Featured Reads

Celebrate 100 days of learning in this Step 2 Early reader featuring the beloved characters from the New York Times Bestselling picture book All Are Welcome! Perfect for emerging readers who are proud to show what they are learning in school.

The kids from All Are Welcome are celebrating a new milestone in school: 100 days! How do they celebrate? They each bring 100 things to school to share. They’ve learned so much with their friends, and they’ve only just begun!

Step 2 Readers use basic vocabulary and short sentences to tell simple stories. They are ideal for children who recognize familiar words and can sound out new words with help. Perfect for children who are ready to read on their own!

In the thirtieth book of the Critter Club series, Ellie recovers her love for singing to help an injured fox.

Ellie is heartbroken when she has a less-than-great audition for a singing contest. The Critter Club decides to cheer her up with a snowy trip to the mountains, where they’ve volunteered to help a fox sanctuary with an injured fox. When the fox takes a liking to Ellie’s singing, Ellie realizes she must regain confidence in her own voice.

With easy-to-read language and illustrations on almost every page, The Critter Club chapter books are perfect for beginning readers.

"The most lovable duo since Frog and Toad." —Dav Pilkey, bestselling creator of Dog Man and Captain Underpants

The funny and adorable New York Times bestselling kids graphic novel series starring happy-go-lucky, waffle-loving Narwhal and somewhat cynical sidekick, Jelly.

In this hilarious 10th book, Narwhal's PALentine's Day celebrations for Jelly go a little overboard! Includes bonus fun facts!

Dive into three new stories with best buds Narwhal and Jelly! It's PALentine's Day and Jelly gives Narwhal a whaley nice card — but now Narwhal has no idea what to give him! One card isn't nearly enough, and soon Narwhal is flooding Jelly with gifts galore: waffles, a book about Jelly, more waffles, a song about Jelly . . . MORE waffles!

Jelly is grateful, but would prefer the present of Narwhal's presence more than all of Narwhal's over-the-top displays of friendship. Can Narwhal realize what true friendship means before they go off the deep end trying to please their pal?

Chicago Public Library Best of the Best List 2025

This graphic novel for young readers ages 5 to 7 updates the story of an ugly duckling becoming a beautiful swan—but the odd duck out is actually a dragon!

It’s the classic ugly duckling tale—but this time around, the little one turns out not to be a swan, but a dragon. And when their duckling siblings find themselves in trouble, it's our little fire-breathing friend who saves the day. Whereas Hans Christian Andersen's original is synonymous with inner beauty, Frank Cammuso’s loving update turns it into a parable of inner strength.

From the three-time Coretta Scott King Honor winning author of The Skin I'm In comes a poignant story about a southern girl far from home at an elite girls boarding school in the north, who must find the courage to be herself and to dream of a brighter future, set against the backdrop of the great migration in South Philly.

You can be what you want in life.
Climb as high as you wish.
Nothing can stop you,
not even pedigree.

Hattie Mae is from Seed County, North Carolina. She knows hard work: milking cows, plucking chickens, minding the garden. Her hands are made for manual labor, her feet for dirt—that is, according to Lisa and some of the girls at Miss Abigail’s School for Exceptional Young Ladies in Philadelphia. In their eyes, Hattie Mae will never break into upper society and is unworthy of becoming a doctor or a lawyer.

Though Hattie Mae sticks out like a sore thumb and has more in common with the hundreds of Black folks pouring into the city looking for better opportunities during the Great Migration, she knows that she belongs. She just has to prove it to the rest of the girls—and maybe even to herself.

A moving coming-of-age story about finding the courage to be yourself, chasing your dreams, and lending a hand to others along the way.

The epic first book in the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling Keeper of the Lost Cities series is being reimagined into stunning graphic novels, and the story continues now with Part Two!

After learning she’s actually an elf, twelve-year-old Sophie Foster made the impossible decision to leave her human life—and family—behind and start over in the Lost Cities. And life with the elves has been unlike anything Sophie has ever known, filled with new friends, amazing creatures, and incredible powers. But it’s also had its share of challenges. Sophie had been an advanced student in the human world—but thanks to her struggles with alchemy, she’s not even sure if she will pass her Foxfire Academy midterms! 

And then there are the bigger worries. Guardians who may or may not adopt her. Whispers of conspiracies. Mysterious fires. Memories in her brain that don’t feel like hers. 

