KIDS CAN PRESS – serie

How do vampires celebrate Halloween? Everyone’s favorite vegan vampire is about to find out in the second book of this hilarious early chapter book series.

A few months since leaving his vampire life behind him in Transylvania, Frankie is still learning the basics of acting human. But the good news is that Halloween is coming, and Frankie learns that on this treasured holiday, humans like to dress up in “scary” costumes, such as witches, zombies and ... VAMPIRES! In other words, this could be his family’s chance to finally show their fangs and blend in just by being their true vampire selves. The only problem is a mean boy named Eddie, who might have uncovered Frankie’s secret vampire identity. What if Eddie exposes him and his family? Would his friends ever forgive him? Would his family have to leave? Where would they go?

Writing partners Sally and Brian Dutra have captured early readers’ hearts with this highly entertaining series about Frankie, a winsome misfit boy vampire. Full of deadpan humor and numerous playful twists on the vampire trope, this easy-to-read Halloween story hits all the right notes. Readers will identify with the challenges Frankie faces as he navigates the often-confusing complications of fourth grade and being a newcomer. The story features themes of friendship, family and kindness, as well as the difficulties of dealing with bullies and adjusting to life in a new culture. With black-and-white illustrations by Tiffani Brown on every spread, this book is perfect for young readers who enjoy a little creepy with their funny, at Halloween – or anytime!

Come one, come all to a very special event … the grand opening of the Museum of Willa and Wade!

Willa and Wade (an ostrich and a penguin) discover something curious on their walk. The small round object is sparkly but looks very old. They’ve discovered a treasure! And it belongs in a museum. In fact, it belongs in their very own museum, which will be called the Museum of Willa and Wade (MOWW). So, how do you make a museum? Well, first they have to choose a location. A box labeled MOWW is just the thing. Next, they need to add a few more treasures. Wade’s rock, handed down for generations, and Willa’s dinosaur are perfect for rounding out the collection. Add a café and a grand opening and voilà! They’ve created the perfect museum – almost as perfect as their friendship!

Judith Henderson’s graphic-novel series for early readers is a testament to trying new things, being undeterred by setbacks and learning as you go. The two adorable flightless birds are ever curious and always optimistic as they use creative problem-solving to work their way to solutions. Through it all, their friendship is the star, as the two are always open to each other’s suggestions. Illustrations by Sara Sarhangpour add to the whimsical tone of the story and, with just a few per spread, never overwhelm young readers. This book offers excellent character-education lessons on teamwork, initiative and perseverance. It could also serve as a great discussion starter on the value of museums or on what the things we cherish represent to us.

Everyone’s favorite flightless bird friends learn a thing or two about suspicious behavior in this clever addition to the fun graphic novel series!

When best friends Willa and Wade discover that there may be spies among them, they decide to see if they can spot any in their neighborhood. Of course, they don’t want to be noticed. So they disguise themselves in belted trenchcoats, tipped fedoras and sunglasses. They make sure to act calm and casual as they nonchalantly survey the scene. And they are stealthy when interrogating suspicious-looking characters. Even so, their investigation turns up no spies. However, the rest of the neighborhood now seems to be whispering about them …

Judith Henderson delivers another amusing story about two lovable bird friends who are always trying new things and learning together. This whimsical graphic novel series for early readers promotes being curious and staying optimistic, no matter what happens. Key to their appeal is the friendship between the two birds, who always listen to and support the other’s ideas, and who thoroughly enjoy investigating the world together. Children will love being in on how obvious the pair are while trying to go undercover, and simple illustrations by Sara Sarhangpour provide visual cues that complement the story. This title is excellent for teaching critical-thinking skills and for character-education lessons on perseverance, adaptability and teamwork.

Friendship drama and actual theater drama abound in this hilarious and heartfelt middle-school story.

