Beach Lane Books – serie

Get to know Zaha Hadid in this nonfiction picture book about the famed architect’s life and her triumph over adversity from celebrated author-illustrator Jeanette Winter.Zaha Hadid grew up in Baghdad, Iraq, and dreamed of designing her own cities. After studying architecture in London, she opened her own studio and started designing buildings. But as a Muslim woman, Hadid faced many obstacles. Determined to succeed, she worked hard for many years, and achieved her goals—and now you can see the buildings Hadid has designed all over the world.

Discover the amazing true story of Maria Mitchell, America’s first professional female astronomer.Every evening, from the time she was a child, Maria Mitchell stood on her rooftop with her telescope and swept the sky. And then one night she saw something unusual—a comet no one had ever seen before! Miss Mitchell’s extraordinary discovery made her famous the world over and paved the way for her to become America’s first professional female astronomer. Gorgeously illustrated by Diana Sudyka, this moving picture book about a girl from humble beginnings who became a star in the field of astronomy is sure to inspire budding scientists everywhere.

A busy boy and his dog learn to slow down and enjoy life together in this lyrical, rhyming picture book perfect for hurried families everywhere.For one busy boy, life is all hurry up, hurry down, hurry round and round and round! That is until he takes a big breath...and a big break...and slows down to see all the wonderful things in the world around him. From celebrated picture book creators Kate Dopirak and Christopher Silas Neal, this playful yet powerful picture book reminds us to be present, to be mindful, and to appreciate each moment.

Celebrated picture book biographer Jeanette Winter shares the story of champion tennis players—and sisters—Venus and Serena Williams.Before they were famous tennis stars, Venus and Serena Williams were sisters with big dreams growing up in Compton, California. In the early mornings, they head to the tennis courts, clean up debris, and practice. They compete in their first tournament and they both win. From there, the girls’ trophy collection grows and grows. Despite adversity and health challenges, the sisters become two of the greatest tennis players of all time. This inspiring story of sisterhood, hard work, and determination is perfect for budding athletes or any young reader with a big dream.

From New York Times bestselling authors Kabir Sehgal and Surishtha Sehgal comes a charming and brightly illustrated spin on classic nursery rhymes that celebrates rich Indian culture and introduces Hindi vocabulary.Mother Goose takes a trip to India in this unique collection of nursery rhymes with a distinctly Indian flair. This little sooar (pig) goes to the bazaar. Little Miss Muffet eats dahi (yogurt) until a makadee (spider) scares her away. Little Jack Horner eats Diwali sweets. Rhymes and characters that are familiar to young readers bring to life the beauty, wonder, and diversity of a vast and vibrant country in a way that is accessible and fun.

Say hello to many cute, cuddly, very small pets in this adorable picture book from Newbery Medal winner and author of the Henry and Mudge series, Cynthia Rylant.In one happy neighborhood, there live many cute and cuddly pets of diminutive size. There are the parakeets, Zelda and Marty; rabbit parents Fluff and Puff with all their baby bunnies; two little mice named Tomato and Potato; and, last but not least, corgis Cookie, Biscuit, and Muffin! Though each animal friend may be small, they’re sure to get a big aww out of readers of all ages with their infectious charm.

A beautiful and poignant meditation on what makes a home from Newbery Medalist Cynthia Rylant.There are so many things, both big and small, that make a place feel like home. Home is where you might have a special nickname or a special toy. It’s where you might have a snack or a nap or a bath—or all three! Whether home is a city apartment or a country cottage, it’s a place you want to return to again and again. Celebrate all kinds of homes—and all kinds of families—in this cozy, lushly illustrated ode to the universal feeling of being at home.

Count along in celebration of Diwali, the Indian Festival of Lights, in this luminous picture book from bestselling mother-son duo Surishtha and Kabir Sehgal.Count up to ten and back down again to the tune of “One, Two, Buckle My Shoe” while learning about the traditions that make Diwali a fun-filled festival! Celebrated during autumn harvest, Diwali symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. From sweet treats to intricate henna designs to exciting firework displays, kids will delight in this vibrant glimpse into the Festival of Lights.

