Jessica Meserve – illustratör

Sebastian the tortoise knows which daddy is the best of all (his own!) in this heartwarming picture book about all the amazing things a dad can do. Little tortoise Sebastian is having the perfect day with his dad when he wonders, what are some things a dad can do? His dad playfully asks him to guess which daddy chirps to his chicks (Daddy Bird), which daddy teaches his kits how to hop and run (Daddy Rabbit), and which daddy shows his pups how to sleep upside down (Daddy Bat)! But Sebastian knows which daddy is the best . . . his own! The perfect picture book to cuddle up with, this loving ode to fathers has a soothing call and response that encourages children to guess along with Sebastian which daddy animal is being described.

When the coolest girl in the class invites you to her exclusive after-school club, how can you say no? Even if it means skipping out on Songwriting Club? Even if she's always been too popular to give you the time of day?  Even if she asks you to paint the walls and serve the tea...?  Soon Lucy McGee realizes she's been tricked into becoming mean girl Scarlett Tandy's errand girl—and she's getting in trouble for skipping her after-school activities.  Things get complicated as she tries to balance school, friends, frenemies, songwriting, and family expectations.  Clearly Lucy has to strike back!  But it turns out that singing and playing your ukulele—and having loads of fun doing it—are the best revenge.  In this new series from  state-award favorite Mary Amato, a spunky heroine matches wits with a mean girl and learns that middle school can be a balancing act—so you can't lose sight of what's important. This heavily-illustrated chapter book features a durable paper-over-board cover, three of Lucy's songs, and a sneak peek of Book Two, Sing With Me, Lucy McGee!

Fourth grader Lucy McGee's ukulele is missing--and if she doesn't find it soon, she'll be kicked out of the Songwriting Club!Lucy McGee is determined to track down her beloved instrument, but she can't let anyone catch on--even best friend Phillip. When Lucy learns that YouTube songwriting stars Ben & Bee are playing a show on Saturday and they're giving away a free ukulele, it seems like the perfect solution. If only it wasn't the most in-demand, expensive concert ever.Soon frenemy Scarlett announces that she has an extra ticket to the show, prompting everyone in the Songwriting Club to try to win her over. Lucy McGee will have to get extra creative to find out what happened to her uke and to charm the always-scheming Scarlett in this humorous but heartfelt chapter book. The third book in Mary Amato's charming Lucy McGee series features artwork on every page as well as song lyrics for aspiring musicians to try out on their own.

Lucy McGee and Phillip Lee know they have just the song to win big the talent show, which attracts the attention of the ever-scheming Scarlett in this next installment of the generously illustrated Lucy McGee series.The Songwriting Club at Slido Creek Elementary is going strong with Lucy and Phillip collaborating on new songs, playing the ukulele, and adding new friends to the group. But when Scarlett tries to pass off their hard work as her own, some hurtful words are exchanged, leaving Lucy, Scarlett, and Phillip looking at themselves differently. Is Lucy's hair too flat? Scarlett too tall? Phillip too short? The members of the Songwriting Club will have to make amends before the night of the big talent show, if they still want to pull off a win. Short chapters filled with charming artwork on every spread make this a perfect pick for aspiring musicians and fans of Ivy & Bean and Junie B. Jones.Back matter includes song lyrics and ukulele chords to encourage readers to play along and improvise.

A chance to be on TV brings out the worst in fourth grader Lucy McGee--and now her friends want her out of the Songwriting Club!Lucy McGee and Phillip Lee are invited to perform a song on their school's morning show--this is their big break! First, they agree to keep it a secret from spotlight-stealing classmate Scarlett Tandy. But what about the other members of the Songwriting Club? Lucy forgets to tell them, setting off a chain of hurt feelings, a disastrous secret party, a runaway brother, and much more. The loveable but impulsive Lucy will have to write a lot of apology letters before everything can go back to normal.The delightful Lucy McGee series features a diverse cast of fourth and fifth grade characters who all love to sing and play the ukulele in the Songwriting Club; funny and sweet illustrations on every page; and song lyrics for aspiring musicians to try out on their own. Called "Ramona-esque" by the Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, Lucy McGee is sure to be a reader favorite.

The big, wide world can be scary, especially when it’s filled with strange-looking creatures who don’t eat carrots. But does giant, clawed and hairy have to mean scary? And is there a rabbit brave enough to find out?From Jessica Meserve comes Beyond the Burrow, a beautiful book to inspire boldness - and encourage us all to step beyond the burrow.

From Jessica Meserve comes Beyond the Burrow, a beautiful book for young children to inspire boldness – and encourage us all to step beyond the burrow.The big, wide world can be scary, especially when it’s filled with strange-looking creatures who don’t eat carrots. But does giant, clawed and hairy have to mean scary? And is there a rabbit brave enough to find out?

A stunningly illustrated picture book for children ages 3-7, inspired by the nursery rhyme "The House That Jack Built," where a community of forest animals comes together to rebuild after a storm and, in doing so, discovers the magic of belonging, hope, and working together.One day, a terrible storm rips through the forest, destroying everything in its path. Nests have been flattened, trees are broken, and burrows are flooded. The animals feel sad and discouraged— until, one by one, they take small steps to rebuild their home. An inspiring story of hope, community, and working together, inspired by the nursery rhyme "The House That Jack Built."

This is the wind that whipped and whirled.This is the lightning that zipped and zapped.This is the thunder that bombarded and blasted.And these are the animals... all soggy and sad.When a terrible storm tears through the forest, everything seems lost. Trees are toppled. Nests, nooks and burrows are destroyed. The animals are left with nothing but ruins. But then, a new home begins to grow - not an ordinary home, but one built from the efforts of every single animal in the forest. A home made not just of twigs and leaves, but of kindness, courage, and love.Told in a rhythmic, cumulative style and paired with breathtaking illustrations, The Home That Love Built is a powerful celebration of friendship, teamwork and rebuilding after loss. Children and adults alike will be drawn to its rich, poetic language and its empowering message of resilience.Perfect for fans of Our Tree, also by Jessica Meserve, Our Tower by Joseph Coelho, and The Invisible String by Patrice Karst, this touching tale is ideal for classrooms exploring big emotions like fear of change, sadness and grief. It's also a gentle, comforting story for bedtime snuggles - reminding children that even in their hardest moments, they are part of a community and held by those who love them.

This is the wind that whipped and whirled.This is the lightning that zipped and zapped.This is the thunder that bombarded and blasted.And these are the animals... all soggy and sad.When a terrible storm tears through the forest, everything seems lost. Trees are toppled. Nests, nooks and burrows are destroyed. The animals are left with nothing but ruins. But then, a new home begins to grow - not an ordinary home, but one built from the efforts of every single animal in the forest. A home made not just of twigs and leaves, but of kindness, courage, and love.Told in a rhythmic, cumulative style and paired with breathtaking illustrations, The Home That Love Built is a powerful celebration of friendship, teamwork and rebuilding after loss. Children and adults alike will be drawn to its rich, poetic language and its empowering message of resilience.Perfect for fans of Our Tree, also by Jessica Meserve, Our Tower by Joseph Coelho, and The Invisible String by Patrice Karst, this touching tale is ideal for classrooms exploring big emotions like fear of change, sadness and grief. It's also a gentle, comforting story for bedtime snuggles - reminding children that even in their hardest moments, they are part of a community and held by those who love them.