. Wintermacher's etiquette school--they're far more interested in science. After getting kicked out of the last etiquette school that would take them, the girls expect to be sent away for good... until they receive a mysterious invitation to new school.

Suddenly the girls are under the tutelage of the infamous Millicent Quibb--a mad scientist with worms in her hair and oysters in her bathtub. At 231 Mysterium Way, the pizza is fatal, the bus is powered by Gerbils, and the Dean of Students is a hermit crab. Dangerous? Yes! More fun than they've ever had? Absolutely! But when the sisters are asked to save their town from an evil cabal of nefarious mad scientists, they must learn to embrace what has always made them stand out, and determine what side they're on--before it's too late!

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Hide and Sheep

Andrea Beaty

Farmer McFitt’s mischievous sheep have escaped! Who wants to stay on the farm when they could be shot out of a cannon at the circus or go surfing at the beach—they even pose as art in a museum! Can Farmer McFitt round up this rowdy bunch in time for a wooly surprise? 

This rollicking, rhyming read-aloud will become a favorite counting and bedtime book for parents and kids. Bill Mayer’s energetic, expressive sheep are adorably silly, and his pictures are chock-full of hilarious details kids will love.

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Growing Home

Beth Ferry

An instant New York Times bestseller!
“A meditative, charming delight.” —School Library Journal (starred review)

An unlikely team of talkative plants, a curious spider, and a grumpy goldfish use their newfound magical abilities to defend their family from a greedy human in this charming middle grade novel from New York Times bestselling author Beth Ferry, with illustrations from the award-winning Fan brothers.

Ivy is the beloved houseplant of young Jillian Tupper of Number 3 Ramshorn Drive, much to the constant dismay of Toasty the goldfish, who is technically the family pet—swimming in his special place of honor, the antique octagonal fish tank—and should be the most loved. It seems that’s how the cookie (or cheese puffs, in Toasty’s case) crumbles in the curious Tupper household, but soon a sequence of thrilling and magical events challenges that way of life forever.

First, there’s the arrival of Arthur, a knowledgeable spider with a broken leg and a curious mind, hidden in an old typewriter. Then Jillian throws everyone for a loop when she brings home dear, sweet Ollie, a school houseplant who just wants to be friends and sing. When Toasty splashes the plants with his tank water out of frustration, the friends learn that they can do magical things—like lift heavy objects and turn things invisible!

It turns out Toasty’s fishtank isn’t just for fish; it was made by a curious inventor who gave it special powers that, in the wrong hands, could disrupt everything forever. And a curious man with purple shoes just so happens to want that tank at any cost. Can Ivy, Toasty, Arthur, and Ollie grow to be friends in time to work together to save their beloved Tupper family from utter ruin?

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Snoop

Gordon Korman

From Gordon Korman, the bestselling author of Restart, the story of a boy who's stuck at home with two broken legs... and who starts using cameras and a drone to spy on his classmates, neighbors, and a possible criminal who's come to town.

 

If Carter hadn't been checking his phone, he might have seen his brother coming down the ski slopes in his direction. And if Carter had seen his brother in time and avoided the crash, he might not have two broken legs right now.

Oops.

Now Carter is stuck at home for weeks, with both his legs in casts. Bored, he starts checking out the live feeds from police cams around his town. Before he knows it, he's obsessed -- watching his classmates when they don't know he's looking, and discovering some other VERY STRANGE things going on that no one else is noticing.

But what happens when Carter is found out... and the people he's watching know where he lives?

 

Accelerated Reading Level 5.3

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The Bletchley Riddle

Ruta Sepetys

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A thrilling mystery and collaboration between award-winning and bestselling authors Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin! This historical adventure follows two siblings at Bletchley Park, the home of WWII codebreakers, as they try to unravel a mystery surrounding their mother’s disappearance.

"Break out your Enigma machines! Sepetys and Sheinkin have written a thrilling World War II code-breaking adventure filled with ciphers, secrets, and spies."—Alan Gratz, New York Times bestselling author of Refugee

Remember, you are bound by the Official Secrets Act…

Summer, 1940. Nineteen-year-old Jakob Novis and his quirky younger sister, Lizzie, share a love of riddles and puzzles. And now they’re living inside of one. The quarrelsome siblings find themselves amid one of the greatest secrets of World War II—Britain’s eccentric codebreaking factory at Bletchley Park. As Jakob joins Bletchley’s top minds to crack the Nazi's Enigma cipher, fourteen-year-old Lizzie embarks on a mission to solve the mysterious disappearance of their mother.

The Battle of Britain rages and Hitler’s invasion creeps closer. And at the same time, baffling messages and codes arrive on their doorstep while a menacing inspector lurks outside the gates of the Bletchley mansion. Are the messages truly for them, or are they a trap? Could the riddles of Enigma and their mother's disappearance be somehow connected? Jakob and Lizzie must find a way to work together as they race to decipher clues that unravel a shocking puzzle that presents the ultimate challenge: How long must a secret be kept?

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Deeply Dave

Michael Grover

"The delight of this book — a vertical rectangle bound at the top — is its format: Each flipped page takes you deeper, as if you’re scrolling down a screen." –New York Times Book Review

"Funny and mysterious." –Kazu Kibuishi, New York Times–bestselling creator of the Amulet series 

A New York Magazine and New York Public Library Best Book of the Year!

For fans of Adventure Time, Deeply Dave is a madcap, hilarious adventure graphic novel about a young deep sea diver who heroically plunges into the abyss to save his astronaut mom from the monsters that lurk below. 

Immerse yourself in this unique reading experience, where you flip the pages up and read downward as you descend into the ocean's depths! 

Dave's mom is missing...and he’s going after her. 

She’s lost somewhere at the bottom of the ocean, stranded in the wreckage of her sunken spaceship. Only Dave can save her from the alien monsters and bizarre sea creatures that lurk in the depths. 

So Dave is going deeper...
and deeper...
and deeper...
and deeper...
and deeper...
and deeper...
and deeper...
and deeper...

Based on an Eisner and Harvey Award-nominated webcomic

“One of the most original and entertaining graphic novels I've read in a while." –Mike Lowery New York Times–bestselling creator of the Bug Scouts and Everything Awesome series

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Dream Snow

Eric Carle

This board book edition of Eric Carle's classic Christmas book is perfect for holiday gift-giving and stocking stuffing! 

It's December 24th, and the old farmer settles down for a winter's nap, wondering how Christmas can come when there is no snow! In his dream he imagines a snowstorm covering him and his animals—named One, Two, Three, Four and Five—in a snowy blanket. But when the farmer awakens, he finds that it has really snowed outside, and now he remembers something! Putting on his red suit, he goes outside and places gifts under the tree for his animals, bringing holiday cheer to all.

Clever lift-the-flaps reveal the animals hidden under the snow in the farmer's dream, making this board book edition a treat for all ages.

Praise for Dream Snow:

"Few in number are the parents who have made it through their toddler's years on just one copy of Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Dream Snow has similar ingredients: a simple story, lively collage-like illustrations and a fun gimmick for little hands . . ." —TIME
 

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The House with No Keys

Lindsay Currie

This exhilarating sequel to the #1 New York Times bestseller The Mystery of Locked Rooms follows the famous Deltas as they race to complete the most challenging escape room they've ever faced...and confront their fears in order to save their friendship.

It's been just over a year since Sarah, Hannah, and West made it through the epic funhouse that changed their lives forever. Since then, the three best friends have been working for Mr. William Taters, the owner of that very funhouse, renamed The Delta Game, and completing every challenging escape room they can.

But then a strange invitation shows up from the ominous and cryptic owner of a new funhouse--The Mystery Mansion.

The Mystery Mansion claims to be the biggest and best escape house ever, and it's opening just miles away from The Delta Game. The mysterious owner has invited the trio to come test it on opening day, offering a ten-thousand-dollar prize if they successfully escape. The prize is exciting, but the three friends don't want to be a walking advertisement for a competitor to their beloved The Delta Game.

But maybe the only way to keep their funhouse in business is to accept the invite, escape the mansion in record time, and show just how boring and easy it is by comparison. The trio arrive on opening day, armed with their "fortune favors the bold" attitude. Unfortunately, their plan quickly goes awry. Secrets threaten their friend group, nothing in the house is as it seems, and this time, not everyone is playing fair...

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I Am Not Happy!

Caroline L Perry

In the vein of Grumpy Monkey and Unicorns Are the Worst!, this hilarious picture book introduces the adorable quokka, who—despite his ever-present smile—is definitely not as happy as he looks!

With its bright eyes, puffy cheeks, and beaming smile, the quokka is clearly the happiest animal on earth. Or is it? This quokka is here to tell you…he is not happy! At least not all the time. Just like everyone else, he can be sulky, or sorry, or sad; but you’d never know from the look on his face! So, what’s a moody marsupial to do when he’s being misunderstood? Teach every other animal from kangaroos to koalas not to judge a critter by its cover!

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The Planet, the Portal, and a Pizza

Wendy Mass

 

Mystery and adventure collide in this humorous and heartfelt multiverse adventure from beloved, award-winning authors Wendy Mass and Nora Raleigh Baskin.

