DUDE. BE NICE

by SARAH SCHEEGER, with BRENT CAMALICH, and JAMIE CAMALICH. Illustrated by Alex MacNaughton 


(Flamingo / PRH)

Book #1 in a series …

Licensees: Scholastic Australia; Children’s Publications (Taiwan)

A hilarious and heartfelt story filled with valuable lessons in empathy, compassion, and community that will spark thoughtful discussions and inspire readers of all ages to spread kindness in their communities.

Inspired by the real-life dude. be nice project, a video series with more than 80 million views, DUDE. BE NICE is a laugh-out-loud picture book about a well-meaning bear named Dude who’s on a mission to be extra nice—even if his help isn’t always helpful. With the support of his wise sidekick Fizz, Dude learns that real kindness isn’t about doing everything—it’s about listening, asking, and teaming up. Blending humor with heart, this story brings the spirit of the dude. be nice movement to life for the youngest readers, reminding us all that kindness, done right, can be powerful (and pretty funny too).

Art © Alex MacNaughton

The Austin-based philanthropic organization dude. be nice (DBN) seeks to “build more positive communities, one video at a time” by celebrating everyday unsung heroes on their YouTube Channel.

“A wild little masterclass in empathy … bright funny, and sneakily wise – a perfect read-aloud for classrooms, bedtime, or any day the world could use a little extra ‘nice.’”

“I think so much of the conflict and angst in this world is based on people seeing things through only their own eyes. While comical, that is the essence of Dude. He thinks he’s being helpful but he’s simply not aware that other characters are perceiving his actions differently. Dude is purposely, youthfully ego-centric — like a preschool-aged child who thinks a perfect present for their parent or grandparent is a toy car or a Legos or a doll, because that’s what THEY’D like.

I hope that adult readers (parents, grandparents, teachers) will use Dude’s character as a launch point for deeper discussions about empathy, friendship, perspective, growth mindset, active listening, and many more topics … I loved combining my mental health role + children’s author role to create this SEL curriculum so that teachers and care-givers can have something ready-made to use as an extension of our book.”

“Sarah is so beautiful and eloquent and very polished with her youth writing, and so between Brent’s experience in doing assemblies and connecting with youth, and my background in education and Sarah’s expertise, we were able to craft a deadpan silly story for youth as almost like opening up the gates to have these conversations about what it really means to be kind.” – Jamie Camalich

Sarah Scheerger is a mental health clinician, providing school-based counseling services for “at-promise” youth, and helping them figure out who they are and who they want to be. She is inspired daily by their strength and wisdom, as well as by people who seek to spread positivity and strengthen community – exactly the focus of the Austin-based dude. be nice organization that inspired the book. Dude’s story, perfect for use in classroom settings, provides multiple social-emotional learning launch points that align with Casel’s SEL framework. Through her engaging books, programs, and services, she empowers families and schools to nurture compassion, confident kids. For more info and fun activities, check out her website at www.sarahlynnbooks.com.

Brent Camalich, a kid at heart, is the owner of dude. be nice whose videos celebrating unsung heroes have generated more than 80 million views. Jamie Lynn Camalich has worked in education for nineteen years. She lives in Austin, Texas with Brent and their two children.

To Activate Space Portal, Lift Here

by acclaimed creator
ANTOINETTE PORTIS

(Neal Porter Books / Holiday House)

Licenses: French (Editions du Genévrier), British Commonwealth (Scallywag)

This book is an interstellar portal, and the aliens inside want to get to know you!



To Activate Space Portal, Lift Here is an interactive treat sure to delight young galactic explorers. Antoinette Portis’s bright lines and bold colors pair perfectly with humor that also offers a subtle message of acceptance. Whether for bedtime or circle time, this is a portal you’ll want to open!

