Recommended Reads

Karate Kid: Legends unites the iconic martial arts masters of one of the most beloved film franchises of all time to tell a completely new story full of action and heart. When kung fu prodigy Li Fong (Ben Wang) relocates to New York City with his mother to attend a prestigious new school, he finds solace in a new friendship with a classmate and her father. But his newfound peace is short-lived after he attracts unwanted attention from a formidable local karate champion. Driven by a desire to defend himself, Li embarks on a journey to enter the ultimate karate competition. Guided by the wisdom of his kung fu teacher, Mr. Han (Jackie Chan), and the legendary Karate Kid, Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio), Li merges their unique styles to prepare for an epic martial arts showdown.

"The animals glow in the illustrations, drawing readers into their magical world while reminding them that facing fears with good friends makes everything better." --School Library Journal (starred review)

A new bedtime adventure for Molly, Olive, and Dexter--stars of the delightful series for toddlers from Kate Greenaway Medal-winning artist Catherine Rayner

Molly the hare, Olive the owl, and Dexter the fox love to watch the sun set in the garden. But as night falls, they notice strange shapes in the shadows and hear strange rustlings in their beloved oak tree. What could it be? The more they look and listen, the more they wonder and worry. But is there really anything to worry about? Here is the fourth story about three animal friends that explores big emotional themes with gentle humor and gorgeous artwork perfectly pitched for toddlers!

A classic fairy tale is turned on its head when a creepy ghoul and three not-so-scary ghosts replace familiar characters in this funny holiday story.

Ghouldilocks and the Three Ghosts is the Halloween version of a well-known fairy tale. This Ghouldilocks has the same golden curls as the original, but styled with bones and tangles to suit this scary holiday. 

Ghouldilocks approaches a haunted mansion and steps inside. There she samples three bowls of ghoulosh, sits on a big chair, a medium chair, and a small chair. Next she tries out three beds--and falls asleep in the smallest one. The ghosts come home and instead of chasing Ghouldilocks away, they all become friends. The pages are sprinkled with speech balloons filled with silly Halloween jokes and puns. Colorful art includes sly details by a talented cartoonist will make readers laugh-out-loud.

This clever retelling of the classic Goldilocks and the Three Bears is perfect for Halloween.

It's time for a fiesta de quince! Get ready for a beautiful 15th birthday party filled with Latine traditions in this Step 2 Reader that includes over a dozen Spanish words or phrases!

It's my cousin's birthday! She's turning fifteen and it's tradition to have a big party called a Quinceañera! We all wear pretty dresses (my cousin's is the prettiest!) and eat lots of yummy food and treats. We also give the birthday girl lots of presents, and there are special dances, too! This beautiful party is so much fun for everyone in the family! 

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. Rhyme and rhythmic text paired with picture clues help children decode the story.

Hey! What's that rap-tap-tapping? Too-OOT! Is that a trumpet? Yak-yak-yammer! Who's making all that NOISE?!

A rowdy, nonfiction animal guessing game picture book for 3-7-year-olds that will cause a ruckus of a read-aloud!

Animals make all sorts of sounds for all sorts of reasons! Can you guess the noisemaker from the noise?

Featured animals include:
 

• Woodpecker
• Dolphin
• Quacking frog
• And more

From world-class zoologist Darrin Lunde, author of Whose Poop Is That?, find out which animals hammer, click, and roar (and why) in this guessing game perfect for fun and rowdy read-alouds.

Fun, lyrical, and electric, Specs is the follow-up picture book to the beloved Kicks, from award-winning poet Van G. Garrett and New York Times bestselling illustrator Reggie Brown.

This is a love letter to glasses. But not just any glasses. Only the shiniest, flyest, you-est specs you can find--the ones that let you see things in a whole new way!

In this playful and joyful ode to specs of all kinds, young readers follow one girl on her journey of acceptance and join the fun of picking the perfect pair of glasses.

Meet cute Pokémon in a whole new way! This original illustrated storybook is perfect for moms and dads who want to introduce their little ones to the most beloved Pokémon of all time.

Pikachu sets out on a voyage of exploration! The little Pokémon is looking for a home. Then it lands on a mysterious island. Pikachu begins to explore. What new friends will it meet?

Join Pikachu in this heartwarming adventure as it discovers new places, foods, music, and most of all, friends! This original story will introduce Pokémon to a whole new generation of fans. With soft, whimsical art and a sweet, simple storyline, Pikachu's First Friends is sure to appeal to little children beginning their own journeys of friendship and discovery.

Take a walk on the wild side and prepare to be entertained by the shenanigans of critters around the globe.

