New Releases by Charise Mericle Harper

"Pepper, Boo, and the Cat celebrate a special day with big and small things, cat and dog things, as well as inside and outside things"--

Award-winning author and illustrator Charise Mericle Harper creates a laugh-out-loud picture book about making something out of nothing, a companion title to I Cannot Draw a Horse. The Horse wants a bicycle. A bicycle is hard to draw. The Book cannot draw a bicycle. But the Book CAN draw shapes. Can the Horse and the Cat build a bicycle from shapes? Or will their dreams end in pieces? Praise for I CANNOT DRAW A HORSE "Creative an loaded with humor, this story will have kids giggling in seconds and trying their hand at drawing a horse--or at least a gumdrop." --Booklist (starred review) "Part Ed Emberley, with a dash of Pigeon, and entirely meta." --Kirkus Reviews "Harper''s illustrations make so much of so little, using a very limited palette and simple shapes, inviting readers into an artist''s notebook. With a little imagination and some paper, ''nothing'' can become quite something. --Horn Book Magazine "An easy-to-read text with exclamatory speech bubbles and pictorial antics will tickle funny bones in this off-kilter circular story." --School Library Journal

The narrator turns a ''nothing shape'' into a cat, beaver, bunny, dog, turtle, and bear, but what the cat really wants is a horse. Companion title: I cannot draw a circle.

This middle grade graphic memoir by Charise Mericle Harper, featuring illustrations by Rory Lucey, follows a young girl who undergoes a crisis of conscience, realizing that she is a “bad sister.” Meet Charise. She’s energetic, helpful, a model pet owner and full of inventions. But she’s also a bad sister. When she goes too far and breaks little brother Daniel’s tooth, can she redeem herself? Is an accident really an accident if you could have stopped it? But most importantly... What does it mean to be a good sister?

A graphic novel that makes embarrassment into something hilarious – and normal. You’re not alone! No way are you the first kid who ever tripped and fell in public. Or spilled water on your pants so it looked like… you know! For those moments and more, here’s, the book that understands what you’re going through when you get caught farting in class. Laugh-out-loud funny yet enormously compassionate, So Embarrassing is a comics-style compilation of stories about awkward and embarrassing situations for kids. Written and drawn by Charise Mericle Harper, the bestselling creator of the Just Grace series, So Embarrassing combines humor, science facts (what happens when we blush, for example), tips for quickly recovering from a cringe-worthy situation, and practical advice––like what to say to comfort a totally embarrassed friend.

"Meet Pepper and Boo. They are two dogs who do not know much about cats. (Who does?) They wonder why the cat sleeps so much (in their beds!), licks itself so much, what the cat is thinking, and what makes the cat happy. Luckily, the cat can explain."--Provided by publisher.

Fashion Kitty''s here to save the day! *fist pump* A brain that can mix and match hundreds of outfits in a second. X-ray eyes that can see through buildings and anything else in the way. Ears that hear the distress call of someone in need of fashion help. Tail of comfort. One touch of the tail makes everything seem all right. Supersonic feet that make Fashion Kitty really bounce. Heart, mostly good. Books one and two in this delightful series are bound together in one volume, perfect for fans of Rachel Renée Russell, Jeff Kinney, and Jarrett J. Krosoczka.

A digital boxed set of all three books in the zesty series Next Best Junior Chef—for fans of kids’ cooking competitions! Packed with delightful black-and-white illustrations, follow four aspiring young chefs challenge-by-challenge in these high-energy stories. Who will take the cake? There''s only one way to find out!

Get your paws ready for crafty time! From beloved author Charise Mericle Harper comes Crafty Cat and the Great Butterfly Battle, a new adventure in the Crafty Cat graphic novel series. Everyone in Miss Domino''s class is excited about the school play and its lead role, the super-sparkly butterfly. Birdie knows she’d be perfect for the part—unfortunately, she’s not the only one who feels that way. Eight other classmates also want the starring role. And even worse, one of them is Anya! And doesn’t Anya always seem to get her way? Who can save the day? Crafty Cat! As her alter-ego, Birdie can craft her way out of any disaster. With tape, tissue paper, and her can-do spirit, Birdie will find a way to shine on stage. Join in the fun: Instructions for five easy do-it-yourself projects are included.

