Collection: Children

When a gust of wind sweeps inflatable pool toy Finn out to sea, he's in for an ocean of trouble in this summertime picture book adventure from acclaimed author-illustrator Leanne Hatch.

Unlike most orcas, Finn swims in a heated pool and is as light as air. His life as a floating pool toy can be fun in the sun--after all, summer is the best!--but it can also be noisy and exhausting. He's jumped on! Kicked! Splashed! Sometimes he wonders what's on the other side of the backyard fence... and when a gust of wind comes along, blowing him up in the air, it's time for HIS summer adventure.

Finn soars as high as an airplane, swims with his new orca friends in the strange new pool we call the ocean, and gets mixed up with some carnival balloons. Then another gust of wind blows him into a tree and POP he loses his air. Luckily, the family that finds him recognizes him and is able to patch him up and take him back where he belongs--home.

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

Do you love books? Do you love dancing? Then you'll love this fun and cheeky new board book series - perfect for playful preschoolers!

Who's got a wobbly bottom?

Lion does! Do YOU?

If you've got a wobbly bottom,

There's so much you can do ...

Join Lion and friends for a colourful, fun and hilarious rhyming adventure - can you follow the actions and do the Wobbly Bottom dance?!

A brand-new novelty series with a different moving element on each page. Reading has NEVER been so much fun!

The butterfly's life cycle will inspire young readers to connect with the world around them in this gorgeously illustrated narrative nonfiction picture book. A perfect nature book for readers of Honeybee and A Seed Is Sleepy.

A kaleidoscope is a tube with mirrors and pieces of colored material that reflect beautiful moving patterns. Kaleidoscope is also the collective noun used to describe a group of butterflies. This narrative nonfiction picture book uses both definitions to highlight the cyclical nature of caring for the environment.

In a richly layered text, acclaimed author Miranda Paul explores each stage of a butterfly's life cycle, while providing lessons in care and responsibility and encouraging hope for the future of our planet. Husband-and-wife team Hari and Deepti use intricate paper sculptures and paint to bring the butterflies to life in stunning, three-dimensional artwork.

Pairs well with science curricular units on the life cycle of butterflies.Introduces ways for children to care for the environment.Encourages children to spend time outdoors, observing nature.Informative backmatter includes an activity to help the butterflies in your own yard or garden and a behind-the-scenes look at how the distinctive artwork was created.Use in both art and science classrooms!

Follow the graceful and tidy--mostly!--morning routine of a cheeky, charming new character, from two-time Geisel-winning author-illustrator Sergio Ruzzier

Wake up, wash your hands and snout, soak in the bath, and pick out the perfect outfit--it's time to get ready with Rosie!

Follow one piglet as she prepares for her day, step by careful step. Where is she going, neat as a pin? Just wait and see!

With an endearing new porcine star and his signature offbeat sense of humor, award-winning author-illustrator Sergio Ruzzier presents the perfect read-aloud for little ones and their morning routines.

A young Black equestrian realizes her dream of riding in her community's parade, inspired by Oakland's annual Black Cowboy Parade, in this picture book filled with heart and pride

A cowgirl jumps over the moon, in my dreams.
On Garbo, my pretty palomino pony.
But clip clops on blacktop make my eyes pop open.

Today is the Black Cowboy Parade.

A little girl and her pony are nervous for their very first Black Cowboy Parade--but just like her papa and papa's papa before her, she'll saddle up and hold her head high as she rides through the streets she knows by heart.

With captivating, collage-style illustrations by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow and a stirring text by author R. J. Owens, this picture book celebrates both the long tradition and lineage of Black equestrians. It also pays respect to the peaceful protests led by community activist Brianna Noble, who gained fame while riding her Appaloosa magnificently through Oakland, California, during Black Lives Matter marches.

A call to action as well as a call for children everywhere to reach for their dreams, Cowgirl Dreaming is inspiring and powerful.

A fresh middle-grade biography of George Washington, published in conjunction with the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, featuring never-before-published research, new insights, and full-color illustrations and archival art

A farmer, a general, an entrepreneur, an enslaver, and America's first president. This is the story of George Washington told like never before.

Throughout his life, George Washington maintained a curiosity about the world and a thirst for knowledge. His quest as a lifelong learner was exemplified by the evolution of his thinking about slavery, shaped by religious leaders and his dear friend the Marquis de Lafayette. A complicated man, Washington enslaved many people at his family plantation, while simultaneously helping to build a democracy intended for "all the people."

