All Mixed Up

Raj Tawney | 10/28/2024 | Hardcover| 9781223188553 | $17.99

A multi-ethnic American boy forges a complex friendship with a Pakistani immigrant in the wake of 9/11. It's 2002--less than one year after the September 11th attacks-- and sixth-grader Kamal Rao is tackling a brave new world of challenges, including figuring out who he really is and how he fits in.“Through Jaz’s infectious bravado and his and Kamal’s anchoring friendship, Tawney (Colorful Palate, for adults) presents an earnest depiction of two outcasts finding comfort in each other while navigating societal tension in this brief interrogation of anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim attitudes…” – Publishers Weekly  Order Now | Discussion Guide 

Bunso Meets a Duwende

Rev Valdez | 09/24/2024 | Hardcover | 9781223188386 | $18.99

Join young Bunso on his mission to find the Duwende and recover the yummy Ube Halaya that has been stolen before his family's Thanksgiving dinner – their Kamayan – is ruined! "...The comic book style of illustrations with speech bubbles and a great deal of colorful action is engaging and highly entertaining…VERDICT Valdez continues to captivate youngsters with tales about Filipino culture and folklore.” – School Library Journal  Order Now | Discussion Guide

Blexi, Play!

Alliah Agostini | 09/24/2024 | Hardcover | 9781223188478 | $15.99

Dealing with a stubborn smart home speaker results in welcome lessons about patience in this Level 1 early reader. Blexi listens to Mom and Blexi listens to Dad -- but Blexi doesn't listen to Liam! No matter how much Liam tries to get Blexi to do what he asks, the smart speaker simply won’t listen. What can Liam do? Learn some patience and kindness, of course! "...The text is set in a dyslexia-friendly typeface, with a few short narrative sentences on each page. Additional speech bubbles are printed in a different color for each character to aid readability. This short story includes an extensive emotional vocabulary, naming each of Liam’s emotions as he experiences them: confusion, anger, sadness, and, finally, pride. Many readers will identify with the frustration of interacting with new technology, and all will relate to the experience of moving through difficult emotions. VERDICT A strong addition to early reader collections.” – School Library Journal  Order Now

Remember

Dac Trung Tran | 02/04/2025 | Hardcover | 9781223188683 | $18.99

A young boy wakes to find his mother has left for work early but she's also taken the time to leave him a note of encouragement, meant to guide him through his daily chores. “Drawing from his own childhood in Vietnam, Tran tells the story of a boy navigating life, bolstered by his mother’s words. … The deceptively simple narrative consists of the contents of [a mother’s] missive [to the young protagonist], paired with illustrations that skillfully chart the boy’s emotional journey. Using skewed, exaggerated proportions and splotches of shadow and color, Tran depicts the boy as doll-size—a choice that underscores his vulnerability and demonstrates how large, fantastical, and even frightening the world can appear to a child… .An elegantly told, compelling glimpse of childhood. “ — Kirkus Reviews, December 2024 Order Now | Discussion Guide 

Shy Steve

Katerina Spaeth | 10/22/2024 | Paperback | 9781223188621| $9.99

Stuck in a mundane routine caused by his own shy behavior, Steve gets coffee from a barista who constantly misspells his name, rides to work on rickety bus, and gets piles of work from his grumpy boss. But one day, Steve's life changes when he meets Marianna, a guitarist, who brings out the hidden, confident songwriter he holds deep inside. “…Shy Steve works an adult job and has an adult boss, but children will surely relate to his timidity and anxiety. The book has meaningful ideas for little readers to note: One small act of bravery can be enough to positively effect change, and all voices deserve to be heard. A story with distinctive illustrations and a definitive message.” –Kirkus Reviews  Order Now

Troll

Frances Stickley | 10/01/2024 | Hardcover | 9781223188577| $18.99

Once there was a scary troll with a scary voice and the scariest love for trolling the forest creatures that dared to come anywhere near him. Each day, he shouted nasty warnings to passersby, telling them to hurry along. But he never faced his victims, choosing instead to shout the obscenities from inside his cave. Then Troll comes face to face with one of those victims: a sweet little rabbit who can't hear and, therefore, can’t understand Troll’s bullyish behavior. Suddenly, trolling isn’t as fun for Troll when the recipient is real and defenseless. Join Troll as he learns the power of words to both empower and to harm and relish in his transformation from thug to friend as he embraces a new voice for love. "Stickley’s charming tale reveals how kindness can reap numerous rewards for both the giver and the recipient. Smoothly rhyming couplets tell of a round, hairy troll with a large green nose who rules over a bridge. Hiding underneath it and using a bullhorn to amplify his voice, he enjoys intimidating the creatures who attempt to cross. One day, a deaf bunny doesn’t hear Troll’s rude warning shouts and approaches his dwelling. Though she’s not afraid of Troll, she can tell she’s not welcome, so she reluctantly leaves him alone. When she’s gone, Troll, disappointed and lonely, realizes it might be time for him to practice a little kindness. Watching and listening to him work on his attitude adjustment is humorous, as he is clueless about where to begin. However, practice makes perfect, and he sticks with it until “he [finds] the beauty in the world.” Sometimes it takes courage to be kind, but the payoff is tremendous, as is demonstrated in this delightful story." -Booklist  Order Now | Discussion Guide 

“TROLL is a remarkable story that shows readers what #UnityEveryDay is all about: kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. Beautifully written by Frances Stickleyand illustrated by Stefano Martinuz, the book reminds everyone that there is good in all of us and sometimes we just need to be shown the way. While Troll is always revealing his cranky, tough side to his neighbors, he can’t help but offer warmth when one day he encounters Rabbit, who cannot hear. This lovely twist turns an unwelcoming Troll into a kind friend. When Troll and Rabbit stand eye to eye and Troll feels the urge to cry, it creates a powerful moment for readers and reminds them that positive change is possible for everyone…This transformation aligns so well with the work of PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center (NBPC). Our resources emphasize strategies on bullying prevention and encourage positive behaviors and creating change. We are pleased to include TROLL in our NBPC Book Club where we showcase books that help build community and promote kindness, acceptance, and inclusion.” – Lisa Elm, Director of Social Inclusion Programs and PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center

All Fall/Winter 2024 Titles