Pajama Press Inc.

Now in Paperback! An honest and stirring novel about the choices made by young environmental activists that Booklist calls “a compelling call to action and a crucial reminder that, while doing what is right is not always easy, it is always worthwhile”

Malia has had a privileged upbringing in Indonesia, but since her Indonesian father died, her Canadian mother wants to return to her own family on the other side of the world. Malia is determined to stay. Indonesia is her home, and she loves it. Besides, if she leaves, how can she continue to fight for her country’s precious rainforests?

Ari knows he is lucky to be going to school and competing on the chess team, even if it means an endless round of chores at his uncle’s restaurant. Back in his home village, he and his cousin Suni dreamed about getting a chance like this. But now he is here without her, and the guilt is crushing him. As if that weren’t enough, he’s horribly worried about Ginger Juice, his uncle’s orangutan. The too-small cage where she lives is clearly hurting her body and her mind, but where else can she go? The rainforest where she was born is a palm oil plantation now.

In Berani, Governor General’s Award finalist Michelle Kadarusman spins together three perspectives: Malia, who is prepared to risk anything for her activism, Ari, who knows the right path but fears what it will cost, and Ginger Juice, the caged orangutan who still remembers the forest and her mother. The choices the young people make will have consequences for themselves, for Ginger Juice, and for others, if they are brave enough—or reckless enough—to choose.

“[T]his moving middle grade novel will keep kids interested. Readers will be putting the pieces of the plot together as they turn each compelling page….A perfect choice to give to fans of The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate, and an inspiring tale in support of environmental conservation.”—School Library Journal

“The expansive story, nimbly told from both human and orangutan viewpoints, gives glimpses into different class, race, and even species experiences while introducing readers to life in Indonesia and the plight of the orangutans. Ari and Malia are warm and well-intentioned guides, and it’s impossible to resist Ginger Juice’s gentle charms. A compelling call to action and a crucial reminder that, while doing what is right is not always easy, it is always worthwhile.”—Booklist

“A stirring introduction to the plight faced by orangutans.”—Kirkus Reviews

When Liam is cut from the baseball team, leaving a gap in his application to Camp Jackman, the best sports camp for athletic kids, he will need to find a different All-Star team to play for...how hard could it be?

Twelve-year-old Liam and his best friend Marcus have always played sports together. Their closets are packed with All-Star uniforms, and their shelves filled with trophies. But when Liam is cut from the baseball team, he’s left with a gap in his application to Camp Jackman—the ultimate training camp for athletic kids. Liam worries about his less-than-average height, and missing out on camp, but even worse, his friendship with Marcus is on the rocks.

Liam is willing to try every sport that could get him into Camp Jackman—and back in with Marcus. To do this, Liam will need to perform like never before. Longtime athlete Lynn Leitch writes with humor, heart, and grit. As the first girl on her own town's All-Star baseball team, Lynn knows the power of sports in a child’s life.

Two young children watch a milkweed grow in their backyard—from seed to new buds to flowers, the lyrical text explores the lifecycle of the milkweed.   

Wait like a seed,   

Cozy and small.   

Wait like a seed   

‘Til the spring rains fall.  

Wait Like a Seed beautifully explores the life cycles of milkweeds and its relationship to monarch butterflies. Complete with comprehensive backmatter perfect for school curriculums, including the life cycle of plants, the life cycle of butterflies, and poetry. This book combines the wonders of nature with thoughtful text and vibrant art.   

Author Erin Alladin invites young gardeners to celebrate the world around them in this lyrical nonfiction text.   

Illustrator Tara Anderson portrays these lifecycles with a nostalgic style, effectively capturing the wonder of the aspiring gardeners. 

"Kadarusman beautifully brings Kartini to life with clarity and empathy in a story that’s educational without being preachy and is a superb pick for readers interested in history and activism." —Kirkus Reviews

Inspired by the true story of a nineteenth century feminist. 

In late nineteenth century Indonesia —then known as the Dutch East Indies—a Javanese girl from a noble family is confined to her home before her thirteenth birthday, where she must remain until she is married.

Removed from school and the outside world, Kartini writes to her former Dutch schoolmate, Lesty, who has returned to the Netherlands. With Lesty’s support Kartini begins to challenge the role expected of her, and that of girls and women in her community. Determined to gain her freedom, Kartini bravely battles prejudice and tradition stirring change for her family, and for her country.

Governor General’s Award finalist Michelle Kadarusman shows us that no matter how powerless you feel, your voice can have great impact. By virtue of writing down your dreams and ideas, you can inspire generations to come, as Kartini continues to do through Kartini Day in Indonesia.

“The representation of a diversity of cultures and abilities is impressive as well as the uniqueness of some jobs….A visually appealing and inspiring representation of careers that would be a strong addition to middle school collections.”—School Library Journal

Young readers are given a lens into the life of an architect, a paleontologist, a pilot, and so many more through detailed job profiles and full-colour photos. How does a comedian write the perfect joke? How does a private investigator crack a mysterious case? Questions about jobs you know, and don’t know, are answered in a fun and accessible way through pro tips, spin-off job sidebars, and spotlight features about young people already achieving their dreams.

Following the success of If You Can Dream It, You Can Do It: How 25 inspiring individuals found their dream jobs, teacher and award-winning author Colleen Nelson, teams up once again with librarian and literacy advocate Kathie MacIsaac to introduce inspiring individuals of many backgrounds, genders, and abilities. Seeing a wide range of representation, in both people and jobs, is the first step to young people discovering their own career possibilities. This information-packed resource shows how education can come in many different forms, such as university, college, trade school, apprenticeship, or specialized training. A wide range of job profiles provides valuable insight into how each individual developed the skills and expertise they needed for their career.

2025 Bank Street College of Education “Best Children’s Books of the Year” Selection

“The text thoughtfully blends facts with the story and promotes a deeper connection with the natural world, whether readers are in an urban or rural setting—or somewhere in between….Highly recommended.” —School Library Journal, Starred Review

When three children stumble into an overgrown city yard, they end up elbows-deep in an urban gardening project that replenishes the earth and unites a community.

