ABRAMS
Abrams rolls over with The Dog Who Belonged to No One by Amy Hest, illus. by Amy Bates, a picture book in which a dog's and a little girl's parallel stories happily converge; The Jellybeans and the Big Dance by Laura Numeroff and Nate Evans, illus. by Lynn Munsinger, first in a new series about four friends who meet in dance class; Clinton Gregory's Secret by Bruce Whatley, a week in the life of a boy with an active imagination; Score!: 50 Poems That Make the Goal by Charles Chigna, illus. by Julia Gorton; and The Great Race: Around the World by Automobile by Gary Blackwood, a chronicle of this actual 1908 race.
ABRAMS/AMULET
Abrams logs on for Libby Fawcett's Seret Blog by Shana Norris, starring a teen girl whose personal blog gets posted around her high school; Tiger Moon by Antonia Michaelis, trans. by Anthea Bell, in which a thief and his white tiger companion must save a kidnapped princess; Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules by Jeff Kinney, a followup to Diary of a Wimpy Kid; the sixth Sisters Grimm title by Michael Buckley; and The Tempest, a new Manga Shakespeare book.
BERKLEY JAM
JAM pinky-swears on spring with Rich Girl: A BFF Novel by Carol Culver, in which a new transfer from Hong Kong wonders if she'll ever fit in with an exclusive prep school crowd; and Not Anything by Carmen Rodriguez, a coming-of-age novel.
BLOOMSBURY
Bloomsbury lets spring out of the box with Pandora and the Jealous Priestess by Carolyn Hennessy, first in a new series; Fat Girl Manifesto by Susan Vaught, a frank view of one very large teen's struggle in a thin-obsessed world; Night of the Veggie Monster by George McClements, a tale of a boy's challenge to give peas a chance; Mary Had a Little Lamp by Jack Lechner, illus. by Bob Staake, a quirky spin on the nursery rhyme; and Gobsmacked!: 25 Authors for Teens Kiss and Tell, edited by Clyin Busby, in which authors like Lauren Myracle dish about their first kiss.
BLUE APPLE
Blue Apple takes a bow with Broadway Barks by Bernadette Peters, illus. by Liz Murphy, about a lonely pup in Manhattan; and Buzzy and Friends: One, Some by Emily Bolam, a die-cut board book.
CANDLEWICK
Candlewick fires up the oven for Real Food, Real Fast, a cookbook by celebrity teen chef Sam Stern; The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves by M.T. Anderson; My Dad's a Birdman by David Almond, illus. by Polly Dunbar, about a father-and-daughter team who enter “The Great Human Bird Competition”; Colors Everywhere: A Guess How Much I Love You Storybook, a board book by Sam McBratney, illus. by Anita Jeram; and Necks Out for Adventure! The True Story of Edwin Wiggleskin by Timothy Basil Ewing, a picture book.
MARSHALL CAVENDISH
Marshall Cavendish rounds the bases with Baseball Hour by Carol Nevius, illus. by Bill Thomson, a picture book set in the world of baseball practice; Mrs. Millie Goes to Philly! by Judy Cox, illus. by Joe Mathieu, in which silly Mrs. Millie and her kindergarten class take a field trip; Ten-Gallon Bart and the Wild West Show by Susan Stevens Crummel, illus. by Dorothy Donohue, a rootin'-tootin' tale; Yoga for Kids: A Book of Feelings by Mary Humphrey, a how-to of 18 popular yoga poses; and Manolito Four-Eyes by Elvira Lindo, trans. by Joanne Moriarty, illus. by Emilio Urberuaga, the U.S. debut of a bestselling middle-grade series from Spain about a mischievous boy and his eccentric family.
CHARLESBRIDGE
Charlesbridge measures up with Not So Tall for Six by Dianna Hutts Aston, illus. by Frank Dormer, about a bighearted boy who deals with a bully; The Searcher and Old Tree by David McPhail, in which a strong old tree protects a raccoon from a storm; Finding Home by Sandra Markle, illus. by Alan Marks, about a mother koala and her joey searching for a new home after a bushfire; The Butter Man by Ali and Elizabeth Alalou, illus. by Julie Klear Essakalli, a Moroccan tale of patience and resourcefulness; and Secrets of the Cirque Medrano by Elaine Scott, in which a recently orphaned girl begins a new life working at her aunt's restaurant in Paris.
CHICAGO REVIEW PRESS
Chicago Review Press signals spring with two activity books: Lighthouses for Kids: History, Science, and Lore with 21 Activities by Katherine House; and Stomp Rockets, Catapults, and Kaleidoscopes: 30+ Amazing Science Projects You Can Build for Less Than $1 by Curt Gabrielson.
CHILDREN'S BOOK PRESS
Children's Book Press lights the way with The Storyteller's Candle/La velita de los cuentos by Lucia Gonzalez, illus. by Lulu Delacre, about dynamic Puerto Rican librarian Pura Belpré, who helped energize New York City's public libraries in the 1920s.
CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE
Choose Your Own Adventure straps on its jetpack for The Golden Path by Anson Montgomery, a seven-book, interactive sci-fi fantasy epic for teen readers.
CHRONICLE
Chronicle inflates a lifeboat for The Castaway Pirates: A Pop-Up Tale of Bad Luck, Sharp Teeth, and Stinky Toes by Ray Marshall, illus. by Wilson Swain; Grandma Calls Me Beautiful by Barbara M. Joosse, illus. by Barbara Lavallee, a tale of familial love set in Hawaii; Little Hoot by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illus. by Jen Corace, about an owlet who just wants to go to bed early; and How to Raise Your Parents by Sarah O'Leary Burningham, illus. by Bella Pilar, a guide for helping teen girls and their parents survive “the difficult years.”
CLARION
Clarion takes a swing at spring with The Truth About Baseball by Linda Sue Park, about life on the home front during the Korean War; Coming to Katahdin by Gary D. Schmidt, a coming-of-age tale incorporating New England lore; Our Library by Eve Bunting, illus. by Maggie Smith, in which animals save a treasured gathering place; The Travel Game by John Grandits, illus. by R.W. Alley, a picture book about family; and All the Lovely Bad Ones by Mary Downing Hahn, in which children pretending to be ghosts stir up some real spirits.
COMPASS POINT
Compass Point hits the bullseye with Archery for Fun! by Jana Voelke Studelska; The Weeping Time by Jason Skog, about a Georgia slave auction in 1857; Hillary Rodham Clinton by Michael Burgan, a biography; Let's Party: An Event Planner's Journal by Pippa Kousoulos; and Write Your Own Poetry by Laura Purdie Salas, part of the Write Your Own series.
CONCORDIA
Concordia gallops into the season with That's My Colt by Dandi Daley Mackall, illus. by Chris Ellison, in which a boy relates the loss of a pet to the Easter story; I Will Not Be Afraid by Michelle Adams, a book to help children deal with common fears; Easter Day Surprise by Jane Fryar, a retelling of the Easter story; and Because Jesus Loves Me by Julie Stiegemeyer, a board-book introduction to Easter.
DIAL
Dial taxis to the runway with Violet the Pilot by Steve Breen, a picture book; Spin the Bottle by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel, a tale about the titular rite of passage; Princess Grace by Mary Hoffman, illus. by Cornelius Van Wright, featuring characters from Amazing Grace; Storm: The Infinity Code by Emma Young, starring three kid spy geniuses; and Confessions of a Triple Shot Betty by Jody Gehrman, a friendship tale for teens.
