Children & Teen Non-Fiction Books

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Book SynopsisHave you ever wondered why God made things the way they are? Touch and feel His weird and wonderful creations in this thought-provoking book, perfect to share together! Content Benefits: Children will enjoy reading the funny rhymes and looking at the bright and amusing illustrations that introduce each creature that God has made. This is a tactile touch and feel book about funny animals that young children will love! This hilarious touch-and-feel book is a light-hearted introduction to some of God's more unusual creations Innovative and fun silicone touch and feel sections in different colours and textures feature throughout the book, making this exciting for little hands to explore The amusing and enchanting rhyming text will engage both young readers and adults Each spread features a bright and amusing illustration that will entertain young children A Bible verse is included on each double page spread An innovative way to introduce children to God as the creator of the world A great and unusual gift idea for young children Perfect present for a Christening, Dedication or Baptism Suitable for 0 year plus Binding - Board Book Pages - 12 Publisher - Authentic Media

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Book SynopsisThis board book version of Rosa Parks – an international bestseller from the highly acclaimed Little People, BIG DREAMS series – introduces the youngest dreamers to the 'Mother of the Freedom Movement.' Rosa Parks grew up in Alabama, where she learned to stand up for herself at an early age. Rosa went on to become a civil rights activist. In 1955, she refused to give up her seat to a white man on a segregated bus, sparking the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Her courageous decision had a huge impact on civil rights, eventually leading to the end of segregation on public transport. She never stopped working for equal rights. Babies and toddlers will love to snuggle as you read to them the engaging story of this fascinating icon, and will also enjoy exploring the stylish and quirky illustrations of this sturdy board book on their own.Little People, BIG DREAMS is a bestselling biography series for kids that explores the lives of outstanding people, from designers and artists to scientists and activists. All of them achieved incredible things, yet each began life as a child with a dream. This empowering series of books offers inspiring messages to children of all ages, in a range of formats. The board books are told in simple sentences, perfect for reading aloud to babies and toddlers. The hardback and paperback versions present expanded stories for beginning readers. With rewritten text for older children, the treasuries each bring together a multitude of dreamers in a single volume. You can also collect a selection of the books by theme in boxed gift sets. Activity books and a journal provide even more ways to make the lives of these role models accessible to children.Inspire the next generation of outstanding people who will change the world with Little People, BIG DREAMS!

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Book SynopsisA gold leaf appears in the forest. As soon as the animals notice it, each wants it more than anything else in the world. But in their struggle for it, the leaf is destroyed. Heartbroken, the animals wonder: Will we ever again see such a leaf? After getting an MA in early childhood education, Kirsten Hall taught preschool and elementary school for several years. The Jacket, her debut picture book, was a New York Times Notable Book of 2015. This is her second book. Born in Toronto, Matthew Forsythe grew up in London. After publishing his first books, he moved to LA, where he worked on Adventure Time. He now lives in Montreal, working on animations, picture books, and comics.