With the mentorship of Amy, a neighbor who is well-versed in no-dig gardening, Luna, Bianca, and Billy set to work mixing manure, spreading mulch, and sowing seeds. After a few weeks of hard work, the yard is transformed into a sustainable community garden, and more and more people are showing up to grow herbs, mushrooms, vegetables, and fruit. Just when everyone is beginning to harvest their hard-earned local food, they learn that the property is going to be cleared for a parking lot. Will this be the end of their secret garden? Or can the children rally their community to save the day?

In Secret Gardeners, journalist and beekeeper Lina Laurent collaborates with author and illustrator Maija Hurme to tell a story of community solidarity and ecological stewardship. Woven among the dreamlike illustrations are informative notes about soil life, composting, seed starting, beekeeping, wild pollinators, and more. An exquisite blend of fiction and nonfiction that will equip readers with all the information and inspiration they need to begin their own no-dig garden…and maybe even their own community project.

★ “A novel that will sink into readers’ bones….This is a wonderful, unique family survival story with a majestic herd of horses….Orr’s latest will delight middle grade readers searching for escape and home simultaneously.”—School Library Journal ★ Starred Review

The valley of horses has been a safe haven for Honey and her family for seven peaceful years, but this seemingly perfect valley has also become their prison. Trapped by a mysterious magic, and fearing for her father’s life, Honey is determined to find a way out of the valley of horses.

The valley of horses is the only true place Honey remembers since her family stumbled upon it in their converted ice cream truck while escaping from the rest of the world, and the illnesses that was spreading there. Honey’s parents, her brother Rumi, and her NanNan become self-sufficient, living off the land and sharing the valley with mystical horses who seem to have a wisdom of their own. But there is a magic in the valley that prevents Honey and her family from ever leaving. When Honey suspects her father has become ill, Honey knows she must find a way to escape the valley to find help from a world she only knows about through stories.

Wendy Orr, author of the award-winning Nim’s Island and Dragonfly Song, creates a magical land filled with awe and mystery. Showcasing the endurance of family, and the beauty of restoration and self-sufficiency, Orr crafts a heartfelt adventure and enchanting world to fall into.

“A beautifully executed, fantastical what-if tale for right now.” —Kirkus Reviews ★ Starred Review

“The hard-won hopefulness of Nix’s growth will linger with [readers] long after the poetry ends.”—School Library Journal  

Nix Humbolt doesn’t talk much. He lies low at school, and at home, Nix finds refuge in his father’s woodshop where he builds intricate boxes and tables—and avoids arguments with his older sister, Roxy. She is loud, confident, rebellious, and the polar-opposite of Nix. Though he loves her, she can really annoy him sometimes—especially when she decides to date Bryan Sykes. The guy is seriously toxic, but Roxy won’t listen to facts, so what can Nix do? The only battles he ever fights are on his Xbox—until the day he finds the guts to fight for Swiff Dunphy’s neglected dog. Twig won’t win any beauty contests, but Nix is determined to save her. And when the unimaginable happens, could Twig be the one who saves him?

Award-winning author, Jill MacLean, brings Nix’s free-verse story to life with poignancy and heart. Jill is the author of five novels for older juvenile and young adult readers. Nix Minus One is a prestigious White Ravens Selection and Bank Street Best Book.

“Tense, heartwarming, and masterful.”—Kirkus Reviews

He's a rescue, a mutt. Maybe there's a little golden retriever in him, although he's not exactly pretty. He's had a run-in with coyotes and he's missing an eye. But Mike is eleven-year-old Cara Donovan's dog, and they love each other absolutely. Usually her pet follows Cara everywhere, but on the day the family first smells smoke in the air, Mike becomes anxious. Pine Grove is in the path of a wildfire, and the family is ordered to evacuate. In the ensuing chaos, Mike panics and runs off. And then the unthinkable happens; there is no time to search for Mike. They are forced to leave him behind.

Shocked and devastated, Cara watches helplessly as the family drives through a nightmare, with burning debris falling from the sky and wild animals fleeing for their lives. Once in the city far from the burn zone, the Donovans are housed with a volunteer host family. Jewel, the hosts' daughter, is nice, but Cara can only think about what she may have lost. What will happen if nothing is left? But as she reflects on what "home" means to her, Cara knows only one thing. She is not going to lose Mike. She will do what it takes to find him, even if it means going back to Pine Grove on her own.

With her signature style combining simplicity and lyricism, the author of Root Beer Candy and Other Miracles and Macy McMillan and the Rainbow Goddess tells an uplifting story of love and loss. And she shows how one girl's stressful journey eventually leads her to an unexpected place, and a new definition of home. 

In a cozy 1920s chocolate shop, the special ingredients in each perfect treat are empathy, generosity, and thoughtful acts of kindness.

Eight-year-old Daniel cherishes the hour he spends every morning helping his Great-Uncle Lewis in his chocolate shop. They mix, temper, pour, and mold. “It’s magic, my boy,” Uncle Lewis says. And Daniel agrees. When a new girl named Sarah joins his class, Daniel sees how lonely she is and begins sneaking chocolates into her desk. Seeing Sarah light up after each treat is wonderful…but then Daniel starts noticing other classmates with troubles. Soon he is hiding more and more chocolates until the exciting day when everyone in class receives one, even the teacher! The best part is, no one knows it’s him.

But then, when Daniel is the one feeling sad and alone, who will know to comfort him?

In Cocoa Magic, Gabrielle Grimard’s rich and nostalgic illustrations transport readers to a cozy 1920s chocolate shop and a stiff brick schoolhouse that somehow learns to be warm as well.  In her text and her closing author’s note, clinical social worker Sandra Bradley celebrates the wonders that happen when someone meets another person’s need to be seen and understood—even through the smallest act of kindness.

“Chocolates bring togetherness—and magic—to a 1920s Prince Edward Island school… Bradley crafts a story laced with empathy and kindness. Grimard’s soft, mixed-media illustrations evoke a sense of coziness… Endpapers mimic a box of chocolates—a delicious touch…Sweet as sugar.—Kirkus Reviews

The 2022 OLA Forest of Reading Blue Spruce Award Honor Book, now available in paperback! A young girl takes action against ocean pollution in a timely story with unique plastic-waste diorama art from award-winning author-illustrator Alma Fullerton.

