Tag: books

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Today’s book recommendation: HERO DOGS! True Stories of Amazing Animal Heroes! by Mary Quattlebaum – Nonfiction Chapter Book

I admit it. I was one of those kids poring over all the gorgeous photos in National Geographic magazines–that distinctive yellow border always caught my eye, and then I was hooked!

I recently discovered that National Geographic Kids has a whole series of chapter books that feature true stories about animals and outdoor adventures. And they have the traditional yellow border, as well, so yay! 😊

🐶 Here’s the official book summary of HERO DOGS!:
Calling all dog lovers! Join the adventure as National Geographic Kids Chapters presents a trio of true stories about incredible acts of canine heroism. From Glory the bloodhound, who saves lost pets, to terriers who help raise orphaned hippos, these brave pups are sure to inspire young animal lovers.

The photos are super fun and high-quality (of course!) and the author, Mary Quattlebaum, has done her research well. The three main dog stories she found for this book are amazing and she knows how to keep it clear and engaging for young readers.

The simple fact that these are TRUE stories is awesome. This book is primarily for the upper elementary grades, ages 7-10. At this age, many kids love to learn about the world around them–things that have really happened have more meaning for them, so really, it’s perfect!

Check out this book series if you have a child that age. It would make a fantastic stocking-stuffer!🎄

And, as always,
happy reading!

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Today’s book recommendation: SECRETS OF THE SEA: The Story of Jeanne Power, Revolutionary Marine Scientist by Evan Griffith – Nonfiction Picture Book Biography

I absolutely LOVE picture book biographies. There have been so many amazing people in the world and well-done picture book biographies capture the essence of their lives and achievements so beautifully!

Secrets of the Sea is no exception! Jeanne Power was a courageous and creative woman from the 19th century who went from being a respected Parisian dressmaker to a famous marine scientist.

At this time, pretty much everything scientists knew about sea creatures was from studying dead specimens. Jeanne came up with the idea of building her own aquarium to study marine life while they were alive, and she made many exciting discoveries!

Evan Griffith made impressive discoveries of his own during his thorough research for this book, and Joanie Stone’s illustrations really made it all come to life. I’d never heard of a paper nautilus before, but my boys and I went on a little research binge about them after reading this book.

It’s the perfect book to read to be inspired by creative problem solving and overcoming trials. Pick it up today and give it a try!

Happy reading!

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Today’s book recommendation: SPI-KU: A CLUTTER OF SHORT VERSE ON EIGHT LEGS by Leslie Bulion – Middle Grade Literary Nonfiction

My boys spent hours pouring over this beautiful book of science poetry! The illustrations by @r2meganck are detailed and fun, and the verses by @lesliebulion are super playful and informative.

I’ll be the first to admit that I do NOT like spiders, at least, not in my home. 😂 But, that doesn’t mean I don’t like learning about them from a safe distance!

Reading this book, I was struck by the sheer variety of spiders around the world, and all the cool things they can do. Did you know that some spiders can make a snake-like hiss by rubbing their legs together or build a booby-trapped door to catch prey, rather than a web?

Or that some male spiders strum a special mating “song” on a female’s web to let her know he’s interested? But that after he’s done, he better clear off quick if he doesn’t want to be her lunch!

I also really loved the sizing chart in the backmatter. Some spiders are REALLY big and some are REALLY small–either way, it’s extra creepy!

Besides being a super fun book to explore, SPI-KU is also the perfect complement to a poetry unit, or to bring poetry into a biology unit. Spiders are fascinating creatures, and this is a fun format to learn all about them.

Happy reading!

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Today’s book recommendation: CAVES by Nell Cross Beckerman – Nonfiction Picture Book

This debut picture book by Nell Cross Beckerman, with illustrations by Kalen Chock, is absolutely stunning!

Kids are, of course, fascinated by caves, but this book isn’t just informational, Beckerman’s text invites the reader in, making them feel like real cave explorers and Chock’s gorgeous illustrations are dying to be explored!

The question to the reader of “Do you dare?” reminded me of THE BERENSTAIN BEARS AND THE SPOOKY OLD TREE, probably because I read it like a million times to all my kids when they were little, and it’s still one of our favorites!

The premise works in both books equally well. Curious readers and future spelunkers, alike, experience the thrill of adventure as they turn each page to peek into unbelievable caves found around the world, like the Glowworm Grotto in the Waitomo Caves in New Zealand.

