Children's Books Catalog
Soul of the Deep (Of Mermaids and Orisa) (Paperback)
Author: Natasha Bowen
The stunning sequel to New York Times bestseller Skin of the Sea, in which the world must pay the price for one mermaid’s choice, and a dark force reverberates across realms. Perfect for anyone eagerly anticipating the live-action The Little Mermaid.
One life.
One choice.
One sacrifice.
To save those closest to her, Simi traded away everything: her freedom, her family, and the boy she loves. Now she is sworn to serve a new god, watching over the Land of the Dead at the bottom of the ocean.
But when signs of demons begin to appear, it’s clear there are deeper consequences of Simi’s trade. These demons spell the world’s ruin . . . and because of Simi, they now have a way into the human realm.
With the fate of the world at stake, Simi must break her promise and team up with a scheming trickster of a god. And if they succeed, perhaps Simi can also unbreak her heart along the way, and find herself again.
"Epic and original . . . Simi's story will stay with me for a long time.” —Nicola Yoon, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Instructions for Dancing
Soni and the Life Drinkers (The Intasimi Warriors)
Author: Shiko Nguru
When Soni discovers that her mom has a twin sister with a dark secret, she just might have found the key to discovering the Life Drinkers' identity.
As she delves deeper into Nairobi's dark underbelly, Soni must learn to see the world for what it is―with all its beauty and ugliness. What price will she have to pay to stop the Life Drinkers from draining Mr. Lemayian's life, and will saving his life come at the expense of her own
A heart-stopping, thrill-a-minute journey into the heart of an alternative Kenya where monsters roam the streets and one brave 12-year-old, with the help of her closest friends, will learn a lesson in self-sacrifice that she will never forget.
Some Places More Than Others
Author: Renee Watson
All Amara wants for her birthday is to visit her father’s family in New York City--Harlem, to be exact. She can’t wait to finally meet her Grandpa Earl and cousins in person, and to stay in the brownstone where her father grew up. Maybe this will help her understand her family--and herself--in new way.
But New York City is not exactly what Amara thought it would be. It’s crowded, with confusing subways, suffocating sidewalks, and her father is too busy with work to spend time with her and too angry to spend time with Grandpa Earl. As she explores, asks questions, and learns more and more about Harlem and about her father and his family history, she realizes how, in some ways more than others, she connects with him, her home, and her family.
So Many Years: A Juneteenth Story
Author: Anne Wynter
Oh, how you would dance! How you would sing! How you would celebrate!
With lyrical text from Anne Wynter and radiant artwork from Jerome Pumphrey, this poetic picture book explains the history behind Juneteenth celebrations. So Many Years simultaneously acknowledges the history of slavery in the US as well as the astonishing Black resilience that has led to an enduring legacy of Black joy.
Smart Sisters
Author: Mechal Renee Roe
Confident, empowered sisters and best friends are celebrated in this read-together picture book celebrating sisterly love and joy. From the author of the Happy Hair series, which promotes self-love, positivity, and acceptance.
Perfect together! Always and forever! My sister and me!
Beautiful Black and Brown girls with gorgeous natural hairstyles are the stars of this vibrant, rhythmic picture book. With encouraging words of unity and support on each page, it's a great read-aloud to promote confidence and self-esteem among girls of all ages.
Skin Again
Author: Bell Hooks
The skin I'm in is just a covering. It cannot tell my story. If you want to know who I am, you have got to come inside and open your heart way wide.
Race matters, but only so much--what's most important is who we are on the inside. Looking beyond skin, going straight to the heart, we find in each other the treasures stored down deep. Learning to cherish those treasures, to be all we imagine ourselves to be, makes us free.
This award-winning book, celebrates all that makes us unique and different and offers a strong, timely and timeless message of loving yourself and others.
Sincerely Sicily
Author: Tamika Burgess
From debut author Tamika Burgess comes the captivating and empowering story of Sicily Jordan—a Black Panamanian fashionista who rocks her braids with pride—who learns to use her voice and take pride in who she is while confronting prejudice in the most unexpected of places.
Sicily Jordan’s worst nightmare has come true! She’s been enrolled in a new school, with zero of her friends and stuck wearing a fashion catastrophe of a uniform. But however bad Sicily thought sixth grade was going to be, it only gets worse when she does her class presentation.
