New Releases by Ashley Spires

An endearing story about a little girl who doesn’t think she can. “Up there! The tree can be our ship!” one of Lou’s friends exclaims when they decide to play pirates. “Ummm …” responds Lou. Usually she loves adventures. But this is new. Lou has never climbed a tree before. And she knows she can’t do it. She doesn’t even want to try. But this adventure does look fun, and when all her excuses run out, Lou realizes the bravest adventurers are those who TRY. An inspiring lesson for anyone who’s ever avoided something hard.

New for fans of the runaway bestseller The Most Magnificent Thing, a story about the ups and downs of working with others. When a girl and her dog arrive at the girl’s favorite workspace to make something, they find that a neighbor has gotten there first! Hmm, well, maybe they could make something together? Magnificent idea! So the girl starts cutting, hammering and gluing, while the neighbor considers, measures and calculates. The neighbor believes in always measuring twice and cutting once, but the girl thinks that takes way too long. Clearly, they have very different approaches to making. Will they ever be able to work things out as a team? This fresh take on the joys and pressures of working with others will inspire kids to imagine, try and persevere – together!

Holy fuzzbutt! A new Ashley Spires picture book series, based on the animated TV show Agent Binky: Pets of the Universe. When Agent Binky (the space cat) accidentally falls through a screen while he’s chasing an alien (fruit fly) that got inside his space station (house), he and Ted, his beloved stuffed mouse, are catapulted into outer space (outside), and Ted lands right near an alien spaceship (wasp nest)! Though Binky is brought back inside, Ted is left behind – in enemy territory! Binky must act quickly, so he turns to P.U.R.S.T. (Pets of the Universe Ready for Space Travel) for assistance. But can Ted be rescued in time? Kids will laugh out loud at Binky’s overactive imagination – and cheer when he wins the day!

Holy fuzzbutt! A new Ashley Spires picture book series, based on the animated TV show Agent Binky: Pets of the Universe. Binky the space cat is on duty, keeping watch for any aliens (bugs) attempting to breach his space station (house). Wait, there’s one (caterpillar) on the windowsill! Hmm, false alarm. It’s moving too slowly to be a threat. Except, over the next few days, it gets bigger. And bigger. Then, it builds itself a spaceship (cocoon) and emerges as a colorful flitting alien (butterfly) that – oh, no! – flies directly into the space station! It’s time for Binky and his crew to contact headquarters. A perfectly silly picture book for younger fans who can’t get enough Binky!

See below for English description. Une fillette et son chien sont prêts à fabriquer quelque chose. Elle rassemble ses fournitures et ils se dirigent vers son espace de travail préféré... pour découvrir que sa voisine, accompagnée de son chat, est arrivée la première! Peut-être pourraient-elles fabriquer quelque chose ensemble? Quelle idée magnifique! La jeune fille commence donc à couper, à marteler et à coller, tandis que sa voisine réfléchit, mesure et calcule. Cette dernière croit qu''il faut toujours mesurer deux fois pour couper une seule fois, mais la jeune fille pense que cela prend beaucoup trop de temps. La tension commence à monter lorsqu''il devient évident qu''elles ont des méthodes de travail très différentes. Elles n''ont même pas la même idée de ce qu''elles fabriquent! Parviendront-elles un jour à travailler ensemble? Mêlant humour et empathie, Ashley Spires saisit parfaitement les hauts et les bas émotionnels du travail en équipe dans cette célébration de la collaboration créative. En persévérant à travers les défis techniques et émotionnels, la jeune fille apprend que les erreurs ne sont pas synonymes d''échec et que les revers ne sont qu''une partie du chemin vers la réussite. Cet album illustré amusant et inspirant fait partie de la même franchise qui comprend des livres, une série télévisée et un court métrage primé. Cette série est très appréciée des professionnel·les de l''éducation en raison de l''importance qu''elle accorde à l''esprit de croissance, et ce livre, qui traite d''un autre thème important en classe, le travail d''équipe, ne fait pas exception. A girl and her dog are ready to make something. She gathers her supplies, and they head to her favourite workspace -- only to discover that her neighbour, along with her cat, got there first! Hmm, well, maybe they could make something together? Magnificent idea! So the girl starts cutting, hammering, and gluing, while her neighbor considers, measures, and calculates. Her neighbour believes in always measuring twice and cutting once, but the girl thinks that takes way too long. Tensions start to rise as it becomes clear they have very different styles of working. And even different ideas about exactly what they''re making! Can they ever work things out as a team? Blending humour with empathy to strike just the right note, Ashley Spires perfectly captures the emotional ups and downs of working with others in this celebration of collaboration in the creative process. As the girl perseveres through technical and emotional challenges, she learns that mistakes don''t mean failure and setbacks are just part of the route to success. This amusing and inspiring picture book is part of the franchise that includes books, a TV series, and an award-winning short film. The series is a favourite among educators because of its growth mindset focus, and this title highlights another important theme in the classroom: teamwork. Original Title: The Most Magnificent Team