This riveting, “visually stunning” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) picture book biography tells the true story of Rose Valland’s valiant efforts to save thousands of works of art during World War II by becoming a spy in her own museum.Rose Valland loved art. When the Nazis invaded Paris during World War II and took over her beloved museum, Rose could have fled. But who would save the artwork? So, Rose remained and saw how she was underestimated by the soldiers for being a quiet, unassuming woman. She knew it was the time to act. And Rose had a secret weapon: she could speak German. She listened, kept track of all the stolen art, and saved what she could. Rose became a spy. And in the end, she saved thousands of works of art.

Learn the story of TIME PERSON OF THE YEAR Greta Thunberg, the sixteen-year-old climate activist who has sparked a worldwide student movent and is demanding action from world leaders who refuse to address climate change—from acclaimed picture book creator Jeanette Winter.I don’t want you to be hopeful. I want you to panic…I want you to act as if our house is on fire. Because it is. When she was fifteen years old, Greta Thunberg’s teacher explained to her class that our climate is changing—the earth is getting warmer, the polar ice caps are melting, and life on earth is threatened. Greta was devastated. What could she do? If the grown-ups weren’t doing enough to save the planet, Greta would have to demand change herself. So she went on strike, skipping school every Friday to sit outside of the Swedish Parliament building with a sign that read “School Strike for Climate.” At first, Greta was the only one. But gradually, more and more students joined her, until her lone protest had sparked a worldwide student movement for action on climate change. Now, a year later, Greta is speaking to audiences of world leaders at important meetings like the United Nations Climate Conference and the World Economic Forum. She is leading the conversation on climate change and sparking worldwide conversation on how to save our planet. Greta is showing everyone that even the smallest person can make a big difference, and this picture book informs and inspires young readers who are beginning to learn about the world around them.

A “soul-stirring opportunity for joyful reflection” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) about a little girl who loses her grandmother and how, even in the midst of sadness and loss, life is beautiful.Every week, Granny Dee takes three trains and one bus to have a weekend full of TV-watching, bubble-bathing, nail-painting, day-tripping, and living LIFE with her granddaughter. Granny Dee always says, “Everybody should enjoy life. Life is beautiful.” Until one weekend Granny Dee doesn’t come, and Momma says she’s getting too old for trains and buses. So week after week, the little girl and her momma go to her instead. Then, one Sunday morning, Granny Dee dies. Can Momma and the little girl still find beauty in life while missing someone they loved?

Inspired by the beautiful true story of a nonverbal boy moved to speech at his first Mozart concert, this picture book is a testament to the power of art and the boundless joy it can bring.When Grandfather comes to take his grandson to a concert, Ronan is quiet as they leave the house, quiet in the car, and quiet at the concert hall. But when the performance is over and the beautiful music fades out at last, Ronan opens his mouth…and lets out a great big WOW! Not any old WOW, but Ronan’s very first WOW! That one word fills up the hearts of Ronan’s family, the musicians, the audience, and—when the recording goes viral—the world.

One Christmas, a tiny owl stuck in the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree stole the hearts of the nation. Discover the true story in this heartwarming picture book from celebrated mother-son team Jonah and Jeanette Winter.There once was an owl who lived in a tree. Until one day her home was uprooted and she was taken far away from what she knew. Follow Rockefeller (“Rocky”) the owl as she journeys to the bustling center of New York City and she’s discovered among the branches of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. With human kindness and a dash of holiday spirit, can this brave little owl find a new home?

Celebrate the beauty of the natural world in this meditative picture book encouraging mindfulness, gratitude, and love for the environment—featuring illustrations painted on actual wood.Can you hug a forest? Of course you can. First you hug the air: open your arms, lift up your chin, and breathe in all the way down to your toes. Then you hug a leaf and a flower and a trail and a stream and all the other wondrous natural elements that make up a forest. Take every chance to soak in your natural surroundings and be grateful for nature.

Discover when, how, where, and why fungi grow in this poetic and illuminating nonfiction picture book in the vein of When the Sky Glows and Animal Architects.Above ground, below ground, all around, fungi grow. They root and fruit and twist and twine everywhere on earth. Some are edible, some are medicinal, some are even poisonous. Step into this book and discover the amazing array of mushrooms and see how they multiply. Learn how fungi heal and help humans. Explore the incredible underground fungal network that helps forests thrive. And so much more!