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Book SynopsisThis is a charming, touching story about an imaginative boy whose best friend is an oak tree named Bertolt. The boy admits to being an outlier among his peers, but insists that while he is alone, he is never lonely. Being independent suits him, and he considers his difference to be his advantage. A daily refuge is his tree, Bertolt, who provides him a literal and metaphorical vantage point from which to observe the world. Bertolt gives by simply being--he is host to the boy's imaginative adventuring. In springtime, when Bertolt's leaves are abundant and communities of animals make their homes in the tree's nooks and branches, the boy tucks himself away to observe everyday happenings, like the mischievous Tucker twins stealing bottles and the mailman setting down traps. He remains plucky and unbothered, even as he says goodbye to Bertolt for the winter season. After the last frost, when the trees are in bloom, the boy notices that Bertolt is yet bare, and comes to the conclusion that his tree must have died. The boy's strong spirit manifests itself in his desire to honor his friend's life and generosity, revealing to readers the real, sweet mutuality of this friendship. This book is about the imagination and the wonderful ways in which we nurture ourselves in the process of becoming who we are, and because Bertolt dies in a winter's storm, it is also a book about finitude and loss, sorrow and acceptance. Goldstyn Jacques was born in 1958 in Saint-Eugene Argentenay. A graduate of the University of Montreal, he worked in petroleum geology. In 1981, he illustrated his first book: Les Debrouillards, a collection with a scientific bent. He has illustrated numerous books about the same cast of characters, and works with the press as well.Trade Review"Humor, contemplation, and masterful illustrations."— STARRED REVIEW, Kirkus Reviews "Crowning the canon of arboreal allegories is Bertolt by French-Canadian geologist-turned-artist Jacques Goldstyn — the uncommonly tender story of an ancient tree named Bertolt and the boy who named and loved it. From Goldstyn’s simple words and the free, alive, infinitely expressive line of his illustrations radiates a profound parable of belonging, reconciling love and loss, and savoring solitude without suffering loneliness."— Maria Popova, Brain Pickings "A lovely look at introversion, imagination and the power of being different and embracing it."—Waking Brain Cells "Goldstyn manages to convey a world of emotions in his detailed drawings, and captures the feelings of childhood—both its playfulness and imagination, as well as the sense of smallness that comes with being a child in a world of adults.”— Bernie Goedhart, Postmedia "It is an intimate book that implores you to read it in hushed tones with quiet pauses. Its sadness holds beauty; its sweetness never threatens to become saccharine. Bertolt is a truly exceptional exploration of ephemerality."— Serah-Marie McMahon, STARRED REVIEW, Quill & Quire "Goldstyn’s playful prose is similarly nuanced, alternating between humor, palpable admiration for the natural world, unflinching honesty, and in the story’s final spreads, no words at all. Reworking notions of both loss and what it means to be alone, this is an imaginative, introspective, and quietly profound paean to life’s little wonders."— Briana Shemroske, STARRED REVIEW, Booklist

