Books For Children

WHY EVERYTHING YOU KNOW IS WRONG!

Tom Jackson

978-1-62795-036-7 | Paperback | 128 pages | 6.9″ x 6.9″

List Price: $7.99

DESCRIPTION

Think you know it all? Of course you do! But there are a multitude of so-called “facts” that are nothing more than myths. For instance: Carrots improve your vision. Even though you’ve never seen a rabbit with glasses, this little tidbit is actually a trick played by the Royal Air Force in World War II. This book debunks many things we think are true but actually have no basis in fact.

It also includes a bunch of weird but true stuff along the way such as:

• Lightning never strikes twice in the same place.
• Lemmings commit mass suicide.
• Using a cell phone at a gas station could cause a fire.
• Sugar makes kids hyperactive.

And, as a special bonus, included are “WRONG” stickers that can be used to clarify things for your all-knowing friends and loved ones. Just because everyone thinks so doesn’t mean it is true!

AUTHOR BIO

Tom Jackson is a science writer based in the United Kingdom. Tom specializes in recasting science and technology into lively historical narratives. After almost 20 years of writing, Tom has uncovered a wealth of stories that help create new ways to enjoy learning about science. He studied at the University of Bristol and still lives in the city with his wife and three children.

WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY?
(Gemstones)

Marie-Agnès Gaudrat
Illustrated by Carme Solé Vendrell

978-1-62795-121-0 | Hardcover | 60 pages | 10.2″ x 11.2″

List Price: $16.95

DESCRIPTION

Written by Marie-Agnès Gaudrat and beautifully illustrated by the painter Carme Solé Vendrell, What Makes You Happy? is a joyous invitation for children of all ages to ponder and explore what is truly important in life. What makes us happy? To fear the unknown? Or to be curious about new experiences? To use up what exists until it is gone? Or to take care of what exists, so that we may always enjoy it? In thirteen brilliantly painted scenes, Gaudrat and Vendrell pose simple, open-ended questions about what it means to be happy. But rather than offering a set of ready-made answers and morals, this book encourages children to think and feel for themselves. And invites families to engage with topics like altruism, curiosity, selfishness, and benevolence, to inspire children to make up their own minds about how best to live, love, and care for themselves and others.

REVIEWS

“The book incorporates the tenets of many faiths, but avoids religion and encourages kids to find their own spirituality.”
Publisher’s Weekly

“A magical book . . . [that] introduces mindfulness into the lives of young readers.”
Impulse Gamer

AUTHOR BIO

Marie-Agnès Gaudrat is a senior editor at Bayard Presse who has authored numerous texts for the series Les belles histoires de Pomme d’Api, including the bestseller at the start of every school year for the last ten years, Le petit ogre veut aller à l’école, and the very successful series La Famille Cochon. She has also written most of the stories in the series Léo et Popi, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury. Carme Solé Vendrell is an internationally recognized Spanish artist who has illustrated books from all over the world. She has a unique way of working with light, distributing colors on the page and conveying the emotions of her characters.

THE WORLD OF HEROES AND KNIGHTS
(Gemstones)

Daniela Rossi
Illustrated by Giorgia Broseghini

978-1-62795-159-3 | Hardcover | 32 pages | 10.5″ x 12.5″

List Price: $19.95

DESCRIPTION

Inspired by literature and folklore from around the world, these twelve adventurous heroes include a bold pirate, a skilled samurai, a kind-hearted outlaw, and a gallant knight. Giorgia Broseghini’s gorgeous art helps bring to life famous characters including King Arthur, Sinbad, Hercules, and Robin Hood. Fast-paced and fun, The World of Heroes and Knights will take readers on an incredible adventure that will leave them breathless!

AUTHOR BIO

Daniela Rossi started her career in public relations and marketing. After teaching History of Advertising Design for a decade at the University Ca’ Foscari in Venice, she became a freelance editor, promoting reading activities for children in schools, libraries and playrooms. She wrote several books for children, taking part in literary competitions and winning an International Award in 2016 with her book Smartphone Life. Giorgia Broseghini lives and works surrounded by mountains and lakes in a lovely valley near Trento, Italy. She discovered illustration after an adventurous trip through the study of languages and philosophy and studies in Florence where she attended the Nemo Academy of Digital Arts. Drawing has been a lifelong passion and now she knows that it is also the only (and the best) job imaginable. She loves drawing and knows all about birds, flowers, and strange animals like unicorns. She sings while she’s drawing and lets music be her muse. Her bright colors and cute animals make her work joyful and fun; nature is always a big part of her illustrations and she never wastes an occasion to learn. Her clients include Storytime Magazine and Autumn Publishing.

THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF PRINCESSES
(Gemstones)

Daniela Rossi
Illustrated by Simona Bursi

978-1-62795-162-3 | Hardcover | 32 pages | 10.5″ x 12.5″

List Price: $19.95

DESCRIPTION

These twelve smart and beautiful princess stories are inspired by literature and folklore from around the world. In these stunning pages, readers will meet courageous rulers, inspired artists, fearless warriors and an evil sorceress. Through thrilling tales and Simona Bursi’s beautiful artwork, readers will learn about extraordinary women including Nefertari, Pocahontas, Mulan, and Isabella. You’ll never think of princesses the same way again!