Twelve-year-old Piper's life has always been unusual: her parents are clockmakers whose inventions are anything but ordinary, and she's the only kid she knows with a robotic talking dog. But her life takes a turn for the truly bizarre when she discovers her parents are in jeopardy and the key to saving them is a book full of strange equations.

When Raisa and Lev travel through the portal to Piper's world, Raisa can finally prove that her mother's multiverse project worked. Now, she just needs the book containing her mother's equations to get back to her world...if only she can find it! As Raisa and Piper adventure to the bounds of the multiverse, they'll need to discover their place in the world if they ever want to find their way back home. 

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The Essential Grimm's Fairy Tales

Brothers Grimm

Delight in the fantasy world of The Brothers Grimm with these 59 of their best-loved bedtime stories for children (and adults!) worldwide, in an elegantly designed hardcover edition. 

Originally collected by the Brothers Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm, these German linguists and cultural researchers gathered legendary folklore and aimed to share the stories exactly as they heard them. The Essential Grimm’s Fairy Talesfeatures all of your favorite tales, including:

 

  • Cinderella
  • Rapunzel
  • Hansel and Gretel
  • Snow White
  • Rumpelstiltskin
  • Little Red Riding Hood
  • The Golden Goose


This handsomely designed faux-leather and foil-embossed hardcover edition features an introduction by fantasy literature scholar Lori Campbell, a timeline of the life and times of the Brothers Grimm, and more than 100 illustrations by Arthur Rackham. This gorgeous, heirloom-quality collection is an ideal edition for classic book lovers to acquire for their home library.


Essential volumes for the shelves of every classic literature lover, these deluxe classics editions include beautifully presented works from some of the most important authors in literary history. Other deluxe classics from Chartwell include Little Women, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, The Essential Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe, Frankenstein, Anne of Green Gables, The Inferno, Dracula, The Republic, The Iliad, Meditations, and Irish Fairy and Folk Tales.

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Ember the Fire Dragon: an Acorn Book (Dragon Hill #1)

Tracey West

Ember the Fire Dragon and Gus the Mushroom Dragon search for a magic jewel in the first installment of this full-color, fantasy, beginning-reader series written by the New York Times bestselling author of Dragon Masters!

Pick a book. Grow a Reader!

This series is part of Scholastic's early reader line, Acorn, aimed at children who are learning to read. With easy-to-read text, a short-story format, plenty of humor, and full-color artwork on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and fluency. Acorn books plant a love of reading and help readers grow!

Dragon Hill is in trouble! The magic jewel that protects Dragon Hill has gone missing, and best friends Ember the Fire Dragon and Gus the Mushroom Dragon work together to find the jewel. But they are young dragons and they don't yet know how to use their dragon powers. The two friends follow squirrel paw prints and meet a helpful Tree Dragon. Will they be able to find the magic jewel?

Gus and Ember's adventure is told through five full-color short stories with easy-to-read text throughout! This series is set in the same fantasy world as Tracey West's New York Times bestselling Dragon Masters series, making Dragon Hill a perfect choice for budding readers who aren't quite ready to read Dragon Masters yet!

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Cracking the Code

Rachel Kehoe

Humans have been keeping secrets for generations and using cryptology to make sure those secrets don't fall into the wrong hands.

From the development of ancient Greek ciphers, to the creation of the Enigma and today's CRISPR technology, codes and codebreakers have changed the course of history. Today cryptology addresses cybersecurity and the ethics of hacking our own genetic code.

Cracking the Code reveals the history of codes, explores why humans keep secrets and introduces us to coding heroes like the Navajo Code Talkers from World War II. Codes have defined human history and will map our digital future. Will you be the next codebreaker to unlock the mysteries behind the codes that shape our world?

The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.

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Cowboys and Cowgirls

Gail Gibbons

Saddle up-it's time for adventure! Cowboys and Cowgirls captures all the excitement of the Old West, from cattle drives to roping, rustling, and rodeos. Celebrated nonfiction children's book creator Gail Gibbons's cheerful watercolors and clear text deftly detail the cattle farmers' clothing, equipment, and lifestyle, while the lively back matter highlights famous Wild West personalities and historical facts. Embellished with helpful labels, cattle brands, a trail map, and even a campfire song, Cowboys and Cowgirls will delight, excite, and inform every young buckaroo. YIPPEE-YAY!

Don't miss these other favorite nonfiction books by Gail Gibbons:
Knights in Shining Armor
Recycle!
Tell Me, Tree

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The Vanishing of Lake Peigneur: a Graphic Novel Based on a True Story

Allan Wolf

"A riveting page-turner that will have readers eager to learn more about the topic." --Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

The strange, true tale of a Louisiana lake that vanished--taking with it every fish below and every boat and barge above--told in a gripping and accessible graphic format.

Home to catfish and crawdads, shrimp and spoonbills, even a gator or two, Lake Peigneur--pronounced "your pain," only backward--bustles also with human life. Each day, the bean-shaped freshwater lake and its shores hum with folks going about their work: a devoted gardener's apprentice and his dogs, fishermen, oilmen drilling at Well P-20, and the fifty-one miners employed by the Diamond Crystal Salt Mines. For most, November 20, 1980, began as "just another day on the lake." But as the lake itself reflects, humans had, over time, left behind a honeycomb of salt highways deep beneath its surface, and water and salt mix all too well. Bracing, suspenseful, and packed with dramatic illustrations and dense end matter, this story of a catastrophic accident--narrated with the homespun voice of a "tall" tale, but true nonetheless--will amaze science and history buffs alike.

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If You Make a Call on a Banana Phone

Gideon Sterer

"This delightfully silly story subtly guides kids through the art of broaching new friendships and careful listening." -- The Washington Post

A love letter to making friends from unexpected places, If You Make a Call on a Banana Phone is silly, wise, and surprising all at once.

If you make a call from a banana phone, who will answer What will you talk about Will you share secrets or ask questions No one knows what will happen, really. This very silly story is full of the joy and wisdom that comes from making new friends from unexpected places.

Go ahead, pick up a banana and make a call. You'll be glad you did.

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Pocket Bear

Katherine Applegate

Thimble-born from tip to toe, Pocket Bear remembers every moment of his becoming: the glimmering needle, the silken thread, the tender hands as each careful stitch brought him closer to himself. Born during the throes of WWI, he was designed to be a mere 3 1/2 inches tall, perfectly sized to fit into the pocket of a soldier's jacket, eyes sewn a bit higher than normal so that he always gazed upward. That way, glancing at his pocket, a soldier would see an endearing token of love from someone back home, and, hopefully, a good luck charm. Now, over a century later, Pocket serves as unofficial mayor of Second Chances Home for the Tossed and Treasured, where stuffed toy animals are refurbished and given a fresh opportunity to be loved. He and his best feline friend Zephyrina, a Maine Coon known far and wide as "The Cat Burglar," have seen it all, and then some. But when an ancient-looking stuffed bear named Berwin arrives at Second Chances, even worldly-wise Pocket is astounded. Berwin, it soon becomes clear, is worth millions of dollars. Part of the first lot of stuffed bears ever created--then apparently lost at sea-- collectors all over the world would stop at nothing to possess him. Pocket knows Berwin's sale could solve many problems for his struggling family at Second Chances. But he also knows Berwin, comically naive and long-sheltered, pines desperately for the things Pocket's already seen in abundance: real life, with all its adventures and trials, and true love, with all its heartbreak and joy. When Berwin ends up at auction, it's up to Pocket and Zephyrina to rescue their new friend from a bleak future, forever trapped in a glass display case. Real life and true love may well await. But so do difficult choices, the hardest Pocket has ever faced. An unforgettable tale of bravery, loyalty, and kindness, Pocket reminds us all that love comes in many forms (sometimes filled with fluff), and that second chances are always possible.

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Counting to Bananas

Carrie Tillotson

A hilarious, mostly-rhyming picture book about a banana and narrator who can't quite agree on what their book is about. Perfect for fans of Mo Willems' We Are in a Book and Adam Rex's Nothing Rhymes With Orange!

"Mo Willems fans will give this book one, two, three, four, five stars!" --Parents

"Tillotson's rib-tickling debut is not to be missed!"--Kirkus

When a narrator starts filling this story with fruit, Banana can’t wait to step into the spotlight. The book is called Counting to Bananas, after all. But as more and more fruits (and non-fruits) are added to the story, Banana objects. When will it be time for bananas?!

With laugh-out-loud text from debut author Carrie Tillotson and brought to life by illustrator Estrela Lourenço this is the story of a banana and narrator who have very strong opinions about what should (and should not!) be in this book.

The perfect next read for fans of Jory John and Pete Oswald's The Bad Seed series, as well at Ryan T. Higgins' Hey, Bruce!

