All in Picture Book

No Pirates Allowed Said Library Lou

No Pirates Allowed Said Library Lou

Debbie Gonzales
Discussion/Activity, Picture Book

At Seabreezy Library, things were just right. / Booklovers were cozy. The sky was blue-bright / when--Shiver me timbers!--through Seabreezy's door / stormed big Pirate Pete and his parrot, Igor! Argh!! Things are looking--and smelling!!--a little fishy at Seabreezy Library. When the big X on Pirate Pete's treasure map leads him and his parrot-sidekick Igor to believe buried treasure is hidden at the library, the patrons are quaking in their shoes. But never fear! Library Lou, Seabreezy's librarian-extraordinaire, is as cool as a cucumber and knows how to handle an irate pirate or two. She knows exactly where the treasure is buried. But first she needs to help Pirate Pete and Igor get a handle on their hygiene, brush up on library etiquette, and then tackle learning their letters. And that will lead them to the treasure that can always be found at the library.

Another Way to Climb a Tree

Another Way to Climb a Tree

Debbie Gonzales
Press Release, Picture Book, Special Projects

When Lulu's feeling well, she climbs every tree in sight, especially

the tallest ones,

the ones with the widest branches,

the ones with the stickiest sap.

But when Lulu's sick, she's not allowed outside. She wonders if the trees are lonely without her. Maybe the birds are too.

Without Lulu, nobody climbs the trees but the sun. . . which casts a shadow on Lulu's wall. . . for her to climb.

Kate, Who Tamed The Wind

Kate, Who Tamed The Wind

Debbie Gonzales
Press Release, Picture Book, Special Projects

A wild wind blows on the tippy-top of a steep hill, turning everything upside down for the man who lives there. Luckily, Kate comes up with a plan to tame the wind. With an old wheelbarrow full of young trees, she journeys up the steep hill to add a little green to the man's life, and to protect the house from the howling wind. From award-winning author Liz Garton Scanlon and whimsical illustrator Lee White comes a delightfully simple, lyrical story about the important role trees play in our lives, and caring for the world in which we live.

Dear Substitute

Dear Substitute

Debbie Gonzales
Press Release, Picture Book, Special Projects

When a substitute teacher named Miss Pelly comes to class, one student bristles at the change in routine-Miss Pelly doesn't follow the rules like Mrs. Giordano. But in time, our student learns that even though the substitute may do things a little differently, and she may be a bit silly, mixing things up might not be so bad.

Told in a series of epistolary poems, this funny, relatable picturebook is a great fit for classrooms and for any child nervous about new experiences.

Pug & Pig Trick-or-Treat

Pug & Pig Trick-or-Treat

Debbie Gonzales
Picture Book, Discussion/Activity

Pug and Pig are back for a heartwarming Halloween adventure in this adorable picture book that’s perfect for pet lovers of all ages.

Halloween night has come to Pug and Pig’s house, and the darling duo is sporting matching costumes. The costumes are cozy. They glow in the dark. And they have masks! There’s only one problem—Pug hates wearing his. So he decides to rip it up and stay home. But Halloween just isn’t any fun for Pig without Pug! Can Pug find a way to be a good friend and get back into the Halloween spirit?

Pug Meets Pig

Pug Meets Pig

Debbie Gonzales
Picture Book, Discussion/Activity

An unlikely pair—a pug and a pig!—realize that it’s better to be together.

Pug is a very happy pup. He has his own yard, his own bowl, and even his own cozy bed! That is, until Pig moves in and starts eating from Pug’s bowl, interrupting Pug’s routine, and, worst of all, sleeping in Pug’s bed. Will Pug and Pig ever learn to live together as friends?

This sweet and silly story about a darling duo celebrates the timeless themes of embracing change, being kind to others, and finding friends in unlikely places.

The Crown Affair (Nursery-Rhyme Mysteries)

The Crown Affair (Nursery-Rhyme Mysteries)

Debbie Gonzales
Discussion/Activity, Picture Book

A Mother Goose mystery that will have readers wondering ‘Who done it?”. In this fast-paced, nursery-rhyme caper, hardboiled detective, Joe Dumpty does his darnedest to crack the case. It all started when Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall. Then, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. Or—as his brother Detective Joe Dumpty thinks—was he pushed?  Suspects are aplenty (as are the puns) in this scrambled noir. Detective Dumpty works his way through the list of suspects, that hail from the pages of Mother Goose, in order to get to the bottom of what really happened to his brother.

This fractured fairy-tale mystery is full of whimsy and wordplay that will delight readers of all ages.

Volcano Dreams: A Story of Yellowstone

Volcano Dreams: A Story of Yellowstone

Debbie Gonzales
Press Release, Picture Book

Lyrical prose and luminous paintings lead readers on a tour of the Yellowstone supervolcano, from the wolves, elk, bears, and mountain goats that roam its surface to the fiery depths of its magma chamber. VOLCANO DREAMS knits together the vibrancy of the Yellowstone ecosystem with its explosive history, placing the everyday lives of its creatures within the context of geological time. Janet Fox’s poetic text takes us to the root of it all––– the “sleeping giant” of magma responsible for the Yellowstone landscape-–and Marlo Garnsworthy’s evocative paintings capture the awe of natural forces at work in our nation’s oldest national park.

