Reading Recommendations List

A Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2024
A School Library Journal Best Book of 2024
3 Starred Reviews! 

Does art have to be perfect? Where do you begin? This inspiring picture book about making art doubles as an introduction to the multifaceted and diverse global history of art empowering readers to get creative.

Awed by the endless possibilities, a young girl begins asking meaningful questions about creating art. Her questions are answered by a diverse group of artists throughout time and history: from the earliest cave painters to the most recent digital illustrators. Rethinking the familiar Western European timeline of art history, this book introduces readers to diverse works from every era and continent in a playful and inspiring way.

Making both art history and art making accessible to all, Time to Make Art nourishes creativity, encouraging young readers to see the artist in themselves.

Sometimes the real treasures are the people you meet along the way. 

Fans of Mac Barnett, Jory John, and Chris Haughton will adore this hilarious story of a bank robbery that doesn't go according to plan. Loosely inspired by the most famous bank heist in Argentina, Joaquín Camp decided to explore what would happen if the thieves had not been successful and had instead been content with what they already have. If instead of arriving at the bank, our thieves had landed in all sorts of other surprising places. The result is a story of upending expectations, teamwork, acceptance, and above all friendship, enjoyed over a delicious meal, of course.

"Preposterous fun for the savvy young reader or read-aloud audience." The Horn Book

"Silly situations abound making this a great readaloud with downright kid-friendly art." Betsy Bird, Fuse #8

“It never occurred to me while growing up that art is an industry involving countless jobs, so if this book helps shed light to just one kid that it is a viable career option, then it has done its job, as art is indescribably important!” —Oliver Jeffers, Artist and Illustrator

“This book so beautifully explains to kids what goes into making an art exhibition. It’s not just about an artist hanging something on a wall for people to see: it’s so much more lively, layered, and community-driven. Even I learned a ton about what truly goes into a fantastic art show!” —Joy Cho, Author and Founder of Oh Joy!

“I wish I’d had this book when I was a kid! I always wanted my art to be in a big museum one day but, growing up in a small town, that just seemed impossible. Making a Great Exhibition is a beautifully illustrated behind-the-scenes peek at exactly how art makes its way from an artist’s mind to the big white walls of a fancy gallery. Turns out, there are a lot of people, with some very cool jobs, who make the magic happen—and any book that shows kids (and parents!) they can grow up to have a career in the arts is okay by me!” —Danielle Krysa, The Jealous Curator


An exciting insight into the workings of artists and museums, Making a Great Exhibition is a colorful and playful introduction geared to children ages 3-7

How does an artist make a sculpture or a painting? What tools do they use? What happens to the artwork next? This fun, inside look at the life of an artwork shows the journey of two artists’ work from studio to exhibition. Stopping along the way we meet colorful characters—curators, photographers, shippers, museum visitors, and more!

Both illustrator and author were raised in the art world, spending their time in studios, doing homework in museum offices, and going to special openings. They have teamed up to share their experiences and love for this often mysterious world to a young audience. London-based illustrator Rose Blake is best known for her work in A History of Pictures for Children, by David Hockney and Martin Gayford, which has been a worldwide success. Author Doro Globus brings her love for the arts and kids together with this fun journey.

Calling upon only the BRAVEST detectives with the STRONGEST noses--do you dare to scratch 'n' sniff and help solve this foul mystery!

There's been a robbery at the Museum of Very Bad Smells! Somebody stole the world-famous rotten egg . . . and everybody is a suspect. It's up to YOU to help sniff out the culprit and bring the prized exhibit back before the museum's grand opening.

From award-winning creator Monica Arnaldo comes a hilarious and interactive mystery about a robbery at the Museum of Very Bad Smells, with five stinky scratch elements in this hilarious picture book that encourages kids to scratch, smell, and--of course--pass it along to a friend.

The launch of a picture book series about the adventures of a book-loving bat and his buddies as they patrol and protect their library home.

Booker the bat has completed his training and he’s excited to report for duty as the newest guard at the Joanina Library in Coimbra, Portugal. His job is to fly through the stacks at night, gobbling down the bugs that are in turn eating the 200,000 antique leather books. It’s the perfect job for Booker, because he loves to read. And now he’s saving books!

There’s only one problem: how will he fit in with the other guards? They’re so cool and confident, and what if they don’t like him?

But when Booker spots a human attempting to steal pages from one of the valuable books, he summons his courage, (echo)locates the other bat guards, and swoops in with a plan to save the day!