Praise for Counting to Bananas:

A 2022 Oregon Spirt Book Award Honor Book
A Texas Library Association 2×2 Reading List Selection
A 2024 Beehive Book Award Nominee
An Oregon Book Award Finalist
A School Library Journal 2022 Undies Case Cover Award Winner
A 2023 Red Bud Read Aloud Award Nominee
An Amazon Best Children’s Books of 2022 So Far pick
An Amazon Editor’s Pick
An Oregon-authored Great Summer Read

"In the tradition of Mac Barnett’s Count the Monkeys, Tillotson’s rib-tickling debut is not to be missed . . . Lourenço’s digitally created illustrations of cartoon fruit with faces and expressive animals are bright, dynamic, and foolish. Fruity fun for everyone." --Kirkus

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Piranhas Don't Eat Bananas

Aaron Blabey

Find out what piranhas eat -- and don't eat -- in this new, irresistibly funny picture book from Aaron Blabey, the bestselling creator of Pig the Pug 

Everyone knows that piranhas don't eat bananas -- except for Brian. This little fish loves to munch not only on bananas, but on fruit of all kinds Brian's piranha friends think he's crazy. Piranhas don't eat bananas -- their sharp teeth are for eating meat And there's a scrumptious pair of feet dangling in the water nearby...

Rich with author-illustrator Aaron Blabey's hysterical text and unforgettably wacky illustrations, Piranhas Don't Eat Bananas is a hilarious story about trying new things -- no matter how strange they seem

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Cake

Sue Hendra

In the tradition of I Want My Hat Back, this delicious story from Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet tells the story of a cake who’s about to attend his very first party—but he has no idea what’s coming!

Cake has been invited to his very first birthday party!

He buys just the right outfit—including the PERFECT hat.

But as the candles on his perfect party hat begin to burn, and the other party guests start to sing, Cake starts to think that this is one party he’d rather not be at…

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Don't Trust Fish

Neil Sharpson

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • An absurdly laugh-out-loud funny picture book about the villainy of fish, illustrated by National Book Award-winning creator Dan Santat

"A ribald and uproarious warning to those unschooled in fishy goings-on." —Kirkus, starred review

Why, dear reader, must you NEVER EVER trust fish?

1) They spend all their time in the water where we can’t see them.
2) Some are as big as a bus—that is not okay.
3) We don't know what they're teaching in their "schools."
4) They are likely plotting our doom.

This nature-guide-gone-wrong is a hilarious, off-the-rails exploration of the seemingly innocent animals that live in the water.

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Not a Dog

Claudia Guadalupe Martínez

The Mexican prairie dog is not a dog at all! It's part of the rodent family and is an endangered species.

A fun and engaging nonfiction picture book for kids ages 3-7 that includes Spanish vocabulary, a shapes concept, and the life cycle of the Mexican prairie dog.

A Mexican prairie dog may look like a dog, but it is certainly not a dog. This adorable mammal is actually part of the rodent family.

Not a Dog explores the life cycle of the Mexican prairie dog, the species' contribution to a healthy ecosystem, and the ways farming has destroyed their habitat and made them an endangered species. 

Perfect for preschoolers and pre-readers, this charming and informative read-aloud introduces curious kids to one unique animal that is NOT a dog!

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The Glade

Naseem Jamnia

Ellen Oh’s Spirit Hunters meets Katherine Arden’s Small Spaces in this middle grade supernatural mystery following a girl whose discovery of a magical clearing near her summer camp ends up putting her best friend in danger.

Pina’s first trip to summer camp is a chance to escape her overbearing parents and finally go on an adventure with her best friend, Jo. But Camp Clear Skies hides a secret: a clearing in the deep woods the older kids call “the Glade.” After falling asleep here, Pina and Jo are able to enter one another’s dreams, transforming into superheroes and knights in shining armor, fighting back their nightmares in epic adventures.

At first, the friends think they’ve discovered a secret more exciting than any video game—until Pina’s nightmares start leaking out into waking life. Worse, something seems to have followed them back from those dreams…and whatever it is, it’s taking over Jo. Jo has always been the superhero in their friendship, but Pina can’t just abandon them to their fate.

To save her friend, Pina journeys deeper into the Glade than she ever has before, facing the worst of her own fears and Jo’s. There, she must confront the consciousness trying to steal her friend’s body and learn what happened twenty years ago that shut down Camp Clear Skies and changed the Glade forever.

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Elvis & Romeo Go to Dog School

David Soman

Elvis and Romeo go to dog school in the first book in the charming Level 1 Ready-to-Read series from the bestselling creators of Ladybug Girl.

Elvis and Romeo are at their first day of dog school! Romeo already knows how to chase. Elvis already knows how to stay and sit. They both still have a lot to learn, but they will do it together!

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The House of Found Objects

Jo Beckett-King

For fans of Beth Lincoln’s The Swifts and Margaret Peterson Haddix’s Greystone Secrets series comes an exciting mystery filled with cryptic clues and wonderful word puzzles as two cousins search for their grandmother’s missing portrait. 

Twelve-year-old Bea from Passaic, New Jersey, is visiting her family in Paris for the summer when her grandmother’s most precious heirloom—a drawing by Henri Matisse—goes missing. After a cryptic clue arrives on Bea’s doorstep suggesting its whereabouts, Bea is determined to pursue the lead.

Without the French skills to navigate her way around the landmarks of Paris, she teams up with her cousin, Céline, whose clear-eyed French directness makes her a perfect partner for curious, problem-solving Bea. The girls embark on a city-wide search, deciphering riddles, solving puzzles, and cracking codes as they try to locate the Matisse, find a thief, and identify their mysterious benefactor.

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Little Boo

Maddie Frost

Little Boo is the best! Until Little Boo is the worst...Why couldn't Big Boo have a little witch or even a little vampire for a younger sibling? A picture book featuring a pesky little sibling paired with gentle social emotional learning--perfect for Halloween or any time of year when a new baby arrives and brings change.

When the antics of their little sibling start to get to Big Boo, they decide to trade for a friend's younger sibling, Little Howl. At first this seems like a great idea, but soon enough Big Boo finds that the grass isn't always greener and Little Howl is a whole new level of monster. This sweet and humorous story about sibling relationships acknowledges the frustrations but, ultimately, the love that comes with a new addition to the family.

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The Moving Book

Lisa Brown

Lisa Brown, creator of the hugely popular The Airport Book and The Hospital Book, breaks down the big prospect of moving to a new home in this engaging picture book primer.

Moving can be sad and scary--but it doesn't have to be. The kids in this book have done it many times before, as the older brother reminds his sister. They reflect on favorite memories from each of their past homes, and the boy talks her (and the reader) through all the steps to expect, from taping up boxes to riding in the car behind the moving truck.

Starring the same multiracial family from The Airport Book and The Hospital Book, and featuring plenty of "easter eggs" that will delight young readers, the book chronicles three distinct moves--from a small, overcrowded apartment in a rickety house to a proper urban apartment building to a house where there's room for grandpa. 

With clear, concise text and detail-rich illustrations, The Moving Book is the perfect resource for any family preparing for a move and managing anxiety about the process. Fans of Lisa Brown's critically acclaimed past titles will instantly recognize their favorite tour guides to sort-of-scary new things.

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

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The Special Pumpkin

C. L. Reid

Emma loves Halloween! She has the perfect costume that works well with her cochlear implant. But she doesn't have a pumpkin to carve. Emma searches for the perfect pumpkin, but she soon discovers that perfect isn't important in this early chapter book.

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Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam

Tracey Corderoy

Now in paperback. Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam are the world's most useless burglars. When their master plan for a robbery goes hopelessly wrong again, they discover that crime doesn't pay but cupcakes certainly do! This paperback edition includes a free audio reading.

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Take Care of Your Body

Nicole Gabor

Hygiene means keeping your body healthy and clean. Alongside Sesame Street friends, young readers learn the importance of brushing their teeth, washing their hands, and much more.

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Spark

Chris Baron

As a community recovers from a devastating wildfire, two friends find their way back to each other and their homes, by award-winning author Chris Baron.

Perfect for fans of Alan Gratz and Lauren Tarshis.

Finn and his friend, nicknamed Rabbit, live in a rural area that's been hit hard by wildfires. Families were displaced and school was interrupted. Moreover, their beloved forest is suffering -- animals and plants haven't been able to come back, and the two friends wonder if there's anything they can do to help. Rabbit's uncle, a science teacher, is part of a study that may help bring the forest back to life, but Finn and Rabbit wonder if the forest can wait. And what if another fire comes in the meantime? They believe a small part of the forest -- the forest heart -- that survived the wildfire may hold the key to regrowth, but first, they have to find it and then convince the adults around them to listen.

For any young person who's ever felt powerless against the world, here is a story about two kids doing all they can to understand their natural world and preserve it.

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No More Mr. Mice Guy

Jarrett Lerner

Ari helps a neighbor who accidentally gets shrunk by Ari’s mom’s latest invention in this second book in the My Mad Scientist Mom chapter book series from acclaimed author-illustrator Jarrett Lerner.

Ari’s life is filled with school, video games, and his pet turtle, Fred: pretty run-of-the mill stuff. But not anywhere near run-of-the-mill is Ari’s mom, who’s a mad scientist. That’s right, a MAD scientist. Sure, she strives to make people’s lives better with her inventions, especially at home. But all of Mom’s inventions seem to go just the slightest bit off kilter. 

His mom puts a new invention to the test to help clean up the clutter in their house: a magnimizer, which can shrink or enlarge anything! Pretty amazing, right? Well, not if you happen to be Mr. Jakes, their neighbor who comes face to face with this gizmo and becomes the size of a cockroach—and a potential tasty morsel for the resident basement mouse! Can Ari save the day and teeny-weeny Mr. Jakes?

