An award-winning author and a Caldecott Medalist improvise a playful tribute to the creators of bebop–Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie. When sax player Charlie “Bird” Parker and trumpeter John “Dizzy” Gillespie make music together, they toss notes back and forth like a game of tag. Blending a playful, rhythmic narration with dynamic illustrations, this tribute will have readers hankering to listen for themselves. With “language and images are every bit as vibrant as the music they celebrate”—Publishers Weekly.
Gary Golio is the author of several best-selling and award-winning musical picture-book biographies, including Jimi: Sounds Like a Rainbow, When Bob Met Woody, and Spirit Seeker: John Coltrane's Musical Journey. Gary Golio lives in Hudson Valley, New York.
Middle school sleuths Will Allen and Jeannine Fitsimmons are unmatched when it comes to solving mysteries, but not even all of their cleverness can save them when monsters begin springing to life all across their town! Now, in their Baptism of Fire, these newly christened monster detectives race against time to unravel the clues and uncover the secret of the dreadful HIDDEN BEAST in time to save themselves and their friends from its terrible power!
Jason Edwards produces books that are at once funny, moving, scary, and useful for helping children confront anxieties and other issues. His books have earned the Mom's Choice Award for Family Friendly Media and an endorsement from the Anxiety Disorders Association of America.
The friends rehearsed all the day long when suddenly things went terribly wrong. Whatever did Cow say to make her friends quit the play? Will the friends continue to fight, or will Cow bomb on opening night? Cow Won't Bow is indeed a lovely romp of a story that is sure to tug on every heart string. As the friends navigate life's journey, they quickly discover the value in commitment, team work, and friendship.
Danielle J. Small is a children’s book author, minister, and educator living in the New York City area. By day, she works for the New York City Department of Education as a teacher and with Sports & Arts in Schools Foundation as a theater teaching artist. Ms. Small is the founder of Starring U Kid, LLC, a children’s theater company whose primary goal is to bring fun and innovation to learning and development. She is currently working on a book series geared towards fostering positive social development in young readers.
Told through a lyrical text and stunning paintings, this book spotlights four ordinary boys growing up amid the rubble of postwar England who found music to be a powerful, even life-saving, force. “…A gorgeous letter to an unforgettable band,” according to School Library Journal.
Susanna Reich is an author of many books for children and has won such awards as an Orbis Pictus Honor and an SLJ Best Book of the Year, among other honors. She lives in New York's Hudson Valley with her husband, author Gary Golio.
After the star of this story gets her brother’s hand-me-down camera-phone and a quick lesson in the “selfie,” there is no stopping her! Anything can be turned into a selfie, and a host of adventures and misadventures caught on camera prove her point. Turning the camera-phone on herself becomes a part of her every day, all day long. Until, that is, it’s time to call it a day. Turns out, camera-phones and kids alike need to recharge their batteries!
Scott Menchin is the creator of many children’s books, including Taking a Bath with the Dog and Other Things that Make Me Happy and What If Everything Had Legs? He has also illustrated texts by Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie, and Doreen Cronin. Scott Menchin divides his time between Woodstock, New York, and New York City.
Halloween is here, and Curious George is getting ready for the big night. There are so many costumes to try on, treats to share, and games to play! George has so much Halloween fun picking out the perfect pumpkin, decorating his house, and celebrating with his friends that he’s not sure he’s ready for the day to end. Follow the little monkey through his fun-filled day with this book of poems. Happy Halloween, Curious George is a sweet treat to help Curious George fans of all ages get in the Halloween spirit.
Mary O'Keefe Young has published more than 40 children's books as well as illustrations for book jackets, magazines, greeting cards and advertising. In 2001, she began collaborating with Pat Schories on the Biscuit Series and have illustrated 16 of them. In 2004, she began illustrating new Curious George books.”I truly enjoy drawing George in the style of H.A.Rey. I like the challenge of showing him having lots of fun and as usual, getting into some type of trouble,” says Mary. She lives in White Plains.
Step One: Find a story. (A good one.) Step Two: Find a reading buddy. (Someone nice.) Step Three: Find a reading spot. (Couches are cozy.) Now: Begin. Accomplished storytellers Kate Messner and Mark Siegel chronicle the process of becoming a reader: from pulling a book off the shelf and finding someone with whom to share a story, to reading aloud, predicting what will happen, and–finally–coming to The End. This picture book playfully and movingly illustrates the idea that the reader who discovers the love of reading finds, at the end, the beginning.
