ALSC Notable Children's Books List - Middle Readers (2025)

A 2025 Mildred L. Batchelder Honor Book

Unites STEM learning with literary excellence . . . an essential purchase. -- School Library Journal (STARRED REVIEW)

[A] beautiful work of natural history. -- The Wall Street Journal

Astounding, unusual, and breathtaking dwellings.-- Shelf Awareness (STARRED REVIEW)

Stunning . . . An exceptional exploration. -- Booklist (STARRED REVIEW)

A spectacular tour through the dwellings of twenty-seven different animals, from a hermit crab's secondhand shell to a beaver's lakeside dam to a comet moth's silk cocoon.

Acclaimed creator Isabelle Simler presents a poetic journey through amazing animal homes across the world. In Europe, alpine marmots stay safe in underground refuges. In southeast Asia, Sumatran orangutans doze off in treetop bedrooms. In Mexico and the southwestern US, elf owls nest in holes in saguaro cacti. On every continent but Antarctica, honeybees mold wax into palaces for their queens. No matter where you travel, some creature is making an extraordinary place to call home.

With connections to life cycles, camouflage, and other biological concepts, Home is a spellbinding showcase of the wonders of the natural world. Enchanting poetry, fascinating back matter, and intricately detailed art invite young readers to be amazed by the creativity and diversity of our animal neighbors.

Cooperative Children's Book Center CCBC Choices List - Poetry (2025)

With its soothing text and radiant artwork, this elegant picture book displays the majesty of nature and reminds readers that beauty is fleeting but also worth savoring.

In this lovely book, young readers are introduced to a variety of beautiful birds, from the familiar chicken to the exotic ibis. But lurking in the background of every page is a cat, who also seems very interested in the birds.

With its funny illustrations and engaging concepts, this clever counting book will invite readers to linger over every page.

A ladybug needs a safe place to lay her eggs, but where can she find an open spot? Katydids flutter in the leaves, stick insects hide in the branches, and thorn bugs pop out from every available stem. Even those bright pink flowers are orchid mantises ready to strike! Will any of these creatures be the right neighbors for the ladybug's eggs?

Illustrated with lush, vibrant details, A Perfect Spot is a fascinating introduction to the diverse world of arthropods. Acclaimed creator Isabelle Simler presents a bug's eye view of camouflage, metamorphosis, and other natural wonders.

A merciless hunter, an unrivaled expert in stealth and deception--a cat is no ordinary pet Sure, he may look harmless as he snoozes on the sofa, or under the rug, or on top of the radiator. Sure, he may seem sweet as he snuggles a stuffed animal, but don't let that fool you When you least expect it, he'll pounce...

From beloved creator Isabelle Simler comes a sly, hilarious read sure to delight cat lovers of all ages.

The first installment in the children's picture book series, Nature at Night, by a celebrated author/illustrator.

Combining jaw-dropping illustrations with poetic language and interesting ocean animal facts, this stunning kids picture book is perfect for ages 5+ who are curious about wildlife and the ocean!
By showing the undersea world at night, award-winning author-illustrator Isabelle Simler presents this mind-blowingly beautiful place in a way that will appeal to the whole family--and ignite a fascination in the mind of any young reader.

• Turtles lay their eggs on a beach by the light of the setting sun.
• Majestic seabirds plunge into the waves as a pod of dolphins leaps from the water.
• Whales trawl the darkening waters below for plankton, and swordfish hunt their prey.
• Rays skim above the sandy seabed where octopuses prowl...