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Pickleball Problems

Jake Maddox

Twelve-year-old Ada Wilson doesn't love sports, but her parents have signed her up for a sports camp. After her tennis-loving older sister suggests that Ada learn to play tennis so they can play together, Ada excitedly agrees. But at camp she discovers that, to her, tennis isn't nearly as fun as pickleball. What sport will Ada focus on, and will she be happy with her choice?

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Can You Escape a Haunted Theater?

Megan Cooley Peterson

You walk through rows of velvet-covered seats and imagine the legendary actors who performed on the stage. Are any of them still hanging around in spirit? The idea gives you chills. Lights flicker on and off. Strange sounds make you jump. Did a ghost do it, or is there some other explanation? Choose your own path as you explore some of the world's most haunted theaters. Will you escape, or will you be frozen in fear?

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The Bear Out There

Jess Hannigan

DON'T SCREAM! There's something scary out in the forest, but you're in good hands in this story by Jess Hannigan, author of the wryly silly Spider in the Well. Just make sure you keep a cool head, and watch out for any intruders...

The signs are clear--there's a BEAR OUT THERE!

You're lucky to be safe in this cabin in the woods, with a host who is levelheaded, trustworthy, and smart about bear safety.

There's certainly no need to worry about any dark shadows or sneaky schemes in this book...RIGHT

Jess Hannigan is back with another bold and brazen tale that's not too silly, not too scary, but just right.

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Changing Tides

Júlia Moscardó

In this touching story for children ages 3-7, Theo and his mother become part of Lula's family, but things don't go quite as planned. A beautiful celebration of blended families and adapting to change.

When Theo and his mother become part of Lula’s family, Lula isn’t sure what to expect. She’s never had a big brother before. On vacation at the beach, the new siblings make a sandcastle and slowly learn to trust each other as they work together. But when things don’t go as planned, will their relationship weather the storm?

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I Want It!

Paul Meisel

A girl wants to play with her brother's toys. And she won't give up! From two-time Theodor Seuss Geisel Honoree Paul Meisel, this story is perfect for kindergarteners and first graders to read on their own.

I want it! 
Mine!

A boy is contentedly playing with his superheroes, cars, and blocks when he notices that his sister has taken his dragon. He wants it back! Now!

Brother and sister struggle with strong emotions, dramatically illustrated--from possessiveness to frustration to anger. But empathy and compassion win out in the end. And we can read the joy on the children's faces.

The books in the award-winning I Like to Read® series build vocabulary and promote fluency, which are essential for reading success. Acclaimed author-illustrators--including winners of Caldecott, Theodor Seuss Geisel, and Coretta Scott King honors—create original, high-quality books that are fun for kids to read again and again with their parents, teachers or on their own!

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Fergie and Chouchou

Hannah Shaw

From New York Times bestselling author Hannah Shaw—also known as Kitten Lady—comes the sixth book in an exciting and heartwarming chapter book series! 

When Fergie and Chouchou arrive separately in Fosterland, the two tiny babies have big challenges to overcome. But when they meet, friendship magic happens! They’re two goofballs who cheer each other up with their wacky antics, to the entertainment of other fosters. But as they watch other foster babies graduate from Fosterland, they can’t help but get discouraged. Healing takes time, but when will it be their turn?

What Fergie and Chouchou don’t know is that the Elder Cats have been watching them. Coco, Eloise, and Haroun, who’ve always loved helping foster babies prepare for their forever homes, have lately been wondering whether it’s time to retire to the sunroom and bring a new member or two into the fold. Could Fergie and Chouchou be the right fit to make Fosterland their Foreverland?

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Lone Wolf on Vacation

Kiah Thomas

Oscar the Grouch meets Frog & Toad in this hilarious illustrated early reader series about a cranky wolf on a quest to be left alone.

Wolf is excited for a peaceful, refreshing vacation: There, there’ll be nobody he knows. Nobody he doesn’t know. Nobody to bother him at all. Total relaxation. 

But from a sing-along bus ride to a broken elevator to a hotel room snafu, Wolf can’t seem to catch a break. And worst of all, some familiar old characters have somehow chosen the same dream destination. Will Wolf ever find solitude? Maybe the best vacation is a trip to an all-too-familiar place . . .

Move over, Elephant & Piggie! For readers who have had enough of the buddy duos, for kids who’d rather play by themselves—Wolf is the antihero you’ve been waiting for. Lone Wolf On Vacation is another hilarious early reader starring the completely lovable, chronically grumpy Wolf, a character who affirms kids who fly solo better than with friends.

Kids who are beginning to read on their own won’t be able to get enough of Kiah Thomas’s sarcastic stories, perfect whether read alone or out loud, and K-Fai Steele’s laugh-out-loud illustrations will give any kid, no matter their reading level, a new favorite series.

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Chip Gets Swimmer Shivers

Maddie Frost

Chip, the little penguin, tries to get out of swim lessons in this hilarious Level Two I Can Read Comic by Maddie Frost.

Chip is starting swim school and he really isn't looking forward to it.

Join Chip as he navigates this first-time experience with imagination and humor. This Level Two I Can Read Comics title by Maddie Frost is illustrated with comic panels and is perfect for children eager to read on their own. This early reader is the second Chip story, a follow-up to Chip Plays Grown-Up. They are great companions, but Chip Gets Swimmer Shivers can be enjoyed on its own.

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Please Pay Attention

Jamie Sumner

Three starred reviews!

A girl with cerebral palsy navigates loss, grief, and the aftermath of trauma following a school shooting in a world that wasn’t built for her in this “intimate, lyrical” (Publishers Weekly, starred review) novel in verse from Jamie Sumner, the acclaimed author of Roll with It.

There is a Before and an After for sixth grader Bea Coughlin. Before the shooting at her school that took the lives of her classmates and teacher and After, when she must figure out how to grieve, live, and keep rolling forward. But as her community rallies in a tidal wave of marches and speeches and protests, Bea can’t get past the helplessness she felt in her wheelchair as others around her took cover.

Through the help of therapeutic horseback riding, Bea finally begins to feel like herself again. And as she heals, she finds her voice and the bravery to demand change.

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Into the Rapids

Ann Braden

Sometimes even a girl who likes to rely only on herself needs to be brave enough to ask for help.

When a super-storm hits Addy's remote mountain town, knocking out the bridge and cutting her home off from the main road, she worries that she won’t be able to get to the survival camp she’s been looking forward to attending. The camp’s the place where her parents met, and where Addy plans to hone her skills and honor their legacy. But now there’s no power and it’s also like a light has been switched off in her mom, who’s been triggered by the raging river and memories of Addy’s dad dying in a similar storm. The two of them are feeling particularly stranded as they’ve never bothered to befriend any neighbors. But now Addy keeps running into her classmate Caleb on the hill above her house where they both go to get cell service. Caleb’s frantic about a missing neighbor, and Addy’s amazed to see how he’s able to connect with folks to get help. Then Caleb offers to help her get to camp--but can she trust him? She always thought of him as an enemy--but maybe she was partially to blame for his frostiness? The storm has brought so many questions swirling to the surface and has made Addy feel it’s time to take some leaps of faith. When she agrees to travel with Caleb by canoe, this sets off a remarkable string of events and the biggest test of her survival skills. More importantly, it sets Addy on a road to understanding that she's not in this adventure of life alone--and that a good thing.

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Elena Camps

Juana Medina

Elena is eager to put up her tent--but is there something she's missing in her hurry? Juana Medina brings back the plucky elephant and her little sidekick with a comedic flair sure to delight beginning readers.

The big box has arrived, and Elena is so excited! Tent parts fly everywhere as she empties the contents and dives right in. This job will be done in no time! GA-BUNK! Oops! Elena forgot the poles! Now it's under control . . . GA-BAM! A little tug here might help . . . GA-BOING! Now Elena is stomping mad! What's that her bird buddy's saying? Something about that folded paper that came with the tent? In a charmingly comic follow-up to Elena Rides, also available in a dual English-Spanish edition, the determined elephant shows young fans that some things are hard--and some tents cow the best of campers--but with patience you can conquer them, if you slow down and try, try again.

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Pretty Ugly

David Sedaris

Amazon Best Children's Book of the Year winner for ages 6 to 8
Most Anticipated Books of 2024 List, Kirkus Reviews
Most Anticipated Kids Books List - February, Barnes & Noble
Kids Indie Next Pick March/April 2024
2025 Capitol Choices

A hilariously quirky monster tale about appreciating beauty—in all its weird and wonderful forms!— by the creator of the iconic Olivia books and bestselling humorist David Sedaris.

★“Disgustingly hilarious….Adult readers will recognize hints of Maurice Sendak and William Steig and maybe even a smattering of Tim Burton in this remarkable outsider tale….Consider this little monstrosity a much-needed corrective to smarmy platitudes.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“[..] Demonstrates an appealing, Olivia-esque joie de vivre.” —The New York Times

In this beautifully gross picture book, Anna Van Ogre’s lovely monster face turns into that of a sickeningly adorable, rosy-cheeked little girl—and it’s not switching back! Can she find a way to stop looking like an ugly human and regain her gorgeous monstrosity of a face?