Marvin lives with his family under the kitchen sink in the Pompadays' apartment. He is very much a beetle. James Pompaday lives with his family in New York City. He is very much an eleven-year-old boy.After James gets a pen-and-ink set for his birthday, Marvin surprises him by creating an elaborate miniature drawing. James gets all the credit for the picture and before these unlikely friends know it they are caught up in a staged art heist at the Metropolitan Museum of Art that could help recover a famous drawing by Albrecht Dürer. But James can't go through with the plan without Marvin's help. And that's where things get really complicated (and interesting!). This fast-paced mystery will have young readers on the edge of their seats as they root for boy and beetle.

In Shakespeare's Secret Elise Broach showed her keen ability to weave storytelling with history and suspense, and Masterpiece is yet another example of her talent. This time around it's an irresistible miniature world, fascinating art history, all wrapped up in a special friendship— something for everyone to enjoy.

Mysteries abound in this exciting race through Rome!

Beatrice Archer may love history, and Rome may be chock-full of it, but that doesn’t mean she wants to move there!

Too bad Beatrice’s father got a job as the head of the history department at the American Academy in Rome—now, Beatrice has no choice but to get used to the idea.

When she arrives in Rome she explores her new city as much as she can, but it isn’t until she hears talk of a strange neighborhood legend that Beatrice perks up. A centuries-old unsolved mystery about the beautiful turtle fountain outside her window? Sounds like fun!

Before Beatrice has a chance to explore, though, she sees a dark figure emerge from the shadows of the square in the middle of the night—and steal the famous turtle sculptures that give the fountain its name.

When no one believes her story, Beatrice knows that it’s up to her to solve the crime and restore the turtles to their rightful place. With the help of her new friend Marco, she navigates a world of unscrupulous ambassadors, tricky tutors, and international art thieves to unravel one of Roman history’s greatest dramas—before another priceless work of art is stolen.

When the world's greatest masterpieces are stolen, it's up to three kids to track down the culprits! 
Henry, Anna, and Jose head from Boston to Paris for their most dangerous mission yet: to solve the mystery of an international art heist! Shortly after they arrive, they learn that a member of the Silver Jaguar Society is working as a double agent, passing information to the criminal gang the Serpentine Princes -- but who could it be? When the senior members of the Society go missing, it's up to Henry, Anna, Jose, and their smug new comrade, Hem, to mount a rescue while staying hot on the trail of a missing masterpiece. Running around -- and below -- a foreign city filled with doppelgangers, decoys, and deceit, the three sleuths discover they're the only hope for the Society's survival!

An action-packed story about a group of children with a unique ability to jump into paintings and move around in them! 

Thirteen-year-old Vincent has a very special talent: He can jump into paintings and move around inside them! When the painting The Thunderstorm by an old Dutch painter is stolen from a London mansion, Vincent decides to track it down. During his search, to his great surprise, he meets Holly, who can dive into paintings just like him. The two make a bet: Whoever finds The Thunderstorm first wins! Vincent is sure that he will be faster than Holly, but the search turns out to be unexpectedly difficult. And suddenly something is also wrong with Vincent van Gogh's Starry Night. Why is it that when Vincent jumps into it, the painting feels like a fake?

When Sargent Singer discovers that the paintings in his father’s gallery are alive, he’s pulled into a captivating world behind the frame he never knew existed.

Filled with devious plots, shady characters, and a grand art heist, this inventive mystery-adventure celebrates art and artists and is perfect for fans of Night at the Museum and Blue Balliett’s Chasing Vermeer. School Library Journal said, “This middle grade read paints fantasy, humor, and mystery into a satisfying tale about the power of friendship.”

There’s one important rule at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery—don’t let anyone know the paintings are alive. Mona Dunn, forever frozen at thirteen when her portrait was painted by William Orpen, has just broken that rule.

Luckily twelve-year-old Sargent Singer, an aspiring artist himself, is more interested in learning about the vast and intriguing world behind the frame than he is in sharing her secret. And when Mona and Sargent suspect shady dealings are happening behind the scenes at the gallery, they set out to uncover the culprit. They must find a way to save the gallery—and each other—before they are lost forever. 

With an imaginative setting, lots of intrigue, and a thoroughly engaging cast of characters, The Frame-Up will captivate readers of Jacqueline West’s The Books of Elsewhere series. Booklist said, “This chapter book’s most memorable element is also its most unusual: the imaginative conviction that art is alive.” Includes images of the real paintings featured in the book.

