2024 marks the 20th anniversary of Calkins Creek, the ABFYR imprint which introduces children to the many people, places, and events that shaped our country’s history. Calkins Creek’s picture books, chapter books, and novels—nonfiction and historical fiction for ages seven and up—combine original and extensive research with creative, energetic writing. History is key at Calkins Creek—front and... Read More

Tell us about the story’s  blobby beginnings. Constance: When my son was little, Picture Day was a time for rigorous hair brushing and fancy, stiff outfits. How fun was it to reimagine that national rite—Picture Day—at a Monster School? From this original, humorous concept emergeda tiny blob with the soul of a dreamer. Itty Bitty Betty Blob is a blob... Read More

Meet Lauren! Lauren Paige Conrad, who is based in Asheville, North Carolina, has a background in fashion, textiles, and illustrations. She works in cut paper, gouache, colored pencil, and Neocolor crayon, all of which come to vibrant life in her picture book This Is a Window, where the power of children’s imaginations takes center stage.... Read More

An exclusive look at a very special book club event, hosted by Astra Books for Young Readers. Last week, we celebrated Valentine’s Day in the best possible way–with a mother-daughter book club. It was a joy to host friends-of-Astra tweens and their moms for an evening of fizzy drinks (with glasses they personalized with googly eyes) and... Read More

A peek at a sublime weekday lunch gathering of Hippo Park friends with editorial director Jill Davis, in honor of our one-year mark and Hippo Park‘s first book of 2024, Pepper and Me. It’s been just a bit over a year since we launched Hippo Park. Ta-da! What a joyful time it’s been. Our very... Read More

Hippo Park believes in stories that reflect the joyful, surprising, and endlessly fascinating world that kids live in. Our discovery wish list for when children look inside our picture books? Ideas that are funny, silly and often true, and illustrations that convey emotion when words might not. It’s this spirit that inspired us to craft our... Read More

Wrap up your holiday shopping for the kids on your list with a little help from the stars. Minerva‘s editorial director Maria Russo has rounded up a list of recommended titles based on every child’s Zodiac sign. ARIES (March 21–April 19): Pangolina It’s no surprise that the legendary Dr. Jane Goodall is herself an Aries.... Read More

Beatrice Alemagna is the author of PEPPER AND ME, now a Kids’ Indie Next Pick. DEAR READER, when I wrote about a girl and the scab on her knee, I was transported back to the painful moments in my own childhood when I fell off my bike or tripped in the schoolyard. I knew this... Read More

Make this Thanksgiving season (and beyond!) the coolest one yet by celebrating positivity, kindness, and, of course, gratitude . . . with some ideas inspired by the gang from One Cool Duck. One Cool Duck is an early reader graphic novel series by Mike Petrik. Beaded Bracelets for Your Buddies Set a message of positivity this... Read More

Meet Eliza! Eliza Kinkz is a Tejana artist who illustrated Papa’s Magical Water-Jug Clock, written by comedian Jesús Trejo. The book is a hilarious day in the life of Little Jesús and his Papá, who are going to spend a Saturday together working the “family business”…. only for lots of mischief to ensue. Eliza lives in Austin, Texas, and has... Read More