In this incredible story about beauty standards, owning your uniquessness, and developing self-esteem, nationally acclaimed comedian and perpetual bestelling author David Sedaris and renowned creator of the Olivia picture boook series Ian Falconer come together to ponder the eternally relevant question: is true beauty really on the inside?

Sedaris and Falconer make a spectacular splash with this tale of a monster turned ugly—stuck with a human face!

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Sloth and Squirrel in a Pickle

Cathy Ballou Mealey

Two lovable, but unlikely, friends try to get the job done. Sloth and Squirrel have different ways of doing things — and different speeds of doing them. So, when fast-as-lightning Squirrel gets himself and slow-as-molasses Sloth hired as pickle packers to earn money for a new bike, things don’t go according to plan. They’re so bad, in fact, that the friends are shown the door, along with the 677 1/2 jars of pickles they packed incorrectly! Now their bicycle dream is shot. Or so they think — until the resourceful pair come up with an ingenious plan! Whoever said fast and slow don’t go together didn’t know Sloth and Squirrel!

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For a Girl Becoming

Joy Harjo

A baby girl is welcomed to the breathing world by generations of her family and set on the magnificent journey of becoming. As she grows, she is reminded of her connections to the natural world; to her family, her ancestors, her neighbors; to the source of all magic and sorrow--and of her responsibility to uphold and honor those connections.

With US Poet Laureate Joy Harjo's transcendent verse and Pura Belpré Award winner Adriana Garcia's monumental illustrations, For a Girl Becoming acts as a blessing and a harbinger for a young girl's life--and reminds those of us who still stand at the door of becoming that it is our relationships with nature and with each other that carry us through it.

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To the Other Side

Erika Meza

Author-illustrator Erika Meza delivers a stunning and emotionally rich book from the viewpoint of those most impacted by border walls: young refugee children. This powerfully told tale highlights the spirit and strength of those embarking on a dangerous trek, and what awaits them on the other side.

Yoto Carnegie Medal Shortlist * New York Public Library Best Book of the Year * Kirkus Best Book of the Year * School Library Journal Best Book of the Year *

My sister tells me the rules of the game are simple.

Avoid the monsters. Don't get caught. And keep moving.

If the monsters catch you, you're out.

A young boy and his older sister have left home to play a game. To win, they must travel across endless lands together and make it to the finish line. Each child imagines what might be waiting for them across the border: A spotted dog? Ice cream! Or maybe a new school.

But the journey is difficult, and the monsters are realer than they imagined. And when it no longer feels like a game, the two children must still find a way to forge ahead.
 

★ "The story is ultimately hopeful, gently providing probing insight into the lives of the youngest migrants." --Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

★ "Beautiful, timely, and poignant. Recommended for all collections." --School Library Journal Online (starred review)

★ "Powerful. It's a realistic but hopeful look at two children's emigration."-- Publishers Weekly (starred review)

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Mud Puddle

Robert Munsch

When Jule Ann goes outside in her brand-new clothes, a mud puddle jumps on her and gets her completely dirty. The mud gets in her ears, eyes, and even her mouth. Jule Ann's mother scrubs her clean and puts her in new clothes, but every time Jule Ann ventures out, the mud puddle finds her and pounces. Finally, Jule Ann has had enough: clutching two bars of smelly yellow soap, she heads outside one more time...

A newly designed Classic Munsch picture book introduces this charming tale of unavoidable mess to a new generation of young readers.

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The Year of Billy Miller

Kevin Henkes

A 2014 Newbery Honor Book
A New York Times Bestseller

Award-winning, nationally bestselling author Kevin Henkes introduces second-grader Billy Miller in this fast-paced and funny story about friendship, sibling rivalry, and elementary school. The Year of Billy Miller includes black-and-white art by Kevin Henkes and is perfect for fans of the Ramona books; Frindle, by Andrew Clements; and the Clementine series.

The New York Times declared: "Henkes's delightful story is restrained and vivid . . . forgoing the overdramatic or zany, it shows the substance, warmth and adaptability of beautifully common family love." When Billy Miller has a mishap at the statue of the Jolly Green Giant at the end of summer vacation, he ends up with a big lump on his head. What a way to start second grade, with a lump on your head! As the year goes by, though, Billy figures out how to navigate elementary school, how to appreciate his little sister, and how to be a more grown up and responsible member of the family and a help to his busy working mom and stay-at-home dad. Newbery Honor author and Caldecott Medalist Kevin Henkes delivers a short, satisfying, laugh-out-loud-funny school and family story that features a diorama homework assignment, a school poetry slam, cancelled sleepovers, and epic sibling temper tantrums. This is a perfect short novel for the early elementary grades.

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Unicorn Time Machine

Dana Simpson

With heartfelt storytelling and an honest exploration of friendship, the newest collection in the enchanting Phoebe and Her Unicorn series continues to explore the relationship between a vain but enchanting Unicorn and a confident, happy misfit girl.

In this exciting new collection of Phoebe and Her Unicorn comics, 10-year-old Phoebe Howell and her magical unicorn best friend, Marigold, enjoy a series of fantastical adventures. Phoebe goes back in time to meet her father as a kid and makes some surprising discoveries. Marigold reveals that she sometimes puts the world on mute, a power that Phoebe quickly learns is easy to overuse. And at the Unicorn Award Ceremony, the pair launch a campaign to get Marigold the highest honor. It's all part of the unique bond within one of the most memorable friendships in recent comics history.

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The Daily Sniff

Jane Cabrera

An adorable pup uses his nose to help others in this latest from storytime darling Jane Cabrera.

Ted loves to trot around town and get his latest fill of local news by sniffing everything! 

One day Ted smells something stinky. Is it the dumpster? No. The fish market? No. Ted tries to find the smell with no luck. Until he returns home, that is. Ted finds a lost baby skunk! He'll have to use his nose to reunite the family. 

Beloved storyteller and illustrator Jane Cabrera's vivid and textured acrylic paintings are filled with joyful cuteness and warmth. The skunks are cleverly hidden throughout the art. After reading, children can go back and find them. This delightful celebration of good deeds and community is perfect for curling up in a cozy spot and sharing one-on-one. 


 

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The Night Librarian: A Graphic Novel

Christopher Lincoln

Night at the Museum meets The Land of Stories in this thrilling new graphic novel adventure series in which two siblings, a mysterious Night Librarian, and a motley cast of book characters try to save the New York Public Library

Twins Page and Turner know about the magic a library holds—they’ve been going to their beloved New York City public library for years, especially since their parents are always traveling for work.

But a secret mission involving their dad’s rare and valuable edition of Bram Stoker’s Dracula uncovers a world they’ve never known, featuring a mysterious Night Librarian, famous heroes (and villains) that have broken free from classic books, and an epic battle to save the library from total destruction.

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Me and Other Bunnies

Mo Willems

Mo Willems, #1 New York Times bestselling, award-winning author-illustrator creates a hare-larious picture book about bunnies.

There are ME bunnies.

There are YOU bunnies.

There are US bunnies . . . and WE bunnies . . . and THEM bunnies.

There are a lot of bunnies in Me and Other Bunnies.

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Bear's Lost Glasses

Leo Timmers

Bear can't find his glasses. He must have left them at Giraffe's house.

On the way over, Bear sees all kinds of animals he didn't notice last time: an elephant, a crocodile, a flamingo, a deer. And who's this long spotty snake lying on Giraffe's deckchair?

The patient Giraffe finds Bear's glasses--right where glasses always get lost, perched on his head. Then Bear takes Giraffe to meet these wondrous animals that he found on the way.

Leo Timmers' details are full of expression and humor--the angle of Giraffe's neck and lift of his eyebrows, hiding his skepticism as he helps his friend, the dear, artless bear.

Through an ingenious telling of this classic comical situation, Leo Timmers shows us how to enjoy the world through different eyes.

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Something Good

Kenneth Kraegel

In need of a bad day remedy? One girl's terrible day takes an unexpected--and extraordinary--turn when she comes upon a pair of magic socks.

Blah. Nothing good ever happens to me.

This morning a little girl wakes up with a chicken on her head. (Ouch.) Then she finds worms in her cereal (after she's had a few bites--yuck!). Then she realizes, too late, that her boots are full of mud. Ack! Then her best friend ignores her, a big hole appears where it wasn't yesterday, and it starts to rain--cold rain, of course. Could this day get any worse? When a mysterious gift shows up out of nowhere, wrapped in a bow, the girl dares to wonder if it could finally be something good. Get ready for a high-flying tale as the beloved creator of Wild Honey from the Moon brings his signature deadpan humor, quirky charm, and appealingly simple text to a fantastical adventure sure to turn even the worst days around.

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Counting to Bananas

Carrie Tillotson

A hilarious, mostly-rhyming picture book about a banana and narrator who can't quite agree on what their book is about. Perfect for fans of Mo Willems' We Are in a Book and Adam Rex's Nothing Rhymes With Orange!

"Mo Willems fans will give this book one, two, three, four, five stars!" --Parents

"Tillotson's rib-tickling debut is not to be missed!"--Kirkus

When a narrator starts filling this story with fruit, Banana can’t wait to step into the spotlight. The book is called Counting to Bananas, after all. But as more and more fruits (and non-fruits) are added to the story, Banana objects. When will it be time for bananas?!