Step into the fascinating world of animal playtime to find penguins surfing for the joy of it, primates playing peekaboo, and sneaky keas--the pranksters of the bird world--yanking one another's legs just for kicks. Creatures of all stripes like to play! Some play builds strength and teaches survival skills: a game of tug-of-war prepares wolf cubs for hunting and taking down prey, while games of hide-and-seek give mongooses practice at quick escapes, handy for outmaneuvering predators. Some games appear to be played simply for enjoyment: Polar bears love to slide down snowy hills, then climb back up and do it again. Gorilla parents swing, hug, and give bouncy rides to their children. And elephants have been known to lie in wait for a companion to come strolling along, then--BAROOM!--roll downhill to bowl them over like a friendly ball. Join Richard Haynes and Stephanie Laberis, creators of Orangutan Hats and Other Tools Animals Use, for another illuminating walk on the wild side. Scientific observations from the natural world, a glossary, and a bibliography combine with colorful and vivacious illustrations to make this guide an extra fun look at--fun!

"This inspired offering will ensure hours of enlightening fun...A fresh, wonderfully creative, and visually engaging array of rhymes to get kids moving." --Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Playful, interactive, and full of whimsy, Sean Taylor's collection of poems invites little ones to get their fingers, hands, and wiggles ready.

One little friend
in the playground . . . sliding.
Two little friends
playing chase and . . . hiding.

What better way to get little ones excited about poems than to make them part of the delivery? In the hallowed tradition of nursery rhymes and songs like "Itsy Bitsy Spider," this imaginative collection entices children to use their fingers, hands, and sometimes whole bodies to bring a variety of verses to life. Whether the subject is sailing ships or stomping dinosaurs, falling snow or popping bubbles, jumping onto waterslides or riding a crowded elevator, Sean Taylor's rhythmic read-aloud verses pair with Fiona Woodcock's fresh, colorful illustrations, offering clues to the finger actions kids can follow--unless they're happily acting things out already, using shapes and movements all their own.

It's a pumpkin spice showdown! Acorn Squash wants her fair share of the seasonal spotlight in this hilarious "odd couple" picture book with plenty of fall flair.

"This fall-themed story of friendship is bursting with puns and ­adorable, big-eyed vegetables."—School Library Journal

It’s not easy being best friends with Pumpkin. Each fall, she’s everyone’s favorite gourd. The queen of lattes, the ultimate pie, the STAR of autumn—­pumpkin spice is EVERYWHERE!

But now Acorn Squash has #SquashGoals. She’s going to prove she has something to offer too. Voila! It’s Acorn Squash everything!

In this heartwarming and humorous tale of seasonal rivalry, plucky Acorn Squash is determined to step out of Pumpkin's trendy shadow and into the autumnal limelight. 

From a harvest festival booth to an unexpected partnership, this story of friendship and self-discovery will teach kids that everyone has something special to offer, and being someone's favorite can be the best feeling of all.

Join the adventure as Squash and Pumpkin unite, proving that together they are the true spice of the season!

For fans of The Sour Grape, here is a laugh-out-loud picture book about resisting the temptation for revenge--and why it's rarely the answer.

Mushroom is having a bad day . . . okay, maybe that's an understatement. Mushroom is having the worst day EVER. First, he's not picked to go on the pizza (and Pineapple is chosen instead of him--can you believe it?! PINEAPPLE!). Then, Milk spills all over him. Just when he thinks it can't get any worse, he's thrown in the compost bin. What else is a mushroom to do but build an army and take revenge?!

Becky Davies's hilariously outrageous text and Thomas Elliott's expressive and laugh-out-loud illustrations pair perfectly to teach little ones an important lesson on revenge, kindness, and managing emotions.

A walk through their bustling city neighborhood brings a girl and her grandfather closer together in this gentle, contemplative picture book that’s “a reminder of the importance of being in the world with unhurried attention and open hearts” (Publishers Weekly, starred review).

A child and her grandfather step out of their brownstone and take a walk around their lively city. Together, they practice looking closely. They delight in the world that they see, taste, touch, feel, and hear. Whether learning a yellow bird’s song, tasting a street vendor’s mango slices, or listening to the thumping music from passing cars, they find small wonders in every moment they share—and together, always, they go slow.

Simple yet poetic, We Go Slow is a breathtaking invitation to everyday wonder from acclaimed picture book creators Mariahadessa Ekere Tallie and Aaron Becker.

Your favorite baby animals from the ZooBorns book series and blog are growing up! With real-life photos, see how these adorable zoo babies change as they get big.

As the brand-new ZooBorns babies become all grown up, their fur changes color, spots and stripes come and go, and horns grow in. But one thing stays the same: they are as adorable as ever!

Featuring cute-as-can-be animal photos, zippy text, and a fact-filled glossary, animal enthusiasts will fall in love with ZooBorns young and old.

In this action-packed picture book, the fairytale princesses compete in an epic MMA (that's mixed magical arts) tournament and try to defeat the reigning champion, the Swan Princess!

