New Release Books by Eileen Spinelli

A relatable novel-in-verse about loss... and what happens afterwards Twelve-year-old Birdie Briggs loves birds. They bring her comfort when she thinks about her dad, a firefighter who was killed in the line of duty. Life without her dad isn''t easy, but at least Birdie still has Mom and Maymee, and her friends Nina and Martin. But then Maymee gets a boyfriend, Nina and Martin start dating, and Birdie''s mom starts seeing a police officer. And suddenly not even her beloved birds can lift Birdie''s spirits. Her world is changing, and Birdie wishes things would go back to how they were before. But maybe change, painful as it is, can be beautiful too. With compelling verse and a lighthearted touch, Eileen Spinelli captures the poignancy of adolescence and shows what can happen when you let people in.

An anonymous valentine changes the life of the unsociable Mr. Hatch, turning him into a laughing friend who helps and appreciates all his neighbors.

Cooperation, helping, and working together are beautifully illustrated in this book that demonstrates the joys of community and teamwork for young readers. We''re better together when we play, when we make music, and when everyone pitches in. This celebration of coming together to solve problems, support communities, and honor everyone''s differences is perfect for young children who are learning about empathy and cooperation. With durable cardstock pages and approachable language, this book will help spark meaningful conversations at home or in the classroom. National Parenting Seal of Approval Winner, Mom''s Choice Award, Gold

This padded board book edition of Thankful, by bestselling and award-winning children’s author Eileen Spinelli, combines charming rhymes and whimsical illustrations to convey the importance of being thankful for everyday blessings.

From award-winning author Eileen Spinelli, this cozy and adorable book is perfect for bedtime, teaching your kids to count to ten, or even presenting the idea of thankfulness as an everyday event. And the rhyming text and child-friendly illustrations make this book wonderful for toddlers and young readers. Counting Blessings follows a young bunny as he counts his blessings through his day, as well as explores all the blessings awaiting him throughout the rest of the year. As you child counts along from 1 to 10, they will learn to be thankful for the simple, everyday things—like family, warm clothes, and favorite toys—as well as the things that make the day extra-special, like ten good night kisses. With rhymes that make counting fun to remember and illustrations with elements your child can find and count along with, this delightful board book captures the attention of young children, filling their minds with numbers and their hearts with happiness. Counting Blessings: makes counting fun and relatable for kids helps your child look for and count the blessings in their own life also contains elements about the four seasons is perfect for lap reading

Reassuring advice for every day of the year From an esteemed husband-and-wife team comes a book of daily advice and insight. In dated entries meant to be read one per day, the Spinellis open with a brief quote from children’s literature, write a paragraph of lively advice inspired by that quote, and end with a “Today I will . . .” promise. The entries range from the broad (self-esteem, the environment, gratitude, and openmindedness) to the simple and specific (Today I will call a grandparent . . . smile at a new kid . . . take a walk . . . and send a snail-mail letter.). With wide appeal to fans of both children’s literature and advice books, this cozy page-a-day volume (with black-and-white spot art) offers inspiring quotes, gentle guidance, and 366 “Today I will . . .” promises to thoughtful readers everywhere.

Presents a collection of twenty-four poems about the Arctic and the animals and plants that live there, with Arctic facts at the end.

Celebrate our planet and discover easy ways to take care of it with this picture book that''s perfect for budding environmentalists and nature lovers. Kids can count reasons to love the planet and ways to protect it in the pages of this conservation-themed book. Gentle verse reminds the reader of Earth''s beauties--starting with "one wide sweeping sky, two honey bees" and continuing all the way to "ten fields to plow." The text then starts counting backwards, listing simple ways children can help, such as reducing waste and reusing items. The conclusion takes us back to number one with the book''s key message: "One Earth so beautiful. Remember--only one." At once celebration and challenge, this book will encourage children to take better care of the planet.

"Taut, fast-paced, economical, devoid of sham, Spinelli’s book echoes Dickinson’s own deceptive simplicity."--The New York Times Book Review Eleven-year-old Suzy just can''t win. Her brother is a local hero for calling 911 after seeing their elderly neighbor collapse, and only her best friend was able to win a role in the play they both auditioned for. Feeling cast aside from all angles, Suzy sees a kindred spirit in Emily Dickinson, the subject of her summer project. Suzy decides to escape from her disappointments by emulating the poet''s life of solitude: no visitors or phone calls (only letters delivered through her window), no friends (except her goldfish, Ottilie), and no outings (except church, but only if she can wear her long white Emily dress). But being a recluse is harder than Suzy predicted. Will she find a way to fold Emily into her life while also remaining true to herself?

A child is a treasured leaf on a family tree, surrounded by love from Mom, Dad, doting grandparents, aunts and uncles, and family friends too. This sweet, reassuring board book from Eileen Spinelli acknowledges the whole “tree”—the many who are invested in a child’s life—with expressions of unconditional love from each. Heartwarming verse and charming artwork will make this book a must-buy for baby showers, birthdays, and other occasions.

Bestselling author Spinelli captures the hearts and minds of children everywhere with this charming tale, featuring whimsical illustrations by Hilb, that introduces young readers to a new heroine as well as the beloved Bible story. Full color.

