by Kevin Kurtz, illustrated by Nicole Kurtz; NSF, 2022.
Readers journey to the ocean floor to discover fascinating facts while being entertained by jokes and sidebar silliness in this graphic novel e-book for middle schoolers and up published by the National Science Foundation.
by Judy Bradbury, illustrated by Gabriella Vagnoli; City of Light Publishing, 2021.
In the first book in the Cayuga Island Kids chapter book series, readers meet five resourceful friends who live on a residential island. Though the story is fictional, The Mystery of the Barking Branches and the Sunken Ship is loosely based on one of the most intriguing unsolved mysteries of the Great Lakes: the sinking of the never-recovered sailing vessel, the Griffon, in the 1600s. Readers encounter history, science, mystery, research skills, social-emotional themes, humor, friendship, and a really cute dog.
by Linda Sue Park, illustrated by Debbie Ridpath Ohi; Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers; 2020.
Years in the making, the eagerly-anticipated Gurple and Preen picture book began with Debbie Ridpath Ohi’s blog, which features broken-crayon art and has grown to enjoy immense popularity. I’m pleased to celebrate the launch of Gurple and Preen, a collaborative effort between Debbie and Newbery Award and New York Times bestselling author Linda Sue Park, with an interview featuring both creators and plenty of ideas for sharing this picture book adventure with children!
by Dee Romito, illustrated by Marta Kissi; Aladdin Quix; 2020.
The Birthday Castle, the first of four titles planned for the Fort Builders, Inc. beginning chapter book series, centers on a resourceful group of friends who start a fort-building business. Their inaugural project is constructing a castle for a friend’s birthday celebration. A few changes of heart present a snag or two for the team. Nevertheless, Fort Builders, Inc. intends to make their customer’s dream a reality, because that’s what friends–and successful business people–do.
by Stacy McAnulty, illustrated by Stevie Lewis; Holt, 2019.
From the flyleaves forward, you get the idea. Moon! Earth’s Best Friend is going to be learning fun. The third in the Our Universe series that began with Earth! My First 4.54 Billion Years, followed by Sun! One in A Billion, Moon: Earth’s Best Friend continues the theme of introducing space in an intriguing, entertaining—and accessible—way to preschoolers and primary graders.
by Shelley Rotner; Holiday House, 2019.
Shelley Rotner is the author and photo-illustrator of a number of exuberant, timely, and highly-regarded informational books accessible to young children. Hello Summer! is her latest, the fourth and final installment in the Hello series of photo-illustrated celebrations of the seasons of the year.