Emma Ledbetter

Happy pub day to R. J. Owens, @callmechartreuse , and their beautiful #CowgirlDreaming (and shoutout to acquiring editor @amynovesky for Cameron Kids!) A young Black equestrian realizes her dream of riding in her community’s parade, inspired by Oakland’s annual Black Cowboy Parade, in this picture book filled with heart and pride. 🐎🐎🐎 A cowgirl jumps over the moon, in my dreams. On Garbo, my pretty palomino pony. But clip clops on blacktop make my eyes pop open. Today is the Black Cowboy Parade. A little girl and her pony are nervous for their very first Black Cowboy Parade—but just like her papa and papa’s papa before her, she’ll saddle up and hold her head high as she rides through the streets she knows by heart. With captivating, collage-style illustrations by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow and a stirring text by author R. J. Owens, this picture book celebrates both the long tradition and lineage of Black equestrians. It also pays respect to the peaceful protests led by community activist Brianna Noble, who gained fame while riding her Appaloosa magnificently through Oakland, California, during Black Lives Matter marches. A call to action, as well as a call for children everywhere to reach for their dreams. 🐎🐎🐎 “Protest and pageantry go hand in hand in this rousing tribute to equestrian dreams of every type.” —@kirkus_reviews “A sincere homage to cultural legacy and community strength.” —@publisherswkly

Tiger 🐯… and Kangaroo 🤘🧑‍🎤👩‍🎤👨‍🎤🤘 (by my 3yo)

Wishing a very happy pub day to #HowardReeves and @duncan.tonatiuh , longtime editor-bookmaker team and now author-illustrator team behind their important and impactful “We the People” is ALL the People. This is such a beautiful and simple way into an evermore critical foundation of understanding about what it means—or should mean—to be an American. (Three ⭐️s!) 🇺🇸 Who are the “we” of “we the people”? This collaboration between award-winning artist Duncan Tonatiuh and author Howard W. Reeves celebrates inclusion, exploring what the preamble to our United States constitution leaves unsaid. We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union . . . Who are the “we the people” mentioned in the preamble to the U.S. Constitution? They are our neighbors next door, down the street, or across the country. They live in different places, worship in different ways, come from different backgrounds and histories. They struggle, achieve, and overcome. They are you, and me, and us. Because, as we strive to create a more perfect union, “we” should mean “all.” Also look for the Spanish-language edition, Nosotros, el pueblo somos todos. 🇺🇸 ⭐️ “Ingeniously profound in its acknowledgment that the U.S. truly is a land of differences.” @kirkus_reviews , starred review ⭐️ “A beautiful reminder that America is shaped by many different ­stories and experiences, and that the goal is to continue expanding who is included in that “we.” Perfect for all ­libraries.” @sljournal , starred review ⭐️ “A straightforward and inclusive message distinguishes this powerfully wrought narrative definition of “we”…It’s a clearly rendered tribute to community care and unity that’s anchored in hues of red, white, and blue.” @publisherswkly , starred review

✨🌈🦄 For something that is just pure fun: a warm, sparkly welcome to the English edition of @christine_le_sanglier ’s #NotAnotherUnicornStory! I promise, this is NOT just another unicorn story; it’s by the beloved French creator Christine Roussey, illustrator of the mega-bestselling #InMyHeart. It has also been requested at bedtime every night for the past week (and we’re not sick of it yet)! 🦄🌈✨ Full of self-aware humor and delightful ridiculousness at every turn, this is a unicorn picture book unlike any other—perfect for sharing aloud. I know what you’re thinking. But don’t worry, I’m not going to tell you another unicorn story! Nothing about a magical horse with a neon pink mane, galloping through an extraordinary world full of wonder. I definitely won’t tell you about the miraculous Fountain of Joy or the rainbow poops as fluffy as whipped cream. And I promise not to say a word about any mischievous gnomes named Nestor. You insist? Pfff, fine, all right . . . 🌟 “A zany, visually exuberant send-up of unicorn lore that will charm fans of over-the-top fantasy and meta storytelling.” —@sljournal , starred review

