This classic series follows the winged feline siblings across four big adventures: finding a new home in the country, returning to the city to visit their mother, befriending a wonderful orange cat, and following the youngest sibling’s foray into the world on her own.

The books are being released in Oct. 24 in hardback ($17.99) and paperback ($6.99) or in a hardcover box set ($71.99). 

THE CATWINGS COMPLETE COLLECTION (Boxed Set): Catwings; Catwings Return; Wonderful Alexander and the Catwings; Jane on Her Own, by Ursula K. Le Guin and S.D. Schindler, Atheneum Books for Young Readers; Boxed Set edition, Oct. 24, 2023, Hardcover, $71.99, Paperback, $27.99 (ages 5-9)

Catwings: Mrs. Jane Tabby can’t explain why her four kittens—Thelma, Roger, James, and Harriet—were born with wings. Whatever the reason, she’s grateful they can use their flying skills to soar away from the dangerous, busy city where they were born. But once the kittens escape, they learn that country life comes with its own difficulties—just as they learn that help and friendship can be found in even the most unlikely places.

Catwings Return: As kittens, James, Thelma, Harriet, and Roger took advantage of their wings by flying away from the busy city where they were born. Now the cats live comfortably in the country with two human friends. But a big adventure is in store for James and Harriet when they decide to return to the city to visit their mother. So much has changed! The dumpster where the kittens grew up is gone. All the buildings in their old alley are being torn down. And inside one of them is a wonderful surprise, just waiting to be discovered…

Wonderful Alexander and the Catwings: When a spoiled kitten named Wonderful Alexander gets caught in a tree, it’s up to Jane to save him. Once he is rescued and adopted by the catwings, Alexander decides to repay Jane’s favor by helping her to overcome her mysterious fear of speaking. When a spoiled kitten named Wonderful Alexander gets caught in a tree, it’s up to Jane to save him. Once he is rescued and adopted by the catwings, Alexander decides to repay Jane’s favor by helping her to overcome her mysterious fear of speaking.

Jane on Her Own: Jane, the youngest of the catwings, goes looking for adventure in the big city and captured! Longing for adventure, Jane, the youngest of the catwings, flies to the city on her own. When she flies through the window of a man who feeds here, she is suddenly captured, and finds herself making appearances as Miss Mystery, the fabulous winged cat! Realizing that being independent is much more dangerous than she thought, Jane plots her escape and hopes to reunite with her mother.

Copyright © 2023 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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THE SKULL: A Tyrolean Folktale, by Jon Klassen, Candlewick, July 11, 2023, Hardcover, $19.99 (ages 4-10)

Jon Klassen’s signature wry humor takes a turn for the ghostly in this thrilling retelling of a traditional Tyrolean folktale. In a big abandoned house, on a barren hill, lives a skull. A brave girl named Otilla has escaped from terrible danger and run away, and when she finds herself lost in the dark forest, the lonely house beckons. Her host, the skull, is afraid of something too, something that comes every night. Can brave Otilla save them both? —Synopsis provided by Candlewick

I recently passed this book on to a friend whose son needed to read a “fairy tale” book and do a report on it. He’s not a confident reader, but The Skull had immediate appeal. Klassen’s monochromatic artwork is an immediate draw. There’s a subtlety to Klassen’s humor that really resonates with kids.

CRIMSON TWILL: WITCH IN THE COUNTRY, by Kallie George and Birgitta Sif, Candlewick, July 11, 2023, Hardcover, $15.99 (ages 7-10)

Crimson Twill’s new friends from New Wart City, Mauve and Wesley, are coming for a visit! But as soon as they arrive at Crimson’s house in Cackle County, things start to go wrong. At the rotten apple orchard, Crimson’s ripening spell goes horribly awry (what will they do with all that rotten applesauce?).

Then, at the broom-straw field, Wesley cuts too much straw and starts to float away. And when the friends try to collect frogs’ breath for their spells (it makes everything wonderfully green and warty), Mauve gets a stinky faceful of it!

What on earth is going on? The whole countryside feels like something big is about to happen, and Crimson wonders if it has something to do with Granny Twill and that giant cauldron of stew she made. Can Crimson get to the bottom of this bad-luck mystery? And, more importantly, will her city friends ever want to visit her again? —Synopsis provided by Candlewick

This is the second book in the Crimson Twill series, but they don’t have to be read in order. It features cute characters and heartfelt storylines that will appeal to readers. Black-and-white illustrations bring the story to life.