With a nuanced perspective and full-color, newly commissioned and archival artwork that makes history accessible for kids, this middle-grade biography follows Washington's early life; the establishment of Mount Vernon, which became a national model for agricultural innovation; the American Colonies' growing sense of alienation from the British governance; his military career that lead to his command of the Continental Army; his participation in the Constitutional Convention; and finally, his role as Mr. President.

Washington faced unprecedented challenges--like how to lead an army against the greatest power on Earth, and how to be a president of a newly formed country, balancing a need for stability with the people's push for change.

Readers also learn about the many historical figures who influenced George Washington, including his wife, Martha, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, Phillis Wheatley, as well as many other political leaders, soldiers, Native American tribal communities, and enslaved individuals at Mount Vernon.

Published in cooperation with the historic Mount Vernon estate and museum, this book from historian and author Tim Grove sheds new light on one of America's most famous figures, who greatly influenced a radically changing world.

Zydeco--pure and beautiful and stomping good--takes the stage in a joyous celebration of extended family, community, and Louisiana culture.

Every year on the last Saturday in July, Broussard-Bouchard folks come from near and far to the Big Once-a-Year Broussard-Bouchard Family Reunion. Alaine's Auntie Yvette comes with the blanket she's always crocheting. Uncle Malik brings photos from his last trip to Africa. Daddy and the uncles play dominoes under the live oak tree while Bill Jr. carries a watermelon up from the creek where's it's been cooling. Cousin Neecy has organized the biggest Double Dutch game ever, but Alaine--who let Big Boy, the fluffy orange indoor cat, slip outside to certain doom--sits alone and worries. Until the first note sounds: zydeco, drawing her in with outstretched arms. Allons danser. When the music and dancing finally stop--until next year--who's waiting all curled up on the front porch, furry and orange and as safe as Alaine's secret? Brimming with Louisiana music, culture, and color, this vibrant and gorgeously illustrated portrait of family tradition will have you two-stepping in a heartbeat.

"A lively and inventive collection celebrating unusual animals from across the globe" --School Library Journal (starred review)

Poet David Elliott brings us to the edge of the animal world to explore the weirdest and rarest creatures on the planet.

Why does the axolotl salamander always seem to be smiling? Is it true that the wild goat known as a markhor is excellent at parkour? What happens when the peacock spider's dance, complete with its rumble-rumps, doesn't please the object of its affection? Providing a peek at everything from scaly pangolins to duck-billed platypuses, from the lemur known as an aye-aye to the perpetually grumpy (and adorable) black rain frog, David Elliott's poetic vignettes deliver a witty and informative take on some of the world's oddest animals. Brought to life in striking illustrations by collage artist Clover Robin, this roundup of unique creatures will delight animal lovers of all stripes.

2026 CHILDREN'S BOOK COUNCIL HOT OFF THE PRESS PICK

Experience a quiet day on the river with Papa in this sentimental picture book about fly fishing and conservation that Kirkus Reviews says "captures the magic of nature."

The crisp autumn morning nips my nose and ears as Papa and I gather our vests for today's trip to the river. "We are fly fisherman, the artists of the sport," my papa says.

Papa and child spend a day on the river, tying fishing lures, admiring nature, mastering the art of fly fishing, and most importantly, spending valuable time together while doing something they love.

For fly fishers who love to share their pastime with family, Fly Fishing with Papa is a sentimental picture book that honors the sport and celebrates the bond between adult and child. Written by Familius' founder and fly fisherman, Christopher Robbins, the descriptive narration accurately captures the adventures of fly fishers while conveying the importance of conservation and bonding through shared experiences. This adventure and the great outdoors come to life with soft but vibrant illustrations from Yukari Mishima, making every page feel like a glimpse into your own memories of fishing with your papa.

A hilarious picture book about an endearing little crank who thinks the museum is absolutely awful . . . or is it actually awesome?

Art can be a lot of things--wondrous, inspiring, transformative . . . but mostly it's boring!

And visiting an art museum? Double boring! Come along with a curmudgeonly young boy--who's more interested in finger painting his cat than "admiring art"--as he's taken to the local museum by his well-meaning mother.

Seriously, what's so great about scribbles and squares and dots? OK, sure, that portrait made of cubes is kind of cool. And those sculptures made of clay are pretty awesome . . . Gasp! Maybe he does like art after all?! Well, would that be so awful?

Witty and informative (but never boring!), author Cassi McCreight and Xindi Yan, illustrator of the New York Times-bestselling Busy Betty series, have paired up to create a laugh-out-loud romp all about art appreciation.

