Kids

FOUR STARRED REVIEWS

What would happen if the moon moved in next door? A funny and original story about an unexpected friendship, the essential role of the moon, and our power to connect, even from far away.

“Perfectly captures the curiosity and delight of a child’s mind. Adults could learn a thing or two.”—Aaron Becker, author-illustrator of Caldecott Honor–winning picture book Journey

When the Moon moves into the long-empty house next door, all the rooms fill up with light—and Stella finally has a friend. But without the Moon in orbit, the world is going topsy-turvy. The tides stop, and the Earth has a new wobble. Stella worries, but the Moon just wants to stay and garden. Can Stella convince the Moon that life on Earth needs the Moon back in orbit? And what will become of her wish for a friend next door?

EDUCATIONAL AND HEARTWARMING: This deeply felt story of an unusual friendship also celebrates the Moon’s role in the natural workings of the world. Fun facts about the moon's impact on our planet’s environment, animals, and humans are included at the front and back of the book!

PRIORITIZING THE PLANET: Stella realizes that even though she loves having her friend close, the consequences are too significant. She learns to prioritize her planet over herself, supporting Moon in returning to his place in the sky and resuming his role. But she also learns that Moon is never far away!

ENGAGEMENT WITH THE WORLD: This clever moon book for kids features a scientifically minded female protagonist who loves the Earth’s smallest creatures, is concerned for everyone’s well-being, and is interested in space.

BEAUTIFUL, INSPIRING GIFT: Perfect for future scientists, aspiring astronomers, moon lovers, bug lovers, and budding gardeners—as well as anyone looking for a new friend. 

 

6 STARRED REVIEWS • AMAZON BEST BOOK OF THE MONTH • KIDS' INDIE NEXT PICK • 2025 GOOD HOUSEKEEPING KIDS BOOK AWARD WINNER

“An unforgettable story about change with a loving father-daughter bond at its heart.”—Matt de la Peña, Newbery Medal–winning author of Last Stop on Market Street

Newbery Medalist Rebecca Stead’s first picture book is a transporting tale about the power of an honest wish, the courage to speak it out loud, and the imagination to bring it to life.

What’s more powerful than a secret wish? A wish you say out loud.

Anything paints a tender picture of a father and daughter moving into a new home. Dad brings a birthday cake for the new apartment to celebrate their new beginning and tells his daughter she can wish for anything (or, more precisely, “three Anythings”). Over the course of the day, she wishes for some of her favorite things, including a rainbow and “the biggest slice of pizza in the whole world."

But she keeps some of her wishes inside. Because what she really wants is to go back home to their old apartment, with its big blue bathtub and space in the closet for hide-and-seek. When she finally admits this last wish, her dad takes her on a journey, and by the book’s final pages, she is home . . . in every way that matters.

Pairing an enchanting story from Rebecca Stead (author of the Newbery Medal-winning When You Reach Me) with delightful artwork from Gracey Zhang (illustrator of the Caldecott Honor-winning Noodles on a Bicycle), Anything is pure magic. A story that will resonate with every young reader, it is a powerful reminder that sometimes making a wish is a way of telling ourselves we're ready for something new.

BIG FEELINGS: Change can feel hard or even scary. This book about moving is for anyone facing new beginnings or uncertainty and the emotions that come with navigating the unknown, from fear and anxiety to excitement and hope. It’s a reassuring and uplifting read that shows a child—and her dad—using their imaginations and emotional connection to make room for something new.

FATHER-DAUGHTER LOVE: This is a heartwarming portrait of a beautiful father-daughter relationship built on love and trust. By the end of the story, she follows his example of generosity and is able to grant his wish, however small. This pitch-perfect ending will stay with readers long after the last page turns.

 

New York Public Library's Best Book
Indie Next Pick
Kirkus Best Book

"Utterly beautiful, playfully fun, and, above all, breathtaking."--Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"Mr. Lies has set a new standard for ingenuity" --Wall Street Journal 
With lush paintings and intricately constructed 3-D artwork, bestselling and Caldecott Honor-winning author-illustrator Brian Lies introduces a sleepy kitten whose afternoon nap transforms into an epic journey through art, time, and history. Perfect for fans of They All Saw a Cat, Museum Trip, and Jumanji. Includes a note from the author about how the illustrations were created.
In the warm, late afternoon sunlight, a girl sits on the couch reading a book. Her kitten dozes nearby. But when Kitten notices a mouse and dives after it through a framed poster on the wall, an epic chase through time, art, and history ensues. Is it a dream? That's up to the reader to decide, but for the kitten, every leap and bound is full of suspense and makes for a masterpiece.
Caldecott Honor-winning and New York Times bestselling author-illustrator Brian Lies creates a truly unique picture book journey that invites young readers through the galleries of an art museum as well as through time, space, and history. As the cat and mouse leap from one page to the next, they are portrayed in the style of masterful artworks from history--an ancient Egyptian relief, an illuminated manuscript, a stained-glass window, a ceramic dog--each painstakingly and lovingly re-created in its original media by Brian Lies. When the sly mouse gets away, Kitten finds himself lost and alone. Will art help him find his way home?
This visual showstopper by an award-winning and bestselling picture book creator offers readers a page-turning cat and mouse chase, an introduction to famous works of art throughout history, an epic adventure story, and a homecoming. Backmatter includes information about how each of the illustrations in the book was created, notes on the original artworks featured in the book, and an afterword inviting young readers to make, create, and build things.
 