Isley loves the ocean and everything in it. Well, almost everything. Her heart sinks at the sight of her Alantic Ocean shoreline covered in trash. One day, upon discovering a beached right whale that has starved to death after swallowing plastic, Isley decides enough is enough. She steers her family into adopting a zero-waste lifestyle, inspiring others to do the same. But when the adults around her give way to apathy and routine, how can Isley make sure her whale’s memory inspires lasting change? 

With diorama art made from plastic waste by award-winning author-illustrator Alma Fullerton, No More Plastic is a moving, eye-catching, and ultimately hopeful reminder that the health of our oceans—and our planet—is in our hands.  

“Among the best of the recent books about ocean plastic thanks to its positive approach and practical suggestions included at the end, this title would work well as a group read-aloud….A gentle, effective presentation of an environmental disaster.”—Kirkus ★ Starred Review

“[A] clear environmental message about how damaging plastic is to our environment. Isley’s earnest persistence to get rid of plastic is admirable. For libraries in need of a strong environmental message for their youngest readers.” —School Library Journal

In this intimate and inspiring novel about the power of art and the value of community, award-winning author and former New Yorker Colleen Nelson brings life and liveliness to an eccentric cast of New York City neighbors.

Middle-schooler and New Yorker Roxy Markowski wants to tell the truth fearlessly and powerfully, just like her idols at Veracity News. She and her best friend Scout already make YouTube videos together about East Village life, so when Veracity News announces a Young Voices video competition, Roxy knows it’s the perfect opportunity to make a name for herself, if only she can find a story worth telling. When a real-estate mogul threatens to buy her historic East Village apartment building, Umbrella House, Roxy sets out to create a video about the people who live in her building, depicting their love for art, community, and family. 

With time—and her options for saving Umbrella House—running out, Roxy finds herself caught up in the mystery of the Midnight Muralist, a famous East Village artist whose murals once made buildings famous and valuable. Could finding this enigmatic artist be the key to saving her historic East Village apartment building?

“Blending fact, fiction, social issues, and friendship, this novel ably highlights young people’s strengths….An uplifting account of creative kids working to preserve a city landmark.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Nelson, who has lived in New York, creates a cast of interesting characters with Umbrella House (a real place with a colorful history) and its neighborhood as the setting. A well-paced story with a satisfying conclusion.”—Booklist

“Nelson’s novel both commends activists’ can-do spirit and emphasizes the heights to which one can go when backed by unwavering communal support.”—Publishers Weekly

In this short, wordless graphic picture book, a young boy feels alone with his anxiety. He isn’t fitting in well at school. His grades are slipping. He’s even lashing out at those who love him. 

The bestselling picture book now in an enhanced edition with four pages of activity prompts and discussion questions

In a garden outside a Kenyan schoolhouse, children are working together to harvest the vegetables they have grown and make them into a soup for everyone to share. But Kioni is having trouble: her herd of mischievous goats followed her to school today, and they are trying to make their own lunch out of the vegetable garden! The ensuing chaos is cleverly resolved by the children, making their vegetable soup very tasty while saving Kioni's four-legged intruders at the same time.

Using rollicking verse with echoes of "Mary had a Little Lamb," award-winning author Alma Fullerton tells a lively story about communal projects and finding creative solutions that help everyone contribute. This lively story for young readers is graced with Alma's stunning primitive paper sculpture art—the first book she chose to illustrate herself using this unique style. Don't miss the soup recipe at the end of the story!

NEW in this edition: four pages of extra back matter on growing food, celebrating communities around the world, creating collage art, and making connections beyond the text. 

The Middle East Book Award winner and Governor General’s Literary Award finalist inspired by Kabul, Afghanistan’s first library bus is now in paperback!

It is still dark in Kabul, Afghanistan when the library bus rumbles out of the city. There are no bus seats—instead there are chairs and tables and shelves of books. And there are no passengers—instead there is Pari, who is nervously starting her first day as Mama’s library helper. Pari stands tall to hand out notebooks and pencils at the villages and the refugee camp, but she feels intimidated. The girls they visit are learning to write English from Mama. Pari can’t even read or write in Farsi yet. But next year she will go to school and learn all there is to know. And she is so lucky. Not long ago, Mama tells her, girls were not allowed to read at all.

Author Bahram Rahman grew up in Afghanistan during years of civil war and the restrictive Taliban regime of 1996–2001. He wrote The Library Bus to tell new generations about the struggles of women who, like his own sisters, were forbidden to learn. Brought to life by the pensive and captivating art of award-winning illustrator Gabrielle Grimard, The Library Bus is a celebration of literacy, ingenuity, and the strength of women and girls demanding a future for themselves.

Don’t miss A Sky-Blue Bench, also by Bahram Rahman

• ALA Schneider Family Book Award Honor Winner

“A timely, eye-opening portrait of resilience, community, and hope.”—Kirkus Reviews ★ Starred Review

Governor General’s Award Finalist Colleen Nelson’s tale of identity, unlikely friends, and a secret book club, now available in a new paperback format.

Between her father’s posting overseas and her best friend Sienna’s move to the other side of the country, seventh grade is looking lonely for Jane MacDonald. But Sienna has left her with one last trick: a hidden message in a library book—the perfect plot to start a secret club and find Jane a new book-loving friend.

Tyson Flamand has problems of his own. Since the fourth grade he’s had a reputation as a bad kid, and there’s no point fighting it when teachers always think the worst. So when he finds an anonymous note in the library looking for a nerdy new friend, he knows he’s the last person in the world it could be meant for. But something makes him answer it anyway, and Tyson finds himself pulled into a secret book club where being hidden may be the first step to being truly seen.

With the insight of a veteran middle-school teacher, Colleen Nelson, author of the award-winning Harvey Comes Home and Sadia, weaves together two stories of identity, expectation, and the courage to challenge both. As their paths move ever closer, Jane and Tyson both discover their own self-reliance and their ability to overcome obstacles that seemed insurmountable. 

