A NEW YORK TIMES BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR

In a new series for early readers, Mousse receives an unexpected visit--and forms an unlikely friendship.

Mousse loves his solitary life by the sea. In the mornings, he strolls on the beach to take in the fresh air. He swims in the cool water. And he waits for the tide to bring him the day's small treasures. Today, however, a visitor comes ashore in his living room, a truly unexpected visitor. A creature named Barnacle...

In this delightfully illustrated picture book for early readers, Claire Lebourg depicts the unexpected pleasures in helping others and finding friendship in unexpected places.

In this charmingly illustrated book by one of France's rising stars, a mother bird recalls the arrival of her new baby and the months that follow.

The day you were born was a sunny day . . . like this.

I hugged you in my arms and our life together began . . . like this.

A mother bird recalls the arrival of her new baby and the months that follow. She is an artist, and sits before a blank sketchbook, brushes at the ready. What was it like the first time she held her baby in her arms? What did it feel like when they were apart? And when they flew off together in her dreams? It was like this . . . and like this . . . and like this . . . With warmth and tenderness, across a minimal palette of watercolor and ink, Claire Lebourg depicts the joys, worries, and wonders of the early days of parenthood.

The second volume of Mousse--a new series for early readers--follows Mousse and Barnacle on a trip to the beach, where the addition of a new friend makes Mousse jealous.

Mousse wakes up to a clap of thunder and pouring rain. He tries to enjoy his coffee in his favorite armchair, but the tide washes into his living room with wave after wave. When he goes out to the beach to collect the day's treasures, he doesn't find anything--or anyone. Where has everyone gone?

They've all left for the South, a mussel calls out.

So Mousse decides to head South, too, to take a much deserved vacation. Surrounded by velvety sand and colorful shells, he invites his good friend Barnacle to join him. They relax on the beach, take a mud bath and a dip. Everything about the trip is going as planned, until Felix starts tagging along, and three feels like company . . .

An unmitigated delight.--The New York Times

What exactly is a piece of art? What is it meant to capture? And how do we find the courage to believe in our work?

It's the week of her gallery opening and none of Paty's paintings are ready. She asks her friends to pose in her studio, and the outcome is... just dreadful. After seeing the way Paty has portrayed them, one after the other, they leave in a huff. Paty wonders whether she should cancel the whole thing. Fortunately, Michou, the gallery owner, forbids it. And Paty is in for a surprise on opening day...

What exactly is a piece of art? What is it meant to capture? How do we find the courage to believe in our work? Claire Lebourg's watercolor illustrations convey all the worry and self-doubt that comes with any creative practice and show us that maybe the secret lies in believing in yourself.

In the third volume of this critically acclaimed series, Mousse learns during a visit from his niece that some treasures are truly priceless.

Mousse has meticulously prepared for his niece Pistachio's arrival. He's gone to the bakery to buy fresh bread and cheese. In her room, he's set out a fresh notebook, with pens and colored pencils, and put together a small library with his favorite books. But Pistachio has plans of her own: she only wants to play in the waves.

When Mousse receives a letter from his friend Barnacle about a rummage sale, he and Pistachio rush to the attic to prepare, stumbling upon the treasures hidden in his old house. What memories do they hold?