Spotlight: A Small Blue Whale by Beth Ferry and Lisa Mundorff

From New York Times bestselling author Beth Ferry (Stick and Stone) and talented newcomer Lisa Mundorff comes a gorgeous and utterly charming picture book about a lonely blue whale who learns the meaning of friendship.
 
A small blue whale sits in a silver sea . . . wishing, wanting, waiting for a friend. Waiting is hard, but he doesn’t mind; he’s sure a friend will be worth the wait. 
 
First, the whale meets a quiet pink cloud, and he thinks this might be the friend he’s been waiting for. But when he finds himself in trouble, a group of penguins comes to his rescue and the small blue whale finally gets his wish.
 
This heartwarming story about friendship—what it looks like, sounds like, tastes like, and feels like—will have readers agreeing that a true friend is definitely worth the wait.

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Spotlight: Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas by Russell Hoban and illustrated by Lillian Hoban

The inspiration for the beloved Jim Henson film is back in print after over 40 years. 
 
In 1977, when Jim Henson debuted the now-classic film Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas, few knew it was based on a story written and illustrated by Russell and Lillian Hoban, creators of Bread and Jam for Frances and other treasured children’s books. With an enduring score by the great Paul Williams, the movie remains a holiday viewing tradition in homes across America. Now the book that started it all is back in print, in a beautiful gift edition that will thrill Muppets fans young and old. 
 
Inspired by the classic tale “The Gift of the Magi,” the story begins in a poor country cottage, as Emmet Otter dreams of buying his Ma a piano for Christmas, while Ma dreams of buying Emmet a guitar. When a village talent contest is announced, both imagine their dreams coming true. But what they don’t imagine finding is their real reward—the power of love, family, and hope in hard times. It is a story that reaches into a reader’s heart and reminds us all that fortune favors the brave.

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Spotlight: Return to Power Academy by Jennie K. Grown

Finding out you were wrong about something important can be a let down. But Poppy is pleased to learn she's not just a Monday. She's a Cusper, a weekday lucky enough to have TWO powers. Poppy's elation is short-lived when she, Ellie, Logan, and Sam return to Power Academy as camp counselors, only to find themselves out of their element and struggling with the new drama teacher and his disaster of a school musical. When some campers go missing, Poppy and her team of weekdays are on the case. Soon, Poppy begins to realize that much like her powers, the seemingly-perfect town of Nova has some flaws, and the origin of her powers is as questionable as Headmistress Clothes-too-tight Larriby's choice in outfits.If only there were more days in the week!

Excerpt

Now, that same creeper guy from Novalicious was here at Power Academy. I glanced at Clothes-too-tight Larriby just in time to see a scowl form on her face. Whoever this man was, she was not happy to see him. The mysterious man walked straight up to the stage and leaned in close to Larriby. Her face contorted into an even bigger frown as he whispered in her ear.
“Come on,” Logan said, glancing in my direction. “Use your Thursday skills, Poppy. Larriby looks mad.”
I concentrated really hard on Headmistress Larriby. I wanted to see what she was thinking of this guy’s comments. Typically when I did this, a few words flew through my head here and there and it was easy to get the gist of somebody’s thoughts. But right now, I got nothing but static.
“Well?”
“Nothing,” I said with a frown. “Too many other weekday thoughts flying around. It’s distracting.”
The strange man drew back from Larriby and then proceeded to walk back up the aisle in our direction. As he reached the row where I sat, his eyes caught mine just like they did at Novalicious.
“I wish he’d just go away,” I whispered to Logan.
 By the grimace on Headmistress Larriby’s face, she didn’t want him here, either.

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About the Author

Jennie K. Brown is a high school English teacher by day, freelance magazine writer by night, and middlegrade/young adult author by late-night and weekend. When she isn’t teaching or writing, Jennie can be found reading a good book, traveling, or spending time with her awesome husband, amazing son and super-spoiled yorkie.In 2010, the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) named Jennie the Pennsylvania English teacher of excellence, and she currently serves as President of the Pennsylvania Council for Teachers of English and Language Arts (PCTELA). She is also an active member of SCBWI, NCTE and ALAN.