“Told in alternating chapters from the perspectives of seventh graders Jane and Tyson, this story unfolds with clever aplomb… [and] a robustly diverse supporting cast…A well-plotted, well-written story that will engage readers and encourage nonreaders.”—Kirkus Reviews

A beautiful omnibus edition of the award-winning biographies Last Airlift: A Vietnamese Orphan’s Rescue from War and One Step at a Time: A Vietnamese Child Finds Her Way

Tuyet remembers little about life before the Saigon orphanage, before polio left her limping and in constant pain, before the war made it too dangerous to stand under the bomb-filled Vietnam sky. Unable to play with the other children and knowing that at eight she is too old be adopted, she helps care for the babies in the orphanage. So when frantic aid-workers load a van full of babies and take Tuyet as well, she thinks that’s why she is there: as a carer. She can’t guess that, with the capital about to fall to the North Vietnamese, she is being evacuated on the last airplane full of at-risk children bound for new adoptive homes in the west.

Before she knows what is happening, Tuyet is whisked into life with the Morris family: Mom, Dad, their biological daughter Beth, and their adopted children Lara and Aaron. It takes some time to really understand that she isn’t there to help care for baby Aaron: she is there to be their daughter. She learns that the bright sparks in the sky are stars, not bombs, that flames on a birthday cake are nothing to fear, and that her only jobs are to play and to be loved. But a bigger test stands before Tuyet: corrective surgery for her twisted ankle, and a gruelling physiotherapy regimen. Unable to speak English yet and terrified that the procedure will fail, Tuyet must draw on every ounce of courage and focus on her dream of running and kicking a ball in a pair of matching shoes.

Sky of Bombs, Sky of Stars: A Vietnamese War Orphan Finds Home is an omnibus edition of the award-winning Last Airlift: A Vietnamese Orphan’s Rescue from War and One Step at a Time: A Vietnamese Child Finds Her Way. Retold by acclaimed children’s author Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch, Tuyet’s dramatic true story is based on personal interviews and enhanced with archival photos.

Nine celebrated children’s picture book illustrators, including Rebecca Bender, Wallace Edwards, and Suzanne Del Rizzo, unite to illustrate an empowering text that celebrates the ways young children can show kindness.

Are you kind?

In a series of simple yet evocative questions, this impactful book asks children how they will show kindness and consideration for others. Written by the editors of Pajama Press, and illustrated by celebrated Pajama Press artists, these stunning pages inspire meaningful discussion and storytelling about the understated yet powerful ways in which children might influence the world around them. A World of Kindness goes beyond mere rhetoric to examine, in a child-friendly way, everyday social interactions where a kind word or act could have a transformative affect on others.

Many of the original images in this book have been donated by the artists. The cover art was created and donated by award-winning author-illustrator Suzanne Del Rizzo.

From the award-winning author of No Shelter Here: Making the World a Kinder Place for Dogs and Cat Champions: Caring for our Feline Friends comes an inspiring book about bats, their importance to a wide range of ecosystems, and the young “bat citizens” who are engaged in conservation efforts around the world.

In Bat Citizens: Defending the Ninjas of the Night, celebrated animal activist and biologist Rob Laidlaw sheds light on these famously shadowy mammals, from their habits and habitats to their importance for maintaining biodiversity. Bat biology is explored alongside the history of human-bat relations, with facts to fascinate even the most nervous reader. Spotlight features on “Bat Citizens” make this an empowering book for children seeking their own expressions of global citizenship.

Bat Citizens was a 2019 Green Earth Book Award Children’s Nonfiction Honor Book and was nominated for both the OLA Forest of Reading Silver Birch Nonfiction Award and the Red Cedar Book Award. With informational sidebars, color photographs, a glossary and index, and a center-gatefold bat illustration, Bat Citizens is a book that will both instruct and inspire.

"Simply told and cleverly imagined, French Toast is a great starting point for talking to young children about race, diversity, and respect." —Quill and Quire, ★ Starred Review

Phoebe—half Jamaican, half French-Canadian—hates her school nickname of “French Toast.” So she is mortified when, out on a walk with her Jamaican grandmother, she hears a classmate shout it out at her. To make things worse, Nan-Ma, who is blind, wants an explanation of the name. How can Phoebe describe the color of her skin to someone who has never seen it? “Like tea, after you’ve added the milk,” she says.  And her father? “Like warm banana bread.” And Nan-Ma herself? She is like maple syrup poured over...well...

In French Toast, Kari-Lynn Winters uses favorite foods from both of Phoebe’s cultures to celebrate the varied skin tones of her family. François Thisdale’s imaginative illustrations fill the landscape with whimsy and mouthwatering delight as Phoebe realizes her own resilience and takes ownership of her nickname proudly.

Unlike the other Weedle mice, The Stowaways love to go on adventures - even when it means getting close to humans! But when Rory and his Gran plan to rescue Grampa Stowaway, whom everyone else thinks is dead, the adventure may be far more dangerous than he has bargained for.

The Stowaways aren't like the other Weedle mice. They are inventive and curious, they go on adventures, and they are much too clever for their own good. In fact, everyone knows that Grampa Stowaway was killed in a trap on one of his adventures. So, who would want to associate with a family like that?

There's something else about the Stowaways. They keep secrets. Rory has made friends with a bird, their natural enemy; and his twin brother Morgan dreams of sailing away. But Gran has the biggest secret of all - and Rory has discovered what it is.

If Rory and Gran act on their suspicions, will they be heading for disaster? Or will it be the greatest Stowaway adventure of all?

The quintessential handbook for young dog advocates everywhere

Dogs have been loyal to Humankind for thousands of years. We cherish them as companions, groom them as show dogs and depend on them as working partners. But today, millions of dogs are neglected and malnourished. And millions of other dogs are used in scientific research and for entertainment, and kept as pets in a remarkable diversity of conditions. In No Shelter Here, animal advocate and chartered biologist Rob Laidlaw explores the world of homeless, free ranging, mistreated, and exploited dogs, and the challenges they face. But more importantly, he focuses on the people he calls "dog champions"—those individuals, small groups and professional organizations around the world who dedicate their lives to helping dogs.

