These Seas Count!

Mr. Tate’s class helps clean up a local beach and listens to the sea as it tells them about all the wildlife that make it their home. One whale, two giant sea turtles, three marlins. . . and more. Of course, the class discovers that “this sea counts!” These Seas Count! explores the environmental impact and importance of the seas, and how crucial it is to keep them healthy. Alison Formento’s gentle story and Sarah Snow’s amazing collages combine for a powerful message about the environment and what we can do to preserve our oceans.

The No-Good Do-Good Pirates

Captain Squint and his pirate crew spend their days doing evil deeds. When at last the gang is captured, the judge says they can go free—if they do one good deed before sunset. But what’s a good deed? Can these pirates save themselves from prison?

Mystery of the Bewitched Bookmobile

The Spotlight Clubbers are helping out at the local bookmobile and they have a mystery to solve. “‘This is our mystery so far,’ said Cindy. And she read: 1. P. Nelson Edward. He said he doesn’t know Olga Ratchett. But he does. And she is very mad at him. Why? It has something to do with the time. Was he late? For what? 2. Olga Rachett. Why was she angry with P. Nelson? Why was she so upset about the bookmobile being closed early? 3. The man with the silver cane. Why was he angry at Olga Ratchett? What did he write down? Was it something about the bookmobile? Or the sign?” And now, someone has broken into the bookmobile. The Spotlight Clubbers are on the case to find out who–and why!

The Case of the Stolen Drumsticks (Detective Paw of the Law: Time to Read, Level 3)

Detective Paw and Patrol Officer Prickles reunite for The Case of the Stolen Drumsticks! Vinnie “The Crash” McClaren’s drumsticks disappear right before the Battle of the Bands! Can Detective Paw and Patrol Officer Prickles find the culprit before the show? Young readers can learn about police procedures and detective work as they follow along with Detective Paw and try to solve the case themselves!

The Case of Piggy’s Bank (Detective Paw of the Law: Time to Read, Level 3)

Together, Detective Paw and Patrol Officer Prickles can crack any case. When they’re called to Piggy’s Bank, all the money has vanished! Who could have taken it? Solve the mystery alongside this delightful duo in this rollicking new series.

Water

Why is water important? How does water change to ice and steam? Where does the water in rain come from? Baby Explorer is a series of board books for little ones that encourages them to explore the world around them. The books are based on things in their world they can see, touch, hear, smell, or taste—things they can relate to and understand.

There’s a Hole in My Garden

The dead-pan narration in this debut picture book delivers a perfect child-like vision with humor and panache, depicted in luminous detail. A little boy shows what happens when he drops larger and larger objects, both in terms of size and imagination, down a mysterious hole that grows throughout the year in his garden. But what happens in December?

The Wheels on the…Uh-Oh!

This bus is in trouble—it won’t be going through the town without a good mechanic! Can everyone work together to get the bus moving again? A new version of the perennial children’s song is just as lively and fun as the original, while celebrating community and cooperation. Children will love the action, antics, appealing animal characters, and the very unexpected beginning to this rollicking romp.

The Spy with the Red Balloon

Siblings Ilse and Wolf hide a deep secret in their blood: with it, they can work magic. And the government just found out.

Blackmailed into service during World War II, Ilse lends her magic to America’s newest weapon, the atom bomb, while Wolf goes behind enemy lines to sabotage Germany’s nuclear program. It’s a dangerous mission, but if Hitler were to create the bomb first, the results would be catastrophic.

When Wolf’s plane is shot down, his entire mission is thrown into jeopardy. Wolf needs Ilse’s help to develop the magic that will keep him alive, but with a spy afoot in Ilse’s laboratory, the letters she sends to Wolf begin to look treasonous. Can Ilse prove her loyalty—and find a way to help her brother—before their time runs out?

The Queen and the First Christmas Tree

Queen Charlotte brought her family’s festive holiday yule bough from Germany to England. While planning a Christmas Day party in 1800 at Windsor Castle for over 100 children, she realized a single bough isn’t enough. So she brought in the whole tree instead, making it the first known Christmas Tree in England. This story tells a little known fact about a favorite holiday tradition.