A cozy story about sharing, showing gratitude, and a fondness for tea

One soggy spring morning, Bunny decides to make a cup of tea. Before they can take a sip, Opossum arrives for an impromptu visit. Like a good host, Bunny kindly offers the unexpected guest their tea and gathers ingredients to brew another cup. But just as they're settling in to enjoy it, Opossum returns with their babies in tow. They all want tea too! Ingredients are gathered, and more tea is made--enough for Opossum's babies, but not enough for Bunny. Disappointed, Bunny goes to bed without tea, until a knock at the door the next morning reveals their hospitality has been repaid: one of Opossum's babies has made tea for Bunny in return!

With charming illustrations, simple text, and hilariously expressive characters, this cozy tale invites readers to practice generosity and meet acts of kindness with gratitude.

An upbeat ode to setting and respecting personal boundaries

It's time for a birthday party! On this happy occasion, a friend arrives with hugs for everybody: in greeting, as a way to celebrate perfectly pinning the tail on the donkey and cracking open the piñata, and of course to wish a happy birthday.

But not everybody wants a hug--and that's okay! One child prefers to wave hello, and one likes to celebrate with high fives. One even suggests a silly, super-secret handshake that ends with a surprise magic trick. But wait! Are magic tricks for everybody? It turns out, they aren't for the bunny, who prefers not to disappear. An even sweeter ending? Delicious birthday cake for everyone to enjoy.

The delightful cast of characters from Pink Is for Everybody comes together again in this affirming story about setting and respecting body boundaries. This book cheerfully imparts that there are lots of ways, hugs and otherwise, to say hello, hooray, and happy birthday!

A rare and adorable look at meerkat pups with renowned wildlife photographer Suzi Eszterhas

This gorgeous look behind the lens at wildlife photography offers a unique chance to enter the fascinating world of meerkats. In this companion title to A Leopard Diary, world-renowned wildlife photographer Suzi Eszterhas spends two weeks observing baby meerkats in Botswana's Kalahari Desert. In diary entry-style chapters, Eszterhas recounts how the creatures grow from tiny, wobbly meerkat pups to adolescents who hunt scorpions and have (almost) perfected the famous tripod meerkat stance. Along the way, the meerkat mob faces floods, hungry predators, and even a stampede of galloping zebras!

Eszterhas's narrative is accompanied by her stunningly intimate photographs of the meerkats at every stage of their lives. Throughout the book, she also incorporates facts about other animals that call the desert home and introduces readers to the local Ju/'hoansi people, who have lived in the desert for thousands of years. Her respect for the land and the people who care for it will encourage readers to approach wildlife with wonder and empathy.

A portion of the royalties from this book will go to the Wildlife Conservation Network, which works with local conservationist organizations to protect endangered wildlife in Africa and throughout the world.

A little girl adapts to the Eid traditions of her new home

Today is Sarah's first Eid Ul Fitr in her new country. She's excited to celebrate the breaking of the fast with her loved ones, and collect enough money in her Eidi bag to buy goodies for her friends, and a new set of markers for herself. In Pakistan, after the Eid prayer at the masjid, Sarah's friends and family would fill her bag with coins. But in her new country, no one pays any attention to her waiting Eidi bag. Sarah is disappointed--this year's Eid celebration is nothing like she thought it would be.

Later that evening, friends and family arrive at Sarah's house to celebrate Eid. She greets them at the door, wearing her Eidi bag just in case. But instead of money, the guests come bearing other gifts: baklava, candies, flowers, and a new set of markers! Sarah still misses Pakistan, but she's delighted by the gift-giving traditions of her new home.

With lively, colorful illustrations and subtle humor, this cheerful holiday story gently explores an experience kids who immigrate to new countries often face: adapting to new traditions. The Eidi Bag is an authentic look at Eid Ul Fitr through the eyes of a child, and a comforting tale about discovering joy in what is unfamiliar to us.

Introverted party animal Snail is back in this delightfully hilarious SHHHelebration of homebodies

Snail is an epic explorer ... kind of. He loves the quiet things about adventures, like reading maps, hiking along slime trails, and collecting souvenirs. On big vacations, he finds the sights, sounds, and unfamiliar foods--like escargot!--way too overwhelming. In fact, his favorite part of a vacation is when he gets to return to his home SHHHweet home.

