Awards and Reviews

Beatrix and her Friends

Anne Lambelet

“A strong biography that will appeal to young ones enchanted by Potter’s iconic stories.“—Booklist

★ Booklist starred review
A JLG Gold Standard selection

Purim Possibilities

Barbara Kimmel, illustrated by Irina Avgustinovich

A Spring 2026 Holiday Highlight by the Association of Jewish Libraries

This Hair Belongs

JaNay Brown-Wood and Erin K. Robinson

“Neither Brown-Wood’s text nor Robinson’s art tells a single story here: Both are busy immersing readers in a rich tapestry of Black history and culture through rhythmic spoken word and layered, detailed art showcasing lush colors, gorgeous patterns, and an incredible variety of hairstyles. The verse goes straight to the heart, where it takes up residence, while the illustrations offer a loving display of the inheritance of Black hair. At crucial moments, the text highlights “you,” the child reader, enveloping young people in a sense of belonging and pride, inspiring them to understand their relationship with their hair in new and exciting ways. This testament to Black beauty is destined to be a classic and a favorite; everyone needs this book.”– ★ Kirkus starred review

 

“Paired with Robinson’s gorgeous illustrations, this ode to Black hair imagines it as a kind of crown, making for a special story. The artwork is exquisite: collage-style with layers of color and texture that mimic Black hair and are wrapped around inspirational messages and historical context. The book flows as one moving story of resilience… A must-purchase for all elementary collections in need of a beautiful ode to Black hair that weaves poetry and history in a meaningful way to educate and empower.”– ★ SLJ starred review

Milk and Juice: A Recycling Romance

Meredith Crandall Brown

★ SLJ starred review
★ Bulletin for the Center for Children’s Books starred review
New Hampshire Ladybug Picture Book Award List
Kids’ Indie Next List Pick

Jayden Noticed

Carolyn Crimi, illustrated by Shamar Knight-Justice

“You’re on notice: This picture book is a gem!” —Kirkus Reviews

★ Kirkus starred review

The Brontes of Haworth Moor

Diane Browning

“Fans of the Brontës’ novels will appreciate the lively portrayal of their creators, relatives, and friends in this informative, involving family biography.” — ★ Booklist starred review

Border Crossings

Sneed B. Collard III, illustrated by Howard Gray

Winner of the 2024-2025 Keystone to Reading award

Ada and the Goat

Heidi Aubrey

“Curving lines define the hilly land where Ada lives as well as the pleasing drawings, created with graphite and watercolors, of Ada, her friendly goat, her apple trees, and her home. The narrative is well-suited to reading aloud, and children will be pleased to discover that the illustrations alone reveal the most unexpected twist in the story. A charming picture book.” –Booklist

★ Booklist starred review

Margaret Wise Brown Honor

Leafy Landmarks

Michelle Schaub, illustrated by Anne Lambelet

2025 Notable Children’s Book in the Language Arts Award Book
Eureka! Gold Nonfiction Children’s Books Award
NCTE Children’s Poetry Award Notable Books List

Magic in a Drop of Water

Julie Winterbottom, illustrated by Susan Reagan

“Budding naturalists will eagerly dip their toes into this one.” —Kirkus Reviews

★ Publishers Weekly starred review

Noura’s Crescent Moon

Zainab Khan, illustrated by Nabila Adani

“A refreshing take on Ramadan…. Sweet, heartwarming, and family centered.” —Kirkus

CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People

Scamp

Anden Wilder

“Perfectly adorable.” —Kirkus

★ BookPage starred review
JLG Gold Standard selection
Amazon Best Book of the month Ages 3–5
Kids’ Indie Next List Pick

I’m a Dumbo Octopus!