This book came out in 2022 and won all kinds of awards, for good reason! I highly recommend!

Happy reading!

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Today’s book recommendation: THE SPLENDOR by Breeana Shields – Young Adult Fantasy

This book is a must read! Two of my teenagers read it, as well as me, and we all are big fans!

My daughter said she woke up too early one morning and instead of being sad that she didn’t get enough sleep, she was happy she could read more of this book. 🙂

And I totally understood! Shields did a remarkable job creating the perfect atmosphere for the story. This book is so immersive–you open it up and you’re in a glamorous and magical world of illusions and fantasy.

“The Splendor” is the name of a hotel where the guests have their most closely-held fantasies become reality (through illusion) during the length of their stay.

Juliette manages to get her beloved sister, Clare, a stay there for her birthday, but when she returns home, she is a changed person-distant, cold, and uncaring.

So, Juliette sets off to experience it for herself and unravel the mystery of what has happened to her sister.

If you like THE NIGHT CIRCUS and CARAVAL, you will definitely love this book. Give it a try and let me know what you think!

Happy reading!

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Today’s book recommendation: THE ELEPHANT’S GIRL by Celesta Rimington – Middle Grade Fiction

The magical realism genre is a middle grade favorite, and THE ELEPHANT’S GIRL doesn’t disappoint!

The story starts with Lex, a girl who doesn’t remember her past. All she knows is that when she was little, a tornado swept her away from her home and into the elephant enclosure at the Lexington Zoo. Roger, the zoo’s train engineer, finds her and takes on the role of foster father.

This beautiful story plays on the mystique of elephant communication, only taken one step further–a very special elephant in the zoo, named Nyah, begins to send images directly to Lex’s mind!

The images start Lex on an adventure that involves ghosts, treasure, and the unraveling of secrets.

It’s a charming story of friendship and found family, and Rimington brings out all the feels with her delicate handling of the main character’s emotional journey.

I love this book and highly recommend it!

And…once you’ve peaked your child’s curiosity about elephants, I also recommend THE ELEPHANT SCIENTIST by Caitlin O’Connell & Donna M. Jackson!

This middle grade nonfiction book takes you on a journey with elephant scientist, Dr. O’Connell, as she makes awesome discoveries about how elephants really do communicate. It’s won many, many awards, including a Sibert Honor, and it’s a fun way to learn more about these incredible animals!

And, yes! This was a two-for-one book recommendation. 😊 There are just so many incredible books out there to share!

Happy reading!

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Today’s book recommendation: FINDING WINNIE: THE TRUE STORY OF THE WORLD’S MOST FAMOUS BEAR by Lindsay Mattick – Nonfiction Picture Book 

Winnie the Pooh is such an adorable, lovable character, and until I read FINDING WINNIE, I had no idea he was based on an actual bear! And it’s an absolutely charming story.

Basically, a veterinarian from Winnipeg enlisted in the military and by chance, while stopping at a train station, came across a trapper with a bear cub on a leash. The trapper had killed the bear’s mother and didn’t want the cub. The vet bought the bear for $20 and named it Winnipeg. Everyone at the army post called the bear “Winnie” for short, but then, when they had to ship overseas, the vet arranged for Winnie to stay at the zoo.

Now, because Winnie was so tame, and because this was over 100 years ago, the zoo allowed children to play with him! One of the kids was no other than Christopher Robin! His father, A. A. Milne, watched them play and used them for inspiration for all the stories that the world knows and loves today. How cool is that?

The illustrations by Sophie Blackall won this book a Caldecott Medal and the author, Lindsay Mattick, is actually the great granddaughter of the vet!

She writes the book as a story in a story, where she is telling the story to her son, who is the vet’s namesake. This structure is difficult to do in a picture book, where you have such limited space, but Mattick pulls it off beautifully. The real photographs of Winnie with the soldiers and with Christopher Robin are such a treasure, too!

The same year that FINDING WINNIE came out (2015), so did WINNIE: THE TRUE STORY OF THE BEAR WHO INSPIRED WINNIE-THE-POOH by Sally M. Walker! Basically, that’s a writer’s worst nightmare to have the story you’ve been researching and laboring over for years go out with a different publisher at the exact same time, but I think the world is better off with both of these versions.