While all her classmates breezed through theirs, Sicily is bombarded with questions on how she can be both Black and Panamanian. She wants people to understand, but it doesn’t feel like anyone is ready to listen—first at school and then at home. Because when her abuela starts talking mess about her braids, Sicily’s the only one whose heart is being crumpled for a second time.
Staying quiet may no longer be an option, but that doesn’t mean Sicily has the words to show the world just what it means to be a proud Black Panamanian either. Even though she hasn’t written in her journal since her abuelo passed, it’s time to pick up her pen again—but will it be enough to prove to herself and everyone else exactly who she is?
Simone Biles: A Little Golden Book Biography
Author: JaNay Brown-Wood
Help your little one dream big with a Little Golden Book biography about Olympic medalist and world-champion gymnast Simone Biles! Little Golden Book biographies are the perfect introduction to nonfiction for young readers—as well as fans of all ages!
This Little Golden Book about Simone Biles--the superstar Olympic athlete who recently became the most decorated gymnast ever--is an inspiring read-aloud for young children.
Simon B. Rhymin' Takes A Stand (Hardcover)
Author: Dwayne Reed
This humorous and heartwarming sequel to Simon B. Rhymin' follows a young rapper navigating the inequality and injustice within his school and community.
Eleven-year-old Simon and his friends are disappointed with the lack of funding at Booker T. Washington School—there’s no AC, only one space for school activities, and the money for extracurricular programs is getting cut.
Desperate to save Maria’s beloved debate team, the crew start a petition to grab the attention of the local community and show they deserve to have the same opportunities as everyone else.
But when news of the petition reaches the school board, Simon must face his fears once again. Can he use his rhymes to take a stand and prove that he, Maria, and C.J. can make a difference in their hood?
Simon B. Rhymin' Gets in the Game (Simon B. Rhymin’, 3) (Hardcover)
Author: Dwayne Reed
The humorous and heartwarming third book in the Simon B. Rhymin' series, by America's favorite rapping teacher from Chicago, will have readers bopping along to the beat as Simon joins the community basketball team.
When eleven-year-old Simon Barnes joins the basketball team, he’s so excited to be part of a neighborhood tradition. But when he shoots an AIR BALL, Simon knows he needs reinforcements. He recruits his best friend C.J. to the team and it's finally looking like the Creighton Park Panthers have a shot at breaking their four-season losing streak—until some of the other players abandon them for a better team. Now Simon isn't sure the Panthers will ever have a chance at winning.
But with the help of his friends, a pep rally featuring epic beats, and some Creighton Park pride, maybe the team can finally prove they have what it takes not simply to win, but to be a part of something that matters.
Shuri: A Black Panther Novel #1
Author: Nic Stone
An original, upper-middle-grade series starring the breakout character from the Black Panther comics and films: T'Challa's younger sister, Shuri! Crafted by New York Times bestselling author Nic Stone. Shuri is a skilled martial artist, a genius, and a master of science and technology. But, she's also a teenager. And a princess. This story follows Shuri as she sets out on a quest to save her homeland of Wakanda.For centuries, the Chieftain of Wakanda (the Black Panther) has gained his powers through the juices of the Heart-Shaped Herb. Much like Vibranium, the Heart-Shaped Herb is essential to the survival and prosperity of Wakanda. But something is wrong. The plants are dying. No matter what the people of Wakanda do, they can't save them. And their supply is running short. It's up to Shuri to travel from Wakanda in order to discover what is killing the Herb, and how she can save it, in the first volume of this all-new, original adventure.
Shuri Defender of Wakanda
Author: Pamela Afram
Discover how Shuri uses amazing technology to protect Wakanda!
Meet princess Shuri, the smart scientist behind Wakanda’s amazing technology.
Join in the action as Shuri, her brother the Black Panther, and their allies battle their greatest enemies.
Step into this amazing world in this thrilling Level 2 DK Reader. Exciting images, simple vocabulary, and a fun quiz will engage young Super Hero fans and help them build confidence in reading.
Shine On
Author: Tangerine Press
A shiny activity file packed with things to do. Beautiful foiled cover with a magnetic closure. Fill-in book full of lists, quizzes, ideas and fun. Notepad for your secrets, dreams and doodles.
Soul of the Deep (Of Mermaids and Orisa) (Hardcover)
Author: Natasha Bowen
The stunning sequel to New York Times bestseller Skin of the Sea, in which the world must pay the price for one mermaid’s choice, and a dark force reverberates across realms. Perfect for anyone eagerly anticipating the live-action The Little Mermaid.
One life.
One choice.