Could someone have hidden those secrets in Sophie’s head? Why would they do that? Is Sophie part of something much bigger than she imagined? 

Something…deadly?

This stunning graphic novel retelling of the second half of the thrilling first novel comes to life with all the adventure and epic worldbuilding the Keeper of the Lost Cities series is known for, told in gorgeous full color—plus special bonus features at the end!

The classic "bear hibernation" story is turned on its head in this hilarious read-aloud full of surprises, perfect for a cozy winter read and story time year-round!



This is was supposed to be a sleepy bear book--a gentle, quiet story. Until Bear opened his cozy, quiet den, only to find--A DJ and a disco ball? Guitar riffs and a booming bass? A random jazz flute?Stop all these shenanigans! THIS ISN'T WHAT HAPPENS IN A SLEEPY BEAR BOOK!



Things only get noisier and more chaotic with every turn of the page. Winking at storytime conventions in a way that'll crack kids up, This Is Not a Sleepy Bear Book combines classic bedtime story tropes with visual, giggle-worthy surprises that offer a memorable twist and a great read-aloud.

Goldie is the new card on the block, the diva who’s ready to shop ‘til she drops and always foots the bill for her friends. 

When Penny, Bill, and the rest of the cash crew map their travel plans, Goldie won’t accept any penny-pinching. On her dime everything’s an upgrade: a road trip becomes a fancy flight, a packed picnic turns into decadent doughnuts, and birdwatching gets replaced by a full-blown safari. 

Despite her friends’ warnings, it’s not long before Goldie starts to feel spent. Without the dough to back up her pile of purchases, Goldie’s heading toward a total swipe-out. She’ll have to take charge and pay for her mistakes if she wants to earn back her place in the wallet—and the trust of her friends. 

Readers of all ages will love this playful, punny introduction to credit cards as they follow Goldie’s journey toward swiping smartly and discovering that there are some things money just can’t buy.

"A visually rich and empowering read."-- Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

For children who find that words turn into all kinds of shapes on the page, a picture-book creator with dyslexia offers an inspiring story that brings fun and confidence in reading.

What if you really want to read a story to the end, but the words keep wiggling, jiggling, and jumping? If you're the child in this book, you might get very frustrated! But as the child keeps looking at the letters, they have a realization. And suddenly, they imagine a world where anything can be, a world where ideas are seeds to be sown, seeds that will bloom and grow. In ingenious illustrations, author Kate Rolfe visually conveys the experience of dyslexia or neurodivergence as a child invents a creative way to tackle a mountain of letters by using letter shapes to build a world of possibilities. Set in a dyslexic-friendly font ideal for boosting optimism among struggling child readers or the parents, teachers, or librarians who work with them, Wiggling Words ends with an author's note that includes some tips that have bolstered her love of letters, words, and stories.

A monster wants to wear a hat that is too small for his head in this funny Ready-to-Go! Ready-to-Read, the third book in the Big Bub series.

Big Bub the monster wants to wear a hat, but it is too small. What will he do? He will get creative—and silly too—in this follow-up to Big Bub, Small Tub and Big Bub, Small Car!

Perfect for kids at the beginning of their reading journeys, Big Bub, Small Hat was written for children who have learned the alphabet and are ready to start reading! And what better way to get kids excited than with a hilarious story with words they can read on their own?

Each Ready-to-Go! Ready-to-Read includes a note to parents explaining what their child can expect, a guide at the beginning for readers to become familiar with the words they will encounter in the story, and reading comprehension questions at the end. Each Ready-to-Go! story contains about 100 words and features sight words, rhyming words, and repetition to help children reinforce their new reading skills. In this book, readers will learn twenty-two sight words and sixteen words from seven word families. So come on and get reading!

Four young Firebenders enter their island’s regional Firebending Tournament in the first book of this new original chapter book series taking place in the world of Avatar: The Last Airbender!

Adaki dreams of being a powerful Firebender, but at eleven years old, he feels like he’s not where he should be. So when the chance to train with his school’s best firebending master arises, Adaki jumps at the opportunity, even though it means he and his friends will have to compete in a tournament full of older kids with more experience—and more attitude. When training does not go as planned—what do cooking and math have to do with being a Firebender?—Adaki begins to wonder: Can he and his friends overcome their inexperience and defeat the older competitors?

This funny, action-packed story is the first in a new illustrated chapter book series set in the world of Avatar Legends, perfect for young readers who love stories about adventure and friendship!