So, while his friends take a trip to the city, Snail and his buddy Stump decide to have an adventure in their own backyard--a staycation! The pair smell the silence, listen to the SHHH SHHH of the waterfall, and read their guidebooks with their indoor voices. Just when they start to wonder if they've run out of things to do, they notice something new: parachute seeds falling from the sky! The seeds have arrived for a vacation, and who better to show them around than Stump and Snail?

Snail's second adventure is just as witty and charming as his first, with laugh-out-loud moments and hidden puns on every page. Snail and Stump's staycation reveals the unexpected joys of staying home and promises that readers will find wonder around every corner, however close to home they may be.

A Teachers' Pick for ages 5 to 8! Take a tour of 13 countries in this introduction to cultures around the world. This edition of a bestselling favorite is newly updated and re-released in 2022.

Join a young boy as he hops around the globe, visiting friends in 13 different countries spanning all 6 populated continents. Along the way, each friend introduces us to their country's environment and customs, and shares interesting facts about their country's culture, language, food, geography, wildlife, landmarks and more. Each country has a dedicated spread with a small map that shows geography and landmarks, letting readers imagine they are traveling, too. The format makes it easy to spot similarities and differences between countries.

This informational picture book brings engaging nonfiction content to younger readers by showing them how other children live around the world. Playful illustrations done with stylized realism lend warmth and whimsy to the book, making each locale feel welcoming. A Ticket Around the World will leave young readers feeling like they've toured the globe without ever having left home.

A slow-moving jellyfish finds his groove transporting deep sea tourists in this story about the power of community

Slowpoke the jellyfish bus loves his job transporting fellow sea creatures, but he struggles to keep up with demands for faster travel. After he's called into headquarters and told to consider a different career, he feels sad and decides to set out on a sightseeing vacation.

Down in the deepest, darkest parts of the ocean, Slowpoke encounters an anglerfish who needs help navigating to the ocean's night bazaar up above. Slowpoke offers a ride. And as he travels through unfamiliar terrain and obstacles, he collects a diverse crew of excited passengers who are also headed to the bazaar and eager to see different parts of the sea. Slowpoke finishes the journey feeling inspired to start a new career that suits him perfectly--a deep ocean jellyfish tour bus!

Told in graphic novel-style panels and illustrated in a striking palette of aquatic hues, this funny, friendly story is a lighthearted look at finding community and turning a salty situation into an epic adventure.

Whose five senses are superior: dogs or humans?

In a showdown of the senses, who would come out as top dog: canines or humans? This junior nonfiction book for ages 6 to 9 creates a fierce but fun competition, comparing the ways dogs and humans perceive the world through each of the five senses: sight, smell, taste, touch, and hearing.

As dogs and humans are playfully pitted against each other, with one round for each sense, young readers will discover the scientific and evolutionary explanations behind our differences. It's a close race! Humans win for sight, with better depth perception, distance, and color vision. But dogs are stronger sniffers--with their noses, some can even locate people buried in an avalanche or detect an illness before a doctor has diagnosed it. And the winner is ... Well, in the end, it's a tie!

With lively, cartoon-style illustrations, this book is an engaging and informative introduction to dog behavior that can help kids better understand and appreciate their canine companions.

A whimsical, inquiry-based meditation on why a bird is a bird

In this evocative picture book, a child wanders through nature with one question: what makes a bird a bird? Is it feathers? What about a beak? Could it be wings? With each possible answer, more questions arise. If laying eggs makes a bird a bird, what about turtles, snakes, or fish? If flying is the thing, are penguins still birds? Ultimately, the narrator concludes that a bird is a bird, with or without feathers, beaks, or the ability to fly!

Accompanied by gorgeous illustrations and subtle STEM content, this thoughtful picture book invites readers to think about what makes us human and how we categorize and identify the world around us.

A determined, fashion-forward fish sets an example in staying true to your wildest wishes

Fish wishes for pants. But Octopus is quick to point out that Fish can't wear pants ... because fish don't have legs. When Fish runs through a long list of different wishes--fuzzy bunny slippers, a pink tutu, a bow tie, earmuffs, and even a raincoat--Octopus shuts down all of these ideas too. I know fish don't need to wear anything, Fish finally says. But what if I want to?

Octopus frets that other sea creatures might make fun of Fish. But once Fish finds a pair of pants and struts around the ocean in style, Octopus decides to try a few (four!) pairs on for size ... and comes to appreciate the joys of dressing just the way you want to.