With laugh-out-loud text from debut author Carrie Tillotson and brought to life by illustrator Estrela Lourenço this is the story of a banana and narrator who have very strong opinions about what should (and should not!) be in this book.

The perfect next read for fans of Jory John and Pete Oswald's The Bad Seed series, as well at Ryan T. Higgins' Hey, Bruce!

Praise for Counting to Bananas:

A 2022 Oregon Spirt Book Award Honor Book
A Texas Library Association 2×2 Reading List Selection
A 2024 Beehive Book Award Nominee
An Oregon Book Award Finalist
A School Library Journal 2022 Undies Case Cover Award Winner
A 2023 Red Bud Read Aloud Award Nominee
An Amazon Best Children’s Books of 2022 So Far pick
An Amazon Editor’s Pick
An Oregon-authored Great Summer Read

"In the tradition of Mac Barnett’s Count the Monkeys, Tillotson’s rib-tickling debut is not to be missed . . . Lourenço’s digitally created illustrations of cartoon fruit with faces and expressive animals are bright, dynamic, and foolish. Fruity fun for everyone." --Kirkus

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Mouse and His Dog: A Dogtown Book

Katherine Applegate

An Instant NEW YORK TIMES and Indie Bestseller! 

Mouse lives in Dogtown, a shelter for real dogs and robot dogs, where the kibble is plentiful, and the rafters hide a secret community of mice. His unlikely best friend is Buster, a big-hearted real dog who attracts trouble like a burr to fur.

Determined to help Buster find his forever home, even if means losing his best pal, Mouse embarks on a bold quest with three of Dogtown’s “unadoptables”: Buster, Stewie--a huge, lovable dog whose ex-owner said he was mean, and Smokey--a robot dog hardwired with a smoke alarm he can’t control.

But Mouse is just a mouse, and the world is big and complicated. How’s a little guy supposed to find homes for the dogs he loves?

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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

*This spectacular book features foil and embossing on the jacket, full-color designed endpapers, red stained edges, and a red case cover with gold stamping.*

“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 WALL STREET JOURNAL BEST CHILDREN'S BOOK OF THE YEAR • A PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, KIRKUS REVIEWS, AND SHELF AWARENESS 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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All the Best Dogs

Emily Jenkins

For anyone who loves a dog--and anyone who loves a laugh, comes this sensitive (and silly!) story about growing up and mending fences. An enduring message of friends, community, and the joy of pets.

Ask anyone who has a dog and they’ll tell you that their dog is the best. Really, truly, the best dog in the world. Theirs is the best dog that ever lived, ever, ever, in the history of the known universe.

Welcome to the dog park! It’s a playground for dogs in the big city. Here, four sixth graders (and their dogs!) overlap on one hilarious and important June weekend. 
Ezra needs to find his lost dog.
Cup-Cup needs a friend. (She also needs to learn to walk on a leash.)
Mei-Alice wonders if anyone will ever understand her.
Panda wonders what will happen if she breaks the rules.
Kaleb is covering up a terrible mistake.
Grover and Lottie are making lots of terrible mistakes. (Some of them are disgusting.)
And Jilly needs to make a new life in a new place. 
On this almost-summer weekend, a series of surprises, mishaps, and misunderstandings will end up changing all of their lives.

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And Then, Boom!

Lisa Fipps

A gripping new novel in verse by the author of the Printz Honor-winning Starfish, featuring a poverty-stricken boy who bravely rides out all the storms life keeps throwing at him

Joe Oak is used to living on unsteady ground. His mom can’t be depended on as she never stays around long once she gets “the itch,” and now he and his beloved grandmother find themselves without a home. Fortunately, Joe has an outlet in his journals and drawings and takes comfort from the lessons of comic books—superheroes have a lot of “and then, boom” moments, where everything threatens to go bust but somehow they land on their feet. And that seems to happen a lot to Joe too, as in this crisis his friend Nick helps them find a home in his trailer park. But things fall apart again when Joe is suddenly left to fend for himself. He doesn’t tell anyone he’s on his own, as he fears foster care and has hope his mom will come back. But time is running out—bills are piling up, the electricity’s been shut off, and the school year’s about to end, meaning no more free meals. The struggle to feed himself gets intense, and Joe finds himself dumpster diving for meals. He’s never felt so alone—until an emaciated little dog and her two tiny pups cross his path. And fate has even more in store for Joe, because an actual tornado is about to hit home—and just when it seems all is lost, his life turns in a direction that he never could have predicted.

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Dog vs. Strawberry

Nelly Buchet

A dog and a strawberry find themselves nose to stem in this hilarious picture book that's perfect for dog lovers. An epic battle ensues—who will come out on top?

A PUBLISHERS WEEKLY BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR

Welcome to the Greatest Race of All Time! 
Give it up for our reigning champion, the one-and-only DOG! 
And let’s have a hand for her opponent: the formidable STRAW-BER-RYYYY! 

When Dog is handed a strawberry from the fruit bowl, she sizes it up, dances around it, and decides she is going to race the Strawberry--and win. She dashes left, then right, then--oh!-- over the couch in an attempt to outrun her opponent. Strawberry doesn't move, but that doesn't stop Dog from continuing the race. Eventually, it's neck-and-neck... until mom walks in to see what the fuss is about, and SPLAT!

Kids everywhere will recognize the rivalry at play here, and will laugh-out-loud at the bright, expressive illustrations and ridiculous scenarios from the award-winning creators of Cat Dog Dog.

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You Are Not Sleepy!

Mark Teague

From New York Times bestselling and award-winning author-illustrator Mark Teague comes a funny bedtime picture book that is “storytelling hog heaven” (Publishers Weekly, starred review) about a pig who can’t go to sleep no matter how hard he tries!

Pig knows it’s time for a nap, but he just can’t fall asleep! He tries to catch that elusive shut-eye in a series of hilarious hijinks but can’t escape interruptions and distractions. Then, a rowdy friend arrives who also seems to be in need of sleep, and Pig has a flash of inspiration… Can his latest idea finally send them both to dreamland?

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What the Dinosaurs Did Last Night

Refe Tuma

From the creative parents who brought the world the web sensation "Dinovember" comes photographic proof of what toys get up to when the rest of the house is asleep. 
You might have noticed weird things happening in your house. Unexplainable messes. Food all over the kitchen floor. Who could the culprits be? Dinosaurs! Boasting bright and hilarious photographs, along with a story written from the point of view of an older, wiser sibling, Refe and Susan Tuma's picture book documents a very messy adventure that shows just what the dinosaurs did last night.

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Sabrina Sue Loves the Mountains

Priscilla Burris

In this sixth Level 1 Ready-to-Read story about a spunky chicken from the illustrator of the Heidi Heckelbeck series, Sabrina Sue climbs a mountain!

Sabrina Sue loves mountains. Her farm home is too flat—she dreams of peaks and thrilling cliffs. So she sets off for the hike of a lifetime!

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Henry Heckelbeck Does Not Need a Sitter

Wanda Coven

In this fifteenth Henry Heckelbeck adventure, Henry tries to prove he’s too old for a babysitter!

Henry’s parents are going on a date night and have hired a babysitter. But Henry’s not a baby, he’s a wizard! And the last thing he needs is a nosy stranger looking into his room and discovering his magic Book of Spells. Can Henry convince his parents that he’s old enough to stay home alone?

With easy-to-read language and illustrations on almost every page, the Henry Heckelbeck chapter books are perfect for beginning readers.

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When Love Is More Than Words

Jocelyn Chung

A beautiful story about a family who shows their love in a multitude of ways

There are so many ways to say “I love you” without saying a word! One little girl sees the love shown in her family by the way they nurture one another through stories, food, and spending time together. With great-grandparents, grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, and siblings around, there are so many ways for love to shine through.

Jocelyn Chung’s lyrical text and Julia Kuo’s vibrant illustrations beautifully portray and celebrate a family whose caring actions speak louder than words.

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Dinosaur Roar!

Paul Stickland

In association with the Smithsonian, this classic picture book introduces dinosaurs of all shapes and sizes in bold, rhyming text!

Dinosaur weak, dinosaur strong, dinosaur short or very, very long.

There are all sorts of dinosaurs, from sweet to grumpy, from spiky to lumpy. Introduce young children to prehistoric pals and the concept of opposites as the dinos race, roar, and stomp their way to their lunch!

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The Bark Park

Cam Higgins

In this charming thirteenth book of the Good Dog series, Bo tries to make a new friend at the dog park!

There’s a new doggy park near the farm, and Bo can’t wait for a full day of fun! There are plenty of pup friends, lots of grass to roll in, and even a water sprinkler! But when Bo meets a new pup who doesn’t seem to want friends, he doesn’t understand. Could it be that not all pups are meant to be Bark Park buddies? 

With easy-to-read language and illustrations on almost every page, the Good Dog chapter books are perfect for emerging readers.

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The Queen of Ocean Parkway

Sarvenaz Tash

An 11-year-old podcaster-turned-sleuth teams up with the new kid in the building to find their missing neighbor! A captivating adventure perfect for fans of When You Reach Me and Only Murders in the Building.

Eleven-year-old Roya is the superintendent’s kid in her regal Brooklyn apartment building, so she knows pretty much everything there is to know about its residents. An aspiring reporter, she even hosts a secret podcast about the lives of the building’s tenants. It’s a good distraction from the problems in her own life. 