Family secrets, friendship, and magic burst from the seams of this thrilling fantasy adventure that follows a ten-year-old girl as she discovers a new world behind her home in desperate need of her help and within it, her own troubling family legacy.

Madelyn has always been satisfied with her life of cozy meals, great books, and adventures with her father in the woods behind their farmhouse.

But when a mysterious child appears and invites her down a forbidden trail and into a new world, Madelyn realizes that there’s far more to life than she ever allowed herself to realize.

This new world, Asterwood, is wider, wilder, and more magical than she could ever imagine. And somehow, it’s people know who she is—and desperately need her help.

Accompanied by new friends—one ​who can speak the language of the trees and one with a mind as sharp as her daggers—and her calico cat, Dots, Madelyn embarks on an epic quest across a strange and sprawling forest world whose secrets just might help her save her own.​

From comedy superstar Romesh Ranganathan comes a second unique and hilarious middle-grade story, perfect for readers of David Baddiel, Little Badman and Adam Wins the Internet!

Like many 13-year-olds, Yasmin Pathman doesn't know what she wants to be when she grows up.

Her parents want her to be a doctor, and expect her to focus on school--the only computer game they allow her to play is purely educational (yawn!).

Yasmin gets so good at it that the game's company invite her to play at a national competition. Her friends, teachers, and family are mega excited about the opportunity, but Yasmin's not!

So when her best friend Zane introduces her to a cool football game called FifPro, Yassmin's ready for some fun! She can't get enough of it, secretly playing matches whenever she can, hiding Zane's spare console from her parents, and spending her lunch hours swapping stats with her friends about an anonymous FifPro superstar called The Goat.

Before long, Yasmin's gaming talent means she's smashing every match and is desperate to become as great, if not greater than her hero. But when she receives an exciting invite to the national FifPro tournament she faces a dilemma--it's on the SAME day as the other competition!

Playing computer games might have taught Yasmin how to be a brilliant problem-solver, but this puzzle might be a level too far. Can she make everyone proud, beat The Goat, and convince her parents that she wants to be a professional gamer?

A Junior Library Guild Gold Selection

★ "The art is a wonder in both style and effectiveness. . . This is an exemplary use of illustrations to convey the biological processes that are often unseeable to humans. R*" - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

An exquisitely presented account of the life cycle of a Pacific salmon that is sure to entice young naturalists with its accessible design and inviting and informative text

She begins as a tiny orange egg . . . smaller than a pea! Salmon Run follows a Pacific coho salmon as she begins her journey in the freshwater rivers of Washington State, travels to the vast Pacific Ocean, and finally returns to the place of her birth to spawn and begin the cycle of life once again.

During this arduous adventure that spans hundreds of miles, she will grow and change through five distinct stages of life: egg, alevin, fry, smolt, and adult. From river to estuary to ocean, she will hide from predators, search for food, and encounter a range of marine environments.

With a careful balance of scientific accuracy and luminous illustrations, Salmon Run invites young readers to explore the remarkable life of this keystone species in the North Pacific ecosystem--and the magic of its journey home.

A beautifully illustrated non-fiction book about stars for children aged 7+, covering the science, their various forms in nature, and the myths, stories and symbolism that they have inspired.

A richly illustrated guide to the myths, histories and science of stars. Covering their various forms, including constellations and galaxies, how we study stars and our connections to stars, including navigation, astronomy, art and mythology from around the world.

From the creators of Teatime Around the World, this poetic picture book takes readers ages 4-8 across the globe exploring different soups and soup traditions!

Soup's on. A tasty treat.
Fill your bowl up. Time to eat!

Through vibrant illustrations and heartwarming text, Soup's On Around the World invites readers on a flavorful journey of soups across the globe, each with its own unique history and traditions!

Every soup tells its own story, revealing fascinating stories such as:
 

• The popular Chinese dish, Wonton Soup, is over 1000 years old
• In Finland, a unique Christmas dried fruit soup is served as a sweet dessert, topped with whipped cream
• Bitter-leaf Soup, a traditional dish from West Africa, was first used to treat illnesses
• French Onion Soup was possibly invented by a king!

Bright, detailed pictures by acclaimed artist Chelsea O'Byrne brings to life Denyse Waissbluth's joyous celebration of soup. With sidebars full of delicious facts, this second title in the Taste the World series is a celebration of diversity and deliciousness exploring a beloved food--soup!--and all the tasty ways we can enjoy a bowl (or two!).