Enhanced with photos, informational sidebars and inspiring good-news stories, No Shelter Here will galvanize young readers to become Dog Champions in their own communities.

"Canine lovers will discover a broad array of topics useful for caring for dogs and becoming an advocate for their humane treatment. Chapters are brief but chock-full of information . . . Children will come away from this book educated and inspired to become 'Dog Champions.'"—School Library Journal

In a small Ugandan village, Kato wakes early to start the long, barefoot trek beyond his village and along fields dotted with cattle and guarded by soldiers. His destination is the village well, where he will pump a day's supply of water into two jerry cans. Like every day, Kato lets the water splash over his hot tired feet before carrying his heavy load back home, where his chores await him. But this is no ordinary day. The aid worker's truck has come to the village square, and in the back is a gift so special, the little boy rushes home to look for something to repay the aid worker.

Alma Fullerton's spare, lilting prose tells a deceptively simple story of one day in a little boy’s life. But in a place ravaged by a generation of civil war and drought, a village well brings life, a gift of shoes is a cause for celebration, and a simple flower becomes an eloquent symbol of peace and gratitude.

Written in light and lyrical free verse, Shari Green’s debut novel about the hard and beautiful truths of growing up—and growing into one’s own ability to shape the world—is now back in a new edition.

Eleven-year-old Bailey believes in miracles. She has to; it will take a miracle to keep her warring parents together. This summer they are at a Marriage Counselling camp, leaving Bailey and her little brother Kevin with their estranged grandmother in the island town of Felicity Bay. There Jasper, an eccentric deposed minister-turned-ice-cream-vendor, makes a prophecy that a stranger from the sea will change everything.

In bestselling author Shari Green’s warm and wistful debut, Bailey’s seaside summer is marked by powerful realizations about the strengths and weaknesses of all the people in her life…including herself. When the waves wash ashore a piece of driftwood that looks like a mermaid, Bailey begins to believe that the mermaid is the stranger from the sea. Does her appearance mean that things really will get better in Felicity Bay and in Bailey’s family?

“Pithy poetry pairs with artful illustrations….Memorable and instructive without a hint of didacticism.”—Kirkus Reviews ★ Starred Review

The weather has never been worse. The man with the stormy heart is soaked and he’s going to be late! His mood is as black as the sky. Outside a nearby patisserie, a little boy stands under the shelter of its awning, gazing at the beautiful treats on display. When the wind snatches the man’s umbrella and drops it at the child’s feet, can this hasty curmudgeon slow down long enough for an unlikely friendship to blossom?

Catherine Buquet’s touching debut in lyrical rhyme, accompanied by Marion Arbona’s bold and stylish illustrations, celebrates intergenerational friendship and the magic of sharing. It also reminds children and adults alike that bright moments can be found on even the gloomiest of days.

★ STARRED REVIEW "Pithy poetry pairs with artful illustrations...Arbona’s fantastical illustrations play with perspective, shape, and pops of bright color that enliven scenes primarily composed of black, gray, and white. Buquet’s text is translated into well-crafted verse by Woods. Memorable and instructive without a hint of didacticism."—Kirkus Reviews ★ Starred Review

★ STARRED REVIEW "Under the Umbrella is as sweet and lovingly constructed as the brightest treat in a bakery window."—Quill & Quire ★ Starred Review

“Although set in faraway Sri Lanka, Fullerton’s rhythmic tale holds a universal message: that even the smallest and youngest among us can summon up the courage to face, and overcome, the most gargantuan challenges.”—Kirkus ★ Starred Review

It is time to plant the rice crop in Malini’s Sri Lankan community, and the little girl is both excited and nervous to help for the first time. What if she does it wrong? Will she be responsible if the crop fails? When the oxcart rumbles in loaded with seedlings, she reluctantly agrees to watch the big, imposing animal while the driver takes a break. Suddenly, the skies go dark with monsoon rain. A flash flood pours down the road, separating Malini from the driver and her family. They are shouting for her to run for higher ground, but what about the rice? Summoning courage she never dreamed she possessed, Malini resolves to save ox, cart, and seedlings, no matter what it takes.

Award-winning author Alma Fullerton tells Malini’s story in expressive free verse that vibrates with emotion and energy. The moods of Sri Lanka’s rainy season come alive as Kim La Fave, illustrator of the award-winning Shin Chi’s Canoe, uses a fresh style that is both contemporary and impressionistic to depict the courage of one little girl facing the power of a monsoon.

“A powerful portrait of a child’s bravery and perseverance.”—The Horn Book Magazine

“La Fave’s richly colored illustrations dramatically and effectively convey the contrast between the calm, sunny day and the intensity of the storm.”—School Library Journal

Humans experience the world through sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell. We even have lesser-known senses that tell us about things like temperature and balance. Most animals share most of those senses with us—but some go beyond. There are birds that can feel the Earth’s magnetic field, fish that use electricity, and plenty of creatures that communicate through vibrations. We can’t interpret the meaning of an elephant’s faraway stomp, but learning how they keep in touch with family across the wide savannah helps us understand that we are more alike than different. 

Featuring accessible text from Emmanuelle Grundmann, inviting art from Clémence Dupont, and informational sidebars, a glossary, an index of animals, and a standard index, When Elephants Listen with their Feet is a lively nonfiction book that encourages curiosity about—and respect for—the animals with which we share our planet. 

 “This book highlights the extraordinary ways some creatures’ unique senses are highly developed.”—School Library Journal

“The text is graceful and often humorous….Sensational sensory stories.”—Kirkus Reviews

The Big Book of Civil Engineering for Curious Kids

• 56 pages packed with information about
• How cities developed around the world
• The people who make cities their home
• Architecture and culture
• How urban planners organize a city and its services
• The role of City Hall
• Systems for water, waste, and energy
• And innovations for an eco-friendly urban future

In the spirit of David Macaulay’s The Way Things Work, I Love My City is a treasure trove of information for middle-grade readers who want to know the how and why of cities. Why did cities start appearing in the first place, or become what we know today? How do urban planners know where to place fire stations, schools, and parks? What’s a water tower, and how does it fill the pipes of thousands of people? How about roads and highways, communications and energy, water treatment and waste? The answers to these questions and more can be found in this richly illustrated, global guide to everything urban.