Wishing a beautiful day to @emilybarthisler and @vesperillustration as their #ThreePiecesofBrokenGlass goes on sale. I was just blown away by this stunning, personal, moving story of hope, resilience, and remembrance—their message about the importance of telling stories and holding onto memories both happy AND sad is so resonant (and to me, so Jewish). This is such a special read. ✨ Evocative and soul-stirring, Three Pieces of Broken Glass—based on the personal history of author Emily Barth Isler and featuring incandescent illustrations by Vesper Stampe—explores how we must seek to find beauty and strength in even the darkest, most broken times. Three pieces of broken glass sit on Grandma Inge’s windowsill. Even though they are small, sharp, and jagged, the light shines through them, casting beautiful rainbows on the wall. When Inge’s great-granddaughter asks why Inge has kept these shards, she learns decades-old stories from her great-grandmother’s life—from the joy of glass breaking at her wedding to harrowing reminders of smashed windows during Kristallnacht. And she comes to understand why we hold onto our memories both happy and sad. From award-winning creators Emily Barth Isler and Vesper Stamper, this inspiring and moving story shows what it means to see the world in a hopeful light, even when it is broken. ✨ ⭐️“Sweet, heartfelt, and altogether wonderful.” @kirkus_reviews , starred review ⭐️“A beautiful blend of concrete objects and memory, of past and present.” @ala_booklist , starred review ⭐️“A beloved relative’s treasured artifacts convey events personal and historical in this meaningful telling.” @publisherswkly , starred review

❤️🎈🍓It’s Robin Day, at last!!! I don’t think I can adequately express how much I adore this book (and series opener… stay tuned for moons and flowers). In fact, I should probably stop now lest I embarrass @ebgoodale . Suffice it to say this is one of the most perfect little children’s books I have ever had the pleasure of working on (or even reading!) And I mean, sticks… parents of toddlers, IYKYK. Welcome to Robin’s world… you won’t want to leave! ❤️💙💛 Reflecting all of the awe, frustration, and delight inherent in a preverbal child’s perspective of the big world around them, award-winning author-illustrator E. B. Goodale’s Robin marks the debut of an irresistible and relatable character whose bite-size, everyday adventures are perfect for the littlest littles. Robin had a stick. Robin always had a stick. One day, there at the end of the street was the biggest stick, the BEST stick, Robin had ever seen. Every morning, Mama tells Robin, “Today you are the biggest you’ve ever been!” But when will Robin be big enough to lift that stick? ❤️💙💛 🌟An Indie Next pick! ⭐️“Outstanding.” @kirkus_reviews , starred review ⭐️“Comical but deeply empathic…this a quietly wonderful work gets at a child’s growing sense of competency, identity, and domain.” @publisherswkly , starred review ⭐️“Delightful… [a] gentle celebration of growing up.” @ala_booklist , starred review

🚨🌋CAUTION: THIS BOOK IS LAVA!!! 🌋🚨 Happy book birthday to the very first official Danny Go! picture book: #DannyGosVolcanoAdventure! It was every bit as fun working on this interactive book with the amazing team behind YouTube sensations @dannygo_official as you would imagine. Congrats guys!! 🌋🌋🌋 In this first picture book from hit children’s YouTube stars Danny Go!, kids interact directly with the book to go on an adventure filled with learning, movement, and fun―all while searching for treasure inside a volcano! 🔥Hey there! I’m Danny Go, and I’d love to go on an adventure with you!🔥 Magical ice gems hide deep inside a volcano . . . but LOOK OUT for hot lava! Can you help Danny Go decide which path is safe to take? Trace, tap, and turn the pages to find the treasure in this interactive tale for young explorers from beloved children’s entertainers and YouTube sensation Danny Go! With fun challenges, cool science facts, and heartwarming moments, this action-filled story is perfect for kids who enjoy exploring the natural world and having fun with friends. Whether you’re a fan of Danny Go’s videos or just love a good adventure, this book will spark curiosity and joy. Shoutout to the amazingly talented @andizolotic for creating such a fantastic Danny and lava-filled world!

What’s scarier for a shy kid than the first day at a new school? A birthday party full of kids… and monsters!?! 🎉👹🎉 Had WAY too much fun working on this absolutely delightful sequel to #TheUnlikelyAventurasofRamónandElCucuy with @donnabarbahiguera & @julianapillustration —these chapter books spin their El Cucuy picture books into spooky-light fun for emerging readers. I think Donna meant the title “Don’t Eat the Birthday Boy” as a joke, but luckily, we convinced her to keep it 😈 ✨ It’s a monster’s ancient duty to inflict unimaginable horrors on misbehaving kids. But El Cucuy doesn’t want to terrorize his assigned human, Ramón—in fact, he’s desperate to get back to the human world to spend more time with his new friend. Unfortunately, back in the monster world, the contract between humans and boogeymen has broken down, and with it, the rules that allow them to coexist in relative peace. When El Cucuy finally makes it back to Ramón, so do a terrifying assortment of boogeymen from other realms. And to those monsters’ delight, they find lots of children gathered in one place: a birthday party! Can El Cucuy and Ramón beat the other boogeymen at their own games—and make sure the birthday boy and his party guests don’t get eaten along the way? Featuring two-color illustrations throughout, this chapter-book series from Newbery Medal–winning author Donna Barba Higuera and acclaimed artist Juliana Perdomo delightfully blends sly humor, light spookiness, and lots of heart. ✨ ⭐️ “A grander, badder boogey world, with an even larger monstrous heart than its predecessor.” @kirkus_reviews , starred review #UnlikelyAventuras #DontEattheBirthdayBoy #UnlikelyAventurasofRamonandElCucuy #ElCucuyisScaredToo