Mark Siegel is an author, illustrator, and editorial director of the graphic novel publisher First Second Books. In addition to How to Read a Story and Oskar and the Eight Blessings, his books include Seadogs, An Epic Ocean Operetta, Long Night Moon, and To Dance, A Ballerina's Graphic Novel (with his wife Siena Cherson Siegel). In addition, Siegel wrote the graphic novel for adults Sailor Twain, or the Mermaid in the Hudson.
Yoga has the power of transformation. It strengthen bodies, calm minds, and, with a little imagination, can show us that anything is possible. New York Times bestselling illustrator Peter H. Reynolds and author and certified yoga instructor Susan Verde team up to encourage children to explore the world of yoga. I Am Yoga is “A delightful introduction to the subject as well as a wonderful read-aloud for movement and mindfulness–”School Library Journal.
Susan Verde grew up in a brownstone in the heart of Greenwich Village in New York City with her older brother Michael. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s in reading remediation and become an elementary school teacher at a school in Bridgehampton, NY. Although no longer a classroom teacher, Susan is a certified kid’s yoga instructor and teaches in both the school system and the studio setting. Currently, Susan lives in East Hampton with her twin boys Joshua and Gabriel and her daughter Sophia. Her previous books are The Museum and You and Me.
What is it like for a child to go from a mainstream classroom into a special education class? For Mark it's a challenge, and he doesn't want to go. Mark is struggling with the idea of moving from his “big classroom” into this “little classroom.” Only after his teacher, Ms. Collins reminds Mark that he wants to do well and not disappoint his family does he decide to give the class a try. I Don't Want To Go, through its poignant narrative, brings home the point that emotions can have a strong impact on student learning. while looking at the dilemmas that all children face when there is a change in their lives.
Delores Connors has been teaching for 22 years, 20 of them in special education. Born and raised in New York City, she always wanted to help others, so she began as a regular teacher until the city school system needed more special education teachers. I Don't Want to Go is her first book.
Nerdy Birdy likes reading, video games, and reading about video games, which immediately disqualifies him for membership in the cool crowd. One thing is clear: being a nerdy birdy is a lonely lifestyle. When he's at his lowest point, Nerdy Birdy meets a flock just like him. He has friends and discovers that there are far more nerdy birdies than cool birdies in the sky.
When her brother's hand-me-down shoes don't fit, it is time for Ella Mae to get new ones. But when she and her mother arrive at Mr. Johnson's shoe store, her happiness quickly turns to dejection. Ella Mae is unable even to try on the shoes because of her skin color. Determined to fight back, Ella Mae and her friend Charlotte work tirelessly to collect and restore old shoes. The girls then have their very own shoe sale, giving the other African Americans a place where they can “try on all the shoes they want.” This stunning picture book brings the civil rights era to life. “It isn't easy to make a story seem as if it's telling itself, but this gripping piece of historical fiction does just that”–Publishers Weekly.
Eric Velasquez, the son of Afro-Puerto Rican parents, was born in Spanish Harlem and grew up in Harlem in New York City. As a child, his love for doodling and drawing was strongly encouraged by his mother. From his grandmother he inherited a love of music and from his father he developed a love of movies. Growing up in this setting, Eric says, “Becoming an artist was a natural choice for me. I have never thought of being anything else.” Eric has illustrated many books to great acclaim.
According to Booklist, “this graphic-novel-style picture book relates the story of young Jewish immigrant Oskar who, after Kristallnacht, is sent by his parents to New York City to live with his aunt. Arriving from Europe on the seventh night of Hanukkah—also Christmas Eve—with just her address and picture, Oskar searches the big, bustling city for her home. Along the way he discovers unexpected kindnesses: a woman feeding birds shares bread, a man extends a helping hand after Oskar falls, until, finally, Aunt Esther sees him on the street and gives him a warm embrace. Oskar has received many starred reviews and is being acclaimed as “wonderfully original in every way.”
Richard Simon and Tanya Simon are a husband-and-wife writing team. Richard is chair of the language department at an independent school and is co-author of a successful off-Broadway play. Tanya is co-author of the children's novel Zora and Me, winner of a Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe Award for New Talent. They live in Westchester, New York. Oskar and the Eight Blessings is their first picture book. Mark Siegel has illustrated several picture books, including the Texas Bluebonnet winner Seadogs and the Siebert Honor book To Dance, with his wife, Siena Cherson Siegel. He lives in New York with his family.
It's time for the Dragon Masters to battle the dark wizard! This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line called Branches, which is aimed at newly independent readers. The Dragon Masters are going to visit Queen Rose's kingdom. But Rori and Drake must stay behind. Then a four-headed dragon attacks the castle–and Maldred is riding it! How is Maldred controlling this giant dragon? Will Rori and Drake have to battle the dark wizard on their own?
