The Yellow Bus by Loren Long + Enter the Back-to-School Sweepstakes!

Art: The Yellow Bus with children and a driver on board

Introducing the #1 New York Times bestselling Picture Book

Read on to learn all about The Yellow Bus, download resources, score special librarian & educator surprises, and access a bus-load of bonus content! Hop on board!

The Yellow Bus Cover Image
Learn more about The Yellow Bus and Download Resources

Activity Kit: The Gingerbread Monster by Dan Gemeinhart; illustrated by Hugo L. Cuellar

Activity Kit Graphic

Gingerbread Monster Social Asset

The Gingerbread Monster
By Dan Gemeinhart; illustrated by Hugo L. Cuellar
Ages 4-7
On Sale Now!

“A deliciously fun adventure with vibrant charm and a perfect blend of spooky and sweet! A great read-aloud experience for both kids and grown-ups alike.” ―Pete Oswald, #1 New York Times–bestselling illustrator of The Good Egg and The Bad Seed

From #1 New York Times–bestselling author Dan Gemeinhart comes a spooky picture book tale about a young baker whose Gingerbread Man creation comes to life with a fright—yet even monsters long for a friend.

In his laboratory high on the hill, Frank N. Stine has a ferocious sweet tooth that snarls to be fed. But when an eerie experiment spills into his Gingerbread batter, a frightening cookie creation comes to life! The Gingerbread Monster is hulking, horrific . . . and hungry. But as Frank is chased by his creepy creation, the young baker begins to wonder what the Monster truly craves. After all, there’s no sweeter treat than friendship.

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Activity Kit: Everything’s Wrong by Jory John

graphic announcing a free activity kit with the EVERYTHING'S WRONG! book cover that includes a disgruntled bear and rabbit in a forest landscape

EVERYTHING'S WRONG! book cover that includes a disgruntled bear and rabbit in a forest landscape

Everything’s Wrong!
By Jory John; illustrated by Erin Kraan
Ages 4-8
On Sale May 20th!

From #1 New York Times–bestselling author of The Bad Seed, Jory John, and the #1 New York Times-bestselling illustrator of Buffalo Fluffalo, Erin Kraan, comes a meaningful yet utterly hilarious tale—a companion to the popular picture books, Something’s Wrong! And Nothing’s Wrong!

It’ll surely be a no-hassle, stress-free, easy-peasy kind of day. . .

Best friends Jeff and Anders start the day with the best of intentions, but before long, everything goes haywire. From power outages, to spilled breakfasts, to missing socks, a series of irritating incidents sends the bear-and-bunny duo on an epic journey that will test their fortitude and their friendship. Can these pals work together to salvage this disastrous day?

Another read-out-loud, laugh-out-loud picture book from bestselling author Jory John, paired with standout talent Erin Kraan, reminds us that even when your day seems to go completely off the rails, you can make it through any challenge—especially when you have a good friend by your side.

dOWNLOAD THE Activity Kit FOR Everything’s wrong →

Activity Kit for Odder: An Otter’s Story by Katherine Applegate

Odder: An Otter's Story Graphic

Odder Book Cover

Odder: An Otter’s Story by Katherine Applegate; illustrated by Charles Santoso
Ages 3 to 6

A stunning picture book from acclaimed author Katherine Applegate, adapted from the #1 bestselling middle-grade novel that spent over 52 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list!

Odder spends her days playing underwater and learning life lessons from her mother. But when Odder’s life takes a dramatic turn, she is rescued by humans. The people are kind, and introduce Odder to other rescues. Soon, it’s clear that Odder has a talent for teaching other pups how to otter. Adapted from Katherine Applegate’s bestselling novel of the same name (with over 80 weeks on the New York Times Bestseller list!), and inspired by the true story of a program that pairs orphaned otter pups.

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[CLOSED] Bad Kitty: Party Animal by Nick Bruel Sweepstakes, Activity Kit + Book Club Discussion Guide

Celebrate the 20th anniversary of Nick Bruel’s New York Times-Bestselling Series with this class set of books and party favors! This series is purr-fect for fans of DOG MAN and INVESTIGATORS, comic book fans, and cranky cats.