Copyright © 2023 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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Ages 3 and up

THE LOUD LIBRARIAN, by Jenna Beatrice and Erika Lynne Jones, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, April 11, 2023, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 3-7)

Penelope is perfect for the job of student-librarian. Friendly? Check. Helpful? Check. Book lover? Check. There’s just one snag. Penelope is…LOUD. Bookcases may topple and the ground may quake at the sound of her voice, but Penelope is determined to prove she’s perfect for the job and stay true to herself. Can a little librarian with a big voice find a place where she belongs?

Ages 4 and up

ON THE NIGHT BEFORE KINDERGARTEN, by Rosemary Wells, Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books, June 27, 2023, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 4-6)

On the night before kindergarten, Milo’s dreams are not happy ones and make him worry about all the ways things at school could go wrong. On the morning of the big day, he’s nervous and wants Mama and Daddy to come with him, but they aren’t allowed. How can Milo face kindergarten alone? But over the course of the day, Milo makes new friends and learns new things. Kindergarten turns out to be pretty great!

BITSY BAT, SCHOOL STAR (The Bitsy Bat Series), by Kaz Windness, Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books, June 6, 2023, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 4-8)

Bitsy is a little bat with big star dreams of making friends at her new school. But when she arrives, Bitsy doesn’t feel like she fits in. The other kids sit on their chairs, but sitting upright makes Bitsy dizzy. The other kids paint with their fingers, but Bitsy would rather use her toes. Everyone tells Bitsy she’s doing things wrong-wrong-wrong, so she tries harder…and ends up having a five-star meltdown.

Now Bitsy feels like a very small star and doesn’t want to go back to school. But with help from her family, Bitsy musters her courage, comes up with a new plan, and discovers that being a good friend is just one of the ways she shines bright!

PALACE OF BOOKS, by Patricia Polacco, Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books, March 7, 2023, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 4-8)

When young Patricia’s family moves to Battle Creek, Michigan, she finds it hard to believe this new place will ever feel like home. But soon she meets the kind librarian Mrs. Creavy and discovers the library’s doors are always open. Now, Patricia has a place to explore and study books about the birds that she loves. Mrs. Creavy even introduces her to the books of John James Audubon and helps Patricia introduce her classmates to the joy of birds by becoming the first member of the Audubon Bird Club of Freemont Elementary.

THE LIBRARY FISH LEARNS TO READ (THE LIBRARY FISH BOOKS), by Alyssa Satin Capucilli and Gladys Jose, Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books, Feb. 7, 2023, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 4-8)

Library Fish is very happy in her bowl on Mr. Hughes the librarian’s desk. From there, she listens to story time and watches Mr. Hughes teach children the alphabet. He says the alphabet is made of letters, letters make sounds, blending those sounds together makes words, and words make stories.

Library Fish wants to read, too! She starts jumping out of her bowl to practice when the library closes at night. Can Library Fish become a reader all on her own?

DAD GOES TO SCHOOL: READY-TO-READ LEVEL 1, by Margaret McNamara and Mike Gordon, Simon Spotlight; Illustrated edition, April 24, 2007, Paperback, $4.99 (ages 4-6)

It’s Parents Week for Mrs. Connor’s first graders. Each day another parent is visiting and showing what they do. But Ayanna’s dad isn’t like the other parents. Will her classmates like him anyway?

CLASS MOM, by Margaret McNamara and Mike Gordon, Simon Spotlight; Illustrated edition, Oct/ 30, 2012, Paperback, $4.99 (ages 4-6)

In the twentieth installment of the hit Robin Hill School series, Nia volunteers her mama to be in charge of planning a great party for Mrs. Connor’s class. Everyone is excited—but Nia’s mama doesn’t know she’s been volunteered! Nia knows her mother is shy about speaking English, and is much more comfortable with her native Spanish. With the party fast approaching, can Nia and her mama pull off a great party for the first-grade class?

Ages 6 and up

A FUNNY THING HAPPENED AFTER SCHOOL . . ., by Davide Cali and Benjamin Chaud, Chronicle Books, July 11, 2023, Hardcover, $12.99 (ages 6-9)

It’s a race to do homework—in space! But first, there’s a spaceship jam. Then there’s the moon detour, the Mars alien exploration, and a stop on the gravity-defying International Space Station. And that’s just the beginning! Henry and Ali want to get their homework done—they really do! But how are they supposed to study the solar system when they seem to be swept up in an endless series of interstellar surprises?