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Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY'S YOUNG PEOPLE'S BOOK PRIZE 2019Welcome to the museum that is always open to explore... Step inside the pages of this beautiful book to discover galleries of galactic matter, expertly curated to bring you the experience of a fascinating exhibition from the comfort of your own home. Planetarium features all aspects of space, from the Sun and our Solar System, to the lives of stars, the Milky Way and the Universe beyond. With stunning artwork from Chris Wormell and informative text by Professor Raman Prinja, Planetarium is the perfect gift for anyone with an interest in this fascinating field.Trade ReviewPlanetarium is a book that takes you into space in a way that mixes art and science. It invites the eye into space and the study of space in what is a distinctive painterly way, full of mood and feeling. Alongside the lush art work, we are given solidly scientific mini-essays for older readers telling us, for example that the 'Sun wobbles back and forth, due to gravitational tugs mainly from Jupiter and Saturn.' The Sun wobbles? Really? Yes it does. It's a great book for peering into and poring over whether as a child, a teen or in groups, schools, or in families. -- Michael RosenPlanetarium is a truly stunning book that makes science exciting for all ages, blending art and fascinating descriptions to help communicate the wonder of the universe. Its mix of beautiful illustrations and inspiring science makes is a worth winner. -- Professor Sheila Rowan FRS - (Chair of the 2019 adult judging panel for RS Book Prize)The first thing that catches your eye are the beautiful illustrations, they are quite simply stunning and will instantly entice readers of any age into the book. It's rather like being drawn into a magical world with colour, mystery and excitement. The reader's taken on a whistle stop tour of the universe and provided with concise descriptions of the planets within the solar system, as well as comets and meteors, from the Big Bang right through to the fate of our universe. This book is a worthwhile addition to any astronomer's library, ideal for leafing through on a cloudy evening to let the mind wander into the mysteries of our universe. * Sky at Night *Welcome to The Planetarium! Home to an incredible collection of astronomical objects from small icy moons to huge swirling galaxies. How big is the Universe? How did it begin? What mysteries does it hold?This book is one to keep and read and LOVE! It's a beauty. * Angels and Urchins *Go on an amazing guided tour of the galaxy with this stunning big-format book, and explore the solar system, the Milky Way and the universe beyond. * The Week Junior *Welcome to the Planetarium... home to an incredible collection of astronomical wonders from icy moons to swirling galaxies! This book is packed with the finely detailed and incredibly coloured artwork of Chris Wormell, a self-taught artist who uses a digital adaptation of the engraving process to create his stunning images. In this eye-catching new tour, which comes in the form of a large, high-quality book packed with amazing pictures and fascinating facts, we learn about all aspects of space, from the Sun and our Solar System to the lives of stars, the Milky Way and the universe beyond. The informative text is written by Professor of Astrophysics, Raman Prinja, who takes us over the horizon of our blue-green planet and into a space world that has fascinated humans since the dawn of time. So step inside the pages of this spellbinding book and discover everything you ever wanted to know about space, planets and all things galactic. * Lancashire Evening Post *Wow, what a beautiful book!..... Planetarium is all about space and the universe. 'This book will take you on an intergalactic journey far beyond Earth's boundaries.' Covering everything from telescopes to constellations, star types to galaxy clusters and everything in between. I love the style of writing, it is easy understand and the topics flow easily from one to another. The book is beautifully illustrated with large full page pictures in engraving style drawings. A beautiful book that would look lovely on anyone's bookshelves. -- Jenni Prestwood * Reading Zone *Planetarium is a tour of the universe curated by the astronomer Raman Prinja and exquisitely illustrated by Chris Wormell -- Melanie McDonagh * The Evening Standard *Professor Raman Prinja has been our 'go-to' for fantastic space books over the last few years of blogging and now he curates a truly beautiful collection of amazing artefacts on a universal scale. With the fantastic colour-and-etch style art of Chris Wormell (whose artwork adorns the billion selling "Book of Dust" by Philip Pullman, no less) we're taken on a truly stratospheric journey to examine all the amazing wonders on our own home planet, and out in the inky blackness of space.Ever wondered what a Black Hole is? What it does, and the incredible destructive forces that suck in any object unfortunate enough to pass its event horizon? Ever wondered how the first pioneers of space began to explore our galaxy, not with spaceships and rockets but with the humble telescope?It's a fantastic book both as a reference for space-going school projects, but also for a thoroughly absorbing read at home too - and we always love the Big Picture Press releases that are designed for sprawling out on the floor with.This book is absolutely perfect for kids and adults who are interested in all aspects of space exploration, a truly brilliant showcase non-fiction book that perfectly demonstrates how to make a subject both exciting and engaging. * Read it Daddy *What a beautiful book! A brilliant book filled with beautiful pictures and fascinating facts about our universe. It steps through different parts of space as if you are walking through a museum, so you 'walk' through seven galleries including Looking at Space, The Solar System, The Sun, The Night Sky, The Stars, Galaxies and The Universe.This is an interesting book for adults and children alike, whether you have a specific interest in space or not. It would make a fantastic gift for an older child who is passionate about space or a brilliant addition to any classroom environment when learning about space through science or topic. Younger children would definitely enjoy looking at the pictures while older children could use it as part of their independent work/research. -- Lucy Newton * Reading Zone *The newest title in the 'Welcome to the Museum' series casts its gaze to the skies in 'Planetarium' - a stunning exploration of the universe beyond our galaxy's boundaries.Written in close consultation with Raman Prinja, a professor of astrophysics, this mind-boggling book allows its readers to travel across solar systems and journey into black holes all from the comfort of their armchairs. The large format allows Chris Wormell's stunningly detailed illustrations to create exhibits in your mind far greater than would fit into any