A riveting historical art mystery for fans of Chasing Vermeer and The Westing Game, set in the Roaring Twenties 

It's 1929, and twelve-year-old Martha has no choice but to work as a maid in the New York City mansion of the wealthy Sewell family. But, despite the Gatsby-like parties and trimmings of success, she suspects something might be deeply wrong in the household--specifically with Rose Sewell, the formerly vivacious lady of the house who now refuses to leave her room. The other servants say Rose is crazy, but scrappy, strong-willed Martha thinks there's more to the story--and that the paintings in the Sewell's gallery contain a hidden message detailing the truth. But in a house filled with secrets, nothing is quite what it seems, and no one is who they say. Can Martha follow the clues, decipher the code, and solve the mystery of what's really going on with Rose Sewell?

Inspired by true events described in a fascinating author's note, The Gallery is a 1920s caper told with humor and spunk that readers today will love.

In this standalone companion to The Van Gogh Deception, Art and Camille team up once again to solve a large museum theft, using one of the biggest heists in history to help them solve the case. Perfect for fans of Dan Brown and the Mr. Lemoncello's Library and Book Scavenger series.

Something's brewing at the National Portrait Gallery Museum in Washington, D.C. twelve-year-old Art is sure of it. But his only proof that a grand heist is about to take place is iced mocha, forty-two steps, and a mysterious woman who appears like clockwork in the museum.

When Art convinces his best friend, Camille, that the heist is real, the two begin a thrilling chase through D.C. to uncover a villainous scheme that could be the biggest heist since the Isabelle Stewart Gardner Museum theft in 1990. With a billion dollars' worth of paintings on the line, the clock is ticking for Art and Camille to solve the conspiracy.

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler meets Chasing Vermeer in this clever middle grade debut

When Theodora Tenpenny spills a bottle of rubbing alcohol on her late grandfather's painting, she discovers what seems to be an old Renaissance masterpiece underneath. That's great news for Theo, who's struggling to hang onto her family's two-hundred-year-old townhouse and support her unstable mother on her grandfather's legacy of $463. There's just one problem: Theo's grandfather was a security guard at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and she worries the painting may be stolen.

With the help of some unusual new friends, Theo's search for answers takes her all around Manhattan, and introduces her to a side of the city--and her grandfather--that she never knew. To solve the mystery, she'll have to abandon her hard-won self-reliance and build a community, one serendipitous friendship at a time.

This bewitching first novel is a puzzle, wrapped in a mystery, disguised as an adventure, and delivered as a work of art.

When a book of unexplainable occurances brings Petra Andalee & Calder Pillay together, strange things start to happen: seemingly unrelated events connect, an eccentric old woman seeks their company, & an invaluable Vermeer painting disappears. Before they know it, the two find themselves at the center of an international art scandal. As Petra & Calder are drawn clue by clue into a mysterious labyrinth they must draw on their powers of intuition, their skills at problem solving, and their knowledge of Vermeer. Can they decipher a crime that has left even the FBI baffled?

A humorous look at how famous people got caught, including Joan of Arc, Blackbeard, Al Capone, and more! From the award-winning team that brought you How They Croaked and How They Choked.

Outlaw, assassin, art thief, and spy, these fourteen troublemakers and crooks--including Blackbeard the pirate, Typhoid Mary, and gangster Al Capone--have given the good guys a run for their money throughout the ages.

Some were crooked, some were deadly, and some were merely out of line--but they all got Caught! as detailed in this fascinating and funny study of crime, culture, and forensic science.

FEATURING HISTORY'S MOST WANTED: Joan of Arc, Sir Walter Raleigh, Caravaggio, Blackbeard, John Wilkes Booth, Jesse James, Billy the Kid, Mata Hari, Typhoid Mary, Rasputin, Vincenzo Peruggia (Mona Lisa thief), Bernard Kuehn (Pearl Harbor spy), Anna Anderson (Anastasia impersonator), and Al Capone

The third book in this graphic nonfiction series about real FBI cases details the Isabella Stewart Gardner heist--the largest, and one of the most famous, art thefts in the world.

CASE NO. 003: THE GARDNER

MARCH 18, 1990

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS

1:24 a.m.

Two thieves posing as Boston Police officers gain entry to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Once inside, they steal thirteen pieces of art, including several rare Rembrandts.

Eighty-one minutes later, these men walk off with $500 million worth of art. This heist is the single largest private property theft in the United States--and despite decades of investigation and dozens of false leads, the case remains unsolved to this day.