But when Katya Petrov, one of her favorite tenants, goes missing, Roya discovers an eerie connection to Grandmother’s Predictions, an antique fortune-telling machine at Coney Island. "Grandmother" has been linked to multiple disappearances in the Petrov family over the last century. Now, with the help of a new friend who’s just moved in, it’s up to Roya to make her own headlines as she searches for Katya and attempts to break the Petrov curse once and for all.

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Toto

Hyewon Yum

A little girl is self-conscious about the birthmark on her forehead— until a new friend helps her see it in a whole new light.

This little girl doesn’t mind her birthmark, most of the time. She calls it Toto, and her mom calls it a kiss from an angel. But sometimes, it feels like people look so hard at Toto they forget to see her. So when it’s time to start school, her mom cuts her bangs to cover Toto up, at least for a little while.

At school, she makes a new best friend right away! But then Toto accidentally comes out of hiding. Will her new friend see her differently with Toto in the picture? And does different have to be bad? 

Award-winning creator Hyewon Yum’s knack for the adorable is at full power in Toto. This warm and vulnerable story grapples with the pressure we feel to blend in, and celebrates the moments—and the friends—that remind us how much better it is to be our full and singular selves.

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

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Heartfelt

Elaine Vickers

From the creators of the “wonderfully evocative” (BookPage) Thankful comes a cozy picture book about a child who finds that small acts of kindness can change the world.

A child makes paper hearts to give to her teacher, to a friend, at the library, and more. As she spreads kindness around her neighborhood, she soon finds that sharing love is the best gift of all. With Samantha Cotterill’s stunning diorama illustrations, this loving story is sure to capture hearts and inspire acts of kindness.

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The Best Christmas Pageant Ever Movie Tie-In Edition

Barbara Robinson

America's favorite Christmas book by Barbara Robinson...is now a major motion picture! Lionsgate is releasing a live action movie version of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever on November 8, 2024, directed by Dallas Jenkins of The Chosen and featuring actors Judy Greer, Lauren Graham, Elizabeth Tabish, and Pete Holmes, coming to a theater near you!

The Herdmans are the worst kids in the history of the world. They lie, steal, swear, and smoke cigars. So no one is prepared when this outlaw family invades church one Sunday and decides to take over the annual Christmas pageant.

None of the Herdmans has ever heard the Christmas story before. Their interpretation of the tale--the Wise Men are a bunch of dirty spies--has a lot of people up in arms. And their wild antics cause havoc throughout the play's production. But the actual pageant is full of surprises for everyone, starting with the Herdmans themselves, as they ultimately lead the town in finding the true meaning of Christmas. They will make this year's pageant the most unusual anyone has seen and, just possibly, the best one ever.

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The Last Hope School for Magical Delinquents

Nicki Pau Preto

A middle grade magic school fantasy perfect for fans of The School for Good and Evil and Witchlings, in which a girl with unparalleled power must work with her misfit classmates to save her new school.

Lavinia “Vin” Lucas is out of control and out of options. Stranded by parents who would rather use their average magical abilities to study dung beetles than raise her, Vin's been on her own for years. But she’s never been able to corral her own powerful, unpredictable magic. After years of detention, suspension, and expulsion from magic schools far and wide, she’s now being sent to the Last Hope School for Magical Delinquents. If she gets expelled, it’s the end of the line. 

Now, Vin is determined to behave. Except no one at Last Hope seems to want her to. Her new teachers—particularly the school’s kind headmistress—push her to explore her magic, and her mischievous classmates delight in every accident. And all the while, a mysterious fire sprite, a suspicious instructor, and her overwhelming abilities might just sabotage Vin. But for the first time, she is not alone.

So when a former student begins attacking the school, Vin must question just how much she knows about the headmistress and her new home. Is this place worth saving? And are her budding abilities—and every trick, trap, and deception in her friends’ delinquent arsenal—enough to protect Last Hope?

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American Girl Birthday!

Weldon Owen

Make every birthday a special and delicious celebration with 50 party-ready recipes for cakes, cupcakes, and ice cream treats—plus ideas for party favors and games—from American Girl.

American Girl Birthday! features 50 sweet recipes suitable for every taste and any day of the year: fabulous cakes with fun frostings and toppings, cupcakes for every season, fruity and colorful ice pops, sundaes, and more.

Guarantee every party will be a hit with great flavor, sparkly decorations, and shareable treats. Kids can select their favorite cake or desserts for the big day, and make edible gifts for friends, all while gaining confidence and baking skills in the kitchen.

50+ RECIPES: Kids will learn to bake delicious cakes, cupcakes, ice cream treats, and more to mark and celebrate birthdays for friends and family.

EXPERT TIPS AND TRICKS: Young chefs will learn baking knowhow and while mastering measuring, rolling, frosting, and decorating!

INSPIRING IMAGES: Beautiful full-color photos inspire birthday celebrations and ensure success.

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS: Kids will gain confidence in the kitchen and practice essential cooking skills with easy-to-follow instructions while learning to recognize when adult supervision may be needed with baking.

OFFICIAL AMERICAN GIRL COOKBOOK: The trusted partner for families who want to raise strong, confident girls and help them discover their independence in the kitchen and out.

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Hope in a Jar

Deborah Marcero

In this companion to the acclaimed and bestselling picture books In a Jar and Out of a Jar, a little bunny and his friends collect their hopes and dreams for the future in jars.

Llewellyn the bunny and his friends dream of many things. Some of their dreams are small, like learning to ice skate, visiting a friend, or acting in the school play. And some of their dreams are big, like going to the moon, or becoming a ballet dancer or a wildlife photographer. Their dreams feel so precious that the bunnies place them in jars for safekeeping. But when a storm comes and destroys their collection of jars, Llewellyn and his friends wonder: what's the point of dreaming if everything could be lost?

This timely, powerful, and beautifully illustrated story of perseverance and resilience explores setbacks, loss, and grief, and shows how—with the help of friends and loved ones—to find the strength to start again.

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Bouncing Bunnies!

Fiz Osborne

An irrepressible group of bunnies invite little ones to join in their bouncing in this energetic picture book.

These bunnies, they love bouncing! It’s their favorite thing to do. 
And it would make them very happy if you do it, too. 
So, shake out every arm and leg, then stretch from head to toe, 
It’s nearly time! Let’s have some fun! Yes, ready, steady, go!

Jump, wiggle, sniff, and shake your way through the day with bunnies who just cannot stop bouncing. Are you ready to bounce?

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Tornadoes! (Third Edition)

Gail Gibbons

What in the world is a tornado? In this age of extreme weather, this newly updated edition of Gail Gibbons' informative introduction to tornadoes, with safety tips included, answers that question.

Tornadoes form when hot, humid air rises from the ground and meets with the cooler, denser air that is falling back to Earth. The two airstreams begin to swirl, pulling in more and more air to form a funnel-shaped cloud. The winds can swirl faster than 261 miles per hour!

Newly revised and vetted by weather experts, Tornadoes is an accessible introduction to this fascinating phenomenon. Using her praised combination of clear text and detailed illustrations, Gail Gibbons shares more than fifty tornado facts. . . . including how tornadoes form, the scale used for classifying them, and the safest places to go in case one should happen near you. Includes updated information on the affects climate change on extreme weather and the increase of tornado activity in the American South.

Featuring simple, kid-friendly text, colorful paintings, and well-labeled diagrams, Gail Gibbons' nonfiction titles have been called "staples of any collection" (Kirkus Reviews) and offer clear, accessible introductions to complex topics for young readers beginning to explore the world.

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Wee Unicorn

Meg McLaren

Fresh, cotton-candy-colored illustrations and important messages about being yourself and kindness towards others makes this adorably cute unicorn story a tasty treat kids will love.

A fun read-aloud for fans of The Teeny-Weeny Unicorn and for anyone that’s ever felt different or misunderstood will fall for this winning picture book.

Wee Unicorn isn't what everyone expects in a unicorn. She's noisy, and she's not magical. She feels misunderstood. Then she meets another misunderstood creature—a monster others are scared of—and she reacts in an unkind way. Will she be able to make things right?

A bright, inviting world of colors and creatures, Wee Unicorn is pure eye candy—it dazzles and sparkles with its messaging of not making assumptions and loving who you are.

Readers young and old will very much relate to feeling different and misunderstood while falling hard for this irresistible unicorn read-aloud!

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Open Me...I'm a Dog

Art Spiegelman

What’s got a tail and just wants to go home with you, but will never make a mess on the carpet, or smell like, well, wet dog?

Through the power of a wizard’s magic comes a book that isn’t a book—it’s a DOG! We promise.

Have you ever seen a book that barks? How about a dog with pages? For all the kids who keep asking for a dog and don't seem to appreciate their books enough, we have the perfect solution. Pulitzer Prize-winner Art Spiegelman, the author of Maus and Jack and the Box, has conjured up a winning mix of dog and hardcover picture book, complete with fuzzy, cuddly pages, a tail, a sturdy cotton leash, and so much more. Bring this lovable pooch into your family and he’s sure to become a kid's—or reader’s—best friend!