museum.Definitely one for more confident readers but hours could be spent studying the illustrations alone. * Library Girl and Book Boy *Planetarium is the latest in the Welcome to the Museum series, this time in conjunction with the Science Museum. Wormell's last collaboration in this series was on Dinosaurium, whose lavishly illustrated creatures set a high bench mark for illustrated non-fiction. This tome, exploring the Solar System, is no less delightful or comprehensive, and maintains the sophisticated authoritative tone of the rest of the series.Written by Raman Prinja, a Professor of Astrophysics at UCL, the book aims to go further than many space information books for children, starting with an explanation of radiation and light and traversing through the history of astronomy before navigating the Solar System, star life cycles and black holes. The end of the book takes in the incomprehensibility of huge superclusters and Universe expansion.To accompany these mind-bogging theories, facts and wonders, Wormell's power of intricate and detailed illustration has been utilised to its full extent. The detailed drawings of telescopes are like dioramas on the page, his intricate etchings of solar flares and coronal loops feel almost three-dimensional in their depiction. This is not an easy book - there is science galore and difficult concepts, but there is a handsome clarity to the text and a sense of wonder that imbues the science behind the illustrations. There's also some wonderful prose writing:"They [black holes] can't be seen, but if a human got too close to one, they would be sucked in by its gravitational pull, stretched out like spaghetti and incinerated in a wall of fire!"For space fans and astronomy maestros this is one outsized book they'll yearn to devour. * Minerva Reads *Planetarium features all aspects of space, from the Sun and our Solar System, to the lives of stars, the Milky Way and the Universe beyond. With stunning artwork from Chris Wormell and informative text by Professor Raman Prinja, Planetarium is the perfect gift for anyone with an interest in this fascinating field. * World Book Day *Welcome to the Museum. If this is your first visit then prepare to be amazed, and with this title taken out of this world. Raman Prinja takes us on a journey into space and, thanks to the accompanying illustrations of Chris Wormell you will, I assure you, become immersed in the universe and astrology. Remember too that the Museum is open all hours and it has an incredible collection to be visited time and again...So, let me introduce you to some of the galleries and their exhibits. On entering the Museum, we find ourselves just learning how we fit into the wonder that is the universe. As we move deeper and deeper into the galleries we travel further from earth and discover the hidden depths of an, at time, unfathomable universe. You have all the time in the world. You will need all the time in the world for not only is this book crammed with facts that will take many readings to explore and learn, there is no known end to the spaces beyond our planet, many of which it would take a lifetime to reach.I found it challenging to move past the sweeping, shooting, graceful Laniakea, a region of space which contains around 100 billion stars, it is captured so captivatingly but I had to turn the page in order to find out more and then ... well my imagination was captured, my brain was firing questions and so I just had to read on. Some of the facts are mind-blowing - did you know that among the next generation of telescopes one, the European-Extremely Large Telescope, will have a diameter of 39cm! This means it will be able to gather 8 million times more light than Galileo did with his in 1609!! And so it goes on. One mind-blowing fact after another, all accompanied by elegant, sophisticated illustration. The narrative takes us step-by-step through the galaxy, explaining with plenty of detail, facts and technical language yet managing to not bamboozle the reader with sophistication. At the foot of each page is a key to the accompanying plate, just as an exhibit in a museum would have an accompanying label.Our curators, Chris Wormell - self-taught engraver, printmaker and children's book author/illustrator is accompanied by Raman Prinja - professor of astrophysics specialising in massive stars and the evolution of galaxies. Two very talented, intelligent contributors who have curated a notable exhibition and addition to Templar's Museum. Add this to your own growing home Museum and, like me, keep returning for more, especially if you find the time to make use of the recommended additional learning suggestions! I guarantee there is more than a lifetime of fascination in this title. -- Louise Ellis-Barrett * Armadillo *Starting just 100 kilometres above our planet, space stretches further than we can imagine, and only now are we starting to unravel some of its many mysteries.Written by an astrophysicist from University College London and illustrated by the phenomenally talented Chris Wormell, Planetarium explores the solar system, the sun, the night sky as seen from Earth, the stars, galaxies, and the universe as we know it.There are many books about space for children, and though it's a subject with enduring allure, it can be difficult to find a book with the right level of text and information for particular ages, presented clearly and with inspiring illustration.Planetarium is a large format luxury hardback suited to 9-12 year olds (though adults will also adore it, particularly Wormell's subtly 1980s-influenced illustration). Prinja's writing is excellent, clearly describing how, for instance, the sun "shines" for us because it is currently converting 700 tons of hydrogen in its core into 695 million tons of helium every second (in the process of nuclear fusion), or how galaxy clusters are naturally drawn to each other by their powerful gravitational force.A beautiful and wonderful book and a real treasure for any child. * BookTrust *One of a series of science-themed books that includes Dinosaurium and Botanicum, this one, Planetarium: Welcome to the Museum, is published in association with London's Science Museum. It's an impressively-sized hardback book packed full of mesmerising illustrations that depict all aspects of space, from our solar system to the universe beyond. Illustrator Chris Wormell has fulfilled every criteria with his artwork. He dazzles us with sweeping views of galaxies, then changes gear for the precision needed for scientific diagrams. It's like watching the universe on an HD screen of the highest spec. And the text from Professor Raman Prinja is suitably expert too, comprehensive and approachable enough for children and adults. Though if you did want a simpler one, it does come in a junior version. * Creative Bloq *Prinja makes liberal and clever use of analogies to convey just how big (or small, or difficult) things are. He answers questions before the reader has a chance to ask, often with nice touch of humour * Science Magazine *

