Emergency Quarters Illustrations © 2024 by Gracey Zhang hide caption toggle caption Illustrations © 2024 by Gracey Zhang Picture This 'Emergency Quarters' are for pay phones (remember those?) in a new book by ‘90s kids June 30, 2024 • Ernesto's mom gives him a quarter every morning. "For emergencies," she says. "If you need me, look for a pay phone." Hey, it was the '90s! But how will Ernesto spend his Emergency Quarters? 'Emergency Quarters' are for pay phones (remember those?) in a new book by ‘90s kids Listen · 6:59 6:59 Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-4953375/nx-s1-4c33399c-e85a-4e7e-b674-5f0d576de171" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
'Emergency Quarters' are for pay phones (remember those?) in a new book by ‘90s kids Listen · 6:59 6:59 Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-4953375/nx-s1-4c33399c-e85a-4e7e-b674-5f0d576de171" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Illustrations © 2024 by Brian Cronin/Rocky Pond Books hide caption toggle caption Illustrations © 2024 by Brian Cronin/Rocky Pond Books Picture This When Baby Sloth tumbles out of a tree, Mama Sloth comes for him — s l o w l y May 25, 2024 • Did you know on average a sloth will fall out of a tree once a week for its entire life? It's true — and the inspiration for Brian Cronin and Doreen Cronin's new children's book, Mama in the Moon. PICTURE THIS: MAMA IN THE MOON Listen · 7:14 7:14 Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1249942047/nx-s1-b6a418a5-b2a0-4a78-9b00-dc5c1955d15f" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
PICTURE THIS: MAMA IN THE MOON Listen · 7:14 7:14 Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1249942047/nx-s1-b6a418a5-b2a0-4a78-9b00-dc5c1955d15f" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Illustrations é 2024 Jess Hannigan Author Interviews Hold on to your wishes — there's a 'Spider in the Well' May 19, 2024 • There's trouble in the town of Bad Göodsburg! A wishing well has stopped working! NPR's Tamara Keith talks with Jess Hannigan about her new children's book, "Spider in the Well." Hold on to your wishes — there's a 'Spider in the Well' Listen · 7:40 7:40 Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1252085641/1252350878" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Hold on to your wishes — there's a 'Spider in the Well' Listen · 7:40 7:40 Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1252085641/1252350878" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Crown Books for Young Readers Picture This George Takei 'Lost Freedom' some 80 years ago – now he's written that story for kids April 20, 2024 • When actor George Takei was 4 years old, he was labeled an "enemy" by the U.S. government and sent to a string of incarceration camps. His new children's book about that time is My Lost Freedom. George Takei 'Lost Freedom' some 80 years ago – now he's written that story for kids Listen · 10:23 10:23 Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1245844347/1246083045" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
George Takei 'Lost Freedom' some 80 years ago – now he's written that story for kids Listen · 10:23 10:23 Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1245844347/1246083045" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
HarperCollins Publishers Book News & Features Maurice Sendak delights children with new book, 12 years after his death February 6, 2024 • The late author-illustrator, creator of Pierre and Where the Wild Things Are, loved whistling, Mozart, and Mickey Mouse curios. His trademark whimsy can be found in the new book Ten Little Rabbits. Maurice Sendak delights children with new book, 12 years after his death Listen · 4:21 4:21 Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1227594283/1229602813" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Maurice Sendak delights children with new book, 12 years after his death Listen · 4:21 4:21 Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1227594283/1229602813" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Illustrations © 2023 by Anait Semirdzhyan Picture This Mop-mop-swoosh-plop it's rug-washing day in 'Bábo' January 13, 2024 • Little Tato sneaks a few cherry plums before grabbing a mop and a hose to help Bábo — her grandmother — with a favorite chore. Mop-mop-swoosh-plop it's rug-washing day in 'Bábo' Listen · 6:57 6:57 Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1224459521/1224585691" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Mop-mop-swoosh-plop it's rug-washing day in 'Bábo' Listen · 6:57 6:57 Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1224459521/1224585691" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
NPR Review Books We Love Here are 10 kids' books we loved this year December 20, 2023 • If you've found yourself reading the same picture book over and over (and over and over) to a small but determined audience we see you and salute you! Is it time to add a few new titles to the mix?