SEJAL SINHA BATTLES SUPERSTORMS, by Maya Prasad, Aladdin, May 2, 2023, Paperback, $6.99 (ages 6-9)

Sejal Sinha is looking forward to celebrating Diwali with her family. But when a hurricane appears, Sejal and her cousin Mira learn that the house is in danger from the imminent storm. With the help of Sejal’s favorite stuffed animal, Professor Cheetah, the two girls use Cardboard Box Magic to build their own Hurricane Hunter and fly into the eye of the hurricane!

They learn about a project from the 1960s called Project Stormfury, where a team actually tried to stop hurricanes. Can Sejal and Mira do what the previous Stormfury team couldn’t and battle the superstorm?

Ages 9 and up

SMART: USE YOUR EYES TO BOOST YOUR BRAIN (Adapted from the New York Times bestseller Visual Intelligence), by Amy E. Herman and Heather Maclean, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, Oct. 25, 2022, Hardcover, $17.99 (Paperback, Sept. 12, $10.99)  (ages 9-13)

What would you say if I told you that looking at art could give you the confidence you need to speak up in class? Or that learning the history of donuts could help you think like a super spy and train like the CIA?

smART teaches readers how to process information using paintings, sculptures, and photographs using methods that instantly translate to real world situations and are also fun!

With three simple steps (1) How to SEE, (2) How to THINK about what you see, and (3) How to TALK about what you see, readers learn how to think critically and creatively, a skill that only requires you to open your eyes and actively engage your brain.

Copyright © 2023 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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THE PRINCESS IN BLACK AND THE PRINCE IN PINK, by Shannon Hale, Dean Hale, LeUyen Pham, Candlewick, April 11, 2023, Hardcover, $14.99 (ages 5-8)

A new hero steps in to help Princess Magnolia save the day in The Princess in Black and the Prince in Pink, by Shannon and Dean Hale and LeUyen Pham.

Princess Magnolia is at the Flower Festival prepping for the evening ball when suddenly she hears a commotion. Oh no! She isn’t prepared to fight a monster or . . . a grumpy emu! To her surprise, a knight in shining armor comes to the rescue, but not before the princess’s prized decorations are stomped on and destroyed. Luckily, the gallant Prince Valerian has his own secret identity — the Prince in Pink — and has been yearning for a chance to show off his special skills, with the help of some twinkle-twinkle and major glam. Glitter has been restored, but then the angry emu returns — with friends! Can the party heroes step up to save the day again? —Synopsis provided by Candlewick

The Princess in Black and the Prince in Pink is the tenth book in this popular series. And as with any series of this length, there are bound to be reasons people like/dislike the books. As you might expect, the new character in this book has some people up in arms, calling it “woke.” But, honestly, there’s nothing wrong with the Prince in Pink. If anything, his character reinforces allowing kids to be themselves.

The bigger problem, if there is one, is that there are fewer monsters to battle and they’re present for less time. So, if that’s what your kids read these books for, then this one should be a library pick prior to purchase.

All that said, The Princess in Black and the Prince in Pink fits well into the series. The illustrations are as energetic as ever and the writing remains on-par.

My 9-year-old is well past reading these books, but that didn’t stop her from picking this one up, reading it cover-to-cover and declaring it, “Great!” She happily recommends it and so do I.

Copyright © 2023 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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BABY BASICS: COLORS CLOTH BOOK (TW BABY BASICS), by Marion Billet, Twirl; 1st edition, April 4, 2023, Fabric, $22.99 (ages 0-3)

Introduce babies to 11 colors in this large and snuggly cloth book with eight different textures perfect for early tactile learning and developing fine motor skills. Bright, eye-catching illustrations of cute animals feature the primary colors, as well as secondary ones like gray, pink, and orange. Plush and cloth book are made of soft non-toxic and machine-washable fabric. —Synopsis provided by Twirl

This fun fabric book is a fun option for the littlest readers. Since it’s fabric, you don’t have to worry about breaking pages or it going in their mouths. Directions say to hand wash (although from my own experience where a similar book was puked on, delicate wash and air-dry work, too). If this book had been around when my daughter was born, I would have bought it, and I won’t hesitate gifting it as well.

