Books published by publisher Owlkids

What if the impossible were actually possible? What if we turned our dreams into action? What if our imagination could help solve real-world crises, like war, famine, and human rights violations? Through a series of seemingly whimsical questions, this middle-grade nonfiction book introduces readers to people and organizations that are subverting violence, war, and totalitarian power. What if soldiers refused to carry weapons? What if fighter pilots dropped seeds instead of bombs? What if music could be a creative force for democracy? None of these ideas are impossible―in fact, they are all true historical examples of ideas that have been put into action. Accessible, engaging text introduces a different question and example on each spread. Evocative conceptual illustrations provide a light-hearted reminder of the power of imagination. This timely book encourages readers to think critically and dare to ask big questions, which might just change the world.

Between the beaver building branch by branch, the loon laughing on the lake, and the powerful, playful polar bear, Canada is home to a spectacular array of animals. This concept book celebrates the country’s diverse wildlife by presenting each letter of the alphabet alongside a representative mammal, insect, bird, reptile, amphibian, fish, or invertebrate. The creatures portrayed hail from coast to coast to coast, and reflect close research even in their stylized depictions.Short text phrases describe animal behavior and play with alliteration, making each spread fun and engaging. Paper collage artwork by Geraldo Valério is simple yet sophisticated, full of color, movement, and touches of humor. Created with just paper, scissors, and glue, this art style will easily inspire classroom activities. Two informational spreads at the end of the book feature facts about each creature, with uppercase and lowercase letters repeated for additional comprehension. This cross-curricular book is an educational and visual delight designed to appeal across the trade, institutional, gift, and tourist markets.LEVELINGGrade Range: PreK–1Fountas & Pinnell: LBLexile: NPCOMMON CORERI.K.1,2,3,4,5,6,7,9,10RL.K.1,4,5,6,7,10L.K.1,1a,1b,1c,1f,4,4b,5,5c,6RF.K.1,1d,3,3a,4SL.K.1,1b,2,3,4,5,6W.K.2,3,5,6,7,8

New from the author of This Is SadieA baby’s first year is full of memorable milestones. Learning to crawl, taking first steps, tasting new foods, and forming first words are all exciting achievements. You Are One looks back on each of these universal moments and more, inviting little ones and their parents to celebrate how much they have grown and discovered in just one year, from first teeth to playing peekaboo.Narrated in the second person, You Are One is a charming read-aloud that addresses the baby directly. Supersaturated ink-and-wash illustrations play with pattern and perspective and lend a hip, artistic feel to the book. The diverse babies pictured come to life on the page through the realism of the art, and add to the text’s warmth, sweetness and broad appeal.” The first in a three-book series, You Are One is designed as a whimsical gift for new parents who will enjoy reflecting on their baby's first year and expressing how much their little one is loved.

Everyday childhood activities, such as an excursion to the park, splashing in the bathtub, or fixing a snack in the kitchen, can spark many questions in young children. Why is the sky blue? Why does my stomach g-r-r-owl? Why do cows moo? Curious kids want to know, and no adult has all the answers.Bestseller Why? provides kid-friendly explanations for nearly 100 of these everyday mysteries in an engaging question-and-answer format. The book takes young readers inside the kitchen and out to the park, from the farm to the supermarket, and from bathtime to bedtime. Answers to questions submitted by real kids reveal fascinating tidbits about nature, science, and the world around us. Bright, playful illustrations by Scot Ritchie set the scenes for the common questions that kids ask. Whether read aloud at bedtime or explored in a classroom setting, Why? is a kid-approved nonfiction pick that will encourage inquiry and curiosity.

Phoebe’s day is full of tomorrows: Mama says they can make pancakes, her teacher announces musicians will visit the class, and Phoebe will get ice cream after her haircut―but none of it ’til tomorrow. Phoebe feels frustrated and impatient. Why can’t these good things happen right now? Later in the day, Phoebe’s grandmother bakes cookies and shares the secret ingredient to turn today into tomorrow: a good night’s sleep. Phoebe decides she’ll try it out. This is a sweet, practical story that offers a gentle lesson in the meaning of time. It also addresses the sense of unease kids may feel since they rarely control the way a day unfolds. Bold illustrations full of personality and diversity bring plucky, curious Phoebe’s world to life on the page, making this an enjoyable early-learning read.

On the last day of a family vacation, a little girl is as blue as the sea, and her shoes are filled with sand. What should she do with all of this sand? Together, she and her brother decide to plant the grains of sand, and imagine what will grow. A field of beach umbrellas, to wave hello to the sun? Or a forest of windmills, to fill the sails of a boat? Before drifting off to sleep, the girl has her dad promise they’ll go back for new grains of sand next year. Spare text will prompt readers to wonder and imagine their own possibilities, while illustrations in a palette of yellows and grays convey the sun-soaked joy and the lingering nostalgia of family vacations well remembered.