It’s the summer before eighth grade, and best friends Nansi, Ayesha and Angela are spending as much of the summer together as they can, and celebrating the news that Ayesha got the lead role in the festival play. But when Nansi and Angela accidently post an embarrassing video of Ayesha to a group chat, it sets off a series of events that threaten Nansi and Ayesha’s friendship. And it looks like Nansi’s track-and-field archnemesis, Tania, is at the center of it all …

Packed with humor and hijinks, this second book in the Nansi graphic novel series by Carl Brundtland and Claudia Dávila hits all the right notes. The relatable characters, problems and situations - stage fright, sports rivalries, misunderstandings among friends (and adversaries) - make it a pitch-perfect middle-school read. Nansi’s character is loosely based on Anansi, the West African folktale trickster, adapted to inhabit a modern, urban North American setting. The series features a multicultural cast of characters and incorporates elements of Jamaican culture into Nansi’s family life. Colorful and expressive art by Claudia Dávila captures the energy and emotional range of the lovable characters. This book offers excellent character education lessons on caring, courage and resilience.

For fans of Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls and Girls Think of Everything – as well as anyone who loves discovering unknown tales from the past – a unique collection of unforgettable stories about women who were denied their place in history.

Throughout human history, women’s contributions have been overlooked, overshadowed or outright stolen, often by men in their field. In science and engineering, this is known as the Matilda Effect, after the nineteenth-century writer and women’s rights activist Matilda Joslyn Gage. This groundbreaking book explores little-known stories about 25 women who were erased from history, including Hatshepsut, an ancient Egyptian ruler whose name was chiseled off walls; Marie-Catherine d’Aulnoy, who coined the term “fairy tales”; and Milicent Patrick, who created one of the most iconic monsters in Hollywood. It’s a valuable contribution to history that sets the record straight, writes these remarkable women back into the history books and gives them the credit they deserve.

Award-winning author L. E. Carmichael uncovered the fascinating stories for this book through extensive research and has included some that aren’t available anywhere else for young readers, in print or online. A diverse group of women from around the world and throughout history are featured, bookended by two original erasure poems by the author that highlight the book’s theme of women’s work and achievements. Eye-catching portraits by Roxanne Rainville help readers visualize these remarkable women from history. This book has numerous cross-curricular applications in history, STEM and biography. Additional material in the end matter includes a note from the author and illustrator, information on how to take action to help end the Matilda Effect, a glossary, author’s sources, further reading and an index.

A child shares feelings about their identity with their dad in this powerful story about change, acceptance and, above all, love.

One winter, while creating their annual ice rink together, a child starts a conversation with their dad about something important. “Do you ever feel mixed up about who you are?” the child asks. But the father misunderstands the question. So, the child tries again later. “Do you ever feel different than the way you look?” Again, the father doesn’t get it. But this time he asks to hear more. And the child explains. “I look like a boy, but sometimes I feel more like a girl.” At last, it’s been said. The child shares that their name feels like an itchy sweater and they want to change it to “Gray.” It’s a big change, but one they can grow into together. And when Gray’s dad finally uses their chosen name, it feels warm and right, just like hot chocolate after the first skate of the season.

This personal story, co-written by acclaimed author Andrew Larsen and his son Bells, is inspired by Bells’s own experience as a transgender person. It’s about the joy and comfort a child feels when a parent affirms their identity, and how the transition can be complex for the rest of the family. An excellent conversation starter for families with a child who might be questioning their gender identity, it centers the child’s experience of navigating and sharing what they feel, and shows that, though the child’s sense of themself is changing, their place in the family is not. It also demonstrates a supportive and respectful family environment, where home is a safe space. Tallulah Fontaine’s softly focused illustrations punctuated by the red of Gray’s cap create an inviting, wintery setting.

Home Alone meets Bend It Like Beckham in this middle-grade graphic novel about a group of misfit kids trying to fit in while celebrating their heritage.