Illustrations Copyright © 2023 by Jon Klassen Picture This Inquiring minds want to know: 'How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney?' December 3, 2023 • "How does he do it?" Author Mac Barnett and illustrator Jon Klassen squeeze, squash and generally put Santa through the wringer while trying to answer an age-old Christmas mystery. Inquiring minds want to know: 'How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney?' Listen · 9:14 9:14 Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1215909495/1216836596" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Inquiring minds want to know: 'How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney?' Listen · 9:14 9:14 Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1215909495/1216836596" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Illustrations © Axel Scheffler Picture This Beware! 'The Baddies' are here to scare your kids — and make them laugh November 25, 2023 • From the author and illustrator of The Gruffalo and Room on the Broom now comes The Baddies: a witch, a troll and a ghost like being bad so much they compete to see who can be the very worst. Beware! 'The Baddies' are here to scare your kids — and make them laugh Listen · 7:54 7:54 Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1214776038/1215185345" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Beware! 'The Baddies' are here to scare your kids — and make them laugh Listen · 7:54 7:54 Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1214776038/1215185345" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Art © 2023 David Álvarez Picture This Rabbit and Opossum come to life in 'Ancient Night' — a new twist on an old legend August 19, 2023 • David Álvarez's twist on traditional myths from Mesoamerica is about rivalry, jealousy and making amends. What started as a wordless picture book now has text by author David Bowles. Rabbit and Opossum come to life in 'Ancient Night' — a new twist on an old legend Listen · 7:39 7:39 Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1193661058/1194846124" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Rabbit and Opossum come to life in 'Ancient Night' — a new twist on an old legend Listen · 7:39 7:39 Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1193661058/1194846124" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Reprinted from EMILE AND THE FIELD. Copyright © 2022 by Kevin Young. Illustrations copyright © 2022 by Chioma Ebinama Make Me a World, an imprint of Random House Children's Books hide caption toggle caption Make Me a World, an imprint of Random House Children's Books Picture This A little boy falls in love with nature in 'Emile and the Field' August 12, 2023 • Kevin Young first wrote his story about Emile, a boy in love with a field, as a bedtime poem for his son years ago. Now, it lives on as a picture book with watercolor illustrations by Chioma Ebinama. A little boy falls in love with nature in 'Emile and the Field' Listen · 6:46 6:46 Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1193612050/1193612051" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
A little boy falls in love with nature in 'Emile and the Field' Listen · 6:46 6:46 Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1193612050/1193612051" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Illustrations © 2023 Abhi Alwar Picture This Hop in the minivan: 'Summer Is for Cousins' invites you on a family vacation August 5, 2023 • Summer is for swimming, playing cards and talking all night. Summer is for ice cream and doing nothing. And, in this new picture book from Rajani LaRocca and Abhi Alwar, summer is also for cousins. Hop in the minivan: 'Summer Is for Cousins' invites you on a family vacation Listen · 7:53 7:53 Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1190935210/1192344027" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Hop in the minivan: 'Summer Is for Cousins' invites you on a family vacation Listen · 7:53 7:53 Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1190935210/1192344027" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Art from The Story of the Saxophone, text by Lesa Cline-Ransome, illustration by James E. Ransome Holiday House Publishing, Inc. hide caption toggle caption Holiday House Publishing, Inc. Picture This Trumpet was too loud, clarinet was too soft — here's 'The Story of the Saxophone' July 23, 2023 • A shared love of jazz led author Lesa Cline-Ransome and illustrator James Ransome to discover inventor Antoine-Joseph "Adolphe" Sax and the instrument named after him. Trumpet was too loud, clarinet was too soft — here's 'The Story of the Saxophone' Listen · 8:48 8:48 Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1182771707/1189659972" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Trumpet was too loud, clarinet was too soft — here's 'The Story of the Saxophone' Listen · 8:48 8:48 Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1182771707/1189659972" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Illustrations © Lane Smith Picture This After 30+ years, 'The Stinky Cheese Man' is aging well January 22, 2023 • Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith created The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales in 1992. They remember their work on the classic children's book and how their partnership began. After 30+ years, 'The Stinky Cheese Man' is aging well Listen · 11:08 11:08 Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1150382945/1150647103" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
After 30+ years, 'The Stinky Cheese Man' is aging well Listen · 11:08 11:08 Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1150382945/1150647103" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Molly Idle and Juana Martinez-Neal / Holiday House Publishing, Inc. Picture This 'I Don't Care' is a book about what matters in friendship, illustrated by best friends December 10, 2022 • When illustrator Molly Idle read the text of Julie Fogliano's children's book, she immediately thought of her buddy Juana Martinez-Neal — and in true friend form — she volunteered her for the job. 'I Don't Care' is a book about what matters in friendship, illustrated by best friends Listen · 8:11 8:11 Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1142003681/1142074828" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