Visit the world's greatest museum without leaving your home through this imaginary art museum - a visually spectacular survey of world art for middle-grade reader, curated in collaboration with a global team of experts and educators

This imaginary art museum is an educational and inspiring experience without the constraints of space and time. Discover beautiful reproductions from pre-history to the present, arranged in easy-to-navigate, color-coded wings, galleries, and rooms, each with an informative narrative guide. Marvel at its remarkable range of styles and mediums - from classic to contemporary, and from paintings and sculptures to photographs and textiles. With a fold-out museum map and floor plans to follow, and interactive cross-referencing activities, this museum-in-a-book spotlights the iconic and important works and movements in art history and provides the perfect introduction to the history of human creativity.

Curated in collaboration with the team of experts and educators behind Phaidon's groundbreaking global bestseller The Art Museum, which won acclaim from the New York Times, The Times, NPR, Vogue, and more - and a starred Library Journal review. Every single piece in this book was selected to illustrate important historical, cultural, and artistic facts, not only in order to give children a comprehensive foundation in world art history, but to also share with them the idea that art history is a culmination of 40,000 years of people sharing themes, ideas, techniques and incredible creativity across time and space. With its lavish page size and over 300 wonderfully diverse artworks, this book is the ultimate resource for all art-hungry children and their parents.

Ages 8-12

This beautifully illustrated book seeks to tell children the true story of art, in which the rich visual canon from every culture is explored by looking at key works from different times and places.

Even before they could write, people were telling stories with pictures. And though art is universal, the story we know about it is not. A Whole World of Art opens your eyes to a global view of art by taking you on a whirlwind tour around the world and through time. With two companions—a boy and a girl—travel through 27 destinations from the history of art, circling the globe.

Each spread shows a stunning, edge-to-edge illustrated scene from art history portraying an artist or artists making important artwork within a detailed background. A paragraph of introductory text and small captions around the page give fascinating details about the artists and the time and place in which they lived. Art project ideas provide inspiration throughout. Visit:

• Athens, Greece (450 BCE), where you will marvel at the gleaming gold statues and marble architecture
• The Ming Dynasty, China (1368–1644), where you will discover intricate designs, drawings, and calligraphy on paper and porcelain
• Benin City, Africa (1550), where you will meet the brass-casters who create elaborately detailed plaques and ornaments only for the Oba (or king)
• Coyoacan, Mexico (1907–1954), where you will get to know the painters Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera

Written by art history teacher Dr. Sarah Phillips, who rewrote and decolonized the A Level syllabus in the UK, and illustrated by talented artist Dion Mehaga Bangun Djayasaputra, this gorgeous book offers a fresh, inclusive view of the history of art.

From Monet to Renoir and from Boston to Paris, kids search famous paintings to complete a checklist of things to find in each.

Are You an Art Sleuth? You probably are.

Each of the twenty full-page paintings, drawn from museums around the world, are fun, lively, and full of small details, that can be spotted, counted and checked off a list of things to find. Invite children to see what they can discover when they look at art very closely.

Following each close-up is an accompanying spread full of fun facts and activities related to the painting and the story it tells. Prepared by a member of the education staff of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, the facts and historical bits are specially selected and written to engage young children and encourage them to come in closer and have fun looking at art.

Some of the artists included in the book are Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Georges Seurat, Fra Angelico, Vittore Carpaccio, William Hogarth, Quentin Metsys, Claude Monet, Edouard Manet, William Holman Hunt, Hieronymus Bosch, Pieter Breughel, and Henri Rousseau.

A sweetly humorous picture book about composting, told from the point of view of a worm.

Meet Worm. He might be little. He might have no hands. But Worm would love to make a sandwich, just for you! 

To get started he'll need just one thing: garbage! Delicious, delectable garbage like apple cores and mushy grapes, broccoli bottoms and carrot tops, sad celery, and drippy cucumbers. Worm and his friends eat the garbage. And then they do what everyone does after they eat garbage. They poop! The poop goes in the compost and the compost goes in your garden, which is where the vegetables for your sandwich come from!

Simple, right? Worm thought you'd agree. He might just need a bit of assistance along the way . . .

This hilarious, engaging picture book is the perfect introduction to the process of composting from start to finish, told from the perspective of one little worm who is very eager to help.

A hopeful and heartwarming story about finding joy after tragedy, Amil and the After is a companion to the beloved and award-winning Newbery Honor novel The Night Diary, by acclaimed author Veera Hiranandani

At the turn of the new year in 1948, Amil and his family are trying to make a home in India, now independent of British rule.

Both Muslim and Hindu, twelve-year-old Amil is not sure what home means anymore. The memory of the long and difficult journey from their hometown in what is now Pakistan lives with him. And despite having an apartment in Bombay to live in and a school to attend, life in India feels uncertain.

