New Releases by Liz Garton Scanlon

Meet Bibsy Cross, the precocious, regular-pegular eight-year-old whose pickle-jar terrarium habitat gets a little out of control in the third installment of this charming chapter book series. Most things are easy-peasy, regular-pegular for Bibsy Cross. She loves her parents, her cat, her best friend, Natia. She loves school and the library. And she loves to lend a helping hand. For their class project, Bibsy and her group must create a self-sustaining pickle-jar terrarium. That means the plants and bugs will live in a harmonious balance. But when things go a little off-kilter in the pickle jar, will Bibsy''s instinct to help out truly do good?

Meet Bibsy Cross, the precocious eight-year-old heroine of this charming chapter book series, as she navigates a relationship with a teacher who thinks that Bibsy is just too much. Most things are easy-peasy, regular-pegular for Bibsy Cross. She loves her parents, her cat, her best friend, Natia. And she loves going to school. She might just love that most of all! This year, Bibsy has Mrs. Stumper for a teacher... and Mrs. Stumper doesn''t seem too keen on Bibsy. She thinks Bibsy talks too much--especially about her science fair project. But one day, when Bibsy talks a little too much, and goes a stone too far, Mrs. Stumper punishes her by punching a hole in her paper apple that hangs in the classroom. And Bibsy is devastated. How can she make the best science fair project when she feels so rotten?

Meet Bibsy Cross, the precocious, regular-pegular eight-year-old who daydreams of winning her library''s bike-a-thon fundraiser in the second installment of this charming chapter book series. Most things are easy-peasy, regular-pegular for Bibsy Cross. She loves her parents, her cat, her best friend, Natia. She loves school and the library. And she loves riding her bike. Sometimes, she pretends it''s her chariot. Bibsy''s library is hosting a bike-a-thon to raise money to buy books. And Bibsy is determined to earn the most donations. That way she can WIN the fundraiser! But has Bibsy been spinning her wheels with the wrong intentions?

Sun and Grass, Water and Tree, Fire and Rain--nature''s cycle of creation unfolds in a compelling lyrical text and striking illustrations. Sun grows beams and Grass grows blades and Cloud cannot contain herself. Spring rains change Water from a tumbling creek to a roaring river and bring Tree nutrients it needs to stretch toward the sky. As Sun''s rays intensify, the sprouts and fruits and insects of the forest grow and bloom and develop, all working together in harmony. Even Fire, whose work causes Tree to ache from the inside, brings opportunity for the next generation of flora and fauna. Paired with the vivid, organic imagery of Dominique Ramsey, Liz Garton Scanlon''s poetic tribute to our planet''s resilience is a resonant story of life, death, and regeneration.

An irresistible picture book about a boy and his classmates who long for a class pet, but discover the joys and rewards of nurturing a class plant. Room 107 has a cockatiel. Room 108 has a chinchilla. Even the Art Room has a bearded dragon. But in Room 109, Arlo''s classroom, there is a plant. A mostly green, hardly growing, never moving plant. Even though it doesn''t squeak, whistle, or whimper, Arlo’s teacher says the plant is “more than enough excitement for us.” But what could possibly be exciting about a plant? One day, Arlo decides to name the plant Jerry. Something about naming the plant makes it more exciting. As the class learns to take care of Jerry, he starts to grow . . . greener and longer and twistier. And before long it''s clear that something amazing has taken root in Arlo''s classroom.

This lyrical, gorgeously illustrated picture book in verse follows a litter of baby wolf pups in the wild through their first full lunar cycle. Deep in the forest, Mama Wolf gives birth to an adorable litter of pups under a sky full of moon. Over the next month, the pups will open their eyes, stretch out their tiny paws, and playfully explore the world around them—all under the watchful eyes of Mama Wolf and the rest of the pack. And before long, these pups will be big enough to yip at the full moon themselves! With stunning artwork and a gently rhyming text full of fascinating wolf facts, this ideal bedtime or storytime read is perfect for anyone who has ever heard the call of the wild.

For readers who love The Thing About Jellyfish and Counting By 7s, Lolo''s Light is a deeply honest middle grade novel about grief, redemption, and life as a kid facing both. This is a truth about growing up: Once in your life, sometime after your first memory but before you can drive a car, something is going to happen to you that doesn''t happen to anyone else you know. It might be something good. It might be something bad, or special, or funny, or shocking. For Millie, it''s something really sad. Lolo, her neighbors'' infant daughter, dies unexpectedly, suddenly, inexplicably, on the night Millie babysits. It''s not Millie''s fault. There''s nothing she could have done. And there''s nothing she can do now. So how does she go on? She does what you''ll do. She finds her way. This poignant and profound coming-of-age story portrays a tragic experience of responsibility and its poisonous flip side: guilt. Emotional and important, this is an honest and empathetic portrait of a girl at her most vulnerable—a mess of grief, love, and ultimately, acceptance—who must reckon with those most difficult of demons: death . . . and life. A GREAT WAY TO UNDERSTAND DIFFICULT FEELINGS: Coming to terms with one''s responsibility for things both our fault and not is a universal experience that can be difficult to process, particularly when grief is involved. Millie offers a great blueprint for young readers who don''t understand the surrounding emotions and need help working through them. A MAIN CHARACTER KIDS WILL LOVE: Millie makes mistakes as she navigates grief. It''s often not pretty, but it is very relatable. The author''s honest portrayal of this experience will resonate with young readers, whether grieving or not. Perfect for: Middle grade readers Educators and librarians Parents looking for books on loss or grief