“[A] meta intergalactic romp…The brightly colored, heavily black-outlined characters take center stage in Portis’s eye-catching and varied compositions, as do their playful personalities… The clever premise stands up to repeat readings—power up this interactive adventure for out-of-this-world storytimes.”
—The Horn Book (starred review)



“Inventively designed… Interactive intergalactic fun, with a stellar lesson in interplanetary interpersonal relations.”—Booklist (starred review)

“[A] speculative metafictional rom…. wonderfully weird and slyly relevant.”—PW

What do you hope readers will take away from this book?

AP —A. That it’s the reader who is the alien to those peering out from the portal on Planet Xyl.

B. That anyone can appear as an alien–an “other”–to someone. When have we felt like an alien in our life? What others do we classify as aliens?

C. And I hope fellow reading enthusiasts will get the metaphor that every book is a portal to a world that an author takes us to.

Photo credit: Sonya Sones

Antoinette Portis is the award-winning creator of many inventive books for children, including NOT A BOX, HEY, WATER!, A NEW GREEN DAY, and A SEED GROWS. Her work has received a Sibert Honor and two Geisel Honors, as well as multiple Best Book of the Year designations. A recipient of the prestigious Sendak Fellowship, she lives in Southern California. Visit her at Antoinetteportis.com.

Ruby Maps Her World

by Jane Yolen, Illustrated by DOW PHUMIRUK

(Christy Ottaviano Books / Little Brown)

A STEM-focused picture book
about Ruby, a curious child who is eager to map the world around her, by beloved children’s book author Jane Yolen.

“With its reliance on an individual’s renderings, the book offers a lovely revelation: the best maps don’t just show where one is, but also how one relates and what one perceives.” – PW

“The expressive digital illustrations reflect this picture book’s positive tone and happy ending.” ―Booklist

“Phumiruk’s clean illustrations in soft colors are a sedate foil to Ruby’s hand-drawn icons representing each thing she sees on her walk, with dotted lines charting her path and written notes labeling her pictures. Each image of a real-life scene is juxtaposed with Ruby’s interpretation, giving readers the feeling of peeking into her notebook.….Will most certainly inspire young cartographers to chart their own worlds.” ―Kirkus Reviews


Introducing the concept of mapping. RUBY MAPS HER WORLD spotlights how a child’s daily life is filled with small maps—whether inside or outside, on the sidewalk or in the park—and reinforces how those maps help us tell our stories.

“I met with my editor Christy Ottaviano after I had submitted the first round of sketches, and we talked at length about how we could bring the mapping elements into the book. Christy is an incredible editor, and I feel so fortunate to have worked with her on five (!) different projects now.

I’d like to point out that the back matter for our book includes an excellent note from an educator, Cyndi Giorgis, which suggests activities that can be used to further explore the mapping concept. In short, I hope children will be inspired to map their own worlds.”

The Beasts Beneath the Winds

A collection of Southeast Asian mythology, in anthology form, including

DOW PHUMIRUK’s debut MG short story, edited by Hanna Alkaf

(Abrams)

“This assemblage of brief tales makes for a fun, informative, and thoughtful introduction to creatures—and cultures—from Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, and more.” -Publishers Weekly

“These fast-paced, engaging vignettes stand out for the personal growth they inspire…appealing, frequently humorous illustrations…A fresh, appealing collection with evergreen appeal.” –Kirkus

“A heartfelt, atmospheric collection that celebrates Southeast Asian voices and traditions, this anthology explores themes of courage, identity, and belonging, and is perfect for readers who love mythology, monsters, and discovering new stories from around the world.”-Booklist

A sweeping and magical story collection showcasing the mythical creatures of Southeast Asia, by a team of bestselling and award-winning authors …

Within these gorgeously illustrated pages, readers will find the stories of seventeen regular kids who encounter these mythical creatures in the here and now, and—fortunately or unfortunately—live to tell the tale.

MYTHOLOGY MAGIC: Perfect for fans of the Rick Riordan Presents imprint, these modern-day stories about mythical creatures will appeal to mythology fans far and wide.