Nisha, his twin sister, suggests that Amil begin to tell his story through drawings meant for their mother, who died when they were just babies. Through Amil, readers witness the unwavering spirit of a young boy trying to make sense of a chaotic world, and find hope for himself and a newly reborn nation.

Dominic no quiere jugar fútbol, pero cuando su mamá lo inscribe, no tiene opción. Se pasa los entrenamientos haciendo tonterías en la cancha, aunque en secreto admira las destrezas de Carlos, la estrella de su equipo. Cuando Carlos tiene que faltar a un partido, Dominic se da cuenta que podría ser su oportunidad para destacar. Pero después de sus travesuras, ¿será que el entrenador y sus compañeros de equipo confiarán en Dominic?suras, ¿el técnico y sus compañeros de equipo confiarán en Dominic?

A warm, gentle ode to cherished visits with grandparents and the people and places that make us who we are even if we haven’t met them yet, by an acclaimed author and illustrator.

It’s been three years since Abuela’s last visit, and Dulce revels in every tiny detail—from Abuela’s maletas full of candies in crinkly wrappers and gifts from primos to the sweet, earthy smell of Peru that floats out of Abuela’s room and down the hall. But Abuela’s visit can’t last forever, and all too soon she’s packing her suitcases again. Then Dulce has an idea: maybe there are things she can gather for her cousins and send with Abuela to remind them of the U.S. relatives they’ve never met. And despite having to say goodbye, Abuela has one more surprise for Dulce—something to help her remember that home isn’t just a place, but the deep-rooted love they share no matter the distance.

Una celebración al poder de la empatía y a la comunidad dominicana en Estados Unidos

Noche tras noche, una pequeña observa cómo su mamá arma una camita en la sala de su apartamento en Washington Heights, para los invitados como Raquel (quien es un poco aburrida) y Edgardo (que deja migajas por todas partes). Le molesta que los niños que llegan a dormir tengan toda la sala para ellos y la vista de las ventanas al puente George Washington, mientras ella sólo tiene un pequeño dormitorio con vista a su hermana y sus ronquidos. ¡Hasta que una noche no viene nadie a dormir y por fin es su oportunidad para dormir en la sala! Pero resulta que dormir en la camita en la sala no es tan maravilloso como ella pensaba.

Con un texto encantador de Hilda Eunice Burgos y bellas ilustraciones de Gaby D'Alessandro, La camita de la sala es una celebración a la solidaridad de la comunidad dominicana. A la vez que muestra a los jóvenes lectores que, a veces, la mejor manera de ser un buen vecino es imaginar cómo se siente dormir una noche en la almohada de otra persona.

ENGLISH DESCRIPTION

A young Dominican American girl in New York City moves from jealousy to empathy as her parents babysit children whose families work overnight shifts in this honest and warm picture book debut.

Night after night, a young girl watches her mami set up a cot in the living room for guests in their Washington Heights apartment, like Raquel (who's boring) and Edgardo (who gets crumbs everywhere). She resents that they get the entire living room with a view of the George Washington Bridge, while all she gets is a tiny bedroom with a view of her sister (who snores). Until one night when no one comes, and it's finally her chance! But as it turns out, sleeping on the cot in the living room isn't all she thought it would be.

With charming text by Hilda Eunice Burgos and whimsical illustrations by Gaby D'Alessandro, The Cot in the Living Room is a celebration of the ways a Dominican American community takes care of one another while showing young readers that sometimes the best way to be a better neighbor is by imagining how it feels to spend a night sleeping on someone else's pillow.

"Pato y Ganso tienen que esforzarse por llevarse bien. Al principio, a Pato no le gusta mucho Ganso, y a Ganso no le gusta Pato. Pero ambos quieren el huevo que cada uno reclama como suyo. A medida que los dos cuidan de su huevo y hacen planes para el futuro, llegan a apreciar los puntos fuertes del otro. Y cuando un pájaro azul señala que en realidad no es un huevo, sino una pelota de lunares, ninguno se inmuta. Al fin y al cabo, es una pelota preciosa..."--Provided by publisher.

Cuando Camila hace una prueba para una obra de teatro, se esfuerza mucho en ensayar para la audición. Así que queda muy decepcionada cuando no la elijen de protagonista. Al aprender su papel y colaborar con el resto del elenco, ¿descubrirá Camila que hay más de una manera de ser una estrella?

