RED THREADS d’Ila Nguyen-Hayama

In this manga-inspired YA graphic novel, Tokyo schoolgirl Hana Suzuki’s life is changed forever when she is chosen to attend Japan’s premier magical academy.

RED THREADS
by Ila Nguyen-Hayama
Abrams Fanfare, October 2025

Fifteen-year-old Hana is bored by her humdrum existence in Tokyo—there must be more to life than cram school and chores. After she rescues a crow caught in a net by her house, a mysterious visitor arrives at her door, offering her the chance to enroll in the most prestigious magic academy in Japan: The Benten School of Esoterics.

Hana jumps at the chance for adventure and life at Benten is everything she ever dreamed of—magic, mystical creatures, and making a new best friend in fellow new student Yoomi. But before long, Hana’s dream becomes a nightmare. Something is haunting the halls, and a series of horrifying attacks leave everyone wondering: is Benten cursed? Will the legendary school have to close its doors for good? If Hana and Yoomi want to save their new home, they’ll have to unravel the mystery or die trying!

Ila Nguyen-Hayama is a Japanese-Vietnamese American artist who stumbled into comics after studying evolutionary biology and culinary arts. She lives in the California East Bay and enjoys being a mom to two humans, a dog, a cat, a small parrot, and four chickens.

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.

MAKE NEW FRIENDS de Joshua David Stein & Mariachiara Di Giorgio

From an acclaimed team comes this empathetic and reassuring picture book about the loaded question that every “new kid” or socially anxious child dreads, “Did you make any new friends today?”

MAKE NEW FRIENDS
by Joshua David Stein
illustrated by Mariachiara Di Giorgio
Abrams, September 2025

Tomasso doesn’t know anyone at his new school and has no one to play with at recess. So, knowing his dad will ask, he resolves to make a few new friends. Each day his crew grows; there’s Roland (a foam ball), Coco (a milk carton), and Karen (a very pink eraser). But when his dad insists on having his friends over for pizza, Tomasso knows that soon his secret will be out. Will his dad welcome his new friends, even if they’re not who he expects?

Written for any child who struggles with making friends or social anxiety, and featuring warm, witty illustrations, Make New Friends is both silly and sincere, inviting kids to trust the unconditional love and acceptance of a parent.

Joshua David Stein is an author, editor, and musician. He is a professional restaurant critic and coauthor of several cookbooks and chef’s memoirs as well as many children’s books, including Can I Eat That?; Brick: Who Found Herself in Architecture; The Ball Book; The Invisible Alphabet; Solitary Animals: Introverts of the Wild; and Lunch from Home. He is the founder of The Band Books, a band that performs children’s books to music. Stein lives in Brooklyn with his two sons, Achilles and Augustus, and a doggie, Hermione.

Mariachiara Di Giorgio is an illustrator, storyboard artist, and concept designer. She is the illustrator behind two wordless picture books, Professional Crocodile with writer Giovanna Zoboli and the acclaimed The Midnight Fair with writer Gideon Sterer. Her work has been exhibited at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair and with the New York Society of Illustrators. She lives in Rome, Italy.

THE GUARDIANS OF DREAMDARK: WINDWITCH de Laini Taylor

From New York Times bestselling author Laini Taylor comes a new edition of her first cult favorite series, Guardians of Dreamdark, about a djinn hunting fairy and her quest to save her world.

THE GUARDIANS OF DREAMDARK: WINDWITCH
(Book 1, Collector’s Edition)
by Laini Taylor
Amulet Books/Abrams, September 2025

For centuries faeries have lived safely in their ancient forests, but now their peace is under threat. Devils are escaping the prisons that have held them since the Dawn Days, and only one faerie stands in their way.

Magpie Windwitch is the greatest—the only—devil-hunter of the Age. Together with her trusted band of crows, she tracks down and recaptures these ravenous beasts that devour everything in their path.

When the hunt leads them to the legendary forest of Dreamdark, Magpie finds herself outmatched. Facing the greatest foe her kind has ever known (not to mention an imposter queen, a disgusting imp, and a young faerie warrior as infuriating as he is brave), one thing is certain: If she’s to save the world, she’ll need all the help she can get.

Bestselling author Laini Taylor’s thrilling first novel is now available for the first time for a new generation of fans.

This stunning collector’s edition of the first book in bestselling author Laini Taylor’s beloved Guardians of Dreamdark series includes a suite of sensational features:
Premium sprayed edges
Beautiful new cover with embossing and foil stamping
Never-before-seen bonus material from Laini Taylor

Laini Taylor is a New York Times bestselling author whose work has received numerous awards including a Cybils Award, a National Book Award finalist, and a Printz Honor Book. Her work includes the Daughter of Smoke & Bone series and the Strange the Dreamer series. She lives with her husband, Jim Di Bartolo, in Portland.