(Chronicle Children’s Books, May 18, 2021) ISBN: 978-1452127835
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The amazing true story of a herd of elephants, the man who saved them, and the miracle of love that brought them home.
One day in 1999, Lawrence and Françoise learn that a herd of wild African elephants needs a new home. They welcome the elephants to their wildlife sanctuary—Thula Thula—with open arms. But the elephants are much less sure they want to stay. How will Lawrence prove to them that they are safe and loved? What follows is a gorgeously illustrated real-life story of a friendship . . . and the story of the miraculous way that love given freely will return—greater and more wonderful than it began.
Awarded the Norman A. Sugarman Honor in Children’s Biography
Winner! Pennsylvania Keystone to Reading Elementary Book Award Primary Grade Winner
Winner! Minnesota Comstock-Gág Book Award Winner
Finalist for Alabama Children’s Choice Camellia Award Finalist grades 2-3
Finalist for CYBILS Award
Finalist for the Kentucky Blue Grass Award
Finalist for the 2024 Connecticut Nutmeg Award
Finalist for the 2023-2024 California Young Readers Medal
Finalist for the 2023-2024 Iowa Goldfinch Award
Finalist for 2024 Illinois Bluestem Award grades 3-5
Finalist 2024 Utah The Beehive Award
Showcased at the Bologna Children’s Book Festival’s BRAW Amazing Bookshelf of “100 publishing gems” chosen from a selection of 2,200 books submitted by publishers from around the globe.
“The story’s flawless, gentle pacing illuminates the animals’ initial fear and the time, patience, and compassion it takes for attentive Lawrence to earn their trust…Hooper’s…shades of rich blue and soft rose heighten the story’s emotional impact.”—Horn Book Magazine
“In brief action-packed sentences, Tomsic informs readers of all the steps taken to bring [the elephants] back, with the text placed against Hooper’s beautifully realized illustrations of African animals and the vast, gorgeous landscape…with its focus on the elephants and the protagonists, this book is lovely, tender, and moving.” —Kirkus Reviews
This touching true story portrays conservationist Lawrence Anthony’s relationship with a frightened, hunted herd that found a home at his reserve in South Africa, Thula Thula..The importance of conservation shines through the friendship story here, and both themes are beautifully complemented by Hooper’s detailed, atmospheric drawings of the elephants and their surroundings.”—Booklist
“The illustrations are expansive with a limited color palette of warm oranges and cool greens and blues. The animal characters are dynamic, humorous, and emotive…A sentimental but high-interest story based on true events of the bond between wild animals and the humans who care for them.” —School Library Journal
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A funny he-said she-said diary on perspective and what really went down in 5th grade, co-written and illustrated by award-winning comic artist, Mark Parisi (HarperCollins Summer 2024 release)!
TEACHERS: Teacher’s Guide and Book Club activities: Click Here
THE 12TH CANDLE (Katherine Tegen Books/HarperCollins)
ISBN 978-0062654977
BULLYING vs. community KINDNESS in a heartfelt and humorous story
featuring the big three: A family curse, an “innocent” prank, and a magic candle.
SYNOPSIS:
Since birth, Sage Sassafras has been plagued by the Contrarium Curse, aka the Curse of the Opposites, and it has pitted her against tall, rich, basketball star, Priscilla Petty. When Priscilla lands dunk shots, Sage throws bricks. When Priscilla has a good hair day, Sage gets tangles, a
nd when Priscilla’s father lands a big promotion at work, things go really sour for Sage’s daddy.
So when Noodler, the biggest search-engine company in the world, challenges students at Goldview K-8 to the Doodle for Noodler art contest, Sage is determined to win fame before Priscilla can, and thereby change her reputation from infamous to famous. Plus, with a little help from the magic candle she received on her 12th birthday, she believes she can do even more! The candle brings pizza, art supplies, and new clothing—maybe it can change the curse, too, so Sage makes the ultimate wish—she asks for a curse-reverse.
In a Freaky-Friday-ish fashion, the consequences of her wish take a terrible turn, and she has to team up with her frenemies to figure out how to break the curse and its reverse for good, or else she’ll be doomed to a life of opposites forever!