PRAISE FOR CORNBREAD & POPPY (Book 1):



An IndieBound Bestseller * An Amazon Best Book of the Year * A 2022 Kirkus Best Children's Book



★ "A rewarding choice for young readers."--Booklist, starred review



★"Cornbread and Poppy are endearing characters, poised to join the ranks of other memorable early reader sets of best friends old and new, including James Marshall's George and Martha."--Bookpage, starred review



★ "Delightful." -- Kirkus, starred review



This book in Caldecott medalist Matthew Cordell's bestselling early reader series tells a story about championship-level teamwork.



Poppy LOVES shiny new racing gear. Cornbread does not. Poppy ADORES top secret master plans. Cornbread does not. Poppy IS super competitive. Cornbread...is not. But Cornbread and Poppy are the best of friends, so when Poppy is determined to win the Small Rodents Competitive Cycling Championship Classic Cornbread agrees to train by her side. Cornbread has fun just spending time with his friend, but Poppy's goal is scoring the Winner's Cup. Is a finish line all these mice will discover at the end of their race?

Celebrating both partnership and the value of what makes us individuals, young readers will find this classic odd couple irresistible as they encounter relatable issues with humor and heart.



Cornbread & Poppy (2022), was an Indiebound bestseller and the recipient of more than a dozen best books of the year citations.



Publishing simultaneously in hardcover and paperback.

Don't miss the other books in the series:

Cornbread & Poppy

Cornbread & Poppy at the Carnival

Cornbread & Poppy at the Museum

Let's read comics! I Can Read Comics is an early reader line that familiarizes children with the world of graphic novel storytelling and encourages visual literacy in emerging readers.

Blink and Block are back in another STEM-inspired I Can Read Comic by author-illustrator Vicky Fang!

Blink is silly and Block is logical, and they're best when they're working together! Whether they're searching for treasure, playing pretend, or learning to compromise, Blink's imagination and Block's clever ideas turn any ordinary day into the most fun ever. This time, the pair find a pile of boxes perfect for making a fort. But when the friendly competition starts heating up, will they be able to find a middle ground

Friendbots: Blink and Block Build a Fort is a Level Two I Can Read Comic, geared for kids who are comfortable with comics and can read on their own but still need a little help.

"A pair we would happily hang out with again." --Kirkus Reviews

From Sarah Weeks, creator of the beloved series Mac and Cheese, comes Sketty and Meatball, a Level One I Can Read about two irrepressible dog best friends.

Best friends Sketty and Meatball do everything together. They play together. They bark together. If Sketty sniffs a flower, Meatball sniffs a flower too. If Meatball wags his tail, Sketty's tail is wagging too.

Young readers will be delighted by two pals called Sketty and Meatball, who happen to look quite a bit like their names.

Sketty and Meatball is a Level One I Can Read book, which means it's perfect for children learning to sound out words and sentences. Whether shared at home or in a classroom, the short sentences, familiar words, and simple concepts of Level One books support success for children eager to start reading on their own.

From award-winning author James Preller comes the first book in a Level 1 Ready-to-Read series about a moose looking for birds of a feather!

Moose really wants to join two birds at the top of a tree. But how does a moose climb up a tree, and what will he do when he gets to the top? Find out in this delightfully silly story about a moose on a mission…and the birds that are in for a pleasant, moonlit surprise!

From the bestselling creator of Stumpkin and Vampenguin comes a whimsical picture book about the unexpected friendship that blooms between a boy and a dog of intergalactic origins.

A visitor from outer space comes to Stephen’s yard one night. It may look like a Dalmatian, but it certainly doesn’t act like one. At first, Stephen and the visitor get off on the wrong paw. They quibble over kibble, debate sleeping arrangements, and must abandon earth dogs’ approach to bathroom breaks altogether to keep the peace. Is a shared love of bacon a strong enough foundation for this ordinary earth boy and extraordinary out-of-this-world canine to learn to live in harmony?

Kid seeks dog. Dog seeks kid. In this charming and imaginative tale of friendship, picture book readers will delight in what it means to have a furry best friend.

For as long as she can remember, Joy has wanted a dog. It doesn’t matter what kind: big, little, spotted, curly. She wants one so fiercely, she makes dogs out of snow, seashells, or whatever’s at hand! However, none of the dogs Joy makes are quite what she yearns for. The seashell dog washes away, and the snow dog melts into a puddle. Little does Joy know that her perfect dog friend is just around the corner—wishing just as fiercely for a kid—and waiting to be discovered.

Award-winning artist Hadley Hooper creates a world that is both timeless and magical as she weaves ink, paint, and collages made from vintage etchings together in a style that perfectly complements the classic feel of Jump for Joy. Readers will rejoice in this satisfying kid-meets-dog story, and will savor returning to this world again and again.

Meet Sandcastle.

