Picture Books

Foreword Review INDIES Multicultural Award, Silver
Texas Institute of Letters, Kay Cattarulla Award for Best Short Story
Best of Texas 2019, Lone Star Literary Life
Reading the West Award Nominee

How does a Mexican-American, the son of immigrants, a child of the border, la frontera, leave home and move to the heart of gringo America? How does he adapt to the worlds of wealth, elite universities, the rush and power of New York City? How does he make peace with a stern old-fashioned father who has only known hard field labor his whole life? With echoes of Dreiser's American Tragedy and Fitzgerald's Gatsby, Troncoso tells his luminous stories through the lens of an exile adrift in the 21st century, his characters suffering from the loss of culture and language, the loss of roots and home as they adapt to the glittering promises of new worlds which ultimately seem so empty.

Sergio Troncoso is the author of the collections A Peculiar Kind of Immigrant's Son, The Last Tortilla and Other Stories, Crossing Borders: Personal Essays, and the novels The Nature of Truth and From This Wicked Patch of Dust. He's taught at the Yale Writers' Workshop for many years. Troncoso is President of the Texas Institute of Letters and a member of the Hispanic Scholarship Fund's Alumni Hall of Fame. A Fulbright scholar, he has won numerous awards, including the Kay Cattarulla Award for Best Short Story, International Latino Book Award, the Premio Aztlan Literary Prize, and the Southwest Book Award. He was born in El Paso, Texas, and attended Harvard College and Yale University, where he earned graduate degrees in international relations and philosophy.

Angelina hopes to dance the starring role in an upcoming performance for the Royal Ballet, but instead is cast in a tiny part. She is so disappointed that she wants to quit ballet. Eventually, though, she decides to work hard for her friends in the performance. Angelina's decision leads to an unexpected turn of events--and a happy ending for everyone!

Sy Montgomery has had many teachers in her life: some with two legs, others with four, or even eight! Some have had fur, feathers, or hooves. But they've all had one thing in common: a lesson to share.

The animals Sy has met on her many world travels have taught her how to seek understanding in the most surprising ways, from being patient to finding forgiveness and respecting others. Gorillas, dogs, octopuses, tigers, and more all have shown Sy that there are no limits to the empathy and joy we can find in each other if only we take the time to connect.

Based on the New York Times best-selling adult memoir, Sy Montgomery and Rebecca Green's beautiful, friendly guide is for readers young and old who wish to be better creatures in the world. Go ahead, pass it on.

From New York Times bestselling and Newbery Medal-winning author Neil Gaiman comes an affirming poem for unconventional, powerful, growing daughters at any age.

A much-loved baby grows into a young woman: brave, adventurous, and lucky. Exploring, traveling, bathed in sunshine, surrounded by the wonders of the world. What every new parent or parent-to-be dreams of for her child, what every girl dreams of for herself.

Neil Gaiman and beloved illustrator Charles Vess turn a wish for a new daughter into a book that celebrates the glory of growing up: a perfect gift for girls embarking on all the journeys of life, for their parents, and for everyone who loves them.

This beautiful picture book is a lovely graduation or baby shower gift.

"Ask someone poor or lonely," she always said.

She wasn't happy upon learning that Maggie had invited the unsavory Mr. Whiskers to dinner. Would her secret cranberry bread recipe be safe with him in the house?

After a long absence this delightful 1971 classic is back and so is the secret recipe for Grandmother's Famous Cranberry Bread!

The adventures of two children in London, photographed and written by Dare Wright, author of the Lonely Doll series.

1st printing; dust jacket in protective cover; front cover shows signs of tape repair; small closed tears; some shelf wear; price clipped; pictorial covers; black spine with red lettering; corners bumped; pastedown edges have glue marks; binding good; text clean. G+/G+

In this Lonely Doll story, published in 1972 by author and photographer Dare Wright, Edith and Little Bear decide to clean up New York City. They carry signs protesting the city's dirty condition as they march in front of City Hall, and they write a letter to the mayor, who writes back and urges them to do a little bit every day to clean up the city themselves.

Early edition signed by author. Minimal wear to edges of cover, minimal wear to DJ. VG/VG

The last of the Lonely Doll books written by author and photographer Dare Wright tells the story of Edith and Little Bear on a farm in springtime. They find a nest with no mother duck, and decide they must try to hatch the eggs. Carefully, they move the nest to the house, keep the eggs warm and, sure enough, one little duckling is born. How Edith and the Bears care for the duckling until it grows big enough to care for itself is an enchanting experience for all.