🌱Trying hard to manifest spring while celebrating the book birthday of the beautiful #TinyGarden! 🌱 This little stunner is about slowing down, appreciating the little things, and staying true to yourself, from bestselling, award-winning author @underwoodwriter , and @jaxchowillustrated making a splash with her illustration debut. Shoutout to acquiring editor @amynovesky 💚 🐛 Andrew loves plants, but he’s overwhelmed by the fancy plots in his neighborhood—too big, too tall, too much. With soil, seeds, water, and patience, Andrew’s tiny garden blooms into a size his neighbors may not understand, but that’s perfect for tiny leaves, tiny colors, and tiny visitors. 🌻 ⭐️ “Underwood’s sweet story valorizes “little things” and the true gardener’s intoxication with the earth. Chow’s illustrations are brilliant…A tiny delight that celebrates patience, Zen-like focus, and appreciation for the small things.” @kirkus_reviews , starred review ⭐️ “This soft story celebrates quiet, gentle kiddos, and Andrew gorgeously encapsulates what it looks like to be soft-spoken yet steadfastly oneself.” ―Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, starred review

3 and thriving

A very happy on sale day and big congratulations to @bowru on the gorgeous #RensPencil! ✨✏️✨ When her family moves to a new country, Ren is heartbroken to leave Popo and her magical stories behind. In her new home, nothing feels familiar―until Ren discovers that, with her pencil, she can bring to life what she can’t find the words to say. Through drawing, she bridges the gap between her two worlds and transforms her loneliness into a meaningful connection. Inspired by the childhood experiences of Ezra Jack Keats Illustrator Honor winner Bo Lu (#BaosDoll), this heartfelt picture book is a celebration of resilience, friendship, and finding a sense of belonging through art and storytelling. ✨ “A deft combination of the quotidian and fantastical transforms immigration challenges into a healing creative journey.” @kirkus_reviews “[A] reassuring story about drawing one’s own happy outcomes.” @publisherswkly “Lu’s picture book intimately explores an immigrant child’s complicated feelings while honoring artistic expression and emphasizing how creativity can bring comfort even in difficult circumstances.” ―Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books “This tender tale celebrates imagination and the reassurance that you can always draw someplace that feels like home.” @ala_booklist

Celebrating the publication of #TimetoGoSid—and “celebrating” the post-holiday back-to-school please-get-out-the-door rush, in one go! 💥 The brilliant @isabel_greenberg has a unique knack for melding some of the less-joyful joys of parenthood with total hilarity, and the most endearing storytelling. (See also one of my all-time favorites, #TheMidnightBabies, “a book so captivating that the fate of humanity must surely hinge squarely on its success.”) 🕛 In Time to Go Sid, a “big kid” gets ready to go all on their own—and on their own timeline. 🕐 Shall we go to the park, Sid? Ready? Let’s go! 🕒 It’s time to go, and Sid doesn’t need ANY help getting out the door. Getting dressed means highly creative outfits; eating breakfast requires elaborate contraptions; going to the bathroom is an opportunity for practicing acrobatics. And of course, Sid must pack a bag filled with all of the Important Stuff, including snacks, disguises, dragon food, a map, and several trusted assistants (i.e. stuffed animals). 🕔 Imaginatively told through a child’s-eye view and full of entertaining moments that parents will relate to, this delightful picture book follows a headstrong child moving through their own world at their own pace, in their “I can do it myself!” phase. 🕕 “Fully embracing the child’s point of view, this story demonstrates the idea of the journey being more important than the destination.” @ala_booklist “While expressing tongue-in-cheek sympathy to the plights of children and adults faced with leaving the house, Greenberg reflects back to readers their own brilliance around claiming free will—not by saying no to everyday asks, but by saying yes to creative possibilities.” @publisherswkly “Bringing a sense of mischief and fun to a situation kids and adults know all too well…An inventive take on a familiar struggle.” @kirkus_reviews