Sandcastle's world was new and exciting until their very first...

SQUISH!

In an effort to protect themselves from ever getting squished again, Sandcastle tries to be bigger and taller and stronger! But is that enough to stop all the squishes?

From Breanna Carzoo, the acclaimed creator of Lou and Greenlight, comes an uplifting picture book story that reminds us that while we can't stop all of life's squishes, we can reach out to others, reconnect with our ingrained resilience, and maybe even have some fun!

"An informative and accessible child's-eye view of STEM careers" --Kirkus Reviews

This Level One I Can Read and Guided Reading Level K is perfect for learning to sound out words and sentences. Whether shared at home or in a classroom, the short sentences, familiar words, and simple concepts of Level One books support success for children eager to start reading on their own.

For anyone looking for books about community helpers for kids, the I Can Read My Community books are a great choice. The books are bright and upbeat and feature characters who are diverse in terms of gender, race, age, and body type. Kids ages 3-7 will enjoy finding out more about the people who do so much to help all of our communities.

Meet these scientists:

For fans of Jon Klassen and Peter Brown comes MORE DUNG!, a slyly funny and stunningly illustrated picture book about a greedy dung beetle by debut author-illustrator Frank Weber.

The dung beetle thinks he has everything he needs- the warmth of the sun, a gurgling river, and as much dung as he could ever want. But when a leopard tells him of a farm with even MORE dung, the beetle's world suddenly looks small. And so he sets off to the farm, accruing more and more dung, building a veritable DUNG EMPIRE! But a tower of dung comes with a tower of risk, and soon our insect hero finds himself buried in his greed. (Yes, he's buried in poop.)

Frank Weber seamlessly blends philosophical questions about greed with scatological humor and truly gorgeous artwork to create this special debut.

A celebration of books and reading from Newbery medal winner Linda Sue Park and illustrated by two-time Caldecott medal winner, Chris Raschka.

This is my book.
My favorite book.
I carry it with me
wherever I go.

Meet the child who loves books in this lyrical tribute to the joys of books and reading by Newbery medalist Linda Sue Park and featuring the jubilant illustrations of celebrated Caldecott artist Chris Raschka. My Book and Me invites us to reflect on beloved books which are friends we hold dear; books we read over and again; books that may take us to places afar to experience the world in different ways, and books that comfort and reassure us. This jubilant paean to literature is a celebration of our favorite authors, characters, and stories; those that we cherish the most and are friends for life . . . which books are your favorite? My Book and Me features a diverse group of children, all enjoying their favorite books.

Jacqueline Woodson's National Book Award and Newbery Honor winner is a powerful memoir that tells the moving story of her childhood in mesmerizing verse.

A President Obama "O" Book Club pick

Raised in South Carolina and New York, Woodson always felt halfway home in each place. In vivid poems, she shares what it was like to grow up as an African American in the 1960s and 1970s, living with the remnants of Jim Crow and her growing awareness of the Civil Rights movement. Touching and powerful, each poem is both accessible and emotionally charged, each line a glimpse into a child’s soul as she searches for her place in the world. Woodson’s eloquent poetry also reflects the joy of finding her voice through writing stories, despite the fact that she struggled with reading as a child. Her love of stories inspired her and stayed with her, creating the first sparks of the gifted writer she was to become.

Includes 7 additional poems, including "Brown Girl Dreaming."
 
Praise for Jacqueline Woodson:

"Ms. Woodson writes with a sure understanding of the thoughts of young people, offering a poetic, eloquent narrative that is not simply a story . . . but a mature exploration of grown-up issues and self-discovery.”—The New York Times Book Review

A brave little artist goes on an epic adventure to share her creativity with the world in this picture book from New York Times bestselling author-illustrator Ed Vere. It's an inspiring exploration of the creative spirit, perfect for fans of What Do You Do with an Idea? and The Dot.

Creative young children will see themselves and the world around them in a fresh light in this charming story about an artistic soul. Through setbacks and triumphs, our young hero adds color and life to a drab gray city, bringing beauty to those who live there. It's a journey that reminds us that it's okay to color outside the lines: Art is full of heart! 

The Artist is a perfect gift for creative kids, graduates, or anyone setting out on a new path, encouraging them to face life’s obstacles with a positive outlook.

NEWBERY MEDAL WINNER • #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • An enthralling novel for all ages by award-winning author Dave Eggers, told from the perspective of one uniquely endearing dog— featuring beautiful color artwork with illustrations by Caldecott honoree Shawn Harris.
 
