★ NEW NONFICTION ★

Are We There Yet? The First Road Trip Across the USA

Illustrated by Elizabeth Baddeley

Available March 2025

It's 1903 when Dr. Horatio Nelson Jackson bets fifty dollars that he can drive a horseless carriage (a car) across the USA, from California to New York, in less than three months. Considering Dr. Jackson doesn't know how to drive, there are no highways yet, and everyone else who's tried the trip has failed, the odds are stacked against him. Still, he hires a bike racer to act as mechanic, and the two set off in Dr. Jackson's car, the Vermont, with their team mascot, Bud the bulldog.

Their trip is far from easy street. The duo must pull the car across streams, drive through deep mud and over rocky terrain, and wait for a stagecoach to bring spare parts. And with no windshield, doors, or a roof, every bump in the road means boingy boingy boingy--until things bounce right out of the car!

Then two more teams start out from California, and the race is on! Can a doctor, a bike racer, and a bulldog make it across the finish line first?

Children’s Book Award Nominee in…

• North Carolina

• Nebraska

• Maryland

I Want 100 Dogs

Illustrated by Claire Keane

A young girl proclaims, "I want 100 dogs." In a twist, her parents agree, but they have just one question: Where will 100 dogs sleep? Our protagonist revises her request to 90 dogs. But how does one walk 90 dogs? A silly, subtractive counting tale and an over-the-top ode to the joys (and woes) of canine company, this sweet and surprising story proves that no matter how boundless your enthusiasm, when it comes to finding the perfect pet, sometimes less really is more.

Pluto! Not a Planet? Not a Problem

Illustrated by Stevie Lewis

Hot diggity dog! Meet Pluto! The runt of a litter of eight planets. Pluto may not be the biggest or fastest planet to revolve around the Sun, but it has a unique story to tell. From the tale of how it was found by humans to its naming as a dwarf planet, it’s Pluto’s turn to take the spotlight and properly re-introduce itself.

★ “Highly recommended.” —School Library Journal, starred review

Blood! Not Just a Vampire Drink

Illustrated by Shawna J.C. Tenney

Welcome to I Don’t Vant to Suck Your Blood Smoothie Shop, where all products are 100% blood-free!

That’s good news for humans, but bad news for a thirsty vampire who just wants a pint of O-positive. With a little help from a friend, he’ll realize that blood isn’t a beverage. Humans need it! Blood delivers oxygen and nutrients, helps fight off infections, and so much more. So grab Blood! Not Just a Vampire Drink and a pineapple-spinach smoothie, and find out why blood is such a fabulous fluid.

* 2023 Maryland Blue Crab Young Reader Award in the Transitional Nonfiction Category *

Our Planet! There’s No Place Like Home

Illustrated by David Litchfield

Meet Earth. Planet Awesome! And your awesome home! Actually, Earth is home to all the plants and all the animals in the solar system, including nearly eight billion people. Humans have accidentally moved Earth's climate change into the fast lane, and she need your help to put on the brakes. Earthlings need Earth, and Earth needs Earthlings, so let's save Earth together!

★“Warm, friendly, and funny.” —School Library Journal, starred review

* SCBWI Golden Kite Winner Nonfiction Text for Younger Readers2023 *

Brains! Not Just a Zombie Snack

Illustrated by Matthew Rivera

Brains. 78% water, 100% delicious. A zombie chef who has sworn off eating brains salivates over this super powerful organ in this funny and fact-filled picture book. From learning about how the brain processes messages from our five senses, to learning why wrinkly human brains are so much more powerful than smooth mouse brains, this is a hilarious introduction to the organ that does it all.

Mars! Earthlings Welcome

Illustrated by Stevie Lewis

Meet Mars! The red planet. Planet Marvelous. Favorite sibling of Earth (or so he claims). Sometimes they're close (just 34.5 million miles apart). Sometimes they need space (250 million miles apart)! Earth and Mars have a lot in common--clouds, mountains, polar icecaps. And while Earth has Earthlings, Mars makes a persuasive case for why people should make the journey to spend time with him. His day is 7 minutes longer! He is home to the largest volcano in the whole solar system. He's, well, marvelous.

A Small Kindness

Illustrated by Wendy Leach

Teach the importance of goodwill with this impactful picture book with a solid pay-it-forward message to encourage kindness in young children.

Max Explains Everything: Puppy Expert

Illustrated by Deborah Hocking

Ocean! Waves for All

Illustrated by David Litchfield

Read this book about Ocean, written by Ocean, while you lounge on a planet
that’s 71 percent covered by—you guessed it—Ocean!

*A Junior Library Guild Selection*

Moon! Earth’s Best Friend

Illustrated by Stevie Lewis

Meet Moon! She's more than just a rock―she’s Earth’s rock, her best friend Earth can always count on. Moon never turns her back on her friend (literally: she's always facing Earth with the same side!). These two will stick together forever. With humor and charm, Moon is the next celestial "autobiography" in the Our Universe series.

*A Junior Library Guild Selection*

*Best Children’s Books of the Year 2020, Bank Street*

Max Explains Everything: Soccer Expert

Illustrated by Deborah Hocking

Max knows a lot about soccer. After all, he's been playing it for almost three weeks! So he's pretty much an expert. Here Max shares his one-of-a-kind helpful tips including how to warm up (stretch, twirl, somersault), who's who on the field (the ref is in yellow and wears a whistle--you should not bring your own whistle), and what to do with your hands since you can't touch the ball (wave at fans, hide them in your shirt, play itsy-bitsy spider). But could Max possibly be forgetting something very important?

