New Releases by Maribeth Boelts

A vibrant, loving tribute to the good that dogs do—especially everyday heroes like Coco, who comfort humans experiencing hardship, trauma, and loss. Coco is a dog who can cuddle. He’s not like Luna, who lives with cheetahs at the zoo, or super sniffer Lucky or Jax the lifeguard dog. From cattle dogs to four-footed movie stars, there is no end to canine achievement. But Coco, in his special vest, is no less exceptional: he can bring comfort to a person with a fearful, lonely, or hurting heart. His cuddling makes others feel stronger and less alone. From a beloved picture book author and a gifted illustrator, this irresistible tribute to the therapeutic genius of dogs brims with warmth and humor. With art that captures the energy of accomplished canines at work and at play (often at the same time), this joyful roundup of talented pooches—punctuated every couple of pages by a cuddle with Coco—will send you straight to the couch for a snuggle with someone special.

“Boelts lays out Ruben’s ethical dilemma and emotional turmoil without preaching, and his struggle toward the moral choice . . . is both dramatic and genuine.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review) Ruben feels like he is the only kid without a bike. His friend Sergio reminds him that his birthday is coming, but Ruben knows his family can’t afford that. So when Ruben sees a dollar bill fall out of someone’s purse, he picks it up and puts it in his pocket. But when he gets home, he discovers it’s not one dollar or even five or ten — it’s a hundred-dollar bill, more than enough for a new bike just like Sergio’s! Finders keepers, right? Presenting a relatable story with subtlety and heart, the creative team behind Those Shoes pairs up again for a story about how hard it can be to do the right thing.

You''ve heard of the Gingerbread boy, but what about his pup? This fun Step 3 early reader puts a great spin on the classic fairytale. Evalina desperately wants a dog, so she bakes one out of gingerbread and he springs to life! But the gingerbread pup gets into mischief all over town and Evalina must find a way to catch him if she can! This is the latest enchanting fractured fairy tale from the author of early readers Pupunzel, Dogerella, and, The Fairy Dogmother. Step 3 Readers feature engaging characters in easy-to-follow plots about popular topics. For children who are ready to read on their own.

The author of Those Shoes and an award-winning illustrator team up for the story of a girl who tries to overcome her fear of bees to see how amazing they are. Kaia is the brave type. Like hottest-hot-pepper brave. But there is one thing that scares her: BEES! And right now, thousands of bees live on her roof because Kaia’s dad is a beekeeper. Her dad says that the world needs bees and that’s why they are beekeepers. But only he goes on the roof, not Kaia — unless she can find a way to be the brave girl she always says she is. Against a sunny city setting, author Maribeth Boelts and illustrator Angela Dominguez depict Kaia’s small courageous steps — and her tiny insect neighbors — with great empathy and charm. Buzzing with storytime potential, Kaia and the Bees is an honest and relatable tale about bravery and compassion, as well as the importance of bees to our world.

Beetle gives Stick Bug an attention-grabbing coat for his birthday-but is that what Stick Bug really wants?

Finders keepers, right? When Ruben picks up someone’s lost money, he finds out how hard it can be to do the right thing. Ruben feels like he is the only kid without a bike. His friend Sergio reminds him that his birthday is coming, but Ruben knows that the kinds of birthday gifts he and Sergio receive are not the same. After all, when Ruben’s mom sends him to Sonny’s corner store for groceries, sometimes she doesn’t have enough money for everything on the list. So when Ruben sees a dollar bill fall out of someone’s purse, he picks it up and puts it in his pocket. But when he gets home, he discovers it’s not one dollar or even five or ten—it’s a hundred-dollar bill, more than enough for a new bike just like Sergio’s! But what about the crossed-off groceries? And what about the woman who lost her money? Presenting a relatable story told with subtlety and heart, the creative team behind Those Shoes pairs up again for a satisfying picture book.

Fairy Godmother teaches young fairies--and Ivy the dog--to become fairy godmothers, but something is missing.

But all the kids are wearing them! Any child who has ever craved something out of reach will relate to this warm, refreshingly realistic story. Features an audio read-along. "I have dreams about those shoes. Black high-tops. Two white stripes." All Jeremy wants is a pair of those shoes, the ones everyone at school seems to be wearing. But Jeremy’s grandma tells him they don’t have room for "want," just "need," and what Jeremy needs are new boots for winter. When Jeremy’s shoes fall apart at school, and the guidance counselor gives him a hand-me-down pair, the boy is more determined than ever to have those shoes, even a thrift-shop pair that are much too small. But sore feet aren’t much fun, and Jeremy comes to realize that the things he has -- warm boots, a loving grandma, and the chance to help a friend -- are worth more than the things he wants.

“Castillo’s quiet ink-and-watercolor spreads make it clear that Sierra’s situation is different from that of the other girls. . . . A thought-provoking read-aloud.” — Publishers Weekly Nada hace tan feliz a sierra como el fútbol. Sobre todo, cuando sus zapatillas con llamas hacen que el balón ruede por el inmenso mar de grama limpia. Pero, al mismo tiempo, nada la pone tan triste como el fútbol porque su tía no puede sacar tiempo libre del trabajo para ir a los partidos. Sierra quisiera que alguien que la conozca pudiese ir a gritar su nombre cuando ella juega, y no solo gritar el número de su uniforme. Una historia tierna de cómo una niña encuentra la mejor forma de unir las dos cosas que la hacen más feliz — el fútbol y su familia. Nothing makes Sierra happy like soccer. But nothing makes her sad like soccer, either, because the restaurant where her auntie works is busy on game days, so she can’t watch Sierra play. With honesty and subtlety, author Maribeth Boelts and illustrator Lauren Castillo portray an endearing character in a moving, uplifting story that touches on the divides children navigate every day—and reminds us that everyone needs someone to cheer them on from the sidelines. Now available in a Spanish edition!

Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty got their fractured-fairy-tale due in Dogerella and Sleeping Bootsie. Which princess is next to be puppy-fied? Rapunzel, of course! In this Step 3 send-up, a cocker spaniel named Pupunzel grows long golden fur when a witch takes her from her family and locks her in a tall tower. Will Pupunzel’s mama and brothers and sisters ever be able to rescue her from the tower? Or does Pupunzel have some tricks up her fur? Step 3 Readers feature engaging characters in easy-to-follow plots about popular topics. For children who are ready to read on their own.

Single title not for individual sale. Sold as part of larger package only.

DOGERELLA SPENDS HER days scratching the fleas and fluffing the tails of her ungrateful stepdog mother and mean stepdog sisters. At night, she dreams of a home where she is loved. In a nearby castle lives Bea, a sweet, slightly spoiled princess whose fondest wish is for a loyal pet to call her own. A dog’s dream and a princess’s wish come true in this funny fairy tale.

For soccer games Sierra rides a bus out of the city to fields that are nicer than the "lot" in her neighborhood, but so her auntie can be at her last game, she asks Coach Marco if the team might play in her neighborhood on a day her aunt does not work.

A former stray, Bootsie is the beloved royal cat until a spell cast by a mean fairy causes her to fall into a deep sleep, and only "her happiest sound" will awaken her.

Russell and Shawn call themselves the PS Brothers: P is for poop, S is for scoop, and Brothers is because they’re best friends. Scooping poop is the fastest way to earn money to buy a puppy. These two are crazy about dogs. And they’re sure that once their puppy grows into a tough dog, no one will ever pick on them for being weak or poor again. Unfortunately, getting a puppy is not that easy. Russell and Shawn don’t count on uncovering a dog-fighting ring—and that can bust apart a dream faster than a dog can sniff out a bone. But doing the right thing might still get them what they want—and maybe even more.

Adopting a shelter dog comes with unconditional love, but also many questions. A little boy imagines what life was like for his new dog before he adopted him from a shelter. Maybe he had a boy who loved him, but the family had to move and couldn''t keep him. Maybe he belonged to someone who didn''t appreciate how mischievous puppies can be. Maybe he was treated badly. But the most important thing is that now, he can be shown all the love he''s been missing. Because this dog is home. Winner of the Humane Society KIND Children''s Picture Book Award and the ASPCA Henry Bergh Children''s Book Award, this touching story celebrates all who support, care for, and adopt shelter dogs.

This rhyming picture book pays tribute to firefighters on Thanksgiving Day. It’s Thanksgiving Day at Station 1, and Firefighter Lou has planned a fabulous meal for everyone. But each time the alarm sounds, the firefighters run to an emergency, leaving behind half-peeled potatoes, unbaked bread, and melting ice cream. Then, at the biggest fire of the day, one of the firefighters gets hurt. Will they still be able to find a way to celebrate Thanksgiving?

A button on the back cover causes the star showing through the die-cut to twinkle.

Written in a warm, comforting tone, "Sometimes I''m Afraid" shares the stories of three children who have very different types of fear: of storms, of the dark, and fear of the unknown. Children and adults alike will love the beatiful, heartwarming illustrations that help reassure them of God''s all-knowing, all-encompassing love and protection.

As part of the Helping Kids Heal series, this book focuses on the arrival of a new sibling and the emotions a child has when a new brother or sister comes home from the hospital.

On a visit to his father''s house and back home with his mother, Justin asks about his parents'' divorce and how it affects him, but finds his jumbled emotions calmed when he remembers that he still has the love of both parents and God. Includes a note for parents.

Provides advice on how to remain safe in and around swimming pools, rivers and the sea.

Explains school safety, including tips on how to stay safe while travelling to school, what to do about peer pressure and violence, and what to do about weapons at school.

Offers tips on how to keep safe at a playground, including using the swings, see-saws, and other equipment safely and not talking to strangers.

This simple first aid book helps kids think wisely in an emergency. Well illustrated and easy to understand, it describes accident situations that children are likely to find themselves in. The paramedic/teacher author team provides step-by-step directions for handling such common problems as cuts, bloody noses, stings, electric shock and burns. One of our most popular children''s books, "Kids to the Rescue!" opens with a note for parents, explaining how children can practice the first aid techniques. It concludes with a first aid quiz and instructions on calling 9-1-1 and other emergency numbers. The back cover has an index so kids can easily find the page of instructions they need. Expanded and revised to cover HIV-safety.

When the Sloth family decides to get a pet, they look for something cozy and easy to care for, like that sweet little puppy who is napping in his cage. But they are in for a rude awakening. Full color.

Life isn''t quite the same for Little Bunny after baby Kale is born, but he learns to love being a big brother.

"When Little Bunny buys a new tool set with his own money, he takes it to preschool but is unwilling to share it with his friend Patrick. The two young rabbits have a falling-out, but in the end, peace is restored as they use one another''s hammer and paintbrush. . . . The appealing illustrations, done in watercolor and ink, capture the activities of a typical preschool show-and-tell, and the emotions of one character who refuses to share and another who is determined to see the coveted object".--"School Library Journal". Full color.

Offers tips on how to keep safe at a playground, including using the swings, seesaws, and other equipment safely. Includes advice on not talking to strangers. Suggested level: junior, primary.