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Book SynopsisA Wipe Clean Learning Book from Roger Priddy, Wipe Clean Workbook Let’s get ready for Year One introduces young learners to all the skills they’ll need to develop before starting Year 1.With twenty-six pages full of activities, this spiral-bound interactive workbook will help children aged 3 and over prepare for school. This series makes early learning fun for preschool-age children and the exercises inside encourage the development of many first skills such as pen control, hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills and drawing.Children can learn essential skills for Year One with this workbook packed with activities focused on different school topics, such as spelling, maths, telling the time and money recognition, plus two pages of tear-out cards that can be used to play games. The book also features a mix of illustrations and photographs of familiar everyday objects, and a friendly bumblebee character to provide prompts and support whilst children work through the book.The durable wipe-clean pages and attached wipe-clean encourage children to repeat the activities again and again!

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Book SynopsisA Wipe Clean Learning Book from Roger Priddy, Wipe Clean Workbook Everyday Maths introduces young learners to a wide range of Key Stage 1 maths topics.With twenty-six pages full of activities, this spiral-bound interactive workbook will help children aged 5 and over feel confident at school. This series makes early learning fun for KS1 children and the exercises inside encourage the development of many first skills such as pen control, hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills and drawing.Children can learn essential maths skills such as measuring, fractions and 2D and 3D shapes, through a range of fun and engaging activities. The book also features a mix of illustrations and photographs of familiar everyday objects, and a friendly monkey character to provide prompts and support whilst children work through the book.The durable wipe-clean pages and attached wipe-clean encourage children to repeat the activities again and again!

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Book SynopsisIf people were planets, we'd be a lot like Earth ...People are nature. From the water we drink to the trees we climb, we are connected to the natural world in big and surprising ways. With simple, poetic text, and exquisite artwork, You Are Stardust introduces kids to these connections - sparking their imaginations and starting conversations. Combining the ideas of environmental author and educator Elin Kelsey with inventive, three-dimensional dioramas by artist Soyeon Kim, this remarkable picture book reveals ties that are often sensed, yet seldom explained. Children will learn that the salt in their body is the same as the salt in the ocean, that they learned to speak in the same way that baby birds do - by copying their parents, and that elephants, bats and whales make friends, just like they do. In a world dominated by technology, never have these connections between people and nature been more worth exploring.Trade ReviewThis book teaches how we are inherently linked to our environment * Smallish Magazine *Clever, beautiful * Woman's Way *This glorious synthesis of art and science invites discussion about our place in the world, where we come from, how we change, and what makes us feel alive ... You are Stardust spectacularly shows how science is full of some of the best stories. A terrific book for nurturing curiosity and fostering a feeling of enchantment. * Playing By The Book *We are left with a sense of wonder at the miracle of it all - and the need to look after both our fragile planet and the precious ecosystem that is 'planet You' * The Story Cure *