The latest addition to The Most Magnificent series. In this vocabulary book, the characters from The Most Magnificent Thing walk readers from A to Z, through all the words little makers need to know. It captures the ups (“I is for IDEA. A gift from the imagination that wants to be made.”) and downs (“P is for PATIENCE. Most things don’t work the first time … or the third time …. or even the twelfth time.”) of creating and includes explanations of key concepts (“B is for BRAINSTORM. When ideas of all shapes and sizes rain onto the page.”) Witty, clever and encouraging, it’s sure to inspire endless magnificent making!

More Binky means more fun! At last, a box set for fans who can’t get enough of lovable Binky, the certified space cat and fearless leader of epic missions (if only in his imagination!). Whether he’s single-handedly battling alien invaders (bugs) or painstakingly training a new space cadet (family dog), Binky’s hilarious cat’s-eye view of the world — and his crucial role in keeping it safe — are unlike any other. And now kids can have all the books in the series in one collection! It’s nonstop entertainment, perfect for beginning readers — or anyone who appreciates witty humor (or witty cats!).

The long-awaited sequel to the runaway bestseller The Most Magnificent Thing! This is the story of a girl who, with her dog at her side, loves to make things. Her brain is an “idea machine,” always so full of ideas, she can hardly keep up! But then, one day … it isn’t. All of a sudden, the girl can’t think of anything to make. She tries brainstorming, gathering new supplies, even jumping up and down on one foot to shake an idea loose. Nothing. What if she never has another idea again? Readers everywhere will be rooting for their favorite thing-maker to get her mojo back!

See below for English description. Esther la fée ne croit pas à la magie. Elle croit à la science. En tant que fée préférant le microscope à la baguette magique, elle ne peut contenir son enthousiasme lorsqu''elle parvient à former une hypothèse sur les solides et les liquides. Mais son enseignante et ses camarades de classe ne sont pas aussi intéressés qu''elle l''aurait espéré. Tous préfèrent les baguettes magiques... Ses amis finiront-ils par l''aider à explorer sa découverte du cycle de l''eau? Les lecteurs du premier tome de La fée scienti que adoreront cette nouvelle addition à la série de la fée intelligente qui adore les sciences. Esther the fairy doesn''t believe in magic, but rather in science. As a fairy who prefers a microscope to a wand, she can''t contain her excitement when she forms a hypothesis of how solids and liquids work. But her classmates and teacher aren''t quite as convinced by her ideas as she had hoped. Can her friends help her explore her discovery about the wild water cycle, or will magic be stronger than science? Readers who loved the first La fée scientifique book will love this hilarious addition about the science-loving, strong-headed fairy. Original title: Fairy Science: Solid, Liquid, Gassy

Fairy scientist Esther is experimenting with the water cycle in this enchanting STEM-and-magic-filled follow-up to Fairy Science, a picture book from the award-winning author-illustrator of The Most Magnificent Thing! When a pond dries up, fairy scientist Esther doesn''t freeze under the pressure. She and her friends go full steam ahead for to make a scientific discovery! Bestselling author Ashley Spires (The Most Magnificent Thing) creates a charming primer to the water cycle. Includes an at-home water experiment for the budding scientist in your house!