One sacrifice.
To save those closest to her, Simi traded away everything: her freedom, her family, and the boy she loves. Now she is sworn to serve a new god, watching over the Land of the Dead at the bottom of the ocean.
But when signs of demons begin to appear, it’s clear there are deeper consequences of Simi’s trade. These demons spell the world’s ruin . . . and because of Simi, they now have a way into the human realm.
With the fate of the world at stake, Simi must break her promise and team up with a scheming trickster of a god. And if they succeed, perhaps Simi can also unbreak her heart along the way, and find herself again.
"Epic and original . . . Simi's story will stay with me for a long time.” —Nicola Yoon, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Instructions for Dancing
Song In the City
Author: Daniel Bernstrom
From Daniel Bernstrom, the acclaimed author of One Day in the Eucalyptus, Eucalyptus Tree, comes a charming and irresistibly fun picture book about a young blind girl and her grandmother who experience the vibrant everyday music of their busy city.
A young girl, filled with the sounds of her beloved city, shares a song with her grandmother that changes the two forever. After helping Grandma realize that the city makes music as beautiful as the sounds they hear in church on Sunday morning, the two sit down and take in all the sounds of the city…together.
Song in the City bridges the gap between generations of music and family, while centering love, understanding, and joy.
Soccer Time!
Author: Terry Pierce
GOOOOOOOOAL!! This Step 1 introduction to practically every child's first team sport is a win for emergent readers.
No hands--just feet. The game starts. Tweet! Young soccer enthusiasts will build their reading confidence as they learn about basic skills and the thrill of scoring a goal in Terry Pierce's rhythmic, rhyming Step 1 Reader. As she did in Jack and Jill and T-Ball Bill and Tae Kwon Do!, Pierce captures the excitement of sports while scaffolding reading with alliteration and word families.
Step 1 Readers feature big type and easy words for children who know the alphabet and are eager to begin reading. Rhyme and rhythmic text paired with picture clues help children decode the story.
Snow Day! (Step into Reading)
Author: Candice Ransom
A Step 1 reader to welcome winter, featuring the family from Pumpkin Day! and Apple Picking Day!
The brother and sister from PUMPKIN DAY! and APPLE PICKING DAY! have woken up to a winter wonderland--it's a snow day! Read along as they engage in favorite winter activities with their neighborhood friends on their day off from school. Easy-to-follow rhyme ensures a successful reading experience, and bright, fun art enhances the story.
Step 1 Readers feature big type and easy words. Rhymes and rhythmic text paired with picture clues help children decode the story. For children who know the alphabet and are eager to begin reading.
Skin Again
Author: Bell Hooks
The skin I'm in is just a covering. It cannot tell my story. If you want to know who I am, you have got to come inside and open your heart way wide.
Race matters, but only so much--what's most important is who we are on the inside. Looking beyond skin, going straight to the heart, we find in each other the treasures stored down deep. Learning to cherish those treasures, to be all we imagine ourselves to be, makes us free.
This award-winning book, celebrates all that makes us unique and different and offers a strong, timely and timeless message of loving yourself and others.
Sing with Me: The Story of Selena Quintanilla
Author: Diana López
An exuberant picture book celebrating the life and legacy of Selena Quintanilla, beloved Queen of Tejano music.
From a very early age, young Selena knew how to connect with people and bring them together with music. Sing with Me follows Selena's rise to stardom, from front-lining her family's band at rodeos and quinceañeras to performing in front of tens of thousands at the Houston Astrodome. Young readers will be empowered by Selena's dedication--learning Spanish as a teenager, designing her own clothes, and traveling around the country with her family--sharing her pride in her Mexican-American roots and her love of music and fashion with the world.
Simply Winnie
Author: Winnie Harlow
Winnie is an artist and fashion is her paintbrush. She’s spent all summer designing her bold back-to-school looks: from flowers to feathers, stripes to sequins—everything has a place in Winnie’s masterpieces.
But when school starts, Winnie realizes not everyone sees things her way. Fitting in seems more important than standing out—and suddenly, her confidence starts to fade. Just when she needs it most, a heart-to-heart with her wise grandmother reminds Winnie of the beauty in being herself. With her head held high and her style shining brighter than ever, Winnie struts back to school ready to turn heads—and hearts.
Inspired by Winnie Harlow’s childhood and brought to life with dazzling illustrations by Sawyer Cloud, Simply Winnie is a vibrant celebration of self-expression, confidence, and the magic of being unapologetically you.
