Archives de catégorie : Picture Books

WALLY MAMMOTH AND THE SLED RACE de Corey R. Tabor

Sold in a heated auction, Wally Mammoth is the first in a new four-book early readers series by Caldecott Honor-winner and three-time Geisel Award-winner Corey R. Tabor! A giggle- inducing story about friendship and cupcakes that is perfect for fans of Elephant and Piggie and Narwhal and Jelly.

The Wally Mammoth Series:
WALLY MAMMOTH AND THE SLED RACE
by Corey R. Tabor
Greenwillow, September 2025
(via Writers House)

Wally Mammoth lives in the Ice Age, where his huge heart warms even the coldest of days. And it has to be cold to have a sled race! Wally and his friends Otto the great auk and Wolf the (you guessed it!) gray wolf are all hot cocoa’d up and ready to compete. Otto and Wolf both really want to win, but sweet Wally is happy as long as everyone has fun.

Naturally, the competition goes downhill quickly. If the three friends careen toward the finish line in a giant snowball, how will they determine first, second, and third place? It doesn’t matter—there will be cupcakes for everyone regardless.

Wally Mammoth and the Sled Race is the first installment in a vibrant, laugh-out-loud, comic-inspired series about a group of unforgettable friends—created by friends themselves, illustrator Dalton Webb and Geisel Award–winning author Corey R. Tabor. The perfect choice for emerging readers, for developing visual literacy, and for sharing together.

Corey R. Tabor is the author and illustrator of award-winning books for children, including Mel Fell (Caldecott Honor) and Fox Has a Problem, Fox at Night, and Fox the Tiger.

Dalton Webb has worked in comics for years as a colorist, ghost artist, and font designer. This is his children’s book debut.

HUCK AND LOONA d’Emily Kilgore & Florence Weiser

A story about friendship, conflict, and finding a path forward after disagreement.

HUCK AND LOONA
by Emily Kilgore
illustrated by Florence Weiser
Beaming Books, October 2024
(via Kaplan/DeFiore Rights)

Huck and Loona love spending time together in the Great Northwoods. From cloud-watching to fishing, the two want to do everything together. When they realize they sometimes want to do different things or that there are some activities the other simply cannot do, they worry that their friendship is over.

With themes of friendship, individuality, compromise, and grace, Huck and Loona equips children to embrace their uniqueness and communicate with others for healthy relationships that help them grow and thrive.

Emily Kilgore is an educator and writer of picture books. She strives to share books that bring people together. She is also the author of The Whatifs, The Iheards, and The Christmas Book Flood. She lives in Minneapolis with her husband, their son, and their kitty.

Florence Weiser is a French illustrator based in Belgium. She grew up in Luxembourg and studied illustration in Brussels, followed by specialized studies in graphics and web design in Paris. She has illustrated numerous children’s books for publishers around the world.

EMBARRASSED FERRET de Lisa Frenkel Riddiough & Andrea Tsurumi

When every oopsie is followed by an uh-oh, little Ferret’s embarrassment grows. How will she survive the day at Forest School?

EMBARRASSED FERRET
by Lisa Frenkel Riddiough
illustrated by Andrea Tsurumi
Disney Hyperion, July 2025
(via Kaplan/DeFiore Rights)

Ferret strolled to school in style,
All silky fur and cheerful smile,
Until she tripped on someone’s duffle
And caused herself a slight kerfuffle.
From there her day gets worse and worse.
Embarrassment is Ferret’s curse!
Pencils spilled. Stubborn glue.
Toilet paper on her shoe!
There is one thing that helps her through.
Surprise! She’s just like me and you.

Ferret trips while getting off the bus, makes a gigantic glitter mess at craft time, urgently has to pee at recess, and gets toilet paper on her shoe! But when others in the classroom goof up in equally embarrassing ways, Ferret is relieved to discover that nobody’s perfect.

The first book in the Forest School of Big Feelings series from Lisa Frenkel Riddiough and Andrea Tsurumi is sure to help little ones, parents, and caregivers navigate the many emotions of life.

Book 2 in the Forest School of Big Feelings series, FURIOUS TURTLE, will publish in Fall 2026.

Lisa Frenkel Riddiough is the author of LETTERS TO LIVE BY, which School Library Journal called, “Creative, humorous, and thought-provoking,” in a starred review. Of her second book, PIE-RATS!, Kirkus said, “Here be treasure!” Lisa is a graduate of Hamline University’s MFAC program in writing for children and young adults, and splits her time between Northern California and Idaho. Learn more at lisariddiough.com.

