Did you know that Baker & Taylor has a YouTube channel, where you’ll find videos from Jason Reynolds, Nic Stone, Ruta Sepetys, Rob Harrell and many others? You’ll learn more about forthcoming titles, find information on some of our favorite contests, see exclusive book trailers and hear about our Baker & Taylor exclusive products and services, such as our popular Pop Up Library and Axis 360, too.

Coming this month, bestselling author Marieke Nijkamp and artist Manuel Preitano have collaborated to create The Oracle Code (ISBN 9781401290665), a graphic novel about Barbara Gordon. The story takes Barbara to the Arkham Center for Independence after she’s been paralyzed from a gunshot wound, where she navigates using a wheelchair and struggles to accept her new normal, all while identifying a sinister plot within the Center’s walls. Will Barbara uncover what’s really going on? Watch the trailer, then read and find out!

CATS News

Ongoing Series Update

Meg and Greg: A Duck in a Sock

Written by Elspeth Rae and Rowena Rae, and Illustrated by Elisa Gutiérrez | Orca Book Publishers | April 14, 2020 | 9781459824904 | Paperback | $14.95

This first book in a new series, Orca Two Reads, introduces youngsters Meg and Greg, whom readers will get acquainted with in four individual stories taking place during their summer break, all while learning phonics at the same time. Each story introduces a new phonogram, and each story builds on the previous one, which will continue in subsequent volumes. Read More.

The One and Only Dylan St. Claire

Written by Kamen Edwards and Illustrated by Jeffrey Ebbeler | Random House Children’s Books | May 5, 2020 | 9781984893468 | Hardcover | $17.99

Kamen Edwards created a star in this fun and lively picture book. It is sure to be a story that kids and adults will enjoy reading together time and time again. It was a delight to read and comes with a great reminder to make the best of every situation. The illustrations by Jeffrey Ebbeler are bold, fun and creative. They add so much action and emotion to the words that they seem to leap off of the page! Read More

Meet J. M. M. Nuanez

Janae Marks’ debut novel From the Desk of Zoe Washington (ISBN 9780062875853) arrived earlier this year, and has received four starred reviews! Ms. Marks has an MFA in Creative Writing with a concentration in Writing for Children from The New School. She grew up in the suburbs of New York City, and now lives in Connecticut with her husband and daughter.
Read the interview here.

Meet Bobbie Bensur

Meet Bobbie, Children’s and Teen Services Manager for the Eastern Region. Bobbie hails from south Florida originally, and spent time in Boston for college and New York City as a young professional in the children’s publishing industry. She now lives in her favorite place—Maine—with her husband, Michael, and their adorable black cat, Hades Mercedes. Learn all about Bobbie here.

Meet Rita King

Meet Rita King, Children’s and Teen Services Manager for the Western half of the country. She hails from the Detroit metropolitan area, and currently resides in the great state of Michigan. Learn all about Rita here.

Meet Katie LaMantia

Meet Katie LaMantia, Collection Development Librarian in our McHenry, IL office. She is from Schaumburg, IL and was a Teen Advisory Board member turned Teen Librarian there before coming to Baker & Taylor. Learn all about Katie here.

Random House and Baker & Taylor Summer Reading Sweepstakes is here!

Enter to win big prizes, including original artwork and autographed books from Emily Winfield Martin! One grand prize winner, and five runners-up will be chosen. Winners will be announced in the August CATS Meow newsletter. View the full rules here. Contest ends 08/01/2020. 

Don’t forget to download the activity sheets, featuring the artwork on Ms. Winfield, and let your young patrons imagine THEIR stories this summer too.

Enter to win Disgusting Critters goodies for your library!

Ten lucky winners will receive a Disgusting Critters tote bag containing one of the books from the series, a shelf talker and a fun introductory brochure. This hilarious illustrated nonfiction series is perfect for beginning readers! Enter to win here. Contest ends 4/15/2020.

Enter to win a visit from Ruta Sepetys in your library!

Open to adult and teen librarians, the winner will receive a visit and luncheon with New York Times bestselling author and master storyteller Ruta Sepetys in their library/community. Check out the author’s Community Reads video and enter to win here. Winner announced in the May 2020 CATS Meow newsletter, with the visit to take place later in the year. Contest ends 4/15/2020.