Winners will receive a class set of Bad Kitty: Party Animal books and Bad Kitty Kazoos!

No purchase necessary. Open only to legal residents of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia who are age 21 years of age or older. Entry period begins at 11:59 PM (ET) on Monday, January 13, 2025 and ends at 11:59 PM ET on Tuesday, January 28, 2025. Void where prohibited. For full Official Rules, visit . Sponsored by MCPG, 120 Broadway 10271.


Bad Kitty: Party Animal by Nick Bruel
Ages 7 to 10

It’s Puppy’s birthday and Kitty can’t seem to do anything right in this brand new graphic novel adventure by New York Times-bestselling creator Nick Bruel, for fans of DOG MAN and INVESTIGATORS.

It’s Puppy’s birthday and Kitty would rather be anywhere else.

While Puppy gets a BIG present and a very special birthday breakfast, all Kitty can do is pop the balloons, topple the cake, and cause mayhem…unless, she can learn how to let Puppy have the spotlight.

Help Puppy (and Kitty) celebrate this special day in this graphic novel about sibling rivalry, and learning how to share, in the latest full-color addition to the bestselling Bad Kitty series.

Activity Kit + Book Club Discussion Guide: Let It Glow by Marissa Meyer and Joanne Levy

Let It Glow by Marissa Meyer and Joanne Levy
Ages 8 to 12

When Aviva Davis and Holly Martin meet at the holiday pageant tryouts for their local senior’s center, they think they must be seeing double. While they both knew they were adopted, they had no idea they had a biological sibling, let alone an identical twin! The similarities are only skin deep, though, because while Aviva has a big personality and even bigger Broadway plans, Holly is more the quiet dreamer type who longs to become a famous author like her grandfather.

One thing the girls do have in common is their curiosity about how the other celebrates the holidays. What better way to discover the magic of the holidays than to experience them firsthand? The girls secretly trade lives, planning to stage a dramatic reveal to their families. Two virtual strangers swapping homes, holidays, and age-old traditions–what could possibly go wrong? Find out in this sweet as a sugarplum and satisfying as a latke middle grade novel by Marissa Meyer, #1 New York Times-bestselling author of The Lunar Chronicles, and Joanne Levy, award-winning author of Sorry for Your Loss and several other books for tweens.

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Activity Kit: How to Pee Your Pants: The Right Way by Rachel Michelle Wilson

How to Pee Your Pants the Right Way Book Cover

How to Pee Your Pants: The Right Way by Rachel Michelle Wilson
Ages 3 to 5

Don’t miss this humorous and heartwarming picture book by debut creator Rachel Michelle Wilson about that embarrassing moment in life when you (gasp) pee your pants.

Well, it happened. You peed your pants.

You probably regret that second (okay, third) lemonade.

We’ve all been there.

This book has some tips to get you through it (including but not limited to traffic cone pants, extraterrestrial negotiations, food fights, and other very practical techniques).

With her playful retro palette, debut author-illustrator Rachel Michelle Wilson offers a space to laugh with yourself through one of life’s most embarrassing moments and remember that you’re never as alone as you think.

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Valentine Activity Kit: Love, Violet

Valentine Activity Kit: Love, Violet

love-violet87

Love, Violet by Charlotte Sullivan Wild
illustrated by Charlene Chua
Ages 4 to 8

Perfect for Valentine’s Day, Love, Violet by Charlotte Sullivan Wild and Charlene Chua is a touching picture book about friendship and the courage it takes to share your feelings.

Only one person
makes Violet’s heart skip

Of all the kids in Violet’s class, only one leaves her speechless: Mira, the girl with the cheery laugh who races like the wind. If only they could adventure together! But every time Violet tries to tell Mira how she feels, Violet goes shy. As Valentine’s Day approaches, Violet is determined to tell Mira just how special she is.

Charlene Chua’s luminous watercolors bring to life this sweet and gentle picture book about friendship, love, and the courage it takes to share your heart.

