Starred Kirkus review for Brian Yanish’s SHARK AND BOT Volume 2: SLEEPAWAY CHAMPS
Yanish’s second graphic novel for new-to–chapter-books readers is even more fun than the series opener. The unlikely duo of Shark and Bot (with Batty the wombat in tow) inhabits large, colorful panels full of fourth-wall–breaking humor and wombat facts. Age-appropriate, deadpan shark—er, snark at its best.
LIONS & CHEETAHS & RHINOS OH MY! by John Platt and Moira Rose Donohue was selected for the 2021 Green Earth Book Award Long List
FLASH AND GLEAM by Sue Fliess made the Capitol Choices 2021 list of Noteworthy Books for Children’s and Teens and was selected for the 2021 Cooperative Children’s Book Center (CCBC) Choice’s list!
Kirkus review of MOUSE WATCH Book 2 by Jason Lethcoe
“Readers with a healthy appetite for Saturday morning cartoons will find much to engage with here, and returning readers will be pumped to see that this sequel boasts more of Bernie and Jarvis’ endearing friendship and the propulsive set pieces that made the first entry such a winner.”
Booklist review of THE SECRET LIFE OF KITTY GRANGER by G.D. Falksen
“All in all, this rip-roaring tale starring a compelling heroine will satisfy anyone looking for a fun, quirky adventure.”
Publishers Weekly review of BEATRICE BLY’S RULES FOR SPIES by Sue Fliess
Kirkus review of BEATRICE BLY’S RULES FOR SPIES by Sue Fliess
“Readers will be eager to see more of this spunky, confident, daring character.“
Kirkus review of GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE ENGINEERS by Sue Fliess
SLJ review of THE SECRET LIFE OF KITTY GRANGER by G.D. Falksen
“It is intriguing to follow Kitty, a teen on the autism spectrum, as she navigates post-war Britain. Her obliviousness and resentment of her disorder provide eye-opening insight into how a person on the autism spectrum may have viewed themselves before autism became a more understood disability. Kitty is a nuanced character—she is brash and headstrong, but brave and genuine…A fun thriller spotlighting a neurodivergent protagonist, appropriate for middle school readers.”
Kirkus review of THE SECRET LIFE OF KITTY GRANGER by G.D. Falksen
“Curiosity can kill a Kitty in this swinging ’60s spy novel…Swiftly trained and sent into the field to investigate a fascist plot, Kitty capitalizes on her attention to patterns, ear for accents, and experience with hiding her real self as she is finally allowed to embrace her quirks as assets rather than deficits…Falksen delivers a ripping read that is historically grounded, drawing a direct line from past events to current debates over diversity, immigration, and the eternal peril of fascism…Nail-biting fascism-fighting featuring an atypical heroine.”
Publishers Weekly review of SADIE SPROCKET BUILDS A ROCKET by Sue Fliess
STOMPIN’ AT THE SAVOY by Moira Rose Donohue featured on Celebrate Picture Books blog
Publishers Weekly review of STOMPIN’ AT THE SAVOY by Moira Rose Donohue “Colorfully accentuated onomatopoeia and musical notes punctuate this profile of brilliant self-taught drummer William “Chick” Webb…”
Kirkus Reviews calls Sue Fliess’s SADIE SPROCKET BUILDS A ROCKET “Inspiring, adventurous fun for aspirational kids.”
MAYFLOWER by Rebecca Siegel was chosen as a California Reading Association’s 2020 EUREKA! Nonfiction Children’s Book Honoree
School Library Journal review of FLASH & GLEAM by Sue Fliess
“An illuminating choice for STEAM storytimes.”
MOUSE WATCH by J. J. Gilbert chosen for the Winter 2020-2021 Kids’ Indie Next List
Kirkus Review of STOMPIN’ AT THE SAVOY by Moira Rose Donohue
“Freeman’s illustrations are full of movement, musical staves and notes swirling across the spreads in visual accentuation of Webb’s swing beat… An effervescent celebration.”
The San Francisco Book Review gave LIONS & CHEETAHS & RHINOS OH MY! by Moira Rose Donohue a 5-Star review!
“This is a gorgeously illustrated work of non-fiction. The students’ pictures are exquisitely crafted and add a rich quality to the text… Additionally, teachers of science, social studies, and language arts will find this a valuable resource for their classrooms.”
THAT MONSTER ON THE BLOCK by Sue Schmitt won the Northern Lights Book Award in the Humor Category
School Library Journal review of SHARK & BOT by Brian Yanish
“Wackadoo humor… Accessible and energetic…. Shove Shark and Bot into the bottomless pit that is the elementary schooler’s appetite for funny graphic novel chapter books.”
School Library Journal review of RARE & BLUE by Constance Van Hoven
“Filled with dreamy watercolor images of nature and bite-sized information to encourage thoughtful reflection, this title is a solid purchase for elementary nonfiction collections, especially where nature and life science texts are popular.”
Kirkus review of RARE & BLUE by Constance Van Hoven
School Library Journal review of LIONS & CHEETAHS & RHINOS OH MY! by John Platt and Moira Rose Donohue
Kirkus Review of THAT MONSTER ON THE BLOCK by Sue Schmitt
“This humorous, fast-paced story, narrated with clipped sentences, conveys an important, unsubtle message about the importance of accepting diversity…This entertaining tale about making new friends may also help readers conquer their fear of clowns.”
New York Times review of LALI’S FEATHER by Farhana Zia
“This circular story has the ring of an Indian folk tale. Its art strikingly contrasts the warm bright colors of silks and spices with the lush turquoise of peacock feathers.”