With nods to famous artists and art movements on every page, and back matter explaining each movement through a kid-friendly voice, young readers will soon find themselves eager to visit their local art museum or make masterpieces of their own.

Explore the trees and cultures of forests from around the world with this adorable counting primer

A walk in the forest.
What trees do we see?
One giant sequoia.
Two gnarled Banyan trees.

Take a walk through the forest and experience the sights, sounds, and colors of trees from around the world. From gnarled banyan trees to tall baobabs, kids can explore the world through every page, accompanied by a cast of diverse characters who share their culture. With simple rhymes, a counting pattern, and stunning papercraft art reminiscent of Ezra Jack Keats, this diverse board book is the perfect introduction to the trees and cultures that make the forest so special.

From the slimy snail to the jumping kangaroo, kids will delight in learning about the many fantastic feet of our world in this nonfiction picture book guessing game and companion to Wonder Wings from critically acclaimed creators Rebecca E. Hirsch and Sally Soweol Han

Some feet swing from vines, some feet fly through the air, and some feet carry us to other worlds. Can you guess who these feet belong to?

Learn about the fantastic world of feet through rhyming riddles that will encourage little readers to guess along with every page turn. From butterflies to dinosaurs, garden snails to polar bears--each set of feet is unique, and each gets its due in this delightful nonfiction picture book.

Feet can dawdle, feet can dash.
Feet can spring and swing and splash.
Turn the pages, read the clues.
Can you guess whose feet are whose?

A sly toad takes every mode of transportation imaginable to mow the tiniest lawn on earth in this board book romp from bestselling creators Tom Angleberger and John Hendrix

McToad likes Thursdays. Why? Because on every other day of the week, McToad mows Big Island, but on Thursdays, McToad mows Tiny Island. To do so, he puts his mower on the back of a truck, which drives to a train, which goes to a plane, which flies to a helicopter, which goes to a boat, which uses a crane to put the lawn mower onto Tiny Island. There, McToad mows, drinks some lemonade, and before you know it, it's time to turn around and go back home. But first, the mower has to get lifted by a crane to get put back on a boat, a helicopter, a plane, a train, and a truck.

From master storyteller Tom Angleberger and accomplished illustrator John Hendrix comes this playful narrative that triumphs the journey over the destination, with lots of planes, trains, and automobiles to boot.

The New York Times bestselling author of Thirst brings readers the gripping story of a boy whose eye-opening trip to a tiger sanctuary ignites his desire to join those who are roaring to protect the animals

Rohan loves animals--especially tigers--so he's beyond thrilled when he gets to fly to India and stay near the tiger sanctuary where his grandfather works. At last, a chance to observe tigers in real life--especially Arya and her twin cubs--and when Ro finally sees them, the experience is even more breathtaking than he'd imagined. When signs of poachers are discovered, he's distraught, and unfortunately that's not the only threat the tigers face--protesters have assembled to support a mining company that would encroach upon the tigers' space. Rohan knows there are always two sides to an argument, and the mines might provide jobs, but it's clear to him that he must be on the tigers' side. Then a horrible crime occurs, filling him with determination to do all he can to make sure people know how important it is to protect the tigers.

A sunny YA romance about a road trip and life's unexpected turns from the author of Give Me a Sign.

Iris doesn't trust the odds. Not when she has a 1 in 4 chance of inheriting the same vision diagnosis as her sister, Amelia.

When Iris travels to the east coast to help Amelia drive her things back from college, the last person she expects to run into on campus is Declan, her board game club rival, but he's also there to drive his brother home for summer break. The unlikely occurrence results in the four of them caravaning together to Nebraska.

Iris and Declan are used to competing with dice and cards across a table, but the romantic feelings unfolding as they drive across the map are a total surprise. The odds of falling in love on the road seem low, especially amid car troubles and sister drama. Can Iris look past probability and embrace the unexpected?

NYT Bestselling author of The Guncle brings us a heartfelt story about grief and family.

After the loss of their mom, siblings Grant and Maisie have come to visit their Guncle who they call GUP (for Gay Uncle Patrick) in Palm Springs. GUP can't bear how sad they all feel, and he tries everything he can think of to make them happy. But swimming pools and milkshakes and new animal friends are only temporary fixes. It isn't until one quiet night, under the stars, that they come to realize what they've been searching for has been with them all along.

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Guncle comes a moving exploration of the lessons we learn as we journey through hard times together, and the importance of family--in all its unexpected forms.