DISNEY PRESS
Disney Press burns rubber with Disney/Pixar Big Book of Cars, featuring characters from the film; Disney Fairies: The Secret Fairy Garden, a play set-with-book; Disney Bunnies: Thumper's Summer Night, a board book; Pirates of the Caribbean: Legends of the Brethren Court Books 1 and 2; and National Treasure Series: Book 2, an original novel based on the film National Treasure.
DISNEY EDITIONS
Disney Editions heads for the drawing board with The Imagineering Workout for Kids by Peggy Van Pelt, in which kids learn to think like Disney Imagineers.
DK
DK reaches into its rescue packfor Go, Diego, Go!: Essential Guide, a volume of stills, insider info and more for fans of the Nickelodeon show; Our Earth Matters, an up-to-the-minute ecological guide; 100% Me, a primer for preteens; Inside-Out Buildings by Stephen Biesty, about some of the most amazing buildings ever built; and Fantastic Females, which profiles inspiring women from Queen Victoria to Queen Latifah.
DK/KIDS PLAY
Kids Play gets a jump on spring with Hop-Along Bunny, a fiber optic—lit picture book; Water Magic Board Books, which include a wipe-clean paperback book and a drawing slate; Baby Buddy Cloth Books, shaped like plush animals; and If You Love Me, an interactive picture book.
DUTTON
Dutton makes a flap with Big Chickens Fly the Coop by Leslie Helakoski, illus. by Henry Cole, a barnyard adventure; Gods of Manhattan by Scott Mebus, illus. by Brandon Dorman, a blend of fantasy and American history; Thirteen by Lauren Myracle, the followup to Twelve; The Wolves Are Back by Jean Craighead George, illus. by Wendell Minor, about how wolves were reintroduced to the ecosystem; and Positively Pooh: Timeless Wisdom from Pooh by A.A. Milne, illus. by Ernest H. Shepard, featuring favorite quotes from Milne's classic books.
FARRAR, STRAUS & GIROUX
FSG maps out the season with How I Learned Geography by Uri Shulevitz, about a boy and his family living in poverty in a strange country; Carl's Summer Vacation by Sandra Day, starring rottweiler Carl and baby Madeleine; To the Big Top by Jill Esbaum, illus. by David Gordon, in which Benny and Sam help set up the traveling circus; The Joys of Love by Madeleine L'Engle, a coming-of-age novel set in the 1940s; and Saturday Night Dirt by Will Weaver, set in a small-town racetrack.
FSG/FOSTER
Frances Foster Books knows its nose with Skunkdog by Emily Jenkins, illus. by Pierre Pratt, about a dog with no sense of smell; Max's Dragon by Kate Banks, illus. by Boris Kulikov; Diamond Willow by Helen Frost, a novel about dog sledding set in Alaska and told in a new form of poetry; House of Djinn by Suzanne Fisher Staples in which Shabanu's daughter and nephew, both 15, attempt to modernize Pakistan; and Whirlwind: The Caretaker Trilogy: Book 2 by David Klass, an adventure tale for teens.
FSG/KROUPA
Melanie Kroupa Books takes it all off for Write Naked by Peter Gould, about an aspiring teenage writer; If Animals Kissed Good Night... by Ann Whitford Paul, illus. by David Walker, a rhyming picture book comparing animals to humans; The Elephant Quilt by Susan Lowell, illus. by Stacy Dressen-McQueen, in which a girl and her grandmother stitch a quilt that tells their family's pioneer story in 1859; and Snow Falling in Spring: Growing Up in China During the Cultural Revolution by Moying Li, a memoir about the author's childhood and adolescence in China from 1966 to 1976.
FRANCES LINCOLN
Frances Lincoln walks down the aisle with The Frog Bride by Antonia Barber, illus. by Virginia Lee, a retelling of a Russian folktale; Lila and the Secret of Rain by David Conway, illus. by Jude Daly, in which Lila saves the village by telling the sky the saddest thing she knows; My Two Grannies by Floella Benjamin, illus. by Margaret Chamberlain, about the various traditions in a mixed-race family; Art to Make You Scared by Elizabeth Newbury, featuring spooky masterpieces; and Picture History of Great Buildings by Gillian Clements, profiles of buildings ranging from Stonehenge to modern skyscrapers.
GIBBS SMITH
Gibbs Smith sits down to dim sum with Dumplings by Douglas Keister, in which two Chinese children learn how to make traditional dumplings; and The So-So Sized Book of Mischief by Bart King, a guide to mischief making.
GROSSET & DUNLAP
Grosset & Dunlap tunes in for The Show: Pilot Episode by Jordan Cooke, the behind-the-scenes lives of the stars of a fictional hit TV show; The Adventures of Daniel Boom (aka Loud Boy): #1 Sound Off! by D.J. Steinberg, illus. by Brian Smith, a new series; Treetures: Welcome Spring!, featuring Twigs the Treeture teacher and a new class of Little Sprouts; Speed Racer: #1 The Great Plan by Chase Wheeler, in which Speed Racer enters the Sword Mountain Race; and Franny's Feet: The Dinosaur Dig by Veronica Wasserman, in which Franny finds herself on a real dinosaur dig.
GROUNDWOOD
Groundwood is letter perfect with Dear Sylvia by Alan Cumyn, a sequel to After Sylvia; Black Book of Colors by Menena Cottin, illus. by Rosana Faria, a black-on-black tactile book that lets children feel what it's like to be blind; Yellow Moon, Apple Moon by Pamela Porter, illus. by Matt James, a goodnight lullaby; Skim by Mariko Tamaki, illus. by Jillian Tamaki, a graphic novel about a teenager in an all-girls private school; and Resistance: How One Family Saved Many People from the Nazis by Ann Alma, the story of a heroic Dutch family.
HARCOURT
Harcourt straps on its thinking cap with Genius Squad by Catherine Jinks, a novel starring evil genius Cadel Piggot; Oodles of Animals by Lois Ehlert, a look at what makes various animals unique; Help Me, Mr. Mutt! by Janet Stevens and Susan Stevens Crummel, about a dog who counsels other dogs having trouble with their humans; Jasper Dash and the Flame-Pits of Delaware by M.T. Anderson, in which Lily, Kate and Jasper solve a mystery; and A Beginning, a Muddle and an End Or the Right Way to Be a Writer by Avi, a humorous sequel to The End of the Beginning.
HARCOURT/RED WAGON
Red Wagon wags its tail with Bow-Wow Attracts Opposites and Bow-Wow Hears Things, toddler concept books by Mark Newgarden and Megan Montague Cash; and Peekaboo, Blueberry! by Barney Saltzberg, a lift-the-flap title.
HARPERCOLLINS
HarperCollins consults its playbook for Football Hero by Tim Green, an action-suspense novel; The Seekers by Erin Hunter, first in an animal fantasy series; We Are Americans: Tribute from the Heart by Walter Dean Myers, illus. by Christopher Myers, a celebration of our country and its people; You're a Bad Man, Mr. Gum! by Andy Stanton, illus. by Chad Dezern, first in a comical fantasy series; and Russell's Christmas Magic by Rob Scotton, in which Russell the sheep rescues Santa's crashed sleigh.
HARPERCOLLINS/AMISTAD
Amistad finds it's all relative in Oh, Brother by Nikki Grimes, a sequence of poems about two stepbrothers; The Tallest Tree by Sandra Belton, a novel featuring the magic of Paul Robeson; and Donovan's Double Trouble by Monalisa DeGross, sequel to Donovan's Word Jar.
