Children’s Services

Niko loves to draw his world: the ring-a-ling of the ice cream truck, the warmth of sun on his face.

But no one appreciates his art. Until one day, Niko meets Iris . . .

This imaginative and tender story explores the creative process, abstract art, friendship, and the universal desire to feel understood.

A Junior Library Guild selection, Charlotte Zolotow Honor Book, Children's Book Committee at Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year, Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Books, Cooperative Children's Book Center Choice, Midwest Connections Pick, NCTE Notable Children's Book in the Language Arts, and New York Public Library Best Book for Kids

I'm supposed to be made of sugar and spice
and all things nice.
But I'm sweet and sour
and not a little flower.

I am a girl! I am a girl! I am a girl!

Meet a little girl who's spontaneous, fast, and strong and loves winning. Sometimes she's mistaken for a boy, but she definitely isn't one! When she meets a boy who likes wearing princess dresses and playing dolls, they quickly discover shared interests and a wonderful friendship.

I'm a Girl! is celebration of being who we are and not being restricted by stereotypes. Most of all it is joyful and full of energy. Be yourself - there's no one better!

Award for Time For Bed, Fred!
A New York Times Best Illustrated Book
A New York Times Book Review Editor's Choice
A Society of Illustrators Original Art Show Pick

Encourage young readers to use their imagination, and look within others, and themselves, to discover all that they have to offer.
A stunningly illustrated children’s picture book, with captivating poetic text by Rachel Moulden. It teaches your little ones that there is more to people than meets the eye, you just have to look.

Children, who love nature and rhymes will adore this charming educational book, which includes:

   • Vibrant illustrations by Jodie Howard
   • Repetition, language, sounds and rhythm of rhyming text, helping children to develop their vocabulary and support their language development
   • A strong message that there is more to someone than meets the eye if you take the time to look

Are you as joyful and bright as a daffodil? Or as bold and brave as a tiger? In You I See highlights and celebrates the colorful layers and attributes we all can have. With enthralling, rhyming text by singer-songwriter Rachel “Maiday” Moulden and gorgeous illustrations by Jodie Howard, this enchanting children’s storybook brings the magic of rhyme and nature together.

Whether you are looking for a bedtime storybook, a children’s gift for a special occasion, or simply a book to share with your child, this delightful kid’s book will make the perfect addition to the bookshelf. It includes cheerful, simple text that is perfect for reading together and out loud, which has many early learning benefits.

Sulwe has skin the color of midnight. She is darker than everyone in her family. She is darker than anyone in her school. Sulwe just wants to be beautiful and bright, like her mother and sister. Then a magical journey in the night sky opens her eyes and changes everything.

In this stunning debut picture book, actress Lupita Nyong’o creates a whimsical and heartwarming story to inspire children to see their own unique beauty.

An enchanting, farm-fresh debut graphic novel starring an unusual heroine who is braver than she realizes, for middle grade readers looking for a cozy, adventuresome read in the vein of Witch Boy or Be Prepared.

Garlic feels as though she’s always doing something wrong. At least with her friend Carrot by her side and the kindly Witch Agnes encouraging her, Garlic is happy to just tend her garden, where it’s nice and safe.

But when her village of vegetable folk learns that a bloodthirsty vampire has moved into the nearby castle, they all agree that, in spite of her fear and self-doubt, Garlic is the obvious choice to confront him. And with everyone counting on her, Garlic reluctantly agrees to face the mysterious vampire, hoping she has what it takes.

After all, garlic drives away vampires…right?

Sidelined by a crime-fighting field trip gone wrong, Damian Wayne must refocus his attention on his life as an average student and learning how to be a team player--especially when he meets his match in his new rival, Howard.

To Damian Wayne, there is nothing more important than protecting the streets of Gotham City as Robin. But when he makes a critical mistake while out on patrol, Damian finds himself benched. And what's more, Damian's dad, Bruce Wayne--a.k.a. Batman--decides that starting over in a new school will be just the distraction Damian needs from his superhero routine.

Certain that Gotham Metro Academy has nothing to teach him, Damian is completely unprepared for the challenge he finds in Howard--the smartest and most athletic kid in school. The boys' rivalry is instantaneous and fierce...and both are sure only one of them can be the best in their class.

What follows is a funny story of rivalry, friendship, and mystery from bestselling author and illustrator Jeffrey Brown.

Part historical fiction, part magical realism, and 100 percent adventure. Thirteen-year-old Mei reimagines the myths of Paul Bunyan as starring a Chinese heroine while she works in a Sierra Nevada logging camp in 1885.

Aware of the racial tumult in the years after the passage of the Chinese Exclusion Act, Mei tries to remain blissfully focused on her job, her close friendship with the camp foreman's daughter, and telling stories about Paul Bunyan--reinvented as Po Pan Yin (Auntie Po), an elderly Chinese matriarch.

Anchoring herself with stories of Auntie Po, Mei navigates the difficulty and politics of lumber camp work and her growing romantic feelings for her friend Bee. The Legend of Auntie Po is about who gets to own a myth, and about immigrant families and communities holding on to rituals and traditions while staking out their own place in America.

An American Library Association 2021 Best Graphic Novel for Children

In this silly, action-packed graphic novel, a young chef must protect her town from an onslaught of scientifically enhanced, highly addictive potatoes!

Yasmina isn’t like the other kids in her city. Maybe it’s the big chef hat she wears. Or the fact that she stuffs her dad’s lunchbox full of spring rolls instead of peanut butter and jelly. She might be an oddball, but no one can deny that Yasmina has a flair for food. All she needs to whip up a gourmet meal is a recipe from her cookbook and fresh vegetable form the community garden.

But everything changes when the garden is bulldozed and replaced with a strange new crop of potatoes. Her neighbors can’t get enough of these spuds! And after just one bite their behavior changes—they slobber, chase cats, and howl at the moon. What's the secret ingredient in these potatoes that has everyone acting like a bunch of crazed canines? Yasmina needs to find a cure, and fast!

Loosely based on the artist's childhood in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, this graphic novel centers on Carlos Gomez and his family--the only Mexican family in their Midwestern town. When invited to participate in a talent competition at an upcoming RV show, Carlos decides to join the BMX stunt team and show his special flair. What could possibly go wrong? (This graphic novel encompasses the intersectionality of LatinX, LGBTQ, and disability.)

A People Magazine Best Book Fall 2021

From celebrated Indigenous author Thomas King and award-winning Métis artist Natasha Donovan comes a powerful graphic novel about a family caught between nations.

Borders is a masterfully told story of a boy and his mother whose road trip is thwarted at the border when they identify their citizenship as Blackfoot. Refusing to identify as either American or Canadian first bars their entry into the US, and then their return into Canada. In the limbo between countries, they find power in their connection to their identity and to each other.

Borders explores nationhood from an Indigenous perspective and resonates deeply with themes of identity, justice, and belonging.