This early edition (1st edition not stated) is inscribed by the author. Small closed tears repaired with tape on front of dust jacket; minimal wear to edges. VG/G+

A few folks, mostly adults, contend that there are no such things as giants. I will not waste your time nor mine disputing such radical theories. They probably don't believe in the Easter Bunny or Tooth Fairy either. Blasphemy.

In addition (and you may not believe this) there are folks who dispute the fact that hamburgers grow on bushes. Good grief...doesn't anyone major in agriculture anymore? I know for a fact that a certain fast-food chain started this rumor. Want scientific proof? Well, there are pictures of several hamburgers bushes in this very book.

Jolly Roger

Arnie the Donut wants to know what kind of giant donut YOU are in Hello, Arnie!, a picture book for preschoolers by bestselling, Geisel Award-winning creator Laurie Keller.

Arnie is excited to say hello to all his pastry friends in the bakery. There are all the usual confection suspects: Chocolate, Glazed, French Twist, Long John, and Crueller. But there is one pastry that he's never met before. This pastry looks nothing like the others. Hmmm. Who could it be? Spoiler alert--it's the Reader!

This charming picture book introduces children to everyone's favorite doughnut through a series of questions that the youngest reader will love taking part in.

Christy Ottaviano Books

This Newbery Honor classic, illustrated by a Caldecott Medalist, is a beautifully written tribute to the power of kindness, acceptance, and standing up for what's right.

Wanda Petronski is ridiculed by her classmates for wearing the same faded blue dress every day. She claims she has one hundred dresses at home, but everyone knows she doesn't. When Wanda is pulled out of school one day, the class feels terrible, and classmate Maddie decides that she is "never going to stand by and say nothing again." A gentle tale about bullies, bystanders, and having the courage to speak up.

I wake up each morning with the sounds of words all around me.

And I can't say them all . . .

When a boy who stutters feels isolated, alone, and incapable of communicating in the way he'd like, it takes a kindly father and a walk by the river to help him find his voice. Compassionate parents everywhere will instantly recognize a father's ability to reconnect a child with the world around him.

Poet Jordan Scott writes movingly in this powerful and ultimately uplifting book, based on his own experience, and masterfully illustrated by Greenaway Medalist Sydney Smith. A book for any child who feels lost, lonely, or unable to fit in.

Named a Best Book of the Year by NPR, Kirkus Reviews, Shelf Awareness, Bookpage, School Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, and more!
A Horn Book Fanfare Best Book of the Year
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

The light of the half moon
Shines down on the half room . . .

The half room is full of half things. A half chair, a half cat, even half shoes--all just as nice as whole things. When half a knock comes on half a door, who in the world could it be? With inventive flair, Caldecott Honor winner Carson Ellis explores halves and wholes in an ingenious and thought-provoking picture book. Ink and gouache illustrations featuring wry detail and velvety textures conjure a dreamlike mood while leaving space for imagining. A celebration of the surreal and the serendipitous and the beauty of the two together, this brilliant picture book will have readers seeing halves with whole new eyes.

Julián and his abuela are going to a wedding. Better yet, Julián is in the wedding. Weddings have flowers and kissing and dancing and cake. And this wedding also has a new friend named Marisol. It's not long before Julián and Marisol set off for some magic and mischief of their own, and when things take an unexpected turn, the pair learns that everything is easier with a good friend by your side. Jessica Love returns with a joyful story of friendship and individuality in this radiant follow-up to Julián Is a Mermaid.

Shel Silverstein's first children's book, Lafcadio, the Lion Who Shot Back—a whimsical tale of self-discovery and marshmallows—is turning fifty with a return to a vintage full-color cover.

Is a famous, successful, and admired lion a happy lion? Or is he a lion at all? Written and drawn with wit and gusto, Shel Silverstein's modern fable speaks not only to children but to us all!

First published in 1963, this book had rave reviews from the New York Times, Time magazine, and Publishers Weekly, as well as a starred review from Kirkus. Now celebrating its fiftieth anniversary, Lafcadio is being reissued with a full-color cover featuring vintage art from Shel Silverstein discovered in the archives.