Anne Lambelet

“An informative, buoyant, and wildly original look at some marine marvels.” —Kirkus

GNCRT Outstanding Comics Honor Book, Nonfiction
★ SLJ starred review
★ Booklist starred review
★ Shelf Awareness starred review
★ Kirkus starred review
A JLG Gold Standard Selection
Texas Bluebonnet Award List
Kirkus Best Books of 2025

The Little Green Swing

Brenda Maier, illustrated by Sonia Sanchez

“Watch Ruby, again, come in first, but with grace.” ―School Library Journal

CBC Best STEM Book

Armando’s Island

Marsha Diane Arnold

Riverby Award for exceptional natural history book for young readers, presented by the John Burroughs Association

2023 Florida Book Awards Silver Medal

2024 Green Earth Honor Award

2023 Sigurd F. Olson Nature Writing Award.

Wave

Diana Farid

Winner of the Cybils Award

School Library Journal‘s Best of 2022

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard

Golden Poppy Award Finalist for Middle Grade

Golden Poppy Award Finalist for Mirrors and Windows Northern California Book Award Finalist

Winner Middle East Book Award Honor

A Bank Street Best Children’s Book

Louisiana Young Readers Choice Award Nominee

California Department of Education Recommended

Michigan MISelf in Books Selection

 

Stalactite and Stalagmite

Drew Beckmeyer

A Caldecott Honor Book

Publishers Weekly Best Books of 2025
★ SLJ starred review
★ Bookpage starred review
★ Publishers Weekly starred review
★ Kirkus starred review
B&N Children’s and YA Book Awards Picture Books Shortlist
B&N Best Kids Books of the Month
Indie Next List

Faith Takes the Train

Kesi Augustine, illustrated by Mokshini

“A lovely experience of wonder and empathy.” —Kirkus

★ Publishers Weekly starred review
★ Kirkus starred review
A Jane Addams Book Award Finalist
NY Public Library Best Books of the Year

Hiding in Plain Sight

Beth Anderson, illustrated by Sally Wern Comport

“A lively, luminous account of a lesser-known woman’s contribution to presidential history.” —Kirkus

★ Booklist starred review

I Know How to Draw an Owl

Hilary Horder Hippely, illustrated by Matt James

2025 Globe-Horn Book Award Winner

A Junior Library Guild Gold Star Selection

★ “Acrylic paintings by James (Tadpoles) convey measured calm throughout this nuanced work whose energy radiates from a transformative encounter.”—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

★ “A beautiful, moving picture book.”—Booklist, Starred Review

★ “Hippely’s picture book examines the challenging reality of homelessness in an empathetic and accessible way through the eyes of an unhoused child.”—The Bulletin, Starred Review

★ “Hippely’s lyrical, empathetic text complements James’ mesmerizing, at times haunting acrylic illustrations. . . A visually compelling, compassionate look at an often-misunderstood situation.”—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

“The challenges of being unhoused are gently revealed in this empathetic picture book, exquisitely enhanced by superb illustrations.”—Shelf Awareness

★ Kirkus Review Best 100 Picture Books of 2024

Frostburg State University CLC Book Award

To Walk the Sky: How Iroquois Steelworkers Helped Build Towering Cities

Patricia Morris Buckley, illustrated by E. B Lewis

A Junior Library Guild Selection

★  “This book will find a home in nearly every age group and setting, from families of steelworkers and proud descendants of the brave skywalkers, to middle grade students learning about Native American history. Above all, one hopes To Walk the Sky will find those imaginative little ones with their own big dreams of building something incredible.” –Book Page Starred Review

★ “Lewis’ impressionist watercolors reverently depict skywalkers’ triumphs and tragedies; his dramatic, cinematic angles and perspectives will have readers gasping in wonder. By turns solemnly reverent and enthusiastic, Buckley’s elegant text will leave young people keenly aware of the historical and present-day significance of these groundbreaking workers, as well as their strength and resilience. Awe-inspiring.”–Kirkus Starred Review

★ “Graceful language honors skywalkers throughout this stirring telling, while fluidly rendered watercolor illustrations in a desaturated color palette employ sweeping perspective and scale.”–Publishers Weekly Starred Review

★ “This fascinating narrative provides an in-depth history of skywalkers, the Caughnawaga, and their contributions to our cities and infrastructure.”–School Library Journal Starred Review

Hanukkah Hippity-Hop

Barbara Kimmel, illustrated by Ana Zurita

Best Jewish Holiday Children’s Books of Fall 2024–Association of Jewish Libraries

“A clever and entertaining story that will brighten library shelves during the Hanukkah season.”–School Library Journal

Miso Magic

Moni Ritchie Hadley, illustrated by Mizuho Fujisawa

“This is a charming story of a father and child focused on a multigenerational cultural tradition, with a lesson on patience folded in.”—Kirkus Reviews

 

Introducing Sandwina: The Strongest Woman in the World!