HARPERCOLLINS/COLLINS
Collins wears the yellow jersey with Lance in France by Ashley MacEachem, about legendary cyclist Lance Armstrong and the Tour de France; Time for Kids: Jesse Owens, a biography of the African-American Olympic star; Earthquakes and Volcanoes FYI and Extreme Coral Reef! Q&A, both by Melissa Stewart, and Emily's Sharing and Caring Book by Cindy Post Senning and Peggy Post, illus. by Leo Landry, an introduction to these two concepts.
HARPERCOLLINS/EOS
Eos finds its way to spring via Otherspace by David Stahler Jr., the final chapter in the Truesight trilogy; Worldweavers: Spellspam by Alma Alexander, about a girl with newfound magical abilities; Troll Blood by Katherine Langrish, conclusion to the Troll series about magical creatures; The Compleat Abhorsen, a one-volume special edition of Garth Nix's fantasy series; and The Chronicles of Chrestomanci: Volume III by Diana Wynne Jones, combining The Pinhoe Egg and Conrad's Fate.
HARPERCOLLINS/GREENWILLOW
Greenwillow looks to the night sky for Blue Lake Moon by Kevin Henkes, a novel about family secrets, heartache and friendship; My Dog May Be a Genius by Jack Prelutsky, illus. by James Stevenson, a poetry collection; The Gollywhopper Games by Jody Feldman, in which a boy competes in a televised race around the world; The Trouble Begins at 8 by Sid Fleischman, an illustrated biography of Mark Twain; and Alfred Digs by Lindsay Barrett George, about characters who live in the dictionary.
HARPERENTERAINMENT
HarperEntertainment earns a black belt with Kung Fu Panda, tie-in to a feature film about a lazy panda “accidentally” chosen as the mighty Dragon Warrior; novelty book tie-ins to the film Prince Caspian; and two new volumes in the book series based on the TV show Kyle XY.
HARPERFESTIVAL
HarperFestival revs its engines with Zoom: A Book of Things That Go by Jennifer Franz, illus. by Don Tate, an interactive novelty; The Berenstain Bears' Baby Easter Bunny by Jan Berenstain and Mike Berenstain, a holiday lift-the-flap book; Biscuit's Pet & Play Easter by Alyssa Satin Capucilli, an Easter touch-and-feel title; and Let's Build a Treehouse by Mercer Mayer, an 8x8 Little Critter picture book.
HARPERTEEN
HarperTeen writes the rule book with How to Be Bad by E. Lockhart, Sarah Mlynowski and Lauren Myracle, a tale of three girls, two boys and one road trip; She's So Money by Cherry Cheva, a debut novel about a girl caught in a school cheating scandal; Gone, the first in a horror/fantasy series by Michael Grant; Frenemies #1, in which two former BFFs find themselves in a very public face-off; and The Secrets of Peaches by Jodi Lynn Anderson, sequel to Peaches, a novel about friendship.
HARPERTROPHY
HarperTrophy holds court for Tiara Club at Ruby Mansions by Vivian French, new to the series about the Academy for Perfect Princesses; and spring paperback reprints of Fairest by Gail Carson Levine, Fly by Night by Frances Hardinge, Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy and Swordbird by Nancy Yi Fan.
HARPERCOLLINS/COTLER
Joanna Cotler Books grins and bears it with Smiles to Go By by Jerry Spinelli, starring a geek/control freak ninth-grader; I'm Bad! by Kate and Jim McMullan, about a dinosaur with dinner on his mind; Blood Roses by Francesca Lia Block, magic realist tales of adolescence and The Blacker the Berry by Joyce Carol Thomas, illus. by Floyd Cooper, a celebration in poems of the many shades of black.
HARPERCOLLINS/TEGEN
Katherine Tegen Books plays big cheese with Gorgonzola: A Very Stinkysaurus by Margie Palatini, illus. by Tim Bowers, about a smelly dinosaur; Waiting for Normal by Leslie Connor, an inspirational novel; Septimus Heap, Book Four: Queste by Angie Sage, in which Septimus continues his journey of self-discovery; Chronicles of Ancient Darkness #4: Outcast by Michelle Paver, joining the fantasy series; and T. Rex and the Mother's Day Hug by Lois Grambling, illus. by Jack E. Davis, a picture book.
HARPERCOLLINS/GERINGER
Laura Geringer Books works the barre with House of Dance by Beth Kephart, a novel about a girl who learns that dance brings her ailing grandfather joy; Up All Night by Peter Abrahams, Libba Bray et al., a YA story collection; 13 by Jason Robert Brown and Dan Elish, a coming-of-age novel; Footprints of Time: Hatawa by Petru Popescu, an adventure novel; and Where People Like Us Live by Patricia Cumby, a debut novel in which Libby discovers her best friend is being abused by a stepparent.
HOLIDAY HOUSE
Holiday House sings e-i-e-i-o with a picture-book rendition of Old MacDonald Had aFarm by Jane Cabrera; Count on Culebra, a Spanish counting book by Ann Whitford Paul, illus. by Ethan Long; The Plot Chickens by Mary Jane and Herm Auch, about a hen who takes up paper and pen; Wuv Bunnies from Outers Pace by David Elliot, illus. by Ethan Long, a chapter book about outer space, love and confusion; and GemX by Nicky Singer, an SF novel for teens.
HENRY HOLT
Henry Holt claims “Who me? Couldn't be!” for Who Ate All the Cookie Dough? by Karen Beaumont, illus. by Eugene Yelchin, a cookie mystery; Jumpy Jack andGoogily by Meg Rosoff, illus. by Sophie Blackall, in which Jumpy Jack the snail overcomes his fear of monsters; Buster Goes to Cowboy Camp by Denise Fleming, about a dog's trip to cowboy camp; I Am Scout: A Biography of Harper Lee by Charles Shields, about the life of the creator of To Kill a Mockingbird; and The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary Pearson, a novel about biomedical ethics.
HOUGHTON MIFFLIN
Houghton Mifflin heads for the launch pad with Sheep Blast Off! by Nancy Shaw, illus. by Margot Apple, about sheep that head to outer space; Princess Ben by Catherine Gilbert Murdock, in which a princess discovers she has special powers after her parents are killed; Curious You: You're On Your Way!, a Curious George gift book; The Adventures of Sir Lancelot the Great by Gerald Morris, first in The Knight's Tales series, a spin on Arthurian legend for younger readers; and Girlwood by Claire Dean, an environmental fairytale.
HOUGHTON MIFFLIN/GRAPHIA
Graphia is ready for a pint of ice cream with Breaking Up Is Hard to Do: Four Stories About Falling (Out) of Love by Niki Burnham, Ellen Hopkins, Lynda Sandoval and Terri Clark.
HOUGHTON MIFFLIN/LORRAINE
Walter Lorraine Books lathers up with Hogwash by Arthur Geisert, about a contraption that can scrub a whole farmful of dirty piglets; The Willoughbys by Lois Lowry, a homage to classic children's literature and old-fashioned family stories; The Parakeet Papers by Susan Meddaugh, in which a parakeet saves his pals from an abusive traveling circus; Big and Bad by Etienne Delessert, a retelling of The Three Little Pigs in which a pair of cats plan to trap the wolf; and The Nine Lives of Dudley Dog by John and Ann Hassett, about a brazen pooch who thinks he's got nine lives like a cat.