Life is tough for Siddhu and his family after they move to Canada from India. So, when the other immigrant children in his apartment building tell him about Christmas, and how Santa always skips their building because no one puts up a Christmas tree, he decides this is his chance to make things better for all of them. He’s going to find a way to get a Christmas tree into their building! What he doesn’t anticipate, however, is how fiercely some of the adults resist. That is, until Siddhu and his friends learn the true meaning of Christmas spirit. And, suddenly, everything changes.

Rahul Chaturvedi has crafted a quintessential immigrant story with a delightful Christmas twist. Together with Sunita Balsara’s expressive illustrations, it also offers a realistic depiction of what life is like for a child in a new country. This fun graphic novel perfectly blends a charming, feel-good Christmas story with lessons on Indian and other cultures’ holiday traditions. It highlights the similarities in all cultures, and how when people of different backgrounds get together to accomplish something, the result can be magical – an important message for our time. The book also provides a relatable, funny and fresh child-centered point of view. There are excellent character education lessons here on adaptability, cooperation, inclusiveness and teamwork. A glossary of Hindi words and terms is included.

This love letter to libraries and librarians throughout history is a fascinating look at how these beloved institutions have long helped communities and why they are more essential than ever.

While most of us have been to a library, not everyone knows how important libraries have always been – or just how broad the definition of a library can be. This book explores these topics in lively prose, covering everything from the history of libraries and their functions to unusual libraries, such as secret or traveling libraries, and special libraries created for certain purposes or to serve specific communities. And what ties it all together is a simple but powerful message: everyone everywhere deserves access to information and stories – and to a library!

In this one-of-a-kind book, award-winning author Joyce Grant takes readers on a whirlwind tour of libraries and their long history as meeting spots for community members, places of refuge in times of conflict and change and safe spaces that protect both people and access to information. Also included are profiles of many real-life librarians who have found creative ways to meet the public’s needs. This timely book provides an engaging, accessible overview and contextualization of relevant issues such as equal access to information, freedom to read, censorship and inclusion – particularly significant today as libraries in North America face new challenges. Together with Chanelle Nibbelink’s fresh and quirky illustrations, the text invites readers to think about what libraries mean to them – and why that’s worth protecting. A “design your own library” prompt, author’s note, list of resources and a glossary are also included.

An action-packed picture book inspired by the true experiences of Indigenous mail carriers.

One winter, the weather is so bad in a remote village that the mail can’t be delivered to or from the neighboring community for many weeks. But then, on a clear morning, Sage’s father decides he’ll have enough time before the next storm arrives to transport everyone’s letters and packages on the Snowshoe Express, a dogsled pulled by Nimoosh. When Sage finds an overlooked package in the snow and runs to catch up, she gets to go, too. But then they have a frightening encounter with wolves in the woods, a fast-moving storm threatens to overtake them, and Sage’s excitement turns to fear. Will they (and the mail) be able to get to the other village safely?

This compelling, edge-of-the-seat adventure story is based on the life of author Louise Bradford’s Anishinaabe and French great-great-grandfather, who delivered mail by snowshoe and sled. It offers children an excellent introduction to the important, and often treacherous, work of Indigenous mail carriers, bringing to life a lesser-known part of Indigenous history. Artwork by award-winning illustrator Maya McKibbin perfectly captures Sage’s range of emotions and vividly portrays the snow-covered landscape in shades of blue and white. The story features cultural details in the illustrations as well as Anishinaabemowin words, with a glossary. An author’s note and an introduction from the former chief of Batchewana First Nation, the community of the author and her ancestor, are also included. There are numerous curriculum links throughout to social studies and Indigenous history lessons.

When the bustle and noise of daytime are too much, a girl looks forward to nighttime’s calm and hush.

The daytime world is much too loud for Nora. At home, the vacuum vrooms, the television blares and her twin sisters make a racket. Life outside the house is no better, with children splashing around the pool, carts squeaking at the supermarket and cars honking in the street. But when nighttime arrives, Nora can escape to her room, where she finally gets to hear the gentle brushing of branches against her windowsill and the soothing sounds of her family from the other side of the house. For Nora, nighttime is perfectly delightful.