Today, 55% of the global population is urban, and that number is only growing. In I Love My City, readers explore the history, geography, demography, technology, infrastructure, and government of cities, with fascinating facts about specific urban centres around the world. A particular focus on ecology, green energy, and environmental planning moves readers forward to consider what sustainable development might look like in the future as well. This nonfiction STEM title, ideal for civics and social studies units, includes a table of contents, a glossary, and a list of resources for further research. Written by children’s author France Desmarais and municipal administrator Richard Adam, with lively full-color illustrations from Yves Dumont, I Love My City is a captivating resource for the library, classroom, or home.

The cooking of a healthy breakfast moves from parent-child bonding to an eloquent conversation about energy, the growth of plants, and the miraculous ways the sun’s light nourishes us all.

It began with the sun,
Who showers the earth
With heat and light—
Tiny packets of energy.

How does a home-cooked breakfast give a little girl the energy she needs for a brand-new day? In gently expressive language, her mother takes readers on a journey into the earth where sleepy seeds are tickled awake and grow into golden oats; into blueberry patches, where green leaves break apart water and air to build sweet sugar; and into a pasture where sun becomes grass, becomes cow, becomes milk.

Author Laura Alary’s free verse breaks big ideas into child-sized pieces, making Sun in My Tummy an accessible introduction to the concepts of matter and energy, and how the sun’s light becomes fuel for our bodies through the food we eat. Andrea Blinick’s mixed-media illustrations pair the cozy and homelike with the glowing and dramatic as she takes readers from the kitchen to the farm field and to the sky and back. A concluding Author’s Note shares further information about photosynthesis for young readers.

“This book is as essential as sunshine; the absolutely beautiful STEM story is as absorbing as photosynthesis itself.”—School Library Journal ★ Starred Review

“Toronto author Laura Alary’s poetic rumination about how the sun nourishes us all offers food for thought. The sunny and bright mixed-media illustrations from Andrea Blinick are inviting.”—Quill & Quire★ Starred Review

Now in paperback! Award-winning author Jodi Carmichael, who has ADHD herself, affirms and celebrates those who struggle with their uniqueness and triumphantly discover its gifts

It isn’t easy being Louisa Elizabeth Fitzhenry-O’Shaughnessy—especially with dyslexia. She prefers Lou Fox, the dream name she’ll use one day as a famous Broadway playwright. In the meantime, Lou is stuck in fifth grade with Mrs. Snyder, a total Shadow Phantom of a teacher who can spot a daydream from across the room but doesn’t know anything about ADHD. Mrs. Snyder’s constant attention is ex-cru-ci-a-ting. If only she would disappear.

Fortunately, life isn’t all a-tro-cious. There’s The Haunting at Lakeside School, the play Lou is writing and directing for her two best friends. And soon she’ll be a big sister at last. Nothing could ruin the joy of those things…right?

“In Lou Fox, Carmichael has created a refreshing, believable, and fun-loving protagonist.…Prepare to fall in love with Lou Fox and her supportive cast of family, friends, and teachers.”—School Library Journal

“The book…strikes an excellent balance between acknowledging the that hardships disabilities bring and making it clear that disabilities do not define people—they can even be strengths.…Both humorous and melancholy, The U-nique Lou Fox is a touching novel about a young playwright’s self-discovery and creative triumphs.”—Foreword Reviews

Outside, 

you notice things.

Time spent in the outdoors stirs a child’s imagination. Nature sparks wonder, wonder leads to curiosity, and curiosity brings about a greater knowledge of the world and one’s self. In Outside, You Notice, a meditative thread of child-like observations (How after the rain / Everything smells greener) is paired with facts about the habits and habitats of animals, insects, birds, and plants (A tree’s roots reach as wide as its branches).

Author Erin Alladin invites young scientists and daydreamers to look closely and think deeply in this lyrical nonfiction text, celebrating all the kinds of “outside” that are available to children, from backyards to city parks to cracks in the sidewalk. Illustrator Andrea Blinick portrays these spaces bursting with small wonders with a child’s-eye view, her naïve and nostalgic style capturing the joy of endless discovery.

★ “The detailed text and varied images immerse readers in the feeling of being outside, fully attentive and relaxed….The illustrations use soft coloring, varied perspectives, and active characters to great effect, pulling observers into the worlds of plants, animals, and the people who love them. This lovely book is more than the sum of its parts.”—Kirkus ★ Starred Review

The third title in the acclaimed Slug Days Stories, now in paperback.

Irma is Lauren’s best friend. Irma knows all the strategies Lauren uses when her Autism Spectrum Disorder makes it hard to “go with the flow.” Lauren helps Irma learn English words and understand unfamiliar customs. So why does Irma suddenly want to introduce Lauren to her mountain-biking, litter-dropping neighbor Jonas? Why is Irma calling Jonas her friend?

As if sharing Irma weren’t bad enough, Lauren also has an alarming new problem at school. Their teacher has announced a mountain biking day when the students will learn to ride their bikes on an obstacle course. But Lauren still uses training wheels. She just can’t face the teasing she will get when her classmates see them. She isn’t brave like Irma. She can’t go with the flow like Dad. How can she possibly face this challenge?

From author Sara Leach and illustrator Rebecca Bender comes an honest and warm-hearted successor to the critically acclaimed Slug Days and Penguin Days. With straightforward text and frequent black-and-white illustrations, Duck Days is an accessible chapter book for any young reader with mountains of their own to climb.

Bestselling author-illustrator Mies van Hout employs vivid creatures in a jewel-tone natural setting to explore the longing we all feel at times to be like somebody else.

What child has not daydreamed about having wings like a butterfly? But secretly, the flashy butterfly yearns for a stick insect’s privacy. And the stick insect wants to swim like a whirligig beetle.