Lafcadio, the Lion Who Shot Back is the book that started Shel Silverstein's incomparable career as a bestselling children's book author and illustrator. He is also the creator of picture books such as A Giraffe and a Half, Who Wants a Cheap Rhinoceros?, The Missing Piece, The Missing Piece Meets the Big O, and the perennial favorite The Giving Tree and of classic poetry collections such as Where the Sidewalk Ends, A Light in the Attic, Falling Up, Every Thing On It, Don't Bump the Glump!, and Runny Babbit.

Supports the Common Core State Standards.

Once upon a time, when magic was common and princesses were many, there lived a powerful wizard named Druth. He could transform a prince into a toad, or a shepherd boy into a sheep by a mere flick of his finger. But no matter how hard he tried he could not enchant a princess by any magic at all. Enraged and humiliated, Druth took revenge upon three kingdoms whose princesses he was unable to enchant. He flooded their lands and imprisoned the people in a deep, unending sleep. He saved one princess alone, however. She was a baby named Lona whom Druth planned to raise himself until she was old enough to enchant. Some new spell, he was certain, would eventually succeed. But when she grew up, Lona showed surprising courage, challenging the mighty wizard’s power.

Written and photographed by Dare Wright, Lona: A Fairy Tale, was intended for an older audience than her earlier well-known Lonely Doll books. Wright photographed herself in the book as the full-sized Princess Lona , and she then used the doll as the enchanted small-sized version. The magic special effects in the pictures were created in Dare’s closet darkroom long before the advent of digital help (https://darewright.com/dare-wright-books/). 

Inscribed by author on ffep; dust jacket in protective wrapper; 1/2" missing from top of spine; bottom of spine missing 3/4" in jagged tear; top of spine creased and chipped; 3" closed vertical tear at top of front cover; corners chipped; pictorial covers; corners bumped; binding good; text clean; author's obituary from newspaper laid in. G/G

Nothing frightens Madeline--not tigers, not even mice. With its endearing, courageous heroine, cheerful humor, and wonderful, whimsical drawings of Paris, the Madeline stories are true classics that continue to charm readers, even after 75 years!

Ludwig Bemelmans (1898-1962) was the author of the beloved Madeline books, including Madeline, a Caldecott Honor Book, and Madeline's Rescue, winner of the Caldecott Medal.

Nothing frightens Madeline--not tigers, not even mice. With its endearing, courageous heroine, cheerful humor, and wonderful, whimsical drawings of Paris, the Madeline stories are true classics that continue to charm readers even after 75 years. In this next adventure, Madeline has a new neighbor who she does not like so much. Can she and Pepito ever get along?

Ludwig Bemelmans (1898-1962) was the author of the beloved Madeline books, including Madeline, a Caldecott Honor Book, and Madeline's Rescue, winner of the Caldecott Medal.

Delightful rhymes and charming hand-stitched art celebrate the many ways we sleep across the world. Perfect for a baby shower gift and for fans of This Is How We Do It.

My bed rocks on water
My bed sways in the breeze.
My bed's beneath a curtain
My bed's aloft in trees . . .

In the Netherlands, some beds rock on water. In Brazil they might sway in the breeze. From Canada to Japan, Afghanistan to Norway, sleep has taken many forms and shapes throughout history. Astonishing, hand-stitched illustrations and a delightful narrative tell the story of sleeping traditions across the world.

An honest explanation about how power and privilege factor into the lives of white children, at the expense of other groups, and how they can help seek justice. --THE NEW YORK TIMES

ONE OF HUFFPOST'S RECOMMENDED "ANTI-RACIST BOOKS FOR KIDS AND TEENS"

**A WHITE RAVEN 2019 SELECTION**

NAMED ONE OF SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL'S BEST BOOKS OF 2018

Not My Idea: A Book About Whiteness is a picture book about racism and racial justice, inviting white children and parents to become curious about racism, accept that it's real, and cultivate justice.

This book does a phenomenal job of explaining how power and privilege affect us from birth, and how we can educate ourselves...Not My Idea is an incredibly important book, one that we should all be using as a catalyst for our anti-racist education. --THE TINY ACTIVIST

Quite frankly, the first book I've seen that provides an honest explanation for kids about the state of race in America today. --ELIZABETH BIRD, librarian "It's that exact mix of true-to-life humor and unflinching honesty that makes Higginbotham's book work so well..."--PUBLISHERS WEEKLY (*Starred Review)

A much-needed title that provides a strong foundation for critical discussions of white people and racism, particularly for young audiences. Recommended for all collections. --SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL (*Starred Review)

