Two and a Half Wishes

Fairytale Ninjas

Coming to stores January 4, 2024

Written by Paula Harrison

Illustrated by Mónica de Rivas

Design by Hannah Marshall

Harper Collins Publishing

Jump into a thrilling new series about fairy-tale heroines, ninja moves and epic adventures in this debut book perfect for children aged 5+

CAN THEY SCARE OFF ALL THE BADDIES?

Nothing very exciting EVER happens in the town of Hobbleton. Then Red, Snow and Goldie are trained up as fairytale ninjas, and find that anything is possible…

When fairies start getting trapped and their magic constrained, the ninjas soon realise that a new villain is at work. Can they, with the help of their two and a half wishes, get to the bottom of the problem? Or will they just be a little bit short of that extra sparkle?

Ages 5+, Release Date: January 4, 2024 by Harper Collins Publishing


WINNER! AWSA Golden Scroll

Children's Fiction Book of the Year

The Grumbles - A Story About Gratitude

Written by Tricia Goyer and Amy Parker

Illustrated by Mónica de Rivas

Hachette Book Group / Running Press

The Grumbles were a happy family. . . some of the time. They tried hard to not complain but bills and laundry and sibling squabbles kept the Grumbles rumbling. But when Grandma Grateful came for a visit, they noticed something different. Will Grandma be able to show the Grumbles how to approach life with gratitude? Bestselling authors Tricia Goyer and Amy Parker have teamed up to provide children and their families a sweet, simple, and silly story about how to turn grumbles into gratefulness.

Teach kids to turn grumbling into gratitude in a new picture book by bestselling authors Tricia Goyer and Amy Parker.

Ages 4-8, Release Date: September 14th, 2021 by Hachette Book Group


By Challenge Island

Praised as “a great ­STEAM-infused addition to the fiction section of any elementary or middle school library” by the School Library Journal

School Library Journal

Challenge Island Book Series

School Library Journal Review of The Bridge to Sharktooth Island: A Challenge Island STEAM Adventure

From the world's #1 STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) program and education enrichment program, Challenge Island© presents an exciting new adventure for smart, curious kids. This is Book 2 in the Challenge Island series.

Written by Sharon Estroff and Joel Ross

Illustrated by Mónica de Rivas

Design by Rachel Metzger

West Margin Press / Challenge Island

Gr 2-5–This story introduces three fifth graders forced to use their individual strengths and talents to work together and problem-solve their way out of trouble. Daniel, an avid gamer described as having dark skin, and Joy, an energetic risk-taker described as having “reddish hair” and blue eyes, hear the sounds of drumming while building a snowman in the front yard. They are magically transported to a tropical island where they meet Kimani, a young Black girl, who was reading in her local library and also heard the drumming. Together they find a treasure chest with supplies and a riddle encouraging them to build a bridge to safety. They encounter sharks and an art-loving, talking parrot named Da Vinci. Estroff’s clever prose helps readers think, plan, and create with STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math). The characters are visually introduced to pictures of real bridges to consider when building, such as the Tower Bridge in London and the Sydney Harbor Bridge in Australia. Together they create, fail, and create again to build the strongest bridge using STEAM principles. This is the first in a series that combines adventure and STEAM with a little bit of magic. These are perfect for a technology-focused classroom and lessons, as well as adventure-loving students. Expressive illustrations throughout the chapters help readers to see the models as they are envisioned by the characters. Fun additions at the end of the story include shark facts, Leonardo da Vinci–inspired experiments, and instructions for readers to create the­ir own truss bridge.

VERDICT This is a great ­STEAM-infused addition to the fiction section of any elementary or middle school library.–­Christina Pesiri, Island Trees H.S., Levittown, NY