We are excited to share the March new releases from Lerner Publishing Group. These titles emphasize themes of togetherness, the environment, achievement, and storytelling to help young readers understand the world around them and welcome in the spring.
New in Board Books
Josephine authored and illustrated by Chloé Alméras and translated by Daniel Hahn
The curious, optimistic giraffe in this gifty board book lifts our spirits as she discovers a bright new world of shapes, patterns, friends and nature.
Praise for Josephine
“In Josephine, author/illustrator Alméras has created a serene protagonist who encourages children to stop and connect with the world while always appreciating its natural beauty…Simultaneously tranquil and thought provoking.”—Kirkus Reviews
New in Picture Books
For the Win: Poems Celebrating Phenomenal Athletes by Irene Latham and Charles Waters
- Interest Level: Age 7 – 11
The perfect book for kids who love sports, this poetry anthology highlights twenty contemporary athletes who have overcome obstacles, broken records, and inspired the world with their athletic accomplishments.
Praise for For the Win: Poems Celebrating Phenomenal Athletes
“Each competitor is the main subject of a poem written by a different contributor, resulting in a variety of styles, voices, imagery, and themes. . . . The poems are supported by color photos and brief biographical profiles that help kids interpret language choices and poetic allusions.”—Booklist
“Successfully utilizes poetry to illuminate athletic excellence.”—Kirkus Reviews
Shavuot, Shavuot, Why Are You Sad? authored by Doug Rand and illustrated by Paweł Gierliński
- Interest Level: Age 4 – 8
Shavuot feels overlooked compared to holidays like Rosh Hashanah and Hanukkah. Wondering why it lacks recognition or traditions, Shavuot learns its true significance: celebrating the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai, embracing its unique place in the calendar.
Praise for Shavuot, Shavuot, Why Are You Sad?
“Humorous and sweet—made especially relevant by the relatively small number of picture books on the topic.”—Kirkus Reviews
“This title fills a much-needed gap in Jewish holiday representation and serves as a strong supplemental choice for libraries seeking to diversify their collections.”—School Library Journal
The Power of Her Paintbrush: The Story of Theresa Bernstein authored and illustrated by Janice Hechter
- Interest Level: Age 5 – 9
Theresa Bernstein started drawing at seven and honed her talent at the Philadelphia School of Design. In New York, she used “T. Bernstein” to gain recognition in a male-dominated art world, paving the way for future female artists.
Praise for The Power of Her Paintbrush: The Story of Theresa Bernstein
“A clear, informative book that will have readers cheering for a little-known artist who blazed her own beautiful trail.”—Booklist
“Hechter’s text is well researched, detailed, easy to follow, and accessible to children. Her appropriately painterly illustrations burst with color and contain effective reproductions of Bernstein’s art. . . . An inspiring account of an artist who fought misogyny at each turn—and triumphed.”—Kirkus Reviews
“A great book that touches upon societal issues that need to be taught to children through books like this one.”—Children’s Literature
My Tiger authored by Joy Cowley and illustrated by David Barrow
Interest Level: Age 4 – 7
A boy’s pet tiger is apprehensive about his first trip to the dentist—but the twist ending of this funny picture book turns the dentist’s advice satisfyingly on its head (and that’s the end of the dentist).
Praise for My Tiger
★”A deeply amusing, wonderfully subversive look at defying expectations and watching what you eat.”—starred, Kirkus Reviews
“Subversive and hilarious.”—Armadillo Magazine
Béisbol Begins: How Nemesio Guilló Brought Baseball to Cuba authored and illustrated by Ramon Olivera
- Interest Level: Age 6 – 10
When Nemesio Guilló traveled from his home in Havana, Cuba, to a school in Alabama, he didn’t know he was going to fall in love with a new sport—baseball! Discover how this teenager brought baseball to Cuba.
Praise for Béisbol Begins: How Nemesio Guilló Brought Baseball to Cuba
“A significant addition to baseball’s early history.”—School Library Journal
“Long-overdue recognition for a founding father of Cuban baseball. ¡Maravilloso!”—Kirkus Reviews
“First-generation Cuban American Olivera captures Guilló’s excitement for this fledgling sport and how it was embraced by the people of Cuba in the book’s illustrations, which cleverly incorporate the brilliant red and blue of the Cuban flag. . . . an informative piece of sports history.”—Booklist
“Perfect for families who love history, sports, or stories about resilience. Whether you’re a baseball fan or simply appreciate a well-crafted tale, this book educates and inspires.
Highly recommend for young readers and the adults who guide them.”—La Prensa del Béisbol Latino
The Ocean’s Heart: The Tiny Creatures Essential to Life authored by Jilanne Hoffman and illustrated by Khoa Le
- Interest Level: Age 6 – 10
Dive into the incredible undersea lives of zooplankton, minuscule animals that race to the ocean’s surface to feed on plants. It’s the largest migration of animals on Earth, and it takes place every single night.
Praise for The Ocean’s Heart The Tiny Creatures Essential to Life
★”Le’s swarms of translucent, detailed sea life offer a series of ghostly spectacles that go wonderfully well with the oratorical narrative to make a big splash with young readers.”—starred, Booklist
★”This shimmering tale of interdependence and survival is STEM storytelling at its best.”—starred, Kirkus Reviews
“An interesting, dynamic resource that makes complex environmental science accessible.” —School Library Journal
New in Middle Grade Fiction
Wild Mountain Ivy authored by Shannon Hitchcock
- Interest Level: Age 10 – 14
Twelve-year-old Ivy, still sick months after catching a common virus, starts dreaming about another sick girl who lived in the same house a century ago. As Ivy investigates the other girl, her own life changes.