One after the other, the denizens of bestselling author-illustrator Mies van Hout's vibrant garden landscape wish to be like somebody else. From the glowing firefly to the capable spider to the adorable ladybugs, each one brings something to be admired. And when the dragonfly wishes to be like a child who can run, play, laugh, and build, a world of possibilities opens up.

A gentle but effective story for social emotional learning, If Only... allows children to reach their own conclusions and acknowledge that while it’s common to compare ourselves to others, it’s best to remember and celebrate what we ourselves can do.

The meditative picture book that Kirkus Reviews recommends as “a practical introduction to mindfulness meditation, as an example of the practice, and as a guide”—now in paperback! 

Parents, educators, and health practitioners everywhere are recognizing the importance of mindfulness practice, particularly for children. Meditation and yoga are becoming common activities in kindergarten classes and beyond. Taking time to be still and pay attention to their thoughts and bodies helps kids feel calm, focused, and in control. In A World of Mindfulness, meditative text reflects on the sensory ways children experience life, from the feeling of their muscles when they run…to the sound of a turning page…to the memory-laden taste of fresh-baked cookies. Positive and negative emotions are alike acknowledged and affirmed, and a strong sense of self is reinforced.

Richly illustrated by fourteen artists with all-new original art, A World of Mindfulness will create its own quiet moments as children revisit its lavish pages. A closing note about mindfulness practice rounds out this board book, making it a helpful resource for homes, classrooms, and beyond.

Now in paperback, the award-winning picture book about embracing quiet in a noisy world.

Mary knows how to savor the small things. Wonder is everywhere: in the rustle of leaves, in the sigh of a sleeping dog, in the wingbeats of the birds who visit her upcycled feeders. But Mary’s family couldn’t be more different. Amidst the sound of blow-dryers, blenders, lawnmowers, and her brother’s trombone, Mary goes almost unnoticed. It isn’t until her family starts searching the neighborhood for her that they begin to see the world through her eyes.

From critically acclaimed author-illustrator Peter Carnavas comes a gentle breeze of a picture book with themes of mindfulness, observation, and being present in nature. A Quiet Girl invites young readers (and the noisy adults in their lives) to appreciate the thousand little pleasures that surround us—if only we would notice them. A closing spread about mindfulness rounds out this validating story for introverts and observers everywhere.

“A quiet young girl in a noisy world, Mary shows her loud, busy family that listening allows for more to be heard.”—School Library Journal STARRED REVIEW

Governor General’s Award finalist Harvey Holds His Own delivers another satisfying story of heart, perseverance, and one incredible little dog, now in a new paperback format.

Harvey, the West Highland Terrier hero of Harvey Comes Home, is back with his beloved Maggie. He is also back at Brayside retirement home, where he and Maggie now volunteer along with their friend Austin. There Maggie is drawn to a new resident, Mrs. Fradette, who tells stories of learning to fix cars as a twelve-year-old during the flood of 1950. Mrs. Fradette, with her bold fashion and love of poker, doesn’t fit in among the beige cardigan- wearing, bridge-playing ladies of Brayside, but she doesn’t seem to care. Maybe that’s why Maggie likes her so much. Since seventh grade began, Maggie hasn’t been fitting in well with her friends, either.

Always alert for anything new—and with a nose that never misses a new scent—Harvey follows his instincts on a walk with Austin and discovers an abandoned newborn puppy in a pile of trash. Austin’s heart almost breaks over the little puppy’s plight, so he takes her to safety. Maggie and the Brayside residents and staff praise Harvey’s heroic efforts, wishing that Austin could have his own dog. But the little puppy will need time to recover from her trauma before she can be adopted, and then there’s another, even bigger obstacle: Austin’s mom, who says no to pets.

As fall edges toward winter, Harvey picks up an unfriendly scent in his backyard, and he will stop at nothing to keep Maggie and the others safe. But sometimes the little Westie is just too brave for his own good.

Praise for Pencil: A Story with a Point

2021 FAME Sunshine State Young Readers Award Jr. Book List
2020 Bank Street Best Book selection

★ STARRED REVIEW "Office supplies have never been more entertaining than they are in this punny tale of friendship and ingenuity."—Foreword Reviews Starred Review

"The illustrations feature expressive, googly-eyed implements and realistic children and animals...An overload of fun puns will have many readers giggling through to the openly sweet moral at the end."—Kirkus Reviews

"Pencil: A Story with a Point is great fun. Every librarian should make it a point to order this delightful book."—NY Journal of Books

"What will it take for Pencil to make his mark and win his way back into Jackson's heart? Dean Griffiths' digitally rendered cartoon illustrations featuring animated school supplies complement Ann Ingalls' clever, pun-filled story which has a point to make: New tools are not always better than old ones."—ILA Literacy Daily, "Back-to-School Stories"

"Rating: E...Through the use of personification, Ann Ingalls has created an entertaining and engaging book that is carefree, engaging and certainly a winner for young readers to enjoy....Dean Griffiths' vibrant illustrations are cheerful, bright, and add to the humor in the story....Pencil: A Story With a Point is a perfect story to have readers enjoying a big belly laugh! Libraries and classrooms will certainly be filled with giggling children when this book is read during story-time read-alouds."—Resource Links

"Veteran author Ann Ingalls has produced a book with...much lighthearted play with language that will delight younger readers just learning about verbal humor as well as teachers who could use this book as a lesson on the pun as literary device....[Dean Griffiths] has filled the pages of Pencil with familiar objects which are candy-colourful and plastic in their contours, as well as expressive images of the two dark-eyed, dark-haired children..."—CM Magazine

"Rating: 5...[Reading Pencil] would be a great way to introduce a craft project."—Youth Services Book Review

"Pencil: A Story with a Point celebrates imagination, friendship, and working together....The text is clever with kid-friendly puns throughout. The graphics are eye-catching and colorful, making this a great book for children ages three to eight. For adults, this book prompts conversation about technology and its role in children's lives."—Children's Book & Media Review 

"Pencil is playful with language and we never got tired of the puns...And while this indeed a pencil versus tablet story for our screen saturated age, it's also more interesting than just that...[A] warm and humorous book which demonstrates that a story with a point is not necessarily a bad thing. It's all in the delivery, and this one is done right."—Pickle Me This 

"Humorous, pun-filled text along with terrific artwork will make this a fun book to share with young children."—Jana the Teacher 

"The conversational puns...will have readers giggling and trying their hand at creating some of their own...The colorful, expressive digital art is humorous in all the right places."—Sal's Fiction Addiction 

A 2020 Bank Street Best Book and the second title in the acclaimed Slug Days Stories, now in paperback .