A necessary children's book about whiteness, white supremacy, and resistance... Important, accessible, needed. --KIRKUS REVIEWS

A timely story that addresses racism, civic responsibility, and the concept of whiteness. --FOREWORD REVIEWS

For white folks who aren't sure how to talk to their kids about race, this book is the perfect beginning. --O MAGAZINE

From Caldecott Medalist Arnold Lobel (1933-1987) comes another brand-new collection of rhyming stories-this time featuring a unique assortment of owls and pigs. Discovered by his daughter, Adrianne Lobel, Odd Owls and Stout Pigs: A Book of Nonsense is full of the same humor and wit that is found in Lobel's beloved Frog and Toad stories. This new collection will tickle kids once more and create another generation of Arnold Lobel devotees.

Ages: 4 - 7

Freddy Dissel has two problems. One is his older brother, Mike. The other is his younger sister, Ellen. That leaves Freddy in the middle, feeling like the peanut butter part of a sandwich, squeezed between two pieces of bread like a great big middle nothing.

So when Freddy hears about the school play, he knows it’s his chance to shine—even if the play is being put on by the big kids, and even if Mike says that everybody can jump. But nobody can jump quite as well as Freddy, which makes him the perfect Green Kangaroo—and the star of the show!

Scarsdale, NY: Bradbury Press, 1981. 1st edition, signed by author; illustrated by Amy Aitken. Dust jacket in protective cover; flap edges foxed; tan cloth with green lettering on spine; binding good; text clean. G+/G

Otis Redding's classic song "Respect"--as popularized by Aretha Franklin--becomes an empowering picture book exploring the concept of mutual respect through the eyes of a young girl.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T / Find out what it means to me
R-E-S-P-E-C-T / Take care, TCB
Oh (sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me)
A little respect

Respect is a children's picture book based on lyrics written and originally recorded by Otis Redding in 1965. Aretha Franklin's iconic rendition of the song later peaked at #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 in 1967. Redding's lyrics continue to resonate with listeners today.

With lyrics by Otis Redding and illustrations by Rachel Moss, this irresistible book shows a young girl, her brother, and her parents conjuring as many positive futures for each other as they can dream. Packed with playful vignettes as they imagine a life full of possibility, Respect provides families an opportunity to explore themes of mutual respect--while revisiting one of the greatest songs ever written.

The Otis Redding Foundation. Redding was dedicated to improving the quality of life for his community through the education and empowerment of its youth. He provided scholarships and summer music programs which continued until his untimely death on December 10, 1967. Today, the mission of the Otis Redding Foundation, established in 2007 by Mrs. Zelma Redding, is to empower, enrich, and motivate all young people through programs involving music, writing, and instrumentation. To learn more, visit: otisreddingfoundation.org.

"The phenomenal artwork is what truly makes this book special. The landscapes of the sea, the sky, and outer space are breathtaking. Cortés's different blending and thinning of the colors create a world of beauty. This fascinating tale of perspective and point of view makes a fine addition for most collections."
--School Library Journal

"Sumptuous paintings and an engaging conceit make this a terrific read-aloud choice."
--Wall Street Journal

"A stunningly illustrated story of a shark who has a frightening encounter with 'sea creatures' who come from above."
--Brooklyn Daily Eagle

"Cortés' premise has child appeal and even some STEM utility, and his lovely illustrations invite contemplation of the teeming worlds above and beneath the sea...The depictions of the curve of the Earth in space and of the sky--cloudy or starry, always vast--are lush...Enjoy this tale's accomplished visuals and percussive rhymes."
--Kirkus Reviews

"[A] memorable and beautifully illustrated children's picture book...Ricardo Cortés's stunning seascapes follow the adventures of a shark that has a story to share about creatures who live above the ocean...Filled with humor and warmth, Sea Creatures from the Sky will charm and entertain children."
--Midwest Book Review

"One can applaud Cortés for inviting us to learn about sharks...children will enter and emerge from this book with a new understanding of humans' interest in sharks and ocean life."
--New York Journal of Books

"Stunning illustrations immerse us into understanding the shark's perspective. A valuable concept that can change how we think of any fellow earth dwelling creature be it on earth or in the sea."
--The Reading Ninja

"The story moves in a poetic ebb and flow of an ocean current, and is well balanced by the very colorful illustrations."
--Inspire the Muse

"A beautifully rhymed and painted book that is almost philosophically asking about the being and existence of otherness. Proved and tested with my two-year-old, who became very tranquil and curious looking at the beautiful seascape."
--The Manolist

"This is a gorgeously illustrated view of the world by a shark."
--The Cyberlibrarian

"A beautifully illustrated book that is a magical and compelling read!"
--MyShelf

"Enchanting. You feel like you're in the water swimming with the other fish...The images alone are worth the price of the book."
--Journey of a Bookseller

A shark, swimming the seas, encounters...Aliens.