HYPERION
Hyperion hits the campaign trail with Grace for President by Kelly DiPucchio, illus. by LeUyen Pham, about a school's mock presidential election; The Pigeon Wants... by Mo Willems, a picture-book guessing game; Big Plans by Bob Shea, illus. by Lane Smith, in which a little boy dreams big; Airman by Eoin Colfer, about a wrongly imprisoned man who must build the world's first flying machine for his escape; and The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart, about a teen girl who infiltrates a boys-only secret society at her boarding school.
HYPERION PAPERBACKS
Hyperion Paperbacks accessorizes purrfectly with Fashion Kitty and the Unlikely Hero by Charise Harper, a graphic novel in which Fashion Kitty protests boring school uniforms for kitties; Jellaby by Kean Soo, a graphic novel about a lonely girl and a purple monster; and reprints of Clementine by Sara Pennypacker, Stoneheart by Charlie Fletcher and The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan.
HYPERION/JUMP AT THE SUN
Jump at the Sun suits up for We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball by Kadir Nelson, tracing the history of this league in text and paintings; and The Death of Jayson Porter by Jaime Adoff, in which a teenager fights for his right to decide whether he lives or dies.
IMMEDIUM
Immedium marks the calendar for The Year of the Rat: Tales from the Chinese Zodiac by Oliver Chin, illus. by Jeremiah Alcorn, third in a picture-book series.
KAR-BEN
Kar-Ben puts on its party hat for It's Israel's Birthday! by Ellen Dietrick, photos by Tod Cohen, a title for preschoolers celebrating the country's 60th birthday; Sammy Spider's First Shavout by Sylvia Rouss, illus. by Katherine Janus Kahn, in which the title arachnid learns about this Jewish holiday; Sarah Laughs by Jacqueline Jules, illus. by Natascia Ugliano, a retelling of the biblical story of Sarah; Private Joel and the Sewell Mountain Seder by Bryna Fireside, illus. by Shawn Costello, in which Jewish soldiers improvise a Passover seder during the Civil War; and The Bat-Chen Diaries by Bat-Chen Shahak, the diaries, drawings and letters of a 15-year-old girl killed in Tel Aviv in 1996 by a suicide bomber.
KIDS CAN PRESS
Kids Can says “ka-ching!” with Centsability: The Planet Girl Guide to Money by Stacey Roderick and Ellen Warwick, illus. by Monika Melnychuk, about the self-esteem—boosting potential of earning and saving money; Stanley at Sea by Linda Bailey, illus. by Bill Slavin, starring irrepressible hound Stanley; One Hen by Katie Milway Smith, illus. by Eugenie Fernandes, about the power we have to change things in the world; Looking Closely Along the Shore and Looking Closely thorugh the Forest, both by Frank Serafini, which introduce nature science with photography; and a new Scaredy Squirrel picture book by Melanie Watt.
KINGFISHER
Kingfisher is en pointe with Ballerina Bella's Busy Week by Justine Smith, a behind-the-scenes peek at a young ballerina's life; Darkness Slipped In by Ella Burfoot, about a girl who is not afraid of the dark; Leonardo da Vinci by Steve Augarde, a fictional diary of the artist's apprentice; Physics, illus. by Simon Basher, an introduction to this science; and 1968 by John Kifner, a New York Times book that offers a look at the momentous events of this year.
LECTORUM
Lectorum takes a stroll down memory lane with Pablo by Georgina Lázaro, illus. by Marcela Donoso, a childhood biography of Pablo Neruda; Arco iris de poesia (Poetry Rainbow) by Sergio Andricain, illus. by Olga Cuéllar, a collection of poems from the Americas and Spain; and La cucarachita Martina by Héctor Cuenca, a folktale retelling.
LEE & LOW
Lee & Low saddles up for Horse Song: The Naadam of Mongolia by Ted and Betsy Lewin, an adventure focusing on child jockeys of the annual Naadam festival; Alicia Afterimage by Lulu Delacre, a novel that explores teen grief following the death of a friend; Seven Miles to Freedom: The Robert Smalls Story by Janet Halfman, illus. by Duane Smith, a biography of Smalls's escape from slavery during the Civil War; Song for Cambodia by Michelle Lord, illus. by Shino Arihara, a biography of a musician who survived the killing fields of Cambodia in the 1970s; and Yummy: The Last Days of a Southside Shorty by G. Neri, illus. by Randy DuBurke, a novel inspired by an 11-year-old gang member in Chicago.
LERNER/CAROLRHODA
Carolrhoda Books gets handy with Monkey with a Tool Belt by Chris Monroe, about a monkey named Chico who can fix anything, and an organ grinder who wants to make Chico a circus star; Meet the Vowels by Sally Walker, illus. by Kevin Luthardt, containing word puzzles and vowel-less text; From Alice to Zen and Everyone in Between by Elizabeth Atkinson, about a girl and a boy who find their true selves in the social maze of seventh grade; and Angel by Cliff McNish, about a mentally ill girl who is followed by an angel and then realizes she is one herself.
LITTLE, BROWN
Little, Brown has a special delivery with Mail Harry to the Moon by Robie Harris, illus. by Michael Emberley, about a big brother's frustrated outbursts upon the arrival of a new baby in the house; The Search for Mr. Benedict by Trenton Lee Stewart, sequel to The Mysterious Benedict Society; Atherton #2: Inversion by Patrick Carman, a sequel to the fantasy about children living in a collapsing satellite world; ghostgirl by Tonya Hurley, a debut teen novel in which popularity is a matter of life and death; and Sweethearts by Sara Zarr, a tale about friendship, loyalty and the power of shared experience.
LITTLE, BROWN/LBKIDS
LBKids flits into spring with Everything... Fairies!: My First Fairy Wings and Magic Wand Book, a book-and-activity kit; Peek-A-Book, I Love You by Sandra Magsamen, a lift-the-flap title; Trucks Go Pop! by Bob Staake, a chunky vehicle pop-up book; Cranium Wacky Words, new to the Play It Again series of brainteasing games; and Forever Friends: My Friendship Scrapbook and Bracelet Wheel, a book-and-craft set.
LITTLE, BROWN/POPPY
Poppy gets the dirt on the season with the launch of a new line of Gossip Girl books, created by Cecily von Ziegesar, featuring Manhattan's Carlyle triplets.
NAL JAM
NAL JAM slaloms into spring with Off the Trails: Chalet Girls by Emily Franklin, in which the Chalet Girls trade the slopes for sun and fun in the islands; and American Fringe by Valerie Frankel, about a Brooklyn girl on the verge of popularity.
NEWMARKET
Newmarket races into the season with On Your Mark, Get Set, Grow! A “What's Happening to My Body?” Book for Younger Boys by Lynda Madaras, illus. by Paul Gilligan, a peek into puberty for boys eight and up.
NOMAD PRESS
Nomad gets cooking with Build Your Own Kitchen Chemistry Projects by Cynthia Brown; and Amazing Solar System Projects You Can Build Yourself.
OVERMOUNTAIN PRESS
Overmountain is in full bloom with The Legend of the Dogwood by Brenda Gough, illus. by Malinda Mays, a story about the religious symbolism of this tree.
PEACHTREE
Peachtree straps on its tool belt for Albert the Fix-It Man by Janet Lord, illus. by Julie Paschkis, about how one man's kindness influences a community; Flying by Kevin Luthardt, a father-and-son imaginative journey; Fabulous Fishes by Susan Stockdale, which describes the characteristics of various fish; Bark Park by Karen Gray Ruelle, a rhyming book about a canine romp in the dog park; and Daughter of Freedom: The Life and Times of Ida B. Wells by Phillip Dray, illus. by Stephen Alcorn, a picture-book biography of the African-American journalist and crusader.
PEACHTREE/PEACHTREE JR.
Peachtree Jr. plants a seed with Berneetha and the Happy Garden Poems by Kate Sibley by Juanita Havill, novel in verse about a woman who introduces two misfit kids to a community garden; Gabriel's Journey by Alison Hart, third in the trilogy starring a former slave; and Breaking the Rules by Leslie Bulion, about the rules of friendship in fifth grade.
PEACHTREE/FREESTONE
Freestone's got the look with YA novel Pretty Is by Carol Lynch Williams.
PELICAN
Pelican charges into spring with The Fat Stock Stampeded by Dotti Enderle, in which Jake unwittingly unlatches the gates at the annual livestock show.
PENGUIN/FIREBIRD
Firebird travels Down Under for Dingo by Charles de Lint, about a boy who falls for the new girl in town, an Australian girl with a dingo—and a supernatural secret.
PENGUIN/RAZORBILL
Razorbill names that tune with Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway, in which Audrey's former red-hot musician boyfriend writes a hit breakup song about her; TIM, Defender of the Earth! by Sam Enthoven, the adventures of Tyrannosaur: Improved Model, a monster created by the British government; and All About Vee by C. Leigh Purtill, featuring an aspiring theater actress trying to make it in Hollywood.
PENGUIN/SPEAK
Speak is under a spell with Cindy Ella by Robin Palmer, about a fabulous pair of heels and a magical prom night in a modern Cinderella tale; Walk of the Spirits by Richie Tankersley Cusick, in which Miranda learns she has a special gift for communicating with spirits; Too Hot! by Peter Lerangis, new to the Drama Club series; The Winning Element by Shannon Greenland, which joins The Specialists series, S.A.S.S.adds When Irish Guys Are Smiling by Suzanne Supplee; and two titles, Rush and Pledge Class, launch the Sisterhood Novels by Marley Gibson.
PENGUIN/WARNE
Frederick Warne plans a hare-raising spring with Peter Rabbit: A Lucky Escape by Beatrix Potter, a novelty book that serves as a prequel to The Tale of Peter Rabbit.
PHILOMEL
Philomel winds up and pitches The Big Field by Mike Lupica, a baseball novel about fathers and sons; Ranger's Apprentice Book Four: The Battle of Skandia by John Flanagan, latest in the action-fantasy series; Come Fly with Me by Satomi Ichikawa, in which a stuffed dog and wooden airplane venture out of the toy box; The Lord Is My Shepherd by Gennady Spirin, a picture-book edition of the 23rd Psalm; and Quantum Prophecy 2: Sakkara by Michael Carroll, next in the superhero saga.
PIPPIN
Pippin heads for the barn with Our Farm by Sonia Quintero, a memoir of the author's childhood in rural Puerto Rico; and An African Journey by Ann Grant, about life as an American teacher in Nairobi.
PRICE STERN SLOAN
Price Stern Sloan gets tucked in with Baby Animals Say Good Night by Robin Suzanne Carol, illus. by Tina Macnaughton, a bedtime story; Old MacDonald Had a Farm by Salina Yoon, a board book with flocked tabs; Roxy Hunter and the Mystery of the Moody Ghost: Junior Novel, adapted by Tracey West, based on the TV movie; and Dora the Explorer My First Mad Libs and Mad Libs: Best of Mad Libs by Roger Price and Leonard Stern.
PUFFIN
Puffin is wearing shades for The Case of the Blazing Sky by John Erickson, illus. by Gerald Holmes, new to the Hank the Cowdog series; and Margaret and Flyn, 1875 by Kathleen Duey, which joins the Hoofbeats series.
PUTNAM
Putnam fans the flame with Lamplighter: Monster Blood Tattoo, Book II by D.M. Cornish, second in a fantasy trilogy; Peeled by Joan Bauer, about a teen journalist trying to uncover the truth about a haunted house; The Fold by An Na, a humorous story that challenges beauty myths; After Tupac and D Foster by Jacqueline Woodson, a story of three friends who bond over Tupac Shakur's music; and I Get So Hungry by Bebe Moore Campbell, illus. by Amy Bates, the late author's last book, which explores childhood obesity.
RANDOM HOUSE
Random House has a whole lotta shakin' goin' on with Love Me Tender by Audrey Coloumbis, about a girl whose father takes off for an Elvis impersonator contest; Baby! Baby! by Vicki Ceelen, which juxtaposes baby photos with look-alikes from the animal kingdom; Ma! There's Nothing to Do Here! by Barbara Park, illus. by Viviana Garofoli, a picture book set in utero; The Ugly Guide to the Uglyverse by David Horvath and Son-Min Kim, based on the Uglydolls sensation; and The Crossroads by Chris Grabenstein, a first novel for middle-schoolers.
RANDOM HOUSE/COREY
Robin Corey Books draws a bubble bath for Ten Rubber Duckies by Dawn Bentley, illus. by Heather Cahoon, a novelty title that squeaks; Horton Hears a Who Pop-Up! by David A. Carter, a paper-engineered interpretation of the Seuss classic; The Great Bunnyville Easter Egg Hunt by Chuck Murphy, a pop-up novelty book with glitter galore; The Ballad of Wilbur and the Moose by John Stadler, a reissued picture book; and Good Night, Leo by Charise Mericle Harper, a die-cut bedtime book.
RANDOM HOUSE/DELACORTE
Delacorte says abracadabra with The Magician: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel by Michael Scott, second in the six-book fantasy-adventure series; Andromeda Klein by Frank Portman, an oddball high school mystery; Prey by Lurlene McDaniel, in which a female teacher becomes involved with her male teen student; As if Being 12¾ Isn't Bad Enough, My Mother Is Running for President by Donna Gephart, about a girl and her presidential candidate mother; and Cool Zone with the Pain and the Great One by Judy Blume, illus. by James Stevenson, one of seven new stories dealing with kids' emotions.
RANDOM HOUSE/DRAGONFLY
Dragonfly gets a pat on the head with spring reprints of Good Dog by Maya Gottfried, illus. by Robert Rahway Zakantich; and The Inside-Outside Book of Libraries by Julie Cummins, illus. by Roxie Munro.
RANDOM HOUSE/FICKLING
David Fickling Books hunts clues with TheLondon Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd, a middle-grade mystery told from the point of view of a boy with Asperger's Syndrome; Charlie Small #1: Gorilla City by Charlie Small, in which the young author goes out to play one day and finds himself in the middle of a jungle; and Lost Boy by Linda Newbery, about a new kid in town who is determined to bring a village secret to light.
RANDOM HOUSE/GOLDEN
Golden Books hippity hops into spring with Bunny Kisses, featuring characters from Pat the Bunny by Dorothy Kunhardt; Little Boy with a Big Horn by Jack Bechdolt, illus. by Dan Yaccarino, a reissue of a 1950s Little Golden Book about music; and Mama, Where Are You? by Diane Muldrow, illus. by Rick Peterson, a lift-the-flap title.
RANDOM HOUSE/KNOPF
Knopf keeps things on the QT with Cybele's Secret by Juliet Marillier, the adventures of a teenage girl swept into the ancient secrets of a pagan goddess during a trip to Istanbul; The Penderwicks on Gardham Street by Jeanne Birdsall, more about the four Penderwick sisters; As Good as Anybody by Richard Michelson, illus. by Raul Colón, a picture-book chronicle of the friendship between Martin Luther King Jr. and fellow civil rights leader Abraham Joshua Heschel; A Kitten Tale by Eric Rohmann, a story of three kittens and four seasons; and Runemarks by Joanne Harris, a fantasy based on Norse legend.
RANDOM HOUSE/LAMB
Wendy Lamb Books sets the clock for City of Time by Eoin McNamee, sequel to The Navigator, in which the world is running out of time; The Opposite of Invisible by Liz Gallagher, a debut novel about love and friendship; Eleven: A Mystery by Patricia Reilly Giff, in which Sam discovers evidence that he was kidnapped; and How to Build a House by Dana Reinhardt, about a girl who heals her family by helping to rebuild a house in a community ravaged by a tornado.
RANDOM HOUSE/LAUREL-LEAF
Laurel-Leaf salutes the season with paperback reprints of Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen, The Pull of the Ocean by Jean-Claude Mourlevat, The Squad by Jennifer Barnes, The House of the Red Fish by Graham Salisbury and Hit the Road by Caroline B. Cooney.
RANDOM HOUSE/SCHWARTZ & WADE
Schwartz & Wade Books minds its p's and q's with Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Writing Thank You Notes by Peggy Gifford, illus. by Valorie Fisher, a tale of stubbornness and cleverness; Princess Baby by Karen Katz, starring a baby who happens to be a princess; What's Up, Duck? by Tad Hills, more adventures with Duck and Goose; Wynken, Blinken, and Nod by Eugene Field, illus. by Giselle Potter, the classic bedtime poem; and Lulu Atlantis and the Quest for True Blue Love by Patricia Martin, in which Lulu's imaginary friend helps her define true blue love.
RANDOM HOUSE/YEARLING
Yearling conjures up spring reprints of Vanishing Act by John Feinstein, Penny from Heaven by Jennifer L. Holm, The Legend Begins/A Fox Called Sparrow (Little Fur #1 & #2) by Isobelle Carmody; Water Street by Patricia Reilly Giff; and Beyond the Deep Woods/Stormchaser (The Edge Chronicles #1 and #2) by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell.
READER'S DIGEST
Reader's Digest is ready to hatch a list with Little Dino's Egg by Alicia Zadrozny, illus. by Claudine Gevry, a novelty book about a parent's love; Sesame Street: Ready, Set, Brush: A Pop-Up Book, focusing on good dental hygiene; Disney High School Musical: All About Dancing, a CD/DVD set with a dance mat; DreamWorks Shrek: Smelly Adventures, a scratch-and-sniff, lift-the-flap volume; and Salamander Rock: A Pop-Up Counting Adventure by Matt Mitter, illus. by Karen Viola.
RUNNING PRESS
Running Press is abuzz with The Awesome Book of Bugs, a guide to all things creepy-crawly; Cathy's Book 2 by Sean Stewart and Jordan Weisman, an interactive YA mystery; and Peanuts Grand Piano Book based on characters by Charles M. Schulz, shaped like Schroeder's piano, and Peanuts Snoopy at Bat, a spin on “Casey at the Bat” with a Snoopy bobble-head.
ROARING BROOK
Roaring Brook is light as a feather with Little Red Bird by Nick Bruel, in which a bird with a chance to flee her cage isn't sure what to do; Dog and Bear: Two's Company by Laura Vaccaro Seeger, a followup to the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award-winning Dog and Bear; Best Friends by Jacqueline Wilson, in which a girl is distraught when her best friend moves away; Climate Change by Sally Ride and Tam O'Shaughnessy, in which the NASA astronaut explores global climate change and some possible ways to protect the planet; and Newes from the Dead by Mary Hooper, a teen novel about the undead experiences of a maidservant falsely accused of infanticide in 1650 England.
ROARING BROOK/FIRST SECOND
First Second plans a fang-tastic spring with Little Vampire by Emmanuel Guibert, a collection of three stories about a young vampire and his monster pals; Life Sucks by Jessica Abel and Gabriel Soria, illus. by Warren Pleece, a graphic novel about a reluctant teen vampire/convenience store employee; Kaput and Zosky by Lewis Trondheim, about two evil and inept aliens; The Prince of Persia by AB Sina, illus. by LeUyen Pham, a graphic novel based on the bestselling video franchise; and Choices by Deborah Lynn Jacobs, in which a teen girl grieving her brother's death shifts between multiple universes to find one where her brother is alive.
SCHOLASTIC
Scholastic toes the line with Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls Book 1:Moving Day by Meg Cabot, in which nine-year-old Allie Finkle's set of rules come in handy when she learns she's moving to a new town; Zen Ties by Jon J Muth, a story of compassion and friendship; Oggie Cooder by Sarah Weeks, about a boy who finds his calling carving cheese; Elvis & Olive by Stephanie Watson, first in a series about best friends who decide to spend their summer spying on their neighbors; and What to Do About Alice? How Alice Roosevelt Broke the Rules, Charmed the World, and Drove Her Father Teddy Crazy! by Barbara Kerley, illus. by Edwin Fotheringham, a picture-book biography.
SCHOLASTIC/BLUE SKY
Blue Sky blows baby kisses with You Were Loved Before You Were Born by Eve Bunting, illus. by Karen Barbour, celebrating the arrival of a child; plus LaRue for Mayor by Mark Teague, in which canine everyman Ike LaRue returns to take on the political machine.
SCHOLASTIC/CARTWHEEL
Cartwheel reaches for the Alka-Seltzer with There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Shell! by Lucille Colandro, illus. by Jared Lee, in which an old lady swallows an entire beach; four Little Scholastic board books—Numbers, Snuggly Bunny, The Crawly Caterpillar and Twinkle Twinkle Panda Bear; Fly Guy #5: Fly High, Fly Guy! by Tedd Arnold join the easy reader series; Can You See What I See? Nature Read-and-Seek by Walter Wick; and Owen and Mzee: A Day Together is a board-book adaptation of Owen & Mzee: The Language of Friendship.
SCHOLASTIC/CHICKEN HOUSE
Chicken House digs deep for Tunnels by Roderick Gordon and Brian Williams, sci-fi with a touch of horror for middle schoolers; The Big Baresi by Jimmy Docherty about boys who, tired of the bullies in their Glasgow housing project, make up a gangster of their own; Riding the Storm: Dragonsdale Book 2 by Salamanda Drake, illus. by Gilly Marklew, in which Breena and Moonflight go missing; Ibby's Magic Weekend by Heather Dyer, illus. by Peter Bailey, in which Ibby shrinks her cousin to the size of her thumb; and Harriet Dancing by Ruth Symes, illus. by Caroline Jayne Church, a tale of friendship and self-acceptance.
SCHOLASTIC/GRAPHIX
Graphix raids the fridge for The Magic Pickle & the Planetof the Grapes and The Magic Pickle vs. The Egg Poacher by Scott Morse, about a superhero who's fighting the food fight against a brotherhood of evil fruits and vegetables; Amulet Book I: The Stonekeeper by Kazu Kibuishi, set in a world of man-eating demons, a mechanical rabbit, a giant robot—and two ordinary children on a life-or-death mission; and Bone #7: Ghost Circles by Jeff Smith, in which natural disaster and supernatural evil collide.
SCHOLASTIC/LEVINE
Arthur A. Levine Books has a bad hair day with Medusa Jones by Ross Collins, in whch middle school is Hades when you're a Gorgon; The Light of the World by Katherine Paterson, illus. by François Roca, the story of Jesus; Deep Down Popular by Phoebe Stone, about the vulnerability of falling for a BMOC who's temporarily in your league; A Curse Dark as Gold by Elizabeth Bunce, in which proud Charlotte Miller makes a dangerous bargain with a stranger who can spin straw into gold thread; and Guardian of the Spirit by Nahoko Uehashi, trans. by Cathy Hirano, a fantasy from Japan.
SCHOLASTIC/ORCHARD
Orchard Books lurks around the corner with Darkside Book 1 by Tom Becker, a thriller about a London where vampires and werewolves stalk the streets; The Moon and Sun Series, Book 1: The Ruby Key by Holly Lisle, in which two siblings must journey to the land of the mysterious Nightling creatures to save themselves and their entire world; Maybe a Bear Ate It by Robie H. Harris, illus. by Michael Emberley, the potential answer to what happens when your favorite book goes missing; and Elliot's Park Adventures Saving Mister Nibbles by Patrick Carman, the adventures of a young squirrel named Elliot and his pals.
SCHOLASTIC PAPERBACKS
Scholastic Paperbacks keeps things shivery with The Haunting of DerekFish by Tony Abbott, in which a boy is haunted—by his missing father, his dead brother and an evil circle of dead souls; Goosebumps HorrorLand by R.L. Stine, a terrifying adventure; Cabin Creek Mysteries by Kristiana Gregory, about two resourceful brothers and their cousin who investigate the peculiar events of a small mountain; and Pet Fairies by Daisy Meadows, a new Rainbow Magic series about the pets of Fairyland.
SCHOLASTIC/POINT
Point plans a spring road trip for Hotlanta by Denene Millner and Mitzi Miller, starring African-American identical twins dealing with mystery, secrets and scandal in upper-class Atlanta; The Year My Sister Got Lucky by Aimee Friedman, a story of sisters and lies; Once Upon a Prom Trilogy by Jeanine Le Ny, in which three juicy installments follow the different stages of prom; Sweet and Vicious: An In or Out Novel by Claudia Gabel, in which shy, sweet Nola is out for revenge; and Little Secrets, Books 1—3 by Emily Blake, a soap-opera series following the lives of six wealthy teens.
SCHOLASTIC/PUSH
PUSH offers A Little Friendly Advice by Siobhan Vivian, in which a girl's long-lost father comes back on her 16th birthday and changes her relationship with both her family and friends.
SCHOLASTIC REFERENCE
Scholastic Reference rings the buzzer with Scholastic Book of World Records Ultimate Quiz Challenge by Jenifer Morse; Everything but the Kitchen Sink: Weird Stuff You Didn't Know About Food by Frieda Wishinsky and Elizabeth MacLeod; How to Speak Dog by Sarah Whitehead, in which you can learn “canine” as a second language; and How Strong Is It? A Mighty Book About Strength by Ben Hillman.
SIMON & SCHUSTER
Simon & Schuster is ready to roll with Trucktown: Smash! Crash! by Jon Scieszka, illus. by David Shannon, Loren Long and David Gordon, which launches a new picture book series; Barnstormers: Game 3 by Phil Bildner and Loren Long, illus. by Loren Long, in which three siblings travel with a barnstorming baseball team in 1899; The PottyTrain by David Hochman and Ruth Kennison, illus. by Derek Anderson, a potty training tome; Monkey and Me by Emily Gravett, a guessing game/movement book; and The Unspoken by Thomas Fahy, in which teens who survive a cult are dying in the ways they most fear.
SIMON & SCHUSTER/ALADDIN
Aladdin kicks off spring with David Beckham Soccer Book by Chris Morris, containing info about the world's most popular sport and its star; The Ashleys: Jealous? by Melissa de la Cruz, about an intriguing clique; and Edgar & Ellen: Untitled (Book 1 of 2nd Story Cycle) by Charles Ogden, illus. by Rick Carton, featuring the troublesome titular twins.
SIMON & SCHUSTER/ATHENEUM
Atheneum takes a bite out of spring with Never Take a Shark to the Dentist, by Judi Barrett, illus. by John Nickle, a silly lesson in what not to do; Three Little Words by Ashley Rhodes-Carter, starring 44 caseworkers, 23 attorneys, 19 foster parents—a true story of life in the foster care system; Kaline Klattermaster'sTreehouse by Haven Kimmel, about a boy who sees the world with a truly open perspective; The Bronze Pen by Zilpha Keatley Snyder, illus. by Brandon Dorman, which asks if a magical bronze pen will be able to rewrite the future; and The Dog Who Loved the Moon by Cristina Garcia, illus. by Sebastia Serra, a debut picture book.
SIMON & SCHUSTER/ATHENEUM/JACKSON
Richard Jackson Books shines on with Crazy Diamond by David Chotjewitz, trans. by Doris Orgel, about the rise and fall of a young pop star in Germany; and Big Bad Bunny by Franny Billingsley, illus. by Brian G. Karas, about a mouse who's tired of being called Baby.
SIMON & SCHUSTER/ATHENEUM/SEO
Ginee Seo Books says “cheese” with Horace and Morris Say Cheese (Which Makes Dolores Sneeze!) by James Howe, illus. by Amy Walrod, in which Dolores develops a cheese allergy; and The Sky Inside by Clare B. Dunkle, a teen SF debut about a boy and his robot dog in what seems like perfect suburbia.
SIMON & SCHUSTER/LITTLE SIMON
Little Simon goes through some changes with Caterpillar to Butterfly: A ColorfulAdventure by Sally Symes, illus. by Sharon Jamer, in which a caterpillar transforms into a butterfly via a novelty format; Uh-oh, Calico! by Karma Wilson, illus. by Buket Erdogan, a first-experience adventure; and board books Where Are Baby's Easter Eggs? by Karen Katz; Little Quack's New Friend by Lauren Thompson, illus. by Derek Anderson; and Bear Wants More by Karma Wilson, illus. by Jane Chapman.
SIMON & SCHUSTER/LITTLE SIMON INSPIRATIONS
Little Simon Inspirations rolls out the welcome mat with Hello, Spring! (The Land ofMilk and Honey) by G. Studios, in which a spin of the wheel helps the Land of Milk and Honey friends count to spring; My Daddy and Me by Karen Hill, illus. by Melissa Iwai, a rhyming story with a picture frame cover; VeggieTales: The Pugglsyville Fair by Karen Poth, illus. by Warner McGee, a scratch-and-sniff storybook; and a padded board-book edition of Jesus Loves Me by Tim Warnes.
SIMON & SCHUSTER/MCELDERRY
Margaret K. McElderry Books warms up the stethoscope with Dr. Ted by Andrea Beaty, a picture-book introduction to a clever character; The Mortal Instruments: City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare, the sequel to City of Bones; On Top of the Potty: And Other Get-Up-and-Go Songs by Alan Katz, illus. by David Catrow, a potty-training picture book; and Oops!, by Alan Katz, illus, by Edward Koren, a poetry collection.
SIMON & SCHUSTER/SIMONPULSE
SimonPulse steals away with Crimes of the Heart by Kristen Tracy, a followup to Lost It; Private #6 Untitled by Kate Brian, more exploits of the Billings Girls of Easton Academy; Perfect You by Elizabeth Scott, a coming-of-age novel; I Heart You, You Haunt Me by Lisa Schroeder, a novel-in-verse novel about a 15-year-old girl haunted by her boyfriend's ghost; and CHILL: Stress-Reducing Techniques for a More Balanced, Peaceful You by Deborah Reber, a guide to de-stressing for teens.
SIMON & SCHUSTER/SIMON SPOTLIGHT
Simon Spotlight plans a virtual spring with Avatar—#5 The Earth Kingdom Chronicles:The Tale of Zuko by Michael Teitelbaum, illus. by Shane Johnson, featuring collectible 3-D inserts and 3-D glasses; Wonder Pets! Teamwork Saves the Day, in which Ming-Ming and the Wonder Pets bring a baby lamb to his mother; Sprouse Brothers—47 R.O.N.I.N.: #5 Untitled by Marc Cerasini, inspired by the Disney Channel stars; and Dora Gets Dressed! and Diego Discovers, novelty tie-ins to Nick Jr.'s Dora the Explorer and Go, Diego, Go!
SIMON & SCHUSTER/WISEMAN
Paula Wiseman Books nabs the top bunk for Amelia's Itchy-Twitchy, Lovely-Dovey Summerat Camp Mosquito by Marissa Moss, in which Amelia takes on summer camp; Alphabet by Matthew Van Fleet, featuring textures, tabs and a final pop-up gatefold of A to Z; Bye-bye, Crib by Alison McGhee, illus. by Ross MacDonald, about when the time comes to step up to the big bed; Annie and Snowball and the Teacup Club by Cynthia Rylant, illus. by Suçie Stevenson, first in a new early reader series; and Baby Face: A Book of Love for Baby by Cynthia Rylant, illus. by Diane Goode, a treasury of six original nursery rhymes.
SLEEPING BEAR
Sleeping Bear Press knows its ABCs with Z Is for Zeus: A Greek Mythology Alphabet by Helen Wilbur, illus. by Victor Juhasz, which explores the meanings of Greek myths and culture; and W Is for Woof!: A Dog Alphabet by Ruth Strother, illus. by Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen, an A—Z tribute to man's best friend.
SMARTLAB
SmartLab faces off with SmartLab Air Hockey Science by Ben Grossblatt and Betsy Pringle, featuring a miniature air hockey table and book that explains pressure, physics and other concepts; SmartLab Remote Control Rocket by Paul Beck, a you-launch-it rocket; ArtLab Business Boutique: Girl Entrepreneur, a craft and activity book; and ArtLab Car Design Studio by Frank Young, which includes a light table, colored pencils and removable overlays.
STERLING
Sterling counts a-one, and a-two, for Animal Band by Christopher Jennings; Wild Tracks: How to Read Wildlife Signs by Jim Arnosky; Cesar Takes a Break by Susan Collins Thoms, illus. by Rogé; Alcatraz and Mutants and Monsters, kicking off the Mysteries Unwrapped series; and BeginSmart, a new baby and toddler book program.
SYLVAN DELL
Sylvan Dell preens its feathers for The Best Nest by Doris Mueller, illus. by Sherry Neidigh, about why birds' nests come in all shapes and sizes; Kersplatypus by Susan Mitchell, illus. by Sherry Rogers, an Australian adventure story about a platypus and his pals; 'Twas the Day Before Zoo Day by Catherine Ipcizade, illus. by Ben Hodson, which peeks at the animals before the zoo's opening day; Animals Are Sleeping by Suzanne Slade, illus. by Gary Phillip, exploring the sleeping habits of 14 different creatures; and Sort It Out! by Barbara Mariconda, illus. by Robert Sauber, a guessing game that takes place while a boy cleans his room.
TOKYOPOP
Tokyopop looks toward spring with Ai-Land Collection (Vol. 1) by D.J. Milky and Misaho Kujiradou, a manga title with features about the creators; Warcraft Anthology (Vol. 1), a followup to Warcraft: The Sunwell Trilogy; Fruits Basket (Vol. 19) by Natsuki Takaya; Gothic & Lolita Collection (Vol. 1), containing behind-the-scenes features with Gothic Lolita creators; and Warriors: and Warriors Refuge (Vol. 2) by Dan Jolley, illus by James Barry, continuing the adventures of Graystripe.
TORTEEN
TorTeen plays hooky with Truancy by Isamu Fukui, a fantasy by a 15-year-old author about a group of former students who rebel against the repressive mayor; Little Brother by Cory Doctorow, set during the aftermath of a massive terrorist attack in San Francisco; Jumper: Movie Tie-In by Steven Gould, in which Davy teleports himself away from his drunk and abusive father; You Don't Know Jack by F. Paul Wilson, first in the Secret Histories series about a misunderstood boy who can fix “situations” like the discovery of a corpse; and Weregirls: Through the Moon Glass by Petru Popescu, in which a girl discovers the world of mystical power in her new high school.
TOR/STARSCAPE
Starscape sets free Dragon and Liberator by Timothy Zahn, the final entry in the Dragonback Adventure fantasy series starring 14-year-old Jack Morgan and his dragon friend Drascos.
TRICYCLE
Tricycle celebrates its skivvies with The Day We Danced in Underpants by Sarah Wilson, illus. by Catherine Stock, in which a young narrator travels to France for a visit with the king; Little Goose by David Wingfield, illus. by Margot Apple, about a goose's search for something that makes him feel “cozy, comfy and happy, too”; What Can You Do with a Rebozo? by Carmen Tafolla, illus. by Amy Cordova, spotlighting the traditional Mexican shawl; On a Road in Africa by Kim Doner, about animal rescuer Chrysee Perry Martin and her work in Kenya; and Big Mouth by Trudy Ludwig, illus. by Mikela Prevost, in which a girl is the victim of “trouble talk” at school.
TUNDRA
Tundra works the catwalk with Passion for Fashion by Jeanne Beker, illus. by Nathalie Dion, a look at careers in the fashion industry; Little Lions, Bull Baiters & Hunting Hounds by Jeff Crosby and Shelley Ann Jackson, an introduction to various dog breeds; and Alien Invaders by Jane Drake and Ann Love, illus. by Mark Thurman, about plant and animal species that have taken over our environment.
VIKING
Viking is a-buzz about Secret Rites of Social Butterflies by Lizabeth Zindel, about the fine line between honesty and hurtful gossip; Don't Worry Bear by Greg Foley, a followup to Thank You Bear; Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen, in which Ruby adjusts to life with a sister she hasn't seen in a decade; Nobunny's Perfect by Anna Dewdney, a rhyming picture book; and The Mystery of the Third Lucretia by Susan Runholt, in which two teen girls are at the center of the 21st-century's biggest art scandal.
WALKER & CO.
Walker has the scoop with The Ultimate Teen Guide Book: Teens and Their Favorite Authors Dish About Books, ed. by Daniel Hahn, Leonie Flynn and Susan Reuben, in which authors and teens recommend more than 600 novels; Exodus by Julie Bertagna, an epic survival story involving the threat of global warming; Caldecott Celebration 10th Anniversary Edition: Seven Artists and Their Paths to the Caldecott Medal by Leonard S. Marcus, an updated version; Cheated by Patrick Jones, an exploration of the consequences of taking the wrong path in life; and I, Matthew Henson by Carol Boston Weatherford, illus. by Eric Velasquez, about this explorer's journey to the North Pole.
WATSON-GUPTILL
Watson-Guptill is ready for its close-up with Eye Candy: 50 Easy Makeup Looks for Gorgeous Eyes by Linda Mason, tips from a makeup artist; What's the Big Idea!: Activities and Adventures in Abstract Art by Joyce Raimondo, new to the Art Explorers series; and The Teen Girl's Gotta-Have-It Guide to Money: Why It Matters and How You Can Take Charge of It Today! by Jessica Blatt with Variny Paladino, illus. by Cynthia Frenette, a book of advice.