The story is much the same, but there’s more fun details and photographs that you wouldn’t know from just the one. The illustrations by Jonathan D. Voss are beautiful as well.

Whether you’re a fan of Winnie the Pooh, or not, these stories are fascinating pieces of history that are definitely worth checking out.

Happy reading!

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Today’s book recommendation: CASTERS AND CROWNS by Elizabeth Lowham – Young Adult Fantasy

This delightful book came out just last month!

It’s a sweet romantasy, meaning it’s both a romance and a fantasy, and the romance is of the chaste, slow-burn variety. The Casters are those who are born with the ability to wield magic, but magic is highly feared and even outlawed by the Crown.

In an effort to prove herself to her father, the crown princess tries to negotiate for peace with the Casters, but ends up getting herself cursed. If she doesn’t find a way to break the curse, she will die, followed by every member of her royal family, one by one.

A certain handsome Baron, who is loyal to the Crown, but also happens to be a Caster, has to overcome his own fears in order to help her find a way to unite her kingdom.

There’s elements of fairytales like Sleeping Beauty and 12 Dancing Princesses, but this book really has a feel all its own. I loved the antics of the Baron’s younger siblings, the love letters being delivered by bird, and the ending surprised me in the best kind of way!

Happy reading!

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Today’s book recommendation: THE YEAR OF THE DOG by Grace Lin – Middle Grade Fiction

You might be familiar with author/illustrator Grace Lin from when her middle grade book, WHERE THE MOUNTAIN MEETS THE MOON, won the Newbery Honor in 2010 for its contribution to children’s literature. And it is a beautiful book! It reads like a Chinese fairytale adventure story with Lin’s own beautiful full-color illustrations along the way.

Lin is truly talented and has many not-to-be-missed reads, like her very first book, THE UGLY VEGETABLES, or her delightful chapter book, LING & TING: NOT EXACTLY THE SAME. But my very favorite of all is her middle grade debut, THE YEAR OF THE DOG.

This heartwarming book is truly a must read! The main character is a young Taiwanese-American girl who begins the books celebrating the Chinese New Year with her family. Since it is the Year of the Dog, her mother explains that this is the year she should try to find herself.

And that’s exactly what the book’s about. As the year progresses, Pacy navigates family and friendship dynamics, all while working to discover who she is, what she values, and what she’s good at. Because there are very few Asians where Pacy lives, it is often extra challenging as she faces unintentional (but hurtful) microaggressions along the way that are heartbreaking and eye-opening. (Click on the images below for examples.)

I loved the intergenerational aspect to the storytelling with her parents’ and grandparents’ stories within stories and the cute little doodle-like illustrations scattered throughout. Lin’s humor is spot on, too. There were many times where I laughed out loud!

This is an earlier middle grade novel, designed for 8-10 year olds, and while that’s the perfect age, it really is enjoyable for any age. I read it to my boys when they were that age and every day they begged for more.

If you are new to Grace Lin’s beautiful books, I encourage you to give her a try!

Happy reading!

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WRITER TIP: Get published without an agent!

If you’re an aspiring children’s book author, one of the huge obstacles to getting published is finding a literary agent to champion your work. Since most of the big publishers only take submissions from agents, this is definitely worth pursuing, but in the mean time, there’s no need to wait!

Many small and mid-size publishers don’t require an agent, so you can submit your manuscripts directly to them! Children’s nonfiction, in particular, is an area that many publishers often sign on directly with authors.

All of the publishers below accept submissions directly from authors. The key to getting your manuscripts considered is to make sure your work matches what they are looking for and to carefully follow their individual submission guidelines.

Good luck, and happy writing!

2024 children’s book publishers accepting submissions

  • Albert Whitman is seeking picture books, middle grade, and young adult.
  • Annick Press is currently accepting submissions of picture books, middle grade fiction, YA fiction, and non-fiction for kids of all ages. Their stories feature contemporary themes (even if the setting is historical) and aim to instill kids with the joy of reading.
  • Arbordale Publishing is looking for fiction or narrative nonfiction stories with science or math woven into the story. They prefer fiction over nonfiction. In every manuscript they look for a “cuddle factor” that will make parents and children want to read it together.
  • August House is seeking single-story manuscripts that feature traditional folktales. They are not looking for original stories written in fable or fairy-tale style.
  • Bushel and Peck Books is a small, family-run publisher that will open to unagented submissions on January 1, 2025. They are seeking children’s fiction and nonfiction, board books, picture books, chapter books, and middle grade.
  • Cedar Grove Publishing is a small publisher of children’s fiction. They accept submissions only twice a year: May 1 – June 15 and October 1 – November 15. They are seeking children’s books, middle grade, and YA fiction.
  • Charlesbridge publishes fiction and nonfiction board books, picture books, early readers, middle-grade fiction and nonfiction (ages 8–12), and young adult novels (ages 12+). Their nonfiction tends to focus on nature, science, math, social studies, biography, history, and the arts.
  • Chronicle Books publishes an eclectic mixture of traditional and innovative children’s books. They are looking for projects that have a unique bent—be it in subject matter, writing style, or illustrative technique—and that will lend their list a distinctive flair. They are interested in fiction and nonfiction books for children of all ages, as well as board books, decks, activity kits, and other unusual or novelty formats.
  • Cicada Books is seeking activity, picture books, and nonfiction that is a little out of the ordinary and very beautiful.
  • Clavis Publishing is accepting board books and picture books. They ask that submissions be limited to one book.
  • Creston Books  is a publisher of children’s books. They specialize in picture books, but also publish novels.
  • Flashlight Press is seeking picture books under 1,000 words that deal with family or social situations.
  • Flowerpot Press is seeking STEAM-related titles for children 12 and under.
  • Holiday House is a publisher of children’s books only. They specialize in quality hardcovers, from picture books to young adult, both fiction and nonfiction.
  • Jessica Kingsley Publishers is seeking books that tackle complex or sensitive issues, like bereavement, anger, and depression, making them accessible for young readers.
  • KidsCan Press is seeking nonrhyming picture books for ages 3–8, nonfiction for ages 5–14, early fiction for ages 6–9, and graphic novels (fiction and nonfiction) for all ages. Authors must be 18 to submit. Preference is given to Canadian authors.
  • Levine Querido is focused on publishing the writing and artwork of authors and creators from underrepresented backgrounds, including people of color, members of the LGBTQ community, Latinx creators, indigenous artists and writers, creators with disabilities, members of minority religions, and more.
  • Magination Press is seeking books related to social-emotional learning, mental health and wellness, and psychological topics for children and teens. Potential authors should be able to display an expertise in a mental health profession.
  • Marble Press publishes juvenile, literary, and commercial fiction books, picture books, early-middle-grade books, (early readers), middle grade novels and graphic novels. They are interested in narrative nonfiction and books that challenge traditional forms.
  • Owlkids Books is seeking picture books of under 900 words for ages 3–8, nonfiction for ages 5–14, early fiction for ages 6–9, and graphic novels for all ages.
  • Phaidon Children’s Books is a publisher of books for children ages 0-14. They specialize in board books and picture books.
  • Quirk Books is looking for high-concept stories for the young and young at heart.
  • Second Story Press is a Canadian feminist press seeking picture books, but not rhyming books or books with anthropomorphized animals. Second Story Press is only seeking Canadian authors.
  • Shadow Mountain Publishing is open to submissions four times a year. They are seeking middle grade, YA, and adult fiction and nonfiction.
  • Sleeping Bear Press specializes in picture books and middle-grade novels in both fiction and non-fiction.
  • TCK Publishing specializes in books for middle-schoolers, teens, and adults. They are actively seeking middle grade-grade fiction and YA that features sweeping themes that kids and young adults can relate to. Their ideal book is one that entertain and enchant not just kids, but also adults looking for an escape. All submissions must be at least 40,000 words.
  • Tilbury House is accepting nonfiction picture books for ages 2–12, as well as nonfiction chapter books and graphic novels for ages 8–12 and nonfiction YA for ages 12+. Picture books should be between 500 and 800 words, and all books should be curriculum related.
  • Tundra Books is seeking picture books, middle grade, and Y books Creators must be from underrepresented communities, including identifying as Black, Indigenous, a person of color, or LGBTSQI2S+. Authors who have a disability or have ever had refugee status are also invited to submit books. Note: Tundra does not accept rhyming picture books.
  • Yehoo Press is seeking fun, enchanting, socially responsible picture books, which they publish in both English and simplified Chinese.