Praise for Wild Mountain Ivy
“Full of found family that feels like a warm hug, interwoven historical narratives from Hitchcock’s previous work, and a compelling protagonist, this is a sweet middle-grade novel that promises an uplifting variation on the pandemic story and resonates deeply with Appalachian spirit.”—Booklist
“A first purchase for collections in need of stories centering young people with chronic illness.”—School Library Journal
“A gentle but uneven story of healing in an idyllic setting.”—Kirkus Reviews
“Shannon Hitchcock interlaces a Covid-era coming-of-age tale of hope and determination with a lyrical ghost story set during a long-ago tuberculosis pandemic. Her plotlines and heartlines rise and fall as gracefully as the harmonies of a bluegrass ballad sung on an Appalachian porch.”—Sheila Turnage, New York Times bestselling author and Newbery Honor winner
New in Graphic Novels
Red Stones: A Graphic Account of the Salvadoran Civil War authored and illustrated by Ernesto Saade
- Interest Level: Age 14 – 18
In 1981, the Salvadoran Civil War reached Miriam’s village of Santa Marta. In 2021, Ernesto Saade visited to hear her story. The result is a graphic account of conflict, displacement, and the Red Stones massacre.
Praise for Red Stones: A Graphic Account of the Salvadoran Civil War
★”A momentous testimony.”—starred, Kirkus Reviews
★”This powerful graphic novel about a little-known battle in Salvadorian history needs to be on every graphic novel shelf.”—starred, School Library Journal
“To reveal the full experience of the Red Stones Massacre, interviews and eyewitness testimonies are referenced. Miriam’s own compelling narrative is recounted in retrospect, informed by her childhood views. . . . The artwork is remarkable and haunting. . . “—Foreword Reviews
“Simple paneling and cinematic plot beats convey a moving story of war and displacement set against a lushly rendered jungle backdrop with starlit night skies.”—Publishers Weekly
We Are Dwarf Sperm Whales! A Graphic Guide to Cetaceans authored and illustrated by Anne Lambelet
- Interest Level: Age 7 – 11
All fins on deck! Kogi, a dwarf sperm whale, takes us on a deep dive explaining why cetaceans are so special.
Praise for We Are Dwarf Sperm Whales! A Graphic Guide to Cetaceans
“A fetching introduction that effortlessly delivers tons of fascinating facts.”—Kirkus Reviews
“An inviting, fact-packed comic sure to enchant any animal-obsessed kid.”—Booklist
The Secret of Poo Mountain: Book 4 authored by Park Song-eui, illustrated by Kim Duck-Young, and translated by Gloria Ohe
- Interest Level: Age 7 – 11
Dr. Egg, Dr. Yang, and Dr. Woong climb the tallest mountaintops and search the deepest forests for the fabled Golden Poo. Along the way, they learn about interesting animals living in these habitats. But will they ever find the Golden Poo?
Praise for The Secret of Poo Mountain: Book 4
“What I like about this book: Like other books in the series, this one is structured like a scavenger hunt, with each chapter revealing a new clue. That mystery, and the graphic format help make it appealing to readers who might not want to spend time with a field guide.”—Archimedes Notebook
New in Nonfiction
Let’s Camp! authored and photographed by Shelley Rotner
- Interest Level: Age 4 – 9
Experience a camping trip from beginning to end. Colorful photos and simple text show everything from planning and packing to setting up camp and sleeping in a tent, with lots of fun along the way!
Praise for Let’s Camp!
“Information—both in the main text and the backmatter—is presented in language that’s easy for young people to understand. The book ends with tips for packing as well as safety and campground guidelines, suggestions for campsite activities, and a recipe for s’mores. Camping made simple and fun.”—Kirkus Reviews
Bang! The Art, History, and Science of Fireworks authored by Ron Miller
- Interest Level: Age 11 – 18
Explore the brilliant science and craft of fireworks—also known as pyrotechnics, or “the art of fire.” Discover how fireworks were invented, how they are manufactured, the variety available, how people use them in holidays and cultural events, and more.
Praise for Bang! The Art, History, and Science of Fireworks
“Covering many aspects of the subject, this practical guide will give readers a broad spectrum of introductory knowledge on fireworks.”—School Library Journal
“The clearly written accompanying text is marked by accessible organization and a careful selection of facts that together create an engaging read that’s filled with details without overwhelming readers. . . . Illuminating and informative.”—Kirkus Reviews
99 Things to Do Before You Finish High School (Revised and Updated) authored by Steven Jenkins, Erika Stalder, and Evan Villas
- Interest Level: Age 11 – 18
Being in high school is about a lot more than going to high school.
It’s about discovering new places, hobbies, and people—and opening your eyes to the world. This book teaches the stuff teens won’t learn in high school, like how to host a film festival, plan a first road trip, or write a manifesto. Want to spend a day in silence? Learn how to make beats like a DJ? Or shut down a house party before the police do?
Whatever your creative, social, or academic inclinations, these pages will offer you 99 ways to amuse, educate, and interest yourself and your friends. Because your life doesn’t stop at 3 p.m. each day—it just gets started.
Newly revised, this edition reimagines the bestseller with updated text and brand new “side quests” to satisfy adventurous young minds who can’t wait for the end-of-the-day bell to ring.
Praise for 99 Things to Do Before You Finish High School (Revised and Updated)
“A useful and thoughtful resource, offering a wide array of skills and ideas that encourage teens to explore, reflect, and prepare for life beyond graduation, even if they choose to take its advice with a bit of independence.”—School Library Journal
“Teens fighting boredom or looking for alternatives to screen time will find inspiration in this trove of suggestions for activities.”—Kirkus Reviews