See below for English description. Esther la fée ne croit pas en la magie et perçoit le monde différemment de ses amies. Elle doit déployer de grands efforts pour convaincre ses amies fées de l''importance de la science. Lorsque les fées essaient de sauver un arbre mourant en faisant une danse mystique, Esther décide de trouver une solution logique. Grâce à la méthode scientifique, elle déduit que l''arbre a besoin de la lumière du soleil pour survivre. Esther a réussi à sauver l''arbre, mais sera-t-elle capable de changer l''opinion de ses amies fées? La fée scientifique est le premier tome d''une nouvelle série d''albums intelligents. Il met en scène une héroïne charmante et déterminée, qui a un esprit scientifique bien développé. Une célébration de la curiosité et de la science. Esther the fairy doesn''t believe in magic. But fairies are all about magic, despite Esther''s best efforts to reveal the science of their world. So when her fairy peers try to help a dying tree by doing a mystical moonlight dance, Esther decides to take it upon herself to resuscitate the tree... with the scientific method, some hypothesizing, a few experiments and the heady conclusion that trees need sunlight to live! But while Esther manages to save the tree, she can''t quite change the minds of her misguided fairymates... or can she? La fée scientifique, the first in a hilarious new picture book series, introduces a charming, determined heroine as she learns about the world and celebrates the joys of curiosity and exploring science. Original title: Fairy Science

An enchanting STEM-and-fairy-filled picture book from the award-winning author-illustrator of The Most Magnificent Thing! All the fairies in Pixieville believe in magic--except Esther. She believes in science. When a forest tree stops growing, all the fairies are stumped--including Esther. But not for long! Esther knows that science can get to the root of the problem--and its solution! Whether you believe in fairy magic or the power of science, you will be charmed by Esther, the budding fairy scientist.

When aliens emerge from the walls and neutralize everyone on the space station but Gordon, he travels back in time in an experimental time machine to stop the alien invasion, but accidentally ends up five years in the past.

El pequeño Saúl no es un pirata como los demás. Es más bien bajito, le gusta repartir flores, se ha tatuado un conejo en el brazo y prepara un pastel de piña delicioso. Hacerse el duro no va con él. El resto de piratas de El Calamar Oxidado no tarda en darse cuenta de que es diferente. ¿Será el pequeño Saúl capaz de demostrar su valía como pirata o acabarán sus compañeros de barco lanzándolo por la borda?

An endearing story about a little girl who doesnêt think she can. –Up there! The tree can be our ship!” one of Louês friends exclaims when they decide to play pirates. –Ummm Ä” responds Lou. Usually she loves adventures. But this is new. Lou has never climbed a tree before. And she knows she canêt do it. She doesnêt even want to try. But this adventure does look fun, and when all her excuses run out, Lou realizes the bravest adventurers are those who TRY. An inspiring lesson for anyone whoês ever avoided something hard.

André adore le théâtre. Il se joint donc à une troupe et s''inscrit à toutes les activités qui pourraient l''aider à améliorer sa performance. Quand il décide aussi de prendre des cours de cornemuse, d''espagnol, de tennis et de cinéma français, c''est la folie furieuse et André ne sait plus où donner de la tête! Il ne dort plus et n''a plus de temps pour son amie Edie. Que fera André pour retrouver l''équilibre dans sa vie?