Connect: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

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Spotlight: Johnny Big-Ears, The Feel-Good Friend by John Paul Padilla

Johnny BIG-EARS is just like every other five-year-old child, but when he starts his first day of kindergarten, children begin to tease him because of his enormously large ears. Follow Johnny as he faces the challenges that being different presents. How will Johnny react to being teased? Find out why Johnny turns out to be a winner in this endearing, thoughtful book that addresses typical childhood bullying and offers children advice on how to deal with teasing. Whether you're a parent or an educator, now you will be able to encourage your kids or students through this special book and help motivate all young kids to start feeling good about themselves no matter who they are, or what they look like!

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About the Author

John Paul Padilla was born in December 11, in Los Angeles, California. He is a multi-award winning author that includes Mom’s Choice Award. He is also a public speaker and advocate against bullying. He is currently residing in the Central Valley of California. John Paul is an ex model, and has danced for fifteen years with a dance academy. He has written lyrical, verses that were recorded by Nashville artists. He has previously published Wings to Cross an Ocean, an inspirational poetry book that encourages personal growth and happiness for adults. John Paul was inspired to write his first anti-bullying book, Johnny Big Ears, the Feel Good Friend, based on his own childhood experiences with teasing and bullying. He has also written Johnny Big-Ears, Meets His New Neighbor Suzy, for little girls, who get teased because of their weight. Both of his books are now out in Spanish. Most recently, Johnny Big-Ears won the Grand prize for best overall, Best Book Cover in the 2017 IndieBRAG First Annual Book Cover Contest.

Visit John Paul's website: Website or catch up with Johnny Big-Ears on Twitter & Facebook!

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Spotlight: Scribble & Author by Miri Leshem-Pelly

Scribble & Author is written as a dialogue between the main character, Scribble, and the author who created her. 

Scribble's journey starts on a peaceful shore called THE BEGINNING, continues to the rough, adventurous MIDDLE, and leads finally to the gate of THE ENDING, but it’s not at all what Scribble expected… Scribble is a scribble and Author is an author, but who really gets to tell the tale?

A picture book about finding your own voice, making your own decisions, and writing your own story.

Watch the book trailer at Vimeo.

Book Excerpt

A color spot,

some pencil lines,

and here you are… Scribble!

Hi, who are you?

Hello Scribble.

I’m the author, and I’m here to help you create your journey.

Let’s start at the beginning.

Wow, Author, you’ve created a beautiful beginning!

Where do I go next?

Well, it’s your journey, so it’s up to you.

What would you like to do?

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About the Author

Miri Leshem-Pelly is the author-illustrator of 14 children’s books. She’s also illustrated 14 books for other writers. When Miri isn’t writing she can be found speaking at schools, kindergartens and libraries. She is invited to do more than 200 presentations with her books per year. Miri is also a Regional Advisor for SCBWI (Society of Children’s book writers & illustrators).

Miri is represented by Olswanger Literary Agency.

Miri’s works have won awards and her illustrations have been shown on several exhibitions.

Miri lives in Israel with her husband and two children, and loves reading books and going on nature hikes.

Connect: WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK

Spotlight: Quest Chasers: The Deadly Cavern by Grace and Thomas Lockhaven

If you knew that your curiosity may take you to a place from which you may never return, would you go?

Tommy and Eevie are trapped in an underground labyrinth filled with deadly traps and puzzles. They must solve each riddle to survive, but every solution leads them closer to what is certain to be their demise.

The Deadly Cavern is the first book of Quest Chasers, a fiction-fantasy series, where characters Tommy and Eevie are taken to a magical adventure you won't soon forget.

If you like fantasy, magical lands and puzzles, then you'll love Grace and Thomas Lockhaven's Quest Chasers!

It’s a fantasy book for teens but young adults have been enjoying it as well.

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About the Author

We're Grace and Thomas Lockhaven. We pretty much met the same way ALL writers meet each other, we met at the gym. While other people discussed their workouts we discussed things like, how to reverse a "creeping death" spell cast by an evil wizard. We could have filled a book with pictures of people's faces that overheard our conversations. Quest Chasers grew from these conversations and now we hope to pass on to you the thrilling adventures of Eevie and Tommy as we bring them to life.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

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