New Releases by Kersten Hamilton

Lilibet has lots of friends--it''s just that they are all imaginary! Can she build the perfect real-life friend? With a relatable neurodivergent main character and a message of friendship and acceptance, this funny and heartfelt picture book is perfect for 3-5 year olds. Lilibet has tools, a lab, and a notebook. She also has lots of friends, like Calico Cate, Tom Zombie, and Dire Pup. It''s just that they''re all imaginary. So she plans a new project, REAL FRIEND 1.0, and makes a list of requirements: Knows the difference between a bug and an insect (extremely important!) Never calls her robot face Or computer brain Does not ask if Lilibet is a boy or a girl As she sets out to build a friend, she is joined by Paul "Peanut" Shelley, who is keen to help, whether Lilibet likes it or not. It turns out, sometimes the best of friends come from unexpected places. Celebrated author Kersten Hamilton writes from her own experience on the autism spectrum, creating a one-of-a-kind neurodivergent protagonist in a story brimming charm and humor.

A timeless picture book from the creator of the Red Truck and Friends series about a ship stuck in a canal and the moon that set it free. The silver moon sails through the vast blue sky as a cargo ship down below is stuck in a canal. The tugboat tugs until the line goes taut. The diggers scoop up enough sand for a castle. The dredger glugs all the silt he can. But it''s no use. For seven long days, the moon watches as the ship stays put, becoming fuller, brighter, closer, until she''s finally strong enough to pull the ocean into a mighty tide and save the ship.

Cordelia may look like a goat, but on the inside she knows she is a tugboat--or tuggoat--no matter what anybody tells her.

The creators of the beloved board book, Red Truck, are back for a heartwarming Christmas story. It''s Christmas Eve, but not everyone can make it home to celebrate. Red truck, wrapped in festive lights, must get through heavy flurries, slippery roads, and piles of snow, all before Christmas Day! Merry Christmas, Red Truck, perfect for longtime fans and new readers alike, is a fantastic addition to the beloved Red Truck and Friends series by Kersten Hamilton and Valeria Patrone. And it''s just in time for the holidays!

This rollicking rhyming picture book by Kersten Hamilton, What''s Up, Pup?, features lively illustrations from Lili Chin, and explores all the ways that dogs express themselves, perfect for pup lovers of all ages. Dogs are communicating with us all the time—even without words, they can tell us that they want to play, get scritches, or say I love you! From sniffers and ears to muzzles and rears, from tail wags to tongue flicks and everything in between...what is your pup trying to say? Maybe, if you watch very closely . . . you''ll see your pup talk!

From the creators of Red Truck, Yellow Copter, Blue Boat, and Green Tractor comes a delightful new story about an orange excavator who saves the town of Tumberton again and again! It''s clean-up day in Tumberton and there''s lots of hard work to be done. Orange excavator will need to gobble up all the trash in sight, help fix the broken water line, and dig a hole to plant a tree, all before the day is done! Kersten Hamilton and Valeria Patrone are back to add a new color and friendly helper vehicle to their beloved book series.

From the creators of Red Truck, Yellow Copter, and Blue Boat comes a delightful new story about a helpful tractor getting ready for Harvest Day just in time for fall! It''s Harvest Day at the farm, but before the kids arrive Green Tractor has to help their farmer friend get everything ready. They have to move big boulders using the hayfork and plow the land for the pumpkin races. And when the kids get there, it''s time for Green Tractor to shine by pulling the wagon for the hayride! Kersten Hamilton and Valeria Patrone are back to add a new color and friendly helper vehicle to their beloved book series.

With lyrical text by Kersten Hamilton and luminous illustrations by Jaime Kim, First Friend is an exploration of how the wild wolves became dogs, and how we learned to communicate and grow alongside the creatures we love. Long, long ago, when the world was new. . .a girl met a pup. In those days, everyone knew that wolves and children could not be friends. Still, they learned from each other—how to hunt, how to trade, how to survive, how to play. And years and years went by, and the world spun and changed. And then—a boy fished with a wolf, and a girl traded with a wild dog, and animal and human grew up side by side. . .into the best friends we are today.

By the critically acclaimed author of Tyger Tyger, a warm, magical story of a girl’s struggle to keep a promise to her dead mother. Glorieta Magdalena Davis Espinosa is happy that Papi married Alice. She’s happy that he can smile again after years of mourning Mamá. But the urn containing Mamá’s ashes disappeared into a drawer the day Alice moved in. If everything about Glorieta’s life is going to change, then she wants one thing to go her way: She wants to hear stories about her mamá when the family gathers on the last night of los Días de los Muertos. And that can only happen if Tia Diosonita will allow Mamá to be buried with the Espinosas in holy ground. If she will allow people to speak Mamá’s name. With the help of her best friend, River, and her cousin Mateo, Glorieta sets out to convince Diosonita that Mamá is not burning in Hell. To do so, she’ll have to learn to let hate go—and to love the people who stand in her way. In prose that sparkles with magical undertones, author Kersten Hamilton weaves a tender story about grief, faith, and the redemptive power of love.