'I Don't Care' is a book about what matters in friendship, illustrated by best friends Listen · 8:11 8:11 Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1142003681/1142074828" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Jessica Love / Cameron + Company Picture This Kids want to know: 'Will It Be Okay?' — this book answers that question December 4, 2022 • Crescent Dragonwagon was in her 20s when she wrote a story told entirely in dialogue between a mother and her child. Now, she's updating her 1977 text with new illustrations by Jessica Love. Kids want to know: 'Will It Be Okay?' — this book answers that question Listen · 7:07 7:07 Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1139948560/1140630272" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Kids want to know: 'Will It Be Okay?' — this book answers that question Listen · 7:07 7:07 Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1139948560/1140630272" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Ron Barrett Picture This The forecast: Still tasty (and terrifying) in 'Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs' October 9, 2022 • In the 1978 children's classic, it rains soup, it snows mashed potatoes, and hotdogs blow in from the northeast. Judi and Ron Barrett look back on their delectable tale of the town of Chewandswallow. The forecast: Still tasty (and terrifying) in 'Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs' Listen · 7:52 7:52 Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1124930113/1127734307" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
The forecast: Still tasty (and terrifying) in 'Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs' Listen · 7:52 7:52 Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1124930113/1127734307" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Picture This 40 years after she took the stage, 'Angelina Ballerina' is still dancing September 25, 2022 • Angelina is a determined little mouse in a pink tutu who dreams of becoming a ballerina. Katharine Holabird and Helen Craig revisit their beloved character, the star of more than 25 picture books. 40 years after she took the stage, 'Angelina Ballerina' is still dancing Listen · 8:25 8:25 Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1122951295/1124974271" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
40 years after she took the stage, 'Angelina Ballerina' is still dancing Listen · 8:25 8:25 Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1122951295/1124974271" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
A Day For Sandcastles Illustrations copyright © 2022 by Qin Leng hide caption toggle caption Illustrations copyright © 2022 by Qin Leng Picture This A kids' story unfolds without words in 'A Day For Sandcastles' May 22, 2022 • Three siblings spend a summer day at the beach building sandcastles and watching them get demolished in a wordless picture book written by JonArno Lawson and illustrated by Qin Leng. A kids' story unfolds without words in 'A Day For Sandcastles' Listen · 6:58 6:58 Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1093588533/1100588000" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
A kids' story unfolds without words in 'A Day For Sandcastles' Listen · 6:58 6:58 Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1093588533/1100588000" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Beach Lane Books Picture This Behold! 'The Great Zapfino' takes a big leap to overcome his fears April 30, 2022 • A circus performer whose act is called "The Leap For Life" loses his nerve and gets a regular job as an elevator operator. Then a moment comes when The Great Zapfino must finally perform. Behold! 'The Great Zapfino' takes a big leap to overcome his fears Listen · 8:05 8:05 Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1092659789/1095750220" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Behold! 'The Great Zapfino' takes a big leap to overcome his fears Listen · 8:05 8:05 Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1092659789/1095750220" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Scholastic/Kaepernick Publishing Picture This Colin Kaepernick says 'I Color Myself Different' in his first children's book April 2, 2022 • Colin Kaepernick's kindergarten teacher gave his class an assignment: Draw a picture of your family. When he colored his family yellow and himself brown, it became a pivotal moment for his identity. Colin Kaepernick says 'I Color Myself Different' in his first children's book Listen · 8:04 8:04 Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1089986114/1090448819" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Colin Kaepernick says 'I Color Myself Different' in his first children's book Listen · 8:04 8:04 Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1089986114/1090448819" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Daniel Minter/ Alfred. A Knopf Books for Young Readers Picture This A kids' book travels through history to ask: Where does 'Blue' come from? March 12, 2022 • The color blue is all around us, but where does it come from? In Blue, written by Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond and illustrated by Daniel Minter, the answer is as deep as the sea and wide as the sky. A kids' book travels through history to ask: Where does 'Blue' come from? Listen · 6:30 6:30 Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1086069085/1086274435" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
A kids' book travels through history to ask: Where does 'Blue' come from? Listen · 6:30 6:30 Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1086069085/1086274435" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Cinco Puntos Press / Lee & Low Books Picture This Grandma's garden of magical rocks is 'Where Wonder Grows' February 12, 2022 • A grandmother brings her granddaughters to her special garden, where they learn about their connection to nature and tell stories about magical rocks, seashells, crystals and meteorites. Grandma's garden of magical rocks is 'Where Wonder Grows' Listen · 7:24 7:24 Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1079832241/1080354298" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Grandma's garden of magical rocks is 'Where Wonder Grows' Listen · 7:24 7:24 Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1079832241/1080354298" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
HarperCollins Children's Books/Balzer + Bray Picture This WaaaAAH! Rraak! 'Everybody in the Red Brick Building' is awake! January 8, 2022 • Baby Izzie howls, Rayhan's parrot screeches, Benny and his friends play flashlight tag, and Natalia launches her rocket in the new children's book by author Anne Wynter and illustrator Oge Mora. WaaaAAH! Rraak! 'Everybody in the Red Brick Building' is awake! Listen · 7:39 7:39 Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1071380015/1071542956" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
WaaaAAH! Rraak! 'Everybody in the Red Brick Building' is awake! Listen · 7:39 7:39 Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1071380015/1071542956" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript