Stacy McAnulty’s fact and fun-filled Our Universe picture book series invites children to explore our solar system from the points-of-view of the celestial bodies that hang out among the stars. These charming and humorous “autobiographies” are beautifully illustrated by such artists as Stevie Lewis and David Litchfield.
Santa Baby by Jonathan Stutzman; illustrated by Heather Fox
Jonathan Stutzman and Heather Fox, the duo behind Llama Destroys the World, take their trademark hijinks up to the North Pole in this laugh-out-loud, heartfelt Christmas-themed picture book.
Santa is feeling old, and being in the business of Christmas for centuries is . . . well, it isn’t all milk and cookies. In hopes of regaining some of his pep, Santa asks the spirit of Christmas to give him something for a change: skim off a couple of years and make him younger.
But Christmas magic is powerful, and Santa gets more than he wished for. Instead of a fresh new outlook and boundless energy, he needs diapers and a nap—stat. With Christmas only a few days away, the elves rush to teach Santa Baby the basics. But will there be enough time to prepare their new bundle of holiday joy for the job?
“Plenty of laughs…playfully complemented by Fox’s child-friendly illustrations.” —Horn Book
The Runaway Belly Button by John Flannery; illustrated by Mika Song
In the charming and lighthearted picture book, The Runaway Belly Button, John Flannery and Mika Song bring to life the sweetly goofy Belly Button as she reminds you how nice it is to be sparkling clean.
Grace loved to get dirty. But she was also pretty good at getting clean—she took proper care of Hands, paid extra attention to Feet, and even remembered to scrub behind Ears. There was just one body part she tended to forget: Belly Button.
Day after day, Belly Button got dirtier… and stinkier… and filthier. Until after one particularly neglectful bath, Belly Button decides she’ll have to get outie there to look and smell great again.
“Both solid entertainment and useful hygiene instruction.” – Publishers Weekly
This fall, Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group invites you to embrace difference! From our favorite foods and activities to how our families look and the stories that we know, everyone is different. These differences, from the small and simple to the large and complicated are important. Check out some of our favorite books to start the conversation!
Learn more here→
No matter what ‘back to school’ means for you this year, TinkerActive helps keep kids on track.
Enter for a chance to win a set of workbooks + download sample lessons here →
A Little Space for Me by Jennifer Gray Olson
With clever, inventive art and universally relatable themes, A Little Space for Me by Jennifer Gray Olson is a heartwarming picture book about the importance of mindfulness, understanding, and finding a moment of peace within a big, busy world.
Sometimes, when it’s too loud, too crowded, too messy, too smelly, or for no reason at all, you might just need a little bit of space to feel like yourself again.
“Inventive compositions will transport readers into the thoughts and emotions of the protagonist. Both text and art show familiar experiences, but Olson also leaves them open to interpretation, showing people can interact with the world in different ways . . . Ripe for discussion.” —Kirkus
“A thought-provoking rumination on mindfulness . . . Olson’s art is gorgeous . . . An excellent choice for a bedtime book as kids wind down from their chaotic days.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Con Quest by Sam Maggs
Cat and Alex are excited to be at the world’s most popular comics convention—and they’re even more excited to compete in the Quest, a huge scavenger hunt run by their favorite nerdy celebrity. The big prize: a chance to meet him!
The twins ditch their older sister Fi and set off to find geeky clues, tackle nerdy challenges, and cross as many items as possible off their Quest list, which includes volunteering at an Artist Alley booth, gathering cosplayers in enough colors to make a double rainbow, and actually finding something healthy to eat in the convention center!
Can the twins work together even when they disagree on how to compete? Will Fi find Cat and Alex before their parents realize they’re missing? Most importantly, can these ultimate fans complete the ultimate Quest?
“An absolute love letter to con culture… The next best thing to actually attending a con.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“An exciting read… A geektastic book for those who love conventions or who want a sneak peek into comic-con culture.” —Booklist
Let’s Get Sleepy by Tony Cliff
These cats are on an adventure to find that darn mouse named Sleepy.
But Sleepy is a sneaky mouse—he’s hard to find. The cats will have to look everywhere: all over town, out by the beach, up in space, and even back in time with the dinosaurs! Can the cats catch that mouse? Even if they don’t, at the end of the day, they may just get “sleepy” after all.
While seek-and-find elements are at work in the adorable artwork, the rhyming text reminds readers that the journey is more important than the destination—and that the most valuable treasure is a day richly lived with friends.
“Only confirmed ailurophobes will fail to enjoy sharing this kitty’s day.” – Kirkus
Download the free All Welcome Here Storytime Kit!
Award-winning children’s book author James Preller teamed up with artist Mary GrandPré (best known for her Harry Potter illustrations) to create All Welcome Here! This essential back-to-school picture book celebrates the first day of school and honors teachers and librarians for all of the hard work you do to establish a welcoming, inclusive, safe space for children in your classroom and library.
Download the Storytime Kit here →
Randy knows he’s a beautiful horse—everyone says so. From his silky coat to his perfect smile to his very name, reserved only for the most special of creatures, Randy is beyond compare.
This laugh-out-loud picture book plays with expectations and takes you inside a child’s imaginary world, through construction-paper mountains, popsicle-stick forests, and sandpaper deserts. Readers are sure to fall for this maybe-not-so-beautiful but wholly endearing character.
Download the activity kit here →