New Children's Books

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Firefox Moon

From Eoin Colfer, author of the Artemis Fowl series and New York Times bestseller Juniper's Christmas!

Acclaimed, mega-bestselling Eoin Colfer, named "a master storyteller" by School Library Journal, returns to the world of Juniper Lane for a lively new adventure! This time, Juniper takes off on a summertime quest in a story sure to delight young readers all year round.

Juniper and her loyal flying reindeer Skära are the first ever Guardians of Cedar Wood. With Juniper’s mentor Niko back in the North Pole, they’re entrusted with protecting the magical forest hidden in the middle of London because there’s a teeny-tiny chance that he left behind a few sparks of magic... but definitely not enough to attract any dangerous magical creatures. Probably.

It turns out Niko actually left behind a lot of magic, transforming the entire forest into a haven for powerful creatures just as he's stranded far from London. A witch wielding a flaming dagger, a cursed queen desperate for a cure, and a pack of wolves out for revenge are all in pursuit of a legendary fox with the power to grant a wish under the midsummer Blood Moon—and the very fate of the Cedar Wood, and possibly all of Britain, hangs in the balance. Protecting the forest from these calamitous newcomers is a lot of work for a thirteen-year-old and her trusty reindeer, but Juniper is determined to save the world.

And one more thing—this adventure features a giant ground sloth, which is about the size of a Toyota Prius, but with more claws.

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The Blue Jays That Grew a Forest

Take a lyrical journey on the wings of blue jays as they bury thousands of acorns for next season's food and help Mother Nature extend the oak forests.

Most of us know about the mighty oak tree, and how important oaks are as a keystone species. But we may be less aware of the role that blue jays play in assisting the expansion of oak tree forests.

Covering one full year from season to season, we learn about the habits of the blue jays. All summer long they feed on bugs, berries, and seeds. But as autumn approaches, they perch in the canopy waiting for the acorns to ripen. With cold weather coming soon, this blue crew hauls away acorns, each bird taking as many as five per load. They fly over a farm or two and hide the acorns in a sunny open area where they can find them later when other food is scarce. But not all acorns will be eaten. Little do the jays know that the treasures they bury may one day become the beginnings of a new oak forest.

This debut picture book from poet Lynn Street lyrically celebrates the connection between blue jays and oak trees. It will appeal to readers fascinated by the behavior of birds and by the reciprocal relationships found in nature. While jays depend on acorns for food, the oak depends on jays to scatter its fruit far and wide. Blue jays have specially developed pouches in their throats that allow them to carry several acorns at a time, and they can travel as far as 1,500 miles in a season burying their acorns. A keystone species in oak forest ecosystems, these familiar birds are thought to have contributed to reestablishing oak forests after the last ice age. The detailed back matter provides further information about oaks and jays.

Geisel Honoree artist Anne Hunter, who lives in the jay-filled woods of Vermont, illustrated this book with great affection for these beautiful, clever, and sometimes noisy birds. After reading this book, you will see blue jays in an entirely new light.

Eureka! Nonfiction Children's Book Silver Award

Coming Soon - Kids

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Comeback Creatures

Discover animals thought to be extinct that have been found alive in the wild

Earth is a world of land and sea, of light and dark, of life and death, with thousands of species vanishing each year. They’re gone, presumed extinct, lost for good . . . Or are they? 

In some special cases, certain creatures, thought to have died out, have been found alive and thriving by scientists and local people. They are known as Lazarus species. From the black-footed ferret, which was thought to have died out from disease but was discovered on a porch in Wyoming, USA, to the Pinocchio lizard, a long-nosed reptile found in the cloud forests of Ecuador, examples can be found all over the globe. Comeback Creatures is packed with inspirational stories of animals that have come back from the brink. 

Read all about a habitat and the animals and plant life within it, then turn the page to reveal a Lazarus creature that has been found there and the fascinating story behind its discovery. Compendium spreads dotted throughout the book give a snapshot into even more of these creatures that have defied the odds to survive. 

At the back of the book there’s information on how to become a wildlife detective to protect nature where you live, along with a map to show each habitat and a helpful glossary. 

The thoroughly researched yet lyrical text by children’s author Leisa Stewart-Sharpe brings the story of each creature to life, alongside richly detailed artwork by illustrator Lucy Rose. 

A captivating look at our world, Comeback Creatures is a hopeful exploration of wildlife conservation.

Online Resources

Educate Station

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Educate Station provides easy-to-use, comprehensive learning plans with a robust range of extension activities across a wide range of subject areas for Pre-K through fifth grade.

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Tumble Book Library

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Tumble Book Library is a curated database of children's e-books, available by subscription to Elementary Schools and Public Libraries around the world.

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Scholastic Teachables

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Scholastic Teachables is your one stop shop for all things education featuring printables, lessons, mini-books, and more!

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