Anansi the Spider meets Jon Klassen in this wickedly witty debut.

When a suspiciously polite fox attempts to coax his next meal out of a burrow, he is met with a clever rabbit who has been cooking up a surprise for this very moment!

Careful readers may spot what is in store for fox before he does in this darkly funny cautionary tale that roots for the underbunny.

Another "How to Draw" lesson spins hilariously out of control in this sequel to How to Draw a Happy Cat, perfect for fans of We Don't Eat Our Classmates and Dragons Love Tacos.


Follow these simple instructions for drawing a brave chicken: Draw an oval, two dots for eyes, triangles for the beak, lines for legs, and some wings. Easy enough. But wait . . . where is the chicken? Oh, she’s hiding! Maybe she needs armor to feel brave . . . so let’s draw her some shiny armor. Now she’s feeling brave—and she wants to chase a dragon! Oh no, Chicken! Are you sure you want to do that?

Kids and adults will have a ball watching the gang from How to Draw a Happy Cat go off the rails again! Comedian and author, Ethan T. Berlin and wicked-funny illustrator Jimbo Matison team up once again in the perfect follow up to continue the fun.

The Geisel Award–winning creators of See the Cat channel their comic sensibility into a rousing alphabetical exercise in thinking outside the box. 

Jack, Jill, and Rex are excited to play a game of Go and Get! The rules are simple: on the count of three, each player must go and get something that begins with a certain letter. While Jack’s and Jill’s picks always fit the bill (What starts with F? Frog! Fish!), Rex keeps getting it wrong (a duck?)—or does he? David LaRochelle and Mike Wohnoutka share a laugh-out-loud primer on subverting expectations that will have readers clamoring to play Go and Get themselves—and competing to see who can come up with the most creative answers.

"A quiet yet masterfully rendered reminder that decency is always worth the hassle." -- Kirkus Reviews (STARRED REVIEW)

A resonant reminder to make the time to be kind, set in the bustling city of Seoul.

One rainy morning, the Seogang Bridge hums with traffic—and in between the cars is a tiny kitten. People mutter to themselves, but no one wants to stop or slow down. The raindrops pelt the road; the cars screech and honk; the kitten mews. Finally one car pulls over...

With atmospheric art by acclaimed illustrator Myungae Lee, Late Today asks readers to choose compassion in the midst of busyness. This stirring story is perfect for cat lovers, city dwellers, and anyone who’s ever lost themselves in the rush of life.

· From the bestselling creators of Troll: Off the heels of Troll's success comes another brilliant exploration of emotions, connection, and growth told through the POV of another adorable antihero.
· A quirky, funny, and accessible story about materialism vs. true fulfillment: Goblin collects trinkets but discovers that no amount of stuff can fill the void he feels, but that maybe friendship will.
· Encourages discussions about emotional needs and community: Perfect for SEL-focused storytimes and conversation.
· A standout read-aloud with lyrical writing and whimsical art: Engages both young readers and adults.

Themes for Classroom Learning/Library & Bookseller Displays:
· SEL: Friendship, emotional growth, and the value of connection over materialism.
· World Friendship Day - July 30
· Fairytales & Folklore Month - February
· Minimalism & Mindful Consumption for Kids - Encourages healthy perspectives on material goods.
· Community & Connection Education - Highlights the value of friendships and shared experiences.

Best-selling author Jacqueline Davies tells the story of two unlikely friends: Sydney and Taylor, a skunk and a hedgehog who strike out to discover the great unknown, despite how afraid they are of it. Charming full-color illustrations and a laugh-out-loud story make this chapter book perfect for fans of the Mercy Watson and Owl Diaries series.

Sydney is a skunk and Taylor is a hedgehog, but no matter how odd the pairing may seem, their friendship comes naturally. They live happily in their cozy burrow . . . until the day Taylor gets his Big Idea to go see the Whole Wide World. From mountains taller than a hundred hedgehogs, valleys wider than a thousand skunks, to the dangers that lie in the human world, Sydney and Taylor wanted to see it all. With a map and a dream, they bravely set off, soon discovering that the world is much bigger than they realized . . .