This comforting picture book provides a sensitive portrayal of a child who finds her own quiet and calm within the noise and chaos of her life. Award-winning illustrator April dela Noche Milne has created a calming read that will help children (and their adults!) wind down from a busy day and tune into the quiet stillness of nighttime. Bright, dreamy illustrations bring the story’s gentle beauty to life. The artwork tenderly captures the rhythms of a bustling household and celebrates the children who create their own peaceful corners, making it a natural fit for lessons on adaptability and inner strength. This comforting ode to quiet reassures children that they can find softness amid the noise of everyday life.

The contortionist antics of some sly cats help teach babies and toddlers about shapes in this charming board book.

Clever and mischievous cats take on different shapes in this adorable concept board book. A curious cat climbs into a box to investigate and forms the shape of a SQUARE. A thirsty cat crawls into a bathroom sink to get a drink and spreads into an OVAL. A sneaky cat slips into a drawer to take a nap and stretches into a RECTANGLE. And, at the end of the day, all the cats cuddling together take on the best shape of all: the shape of their owner’s HEART!

Award-winning author and illustrator Aidan Cassie really gets how cats behave — and what amuses very young children! Using simple text, bright colors and spot-on visual humor, Cassie showcases six different cats morphing into the six basic shapes that babies and toddlers are learning to recognize and name. For each one, the cat is shown approaching or near its target on the right side of a spread, with intriguing text: “A curious cat can be a …” Turn the page, and the left side of the next spread reveals where the cat landed, and in what shape: in this case, “SQUARE.” The cat and its shape-shifting behavior are the whole focus of each of the illustrations. Small children will delight in this age-appropriate introduction to shapes, sure to become a new favorite read-aloud!

A charming story of being seen, being loved and being family.

A young girl’s ninang (“godmother” in Tagalog) has arrived for a visit, and she’s thrilled! After all, Ninang isn’t just the girl’s godmother, she’s also her very best friend. Ninang describes herself as “a grown-up whose heart never grew up,” which means the two get to have a day full of adventures, including blasting off into outer space and rescuing lost balloons and cats stuck in trees! Unfortunately, as with all wonderful visits, this one must come to end. Or can the girl find a way to get Ninang to stay?

With her playful nature and delight in invention, Ninang is the older relative every child dreams of having. Analene Go has crafted a heartwarming story that celebrates the joys of family life, family connections and imaginative play. Warm depictions of a Filipino household, together with Tagalog words, add a cultural richness to the story. Brightly colored artwork by Alexis Young enlivens the characters’ magical playtime and engages readers to seek for hidden objects in the illustrations. The book’s focus on a special intergenerational relationship that’s not with a grandparent sets it apart from other family-centered books. An author’s note and a glossary are included.

From award-winning author Heather Smith, a sweet and relatable story about the relationship between two brothers … and their bunk bed.

Every night at bedtime, a little boy’s older brother climbs into the top bunk of their bed and taunts, “I’m the king of the castle, and you’re the dirty rascal.” As annoying as this is for the little brother, his big brother also provides a sense of security. Sometimes in the dark, the little brother will startle awake. “You there?” he will whisper. “I’m here, Rascal. Now go to sleep,” his brother will whisper back. As time passes, his brother starts going out more with his friends. And then leaves for camp. And, suddenly, the boy is left to ponder how it feels to be without his brother in the bunk bed, and in his life.