LITTLE CHICKS (TARO GOMI), by Taro Gomi, Chronicle Books, Feb. 28, 2023, Board Book, $7.99 (ages 0-3)

From the beloved author of Everyone Poops, a charming tale of three little chicks who are ready to explore the big, wide world together! Running in sunshine and in the rain, over grassy fields and past friendly neighbors, these chicks are as eager for adventure as they are to run back home into the arms of their caring parents at the end of a long day. —Synopsis provided by Chronicle Books

This sweet little board book introduces young readers to the ideas of adventure and discovery and mixes it with the love that comes with being at home. Simple text and some “bigger” vocabulary words (energetically, together) make for a fun read-aloud. Kids will love the colorful chicks.

PICK A PERFECT EGG, by Patricia Toht and Jarvis, Candlewick, Feb. 14, 2023, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 3-5)

Pick a perfect egg with care—
Choose a white one nestled there.
Gather more and softly stack them.
Just be cautious not to crack them!

Pairing Jarvis’s illustrations with Patricia Toht’s rhythmic text, this holiday ode hops through a busy springtime day all the way to Easter Sunday. From the farm where you’ve carefully selected your eggs — eggs perfect for drawing on with crayon, for plopping into dyes and bejeweling — follow along as preparations continue for the much-awaited festivities. Then on Sunday, open your door and search for eggs of a different kind, filled with foil-wrapped chocolate, spinning tops, and jelly beans. —Synopsis provided by Candlewick

This fun picture book celebrates eggs and the (secular) role they play in Easter celebrations. Energetic and colorful illustrations draw readers in, and rhyming text makes it a fun read-aloud for kids and adults.

MY FIRST MOM AND DAUGHTER JOURNAL: AN ACTIVITY BOOK FOR GIRLS AND MOMS TOGETHER, by Katie Clemons and Anna and Daniel Clark, Sourcebooks Explore, Feb. 7, 2023, Softcover, $14.99 (ages 5-8) and MY FIRST MOM AND SON JOURNAL: AN ACTIVITY BOOK FOR BOYS AND MOMS TOGETHER, by Katie Clemons and Anna and Daniel Clark, Sourcebooks Explore, Feb. 7, 2023, Softcover, $14.99 (ages 5-8)

As your little girl or boy grows up and learns to read and write, the two of you can catch special memories in this journal as you swap stories, compare ideas, and explore things you love with each other! Letters, drawings back and forth, and interactive lists invite mother and child to reflect, write, and doodle about all of the things in their life together. With this unique journal for young kids just learning to read and write, mother and child will illustrate or write:

• • • Answers to thought provoking journal prompts and activities―Coloring and drawing activities; Circle your favorite prompts; many more fun activities!
    • Special memories―Here is a picture of something I worked really hard to learn; When I was little, I liked to
    • Personal perspectives―I wake up at; I go to sleep at; I dream about —Synopsis provided by Sourcebooks Explore

Though the suggested age range for this journal is 5-8, it will probably appeal to kids up to 10. My 9-year-old is very interested in doing this together, and she’ll be able to be the one in charge, which will make her all the happier. These charming journals are approximately 140 pages, and feature fun prompts that cover everything from feelings to favorite pizza toppings and everything in between. It’s a great opportunity to bond and learn a little more about each other.

Copyright © 2023 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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The following books are Level 3 Fact Readers that are geared toward kids who are reading on their own. Varied sentence structures and more challenging vocabulary make these great stepping stones to chapter books. The publisher’s suggested age is 7-9, but children as young as 5 will enjoy them.

Though my 8-year-old has moved past readers to novels, she was immediately drawn to these books. They’re great options for kids who are interested in a wide variety of topics.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC READERS: BLING! (L3): 100 FUN FACTS ABOUT ROCKS AND GEMS, by Emma Berne, National Geographic Kids, Jan. 4, 2022, Paperback, $4.99 (ages 7-9)

Get ready to be dazzled by some of the shiniest, most colorful, useful―and even dangerous―rocks, minerals, and gems on the planet!

