Children's Books

Sheila Rae, the Brave is a warm, humorous, and loving story of sibling sympathy and support. Just because Sheila Rae is older, she doesn't always know better!

This classic picture book about overcoming fear is written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes, the nationally bestselling and celebrated creator of Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse, Owen, and Kitten's First Full Moon.

I am very brave, Sheila Rae said, patting herself on the back. She wasn't afraid of anything--not thunder, not lightning, not the big black dog at the end of the block. And when she wanted to walk home a new way and Louise wouldn't, she called her sister a scaredy-cat and set out alone. But all the bravado in the world failed to help when Sheila Rae found herself lost. Luckily, her sister was not far behind.

Children will love it.--School Library Journal

Meet Shirley, a little girl who asks way too many questions! After spending her early years on her grandparents' farm in Barbados, she returns home to Brooklyn and immediately makes herself known. Shirley kicks butt in school; she breaks her mother's curfew; she plays jazz piano instead of classical. And as a young adult, she fights against the injustice she sees around her, against women and black people. Soon she is running for state assembly...and winning in a landslide. Three years later, she is on the campaign trail again, as the first black woman to run for Congress. Her slogan? Fighting Shirley Chisholm--Unbought and Unbossed! Does she win? You bet she does.

Before Simon sails to America, he promises his family that he will get a job and send for them. Simon's mother knows he will need a miracle, so she reminds him to celebrate Hanukkah wherever he may be. Little does either of them know that Simon will spend the first night of Hanukkah on an ice floe after his ship sinks. The lone survivor out in the wide ocean, Simon lights the first candle, and it attracts a visitor: a polar bear.

Does she eat him? No! She shares his latkes, enjoys his songs, goes fishing for him, and even keeps him warm at night. By the last day of Hanukkah, Simon has nearly given up hope of ever being rescued. But then he recounts all of the miracles that have befallen him so far. Perhaps it is not too much to hope for one more, he thinks, as he lights all of the candles in the menorah. The bright glow signals a passing ship, and Simon makes it to New York after all. This fanciful Hanukkah tale -- like none you've ever read before -- celebrates eight miracles: family, friendship, hope, selflessness, sharing, faith, courage, and love.

From the author of the Caldecott Honor-winning classic Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins comes a gorgeously illustrated fantasy Hanukkah tale full of miracles, from sharing latkes with a polar bear to surviving a Titanic-like sinking. The story behind the ancient holiday is included at the end.

On the day it snows, Gabo sees kids tugging sleds up the hill, then coasting down, whooping all the while. Gabo wishes he could join them, but his hat is too small, and he doesn't have boots or a sled.

But he does have warm and welcoming neighbors in his new town who help him solve the problem in the sweetest way possible!

The Sleeping Beauty: My First Ballet Book retells the classic story and introduces little ones to the beautiful art of ballet.

Jennifer Adams' engaging text alongside adorable illustrations by Corey Egbert introduces little ones to The Sleeping Beauty story of kings, queens, fairies, and dancing. My First Ballet Books encourage babies to Be Creative, Be Active, and Be Brilliant through the classic art of ballet.

Jennifer Adams is the author of thirty books in the bestselling BabyLit(R) collection, as well as the picture books I am a Warrior Goddess and How Do I Love Thee. Jennifer works as a writer and editor in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Corey Egbert is a freelance illustrator and the author of If Dinosaurs Could Talk for Me. He grew up in California and Utah, received his BA from Southern Virginia University, and is currently pursuing an MFA in illustration from Syracuse University in New York. He lives with his wife, son, and two cats.

It can be a little scary to be small in a big city, but it helps to know you're not alone.

When you're small in the city, people don't see you, and loud sounds can scare you, and knowing what to do is sometimes hard. But this little kid knows what it's like, and knows the neighborhood. And a little friendly advice can go a long way.

Alleys can be good shortcuts, but some are too dark.

Or, there are lots of good hiding places in the city, like under a mulberry bush or up a walnut tree.

And, if the city gets to be too much, you're always welcome home, where it's safe and quiet.

In the first book that he has both written and illustrated, award-winning artist Sydney Smith spins a quiet, contemplative tale about seeing a big world through little eyes.

Winner of the Governor General's Literary Award

A New York Times Best Children's Book of 2019
A Wall Street Journal Best Children's Book of the Year
An NPR Best Kids Book of the Year
A Washington Post Best Children's Book of the Year
A Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Best Picture Book of the Year

Named a Best Book of the Year by Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, School Library Journal, the Horn Book, Shelf Awareness, and many more!
A 2019 Booklist Editors' Choice
A BCCB Blue Ribbon Book

Owen Davey returns to nonfiction to explain the mysteries of those denizens of the deep. Some deadly, some not-so-deadly, and almost all just generally misunderstood. Exciting and detailed illustrations fill the page and educate young readers about these thrilling residents of the sea! Delivering information with the same whimsical text and brash illustration that saw his previous book win the affection of the Wall Street Journal, Smart About Sharks is sure to have teeth!

This stunningly illustrated picture book debut about the power of music to transform hearts and minds will be an instant classic.

A cat, a boy, an elderly woman, and a line of students may appear to have little in common, but when they pass under the same window, each are swept up and transformed in different ways by the magical music that streams toward them and buoys their weary spirits. But one day, the music stops, and the town must work together to save the music that they grew to love.

The Song for Everyone is a stunning allegory for the emotional complexities we carry within us, the universally soothing effects of music, and the importance of community. Timeless and comforting, this picture book is one to read again and again.

On a trip to the farmers' market with her parents, Sophie chooses a squash, but instead of letting her mom cook it, she names it Bernice. From then on, Sophie brings Bernice everywhere, despite her parents' gentle warnings that Bernice will begin to rot. As winter nears, Sophie does start to notice changes.... What's a girl to do when the squash she loves is in trouble?

The recipient of four starred reviews, an Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Honor, and a Charlotte Zolotow Honor, Sophie's Squash will be a fresh addition to any collection of autumn books.

Such a fun read. The illustrations are thoughtful and really pop, especially as the babies start piling up! -- Mr. Alex's Bookshelf

A sweet read aloud to share as a family with little ones when the family is expecting a new baby. A great baby shower gift. -- YS Book Review

This book is a visual delight, with Elliot Kruszynski's fresh and colourful illustrations complementing the playful narrative perfectly. -- Paper Ren

A lovely book to share with children in an expecting family waiting for their own new arrival. -- MY SHELVES ARE FULL

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When you're waiting for a new baby, expect the unexpected!

Today is a very special day. Little Duck is expecting the arrival of her new baby brother!

But Delivery Dude keeps bringing the wrong babies. First a baby mouse, then a dog, a cat, a walrus, a giraffe and finally a baby elephant. 'These babies are NOT my brother!' shouts Little Duck - but Delivery Dude insists that he never makes mistakes. Little Duck's house is filling up to the rafters when the doorbell rings again. 'NO MORE!' shouts Little Duck, but thankfully this time Delivery Dude is followed by his Stork boss, a load of very cross parents who have come to collect their babies, Little Duck's Mom and Dad... and one last very special delivery...

Kruszynski's simple but expressive illustatrations capture the anticipaton and frustration of the little duck to hilarious effect.