This touching story by multi-award-winning author Heather Smith movingly conveys the complicated feelings a child has for their older sibling. The bunk bed offers a perfect metaphor for the sibling relationship, one looking up and one looking down, the older one irritating the younger one with his big brother status while also making him feel safe. Illustrations by Andrea Armstrong complement the emotional tone of the story, with the younger boy’s expressive face at the center of many of the scenes. This endearing book will resonate with readers of all types, younger and older siblings, children and adults alike. Offering a unique look at how siblings’ relationships change as they get older, the book can also prompt discussions with young children about their relationships with family members. It’s an excellent representation of growth mindset and works for character-education lessons on adaptability and courage.

Odd-couple friends – a boy and a crocodile – hit the high seas in this hilarious early graphic novel.

When finicky homebody Croc loses a bet to his adventure-loving best friend, Mac, he must do the thing he’s been refusing to do – set sail with him on the open ocean on a quest to find a lost city. Unfortunately, once they’re on the water, things don’t go according to plan. Or, rather, Mac never made a plan, so things go wrong pretty quickly. And when Mac is swept overboard, Croc has to act decisively to help his friend. Will Croc surprise himself by ignoring his fears and enjoying the experience of a lifetime with his best pal?

This easy-to-read early graphic novel from creator Jami Gigot features quirky and appealing characters, a bright color palette and tons of silly visual details for readers to enjoy. The book’s theme of two unlikely best friends with radically different ideas of a good time is sure to please all children – whatever level of excitement they prefer. This is a fun and fast-moving classic adventure story with a fresh twist, and it’s told entirely in dialogue, perfect for performance-minded children to act out. It has connections to character education topics of adaptability, resilience and courage. It also offers social-emotional lessons in trying new things and learning about oneself.

A poetic and playful picture book about a family celebrating the Chinese spring festival Ching Ming.

A young boy and his family arrive at the cemetery to celebrate Ching Ming, the day they and many other families remember and honor their ancestors. For the boy, the rituals of the day feel like a game – the Cemetery Game. The family members bring flowers and special foods to the gravesites of their relatives. They light incense, burn play money and bow together. The boy and his sister even find time for a laugh, imagining themselves at a tea party for ghosts! But as their older brother reminds them, this day is important and they need to pay attention. After all, one day this will all be their responsibility.

In this sensitively told picture book about a family tradition, award-winning author Alan Woo’s spare text perfectly captures the way a young child recognizes the reverence being called for in honoring ancestors while also indulging his natural inclination to find fun in it. Award-winning illustrator Rachel Wada uses sweeping images of incense smoke and shadows to evoke the emotional resonance of the cemetery setting. This accessible introduction to Ching Ming – also known as Tomb-Sweeping Day – aligns with elementary social studies lessons on celebrations. It also offers a child-friendly perspective on death and visiting the cemetery, providing an excellent opportunity to have conversations with young children about meaningful family rituals and how we pay tribute to those who came before us. Inspired by the author’s childhood experiences, the book contains a personal note from him at the end.

Join a whale below the waves and learn about the wonders of breathing.

What can happen during one whale’s breath? Here, readers find out by traveling along with a humpback whale from inhale to exhale. An evocative poem – written as one long sentence without pauses to mirror the whale’s breath – describes the activities of all the sea creatures the whale passes, focusing on the way each one breathes. Fascinating facts about their breathing are presented separately in straightforward sidebars. It’s a wondrous journey, sure to captivate readers, as they discover how important oxygen is to most living things – under and above the sea – and how we all benefit from sharing it.

This beautiful informational picture book takes an innovative approach to a topic with high appeal. Award-winning author Jessica Kulekjian has crafted a lyrical tale of life under the sea backed up with accessible and expert-vetted science about how creatures breathe. It covers how long creatures can go between breaths, whether they breathe air using their lungs or breathe in water using their gills, and the interdependence of different species for their oxygen. Life-forms included range from sardines and sharks to crabs and kelp, as well as humans and seagulls. Cinyee Chiu’s lush, color-drenched illustrations provide a delightful whale’s-eye view of a marine ecosystem. The book has strong curriculum connections to primary life science and earth science lessons. Back matter provides more information and further resources.