Vicki Conrad, illustrated by Jeremy Holmes

“It’s such a treat when a picture book’s writing and illustrations are equally matched, and Conrad and Holmes pool their talents to lift Katie Brumbach, stage name Sandwina, to heights befitting her status as the world’s strongest woman… Spectacular!”—Booklist, starred review

“In this dazzling introduction, an extraordinary woman takes her rightful place back in the spotlight.”—Kirkus Reviews

★ SLJ starred review
★ Booklist starred review
JLG Gold Standard selection

Else B. in the Sea: The Woman Who Painted the Wonders of the Deep

Jeanne Walker Harvey, illustrated by Melodie Stacey

“The [illustrations] are dazzling and convey how extraordinary undersea life is … A little-known female artist receives well-deserved attention.” —Kirkus Reviews

“The illustrations…will hook readers, both with the drama of Else’s dives and with the delicious creepiness of some of the sea creatures…A hugely appealing story.”―Booklist starred review 

★ Booklist starred review

 

Ernő Rubik and His Magic Cube

Kerry Aradhya, illustrated by Kara Kramer

“A whimsical tribute to the maker of the famous, frustrating, and absorbing puzzle.” —Kirkus Reviews

★ Horn Book starred review

Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selection

CBC NSTA Best STEM Books

Boston Globe Best Books 2024

Smithsonian Magazine Ten Best Children’s Books

Ezra Jack Keats Honor

Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List

A Deathly Compendium of Poisonous Plants: Wicked Weeds and Sinister Seeds

Rebecca E. Hirsch, illustrations by Eugenia Nobati

“Promising “myth, mayhem, and murder,” this diabolical botanical guide delivers on all fronts . . .” –Booklist

“A memorable, enjoyable reference book, A Deathly Compendium of Poisonous Plants combines often gruesome historical anecdotes with edifying botany lessons. –Foreword

“An engaging, visually appealing guide for science buffs, true-crime enthusiasts, and herbalists alike.”
★ –Kirkus starred review

School Library Journal Best Book of the Year

Kirkus Best Teen/YA of 2024

YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers-Top 10 Selection

Cooperative Children’s Book Center-Recommended Book

 

 

Sometimes I Cry

Jess Townes, illustrated by Daniel Miyares

★ School Library Journal starred review
★ Kirkus starred review
★ The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books starred review

Cloaked in Courage

Beth Anderson, illustrated by Anne Lambelet

Bank Street Best books of the Year
A JLG selection

The Fabulous Fannie Farmer

Emma Bland Smith, illustrated by Susan Reagan

★ School Library Journal starred review
★Youth Services Book Review starred review
CBC Best STEM Books
Texas Topaz Nonfiction Reading List

Leo’s First Vote

Christina Soontornvat, illustrated by Isabel Roxas

“[A] spot-on depiction of a child’s anxiety and excitement around a crucial process.” —Publishers Weekly

★ Publishers Weekly starred review

 

Made in Asian America

Christina Soontornvat and Erika Lee

“Powerful…” — Paula Yoo, The New York Times Book Review

★ School Library Journal starred review
★ Kirkus starred review
★ Booklist starred review
Kirkus Best Books
School Library Journal Best Books
Booklist Youth Editors’ Choice Awards
NY Public Library Top 10 Picks Best Books

 

The First Week of School

Drew Beckmeyer

“A game changer…” –Bookpage

★ Shelf Awareness starred review
★ SLJ starred review
★ Bookpage starred review
★ Publishers Weekly starred review
★ Kirkus starred review
Kirkus Best Picture Books of 2024
Indie Next List
JLG Gold Standard selection
Amazon Top 20 Children’s Books of 2024
ALA Notables list
Golden Duck for Excellence in Science Fiction for Children

Roar Choo!

Charlotte Cheng, illustrated by Dan Santat

Book Riot’s top 10 April list
★ School Library Journal

“Caldecott Medalist Santat’s signature-style art brings Cheng’s dynamic friendship to life in this rollicking read aloud about two folkloric friends learning their own limits—and each other’s.” – Publishers Weekly

Border Crossings

Sneed B. Collard III, illustrated by Howard Gray

Finalist for Keystone State Reading Award
2024 NCTE Orbis Pictus Award® for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children