Recommended Reads

In this lyrical picture book illustrated by a two-time Caldecott Medalist, share in a blind child's joyful experience of the changing seasons.

Where I live, seasons change. I know because my fingers and toes, my ears, my mouth and nose, all tell me so.

Neveah is blind, but that doesn't mean she can't enjoy each of the four wondrous seasons of the year.

She knows it's winter when her boots go scruuunch in the snow and cold flakes land softly on her tongue.

She knows spring has come by the smell of hyacinths, the bzzzz of a bee in her ear.

Summer is a trip to the beach, where she can hear the crash of ocean waves and the keowww of seagulls overhead. 

And when Neveah's rake goes scritch scratch over fallen leaves and the air turns brisk, she knows it's autumn. Soon the cycle of seasons will begin anew.

In this poetic story with art by a two-time Caldecott Medalist, join Neveah as she uses her senses of touch, taste, hearing, and smell to vividly describe the changing seasons and the unique delights they each have to offer.

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • Running a bakery is no cakewalk for a tiny dragon with a big sweet tooth! Tummy rumbles turn to belly laughs in this feel-good picture book from the bestselling author and illustrator of The Bakery Dragon.

Batter up!

Ember is in charge while the baker takes a trip and he's excited to show what he can do! When an opinionated fairy princess swoops in demanding a cake, he eagerly agrees. So what if he's only baked bread before? How hard can it be?

The sugar hits the fan when Ember's first attempt is a complete disaster. He tries again and again, but the royal customer is not happy. Everyone told Ember he was such a good baker, so why can't he get this right? If he doesn't figure it out soon, the only thing on the menu will be humble pie.

Magic shimmers on every page of this whimsical story about how to bake a cake, make new friends and learn from your mistakes.

"A standout read for young audiences. Fans of Vanessa Brantley-Newton's Grandma's Purse and Oge Mora's Thank You, Omu! will find much to love here. Highly recommended."--School Library Journal (STARRED review)

A multigenerational picture book about finding your voice and the strength of family from acclaimed author-artist Erika Lynne Jones!

Zara loves living next door to her Grandma Jane and Granny Gladys, but sometimes it's tough being stuck in the middle of them! Both her grandmas think they know what's best for her, and Zara is too worried she might upset them if she says what she really wants.

Find out what it will take for Zara to speak up for herself in this empowering story. Perfect for fans of Christian Robinson and Etta Extraordinaire.

"A gentle yet powerful lesson for people pleasers everywhere."--Kirkus

A School Library Journal Brilliant Picture Book Star

Ms. Rachel makes bedtime the best time! Full of songs and tips, this calming and gentle story helps littles and their grown-ups create and follow a nighttime routine that everyone will love. Includes a tear-out poster with Ms. Rachel’s special bedtime-routine checklist!

Bean had a great day, but now he needs to rest.
Why do we need to rest? So that we have energy to play tomorrow!

It’s bedtime for Bean! And Ms. Rachel knows exactly how to get him settled down and ready for a restful sleep. Follow along as Ms. Rachel and Bean say good night to the day with their tried-and-true bedtime routine. 

First, they put away toys. Next comes bathtime and pajamas. Then Bean brushes his teeth and uses the potty. Finally, Ms. Rachel and Bean will read a wonderful bedtime story together and sing a song! 

Young readers will discover how easy and rewarding it is to follow a routine to end the day and prepare for an exciting tomorrow!

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Experience the magic of Christmas Eve with Bluey and the Heeler family in this picture book retelling of a classic Christmas tale that's perfect for fans of the hit animated series Bluey, as seen on Disney+!

‘Twas the night before Chrissie, when inside their home, not a Heeler was stirring, not even a gnome.

It's Christmas Eve, and Bluey and Bingo are sleeping peacefully in their beds when they're suddenly woken up by a noise outside. Who could it be?

Eager to see Santa and unable to go back to sleep, the Heeler sisters use their active imaginations to plan a train ride up to the veranda to get a sneak peek! Gathering Mum and Dad from the couch, the family embarks on an exciting Christmas Eve adventure throughout the house. But when they reach the veranda, will they be able to spot Santa before he leaves? 

Charming and lyrical, this holiday celebration makes the perfect gift for Bluey fans of all ages, and is a wonderful story to read on a cozy winter night.

Meet your favorite American Girl historical characters in this fully-illustrated, hardcover collection featuring five stories that can each be read in 5 minutes!

Read all about the adventures of American Girls in history! Kaya must ride to the rescue after a mistake causes her community—and family—to doubt her. Claudie finds her special talent and uses it to save her home. Molly plans a holiday surprise with her big sister. Melody works with her friends to fix up a local park. And twins Isabel and Nicki create an exciting New Years’ Eve celebration.

