Natsumi!

Natsumi is a little girl with a huge personality.  She does things with all the zeal, volume and might she can muster.  The grown-ups in her life always seem to want her to take her energy down a notch.  As she’s feeling discouraged and that she can’t do anything right, Grandfather imparts some timely advice.  Natsumi takes his words to heart and puts her energy into preparing an incredible surprise for her family at her village’s upcoming festival.  NATSUMI! is an exuberant and heartwarming tale that celebrates children’s uniqueness and strengths.

NATSUMI! was written by Susan Lendroth, illustrated by Priscilla Burris and published by G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers.

The Wild Robot Escapes

She’s back.

“Hello, I am ROZZUM unit 7134, but you may call me Roz.  While my robotic systems are activating, I will tell you about myself.”

The Wild Robot Escapes was written and illustrated by Peter Brown and published by Little Brown Books for Young Readers.  Out now!

Space Kids: An Introduction for Young Explorers

A celestial tour of space, our solar system and its stars, sun, our earth and moon, constellations, galaxies, asteroids and comets.  Readers also get an introduction to Ariane 5, one of the best rockets in the world, a visit to the International Space Station (your lower orbit home away from home) and a look at the day in the life of an astronaut.  Andrea De Santis’ color stories are out of this world.

Space Kids: An Introduction for Young Explorers was written by Steve Parker, illustrated by Andrea De Santis and published by Little Gestalten.

Aquarium

Today we’re drinking in the serene blue beauty of AQUARIUM.  It’s a wordless story about the joys of childhood, friendship and knowing when to let go.  Cynthia Alonso’s colors are inventive and modern and her illustrations really pull you into this little girl’s blissful, whimsical and nature-filled world.  Once you see them, you’ll want to dive into these pages, too.

AQUARIUM was written and illustrated by Cynthia Alonso and published by Chronicle Books.  It’ll be out soon on April 3.

Up, Down & Other Opposites with Ellsworth Kelly

As far as early concept books go, this one has a unique perspective.  It’s a visual journey through Ellsworth Kelly’s artwork exploring pairs of opposites such huge/tiny, empty/full, top/bottom and apart/together.  The antonym pairs are presented clearly and succinctly with a good measure of playfulness and humor.  Smart, well done and not your ordinary book about basic concepts.  Quite the opposite, in fact.

Up, Down & Other Opposites with Ellsworth Kelly was written and created in partnership with the Ellsworth Kelly Foundation and is the fifth title in the First Concepts with Fine Artists series published by Phaidon.  Head over to this Instagram post and scroll right for another preview of the interior.