CRITICAL PRAISE:
“A thoughtful look at curse versus choice and an encouragement to youngsters to make their own paths.”—Kirkus Review
“Tomsic demonstrates that wishes have a power of their own, no matter the good intentions behind them. [Sage has a] colorful group of friends whose engaging dialogue and ever-evolving relationships capture the essence of middle-school interaction.” —Booklist
“Sage is a believable feisty twelve-year-old, who has been trying to outrun her family’s tarnished reputation for as long as she can remember, and her vulnerability to the preening Priscilla is keenly relatable.” –BCCB
“Friendship, magic, and pink lightning—this book is a wish come true!” —Lauren Myracle
“This sweetly magical novel is a lesson in kindness. There is magic in all of us.” –Kristen Gilligan, owner, Tattered Cover Book Store
“A heartfelt and humorous story about the ups and downs of middle school, touching on the ways acts of forgiveness can change an entire community. The 12th Candle is a wish come true!” –McCourt Thomas, Head of Youth Services, Lyons Regional Library District
“An enchanting and heartfelt story for anyone who has ever tried to wish away their problems!” –Ida Olson, Library Media Specialist, McCormick Junior High School
(Chronicle Children’s Books, April 9, 2019) By Kim Tomsic, Illustrated by Brett Helquist
TEACHER’S GUIDE: Click here for PDF
Guitar Genius, a story of both innovation and perseverance, is centered on Hall of Fame icon Les Paul. Les faced ridicule, hardships, and struggles as he worked to engineer devices and recording techniques that were revolutionary in transforming the way we hear music music.
“An exuberant introduction to a musician and creative genius.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Les Paul was an innovator and musical force for the ages-he changed the world in a very real way. His story is a lesson from which kids of all ages can derive inspiration”. – Billy Gibbons, lead guitarist of ZZ Top.
A Junior Library Guild selection
“The engaging narrative, breezy in tone, is paired with Brett Helquist’s brilliant illustrations.”—Nonfiction Detectives
“Lively story of this inventive boy whose love of music and tinkering lead him to succeed both as a musician and an inventor. An upbeat picture book biography.” —Booklist
“Text and illustrations radiate exuberance and joy…A strong addition to inspire would-be inventors, and an excellent choice for STEM programs and biography collections.”—School Library Journal
Perfect for young readers and rock & roll fans alike!
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(HarperCollins Katherine Tegen Books, February 13, 2018)
Wishes, and Magic, and Dares, oh my! Megan Meyers has a foolproof plan to reinvent herself at her new school. Good-bye, dorky math whiz; hello, friend magnet! But her first day at Saguaro Prep starts off weird to the tenth power.
When she’s dared to “make something exciting happen,” Megan is thrown into the middle of an epic power struggle between the two seventh-grade Spirit Captains. So with nothing to lose as the classroom clock chimes 11:11, Megan wishes for “some magic” —and she is granted an enchanted teen magazine promising miracle makeovers and sure-fire secrets for winning friends and crushes.
But magic can have quirky side effects, and as her social life grows exponentially worse, Megan begins to wonder if wishing was ever a purrfect idea.
Critical Praise for The 11:11 Wish
“Debut author Tomsic infuses Megan’s first-person narrative with lots of personality and a distinctive voice, and secondary characters are all complex and multidimensional. Light fantasy firmly grounded in the realities of middle-school emotions.”
— ALA Booklist
“While Megan’s home life is referenced in healthy doses, the action is firmly centered on the drama at school. Megan is endearingly transparent. Readers will empathize with [Megan’s] tenuous position and her tenacity despite the hilarious situations she gets herself into.” And “A fin, funny fix.”
— KIRKUS REVIEW
“Tomsic puts a pawsitively magical twist on middle school mayhem. Whimsical and wacky, The 11:11 Wish is a romp of a read sure to please young teens and tweens.”
— Ingrid Law, Newbery Honor Winner and New York Times Bestselling Author of Savvy
“Full of unexpected twists and turns, this sweet, funny book is pure magic.”
— Tara Dairman, author of All Four Stars
“Readers will be enchanted by this delightful story of friends, family, fitting in, and finding yourself. The 11:11 Wish mixes the pitfalls of middle school with much humor and heart, and the results are pure magic.”
— McCourt Thomas, Head of Youth Services, Lyons Regional Library
“A magic infused romp that will make you wince and cheer. Perfect for readers struggling to find their own voice in the tricky social landscape of middle school.”
— Ida Olson, Library Media Specialist, McCormick Junior High
“From social outcast to social butterfly – can the enchanted cat clock grant Megan’s impulsive wish? This debut novel is full of mean girls, magic, teenage angst, and ultimately the satisfying discovery of self.”
— Susan Dunn, Children’s Librarian, Mamie Doud Eisenhower Public Library