The second book in the Taste the World series

Discover the world through food in this vibrant picture book series that celebrates culture and diversity. Taste the World takes young readers on a delicious journey, introducing them to different traditions, cultures and countries, and the unique dishes that bring communities together. With rich illustrations and poetic stories, this series inspires curiosity, appreciation for global cultures, and the joy of sharing a meal.

 

A powerful and vibrantly illustrated account of the resilience and dedication of the unsung Black heroines who played a major role in World War II. Perfect for fans of Hidden Figures, Opal Lee and What It Means to Be Free, and Tyler Perry's blockbuster film The Six Triple Eight.

In 1944, the United States was facing a unique wartime crisis--too much mail! Millions of letters and packages, stacked from floor to ceiling, sat unsent in cold, dark warehouses, with no one to sort through the backlog and no way to deliver mail to the troops.

Enter the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion.

Formed of Black women who had advocated fiercely for their right to enlist in the U.S. military, the "Six Triple Eight" battalion had one special task: sort and send the mail. It wasn't easy, but the Six Triple Eight got to work!

Putting in long hours to send out each piece of mail in record time, they had a four-word motto that powered them through: "No mail, low morale!" As they helped deliver support to the soldiers on the frontlines, these women proved there was nothing they couldn't do!

Former teacher turned multigenre writer and editor Tonya Abari and debut illustrator Lance Evans honor these women with a stunning nonfiction picture book sure to educate and inspire future generations.

The Six Triple Eight is a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection!

From the New York Times bestselling World of Click, besties Beth and Chanda set sail on their third adventure. But their dream cruise is not all smooth sailing as they navigate the changing tides of friendship and sisterhood.

Busy besties Beth and Chanda are all aboard for a relaxing ocean getaway! Chanda fully embraces being on "Sunshine Time." The only items on her to-do list are showing off her summer fashions, snorkeling, lounging on the beach with Beth, and sightseeing with her family--including her soon-to-be brother-in-law, Seth, and his parents. Scratch that; Chanda is so at ease that she hasn't even made a list!

Beth is...less relaxed. Back home, her big sister, Lisa, is preparing to move away for college in the fall. Missing out on precious time with Lisa before she leaves has Beth feeling bluer than the ocean. Making things worse, she's anxious about seeming like a wet beach towel on this once-in-a-lifetime vacation.

Can the two friends find their sea legs and ride the emotional waves together?

Get whisked away by the latest collaboration from Kayla Miller, coauthor Jeffrey Canino, and illustrator Kristina Luu. Readers will journey along with Beth and Chanda to a world of technicolor sunsets and sparkling oceans as the besties dive into the ups and downs of getting away from it all and being there for each other.

Yu is a young boy suddenly bestowed with the powers of the Amazing Spider-Man! Can he find his courage in time to save the day?

Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man spins a new web!

Welcome to Ohakama City, Japan. Yu, a timid boy who loves to draw manga, is attacked by Green Goblin, only to be rescued by the super hero known as Spider-Man! Despite being defeated, the villain activates a device that merges Yu and Spider-Man together.

Suddenly bestowed with not just great power, but also the proportionate speed, strength, and agility of a spider, will Yu find the courage to help others, or fall prey to Spider-Man’s worst enemies?

Full of color, attitude, and heart, this picture book is a perfect read aloud for all the dancers, move-busters, and boogie-downers in the family! A must-have for Father's Day!

At last, the day of daddy-daughter dance is finally here! To get ready for their special night out, Mona and Daddy transform their entire day into a special dance routine. They boogie, shuffle, and slide to the hair salon, the nail place, and the dress store. Even when Daddy trips, he reminds his baby girl that the groove inside us never stops. But when they arrive, the dance has been cancelled! How will Mona, Daddy, and the other families get their chance to get down?

Paloma's home has changed. The dictator who took over the country has stripped its people of their freedoms, and it's no longer OK to think for yourself. So, like birds, Paloma and her parents fly away in search of a new home, without a chance to pack or say goodbye. The new country is different and generous, and their arrival is a big adventure. Though things are unfamiliar and Paloma misses the country she left, her new friends are soon like family, and she feels right at home. Then she grows older, and more changes come, and Paloma and family are flying away again, to a country she can barely remember . . . With a simple narration and stunning illustrations, María J. Guarda brings us a tender story about home, family, and identity during times of immeasurable change.