Photo credit: Sabrina Ng

Dow Phumiruk is the award-winning illustrator of many books, including COUNTING ON KATHERINE: HOW KATHERINE JOHNSON SAVED APOLLO 13, which won the Bank Street College of Education Cook Prize and was named an NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book, among many other honors, and HER NAME WAS MARY KATHARINE: THE ONLY WOMAN WHOSE NAME IS ON THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, which was an NCSS-CBC Notable Social Studies selection and a CBC Children’s Favorite Award winner. A retired pediatrician with a passion for art, Dow lives in Colorado with her family. She invites you to visit her at artbydow.com.

Searching For Mr. Johnson’s Song

by debut author ARIEL VANECE, Illustrated by Jade Orlando

(Rocky Pond/Penguin)

An intergenerational story touching on community, dementia, and the power of music.

“A tender portrayal of a child’s bond with an elderly neighbor.”—Kirkus

“Intergenerational stories can be a gift, and this is one of those books. It creates a comforting bubble—one where neighbors look after each other, where communities exist to help, and where the lines connecting everyone are crystal clear … Through it all, music intertwines with story like vegetation, showing the growth and nourishment of an art form. A powerful tale that demonstrates the connective power of music and memory, as well as an appreciation for the strength of tradition passed through generations.” —SLJ

Much-needed depiction of Alzheimer’s/dementia

Notable author debut: Inspired by her own great-grandmother, this is Ariel Vanece’s first published book, and a talent to watch.

African American history through music: Via the story itself and in a rousing afterword, the author shows the importance of music to her culture and to the Civil Rights movement.

Art © Jade Orlando

“When I first lost my great-grandpa, the original Mr. Johnson, in 2019 it was something that I really struggled with. His presence was so giant and he gave so much to me that I feared what life could be like without him. In honor of that bond, I worked on this picture book so that even if I could never tell you how much he meant to me, maybe in the pages of this book, you’ll feel it.”

Ariel Vance (She/They) is a Black-American children’s book author. Her stories are described as heartwarming and adventurous. They obtained an MFA/MA in Writing for Children and Children’s Literature from Simmons University, and they holds a BA in English from the University of Kansas. Ariel’s stories focus on Black-American culture and inter-generational friendships. SEARCHING FOR MR. JOHNSON’S SONG is her debut picture book.

Legends of
Hip-Hop
Kid n’ Play

by PEN KEN,
Illustrated by Saxton Moore

(HarperCollins)

Mic check! Learn how to rhyme with beloved rap duo Kid ‘n Play in the Legends of Hip-Hop board book series.

In this accessible series perfectly crafted for babies (and adult fans), music producer Pen Ken and three-time Emmy Award–nominated animation director Saxton Moore introduce mini emcees to some of hip-hop’s biggest and brightest luminaries with fun facts about each rapper, organized by a teachable concept.

“Bold illustrations and pitch-perfect rhythm make this bio-book a great pick for the shelves.” — SLJ

Art © Saxton Moore

Pen Ken is an entertainment entrepreneur with twenty years of experience working within many layers of the entertainment industry. His experience ranges from collaborating with brands on the vision and content activations of their campaigns; writing and producing on national TV for networks; producing pro athletes from the WNBA, NBA, MLB, NFL, WWE, NASCAR, boxing, and track and field on TV and in campaigns; producing established music artists across all genres and ages, producing on soundtracks, and securing artists with record deals and placements; Monroe has recently launched and is the president of Legency, an all female sports and entertainment management company founded by WNBA Legend and two-time Olympic gold medalist Angel McCoughtry.

Llama Llama a Gift For Mama

An Anna Dewdney Book, Illustrated
by JT Morrow

(Viking/Penguin)

Cassandra Campbell (Narrator), Listenning Library (Publisher)

Llama Llama is determined to find the perfect gift for Mama in this Christmas installment of the beloved Llama Llama series!



Anna Dewdney wrote Llama Llama Red Pajama for her own little llamas (her two daughters) when they were young girls. Now they are grown and the bestselling Llama Llama series continues to comfort and entertain new generations of children. Anna was a strong proponent of reading aloud to children, but she also loved to see how excited they were when they could begin to read on their own. For more information about Anna and her books, please visit LlamaLlamaBook.com.

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