Amy Schimler-Safford – illustratör

A poetic book highlighting everyday nature. The perfect blend of science and poetry, Hidden City demonstrates that nature can thrive anywhere, even in highly populated areas. In this graceful collection of poems, skyscrapers serve as perches for falcons, streetlights attract an insect buffet for hungry bats, and an overgrown urban lot offers shelter to both flora and fauna. Hidden City also includes engaging supplementary materials, which provide scientific information about the animals and plants featured in the book.Coupled with beautiful collage illustrations, the poems in Hidden City offer readers the perfect reminder to notice and care about their environment.

';Montgomery's expertise and the gorgeous illustrations make this a fine purchase for libraries serving early elementary students.' School Library Journal ';The mixed-media illustrations make good use of dynamic spreads, color, and textureperfect for a book on a master of camouflage. Montgomery seamlessly incorporates interesting facts about octopuses into the narrative.' Booklist Learn all about Inky the Octopus, an international sensation known for escaping from the New Zealand aquarium in April 2016, in this fascinating picture book from National Book Award nominee and octopus expert Sy Montgomery.Inky had been at the New Zealand aquarium since 2014 after being taken in by a fisherman who found him at sea. Inky had been getting used to his new environment, but the staff quickly figured out that he had to be kept amused or he would get bored. Then one night in 2016 Inky, about the size of a basketball, decided he'd had enough. He slithered eight feet across the floor and down a drainpipe more than 160 feet long to his home in the sea. Acclaimed author Sy Montogmery reminds readers that Inky didn't escapebut instead, like the curious animal he is, wanted to explore the rest of the vast ocean he called his home.

A 2026 Growing Good Kids Excellence in Children's Literature Award winnerA 2026 Massachusetts Book Award longlist title“An arboreal appreciation, told with sensitive prose and detailed illustrations.” – Kirkus Reviews"A touching story, engaging illustrations, and valuable educational content in the back matter make for a great addition to school library collections" – School Library JournalA charming story about the lifecycle of a mother tree and the creatures who rely on her.Just like that, Old Oak’s rooted life came to an end.Even with her tap root severed, Old Oak would bring new life to the forest.After 400 years in the forest, it’s time for Old Oak to fall. With a pop, frenzy of snaps, and a flurry of movement, she leans to one side and falls heavily to rest on the forest floor. When news of beloved Old Oak spreads throughout the forest, creatures big and small gather to show their gratitude for all she gave in her rooted life.The squirrels thank her for the acorns, leaf buds, and catkins. The rabbits remember the cozy burrows her roots provided. Even the weevils scuttle aboveground to acknowledge all she gave them as tiny grubs. But the creatures soon discover Old Oak’s life is actually just beginning, and her legacy will serve the forest for hundreds of years to come.Teaches kids about all of the unique ways trees provide resources for the forest ecosystemFeatures a wide range of forest creaturesIncludes endnotes about oak trees, tree rings, and the forest ecosystem

A 2026 Growing Good Kids Excellence in Children's Literature Award winnerA 2026 Massachusetts Book Award longlist title“An arboreal appreciation, told with sensitive prose and detailed illustrations.” – Kirkus Reviews"A touching story, engaging illustrations, and valuable educational content in the back matter make for a great addition to school library collections" – School Library JournalA charming story about the lifecycle of a mother tree and the creatures who rely on her.Just like that, Old Oak’s rooted life came to an end.Even with her tap root severed, Old Oak would bring new life to the forest.After 400 years in the forest, it’s time for Old Oak to fall. With a pop, frenzy of snaps, and a flurry of movement, she leans to one side and falls heavily to rest on the forest floor. When news of beloved Old Oak spreads throughout the forest, creatures big and small gather to show their gratitude for all she gave in her rooted life.The squirrels thank her for the acorns, leaf buds, and catkins. The rabbits remember the cozy burrows her roots provided. Even the weevils scuttle aboveground to acknowledge all she gave them as tiny grubs. But the creatures soon discover Old Oak’s life is actually just beginning, and her legacy will serve the forest for hundreds of years to come.Teaches kids about all of the unique ways trees provide resources for the forest ecosystemFeatures a wide range of forest creaturesIncludes endnotes about oak trees, tree rings, and the forest ecosystem

Young bunnies know how to do so much, but there is always more to learn!Follow young bunnies as they learn more the bigger they grow. From snuggling with their siblings, to hopping, to munching on lettuce, there is so much to learn! Part of the Barefoot Baby Animals series, this book is perfect for animal-loving babies and curious toddlers.Part of the Baby Animals seriesFeatures adorable bunnies and the ways they learn as they growEndnotes further learning with more information about how bunnies develop

Young bunnies know how to do so much, but there is always more to learn!Follow young bunnies as they learn more the bigger they grow. From snuggling with their siblings, to hopping, to munching on lettuce, there is so much to learn! Part of the Barefoot Baby Animals series, this book is perfect for animal-loving babies and curious toddlers.Bilingual Spanish editionPart of the Baby Animals seriesFeatures adorable bunnies and the ways they learn as they growEndnotes further learning with more information about how bunnies develop

Young puppies know how to do so much, but there is always more to learn!Follow puppies as they learn more the bigger they grow. From sleeping, to learning to walk, to fetching sticks, there is so much to learn! Part of the Barefoot Baby Animals series, this book is perfect for animal-loving babies and curious toddlers.Part of the Barefoot Baby Animals seriesFeatures adorable puppies and the ways they learn as they growEndnotes further learning with more information about how puppies develop

Young chicks know how to do so much, but there is always more to learn!Follow young chicks as they learn more the bigger they grow. From snuggling with their siblings, to taking dust baths, to clucking, there is so much to learn! Part of the Barefoot Baby Animals series, this book is perfect for animal-loving babies and curious toddlers. Bilingual Spanish edition.Part of the Baby Animals seriesFeatures adorable chicks and the ways they learn as they growEndnotes further learning with more information about how chicks develop

Young kittens know how to do so much, but there is always more to learn!Follow young kittens as they learn more the bigger they grow. From drinking milk, to climbing, to purring, there is so much to learn! Part of the Barefoot Baby Animals series, this book is perfect for animal-loving babies and curious toddlers.Part of the Baby Animals seriesFeatures adorable kittens and the ways they learn as they growEndnotes further learning with more information about how kittens develop

"This educational board book about newborn kittens is a great addition to bilingual shelves" – School Library JournalYoung kittens know how to do so much, but there is always more to learn!Follow young kittens as they learn more the bigger they grow. From drinking milk, to climbing, to purring, there is so much to learn! Part of the Barefoot Baby Animals series, this book is perfect for animal-loving babies and curious toddlers.Part of the Baby Animals seriesFeatures adorable kittens and the ways they learn as they growEndnotes further learning with more information about how kittens develop