JOSETTE AND FRIENDS COOK a GUMBO
written Elista Istre & illustrated by Joy Dabby
Published by University of Louisiana at Lafayette Press
October 10, 2023
October 10, 2023
Cool fall days and warm, cozy friendships bring Josette and her friends together to cook a delicious gumbo. As the children add their favorite ingredients to the pot, they stir up some fascinating stories about the people of Louisiana.
While spicing up their friendship in Mama’s kitchen, what will Josette and her friends discover about each other and their own connections to this tasty dish?
Bon appétit!
PICKY PANDA
written & illustrated by Jackie Huang
Published by Abrams Appleseed
April 25, 2023
April 25, 2023
Persnickety Mr. Panda likes his world to be just so. His decisions are always easy: yes or no; good or bad; right or wrong; black or white . . . until one day when the gift of a red flower changes everything. Touching, clever, and with a great message about remaining flexible and open to the beauty in the world, this lift-the-flap picture book is an innovative and heartwarming story sure to resonate with readers. Author-illustrator Jackie Huang brings her utterly unique layered and cut-paper art style to this project, making Picky Panda even more of a standout on bookshelves.
SOMETHING WILD
written & illustrated by Molly Ruttan
Published by Penguin Random House
February 28, 2023
February 28, 2023
Performance jitters lead to some imaginative what ifs before a little girl finds her confidence.
Hannah loves to play her violin—as long as no one is watching. On the day of the recital, she’s wishing something wild would happen so she won’t have to go. Perhaps a dolphin will jump out of the fountain and carry her away, or a giant rabbit will abscond with her violin. Hannah’s big imagination dreams up all kinds of entertaining scenarios that could change the course of her day, but what actually happens is the most amazing of all!
Children and grown-ups alike will relate to Hannah’s stage fright and get a laugh out of all her wishful thinking. Most importantly, they will be right there beside her on recital day when something wild—and beautiful—happens.
VIOLET AND THE CRUMBS: A GLUTEN-FREE ADVENTURE
written by Abigail Rayner & illustrated by Molly Ruttan
Published by NorthSouth Books
April 19, 2022
April 19, 2022
Success has never tasted so good!
The dynamic duo of I am a Thief by Abigail Rayner (author) and Molly Ruttan (illustrator) have created a new picture book sure to spark conversations about this timely issue.
Violet used to love birthday parties, but now that she has celiac disease, she’s not allowed to eat pizza, cake, or anything else with gluten. Violet feels alone until she discovers that some animals have dietary restrictions as well. While standing up for her animal friends, she realizes she can do the same for herself. And when it’s time to celebrate Violet’s birthday, there isn’t a single gluten-containing crumb in sight!
Filled with pluck and humor, this informative story provides a great opportunity to discuss this increasingly common condition with children who have celiac disease and gluten-intolerance as well as those who know people who have it and are seeking to learn more about it.
The dynamic duo of I am a Thief by Abigail Rayner (author) and Molly Ruttan (illustrator) have created a new picture book sure to spark conversations about this timely issue.
Violet used to love birthday parties, but now that she has celiac disease, she’s not allowed to eat pizza, cake, or anything else with gluten. Violet feels alone until she discovers that some animals have dietary restrictions as well. While standing up for her animal friends, she realizes she can do the same for herself. And when it’s time to celebrate Violet’s birthday, there isn’t a single gluten-containing crumb in sight!
Filled with pluck and humor, this informative story provides a great opportunity to discuss this increasingly common condition with children who have celiac disease and gluten-intolerance as well as those who know people who have it and are seeking to learn more about it.
JULIUS AND MACY: A VERY BRAVE NIGHT
written & illustrated by Annelouise Mahoney
Published by Two Lions
April 1, 2021
An enchanting woodland tale about bravery and friendship from a debut author-illustrator.April 1, 2021
Julius and Macy like to play heroes. Julius pretends he’s the defender of the forest, while Macy has a quieter strength. When their snack disappears one night, they decide to track down the only one who could have taken it—the Night Goblin. They both have to be brave in their own ways, and they ultimately discover that the real thief isn’t anything like they imagined.
With its endearing characters, this gently told tale reminds us that we each have courage within us and that kindness can make all the difference.
THE STRAY
written & illustrated by Molly Ruttan
Published by Nancy Paulsen Books
May 19, 2020
May 19, 2020
Adopting an extraterrestrial leads to hilariously mixed results!
When a family goes for a stroll one morning and encounters an adorable little creature with no collar or tag (who just happens to be sitting in the wreckage of an unidentified crash-landed object), they happily adopt the lovable stray. They name him Grub and set about training him, but that works surprisingly . . . poorly. Taking him for a walk is an unexpected adventure, too. As hard as they try to make Grub feel at home, it’s just not working. Could he already have a family of his own? Maybe he isn’t really a stray, after all–just lost. But how on earth will they be able to find his family when he seems to come from somewhere . . . out of this world?
When a family goes for a stroll one morning and encounters an adorable little creature with no collar or tag (who just happens to be sitting in the wreckage of an unidentified crash-landed object), they happily adopt the lovable stray. They name him Grub and set about training him, but that works surprisingly . . . poorly. Taking him for a walk is an unexpected adventure, too. As hard as they try to make Grub feel at home, it’s just not working. Could he already have a family of his own? Maybe he isn’t really a stray, after all–just lost. But how on earth will they be able to find his family when he seems to come from somewhere . . . out of this world?
I AM A THIEF!
written by Abigail Rayner & illustrated by Molly Ruttan
Published by NorthSouth Books
September 3, 2019
September 3, 2019
When Eliza Jane Murphy—line leader, captain of the worm rescue team—impulsively pockets a sparkly green stone from her classroom’s “Exploring Green” display table, her heart crumples.
My heart stopped singing. My letters went wonky. I was too heavy to swing!
I wanted to put it back . . . But what if someone saw?
But when she discovers that nearly everyone in her family took something once in their lives—from her baby brother and mom, to her nana with her sausage-stealing dog—Eliza overcomes her shame to make things right.
A hilarious and heartfelt story about stealing and finding the courage to do the right thing.
My heart stopped singing. My letters went wonky. I was too heavy to swing!
I wanted to put it back . . . But what if someone saw?
But when she discovers that nearly everyone in her family took something once in their lives—from her baby brother and mom, to her nana with her sausage-stealing dog—Eliza overcomes her shame to make things right.
A hilarious and heartfelt story about stealing and finding the courage to do the right thing.