Most Popular Books by Elisa Kleven

From an author whose work is said to “burgeon with joy,” here is a gentle mystery about a silent, gallant lion and a sweetly cheerful bird—two friends who are attracted to each other through the universal language of art. Elisa uses watercolor, gouache, ink, colored pencils, pastels, markers, and crayons to collage this charming and colorful tale. “Illustrated with mixed-media collages so richly colored and textured that readers will want to feel the pages.”—Kirkus Reviews (pointered review) “A sweet and captivating book with gorgeous illustrations. Its story line and artwork both have unusual and unexpected qualities that work together to generate a magical, light mood.”—School Library Journal (starred review) ABA-CBC Children’s Books Mean Business and Kansas State Reading Circle

“The best book yet from this talented author/illustrator, and one that children will love.” — School Library Journal, starred review “Consistently beautiful.” — The New York Times A deluxe reissue of a classic picture book about creativity, courage, and imagination, perfect for children who love art, storytelling, and meaningful adventures. A gust of wind sends a handmade paper princess flying. “Wait! I didn’t finish you,” cries the little girl who made her. “I’ll finish myself,” calls the princess as the wind carries her away—over a meadow and river, to a carnival and a playground, and finally back home. This beloved picture book by Elisa Kleven follows one small paper princess on a vibrant, imaginative journey of self-discovery. Told with lyrical simplicity and illustrated in Kleven’s signature mixed-media collage, the story celebrates creativity, resilience, and belonging as the princess learns to find her own way in the world. Here’s what makes The Paper Princess a timeless treasure: • A Beloved Classic Returns: Back in print after years of reader demand, Elisa Kleven’s cherished story continues to inspire a new generation of children. • A Princess Unlike Any Other: This imaginative heroine doesn’t rely on castles or crowns. She discovers her strength through creativity, curiosity, and determination. • Stunning Mixed-Media Artwork: Elisa Kleven’s signature collage illustrations create vibrant miniature worlds filled with texture, color, and playful detail. • A Story About Courage and Belonging: Through her journey, the princess learns that confidence and character grow from within. • A Deluxe Gift Edition: Featuring foil stamping and sculptural embossing, this edition makes a beautiful keepsake for families and classrooms. The Paper Princess is a beautiful picture book about imagination, creativity, and finding your way, perfect for young readers, classrooms, and anyone who believes in the power of art and storytelling.

The wind is whooshing, the snow is whirling, the rain is streaming, and everyone misses the sun. The baker misses it so much that she mixes some dough, then kneads and shapes it into a warm, round, golden sun bread. When the animals eat it, they not only stop grumbling, they begin to rise! Birds and beasts join in a joyous celebration that wakes up the real sun, who takes part in the feast and beams back down on the world continuing the work the sun bread started.

With its cheery, chewy rhyming text-positively brilliant for reading aloud-and its host of expressive animal characters, this happy picture book salutes the alchemy of both the baker and the sun. A sun-bread recipe is included.

Stanley loves to help, but sometimes he gets so excited he makes mistakes. While running errands for his mom—CRASH—Stanley bounces his ball right on top of Mouse’s house, smashing it to smithereens. Stanley wants to make up for what he’s done, but how? In Elisa Kleven’s expressive, detailed pictures, Stanley finds his inspiration all around him, from here and there, and this and that. Soon he is ready to surprise his friend with a new house, and what a wonderful place it is!

After the girl who drew her grows older and no longer plays with her, a paper princess lets the wind carry her off to adventures which include a cat, a Christmas tree, butterflies, and a new home.

When his older green brother suggests that he collect things, Ernst, a young blue crocodile, comes up with an unusual choice: puddles.

When Shirley''s gingerbread treat leaps out of her lunchbox and begins gobbling everything in sight, a wild chase ensues through the neighborhoods of San Francisco as Shirley tries to stop her creation from eating up the whole town.

High in the mountains of Japan, a snow monkey named Hiro finds a cheerful hat."Snow monkeys don''t need hats!" his brother tells him.But Hiro''s hat does more than keep him warm - it is also a friend.Only a robin understands. And when Hiro''s hat disappears, she surprises him, in time, with two more hats, each as playful and full of life as his first.With intricate collage artwork and lyrical prose, Elisa Kleven tells a story as cozy as a warm hat on a cold winter day, and as fresh as spring.

In this new book from renowned storyteller Elisa Kleven, Clara is going to have a pinata at her birthday party. Samson, her good friend, is helping her pick one out. In her pictures and words, Kleven makes everyday materials resonate with unexpected moment. On a celebratory day--or any day--this book speaks knowingly to the unimpeded imagination of young children. Full color.

Claire, a glasswing butterfly whose transparent wings reflect her lush home, finds herself lost in the city after being separated from her family. She doesn’t know how they will ever see her, but she finds new city friends, a pigeon, an ant, and a ladybug, who search for the flowers Claire needs to live. They come upon a tiny urban garden, and as Claire drinks from the flowers’ nectar, she pollinates more flowers. Soon the garden—and Claire''s clear wings—fill with color, allowing her family to recognize her at last. Together they create an oasis for all to enjoy. Facts about glasswing butterflies and pollination complete this beautiful and educational picture book. Kleven’s latest offering is as colorful and delicate as a butterfly’s wings—a treasure that can be cherished for years.