Andrea Tsurumi is an author, illustrator, and cartoonist. Their first book, ACCIDENT!, was named an NPR Great Read, and their second, CRAB CAKE, won the Red Clover Book Award. I’M ON IT!, an Elephant & Piggie Like Reading Book, which was named both a Kirkus and Parents Magazine best book of the year. Andrea lives in Philadelphia with their spouse and very serious dog. Learn more at AndreaTsurumi.com

THE WISHING LEAF de Kallie George & Paola Zakimi

As the seasons change from fall to winter, Bear eagerly waits for the last leaf to fall so that he can make a wish in this charming and cozy picture book from author Kallie George and illustrator Paola Zakimi.

THE WISHING LEAF
by Kallie George
illustrated by Paola Zakimi
Abrams, August 2025

Bear knows that when the last leaf falls in the forest, whatever wish you make is sure to come true! Although it’s almost time to sleep, Mama allows Bear to watch and wait with his friends.

But it seems like the leaf is never going to fall, so one by one, the other animals grow impatient and start to head home. Bear, however, finds active ways to wait, all the while wondering what to wish for—until finally, he’s the only one left, and he’s growing tired. Will Bear see the last leaf fall? And if so, what wish will he make?

A story of patience, friendship, and awe, The Wishing Leaf is a picture book full of wonder for the changing seasons, with a perfectly cozy ending.

Kallie George is an author, speaker and instructor of creative writing workshops. She has a master’s degree in children’s literature from the University of British Columbia. She has written a number of acclaimed books for young readers including the early reader series Tiny Tails, the picture book series Duck, Duck, Dinosaur. Clover’s Luck— the opener of the enchanting Magical Animal Adoption Agency series—features Clover, an unlucky girl who discovers a magical cottage in the woods which is home to fairy horses, unicorns and a fiery dragon. Kallie has always loved writing from the time she was a child, and now loves to bring that same joy to the students she teaches.

Paola Zakimi is the illustrator of Secrets I Know by Kallie George, Teddy & Co. by Cynthia Voigt, The Christmas Tree Who Loved Trains by Annie Silvestro, and Ruby’s Sword by Jacqueline Viessid. She is also a doll maker and fine artist and lives in Argentina. Her favorite part of the early morning is listening to the buzz of the bees while the sun comes out all bright and beautiful. You can learn more about her at www.paolazakimi.com.

THE BUNNY BALLET de Nora Ericson & Elly Mackay

Prepare to be dazzled from your whiskers to your paws! From Nora Ericson and Elly MacKay, the creators of the award-winning picture book Too Early, comes a showstopping performance with precious performers, perfect for animal and dance lovers everywhere.

THE BUNNY BALLET
by Nora Ericson
illustrated by Elly Mackay
Abrams, November 2025

Doors are closing, lights are dimming. Strings are singing, it’s beginning.
Hop on in, take your seat, and watch the curtains rise on the Bunny Ballet! When a brother and sister stumble upon an extraordinary woodland show, they’re introduced to the magic of dance. Noses twitch, whiskers quiver, and graceful bunnies leap and soar across the stage as the audience sits on the edge of their seats.

Nora Ericson and Elly MacKay’s enchanting picture book full of fluffy plies, grand jetés, and perfect bunny pirouettes is the ultimate read-aloud for dancers and dreamers of all ages and species.

Nora Ericson studied painting at Yale University and writing for children at Vermont College of Fine Arts. Originally from central New York, she now lives in Portland, Oregon, with two kids, two dogs, and two cats. Besides reading and writing, she loves cooking, tromping in the woods, and whittling spoons while daydreaming of her future miniature donkey farm. She’s also the author of Too Early, Dill & Bizzy: An Odd Duck and a Strange Bird, and Dill & Bizzy: Opposite Day.

Elly MacKay is an internationally recognized paper artist and children’s book creator. She is the illustrator of the picture book Too Early and The Enchanted Symphony, written by Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton, as well as the author-illustrator of Red Sky at Night, If You Hold a Seed, and Butterfly Park, among others. The distinctive three-dimensional quality in her works is made by setting up layers of painted paper in a miniature theater. She lights the scene and photographs it to create her unique illustrations. MacKay lives in Owen Sound, Ontario, with her family.