Simon B. Rhymin' Takes A Stand (Paperback)
Author: Dwayne Reed
This humorous and heartwarming sequel to Simon B. Rhymin' follows a young rapper navigating the inequality and injustice within his school and community.
Eleven-year-old Simon and his friends are disappointed with the lack of funding at Booker T. Washington School—there’s no AC, only one space for school activities, and the money for extracurricular programs is getting cut.
Desperate to save Maria’s beloved debate team, the crew start a petition to grab the attention of the local community and show they deserve to have the same opportunities as everyone else.
But when news of the petition reaches the school board, Simon must face his fears once again. Can he use his rhymes to take a stand and prove that he, Maria, and C.J. can make a difference in their hood?
Simon B. Rhymin' Gets in the Game (Simon B. Rhymin’, 3) (Paperback)
Author: Dwayne Reed
The humorous and heartwarming third book in the Simon B. Rhymin' series, by America's favorite rapping teacher from Chicago, will have readers bopping along to the beat as Simon joins the community basketball team.
When eleven-year-old Simon Barnes joins the basketball team, he’s so excited to be part of a neighborhood tradition. But when he shoots an AIR BALL, Simon knows he needs reinforcements. He recruits his best friend C.J. to the team and it's finally looking like the Creighton Park Panthers have a shot at breaking their four-season losing streak—until some of the other players abandon them for a better team. Now Simon isn't sure the Panthers will ever have a chance at winning.
But with the help of his friends, a pep rally featuring epic beats, and some Creighton Park pride, maybe the team can finally prove they have what it takes not simply to win, but to be a part of something that matters.
Simon B. Rhymin'
Author: Dwayne Reed
A humorous and heartwarming bounce-to-the-beat underdog story about a young rapper whose rhymes help bring his community together, from America's favorite rapping teacher.
As featured on Good Morning America!
Eleven-year-old Simon Barnes dreams of becoming a world-famous rapper that everyone calls Notorious D.O.G. But for now, he's just a Chicago fifth grader who's small for his age and afraid to use his voice.
Simon prefers to lay low at school and at home, even though he's constantly spitting rhymes in his head. But when his new teacher assigns the class an oral presentation on something that affects their community, Simon must face his fears.
With some help from an unexpected ally and his neighborhood crew, will Simon gain the confidence to rap his way to an A and prove that one kid can make a difference in his 'hood?
Dwayne Reed is a Chicago teacher, whose viral back-to-school music video "Welcome to the 4th Grade" took the internet by storm. His debut novel, Simon B. Rhymin' , inspires young readers everywhere to use their voice to create change within their communities.
Shuri is Brave! (Marvel: Black Panther)
Author: Frank Berrios
Two heroes are better than one when Marvel’s Black Panther and his sister, Shuri, team up in this action-packed Little Golden Book!
The threats to the African nation of Wakanda are many, so Marvel’s Black Panther teams up with his little sister, Shuri, to defeat their foe! Boys and girls ages 2 to 5 will love this Little Golden Book, which features Black Panther, Shuri, and other great Marvel characters. The friendly eye-catching retro art style is the perfect way to introduce little heroes to the Marvel Universe, and is equally loved by adult collectors and comic book fans as well!
Shook
- Author: Julian Randall
- Illustrator : Nathan Walker
For fans of The Crossover and Jason Reynolds' Track series, this contemporary novel-in-verse follows a 12-year-old boy whose dream of making the varsity basketball team is put in peril when he gets injured, and he struggles to find a way through his anxiety and back to feeling like himself. Features black & white illustrations and an incredible interior design.
I feel my breath get short.
Heartbeat, double dribbling.
My mind careening out of bounds,
for a loose ball. I start feeling
more Shook than Shake.
Malik Page—though unless you're his mama, call him "Shake"—dreams of making the Marshall Grove varsity basketball squad as an eighth grader. Then he'll be on his way to joining the ranks of Chicago legends like his pops and late Uncle Kenny. But when Shake fractures his ankle in a championship game, he's sidelined for the first time since his first dribble.
As his world is turned upside down, Shake feels like there’s ginger ale bubbling in his chest and sweat slicking on his palms. With a best friend who’s getting more distant by the day, a growing silence between him and his dad, and varsity tryouts fast approaching, Shake will have to cross up every obstacle to find a way back onto the court—and back to being himself. Thankfully in Marshall Grove, the sky is always full of hope.
HARDCOVER