Will anyone believe it is true?

Sea Creatures from the Sky is a gorgeously illustrated children's picture book from the New York Times best-selling illustrator of Seriously, Just Go to Sleep. Cortés's stunning seascapes follow the adventures of a shark that has a story to share about creatures who live above the ocean. Our shark encounters strange-looking creatures who resemble nice, caring marine biologists. But after they release it back into the ocean, the shark cannot find one friend to believe its tale. Filled with humor and warmth, Sea Creatures from the Sky will charm children and parents alike.

Lady Pancake is aching; Sir French Toast's looking pale. Could they be going . . . STALE? Maybe a visit to Professor Biscotti's lab for her despoiling procedure will help. But instead of beautifying them, Biscotti accidentally transforms the two treats into toddlers! Frightened of the now gargantuan (to them) Baron von Waffle, the mini breakfast foods scamper off on an adventure in the fridge, visiting everywhere from the Bran Canyon to Limes Square. Will Baron von Waffle and Professor Biscotti figure out a way to turn them back into a grown Lady and Sir? Or will they stay short & sweet forever?

A 2020 Pura Belpré Author Honor Book!

José de la Luz Sáenz (Luz) believed in fighting for what was right. Though born in the United States, Luz often faced prejudice because of his Mexican heritage. Determined to help his community, even in the face of discrimination, he taught school--children during the day and adults in the evenings.

When World War I broke out, Luz joined the army, as did many others. His ability to quickly learn languages made him an invaluable member of the Intelligence Office in Europe. However, Luz found that prejudice followed him even to war, and despite his efforts, he often didn't receive credit for his contributions. Upon returning home to Texas, he joined with other Mexican American veterans to create the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), which today is the largest and oldest Latinx civil rights organization.

Using his signature illustration style and Luz's diary entries from the war, award-winning author and illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh tells the story of a Mexican American war hero and his fight for equality.

There's a sweet, sweet smell in the air as two young girls sneak out of their house, down the street, and across town to where men and women are gathered, ready to march for freedom and justice.

Inspired by the countless young people who took a stand against the forces of injustice, two Coretta Scott King Honorees, Angela Johnson and Eric Velasquez, offer a stirring yet jubilant glimpse of the youth involvement that played an invaluable role in the Civil Rights movement.

"The Adventures of Jill, Jake, and Stimlin" is a children's book series that is based on true stories of the Lubinger family when Jill, and her four-legged brothers, Jake, and Stimlin were all young. They share the unconditional love that dogs bring to a family.

Book one "Jill Gets A Brother", is how Jill met and fell in love with a shelter puppy she named "Jake" and was hoping to convince her dad to adopt a puppy to make their family more loving, bigger, and better. Would she be able to talk "Dad" into expanding her family?

There's a new gym teacher transferring over from the junior high, and Hubie is worried. The junior high students say he's big, mean, and blows his whistle a lot. Will Hubie really have to run a lap around the world to pass Mr. Green's class? Will he be able to lift Mr. Green's pickup truck and climb up a rope while it's on fire?

Hubie doesn't want to go to gym class anymore!

This empowering picture book teaches readers that even great ideas sometimes get a NO--but that NO can actually help great ideas become the best ideas!

There was a little girl who had a great idea. She had the most amazing, superb, best idea ever!
NO? Wait, what do you mean NO? NO again?
What is she supposed to do with all these NO's?

NO after NO after NO come the little girl's way, twisting and squishing her idea. But by persevering, collaborating and using a little imagination, all those NO's become the building blocks for the biggest YES ever!

A Thousand NO's is a story about perseverance and innovation. It shows what amazing things can happen if we work with others and don't give up, and teaches kids not to let expectations of how things should be get in the way of what could be.

Inside, a boy and his family sit around the dinner table to embrace the many traditions of their Passover Seder around the dinner table. Outside, a cat wonders, hungry and alone. When it's time for the symbolic Passover custom of opening the family's front door for the prophet Elijah, both the boy and the cat are in for a remarkable surprise.