PICTURE BOOKS

African Acrostics

Poems by Avis Harley

Inside every acrostic is a secret message, often lurking in the first letter of each line (read top to bottom). But look out! These acrostics not only follow their subjects to Africa, but they also take the form to a whole new level. Here you’ll find the elusive double acrostic (in which the first and last letters of each line spell a message), the cross acrostic (in which the message is read diagonally), and the multiple acrostic (see it to believe it) — not to mention lions, zebras, crocodiles, hippos, leopards, and elephants. Oh, my! Illustrated with full-color photographs, this collection is sure to send poetry buffs and animal lovers on an armchair safari they’ll never forget.

Red Butterfly

Illustrated by Sophie Blackall

A young Chinese princess is sent from her father’s kingdom to marry the king of a far-off land. She must leave behind her home of splendors: sour plums and pink peach petals and — most precious and secret of all — the small silkworm. She begs her father to let her stay, but he insists that she go and fulfill her destiny as the queen of Khotan. Beautifully illustrated, here is a coming-of-age tale of a brave young princess whose clever plan will go on to live in legend — and will ensure that her cherished home is with her always.

Now in paperback!

Hana in the Time of the Tulips

Illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline

Hana and her father used to love to walk in the garden in the evening and play their favorite game — the one where Hana is a Renowned Physician and Papa pretends to faint dead away on the bench. But ever since tulip fever struck Holland, Hana's father has been consumed by greed. Soon he is too busy to walk in the garden or kiss Hana good night or even realize how lovely the tulips are. Even worse, the tulip market is crashing, and now Papa is falling into despair. It's up to Hana — with a little help from the painter Rembrandt, a family friend — to find a way to remind her father of what's truly valuable and bring him back to his family. Luxurious illustrations by virtuoso painter Bagram Ibatoulline bring seventeenth-century Holland to life in this poignant portrait of the persistence of love.

When I Met the Wolf Girls

Illustrated by August Hall

Two little girls—raised by wolves—have just arrived at the orphanage, and life will never be the same.

Based on a true story, this book is about many things at once: family, friendship, and what it means to have a home.

Prudence and Moxie

Illustrated by AnnaLaura Cantone

Prudence and Moxie are like apples and oranges, up and down, sweet and sour.

But despite differences, they’re still best friends.

See, there isn’t much that Moxie won’t do—especially when dared. Dare her to kissy-face smoosh against the shark tank? Done. Consecutive twists on an upside-down amusement park ride? Hardly a challenge. How about a fast, fast turbo-cart ride all the way down High Horse Hill? No problem! It's enough to drive quiet, sensible Prudence crazy. Especially when Moxie balks at the one thing that’s very important to Prudence.

Can Moxie learn to try something that makes her feel anything but brave? Triple dog dare you to find out!