This treasury includes stories adapted from:
-Molly's Christmas Surprise
-Claudie Finds Her Talent
-Melody Lifts Her Voice
-Kaya Rides to the Rescue
-and a brand-new story from Isabel and Nicki!

★A national bestseller★



This heartwarming story perfect for the holiday season offers a fresh take on mindfulness and gratitude and features Patrick McDonnell's familiar beloved characters from his popular MUTTS comic strip!



It's that time of year again. Mooch the cat is searching up, down, and all around for a perfect gift for his special friend Earl. But what is perfect? Join Mooch as he sees the world around him with a fresh feeling of gratitude and discovers the answer: Everyone... Everywhere... Everything! Good thing he has just the right person to share it all with!



In this joyful rhyming companion to the New York Times bestselling classic The Gift of Nothing, the stars of the beloved comic strip MUTTS find the gift of their lives.



Don't miss these other picture books starring MUTTS characters:

The Gift of Nothing

Hug Time

Celebrate Christmas with one magical dance with Santa in this adorable picture book from a New York Times bestselling author, the inimitable Sandra Boynton.

"Now everybody's rushing toward Christmas Eve, but I'm quietly waiting. I've got to believe.
It's not about presents. No, here's the cause: I just want to dance with SANTA CLAUS!"

The only thing this sweet bunny child wants for Christmas is to dance the Rock-and-Roll Swing with Santa on Christmas Eve. Will it happen? (Spoiler: Of course!) Sandra Boynton's jaunty lyrics and captivating, expressive illustrations come together in this cozy gift book for the festive season. Based on the magical song (gloriously sung by Zooey Deschanel) on Boynton's Christmas album, Cows and Holly, this lovely picture book is the perfect read-aloud to celebrate Christmas with any little bunny in your life, year after year.

All aboard the dream train as the crew prepares for its next stop--Christmas! From the author of the Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site series, the long-awaited sequel to the #1 New York Times bestseller Steam Train, Dream Train is here at last. 

'Tis the season for sharing delicious treats, singing Christmas carols, dazzling the world with sparkly decorations, wrapping gifts, delivering packages, and so much more. On the dream train, the workers know their tasks by heart, for when each new December starts, the Christmas Train takes to the air, transporting magic everywhere.

Setting off on an epic journey of holiday cheer, the crew goes full steam ahead celebrating Christmas, inviting little readers to say goodnight to their favorite animals before tucking in for sweet holiday dreams. Sherri Duskey Rinker and AG Ford--the author-illustrator team behind many of the bestsellers in the Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site series--bring their playful rhyming text and vibrant illustrations to a merry bedtime book sure to become a family favorite and a new holiday classic.

CHRISTMAS BOOK FOR KIDS: Full of exciting animals and Christmas cheer, with the ever-present appeal of the iconic dream train, this bedtime book makes a great gift for train enthusiasts and young readers who love holiday stories.

JUST RIGHT FOR READING ALOUD: Lyrical prose and evocative rhymes, paired with vibrant, dreamy artwork, make this bedtime story a tremendously satisfying read-aloud experience. It's perfect for engaging little ones who love trains and animals before lulling them to sleep at the end of a charming holiday adventure.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING CREATORS: Sherri Duskey Rinker is the author of numerous #1 New York Times bestsellers, including Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site and Steam Train, Dream Train. AG Ford has illustrated many award-winning and bestselling books for children, including Construction Site on Christmas Night, Three Cheers for Kid McGear!, and Construction Site: Taking Flight!

Perfect for:

• Kids who love trains
• Fans of holiday classics like The Polar Express
• Anyone who loves animals and animal picture books
• Parents, grandparents, teachers, and librarians looking for engaging bedtime books
• Gift-givers looking for beautiful Christmas books
• Fans of Steam Train, Dream Train and other Sherri Duskey Rinker books

This Step 2 Step into Reading leveled reader is based on The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants—in theaters December 19, 2025!

In this all-new theatrical movie, SpongeBob and his friends go on a swashbuckling, seafaring comedy-adventure taking them to the depths of the deep, blue sea. Join him and his Bikini Bottom buddies for their greatest adventure yet! This Step 2 Step into Reading leveled reader is sure to thrill children ages 4 to 6.

Step 2 Readers use basic vocabulary and short sentences to tell simple stories. For children who recognize familiar words and can sound out new words with help.

The Emmy award-winning SpongeBob SquarePants is Nickelodeon's longest running series. The joyfully optimistic SpongeBob and his friends Patrick, Squidward, and Sandy have entertained fans around the world with their undersea silliness since 1999!