Kirkus Review of SHARK AND BOT by Brian Yanish
“A funny tale of awkwardness overcome in big, inviting panels.”
Roarbots Review of MOUSE WATCH by J. J. Gilbert
SLJ Review of MOUSE WATCH by J. J. Gilbert
“The gasp-worthy escapades are over the top, but Gilbert makes it work with trademark covert terminology worthy of a James Bond flick. Plus, he adds in plenty of cheese; swiss, cheddar, camembert, bleu, and brie. Embedded is a message about not stereotyping others and learning to recognize real friendship. The cute little world of mice is an odd mix with advanced spying, giving this a somewhat cinematic vibe. VERDICT: A dashing fluff adventure with appealing miniature heroes and villains.”
TO FLY AMONG THE STARS named one of Amazon’s Editor’s picks for Best Books of the Month – Nonfiction for Kids category
Starred Booklist Review of FLASH AND GLEAM by Sue Fliess
“This lovely picture book introduces young readers to the many manifestations of light in our daily lives. This has multiple STEAM applications, from poetry and creative writing to introductions to energy and light to how the sun affects human life, and doubles as a great read-aloud or a starry bedtime story (“Gleam / Bright / Say good night”).”
Booklist Review for LALI’S FEATHER by Farhana Zia
“The musicality of the prose, dotted with Hindi expressions, lends a folkloric tone to this whimsical tale. The illustrations are lush and cheerful, countering the idea that the loss of the feather is to be mourned. A surprise ending will have readers predicting the sequel to this just-for-fun story.”
Publisher’s Weekly Review of LALI’S FEATHER by Farhana Zia
“Buoyant…a prime candidate for reading aloud.”
Kirkus Review of MOUSE WATCH by J. J. Gilbert (a.k.a. Jason Lethcoe)
Kirkus Review of LALI’S FEATHER by Farhana Zia
Kirkus Review of THE PRINCESS AND THE PETRI DISH by Sue Fliess
Kirkus Review of KRIT DREAMS OF DRAGON FRUIT by Emily France and Natalie Becher
Kirkus Review of FLASH & GLEAM by Sue Fliess
Starred Booklist review of TO FLY AMONG THE STARS by Rebecca Siegel
“Individually moving, the collective accounts of the Mercury 13 women offer an eye-opening view of pervasive gender prejudice and its costs. [T]his riveting chronicle of the early years of manned space flight also presents captivating stories of women left behind.”
Booklist review of DANGEROUS ALLIANCE by Jennieke Cohen
“Contemporary fans of the Austen novels and their screen adaptations will relish this rousing, late Georgian romance.”
KRIT DREAMS OF DRAGON FRUIT by Emily France featured in Pub Weekly about religious publishing for children
School Library Journal review of PEPE AND THE PARADE by Tracey Kyle
“With so many cultures introduced in this pleasant picture book with lively comic-style illustrations, readers may be inspired to explore a particular culture in depth.”
RAVE Reviews’ review of DANGEROUS ALLIANCE by Jennieke Cohen
Publisher Weekly’s review of DANGEROUS ALLIANCE by Jennieke Cohen
Featured in Children’s Book Council’s September Hot Off the Press reading list: PEPE AND THE PARADE by Tracey Kyle
Booklist review of ALPACA PATI by Tracey Kyle
Kirkus review of LITTLE RED RHYMING HOOD by Sue Fliess
School Library Journal review of BETTER WITH BOOKS by Melissa Hart
BETTER WITH BOOKS by Melissa Hart won an Honor Award from Skipping Stones Magazine
READING THE WEST award from Mountains & Plains Independent Book Sellers: ZEN AND GONE by Emily France
Bank Street College’s list of Best Books of the Year: MRS. CLAUS by Sue Fliess
Booklist Review of BETTER WITH BOOKS by Melissa Hart
“High school libraries will be well served by this youth-focused resource, whether for collection development or reader’s advisory.”
School Library Journal Review of NINJA CAMP by Sue Fliess
“A recommended purchase for any library, this book will have kids asking when they can enroll in Ninja Camp!”
Publisher’s Weekly Review of THE EARTH GIVES MORE by Sue Fliess
“Genuine celebration of nature.”
Booklist Review of NINJA CAMP by Sue Fliess
“The coloring is full of wonderfully saturated rusts and blues, and the
triumphant story is satisfying.”
Booklist Review of A PAINTBRUSH FOR PACO by Tracey Kyle
“A bright, engaging story about a boy who finds something that’s worth paying attention to.”
USA Today included MRS. CLAUS TAKES THE REINS by Sue Fliess in a roundup on holiday picture books!
“This extremely cute exercise in feminist heroics delivers a subtle message through clever rhymes and good-natured humor.” —USA Today
Kirkus Review of THE ANTIDOTE by Shelley Sackier
Kirkus Review of NIXIE MAKES WAVES by Lisa Ann Scott
A mention of The Parents’ Guide to Climate Revolution by Mary DeMocker in a New York Times article and a glowing review in Sierra magazine online
MRS. CLAUS by Sue Fliess is featured in the Hot Off the Press September listing from the Children’s Book Council
Washington Post Review of ZEN AND GONE by Emily France
Kirkus Review of AN UNLIKELY BALLERINA by Krystyna Poray Goddu
Kirkus Review of FOOD FIGHT FIESTA: A Tale About La Tomatina by Tracey Kyle
Starred Publishers Weekly review of ZEN AND GONE by Emily France
Kirkus Review of THE BLACK COATS by Colleen Oakes
Kirkus Review of PIRATE CHICKEN: ALL HENS ON DECK by Brian Yanish