New Releases by Suzanne Bloom

In Suzanne Bloom''s lovable story, the seventh in the popular Goose and Bear series, Bear discovers that not getting what you want isn''t always a bad thing. In fact, it may lead to something surprising. Bear wishes he could fly. He wants to swoop and glide and feel the wind in his fur. Yet no matter how hard he flaps his arms, he can''t get off the ground. Goose and Fox offer support, but Bear remains earthbound—until he hears music. Suddenly, Bear is gliding and swooping and light on his feet.

Featuring gentle humor and charm, this latest entry in Suzanne Bloom''s acclaimed Goose and Bear series will help children build foundations for friendship, empathy, and cooperation. Goose has an important message for Bear, and he asks Fox to deliver it. But Fox has her mind on other things—which only leaves Bear to wonder and worry. Fortunately, in the end, these friends are as good at forgiving as they are at forgetting. Fox gets a starring role in this warmhearted and beautifully simple story about the meaning of being responsible.

Friendship is about far more than being alike in this simple yet satisfying story. Zack and Ike are best friends who like to think they''re exactly alike. They have the same backpack, the same bike, and the same kind hearts. But what happens when these best friends disagree? And what happens when they meet a new friend who is exactly different--or is she? In this classic friendship story written by award-winning author Suzanne Bloom, readers will see that Zack and Ike are alike in some ways, but different in others--and that''s okay! Because you don''t have to be exactly alike to be friends.

When a little bunny is nervous about starting school, his big sister hops right in to help him tackle his first-day jitters. It''s the first day of school, and little Bunny feels like something is flip-flopping in his belly. He won''t know anyone. He doesn''t know how to tie his shoes or how to read. And what if no one likes him? Can Bunny''s sister convince him that the first day won''t be a horrible disaster? Award-winning author and illustrator Suzanne Bloom''s signature gentle humor, exuberant characters, and reassuring message will resonate with every child who has similar anxiety about the first day of school.

In this picture book perfect for social emotional learning, a group of young animals shows readers that even though others might look, talk, or walk differently, we can like each other just as we are. With a subtle message of tolerance and acceptance, this irresistibly sweet book features animal friends who like each other despite--and because of--their differences. An elephant and a cat might look different from each other, a lemur and a stork might enjoy different activities, and a lion and a mouse might have different hairstyles, but all the animals value and appreciate one another, as shown by exuberant scenes of playing together. The short, simple text will hold the attention of young children and the artwork includes clever and funny details for them to look for as they listen. I Just Like You also models the ways young children make friends, with simple conversation starters of sharing opinions and trading compliments.

In this engaging bedtime book, beloved author-illustrator Suzanne Bloom asks readers how they prepare for bed—from putting on jammies to asking for one more hug—then counts down to bedtime from ten terribly tired tigers to one really weary wombat. Each animal demonstrates a different bedtime ritual—skunks somersault into bunks and elephants curl up with their trunks—adding original and inventive rhymes and a clever counting-backward structure to the bedtime book genre. The lyrical, rhyming text combines with dreamy, colorful artwork to provide a perfect way for children to wind down from an active day in a book sure to become a new bedtime classic.

Bank Street College of Education Best Book of the Year This simple and endearing story about friends learning to understand each other''s differences is filled with author/illustrator Suzanne Bloom''s gentle humor and trademark pastel illustrations. Sometimes Bear likes quiet time by himself. But his friend Fox has a very different idea of what "quiet" means. Can Bear''s quiet aloneness and Fox''s noisy togetherness ever result in a satisfying compromise? "This title offers a winning combination of earnestness and flippancy, sweetness, and saltiness. Readers will gain insight into the rewards of contemplation and quiet. The book will inspire rich discussions about what it means to be alone and together and what the experience of "alone togetherness" might mean for friends." —School Library Journal

A perfect picture book to share with children starting school or those riding the school bus for the first time. It’s the first day of school for Tess, and it’s also her very first ride on a school bus. Waiting at the bus stop with her older friend Gus, Tess eagerly asks, “Is this the bus for us, Gus?” as each vehicle passes by. Award-winning author and illustrator Suzanne Bloom introduces young readers to a diverse cast of characters and a variety of vehicles in this charming book that makes a great gift for any child about to start school.

With her trademark simplicity and humor, Suzanne Bloom shows children once again what it means to be a true friend with this new and utterly charming Goose and Bear—and Fox!—story. Fox loves surprises! When she discovers Goose and Bear making gifts, she hopes that one of the presents is for her. But what if it isn''t? Even though hope may turn to disappointment, nothing can stop Fox from making her own spectacular surprise for Goose and Bear. In the end, Fox is overjoyed to find she hasn''t been forgotten after all.

The Bus for Us Big Book

Who will fix the friendship? It''s playtime and Bear and Goose are having fun. Then Little Fox joins in and somebody gets left out. Sound familiar? The dilemma of choosing one friend over another is one of childhood''s classic problems. Someone''s feelings are bound to get hurt. But as this gentle story shows, the solution lies in including friends, not excluding them. As in her previous Bear and Goose stories, Suzanne Bloom''s latest book deals with a familiar aspect of friendship: being left out.

Sometimes a box is not an ordinary box. In this instance, an aardvark named Grant and an armadillo named Antoine see its potential for something magnificent: a time machine! Under the supervision of their friend Samantha, an anteater, they cobble together a bunch of thingamabobs and hoozie-doozies to turn the empty box into a marvelous device for traveling through time. Can three adventurers actually turn back the clock? Suzanne Bloom''s comical story features three endearing characters with vivid imaginations.

When Bear follows Goose on what he thinks is a treasure hunt, they make a wonderful discovery.

A Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book This charming picture book says volumes about friendship with a few select words and accessible illustrations. Bear wants to read and write and think. But his friend Goose wants to talk and talk... and talk! Bear and Goose are so different! But can they still be friends? Toddlers and preschoolers will learn about how to make new friends through this delightful story.

A farmer finds a new home for a pig who dislikes living in a barn, sleeping on straw, and eating unpopped corn.

Ms. Taffy has just won a pig. Her pig isn''t ceramic but a real piglet. Now Ms. Taffy is faced with a problem. Can a pig live happily in the city? With some help from her neighbors, Ms. Taffy sets out to answer this question.

As the students at school become more rude and rowdy, their hands turn into hooves and their noses turn into snouts! The Pig Lady is called in and recognizes the problem. With her help, the children begin to recall and recite proper manners.