Frances is a city kid, but it’s hard for her to fit in. City walls aren’t for climbing, city rooms aren’t for running, city shops and city yards are too crowded, and there are so many rules that Frances can’t seem to follow. A New York Times Best Children''s Book of the Year She takes a trip to visit her cousins in the country, where she finds cats for chasing, roads for racing down, ladders for leaping, and fields full of animals. When it’s time to go home, it’s not easy to leave her cousins, but she invites them to visit and see the sights and sounds, lights, thumps, beeps and shines of the city where she returns to her loving mom and sisters. Liz Garton Scanlon is author of the Caldecott Honor book All the World, illustrated by Marla Frazee, and many other books including Bob, Not Bob, illustrated by Matt Cordell, and Another Way to Climb A Tree, illustrated by Hadley Hooper, With Frances in the Country, she deftly balances the appeals of city and country life. Sean Qualls is the Coretta Scott King Honor artist for Before John Was a Jazz Giant, Emmanuel''s Dream, and Giant Steps to Change the World.

This whimsical and poignant picture book celebrates playing outside and invites readers to grab some friends, gear up their imaginations, and immerse themselves in nature. Can you imagine what it’s like to be a rock, a nest, a bird, or even a bubbling creek? A group of curious children is headed outside to find out… Would you come, too? Join in on an outdoor adventure to discover the magic and mystery of the living, breathing natural world all around us.

A box is never just a box when you have a vivid imagination and a couple stuffed animal friends to join you on a fantastic ocean voyage. I have a box, I want a boat. With nothing but spare text and a bright imagination, I Want a Boat! follows a girl as she finds a way to transform a plain old box in an ordinary room into a magical sailboat, complete with a rudder, sail, and anchor. She and her stuffed-animal friends take to the high seas, encounter raging storms, and make it to dry land, just in time for supper. Award-winning author Liz Garton Scanlon''s sprightly text and candy-colored, kid-friendly illustrations by Kevan Atteberry (Ghost Cat, Dear Beast) make this a perfect read-aloud for the youngest child.

Please, give me five minutes? During the game, five minutes is very fast and the child is happy; while waiting, five minutes is like a lifetime, and the child is so uncomfortable. This book allows children to understand that time is a relative concept, which will produce different emotions and feelings due to inner thoughts. Some people can hold on to the same thing for a long time, while others can''t hold it for five minutes. Through the story, the child learns, maintains a positive attitude, and can pass any moment smoothly! Is five minutes fast? Not always. Five minutes is a long time at the dentist. Is five minutes long? That is not always the case.

From the author of the Caldecott Honor–winning picture book All the World comes an exuberant, lyrical celebration of the plants—and people—that grow and thrive in a busy community garden. A community garden unites children and neighbors in this celebration of all the things that grow there, from flowers and fruits to friendships. In the spirit of her Caldecott Honoru00ad–winning picture book All the World, this ode to friendship, community, and working together for a better world will have young readers gathering their friends young and old to plant something together.

A one-of-a-kind, laugh-out-loud picture book, perfect for any kid who has ever begged or bemoaned, "Five more minutes?!" Families everywhere will recognize themselves in this clever, hilarious, and completely irresistible picture book. Five minutes is a lot of time... or is it? Well, it depends on what you''re doing, of course! Follow one little boy and his family on a very busy day, as he discovers that sometimes five minutes feels like forever--like when you''re finishing up at the dentist''s office or waiting in line for the bathroom or in the backseat on a long car ride--and sometimes five minutes feels like no time at all--like when you''re playing your favorite game or at the tippy top of a roller coaster or snuggling up with a book before bedtime.

From award-winning author Liz Garton Scanlon and celebrated artist Frann Preston-Gannon comes a gorgeously illustrated, lyrical counting book that will have young readers’ imaginations taking flight. One dark bird is perched up high, with a view of the town and a taste of the sky. Then she’s joined by two more, then three, then four. Before long, there are hundreds of starlings dancing across the sky—and avoiding a hunting hawk with one of the most spectacular tricks in the animal kingdom. Then, when night comes, the starlings begin to depart, until finally there is just one dark bird perched way up high, with a view of the town and a taste of the sky.

When a substitute teacher named Miss Pelly comes to class, one student bristles at the change in routine-Miss Pelly doesn''t follow the rules like Mrs. Giordano. But in time, our student learns that even though the substitute may do things a little differently, and she may be a bit silly, mixing things up might not be so bad. Told in a series of epistolary poems, this funny, relatable picturebook is a great fit for classrooms and for any child nervous about new experiences.