You love your big brother so much! He's the best. So why doesn't he want you around? Ben Mantle draws from experience in a quintessential sibling story full of warmth and wit. 

Nano and his older brother, Felix, are best friends who read each other's minds and have super-secret phrases, like "totally grape." They do everything together! Like playing dino smash monster truckers ("Hey! That's MY car!") or being a pair of totally amazing artistes--until somebody's squiggly line crosses straight through Felix's perfect picture ("Moooom! Look what Nano has done!"). Nano can't wait to join Felix, the bestest big brother ever, inside his incredible tree house . . . but hang on, what's that sign that says "No Nanos Allowed"? Fine! He'll just build his own tree house . . . or rain house . . . wind or no wind . . . In Ben Mantle's classic story of squabbling siblings--the younger one adoring, the older in need of space--the comedic illustrator brings a fresh touch and signature visual humor, building up to a heartwarming denouement sure to resonate with brothers and sisters everywhere.

From the New York Times bestsellers behind Stick and Stone comes a wintry (but warmhearted) ode to the pleasures of a snowy day outside. A humorous, modern-day classic to be shared alongside other winter tales like Sneezy the Snowman and Mice Skating.

One wintry morning, the snow begins and so does . . . a snowball fight!

In her signature verse, Beth Ferry recounts a day spent behind snowbanks and on sleds, while Tom Lichtenheld's cinematic art delights readers with sly and snowy twists.

THREE STARRED REVIEWS! • Chicken Run meets Tiny T. Rex in this funny farmyard tale of a feisty chicken who is sure she is a dinosaur!


Includes a die-cut cover — and back matter about how chickens (and all other birds) are the living descendants of dinosaurs!

Lena lives in a chicken coop, and she looks a lot like a chicken. But deep down, she’s convinced that she’s a . . . DINOSAUR! She can feel it in her bones. Lena just doesn’t understand the scaredy chickens in her family, and they don't understand her either, with her ferociousness and big ideas. The people on the farm are also baffled . . . except for little Madeline, who thinks Lena has PERSONALITY. 

And then, when a dastardly weasel turns up and threatens the coop, Lena's fearful family chickens out AGAIN. It's up to Lena to unleash her inner dinosaur like never before — to save the coop and show this silly bunch of chickens how to stand up for themselves. And when Madeline's science fair project shows that chickens are the closest living relatives in the world to dinosaurs, Lena’s family finally starts to see that — holy hen house! — they are all dinosaurs too!

With storytelling reminiscent of The Velveteen Rabbit, Anderson and Potocka work to show the Dala's journey. Vivid illustrations are full of expression, bringing to life the Dala and the Juletide traditions. This is a wonderful addition to any library and would be well suited for children of all ages. -Jessica Clark, School Library Journal

Celebrate the spirit of Juletide in this charmingly illustrated Swedish Christmas story about a little Dala horse's wish to discover the true reason for the festive season.

Little Dala Horse knows nothing of Juletide or of love--he's just been newly carved as a Christmas gift. He's eager to learn about the Saint Lucia girl with a crown of glowing candles, the festive star boys, and the cute pepparkakor children. Little Dala Horse jumps into a boy's pocket and experiences the Saint Lucia pageant for the first time. At first Little Dala is shy and hides, but when a small gingerbread girl is scared to go on stage for her dance, Little Dala finds courage to help her overcome her fear.

Along with the sweet seasonal story of the holiday tradition, this children's picture book also features: 

 

• Tiny tomten (Scandinavian gnomes) hidden in the cozy, warm illustrations like an I Spy game for young readers
• Common Swedish words and definitions for an educational element
• The origin story of the iconic Swedish Dala Horse and the Saint Lucia Day celebration

Written by a Swedish author, this delightful yuletide tale about a newly carved Dala horse's quest to discover the heart of what makes Christmas so special will become a heartwarming family keepsake for years to come.

Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast of all time, joins the ranks of this New York Times bestselling Ordinary People Change the World picture book biography series about heroes, for ages 5 to 9.

At age eight, Simone Biles began working with a gymnastics trainer, and by fifteen she was competing in a national championship—and winning best all-around. Before she turned twenty, she was an Olympic gold medalist on her way to becoming the best gymnast the world has ever seen. And through it all, Simone has been a role model for bravely opening up about her mental health struggles, knowing when to take a break, and always finding the strength to try again.

This friendly, fun biography series inspired the PBS Kids TV show Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum. One great role model at a time, these books encourage kids to dream big.

Included in each book are: 

• A timeline of key events in the hero’s history
• Photos that bring the story more fully to life
• Comic-book-style illustrations that are irresistibly adorable
• Childhood moments that influenced the heroes
• Facts that make great conversation-starters
• A virtue these heroes embody: This book highlights Simone's perseverance and grit.