In this Level 3 reader, discover fascinating facts about the incredible rocks and minerals under our feet and deep in Earth’s crust. Budding geologists will love reading about how rocks form, learning the names and features of the coolest rocks and minerals, and exploring rare and beautiful gemstones. —Synopsis provided National Geographic Kids

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC READERS: MYTHICAL BEASTS (L3): 100 FUN FACTS ABOUT REAL ANIMALS AND THE MYTHS THEY INSPIRE, by Stephanie Drimmer, National Geographic Kids, Jan. 4, 2022, Paperback, $4.99 (ages 7-9)

Calling all fans of unicorns, dragons, sea monsters, and other mythical creatures! Discover 100 marvelous facts that add to the magic in this new reader for fluent readers.

Packed with weird-but-true facts and tons of info, this Level 3 reader explores animals that are mistaken for mythical creatures, critters that are almost too weird for reality, and other creatures with incredible abilities. Learn all about these amazing, unbelievable, and downright fantastical beasts! —Synopsis provided by National Geographic Kids

Copyright © 2022 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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THE PRINCESS IN BLACK AND THE MERMAID PRINCESS, by Shannon Hale, Dean Hale and Pham, LeUyen, Candlewick, Feb. 1, 2022, Hardcover, $14.99 (ages 5-8)

Everyone’s favorite superhero is on her most exciting adventure yet in The Princess in Black and the Mermaid Princess, by Shannon and Dean Hale and LeUyen Pham.

The Princess in Black and her friends are enjoying a day of sun and sea on Princess Sneezewort’s royal boat when a real, live mermaid princess emerges from the waves! Eeeeeee! Princess Posy needs their help protecting her very cute sea goats from being eaten by a very greedy kraken. But the princesses and the Goat Avenger quickly realize that fighting underwater can be tough for land dwellers, and only the mermaid Princess Posy can save the day. Can the masked heroes help her learn that being a princess means more than just being nice — it means speaking up? —Synopsis provided by Candlewick

Waaaay back in 2014, young readers were introduced to a superhero unlike any other.

She was a princess.

A princess in black.

A princess in black with a knack for sending monsters packing back through the hole to Monster Land.

She was smart. She was brave. She was a princess who dreamed of more than pink dresses and crowns.

Seven-plus years later, and there are now nine books in the popular series written by Shannon and Dean Hale and illustrated by LeUyen Pham.

The latest installment, The Princess in Black and the Mermaid Princess, follows the same basic formula — a lovely day spoiled by a misbehaving monster and a princess who learns to trust in herself with the help of her friends.

My 7-year-old has grown up with this series, and even though she’s moved on to “harder” books, she was thrilled to see this latest offering. Here are her thoughts:

“I like that it feels like the first book with goats and a duchess and monsters. I think the story is good, and I like that there’s a narwhal named Krimpledance. The pictures are fun, especially the rainbow cover. This is a really good series.”

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ADA TWIST, SCIENTIST: THE WHY FILES #1: EXPLORING FLIGHT! (THE QUESTIONEERS), by Andrea Beaty, Dr. Theanne Griffith, Amulet Books, Dec. 14, 2021, Hardcover, $12.99 (ages 5-8)

Ask questions with Ada Twist in the first book of a new nonfiction early reader series, The Why Files: Exploring Flight, by Andrea Beaty and Dr. Theanne Griffith.

Why do airplanes look the way they do? Why can’t birds fly when they’re first born? And why do some paper planes fly farther than others?

Ada Twist, Scientist: The Why Files is the perfect nonfiction resource for all these questions and more. Discover everything there is to know about flight from Ada Twist, Scientist—from information about creatures that fly, to the history of aircrafts, to modern technology that allows us to soar through the air faster than ever! —Synopsis provided by Amulet Books

The Why Files: Exploring Flight is a full-color early reader that sits well within The Questioneers picture and chapter books.

In this book, Ada guides readers through the science behind flight. Authors Andrea Beaty and Dr. Theanne Griffith present the science with clear and accessible text that brings the concepts to life. Vocabulary is bolded throughout, highlighting key terms, and bright, bold illustrations and photographs draw readers in.

Without David Roberts’ expressive illustrations, The Why Files: Exploring Flight doesn’t quite have the same charm as the other books in the series. Its overall style is more closely aligned with the Ada Twist, Scientist Netflix series, which has a more cartoon-like feel. But because the book is nonfiction, this stylistic difference is not as jarring as you might think.

Fans of both the books and the Netflix series should enjoy this latest Questioneers offering.

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