What do you do when your friend feels blue? This gentle and encouraging rhyming picture book tells a story of all the things you can do to help cheer them up.If your friend is feeling down, do you tickle his trunk to get him out of his funk? Give him a treat—or two or ten? See if he feels better then? A child and his best elephant buddy navigate the many ways to support a pal who’s feeling sad. They learn that the best ways to help are simple: being there for your friend, listening to their troubles, and then, when they’re ready, offering a big hug.

In this lustrous nonfiction picture book biography, meet Black fashion icon and design pioneer Zelda Wynn Valdes, whose dresses, gowns, and costumes helped make people shine.Zelda grew up watching her grandmother at the sewing machine, until she decided her grandmother deserved a pretty dress of her own—and Zelda was going to make it herself. Snip, snap, sew! The dress was sensational! Her grandmother glowed, her family was dazzled, and Zelda fell in love with sewing, sequins, and style. She began to dream of designing dresses that made people everywhere feel beautiful. Zelda started off patching and mending at a tailor shop and making dresses when she could. The 1950s fashion world was run by white designers, and people weren’t used to Black women like Zelda making a name for themselves. But Zelda knew she could do it. Eventually, her designs became so popular that Zelda opened her very own boutique in New York City! People of all backgrounds and sizes came to Zelda’s store, and she dressed them for every occasion. She continued to wow crowds, magazines, critics, and celebrities with her designs. She made gowns for famous singers like Ella Fitzgerald, costumes for Broadway shows, and tights for ballerinas that matched the dancers’ skin tones. Zelda was a star, and with every sketch, stitch, and design, she gave people a way to dazzle!

Come meet babies across the animal kingdom and learn their adorable names in this bouncy, rhyming picture book celebration of how—no matter what species—everyone grows! Puffins have pufflings, porcupines have porcupettes, and echidnas have…puggles?! All these babies start out little, and then, just like humans, they grow and grow and grow. Featuring dozens of different animals, all adorably illustrated by Stephanie Laberis, this book is a vibrant celebration of little ones, growing, and love.

Come along on an eye-popping journey through the forest with a group of young explorers ready to discover everything nature has to offer in this lyrical, awe-inspiring picture book.The wind waves its hand.The trees take a bow.Everything’s big.And everything’s small…From giant redwoods to tiny saplings, steep canyons to shallow creeks, and soaring eagles to crawling critters, there are endless wonders to discover along a trail through the forest. This sweeping story of a day spent in nature will inspire young readers to soak in all the marvels, big and small, that surround them.

Discover the true story of Kathy Sullivan, the first woman to walk in space and the only woman who has been to both outer space and the depths of the ocean, in this inspiring nonfiction picture book biography.Growing up, Kathy Sullivan always knew the world was bigger than her neighborhood. She loved to study maps and wonder about distant places. And when she was six years old and saw Sputnik in the sky, she knew space would be the most amazing adventure of all. One of the first six trailblazing women to join NASA’s storied astronaut corps, Kathy was the first woman to walk in space and a veteran of three shuttle missions. She was in the first NASA Astronaut Group 8, provided support for the first Space Shuttle mission and the Kennedy Space Center crew, and was part of the team that launched, rescued, and maintained the Hubble Space Telescope. After spending 532 total hours in space, Kathy left NASA and fulfilled another dream: traveling to the sea floor. Kathy became the first woman to travel to the Mariana Trench, the lowest known point on planet Earth. Kathy never forgot the maps she loved as a child and followed her curiosity to the highest reaches and most sunken depths—farther than anyone else.

An illuminating picture book biography of renowned Mexican American folk musician Joan Baez, whose songs of justice, peace, and activism have inspired listeners to create positive change across the world, from Christopher Award–winning author Monica Brown and Caldecott Honoree Molly Mendoza.From a young age, Joan Baez knew she wanted to make the world a better place. The daughter of immigrants from Mexico and Scotland, she learned values of compassion and advocacy from her parents. As Joan learned about people in need around the world, she sang to make herself feel better—and her beautiful voice made others feel better, too. Joan sang songs about workers’ rights, civil rights, and the struggle for justice. She started in coffee shops and clubs, worked her way to singing at folk festivals and on New York stages, and eventually she sang next to Martin Luther King Jr. at the March on Washington, alongside César Chávez, and for the President of the United States. Joan realized music could move people’s hearts, minds, and feet toward a path of justice and peace. And she used the gift of her beautiful voice to do just that.