Cheerful artwork and punchy, laugh-out-loud text celebrate following your heart--and supporting your friends in following theirs--in this uplifting ode to self-expression.

On a visit to the ocean, a curious little girl goes searching for a seashell and meets a new eight-armed friend

While at the ocean, a curious young girl goes searching for a seashell and finds an octopus friend instead. The encounter turns into an afternoon full of play and discovery. From eating, to napping, to playing, octopuses are just like us ... aren't they? Well, maybe not quite ...

For instance, when you spot an octopus, you might be tempted to shake its hand. Please don't! A friendly wave is just fine. A sidebar explains that all octopuses have eight arms, and some can even detach an arm to escape when trapped or threatened. (Don't worry--the arm will grow back!)

Throughout this underwater adventure, fun-to-read sidebars add context by describing a variety of fascinating facts about octopuses, while colorful, movement-filled illustrations perfectly capture the charm and gentle humor of this informational picture book.

A lyrical dip into the noisy, magical world of a vernal pool

This book literally has everything you would want in a science and nature title for younger readers ... Beautiful from tip to tail and back again. --Betsy Bird, A Fuse 8 Production

In this vibrant and poetic informational picture book, two curious siblings observe the hidden world of a vernal pool: a special kind of puddle habitat that pops up in the spring, dries up by summer, reappears in the fall, and freezes over in the winter--only to come back again in the spring.

Young naturalists and future water stewards will be encouraged to listen, watch, and wait to witness the seasonal changes of the ever-changing puddle and its inhabitants. As readers follow along with the rhythmic text, they will be fascinated to discover many familiar and not-so-familiar creatures that make up the surprising web of interrelationships living in these vital pop-up pools.

With buoyant, lyrical text and beautiful cut-paper collage illustrations, The Noisy Puddle is an immersive introduction to now-you-see-me, now-you-don't wetland habitats.

A playful wordless story about the power of imagination and creativity in play

A child zips up their orange suit, pulls on a pair of boots, and adjusts their hat. They're ready for an adventure. But where are they going? With the push of an elevator button, their adventure begins, and they're transformed ... into an astronaut!

The child takes one small step into a barren landscape. Then one giant leap. Soon, they're hopping around a strange new planet and scaling space mountains. As they explore the peculiar planet, the astronaut discovers colorful space creatures of all shapes and sizes. Suddenly, a blizzard hits, and the astronaut races through the storm right into ... the school hallway! The little astronaut was a child on their way to school, and the space odyssey was all part of their imagination.

This inventive and satisfying new wordless picture book from acclaimed author and illustrator Thao Lam celebrates a child's talent for making the mundane magical. Thao's signature storytelling style is dynamic, engaging, and rewards close observation. Keen-eyed readers will spot clues in the illustrations that reveal what's really going on and feel inspired to creatively reframe tiresome tasks.

A fun, fact-filled look at both the relatable and the surprising ways animals gobble up grub

Crunch... munch... slurp... CHOMP! The animals of Chomp-O-Rama are hungry, and each creature has its own way of eating. Some dine in ways similar to humans. And others definitely do not. This playful nonfiction book offers creative comparisons between the way humans eat and the mealtime habits of a dozen other creatures.

While humans slurp up soup, butterflies use the straw-like part on the front of their head to sip sweet liquids. While we use a knife to cut food, a sea otter cracks open its meal with a stone. While we take bites of our food, a snake swallows its meal whole!

A turn of the page after each human behavior means that each comparison is a surprising reveal, creating an engaging read-aloud experience. Vibrant digital art brings color and humor to the fascinating facts in this inventive and relatable introduction to animal behavior.

An enterprising rat discovers the joy of being true to himself

At the park, people give squirrels free peanuts. And nobody screams when a squirrel crosses their path. But for Rat, it's all screams and no nuts ... until he comes up with a plan: be more like a squirrel--squirrel-ish!

When his attempts at adopting a squirrel-ish posture and pinning his ears down don't make a difference, Rat considers his tail. And after a few crafty but failed squirrel-ish tail prototypes made from cotton balls, feathers, and spaghetti, he lands on a winning material: straw from a broom!

Finally, Rat can walk through the park without getting shooed. Free peanut in hand, he daydreams about building a re-tail empire ... until the dogs in the park spot him and give chase. All of a sudden, Rat understands why squirrels do so much scampering! Maybe his rat tail isn't so bad after all ...

