Archives de catégorie : Picture Books

THE PEDDLER OF PUDDLES de Beth Ferry, illustré par Tim Lichtenheld

From the bestselling creators of Stick and Stone.

THE PEDDLER OF PUDDLES
by Beth Ferry, illustrated by Tim Lichtenheld
Clarion Books, April 2025

This is a story about an on-the-go inventor who makes homes for others before realizing the rewards of putting down his own roots. This friendship-forward tale is perfect for fans of Bear Came Along and Strictly No Elephants.

Beth Ferry is the New York Times bestselling author of numerous picture books.

Tom Lichtenheld’s New York Times bestsellers include I Wish You More and Duck! Rabbit!; Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site; and Stick and Stone.

MY THOUGHTS HAVE WINGS de Maggie Smith

Maggie Smith, bestselling author of the viral poem “Good Bones” and the memoir You Could Make This Place Beautiful, delivers a lyrical and reassuring picture book perfect for calming active minds at bedtime (or anytime).

MY THOUGHTS HAVE WINGS
by Maggie Smith
Balzer + Bray, February 2024

In this relatable story, a young girl is trying to fall asleep but can’t because of all her worries and what-ifs. Her mother gives her some excellent advice—that it’s understandable that thoughts would want to stick around in her beautiful mind, but that she’ll want to leave room for good thoughts, too—that helps her envision happy, calming moments that “nest” in her mind.

Smith has created a wonderful tale that mimics a very real problem that many children (and adults) face: anxiety. Even though this topic can be complicated, Smith has simplified it to an understandable story and metaphor perfect for young readers. The text is clear against the page, the vocabulary is simple, and the concept is one that children will not only understand, but will probably use in their own lives. Hatch’s child-friendly, sweet illustrations really show how a child experiences the world. From the fears that race through the girl’s head to the birds that are her racing thoughts to the happy moments that form her safe place, Hatch shows them all. This is a generous tale that is also an excellent tool to give to children and psychologists.

Maggie Smith is the New York Times bestselling author of You Could Make This Place Beautiful: A Memoir, Goldenrod: Poems, Keep Moving: Notes on Loss, Creativity, and Change, and Good Bones.

Smith’s poems and essays have appeared in the New York Times, The New Yorker, Poetry, The Nation, The Best American Poetry, The Paris Review, AGNI, Ploughshares, Image, the Washington Post, Virginia Quarterly Review, American Poetry Review, The Southern Review, and many other journals and anthologies. In 2016 her poem « Good Bones » went viral internationally; since then it has been translated into nearly a dozen languages and featured on the CBS primetime drama Madam Secretary. Smith has received fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Ohio Arts Council, the Sustainable Arts Foundation, and the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts.

DOES EARTH FEEL? de Marc Majewski

A stunning and timely picture book asks fourteen critical questions to encourage active thinking and discussion about our one and only planet.

DOES EARTH FEEL?
14 Questions for Humans
by Marc Majewski
Kathrine Tegen Books/HarperCollins Children’s, February 2021

Does Earth feel calm?

Does Earth feel curious?

Does Earth feel hurt?

Does Earth feel heard?

With spare prose and evocative paintings, author-illustrator Marc Majewski implores readers to think more deeply about what our only planet is telling us, ultimately asking—what do you want Earth to feel?

This compelling narrative follows the planet’s relationship with humans and engages with themes around empathy and environmentalism; a perfect book to spark conversations and inspire a new generation of young leaders.

Marc Majewski is a French illustrator and picture book maker based in Berlin. As a child, Marc spent all his time drawing, writing stories, and dressing up. Things haven’t changed much since. Marc loves painting landscapes and scenes from the natural world. He is the author of several books, including DOES EARTH FEEL? and Butterfly Child, published with HarperCollins.

ELENA RIDES et ELENA CAMPS de Juana Medina

Beginning readers—and beginning riders—will be drawn to this bright, buoyant story of a determined elephant and her loyal sidekick, from the award-winning creator of Juana & Lucas. The first in an early reader series.

ELENA RIDES et ELENA CAMPS
by Juana Medina
Candlewick, 2023 – 2025
(via Gillian MacKenzie Agency)

ELENA RIDES (March 2023)

Elena wants to ride her bike. She steadies, she readies. She wobbles, she bobbles . . . KA-BANG! Learning to ride a bike is hard. But Elena can do it. She just has to try, try again. With this reassuring story of childlike persistence, Juana Medina, creator of the acclaimed Juana & Lucas series, introduces Elena, a plucky elephant, and the little red bird who is Elena’s faithful cheerleader. Simple, energetic text and bold, brilliant artwork convey a relatable tale of the ups and downs of learning something new (not without protest or tears) and the final thrill of mastery that will have children rooting for Elena and ready for her next adventure.

ELENA CAMPS (Spring 2025)

The second in a series starring a plucky young elephant accompanied by her sidekick humorously learning a new skill and navigating emotions.

“She’s eager, she’s resilient, she has a two-wheeler and a red feathered friend—but Elena, the enthusiastic purple elephant star of this early reader, still has a ways to go to polish her cycling skills. . . . Medina captures substantial emotional highs and lows in this inspiring tale of persistence, one that’s just right for those taking on another learning curve: reading.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Spare but engaging prose that includes just a few words or simple sentences per page effectively captures the experience of learning to ride. . . Elena’s persistence offers an important message to anyone attempting to master a new skill, including those just learning to read. . . . This cheerful story with colorful illustrations will appeal to new readers and to parents looking for a read-aloud about perseverance.” —School Library Journal (starred review)

“Storytime listeners will be enthralled. . . . Sensational for reading aloud, with dramatic onomatopoeic opportunities aplenty.” —Kirkus Reviews

Juana Medina is the Pura Belpré Author Award–winning creator of the Juana & Lucas series and other books for children and the recipient of two International Latino Book Awards. She has also illustrated several books by other writers, including ’Twas the Night Before Pride by Joanna McClintick. Juana Medina was born and raised in Bogotá, Colombia, and currently lives in Northern Virginia with her family.

TOO MUCH! de Jolene Gutiérrez, illustré par Angel Chang

A reassuring rhyming picture book about sensory overload and what you can do when everything is too much.

TOO MUCH!
An Overwhelming Day
written by Jolene Gutiérrez; illustrated by Angel Chang
Abrams, August 2023

When feelings go on overload,

I pause and breathe

and all is . . . slowed.

Sometimes everything is too much! Too loud, too bright, and all too overwhelming. Writing from her own experience with sensory processing disorder, Jolene Gutiérrez’s compassionate text—paired with Angel Chang’s beautiful illustrations—explores the struggles of a sensorily sensitive child and how they settle themselves. An extensive author’s note to caregivers and educators explores sensory systems, sensory processing issues, and specific information about how to support kids with overstimulated nervous systems.

Jolene Gutiérrez is an award–winning teacher–librarian who has been working with diverse learners for the past 28 years. When she was little, she would squint to protect her eyes from bright lights and cover her ears to protect herself from loud noises. Now, she wears sunglasses when she’s outside and brings earplugs if she thinks she’ll need them. She hopes TOO MUCH! will help caregivers and educators recognize and support sensory processing challenges.

Angel Chang was once a young girl who felt too much and often thought she didn’t belong because of it. It took a long time for her to learn that her feelings matter as much as everyone else’s. She hopes this book will help young readers realize theirs do too. Chang is the illustrator of Most of the Better Natural Things in the World; Just Like Me; and Lunar New Year Around the World. She lives in Taiwan with a cat who loves to chew papers and sleep on books.