You’ll want to collect each book in this dynamic, informative series!

Seven Minecraft stories featuring new player Sam and the exciting mobs of Minecraft, from creepers to mooshrooms to Endermen—and many more! These stories are designed to be enjoyed in under five minutes, making them perfect for bedtime—or any time!

Survive a skeleton, discover a mooshroom, befriend a snow golem, and battle a guardian with new Minecraft player Sam! These are just a few of the action-packed tales in this hardcover collection that can be read in five minutes or less. Minecraft fans 3 to 7 will love these seven exciting stories:


 

• Beware the Creeper
• I Survived a Skeleton
• Mysterious Mooshroom!
• The Guardian of the Depths!
• Journey of the Snow Golem
• I Escaped an Enderman!
• Buzzing Beehive

© 2025 Mojang AB. All Rights Reserved. Minecraft, the Minecraft logo, the Mojang Studios logo and the Creeper logo are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies.

What do you do when fear stops you from having fun? From the creator of Ruby Finds a Worry, a story about feeling shy and finding ways to have fun anyway.

Sammy LOVES having fun. Especially at home. But in big groups-like at school, birthday parties, even the ice cream truck-he doesn't love feeling like other people are looking at him, and it's really hard talking to other people. Everyone tells Sammy not to be so shy. But one day, it gets so hard and scary that he starts to turn pink, and then pinker...until he's bright pink ALL OVER! Then he doesn't want to see anyone or do anything. But hiding out-alone-isn't very fun. Can Sammy learn how to tackle his fears-and go back to his usual color?

This warm, affectionate, and relatable book is the perfect starting place for talking to children about shyness and feeling self-conscious.

The Big Bright Feelings picture book series provides kid-friendly entry points into emotional intelligence topics-from being true to yourself to dealing with worries, managing anger, and making friends. These topics can be difficult to talk about. But these books act as sensitive and reassuring springboards for conversations about mental and emotional health, positive self-image, building self-confidence, and managing feelings.

Don't miss these books in the Big Bright Feelings series!

Ruby Finds a Worry | Perfectly Norman | Ravi's Roar | Meesha Makes Friends | Tilda Tries Again | Milo's Monster | Finn's Little Fibs | Bea's Bad Day

An oversized dinosaur named Dinky helps two siblings discover that a person’s heart matters more than their appearance in this delightful picture book perfect for fans of Clifford the Big Red Dog and Dragons Love Tacos.

Twin siblings have their heart set on adopting a dinosaur. But not just any dinosaur—they want a pocket-sized tinysaur! They find the perfect one and name her Dinky. Life with Dinky is lots of fun…until one day when the twins start to notice that Dinky is growing.

When Dinky’s new size causes trouble at their birthday party, the twins get angry and Dinky runs away. But it isn’t long until the twins miss their beloved pet. Can they find Dinky and bring her back home?

Snail and Stump return in this sweetly humorous story about finding the courage to share your feelings

Snail's not afraid of (certain) loud noises, exploring the glade, or lullaby karaoke. But he is afraid of asking for help, making mistakes, and believing in himself. And so, it's only with support from his best friend Stump that he finds the courage to enter a local paper airplane contest.

However, after the contest, it's Stump who needs support when he becomes heated and upset after not winning a ribbon. Fortunately, Snail knows just what to do to help Stump work through his difficult feelings. Together, they find the courage to tell each other exactly how they feel--prickly thoughts and all!--and then they write their feelings down on paper airplanes and let them go.

In their third laugh-out-loud adventure, Snail and Stump discover that the best kind of brave is finding the courage to share your feelings, even when your bravery is playing hide-and-seek.

Uh-oh! When a tasty trail lures Hogbert away from his family, he ends up all alone in the forest. Can he find his way home? Lush artwork, subtle fairy-tale references, and the kindness of new friends keep readers smiling.

When Mommy Boar sends her little snufflebugs to explore the forest for the first time, she cautions them to stick together. After all, the Big Bad Wolf could be near! But Hogbert's keen nose has other ideas, and after following a trail too far, he finds himself trembling alone in fear. What's that rustling in the leaves? Just a little red squirrel on her way to visit her sick granny! What's that growl coming through the trees? Just a snoring white doe who took a bite of an apple that made her sleepy! With each temporarily scary encounter, Hogbert finds that the world is a less frightening place, and that the same sense of smell that led him into trouble may just lead them all out of it again. Fans of Beatrix Potter and children taking their first steps toward independence will revel in the story's gentle suspense and warm, welcoming illustrations.