AUTHOR BIO

Daniela Rossi started her career in public relations and marketing. After teaching History of Advertising Design for a decade at the University Ca’ Foscari in Venice, she became a freelance editor, promoting reading activities for children in schools, libraries and playrooms. She wrote several books for children, taking part in literary competitions and winning an International Award in 2016 with her book Smartphone Life. Simona Bursi graduated with a Master’s in Cinematic Animation at Urbino University, Italy and lived in Milan from 1997 to 2007 where she worked as a character designer, storyboard-artist, layout artist and animation artist for different cartoon publishing houses: Bozzetto; Animation Band; Mix Film; Green Movie Animation; De Mas and Partners; Motus; Gertie; Rainbow and Studio Campedelli. She has directed video musicals for children and worked as a graphic artist for several television stations. Simona has set designed for video musicals for children as well as for several shows and serials, such as The Bee-Bees, which was broadcast in Italy and throughout the world. Since 2008, she lives in Fano Marche, Italy working as an illustrator for many Italian and European publishing houses.

THE GARDEN OF ENCHANTED FAIRIES
(Gemstones)

Rosalba Troiano
Illustrated by Viola Massarenti

978-1-62795-161-6 | Hardcover | 32 pages | 10.5″ x 12.5″

List Price: $19.95

DESCRIPTION

Meet the twelve magical fairies and elves who make the garden beautiful every month. From spreading spring dandelions to delighting stars with music, their charming stories showcase flowers from each season, from the bluebells of spring to the snowdrops of winter. Viola Massarenti’s lovely artwork shines in the large trim and gatefolds found throughout the book. Filled with nature’s beauty, The Garden of Enchanted Fairies will delight fans of magic and flowers.

AUTHOR BIO

Rosalba Troiano was born in Genoa, Italy and started dreaming about writing books when, as a child, she read Rasmus and the Vagabond by Astrid Lindgren. Since that day, her passion for reading has never stopped, and books for children and teenagers are her absolute favorite. Besides writing, she has an unstoppable passion for theater, as she worked as a set designer and took part in organizing theater productions. Viola Massarenti was born in a village in the province of Modena, Italy, surrounded by the quaint colors of the countryside. Drawing has always been her passion, so she decided to study set design and illustration in two of the most beautiful cities in the world: Venice and Florence. She graduated with a degree in Theater and Visual Arts in Venice and attended the International Comics Academy in Florence. Her first jobs were scientific illustrations so she always starts her artwork with accurate historical and naturalistic documentation. She uses different techniques, from the traditional watercolor, oil or acrylics to 21st century digital painting. Currently a freelance illustrator, she has been commissioned by many international publishing houses, such as Giunti, Tessloff and DeAgostini.

THE BIG BOOK OF GIANT SEA CREATURES AND THE SMALL BOOK OF TINY SEA CREATURES

Cristina Banfi
Illustrated by Francesca Cosanti

978-1-62795-158-6 | Hardcover | 40 pages | 11.31″ x 15″

List Price: $16.95

DESCRIPTION

Sure, you know that the oceans are full of big sea creatures, but did you know that it has some of the biggest living animals on Earth? You can find them among the 40 pages of The Big Book of Sea Creatures. It’s also got plenty of small creatures — some even smaller than your thumb. You’ll find them hiding among the pages of The Small Book of Tiny Sea Creatures. Come and meet them all!

REVIEWS

“The Big Book of Giant Sea Creatures and the Small Book of Tiny Sea Creatures portrays in the two parts 36 brightly hued, often exotic saltwater denizens, from the ½-inch anemone shrimp to 110-foot blue whale and 130-foot giant siphonophore. An intrepid clownfish (sometimes, understandably, hard to spot) provides a sense of scale in each portrait, and accompanying comments offer notes on sizes, habitats, and like helpful points. Unwieldy for library use; just right for little hands and big (really big) laps. (Informational picture book. 6-9)”
Kirkus Reviews

AUTHOR BIO

Cristina Banfi graduated in Natural Sciences from the University of Milan. She has been working for over 20 years in the communications field focusing on science and educational games and has published a variety of titles, both educational and informational for young readers. Francesca Cosanti attended the Multimedia Illustration and Animation Course at the Instituto Europeo di Design in Rome and took the illustration course at Officina B5 at the Academy of Illustration in Rome. In addition, she took intensive illustration courses with internationally famous illustrators. Since then, she has worked as an illustrator in publishing, agencies, advertising and in the corporate world. As an acknowledged expert of illustration, graphic design and multimedia software, Francesca also teaches in various art schools in Italy.

THE BIG BOOK OF GIANT DINOSAURS AND THE SMALL BOOK OF TINY DINOSAURS
(A Curious Kid’s Guide To)

Cristina Banfi
Illustrated by Francesca Cosanti

978-1-62795-157-9 | Hardcover | 40 pages | 11.31″ x 15″

List Price: $16.95

DESCRIPTION

Some dinosaurs were huge, bigger than boats and even your house. Then there were others that were smaller than your bicycle! You’ll find them all in these books! Prehistoric giants have squeezed their way onto the pages of The Big Book of Giant Dinosaurs while the tiniest dinos you can imagine are hiding among the pages of The Small Book of Tiny Dinosaurs. Come and meet them!