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Boy vs. Shark

Paul Gilligan

A hilarious middle-grade graphic memoir about boyhood, toxic masculinity and a shark named Jaws. For fans of Guts and New Kid.

In the summer of 1975, 10-year-old Paul Gilligan doesn't have a whole lot to worry about other than keeping his comic books untarnished, getting tennis balls off roofs and keeping up with the increasingly bold stunts of his best friend, David.

And then Jaws comes to town.

Suddenly everyone is obsessing over this movie about a shark ripping people to pieces. And if you haven't seen it, not only are you missing out, you're also kind of a wimp.

Needless to say, Jaws leaves young Paul a cowering mess, and underlines the growing gap between him and David as well as the distance between where he stands and the world's expectations of a boy's "manliness."

And when Jaws himself becomes a kind of macho Jiminy Cricket for Paul, what is a scared and overwhelmed boy to do?

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Summer of the Wolves

Lisa Williams Kline

Stepsisters, yes. Friends? Maybe ...

"I smelled the wolf now--sharp and musky. I scanned the pen and saw a shadow behind one of the bushes that might be another wolf. Probably two of the most miserable looking creatures I'd ever seen." -from Summer of the Wolves

Stephanie and Diana are having a hard time adjusting to life as new stepsisters. The girls "pretend" to like each other, but it's pretty hard considering they are complete opposites. When their new family takes their first-ever vacation to a horse ranch in North Carolina, not even long horse-back rides in the forest can tame their tempers. Diana's anger issues and Stephanie's fear of everything prove disastrous, until Diana discovers the caged wolves in the deep woods. She vows to free them, and surprisingly, Stephanie agrees to help. But their actions have unforeseen consequences, and if there's any chance to make things right, Stephanie and Diana must put their differences aside

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The Diamond Explorer

Kao Kalia Yang

From APALA-winning author and Guggenheim Fellow Kao Kalia Yang, a middle-grade debut about a Hmong American boy's struggle to find a place for himself in America and in the world of his ancestors.

Malcolm is the youngest child of Hmong refugees, and he was born over a decade after his youngest sibling, giving him a unique perspective on his complicated immigrant family.

In the first part of the story, we meet Malcolm as an elementary school kid through the eyes of the adults in his life—his parents and siblings, but also the white teachers at his Minnesota schools. As middle school begins, we encounter Malcolm in his own words, and suddenly we see that this "quiet, slow Hmong boy" is anything but. Malcolm is a gifted collector of his family's stories and tireless seeker of his own place within an evolving Hmong American culture, and his journey toward becoming a shaman like his grandparents before him is inspiring and revelatory.

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Emily Windsnap and the Tides of Time: #9

Liz Kessler

When Emily makes a wish on a magic stone, she gets a glimpse of what the future holds--and it's a disaster! She tries to make things right, but each trip through time takes Emily to a future where things turn out badly for either the humans of Brightport or the merpeople of Shiprock. Plastic pollutes the ocean, garbage overflows the landfills, and the two towns are no longer getting along. Emily realizes she can't save her hometown and the ocean alone, but with help from her best friends, Shona and Mandy, she'll have to find a way to get humans and merpeople to work together. Will Emily be able to create a better future for everyone, including herself? This new adventure gives readers a glimpse at what Emily and her friends could be like as grown-ups, with a fresh story that explores how uniting communities can make a future that's bright for everyone.--

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Hello, Universe

Erin Entrada Kelly

Winner of the Newbery Medal

“A charming, intriguingly plotted novel.”—Washington Post

Newbery Medalist Erin Entrada Kelly’s Hello, Universe is a funny and poignant neighborhood story about unexpected friendships.

Told from four intertwining points of view—two boys and two girls—the novel celebrates bravery, being different, and finding your inner bayani (hero). “Readers will be instantly engrossed in this relatable neighborhood adventure and its eclectic cast of misfits.”—Booklist

In one day, four lives weave together in unexpected ways. Virgil Salinas is shy and kindhearted and feels out of place in his crazy-about-sports family. Valencia Somerset, who is deaf, is smart, brave, and secretly lonely, and she loves everything about nature. Kaori Tanaka is a self-proclaimed psychic, whose little sister, Gen, is always following her around. And Chet Bullens wishes the weird kids would just stop being so different so he can concentrate on basketball.

They aren’t friends, at least not until Chet pulls a prank that traps Virgil and his pet guinea pig at the bottom of a well. This disaster leads Kaori, Gen, and Valencia on an epic quest to find missing Virgil. Through luck, smarts, bravery, and a little help from the universe, a rescue is performed, a bully is put in his place, and friendship blooms.

The acclaimed and award-winning author of Blackbird Fly and The Land of Forgotten Girls writes with an authentic, humorous, and irresistible tween voice that will appeal to fans of Thanhha Lai and Rita Williams-Garcia.

“Readers across the board will flock to this book that has something for nearly everyone—humor, bullying, self-acceptance, cross-generational relationships, and a smartly fateful ending.”—School Library Journal

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Faker

Gordon Korman

From the #1 bestselling author of RESTART, the story of a family of liars... and the son who wants to break the family tradition.

Trey knows the drill: His dad gets him into a school full of kids with rich parents. Trey makes friends, and his dad makes connections. Soon, there's the con, where Trey's dad suckers the other parents into investing in one of his schemes. Once the money's in the bank, Trey, his sister, and their dad are on the run... until they set up somewhere else and start again.

Trey believes his father when he says no one's getting hurt. After all, these parents have money to spare.

But Trey's starting to get tired of running... and lying... and never having a friend for longer than a few months. But how do you get your family to stop lying when your lives depend on it?

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Faker

Gordon Korman

From the #1 bestselling author of RESTART, the story of a family of liars... and the son who wants to break the family tradition.

 

Trey knows the drill: His dad gets him into a school full of kids with rich parents. Trey makes friends, and his dad makes connections. Soon, there's the con, where Trey's dad suckers the other parents into investing in one of his schemes. Once the money's in the bank, Trey, his sister, and their dad are on the run... until they set up somewhere else and start again.

Trey believes his father when he says no one's getting hurt. After all, these parents have money to spare.

But Trey's starting to get tired of running... and lying... and never having a friend for longer than a few months. But how do you get your family to stop lying when your lives depend on it?

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Pig in Jeans

Brenda Li

Introducing Pig in Jeans! A hilarious and endearing picture book about being true to yourself, starring an extraordinary pig who loves to wear jeans!

 

Meet Brian. He's a pig but not an ordinary one. He is a pig that wears... JEANS! Jeans with many pockets! What he keeps inside those pockets is a mystery until one day, the secret is revealed. As Brian saves the day with the help of his jeans, he shows that being yourself is the best way to spread kindness and joy to everyone around you. A humorous and feel-good read aloud for story time!

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Never After: The Thirteenth Fairy

Melissa de la Cruz

*A New York Times Bestseller*
*A B&N Young Reader Monthly Pick*
*A Goodreads Choice Awards Finalist*

Discover a new middle-grade fantasy saga perfect for fans of The Land of Stories series from the #1 New York Times bestselling creator of The Descendants, Melissa de la Cruz, where real life and fairy tales collide!

Nothing ever happens in Filomena Jefferson-Cho’s sleepy little suburban town of North Pasadena. The sun shines every day, the grass is always a perfect green, and while her school seems to swear there’s no such thing as bullying, she still feels bummed out. But one day, when Filomena is walking home on her own, something strange happens. 

Filomena is being followed by Jack Stalker, one of the heroes in the Thirteenth Fairy, a series of books she loves about a brave girl and her ragtag group of friends who save their world from an evil enchantress. She must be dreaming, or still reading a book. But Jack is insistent—he’s real, the stories are real, and Filomena must come with him at once!

Soon Filomena is thrust into the world of evil fairies and beautiful princesses, sorcerers and slayers, where an evil queen drives her ruthless armies to destroy what is left of the Fairies. To save herself and the kingdom of Westphalia, Filomena must find the truth behind the fairytales and set the world back to rights before the cycle of destruction begins once more.

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The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl

Stacy McAnulty

A lightning strike gave her a super power...but even a super genius can't solve the problem of middle school. This smart and funny novel is perfect for fans of The Fourteenth Goldfish, Rain Reign, and Counting by Sevens.

Lucy Callahan was struck by lightning. She doesn't remember it, but it changed her life forever. The zap gave her genius-level math skills, and ever since, Lucy has been homeschooled. Now, at 12 years old, she's technically ready for college. She just has to pass 1 more test--middle school!

Lucy's grandma insists: Go to middle school for 1 year. Make 1 friend. Join 1 activity. And read 1 book (that's not a math textbook!). Lucy's not sure what a girl who does calculus homework for fun can possibly learn in 7th grade. She has everything she needs at home, where nobody can make fun of her rigid routines or her superpowered brain. The equation of Lucy's life has already been solved. Unless there's been a miscalculation?

A celebration of friendship, Stacy McAnulty's smart and thoughtful middle-grade debut reminds us all to get out of our comfort zones and embrace what makes us different.

AN NPR BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR
A KIRKUS REVIEWS BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR

"An engaging story, full of heart and hope. Readers of all ages will root for Lucy, aka Lightning Girl. No miscalculations here!" --Kate Beasley, author of Gertie's Leap to Greatness

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