John Coy starts a new series with
Top of the Order
published by Feiwel & Friends, March 3, 2009
ISBN 9780312373290

The first in a four-book series, Top of the Order introduces fifth-graders Jackson, Isaac, and Gig to a new kid at school, Diego. The four of them go out for their local baseball team, but they are short a second baseman. The person who arrives to play surprises them all and causes difficulties on their team and for their friendship.

Melissa Stewart also tells us
Why Are Animals Orange?
published by Enslow Elementary, March 2009
ISBN 9780766032507

Animals come in all colors of the rainbow—and with good reason, too. The books in the Rainbow of Animals series clearly explain the science behind animal coloration with easy-to-read text and stunning full-color photographs that are sure to delight and educate young readers.

New from illustrator Derek Anderson is
Ballyhoo Bay
Written by Judy Sierra
published by Simon & Schuster, Feb. 24, 2009
ISBN 9781416958888

Welcome to Ballyhoo Bay, where Mira Bella the artist teaches painting and sculpture to grannies and kids. Sun, sea, sand, and sky - what could be more fun?

Until one gray day a billboard goes up, announcing a high-rise building and all kinds of stuff. No more sand or seashells or painting or fun. And absolutely no children and wildlife allowed.

Mira Bella is not one to take this plan lightly. But despite Mira Bella's conviction, can art save Ballyhoo Bay?

Mom's Choice Award winner and E.B. White Read Aloud Award recipient Judy Sierra has created a modern fable for the ages, celebrating art, nature, and community. Derek Anderson's vibrant and buoyant illustrations are as close as you can get to a day at the beach without actually being there.

Come put your toes in the sand at Ballyhoo Beach!

Coming soon from Tracie Vaughn Zimmer is
Steady Hands: Poems About Work
published by Clarion, Feb. 16, 2009
ISBN 9780618903511

In this collection of free-verse poems, inspired by Walt Whitman's I Hear America Singing, Tracie Vaughn Zimmer celebrates workers and the doing of work. The poems are short and direct, with strong, fresh images, and readers can easily imagine themselves in the roles she portrays: welder, librarian, surgeon, retail clerk, camp counselor. The illustrations are as original as the text---amazing multilayered collages made of paper, found objects, ephemera, photographs, dried flowers, and archival images. Steady Hands is sure to inspire discussion, creative writing, art projects, and new answers to the old question: What do you want to do when you grow up?

Megan McDonald brings us
Stink-O-Pedia: Super Stink-Y Stuff from A to Zzzz
Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
published by Candlewick, Feb. 10, 2009
ISBN 9780763639631

Where can you view the world’s oldest ham? Who holds the record for the world’s loudest burp? The answers to these and many, many more essential questions can be found in Stink-O-Pedia — just the sort of reference book that Stink Moody, who reads encyclopedias in his spare time, might make up himself. From J-for-Jawbreaker (and how long it would take an average frog to digest one), to P-for-Professional Smeller (and other strange but true careers), to Y-for-Yeti (why not?), this volume contains enough amazing stuff to keep readers saying "No way!" for a googolplex* of years. At the back of the book, facts are cross-referenced with related Stink and Judy Moody titles.

* See the letter Z-for-Zero!

Rebecca Kai Dotlich introduces us to
Bella & Bean
Illustrated by Aileen Leijten
published by Atheneum, Feb. 10, 2009
ISBN 9780689856167

Bella wants to write poems.

Bean wants to go for a walk.

Bella wants to write poems.

Bean wants Bella to look at her cute toes.

Could these two best friends be more different? But as Bean's attempt to coax Bella away from her notepad become ever more over the top, Bella finds her poetry taking unexpected twists.

You might be a Bella or you could be a Bean - either way, this sweet, clever tale will remind you there is perfect poetry to mismatched friends.

Soon from Dara Dokas is
Muriel's Red Sweater
Illustrated by Bernadette Pons
published by Dutton, Feb. 5, 2009
ISBN 9780525479628

Muriel the duck pulls on her favorite red sweater and hurries all over town to deliver invitations to her birthday party. She’s so busy she never notices the funny things happening around her...like the fact that her sweater is shrinking...and what’s that trailing after her? By the time she returns home, her sweater has disappeared, and all her friends have found good uses for nice bright red yarn!

Luckily, the daffy duck’s friends arrive just in time with the perfect gift—a new sweater! This deliciously illustrated charmer will entrance sharp-eyed young readers with clever details and fun, tongue-in- cheek humor.

Come along with Toni Buzzeo as
Adventure Annie Goes to Work
Illustrated by Amy Wummer
published by Dial, Feb. 5, 2009
ISBN 9780803732339

Amelia Grace is all set for a Saturday full of fun with Mommy. Donning her sparkly tights and red cape, she becomes Adventure Girl! But—oh no!— Mommy’s important report has gotten lost and she needs to go to her office to find it. What kind of adventure can Amelia possibly have in an office building? Well, it turns out that a rambunctious, imaginative kid can find adventure anywhere—and can maybe even save the day for Mommy at the same time.
Infectiously lively and humorously true to the creative energy of a typical preschooler, this is also the perfect read-aloud choice for kids who are curious about what their working parents do all day.

Upcoming from Marion Dane Bauer is
One Brown Bunny
Illustrated by Ivan Bates
published by Orchard, Feb. 1, 2009
ISBN 9780439680103

One brown bunny went out one day
to find a friend who'd like to play.

Join brown bunny in search of friends in the forest. Marion Dane Bauer's charming and ryhmic text paired with Ivan Bates's bold illustrations will draw children into a wonderful world of friendship, animals, and counting.

Catherine Urdahl's first book is
Emma's Question
Illustrated by Janine Dawson
published by Charlsebridge, Feb., 2009
ISBN 9781580891462

Emma is a curious kid. She loves to ask questions and she loves the silly answers that her grandmother always gives. But now Emma has a very important question, one that she is bursting to ask, one that scritches and scratches at the back of her throat. Her grandmother is sick and has to stay in the hospital. Emma wonders if Grandma will still be able to read to her kindergarten; if she will still make up funny stories over bagels on Wednesdays; if she will still be able to watch her after school. But mostly Emma wonders if Grandma is going to die. Emma's Question helps families to answer the question that all kids face at one time or another. Geared toward young children, the story uses gentle humor and simple explanations to describe what is happening to Grandma in the hospital. Funny, sweet illustrations show the depth and closeness of Emma and Grandma's relationship.

The latest from Linda Glaser is
Singing Crickets
Illustrated by Tess Feltes
published by Millbrook, Feb., 2009
ISBN 9780822588061

Cricka crick, cricka crick! This is the song papa crickets sing when they rub their wings together. Follow along as wingless baby crickets grow into singing adults.

New from Melissa Stewart is
Why Are Animals Blue?
published by Enslow Elementary, Jan. 2009
ISBN 9780766032514

Animals come in all colors of the rainbow—and with good reason, too. The books in the Rainbow of Animals series clearly explain the science behind animal coloration with easy-to-read text and stunning full-color photographs that are sure to delight and educate young readers.

New from Marion Dane Bauer is
How Do I Love You?
Illustrated by Caroline Jayne Church
published by Cartwheel, Jan. 1, 2009
ISBN 9780545072700

"How do I love you? Let me count the ways.
I love you as the sun loves the bright blue days . . ."

In this board book with padded covers, a parent declares her love...as the bees love a flower, a duck loves a shower, a bird loves to sing, a bear loves the spring. Written by Newbery-award-winning author Marion Dane Bauer, inspired by the poem by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, and with pictures by Caroline Jayne Church, illustrator of the bestselling I Love You Through and Through.

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