The second week of Next Best Junior Chef features family and traditions, as Caroline, Oliver, and Rae, ages eleven to twelve, face more challenges and another elimination.

When a bossy classmate tries to take over second-grader Birdie''s crafting day-camp, the little girl''s alter ego, Crafty Cat, saves the day. Presented in comic book format.

A zesty series for fans of kids'' cooking competitions! It''s “lights, camera, cook!” for four tween contestants—energetic Tate, charming Rae, worldly Caroline, and hyper-competitive Oliver—who are all about to enter a televised cooking competition. What will the kids cook up? How will they all get along on- and off-camera? Which junior chef will have the grit—and maybe the grits—to make it through each challenge? And which junior chef will have to hang their apron up for good? Bonus: Includes real cooking techniques for the aspiring young chef!

Yellow Bird has a button. It does . . . nothing! It is a good for nothing button. Red Bird and Blue Bird are excited to try the button. But when they press it, they discover that the button makes them happy. Happy is something! A flabbergasted Yellow Bird insists the button does nothing. But it sure does seem to be making him mad. Mad is something! The hilarious debate that follows takes readers on an emotional roller coaster that pokes at the power of imaginative play.

Birdie trips and falls, ruining her birthday cupcakes. Now she must transform into the Amazing Crafty Cat to save the day.

In this chapter book for young readers, June is thrilled to get a new neighbor: Mae! Soon the two of them are best friends and are having adventures determined by the Wonder Wheel that they spin each morning. Whether it’s pretending to be a dog for a day or collecting things that are blue, the girls never know what each day will bring. Also, June has a secret: her dog Sammy can talk, but only she can hear him. Will her new best friend believe her if she tells her?

This black-and-white coloring book features 62 original pieces of unique doodle artwork, each with an encouraging quote for everyday inspiration and a touch of humor make this a fresh addition to the popular genre. Each page is perforated, making it easy to frame and display the finished art work. A Christy Ottaviano Book

Yellow Bird has found a button and wants to share it with Red Bird and Blue Bird. This is just an ordinary button. It does not do anything when you press it. But when Red Bird and Blue Bird give it a try, they are delighted to find that the button does not do nothing, and that is something!

Just Grace tries to help a neighbor, but her good intentions backfire; she is so involved in a group project that she and her best friend, Mimi, drift apart; and she and Mimi campaign to convince Grace''s parents to get a dog.

Three hilarious misadventures starring the third-grade girl who’s “a hero through and through,” from the author of theNext Best Junior Chef books (Booklist, starred review). Meet third-grader Grace Stewart, who gets stuck with the name “Just Grace” when she tries to distinguish herself from the three other Graces in her class. Grace is plenty different, though. She has a “teeny-tiny superpower,” for instance—she can tell if someone is unhappy and often tries to fix it. But sometimes her good intentions backfire . . . Join Just Grace as she deals with a missing cat, a new neighbor, and more in this delightfully funny three-book collection including Just Grace, Still Just Grace, Just Grace Walks the Dog. Praise for the Just Grace series “The kids come alive in the story, and Harper . . . enhances the comical goings-on with sparkling cartoon sketches. Equally delightful is the wry voice of energetic Just Grace, who never misses an opportunity to point out the injustices life has dealt her.”—Booklist (starred review) “Fans of Amber Brown, Clementine, and Judy Moody will love her.”—School Library Journal “Her casual language, cheeky attitude and punchy delivery are spot-on.”—Bookpage “Grace’s cartoon illustrations and charts enliven the conversational, first-person text.”—Kirkus Reviews “Girls who are settling into chapter book series featuring Clementine and Judy Moody will love the fast pace and familiar school and family situations . . . Harper’s sketches add interest and break up the text, leaving the new reader time to pause and smile.”—Horn Book

A quirky ode to spirit, identity, and the joy of having (or being) a library card.