What Does It Mean to Be an Entrepreneur?

What Does It Mean to Be an Entrepreneur?

Debbie Gonzales
Discussion/Activity, Special Projects, Picture Book

"Inspires young dreamers to find the courage to be doers."―Jerry Greenfield, Co-Founder, Ben & Jerry's

Being an entrepreneur means...
Following your dream
Loving to learn and being curious
Taking risks

When Rae witnesses an ice cream-and-doggie mishap, she's inspired to create a big-scale solution to help get dogs clean. Rae draws on her determination, resilience, and courage until she―and everyone else in her community―learns just what it means to be an entrepreneur.

Picture Day Perfection (Grades 3-5)

Picture Day Perfection (Grades 3-5)

Debbie Gonzales
Discussion/Activity, Picture Book, Special Projects

It’s picture day, and the boy at the center of this charming picture book wants to make sure his picture is perfect. It seems as though everything’s going wrong for him―he has bedhead, a stained shirt, and a big scowl on his face. But when he goes up for his picture, he thinks about his terrible appearance, and he smiles―because he secretly wants his picture to be the worst ever taken! But just as he smiles, the photo is snapped and his plan is ruined―the photo looks great.
Perfectly paired with the larger-than-life silliness of Dan Santat’s illustrations, this is sure to be a schoolroom favorite. It will come bound with a picture frame in the back so readers can add their own class photos to the book.

Picture Day Perfection (K-2)

Picture Day Perfection (K-2)

Debbie Gonzales
Discussion/Activity, Picture Book

It’s picture day, and the boy at the center of this charming picture book wants to make sure his picture is perfect. It seems as though everything’s going wrong for him―he has bedhead, a stained shirt, and a big scowl on his face. But when he goes up for his picture, he thinks about his terrible appearance, and he smiles―because he secretly wants his picture to be the worst ever taken! But just as he smiles, the photo is snapped and his plan is ruined―the photo looks great.
Perfectly paired with the larger-than-life silliness of Dan Santat’s illustrations, this is sure to be a schoolroom favorite. It will come bound with a picture frame in the back so readers can add their own class photos to the book.

Dozens of Cousins

Dozens of Cousins

Debbie Gonzales
Picture Book, Discussion/Activity

“We are wild and fierce. We do not wait for invitations.” It’s time for the annual family reunion, and the dozens of cousins are running wild like beasties. Like hungry ogres! They hug fluttering aunts and soft-spoken elders, play in the creek, shimmy up trees, take “double-dog dares,” and devour “the sweet juiciness of the world” along with hot dogs and watermelon. Hilarious side stories unfold in Catrow’s fantastically colorful, chaotic spreads that gambol and splash with comical caricatures of grinning kinfolk large and small. A lively, lyrical celebration of the sweet, sweet abandon of running amok among those who love you best.

A Dual Guide: Little Lions, Bull Baiters & Hunting Hounds: A History of Dog Breeds & Harness Horses, Bucking Broncos & Pit Ponies: A History of Horse Breeds

A Dual Guide: Little Lions, Bull Baiters & Hunting Hounds: A History of Dog Breeds & Harness Horses, Bucking Broncos & Pit Ponies: A History of Horse Breeds

Debbie Gonzales
Picture Book, Educator, Special Projects

Thousands of years ago people living on the steppes of central Asia realized that horses could transport them long distances, help them fight their wars, pull their plows, and provide them with sport and companionship. Ever since, horses and human history have been intertwined.

Since prehistoric times, humans and dogs have shared a unique bond and both have served each other well. Early people discarded food and as a result, wild wolves cast fear and caution aside, following and approaching their two-legged neighbors until they became less wary of each other. As humans hunted, fished, herded, and hauled, they found ways to benefit from the presence and talents of these animals. Over time, both learned to work together, rely on, and like each other.

Maximillian Villainous

Maximillian Villainous

Debbie Gonzales
Picture Book, Discussion/Activity

Maximillian Villainous is a monster who doesn’t have the heart to be a villain. His famous family pulls pranks on the likes of Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy, and Max spends his time undoing them. So when he brings home a bunny to be his sidekick, Max’s disapproving mother hatches a plan. She challenges Max and the bunny to become a devious duo; otherwise . . . the bunny hops. If they want to stay together, Max and the bunny have no choice but to go against their nature. They blunder into villainy with comical effect until Max discovers that embracing his good heart may just be the key to pulling off the most devious deed of all and winning his family’s acceptance

Maggi and Milo

Maggi and Milo

Debbie Gonzales
Picture Book, Discussion/Activity

Maggi is an excellent adventurer, a pretty good songwriter, an aspiring scientist, and Milo's best friend. Milo is a Border Collie, and he's very smart. When Maggi gets a book about frogs from her grandma, naturally, she decides to take Milo to find frogs the very next day. But it turns out that catching frogs is hard work. Lucky for Maggi, Milo is there to help. And lucky for Milo, even though Maggi’s not the world’s best frog hunter, she’s the kind of friend who makes everything a little more fun.

With the spunk of Ladybug Girl and an illustration style suggestive of Charles Schulz, Maggi and Milo are an irresistible pair with a whole lot of charm.

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