Children and Family Services

A boy and his father go on a camping trip where everything goes wrong! Or does it? From Joe Cepeda, a Theodor Seuss Geisel and Pura Belpré Honor Winner, this early reader comic is perfect for first graders to read on their own!

A boy and his father go on a camping trip! Despite one disaster after another, in the end, father and son agree it was their best weekend ever!

Simple text and comic-book style illustrations support comprehension in this delightful book, ideal for first graders.

Like the father in the book, Joe Cepeda is of Hispanic heritage and he loves going camping with his son.

I Like to Read® Comics are perfect for kids who are challenged by or unengaged in reading, kids who love art, and the growing number of young comics fans. Filled with eye-catching art, humor, and terrific stories, these comics provide unique reading experiences for growing minds.

We hope that all new readers will say, “I like to read comics!”

Everyone's favorite classroom pet is now starring in chapter books!

Humphrey has had lots of adventures as the classroom pet of Room 26, but never one like this. He is going on a campout in the backyard with Heidi and her friends! There’s stargazing, roasting marshmallows, searching for creepy-crawlies—and then there are the prank-loving boys next door, who want to prove that the girls are scaredy-cats.
 

Humphrey doesn’t think girls are scaredy-cats. He doesn’t think girls are like cats at all. Can this VERY-VERY-VERY small hamster show them with a hairy-scary trick of his own?
 

With sweet illustrations and an easy reading level, Humphrey’s Tiny Tales are hamster-iffic for emerging readers.

Cece loves science and adventure!

In this STEM-themed picture book, the second in a series, Cece and her Adventure Girls troop use science, technology, engineering, and math to solve problems and earn their camping pin.

Illustrated by New York Times–bestseller Vashti Harrison, the Cece Loves Science books are perfect for fans of Ada Twist, Scientist and anyone who enjoys asking questions and figuring out how things work. “A good introduction to observation, data, and trying again,” said Kirkus Reviews of the first book in the series.

Cece loves being an Adventure Girl almost as much as she loves science, which is why she can’t wait for her troop’s camping trip. Nature is full of science for Cece to explore!

Along with her friends, her mom, and her dog, Einstein, Cece learns how to pitch a tent, set up a campsite, and document landmarks on the trail. Then thunder booms in the distance! Working together, the girls use meteorology and math to determine the location of the storm; engineering to build a shelter; and technology and math to calculate the length of the trek back to the campsite. After all that teamwork, Cece’s mom gives them an Adventure Girl surprise!

Illustrated by Vashti Harrison, author and illustrator of the New York Times–bestselling Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History, Cece Loves Science and Adventure is just

Eva and her friends are going camping, in this New York Times bestselling early chapter book series just-right for emerging readers!

Pick a book. Grow a Reader!

This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line Branches, aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow!

Eva can't wait to go camping with her classmates! They pitch tents, eat yummy campfire treats, and build useful inventions. Best of all, they go on a treasure hunt through the forest. Join Eva and her friends as they work together to find the treasure!

Continue this book series with "Eva the Owlet," an Apple TV+ original series!

"Imagine a very different New York City-one whose streets are filled with horses and buggies and people on foot. Now imagine that vehicles that shared the road-block-long freight trains trying to deliver goods to the west-side factories. How did New York in the 1800s solve the problem of trains barreling through busy city streets? They built the High Line. But the High Line's story doesn't end there. Once cars became common, innovative New Yorkers began to find and fight for new ways to breathe life into the old, raised train tracks. Since it opened as a 1.45-mile-long park in 2009, the High Line has become an iconic, must-see attraction and a marvel of landscape architecture admired worldwide for its history, beauty, and creative union of urban design with greenspace. As one of the best (and most unique) ways to view the NYC cityscape, it is a major tourist destination and its influence has been global; it was a pioneer in elevated parks, inspiring innovative infrastructure re-use projects around the world. But as the community changed rapidly over the years, longtime residents needed the park to still feel like their home, and they came up with ideas for how the High Line could make not only a global impact, but also help their local neighborhoods. Packed with historical information, gorgeously illustrated, and full of wonder, this nonfiction picture book from author-illustrator Victoria Tentler-Krylov is also a story of the people of New York City, from the imagination and ingenuity of architects and city planners who first built the High Line for the needs of industry, to those who reinvented the High Line for art, recreation, and preservation of nature"--

What is the tallest living thing? It's not an elephant, or a giraffe, or even a blue whale. It's a tree!

Trees are the tallest living things on Earth. But how do they grow to be so tall? Science writer Rebecca E. Hirsch presents a poetic introduction to the tree life cycle in Rise to the Sky. Accompanied by Mia Posada's detailed collage illustrations, this book features the tallest tree species from around the world, including the coast redwood, the Sitka spruce, and the giant sequoia.

An accessible and humorous introduction to maps for budding navigators.

A raccoon narrator embarks on a big adventure in this exciting exploration of maps for the youngest readers. Traditional maps of cities, roads, and parks are joined by some less conventional ones such as inside the body, each one methodically introduced with humor and clear explanation. A clever, colorful, and engaging first look at constructing and decoding maps.

Camping or Glamping?