One day Little Green rolls into town and says his first word: "Go!" The town is building a bridge, and now everyone has a job to do, from dump truck to forklift. Little Green helps them do their jobs with gusto. Until . . . there is a little too much gusto. They can go, go, go . . . but how will they stop? This bright, fun book with a bold package captures the endless energy of little boys and the timeless appeal of trucks and machines--both for building and knocking down. Plus, it has an underlying message about working together to get things done.

One day your prince will come...or so Princess Patty was told. But he''s taking too long, and she''s tired of waiting; so with Miss Loverpuff (her pet starfish) in tow, Patty sets off to find her own happily-ever-after. Follow along with word-for-word narration as Princess Patty meets a prince who places leftover peas under the bed, and another who can''t tell the difference between catching dragons and dragon flies! Will she ever meet the right Prince Charming? In this delightful picture book, Charise Mericle Harper uses her vivid, energetic style to bring this smart princess''s journey to life.

"When Morgan and Lewis receive a cryptic letter and a key from Mr. Lee, they get to see more of his life-like costume creations. Robots, aliens, and Sasquatches abound and the big question through it all is--what''s real and what''s pretending to be real?"-

For little girls who love Ladybug Girl and Fancy Nancy, here’s the perfect story to share on any day you’re filled with love! “Today I am Superlove! There will be love, a wedding, and happily ever after.” So begins the day of one young girl who decides to stage a wedding between her stuffed animal, Mr. Mittens, and Pinky—her cat. Pinky is less than thrilled with the idea, even when Superlove dresses up as the flower girl and arranges some practice weddings between her other stuffed animals. Will Superlove get Pinky out of the tree in time to be the blushing bride? Or will she come up with another way to save the day?

Join third-grader Just Grace in her amusing adventures at school and at home with friends and family in this boxed set of paperbacks featuring the first three books in the charming chapter book series.

Grace has lots of new and exciting things to share in the latest addition to the Just Grace series! There''s a new crossing guard in town named Marie who needs a bit of help making friends, a fun substitute teacher for Miss Lois, and most exciting, Grace and Mimi are going to have their own table at the craft fair! They are going to make lots of crafts to sell—and hopefully save up enough money to go to the county fair. There is one small problem, though - Mimi is a sewing natural, but when it comes to crafting, Grace doesn''t know what to make. Leave it to Grace to come up with a great idea for the fair that is a big success, and even helps the new crossing guard find a friend.

IT’S TIME FOR BED, and Leo must get out of his pirate costume and into his pjs, and as he removes each item of clothing, Leo fondly says good night. (“Good night, green bandana . . . Good night, red and white shirt . . .”) Meanwhile, his friend Teddy has other plans as he gets ready for a swashbuckling nighttime adventure. Young readers will love seeing Leo transform from pirate to sleepy-head with a cute surprise ending. This charming good-night book also teaches colors and object identification.

Dreamer, Wisher, Liar is a heartwarming story about one girl''s transformative summer full of friendship, secret magic, and family. Fans of Rebecca Stead will enjoy Charise Mericle Harper''s funny and poignant novel. When her best friend is moving away and her mom has arranged for some strange little girl to come and stay with them, Ash—who is petrified of change and new people—is expecting the worst summer of her life. Then seven-year-old Claire shows up. Armed with a love of thrift-store clothes and an altogether too-sunny disposition, Claire proceeds to turn Ash''s carefully constructed life upside down. While every part of Ash''s life seems to be disrupted, she must protect a carefully hidden secret: She has discovered a magical jar in her basement. It''s a wish jar, full of someone''s old wishes—and it has the power to send her back in time and provide a window into another friendship between two girls. Discovering her own connection to the girls'' story shows Ash that her life is full of surprises and friends she never saw coming.

Nine-year-old Morgan of the Pacific Northwest is fascinated with aliens and the sasquatch, but his real adventures begin when he meets Lewis, whose parents just bought a motel named the Sasquatch Inn.