Warm up with this charming neighborly tale about a small town determined to beat the deep freeze from a beloved picture-book author and a two-time Caldecott Honor illustrator! It’s snowy cold in the town of Toby Mills. The thermometer is sinking toward zero, and the icicle hanging from the nose of General Toby’s statue is growing closer to the ground. The newspaper headline reads “COLD SNAP!” The people of the town are losing hope—and the feeling in their toes—until the mayor’s wife saves the day with a toasty treat.

Day and night, Callie Cat ice skates on the pond in her backyard. She loves to ice skate, loves it more than chocolate cake, more than going to the mall—more than her friends can understand. That is, until the Honeybrook Ice Rink announces a contest, and everyone thinks it could be Callie''s big chance! Now Callie practices day and night. She wants to win the big prize...doesn''t she? Sometimes doing something you love is its own reward, as Eileen Spinelli''s beautiful story demonstrates.

It''s Christmas Eve, and a family of ten mice shivers in the snow. One by one, each mouse finds a place to stay warm, only to discover that they''d rather huddle together on this holiday night. With gently rhyming text and charming illustrations, this picture book is a wonderful readaloud at Christmastime.

Why is Miss Fox being stopped by Officer Blue Fox? And why is she buying a hat and sunglasses? Is she on the run from the law? This picture book teaches children you can''t believe everything you hear, educating them on gossip and rumors.

A contented whale one day sees a ship tossed on the waves by a storm and obeys God''s command to save a drowning man by swallowing him.

Family one: exquisite pastries, a beautifully trimmed tree, and festive cello music. Family two: an artificial tree, rock hard candy, and custom kazoo carols. Full of silly humor, this cheerful picture book proves that no matter how you celebrate Christmas, it''s the spirit of the holiday that counts the most.

Miss Fox''s students are too tired and cranky to get through the day! It’s up to Miss Fox and her new wellness regimen to help them eat better, exercise, and get more sleep! Kids will learn ways to stay healthy and bring fitness into their everyday lives.

When Miss Fox shows up at school riding her bicycle, Mouse asks, "Do you have a flat tire?" "No," Miss Fox tells her students. "I am going green!" Soon everyone in the class is working to keep the earth healthy. Mouse takes shorter showers (and does her singing after!); Bunny brings a cloth bag to the supermarket; and Possum turns the lights off when he goes out. And Miss Fox''s simple act has ripples even beyond her own students...soon the whole school starts riding their bikes—including the principal.

DELICIOUS PANCAKES!! FREE!! ALL YOU CAN EAT!! COME TO OUR NEW GRAND OPENING! The grand opening of the Dancing Pancake isn''t the only new thing in Bindi''s life: new friends, a new apartment, maybe even a cute new crush? But there are other changes, like her dad''s move to a new city, that have left Bindi confused and wondering: What will happen to my family? Will this new life ever feel normal? Among the unlikely bunch of regulars who form a makeshift community at the diner, Bindi will try to figure out how to be a new version of herself, one pancake and one silly elephant joke (her uncle''s specialty) at a time. With plenty of surprises, milk shakes, fake spiders, and real feelings, readers are sure to flip for the sweet mix of humor and heart in The Dancing Pancake.

Rhyming text describes some famous historical figures, from Annie Oakley and Merriwether Lewis to Jackson Pollock and Billie Holiday, and their beloved dogs. Includes facts about the people cited in the book.

A young mouse is encouraged by his mother to enjoy summer while waiting for autumn to come.

Buzz loves absolutely everything there is about being a bee. She loves her yellow and black jacket. She loves the way the flowers smell in the springtime. But the thing she loves most of all is being able to fly. Through the trees and down around the pond, past the farm and around the rosebushes - she flies everywhere. But when she hears that bees aren''t supposed to be able to fly, she finds herself unable to get off the ground. What is little Buzz to do? How will she find her wings again?

Every year a rented pink cottage full of family, swapping stories, and riding waves mean Summerhouse Time for Sophie. Best of all is sharing a room with her favorite cousin and laughing and trading secrets like two happy peas in a cousin pod. Sophie can''t wait! But when she asks the now-a-teenager Colleen if she''s looking forward to their time together, Colleen just says "I guess so." What? It''s the best time of the year, the time they both love. In just a little bit, they will all be together in the cottage on the beach. Will this year be just as wonderful, just like always? Accompanied by charming black-and-white illustrations, classic growingup experiences radiate throughout the pages of this sunny, anytime story.

Miss Fox is tired of hearing her young students quarrel. So she announces Peace Week—no more squabbling for one whole week! The children chime in with their own rules: no fighting, don''t say mean things, and help others. Throughout the week each of the little animals gets a chance to practice this new behavior. When Polecat teases Bunny for wearing a bright yellow sweater, instead of poking fun back at Polecat, Bunny admires his sweater. Soon, to their surprise, the animals are finding that it''s easy to help others, take turns, and say nice things, even when someone is grumpy to them. Wouldn''t it be nice, Squirrel says, if every week could be Peace Week?

A playful goose entertains her barnyard friends

A pig believes herself to be a princess and behaves accordingly, but soon learns that being royalty has a price.

A tiny squeeze is all it takes. With this simple action you can turn a frown into a smile and show that you care. One hug can mean everything, so hug your mom, hug your dad, hug your sister or your brother, and hug your friend. Eileen Spinelli and Dan Andreasen create a sweet, simple, and poetic picture book about the power of a loving hug that is a sure bet to brighten your day—just like a hug.