Albert and Pickles are an unlikely pair of besties and they’re ready to explore the great outdoors for the first time. Albert is ready to camp the old-fashioned way while Pickles thinks he’s going to a five-star resort under the stars. Pickles is going to have to find a way to cope in the wilderness for one whole night, but luckily, Albert is there to assist in pitching a tent, cooking by the fire, and embracing the great outdoors.

While navigating their way through the rest of this camping trip, Albert and Pickles run into their old friend, Platters, who is in search of the Woolly Moon Beast—a legendary ferocious creature. Together, they must reunite a lost baby koala with its mama while this potentially dangerous predator looms large in the woods.

WOMBATS! is a brand new graphic novel series that is perfect for fans of Jack books, Baloney and Friends and Narwhal and Jelly.

Frank takes the lead in tracking down a very smelly creature as our favorite culinary odd couple embark on their funniest adventure yet.

Frank has a book, a map, and a plan to find the Stinky Feet Monster. Bean has new boots, a new hat, and a drum, and is ready to rock--BOOM, BOOM, BOOM! He doesn't believe in the Stinky Feet Monster, but as the two friends trek through the dark woods, they encounter strange noises, big footprints, and a very foul odor. Could that be the elusive monster? Will it make Frank and Bean its next meal? Get ready for a final twist as wry text, deadpan timing, a dash of suspense, and bright, comic illustrations lay out a feast for beginning readers and young listeners hungry for laughs.

Ty makes his I Can Read Comic debut! Featuring a bold comic styling by New York Times bestselling illustrator Niña Mata and a compelling easy-to-read text by Kelly Starling Lyons, this Level One I Can Read Comic is the perfect summertime story for beginning readers!

Celebrate Ty's vivid imagination! Nonstop rain dampens the family's plans to go camping. But with a boost from Ty, the Camp-Out comes out just fine! Rhythmic text, vibrant art, family love, and Black Boy Joy shine on every page of this camping adventure.

Ty's Travels: Camp-Out is a Level One I Can Read Comic, which means it's perfect for shared reading with young readers new to graphic novel storytelling. This is a Guided Reading Level (GRL) J.

The Ty's Travels series is much acclaimed---including a Geisel Honor for Zip, Zoom! and Camp-Out is named one of Chicago Public Library's Best of the Best for 2023.

We all go through awkward, unsteady phases—even animals! Award-winning author and photographer April Pulley Sayre shines a light on nature’s in-between moments in this relatable nonfiction picture book.

Newly hatched, but not ready to fly. Eager to explore, but not ready to leave mama’s side. No longer a tadpole, but not ready to leap from water onto land. Animals, just like people, can find themselves in awkward in-between stages. How do we get out of the in-betweens? With patience and time—and sometimes a little push! Join celebrated author-photographer April Pulley Sayre for a behind-the-scenes glimpse into nature’s in-between moments.

This Caldecott Honor picture book is a simple and profound meditation on the many wonders of life from three-time Caldecott Honor recipient Marla Frazee.

In every life, there is love and loss, hope and joy, wonder and mystery. With glowing art and spare, powerful text, Caldecott Honor–winning creator Marla Frazee celebrates the moments, feelings, and experiences, both big and small, that make up a life.

Winner of the Boston Globe-Horn Book Picture Book Award

A reverent celebration of learning to swim among a diverse cast of children and families who each experience the mysterious joys of water in nature.

In this exploration of what it truly means to swim, expansive vignettes introduce sandpipers, tannin-soaked lakes, and the feeling of a small waterfall on sun-soaked shoulders. But what about those who are afraid of the water's mysterious ways and resist learning to swim? Painting a compelling picture of the many joys and surprises that the water holds, artist and author Jack Wong has delivered an empowering, poetic journey that invites children to discover their confidence within to receive the warmth and wonder of the natural world.

"A vibrant and sophisticated ode to nature."--Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"A wonderful read-aloud."--School Library Journal (starred review)

From Caldecott Medal and Newbery Honor winner Kevin Henkes and acclaimed painter Laura Dronzek, the bestselling and award-winning creators of Winter Is Here, When Spring Comes, and In the Middle of Fall, this sturdy board book about summer celebrates the sights, sounds, and smells of the season.

Bees buzz, birds sing, and children roll in the grass and feel the heat of the summer sun. With striking verbal imagery, repetition, and alliteration, Kevin Henkes introduces basic concepts of language and the summer season. Laura Dronzek's glowing paintings beautifully illustrate the wonders of summer.

In the Middle of Fall, Winter Is Here, When Spring Comes, and Summer Song make for a beautiful quartet of seasonal-themed picture books to share at home or in the classroom. Ideal for introducing the season, for story time, and for bedtime reading.

From a critically acclaimed creator comes this summery picture book featuring an overheated—and overwhelmed—pup who finds his calm with some sea, sand, and fresh air.

“An utter joy from beginning to end!” —Sophie Blackall, two-time Caldecott Medal winner

It's summer in the city, and this hot dog has had enough! Enough of sizzling sidewalks, enough of wailing sirens, enough of people's feet right in his face. When he plops down in the middle of a crosswalk, his owner endeavors to get him the breath of fresh air he needs. She hails a taxi, hops a train, and ferries out to the beach.

Here, a pup can run!

With fluid art and lyrical text that have the soothing effect of waves on sand, Doug Salati shows us how to find calm and carry it back with us so we can appreciate the small joys in a day.