Sergeant Fluffy Vandermere''s number-one job is protecting the world from alien domination (aka bugs), and he takes his responsibility very seriously. So when the unthinkable happens and aliens invade headquarters --- bzzzzzz --- Fluffy sets out on a daring solo mission to defeat the intruders, rescue the hostages and --- POW! THWAP! KRUNK! --- save the world! This easy-to-read graphic novel is perfect for emergent readers. Sound effects, secret-agent elements and litter box humor add to the fun. The hilarious premise offers keen insight into the secret lives of cats, and touches on the very real themes of leadership, teamwork and bravery. Holy Hairballs! What a cat! What a leader! What an adventure!

Debate. French film club. Bagpipes. Can Andrew do it all? From the award-winning creator of The Most Magnificent Thing comes a book about an charming chickadee who learns – with the help of a “deer” friend - that busy isn’t always better. Andrew loves putting on plays so he decides to join the drama club at school. Determined to make his performance the best it can be, he joins the debate club to practice his public speaking. He signs up for dance and karate to help with his coordination. Then he''s asked to play for the tennis team and edit the school newspaper. Before long he''s learning to play the bagpipes, attending Spanish classes and joining the French film club. Suddenly Andrew doesn''t have time for anything or anyone else, not even his best friend Edie. And he definitely doesn''t have time to sleep. Will Andrew figure out how to balance all his favorite activities and his best friend at the same time? A hilarious look at over-scheduling, a common issue many kids today face.

A little girl and her canine assistant set out to make the most magnificent thing. But after much hard work, the end result is not what the girl had in mind. Frustrated, she quits. Her assistant suggests a long walk, and as they walk, it slowly becomes clear what the girl needs to do to succeed. A charming story that will give kids the most magnificent thing: perspective!

Basile, Mimi et Gordy sont désespérés: leurs maîtres sont non seulement partis en vacances sans eux, mais ils les ont laissé en pension à la clinique vétérinaire! Or, il est indigne pour des explorateurs du cosmos de leur trempe d''être ainsi privés de leur liberté et d''être condamnés à jouer avec une petite balle dans leur cage! Un stéthoscope récupéré par Gordy (qui, en tant que chien, a droit chaque jour à sa promenade quotidienne) leur permet de découvrir la combinaison du cadenas qui les retient prisonniers et les voilà qui s''évadent par les canaux d''aération! Canaux qui les conduisent jusqu''au laboratoire secret que l''inquiétante professeure Boule de poils, une ancienne exploratrice du cosmos qui collabore désormais avec les extraterrestres, tient dans le sous-sol du cabinet... [SDM].

The funny tale of a seven-foot-tall, scarf-sporting sasquatch who discovers he may not be alone in the world.

Voici l''histoire drle et attendrissante d''un gentil Sasquatch vgtarien qui aime vivre seul et est ravi que personne ne croie son existence... Mais un jour, une dcouverte bouleverse sa vie tranquille : il n''est pas le seul Sasquatch au monde! Tout excit l''ide d''avoir un ami avec qui jouer sur la balanoire bascule et changer des conseils d''entretien de fourrure, Boris se dguise et part vrifier cette rumeur. Quelle dception lorsqu''il se rend compte que cet ami potentiel n''est qu''un imposteur! Cependant, alors qu''il se prpare retourner sa vie paisible dans les bois, Boris rencontre une Sasquatch trs relle. Et voil que ce grand solitaire a un rendez-vous... Boris is a funny, sweet story of a quiet, vegetarian sasquatch who is quite happy to be alone in the world and is content with the idea that nobody thinks he''s real . . . Until he discovers something that rocks his solitary existence: he is not the only sasquatch in the world! Excited by the prospect of a companion with whom he can teeter totter and share body-hair maintenance tips, Boris dons a disguise and steps out of his comfort zone to meet his match. When Boris finally comes face to face with his potential companion, he is devastated to learn that the other sasquatch is just a BIG fake. Yet, just as he''s looking forward to returning to his peaceful life in the woods, Boris has a surprise encounter with a very real female sasquatch. Suddenly this self-sufficient homebody finds himself making dinner plans . . . Original title: Larf