Welcome, ladies and gents to the WPW: World Princess Wrestling! Princesses from all over the globe will battle for a chance to be crowned victor and wear the Enchanted Championship Belt. But first, they have to defeat the reigning champ: the baddest bird of the ballet--Swan Princess!

Rapunzel the Reaper is up first, but her signature Hair Whiplash is defeated by the Swan Princess' Plie Driver! Next up, we have the Little Mermaid, but she finds herself in her own tail jail. Sleeping Beauty gives it a go and is put in a sleeper hold.

Round after round, one princess after another goes down at the wings of the current titleholder. Can anyone take down this Brawny Swan?!

It turns out that Little Red has been watching from the sidelines and is ready to activate Wolf Mode and enter the ring. Could this once-overlooked towel girl be the hero that these princesses need?

With words by Phaea Crede and illustrations by New York Times bestselling illustrator Jen Hill, this is a thrilling picture book that is filled with puns and is a fresh take on the world's well-known fairytale characters.

From “Whoa!” to “Way to go!,” this is a humorous and heartwarming look at the importance of communicating personal boundaries.

Panda gets excited when he sees a potential friend. So excited, he’s apt to put his cold, wet nose right in their face! Eeek! Whoa Panda! Fortunately Panda has a friend to help him navigate how close is too close. And before long, he is able to say “Way to go, Panda” instead of “Whoa Panda!”

With irresistible art and a simple, encouraging text, this entertaining picture book is perfect for helping little ones become more self-aware of personal boundaries.

An ode to introverts and quiet leaders.

Sometimes you need to be alone--to think and breathe. Other times you need to be with friends--those you know and those you've only just met. And sometimes everyone works together to create something wonderful.

What can one person do all alone? Quite a lot, actually. Even so, there are times it helps to work with others. With spare, lyrical text, bestselling author Pat Zietlow Miller celebrates the power of being alone--and of coming together with others--centered on the love of reading and creating community around books. This is a book about trusting yourself and your ideas, seeing a need, and connecting with others to meet it.

Perfect for introverts, quiet leaders, and anyone who loves books and little libraries.

What if a porcupine and a pangolin had a fight? Who do you think would win?

This nonfiction reader compares and contrasts two unlikely animals: a porcupine and a pangolin! Readers will learn about each animal's anatomy, behavior, and more. Then, compare and contrast the battling pair before finally discovering the winner!

This nonfiction series is full of facts, photos, and realistic illustrations, and it includes a range of mammals, sea creatures, insects, and dinosaurs to satisfy all kinds of animal fans.

Inspired by real-life book bike programs, this magnificent picture book from the authors of Maybe Something Beautiful celebrates how one child's small act can transform communities.

Lía loves books, and she reads all the time--even while walking her trusty bike through town. But sometimes books can be hard to come by. When Lía discovers her neighbors are as eager for books as she is, she takes a page from the heroes she has read about and pedals into action! Taking inspiration from the many books-and-bikes projects across the world, Books on Bikes salutes the kind hearts and innovative acts of everyday people who spread community through the magic of reading.

• Also available in a Spanish-language edition
• Don't miss the authors' award-winning Maybe Something Beautiful, illustrated by three-time Pura Belpré winner and bestselling illustrator Rafael López

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection!

It's one thing to leave the world behind; it's another thing when you can never return.

Next door to the notorious Area 51 sits Area 53, the underground lab where the government secretly holds "the anomalies." These are the Earth-born mythical and magical creatures--fairies, wyverns, manticores, and more--that have been captured and brought in for careful study. It's also where eleven-year-old Ollie Robles and his best (and only) friend, Garen Jackson, the kids of Area 53's lead researchers, have grown up. They've lived safely within these cement-and-steel halls their whole lives . . . that is, until the day that Ollie and Garen accidentally free six anomalies: two sprites, a wyvern, a baby manticore, a llamacorn, and a golem named Henry. Now it's up to Ollie and Garen to chase down the anomalies and bring them back home.

It's a daring, high-stakes adventure into a world full of magical creatures, dark corners, and surprising revelations as told in the way only Pura Belpré Honor-winning author and master storyteller Angela Cervantes can.

We are Dragon Girls -- hear us roar!

Ash is returning to the Magic Forest, with her friends Maya and Eloise. There, they are able to turn into amazing Fire Dragons and use their special powers to protect the creatures there.

The Chaos Queen is still determined to take over the forest, no matter the cost. Ash must harness all her bravery to lead a quest into the Fire Realm. If she and her friends don't work quickly, the realm will cool completely -- and be lost forever!

Read all the books in the Fire Dragon arc!

#16: Eloise the Flame Dragon

#17: Ash the Blaze Dragon

#18: Maya the Ember Dragon