A girl seeking answers uncovers an unbelievable world in this spellbinding contemporary gothic novel, perfect for fans of Stranger Things and Wildwood.

When Tilly Dewberry and her father move into Nana Mae’s old farmhouse, Tilly can’t believe Nana Mae is no longer living there. She and her cousin Finn had such wonderful times with Nana Mae, especially listening to her wild stories about the witch who lived in the Dark Wood behind the farm. But Nana Mae has suffered severe memory loss, and she’s now in a nursing home. Tilly doesn’t understand how this could have happened – or what she can do about it. That is, until she finds a key hidden in the old oak tree not far from the Dark Wood. Could this be Tilly’s answer? Has Nana Mae left her a clue?

This spine-tingling middle grade novel from debut author Sarah Van Goethem will captivate readers with its unforgettable characters, eerie gothic setting and plot twists that will keep them guessing to the very end. Fans of adventure and fantasy stories will be compelled by Tilly’s chilling journey into the forbidden Dark Wood, a place that is much darker and stranger than she could have ever imagined. And young readers will be drawn to the story’s themes of environmental activism, friendship and self-discovery.

A warm and thoughtful introduction to caring for and loving our animals – and ourselves.

In a gentle, helpful voice, this book explains to young children what animals need to thrive, describing each of the basic requirements of all animals (including humans!) and sweetly suggesting how to meet them. For example, “It’s a good idea to greet an animal with affection upon waking. ‘Good morning, my beautiful animal,’ you can say.” Covering everything from grooming and feeding to exercising and sleeping, it’s the perfect companion for every animal lover!

In this unique picture book, celebrated author Lauren Soloy shares a personal message about the importance of taking care of all the animals in our lives, including the human kind. Her advice is practical, while her tone is affirming and tenderhearted without being overly sentimental. The book helps children recognize that humans are animals, too, and need just as much adoration, love and care. It offers young children easy-to-understand lessons on the needs of living things and an excellent overview of how to care for an animal. It would make a wonderful gift for a child with a new pet. Award-winning Janie Hao’s illustrations blend the real with a sense of the imagined to capture the special relationship between young children and animals.

Head out into the wild in this hilarious addition to the beloved graphic novel series starring the irresistible and irrepressible Steve the Horse!

Steve has come up with just the thing to relieve his excruciating boredom: an expedition! He’s going to discover a new land! He’ll call it Steve-topia. Or, maybe, Steve-ville. If he leaves now, he can be back in time for dinner. Sure, his best friend Bob the raccoon has reason to be concerned, since Steve’s never been on an expedition before and hasn’t even packed supplies. But as anyone will tell you, Steve has an adventurous spirit – what more could he need?

Kelly Collier’s endearingly oblivious character Steve the Horse, together with his steadfast sidekick Bob, have kept children laughing out loud for years. The silly humor abounds in the fourth book of this popular graphic novel series, as Steve confidently strides into one (mis)adventure after another – pitch-perfect for early elementary–age children. And, as with every good story, this one offers readers lessons along with their entertainment, including character education lessons in patience, responsibility and caring, and life skill lessons on the importance of being prepared and staying safe, no matter how far you roam!

A young dinosaur discovers his true calling in this delightful picture book, perfect for fans of Ferdinand and We Don’t Eat Our Classmates.

Frederick Bartholomew Rex the Third comes from a long line of accomplished frighteners. Now it’s time for him to join the family business, so he heads to the big city and begins the work of terrifying the inhabitants with his mighty roar. Only, no matter how hard he tries, nobody is frightened. Not even a little! Dejected and worried about disappointing his parents, Fred Rex decides to seek out other things he might enjoy. He finds himself particularly drawn to opera. Hmm. Could this be how he is actually meant to use his booming voice?