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Book SynopsisFestive Story Inspired By Milne's Classic Stories About The Nation's Favourite BearA pocket-sized, beautifully illustrated warming winter tale for fans of Winnie-the-Pooh, the Best Bear in All The World.It wouldn't be Christmas without a Christmas tree but when Pooh and Piglet set off to find the perfect tree in the Hundred Acre Wood they soon run into difficulties. But perhaps with the help of their friends Eeyore, Rabbit, Tigger and Owl, they'll be able to make this a Christmas to remember.Milne's classic children's stories featuring Piglet, Eeyore and, of course, Pooh himself are both heart-warming and funny, teaching lessons of friendship and reflecting the power of a child's imagination like no other story before or since.The nation's favourite teddy bear has been delighting generations of children for 95 years.Look out for more Winnie-the-Pooh stories:A Song for Christmas ISBN 9781405297486Pudding for Christmas ISBN 9781405294621A Tree for Christmas ISBN 9781405286633The LonTrade Review‘Winnie-the-Pooh has always been a very special (albeit funny old) bear, not least of all because his books are filled with wonderful words of wisdom.', Stylist magazine

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Book SynopsisKirsteen Robson (Author) Kirsteen Robson joined Usborne in 1997 with a background in music, education, and Christian publishing. She has written and edited over 300 Usborne titles, from dictionaries and encyclopedias to activity books with flaps, stickers and sounds. She loves the challenge of writing about anything from aardvarks to zombies.Sam Smith (Author) Sam grew up in Buckinghamshire, falling off various bicycles before reading books and making up his own stories about more competent heroes. After studying English at Cambridge University, he joined Usborne in 2013, and now writes titles ranging from fold-out solar systems to maze books full of swashbuckling pirates. Sometimes, Sam cycles to work.

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Book SynopsisDig in and learn about the Earth under your feet. Little Learning Labs: Geology for Kids features 26 simple, inexpensive, and fun experiments that explore the Earth’s surface, structure, and processes. This family-friendly guide explores the wonders of geology, such as the formation of crystals and fossils, the layers of the Earth’s crust, and how water shapes mountains, valleys, and canyons. There is no excuse for boredom with these captivating STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math) activities. In this book, you will learn: How to identify the most common rocks and minerals How to maintain and display your rock collection How insects are trapped and preserved in amber How geysers and volcanoes form and erupt How layers of rock reveal a record of time How to pan for gold like a real prospector Geology is an exciting science that helps us understand the world we live in, and Little Learning Labs: Geology for Kids actively engages readers in simple, creative activities that reveal the larger world at work. The popular Little Learning Labs series (based on the larger format Lab for Kids series) features a growing list of books that share hands-on activities and projects on a wide host of topics, including art, astronomy, geology, math, and even bugs—all authored by established experts in their fields. Each lab contains a complete materials list, clear step-by-step photographs of the process, as well as finished samples. The activities are open-ended, designed to be explored over and over, often with different results. Geared toward being taught or guided by adults, they are enriching for a range of ages and skill levels. Gain firsthand knowledge on your favorite topic with Little Learning Labs.