A girl and her grandmother spend the day making mochi together in this gentle and joyous picture book celebrating family, tradition, and the memories that matter most.Emi and Obaachan are making mochi. It’s a recipe that’s been passed down for generations. Obaachan brought it with her when she first came to America from Japan and now, Emi is about to become her family’s newest mochi maker!They mix and pound and twist and wrap. The Japanese rice cakes are sticky and chewy, colorful and tasty, and—most importantly—made with love. For Emi and Obaachan, making mochi becomes a way to remember those they’ve lost, make lots of new memories, and have a fun and family-filled day.

From bestselling mother-son duo Surishtha Sehgal and Kabir Sehgal comes an upbeat rhyming picture book counting backwards from twenty to one delicious Indian and South Asian treats.Off to the market for a tasty bite, Dada and Sona shop for tonight!From twenty ladoos to sixteen mangoes to ten butter naan to seven samosas, the market is full of endless scrumptious snacks to sample. Dada and Sona stock up on all the goodies in preparation for a special surprise. Readers familiar with the foods featured and those looking for new favorites will find their tummies rumbling!

Come dance with Bhangra Baby as he learns to move to the rhythm of a popular Punjabi folk dance in this infectiously exuberant picture book from bestselling mother-son duo Surishtha Sehgal and Kabir Sehgal!Bhangra Baby wants to dance, but Bhangra Baby needs a chance… Luckily, his family and friends are ready to show him the moves. He joins the crowd on the dance floor and learns to step, hop, twist, and jump to the rhythm of the drum. Before long Bhangra Baby has the moves down and is ready to bhangra!

Meet keystone species—the hidden heroes of the natural world—and learn about the ecosystems they support in this “enchanting…engaging” (School Library Journal, starred review) nonfiction picture book from the author of Crossings: Extraordinary Structures for Extraordinary Animals.Keystone species are plants, animals, or other organisms that have a huge effect on the environments around them. From beavers to elephants, alligators to hummingbirds, keystones help themselves and other species survive. Whether it’s creating habitats for themselves and other animals, leaving behind leftovers that fertilize the soil, or clearing out harmful algae, keystones live up to their name in their essential contribution to the harmony of our natural world.

Meet some of the world’s very smallest mini-mammals in this adorable and informative nonfiction picture book with actual-size illustrations from Sibert Honoree Melissa Stewart and Caldecott Honoree Brian Lies.Big mammals like elephants, hippos, and giraffes get a lot of press, but what about the little guys? From pint-sized flying squirrels to itty bitty chipmunks and teeny tiny mouse lemurs, learn all about the mini-est mammals from around the world, depicted at their real-life size.

Based on the author’s own childhood experience, this clever and heartfelt picture book follows a young girl who wants to bring discussion of her disability into the open, exploring themes of acknowledging and celebrating differences.Mazie wears an eyepatch and a head scarf, and on her first day at a new school she’s prepared for her classmates to wonder why. And they do, but no one talks to her about it. Instead, wild rumors fly around the classroom that she’s a pirate or a dragon burned off her hair! Mazie doesn’t mind explaining her disability, but can she find the courage to tell the other kids to just ask her?

A boy learns how to care for and weave the roots of the living tree bridges in his village in India in this narrative nonfiction picture book perfect for fans of We Are Water Protectors and The Tree Lady.In the mountains of Meghalaya, India, a living bridge stands tall, connecting the land and its people with the interwoven roots of tall, wide ficus trees. The bridge is called Jingkieng Jri, and it’s alive. A little boy can’t wait to learn to weave the roots together just like the generations before him. But when he notices litter on the bridge and scars on the roots from people stealing sap, he knows Jinkieng Jri doesn’t just need shaping, it needs love. By rallying his community and even visiting tourists, the boy protects the living bridge and shares his message of care.

Every grain of sand has a story to tell, and young readers can come along on the geological journey to discover how sand is made in this rhyming and illuminating nonfiction picture book.Have you ever held a grain of sand and wondered what was in your hand? Each and every particle has a tale to tell…from a mountaintop storm to fossils of prehistoric creatures to a booming volcanic eruption. Explore the odyssey, through time and tides and waves that roar, that brings each grain of sand onto our shore.