First in a full-color graphic novel series for emerging readers about accepting yourself and others from up-and-coming author-illustrator Meggie Ramm, creator of the comic strip The Littlest Dungeon Guard and cohost of the Pop! Whiz! Bang! comics podcast.

Batcat loves being all alone in their home on Spooky Island. Up in their tree house, they pass the time playing video games and watching TV. But when Batcat suddenly finds themself haunted by an annoying, ice cream–stealing ghost, they visit the local Island Witch for a spell to remove their ghastly guest permanently!

With their Ghost-B-Gone spell in hand, Batcat travels across Spooky Island to gather ingredients—to the Cavernous Caves where the bats tell them they’re too round to be a bat, and to the Whispering Cemetery where the cats will help only if they commit to being a true cat. But Batcat is neither and that’s what makes them special, right?

From up-and-coming author Meggie Ramm comes a sweet and fun story about accepting yourself when you’re perfectly in between here and there.
 

Full of magic, mermaids, and friendship, Coral Keepers is the perfect epic underwater early chapter book series for newly independent readers!

Pick a book. Grow a Reader! This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line, Branches, aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow!

More than anything, Princess Finn and her friends, Moon and Link, want to become Coral Keepers -- mermaid magicians sworn to protect the Queendom of Anjeea. Finn is a shark magician, but she is struggling to pass her shark-magic test. And now, an evil magician named Rozaro is plotting to steal the throne! Only the power of the Silver Shell can stop him. Can Finn master her shark magic, find the magical shell, and protect Anjeea?

With engaging black-and-white artwork on every page, kids won't be able to put down this magical, underwater adventure!

An instant New York Times bestseller!

In a wise and magical follow-up to The Puppets of Spelhorst, Kate DiCamillo revisits the land of Norendy, where tales swirl within tales—and every moment is a story in the making. 

At the Hotel Balzaar, Marta’s mother rises before the sun, puts on her uniform, and instructs Marta to roam as she will but quietly, invisibly—like a little mouse. While her mother cleans rooms, Marta slips down the back staircase to the grand lobby to chat with the bellman, study the painting of an angel’s wing over the fireplace, and watch a cat chase a mouse around the face of the grandfather clock, all the while dreaming of the return of her soldier father, who has gone missing. One day, a mysterious countess with a parrot checks in, promising a story—in fact, seven stories in all, each to be told in its proper order. As the stories unfold, Marta begins to wonder: could the secret to her father’s disappearance lie in the countess’s tales? Book two in a trio of novellas bound by place and mood—with elegant line art by Júlia Sardà—The Hotel Balzaar masterfully juggles yearning and belief, shining light into every dark corner.

Bird feels a flutter of jealousy when Bear is unduly entertained by the jocular Mole in Jarvis’s third set of stories about the endearing pair.

Usually, a new wonky stick for Bird’s collection would be exciting, but . . . not today. “Hmm,” said Bear. “Well, in that case, I think it’s time for . . . The Dance.”

Bear and Bird are the best of friends. They don’t always understand each other, but both agree that all they want is to make the other happy. So when Bird is under the weather, Bear arrives with a backpack of goodies and his best rendition of The Dance to try to make her feel better. And when Bear and Bird hang out with Mole—who tells hilarious jokes!—Bird eventually realizes that she doesn’t need to compete for Bear’s attention, since there’s plenty of laughter to go around. Whether it’s a comedy of errors around a Do Not Go in the Hole sign or the discovery that doing nothing together is the true badge of friendship, Jarvis tempers the mix-ups and misunderstandings with a genuine warmth and affection in this quartet of stories starring a most charming pair.

Dump Truck, Dump Truck
Coming through!
I spy a triangle--how about you?
 

It's no secret that toddlers of any gender love big vehicles. Shape Up, Construction Trucks! uses rhyming verse and bright photographs to celebrate this enthusiasm in a unique take on conceptual shape books. Each spread highlights geometric shapes hiding in plain sight on excavators, bulldozers, cranes, and more. And after the toddlers have browsed the pages to their heart's content, a final note to parents offers enriching, age-appropriate activities to keep building their child's foundational learning skills.

Why does everyone run away whenever this lonely beast roars "HELLO!" at them? A story about the art of making friends--and the bravery of one kind little girl.

King Lion wants a friend. But the only way he knows to communicate is to ROAR! Waving his paw, flashing a smile, and even cracking a joke don't help. How can he let the townsfolk know that he just wants some company? Wild with loneliness, the king climbs to the top of a tower and roars his fierce sadness day and night, until one day, a little girl hears him and thinks that perhaps she understands. With charming illustrations, Emma Yarlett's gently humorous take on how to make friends shows a little empathy goes a long way.