This sweet picture book from award-winning children’s book creator Joaquin Camp sings with humor and heart. With eye-popping artwork complementing this classic story of self-discovery, it makes for a perfect read-aloud that’s sure to captivate young readers. The story will be especially appealing to dinosaur lovers, showing them there’s more than one way to be mighty. This book offers terrific social-emotional learning opportunities with its core message about the power of being your authentic self and defying expectations. It will encourage children to follow their hearts to discover who they truly are.

Evolution is the process that created the terrible teeth of Tyrannosaurus rex and the complex human brain, clever enough to understand the workings of nature. Young readers will learn how a British naturalist named Charles Darwin studied nature and developed his now-famous concepts of natural selection and survival of the fittest. And how modern-day science has added to our understanding of the theory of evolution.

Can something as complex and wondrous as the natural world be explained by a simple theory? The answer is yes, and now Evolution explains how in a way that makes it easy to understand.

“I liked kindergarten from the very 1st day,” begins the narrator of this very funny and touching picture book. However, she notices, “My mom was happy for me, of course, but I got the feeling that she was also a little sad” to leave her. So one day the little girl invites her mom to join the kindergarten class for the day, which turns out to be a real learning experience --- for both of them. Somehow her mom just can’t get any of the rules right: she barges to the front of the line, she shouts out without raising her hand, she slams down her scissors during Craft Time. How embarrassing! In a wonderful role reversal that will delight young children, the girl must become the patient and sometimes frustrated expert who instructs her mom on how to behave. Author Maureen Fergus has found a unique way of telling a school story that allows children to feel rewarded about how much they know. The spare style and juvenile sensibility of the artwork by Mike Lowery perfectly conveys the hilarity of the story. This book would be a popular, entertaining read-aloud, especially for kindergartners themselves. It ties in beautifully to character education lessons on patience or perseverance. The little girl is a wonderful role model for how to be generous and kind to others who are struggling with something new, while also providing a humorous lesson on why it’s important to follow the rules.

In this charming picture book written by Susan Hood, the Tooth Mouse (who replaces the Tooth Fairy in French-speaking countries) has called a meeting to announce her retirement. “I am not as spry as I used to be … I have decided it is time to name my successor!” she tells the surprised crowd. Sophie, an energetic and very tiny mouse, desperately wants the job. “C’est moi!” Sophie thinks. “Choose me! Choose me!” But the position of Tooth Mouse --- or La Petite Souris --- isn’t just given to anyone; it must be earned by participating in a difficult and dangerous three-part contest to determine which of all the mouse applicants is the most brave, honest and wise. Will Sophie, the smallest and daintiest of the aspirants, manage to beat the odds and win the challenging competition for her dream job?

In the style of a classic fable, this gentle yet inspiring story is sure to captivate young children with the delightful idea of a small mouse making her way under the pillows of sleeping children at night instead of the Tooth Fairy. It also provides an irresistible and uplifting message that size doesn’t have to determine who succeeds in life. Award-winning artist Janice Nadeau’s lovely illustrations in soft, muted colors add a delicate whimsy to the tale. This book would be a fantastic read-aloud for any storytime. Sprinkled with French expressions and phrases throughout, it would make a terrific introduction to foreign languages as well.

An alphabet book like no other from the unique imagination of Wallace Edwards, now reissued for a new generation of readers.

This new edition of the Governor General’s Award–winning Alphabeasts celebrates the weirdly wonderful imagination of a beloved Canadian artist, the late Wallace Edwards. A new generation of young readers (and adults) will delight in this truly extraordinary alphabet book, discovering animals from A to Z living together in an old Victorian mansion. There’s an elephant in the ballroom playing with a model train, an octopus hanging from the foyer chandelier – and even a zebra enjoying a soak in the bathtub!

Using watercolors and colored pencils in his inimitable style, Wallace Edwards created a bizarre and luxurious world rich in color and texture, with details that readers will pore over. Timeless and engaging, this witty and surreal mix of art and alphabet book is a true gift for those discovering it for the first time.