Learn more about Love, violet →

Activity Kit: Big Tune: Rise of the Dancehall Prince

Activity Kit: Big Tune: Rise of the Dancehall Prince

Activity-Kit-Downloadable-Resources 2

Take a deep dive with your classroom into Big Tune: Rise of the Dancehall Prince by Alliah L. Agostini; illustrated by Shamar Knight-Justice. This picture book is about a community coming together to have a good time. In this activity kit, you can host your own Dancehall Party, and bring different cultures together. A Dancehall Party is when “Family, friends, music, food, and drink are a universal recipe for a good time! And in immigrant communities like the early 1990s Brooklyn, New York, Jamaican community depicted here, parties or bashments are an opportunity to reconnect with local family, friends, and the rhythm and flavors of a home thousands of miles away.”

Click below to download the activity kit to share in your school or library.

Find Out More about Big Tune: Rise of the dancehall prince Activity Kit >

Bilingual Activity: The Coquíes Still Sing / Los coquíes aún cantan by Karina Nicole González; illustrated by Krystal Quiles; translated by Amparo Ortiz

Bilingual Activity

The Coquies still sing

The Coquíes Still Sing: A Story of Home, Hope, and Rebuilding by Karina Nicole González; illustrated by Krystal Quiles

A powerful story about home, community, and hope, inspired by the rebuilding of Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria in 2017, written by debut author Karina González and illustrated by Krystal Quiles.

Co-quí, co-quí! The coquí frogs sing to Elena from her family’s beloved mango tree—their calls so familiar that they might as well be singing, “You are home, you are safe.” But home is suddenly not safe when a hurricane threatens to destroy everything that Elena knows.

As time passes, Elena, alongside her community, begins to rebuild their home, planting seeds of hope along the way. When the sounds of the coquíes gradually return, they reflect the resilience and strength of Elena, her family, and her fellow Puerto Ricans.

“González’s melodic text sings, like Elena’s beloved coquíes, while Quiles’ gouache and acrylic artwork pops with vibrant hues and textures. . . A heartfelt reminder that even in the most difficult times, dreaming of a better tomorrow strengthens family and community.“–Kirkusstarred review

What a story of resilience and community! The Coquies Still Sing gives the reader the opportunity to recognize the things that we can do together to rebuild our lives and take care of our beloved communities. This book is more than beautiful.”–Yuyi Morales, Caldecott Honoree and New York Times bestselling creator of Dreamers


los-coquies

Los coquíes aún cantan: Un cuento sobre hogar, esperanza y reconstrucción cuento por Karina Nicole González; ilustrado por Krystal Quiles; traducido por Amparo Ortiz

Los coquíes aún cantan es un libro ilustrado para niños sobre el hogar, la comunidad, y la esperanza, inspirado por la reconstrucción de Puerto Rico luego del Hurricán María en Septiembre 2017. Este hermoso y emotivo libro fue escrito por Karina Nicole González, illustrado por Krystal Quiles, y traducido al español por Amparo Ortiz.

¡Co-quí, co-quí!
 Los coquíes le cantan a Elena desde el amado árbol de mango de su familia—sus llamadas son tan conocidas que es como si estuvieran cantando, “Estás en casa, estás a salvo.” Pero de repente, su hogar no es tan seguro cuando un huracán atenta con destruir todo lo que Elena conoce.

Con el paso del tiempo, Elena, junto a su comunidad, comienza a reconstruir su hogar, sembrando semillas de esperanza en el camino. Cuando los sonidos de los coquíes regresan gradualmente, reflejan la resiliencia y fuerza de Elena, su familia, y sus compatriotas puertorriqueños.

“El texto melódico de González canta, como los queridos coquíes de Elena, mientras que la obra de arte en gouache y acrílico de Quiles resalta con tonos y texturas vibrantes. . . Un recordatorio sincero de que incluso en los momentos más difíciles, soñar con un mañana mejor fortalece a la familia y la comunidad.”-Kirkus, reseña destacada

¡Qué historia de resiliencia y comunidad! Los Coquíes Aún Cantan le brinda al lector la oportunidad de reconocer todo lo que podemos hacer juntos para reconstruir nuestras vidas y cuidar a nuestras queridas comunidades. Este libro es más que hermoso.”—Yuyi Morales, homenajeada al Caldecott y creadora de Dreamers, reconocido en la lista de mejores vendidos del New York Times.