REVIEWS

“A separate small hardcover volume about small dinosaurs nestles in the front cover of a much, much larger album of their humongous cousins. Each part of this Italian import features 18 spread-filling dinosaurs in side views, tricked out by Cosanti in loud, saturated colors or patterns and posed for scale with a remarkably calm white chicken against the same tropical backdrop. The effect is a bit surreal, as the dinos and the prehistoric foliage have the thick, rounded look and fuzzy surfaces of stuffed toys, but the weight and bulk of the looming creatures in the super oversized volume—and the lithe grace of most of their often feathered smaller relatives in the diminutive one—do come through vividly enough to make strong impressions on viewers. Each portrait comes with an identifying label and a descriptive comment….even expert dinophiles are likely to find mixed in with the usual suspects a surprising number of unfamiliar species, such as Magnapaulia, Therizinosaurus, and Parvicursor. Unwieldy for library use; just right for little hands and big (really big) laps. (Informational picture book. 6-9)”
Kirkus Reviews

AUTHOR BIO

Cristina Banfi graduated in Natural Sciences from the University of Milan. She has been working for over 20 years in the communications field focusing on science and educational games and has published a variety of titles, both educational and informational for young readers. Francesca Cosanti attended the Multimedia Illustration and Animation Course at the Instituto Europeo di Design in Rome and took the illustration course at Officina B5 at the Academy of Illustration in Rome. In addition, she took intensive illustration courses with internationally famous illustrators. Since then, she has worked as an illustrator in publishing, agencies, advertising and in the corporate world. As an acknowledged expert of illustration, graphic design and multimedia software, Francesca also teaches in various art schools in Italy.

THE AWESOME 50 STATES
(A Curious Kid’s Guide To)

Dinah Williams

978-1-62795-167-8 | Hardcover | 216 pages | 8″ x 10″

List Price: $19.99

DESCRIPTION

Curious about what makes America amazing? Embark on a journey across the USA, learning what makes each state worth a visit, including cool festivals, thrilling rides, odd roadside attractions, natural wonders, and haunted spots.

Arranged alphabetically, The Awesome 50 States takes readers from the mountains of Maine to the coasts of California, stopping along the way at every weird and wonderful place a kid could imagine, including:

• New Jersey’s Kingda Ka, the tallest roller coaster in the world, which reaches 128 mph
• A bed-and-breakfast housed in a big beagle statue in Cottonwood, Idaho
• A creepy doll said to be possessed by an evil spirit in Key West, Florida
• Bucking broncos at the world’s oldest rodeo in Prescott, Arizona
• The 24-layer chocolate cake at Las Vegas’s Strip House in Nevada
• Digging for jewels in Arkansas’s Crater of Diamonds State Park

With more than 1,200 fascinating facts about the 50 states, kids also learn:

• the funniest town names
• a bad joke about each state
• unique foods ·and the nerdy facts necessary for school reports

REVIEWS

“A plethora of facts about the U.S. states and territories for young information browsers and trivia surfers. The highly visual, energetic layout of this guide keeps a dense mix of photos, graphics, and typefaces clear and accessible and packs in plenty of information about curious state-specific phenomena.”
Kirkus Reviews

AUTHOR BIO

Dinah Williams is an editor and children’s book author who is fascinated by odd and unusual stories. Her nonfiction books include True Hauntings: Deadly Disasters; Secrets of Walt Disney World; Haunted Hollywood; and Spooky Cemeteries, which won the 2009 Children’s Choice Award. She lives in New Jersey and has visited 25 of the 50 states.

SECRET SPY
Complete Eighteen Top Secret Missions!
(Mini Maestro)

Tide Mill Media

978-1-62795-030-5 | Book & Kit | 48 pages | 3.8″ x 4.8″

List Price: $9.95

DESCRIPTION

Welcome to the world of espionage! In Secret Spy there are 18 top secret missions to complete! Discover how to be a top code breaker and then go undercover to complete secret missions which will test your sleuthing skills. Use the decoder card, compass, and secret marker pens included in this kit to become a super spy. The 48-page book will teach you covert know-how and includes 20 pages of challenges to put your new skills to the test.

AUTHOR BIO

To follow

ROCKS, MINERALS & FOSSILS
(Spotlight Guides)

Neil Curtis

978-1-78121-319-3 | Paperback | 48 pages | 7.2″ x 9.5″

List Price: $7.99

DESCRIPTION

Featuring detailed, informative text, stunning imagery and colorful diagrams, as well as helpful timelines and glossaries, the Spotlight series offers an engaging and richly illustrated glimpse into a range of fascinating topics from the worlds of history and science. From how rocks and minerals are made, to the best places to search for long-lost fossils, this book is a vibrant visual guide to the rocks, minerals, gemstones, and fossils that literally make up the world on which we live.

AUTHOR BIO

Neil Curtis is a published author, editor, and an illustrator of children’s books and young adult books.