Is it possible to live forever? People have been trying to figure out a way to escape mortality since, well, forever. This book takes readers on a fast-paced tour of several wacky and wise methods humans have used to try prolonging their lives, from ancient immortality elixirs and quests for a fountain of youth to modern-day research into cryogenics and robotics.Touching on folklore from around the world, famed literary immortals, and studies of animals that seem unaffected by aging, the book delves into topics as diverse as genetics, religious rituals surrounding the afterlife, and research into basic lifestyle choices, like eating blueberries or getting a pet, that could help you live longer. Each page is a playful mix of fascinating facts that open up cross-curricular topics in history, science, and social studies to explore.Illustrations of historical figures, imaginary places, and scientific specimens add a touch of whimsy and bring out the beauty, sincerity, and playful side of human curiosity.Informational text features: table of contents, introduction, chapters, sidebars, fact boxes, headers and labels, map, index, and sources

At a yard sale with his mom, among the toys for sale, Chuck spots a fire truck. It only costs a buck―what luck! Mom buys Chuck the truck, and he loves everything about it. At home, he plays with it nonstop: in the sandbox, the yard, and the mud. But after bath time, once Chuck is squeaky clean, his fire truck is nowhere to be seen! Dumbstruck, Chuck hunts all over the house. Where is his truck?! Was it sucked up into the vacuum, now stuck? Finally, Chuck and his truck are reunited, just in time for bed. Told not in verse but with plenty of fun rhyme and repetition, this story’s bright, cartoon-like art conveys Chuck’s full range of emotions. With humor and warmth, it’s a lovable read-aloud that captures a child’s joy for their favorite toy.

Around the world, baby animals move in different ways. Whether it’s egret chicks practicing flapping their wings, zebra calves learning to run just a few hours after they’re born, or baby orangutans hanging onto their moms as they swing through the jungle, baby animals on the go are not only adorable―they can teach us about animal behavior, too. The second book in the Baby Animals series, it showcases twelve species from around the globe, each moving in different ways. Stunning photographs by award-winning wildlife photographer Suzi Eszterhas are paired with brief informational text. Designed both to be read aloud or explored independently, this book reinforces how baby animals learn valuable life skills that will help them survive on their own in the wild. Back matter gives further information about Suzi and her wildlife photography work.

A baby’s second year is full of memorable milestones. Walking, running, understanding more words, speaking their names, and forming first memories are all exciting achievements. You Are Two picks up where You Are One left off and looks back on each of these moments and more, inviting little ones and their parents to celebrate how much they have grown and discovered.Narrated in the second person, You Are Two is a charming read-aloud that addresses the baby directly. Supersaturated ink-and-wash illustrations play with pattern and perspective and lend a contemporary, artistic feel to the book. The diverse group of babies pictured comes to life on the page and adds to the text’s warmth and broad appeal. The second in a three-book series, You Are Two is designed as a whimsical gift for toddlers or parents who will enjoy reflecting on all the highlights of the second year and expressing how much their little one is loved.LEVELINGGrade Range: PreK–2Fountas & Pinnell: IReading Recovery: 15–16Lexile: AD 310LCOMMON CORERL.1.1,2,3,4,5,7L.1.1,1d,1e,1g,1j,4,5,5c,6RF.1.1,4,4a,4cSL.1.1,1a,1b,1c,2,4,5,6W.1.3,5,8

Reading takes many forms. Some of us read novels, while others read cookbooks, sheet music, tarot cards, or even the stars in the sky. We read clocks, train schedules, and facial expressions. In this ode to reading, each form is lovely and worth celebrating. Mom, Dad, Our Books, and Me follows a young boy and those around him — parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and neighbors — as they all read, immersed in what moves them. Vibrant, whimsical paper collage artwork depicts the colors and textures of the many places in which we read, from hammocks and bubble baths to park benches and waiting rooms. The diverse cityscapes and landscapes often include fanciful elements of imagination.Mom, Dad, Our Books, and Me will leave young readers reveling in this newfound or soon-to-come skill that sparks new adventures and brings people together.

Koala Hospital kicks off the new 4-book Wildlife Rescue series from Owlkids Books. Each book introduces a species of animal in danger somewhere in the world and invites readers inside a rescue center that helps them. Photos by award–winning wildlife photographer Suzi Eszterhas give readers a rare view of the animals and the high level of care they receive.Koala Hospital features a koala rescue center in Australia. It shows why koalas are in danger, how they come to be in the sanctuary, and the process of healing and rehabilitating koalas for return to the wild. Koala Hospital also focuses on the people who work at the rescue center and how they aid the animals.Other special features include a map showing the rescue center and the koala’s native habitat range, as well as an index, glossary, and author Q&A based on common questions from kids. An author’s note at the end introduces readers to small-scale ways that even they can help save koalas.Informational text features: table of contents, photographs with captionsA portion of the royalties from sales of this book will be donated to the Koala Hospital.