Lauren and her family drive to a farm in North Dakota to visit relatives and celebrate her Auntie Joss’ wedding. But Lauren finds to her dismay that she is expected to do more than meet adults who hug her and invade her personal space. Lauren is going to be—horror of all horrors—a flower girl.

Lauren has Autism Spectrum Disorder, and she sees the world a little differently from other kids. What makes her comfortable are her routines and her strategies to manage her anxiety, which can get out of control in no time. So it is a challenge to deal with her rambunctious cousins, try on scratchy dresses, and follow impossible directions about going down aisles slowly-but-not-like-a-sloth and tossing pretend flowers around. Is it any surprise that Lauren flips her lid more than once? But while having an extended family seems like a lot of trouble at first, she’s about to learn just how much they can care for one another.

In Penguin Days, two award winners revisit second-grader Lauren from the acclaimed Slug Days with equal humor and empathy. Drawing on her experience teaching children with ASD, Sara Leach creates an energetic character who stomps eloquently off the page. And Rebecca Bender's delightful black-and-white illustrations show, in Lauren's fraught situations and facial expressions, all the love and assertiveness that could possibly dwell together in one unique, little person.  

Now in paperback, a USBBY Outstanding International Book about the ups and downs of school and home life for one charismatic little girl with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

On slug days, Lauren feels slow and slimy. She feels like everyone yells at her, and that she has no friends. Today there is a different bus driver; Dan and Sachi are sitting in Lauren’s seat on the bus; and Lauren’s teacher interrupts her reading time. It is definitely a slug day. But not every day is like this. On butterfly days, Lauren makes her classmates laugh, or goes to get ice cream, or works on a special project with Mom. 

Lauren has Autism Spectrum Disorder (an umbrella term that has included Asperger Syndrome since 2013), and she sees the world differently from many people. Sometimes this makes Lauren want to flip her lid, especially at school, where she learns differently from her classmates. But with support and stubbornness and a flair that’s all her own, Lauren masters tricks to stay calm, to understand others’ feelings, and to let her personality shine. She even manages to find common ground with her sticky, slobbery baby sister. Best of all, being different gives Lauren insight into the insecurities of the new student, Irma.

Award-winning author Sara Leach writes Lauren’s endearing story with empathy and humor, sending her flying off like a butterfly into a new chapter of life with a new friend.

An action-packed biography of the internationally gold-medal-winning boxer

Arthur Biyarslanov’s journey to competitive boxing has not been easy. As a small child he fled Chechnya with his family, dodging bullets and rocket fire and fording a freezing river. As a young Muslim refugee he faced hardships and hostility in his new homes in Azerbaijan and Toronto. Soccer became his refuge, and he learned two languages by playing the game with his new friends. In Toronto, he joined a league and quickly became their star player. A broken leg left him weakened and he turned to boxing to keep his strength up. Soon it became his new love. After many hours of hard work, he started to win his bouts. And by the age of twenty the “Chechen Wolf” was a champion amateur boxer, winning gold for Canada, his new homeland, at the 2015 Pan Am Games. That medal earned him a shot at the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro—the next round for this talented boxer and determined survivor.

"Opening with the Biyarslanov family's flight from Chechnya in a sequence that could be straight out of a movie, the book draws the reader’s attention almost immediately....A sure hit for readers looking for a sports biography or a story of triumphing over difficulties."—Booklist

The darker side of a friendship is portrayed by Jess, a seventeen-year-old who struggles to find the moral courage to remain loyal to her best friend Casey who has been accused of murdering an eight year old girl at summer camp. The town becomes a media circus and the pressure's far too great for Jess to cope.

A person doesn't have to do anything important to get recognition anymore; it's enough to know someone who does. Parasitic fame. Casey was more than just a dependable camp counselor dedicated to her little buddies in Cabin Three. She was a brilliant student looking forward to a scholarship and a future career in entomology. Casey wasn't the kind of girl who would be stuck in a town like Galloway the rest of her life. She was really going places. And nobody knew this better than Jess, Casey's best friend.

So how could a girl like Casey be arrested for the murder of a young camper under her care... Jess believes her friend is innocent and that the real killer will be caught; but in the meantime, she finds herself the reluctant center of attention. After all, she was also a counselor in Cabin Three. Jess must know something...right? Readers will readily sympathize with Jess, whose life begins to spin out of control.

But award-winning author Deborah Ellis brings much more to the character of her complex and troubled narrator, who may not be entirely reliable. As the events surrounding the final weeks of August are slowly unveiled, readers will begin to question the very nature of friendship and how one finds the moral courage to be loyal, no matter what the consequences.

The story of a peregrine falcon and its mate's struggle to raise their young is told against the backdrop of scientists' efforts to understand the raptors' decline in the wild. After a devastating effect on the bird's lifecycle is linked to the pesticide DDT, the world's fastest bird must depend on humans to recover and thrive once more.

High in the sky, a peregrine falcon joins her mate for some swooping and diving before returning to her nest to guard her eggs. The couple doesn't know it yet, but they will lose most of these eggs - the first clutch to a volunteer scaling the cliff, and the next to the harmful effects of DDT.

Told against the backdrop of scientists' efforts to understand the raptors' decline in the wild, this illustrated non-fiction book tells the story of several generations of falcons as they're taken to a sanctuary, reintegrated into the wild, and ultimately relocated to the ledge of a city skyscraper. With dynamic oil illustrations, author and wildlife artist Celia Godkin effortlessly captures the detail of the falcons and brings to life the different landscapes they inhabit.

Skydiver will delight and inform readers with a passion for species preservation, as it documents the struggles and the eventual success of the efforts to save the fastest bird in the world.