Love

Illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff

What is love? Can you only express it in fancy meals, greeting cards, and heart-shaped chocolates? Kids will find love everywhere in this delightful book. It can be found in everyday moments such as baking cookies with grandma, notes from Mom in your lunchbox, or a family singing together on a car trip, and it isn't always what you expect!

★ "Indeed, the message that comes through loudest of all is that love is simple and can be symbolized by the smallest things.... Perfect for balancing the commercialism of Valentine's Day." —Kirkus Reviews, starred Review

SUN! One in a Billion

Illustrated by Stevie Lewis

Meet Sun: He's a star! And not just any star―he's one in a billion. He lights up our solar system and makes life possible.

*Irma Black Award Semi Finalist 2019*

*Amazon Best Book of the Month (October 2018)*

*A Junior Library Guild Selection*

*Best Children’s Books of the Year 2019, Bank Street - OUTSTANDING MERIT*

Max Explains Everything: Grocery Store Expert

Illustrated by Deborah Hocking

Max knows everything about trips to the grocery store because his parents make him go All. The. Time. Even when they run out of little things . . . like toilet paper. So he's pretty much an expert. Whether it's choosing the right breakfast cereal or surviving the obstacle course that is the produce section, Max is here to help. Having trouble talking mom into finally getting that puppy she promised? Picking up a bag of dog food might just be the push she needs! And always remember to keep your eyes on the prize--the checkout lane is your last chance to grab the real essentials. Candy! Full of humor and "helpful" tips, Max Explains Everything: Grocery Store Expert is the first in a delightful new picture book series starring kid-expert Max!

★ "A fun romp around the grocery store that kids will relate to and a wonderful read-aloud." —Kirkus Reviews, starred Review

EARTH! My First 4.54 Billion Years

Illustrated by David Litchfield

"Hi, I’m Earth! But you can call me Planet Awesome."

Prepare to learn all about Earth from the point-of-view of Earth herself! In this funny yet informative book, filled to the brim with kid-friendly facts, readers will discover key moments in Earth’s life, from her childhood more than four billion years ago all the way up to present day. The book includes back matter with even more interesting tidbits.

★“Terrifically entertaining.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

“A humorous approach to planetary facts for the elementary grades.” —School Library Journal

*A Junior Library Guild Selection*

*The Children's Literature Association of Utah 2020 Beehive Award Nominee*

Brave

Illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff

Superheroes seek adventure, never give up, and stay calm when others are afraid. Superheroes are brave. But they aren't the only ones.

"A gentle reminder of everyday challenges and opportunities, told with economy, clarity, and earnestness."―Kirkus Reviews

"This serious and heartfelt message is softened and reinforced by colorful illustrations, with pen-and-ink lines adding playful details."―Booklist

Mr. Fuzzbuster Knows He's the Favorite

Illustrated by Edward Hemingway

Mr. Fuzzbuster knew he was Lily’s favorite. They did everything together.  But now four more animals lived in the house.…To prove he’s still Lily’s favorite, Mr. Fuzzbuster will have to ask her, but will Lily's answer surprise him? This funny, heartwarming story is for every child who has ever wondered if there’s a favorite in the house.

“This tale of who's the preferred pet will charm animal lovers of all stripes.” —Kirkus Reviews

“McAnultyputs a high-spirited spin on kids’ fascination with favorites in a story starring Mr. Fuzzbuster, a cat determined to stake his claim as his owner’s most beloved pet.” —Publishers Weekly

Beautiful

Illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff

Beautiful breaks barriers by showing girls free to be themselves: splashing in mud, conducting science experiments, and reading books under a flashlight with friends. This book will encourage all girls to embrace who they are and realize their endless potential.

"McAnulty and Lew-Vriethoff redefine beauty and grace by depicting girls doing things that make them happy and strong." --Booklist

Ed was in the Wall Street Journal.

Excellent Ed

Illustrated by Julia Sarcone-Roach

All the Ellis kids are excellent in their own way. So excellent, in fact, that the family dog, Ed, begins to worry. What if he's not excellent enough to belong in this family?

* Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Honor Recipient *

* ILA Children's Choice Reading List Selection *

* Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Selection *

* Best Children's Books of the Year Selection, The Children's Book Committee at Bank Street College of Education. *

★ “A warm, welcome reminder that everyone is excellent at something.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

★“In a word? Excellent.” —Horn Book, starred review

"A dog lover’s delight, this sweet and simple title will be an excellent addition for most school and public libraries." —School Library Journal

SORRY, OUT OF PRINT

101 Reasons Why I'm Not Taking a Bath

Illustrated by Joy Ang

* ILA Children's Choice Reading List Selection *

"Psssst! Hey, kid! Are you trying to get out of taking a bath? I've got EVERY EXCUSE in the book! There's no way we'll have to take baths ever again. Yup, these excuses are FAIL-PROOF. Get ready to STAY DIRTY for a LOOOOONG TIME, my friend."

"There’s really only one reason to read this book: it’s a hoot.” —Kirkus Reviews

SORRY, OUT OF PRINT

Dear Santasaurus

Illustrations by Jef Kaminsky

* Winner of the 2014 ILA Children's and Young Adults' Book Awards - Primary Fiction *

It's January 1st, but Ernest B. Spinosaurus is already dreaming of the present Santasaurus will hopefully bring him next Christmas. This means, of course, that Ernest will have to stay on Santasaurus's "nice" list all year long. Not an easy task for a curious, prank-loving dinosaur.