Brightly illustrated and packed with hilarious details and hidden gags, this laugh-out-loud ode to self-love reminds readers that the grass isn't always greener on the other side.

Henry's big sister helps to turn his worries around with brighter what-ifs in this loving sibling story

Henry's birthday party is approaching, and the most exciting part is that Marty, the coolest kid in Henry's class, is coming! Everybody wants Marty at their party. But as Henry lies awake one night, his head spins with anxious thoughts. What if Marty doesn't have fun? What if she doesn't like his dog, or his apartment, or his Grandma's confetti cake?

From the top bunk, Henry's big sister, Sam, gently puts a positive spin on each of Henry's worries. What if Marty adores dogs? What if she loves their apartment? What if she asks for a third piece of cake? How do you know all that stuff will happen? Henry asks his sister as he begins to drift off to sleep. I don't, Sam replies wisely. But neither do you.

Told in a graphic novel format with a warm color palette, this story is a loving portrait of a strong sibling relationship that may offer readers a new way to work through their own worries.

The beloved duo returns in a third set of little stories with big themes about friendship, facing fear, sadness, and spontaneity

Otis and Peanut are back with more playful and profound stories in the third instalment of this critically acclaimed junior graphic novel series. Together, the iconic long-haired guinea pig and naked mole rat continue to navigate deep truths about life and human nature while letting their sweet and supportive friendship shine.

In The Trip, Peanut helps Otis overcome his fear of leaving home by practicing going somewhere without going anywhere. In The Stone, Otis begins to discover how time can help to smooth over sadness. And in The Visit, during a very short time with his sister Marion, Otis comes to realize the joys of losing the plan and embracing spontaneity.

Bold, comic artwork with contrasting hues and delightful detail brings the endearing characters to life in these stories that expertly tackle heavy themes of fear, grief, and anxiety with humor and a lighthearted touch.

A tasty celebration of family, food, culture, and Jamaican patties

At his home in Jamaica, August wakes up every morning to the delicious smell of patties. His parents' patty stand used to be popular, but Jamaica is changing. August's friends are leaving, and the patties aren't selling like they used to. Soon, it's his family's turn to say goodbye. Off they fly to cold, snowy Toronto, where August's father takes a job at a cookie factory and comes home too tired to make his beloved patties.

One night, after everyone is asleep, August tiptoes into the kitchen and tries to recreate his Daddy's recipe. His attempt inspires his father, and for the first time since they left Jamaica, August wakes up to the smell of fresh patties. Daddy's patties take off, and soon August's parents decide to open a new patty stand with a new name--Patty Dreams.

Acclaimed author Nadia L. Hohn's rhythmic writing pays homage to a quintessential Jamaican delicacy and explores the experiences of immigrants, as well as the traditions that connect us. Vibrantly illustrated and rich in sensory details, this picture book is a warm, comforting reminder of the meaning of home.

Simple, rhyming words delightfully capture the lovable nature and hilarious habits of mischievous and sweet city kitties

Meet three city kitties: Nori, Yeti, and Flo. They live in an apartment on a busy street and can often be seen sitting side by side in the window, watching the world go by. And the world going by likes to watch them too.

This rhythmic tale follows these three adorable kitties as they make mischief in their apartment. They hide from a delivery person, play in a box, and beg for food. They get the zoomies, chase each other up and down the walls, and take a nap.

Playfully following a day in the life of three indoor cats, author-illustrator Ashley Barron's vibrant paper collage illustrations offer lots to explore on every page. Fun fact: this story is based on, and features, the author's own three city kitties, and the apartment is modeled on her own home.

Someone is stealing from the family's mango tree! Could it be a mango monster?

After waiting all year for mango season, Marianne is excited that the mangoes on their tree are ripe and ready to eat. She loves mangoes and plans to eat all of them. But when she and her sidekick cousin Zoe check out the tree, the lower branches have been picked clean. Someone is stealing their mangoes! Who could it be?

Marianne's neighbor says it could be a mango monster. This exciting idea is more than a bit scary, but the girls are not deterred, and they decide to catch the mango monster in the act. They set all kinds of traps, hoping to uncover the thief--and end up with surprising results.

The Mango Monster is a fun, imaginative, and tasty read that encourages sharing with others. Marianne's powers of deduction and problem-solving skills will delight those who enjoy solving a mystery, and the beautiful artwork will have readers searching for the mango monster in the background of each spread.