Praise for the Gadgets and Gears series: “Fast paced and funny . . . carries hints of both Lemony Snicket’s wordplay and the absurdity of M. T. Anderson’s Pals in Peril.” —Booklist Wally and Noodles are back to the business of scientific innovation—and fun. In London, they meet a young pickpocket named Dobbin who works for a mysterious criminal called the Tick-Tock Man. Soon they are racing through secret tunnels in a bid to help Dobbin’s little sister. Can the brave boy-scientist and his loyal sidekick find the one person who can save her before it’s too late? History and technology collide in this humorous series brimming with mad science.

When a teacher gets stuck at the top of the Ferris wheel at the fair, cranes and planes can’t reach her. The only one who might have a chance is Yellow Copter! With a rollicking rhyme and candy-colored illustrations, this is the perfect read-aloud for any fan of machines that are big, make loud noises, or fly—or all three at once.

When a family on a sailing outing gets stuck in a surprise storm, there''s only one boat tough enough to handle the rocking waves and howling winds: Blue Boat! Completing the primary-colored series of books that have won fans across the country, the team behind RED TRUCK and YELLOW COPTER present their third rhyming book about a vehicle who saves the day.

"The daring and loyal dachshund Noodles, the boy inventor Wally Kennewickett, and his scientific genius family and staff of automatons join forces with Nikola Tesla to defeat sky pirates, cross Europe in a giant mechanical spider, and defy the evil Mesmers"--

The first book in a fast-paced historical fantasy series narrated by a daring dachshund and brimming with mad science.

Teagan and Finn are back in this epic, page-turning conclusion to The Goblin Wars trilogy, a smart YA fantasy that incorporates Celtic mythology, adventure, and paranormal romance.

The perfect board book for toddlers who love trucks! Can Red Truck make it up the hill? Red Truck can! Red Truck will! ZOOOOM! This simply told read-aloud tells the story of Red Truck saving a school bus from a mud puddle. Toddlers fascinated by vehicles will love following the candy-colored illustrations, mimicking Red Truck''s sounds ("ZOOOOM!" "VROOOOOM!"), and hearing this favorite book read to them over and over again.

Teagan, Finn, and Aiden have made it out of Mag Mell alive, but the Dark Man''s forces follow them to Chicago, where Tea''s goblin cousins cause all sorts of trouble while she is torn between the life she wants and the future she is drawn to as a wild Stormrider, born to reign.

The goblins are coming!

A broken light might cause a crash! Who can help? Who is fast? Officer Mike, on traffic patrol! Situation? Under control! ?When people need help, we rock and roll!? With Kersten Hamilton?s high-energy rhyming text that begs to be read aloud, and R. W. Alley?s warm and silly illustrations, this picture book is a fun and reassuring way to tell kids about what police offi - cers do. ?With a well-crafted text spiced with sound effects, this appealing picture book is highly recommended.?? Booklist, starred review for Red Truck

In the 1830s, Laylie Colbert and her brother Luke attempt escape from the Southern Carolina plantation where they are slaves, and their faith helps them along the way.

Caleb’s new life as the son of Guillaume Pascal is so wonderful . . . why, it’s almost enough to make Caleb believe there is a heavenly Father who has a plan. But Twin Nightshade has plans too–evil plans. And he’s not working alone. Kids ages 8–12 will enjoy this action-suspense series set in the late 1800s. When the circus comes to town, Caleb finds adventure, encounters strange creatures (and even stranger people), and meets a heavenly Father who welcomes all orphans into his family.

Being adopted was Caleb’s lifelong dream. Being taken home by Mr. Groeger was a nightmare. When the circus comes to town, Caleb’s world changes again. An old circus clown and a heavenly Father hear the cry of an orphan—and answer in a dangerous and delightful way. Kids ages 8–12 will enjoy this action-suspense series set in the late 1800s. When the circus comes to town, Caleb finds adventure, encounters strange creatures (and even stranger people), and meets a heavenly Father who welcomes all orphans into his family.

Caleb travels by train with his circus family. What an adventure! He performs both as the Wild Boy from Borneo and as the Sheik of Araby. But something else exists in the circus–demons of darkness. Caleb has seen their power and can only shudder at their message. Kids ages 8–12 will enjoy this action-suspense series set in the late 1800s. When the circus comes to town, Caleb finds adventure, encounters strange creatures (and even stranger people), and meets a heavenly Father who welcomes all orphans into his family.

Caleb has encountered danger in the circus. He’s heard the scream of demons, the shriek of tortured metal in a train wreck, and the roar of lions on the loose! Can Caleb reach Thad with the heavenly Father’s love before hate consumes him? Kids ages 8–12 will enjoy this action-suspense series set in the late 1800s. When the circus comes to town, Caleb finds adventure, encounters strange creatures (and even stranger people), and meets a heavenly Father who welcomes all orphans into his family.

Firefighters race to a fire and rescue a little boy''s pet.

This boxed set of the popular fiction books for girls includes books 5-8 of the series: Millie''s Steadfast Love (Book 5), Millie''s Grand Adventure (Book 6), Millie''s Reluctant Sacrifice (Book 7), and Millie''s Fiery Trial (Book 8). ''Excellent for Homeschool Use''

The school-room at Roselands was a very pleasant apartment; the ceiling, it is true, was somewhat lower than in the more modern portion of the building, for the wing in which it was situated dated back to the old-fashioned days prior to the Revolution, wh

Explores the process of precipitation from raindrop to ocean.

Millie Keith is moving from Ohio to Indiana with her family and her Christian faith must sustain her through the journey.