August 2023

August 2, 2023

Good News–from East to West

and everywhere in between!

Happy Book Birthday

by Anna Dewdney

and Reed Duncan

Illustrated by JT Morrow

(Viking Books for Young Readers)

Also available as an Audible Audio Book (Listening Library)
narrated by Cassandra Campbell

8-copy floor display with LL plush

The newest picture book featuring the #1 bestselling llama llama …

With over 30 million copies in print, Anna Dewdney‘s
NYT-bestselling Llama Llama books have provided hours of comfort and fun-to-read-aloud rhyme.

A Llama Llama book is sold every 60 seconds.

50+ books in multiple formats

A featured title in Kellogg’s Feeding Reading program

“With humor and sympathy, this tale brings to life a very common experience that will resonate with preschoolers … A spot-on series installment that imparts a valuable lesson on the importance of honesty.”

#1

in Children’s New Experiences

Told with Anna Dewdney‘s signature sweet rhyme, this newest installment of the Llama Llama series is timeless and can be used as a tool to educate readers in social and emotional learning.

Doing the right thing, while always a good thing, can be hard.

As featured:

Noteworthy Picture Book and Novel Sequels: August 2023
The On-Sale Calendar: August 2023

Happy Book Birthday

by
Sibert Honor Award-winning
Auhor and Environmentalist
Patricia Newman

(Millbrook / Lerner)

A Bank Street Best Book of 2019An NSTA/CBC
Outstanding Science Trade Book
A Eureka! Gold Award winner from the CA Reading Association

Patricia Newman takes readers behind the scenes to see how scientists are making new discoveries about elephant communication and using what they learn to help these majestic animals, with QR codes linking to audio of the elephant sounds. By eavesdropping on elephants, the Elephant Listening Project is doing its part to save Africa’s forest elephants and preserve the music in the forest.

“An inviting introduction to
biologists at work.”

“A great pick for middle school nonfiction collections.”

“Fascinating for earnest conservationists.”

Interactive Page

Eavesdropping On Elephants Guide

Happy Book Birthday

Illustrated by Luciana
Navarro Powell

Written by Tory Christie

(Amicus Ink)

The second book in the “Big Blue Earth” picture book series.

“By highlighting the interconnectedness of the world from a small specific location, the beautifully rendered combination of text and illustration takes readers on a journey through perspective. … In detailed, textured illustrations, Powell evokes the beauty and deep greens of the bamboo forests, the intricate layers of the rice terraces, the warm pastels of the countryside, the deep rich tones of the city, and the bold brightness of the greater planet.“

Perfect for inspiring young minds to think big, this picture book also supports C3 standards for geography related to maps, culture, and environment.

A companion volume to:

Stay tuned:
Two more volumes upcoming!

Luciana Navarro Powell grew up in Brazil—where monkeys and toucans show up from time to time in the tropical rain forest that surrounds her parents’ home – but now lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two sons, with whom she shares her love of the big, blue Earth.

Luciana’s Illustrator Highlight

Happy Book Birthday

by award-winning
Janet Nolan

Illustrated by Maria Neradova

(Albert Whitman)

The debut picture book in the “Get Ready” series.

Students aren’t the only ones who have to prepare for
the first day of school.

The custodian turns on the lights and sweeps the hallways. Is it time for school? Not yet! The cafeteria workers wash tables and stack lunch trays. Is it time for school? Not yet! Teachers unpack supplies and organize their classrooms. Is it time for school? Almost! The students are on their way, on foot, on bicycles, and in cars and buses. Welcome, everyone!

“Though the illustrations have a classic, Richard Scarry feel, a Wi-Fi kerfuffle makes clear this is a modern school … Energetic, instructive, and endearing.“

“(A) bright-eyed portrait of the individuals who make school happen for students.”

As featured:

Back-to-School Books

https://picturebookbuilders.com/

“[GET READY FOR SCHOOL] is an ideal book to share with kiddos on the cusp of that all-important (and more than a little intimidating) first day of school, especially for kindergarteners. Why? Simplicity. Simple, declarative sentences leave plenty of room for an illustrator to play. And Maria Neradova does exactly that. Her bright, busy, Scarry-esque spreads will have listeners discovering delightful new details with every rereading.”

Erin Dealey’s
Book Birthday Blog

GET READY FOR SCHOOL
with Janet Nolan

What was the inspiration for this book?

JN: I’ve always thought the preparations that take place before something begins are as interesting and exciting as the event itself. I love details, big and small, and it is this interest, in all things planning and preparation, that led me to write a book that ends at the beginning.

What surprises did illustrator Maria Neradova bring to the project?

JN: Maria Neradova’s illustrations have a Richard Scarry feel, there is so much to look at on each page, but with a modern touch. My favorites are the elephant principal and the hippopotamus teacher.

Don’t you love this pic of author Janet Nolan
all READY FOR SCHOOL?

Janet Nolan loves the collaborative art of the picture book—how a writer’s words and an illustrator’s art come together to create something magical. As an award-winning author, her picture books range from fiction to nonfiction to historical fiction. Janet has a BA from The Evergreen State College and a master’s degree in urban planning and policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Janet lives in Oak Park, Illinois, with her husband and their dog, Ladybug.