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Book Synopsis“Castrillón offers riotous sprouting life through soft forms, stylized shapes, and bright colors.” —Publishers Weekly “Elegant...A charmingly verdant tale in classic style.” —Kirkus Reviews “Lovely...delightful.” —School Library Journal From internationally acclaimed illustrator Melissa Castrillon comes a magical story of how a girl’s garden in her new home changes her life and the lives of people all around her.When a little girl moves from her home to an apartment in the city, she takes her pretty plants with her and one by one they grow and bloom and change both her world and the world all around her as she makes a new friend. When your heart is open, the world is full of possibilities.Trade ReviewThe girl who stars in this nearly wordless tale by Castrillón (If I Had a Little Dream) has rosy cheeks and short dark hair and lives blissfully in the countryside. Castrillón’s lush spreads of her house and its surroundings recall early modern woodcuts and traditional folk art. Movement is everywhere: curtains sway, smoke curls. Then the girl’s parents tell her that her mother has gotten a new job and they must move to the city (“Goodbye,” hand-lettered text reads). Their new brick walk-up has a balcony, and from it the girl stares forlornly at the hills where she used to play. But she’s brought a pot with her, in which she plants seeds (“Hope,” the letters read). A large, artichokelike plant soon springs forth, growing by leaps and bounds, and slowly, the girl transforms her balcony into a wild garden. Tendrils and flowers reach the balcony below; neighbors rejoice. She spots a child with dark skin and curly hair across the way, and their families become friends. Castrillón offers riotous sprouting life through soft forms, stylized shapes, and bright colors. “Bloom where you’re planted,” the adage goes, and that’s just what this girl does. Ages 4–8. (Sept.) -- Publishers Weekly * June 17, 2019 *A child gardener makes a new place feel like home.The young protagonist, whose skin is the pale cream of the book's paper, enjoys the lush garden of their country home, serenely having tea with animal friends. Then a job change for their parents means goodbye. Saddened, they move to an apartment in the city, from which they gaze longingly at the distant country from their third-story balcony. They plant seeds in a pot, and, seemingly overnight, an asparagus-looking bloom sprouts. It grows steadily, eventually becoming even taller than the child's parents. With more plants, the balcony soon becomes an overflowing oasis of flora, attracting friendly animals, until the whole neighborhood is teeming with vegetation. The plants form connections among the community, including the protagonist's friendship with a next-door-neighbor child who has dark skin and wears their hair in braided knots. The occasional text provides some plot developments (a posted letter inviting the mother to take a job in the city) and conveys strong moods ("Hope" appears next to the child as they pot their initial plant). Digitally colored pencil illustrations are classically styled, with hatchings, strong lines, playful spatial distortions reminiscent of Wanda Gág, and a vintage-feeling tri-color palette. The organic elements have especially enchanting forms. Elegant drawings and sparse, emotive text make this story accessible to readers of a wide age range .A charmingly verdant tale in classic style. (Picture book. 4-8) -- Kirkus * July 15, 2019 *CASTRILLÓN, Melissa. The Balcony. illus. by Melissa Castrillón. 48p. S. & S./Paula Wiseman Bks. Sept. 2019. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9781534405882. PreS-Gr 2–A young girl brings along her love of the outdoors as she makes the adjustment of moving from a country home to a city apartment in this mostly wordless attestation to the possibilities of change and the meaning of home. When her mother receives a great job offer in the city, a girl is heartbroken to leave her home’s lush garden where she has found solace with the flora and fauna, only to move to an apartment where the main access to the outdoors is a small, barren balcony. Soon, with some seeds she brought with her, she starts a balcony garden that quickly flourishes, spilling over to the balconies below hers. While enjoying her garden, she meets a friend, which leads to a satisfying realization that home can be a lot of things. With only a few elegantly hand lettered words, Castrillón’s richly hued digital and pencil Ottoman-style illustrations carry the story. Making use of the book’s narrow shape, she moves back and forth between spreads and vignettes that add pacing and offer moments to pause and bask in the splendor of the magical world the girl is creating. Centered on the child’s story, other story lines unfold in the background, reinforcing the book’s theme of hope in change. VERDICT A book to assuage the fear of moving to a new home, this lovely illustrated tale will be a delightful addition to most collections.–Danielle Jones, Multnomah County Library, OR -- School Library Journal * September 2019 *

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Book SynopsisIntroduces readers to the life, diet, habitat, behavior, and physical description of zebras. Colorful spreads, fun facts, diagrams, a range map, and a special reading feature make this an exciting read for animal lovers and report writers alike.

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Book SynopsisIntroduces readers to the science that makes airplanes possible. Accessible text, helpful diagrams, and a “How Does It Work?” feature make this book an exciting introduction to understanding technology.

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Book SynopsisSam grew up in Buckinghamshire, falling off various bicycles before reading books and making up his own stories about more competent heroes. After studying English at Cambridge University, he joined Usborne in 2013, and now writes titles ranging from fold-out solar systems to maze books full of swashbuckling pirates. Sometimes, Sam cycles to work.

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Book SynopsisKatie has been writing non-fiction children's books for almost half her life and loves questioning the world from a child's point of view. She's developed some of Usborne's bestselling series, including the See Inside books and Lift-the-flap Questions & Answers. When she's not writing, she likes drinking coffee, walking on the moors and playing competitive board games with her children.

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