Tracey West has written more than 200 books for children and young adults, including the following series: Pixie Tricks, Hiro’s Quest, and Dragon Masters. She has appeared on The New York Times bestseller list as author of the Pokemon chapter book adaptations. Tracey currently lives with her family in New York State’s Hudson Valley. She can be found on twitter at @TraceyWestBooks.
With the help of her sister and friend Austin, 12-year-old Anya puts together a kids' summer theater troupe, the Random Farms Kids' Theater, recruiting area kids as actors and crew members for a musical revue. Now after a successful first show, Anya turns her attention to the troupe's second show. But trouble rears its head almost immediately when their beloved barn venue is jeopardized. How can they put on a production without a theater? “…the story is full of heart, making it appealing to High School Musical fans. The text is riddled with musical theater references, and aspiring actors will enjoy the theater tips and lingo…”–School Library Journal
Anya Wallach is the real-life creator of The Random Farms Kids' Theater, a not-for-profit organization she started in her parents' basement when she was a teenager. Today, the Random Farms kids can be regularly seen on Broadway and in film and television. Anya also created the theater's extensive outreach program, with a focus on bullying prevention. Her first book in the Stagestruck series, Curtain Up, was published in May. She lives in New York City.
It’s the first week of middle school, i.e., the Worst Place in the Entire World. How do you survive when there are tough kids twice your size, sadistic teachers, and restrictions that make jail look like a five-star resort? Easy: with the help of Max Corrigan, middle school “expert” and life coach. Let Max teach you how to win over not just one, but all of the groups in school, from the Preps to the Band Geeks. Along the way, Max offers surefire advice and revealing tips. “…Sure to hit the mark with middle schoolers in the trenches,” according to Publishers Weekly.
Neil Swaab is a Brooklyn-based illustrator whose work has appeared in the New York Times, the Utne Reader, the Village Voice, and most recently, James Patterson’s Middle School: My Brother Is a Big, Fat Liar. Swaab has also illustrated posters for Broadway shows and worked on Adult Swim’s Superjail!, Comedy Central’s Ugly Americans, and Cartoon Network’s Annoying Orange.
Bianca Turetsky is the author of the stylish Time-Traveling Fashionista series, which has been translated into nine languages. A graduate of Tufts University, Bianca has been running the studio of artist/filmmaker Julian Schnabel for the last ten years. She lives in a cozy studio apartment in Brooklyn, New York, that houses her very extensive and much-loved vintage collection.
Mona the Monarch is a princess, a caterpillar, and the first character in the Read To Me, Please! series. Mona learns and teaches lessons about growing up, change and learning to face your fears. The Worm Who Wanted No Wings is designed to excite and engage young readers. Helping children develop a passion for reading while learning life's little lessons is a great investment with an even greater return.
LaShon Ormond is a mother, a writer, an avid reader, a believer in the complete and total development of girls and women, and a champion for fairness and equity in education and education policy. She is the author of two additional titles, The Hummingbird Who Wanted to Sing and The Bee Who Wanted to Lead.
Fourth-grader Bakari Katari Johnson is having a really bad day–class bullies Tariq and Keisha are mad at him, his best friend Wardell has nominated him for hall monitor, a pack of icezombies from a frozen world are demanding he return the magic ring that Keisha has, and somehow he has to find a way to save the school. “This colorful, well-illustrated story contains friendship, magic, zombies, and plenty of adventure. Readers will surely clamor for further installments from this talented duo”–School Library Journal.
Jerry Craft is the creator of MAMA'S BOYZ, an award-winning comic strip that has been distributed to almost 900 publications, making him one of the few syndicated African-American cartoonists in the country. He has illustrated and/or written a dozen children's books. His work has appeared in national publications such as Essence, Ebony, and two Chicken Soup for the African American Soul books. He lives in Norwalk, CT.
When Walrus escapes the zoo with his new friend Penguin, their adventures are twice the fun! In this sequel to the acclaimed Where's Walrus?, author Stephen Savage doubles the fun when Walrus escapes the zoo with his mischievous pal, Penguin. Will the zookeeper find them? Or will these clever runaways stay one step ahead disguised as subway riders, baseball players, and even grand opera performers? Hiding in plain sight, they elude the clueless zookeeper until a fly ball at a baseball game leads Walrus and Penguin to a chance encounter with surprising results!
Stephen Savage is the author and illustrator of Where's Walrus?, which was named a best book of the year by Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, the Horn Book, and the Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books. He is also the illustrator of the acclaimed New York Times bestselling picture book Polar Bear Night, written by Lauren Thompson, which was named a New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book. When Stephen is not on the run, he lives in Brooklyn, New York, with his wife and their daughter.