Also, by Janet:

Happy Book Birthday

by award-winning
Megan Hoyt

Illustrated by Christine Battuz

(Apples & Honey Press)

This count down to the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah explores life and celebration on a family farm through the eyes of a young girl allowed to help with preparations for the first time.

This food and farm-focused story is sweetened by illustrations full of cheerful colors and textured patterns. Award-winning author Megan Hoyt helps readers explore both culturally specific Rosh Hashanah practices and life on a small family farm, while providing a universal message of community and tradition.

“A wonderful addition to any collection of multicultural children’s literature.”

An Association of Jewish Libraries’ pick for one of the best Jewish holiday children’s books of Fall 2023

Fall 2023 List Holiday Highlights (jewishlibraries.org)

Next up by Megan:

“An inspiring profile of a scientist making history.”

#7

SoCal
(week ending 7.30.23)

#7 and #9

Mountains and Plains
(week ending 7.30.23 and 8.06.23)

#17 and #16

Northern California
(week ending 7.30.23 and 8.13.23)

*****

Best Sellers in
Children’s Water Sports Books
(8.08)

Happy Book Birthday

by NYT-bestselling author

Illustrated by

Shiho Pate’s Illustrator Highlight

Book #2 in a new early reader graphic series about celebrating differences,

CHI CHI AND PEY PEY

Published simultaneously in hardcover & paperback

Best friends and classmates Chi-Chi and Pey-Pey are as different as night and day. Chi-Chi is a chicken who likes cheese puffs and cheerleading. Pey-Pey is a penguin who likes pirates and pogo sticks. But when these two work together anything is possible.

As featured:

The On-Sale Calendar: August 2023

These sweet and funny friends—a chicken and penguin—are back in [CUPCAKE CATASTROPHE] … perfect for beginning readers.
New Books August 2023 for Kids and Teachers – WeAreTeachers

Launch title:

“An early reader to befriend.”

“…Chi-Chi and Pey-Pey’s friendship…
allows for each of them to shine.”

Favorite Beginning Chapter Books
Green Bean Books (indielite.org)

Shiho Pate @ ALA

Happy Book Birthday

Illustrated Diana Toledano

Written by Alice Kuipers

(Chronicle)

Book #3 of the delightfully funny and magical series—a hit with early chapter book readers.

With enticing pictures by Diana Toledano on almost every page, this series is perfect for emerging readers…

…and for fans of the Ivy + Bean, Amelia Bedelia, Yasmin, and Dory Fantasmagory series alike.

Praise for Book #1:

A Parents magazine Best Children’s Book of the Year

“Upbeat and lovable … a delight from start to finish …Polly Diamond brings the magic of imagination to life.”

“An enchanting adventure of magic and mishaps.”

“This breezy series kickoff introduces a heroine with a delightfully outsize personality and celebrates the power of imagination and words.”

Also Available:

Originally from Spain, Diana (pronounced the Spanish way: Dee-Anna) grew up in Madrid where she studied Art History and Illustration. Diana enjoys playing with different techniques to create detailed mixed media illustrations and is fascinated by deep stories that offer every child a place of refuge and wonder. A Pisces who loves books, patterns, and dancing her heart out, she lives in California with her bilingual family and two fluffy cats.

Happy Book Birthday

(SPOOKY AMERICA SERIES)

written by NYT-bestselling,
award-winning

Stacia Deutsch

(Arcadia Children’s Books)

Stacia’s 6^th book in the series … & stay tuned for more!

Ghost stories from the Hoosier State have never been so creepy, fun, and full of mystery! Did you know that there are haunted paintings on the walls at Indiana University’s Memorial Union? Or that a ghostly woman in black follows people around downtown? Can you believe that two children haunt one of the most beautiful houses in town?

Dive into these spooky chapter books, pulled right from history, for suspenseful tales of bumps in the night, paranormal investigations, and the unexplained; just be sure to keep the light on.

August Illustrator Highlight

Images by Germán Blanco

HOT August NEWS and REVIEWS

Z.B. Asterplume’s debut, SOMETIMES, A TIGER (Feiwel & Friends) garners its 2nd starred review!

“SOMETIMES, A TIGER, with its perfect balance of text and art, is a story of food insecurity, but it’s also a story of sharing, caring, making connections, and strengthening community. The accomplished digital illustrations deftly enhance both the whimsy and gravitas of the book …”

Shelf Awareness for Readers for Friday, August 4, 2023

*****

CONGRATULATIONS, Heather Brockman Lee!

(at the National Book Festival)

The 2023 Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Honor award winner, A POEM GROWS INSIDE OF YOU (Katey Howes; Innovation Press) – chosen as the 2023 PA “Great Read” – was featured at the PA Center for the Book at the National Book Festival.

2023-great-reads.pdf (loc.gov)

And a shout out to Dow Phumiruk, as well!

The multiple award-winning title, COUNTING ON KATHERINE (Helaine Becker; Macmillan/Henry Holt) was selected by West Virginia Center for the Book as this years’ National Book Festival title.