A sweet and delicious story about moving, illustrated by award-winning artist Kady MacDonald Denton. Posy, Megan and Mae have always been the best of friends -- but now Posy has to move away. Only their favourite activity can comfort the girls: baking pie! And when they realize they can host a good-pie party instead of a good-bye party, the sad situation becomes a sweet gathering for their entire community. The Good-Pie Party celebrates good friends, good memories and the joy of a just-right goodbye.

Award-winning author Liz Garton Scanlon presents a young, rhythmic read-aloud about a girl who solves a windy problem with an environmentally sound solution: planting trees. A wild wind blows on the tippy-top of a steep hill, turning everything upside down for the man who lives there. Luckily, Kate comes up with a plan to tame the wind. With an old wheelbarrow full of young trees, she journeys up the steep hill to add a little green to the man''s life, and to protect the house from the howling wind. From award-winning author Liz Garton Scanlon and whimsical illustrator Lee White comes a delightfully simple, lyrical story about the important role trees play in our lives, and caring for the world in which we live. Praise for Bob, Not Bob by Liz Garton Scanlon: "This is read-aloud gold!" --Publishers Weekly, Starred Praise for All the World by Liz Garton Scanlon: "A sumptuous and openhearted poem . . . (that) expresses the philosophy early readers most need to hear: there''s humanity everywhere." --The New York Times

When Lulu''s feeling well, she climbs every tree in sight, especially the tallest ones, the ones with the widest branches, the ones with the stickiest sap. But when Lulu''s sick, she''s not allowed outside. She wonders if the trees are lonely without her. Maybe the birds are too. Without Lulu, nobody climbs the trees but the sun. . . which casts a shadow on Lulu''s wall. . . for her to climb. A Neal Porter Book

From the Caldecott Award-winning and bestselling team of Audrey Vernick, Liz Garton Scanlon, and Matthew Cordell comes a hilarious sick-day read-aloud! Little Louie is stuck in bed with a bad cold. His nose is clogged, his ears are crackling, and his brain feels full. All he wants is his mom to take care of him, but whenever he calls out for her, his stuffed-up nose makes it sound like he''s summoning slobbery dog Bob instead! This silly but sweet picture book will make kids laugh out loud as Louie tries to make himself understood. They won''t be able to help joining Louie in crying out, "Bob, not Bob!"

Twelve-year-old Ivy Green, whose mother may have run off with a charismatic preacher to Panhandle, Florida, and classmate Paul Dobbs, who wants to see a Space Shuttle before the program''s scrapped, team up for a summer adventure that''s full of surprises.

Pull on your hiking boots and get ready to see the magnificent Grand Canyon! From the author of the Caldecott Honoree All the World, here is a marvelous celebration of one of our nation’s natural wonders. Experience the Grand Canyon through the eyes of a child who is seeing it for the very first time. From soaring vistas and cloud-swept skies to tiny lizards and almost-invisible petroglyphs, the canyon is filled with so many sights waiting to be discovered…and so many amazing memories to carry back home. Filled with gorgeously depicted, factually accurate info and including a glossary of the flora and fauna contained within, this homage to the Grand Canyon will evoke awe and wonder.

A fun and cozy celebration of birthdays from the author of the Caldecott Honor book All the World. What are these and what are those? Fancy shoes and party clothes! Bunny’s big day has arrived, and her family and their forest friends are ready to celebrate in style. There’s hugging and kissing, singing and dancing, and, of course, cake and presents! In this sweet picture book that’s just perfect for reading aloud, Liz Garton Scanlon commemorates that most cherished of childhood events—a little one’s birthday.

Art is so much more than easels and paintbrushes as this delightful new picture book by two exciting talents makes clear. Follow along as a classroom of exuberant young kids explore art and the power of creativity in its most varied forms-painting, music, writing, cooking, performing ... there''s no end to where their imaginations can take them! The lilting poetry of Liz Garton Scanlon''s text pairs perfectly with the playful art of Vanessa Newton in this warm, thoughtful, and-of course-creative picture book. Young listeners will want to jump right into the pages to find their own muse.

This simple, profound, Caldecott Honor story is now available as a Classic Board Book. All the world is here. It is there. It is everywhere. All the world is right where you are. Now. Following a circle of family and friends through the course of a day from morning until night, this book affirms the importance of all things great and small in our world, from the tiniest shell on the beach, to the warmth of family connections, to the widest sunset sky. Now available as a Classic Board Book, this Caldecott Honor picture book written by Liz Garton Scanlon and illustrated by Marla Frazee is perfect for the youngest of readers.

Noodle and Lou are unlikely friends. One is a worm and one is a bird. When Noodle is having a bad day, Lou knows just what to say to cheer up his wormy friend and help him see what it means to be liked just the way you are.