“Johannes is a highly engaging narrator whose exuberance and good nature run like a bright thread through the novel’s pages.” —The New York Times

Johannes, a free dog, lives in an urban park by the sea. His job is to be the Eyes—to see everything that happens within the park and report back to the park’s elders, three ancient Bison. His friends—a seagull, a raccoon, a squirrel, and a pelican—work with him as the Assistant Eyes, observing the humans and other animals who share the park and making sure the Equilibrium is in balance. 

But changes are afoot. More humans, including Trouble Travelers, arrive in the park. A new building, containing mysterious and hypnotic rectangles, goes up. And then there are the goats—an actual boatload of goats—who appear, along with a shocking revelation that changes Johannes’s view of the world.

A story about friendship, beauty, liberation, and running very, very fast, The Eyes & the Impossible will make readers of all ages see the world around them in a wholly new way.

A Baby-sitters Club graphic novel adapted by newcomer Arley Nopra!

Claudia isn't worried when she hears her newest baby-sitting charge, Betsy Sobak, is a big practical joker. After all, how much harm can one little girl do?

Plenty. Claudia breaks her leg as a result of one of Betsy's jokes. Now Claudia is feeling like baby-sitting might be too dangerous and she's talking about quitting the club. Kristy thinks Betsy needs to be taught a lesson, and that the baby-sitters are just the ones to do it.

Watch out, Betsy Sobak. The joke war is on!

Erin Hunter's #1 bestselling Warriors series continues! Discover more epic adventure in this fifth book in the Starless Clan arc.

Frostpaw has returned to the lake just in time to reveal all she knows at the Gathering--but the Clans are reluctant to believe an apprentice who's already admitted to lying about her visions in the past, and she is forced to take refuge in ShadowClan as Splashtail seizes control of her home.

While the other Clan leaders debate whether to interfere any further in RiverClan affairs, Nightheart has his paws full teaching Clan ways to the two park cats who followed him home, and Sunbeam's efforts to fit in as the newest member of ThunderClan are hampered by her concerns for her mother, who is paying for her treachery with exile and illness.

As Berryheart's schemes take an alarming new turn--and Splashtail's ambitions turn toward violence--a few cats' efforts may not be enough to preserve the peace.

The graphic novel adaptations of the #1 New York Times bestselling Wings of Fire series continue to set the world on fire!

Daring mission... or deadly mistake?

Winter has been a disappointment to his royal IceWing family his whole life. When his sister, Icicle, runs away from Jade Mountain Academy, fleeing terrible crimes and possibly planning to commit more, Winter knows that they both need a second chance to make things right -- if only he can find her.

Winter's new clawmates, Moon, Qibli, and Kinkajou, won't let him make this dangerous journey alone. They don't seem to understand that IceWings, the most superior of all dragon tribes, can fix their own problems. When their search leads the dragonets straight into Queen Scarlet's vicious talons, Winter is grateful to have some help. But even the bravest dragons can't follow him to the Ice Kingdom, where he'll have to face the greatest threat of all: his own family.

The #1 New York Times bestselling Wings of Fire series soars to new heights in the seventh graphic novel adaptation, with art by Mike Holmes.

In No Brainer, book 18 of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series from #1 international bestselling author Jeff Kinney, it's up to Greg to save his crumbling school before it's shuttered for good.



Up until now, middle school hasn't exactly been a joyride for Greg Heffley. So when the town threatens to close the crumbling building, he's not too broken up about it.



But when Greg realizes this means he's going to be sent to a different school than his best friend, Rowley Jefferson, he changes his tune. Can Greg and his classmates save their school before it's shuttered for good? Or is this the start of a whole new chapter for Greg?

DOG MAN IS BACK! The highly anticipated new graphic novel in the #1 worldwide bestselling series starring everyone's favorite canine superhero by award-winning author and illustrator Dav Pilkey!

Piggy has returned, and his newest plot is his most diabolical yet. WHAT other new villains are on the horizon? WHERE are they all coming from? And WHO will step forward to save the city when scoundrels sabotage our Supa Buddies?

With themes of friendship and doing good, Dog Man: Twenty Thousand Fleas Under the Sea is packed with action and hilarity. Featuring "Chomp-O-Rama," a brand-new song, a monstrous Mighty Mite -- and so much more than ever before! IT'S HEROIC, IT'S EPIC!

For more creative, heartfelt adventures, join Flippy and Li'l Petey in the Cat Kid Comic Club series. And don't forget the series that started it all: Captain Underpants! A new edition of The Adventures of Captain Underpants includes a brand new Dog Man comic! Look for Dog Man with Love: The Official Coloring Book, too!